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Pump listened to the sounds of footsteps coming closer and closer. He groaned and buried his head in the blankets of his bed.
Pump didn’t want to think. He just wanted to sleep.
The strangers came into his room. Pump knew the routine; they’ll make him sit up, look him in the eyes, ask him questions, look at his body, and leave. If he does what they ask, then they’ll go away. But they always come back. Always.
He managed to push himself up into a sitting position. One of them sat next to him on his bed, looking at him with a concerned smile. She was talking to him, but her words just seemed to blend together. Pump listened anyway, watching her mouth move with tired eyes. Suddenly, she stood up and gestured him to follow her. Pump’s eyes widened. This was new. He didn’t want to leave his room, but he knew he couldn’t say no. He avoided her gaze as as he slowly shuffled off the bed and followed her out of his room, then down the stairs.
Pump looked at his father who was talking with a stranger. His father looked back at him with a frown. His eyes were tired, but there was something else behind his gaze that inexplicably made Pump shudder. He looked back at the strangers he was following and froze. One of them had opened the front door, and was looking at him expectantly. Pump didn’t move. She smiled and gestured for him to follow her again.
He had to listen. He didn’t know what would happen if he didn’t.
Pump swallowed thickly and gripped his shirt as he cautiously followed them out the door. He tried to glance once more at his father, but he was now out of Pump’s sight. The strangers led him to a car, and the sight of it immediately made Pump’s chest tighten. It was the car that he had to ride in when they took him away from Skid and Lila. He was terrified. Where were they going to take him this time?
Pump felt tears welling up in his eyes but kept his mouth shut as one of the strangers guided him into the backseat. The door slammed shut, and Pump was immediately overcome with a strong feeling of claustrophobia. He was trapped. His hands shook as he buckled himself in, needing a few attempts before the buckles finally clicked. The car began to move, and Pump breathed hard as he watched his father’s house disappear from view.
The car ride wasn’t long but for Pump it felt like forever. He looked out the window, watching all the houses pass by. They all seemed to blend together; it was his own neighborhood, but Pump was too panicked to recognize any of them. It felt like an alien world where nothing made sense. He could feel tears streaming down his cheeks, and watched as they dropped onto his lap.
The car then took a quick turn, and Pump suddenly realized he recognized this place.
Pump had been here many times, seen these houses over and over, remembered every twist and turn the street would take. Even if he felt he may never be able to visit Skid’s house again, he could never forget where it was. He leaned closer to the window, his heart roaring in his ears as the house he had been to so many times came into view. He felt a sudden flutter of hope in his chest, and it slowly spread through his body as the car slowed and stopped in front of the house.
Pump remembered that Skid had told him many times that he and Skid could be brothers, that he could come to Lila’s house and she could be his mother as well. He didn’t believe him, how could he? His father kept telling him that Lila didn’t want him, that she didn’t like him, that she was lying to him, that she had already given up on him...
Pump flinched harshly as the car door suddenly swung open. He slowly scooted himself out of the car and followed the stranger towards Skid’s house, his heart pounding harder with each step he took. He brushed his sleeve roughly against his eyes to clear his tear blurred vision, looking again and confirming that this was in fact not a dream.
The stranger knocked on the door.
It was only a few seconds before Skid’s mother Lila answered. He stared at her as she exchanged a few words with the stranger. Finally, she looked down at him. He felt himself begin to shake as he looked back at her with wide eyes. She gave him a bright smile, and Pump’s breath caught in his throat. The stranger stepped aside.
Pump thought his heart might burst out of his chest.
He couldn’t stop himself from running over to her, and he let out a startled gasp as she immediately scooped him up. Pump shuddered harshly at the sudden contact, but as Lila brought him close to her chest and starting stroking her hands through his curly hair, he felt a strong warmth quickly spread through his body. He tightened his grip on Lila when he heard the unmistakable sound of someone giggling, he could recognize that voice anywhere.
Skid!
Pump looked below him and saw his best friend jumping for joy and skipping around them, with the happiest smile on his face. Pump felt a fluttering in his chest as a smile started to form on his face as well. He looked back at Lila who was beaming at him, the very sight making any of Pump’s doubts and worries melt away. Lila held him closer and spun around, making Pump squeak in surprise. He had never felt anything like it, but somehow it didn’t frighten him, instead it filled him with such a strong feeling of exhilaration and bliss. He reveled in the feeling, giggling with Skid and hearing Lila laugh along as well.
Pump felt tears spilling from his eyes, but he wasn’t sad, far from it. He had never felt such a mix of positive emotions, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He didn’t know what to say. Instead, he buried his face into Lila’s shoulder, breathing heavily. He felt Lila rubbing soothing circles along his back. Pump relaxed into it, letting out a shaky sigh. Had he ever felt so comfortable before?
Though his thoughts were positively jumbled, he was able to force out one word, spoken so quietly that he barely heard it himself:
“Home?”
Pump felt Lila pause, then she kneeled down, still holding him close. He felt a second set of arms wrap around him and he turned his head to look at Skid, whose eyes were practically sparkling. He leaned into Skid, a strong sense of belonging being added to his pile of scattered emotions. He looked back at Lila, her comforting gaze strengthening that wonderful feeling.
“Yes Pump, this is your home now. You can live here with us,” Lila softly spoke, stroking his head, “If you want, Skid could be your new brother, and I could be your mother. Would you like that?”
Pump’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
“Yes,” he breathed, excitement filled his voice as it began to rise, “yes, yes!”
At this, Skid cheered and tightened his hug around him.
“I told you!” He declared, shaking with pure delight, “I told you we were gonna be brothers!”
Pump chuckled, feeling the tears begin to flow again.
“You did, you did tell me,” Pump grinned as he spoke with a shaky voice. He hesitantly let go of Lila to wrap his arms around his friend, his best friend.
His brother.
“We’re family now,” Pump heard Skid breathe, and he finally allowed himself to believe it. Pump leaned his head onto Skid’s shoulder, and closed his eyes with bliss as he felt Lila bring them both into a group hug. He’s hugged Skid so many times, but never has he felt surrounded by so much warmth. It was like being wrapped in a soft, heavy blanket, a feeling that was almost overwhelming, yet Pump never wanted it to end.
“This calls for a celebration!” Lila announced, giving both boys a squeeze.
“A bit later we can go out for icecream, then I’ll cook us a big dinner! How’s that sound?”
Pump could hardly believe his ears. Skid was the first to react, throwing his hands in the air with joy. “Great idea!” Skid exclaimed, making Lila let out a chuckle. Pump rapidly nodded his head, his eyes shining. Lila moved back a bit and looked at Pump, giving him a warm smile.
“Welcome home.”