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Eric cried as he clung to the sofa. His mother wanted to give him away, to make him live with other abandoned children. And the only thing he wanted was to watch some TV and eat cheesy poofs. It didn’t make sense, why was his mother so evil? Why was everyone so evil? It hurt poor Eric’s heart as he cried and screamed, hoping someone would save him from such a horrible fate.
But nobody cared, and he was shoved into the car by his traitorous mom and kidnapped into distant lands. As the car drove, little Eric could hardly recognize the places they were passing by. This really was the end for him. He had already forgotten what he was crying about, but his tummy hurt from drinking too much chocolate milk and now he wanted to cry again.
He couldn’t see anything from all the tears in his eyes but he still tried to open his backpack. Inside, he found Clyde Frog waiting for him. With a sob, he pulled his friend into a hug and it soothed him a little. Clyde Frog was the best, unlike his mom that made him go on rides when his tummy hurt.
“Come on, poopsykins, it’s gonna be okay…” His mom tried to pet his head but he slapped her hand away. She was mean and he didn’t like her.
After a few minutes, she parked the car and Eric excitedly looked outside the window, hoping they were back home. Instead, he saw a weird yellow house from outside the window and he remembered everything again. And back were the tears as he realized he refused to leave the car, throwing Clyde against his mom’s face to prevent her from getting any closer.
“Eric!” She said with a frown, though didn't seem affected otherwise. With one click, she undid his car seat belt, leaving him unprotected.
“No!!!” He screamed before his mother forcefully removed him from his seat. She was too strong, he couldn’t compete, no matter how much he kicked and pushed.
After putting him back on the ground, Eric recovered the fallen Clyde Frog. After he cleaned him up, he looked up to his mom with a sniffle. “Can you pick me?” All that crying had made him tired.
She sighed with a smile. “Sure, poopsykins.” Gently, she lifted his small body by the waist, and he nestled his face in the crook of her neck, holding Clyde Frog tightly with one arm and sucking his thumb with the other.
Eric loved when his mom carried him. It was cozy, and it made him want to sleep. The downside was that they always arrived everywhere faster than usual because she gave gigantic steps. Way sooner than he would’ve wanted, Eric was put back on the ground and no amount of tears made her change her opinion.
“It’s gonna be fun, Eric.” She said, dragging him by the arm. There were so many big people watching and all of them looked evil. “You’re gonna make friends, sweetie.”
He did not know what she meant. Clyde Frog was already his friend and he didn’t need anything else.
They entered some kind of area that had other children with their parents. Some of them were crying like him and some weren’t, instead they played or ate. One thing was sure, though, they all looked stupid and Clyde Frog was better than them. As his mom left to talk to someone, Eric decided this was the perfect moment to escape. He eyed his surroundings, attempting to find an exit.
Suddenly, his eye caught something. A massive blazing fireball, a few meters away from him. His mother had told him before not to touch fire, that it hurt, but he wanted to touch it. It was calling to him. Just for a little bit…
He began walking towards it, like a moth drawn to light. He felt some kids look at him, but he ignored them, focused only on that flame that nobody else seemed to have noticed. When it was within reach, he stretched his hand, squinting because he wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
The closer he got, the more he hesitated, scared of being hurt. But it was so close, he had to touch it now. He made up his mind and went for it.
His fingertips touched the fire, and the first thing he noticed was that it didn’t hurt. And he wasn’t just being brave. It really didn’t hurt. The second thing was that the fire was very fluffy, like a plush. And that his fingers were sinking into it. It was like a red bush.
“Woah…” He said, as he touched more and more. It was a very warm and cozy bush. He wondered if he could take it home.
Abruptly, the bush began twisting and turning and Eric pulled back, fearing something might happen. He blinked and the bush was gone, replaced by the face of an angry boy. “What r you doin?” The boy asked, with furrowed brows.
Eric was confused. “Where is da ball?”
The kid looked at him like he didn’t understand. “Ball?”
Exasperated, Eric tried to explain. “Red ball! Fire ball!” He glanced to the sides, searching for it. It was here just now, where did it go? Eventually, he found it, sitting at the top of the boy’s head. Excited, he tried to touch it again, only for his hand to be slapped away by that kid. “Aye!”
“Don’t touch.” The kid said, crossing his arms. It was at that moment that Eric noticed his eyes were pink and glassy. As if he knew what Eric was thinking, the boy rubbed his eyes. “What?”
“Why do you have fire on your head?” Eric asked. He had never seen anyone else with fire on their head. Why didn’t he have it?
The boy grimaced. “Not fire, is my hair.” He paused as if he was trying to remember a word. “Stupid.”
Eric frowned. “You stupid.” He said. “And you look weird.”
The kid smiled. “Your fat.”
“Am not-”
“Oh, sweetie, you already made a new friend!” His mom interrupted, coming with a lady that also had fire in her hair.
“I’m so glad!” The other woman exclaimed before whispering something into his mom’s ear.
“Oh, yes.” She nodded. “Mine too.” Leaning down to Eric’s height, she said. “Come on, poopsykins, say your name.”
Upset, Eric glared at the mean kid. “No.”
His mom was undeterred. “I’ll buy you some cheesy poofs on the way home?”
Well, he couldn’t say no to cheesy poofs. But he still didn’t like it. Eyes on the ground, he muttered. “Eric.”
“Good boy!” His mom congratulated him and ruffled his hair.
“Now you, bubbi.” The woman with big red hair said. What was wrong with that family?
Unlike him, the kid didn’t resist at all. He just sighed. “Kyle.”
“Kyle comes from a jewish family, Eric.” His mom explained. “The only jewish family in the town!”
“Jewish?” Eric repeated. He hadn’t heard that word before.
“That’s right!” The other woman lifted her finger. “Us Jews come from a long descendant of…” Before he said anything, Eric already decided he didn’t like her. She was fat and annoying. And he hated her. His attention went back to the kid, who also seemed bored by the explanation.
Surprisingly, when the ball rang, Eric didn’t get scared or begged his mom to stay. For some reason, he felt calmer now. And also, he was glad that fat lady was finally shutting her mouth.
“See you soon, Eric!” His mom greeted him goodbye with a kiss on the forehead.
“Not gonna call you Eric.” Kyle said after the women had left.
“What?” Eric turned to him. “Why?”
Kyle shrugged. “Am gonna call you fat.” He grinned. “Fat ass.”
“Am not fat!” Eric yelled, annoyed. “Your mom is fat! And ugly!”
The joy faded away from Kyle’s face as he turned red. “Shut up about mom!”
“Ha! Your face fire!” Eric laughed. “Like your hair!”
“Shut up!” Kyle yammered, only getting angrier. “Fat ass!”
“Not fat!” Eric exclaimed and tried to remember anything of what Kyle’s mom had said. “Jew! With fire hair!”
They both glared at each other and it was the first time Eric was this annoyed by someone. Not even his mom made him this mad. Not even when she made him shower. It was an entirely new feeling. And from the looks of Kyle’s face, it was mutual.
From now on, Eric wanted to make sure every day Kyle had was terrible. The worst day ever. He was going to make sure of that. He was going to make it his reason to come to this place.
Little Eric smiled.