18 July 2012
Our house was the biggest in viewpoint with a large solid wooden adventure playground taking up a fraction of the vast 11 acre grounds.
A large portion of the grounds had been divided between the orchard, the barn, the herb garden, Dads workshop and the guest house where Uncle Peter or uncle John would stay when visiting. The rest of the land was fields and a small woodland.
TWO - Feedback
It was Saturday morning I heard my Mum calling up to me from the bottom of the stairs, but I was already awake taking in my morning breaths of scented food. "Aaads, I'm going to town we need some things from the market, would you like to come with me or stay with Daddy?" She asked. "Come with" I replied. "Okay get washed and dressed then come down for some breakfast" I shook my head in acknowledgment even though she could not see me. Apparently getting dressed was a chore for most 3year old boys, but to me It was a whole adventure by itself, my uncle Peter would say that when I got dressed, I had the grace of Swan lake whatever that meant. I would select my favourite clothes from Mr Tailor, normally orange in colour then commence my routine of spinning, twisting, jumping, bobbing and weaving until within seconds I was dressed. Every morning I had to fasten some special metallic bracelets around my wrists and ankles, they seemed heavier than most of the things I use to pick up. Dad use to say "have you got your shackles on son?" then chuckle to himself, whilst mum would lovingly sneer at him with scouring eyes followed by "Don't be so mean" then my favourite bit she would give me a big hug and say "don't listen to him". " My like my shackles" I would say. None of the other kids in the town wore them or anything like them other than leather wrist bands or gold, silver coloured chains or beaded jewellery and when people would ask what they were, mum would tell them that I had a blood disorder and that they are special magnets to help my blood flow or something like that. I galloped like a pony across the landing and hopped like a kangaroo down the stairs, which lead to the joined living room and dinning room, mum looked up from her seat at the dinning table to the sound of my "boing" "boing" noises, as I looked over to her I noticed a look of worry on her face as her lips motioned to say something. "Angelina" my dad called out in his stern voice. Still in mid bounce I looked over to dad and he was subtly shaking his head at mum. I reached the bottom of the second tier of stairs and instinctively jumped the remaining four steps, my mum placing her head in her hands peeked through her fingers before showing me a concerned smile. "MMmm my like breakflast" I said. Breakfast was fresh blueberries, strawberries as big as my eyeballs mixed with soft white chewy stuff.
After breakfast mum got up from the dinning table walked over to Dad where they had a deep warm embrace and a loving kiss, she walked away as he softly patted her bum "oi cheeky" she giggled and offered me her hand on her way towards the door, her beautiful long dark black hair flowing in tune with her red and white Spanish ankle-length-dress as she moved with more grace than beauty, but abundant in both by the look in dad's eyes "see you in a little while honey" she chirped at my father as I leaped off my chair and quickly caught her hand, turning my head to smile at my father. He smiled back "bye son have fun". When mum opened the heavy oak door the bright orange glow that was the morning sun beamed in, radiating everything inside the house, with it's orange glow and intense warmth warming me instantly "Mmmm" mum said "what a lovely day" the sky was cloudless blue with exception of the suns magnificent glow, the scent of the fruit trees became more potent. I looked out to the end of the path and could see our large iron gates opening; a car was coming in, as we walked towards the gate the car passed us and mum waved, it was Uncle Peter and Uncle John in their nice shiny car, we didn't stop to talk, mum just mouthed the words "see you in a bit" and within a small walk that passed in no time at all we were in the town square heading towards the Saturday Market.
After some shopping around mum had gathered a few items and we were coming to the end of the market, that's were I see a young girl with big blue eyes and golden blonde hair staring at me, oshe was tangled in-between her mothers legs, hiding then poking her head out and smiling at me, I waved and mouthed the words "hello", she hid again, then poked her head out, but still clinging on to her mothers leg like a monkey. We walked towards the girl and her mother and it was clear that mum wanted something from the stall where they were standing. As we got closer I spoke to the girl, she was like a magnet to me I couldn't pull away It was the first time I had felt the static... All the hair on my body stood to attention like soldiers... my thoughts fizzled and crackled I had to talk to her, there was loads of other kids and people and noise, but it seemed like there was only us! all the noise diluted into whispers and muffles I wasn't sure if it was her heart beating I could hear, but I could feel mine pounding away in my chest, speaking to her was all that mattered amongst all the hustle. She giggled every time I went to speak, which made it hard for me to get my words out. Then I took a deep breath and just shouted "What's your name" "I'm Adam" and stuck out my hand so she could shake it like Uncle John and Peter do. I was aware that my shouting had attracted the attention of our mothers who awed and gazed down at us. The little girl remained silent, maybe in shock from my shouting, I turned to my mum and said "What shall I do? I can't communicate ", "be patient" was mum's reply, then the little girl's mother edged the little girl towards me and said "go on Everlyn say hello to Adam" The little girl Everlyn just threw her hands to her ears and squeaked "make it stop mummy, make it stop" "OH my god what's wrong darling" Everlyn's mother shrieked, scooping her up into her arms "tell mummy" she pleaded. "the noise, make the noise stop!" Everlyn cried out again. I felt this feeling rip through me, a lump in my throat as my eyes began to shed water, why does the girl hate me I thought, just then a screeching sound ripped through my ears and I couldn't fight it "aaaarggh" I called out covering my ears my wet water filled eyes pleading to my mum. "Adam... Adam what's wrong?" that noise I've heard it before, but not so loud. When uncle Peter was messing around with the speaking stick and the music player... Feedback he said it was... feedback.
"feedback mummy, it's feedback" I called out, my ears still covered as I trundled off homeward bound.
I could hear mum's apology "I'm really sorry I got to go, i'll call you later Sue, bye Evie" mum pleaded as she galloped after me.
Is that it I thought, I'm some freaky noise making speaking stick thing! So that's why I can't be around people, I hurt their ears.
"ADAM wait" mum called ending my thoughts "what happened?" "what did you do" she begged for me to talk, gently sliding my hands from my ears. The feedback had gone, I'm not sure when, but it was gone. "are you ok baby" her tone became more concerned and less worried.
"mum I don't know I just..." I couldn't chose my words, still confused by everything that happened. "what did you do Adam you shouted at Eveie then you both started crying?" "can you remember what you did" she pleaded for an answer... An answer I didn't have. But at least it confirmed one thing, the noise was me and mum knew more than she wanted to tell. I kind of sulked not saying a word all the way home I could hear laughing from inside the house just before barging through the front door and running up to my room, avoiding all eye contact with Dad and uncle John.
Earth Child - The Adam Chronicles • Opuss № I