VI
Gackt was awoken by Anita’s movement. He was excited to start another day.
“Good morning,” Gackt said in a raspy voice.
“Mmmm Good morning, honey.” she said, “I’m gonna get up ‘n get dressed,” she said.
Gackt kissed her and dragged himself off of her. He rested on the cloud he had been and sighed softly. Anita took a shower, brushed her teeth and hair and came back to see Gackt still on his stomach and resting. She paused and just looked at him. She had never seen anything so beautiful. She stood there a while and just watched him breathe. She soon moved her frozen body on top oh him to give him a massage. He moaned softly. She snickered.
“Feels good?” she asked.
“Mmmmmmmmmmmhm,” he said making her laugh more.
“Do you want some breakfast?” Gackt could sense she was more happy. She glowed. He could see it and feel it. He could understand. He felt like dancing all the way to his biological family’s house to forgive them for everything. He could only get happier. When Anita was chipper and suggested to cook, she made a feast.
“That would be lovely,” he said to her.
“I do have a condition though,” she said sneakily.
Gackt turned his head behind him to look at her, “What’s that?” he asked.
“You have to stay naked,” she laughed.
Gackt rolled his eyes and sighed, “Okay.”
“Great!” she said getting up to go to the kitchen, “Hurry up and come to the table.”
“I want to rest a little bit more,” Gackt said lying his head on the soft pillow. His eyes were gently closed with his hair light along with his skin and breath. He looked like an angel. An angel resting in heaven. Anita sighed and left to the kitchen. She prepared pancakes, eggs, french toast, bacon, sausage-biscuits, grits and her homemade syrup cool and fresh from the refrigerator. After she had finished cooking after an hour, she went back to the room to check on Gackt. He had fallen asleep again. All she could do was just look at him yet again. He looked just as peaceful.
“Wake up, sleepy,” she said rubbing his back.
His eyes didn’t open. She looked at him again. She got up and went to the kitchen again to fix their plates and bring it up to him. She danced on the way into his room with two plates in her hands. She hovered the plates under his nose. The smell of Anita’s cooking always awakened him. His eyes slowly began to open. He took one look at the plates and say straight up. He rubbed his hands together and took the plate she held out for him. She say next to him. They began to talk about children again. Gackt could already tell that they would soon make children the basis of their conversations.
“Oh no!” Gackt aid in the middle of the meal.
“What is it?” Anita asked scared out of her mind.
“I’m supposed to be getting ready!” He jumped up and began to throw on clothing like there were a time limit.
“Get ready for what?” she asked raising an eyebrow of suspicion.
“You is coming over,” Gackt said while shoveling the food down his throat.
“Who?” she asked with her eyebrow still raised.
“You,” Gackt said. He gasped. He hadn’t told Anita about You. How could he forget something as big as You?
“Who is that?” she asked eating gently.
“He is a child that is exactly like me like I was at his age,” he began, “He’s shy and he loves to cling. He opens up to kind people. He’s picked on terribly at school, just like I was. I met him three days ago. He’s adorable. You’ll love him.”
“I’m sure I will,” she said, “What a strange name his parents gave him.”
“His parents didn’t give him that name,” he said while combing his hair, “I did.”
“Why You?” she asked.
“Well, I heard the other kids calling him ‘Hey You!’” he laughed, “I just thought it fit his wonderfully,” He rushed to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
“I wish you would’ve told me earlier. I would’ve made breakfast for him too.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet him,” he went on. Anita smiled at how excited he was. He told her everything he knew about You which wasn’t too much but he told her about the basketball match he had against those other kids. Even though they lost, they felt that they had won.
“Oh! He’s the one who ate all my fruity pebbles,” Anita laughed.
“What?” Gackt asked laughing at her. That statement sounded funny to him.
“He fell asleep with you in that hammock and then he tuned down my breakfast for some fruity pebbles,” she did remember and now she knew it was You.
“Oh, so you two have met?” he asked her.
“Not properly,” she told him, “He walked in and I offered to make him breakfast. He said ‘no, thank you’ and asked if you had any cereal. He didn’t introduce himself and neither did I. I would have but it seemed that boy was in a hurry.”
He smiled. “I’ll introduce you when he comes then.” He ran out to the living room and sat on the couch while he waited for You. It was only 1:22 but Gackt felt like You wasn’t coming. He felt sad for planning something and not having it work out. He made the choice to keep waiting. He heard many cars drive by but he didn’t hear any small footsteps. Anita grabbed one of Light’s books and began to wait. In the corner of her eye she could see Gackt from time to time. She giggled. He looked like a puppy who was waiting for his owners to get home. At every outside movement, he jumped and listened. He was so cute she couldn’t help but giggle at him. He heard a car drive up but he figured it were just the neighbors. It was 2:12 when Gackt heard a knock on the door. It was firm and hard. It seemed he were angry. Maybe he were in a hurry to see him. He jumped up and answered the door to You. The picture wasn’t right. You looked nervous with a hand on his shoulder attached to a woman with long curly brown hair.
“Hello, I’m Akira’s mother,” she said smiling, “May I come in and speak with you?” she asked.
“Oh, of course!” he said as You clinged to him giving his waist the tightest hug he could then holding his hand. They all walked in and sat on the couch as Anita got up to make drinks.
You sat close to Gackt and held his hand tightly with both hands.
“Akira tells me that you two are good friends,” she said looking at Gackt.
“We are,” Gackt said smiling at You.
“I’ve been thinking of putting him somewhere while I’m at work but I didn’t know where and I was cleaning up his room, since he never cleans it,” she laughed and nudged him, “and I found a journal he was keeping that said a lot about you,” she looked down. “He was so mad when he saw me reading it. He said in the journal that he would love to live with you. I was thinking, I can’t tend to him if I’m not there. I think you can do a better job than I can. Maybe he could bring some of his things over here and stay here on the weekdays. I could take him back on the weekends,” she said looking backup again. He stared at her.
“I mean, his school is right there and he just loves it here with you. Please, please,” she pleaded.
“I . . . I would love to,” Gackt said ecstatically.
Anita came in with her iced tea as the woman sighed and repeatedly thanked Gackt.
They started talking about You’s grades and hid messy room. How long he goes without a bath and what he does when he’s home. Gackt was surprised she didn’t take out his baby pictures. You’s face was beat red. Gackt could hell he didn’t mind though. They stopped poking fun at You and got some of his things out of the car. His clothes and books and a case holding a violin or viola. Once everything was inside, You’s mother gave him a big hug and kiss and told him she would see him on Friday. When she drove off, the light in You’s eyes began to sparkle. Gackt lead You into the guest bedroom which wouldn’t be a guest bedroom anymore. He put his clothes in the drawers and his books on the shelf.
“What’s this?” Gackt said, holding up the case with the instrument inside.
“That’s my violin,” You stated proudly.
“I didn’t know you could play,” Gackt said astounded.
“Want to hear a little part I made myself?” You asked.
“Yes! Yes please!” Gackt said then taking a seat on the bed.
You began to play a single rhythm several times then advance into a short violin solo and back to the same rhythm. Gackt was blown away. He loved it. He was inspired that such a large talent could come from such a small person. Gackt’s eyes, ears and heart were large. He looked at You and couldn’t take his eyes away. It was alluring. He stopped playing and Gackt still could not move. It was amazing.
“You . . .” he began, “That was brilliant,” he choked.
You smiled a smile Gackt had never seen him wear before, “Thank you, Gackt,” he said happily.
Gackt looked down and noticed how empty the drawers were. “You,” Gackt began. You looked down at him, “We need to get you some clothes,” Gackt said.
You blushed, “No Gackt, it’s fine.”
“You, you have four pairs of pants and five shirts,” he looked at him with his eyebrows raised, “and that’s counting what you’re currently wearing.”
“How much clothes do other people have?” he asked adorably.
“More than that,” Gackt said, “Would you like to come and get some now?”
“Really!?” You asked merrily. Before Gackt nodded, You hurried out the door collapsing into Anita. She laughed heartily.
“Where do you think you’re goin’?” she asked.
“I’m You,” he said grabbing the woman’s hand and shaking it lightly.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Anita,” she said grinning.
“I’ve heard a lot about you as well,” he said.
Gackt put his hands on You’s shoulders. “Let’s go,” he said, “Be back soon,” he gave her a kiss and grabbed You’s hand out to the small orange jeep. You jumped into the passenger’s seat and beamed. Gackt had never seen a child so excited in his entire life. It was ravishing. Thought You couldn’t wait, Gackt was more ancy. He drove from store to store and bought You anything and everything he wanted. He picked out shirts and pants with coats, hats, shoes, scarves and some jewelry like watches, rings and necklaces. When they got home, You changed into some of his new clothes and showed them off to Anita. He took the clothes and folded them into the drawers. Gackt and Anita could hear him squealing and it made them both smile and squeal themselves.
“You had fun?” Anita asked.
“Mmmhm,” Gackt said with his eyes closed. You was still squealing and they kept giggling at him. Gackt laid his head upon Anita’s lap.
“It’s still 5:00, would you like to come with You and I on a walk through the fields?” Gackt asked Anita.
“Oh, no thank you baby. I’m aching all over,” she said petting him.
You overheard and rushed into the room with a new pair of clothes on.
“Can’t make up your mind, can you?” Gackt said looking at another pair of You’s clothes plastered to him.
“Are we going to go waling?” You asked just as excited as he was when he found out he was going to have a new wardrobe. You grabbed Gackt’s hand, “C’mon!”
Gackt dragged himself up and followed You.
“Can we go see Yoshiki?” he asked when stepping out the door.
“Sure,” Gackt said smiling as they made their way back into the jeep.
On the way there, Gackt and You talked about his new clothes. Gackt couldn’t understand why he was so excited. He decided to ask him.
“Why are you so excited about clothes?” he asked him suddenly.
“Now,” he smiled, “I can be just like you!” You squealed. Gackt looked at him and stared at him smiling ahead. He concentrated back on the road again as he swallowed. He thought about the clothes he bought him. All of them were things Gackt would like to wear. Every time Gackt said he liked something You wanted to get it. If Gackt said he didn’t like something then he would agree and move on. Gackt was flattered but he felt some way it were wrong. He didn’t know what to tell him. He said nothing. They reached Yoshiki’s apartment. His curtains were closed. He was home. They both dragged themselves upon the stairs hand in hand to Yoshiki’s apartment and glided in without knocking as if it had been their own home.
“Yoshiki!” Gackt called.
Yoshiki entered through his hallway to the living room where Gackt and You were. His hair was messy in hair spray as always and in his pajamas.
“Hey You!” he said running up to You and picking him up to cuddle and nuzzle him.
“Hi Yoshiki,” Gackt said to him smiling.
“Did you hear something, You?” he asked looking around and past Gackt.
“Nice pajamas,” Gackt teased, “You think ones with little duckies on them are really that much better?”
Yoshiki’s pajamas were a mid green with ducks that said, ‘coo quack cluck’. They were very much like Gackt’s ‘piggy pajamas’.
“Well I thought you looked pretty shnazzy in the pig ones so I thought I should pick up a pair.”
“Mmmhm,” Gackt said sarcastically.
“What’s up?” Yoshiki said.
“Do you want to come on a walk with us?” You asked him.
“Sure!” he put down You and got ready in 15 minutes. They went out to the car when Yoshiki suggested an idea. “How about we show You our fields?” Yoshiki said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Gackt smiled while getting in the driver’s seat with everyone in the car. He made sure everyone was wearing their seat belts, including himself. On the drive there, You asked Gackt and Yoshiki many questions. Ones that didn’t seem to flow into conversation. You liked to keep random feeling about. When they reached the field, they got out of the jeep and started walking. You and Yoshiki were giggling and joking with each other. They started playing tag and flying way ahead of him deep into the field. He felt lonely for a moment, just a moment. He sighed. He began to think about Anita. He missed her. Yoshiki and You played until nine o’clock. Gackt thought of Yoshiki as a child now and always did. He wasn’t sure about always, but pretty close to it. He believed he were a child too. When they decided they were tired, they packed up in the little jeep and went to their separate homes.
Gackt, Anita and You flew to bed. They say was exhausting and surprising and almost seemed like a dream. Not much description could be told.
------------------------------------
Gackt, Anita and You all woke up one after the other. They also all decided to eat something simple for breakfast. You had cereal. Anita had a bagel and Gackt ate pop tarts.
“Gackt?” You said with his mouth full.
“Mmm?” Gackt responded.
“What were you like when you were my age?” You asked very captivated already.
Gackt gave him a strange look. “You don’t remember?”
“Remember?” You said dazed.
‘I told you yesterday,” Gackt said sipping Anita’s cup of coffee. She slapped his hand and the coffee was returned to her.
“When?” You asked stubbornly.
“On the drive to the field,” Gackt gave him a look of surprise. That look was quickly mimicked back at him by You and Anita.
“I don’t’ know what you’re talking about,” You said heading back to his cereal.
“You and Yoshiki played all night!” Gackt yelled.
Anita put her hand on Gackt’s shoulder, “You and You didn’t go to a field. You two went shopping and then that was it. You came home and fell asleep in my lap,” Anita said calmly.
“No!” Gackt argued, “We went to a field of green grass and I parked my car on the trail and Yoshiki . . .”
The doorbell rang suddenly. Gackt forced himself out of the chair and to the door. He opened it violently.
“Oh,” he said, “Miss . . . You’s mom,” he said.
“What?” she said laughing.
“What may I call you?” he asked.
“Jan,” she said smiling.
Gackt invited her in and motioned for You.
“Are you ready?” she asked him.
“No!” You began to cry, “I don’t want to see grandma, I want to stay with Gackt!” he clinged himself to Gackt’s waist. Jan looked at Gackt and sighed. Gackt understood. He bent down and grabbed You’s shoulders and looked into his eyes.
“It will only be a little while. No more tears,” he said wiping his tears away. “If you start to miss me, then you can call me,” he smiled and hugged You tightly and kissed him. You still cried as he held onto Gackt’s neck. He whispered to him.
“I love you,” quiet enough to be a whisper but loud enough for all to hear.
“I love you too,” he held the small boy tighter and began to tear up. That was the first time You told Gackt that he had loved him.
“I’ll miss you just as much as you’ll miss me,” Gackt assured. He kissed him once more and then the warm embrace was broken. They left and he sat back down next to Anita.
“What was that?” Anita asked angrily.
“A short departure,” Gackt defended.
“No, not that,” she said loudly, “Why were you yelling and acting like an ape over some dream you obviously had?!” she yelled.
“A . . . .dream?” he began, “That really didn’t happen?” he asked.
“Yes, a dream,” she repeated coldly.
He laid his head on the table and closed his eyes. That didn’t occur to him. The thought that it may have been a dream didn’t even pass him by. He sighed and calmed himself.
“I didn’t like it, Anita,” he said sadly, “I didn’t like it at all.”
“Didn’t like what?” she asked concerned after knowing he didn’t mean any harm.
“That . . . ‘dream’,” he said.
“You, Yoshiki and You? Why wouldn’t you have liked a dream with them in it?” she asked.
He snapped up. “I was jealous Anita, I was jealous.”
“Jealous?” Anita laughed.
“It’s not funny Anita. It didn’t feel good, not at all,” he said to her almost in tears.
“What did you feel jealous about?” she asked curiously.
“Anita, it felt like I was replaced,” he wiped his eyes, “Twice,” he pouted.
“Yoshiki and You would never ever replace you,” she rubbed his back and kissed his head.
:I know they won’t,” he said, “But it was so scary, Anita. I don’t want to be jealous. Now I don’t know what’s fake or what’s real.”
She hugged him.
“Anita?”
“Yes?”
“I miss You.”
Anita laughed and consoled him as Gackt had done for You.
