Page 4 of Something New

I didn't really care.

I was so exhausted that my body was tingly and achy. I needed more rest. I closed my eyes.

I heard him moving around.

He was walking around on these huge, two-foot boulders that surrounded a gigantic firepit. It wasn't lit, so I wasn't worried about fire. I shouldn't be worrying about him at all.

He climbed onto a particularly large rock, and I saw him stumble a little before regaining his footing. It was a close one, and I imagined him falling and hitting his head. I tried to close my eyes and ignore it, but I could hear him moving and it was unnerving.

I looked around. I even sat up a little and peered around the whole area. I could see all around the clearing, and even into the woods. There was a path that led to a house, and no one was visible there.

It was just me and the boy.

I blinked, feeling ever so out of it. He jumped to the next rock, and I wanted him to stop. I needed him to stop. He was going to fall. I had no idea how to discipline children, though.

"Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head," I meant to sing the words cheerily, but I was past exhausted, and my presentation was more like a moan.

The boy stopped and turned to me. He hopped off of the rock and began to walk over to me with a curious expression.

He stared at me.

"Don't you know that song?" I asked since he wasn't going to leave me alone. He gave me a little reluctant shake of his head. "Mama called the doctor and the doctor said… 'no more monkeys jumping on the bed'."

I did that last part in a higher voice, and his eyebrows furrowed, but there was a tiny smile on his face. I could tell he liked it. At least he wasn't climbing anymore.

"Four little monkeys jumping on the bed," I continued tiredly. "One fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, 'no more monkeys jumping on the bed'."

He stared at me to continue, but I didn't feel like singing anymore. I wanted to go back to sleep. I physically needed it.

"I'm singing that because I don't want you to fall off of the rock and bump your head like a little monkey," I said, adjusting my backpack, which was being used as a pillow.

"I’m not a monkey," he said.

I glanced at him to find that he was smiling. He had one of those kid accents where he couldn't pronounce all of his words perfectly, but I could tell what he was saying.

"I know, but I still don't want you to fall off those rocks and bump your head. Where's your mom?"

"In heaven."

I blinked at him. "In heaven?" I asked, squinting.

He nodded.

"I'm sorry, little dude. Who's supposed to be taking care of you?" I pulled my hoodie over my shoulders, hoping he had a plan so that I could go back to sleep.

"My Nan."

"Where is she?"

He shrugged.

"That's not good. You need to find her."

"Why do you have these?" He reached out, pointing one finger, pressing it onto my glasses.

"Whoa, little man, you're going to leave fingerprints. I have them because it's bright out here, and I need to take a nap."

"Nana said I don't have to take a nap today cause my dad and aunties are coming over here."

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