ash

my oldest sister, ariel, is 22. she got married last year to a man named Leo(nardo). they have a respectable black house on the east side of town. i knock on the black door of the black house with black trim and black curtains. the door opens a crack which is kind of ironic considering the whole "crime town" thing. "Hello?" says a raspy voice. "ariel? it's ash. can i come in?" the door opens wider and my sister appears in the doorway. she motions for me to come in. i follow her down a charcoal colored hallway into a charcoal colored kitchen. "sit." she says pointing to the table. we sit at the table facing each other. she is very pale clammy looking. "are you sick?" i ask her. "yes." is all she says. when she sees the surprised expression on my face she keeps talking. "yes i am sick, but not like everyone else. i just have a common cold." she assures. "are you positive?" i ask. "yes!" once i am reassured i get up to make some tea. while i am doing that, i tell her about home. "Our house is really crowded with 11 people in it!"i tell her. "Ten? when did mom have four more kids?" "she didn't. north and his kids are staying with us." i answer. "but why?" "Fox and Ruby are sick and north can't take care of them." "oh, i understand."
I chat with Ariel a bit more, but soon it's time to leave. "i'd better go. mom needs this broth." i am reluctant to leave because i know i have to go back to a house full of sick people. "ash! i have an idea! you could come and stay here for a few days to help me! i can barely contain all the thoughts running through my head. Yes!, will mom let me?, probably not., just maybe?, oh i hope so!, were just a few them. i finally decide on; "I would love too, but mom probably wouldn't agree. i really would l...

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... at me for a moment then says these few words: "How in the bloody megalopolis did you know all that?" i shrug and say: "Just by looking at you." Sid stares for another moment. "you said your name is ash?" "Yeah, what about it?"
"I guess you just look like ash" he laughs. "funny, you look nothing like sid." i frown. "sorry,you're a smart kid." he says. "it's okay, and your lunch break is over." he glances an hiz watch. "Thanks! see ya around Ash!"
"goodbuy!" i smile and wave.

i burst through the door to my house and run into the living room. my mother is mopping foreheads again. i kneel down to help her. “Hello Mother.” i say casually. “did you get the food?” she doesn’t look up. “yes.” “and did you visit your sister?”
“yes.”
“good, good. and how is she?”
“she has a cold.”
“Just a cold?”
“mm hm. she asked if i would come stay with her for a fe days to help.”
“Ha!