"But what if he doesn't?" The boy asked, his eyes widened in fear. "What if you are just making false promises to me just because you are feeling deeply sorry for me...？"
Aunt Elsie's eyes widened in shock at his choice of reply. "What do you mean, Herzl?" The surprise and shock she felt was evident in her voice, Herzl had managed to take her unannounced. "Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because I'm afraid he might not come back to me again." Herzl uttered truthfully, but his voice was low and fear was evident in it as he speaks.
Aunt Elsie's heart sank. She hadn't expected the boy to doubt her so much. But it was understandable, given his young age and the emotional turmoil he was going through. She had to think of a way to convince him, to make him understand that she was telling the truth.
"Herzl, I would never lie to you." She said, her voice firm and serious. "I know this is a difficult situation, but I promise you that I am telling the truth. Your uncle Dwayne loves you very much, and he will come back for you as soon as he can. Don't you trust him to come back?"
Herzl shook his head in disapproval. "No, auntie..." He blurted out sharply. "I don't believe you."
Aunt Elsie stared widely at him in shock, the fact that he doubted herwords and still told her to her face was enough reason to be furious at him and scold him -but she tried, not too, instead, she held his shoulders warmly.
"Why don't you believe me, son?" She stated gently, hervoice as calm as she could afford. "Why would you doubt auntie's words -did you think auntie was lying?"
"I don't think you are lying, auntie." The boy said, his voice small and timid. "But I'm just afraid... What if something bad happens and uncle Dwayne never comes back? What ifsomething bad has happened to him and I never see him again?"
Aunt Elsie's heart ached for the boy. She could understand his fear, his worry, and his sadness. She knew he must be missing his uncle Dwayne terribly, and she could only imagine the pain he must be feeling at the moment.
"Why would you think such about uncle Dwayne, eh, son?" Aunt Elsie mumbled but audibly enough to Herzl's hearing. "That's too harsh, Herzl, you shouldn't be saying such thing as this! Your uncle wouldn't want such words from you!"
"I overheard your phone call last week, auntie." Herzl enounced, staring questioningly at her, which made her creased her brows. "You were telling someone on the phone that mom is in the hospital because uncle Dwayne passed away. What does that mean, auntie?"
Aunt Elsie reminisced over her years and was forced to realize that she's never been in a tight situation as this one -how is she supposed to bail herself out? What was she supposed to say so as not to contradict things? Most importantly, how did a three-year-old boy get so much knowledge to ask a question as this?
For a moment, Aunt Elsie was at a loss for words. She couldn't believe that Herzl had overheard her phone call and understood what she was saying. She hadn't expected him to understand the situation, orto even ask her about it. But here he was, looking up at her with those big brown eyes, waiting for an answer.
"I know this is hard to understand, but sometimes bad things happen, even when we don't want them to." She said, trying to keep her voice even and calm. "Your uncle Dwayne loved you very much, and he would never want to leave you, but hejust couldn't help it either."
"Does that mean uncle Dwayne left me already?" Herzl blurted out, his brown eyes at the verge of shedding tears. "Does that mean I won't see uncle Dwayne; ever again?" He questioned, emphasizing on his words.
Aunt Elsie did not realize she was as teary as the little boy, he had found out he had lost someone precious to him -the thought must be heart-wrenching for him even as a little kid. She wasn't feeling sorry forwhat she did because she wanted Ciara to feel how awful it is to lose a family and everything you've worked hard for, but she was too inconsiderate not to put Herzl in thought.
"Come here, son..." She uttered tearfully, trying to hold back her tears as she pulled the little boy into a warm but tight embrace. "He did not intend to leave you, he never would have wanted such a thing himself -it happened all too sudden."
Herzl rested his barely noticeable weight on Aunt Elsie, bursting out in tears. He understood what it means to pass away, but was too heartbroken to see his auntie keep lying to him -he knew it was a bad habit on her part.
"Don't ever lie to me again, auntie." He said over her shoulder, amidst tears, and his voice was barely escaping a whisper. "No matter how hard it is, you don't have to tell lies, auntie -it's awfully bad to do so!"
Aunt Elsie felt terrible and guilty as Herzl scolded her-she was touched by his intelligence as well. No matter how much she tries to hate him, she finds it too difficult to do so; he's just too smart and sweet to grow hatred for.
"I know..."She admitted without thinking it twice. "I'm aware that what I did was wrong, and I'm truly sorry for it. Can you forgive auntie?"
Herzl disengaged from the embrace as he wiped his teary eyes swiftly, staring at aunt Elsie. "Of course, I can." He uttered cheerfully. "...but I want to see mom, can I too? Will you permit me to go see my mom?''
Aunt Elsie's heart melted at the boy's forgiveness. She knew he was young, but his maturity and compassion were beyond his years. She felt guilty for lying to him, but she knew it was for the best. He was too young to understand the reality of what had happened, and she would rather not burden him with the truth.
"I'm afraid that's not possible right now, honey." She said, hervoice soft and appealing. "Your mom is very sick and needs to rest, she wouldn't want to be disturbed; the doctor did not advise it!"
Unexpectedly, Herzl burst out into tears -aunt Elsie probably did not see it coming, that was the least she had expected from him. He might be smart and look strong on the outside, but he's just too young to be away from his family.
"I promise I won't disturb her; I won't even utter a word to her, auntie." His voice choked with tears. "I just want to see her, I won't make a fuse out of it."
Apart from being a disturbance to Ciara -that was even far from the truth; aunt Elsie did not want anyone around her because she was afraid Ciara might start regaining her health if she's surrounded with people she loved -and will be a lost for her.
She can't afford to risk it, but this little boy seems to be using a compulsion on her as she finds it hard to ignore his charm. Aunt Elsie sighed in defeat, growling within herself. "Fine, I'll let you; butjust this once..."She did not miss the excitement in the boy's eyes as it sparkled in delight, which made hersmiled out unconsciously.