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It’s storming when Alex is woken up by a continuous poking in their shoulder. They open their eyes slightly and see Malachi staring at them with tears in his eyes.
“Mama I’m scared”
Suddenly Alex isn’t in their bed in their home in Rista with their son, they’re twelve, back in Somnis in the room they shared with their brother.
“I’m scared” Their brother stared up at Alex. “Can I sleep over in your bed?”
They blink hard, shaking off the memory, and make space for their son to join them in bed. “What’s scaring you, love?”
“The thunder is really loud”
Alex kisses his head and holds him close. “It is really loud huh? Do you know where thunder comes from?”
Malachi nuzzles into his mom’s chest. “Tell me?”
Alex pulled their brother into bed with them. “What’s wrong buba? You scared of the thunder?”
“Sounds like bombs,” he whispers.
“It’s not bombs buba, it’s fireworks”
“Do you want a story or science bun?” Alex gently scratches the base of his ears.
Malachi thinks then answers. “Story please mama.”
Alex smiles, “they’re fireworks. A long time ago there was a big battle-“
“I don’t wanna hear ‘bout battles,” his cheeks puffed out as he pouted.
Alex ruffled his hair. “You gotta be quiet and listen to the story buba. It’s not about battles, it’s about after.”
“After?”
“After.”
“The battle lasted longer than anyone had hoped and when it ended there was a great celebration-“
“What was the battle about mama?” Malachi interrupts the story.
“They were fighting for freedom and for safety. The people lived in fear, even those who fought against freedom only did it because they were afraid of what would happen to them if they didn’t.”
Malachi plays with their hand. “Sounds really bad.”
“It was. Want me to continue the story, bun?”
Malachi nods and cuddles close.
“Like I was saying there was a great celebration, people gathered together and a festival was held. There was music, singing and dancing. Children ran through the streets as people performed puppet shows and magic for them to watch. There were banners and streamers. The streets were filled with the smell of wonderful food as a feast was prepared-”
“What’s a feast?” Alex’s brother interrupted the story again.
“It’s like a giant meal. Everyone gets together and shares so much food they all leave full.”
His eyes grew wide in awe. “It’s possible to have that much food? And they share it?”
Alex kissed his head. “That’s right buba. There’s so much food even people who didn’t bring anything are fed until they’re full.”
“Woah. Tell me more?”
“The feast was magnificent, there were dishes from all around as people brought their favourite foods to share. Everyone gathered in the town square to eat and talk and celebrate the freedom many of them were experiencing for the first time. As the sun set everyone gathered in a large field. Family and friends sat together on comfortable blankets. And then the fireworks started.” Alex smiles at Malachi’s soft snores and lowers his voice to continue the story.
“What did the fireworks look like?”
“The fireworks were beautiful. They were every colour of the rainbow. They exploded and lit up the sky like magic, like stars. They say they’re still celebrating, that’s where thunder comes from.”
“I hope I can see fireworks one day.”
“I hope so too buba,” Alex’s voice cracked. “It’s time to rest now.”
Their brother yawned and cuddled. “Night night. Love you.”
“I love you buba. I’m so sorry.” Alex holds their son close as he sleeps and sobs.