7

Why were momma and papa looking at me weird?

"Eoin, what did you say?" Momma said. (pronounced Ian)

"I said I really like Percy! He's so cool with all his books and I think he looks nice. Why, what's wrong with that momma?" I questioned.

Papa and momma looked at each other in worry. Papa got up and went to phone someone.

"What's going on, momma?"

"Sweetie, it's okay. We're going to get you better. Dr. Renvain will fix you," she assured.

I looked at myself. "But momma, I don't feel bad. I don't need a doctor."

"This disease you have is a silent one. But if we don't act fast, it'll infect your mind with dirty things that God doesn't like."

My eyes started to water. "Is God punishing me, momma?"

"No, sweetheart. Those people out there with this disease that live with it are being punished. But we will get you better with God's help," she comforted.

I should listen to momma. I don't want God to take me away from her because I died.

8

I didn't like Dr. Renvain.

He made me do grown up things to him. Things momma said I should wait for marriage to do. I didn't want to upset momma but the doctor made me.

"That's all for today, Eoin," the doctor said, pulling his trousers up.

I sat on the couch, looking at the floor. Momma said this would get me better. But I didn't feel better, I felt...dirty.

I slowly walked to the door because my big boy parts hurt from the doctor's session. I didn't want to go back but momma said I need to get better for her so I can be strong like papa. I have to get better for my momma.

"Hello, sweetheart. Good session today?" Momma asked.

"Yes, momma."

"Feeling better?"

No. "Yes, momma."

I thought doctors were supposed to give me medicine to make me feel better. The doctor didn't give me medicine, he told me grown up things that I didn't understand.

"Want to get some ice cream, Eoin? Then we'll go home to pray for your recovery."

I never really liked ice cream. "Okay, momma."

9

Momma found out about my sessions with the doctor. She screamed and punched in anger when she witnessed the doctor fondle my trousers. The men in blue came and took the doctor away.

I think he got in trouble.

"Momma, are you mad that I didn't get better for you?"

She frowned. "No, Eoin. I'm mad that the doctor was sicker than you. He tainted your mind. Why didn't you say something?"

"I wanted to get better. I thought the doctor was helping me, momma."

She looked at me, sadly. She brought me into her arms and hugged the pain away.

"We'll get you better, Eoin. Mummy promises."

I was scared that the disease was going to kill me. If I was getting worse, would I ever get better?

11

Secondary school is so different. People are loud and weird. Boys and girls were kissing. Momma said that was too adult for me.

"Hi!"

I looked down at the small girl who had colorful, short hair. She had black liner around her eyes and very colorful clothes on.

"Um, hi?"

"You are mighty tall for a Year 7 boy! My name's Penelope, Penny for short. You looked a little lost so I thought I'd introduce myself. What's your name?" She rambled.

"Uh, Eoin. But spelled E-o-i-n," I specified.

"That's a cool name! Your hair is pretty cool too! Natural?"

I ran a sheepish hand through my short, red, Irish hair. "Yes."

"Wicked!"

I looked up at the approaching footsteps. A girl with turquoise hair followed by a boy with raven black hair came up to Penelope.

"There you are! You just jetted and never came back," the blue haired girl confronted.

"Oops, sorry babe. I saw this cutie and I just couldn't resist coming up and saying hi," Penelope defended.

They both looked up at me and I smiled awkwardly at them.

"Hello," I murmured.

"Where are my manners! Eoin, this is Finn, her twin brother, and Quinn, my girlfriend," she introduced.

The statement confused me. "Girlfriend?"

"Yeah! This adorable thing is my beautiful girlfriend."

"But...momma said people can't date the same gender," I explained.

Finn's eyes narrowed at me. Quinn did also and Penelope just frowned.

"People can love whoever they want, Eoin. Your mom is just blinded by false facts," she said.

"Momma would never lie to me," I denied.

"She didn't lie. She just fogged your judgment on different ideas. Wouldn't you feel sad if someone told you you couldn't marry the person you love?"

She was right. Momma said marrying my wife would be the best day ever until my children were born. But, I didn't like girls as much as I like boys. I didn't want to upset momma. She really wants grandchildren.

"I guess so. Momma said I had a disease but, no matter what, I still have it."

Finn and Quinn looked on in sympathy.

"Well then, let's be sick together!"

12

I found a funny rock.

It glowed like a star and was very beautiful.

I found it on my science trip to a county park. I saw it twinkle in the river and just had to get it. Like it was calling for me.

"Whoa! That's so pretty, Eoin," Penny expressed. "You should make a necklace with it."

I sat in my room, examining the rock on the lace. The light was a blue-green like my eyes. It was coarse on the outside and smooth on the inside. Penny couldn't see the glow as much as I pointed it out. She could only see the gem on the inside.

"Eoin! Dinner!"

I tied the lace on my neck and quickly headed to the dining table. After the evening grace, we ate the wholesome meal our chef made in comfortable silence.

"How was school, Eoin?" Momma asked.

I swallowed my food. "Good. We went on a field trip to a county park and scavenged for cool natural things."

I didn't want to mention my rock. I didn't want her to take it.

"Oh, that sounds fun. Did you find anything?"

"Uh, yeah. Animal tracks, flowers. Penelope found an antler that was shed."

Momma's movements stopped. "Penelope?"

I was hoping she had forgotten.

"Y-yeah."

"What did I tell you about being near that diseased little girl? She has been damned by God, she is no good!" Momma preached.

I got really angry. I never get angry at momma. But I felt the emotion boil inside me.

"She is not diseased! She is as normal as you and me! It's you who is tainted," I huffed.

She gasped in shock. "How dare you speak to me like that, young man? Go to your room, no more supper!"

"No!"

My disobedience shook the very foundation of the mansion. I felt enlightened and lifted from the fog placed in front of me by her.

"You are going to sit down, finish your meal, and go to bed!"

The order was clear. I didn't know where it came from. But the fact that momma sat back down and continued her meal left me confused. Why did she obey?

13

The whispers echoed down the hall. The halls that had become empty since papa left. I ordered him to. I questioned his loyalty to momma and he unwillingly confessed his misery and fear. I told him to go and find happiness. And he did.

Momma hides in fear of me. I hear her pray daily, prayers that God will damn me to Hell for my crimes against humanity. For my sexuality. For my assertion to defend my views.

"Dear Lord, I beg of You to rid me of this demon. He has consumed my little boy, God. My little baby boy is gone!" She cried. "A demon has replaced him, Lord. He makes me listen to him, and I want to. But I don't! Please, come to my aid. In Jesus' name, amen."

"What are you doing, momma?"

She gasped at my sudden entrance and cowered away. "Praying that God takes you away from me."

"Why, momma? I'm your son."

She shook her head violently. "You are a possessed demon! Whatever you are, you are evil incarnate!"

My eyes teared at her words. "But I love you."

"Well I loathe you," she said, coldly.

My temper grew at that. I felt the anger come forth in my mind. I knew the power was taking control again; I've tried so hard to harness it.

"Then leave! Leave and never come back! Don't speak of me, don't contact me, just rid your mind of me. Take all your things and go."

She mechanically stood up and shuffled her way to the master bedroom. Her now old place of residence. I waited an hour on the steps of the grand staircase for her to exit into the foyer. She reached for the door.

"Once you step out those doors, call a cab; go to a hotel, and sleep. When you wake up, find a flat and resume your life without me," I commanded.

She didn't acknowledge me and stepped out onto the front courtyard.

At that moment, I realized how much this power will change me. How much it has already in just a year. I realized that I was now alone. But I didn't fear loneliness as much as the companionship I will forcefully acquire because I haven't controlled myself.

I called for my butler and maid to move my things into the master bedroom.

"But why, Eoin?" Tabitha, my nursery maid, questioned.

"Because I remain to be the master of this house. Now, please," I begged.

Tabitha looked to Edward, and proceeded as expected and made quick work of it. I took my position as keeper of the house in the spacious room.

At the dinner table, I wondered about how I should move on. How do I live for myself at only 13 years old? I knew that it would weigh heavily on my abilities until I became successful.

That's just how it has to be.