Uma Musuko : Big Red

Prologue : Childhood

~The Meadows apartment building, Virginia, summer 1962~

The old television from the narrow and faded in the apartment crackles from the small living room.
« Man O' War is taking the lead, Sir Barton has a hard time catching up to him ! »
The little ginger boy's excited gasp echos through the empty room as he's looking at the black and white old TV.
« He keeps running, when will he stop ?! Sir Barton cannot take back the lead ! »
The voice of a woman breaks the sound of the TV and the boy's excitement : « Honey, dinner is ready ! »
His ears turn towards the sounds but doesn't move his head eyes or body away from the TV. He's captivated by it.
He just says : « Okay mommy, coming ! » But he does not want to go away until the old footage finishes.
« He keeps going ! Man O' War ! Man O' War wins ! He wins by 7 lengths ! Man O' War wins the 1920 Kenilworth Park Gold Cup ! From 7 lengths ! Sir Barton is second ! [...] What an incredible last race finish ! Congratulations, Man O' War ! »
The child cheers, even if he already saw the footage a lot of time. Every Man O' War's footages actually.
« Honey ? Big red ? It's gonna get cold~ ! »
His mother's voice breaks the immersion he had with the TV. He's upset but agrees to go eat.
« Ah ! Ok mommy I'm coming ! »
He trots clumsily, almost making his mother's percious vase fall. But he didn't this time.

He arrives in the small kitchen. His young mother, a brunette woman in her late 20's, is waiting for him sitting on her seat of the well used table.
« Finally ! Come and eat now ! I know you really like TV but eating is more important ! »
His chair is a little too big for him so he has a hard time sitting on it. Though less than before because he's a big boy now. He looks at his meal, a fresh lobster from the market.
« Yay lobster ! I love lobsters ! Yum yum ! Thx mommy I love you ! »
He proceeds to tear up the lobster's arm but his mom stops him.
« Wait honey, we need to pray first ! And.. I love you too »
« Ah ! I forgot ! Ok ok ! »
He tries to focus to pray but the smell of his meal is hard to unnotice.
After a minute, they can finally eat their cheap lobsters.
« Enjoy your food sweetie ! »
« You too mommy ! »
And then, they eat. There isn't much to eat in a lobster but it was delicious.
Though, the kid wouldn't stop looking at the empty old chair from the table they're on.
He misses him. When will he come back ? That stupid war... He hopes he'll come home soon. Vietnam is so far away from Virginia so he's worried.

That little boy here is named Secretariat.

~September 1962~

Secretariat is preparing for back to school. His tiny room is filled with his groans as he's dressing up.
« Hgnnnnn..... Nooooo... Don't wannaaaaaaaaa..... »
He leaves his room after preparing his bagpack. He's already exhausted and the day has only just started.
« Come on Big red, I know it's early but school is important ! You'll see your friends again ! »
His mother's voice feels far away even if she's close. He's too tired to focus.
« Hmhmhnhnnnn.... Tired... ... Friends... ... Y-yeah.. Yeah ! Friends friends ! »
He gets excited and rushes to the wooden door.
« There you go ! Have fun at school honey ! Don't speak to strangers, remember ? »
« Bye bye Mommy ! I know I know... ... Love ya ! »
He leaves, shutting the door strongly but not closing the door behind him.

« Wait ! Wait for me ! Gaaaahhh !! »
The school bus didn't stop at his apartment building.
He tries to catch up to the vehicle. His bagpack is heavy but he's doing his best. Everyone in the neighbor hood is looking at him. He feels the stares but he really needs the bus so he doesn't stop.
« Secretariat ? » A teacher from his school recognizes him while driving his car. He's seen him run plenty of times on the playground already. But this time, the boy seems faster than usual.

The bus driver stops at his next stop. It was a long run for a kid his age but he managed to keep running. It's impressive. Though people say nothing.
He pants as he stops in front of the bus' door.
« Ha.. ha... Driver..! Opeeeennn !!! Nooowwwww !!! Pretty please ? »
He tucks on the door harshly, hurting it. So the bus driver yells at him after quickly opening the door »
« Oi watch out kid ! The door ain't gonna repair itself if you break it ! No come on in. Fast »
« Yay ! Aye aye captain ! Er.. Sorry..! »
He jumps in, still panting but less than before.