NEVERFOUND LAND

Solomon's Childhood

Sequence of events from Daisy:

During the pregnancy, nighttime always brought out the worst in me. I would cry myself to sleep or end up taking sleeping pills recommended by the doctor. Sometimes, I would wake up covered in sweat because of the nightmares. I often dreamed of the place where I saw my love for the last time—in the forest where I spoke the third wish to save Darren's life, and after that, Khalil had to go back to his own. Darren always understood me and helped me calm down.

But since Solomon came, things were different. The day he was born, my angels decided to shield me from the darkness, pain, and agony. My heart didn't cry; my soul flew high in the sky. With every moment came peace and things changed. I would hold my baby in my arms and sleep next to him. Solomon always held Darren's finger as he fell asleep next to him. I was happy to see them bonding from the very beginning.

Now that Solomon is two, he doesn't breastfeed anymore. He would usually turn toward Darren and sleep with his arms around his neck. Solomon gave him all the love that Darren deserved. I did too, but not that of a lover but a friend.

Darren chose to be a freelance graphic designer after college. He turned our garage into his office, where he could easily meet his clients and take projects. We sold grandma's house as we couldn't stay there with the horrible memories of the past. Darren's parents wanted us to move in with them, but knowing that the child would be special, we decided to stay separately in our own world on the outskirts, but in the same city.

We bought a in the Gold West York, with three bedrooms, a huge hall, a dining area, and a modular kitchen. I loved to decorate my house. I often bought new furniture, huge flower vases, photo frames, pretty velvet curtains, heavy Turkish rugs, and antique showpieces to make it a cozy and a beautiful home. There were only a few houses in our neighborhood.

"Daisy, I need to leave for a meeting with a client at his office," Darren whispered while eating his breakfast, pointing to Solomon who was waiting for him at the front door to block his way. Solomon curved his lips and opened his mouth to bawl because he heard him.

"Aww baby, I'll be home early."

Solomon wouldn't listen. He came running to Darren, shook his head angrily, and picked up the heavy wooden dining table with full force. He immediately loosened his grip, surprised by his action. Everything on the table—our breakfast and the new glass crockery—fell on the floor with a loud thud and broke into pieces. Solomon made an innocent face again, like that of a puppy, and started crying.

We were expecting him to discover his powers gradually. Darren quickly lifted Solomon in his arms and tried to pacify him. Every time he cried or got angry, his body temperature would get high as if he had a fever. Earlier, we used to go to the doctor, but all his medical reports would come normal. We understood that this was probably one of his characteristics.

"Okay, I'm not going anywhere. We will go to the park first and then to buy some groceries. Done?"

Solomon forced a smile on his face and looked down at the mess he had unknowingly created. His body temperature decreased on its own within minutes as he became calmer.

"We are going to clean it up in seconds. No big deal." I mumbled and started cleaning the kitchen. Darren put Solomon down and helped me. He brought a mop and cleaned everything a lot faster than I could. I threw the trash into the bin; not even a single dish had survived.

"Sowi," Solomon mumbled with an apologetic look on his face.

"You haven't done anything wrong. Now we have a chance to eat breakfast outside and buy new crockery!" Darren beamed and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. I rolled my eyes at Darren for spoiling him, and took Solomon to our room to change his clothes and diapers.