[World Refugees]
"Mom? Do you ever have really weird dreams?"
Eli leaned against the kitchen counter, hands shoved in his jeans pockets as he watched his mother stir cake batter a few feet away. She paused and looked up, surprised.
"You know I do. I've told you about some of them before, remember?"
He dismissed her answer with a shake of his head. "No, I mean really, really weird dreams."
"Well, like what?" Amy pushed the mixing bowl aside and turned to her son. Eli shrugged, scuffing a sneakered foot against the tile.
"I 'unno."
"Eli...you must've wanted help with this, or you wouldn't have brought it up."
"I don't need help! I'm twelve, not a little kid." He pulled his hands free and crossed his arms, scowling. He was aware of how much he looked like his father in that moment, and expected his mother to comment on it. Instead, she simply reached out and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes.
"You're growing up so fast." The smile was a little sad, but he could hear the pride in her voice. "Remember sweetie, no matter how old you get, don't be afraid to ask for help."
He blushed, looking away. Geeze.
"Awe mom. Can't you fawn all over Lanie?"
Amy laughed softly. "I can and I will, but I want you to tell me about your dream first."
Eli sighed in resignation, boosting himself onto the counter behind him. He swung his legs slowly, the heels of his sneakers impacting the wood in an uneven rhythm.
"Okay, so there's this boy. I don't know his name, 'cause he never tells me. But he shows up sometimes when I'm dreaming about people I used to know, or places we've visited...Sometimes I'll be dreaming about- I dunno. This place. 'Cept I'm not sure what it looks like and I don't know anybody there, 'cept the boy, sometimes he'll be there."
Eli threw his hands up in a 'What am I supposed to do with that?' gesture. Amy bit her lip lightly, thinking. Maybe...naw.
"What's the boy look like?"
Eli closed his eyes, remembering. "Short black hair...he looks like he's eight or nine. His eyes are really strange though. Really bright blue, sorta like they're glowing."
Amy stared at her son, speechless. How in the hell-
"Mom?" He was watching her, concerned. "Do you know him?"
She shook off the shock and grinned a little before leaning back against the kitchen island. "Sorta. A long time ago, I had this dream..."