[center]A flashback of when things were simpler.[/center]

[b]"Mam, whure'sh Xerxhes? Tomorrow'sh ma birthdhey!"[/b]

[b]"He'll turn up, Zaino."[/b] His mother reassured as she, with a finger in his mouth, slowly opened it and carefully fed him a dark liquid from a spoon. She rubbed the side of his throat to help him digest the medicine as he coughed, feeling his forehead. She reached for a wet towel and laid it there, sighing as she smiled warmly and placed a hand on his shoulder. [b]"He's growing into a man, just like Daddy was."[/b]

The six year old sighed in annoyance to his mother, reverting his empty look to the wall at his opposite side. [b]"But isn't Daddy dead? Does that mean Xerxes is gonna die?"[/b]

[b]"Don't say that, Zaino,"[/b] She frowned at her son's analogy. [b]"Daddy was a great man, you'll come to see it soon. You and Xerxes are going to be good people, just like he was."[/b]

[b]"But Xerxes always beats me in everything! And he's never home anymore!"[/b] Zaino whined.

[b]"He's just busy, honey. Men are always busy."[/b] She raised a hand to adjust her pinkish red hair.

[b]"All he talks about is girls, but they all have cooties..."[/b] Zaino sighed, followed by a sneeze. [b]"Where do babies even come from, anyway? You said you would tell me this year!"[/b]

Zaino's mother traced her hand against his face and stroked his cheek in a loving caress, giggling. [b]"I'll tell you after a few more birthdays. How about you get some rest? That cold isn't going to go away without sleep, and you wouldn't want to miss your seventh birthday."[/b]

[b]"Fineee..."[/b] Zaino, seemingly disappointed, said goodnight to his mother as she lifted the towel briefly to kiss his forehead and left his room with the lamp. He brought both of his hands to the back of his head and stared at the ceiling, thinking. [i]Xerxes... I'll beat you at juggling pineapples, just you wait![/i]

With a giddy and toothy grin at the thought, Zaino yawned as he shut his eyes and let the darkness of his room send him to the world of dreams.