The Moon Man - Part I

9th March

Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand

I was surprised to hear a knock on my door at this time of day. Tayla knows I have work today, and no one else knows my address. It's probably just a doorknocker then. I wish they didn't bother me then, I don't have much time before I have to go. The man standing at the front door is tall and dark-haired. He seems rather tanned, but I guess lots of people are. It was the warmest summer in recorded history, after all. There's something about him that seems somewhat familiar though. And he's looking at me like he's seen a ghost. Maybe I do know him then.

"So, who are you?" I ask him.

"I-uh... I'm a friend of your father's. He asked me to find you. We knew each other when you were living in Singapore, do you remember?"

I see, so that's what it was. Why he looked like he'd seen a ghost. I used to be told a lot by his relatives that I looked a lot like my father, so it's no wonder that he was looking at me like that. An old friend of my father's... let's see...

"Kyle, right?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I see," I sigh. I guess that I'll be running a little late to work, "do you want to come in?"

I lead him through the entrance way and into the lounge. I head over and turn off my CD player. He enters as I'm taking the disc out.

"What's that?"

"It's a CD. Plays music. You've never heard of them?"

"No, I used them all the time when I was a kid. I didn't think they still sold them."

"There's something of a retro trend at the moment."

"I see."

I point to the couch, "why don't you sit down?"

"Right," he looks at the couch, and then freezes. I can't really blame him, after all it isn't in great shape. But I'm not in a great mood. This is always the worst part of the day for me anyway, stressing out about how fast the busses are moving, and hoping I can make it to work on time. And now he's made that worse. Also, he mentioned my father.

"Haven't you heard the saying 'a man's home is his castle'," I say to Kyle.

"Sorry," he quickly sits down on the couch, and winces at the loud squeaks of the rusted springs visible from the holes in the side.

I smile at him, "sorry, I don't have any hot drinks to offer you, or anything like that. Would you like some bread, or perhaps some lemonade?"

Kyle contemplates his choices for a moment, "then, could I have some bread?"

I walk towards the bench and cupboards at the far end of the room, that serves as my kitchen. I kind of wish I hadn't offered him the bread. It's a pretty good loaf.

"So, can you tell me what you're here for while I cut this?"

"Sure. As you've probably guessed, your father sent me because he hasn't heard from you in six months. He wants you to come see him."

"Big or small slice?"

"Big. So, can I tell him that your coming?"

I pause with the knife halfway through the bread. I ask Kyle, "did he tell you why he wants me to see him?" before continuing.

Kyle thinks back, "if I remember correctly, he said it would affect his ability to achieve his dream."

"His dream? Does that mean the stories on the news are true?" I reach below the bench to grab a plate out for my guest.

"You watch the news?"

"No, I read it. Is that it?" I start walking back over to the couch, plate in hand.

"I think that's everything - thank you - I guess he wants you to be safe while everything happens in the next few months."

"And you believed that?" I ask him. He looks up at me, befuddled.

"You believed that my father only wants me up there to keep me safe?"

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" he queried.

"He's not such an ideal parent, not even close. Are you sure that you know him that well? I have to go to work now, so you'll have to leave once you've finished that."