The Ambulance

Whenever I come home early Ma prepares a sumptuous meal, but these days due to the pandemic, everyone sits quietly at home just like a piece of furniture. I play around all day, hopping and sauntering- mom looks wistful, and perhaps she misses pa who is a doctor, and a big doctor because he wears a big coat- and has a long and serious face.

I am scared when he is around, the feeling I will be bashed if I put the tv volume on a high pitch, and sometimes he raves at mom, and she listens carefully and let it pass. Pa is not playful, he avoids me but brings gifts occasionally. I like him but not when he is around. Ma told me he is helping the sick, and works day and night and does not come because many lives depend on him, unlike craft teacher who takes us through papers to boats in a matter of a minute.

Today the sun is not bright but not dark either. Ma compared to other days is less functional. She made breakfast and kept gazing at the ambulance siren outside which keeps hovering these days. I see her praying whenever she sees an ambulance passing through.

Our house is big, with 2 huge balconies and I have a separate room. Since pa stopped coming home I sleep with mom, snuggle her and sleep peacefully. Ma cries alone but becomes better after that. She recites stories in a sense that we are the characters in it, and moves her head on the other side when she could use the word "together."

I saw a few policemen speaking to mom, and mom listening attentively and weeping on the floor kneeling, she did this post the doors got closed.

I heard the ambulance again.