Mr. Sing

Please, quit bothering me and go away. I just want to be alone. On your way out close the door tight and let me be."

The steward nodded and excused himself. Sing knew the steward would be off to inform his supervisor, no doubt another Tunnel Academy graduate, about their encounter.

With the door shut, Mr. Sing returned to his thoughts. The Tunnel Academy. The very subject of a heated, one-sided argument between Mr. Sing and his son. If only he could have told his son the truth of what happened, all would be okay between them. His mind slowly began to relive that unfortunate moment. It was an argument that should have been avoided and would have if it weren’t for Vada.

When Mr. Sing realized he had been betrayed, he needed someone to talk to, a confidant and the only person he could trust was his wife, Genet. From the moment he came home, Genet could see her husband was troubled. He sat her down at the kitchen table and began to relate the events that led up to the morning’s special Members Council meeting and what he must do, when Soto unexpectedly rushed into the kitchen emotionally upset.

"Is it true?" He demanded and slammed his study books onto the counter. "Mother, do you know what father did?"

"Mr. Soto! Watch your tongue. Your father has done nothing wrong."

"Yes, he has! I was over at Zarazi’s house. When his father came home he began to ridicule me about father."

"You were at the Council today, Father! Why don’t you answer Mother’s question!"

Genet stepped up closer to her son waiving a defiant finger. "Soto, I’m warning you, do not take this tone with your father."

"It’s alright, Genet. Let Soto speak. I want to hear what he has to say."

"Zarazi’s father said there was a special council meeting held today because you had violated our supreme laws. He said you were fortunate, for now, that you haven’t been expelled from the Members Council but that you soon could be at the next meeting."

Genet gasped. "What’s going on Sing? What did you do?"

Mr. Sing waved a hand to his wife. "I’ll explain shortly." He directed his attention to Soto. "What else did Vada have to say?"

Soto’s eyes began to swell with tears. "He said that you had befriended an alien life form and you have been visiting it on a regular basis. He said you violated our laws and because of that, I may loose my place at the Tunnel Academy. How could you! You know how long and hard I’ve trained to get into the Academy. I can’t believe you would chance ruining something I’ve worked for… for so long." Soto’s eyes swelled with tears, he could say no more and rushed out of the room. Genet felt she should go to Soto but with a quick glance to Sing, she realized there was more to be said than what Soto had spoken.

Genet, returned to the table and sat back down. "Is this true?"

Mr. Sing looked away. "It’s not what you think. Vada should be…"

"Then what is going on? Genet interrupted. "Why would Vada make up such a story?"

"Vada is an idiot." Sing raised his voice. "What he said to Soto he should never been have repeated. Sing hesitated and looked over her shoulder to see if Soto was anywhere within earshot. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled.