Where Do I Come From?

‘Where I come from, women are equal to men. Gays are accepted. What more do you want?’

'Yeah, but that is not true. My mum is not equal to my dad.’

‘Did your mum say that, or your dad?’

‘Neither said it. I just know.’

‘Really, how so?’

‘Dad earns more.’

‘Does that mean he is better?’

‘No, but…’

‘In your house is everyone equal?’

‘No, if I want to watch something on tv, I can’t if football is on.’

‘So, your dad is in charge of the telly?’

‘He bought it, so, I suppose he is.’

‘What if your mum wanted to watch a romance film, but the football is on at the same time?’

‘We would watch the soccer.’

‘So, your dad is more equal than your mum. See, women are not equal to men. Where I’m talking about, they are.’

‘And you said gay people are equal too?’

‘Yes, they are.’

‘If a gay man wanted a job at my dad’s office, he wouldn’t have a chance.’

‘Oh, really, is that fair?’

‘I don’t know, I’ve never thought about it. It is that dad is always telling jokes about gay people.’

‘If a gay man could do your dad’s job would he get the job?’

‘I’ve never thought about that too.’

‘Again, where I come from, the better person gets the job. It is not what they look like, or how they act.’

‘Where do you come from?’

‘Oh, you are interested are you?’

‘You sound English.’

‘That is because I am.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Do you go to church?’

‘Only at Christmas.’

‘Why is that? Are you Christian?’

‘Yeah of course.’

‘What if I told you I’m not a Christian? Would you be annoyed?’

‘No, but you look like a Christian.’

He laughed.

‘Do you go to that big church near the shops?’

‘Yes, but only at Christmas or a wedding or christening. Something like that. Sometimes my school makes us go.’

‘What if you didn’t want to go?’

‘My dad or the teachers would get upset.’

‘I see. What if I told you nobody has to go to my place of worship? But everyone wants to go because it is so much fun.’

‘Really?’

‘Oh yes. Sometimes we even see magic tricks.’

‘Wow. I love magic. Do they make rabbits appear from a hat?’

‘No, nothing like that. A different sort of magic.’

‘Can I see?’

‘Do you think your dad would allow you?’

‘I doubt it. I’m not allowed to talk to strange men.’

‘Oh, but you don’t know me. Why are you talking to me?’

‘Because you came and sat next to me. It would be rude if I ignored you.’

‘Where are your father and mother?’

‘My dad is at work. My mum is at home, she sent me to buy some bread.’

‘But, you have got no bread. You have an ice lolly instead.’

‘That is why I’m sitting here. Thinking.’

‘And what are you thinking about?’

‘How to get some bread.’

‘You only had enough money for the loaf, but you bought a Cornetto. Is that naughty?

‘My mum will go mad.’

The man crossed his legs and stretched his hands behind his head.

‘Do you still want to see my place of worship?’

‘I suppose.’

‘What if I bought your shopping and a bar of chocolate?’

‘Umm. Where is your church?’

‘I didn’t say it was a church.’

‘Okay, your place of worship.’

‘It is near here, we can walk.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘When we come back, I’ll buy your things.’

‘Don’t you have a car? It will be quicker.’

‘I don’t need a car. And we are not going far. Up the hill and into the woods.’

‘I’m not allowed to go to the woods.’

‘Oh, why not?’

‘Because my dad said.’

‘Why doesn’t he like nature?’

‘He likes London and the seaside.’

The man chuckled. ‘But he doesn’t like these trees?’

‘I don’t know, but I’m not supposed to go there.’

‘So, you don’t want to see where I go, and then get your bread?’

‘Are you married?’

‘Why?’

‘Because I want to know. And have you any children?’

‘I am married to my faith, and yes, I have many children.’

‘Are they in the woods?’

‘Some are.’

‘Can I meet them?’

‘If you want to.’

‘Come on then. But we mustn’t be too long.’

They stood, stretched and then headed towards the church. A neighbour nodded and said, “hi,” to the girl. They crossed the road, and as she went towards the garden of remembrance, he jerked her arm led her away from the gate, skirted the church’s grounds, and pointed upwards.

They ducked a broken fence and swept aside some long grass as they strolled towards the trees.

It darkened as they entered the copse. ‘There, look over that rock.’

‘What? I can’t see anything.’

They climbed to the top of the rock, between the trees, there was a wooden covering. The man pulled aside broken branches and leaves.

‘Here we are, in you go.’

‘It is dark.’

‘The lights are on inside. Can you hear anything?’

‘Yes, what is that?’

‘My children are chanting a welcome for you.’

‘But how did they know we were coming?’

‘Do you remember, I said there was magic up here?’

‘Yes, can I see some more?’

‘Yes, come on, we’ll go down.’

‘I like all the candles. Is there no electricity?’

‘No, we only use natural things.’

The noise got louder, and the lights dimmed.

‘Where is my daughter? I only sent her for bread.’

‘She popped in for her favourite ice cream,’ said the shopkeeper.

‘She only had enough money for the loaf.’

'Sorry, but she only bought one thing. Then she sat outside to eat it.’

The mother rushed about, looking up and down the road.

‘She was walking by the church when I saw her,’ said the neighbour.

‘Did she go in?’ the mother rushed to the gates.

‘No, she went around and up that way,’ she pointed.

‘Who was she with?’

‘Oh, no one, she was alone.’

The END