Curious Incident Piece

Stefan Friend

Chose a portion of the novel and rewrite that section from a different point of view

I chose the part where Christopher’s father comes home to find him with all of the letters

It was later than usual when I arrived home.  Christopher had run out of ketchup and he is so particular about everything he eats I had to stop at the corner store and buy him some more.

When I came into the kitchen I could see that the telly wasn’t on downstairs.  Sometimes he watches Blue Planet in the afternoons before I get home, but I just figured he was upstairs playing with his computer.  He plays Minesweeper faster than anyone I’ve ever seen.  Its really quite amazing the way his mind works.  I just wish he were more social.

“Christopher . . . ? Christopher . . . ?” I called into the desolate house.

There was no response as I heard my own voice reverberate off the walls.  It wasn’t like Christopher to not respond.  Most evenings he would come see me when I arrived home.  I would ask him about his day and what he’d like for dinner, almost like a normal family.

I headed up the stairs to see what he was up to.  As I climbed the stairs I could see that the door to my room at the end of the hall was swung open.  I always leave my door shut when I leave for work.  I glanced into Christopher’s room, but he was not in there and his computer wasn’t even on.  I walked into the room and saw him curled up in a ball on the bed, with the door to my cupboard open wide.

“What the fuck are you up to? That’s my cupboard, Christopher,” I said sternly.  I didn’t really yell at him, I always try to be patient, but I could feel the blood in my veins beginning to boil. Suddenly I realized what he was doing and I felt my heart fall to the floor in shock.

“Those are . . . Oh shit . . .  Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” I voiced slowly as I sat still, my mind racing.

I sat in silence for a while, not knowing what to say or what to do.  When his mother had left I had been so enraged I told her never to come here again.  I had told Christopher she died, thinking that it was the best thing to do for him.  I didn’t know how to explain an affair to Christopher, or why his mother couldn’t tolerate being with him the way I could.  He doesn’t understand emotions of people.

I tried to roll him over so I could see him better.  When I touched him he barely responded.  I could see now that he had gotten sick and thrown up over himself and the bed.

“Oh Christ,” I said. He was probably so confused his mind didn’t know how to react. Then I sat in silence for a while thinking about what to do or what to say.

“I’m sorry, Christopher.  I’m so sorry,” I finally managed to say. “You read the letters?”

I began to cry and I felt my throat starting to get tight as my breathing became heavy.  I cried out of sadness, fear, and desperation.  I hadn’t wanted him to find the letters, but I knew I would have to tell him someday.  But he shouldn’t have to find out like this.  I was scared of what he would think about me.  He’s such a good boy, so pure.  He never lies, and I knew he wouldn’t be able to understand.

“I did it for your good, Christopher. Honestly I did. I never meant to lie. I just thought. . . I just thought it was better if you didn't know. . . that. . . that. . . I didn't mean to . . . I was going to show them to you when you were older.” I spoke to him trying to explain, but it seemed so useless.

“It was an accident,” I began again. Trying to explain to him what had happened, why everything had gone so wrong. “I didn't know what to say. . . I was in such a mess . . . She left a note and. . . Then she rang and. . . I said she was in hospital because. . . because I didn't know how to explain. It was so complicated. So difficult. And I. . . I said she was in hospital. And I know it wasn't true. But once I'd said that. . . I couldn't. . . I couldn't change it. Do you understand. . . Christopher. . . ? Christopher. . . ? It just. . . It got out of control and I wish. . ." I wanted to tell him that I regretted having to lie to him all theses years, but I didn’t know how.