A.N.: I wrote this after DHMIS 3 came out, but I never got around to putting it up. Don't Hug Me I'm Scared belongs to Becky and Joe. This story belongs to me. Enjoy!
Manny walked down the rows of gravestones until he arrived at the one he wanted. It had been about half a year since his mother died; he found his new friends the day afterwards. The boy knelt down and placed his flowers next to his father's.
"Hello, Mommy. It's me, Manny. I made you a vase in art class today." Manny pointed out the painted craft. "The children laughed at me again when I told the teacher to watch me to make sure I didn't get too creative. Creative, I think, is when you make something that only you though of. Anyway, I painted me, and Daddy, and Robin, and Harry. I had to make Robin black, otherwise Miss Paige would say, 'Green isn't creative, sweetie.'" He giggled at his horrible voice imitation. "And then she might ruin it like she ruined my clown picture."
"Oh! Yesterday was my first song day with my friends. Paige taught us about creativity, but then she made us do nasty things. I can still taste the organ cake. Did you see us? If you did, you know that I wasn't being silly. Dad still thinks I am. Thanks for making me feel better. I mean, I didn't see you, but I know it was you that helped me think of nice things. Steve isn't allowed to talk to me on my song days, and I don't know why." The six-year-old was referring to his doll that would often play and have pleasant conversations with him.
"I can't wait to see you. Daddy can't wait either. I don't think he's very sad anymore, but he doesn't speak a lot, and he won't let me live with him because the bad men that hit you aren't put in jail yet. But that doesn't mean I can't go visit him."
Manny paused to watch a butterfly drink from his flowers. Then he continued. "So, I'm still living with Robin and Harry. I like that they can see talking things like me. They are my only friends because they don't laugh at me all the time like the other kids. I like to tell them about you and Dad all the time, but they don't like to talk about their families with me. Maybe they're just shy. Harry said that he would have dinner ready when I get home, so I better go back before my food gets too cold. Goodbye, Mommy. I love you."