Background Noise

All the lights were off in his studio apartment, and his face was pressed to the TV. The picture flickered and distorted the colors as he paused the VCR and began rewinding. 

The colors danced schizophrenically in his face, lips moved at speeds beyond comprehension, until, finally, he lifted his finger.

"...and little brother has lost his first tooth! Look!" His mother, bouncing his little brother on her knee, held up the lost tooth to the camera. Behind her stood his father, a wide grin stretched across his face.

Little brother yawned and his parents laughed. "So tired, huh?" His mother beamed.

With wide eyes, his father leaned towards the camera. "We are going to see the dragon boat race tomorrow. Little brother will be so excited! And then..."

He stood up from his hard, wooden chair and let the tape play on. With slow, small steps, he made his way to his bed, where he lay down and pulled the cold, cotton blanket over his shoulders. "Are you eating well? Mommy worries you don't eat enough."

His back to the TV, he looked out his window at the buildings, the homes, the lives beneath the dazzling skyline - and he felt something sink. Then it was gone, and he closed his eyes as the tape flickered and the familiar voices talked on into the night.