Favourite Season
Joe’s POV
Tonight there’s the official Inauguration of Mooney’s and yesterday evening I let Henry know about it.
And he was so excited that… Well, Kate believes he’s at school, like every other day - even more, now that Kate defeated the Reagan witch, at least about the school issue!-instead he’s somewhere else: here.
Courtesy of me and all the teachers’ silence money can buy.
“You know, Joe, I guess you should revise your business policies, because I don’t think that such a young kid should be allowed to work.” You grumble, glaring at me, with your arms crossed against your chest.
“Of course, I didn’t ask him to do such a thing, Bronte; he offered, and I’m even getting sure he’s not carrying too much weight, nothing more than two or three books at time.”
And mostly only the ones from the kids books box. Nothing that could shock my son’s innocent eyes.
That’s also why I’ve told him that he can’t see the basement today, due to some renovation work and the fact that there’s too much dangerous stuff around.
And by dangerous stuff I mean his auntie -the good one- temporarily caged.
“Oh my God, relax, I was only joking!” You laugh. “Actually it’s super cute to see how tidy he is in placing the books on the shelf."
“Yeah, I know. When he grows up he’ll have a brilliant future here.” I smile proudly, as my bub trots towards us, holding something.
“Dad, dad! Can you take this home one night and read it to me?” He asks me, waving a little book, probably drawn by the very colorful cover.
“Omg, couldn’t he be any more polite than this?” You practically melt down, staring at him.
“Oh. This is ‘The house of four seasons’ first edition, surely a must read book, especially at your tender age.” I congrat my son for his very good taste. “You know what? No need to borrow that, I decided it’s already yours!”
Henry jumps happily, before hugging me.
“Thanks, Dad, you’re the best!”
He takes the book and gets comfy on the floor, his back against one of the lowest shelves, the book on his crossed legs, his hands carefully skimming through the pages.
“Dad, can I take a little break from helping you?”
“I’m not involved in this Inauguration thing, so ask the real Boss!” I chuckle, pointing at you.
“Of course, Henry, I guess you already provided a huge help, you can have the rest of the morning free.” You smile at him, gently caressing his head.
“Cool! Thanks a lot, Bronte, I guess that Daddy is not that good with you, as Boss!”
What?! Okay… I’ll pretend I didn’t hear him.
“Trust me, your Dad is a very good and gentle Boss. The best I could have asked for.” You wink at me, not seen by Henry, since he’s too captivated by the images of the book.
Are you flirting with me, Bronte?
“I’m the lucky one for having found an employee like you; your smile should be one of the reasons the customers come back.” I murmur, stepping closer to you.
Okay, now I’m the one flirting, but still keeping you in the box.
“So, since we’re on the subject, Henry, which is your favourite season?”
Even if I know that he would like to keep enjoying the book, I’ve raised my son to always answer when someone asks him some questions.
That’s why he lifts his eyes from the pages and gives you full attention.
“Well, I guess it’s Summer.”
“Cool choice.” You grin. “Let me guess, it’s because days turn longer and you have more time to play outside?”
“I’m glad that there’s more daylight, but nope, that’s not the main reason.” He shakes his head.
Okay, I wanna play this game, too.
Listen and learn, Bronte.
“I know why: it’s because of the holidays, right bub? Last Summer we were in Edinburgh and you loved it.” I smile at him.
“Ohhhh, I’m so envious! I’ve always wanted to visit that town, it seems to have popped out directly from a fairytale!” You reply with a melancholic sigh.
“And it is, indeed. Every corner is so full of history and art… and somehow magic, too.” I wink at you.
“Arrghh. Now I definitely wanna go there!” You groan.
Note to self: in another universe, I would take you to Edinburgh.
“Yeah, holidays are cool and I loved Edinburgh, but it’s not why I love Summer so much.” Henry chuckles.
I guess he’s having fun with this game.
“Huh, my turn to guess again!” You raise your hand, as you take your time to ponder. “Huh, I got it! You must love Summer for its fruits! I mean, peaches, plums…. Not to mention watermelons and coconuts. Geez, I’m getting so hungry!”
Note to self: in another universe, you and I would enjoy a slice of watermelon, sitting on the seashore, at sunset, the water gently bathing our ankles.
Henry shakes his head negatively, looking a bit disgusted, too.
“Naaaah, I don’t like fruit in general, so surely that can’t be the reason!”
“Uhm, could it be because in Summer we wear less clothes, so it’s easier and faster to get dressed. I know that Mommy Kate can be a general about trousers, vests and bow-ties…”
“Less clothes are better, but nope, it’s not for that, either.” He grins. “So, do you give in?”
“I’m running out of reasons.” I raise my hands.
“Me, too. Plus, I’m curious. C’mon, Henry, tell us why.” You urge him.
“The reason why I love Summers the most it’s because… school is closed in Summer!”
“Ladies and Gentleman, the top of the class just spoke!” I resort to my sarcasm, as I sigh. “Let’s thank your lucky stars that Mommy Kate didn't hear you; she wouldn't be happy about it.”
Not to mention she’s already picturing you attending Harvard.
You just giggle.
“Oh, please, I don’t see anything so tragic. Henry is a kid, kids usually don’t like school. I didn’t, for sure.”
Oh no, the thought of you as a misbehaving teen student triggers my already too vivid imagination.
But I can control myself.
“Yeah, Bronte, tell him: school sucks!” He strikes back, with way too much excitement.
“Henry! What did we say about the ‘s’ word?” I reproach him, with my best severe tone and look.
“Sorry, Dad.” He sighs, staring at the floor, remorseful.
How lovely.
I kneel closer to him, caressing his head, until he raises his gaze.
“I got your point, you think school is taking away all your free time, time that you’d prefer spending in other ways, like playing, or watching TV, or drawing… But school is going to make you learn new interesting things, just give it some time…”
You come closer to us and seem to feel the need to add something to make up for your previous inappropriate outburst.
“Listen, Henry, I said that when I was your age I didn’t like school, but then I’ve changed my mind: school has been so cool, it made me meet awesome friends, it gave me direction. Thanks to school, I’ve found out who I could be. I wanted to help people have better teeth and I studied hard for that.”
I mouth the words ‘Thank you’ , but Henry narrows his eyes at you.
“So, are you a dentist? I don’t like dentists!” He protests.
You just chuckle.
“Uh, nope, I’m not a real dentist, don’t be afraid. Quite the contrary: if you listen to my advice, you’ll never need to see a dentist again!”
“Cool!” He grins and I’m glad you’re still back in his good graces.
“So, Henry, what would you like to be when you grow up?” You ask him.
Ohh, I already know the answer.
“A cop! They’re so cool, always stopping the bad guys.”
Wait. What the fuck? What about the archeologist?
Not all the bad guys are really so bad… Some have very valuable reasons…
So, as a cop-wannabe, here’ s one more reason Henry should stay the hell out of the basement.
Oh, why should I get worried? In a month or two he’ll be wanting to be an astronaut, or a baseball player or whatever else.
“However, that was before finding out that my real passion was writing. And both writing and reading are things that only school can teach you so well.”
“Bronte is right, bub; if you keep going to school, you’re going to learn how to read your favorite books on your own.”
“But, Dad, I like when it’s you reading them to me.”
Too cute for words.
“If you hear a strange noise, guys, it’s just me melting down as I watch you.” You confess, softened, as well.
“Of course, Henry, I’ll read whatever book you want me to read for as long as you please.” I hug him tight.
God, I love my son so much!
“You know what, Henry? You’re still too young to study her at school, but there’s a poetress who would agree with you on preferring Summer.” You inform him.
“Really, Bronte? Can you tell me which poetry it is anyway?”
Oh. I guess I already know what you’re going to recite.
“ ‘Did We abolish Frost
The Summer would not cease
If Seasons perish or prevail
Is optional with Us’ “
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, this poetress is cool, let’s abolish the Frost, Summer forever, yayy!” Henry cheers.
But I can read between the lines, Bronte.
Plus, don’t think I didn’t notice the way you looked at me the whole time.
I know the real meaning behind those verses.
You and I, well, the possibility of you and I together, are the Summer.
While my suffocating bond, my by-then utterly unhappy marriage with my wife is the Frost.
I really wish I could abolish it. Her. Just not in a literal way.
There’s divorce, after all, so no one has to die.
But I can’t, Bronte, not until I still have a chance to save my wrecked marriage.
A chance I have to hunt, fight and knock out later on.
“So what about you, Dad, which is your favourite season?”
My son brings me back to the present time.
“Huh, my favourite season? I guess it’s Autumn; starting with the beautiful colours on the leaves of the trees, which are so inspiring to write. Plus, I like the days that gradually quit being too warm, not to mention the subtle pleasure of seeing people sad and nostalgic of their holidays as they go back to every-day life.”
“Daaaad! This is mean!” Henry reproaches me, but it’s clear he’s laughing, as well.
“And you, Bronte, what’s your favorite season?” He asks you, immediately after.
“I really love winter. Those heavy sweaters that wrap you so comfortably…”
Naah, I’d rather stick to Autumn, also for you oh-so-sexy cardigans, like the black and orange one you wear today.
“All those lazy afternoons sitting in front of a fireplace, with a tisane, a plaid and a cat or two. It’s priceless. Well, not that I ever had a fireplace, or a cat or two… But just the imagery is sooo cosy.” You sigh dreamily.
Oh Bronte, is there room for me, too, in that cosy imagery?
I know there is, your eyes already answered me.
“Plus, last, but not least, Winter has Christmas!” You grin.
“Ohhhhh, but I love Christmas, too, it’s my fave holiday ever!” Henry jumps happily.
“Oh, Henry, we’re gonna be such great friends!” You jump as well, holding his hands. “You have no idea all the decorations I’m already thinking about for Mooney’s!”
What the fuck?
“Cool! Can’t wait to start, Bronte!”
Geez, what did I just walk into?
“Okay, then Winter has become my favourite season, too!” Henry declares.
“That would be too easy, you can’t change that statement… what about the closed school, then?” You strike back.
“Well, but school is closed during Christmas Holiday, it’s enough… so, can we move Christmas to Summer?”
“I don’t really think so!”
Oh, geez, Bronte, now you sound more childish than him.
Breathe, Joe, and think.
It’s time to turn the situation to my advantage.
“Well, bub, don’t you know that nature already provided you a compromise?”
Henry frowns.
“What do you mean?”
“There are places in the word, like Argentina, where in winter the temperatures get pretty high, so it’s like having Christmas in Summer!”
“Cool!”
“Yeah, it’s very cool. And do you wanna know how I know that? Because I’ve learned it in school. See? School has very cool things to teach you.” I retort.
“And that’s only a sneak preview of all the cool things you’re gonna learn.” You back me up.
“I guess you’re right…” Henry sighs. “But, Dad… next Winter can we go to Argentina?”
My son is such a natural born bargainer. Which I don’t know if I’m proud of or not.
“We’ll see. But I know where we are going now: home. It’s almost lunch time, so when Mommy Kate finds you home she’ll just think you’re back from school.”
Henry gathers all his stuff in his rucksack and follows me.
“Bye, Bronte, don’t forget to call me when you do the Christmas decorations!” He waves his hand.
“Sure, we’re going to have so much fun in a few weeks!” You grin, waving back.
“But, Dad, what are we doing… is not lying to Mommy Kate?” Henry asks me, as we get in the car.
“Well, Henry, I’ve always taught you that lying is a very bad thing, but there’s also little lies which are meant for good, in this case not to make Mommy Kate worried… or very angry, with both of us.”
“Oh no, I don’t want that!” He looks scared just at the thought.
“So, can this remain our little secret, bub?”
“Deal!” He winks at me.
--------------------------------------
Everything went fine, Kate didn’t suspect a thing and now I’m free to go back to you.
“See? This time Dickinson's quote was flawless, not even a little mistake.” You brag.
“Also because if you had dared to mess up with this one, too, I would have kicked you out of here!” I have my fun teasing you.
“What?! Geez, I take back all I said before about you being a good Boss!” You act insulted.
“Oh, c’mon, I was just kidding!” I chuckle. “And I’m gonna do a very good Boss thing: take the rest of the day free, before tonight’s Inauguration."
“Really?” You grin.
“Sure. Just look at all the set-up you took care of while I was away with Henry. I can’t wait to see it tonight, with all the lights on. Trust me, Bronte, you gained an afternoon of full rest.” I state and I mean it.
It’s not only because I need this place to be totally free, for what I’m planning later on.
“Oh, Joe, thank you so much!” You rush to the exit, but I follow you.
“You know, what, Bronte? Since you mentioned that you didn’t like school, my mind is flooded with images of you, as a teen, ditching lessons, lying both to professors and your parents, maybe even changing clothes before getting to secret parties?” I dare to ask.
You seem amused, rather than annoyed.
“That… and so much more. You know, Joe, I used to be such a bad girl and… who knows? Maybe I still am.” You whisper to my ear, then slowly, oh so slowly, pass your tongue over your upper lip, then walk away.
Now I’m really glad to have this place all for me, because one thing is for sure: I really need a cold shower.
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THE END