REPLAY - ENGLISH VERSION

[27]

It was a Friday like any other, in fact, since the pandemic started, every day seemed the same. Bradley tried to discipline himself and maintain a routine so that his days were productive and he could maintain his physical and mental health within days. He needed to be okay to take care of his mother and Lea. Routine would also do the girl good, who was now unable to go to school and find her little friends. He tried to establish a series of activities during the day that would keep her busy when she wasn't in her online class. They divided themselves into crafts, storytelling, watching television, cooking and sometimes they would invite Irina to spend time with them. Coparenting was working and they found a good balance. Bradley always started the day doing exercises, usually when he started his routine Lea was still sleeping and when he finished, he would find his daughter and Gloria in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Cleaning up the mess they made was up to him.

Before starting his series of bumps, he connected his Spotify account to his iPhone and selected a recommended playlist of the week's hits and releases. On the third song, when he went to get his water bottle, he froze. He went to the chair where his cell phone was and saw that the song he was playing was by Lady Gaga-Album Chromatica. Bradley realized that she had released her long-awaited album. His head told him he should put his cell phone back on the chair and walk away, but his heart told him he should listen to what she had to say in her new album. Bradley sat on the floor and searched for the album on Spotify, re-adjusted his headphones and played the album. With every song he played, emotion invaded his body, some songs or excerpts he already knew, others were totally new to him. Every word was like a cellar in his chest, Bradley stood there leaning against the wall reflecting on the past few years. He was taken from his thoughts when he heard Lea's footsteps going up the stairs.

– Dad! She ran and hugged Bradley's neck with her chubby arms.

– Good morning little princess. - He kissed her head.

– Are you sad, Dad?

Bradley found it amazing how his daughter, even so small, was so sensitive.

– I am not. You are? He forced a smile and began to tickle his daughter.

– Stop, stop! He rolled over in Bradley's arms, laughing.

They went downstairs and found Gloria already waiting for them at the table. Unlike Lea, Gloria was not so easy to deceive and she realized that there was something wrong with her son, even with his attempt to look good. When they finished their coffee and Lea went to the living room, Gloria sat beside her son.

– Bradley, what's going on? Didn't you sleep well?

– It's okay, Mom. -He got up and was on his way to the kitchen when he felt Gloria's hand holding her arm.

– Son, you know you can trust me, right?

– I know. - Bradley stepped back and sat beside his mother again.

– I'm just confused, I don't know.

– Do you want to talk about it?

– Do you think I'm a good son, a good father?

– Where is this coming from? - Gloria took her son's hand.

– I just want to know if I'm on the right path, I've been trying hard mom, but I think I'm always failing and hurting people.

– Bradley, you are a great son. You take care of me, you care, you come. What about being a father? That little girl loves you. I never doubted you would make a good father, but you managed to surprise me even more. Son, we love you.

Bradley bowed his head, not quite convinced of his mother's words.

– I have no doubt that you are a great son, father, brother, friend. But I'm not sure you're good with yourself. - Gloria rubbed her son's back and he lifted his head to look at her for more information.