“Yes, dad.” Angel says.
“Okay.” Celestine responds.
I smile seeing them make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
“Dad, I put too much peanut butter.” Angel says as I see peanut butter on the edges of the sandwich; I turn to look at Celestine’s sandwich.
“Me too! I put too much jelly.” Celestine says.
“I see. Scoop it up with your spoon and you, Celestine, the jelly, and just eat like that.”
They nod doing what I said.
“Okay, now that you have your sandwich, let’s eat. Here is your milk.”
“Thank you, dad.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“When do we get watermelon?” Angel asks taking bite of his sandwich.
“After we fold the clothes. We have to let some time pass after we eat.”
Angel nods.
“Then, are we taking Rocky out for his walk?” Celestine asks.
“Yes, we are.”
“Do we get to take our tricycle too?”
“We’ll take them when we go to the park. We’ll just walk this time.”
They nod.
***
A day before the first school day, I hear whimpers coming from the living room. I walk in and find Angel hugging Celestine on the sofa. I go sit next to Celestine.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
No one answers.
“Did you hurt yourself?” I ask.
“No.” Angel replies.
“Celestine, Angel, what’s wrong? You can tell me anything, remember.”
“I miss dad.” Celestine responds.
“I miss him too.” I respond. “He’ll be back as soon as he can.”
“He’s missing our first day of school again.” Celestine says.
“I know, my little seal. He doesn’t want to miss it.” I say.
“Why does dad have to miss it?” She asks again.
“He had to go to work.”
“But you work and you are still with us.” She reasons.
Yes, I do. “I do, but my job doesn’t require me to travel.”
“Can’t dad find a job that doesn’t make him leave?” She asks.
“He has worked a long time at this job.”
“He loves it more than us?”
“No, Celestine. He loves you and Angel a lot.”
“Why isn’t he here?”
“He will get home as soon as he can.” I say wrapping my arm around them both.
I wonder if Angel is feeling the same way.
After a while, I ask, “How about some ice cream and a game or a movie?”
“Yes.” Angel responds.
“Movie or game?”
“Movie.” Celestine responds.
YOU ARE READING
Luminous Fire
General FictionCristian meets Xavier in an art class, they become friends, they get married, they start a family; a journey that should be shared. It is not like Cristian thought it would be. He endures it because of his children, but is that the best decision? Wi...
20. Echo
Start from the beginning
