Chapter 8

It's been a few months since that incident that Arthur was hospitalized, since then the boys have stopped messing with their friend and they've been able to enjoy their school days peacefully. Arthur and Leon were always together, always hanging out with each other, but that was before winter came. Snow blocked the roads and the door, the storm was so strong it cut the phone and electrical lines. At this point, my son was completely bored, as he couldn't do anything indoors but wait for this storm to pass.

-Hey son, want to play some card game? (Logan)

-No, it's too dark. (Arthur)

-I can light a candle on the table. (Logan)

-Not worth. (Arthur)

He really was completely bored.

Logan starts to get thoughtful, just looking at his son and thinking about something, when he gets up excited, making it clear that he has found something to cheer his son on. He prepares a tape player that didn't need to be plugged in and puts a tape written “Elvis Presley” inside. Arthur who was watching the snow falling through the window starts to hear a sound coming from the kitchen, he goes towards it when he sees his father wearing a white dress shirt and a boxer short, he was wearing sunglasses and wearing only one pair. in socks, Arthur was confused about what was going on, but all this mystery and confusion brought out a simple smile of joy, he was finding that situation a little funny because his father was dressing totally weird. As soon as Elvis starts to sing his father starts dancing in the middle of the room and when he sees that he starts to laugh.

-Come Arthur, don't just stand there, dance with me. (Logan)

Without thinking twice Arthur went to the middle of the kitchen beside his father and began to dance with him. At that time, all the worry Arthur had about the storm was gone, he was just enjoying that moment with his father. His father while dancing, looked at him and his smile, Arthur did not stop smiling and it left a comforting feeling in his father's eyes, he wanted his son to always be that way, he would protect that smile forever, no matter whatever happened to Arthur he would make him smile again and forget about all his problems.

In a green and flowery field, with several splintered stones placed on the ground, a man was in front of one that had yellow flowers.

-After that, the days went by, the weeks got shorter and the seasons were changing in a frighteningly fast way. Rochely, you would be impressed, our son is no longer a child, he is already a grown and serious man. I can still remember the first letter he received, it was from a classmate in his class wanting to go out with him, you should see his embarrassed face when I took that letter before him. Nowadays he doesn't talk to that girl anymore, but it was a kind of life experience that he went through and because of that he matured and became wiser. I'm still scared every time with his size, he's bigger than me, he doesn't need my help anymore to get the cereal from the top cupboard. Time really is cruel Rochely, if I knew it would pass so quickly I would have enjoyed it much more. However, there is nothing more I can do about it, the only way is for me to enjoy it from now on. I just wish I could do this by your side. (Logan)

Logan says goodbye and leaves that place, he gets in his car and returns to his house. When he gets there, his son is reading something from a piece of newspaper.

-Good Morning. What are you doing? (Logan)

-Good morning dad, I'm looking for a job. (Arthur)

-Job? Are you thinking of buying something? (Logan)

-Not. I'm looking for something that can help you pay your house bills. (Arthur)

-Which? If that's why I already told you... (Logan)

-And I'm also tired of telling you that I'm not a child anymore, I've graduated and I can't just live depending on you forever. (Arthur)

Not knowing what to say to change his mind, he just lets him do what he wants. After all, he was just as insistent as his mother and when he decided to do something it was impossible to get him to go back on it.

-But the job you intend to take is what you want to do for the rest of your life? (Logan)

-Actually, here you only have options about being a janitor or shop assistant. (Arthur)

-Then you shouldn't get any of these if that's not what you want. You have to choose something that won't make you regret it in the future. (Logan)

-It's easy to say, but I have no idea what I really want to do for the rest of my life. (Arthur)

-Yes I know. (Logan)

DING DONG

-Who could it be? (Logan)

Logan opens the door and sees Leon waiting outside.

-Good morning uncle. (Leon)

-Oh Leon, how are you? (Logan)

-I'm on my way, I'll just put on a blouse. (Arthur)

-OK. (Leon)

-Are you going somewhere? (Logan)

-Actually we're going to drink with some of our friends from school. (Leon)

-Arthur too? (Logan)

-Hahahahahahaha, except Arthur, he is the only one who asks for juice instead of drink. He doesn't really care what people think of him. (Leon)

-I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. (Logan)

-Hahahaha. (Leon)

-I'm going, dad, I'll be back soon. (Arthur)

-OK. (Logan)

Arthur hugs his father before he leaves, this makes his head to the side of his chest and hears his heart perfectly.

BUNDUM BUNDUM BUNDUM

He's so excited, I think this getting a job thing is really getting to him.

-Bye dad. (Arthur)

-Bye uncle. (Leon)

Logan waves to the two of them.

Later in a very rustic bar, Leon was already a little dizzy.

-Seriously he always drinks so little and still gets weak. (colleague 1)

-Looks like I'll have to drive again. (Arthur)

-You should drink too and come back by taxi. (colleague 2)

-I don't see the need. (Arthur)

-Leave him guys. This dai doesn't drink or pay, I say this with total certainty because I already offered him 100 dollars for him to turn a glass and he refused. (colleague 3)

-WHICH!? (colleague 1)

-I told you, I don't need to drink these things. (Arthur)

Arthur gets up and goes to the bathroom. Halfway up he sees a man crying alone at his desk.

-No... this can't be happening... I still don't want to die... because I got into it. (man crying)

He was drunk from drinking so much, it seems that something was bothering him and he tried to forget with alcohol. Even curious about what was happening to the man, Arthur decided to simply continue straight to the bathroom without asking any questions so as not to disturb him. When he came back the man was no longer there, it seems he left for home.

-Hey guys, you saw the man sitting in that chair. (Arthur)

-That's it Arthur, with so many hot girls around here and you paying attention to men. (colleague 1)

-Hey! Don't worry Arthur, regardless of your choice we'll still like you. (colleague 2)

-Yeah... but not in that sense hahahahaahaha. (colleague 1)

-Hahahahahaha. (colleague 3)

-Brother, why every time you drink you start talking so much shit? (colleague 2)

-I'm just saying what I think and I think you could stop talking about that guy and start talking about why the hell there's an angel drinking in this same bar as us. (colleague 1)

Everyone looked to where their friend pointed and saw a beautiful young woman with dark hair sitting with her friends, all of whom were extremely beautiful, but the young woman was so much that it overshadowed any other beauty around her making her the center of everyone's attention.

-Hey Arthur, isn't that the... (Leon)

-I think it's time we left Leon. (Arthur)

-Which?!! But are you already going? (colleague 2)

-Hey, how about you before you leave we help get that girl? (colleague 1)

-We kindly refuse. (Arthur)

-Boring. (colleague 2)

Arthur and Leon got up and walked to the exit, when he left, Arthur looked at the girl and she was watching him leave, he just ignores it and leaves the bar. Arriving in the car Arthur puts Leon in the passenger seat and closes the door, when he looks up he sees the girl from the bar standing in front of him.

-Hey. (girl)

-What´s up. (Arthur)

-Is that all you're gonna say? After so long will you just say “What´s up”? (girl)

-It's demanding a lot for those who just said "hi". (Arthur)

-Why did you leave when you saw me? (girl)

-I was just leaving, my friend was already drunk. (Arthur)

-Liar. (girl)

-What you want? I have to go home in a little while. (Arthur)

-Why were you always like this? Indifferent. No... you weren't like that, you were just indifferent to me. (girl)

A silence is created between them, an awkward feeling emanates from not knowing what to say to continue or end the subject.

-Damn, I told you not to lose sight of her. (colleague 1)

-You wanted what? She said she was going to the bathroom, we couldn't stare at her. They were going to call us perverts. (colleague 3)

-Hey guys, look over there! (colleague 2)

Arthur's group of friends spot the girl they were looking for.

-Hey, it's her. What is she doing with Arthur? (colleague 1)

At that moment the two didn't know what to do, they were discovered by Arthur's friends and that made the situation very complicated. However, the young woman decided to take advantage of this situation in her favor.

-Nice, as I told you before my name is Angelica... and I'm also this sucker's ex-girlfriend. (Angelica)

This girl... (Arthur)

-Which!! (colleagues)

They advance towards her with several questions, making her feel scared and regret having said this, but before they get close Arthur grabs her arm and tells her to get in the car. The two entered and the group of colleagues surrounded Arthur's car.

-Hey! Where do you think you're going? (colleague 1)

-What do you mean you already dated. I never heard of any of this, I didn't give you permission to date a goddess like her. (colleague 2)

Arthur speeds up the car and drives away without saying anything to his friends.

-Do you think they'll leave us alone? (Angelica)

-I do not know. Frankly why did you have to say that? (Arthur)

-What was it? Are you going to tell me that you now regret having dated me? (Angelica)

-That is not what I said. (Arthur)

-So what did you say? (Angelica)

-Not again. (Arthur)

-“Not again” what? Am I any kind of a nuisance to you? (Angelica)

-Tell me where you live. I'll drop you off first before I take Leon away. (Arthur)

-I'm not going anywhere. (Angelica)

-Looks like you didn't lose your naughty girl habit. (Arthur)

-Is that why you broke up with me? (Angelica)

-I did not say that. Why do you want to know so much why I broke up with you? (Arthur)

-Because no boyfriend appears out of nowhere at your house and simply says that we are going to break up when there was no apparent reason and we were doing really well. (Angelica)

-Who said we were doing well? (Arthur)

-Wh... what?! (Angelica)

-I'm just playing with you. (Arthur)

-Humph. (Angelica)

-Then what you will do? (Arthur)

-Your home. I'm going to your house. (Angelica)

Arthur doesn't answer anything to her, just keeps driving.

-What was it? By chance I can't... (Angelica)

-OK. I take you to visit my house. Just let me stop by Leon's house and drop him off. (Arthur)

After some time, Arthur finally returns to his home.

-Father! I arrived! (Arthur)

-Oh, you came back fast. (Logan)

-Good night sir. (Angelica)

-Arthur who is this young woman. Your friend? (Logan)

-Yeah. (Arthur)

-I see, please come in. (Logan)

-Thanks. (Angelica)

-Would you like anything? Any food or something to drink? (Logan)

-She's fine dad, don't worry. (Arthur)

-Actually I would like to have something for dinner if it's not too much trouble. (Angelica)

-It wouldn't be any. I will prepare something for dinner. (Logan)

-OK. Let me help you. (Angelica)

At that moment Arthur felt a shiver down his spine.

-Actually I think you better take a shower, you stink. (Arthur)

-Which!? That's not possible. (Angelica)

-I think Arthur is just playing with you. (Logan)

-It's no joke, go take a shower. (Arthur)

-But what about dinner? (Angelica)

-Don't worry, I can handle it myself. So don't bother and take your bath calmly. (Logan)

-OK. (Angelica)

-Ufa. Looks like I managed to save us somehow. (Arthur)

Arthur and his father begin to prepare dinner.

-So... she's just a friend?... (Logan)

-Now she's just a friend. (Arthur)

-I understand. (Logan)

-Aren't you going to ask what happened? (Arthur)

-You don't need to answer me if you don't want to. (Logan)

-Tsk. (Arthur)

-So, why didn't you work out? (Logan)

Arthur hesitates to answer at first, but decides to tell his father everything.

-Love is really something complicated dad. You fall in love with a person, bond with them, and then one of them walks away forever without even saying anything. I don't want to make someone else suffer because of me. (Arthur)

-So it's my and your mother's fault that you don't want to date anyone? (Logan)

-I saw you crying hidden looking at the picture of the mother when I was a child. If it's to make the person I love stay that way I'd prefer that they never love me to begin with. (Arthur)

-I understand. But I can give you some advice. (Logan)

-He speaks. (Arthur)

-You're completely wrong. (Logan)

-I don't feel it. (Arthur)

-That's life Arthur. We ended up losing important people along the way and there's nothing we can do about it. But if you refuse to live it out of fear, it's even more cruel, you're just succumbing to darkness, being alone and increasingly alone. Without even realizing it, you regret everything and wish more than ever for a chance to start over and live each moment again. (Logan)

-How can you state that with such certainty. (Arthur)

-Because that's what I feel my son. I live each day wishing I could go back in time and enjoy every second with your mother. Every minute I've wasted by being preoccupied with some bullshit and not standing by her side. Every day I go out to do something other than being by her side. I would give anything to go back and remake these moments. (Logan)

-I'm sorry... (Arthur)

-Do not apologize. You didn't force me to say anything hurtful. I just wanted to show you that refusing to love someone won't get you anywhere and you know that very well. Because if you didn't know, you would never make friends who could suffer when you left either. (Logan)

-Are you saying I just didn't want to admit I was wrong? (Arthur)

-That or you really are a strange person. (Logan)

-Hahahahahahahaha. (Arthur and Logan)

Logan slowly approaches Arthur and rests his head on his chest.

BUNDUM.

It was beating so calmly.

BUNDUM.

So calm it felt like it would stop at any moment.

BUNDUM.

-Father? (Arthur)

BUNDUM.

-Hmmmm? (Logan)

BUNDUM.

-Nothing. (Arthur)