17 Bonds (2/2)

Father and Tony shared a parting hug and Tony offered some closing words.

”Remember, we're just down the road. You're welcome any time.” He placed his hand firmly on father's shoulder, ”We're family.”

Mother and Lucia said their goodbyes and Lucia turned to Davide.

”Davide come here!”

Davide looked over to her, confused. Lucia sighed, then walked over and picked him up.

”Look how dirty you've gotten!” she exclaimed, looking him over.

Noticing my pristine clothes, she gave me a scathing glance, then left with the rest of the family.

We watched them follow the winding road, bathed in the warm evening glow.

”I don't like that woman,” mother said with a venomous tone, ”she gives me the creeps.”

Father sighed and hugged mother from behind.

”Thanks for keeping her company. I know you hate it.”

”Well, I didn't hate it too much this time,” she gave me a cheeky grin, ”you'll never guess what happened.”

”What did our little monster do this time?” father asked playfully.

”Stop it!” She gave his arm a little punch. ”Come on, I'll tell you inside,” she turned to me, ”Oscar, go to your room for a little bit. I'll come tuck you in later.”

”Ok mummy.”

I climbed up the steps to the nursery and pushed open my door. Today had been a good day. I found out that, while I was a little advanced, it was only by a few months. And, I had gotten a little brother.

I continued my cultivation in earnest. I was happy with my consistent progress, but I wanted to learn something new.

I knew that father had a few techniques in his collection, and I wanted to have a look at them. Not to practice. Just to have a little read. To do that, I needed to phrase a full question.

I had broken the seal on some of my language ability, but I still wanted to show a realistic learning process to my parents. Luckily, they had high expectations for me, so I could advance quickly.

Over the next four months, I built up to the big question. When they became comfortable with me asking questions, I knew it was time.

I timed it so father would be at his happiest, right after he finished lunch. I didn't usually knock before I went into the study, but I thought I would be polite for once.

I knocked on the door twice.

”Come in!”

I pushed open the door. Father kept writing for a second, then looked up.

”What is… oh! Oscar!” he frowned when he saw my puppy dog eyes. ”What do you want…?”

”Daddy, can I look at that?”

I pointed at the sliding door.

”At my books?” He seemed a bit surprised. ”Sure, one second.”

He pulled out his chair, walked over and opened the doors.

”What do you want to have a look at?”

I pointed at the cultivation section.

Father sighed. A fleeting glimpse of pain crossed his face.

”Come here.”

He led me out onto the patio and up to a newly built guardrail. We looked out over the ocean as a slight breeze rustled the trees.

”We need to have our first man-to-man chat.”