The Covids - 27. That Special Day

Daniel was awakened early by the hoon at the end of the street, burning down the road on his over-powered motor bike. The house was otherwise quiet so he decided to go for a walk. He had many things going on in his head and hoped a walk alone might help clear his thoughts.

He mulled over the ‘Kevin’ issue and concluded that his son seemed to be coping. He thought ‘It’s somewhat surprising, given that Kevin is prone to over reacting to even small matters. But this is a major thing for a teenager to cope with and Kevin isn’t showing any signs of stress at all. He doesn’t discuss it with me or his mother, but he does seem to be talking to his brother and Steve, I think. That’s a good thing. Maybe he feels more comfortable talking to his peers. I’m sure that’s it.’

But the issue with his mother still troubled Daniel and he was at a complete loss as to what to do about it. He didn’t want to give in to his mother but he also didn’t want it to fester and become a permanent rift between them. ‘I really should talk to Mum about this and see if we can come to some arrangement, but how can I do that without seeming to give in. That’s exactly what she wants, to be right and have others agree with her always. This really has shown her in a new light. Oh, I know she’s always had an air of superiority about her, but over the years we’ve usually agreed on what’s best. Bugger, I now realise it’s because I have always given in to her. She has a sneaky way of getting me to do that. Well this time no, I won’t give in. This time I am definitely in the right. It’s my family and I’ll make the decisions.’

Then there was Christine’s Corona test results still to come. He hoped she would be cleared and the house could go back to somewhat normal. He concluded that there was nothing to be done today that would fix any of these matters. He said to himself ‘Daniel, let it go. Today is supposed to be your special day to relax and let the family pamper you.’ He did a full body shake and headed home for breakfast.

As he left the walking track and was crossing the park he ran into a neighbour walking his dog. “Hi Dan, haven’t seen you in yonks, how’s things?”

“Pretty good Mike, considering the circumstances, you know how this virus has us all living in a different way. But I’m really busy at work. People are so much more stressed these days. How about you?”

“Things are picking up a bit this month. Had a pretty lean time when elective surgery was cancelled for two months. The world was starting to look a bit ugly for a while, but I’m able to start rectifying that now.”

Daniel looked puzzled for a few moments then laughed and said “Oh, I get it, a plastic surgeon’s joke.”

“Yep, that’s it, the Beauty Master is back in business.”

“Good for you.”

“I’m glad I ran into you Dan, I want to talk to you about my son.”

“Is this a professional consultation, on the side, that you want Mike?”

“No no, nothing like that. Good heavens once we started that, the next thing you’d want those sagging eyes of yours done for free.”

“My eyes, what’s wrong with them?”

“They could do with a bit of work Dan.”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“Anyway back to my son, just father to father.”

“Of course, what’s the problem?”

“Well, I hope it’s not a problem, it’s just that he’s been spending a lot of time away from home lately. When I ask him about it, he says he’s studying with a mate.”

“That seems reasonable, both our sons are doing their final exams for the HSC this month, so the more study time the better, I would have thought.”

“Yes, I know that, but he doesn’t always take text books with him and he’s very secretive. When he gets a phone call, he goes off to his room to take the call.”

“Mike, we were both teenagers, are you telling me you weren’t secretive about phone calls, especially those from girls. I know I was.”

“Maybe so, but he never mentions any girls names in conversation, he only ever talks about Kevin.”

“Well, they are best mates and have been since you moved into this area. Come to mention it, Steve has been spending a lot of time at our place lately, but, as I say study time is important for them this year and I think Steve has also been giving Kevin a bit of moral support.”

“Moral support? I don’t want to pry but is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, not at all, it’s just family and teenage stuff he’s dealing with. It’s good the boys are close enough to support each other. Don’t you agree Mike?”

“Yes...of course....that’s probably what it is. Good talk Dan. Now I better get Scruffy back and hopefully there’s a big ‘surprise’ breakfast waiting for me.” He said as he held up two fingers on each hand.

“Me too, but I do worry a bit when Kevin’s in charge of a frying pan.”

“Surely your daughter learned to cook from Jenny.”

“Of course she did, but I forgot to tell you, she’s in quarantine for a few days till we get her virus test results. She was at a pub which had a confirmed corona case there.”

“That’s a bummer, I hope she’s all right. Give her my family’s best wishes.”

“Will do Mike. Have a great day.”

“You too Dan, bye.”

As he walked into the kitchen, he could smell pancakes cooking and was greeted by Jenny, who gave him a hug and said “Happy Fathers’ Day.” He looked towards the stove and noticed Kevin flipping pancakes.”

“Hey Dad, I think I’ve got this pancake making mastered... finally.”

Jenny and Daniel exchanged looks and laughed; their thoughts going back a few years.

“Well, I expect it to be better than last time you tried.”

“No worries Dad, you’re gunna love ‘em. How do you want yours, undercooked or burned?”

“What!”

“Just joking.”

While waiting for Kevin to work his magic with the batter, Daniel said to Jenny. “Look at my face, what do you see?”

“A very handsome man, still as good looking as the day I married him.”

“Thank you, but that’s not what I mean. Look at my eyes.”

“They don’t look bloodshot or anything like that, why, are they sore?”

“Not my actual eyes, look around them, what do you notice.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary, what are you getting at?”

“Well, I ran into Mike today, on my walk and he said my eyes were, how did he put it?...oh, sagging.”

“Is that Mike May, Steve’s father?”

“Yes, he has me worried now, am I looking old and worn?”

“You know he’s a plastic surgeon, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“He’s probably just touting for business, Dan.”

“Touting is a strong word, you make him sound like a street peddler.”

“Isn’t that where you ran into him?”

“Yes”

“I rest my case.”

Kevin was too busy retrieving his pancakes from the warming oven to notice his parents’ conversation. When he had the stack delicately balanced he placed it in the middle of the table and said. “Now sit down they’re ready.”

Daniel sat at the table and noticed an envelope on his place mat. “Is this for me?” he asked.

“Of course Dad, you can open it now. I made it all myself.”

Jenny remembered some of Kevin’s previous homemade gifts and held her breath while Daniel opened the envelope.

See Kevin’s card at https://gayauthors.org/gallery/image/16551-fathers-day_new-1jpg/

Or Members’ Album Gallery - The Covids – Fathers’ Day