Theo And Reed's Unfortunate Homecoming

Chapter Fourteen

                   ( The Dream)

He was sitting at his family's kitchen table but not his adult self. No. Theo was ten years old again. Still skinny. Still geeky. But not as happy as he was now. Lonelier. His head was lowered as he was engrossed in a big book on math theory. Wondering what the theory of his own life was.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. He looked up with surprised eyes. His eyes blinked behind his hated glasses. He gazed at his father.

Malcolm stood there, smiling at him. He looked the same. Short and trim with neatly trimmed grey hair and lines on his face that were the result of life and learning and loving. He wore his favorite cardigan sweater that was as usual misbuttoned over a button down shirt and beige slacks.

" Father?"

Malcolm's smile increased. " Your mother didn't mean to hit you. She would never hurt you. Ever. She loves you. She adores you. Shhhh. Don't tell Grace but you are her favorite one. "

Theo smiled. He had always thought this. It was the only thing he knew that his sister didn't.

" Remember, Theodore. The most important thing in life is family. And family sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. Your family loves you very much. Never stop appreciating it. Appreciating them. Life is shorter than we think. "

He nodded and reached up with his hand to touch his father's face. Stroking it's wrinkles. Behind Malcolm he could see Reed smiling at him. And Saint and Matt with Livvie. And Winnie holding Benji. Grace and her family. Charles. Cynthia.

And his mother.

He was blessed. So blessed.

" But son ," he heard just before he woke up ," don't ever trust Phoenix. "