"Look Gala, a hummingbird!"
The little girl ran in excitement towards the nearest bush with Benny closely behind her, watching over her. One of his favorite parts of spending time with his family was being with his niece. That little angel filled the whole house with light and joy. He never imagined that being an uncle would be so fun and challenging. He loved his role as Gala's protector, and they both loved each other dearly.
"Cutieee!"
"Yes, baby! A cutie. It's called a hummingbird." A happy Benny explained. He crouched down next to her and Gala laughed, showing her tiny teeth.
"Ice cream time!"
Benny looked over his shoulder at Eva-Lis. The favorite part of the afternoon had arrived. "Did you hear that Gala? Ice cream!"
"Ice!" Gala screamed excitedly and threw herself into Benny's arms so he could carry her. Benny picked her up laughing, her little shoes had gotten filled with dirt so he shook them off.
"We are going, sister!"
"Yay!" Gala applauded in innocent joy.
Benny laughed at the impetus of his niece, so small and intelligent. Since he arrived at Eva's house, Gala stuck to him like gum, they sat together and even ate together. Eva tried on more than one occasion to distract the girl with her coloring books but she only wanted her uncle. Benny was the most delighted to be there with her, it was a pleasure for him to raise her.
"Falfal!"
Both Benny and Eva looked towards the garden entrance where Gala had pointed. Gösta had just arrived.
"Hey, my darling!" Gösta opened his arms for her.
Carefully, Benny set the girl down so she could go with her grandfather. She ran and screamed until Gösta hugged and spun her in the air. Benny watched the scene with a sort of discomfort, not towards the scene but towards Gösta. After what happened last night they both had to talk.
Benny sat at the garden table and drank his lemonade. The day was still cloudy and deliciously fresh, and from time to time the sun's rays peeked out. In that moment of admiration for nature, Frida came to his mind. The thought of her made him smile. He couldn't wait to see her tonight and hear whatever she had to say. From the bottom of his heart he hoped that she was fine right now, with the situation as controlled as possible.
"Son."
Gösta brought him out of his thoughts. Benny smiled up at him. "Hello Dad. Didn't know you were coming."
"And I knew you were here."
"Oh yeah?" Benny raised an eyebrow at Eva who only shrugged.
"Yes, yes." Gösta took a seat in the other side of the circular table. "And this little beauty? How are you my darling?" He kissed Gala's head and the little girl giggled. "Eager for ice cream?"
"Ice cleaaam!"
"Oh gosh, you have strong lungs! Eva, why don't you take her inside so she eats her ice cream in there?"
"We were going to eat it together." Benny intervened, earning a please-cooperate gaze in return.
"Come here, baby." Eva took Gala in her arms but she squealed. "We're going for ice cream inside, don't you want to? We'll be back in a bit."
Benny and Gösta were left alone with a somewhat tense environment. Both knew deep inside a serious conversation awaited them. Benny adjusted the neck of his shirt and checked the hour in his wristwatch, suddenly anxious to know about Frida.
