Loyalty Divided

Chapter Thirty Four

Arthur stood outside Eliza's modest house, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched Isaac chase a butterfly in the front yard. The early morning sun cast a golden hue over the scene, illuminating the vibrant greenery of the small garden. It was hard to believe the boy was already five years old. Time had flown by, and the past five years had been a whirlwind of change, struggle, and growth, not just for Isaac, but for Arthur and everyone in the gang.

Isaac's laughter rang out as he darted after the elusive butterfly, his small feet kicking up dust as he ran. Arthur couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and affection for his son. Despite the challenges they faced, Isaac had grown into a bright, spirited child with a zest for life. His wide, curious eyes took in everything around him, and his boundless energy was a constant source of joy and exhaustion for both Arthur and Eliza.

Eliza came to the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron, her face lighting up when she saw Arthur. "Arthur, it's good to see you," she said warmly. Her voice carried the same kindness and strength that had drawn Arthur to her years ago.

"It's good to see you too, Eliza," Arthur replied, his smile widening. "How's he been?"

"Full of energy, as always," Eliza said with a chuckle. "He's been looking forward to today all week. Keeps talking about going fishing with his pa."

Arthur's heart warmed at her words. "Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint him," he said, glancing back at Isaac, who was now examining a flower with intense curiosity.

Eliza smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at Arthur. "Go on, then. He'll love it. And it's good for you two to spend time together."

Arthur called out to Isaac, who came running over, his face lighting up with excitement. "You ready to catch some fish, Isaac?" Arthur asked, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Yeah! Let's go, Pa!" Isaac exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. He grabbed Arthur's hand, practically dragging him towards the river where they often fished.

As they walked down to the nearby river, Arthur carried the fishing rods while Isaac skipped ahead, his excitement palpable. The path was familiar, lined with tall trees that rustled softly in the breeze. Birds chirped overhead, adding to the serene ambiance of the morning.

Reaching the water's edge, Arthur found a comfortable spot for them to settle. The gentle murmur of the river flowing over rocks created a soothing backdrop as he laid out their fishing gear. He knelt down, pulling out a tin of worms and demonstrating to Isaac how to bait the hook.

"Now, you take the worm like this," Arthur said, threading the wriggling creature onto the hook with practiced ease. Isaac watched intently, his small hands mimicking Arthur's movements in the air. "You have to be careful not to hurt it too much. Just enough so it stays on the hook."

Isaac nodded seriously, his brow furrowed in concentration. He reached into the tin, his fingers hesitant at first but quickly gaining confidence. With Arthur's guidance, he successfully baited his own hook, a proud grin spreading across his face.

"Good job, son," Arthur praised, his voice filled with warmth. "Now, let's cast the line. Hold the rod like this." He positioned Isaac's hands on the fishing rod, showing him the proper grip. "Then, you swing it back and let it fly forward, nice and smooth."

Isaac imitated Arthur's movements, casting his line into the water with a determined flick of his wrist. The hook and bait made a soft plop as they hit the surface, and Isaac's eyes widened with excitement. "I did it, Pa!"

Arthur chuckled, ruffling Isaac's hair. "You sure did. Now we wait. Fishin' takes patience, but it's worth it."

They settled onto a nearby log, their lines gently bobbing in the water. The quiet of the morning enveloped them, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Arthur glanced at Isaac, who was watching the water with rapt attention, his small face full of anticipation.