Bridges Of Time

Chapter 8

2005
Cooperstown

It is almost dusk by the time Magnus settles down to study and complete his homework. The college essay for medical school, where he doesn't plan to go but still needs to write because of his father, is not going to write itself. He also needs to work on the essay he will need if he ever wants to go to UNCSA—even if it happens after a deferral year. Perhaps, this will be good practice for that.

He grabs a pen and paper, and starts scribbling something. It is really hard to sound convincing about something that you're sure you never want to do in your life, but he has lived a better part of his life pretending to like something when he doesn't, so faking interest in an essay he doesn't want to write isn't such a tough task. He loses track of time, engrossed in making his essay look believable, when he hears the door click open in the living room.

His father is home for the day.

Magnus hears footsteps make their way up to his floor, and floorboards creaking underneath as Asmodeus approaches his room. "I brought fish and chips for dinner. Come down before the food goes cold," he knocks on Magnus' door after a few minutes of silence, startling the young boy.

Magnus utters a very soft "coming" in response. He hates fish. He hates seafood in general, but he really hates fish. That putrid smell, but like every other Thursday of the week since he was very young, he knows he has to shut his mouth and pretend to enjoy fish and chips for dinner. He stuffs his stationery back in the drawer and walks out of the room, joining his father in the kitchen.

The smell of fish has already engulfed the room. Magnus takes a shallow breath to avoid taking in too much of the scent he can't stand and lays out two plates and silverware for himself and his father. Asmodeus throws a fried piece of cod on each of the plates, scoops out mashed potatoes, and pours pea paste, rather haphazardly. He pulls out a lemon from the fridge, slices it in half and then offers one to Magnus.

"How was school?" He asks, unfurling today's newspaper and sitting down on the kitchen counter.

"It was good." Magnus responds dryly, his mind momentarily wandering to the little dance he'd performed alongside Isabelle in the gymnasium. It had been a great, great day. One of the most memorable days of his life actually. "Didn't receive any assessments though." He adds, knowing that his father's interest in his studies is limited to his grades.

"Hmm," the man acknowledges. He flips through the pages of the newspaper, and then tears open the fried piece of cod, handling the meat with his bare hands.

Magnus digs his own fork and knife into the fish after sprinkling enough lemon juice on the fish for it to be palatable and emptying a generous amount of salt and pepper on the mashed potatoes. Over the years, Magnus has found ways to make the food bearable for him to eat. The one tip is to ramp up the seasoning.

"Ah, before I forget," Asmodeus grunts, his baritone stopping Magnus as he is scooping some mashed potatoes in his knife and fork. "How is your medical school application essay going?"

Magnus freezes, his breath catching in his throat, "My college essay?" He corrects.

"Yes," Asmodeus point-blanks. "It's all the same to me."

"I have been working on it," Magnus lies. "...and I'll be done soon."

"How soon?" Asmodeus presses.