Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

The Birds and the Bees: One

'I have an eye infection,' Ecie said sitting down to breakfast at her father's house with Esme. 'I went to the doctors this morning.'

Jonathon looked across at his daughter skeptically. 'And what did he say?'

'He said that I should take it easy and drink plenty of fluids,' Ecie replied. 'He said that there might be a lot of swelling so I should probably stay out of the sun and rub some cream on it.'

'Did you go with her Es?' Jonathon asked looking at his other daughter.

Esme shrugged, shaking her head. 'E went by herself because I had stuff to do, and she said she didn't mind going by herself.'

'So how do you suppose you got this infection?' Jonathon asked sipping at his tea.

'I don't know,' Ecie shrugged. 'But I don't think it matters so much.'

'You look like you've been punched in the face,' Jonathon replied. 'Do you want people constantly asking what happened to your eye?'

'I'm going to wear a shirt,' Ecie replied. 'It'll say "I have an eye infection so don't stare!" what do you think?'

Jonathon and Esme laughed.

'So Es,' Jonathon said. 'What have you been up to?'

'Nothing really,' Esme shrugged. 'Just getting back into the rhythm of school again. What about you?'

'I'm taking a much needed break,' Jonathon replied. 'I've taken an oath of a three month break from work. I won't be touching a pen or computer keys for ninety whole days.'

Esme and Ecie exchanged similar glances.

'Are you sure?' Ecie asked. 'For three whole months? What about mom?'

'She'll be fine,' Jonathon replied. 'I'll have to go into hiding.'

'Be totally incognito,' Esme laughed. 'I'd love to see that.'

'Do you suppose mom'll come after you?'

'Your mother will be fine without me,' Jonathon replied. 'We talked about it and I explained to her that I needed this rest in order to get my creative spark back. People assume that just because you've got awards you don't need to have fresh and new ideas. I feel like I've been trapped in some kind of Groundhog Day remake.'

'That makes sense,' Ecie nodded. 'And at least this way, you'll have more time to do the things you love. Like surfing and watching baseball.'

Jonathon nodded. 'And then it means I get to spend more time with you two.'

'Every cloud,' Esme said. 'It'll be nice having you around more often.'

'And then as soon as the ninety days are up, I'll open my first piece of work related mail.'

Esme and Ecie laughed. 'Oh dad.'