SINcere.

Window sitting.

The kettle finishes boiling the water. I pour the hot water into the sky blue cup with a tea bag inside. Then I take the cup with me and head to the living room of Eve and I's small apartment. 

I walk by the simple brown couch facing the TV and proceed to the back window. The window overlooks the other apartment complex across the street and the grey late afternoon sky. Eve has her legs up to her chest on the sitting in the window. Her head is turned away from me, watching the streets below.  

I smile slightly. She looks vulnerable when she sits like that. The sight reminds me of a little girl sitting out by the window, watching the world pass her by. 

''Here's your green tea, babe.'' My voice snaps her out of her daydreams. She turns her head and her brown bangs fall to her big forehead. She removed her hair pins from before, leaving her shoulder length bob to move freely. She looks at the blue cup in my hands and her lips break into a sweet smile. 

''What took you so long?'' She asks as she reaches out to grip her cup from my hand. ''Thank you though.'' 

She brings the cup to her lips and faces the window again.  

''My pleasure.'' I respond truthfully. ''Am I completely off the hook now?'' 

She glances up at me and nods. ''Never do that again, Nick. You seriously broke that guy's nose.'' 

I shrug. The idiot had it coming. 

''I said I was sorry.'' 

''I know and the tea is delicious.'' Her head turns to the window again. Am glad she has forgiven me for that stunt in the elevator. An hour has only passed since I punched that loser. 

I happily sit down on the opposite side of the cushions. Then my eyes drop to the lamp table to my left. My mood instantly drops and my heart clenches in annoyance. I frown deeply.  

There is a picture of a ten year old boy with an older man standing next to him. They both have black hair and matching dark eyes, with fishing hooks in hand. The older man has his right arm slung around the kid's shoulders. They are both smiling broadly, but the boy's smile appears strained and forced, while his eyes hold a lonely emotion.  

It's you and I, dad. 

I am absorbed with the picture that was taken twelve years ago. I hate the photo so much. It reminds me of how sad and lonely I was without you in the house, while growing up. I pretended to be happy when we had the chance to visit each other. I didn't want to disappoint you then.

My irritation peaks and my heart coils more in an uncomfortable fashion. The picture also reminds me that you aren't here anymore. At least then, there were frequent visits on both our ends, but now, it's just me visiting your grave.  

I reluctantly come out of my thoughts, noticing that I have been looking at the picture for some time. Without thinking, my left hand reaches out and flips the frame over, so that the front lays hidden out of sight. Relief fills my heart. I wanted to do that for a long time now.