The Iris Epidemic

The Last Weeks of Feeling Free

Weeks went by, and days got quicker. I guess its true when the saying goes, time goes by when your having fun. We had a month and a half left before we would start to travel back home. Where i was going to continue the constent trend of going everywhere but getting nowhere at the same time.

Each day was always a busy day but it was exciting and different each time to find new unfamiliar stores, and food. Even unique clothing that Elizabeth adored. And of course we had to check out the talorshop there for Dave. Since he would say that his was the best all around and wanted to critique everything about this new shop he was not running.

"Nonsense!" Exclaimed Dave starting his on going rant with Elizabeth about the shop.

" The shirts should go by colour and size. I tell you, one day if they see my shop. They will come pay me to fix their mess."

He started to fix up the unfolded button up shirts into a nice folded pile from small to large in size. Knowing my wife, I knew I was in for a treat..

I heard that Chuckle, it that a very distinct kind of chuckle I knew all too well. it was what id hear before she goes for hours talking about a pet peeve that I swear almighty id take about 3 smoke breaks ninety minutes apart from each other and she would still have something to say. And folding...

Folding was one of them.

I let out a nervous laugh and placed my hand on her shoulder.

" My dear, i'm sure he was just busy today with the town's men. Maybe they get more business."

" Oh Renan, only if you knew how to fold your clothing too. This is not how you do it properly." She replied with a playful sigh.

" Your friend here i feel is like the only man ive seen that is able to fold nicely."

" Why thank you Elizabeth, i take it that he does not know the ways to fold?" Dave ends up asking while looking up with a smirk.

I tried to quickly defend myself but before i could Elizabeth already was on the ball as she was folding some shirts.

" Oh Mr. Barley, no matter how many times i have him help me with laundry its like he forgets it out of thin air right after."

" i can fold. Its just not the way you guys do it."
I finally got to replied

"Does he make the corners touch?" Dave continues ignoring my statement.

"Oh no." Elizabeth chuckles again. "No corners touch. He hasn't been able to fold anything straight."

And yeah. I just stood there because I couldn't argue with that.

So after folding and sorting what they could find and eventually having to leave because Dave decided it was a good idea to have an argument with the store owner. Lets just say we were not allowed to come back to the shop after that. We were out and back walking down the streets.

The kids were back with Mrs. Barley that day so Elizabeth and I could have that day together alone...

well almost alone...

Dave did eventually leave to go back to the place we were staying and it was finally peace and quiet.

I took Elizabeth to small dine in just in the center of the town. It was a hole in the wall that i was told by passing towns people over a week ago that it was the best place to go to for a lovely evening for two. I thought may as well cause ive wanted to treat her to a getaway from all this mess. All the work, the stress, it was weighing a lot of us and that we have the time. Its now.

To my hopes it was great. One of the last days that felt like we were free. We ate and danced till the moon was over our heads. Then went for a walk before heading back home to our son.

" You know I love you hun no matter what." I remember those exact words said to me.

" I want you to stay strong if somehow that thing takes me Renan... For our son. I want you to guide him through his path. He looks up to you my dear.. and i know you will never.."

Never

Never let him down she said...

You know how much those words hurt me now? They still do after all this time..
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Morning came and I was up and about. I had my little tag along and we just went out to fetch some milk. As always keeping an eye on Jeffery getting ahead of me, we walked through the streets saying hello to anyone that greeted us as we passed.

" Hi!" Said Jeffery passing almost every person with a skip in his step.

Some would reply and some with chuckle and continue with their day.

As we got up to the place we needed to get milk i went up the older fellow and purchased some milk.

"What a growing boy you got there. You better feed him lots of vegetables and milk to get big and strong." The man said to make up a simple conversation.

" Yes, growing too quick to count sometimes." I laughed

" when I grow up I want to travel the world!" Jeffery said in excitement.

"Ah. I see. And just how are you going to do that young man" the man leaned over the table a little more looking down at him.

" first! I'm gonna save all the food I can get. And next i will make a big ship! All by myself and it will have a place for my bedroom and mr teddy's bedroom and space for food. And i will sail away !" he excitedly explained.

"And my dad will wash the deck!"

I looked down with shocked playful expression.

"Wash the deck? What about the sails? Someone needs to make sure that are turned the right way."

" ill do that too!" Jeffery replied confidently.

"Oooh ok.." playfully defeated.
"I guess ill clean the deck captain."

"Aaarrrr! " chuckled Jeffery before being handed the milk.

"Hah, let's get back Jeffrey." Ruffling his hair. "Momma is waiting for us." And just like that we were off.