He Came Through the Window

Part 7

(Ayden's Perspective)

My father plopped onto the sofa and handed me a bowl of Fruity Pebbles with the spoon already in it. Grinning, he held up his spoon. "Cheers."

Feeling my eyes roll, I clanked spoons with him before shoving the sugary bliss in my mouth. Leaning back on the sofa, I put my feet covered in Cookie Monster slipper up on the coffee table as I ate. My father did the same, revealing the holes in his old Nike socks. I glggled a bit with a full mouth as I changed the channel to some old Flinstones cartoons.

"Ah," my dad said almost incoherently through his chewing. "I see it's a Flinstones kind of morning."

"But of course, father," I responded with my best English accent. "Fred and Wilma are the best way to start our day."

"Indeed."

I watched him laugh at Fred and Barney's antics and shovel the appropriately named cereal in his mouth. He punched me playfully when I made a joke and his eyes danced as the sunlight seeped in from the nearby window. Sunday was his day to relax and loosen up.

"Hey," I began once the show was over, standing over the sink to rinse my bowl. "Do you mind if I go out in a couple hours ago?"

I heard him sigh from his spot on the couch as the channel seemed to change to football. "Again? Ayden, can't you stay in for one day?"

"All my homework's done," I reminded him, spinning around and sitting on the sofa arm. "I'll be home before dinner."

He rubbed at his temples and looked at me with tired eyes. "Who you going with?"

"Ingrid, Chris, some other people," I lied. "Come on, Dad. Please?" I held out the word and got closer to him, giving him my famous pitiful look.

Dad threw his head back on the cushion and sighed once more. "Alright," he replied reluctantly. "But I want you back by five. I'm making steak tonight."

"Medium rare?"

"As always."

Satisfaction filled me as I leaned forward and kissed his stubbly cheek. "Thanks, Dad."

He shrugged and offered a crooked smile. "Eh, you're a good girl."

~~~

I stuffed the pink bag with my present to India in my purse before walking out the door. I walked quickly through the city, breathing in the crisp October air and stuffing my hands in my coat pockets as the chill overcame me. The trees in Central Park were finally turning bright shades of orange, red and yellow, popping in contrast to the gray buildings towering over the city. I walked past the eccentric hotdog vendors on the street corners and business men jabbering into their bluetooths. Finally, I caught sight of Holland waving his long arms at me from outside his apartment entrance.

"Ayden!" he yelled, stretching out my name.

Laughing and catching sight of my breath lingering in the air, I ran up to him and kissed his cheek. He took a hand from his black trenchcoat and gestured to his mother. "You remember my mom, right?"

My response was prevented when she wrapped her frail arms around me, her vanilla scent invading my nose. "Hi, Ayden!" she exclaimed as she pulled back. The brunette woman's blue eyes danced and her porcelain teeth formed a massive smile. She had Holland's soft expression and his animated features that made me relax.

"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Ambrock," I told her, mirroring her smile. "It's been awhile."

"It has. And by the way, call me Kate!"