Summer with Father

Chapter 4

Author's Note: that 5th chapter I mentioned previously wasn't really working out, so I've decided to end it here. I've enjoyed writing this fic, but I think I'm ready to move on to other projects.

Mordred sat at his desk with his phone propped against the wall. Fran was staring back at him from inside the screen as they talked. The room was lit by the sun beaming in from the window.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it before," Mordred said "but Father's birthday is coming up in a few days. I've been trying to think of something to get her, but I've been having trouble thinking of something good. You got any ideas?"

"Birthday present?" Fran thought about it. "She is your Father. You don't know, how can I?"

Mordred sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that. This is gonna be the first present I've gotten her in years, I've gotta get her something good!" He began thinking it over. "Hm...she sure does like medieval history. Maybe I should get her a book or something..."

"Does not have to be present." Fran added. "Can also bake cake."

Mordred shook his head violently. "Hell no! Don't you remember the last time I tried cooking something?"

"Oh yes..." Fran recalled the incident. "House almost burnt down."

"Yeah, it's gotta be something I can buy."

Fran tilted her head. "Sword?" She suggested.

"Nah, that's outta my price range."

Fran, much like Mordred, seemed to struggle to think of something good. "Hm...go with first idea?"

"What? You mean buy her a book?"

Fran nodded.

Mordred propped his head up with his hands and thought things over some more. "That does seem like the best option right now. Yeah, I'll buy her a book!"

She gave him a thumbs up. "Good choice." Fran looked at something off-screen, presumably checking the time. "Need to go soon."

"Yeah, I should probably go shopping for a present now while she's still at work. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Fran nodded. "Was fun talking. Bye."

"See ya." After he hung up, he stood up and stretched. "Time to go shopping."

He went out into the humid afternoon and headed for the shopping district. He didn't know for certain, but he recalled seeing a bookstore there. His memory turned out to be correct when he came up on a display of books. He headed into the quiet store. Since most people were still at work, they didn't seem to be doing much business. There was only a small handful of other people in the store.

Mordred looked through the various titles, trying to figure out what books he could get his father. One of the workers walked down the aisle, a stack of books in her hands. She was a tall woman with long purple hair. As she began stocking the shelves, she glanced over to Mordred.

"Are you finding everything well?" She asked in a calm tone.

"Eh, I don't know. I'm trying to find a birthday present for my father, right? I know she likes medieval history, so I thought I'd buy her a book about that. I'm just not sure which would be best."

"Perhaps I can help you." She walked over to where Mordred was standing and quietly scanned the selection of books. As she was doing this, Mordred fully realized just how insane their height difference was. Even standing straight up, he barely reached her chest. He felt like a grade-schooler standing next to an adult. As Mordred was taken aback by her height, the bookstore employee gave her a glance. "Non-fiction, correct?"