Guillermo's been away from home for a little over a year now. It's not his first extended absence, and it certainly won't be his last, but he hasn't been gone for quite so long since the birth of his youngest brother six years ago.
He's chomping at the bit as the ship docks, the cargo is unloaded, the crew receives their cut of the venture's profits. Payment safely tucked away in his rucksack, he waves goodbye to his shipmates and hastens to secure a horse for the two day ride to his father's house.
He makes the journey in a day and a half, his mount channeling his eagerness to return home and turning it into mile-devouring speed.
When Guillermo reaches the lane that winds to his house and away from the road, he dismounts, electing instead to walk the remaining distance. Only seconds after he comes into view of his abode there's a small body barreling toward him, and his has only the briefest of moments to brace for impact before he's hit with the full force and energy of little René.
"'Llermo!" René squeals his brother's name as he's hoisted up into the air.
"Hullo, little brother," Guillermo chuckles and settles the six year old on his hips knowing that a deluge of tales is a breath away from overtaking him.
"You missed everything!" the child exaggerates.
"Everything?!" Guillermo sighs with mock severity and shakes his head. "Well, I suppose you'll just have to catch me up then.
René takes a moment to sort through recent events in an attempt to find the most important of them all. When he settles on one, his eyes brighten, and his face floods with excitement.
"'Mona's dog had puppies!"
"Did she now?"
René nods vigorously in response, his face split with a grin so wide Guillermo's sure his little brother's cheeks will be aching in a second or two.
"How many are there?"
"Only three." René seems genuinely upset by what he considers a tragically small litter, so Guillermo tries not to laugh at the adorable pout and three tiny fingers René's showing him.
"But that's three more than you had before, isn't it?" Guillermo smiles at his youngest brother who can't resist smiling in return.
"Yeah." René starts swinging his legs (right leg, left leg, right leg, left leg…); Guillermo takes this as his cue to continue his trek toward the rest of his family.
"Tell me about the puppies."
René jumps into describing the little things with all the enthusiasm he possesses, giving those details that seem tremendously important to six-year-olds.
Guillermo smiles all the more. It's good to be home.