It was 8 a.m. of April 6, 2002, and little John Egbert woke up really happy. After all, even with his parent's break up last month, his 6th birthday was coming in a week! So, for a change, he woke up happy knowing there was going to be a party, and that he would get a lot of nice presents, and that his mom would bake him a nice cake and everyone was going to be happy again! And that all would happen in a week! So he took of his pajamas ("alone, I am a grown boy" he thinks), put his favorite shirt (the green slime ghost one), his pants, his socks, his shoes and... he can't tie them. He tries and tries but can't tie them.
-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD! - screams John.
A few seconds later, his father, Josh, enters John's bedroom.
-Can you tie my shoes?
-Aren't you old enough to tie them alone?
-Pleeeeeeease...
-Okay then. - says Josh, laughing, while heading to John's bed, where he were sitting, but stops midway - Wait, I have a better idea. Instead of tying your shoes, I will show you how to, okay?
John gives a joyful smile and answers "Yeah!"
Dad sits beside him on the bed and unties his own shoes, and then proceeds to teach him
-First you take each end of the shoelace with one hand, yeah, like this, and then you pass one of them through the other like this, no no no, like this, yeah, and then you make a small lace with each hand, like this, see? Yeah, you learn so fast! Now you pass one lace through the other like this, no, dear, not inside the lace, but under, the same way you did before, like this, got it? Yeah! And now you got it, a laced shoe!
-Thanks dad!
-Now try to tie your other shoe. There, you got it! Do you think you can lace your shoes alone from now on?
John thinks a while and then answers:
-Doubt it!
-Hahahahaha, ok then. - answers Josh, messing John's hair. - Comb your hair, go to the bathroom and come downstairs, I have a little surprise for you.
-A surprise? - John smiles.
-Yeah! I... I am not sure if you will like it, but...
-Of course I will! I love surprises!
-Ok then. High five?
They both then proceed to have one of the cutest high-fives in the history of paradox space. Josh kisses John's hair and stand up from the bed, heading to the bedroom door and exiting. After a few steps he shouts:
-Don't take too long.
-I won't. - answered John, excited. He then took his cap, went to the bathroom, did what he had to do (if you expect me to describe the actions of a 5 year old boy in the bathroom shame on you, really) and went downstairs.
-Hey there. - said a strange man with strange pointy glasses, a gray cap covering his hair, siting besides Josh at the table and having breakfast with him. - You must be little John, right? - And he gave a smile.
-Who are you? - said John, confused.
-My name is Dirk Strider.
-And what are you doing here?
-John, it's not the way to speak with your father's friends.
-It's okay, Josh, chill out.
-Well John... do you remember that surprise I said back there?
-Yes! - said John, so happy that his eyes started to shine anime-style (try to imagine it, really, it's awesome).
-Mr. Strider here... he is my new boyfriend.