A/N: Before starting, for those who don't still get it, search my first Tintin fanfic, "The Circle of Paris" and read "Chapter XIII: Truth be Told".
Also, I've been busy lately, and I kind of want to get rid of "Tintin in Mexico" because I don't have the enough kicks to continue writing it. I've been generating ideas for "the real sequel" (as I want to call it) of "The Circle of Paris". The first one mentioned will just be "the aperitif".
Also, I promise I'll focus more on the lad who'd turn into the quiff-haired reporter we all grew to love... if you know what I mean.
Please Read and Review!
Chapter II
The Anthem of a Boy Scout, part I
The situation was favourable as the time was passing. The things for Germaine and her son were getting better every day. Her little boy was always with the Finchs, either hearing stories of all the adventures Mr. Finch has had before getting retired (he was an archaeologist, by the way) and married or being stimulated by Mrs. Finch. To be precise, they were like the parents the lad never had. He barely saw his mother. The only time he could spend time with her was only in the nights and weekends. In the last ones, Germaine spent her time teaching his son all the languages, one by one, of course.
Augustin, now a seven-year-old, was getting very hyperactive. He wanted to feel the adrenaline. He was taken to the park just to spend his entire energy running, climbing the trees, and even jumping from them, just when the couple were not looking.
It was getting late. They decided to take the boy back to his mother.
School for now is over, and it will start again in a few months. Mr. Finch thought. This little guy needs to focus all his energy into positive stuff.
-Mr. Finch, did you had amazing adventures like this?- The little boy asked
-Why, of course!- He replied.- But not as amazing as the ones you're imaging.-
-Discovering mummies and visiting places like Egypt and Stonehenge sounds even more amazing than pretending being in a jungle.-
-Oh, Augustin.- the adult male laughed and took him in his arms.- And what would you like to do tomorrow?- He asked.
-Mr. Finch...- the little one replied.- ... tomorrow's Saturday. I have language classes with my mom.-
-Oh, how was I able to forget?- He said.
-Were you planning something?- Augustin asked
-Well... there's a thing.- Mr. Finch replied.- I like your energy. And I think it'd be better if you focus it into good things, like...like...-
-The Scouts?- Mrs. Finch asked.
-Oh, yes! The Scouts!- Mr. Finch remembered
-Being a boy scout?- Augustin wondered.- It sounds cool... like an adventure!- replied with a smile.
-I also used to be one when I was your age, boy.- the adult said.- You need to excuse this old man because of his fish memory.- he laughed.
-I want to tell mom!- the boy exclaimed.- I want to be a boy scout!-
-I need to talk with her, remember?- the man said.
-But what if she says "no"?- Augustin wondered
-If that happens to happen... then... we'll see what we do.- The man proposed to him.
They finally arrived to the apartment, and saw Germaine was arriving at the same time as them. She looked a bit tired and sleepy. Not because she lacked of sleep. The smoke of the cigars of other employees, the strong smell of coffee, and the indescribable, stressing noises have been affecting her lately. All she wanted was to get a good rest.
-Mom!- The little boy greeted as he run to his mother.
-Augustin, dear!- She hugged him and took him in her arms.- How was your day?-
-It was full of fun!.- he replied.- I run a lot, felt the grass, and I even climbed a tree!-
-That sounds you had a good time.- she said.- It's getting late, you know what to do. I'll be with you later.-
Then, the young boy left to his room, with a smile.
She soon directed her sight to the Finchs.
-I thank you a lot because you can still handle him.- Germaine said
-It makes us feel very happy.- Mrs. Finch replied.- Your son has a lot of energy, you know.-
-I'm aware of that.- Germaine replied.- He might have took it from my father.-
The couple laughed.
-Well... Germaine... you know your son's on vacations, and he needs to focus all that energy into positive things.- Mr. Finch said
-Like the boy scouts?- Augustin's mother asked
-Exactly.- The adult male said.- And your son was wondering if you could give him permission to be one.-
Germaine was not sure if letting her son to be a scout or not.
-I'm not really sure.- she said.- I'd prefer to meditate it, you know.-
-We understand it.- Mrs. Finch said.- If you happen to have taken your decision, please let us know.-
-I'm sure I will.- Germaine replied.- Good night.- said as she was going into her apartment.
-Good night.- the couple replied and left.
Germaine then closed the door and saw her little boy, wearing his blue-striped pyjamas, reading his language notes before going to bed.
-Reading before you sleep?- she asked.
-I read somewhere it helps a lot when learning. The human brain can remember a lot when there are no interferences.- The boy replied.
She sighed and laughed a little.
-Well...- She continued.- Mr. Finch told me about the boy scout thing.-
-Really?- his eyes widened.- Can I be a boy scout? Please?-
-I'm not sure, son.- the female red-head replied.- I need to meditate it.-
-I understand.- He replied with a little, calmed voice.- I will continue reading before sleeping.-
-Okay, son. See you in the morning.-
And she left to her room.
A boy scout? She thought.
One of the few last things she wanted of her son was that.
Her husband used to be one on his youth. And she didn't want the story to be repeating again.
He might not end like him. She thought once again. Not when he has someone who takes care of him. He's still a child. He has no contact with his paternal-sided family.
The only one who last had contact with them was Germaine. She remembered she contacted Paul, her husband's brother, a few days ago. He told her if they appeared to know they were grandparents, they'd "take all the family down". I mentioned "somewhere" Remy's parents didn't approve the female translator because "she was a weird, ginger-headed vampire".
It was not as "rude" as what René, her father, said to Remy when he saw him at first sight. "In the name of Vercingetorix, who the hell is this excuse-of-a-man?"
And the insults towards Remy turned to worse-than-that when Germaine said he was going to marry him. Her father tried to convince her not to share a life with somebody "who works for the police and gets involved with bad people".
He finally gave up, and both of her parents decided to disown her and to forbid her to contact the family, because, she was no longer their daughter.
She didn't care, because she'd be with the only one who really understood her.
Germaine kept meditating about it.
Remy was "the perfect husband". While they were dating, he told Germaine he used to be a boy scout, and the best of his troop. He learned how to survive, to "think fast", to be a "gentleman at early age", to focus his energy into good things, not even mattering what kind of evil was going around.
How ironic.
She thought it once again.
Germaine also thought she could influence Augustin during her sessions with him. And also, she's preparing herself when her boy finally decides to ask about his father. It's not that easy to tell him. Remy is probably living in London as he said he will when he confessed what he was really doing at nights, and not dead as everybody thought. The only one who knew Mr. Van Kuifje was still alive was his wife.
She was also aware her son needed a paternal figure, and, so far, Mr. Finch was being it. I could also say the young red-haired boy knew the Finchs better than his own mom.
Augustin was still young, full of energy, and very optimistic. He's not like the other children. He could read a book without drawing, while the others would complain of the lack of "imagination" of it. The female wanted to nurture her son. Being in the apartment, surrounded by walls is not healthy for a child.
After having a good debate with herself, she finally agreed on letting her son to join the boy scouts.
He'd succeed. She said in her mind as she was getting into her bed. He's a fast-learner. He needs to have contact with other children.
