A stepmother

Chapter 8: "If youth knew; if age could"


In front the Sherman school's door Mr. Peabody was sitting on his motorbike waiting for him. He was decided to ignore his feelings for Jennifer and focus in what was really important now: Sherman. He had already started with his son's birthday party preparations. And he was really proud of his work... He only needed the Sherman's approve and everything was ready for that Saturday.

The students started to go out from the school and it was only matter of time to see Sherman go out with Penny and his other friends.

Penny went out accompanied with Abby and Jill and Sherman went out behind her. She looked at him as if she wanted to tell him something, but the red-haired boy only looked away and ran to his dad's place.

"That is pretty strange" thought the genius dog as his son ran to him.

-Hi, dad-

-Hi, Sherman-he answered.-How was your school day like?-

-Uh, nothing pretty interesting, I think-

-Alright-he looked to his eyes.-Did something happen between you and Penny?-

-What? No-

-No? Because you acted in an uncommon way with her there-

-Why you think so?-

-Because when she looked at you, you walked away...-

-Well...-he looked down.-Maybe we had a little argument, but we'll resolve it-

-I don't have any doubt about it, but can I know why did you argue?-

-It was something silly-

-Silly? What can be as silly as you fought with the girl you've had a crush since you were seven?-

-Dad! Trust me; it's a nonsense thing-

Peabody looked at him as saying "this won't end here" and they started their way back home.

Sherman didn't want to talk about his argument with Penny. Maybe because he didn't want his dad to interfere, no yet. He needed time to think, and he needed to be alone...

That's when he remembered his brilliant idea to discover why he dreamed with his real mother.

-Mmm... Dad?-

-Yes, Sherman?-

-Are we doing something this afternoon?-

-Well, I was planning showing you all the different plans that I have for your birthday party-

-Uh, but... Can they wait?-

-It depends... Why?-

-Well... I had a... Idea-

-Idea? Related to what?-

-Well, I was... I want to use the WABAC to travel to...-

-To?-

-Vienna, Austria in the year 1926-

-Do you want to meet Sigmund Freud?-asked Peabody really surprised.-But why? What do you want to talk to him?-

-Well...-

Mr. Peabody suddenly had an anguish feeling. Sigmund Freud was the psychoanalyzing's father. He was an expert saying what the dreams meant... Did Sherman want to meet him because of his dream? Because of the dream in which his real mother appear? He was a bit worried about that...

-Do you want to talk to him because... Of a dream?-

Sherman thought his answer carefully... Mr. Peabody couldn't know the real reason why he wanted to go for obvious reasons.

-Yes! Because I've been dreaming with...-he looked to a crocodile's poster that was in a movie's publicity.-With crocodiles!-

-Crocodiles?-

-Yeah! I've dreamed three times that a crocodile wanted to... kill me! Yes, and I escaped... but every time he's getting closer to me! And I'd love to know why I dreamed that-

-Uh, well... perhaps your birthday party preparations can wait... Let's go to see Sigmund Freud-

-Yeah!-

-So, he didn't believe you-said Katielyn sat behind Jen in a sofa from her apartment

-No! He didn't!-she stood up.-And do you know what's worse of all?-

-That now you're in bad mood?-

-No! That he didn't trust me! He never trusted me! Why did he follow me if not? If he trusted me, he shouldn't have followed me! But he did!-

-Jen, he hasn't learned that you're the kind of person who likes hiding secrets-

-I don't like hiding secrets!-

-Correction, you like hiding your problems. You don't like people to feel pity for you. That's why you never confess your problems-

-That's not true, I tell you about my problems all the time!-

-Yeah, you talk to me about them, but because you've known me for... how long? Ten years? If you don't tell me your problems after ten years... poor Mr. Peabody-

-So, you think he's the right one?-

-The both are wrong, but if I were him, and I dated something like you, I would probably have followed you-

Jennifer made a "kill yourself" face.

-Ha, don't worry, Jen-continued Kate (knowing that her life was in risk).-You'll get back together-

-How do you know?-

-I don't know, I just tried to make you feel better-

-Agh!-she screamed angrily laying in the Kate's sofa again

She was so angry for everything, and she felt so impotent... That was a perfect combination for feeling really wrong. And that perfect combination made her drop a little tear, so, she covered her eyes with her hands. But, even though she tried to hide it, her friend saw it.

-Hey...-Kate said.-Do you know why I know everything will be ok?-

-I don't want to know-she said without stopping covering her face

-Because you're in love with him; really, (strangely) you're REALLY in love with him. And only someone really stupid could let go the feeling that you have for him-

-But... what if he doesn't want to even see me anymore?-

-Uh, I know that he feels something for you too... If he followed you, he's in love with you too... You can't be jealous if you're not in love. He won't let you go either-

-He seemed really convinced-

-Oh, Jen! Didn't you learn how guys are like? They're like that... undecided, bipolar, strange ones, they hide their feelings... That's why they need us!-she finished convinced.-Moreover, didn't you say that his son liked you?-

-Yeah... so?-

-So, the kid will be in your side, I bet it. He'd want you back...-

-I hope so-

-He'll be-

-Peabody won't talk about it to Sherman, no yet. He doesn't like talking about me to him-

-Why not?-

-I don't know... But knowing him, he won't-

-Wow, he's pretty complicated, eh?-

Jen laughed.-Which guy isn't it?-

-Good point-she thought something for a minute.-Then they say that we're the crazy ones!-

Jennifer stopped covering her face and put a lock of her blonde hair away from her green eyes and looked at Kate. The both stared looking at each other as if they were reading their minds.

-Men...-they said at the same time laughing

-Do you know what?-asked Kate

-What?-

-You still have Sherman's birthday, right?-

-Yeah...-

-So, go, whatever happens in these days... Go there and try to talk to him-

-Perhaps I'll do it...-

-I know you will, friend-

-And... Can I stay for dinner here?-

-Of course! My house it's your house!-she screamed.-But not literally, be really careful, eh!-

-Got it... You're the first person who says that after saying "my house it's your house"-

-I'm the first person who doesn't lie-

The teacher laughed. Maybe her friend was crazy and busybody... But she was her friend after all! And she wouldn't change her for anything in the world. The both of them knew that they counted in each other whatever they need and a friendship like that (a true friendship) it's really hard to find.

-Peabody! Sherman!-screamed Freud receiving them in his consulting room.-I haven't seen you in a long time!-

-Hello, Sigmund-said Peabody to his old friend

-Good morning, Mr. Freud-greeted Sherman a bit shy

-Uh, Sherman! Look at you! How old are you now?-

-Ten, almost eleven-

-Almost eleven?-

-Yeah, in some time I'll turn eleven-

-Some time? You know, when people say that it's because they want to grow up as fast as they can, and Sherman, don't try to fight against the time because...-

-He'll turn eleven in three days-added Peabody

Freud closed his mouth.-Oh, so you're literally almost eleven-he finished.-Well, but I doubt that you're here for inviting me to your birthday party-

-Indeed, we have come actually because Sherman has been having strange dreams-

The psychoanalyst frowned, completely focused and serious.-What kind of dream?-

-Well, he mentioned something related to "crocodiles", ain't I right, Sherman?-

-Uh?-at the beginning he didn't remember his own lie, but then he remained It.-Oh, yes! I dreamed four times that a crocodile wanted to kill me-

-I thought you said three times-

Sherman wrinkled his nose.-I... I dreamed it four times... but I forgot to count the third one-he said smiling

Freud stared at his "nose wrinkle". People when lie, usually do something. Like wrinkle their lips, or touch their hair, or... wrinkle their nose. That's why he didn't believe the dream fact so much.

-Alright then-said Freud.-Sherman, come with me, so we can talk more about that dream-

-Ok, Sherman let's go-said Peabody

-Oh, but Peabody... you can't come-

-What? Why?-

-Because I need to talk only with Sherman about this-

Mr. Peabody distrusted a little bit but Sherman interfered.

-Don't worry, dad-

-I... Well... But don't take it too long, I'll...-

Freud took Sherman to a next room and closed the door.

-I'll be here-finished Peabody

-Ok, Sherman, now, tell me about your "crocodile dream"-proposed Sigmund

-Well... I... Actually...-Sherman started to wrinkle his nose again, Freud smiled: his theory was right.-I never dreamed with any crocodile-

-Alright, we're getting better-he said pointing a sofa.-Sit there and tell me why you are here-

Sherman obeyed him and looked down, he wasn't happy laying to his dad... More when it was something related to him.

He didn't seem to start talking, so Freud intervened. Holding a notebook in his hands with a pen to write everything he said: -You can start-

-Well...-

-Is it something related to Mr. Peabody?-

-No! Well... Maybe, a bit... Not directly related to him but...-

-In fact, related to him-

He sighed.-I was wrong laying to him, wasn't I?-

-Well, Sherman, it's hard to say that if I don't know the reason why you did it... But I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection. If I were you, I'd talk to him-

-Even when it's crazy?-

-More when it's crazy: dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy-

-I dreamed with my... real mother-

Freud stood paralyzed.-Your... Your real mother?-

-Yeah... I think; she looks as if she is it-

-What do you mean?-

Sherman's timidity suddenly went away.-Everything started at school: the biology teacher asked us to make homework about our genealogical tree. Then, I felt a bit down because... Well, I can't do that homework because I don't know who my real parents were! I don't even know if they're alive! And my dad doesn't have any family either, so I couldn't do that homework... But that's not the real problem: that night, I dreamed that I was a baby and my mother was putting my inside the cardboard box where Mr. Peabody found me when I was younger-as he finished explaining everything, he laid down in the sofa, relaxed of telling someone everything, but tired of telling the truth at the same time

-Well... That was... A lot to tell-he finally said without being able to note almost nothing... Sherman spoke too fast

The kid only breathed. Now he could finally breathe.

-And... When did this happen?-

-Almost two weeks ago-

-Well... And that dream affected you because...?-

-Because I've been dreaming it every night since that moment-

-Well... That... Explains everything-

-Worse of all, I think it's not something made by my imagination... I think it's actually a memory-

-Why do you think so?-

-Because she looks so real, even though I can't see her face, because her face looks like muddy, everything is too real-

-Well... It doesn't surprise me that your brain made you remember that-

-But... Why? Why now? I never cared about my real family! I'm happy with the family I have-

-When we dream with the past and that dream is pretty related to something that we're living in that moment, it can mean that our brain it's trying to analyze what we lived with what we're living. Mostly every time, we try to find a guide in our past to know what we should or shouldn't do-

-Uh?-

-Sherman, your dream is obviously related to your genealogical tree homework! As everyone in school could do it and not you; you started to try to remember your real family, perhaps to do your homework; perhaps because you always wanted to know it-

-And?-

-And your brain only remembers that. That's why-

-But if you're telling the truth, why I still have that dream? I have already done that homework-

-I don't know... Why do you still worry because of it? You have already finished your homework-

Sherman stared at that question. Perhaps, the homework was only an excuse. Perhaps, he always wanted to know it... And he finally remembered it! But... how does it help him? He wasn't able to see her!

-Sherman?-

-Yeah?-

-Would you like to meet your mother?-

-No, I mean... I'm perfectly fine with Mr. Peabody and...-

-Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise, Sherman-

The kid got it, indirectly, but he got it... He was maybe laying to himself saying that he didn't want to meet her. Which orphan kid wouldn't like to meet its real mother if they had the chance?

Someone knocked the door.

-So?-Mr. Peabody got in.-Could you talk?-

-Yes, dad-

-Do you need anything else, Sherman?-asked Freud

-No, thanks, Mr. Freud-

-Oh, call me Sigmund, please-

-Oh, ok, "Sigmund"-

-Alright, thank you very much, Sigmund-Mr. Peabody started to walk away.-Now, we must leave-

-Oh, Peabody you can't leave until I analyze you-

-What? I didn't have any strange dream or something like that and...-

-Sit in the sofa-he ordered without even screaming, he knew the genius dog wasn't in his best moments... as well as Mr. Peabody did. –Sherman, would you mind to wait in the consulting room?-

-Of course not, Sigmund. I'll be there-he said going out

-I'm fine! Really-Peabody protested

-No, you're not... At all. You look... Sad-

-Sad?-

-Yes, as if you had an argument with someone-

Peabody hated that his friend could read so well between the lines.

-Perhaps... But it was no one-

-It was a woman-

This time, the genius looked at him petrified and really impressed.

-What? Why do you think everyone buys my books?-asked sarcastic Freud

-Alright... How did you know it?-

-You look in love... Are you dating someone?-

Peabody sighed.-I've been dating a woman for eight months and we had an argument-

-Can I know why?-

-Do I have other option?-

-No, you don't... At all-

-Psychologists-

-Do you know, Peabody? There's something I think you may know-

-Really?-

-Yeah, you're pretty smart... Really, I bet you're smarter than me! But you have a little defect-

-Which one?-

-You don't understand that love and work... work and love, that's all there is. A life without any of these two... It's not worth to be lived-

-You think I don't know it? I've worked my entire life, and alone-

-And that's great. But you can't live without love either. In fact, love is even more important-

Peabody laid into the sofa and looked to the roof.-I wish not being in love with her-

-Oh, Peabody... Women... They are the biggest question of the world-

-Why do I act this way? I never got down for nothing, and now only because of an argument I feel as if even when I'm completely angry with her, the only thing I want is being beside her, how's that even possible?-

-One is very crazy when is in love-

-I wish I knew that before I started dating her-

-Ha! I bet that even if you had known it, you would have dated her anyway-

Peabody took a deep breathe.-She laid me. Well, not all the time, but lately, she started to lie me. She said that she had many work stuff to solve and they were only excuses. I followed her and I saw her and a guy that works with her having a date!-

-And did you ask her what really happen?-

-Of course I didn't-

-Peabody!-

-But she explained it anyway-

-What did she say?-

-She said that her best friend made a surprise date with him-

-Why should her best friend have done it?-

-Well, my relationship with her is a secret-

-Uh? Why?-

-Because she's Sherman's history teacher, so, to protect him, we decided to keep it as a secret-

-Hum... I think she'll have to come to see me too. Everyone who is close to you or Sherman needs therapy-

-Ha ha-laughed Peabody sarcastic.-Really funny-

-I'm only saying what I see-

-Going back to the point, I don't know what to do... For one side, she laid me... But maybe she's saying the truth-

-Why you think so?-

-Well... when I followed her, I met her friend and she was outside the restaurant where she and her colleague were dating and she looked more excited than my girlfriend!-

-Your girlfriend? I thought you broke up-

-Well, yeah... But... I confused-

-Our unconscious and brain never get confused...-

Peabody got his message too. Of course he didn't want to break up with Jennifer... And maybe he was being a bit unfair with her.

-Well, I must leave now-

-Can I give you a piece of advice?-

-Yes?-

-Talk to her one more time... And stop having their relationship in secret. That will provoke many problems-

-Alright... Thank you, Sigmund-he said opening the door

-Your welcome-Freud went towards him.-It's always nice to receive the "Peabodies"-

They greeted him again and went away using the WABAC. Sigmund Freud stared at them and sighed.-If youth knew; if age could-


I hope you liked it... I literally used Sigmund Freud quotes...

Tell me what you think about the story, please! :D

Thanks for reading