It was afternoon by the time he realised and looked up at the man.
Avgoustinos, Benjamin uttered calmly.
He eyed the empty space on the bench, glancing up at the 178cm adult before nodding upward. With a soft smile, Avgoustinos sat down, nodding at the boy and stared at the bushy oak trees. Neither of them exchanged a word with one another, other than to collectively marvel at the slice of wilderness. Nothing but the rustling blades of grass and leaves to ripple against the winds of time.
My father used to take me here when I was little, Avgoustinos sighed. But never in my life has he ever once chased me around. At first, I thought he was just looking out for me, watching me grow if anything. Every kid is supposed to have their own guardian angel, no?
Verily, the boy murmured with subtle heaviness. Verily.
But to have no one to play with you? Or no one to be your enemy? Both are just as equally terrible. I didnt realise that he had much on his mind until I looked back from this moment.
Benjamin silently nodded.
See that tree? Avgoustinos silently snapped his fingers and lazily pointed his right. The tall lush one? In the middle?
Yes.
My father planted that. But that was seventy years ago.
Right around my crucifixion, Benjamin muttered solemnly.
It was a bush when I was first brought here. That was over fifty years ago. Then when I brought my boys here, it was almost as tall as our house. It was beginning to develop its first major branch. But that was over thirty years ago. Then, my father died, no less than a few years ago. Next thing I knew, I was back here again, not long after his funeral.
Avgoustinos stopped however, leaning forward and bunching his hands together into a prayer. A staggering inhale entered his nostrils, then a slow and clean exhale left him.
That was when I realised that he was thinking about your crucifixion, he continued. It took my marriage to tell me the devil was in the details.
You and Teresa?
Mhm.
But you hugged each other dearly. You still love each other despite everything.
Nai, Avgoustinos coyly said. Its complicated.
The boy stared at him for a moment, a chuckle muffled in his throat when a smile formed. I heard that too many times, Benjamin humbly mused. I know, I seen love evolved as much as you Descendants have roamed the earth. Though I am not Him, I know how it feels. You hate each other with all your might, but at the end of the day, youre still family. Tis the same for everyone. We Ancestors are no different. Everyone is at their strongest when they are together at their lowest or darkest moments. Togetherness at its finest.
But why? Why was I forsaken once, when I vowed unto death do us part? I had a choice and I kept it.
Avgoustinos, free will is the ability for someone to choose. Who a person does or does not love is not free will, because love is not a choice, it just is. You didnt choose to love your wife, you already loved her on first sight. Your marriage disintegrated but your love continued. The love for your boys is what kept you both together.
But it was the death of our daughter that divided us.
Your daughter? Benjamin frowned.
She was miscarried, Avgoustinos sighed gravely. My wife survived, but we couldnt conceive anymore after that. We wanted a girl, but now we couldnt. Then we...nrgh...I am ashamed to say it.
You divorced? Or rather, she divorced?
Mmm, he minutely nodded.
And per say of the Orthodoxy, you were to excommunicate for some time. But youre back together. Even used the same wedding rings.
Avgoustinos lifted and inspected his right hand, a curious frown on his face. How on earth did you know that? He asked.
I saw the slight tan mark underneath as well as the wear on the engravings, Benjamin deduced with an upward nod. Mind you, silver never fades.
That...is actually a fair observation, he said rather slowly.
You got back together even though your boys are full grown adults, who also have their own families.
Yes, but they live so far away from here. Teresa really misses them. A pity they dont come down to visit, even at my insistence.
Yet you told your wife that they had unfinished business.
Because me and my eldest son had an argument, Avgoustinos turned and said heavily. I told him to stop running away from his problems, like my father did. We lost our tempers, and I told him I didnt want to see him again. He said the same thing and we went our ways. Unfortunately for me, his brother heard everything and...I fear he has done the same.
You dont know that until you call him.
But I cant.
Benjamin was about to speak, but he scooted closer with a mild frown. Why not? He finally asked.
Because I am afraid he wont talk to me. I know my eldest son wont. But him? I dont know. He and his brother are intertwined, from their families to their jobs. They practically work for the same company but different departments.
Theyre your sons. I know you care about them, as much your father did.
Yes, but my father committed a sin, unlike me, Avgoustinos protested solemnly before glancing upon the ground.
Thou shalt not kill, which he did. That didnt stop him from loving you. Even though he made a mistake, he ensured that you didnt do the same thing.
Yet I inherit his sins. That makes me the son of a bastard.
Please, dont say that, Benjamin said dearly. In fact, he had a point.
Huh? Avgoustinos turned and frowned.
Can we talk somewhere more privately?
Of course, he said and stood. I know a place.
