Josh's POV still.

Dad and I walked into the Life Café and sat on a seat near the window. I placed my bag on the empty seat next to me as Dad sat across from me. The waiter then came by to take our orders; I ordered a single scoop of vanilla ice cream with maple syrup on top while Dad ordered a chocolate milkshake. I chuckled at him and his sweet tooth, which is something he apparently hasn't lost since his childhood. I sat back and gazed at the scene outside the café window; homeless people living in makeshifts tents, trying to warm themselves by small fires. I was always amazed how this city had people like them who had nothing except the clothes on their backs and people like us who actually had enough money to afford a decent lifestyle. I can see why Aba would append all his time filming these people; they're so intriguing to look at. I was suddenly jolted out of my thoughts by my Dad's question:

"So, what did you do today?"

I turned my head to face him, "Oh nothing. Just regular first day stuff. Getting to know the teachers and the school syllabus and the school facilities. I got homework in History class today."

Dad grinned at me. "And I take it that you, being the little geek you are, will be enjoying it?"

"Dad!" I giggled, playfully swatting him in the arm. "I'll have you know that I enjoy being a geek." Just then, the waiter came with our orders.

"I know," said Dad as he slurped his first sip of milkshake and smiled at me. "You and your Aba. That's what I love so much about you too. Always so dedicated to the things you enjoy." He squeezed my arm gently, his olive eyes sparkling.

I blushed and spooned some ice cream into my mouth. I loved watching Dad's or Aba's eyes light up every time they talked about it other. Sure, it was a little sappy, but I found it amazing how they loved each other so much especially after all these years. Almost makes me jealous sometimes. I wish I could find someone to love me like that.

Dad continued to slurp his milkshake. "So…..made any new friends?"

I licked the maple syrup off my spoon. "Well yeah. There's this one boy in my History class, Sean Taylor, who's just new to this city. We just started talking today. He seems pretty nice. Oh and Lea made a couple of friends too, and one of them are having a party this Saturday at her house to like, mark the start of middle school, and of course Lea's going. You know her."

"Good, good. Sounds interesting," said Dad as he drained the last sip of his milkshake. "Why don't you go with her?"

"I dunno, Dad." I crinkled my forehead and finished my ice cream. "I don't really like the popular crowd. Besides, I got homework."

Dad raised an eyebrow at me. "Josh, knowing you, you can finish that homework in a matter of hours. And besides, we want you to make friends and have fun with them. And a party's a great place to start."

I sighed. "Alright then. I'll see how I go." Dad smiled encouragingly at me and patted me hand. He then paid the bill and we left the café and drove home.

About 2 and a ½ hours later, Aba came home, his beloved brown jacket covering most of his face. I shook my head and grinned, unable to understand how he could wear a jacket like that when it was so humid outside. He hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek as I walked into the kitchen to greet him. I swear, this guy is not afraid to hug and kiss me even out in public. Guess it takes a real man to do that. And I was very proud that my Aba was one. We got to work in the kitchen, getting dinner ready.

"So, how was your first day Yeshula?" he asked, calling me by my childhood nickname.

"Oh it was great." As I washed and peeled a couple of potatoes, I told him about getting homework, meeting Sean and getting invited to Heather's party on Saturday. His forehead crinkled in concern as he covered three chicken breasts in breadcrumbs and cooked them in a pan over the ancient-but-still-working hotplate.

"So, are you actually going to this party?" he said as he chopped the potatoes into cubes kept them next to the pan.

I stood next to him and told him, "Well I wasn't intending to, but Dad suggested that I go."

Aba frowned a little. "Well is Dad aware that there might be underage drinking, debauchery or some other illicit activity going on?"

I rolled my eyes and chuckled at his paranoia. "C'mon Aba. I don't think anyone's doing that as of yet. Besides, you know I'm smart enough not to fall into all that crap."

"I know," said Aba as he dished the cooked chicken into three plates and dumped the potatoes in to the pan, adding a little pepper and olive oil into them. "I just worry sometimes. I don't want my precious little boy straying into……"

"Yes Aba, I know," I interrupted and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I knew he was referring to Dad's heroin-phase with an old girlfriend named April, which happened way way way before I was born. Dad told me the story so that I could take a lesson from him and stay away from drugs and people who did them. I was so proud of him for staying clean and looking after all of us like a real man should. "If I am going, I'll be with Lea. We'll look after each other."

"I truly hope so," said Aba as he kissed my temple. He turned off the hotplate, dished the potatoes onto our plates and I carried them and placed them on the table which I just laid just minutes before. At that moment, Dad entered the kitchen after sitting in his room, tinkering with his guitar and writing some new song, and we all sat at the table and started eating.

"So," began Aba as he looked pointedly at Dad. "I hear that you encouraged our son to go to a party?"

Dad chewed his lip as he cut into his chicken. "No Marky, it's not like that. I just wanted him to make some friends. You know, come out of his shell a bit."

Aba gave him a smile that said 'You ass' and 'I love you' at the same time. How he makes a smile like that, I don't know. But how Dad and I actually decipher that smile is an even bigger mystery. Aba chewed on his roast potatoes thoughtfully.

"As long as he goes with Lea and they stick together, and they don't stay too late or if something wrong happens, I don't mind," he said with a small, I-give-in smile.

Dad reached over and gave him a quick kiss across the table as I smiled at them. I loved it when we all came to an understanding like this.

After dinner, I helped Aba clear the table as Dad cleaned up the kitchen. Once finished, they both settled down on the couch while I helped myself to a mini Milky Way, which I ate in the kitchen. I could hear them giggling softly in the living room, so I took a quick peek to see what was so funny. But I regretted my decision as soon as I saw Aba lying on the couch on his back with Dad on top of him, kissing him like mad. I drew my head back into the kitchen, blushing furiously. Sure, it was great to see them so in love with one another, but come on; who in their right mind actually enjoys watching their parents playing smoochy face with each other when they think they're alone? Discarding the empty chocolate wrapper in the dustbin, I yelled at them, "I'm going to my room to study!" and quickly disappeared into my bedroom before I could see them go any further. I giggled to myself as I sat at my study table and opened my homework books. Yup, I feel just like all the other kids. Except for the fact that I'm happy that my parents love each other as much as they love me so I don't find it gross. Nope, not at all. I think they're really cool.