Chapter 49q: Trench Warfare
Life as a more-or-less not-quite-valid person is a continuous challenge. Each challenge comes with solutions, which consist out of challenges in their own right.
Take this trip to the butterfly gardens.
I need someone to help me with all the necessities, ideally in the shape of someone with a bit of arm strength in case I get tired. Running out of stamina and holding everyone back is a great way to ruin a day, after all. Oh, and also emergencies. Almost forgot those.
Besides, I can't just get into a car to get here, oh no. That simply doesn't fit with the wheelchair, not given the fact there's two kids and one chaperone that have to come along. Take the bus then, but for some reason, the closest bus stop to these gardens are practically useless, even ignoring the fact that the bus may not be quite ideal given my current limitations.
And a hackney carriage simply isn't feasible; those things may be a bit spacier than just another car, but still not good enough for my round-legged steed.
Which is why it is currently Setsuka digging through some plants at the side of the path together with Zoe while Cain is pushing my wheelchair. He's being oddly helpful today. I wonder if he's got a crush on Zoe; the way they shook hands clearly showed they met before.
"Wooow! Look at this caterpillar! Nii-san, come check it out! He's so fuzzy and long!"
As if it were the excuse Cain were looking for, he parks me at the side of the path before quickly going to look at the little bug the younger and older lady are looking at. The temptation to yell at him for not bringing me closer is something I only barely repress; when the wheel went off the path and into the dirt I nearly came to topple over due to the slight difference in height.
So instead, I just get to watch them have fun. Admittedly, that's still quite fulfilling, especially since I was trying to make up for missing Setsuka's birthday last year with this little family outing.
"See, dad? Lots of little wriggly hairs."
The few moments I spent pondering my blessings are when she ran up, the little bug having been scooped onto her finger so she can share her joys with me, too. She's got this thoughtful caring side that is so much like her mother; compared to most other little shits you see run around she is truly a gem. Even when you look at the same tree, there's a bigger shit that is quite similar to her, although I can't say to ever have seen him care for anything that's not his mother or his sister.
"It is very cute, honey. What's it called?" I inquire of her as I fail to withstand the urge to affectionately brush her cheek. I'm not sure if it is the touch or the question which prompts her to run off to find a nearby plate with information scribbled on top, but she's gone like the wind.
Cain is back, and with a somewhat rough touch, he handles the wheelchair again, making me jerk in my seat and resist a painful gasp. He's never been subtle about his thoughts in the past, and he still isn't today. All that therapy he is said to have gone through hasn't changed that part of him one bit. I wonder if it did anything at all, honestly.
"What now..?" I inquire wearily of him. Let's make him vent, before he explodes. That's how it works. I hope. And if nothing else, there's still Zoe.
"You're an old, crummy bastard. You know _exactly_ what you're doing." He mutters, keeping his voice low as to not disturb Setsuka nor Zoe. Unfortunately for him, the latter has experiences to complement senses far exceeding the worth of Setsuka's young and sensitive ears, and a cautioning eyebrow is thrown in our direction.
That woman doesn't mess around when she's angry. I haven't seen it, but I can tell. As can Cain, since he stays quiet.
"It is a birthday... celebration. Lighten up." I respond, trying to put a smile on my face despite knowing exactly what he is referring to. Still, necessity trumps kindness, and everything is fair in love and war.
"Yes. Lighten up. Both of you. This is not the time nor the place for family drama, okay?" Zoe is butting in, completely ignoring the fact this is a family affair. And now she's staring at me; what did I do?
"And don't look at me like that; you were the one to invite me, Mr. Heel. This is my free saturday I am spending to help you and your kids have a great outing; if you think I'll let your tomfoolery make a fool out of me, you clearly underestimate the creativity of the glib-tongued scam artist."
Damn. Maybe I should've asked Nurse Muffin, but Zoe is an eight whereas Muffin is at best a six. Their kindness and susceptibility to a charming handicapped man aside, it is obvious to invite the prettier one, right?
"You're right. I'm sorry." There's not much to do for me but to apologize; I don't want to ruin this fun afternoon.
"Cain, why don't you go check on your sister instead? I think she could use your hand." she offers him with a lighthearted wink that truly means 'scram and go be useful elsewhere'.
Seeing just how compliant Cain is, I realize Zoe is truly a woman that lays down the law wherever she goes.
As Cain and Setsuka are off inside the plants to look for the other species of caterpillars in these plants, Zoe begins to push me towards the little cafe we passed earlier, which in turn makes me realize I'm feeling a bit more tired than Setsuka's happy smile has allowed me to realize until now.
"Let's just make this a fun day. Whatever family problems there are between you two, they can't be solved today, okay? Even if I appreciate your common sense about wanting to confront your son around a police officer to clear the air in relatively safety, this is a birthday. A happy outing. I am not your shrink nor your mediator. Do you get that, Mr. Heel?"
She is really stern right now. Wow. Add a bit of leather on top, and I'd argue it could be sexy, although I haven't felt the call of hormones since I woke up to really convince me that particular line of thought holds true where the rest of my body is concerned.
"You're right. But I didn't invite you today for that reason. That nap of mine has left me low on common sense. Frankly, I wish I had thought of it."
She sighs softly, parking me besides a table, putting on the brake and sitting down opposite me, giving me a gentle look that is more like the angel I met.
It is worth a shot.
"Maybe I can invite you for that purpose in the future? For when things come to a head?"
It is but a careful probe, and her eyes narrow, not being too happy with the offer, but I bet she'she can hardly fault me for it. She said she appreciated my mind just moments ago, right?
"According to the agreement, he'll move in on the 26th after the new apartment is all furnished and ready. I suspect seeing you about just once or twice could be really helpful. It would make me feel more safe, at the very least."
She motions towards one of the serving girls near the register before responding to me. "If you feel so unsafe around him, why go out of your way to live with him again that quickly?"
I smile awkwardly as the serving girl comes by and takes an order for two coffees. When she leaves, I finally respond.
"I'm not afraid of him. I just feel... powerless. He's a bright kid. Very... opinionated. Especially when he can clash with me. But with his passion, I feel a bit of a neutral common ground could help him keep himself in check. I am not as physically independent as I used to be, so grounding just makes sense to me."
She is giving me a weird look. A really, really weird look. She doesn't look flattered.
"Are you propositioning me, Quinn?"
OH DEAR GOD NO.
"No no no no." I find myself blushing, shaking my head in panic. Dear God, that _is_ what it sounded like, isn't it?
"He'd straight out murder me if I went to find another wife. No no no. I just meant.. a safe person.. he knows you, I know you, your job makes you neutral by default, I mean... oh Kami-sama shoot me in the head right now, please."
I mutter the last bit, but she ends up laughing at my unabashed panic. "Okay. I might come by once or twice to help you two come to terms with living together. You have my number, right?"
Yes, yes I do. "I think so, yes."
Another piece falls into place, thankfully. But for now, I'll just enjoy the view. It is always nice to see a woman laugh from the heart.