The sun is shining in through the kitchen window. The man glances toward the couch. The boy isn't there. He can't have…? He inhales and takes a few steps toward the hallway to see if the shoes are there. Before he arrives, he hears the guy in the bedroom. He stops and smiles to himself. Of course, he never would have… He returns to the coffee. After a little while the boy enters the kitchen with a big yawn. Morning greetings are exchanged by nods. He takes a glass and fill it with water. Take a sip and look up. "Yesterday I…" He puts down the glass and scratches his arm, then he tries again. "It was... I'm sorry!" The man is leaning against the counter and listes. Now he reaches for the boy. The kid becomes rigid by the embrace. "No problem, just don't do it again. I worried." The boy relaxes, leans his head forward and puts his arms around the mans left arm. He mumbles something. The big guy ruffle his hair with the free arm and says breakfast. The kid turnes around. "I'm too big for hugs." "Really? It's ok to need a hug. You are not too big. Everyone needs a hug sometimes no matter how old you are." "You too?" "Yeah, probably. If one is worried about something a hug can help." "Worried?" "Are you worried about something?" The kid nods. "Something that we should do today?" "Do I have to?" "You can't avoid it forever." Breakfast is ready and they sit down at the table. "I don't want to meet Stella." "Not at all?" "No, and yes. Meet her as it was before, not now." "That is why you need to see her. So that things can go back as they were." The only answer is a sigh.
"How will it be on monday at school, if you don't want to meet Stella?" "She might be sick!"
He gives the kid a glare. "She can change class or move... I must see her today, right?"
The big guy nods. "Is there anything else I should know before we get there?" The kid shrugs. "I will feel sorry for your teachers if we do not go there." "Teacher?" "Well it becomes incredibly difficult for her if you keep pushing and break each other's things." After a little smile, it is clear that it will be a whole lot easier for him to get ready.
On the way to the café the boy is quiet. Fists are clenched in his pockets. Right inside of the door to the café the kid turns around. A strong arm stops him. A pair of raised eyebrows means what? "Dan, Stellas dad! He is…" The man literally pushes the boy to the table to say hi. "The missis thought it was better if I came here. You know…" With a nod he answers, have you ordered? The kid does not seem to be able to get a bite of anything down. The man gets the feeling that the smaller guy is seeking refuge beside him. Chocolate cake, he suggests. The boy just looks dejected. He orders coffee and... milk? No answer, just a shrugs. When they settle, there is a terrified gaze when the smaller guy realizes he must sit opposite Stella. Alright then, where do we start? Stellas father wonders. "I think we start with the match. Friday, did you watch it live?" At first Dan is very thoughtful, then he catches on. They quickly start to discuss the different verdicts. The kid has stopped listening long ago. Stella kicks him in the shin. He says nothing, just clenches his teeth. Silently counting to ten, then he decides. Stella jumps and drops the spoon when he kicks back. She looks straight at him but says nothing. Both adults have obviously noticed what happened. "How much do you know?" "A jacket, a bridge." "Cell phone, a can." "Can?" "Yeah, the store, returned." "Aha, chocolate bar, eaten." "Stefan?" "Oh, Stefan is not in the picture anymore." "Really?" "Taken, boyfriend." He nods. Just then Stella shoots a piece of her pie straight across the table. The boy gets his revenge with a large spoon of whipped cream. Both miss badly and begins to giggle. Pretty soon they snort of suppressed laughter. Compensation for the jacket? asks Dan. "Suggestion, jacket for cell phone?" "Old phone." "Old jacket. Deal?" "Deal! Where did they…" The kid and Stella has gone to the counter and are discussing which cakes that taste best together. They do not look as if they have ever been adversaries. Much ado about nothing says Dan. The big guy can only agree. Then they continue to talk about the match.