Author's words: Dear Guest:As I promised, here is another chapter. Thank you very much, I am happy that you have seemed a funny chapter, the 12. So yeah, it seems that Lucky is a very intelligent kid. But believe me, the kids are well astute when it comes to family problems and it affects them. I worked with children in a kindergarden and also with my own experience, and sadly, I guess, they understand pretty well certain things. And again, thanks a lot for reading. Greetings. :)
13.- Help: I wish to be a good father.
Two minutes later from that comment, when Francesco entered in the backyard. Not was difficult for him to find the place, everything looked quiet and cozy.
He stood in the doorway, looking for an exact location, looked straight at the pond, where children were sitting talking. Francesco decided to go closer, walking down a path made of stones of similar size on the ground insert in the grass. Everything was done as a real landscape as naturally as possible. The only thing that looked less natural was the huge concrete wall surrounding the internal construction. Like a giant plant protecting that entire beautiful panorama.
- Hi. Are you busy here? - Francesco asked with a smile.
-Dad, you could win the battle against the bathroom. - Luccia laughed.
- Hey Mr. Bernoulli. – Garou greeted him. Looking at him from where he was sitting. - Did you have a good night?
Francesco patted Luccia's head, fondly, while passing by and sat next to Lucciano by the pond, in first row was Garou, then Luccia, Lucciano and now the racer. Who looked around before answering, now had the entrance front of the house service.
-I can say that very good... except that I had never been in a very traditional Japanese house, and some things are a bit strange, such as the bathroom. There were interesting things there. Haha... - Francesco laughed.
- My Dad did not know why we used buckets, haha, which are to rinse and there are other things for clean. And that he has not slept on a futon. - Luccia looked at Garou, she could not erase her grin.
-I do not understand why so much. - Francesco shrugged. - What is a futon?
-It's for traditional comfort, Mr. Bernoulli, the people of this country works too much sometimes the only thing that relaxing them is having a nature space than can make people forget the worldly obligations closure, so it is so especially in public bathrooms. - Garou explained. -It's always been like that in this country, but as you can see in certain parts of the house there is also Western -style facilities. Oh, a futon is a bed, but on the floor, use something similar to a sleeping bag - He finished speaking.
- I see, but I still think it is a bit exaggerated, but it's just my point of view, I think if I lived here doing the same thing every day, not be so bad . - The Italian racer added and looked at the children. Somehow bringing Garou had said no wonder the children were able to use phrases and words of a little higher level for his age. The requirement in education and daily activities in Japan was too high.
- If you lived here, you say it like you're going to go very soon again... - Lucciano said suddenly.
- What? No, it was not the intention, I meant... maybe bring my things and stay here. - The Italian man wanted to fix his sentence after a big sigh had to be more honest. -Lucky, things are not as easy as they look, I know I promised I would not leave, but if I want to be with you definitely need to fix many things in my country. And for that I need some time to return to Italy.
- How much longer? – Luccia asked.
- I do not know, maybe months... once again, do not know how long it would take to bring all to my also be strange to move here, to adapt to another country, another culture...
-But you'd be with your family... with us... – Lucciano disrupted, was a little upset about that, because his father's phrase sounded a little selfish, for Lucky, it was as if Francesco wanted to escape.
- Please, Lucciano, these are adult things. I go to fix everything quickly... - Actually his face did not look very excited but Francesco didn't want the kids to think he would not fulfill his promise.
- Dad... Also... This issue, is for Gina, right? – Lucciano mind could not shake what his sister said before; he wanted to leave things as they were, but no.
Luccia looked a little scared, did not know who he meant, but felt something was not right with that tone of voice a little shaky from her brother. Garou did not understand much of it, but was ready to leave quietly at any time.
Francesco did not really want to talk about it , it was a big issue, put a hand over his face and hissed, wanting to get rid of the whole thing, the palm of his hand was hidden his gesture of anger, being so, his lips scored a pair times, the question "Why?", "Why? " But the truth was that he was angry with himself. Soon took his hand and showed a smile to the children.
- We'll talk about this later, okay? I promise we're going to make things work. - The Italian racer stood up. -I'll go and have a coffee, and back in a moment. - And he went back inside the house, was disappointed in himself. Those questions , those gestures , those tones of voice in their children, could not stand, even the quiet landscape garden , could relax him, in that instant .
Ten minutes after that, Kaori was back in the house, greeted Chuki and her family who was watching a romantic movie, sitting in the living room. Ichigo and Suki had invited their boyfriends, Komodo and Kabuto, but they did not even move in the presence of the newcomer.
- Hello, back... What about the children? - The redhead looked around. Nor flinch a muscle; it was like she was accustomed to the manners of those two, as known Kabuto and Komodo in advance.
- In the backyard yet, do not worry, they're fine. – Chuki answered while her head was on one of the shoulders of Shu, and kept watching television, munching popcorn, that drew a large bowl that was on the coffee table.
- Oh... good... - Kaori retired from there, did not want to interrupt more.
Apparently Mrs. Mizuki was not home or perhaps was sleeping still. She always said that Kabuto and Komodo was a pair of hopelessly vague, some simple gang, did not like them as boyfriends for her younger daughters, and the world in which they were involved. She preferred to disappear when they were present, or both by their side also avoided Mizuki –san. To only son that worth for her was Shu.
Meanwhile Kaori was in her own thoughts, she went down the hall, near the kitchen, and she intended to go to the backyard, but saw that Francesco was drinking a cup of coffee, sitting alone on the mat, on a cushion. It looked a little strange trying to imitate the customs of that country.
The redhead came in, knowing that her children were fine, did not care to the point of going to see them urgently.
She smiled on impulse. Put her hand under the knees to accommodate the skirt of her dress, under the legs before sitting in front of him.
- Hey what are you doing here all alone? - She asked.
-Oh! Kaori... You came back soon. Sorry, I was thinking deeply about something else. I did not notice when you arrived. - He was a little startled when she spoke , with both hands holding the coffee cup, was balanced to avoid the liquid fell, looking to get another position, sitting so long on the knees was horrible. He felt cramps, especially when he did not realize he was thinking so much while being so. – Damn, how they sit there for so long the time of all your meals? - Better chose to keep his legs straight until the cramp goes.
She laughed at him, put a hand over her mouth, and do not want him to think she was mocking.
- Usual thing, but I will say that even the people here supports therefore all must change position from time to time. Depends where you balance the weight of your body, it also helps to have good posture. – The redhead said.
-I see... Hey why are you so happy? – The Italian man felt from her and put a curious smile.
- Is just... I... Do you know? It has given me so much pleasure that my kids have accepted you as well, that this is good start with them... and since you said you were not going to let them more... - Checking inside the small pocket of her dress and pulled out a paper. - ... Well, I bought this. - Giving it to Francesco.
He put the coffee cup on the mat and looked at it, removing a second his smile. It was another paper written in Japanese, it was as if everyone had assumed that the Italian racer could read that language. But somehow he recognized typography... and thought to himself: "It's the same thing...."
- It is a train ticket to come with us to Osaka... Did you think I would be so cruel and be able to let you here? - Kaori could not stop smiling. - Sorry if it's too soon, and not to think if you wanted to or not to travel, or if you have to work things out with your team... I was so excited, I could not help it, though, you can always leave and come another day, he he. - She spoke quickly.
-No! No, no... It's okay, thank you very much . Anyway I planned to buy one. And I never believed that you are cruel, do not say that. -He smiles a bit, taking the ticket. Was remembering the ticket that Chuki gave him, was the same as now held in his hand, in any event would not say anything to the redhead for that, did not want her to think badly, from the action by the reporter, He wanted that Kaori trust him.
- I am happy... – She tells him, and stayed a few seconds in silence. Until she decided to speak again, - And what was what both were thinking? You're quiet and serious, that's very strange coming from you. Something wrong? - Questioned, changing her cheerful gesture to a serious gesture, though her eyes were radiating some enthusiasm.
He sighed; he had to tell her, Francesco could not alone with this.
- I…. I was just thinking about serious things, in the children, the whole affair... Kaori , this is not as easy for me, I have been with my kids in six years, I thought this bear would know when I went to talk with them to the garden, very seriously wanting to have that good start, telling myself "What can happen? They just are kids." But I underestimated them, honestly do not know how to treat them, suddenly make fairly straightforward questions that are as wild animal bites. You see, I have not been a father to them, and then I do not know what to do. - Francesco looked down, to train ticket. - How to act with all this? -
The redhead looked at him with compassion, anyway understood how being a parent if you were not present? She felt guilty... he seemed desperate to want to understand it all at once. But surely that was not possible.
Kaori in a momentum of her own fault automatically erased all her joy, squinting to it was clouded with tears.
I'm sorry... - Began, her voice brittle. - If all this had not happened, you would not have these problems and perhaps live each very different. But... Guess what? Although at first I had a hard time getting ahead because of what happened between us, I do not regret of them. - She put her hands on her knees, with her head looking down, letting her tears flowed, running before reaching her cheeks every tear to end scattered over the backs of her hands, which pressed. - I'm so sorry... those kids are my treasure, and God knows where I would be right now if it were not with me... But I feel terrible to be a hiding something so important, both to you, and to them your existence. Neither knew how you were going to take it, it was my stupid fear, along with the pride of wanting to do this all alone... - Gasped a bit between her tears and continued. - Please forgive me, Francesco, forgive me. - She leaned her head against him, in apology.
Kaori felt very bad as a person at that time, the redhead knew she was not getting anything with self-pity herself, but could not help it, was all that from the deep of her heart, while she felt the Italian man wanted to turn back, return to his quiet life as a racer, with pretty girls, travel, fame and fortune. Without having more than responsibility of his work, doing what he did best.
Maybe everything was better as it was a couple of days ago.
Suddenly she felt Francesco approached, she could see him from her position, he was kneeling on front of her with one hand grabbed her chin and made her head up, staying with the view to the height of him. Facing each other.
- Always felt I was such a small thing for someone like you... You deserve to make your life as you want... - Kaori whispered, still crying.
- "Someone like you "? What are you saying? Who am I without you? Who am I without this pair of children? I'm nobody. - Hugged her warmly. - I repeat the same question as before. Why do you think I came for you? Why do you think that has been my insistence? Now I feel empty if not I have you with me, and do not say nonsense, you're a great woman, a great mother. Luccia and Lucciano have grown up strong and healthy, thanks to your effort. What do not you see? Please do not get me wrong, I never said I want to leave you again, all I ask you to help me, teach me, to understand them and care for them. - Released a little the hug, now his hands were on her shoulders, and his eyes on hers.
In his eyes begging for help, parental guidance, Francesco wanted to do this silently outside but, but inside, screaming with all the soul.
Kaori wiped away her tears, sobbing a little. She nodded her head, as a sign that if she would help him as he needed, but otherwise would be borne by him.
-I need us to talk to them honestly, they have asked me about Gina, and my heart dictates that we need tell the truth about it. – Francesco said.
Kaori nods once.
-All right... Better we do it now... -
That same afternoon, although it was difficult, Kaori and Francesco talked with their children about Gina, and the real reason why they were separated. They explained everything in simple words, as simple as they could say that everything is summarized into simple text for a child:
"Dad did not know who had his children in Osaka, Mom thought Dad was not coming back ever, so Dad looked for someone else to not be alone, but he found back to mom and her children. Then let the other person to he stayed with his real family forever. "
But not so literally, but if it was something simple, something they could understand. Or something that as adults they wanted understand.
Luccia and Lucciano were not stupid, they got a little sad about that, but they were glad that their parents were honest.
Another thing that was certain was that Francesco was away for work, and now he must fix things with Giuseppe, Carlo and the rest of his pit crew.
To be continued...
Disclaimer:
-Kaori, Luccia, Lucciano, Garou and Mizuki are characters that originally belong to me, as this story. (c) Shadoru.
-Other characters belong to (c) Disney. PIXAR.
-Sorry my bad English.
