His sister Allie was back the next day. She hugged their mother, Sami, who squeezed her so much, Allie had to say:
"Mom, you're hurting me." Sami released her grip and sniffed. She wasn't one for doing things half-way.
- I've missed you so much, my baby. Did you enjoy your week with your dad?" Allie looked sideways at Will. He grinned and nodded.
- It was great mom! He took me ice-skating everyday. He says, I should take lessons, because I'm so good at it."
What Will was good at was not to show how he felt when he heard that. He hadn't bothered putting "learn how to skate" on his list. You could be an adult without that. Lucas had tried, for a while, to make up for the lost years. He had given up when Will had asked him to. He wasn't a kid anymore, it was too late. His father didn't know him, it was fine. But he had stopped going. It hurt to see Allie share this bond with him and stand there, like a stranger to his own family. Sami wasn't perfect but the way she didn't tiptoe around him made feel Will intimate. She was his mother, he was her son, so no need to handle him like a fragile possession. He knew very well that he was fragile, though. So, he let Sami and Allie reconnect and get some alone-time before the arrival of their sibling from another father the next day and went to the bookstore.
It was one of those place that you wonder how they still exist, how they make a profit. Only second-hand books, the one that had been loved by others, that had been handled. Will could afford new ones, but he liked those more. Once every week, he bought one and read it whenever his eyes got tired by the glow of the computer screen. When he went to bed and he needed to put his lonely feelings at bay. He chose one called On the road. He had heard about it. He was reading the summary on the back page, squinting his eyes to decipher the words on the used cover, while closing the glass door behind him, which made the bell chimes as always, when a hand patted his shoulder, soft as a bird. He looked up and saw a cocky smile. He remembered the red, crested bird and smiled back. Sonny looked different, this morning. Apparently, he healed fast. Will envied him that.
"Are you looking for books?" Will asked, hoping he would say yes and they had that in common. But Sonny shook his head.
- No, I just saw you. I'm headed to the post office.
- Oh." Will was disappointed but he didn't feel like letting him go. He liked the informality of this meeting, as if they were friends already. So he proposed "You mind company?"
Sonny smiled even more, then said, gently
"Sure. I got lost the last time I went there. Maybe you can guide me?
- Have you lived here long?" Sonny shook his hair again and Will felt himself blushing. He was the one asking questions but the stare he was under was asking questions of his own and he didn't know which ones. Sonny finally answered
- About a month. I came before to see how the builders were working. It took a long time, but now we've opened and it seems we struck gold."
Will laughed. It seemed Sonny's presence was alighting his spirits, whatever he said. They started walking and passed one of the tree form the park. Will looked up but saw a new bird, this one yellow. This one wasn't singing, it was moving its head comically, with quick, weird movements. Will pointed him silently to his walking companion. Sonny followed the direction with keen eyes and Will saw him beam. The smile he addressed Will felt too much, too overwhelming.
They reached the post office five minutes later and Will stopped.
- You see, next time, you won't need help." Sonny's eyes sparkled.
- It's a pity then. So, when will I see you at Common Grounds?
- Hum... Soon. I still have your coat. It's very warm." Not as warm as these dark brown eyes.
Now Will was sweating. He stepped backward and said
- Have a good day!" and practically ran away.
Back at home, he took the coat in his arms. Maybe, he could put it on the coat rack at the coffee-house when no one was looking. Sonny had noticed him in the street but if he was working and busy... The coat made a creasing sound. Will fished in one of the inside pocket and found a postcard. He shouldn't be reading it. But he did anyway, fascinated. It was signed Crystal, with a little heart after. It said things Will wanted to write someone. It wasn't very good prose but it must have done the trick if Sonny had kept it. There was something else in the pocket. A map. It had been used a lot, like the book that was in Will's pocket. It had strange concentric circles and annotations he didn't know. There were pencil lines all over it and Will put it on his desk, to look at it and dream.
Sami came into his bedroom and kisses his temple
"You're still working for this exam... Are you anxious?"
Will nodded. Sami had moments of subtlety and kindness that had to be fully appreciated. Will massaged his forehead and asked
"You need help?
- Not really. I thought I would take you and Allie out tonight, maybe to the diner that she likes so much?
- As long as it's not a fast-food place, I'm in.
Will loved all his siblings, but in her quiet way, Allie was the one he related to the most. And she loved him back, being the only one in the world to think he was marvelous. He felt like a giant when she looked up at him. So, when she asked him for another place to go, before coming home, as it was still early and it wasn't as if Sydney was here, they were all quite old now (Will didn't fight the smile. She was ten, she didn't know what old was. He didn't even know), Will said the first thing that crossed his mind.
"There's the new coffee place, on the main road.
- There is?" Sami worked in the city. She didn't walk around the house as much as Will did. He felt proud to have something to show him, a finding. So much that he forgot until they had crossed the threshold
"Will?" The voice was singing almost. Sonny's smile filled the room.
Sami and Allie looked at Will who fidgeted on his feet, trying not to look too much into Sonny's eyes. He was going backward in this budding friendship. The more confident Sonny was getting, the more withdrawn it made Will. He couldn't believe he had had the nerve to make him confess private painful things just a few days ago. He thought about the postcard. And about the coat
- We just ate out and I wanted to show the coffee-house to my sister Allie."
Sonny turned his brightness to Allie and Will felt less strung, but also lost, back in his shadows. Sami shook Sonny's hand after her daughter did and started chatting. It was easy for her. Sonny seemed to like her and Will prepared to be sidetracked by his own Mom. She was bright too and loud and present. That's how she managed well in her field, that's how Will felt second violin in his own life.
Sonny had given them his best table. He brought some chocolate to Allie with the drawing of a cat and she was hooked too. Will decided to ask her and Sami
"What do you say you have your birthday party here, Allie?
- Yes, I'd like that" she answered, looking around with her usual reserve. Will could see she was happy.
Sami had ordered a latte and Will hadn't say anything. He wasn't disappointed. Sonny put the black plain coffee in front of him, with a chocolate muffin next to the plate. He didn't look at Will and asked
"Would you ladies like something to eat too?
- No, thank you Sonny. We just ate dinner and I have to look after my figure.
- Now, that is impossible, Ma'am. You look fantastic. And may I add, way too young to be the mother of so many children. Do you have a secret?"
Sami was beaming. Will smirked and looked away. Allie hadn't answered, so Will cut the muffin in half and offered it to her. She smiled at him. Will plucked his courage and looked at Sonny. He was staring again
"So, it's on the house. I'm glad to have meet you all. I hope you'll visit once in a while.
- With such a welcome, how could we not? Don't you think so, Will?"
Will looked down at his coffee, wishing he was alone with Sonny to recapture this moment of easiness, this meeting of two souls. Now, he was embarrassed, reminded of his limitations. He looked longingly at the figure of Sonny retreating and greetings new customers.
Allie saved him, without knowing it, when she yawned. Sami frowned
"Did your dad pay attention to your bedtime, honey?
- He said it's the holidays. That it's funny to talk late." Sami shook her head and sighed.
- We'll leave now, Will. Don't forget to lock when you come home."
Will looked at them get out of the door in a daze. He was wondering if he should go too, but Sonny sat in front of him. Having him at his level helped a lot. Will fiddled with his napkin and asked
"So, how is she? The girl you were worried about?" Sonny looked at him thoughtfully.
- A little better. Thank you for asking."
There was an awkwardness now. Will wanted to ask about the map, about the girlfriend but he couldn't. All other questions seemed dull. Sonny coughed
"So, you like to read a lot?
- Oh, hum... yeah, I like to read. But it's not my only interest.
- Bird watching?" Will looked up, startled.
- You remember?
- You reminded to listen to the bird song and to take a breath, look around. I needed that. I've worked hard to open this place but I've forgotten to enjoy simple things. You have helped me in many ways." he placed his hand on Will's. A tickling current went from it to Will's veins. Maybe now he was glowing, like a lamp. He slid his hand away and put it on his knees. Sonny got up
"So, I'll see you around?
- Yes, yes, sure... Hum...
- Yes?
- Nothing." Sonny sat back and looked at him with a straightforwardness that helped. Will smiled shyly. "Your muffins are delicious and if... But I don't think you have time for it, so..."
Sonny was still staring, his eyes digging holes in Will's mind. He whispered
"I have time for you. Come back tomorrow. It's my day off. I'll teach you."
Will went home and put the coat next to his bed, not to forget it the next day. The house was silent, expect from the cracking of woods that he had grown used to. There was one howl, outside. Every night, the same bird, the same spot. Wherever he slept, Will heard the lament, regular and deep. He focused on it, on the quiet that he hated and craved for. Tomorrow, he would bake, for the first time ever.