DATA SNIPPETS - FILE 1

This is the first issue of the "Data Snippets", a series of short stories set in the time gaps between the main chapters. Their purpose will be to tell about minor characters, background events and show some interesting moments of development of the relationships between the protagonists, to give clues about the motivations, and actions, they will take in the chapters that tell the main story. This is also to avoid chapters of the standard length (10+ pages) that contain only secondary moments to the plot. In this way I also try to avoid the episodic nature that characterizes the first season of the original series. That said, enjoy your reading!

Family Receipt

SEPTEMBER 1, AFTER RICHARD'S ARRIVAL AT KADICK'S.

The click of the lock was the sound that marked Henry Allen's arrival in that house, located on the edge of the Parisian suburbs. Although modest in size, it was perfect for the couple who lived there; there was no shortage of space, it hadn't cost much, and the neighborhood was both quiet and close enough to the city center. A really good deal.

At that moment, however, Richard's father's thoughts were not on the house, but on something that had been swirling around in his head since he had dropped his son off at the Kadick: apparently simple strings of text in the receipt for the boy's tuition payment. But the strange thing going through his brain was that, upon seeing the document, he realized that he hadn't actually made the payment, as he had thought until a few hours ago. It had taken a little drive to solve the riddle, and now he would have confirmation.

Henry's advance into the hall was immediately interrupted by the sound of pawing on the parquet floor. In front of the threshold appeared a Scottish greyhound, with black and greyish fur (although not old). He stood there, cowering and staring at his owner.

In response to this, Henry crossed the threshold of the house and after closing the door behind him, went to his good guardian of the house, giving him a scratch on the head.

-Hey Murdoch, are you all by yourself?-

The dog seemed to have understood the question, as he wagged his tail twice, not once more, and then lay down completely on the floor. By now it was his way of communicating: one flick of the tail meant yes, two meant no.

"Apparently she came back early from the store...we're betting she'll be in the kitchen now?"

The man crossed half of the darkly painted hallway, then turned left, into the large kitchen, which was one with the "dining room." Seated at the head of a wooden table sat a young woman in her late thirties, but looking about twenty-five or so. Dark brown leather ankle boots, black denim pants, and a leather jacket covering a punk-themed T-shirt completed her attire. Dark red, pixie-cut hair framed the forehead of a sharp face that, were it not for slight bags under his hazel eyes, and a small, slightly flushed nose, would have been very pretty.

The woman sat in front of a small laptop, one hand pressing the same button a couple of times before closing it, and the other bringing a glass of elongated whiskey to her lips. The gaze was distinctive: a sort of mix between sad and satisfied.

-Laney, I'm back. -

Despite her husband's calm tone, Laney Allen winced in her chair, as if awakened from a daydream.

Laney: -Oh, hi Henry. I'm sorry, I was overthinking. -

Henry: -I noticed. You're also home early from the store. -

Laney: -Yeah, well, there weren't many customers today. -

Henry: -That's good then. A little more rest for you. -

The husband moved from the doorway to the table, sitting down next to his wife. Now there was a question to ask, and it had to be done slowly, but directly.

Henry: -Laney, we need to talk about something...-

Laney: -Please don't start talking like my grandfather...-.

Henry: -I don't want to lecture you. I just want to ask you something. Just answer me truthfully, okay? -

Laney: -Go ahead, shoot...-

Henry: -You paid Richard's tuition out of your own pocket without telling me, didn't you? -

The young woman set her drink down, making a little noise. With an expression that exuded from all pores her "guilt", she turned to see her husband's face, finding him as always: calm, never harsh nor angry. In fact, he seemed to be smiling, as if he had heard good news.

Laney: -...how did you know? –

Henry: -Honey, in high school you were famous for forging signatures on permission slips, and you often did homework on the entire class. I was also one of those. –

Laney brought a hand to his temple, feeling an impending headache from the stress. He quickly rummaged through his jacket pocket and pulled out a lighter and cigarette, which he began trying to light repeatedly.

Laney: -...Shite, I can't get one right...and stupid crappy lighter...-.

Henry; -Listen, I'm not mad, nor do I want to tell you how you should spend the money from your business. And don't think you've done anything wrong, on the contrary, it's a wonderful thing. But I want to know why you didn't tell me: I know how important the store is to you, and now I understand why you worked all that overtime. But you could have just let me pay for it all, you don't need to peel yourself off- -

Laney: -AYE, I DO NEED TO! –

The scream had silenced Henry, and now the house fell into a near-silence, interrupted by Laney's sobs, who had tears in his eyes, and quivering lips. Even the dog was curled up where he was, his ears lowered in fright.

Laney: -It's been ten years since I've moved my arse for my son! Ten years of me being a wimp, abandoning him, and bailing all the way out here! I've been a wimp about a 5 year old's psychiatric exam, but I've probably done worse to him leaving him there! I'm such a wimp that I didn't even have the balls to go with you to pick him up, if only to see him again for the first time! At least let me do that no? Let me be his mother for once!-

Running out of breath in his lungs, he resumed sobbing in tears, his head resting in his arms, stretched out on the table; the lighter and cigarette, still unlit, had fallen to the floor, and neither of them was interested in picking them up.

Henry didn't think twice about wrapping his arms around the woman's shoulders, placing a hand in her hair, trying to reassure her. In all this time they had talked so little about Richard, Laney had practically exploded. Guilt brooded for years, ever since she'd given birth to him at the age of only fifteen.

Henry: -You're right, Laney, and I repeat, I'm happy with what you did for him. But next time, don't keep me in the dark. We are both his parents, and we will be together. Alright? -

All that came in response were bellowing noises, which Henry took as a yes. Silence returned to the Allen home, at least for a few minutes, just long enough for the crying to end.

Laney: -...so...how is Richard? –

Henry: -He's fine. Maybe he seemed a little cold, but I'm sure it's a matter of habit...after all, he was the one who asked to come here to Paris. –

Laney: -Does he have any friends? He's not gonna be too isolated? –

Henry: -Don't worry. He chose to go to the Kadick because of a friend. And I'm sure he'll make others. He is not and will never be alone. –

Laney: -That's a good thing...do you have a picture of him? -

Her husband said nothing, but merely opened the most recent photo of Richard that he had found on his cell phone, while Laney lifted her head, her eyes swollen and her cheeks flushed, to grab her phone and get a good look at her.

Henry: -There aren't many, after all, he's not in the habit of taking pictures of himself. But at least it's something. –

The photo depicted Richard, Edward and three others who were probably their friends, to be precise two girls and another guy, all sprawled out in the seats of what looked like a club in Rome. Richard was in a prominent spot, dressed as usual, including his jacket. Laney stood staring at the photo for a good minute, brushing that set of pixels with his thumb. A hint of a smile was forming on his face.

Laney: -How much he's grown... it's like seeing me in male form at times... -

Henry: -And I assure you it is; the way you talk and dress, you'd look like two peas in a pod! –

The couple then burst out laughing, not loudly, but with pleasure. They had found some serenity again. Laney left the phone on the table, and started to take the glass to the kitchen, still half full of whisky. Later there was the sound of something liquid being drained down the sink.

Henry: -What are you doing? –

Laney: -I'm getting rid of this goo, that's what. If I'm going to make Richard see me as a pathetic mother, at least I don't want to look like an alcoholic too. Besides, I had to quit anyway. –

Henry: - Ha ha ha! What about the cigarettes? –

Laney: -One step at a time. Rather, I see you are learning to be more direct instead of going around everything. Finally! Then do that under the sheets too, and maybe you can find a lighter and three packs of Winston's in the trash...-.

His wife was definitely able to make him laugh even when she was talking seriously. He had to keep his mouth shut so as not to be too thunderous in his fat laugh. In the meantime, even Murdoch had trotted into the kitchen, staying next to his master, wagging his tail.

There was a prelude of a future family reunion in the air.