On a pleasant sunny afternoon, Burt and Ms. Brannigan sat on a café terrace with steaming cups of coffee in their hands. Their conversation was light, but soon it turned to Coop.
Ms. Brannigan: So, Burt, how is Coop doing with the psychology treatment?
Burt: Honestly, he's still working on it. Dr. Hughes is very patient with him, but Coop… well, Coop remains. He still talks about his adventures with Mr. Kat. But what teenager doesn't have challenges? I think Coop is just trying to find his place in this big world.
Ms. Brannigan: Yes, it must be difficult for him to find someone who truly understands him. But I'm sure he'll improve with time.
Burt: Exactly! Although I might sometimes be too strict with him, I believe Coop is a special boy. He has a lot of love and energy; he just needs to find a way to express it, and different sports help him with that. He recently announced that he's entering the night skateboarding competition.
Ms. Brannigan's eyes lit up with interest.
Ms. Brannigan: How interesting, my son is also competing in the event. He also loves skateboarding, though he sometimes takes it too seriously and can get a bit carried away. But I'm a little worried about the competition. You know… it's at night, and I always have this fear that something might go wrong, since he's my only child.
Burt nodded empathetically.
Burt: I completely understand. But maybe it would help if we both went to the competition and watched them. This way, we'd be there if needed but still give them space to enjoy the event.
Ms. Brannigan: That's a great idea. You're right; it would make us worry a little less.
Burt: Sounds good. I'm looking forward to meeting your son. I'm sure they'd get along well with Coop.
Ms. Brannigan: It's possible, though he can be quite a handful himself. The school he goes to, he wants to dominate the others there too. And if something doesn't go his way – like if he gets a bad grade – he blames the teacher.
Burt: So he has a strong personality.
Ms. Brannigan: Yes, he's very much like his father. Although we're divorced, I feel he still has a big influence on our son. He spends a lot of time with his dad, who lives in Vancouver, in luxury surroundings. You know, I've mentioned that he's a film producer. When my son is with him, he gets everything he wants. That's one of the reasons he's difficult.
Burt: That's really a complicated situation, but maybe the competition will do him good. Who knows, maybe he'll find his place in the team and start to understand that things don't always go the way he wants.
Ms. Brannigan: I hope you're right. Sometimes I feel like he's living in his father's shadow and it's hard for him to find his own path.
Ms. Brannigan smiled softly and looked deeply into Burt's eyes.
Ms. Brannigan: You know, Burt, you always manage to brighten my day. It's so easy to talk to you.
Burt: Oh, really? Well, cheerfulness and optimism are the spices of life. Life is too short to worry too much, and if I can help you feel better, then it's worth it.
Ms. Brannigan paused for a moment, then continued a bit hesitantly.
Ms. Brannigan: But I've been thinking about something since the last dinner. When you had to leave suddenly, and that quick kiss on the lips…
Burt's thoughts flew back to that moment when everything suddenly changed.
Flashback from Chapter 7 of my fanfiction "The Interrogation":
Ms. Brannigan: Is something wrong?
Burt: I have to go home, there's a family emergency. Please, the check! I'm really sorry!
Ms. Brannigan: It's alright, I understand.
Burt: I hope we can go somewhere together without any interruptions someday.
Ms. Brannigan: I hope so too. We'll talk then!
Burt: Alright, goodbye! – and Burt quickly gave Ms. Brannigan a kiss on the lips as he left.
End of flashback
Burt: Yes, I remember that day. It was a bit hectic, and I didn't want you to feel like I was rushing you. I didn't want to leave too quickly; it was just that Mr. Kat had been kidnapped by a secret agent.
Ms. Brannigan: Really? I've heard about these secret agents, but I thought they were just fictional.
Burt chuckled and leaned a bit closer to the table.
Burt: I know it sounds strange, but with Coop and Mr. Kat, there's always something happening around us. Sometimes it feels like we're living in a movie, but… it's just part of our lives.
Ms. Brannigan: So, it seems like you're living an adventurous life too. But I hope next time you won't have to rush.
Burt looked back at her with a broad smile, completely immersed in the moment.
Burt: I hope so too. I'm really looking forward to spending an evening together… without any secret agents or Coop-Mr. Kat troubles.
Ms. Brannigan: I'm looking forward to it too. Maybe after the competition we can manage it.
Burt: That would be wonderful, — Burt replied softly — and then we wouldn't just be saying a quick goodbye.
In the café, the world seemed to slow down a bit as Burt and Ms. Brannigan smiled at each other, feeling that something special was unfolding between them.
Burt enjoyed the moment as he smiled at Ms. Brannigan. Everything in the café seemed perfect, as if the world had momentarily slowed down and it was just the two of them existing within it. However, as he continued to gaze into Ms. Brannigan's eyes, an unexpected thought flashed through his mind.
He recalled the female secret agent who had kidnapped Mr. Kat. The agent who was dangerous and mysterious. Yet, something about her intrigued Burt, an inexplicable curiosity. The woman was both unfamiliar and oddly familiar to him. Their faces had been so close the last time they met, just like they were now with Ms. Brannigan. He particularly remembered the moment when the woman leaned in close, looking him in the eye with a mocking smile before saying, "Or what? Will you punish me?" Burt's heart raced as he recalled the bold remark she made to him. As he was lost in these thoughts, a slight confusion arose within him, as if two worlds were colliding: one where he would spend time peacefully and happily with Ms. Brannigan, and the other, where mystery and excitement drew him, and he deeply wanted to know who that woman was.
Ms. Brannigan: Burt? Is everything okay?
Ms. Brannigan's soft voice pulled him out of his daydream.
Burt shook his head and returned to the present.
Burt: Oh, yes, of course. I just drifted off for a moment. You know, sometimes so many things are on my mind that it's hard to keep track.
He laughed, trying to brush off the moment, but his laughter wasn't as genuine as usual.
Ms. Brannigan: Are you sure? You seemed like you were somewhere else.
Burt swallowed hard. He didn't want to lie, but he also didn't want to reveal his feelings for another woman he barely knew. He wasn't sure how to explain this strange sensation.
Burt: You know, sometimes things from the past come to mind. Strange, inexplicable things. But don't worry, it's just… a momentary weakness. Sometimes, so many things are on my mind. The kids, The House of Swap, and Mr. Kat. It's like they all come crashing down at once and my thoughts drift.
Ms. Brannigan: But I'm here to bring you back if needed. — After saying this, she squeezed his hand — You can always count on me, Burt, and if you need to talk about any of these things, I'm here.
A pleasant silence settled between them again as Burt and Ms. Brannigan looked at each other, sensing that their connection was becoming deeper and more special. Although Burt still felt that strange attraction to the past encounter, he focused more on what was in front of him: the possibility of something truly special developing with Ms. Brannigan.