A MOST CURIOUS BOY

“ Have fun… “ Suri gave the boy a quick hug,  “ Maybe you can stop by afterwards and I’ll sneak you a cookie or something, alright? “  It was the closest she would probably get to actually going out that Halloween. It was alright.  Perhaps, she was a little bit but at the end of the  day, Suri understood. Her family had a job to do.  She couldn’t play.

Theo was perhaps right, but growing vegetables was one of those things that seldom felt like work - especially since he only grew enough for himself really. It wasn’t a major operation in any sense; aside from the initial planting and the occasional problem that cropped up like this slug issue, the garden was mostly a pleasant distraction. Still, the goal was edible food, and at this rate there would be little left.

“It does so,” he answered his friend’s question after not even a moment’s thought. Indeed, gardening was one of things that seemed to be guaranteed to clear his head, even on a really bad day. Perhaps it was the comfort that came with a familiar, repetitive activity, or the sense of accomplishment that came with creating something tangible and positive. Fitz himself wasn’t really sure, and didn’t see the point in dwelling on it if the overall effect was a positive one.

“I think th-this will be, be good. I’ve em… I’ve a tarpaulin in the shed to throw o-over these, i-i-if is start-starts to look like rain. This, this stuff doesn’t w-work as well, after it ra-rains.”

THE BOY DID nothing more afterward than to nod sagely at his companion’s response. If committing oneself to a par- ticular thing made that someone happy ---and if the way it affected them was generally positive---then there was no further need to continue his questioning. Mister Fiver genuinely seemed to find peace and joy in this activity, and Theo- dore was happy for him.

Eventually, their garden adventure came to a near end. The spraying was over; Mister Fiver declared they use a tarpau- lin next to cover up their work. “All right,” said Theodore as he stood up, dusting his gloved hands off against each other. 

“ Probably. You saw how angry and mean my  father could be… “ She laughed nervously, “ I think it’ll only get worse if we… try and sneak  out, you know? “ Suri thought it would be a horrible idea, truthfully. But she also desperately wanted to -  wanted to say yes. To rush out and leave her father  to deal wit hthe bakery by himself. To teach him a lesson.

“ … I don’t know. “

      Rosemary smiles, fondly daydreaming of their future life together as they bike to her home. Once they arrive though her giddiness is replaced with nerves. Before approaching the door and dealing with the consequences of breaking curfew, she quickly gives Theodore a kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight Theo.”

“ It was great. Nobody’s ever stood up to my  father before like that. And… I knew it wasn’t  going to work, so you did more than I expected. “   Suri let out a loud sigh. Her father wasn’t always understanding. What Theo had done already was more than she’d ever expected.

“ Thank you… “

THEODORE SUPPOSED THAT counted for a lot, but he still would have wanted it to work.  “You’re welcome,” he did find himself saying shortly after thinking that,seeing how sincere- ly Suri thanked him. Perhaps he ought to sim- ply settle for now. That encounter must have at least planted some seeds of doubt. 

   “You know I don’t mind…” If it was up to her, she’d stay out as long as she liked. As long as she lives under her parent’s roof though there is no chance that she’ll be able to do that. “Once we’re older things will be much easier. We’ll have our own place…and there will be no curfews to worry about!”

HE COULDN’T HELP but smile at the thought. Young as they were now, it was interesting to think about the fu- ture. Theodore was in no hurry to grow up at all, but the idea of having no cur- fews and having his own place with just Rosemary was very pleasing. If the two could have that and still stay, in some ways, the children they were now, then that would be perfect.