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Date Posted: 02:46:50 07/05/11 Tue
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-195-9.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.195.9
Subject: Vignette 4 - Bastille Day
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "Such a Good Man - Elena's Story" on 02:02:39 07/01/11 Fri

Vignette 4 – Bastille Day

“Do you think you’ll be home tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. Things have been really busy at work.”

Elena turned in her chair with agitation as she pleaded: “It’s Bastille Day tomorrow, Michael. I promised to take Adam to see the fireworks this year. He wouldn’t want to see it without his daddy.”

Michael looked at the computer monitor in front of him. There were three outgoing missions he had to provide tactical oversight for, 4 upcoming missions he was reviewing the profiles on, and a mission he was prepping, set to go out in 4 hours. None of the workload would be as problematic as the storm brewing on the other end of the line. He replied in a conciliatory tone: “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to be home before dark.”

Elena blew her hair in frustration as she looked out at the garden where Adam was riding his tricycle. “That’s what you said last year, and the year before. You’re going to miss out on Adam’s childhood, Michael.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

She barked out: “You’re always sorry!” Elena immediately regretted taking her anger out on her husband. It wasn’t his fault that his boss was demanding and had no respect for national holidays and family obligations. “I’m sorry to take it out on you, Michael. I know you’d rather be here than at work.”

“It’s alright. Give Adam a kiss for me.”

“Okay. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon.”

“Good bye.”

Elena pressed the end button on the phone and set it down gently, instead of throwing it across the room like she wanted to. It’s times like this that she had to give herself pep talks about Michael’s finer points. He was a wonderful husband and amazing father, but his frequent and prolonged trips were increasingly becoming a strain on their relationship. More so now that Adam was getting older and noticing his father’s absences.

She poured herself a cup of coffee and walked to the window to watch Adam play. She smiled as Adam fearlessly whipped around the corner, doing a wheelie. It was almost time to give him a real bike, and she made a mental note to talk to Michael about it when he comes home.

Adam was Michael personified in a pint size package. He was fearless and athletic, gentle and sweet, and utterly charming when he wants to be. Adam may have her coloring, but his personality was more like his father’s every day. About the only trait her son shared with her was his outgoing nature. Adam had never been shy around strangers and would make friends with just about anyone.

Michael was more reserved and quiet in new company, making his own observations before engaging in conversation. Not that he played a hermit and hide in the corner, but he was just more cautious when he met new people.

Elena sighed again, the morning’s conversation putting a damper on the upcoming celebration. She loved Adam unconditionally, but sometimes she longed for adult conversation. More specifically, she longed for Michael’s company. He was more of a listener than a talker, but she felt surer of herself when he was around; like he was the missing puzzle to make her whole.

The thought made her frown. While Michael was an integral piece to her and their family, she often thought he didn’t need them to fulfill him. He was completely self reliant, so completely sure of himself, that he could just as easily be on his own than with them. Shaking the unpleasant thought from her mind, she called Adam in for his breakfast.

*****

“Mommy, is daddy coming?”

Elena was putting a thin jacket on Adam to get ready to go to the park to see the fireworks. It was dark already and it looked like Michael couldn’t get away from work again. She sighed in frustration, but put on a smile for Adam’s sake.

“Not this time sweetheart. He’s really sorry he couldn’t make it.”

Adam lower lip started trembling as tears start to gather in his big brown eyes. “I want daddy!”

Elena thought to herself wistfully, me too. “I know honey. Daddy is busy at work, but he wanted you to go see the fireworks without him.”

Adam crossed his arms stubbornly and shook his head emphatically. “No! I want to go see it with daddy!”

“Maybe next time honey. Come on sweetheart, we don’t want to be late.” Elena took Adam’s small hand to lead him to the front door. Adam dragged his heels and started screaming in a high pitched scream. Elena stopped trying to lead him out and watched helplessly as Adam got ready to start throwing an epic tantrum.

Suddenly, the front door open and Michael walks through the door. Elena’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of her husband, as it always happened when he had been away. She drank in the sight of him, noting with consternation how tired he looked. He must have rushed to get his work done so he could come home.

Michael surveyed the scene quickly, before enthusiastically saying: “Who’s ready to go see some fireworks?”

Adam stopped screaming instantly at the sound of his father’s voice. “Daddy!” Adam hurled his little body toward his daddy.

Michael lifted him up, tossed him in the air, before catching him for a big hug. “Have you been giving your mommy a hard time?”

Adam shook his head, which was buried in Michael neck. “No, I’ve been a good boy.”

Michael looked over at his exacerbated wife, who smiled enthusiastically at him.

“You made it!”

He smiled and said: “I said I’d try.”

Elena smiled hugely at him before stepping forward and giving him a lingering kiss. All the frustration felt throughout the day was washed away, now that Michael was home. She felt that missing piece of her click into place as Michael smiled back at her.

“Shall we go?”

Adam enthusiastically piped in: “Let’s go see the fireworks, daddy!”

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