I finally understand what she meant.
The parents were two dead souls living in autonomous bodies just like my parents were before they died. It was a shame that they couldn't be reunited with their son, but I'm sure they would have known that, wherever they were.
The father stands up and walks towards me, his eyes red.
“How?” he manages to say.
I clear my throat, jamming my words in the middle of my trachea. I feel so emotional I can answer him yet, but she always saves me.
“There are a lot of things we can’t explain sir, we hope you understand, what I can tell you is, that this man rescued Ben, and he personally brought him to you.”
I'm surprised at how firm Sarah’s words are, I look at her proudly, knowing that this woman is mine.
The man holds me tightly in his arms, breaking into tears just as I do.
“I can never thank you enough,” he says in my ear.
The woman holds Ben in her arms and gives him to her husband, without losing sight of him.
“I have no words.” She hugs Sarah and me.
Sarah answers. “They’re unnecessary. We just wanted to make sure that Ben got back to his parents, safe and sound.”
The father kisses him all over and Ben laughs.
“Dad! Not in front of my friends!” We all laugh like idiots.
“Please come in,” says the woman. “The least I can do is offer you something to drink.”
“Oh, no ma'am, thank you but we've come from a long journey and we need to go back and rest.”
Read between the lines, woman! I need to have sex with my future wife as soon as possible.
“Don't go, Bruno!” shouts Ben, trying to slip out of his father's arms. As soon as he touches the ground, he runs towards me and locks his little arms between my legs.
It’s the first time he said my name, and that literally breaks my soul in half. I get down to be closer to him. “Now it's time for mommy and daddy to take care of you, Ben. Besides, this won't be the last time you see me. I'll come visit you as often as you want.”
“You promise?” He says sobbing.
“Have I ever broken a promise?” he shakes his head. “Give me a hug.”
He hooks his clumsy hands around my neck
“I didn’t forget my other promise.” I whisper in his ear.
I stand up, and I look at his parents.
“Just a friendly reminder, it wasn’t Ben’s fault, so please, don’t take the TV away from him.” I wink at them and they both laugh with tears in their eyes.
“He can watch as much TV as he wants,” says Logan.
Then is Sarah’s turn for a hug. “Goodbye Ben, take care of mom and dad, alright?”
“Yes, Sarah, and I will not tell my parents you curse a lot, don’t worry.”
Sarah's face goes red.
I laugh, that kid is something special.
