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Enzo was glad to be home, laying next to the love of his life and their son in the other room. Nights like this made everything feel peaceful, without the stress and boredom of checking jets or searching for space agencies. If it were possible, he’d prefer living peacefully but also fun with his family every day.
If it wasn’t a Thursday, everything would feel like that- peaceful and fun. Not much of a chance when you work in the Air Force, he thought to himself.
Enzo’s eyes struggled to open as the alarm went off again, but he still turned it off with a hit of his fist. He blinked at the light of his watch. 5:46 AM.
Too early, his brain whined but he knew he had to get up. The place is far enough from home—it takes a while to get there, and he has to get a bit earlier than others to get there. Not only that-
Yeah, he should just get up.
He silently dragged himself from the bed, making sure Delilah didn’t wake up from the creaks that he has to fix when he has time. He turned on the light switch in the hallway as he went to the bathroom.
…He looked like a mess, he could say. His hair going in all different directions, his eyes drooping every minute, and his beard looks weird. He slaps water on his face that did not erase any of the imperfections but did wake him up a bit more. He opens the tap in the shower and goes back to the bedroom to get his uniform ready.
He should be quick, the water makes a lot of noise, and Delilah is sleeping just next to the bathroom. Junior has school, too.
He enters the shower and immediately warms up in the hot water. Even though he knows he’ll get hit with the cold weather again once he goes outside, he hummed in ease as he stood under the shower head. Warming showers are always the best part of winter, not gonna lie! Heaters and sweets, too. Maybe he should get some chocolate after work. Though Junior might try eating too much in a day and get a stomachache again. He already had one a week ago.
Oh, right. He finishes his shower and shaving his beard, then immediately covers himself with a tower to not get cold, head to toe. Nope, not now, it’s warm and he’s feeling great.
He puts on his uniform before going to Delilah’s side to check on her. She’s awake, just lightly. Probably because you took too long showering and talking to yourself inside.
"…Enzo," Delilah hummed, moving slightly and staring at him with half-lidded eyes. "Can you make a sandwich for Junior and me before you go?"
Enzo smiled, "Sure. Grilled cheese?”
Delilah nodded and closed her eyes as she whispered something unintelligible.
He quietly passed through Junior’s room, opening the door slightly, taking a quick peek inside. He smiled at the sight of the blanket covering Junior underneath— it was cold, so he doesn’t blame him, it’s probably very comfy too. He wishes he could convince Delilah they do need a thicker blanket, and he doesn’t warm up as fast as she does. Either that, or he’s gonna start wearing his winter coat to sleep!
Maybe he could bring the heater to both rooms, and bring out the old one for that. I don’t remember where it is, though. Best to just get a thicker blanket and put the heater into Junior’s room.
He prepared three sandwiches and a coffee once he went downstairs. The view looked wonderful through the yard’s glass door, the sky still dark behind the fences. Orion must’ve set a few hours ago, and only a few he didn’t remember right now are visible. I wonder if Junior took pictures before sleeping, he looked excited with his new camera.
That Christmas night was fun, now he remembers. Just the three of them-except the calls and messages they got from workers and friends- and snow outside the window, movie on the TV after the countdown and celebration. The cookies ended up really good, too! Maybe they can make it again this week and put on a movie to eat with. A movie night, maybe?
Enzo dwelled on his well of ideas, sipping from his coffee, until he snapped out of it as he caught something moving.
Enzo froze, lowering the mug and staring at the shadow outside. Is he just imagining it, or is it just some type of illusion nature makes sometimes? It doesn’t look like a tree’s shadow though.
Then there is a sound of… footsteps.
Is it an intruder? Or someone just walking outside? Or maybe- Okay, there are a lot of possibilities. But it could be someone dangerous.
…A robber sounds more likely now.
Shit.
…He can use the knife, but it could make things worse; it probably will. It’s better than not being armed, though? So maybe… Even though he doesn’t know much about fighting with a knife, it’s better than nothing!
…Or he could call the police right now like any smart person would and stay upstairs for safety. He can get injured if he tries fighting firsthand, when he doesn’t even know how to use a knife. They would have a weapon with them obviously, so fighting with fists are out of the question.
He swiftly locked the doors, hiding behind things while doing so, and waited for any type of outside noise as he put his hand into his pants’ pocket…
Are you- He left his phone upstairs? What kind of dumb horror movie is he in right now?
He sneaked around the kitchen to the stairs, and tried spotting the source of the shadow from there.
…Oh thank god. It’s not a robber, the shadow’s too small to be at least an adult. It’s probably a teenager walking by.
Seriously, did he freak out over someone taking a morning walk? Jesus, calm down- Wait, no. The shadow is from inside, not outside!
Enzo approached slowly, tilting his head to see the person inside their backyard and gripping the knife tighter. Please not be a robber.
…He sighed, relieved upon seeing Junior- Wait, Junior?
…Oh. He tricked him. He just scared the hell out of him by sneaking outside, waking up earlier than him.
Now that he mentions it, how? He remembers having to drag Junior inside the car after they had to get to the airport in the early morning last summer holiday.
He puts the knife back in the drawer he took it from, then he entered the yard and breathed in clear and cold air, pulling his uniform’s jacket tighter around him; he turned to Junior who was standing there. He still hasn’t noticed him yet.
He coughed. "Good morning.”
Junior jumped back as he still held onto the telescope; looking scared, then surprised. He was still in his pajamas, with spaceships and stars, and he looked fully awake. Even more than Enzo himself was.
Enzo sighed, "Why are you awake? Did you stay up all night or you woke up early?"
Junior looked to the ground, putting his hands behind him as he rocked back and forth on his heels. He nodded as he raised two fingers.
Okay, at least he didn’t stay up. That would have been a problem. Well, not really, he could just stay at home if he struggled to stay awake later on; winter holiday is coming up anyway.
Enzo sighed. He’s gotten worried, thinking someone was entering their house to rob them, maybe even hurt them; though he’s more glad his son’s just having fun with his telescope and camera. He used to do that himself when he was young, though it was whenever his dad would fall asleep on the couch or just when he wasn’t paying attention.
"Did you take any photos?" Enzo asked in a softer tone. He was feeling very tired now, the fear of a robber fading away and leaving a light weight on his entire body, like the “is a ton of bricks heavier or a ton of feathers” question.
Eh, probably bricks right now. Feathers are a better feeling than-
God, what is he saying? Did he mix up something inside his own coffee, too much sugar?
Enzo focused on who is in front of him as Junior had just nodded, looking at him straight in the eyes now.
Enzo smiled. At least one of us is doing okay. "Can I look?"
Junior, now, looked excited and quickly removed the camera from his neck. Enzo looked and looked through the gallery, his smile growing at each photo. He’d say they’re good for a beginner, and the ones of the Moon were amazing! A bit blurry, but that is to be expected. I’ll tell him about the shutter speed later. It has been some while since he has taken one himself, maybe he forgot some things... Later, then.
"I think they’re really cool," Enzo said as he gave the camera back.
An idea struck his mind. He was telling more stories and fun facts about space these days. He could tell one right now, too, quickly. Besides, it can wake him up better and his day better. "Want me to tell a fact about a star?”
Junior nodded quickly, his eyes brightening.
Enzo pointed at the upper north, a dot he’d used in stargazing multiple times, and one to get himself out of a forest after a “camping gone wrong”— he won’t elaborate. "That is Polaris, the North Star. I think you can tell why it’s called that— because it’s always at the north. At the lower left, there is Ursa Major AKA Big Dipper; in the upper right, there is Cassiopeia.
Polaris stays where it always is, but both of the constellations circles it. Which means they’re across each other. Also, you can use the Polaris star to find your way and get directions if you’re lost. Basically, you can use the constellations and/or the star to find your way, or to figure out the other constellations.” Enzo coughed. Maybe he shouldn’t talk much in the mornings. Nah, it’s just the coffee. I’ll get over it later.
“Cool, right?" He smiled down at Junior.
He nodded happily, now looking at the bright star on the tip of his finger.
"Both of the constellations are basically visible all year round, so you can take cool photos!" Enzo put a hand on Junior’s elbow, then frowned. "By the way, you should wear a thicker jacket right now. Your arms are already cold.”
His son didn’t reply. "Junior; you’ll get sick, it’s literally winter. It’s cold and you are too. Get inside and eat your sandwich, too.”
Junior groaned and stomped his way inside. Enzo walked right behind him. He gotta pack his bag and leave for work, anyway.
Just wait a bit more, he assured himself. You’ll find a space company to apply for, and you’ll achieve your dreams of becoming an astronaut. Just wait and work harder.
After doing said-tasks, he watched as Junior walked back outside with his favorite blue jacket on and his sandwich in his hand.
"Have a good day at school!" He waved from inside. Junior smiled widely and did the same before disappearing out of his sight in the yard.
Enzo inhaled the air again as he locked the door behind him before getting into the car. Immediately, he heard a phone ringing.
"Dammit, where is-" He grabs the phone from the coffee holder. Seriously? He forgot it there? What was he on last night, wine?
…What is he even saying now? Just take the call.
‘Jesse’
He clicked answer. "Hey, good morning."
"Good morning! Are you coming right now?"
"Yeah, I’m-" He turned on the car and started to get the car out of the driveway. "Coming. Leaving, right now."
"Great, well, take the freeway. Lieutenant wants to talk to you about a mission. I think it’s important, but I’m not entirely sure. Still, get here quick."
"…Alright, I’m coming."
"OK, see you later. Oh! Can you also-“
"-Get muffins?”
”Yeah, thanks!”
“Okay, bye." Enzo turned off the phone and focused on the road. He sighed deeply.
Today’s going to be another busy day. Muffins first, though. Maybe he can butter up Lieutenant with them? Nope, he won’t fall for it; he’s not like that. But maybe-
Ugh, eyes on the road Enzo.