LONDON, Arthur walked through Kensington Gardens with Bernard.
It was Saturday, the usual day off for Bernard. And this week, it was Arthur's day off as well.
Arthur had packed a picnic for them. He was getting good at the whole cooking thing.
In the basket: Salad wraps (vegan for Bernard; chicken added for himself), fresh strawberries, and homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies (or biscuits as Bernard would call them).
They got to the park; found a big tree that wasn’t already occupied; then they sat down under it.
It was nice.
Neither of them brought their phones with them, so they wouldn’t be distracted.
Unless someone recognized Bernard and begged him for an autograph.
So far, that hadn’t happened. All was relatively peaceful.
Until Bernard swallowed his water the wrong way and choked a bit.
He survived the ordeal. They laughed and joked about him becoming an EB or OS.
They ate. They talked. They held hands.
They watched some birds.
They watched some parents with their kids.
Bernard asked Arthur if he'd like children someday. It wasn’t the first time they've talked about it; but they didn't talk about it often.
"Maybe someday," Arthur said. "Definitely not anytime soon." Is that okay?
What if Bernard wanted kids soon?
Well, he should just ask him. Right? "How about you?"
"Same," Bernard said. "I'm not ready yet."
Arthur sighed with relief. Loudly.
Bernard laughed and squeezed Arthur's hand.
***
When they returned to the apartment and their phones, Arthur found a text from Zoe. She wanted him to call.
He called
Yes, she was still dating Mickey, but she might break up with him.
"Good!" he replied.
You don't even know him," she said.
"If Dad likes him, I know he's someone I wouldn't like."
Zoe laughed. "He likes Bernard."
"Well, that's why I'm divorcing him."
"You're not funny."
"I am. And as for your point. He likes Bernard. He doesn't adore him. You know how many times Dad has sent me a photo of you and Mickey?"
"He does that?"
"Did you not notice him taking the photo?"
Zoe was quiet for a moment. "Well, I guess. I didn't know he was sending them out."
"Well, he is."
"Mickey's not bad." He could tell she was getting defensive. "I mean he's not perfect. But just because Dad likes him doesn't mean he's wrong for me."
"Zoe, if you like him, that's fine."
"I feel like Dad pressures me to be with him, and you're pressuring me to break up with him."
Bernard came out of the bathroom and they did some non-speaking communication with gestures, eye movements, lip reading, etc.
Who is that?
My sister.
Which one?
Zoe.
Is she okay?
He shrugged his shoulders.
Bernard asked (again with gestures and stuff) if Arthur minded the TV on.
No, he didn’t mind. He got back to Zoe who hadn't been filling up his end of the silence with her own chatter. She had been quiet too. He wondered if she was just sitting there, or was she doing something while talking on the phone?
"So, what else is going on?" he asked.
"Not much."
Arthur got the feeling that there was something more; that she wanted to tell him something. Maybe it was a psychic-sibling connection thing? Or did that happen only with twins?
He tried to keep the conversation going. "Have you heard from Grandma lately?"
"No. Have you."
"Nope."
"Any other ghosts?"
"No," she said. Again, he had the sense she had something to say that she was not saying. "What about you?"
"No. Bernard almost choked at the park today. Then I would be married to one."
She chuckled a bit. Kind of fake.
They were quiet again.
Then she spoke. "Have you talked to Taylor?"
"Not recently," he said. Now that he thought of it, it had been quite a long time. Maybe over a month.
"She's eating…weird."
"Weird?"
"I mean not eating enough, and she's very thin."
"Like anorexia?"
"Maybe."
"She could be doing it to get attention?" he said, trying not to worry. "How many times did she threaten to kill herself in high school?"
"That was you, Arthur."
Oh. Oops. Yeah, he had done that a few times. Hadn’t Taylor done it as well?
"I'm worried about her," Zoe said.
"What about mom and dad?"
"They don't seem bothered by it."
"Well, they're with her more. If something was wrong, they'd know. They'll get her help if she needs it."
"Well… I guess you're right." Zoe didn’t seem very convinced.
They talked a bit more; then said good-bye. For a few minutes after the phone call, Arthur worried a bit about Taylor. Then he was distracted by a music video Bernard had on.
For the time being, he forgot about his sisters.
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