He heard the puppy speak before he caught site of his ambling son. Silvano looked down at the growing pup and marveled at the growth. He was getting to be so big that it almost surprised him how fast he was growing up. Had he and his sisters been this way too? He could hardly ask either of them, nor could he bring himself to struggle through a letter that might just never make it to them. If only they had not left him alone here without his family. It felt like a chain was severed from him and he was free floating in the worst place imaginable without an anchor to reality. Bitterly, he put aside that thought and gave a generous smile to his youngest son.
Kneeling before him, he wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes dramatically to peer at the boy's tongue. He squinted, and rubbed at his chin with an inquisitiveness he did not feel. Silly boy had been eating dust bunnies. The hotel certainly was full of them, and he could hardly blame him for exploring. Pups were expected to explore and learn that way. "Well, I'd say you've got yourself a case of splotchy-tongitis. We may have to give you medicine or else your tongue will fall off!" He knew it was dust and the boy seemed to know too, but it was all in good fun.
"Papa's on the case, Pascal. Let's get that fixed up." With a laugh, he scooped the growing pup into his arms and carried him in a rush outside, smiling stupidly as he held on to him. It was nice to be silly and ridiculous now and then, especially when everything else in his life seemed so serious. There had been deaths lately and no one was happy about it. It was good to retreat to the ignorance of youth and amuse his mind with their bantering rather than worry about the pack for a few moments in his day.
Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.
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