Hours passed since the first drop of rain. Leonard couldn't say how much time had gone by. Hunger and thirst, though still present, no longer topped his list of worries. From time to time, the wind stirred the branches, dropping fresh fruit that eased some of his torment.
"To think that just a few hours ago, I was so desperate... This is like paradise, I'd say. Except for this rain, everything's better since I got here."
Leonard lay against the tree roots, eyes turned upward. The old tree's canopy offered a sense of calm and peace. The movement of the leaves, stirred by the rain, was hypnotic—like sparks rising from a campfire.
"At this hour, Calli's probably on his way to work, right? Liam must have no one to talk to during his shift now, and James…"
Closing his eyes, he felt a red leaf land softly on his face. The cool breeze pulled him back to reality. After so many days lost in torment, Leonard had already given up trying to get home.
The leaf crumbled against his skin, its fragments drifting away with the wind, carrying Leonard's wandering thoughts with them.
"Well, everything here is warm-toned, but unlike what I thought, it sure rains a lot…"
Opening his eyes, a thunderclap shook the air, filling his vision with a white flash and a massive roar. The rain continued relentlessly, showing no signs of letting up. All he had was himself and that solitary tree, standing tall while all the others around gave in to time and wind.
"I feel like this tree... if it could talk. What a damn mess…"
Sighing, Leonard let himself drift into old childhood memories. He remembered the days when his mother read stories to him. Those were colorful times… a stark contrast to his current life, which seemed painted only in shades of gray.
"I remember the day she gave me this old scarf." He pulled it close to his nose. "Her scent still lingers after all this time, Sophie…"
Under those brief gentle memories, Leonard slowly succumbed to sleep. And with sleep came a beautiful dream.
…
Leonard sat on the couch, watching TV on a rainy autumn late afternoon.
Back then, Calli was five and Leonard eight. While Leonard was distracted by the show, Calli played on the carpet with two action figures. The cartoon on TV was one of their favorites: Ed, Edd n Eddy.
"Wow, this is awesome!"
Sophie came from the kitchen carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. His mother had unforgettable features: pale skin, blonde hair, and gray eyes that sparkled amid her delicate features.
"Boys, it's ready. Be careful not to mess up the couch! And remember to respect Grandma Morgiana when she arrives."
"Okay, Mom!" they said, one after the other—Calli excited, Leonard in a normal tone.
After a few sips and blows on the hot chocolate, the doorbell rang. Calli dropped his toys and ran to the door, leaving his mug on the coffee table.
"It's Grandma! It's Grandma! Open the door, Leo!" His excitement made him bounce from one foot to the other, waiting eagerly for his older brother to open the door since he couldn't reach the handle.
A few seconds later, Leonard reached the door, stood on tiptoes, twisted the knob, and unlocked it — the key was already in the lock, but he couldn't reach the handle's height.
Morgiana, their grandmother, wore floral pants and a long colorful shirt. The black gloves on her hands contrasted with the warm smile lighting up her face. Leonard never remembered seeing her without that smile.
He never recalled his grandmother's face without a smile—she was a very cheerful and friendly woman with everyone. Just like Calli.
"Grandma! How are you?!" The grandmother hugged them both at once, almost interrupting the ecstatic child's words.
"I'm well, little one. And you? Learned a lot today?"
Her hug was warm and comforting. Even Leonard, who usually seemed indifferent to the world, couldn't resist the warmth and smiled.
"Will you let me in? Or are we going to stay out here all night?" Morgiana joked.
The three entered the cozy room again after closing the door. Morgiana left the two grandchildren in the living room and went to the dimly lit kitchen. There, Sophie had just finished making a pie and was eating a few pieces before letting it cool.
"Oh… hi, Mom."
"How are you?"
In the living room, Leonard gathered the two mugs, now with just a little chocolate powder left at the bottom, and headed to the kitchen—but stopped when he noticed the serious tone of the conversation. He leaned against the kitchen wall and listened silently.
"I'm doing well, but are you sure you want to keep doing that kind of work, Sophie? It's hurting you, and you know it…"
"Mom…" Sophie hesitated, a troubled expression crossing her face. She felt a slight kick in her belly and held her breath for a moment. "It's almost over… I just need a little more money…"
"Daughter… It's destroying you, you know that… The two are so happy now, but what happens later? You know it's not just about you—it's about both of them, too. Or do you think in the future, when people find out, they'll think it's normal for two kids to have different parents?"
"Three… There are three." Sophie averted her gaze, almost whispering.
"Three? Leonard, Calli… Who's the third? Don't tell me you're pregnant again?!"
"I am, Mom."
"Don't tell me it's with another man… Is it?"
"Yes."
Leonard, despite not understanding the full conversation, felt the sadness in his grandmother's tone. That was enough to know something serious was happening.
That day, after Sophie left the house, Calli kept playing on the carpet. Leonard, on the other hand, remained quiet, watching Morgiana in the kitchen. The grandmother stayed there a long time, silently crying, while Leonard, powerless, couldn't do anything to help.