Chapter 5

“I smell sandwiches!”

“Dad!” I squealed out with my mouth full. “Papa made me grilled cheese!”

“I see. It looks delicious sweetheart.” He ruffled my messy curls. As I tried to dodge his rough tousle, dad turned his attention towards papa. “Do you think papa made dad any?”

I grumbled, “I don’t know.”

Papa snorted at my comment, swatting dad’s hand away from my hair. He planted a kiss on his sweaty cheek, grumbling in disgust at the feeling. “Tony, your face is covered in sweat.”

“Don’t act like you don’t like it.”

“Not when I’m not the cause of it.” Papa pouted. His pout grew as he gestured towards dad's shiny face. “This is disgusting.”

“I’ll go wash my face.”

“And I’ll plate your sub.”

As dad left to wash his face, papa turned his attention to plating dad’s food. Unlike papa, dad enjoyed his meatball sub without any cheese. He’ll get a craving for one with it every now and then, but usually he enjoys it without it.

It wasn’t long before dad came back downstairs. His face was slightly damp and flushed from the scrubbing he gave. Papa rose, immediately going to nuzzle his nose into the crook of dad’s neck. He loudly inhaled, leaning back with a satisfied smile. “That’s much better.”

Dad chuckled, “I’m happy you're satisfied with my efforts.”

“I am.” Papa purred, “You're lucky the kids are around.”

As I looked on confused, Antonio and Joaquin simultaneously gagged in disgust at papa's words. Dad flush darken, “Joan!” He scolded, “You can’t say stuff like that in front of the kids!”

Papa cooed, “You're so cute when you're shy.”

“Papa!” Antonio groaned with his mouth full of food.  “We’re trying to eat! I would appreciate it if I didn’t throw up my food.” 

Joaquin sneered at our cackling papa, “Disgusting.”

I picked up another sandwich, watching as the red that stained dad’s face spread to his ears. I seem to be the only one who didn’t really understand what was going on, which wasn’t all that surprising to me.

“What’s happening?” I ask Joaquin.

Joaquin began, “Our father is being-”

“He’s just being weird.” Antonio interrupted. He flashed our brother a glare, who merely rolled his eyes and returned his attention back towards his food. Antonio turned his attention back to me, “You know how papa gets. Just ignore him.”

I glanced back at my fathers. Dad was now sitting in his seat, ears a bright red and a smile glued to his lips. His gaze was glued to papa, who was piling subs upon subs onto his plate. Happy with the amount that was there, he carefully picked up the plate and wandered back over to us.      

“A meatball sub for my hardworking man.”

“Thank you.” He settled in his seat, eyeing the piles of subs papa made. “You know how to treat a man right.”

Papa’s grin twisted, “You know-”

“Anyway!” Dad turned his attention towards me, “Noémie! Your papa told me that your starting to learn about Dagoons?”

“Mhm!” I nodded eagerly.

“Why don’t you tell us how that went?”

I eagerly began my tale of how my experience went. Even though all I did was hold the basket, I was still happy to share all the things that I learned. Learning is the first step to helping. Soon I’ll be able to venture into certain parts of the garden alone and help papa in his endeavors to maintain it.

With how vast it is, it’s a big job for only one person.   

One day, I’ll be able to help my papa.

Maybe even take it over when he gets too old to maintain it.

I smiled at the thought.

I couldn’t wait.