“His school is no better, I see.” He scoffs, eyes focused intently on his old friend. “He’s doing his work, so what exactly is the issue? Not everyone likes to talk and some people don’t have a lot to say. What’s the use in forcing it?” He could talk for hours without stopping. Days, even! His Great-Aunt Deliria once tied a leash around his mouth just to see if it would make him stop his incessant chatter. As predicted, the attempt failed spectacularly!
“I would guess that he hasn’t found the right people to socialize with. When he does, he’ll open up. It just takes time. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with preferring the company of books.” The school would complain if he didn’t read enough, so this was really a lose-lose situation.
Lips stretch beneath his pencil-thin mustache, that familiar toothy grin settling back into place. “It’s a shame she can’t be here. I did always like her.” If she had been present this evening, Gomez would have found a way to bring Morticia along. The two of them could have discussed their latest potion recipes. Even Grandmama would have enjoyed that and she hated leaving the house! As the cards float overhead, he nods and holds up a hand.
“Say no more, old fellow. Consider this mouth stitched up. I won’t breathe a word to the boy.” Revealing something as big as that would require the right moment and the right time. Contrary to what people may believe, Gomez could carry a secret for years. He would carry one to the grave if it meant being loyal to a friend or family member. As long as it wasn’t one that would harm or come between his family, he was happy to keep his mouth firmly shut.
As Jonathan quietly admits the real reason for the invitation, he chuckles and reaches inside his pocket for a cigar. Without asking, he elegantly holds one out for his friend. Even if he didn’t wish to smoke, it was his for the taking.
“I can’t believe you’re asking me either.” He admits. Who would have thought that he’d be the go-to man when it came to parenting tips. Before his own came along, Gomez’s thoughts regarding children were very much clear to anyone who knew him. Becoming a father had changed many things and, although he still didn’t have much patience or care for other children, he knew how to love and raise his own.
“If there’s a manual, you start off by throwing it away.” All families were different and no book could apply to all of them. After lighting his cigar, he leans forward in his seat and offers the flame to the other. “You let the boy do what he wants. He’ll make mistakes along the way, but he’ll learn from them. Or maybe he won’t. Either way, you have to give him that freedom.”
Settling back again, he looks to the ceiling. “Teach him good values. What’s important to you? What did your sister teach him?” Being on the same page as one’s fellow family members was key. “If you two share different views, then you need to communicate. Always communicate even if it’s painful to you or him. Trust me, it’ll be even more painful years later if unresolved conflicts come back to the surface.” He and his brother had experienced that first-hand…
“Always put family first.” He states, his tone suddenly serious. “And I mean that. Nobody should come before them. No situation is more important than them. We have this saying; it’s family first, family last, and family by and by. Always choose them no matter what. Even if it means death.” He couldn’t stress that enough.
“If you do all that, you should be well on your way to that happy household you’re searching for.” He smirks and tilts his head. “Hopefully not too happy, though. Every family would benefit from a fair dose of melancholy.”
The change in Jonathan's expression when Gomez went from talking about Lewis to Florence was almost comical. But as funny as it was for the moment, it returned to a more solemn tone when his old friend continued on.
Gratefully taking the cigar, letting Gomez set it ablaze, he listened intently to the man, trying to soak in every ounce of details and advice he could. This was all so new and terrifying to him. No where in his life did he ever think he was a father figure, his own father certainly would never think so. For the entirety of his life, he really on looked out for himself with the occasional help from his friends every now and again. But this...this was uncharted territory.
After inhaling the cigar deeply, he breathed out waving his hand, watching as the smoke began to swirling about like an optical illusion, creating odd shapes as it rose higher and higher before disappearing into the ceiling.
Jonathan remained silent, that old internal wound of his reopening as an anger built up from the pit of his stomach. “Yeah well, tell that to my father. The old coot threw me out for being different. For doing magic. Thought it was dangerous and-” He shook his head. “I at least want try doing the father figure my own dad could never be. At least for my sisters sake....I owe her that much.”, he admitted, taking another puff of the cigar. “There. Melancholy enough for ya?”, chuckling darkly he grabbed a few chips and nodded to Gomez. “Place your bets; will I fail miserably at being a parent or will I succeed? One way to find out, right?”
Throwing a few chips onto the table, he leaned back in his chair, letting his finger drum anxiously on the table. “So, moving right along, how are you businesses treating you? Nothing new to report I assume? You always seem to have a good handle on them. If not, I am happy to help where I can, seeing as how you just helped me.”
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