Robin and Juliette let Rowan play at a safe distance and returned to the bench.
"How do you get Rowan to obey you, do you have any technique?" she asked; Robin laughed.
"Technique? I don't have any technique; I just ask him for things and that's it."
"No, seriously, how do you do it? It's like you two have your own language, and you said earlier that you and Row 'read each other's minds'."
"Oh, that - that was just a joke."
"Maybe, but still, he's so compliant with you."
"'He's not with you? If he's giving you trouble, I can talk to him."
"Oh, no, that's not necessary," Juliette hurried to answer. "Cause they're not real problems, just little things, like refusing to eat, or to go to sleep. He wants to play all the time, or explore the house, mainly the garden."
"Well, children are curious; Row is no exception, maybe he's going to be a scientist like the rest of the Shens."
"Even scientists need to sleep - what human being doesn't?"
Robin was speechless, what human being doesn't need to sleep or eat? He, for one, since he felt almost no appetite lately, or sleepiness. He just didn't know why, so he didn't mention it.
"Do you think Rowie is sick or about to come down with something?" Juliette continued anxiously.
"I think kids go through stages like that, it's perfectly normal. Just stop worrying and let him play as much as he wants, maybe that way he'll get tired and finally go to sleep," Robin replied, putting his arm around Juliette's shoulders. Without a second thought, she cuddled up next to him.
"So you think his behavior is normal?" She insisted.
"Of course, also, don't forget that he's in his terrible twos."
"Right, that must be it," Juliette said, reassured.
"There, you did it again," she added, turning to look at Robin.
"What did I do?" he asked puzzled.
"You got me to calm down, you did the same with Rowan. It's like you have some magical power."
"I don't have any power," Robin laughed.
"Then why does Rowan obey you like that, and why do I feel so safe here next to you?"
"Do I really make you feel safe?"
"Yes. A while ago I was worried and nervous, then suddenly, with a few words, you've made me feel calm and happy again".
Juliette's words, and her sudden closeness, prompted Robin to move in for a kiss. His gesture took Juliette off guard, so she didn't put up any resistance. Their lips were about to touch when…
"Mommy, Mommy!" Rowan exclaimed coming closer.
The magical moment burst like a soap bubble, forcing Robin and Juliette to quickly pull apart.
"What's the matter, honey, are you hungry already? Do you want to go home now? " Juliette asked, her heart still racing.
"No, I want to play with Daddy," Rowan answered.
Robin didn't know what to say, this time it was him who had been taken off guard.
"Row, we said we were going home in five minutes," Juliette chimed in.
"No! I want to play with Daddy, please!" Rowan insisted; Juliette heaved a sigh.
"Well, at least this time he said please," Robin joked.
Then he left the bench to approach Rowan.
"Hey, Row, what did we say earlier that was important to do?" He asked him.
"Obey Mommy," Rowan replied.
"Exactly, so I'll play with you a little, then we'll go home, and you'll eat your lunch, okay?"
"But I'm not hungry."
"You sure will be by then. Now, what do you want to play?"
"I want to fly again."
"All right, let's fly then," Robin said, taking Rowan in his arms.
Juliette sighed again. It was obvious at this point that neither father nor son wanted to separate, and she understood them well enough because she didn't want to split up either. She was overjoyed to be there with them but confused as well by what had just happened. If not for Rowan's interruption, she and Robin would have kissed, like other times, only to have to continue living apart. How much longer would they have to endure this situation, a week, two, indefinitely?"
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