Morning Glory

Rudy buys new shoes

Rudolf Rosso was very passionate about the things he liked. Which were; the honest and liberating feeling he felt while listening to metal music, justice, and good quality shoes. To his advantage, he was smart, hardworking, and ambitious. And after one tireless summer work he was able to buy the shoes of his dreams.

-What do you think girls?-he stood proudly in the hallway.

-They look so fancy.-said Abigail crouching on the ground to get a better look.- How much did you pay for them?

-My whole salary.

-You spent your whole salary on a pair of shoes?!!

-I like them.-chimed in Veronika from next to her.-They are not just any shoes, they are Adidas, that is a very good brand.

-Thank you Vero, at least someone in this family appreciates my sophisticated taste.

-What the hell are you wearing son?-Ralph has woken up and emerged into the kitchen.

Veronika and Abigail looked at each other.

-Well I’m sure dad isn’t going to appreciate your sophistication.-mumbled Veronika to which Abigail gave a quick smirk. Then they quickly got up and moved out of the crossfire.

-Morning dad. These are my new shoes.

-What do you need new shoes for?

Clearly not impressed. He believed in using things for their purpose, and buying things they needed not wanted. He didn’t like his son’s obsession of quality and individuality reflecting clothing.

-I wanted them and I got them with my own money.

-What money? You got no own money.

-Dad I spent the whole summer working..-he started but Ralph quickly cut him off.

-Listen to me Rudolf, you live in my house, you eat my bread, you play by my rules.-Abigail, Veronika and their mother sat uncomfortably at the kitchen table.

-I’m an adult dad.

-I don’t want to hear about it anymore. You’re gonna return the shoes and spend your summer money on something useful, like getting a haircut, your head looks like a bird's nest.

Rudy didn’t answer. He just walked out and slammed the door, leaving an awkward silence behind him.

Finally Aurelia broke it off.

-Well that was a lovely..

-Morning Felix.

-Morning Zeno. How’s your mother doing?

-She’s doing well, thank you for asking.

The two boys were walking into their first lesson, with the enthusiasm of two washed out pigeons.

-Did you have a good morning.-asked Zeno with a wide smirk on his face.

-You know I always do.

-Did your girl dump her boyfriend yet?

-Not yet. But she was very talkative this morning, told me all about her family fighting.

-Any day my friend, any day now.

As they arrived at their class they took their seats at the back out of sight from the teacher.

-It’s so hot in here, I wish we could open a window.

-Well Felix you can go open the windows all you want.

-Yea too bad this whole building is there blocking everything.

-Why would they even build that stupid thing?

-Why did they put it so close?

-Literally. You got in there you couldn’t even turn around.

-Who even designs these buildings?

The boy talk quickly gained attention and others jumped on the idea of someone going inside between the window and the newly built building next to it. And like always, they already had the perfect candidate.

-Hey Lenek! Come on get behind the window.

Lenek, the slow but friendly class clown, stood up with a dopey smile on his face, and carefully climbed behind the window.

The space between the two buildings was truly so small that Lenek could only fit in standing straight.

The situation sparked cheerful laughter in the classroom that was only interrupted by the bell.

-Oop. Class is starting, gotta close the windows.

The boys closed the window leaving Lenek behind and got seated like good pupils waiting for the teacher to arrive.

-Good morning class…-said the lucky teacher then looking up took a sharp turn in her speech- LENEK?! What on earth are you doing there?

The classroom started roaming immediately.

-Yes Lenek, what are you doing there?

-Come one, Lenek, get inside!

-Yea get inside Lenek!

Lenek, trapped behind the windows, unable to move or talk raised his hand sideways waving like a drawn figure and put on his recognisable dull smile.

The room burst out in laughter.

A bit later, Abigail was sitting alone on the train looking out the window at the passing fields.

-Can I sit down?

Abigail looked up.

-Oh Marcel hi. Sure.

-I’ve been thinking a lot about you this week.-he said as he scooted next to Abigail.

-Have you?

-Of course I have.-Marcel put his arm over her shoulders-You’re my girl.-he smiled.

Abigail was filled with love from head to toe, she couldn’t deny it. That’s why it was so easy for her to forget all her doubts and hurt from the week before as soon as Marcel was next to her again. And against all logic she believed him when he said that he wanted to get back together, again. And at the end of her ride, her stomach dropped when Marcel broke up with her, again. Then she had to take the long and difficult walk home again.

But this time something was different. As she was walking in disbelief about what just happened, she felt the love she had for Marcel flow out of her body. From her toes up to her head until she felt nothing for him anymore.

-Hey Abbi, you seem to be in a good mood.-said Rudolf from the kitchen.

-Hey, I actually am.

-So am I, look.-Rudy pointed over to the hallway where his new Adidas shoes were shining brightly.

-You kept them?!! Dad is going to kill you!

-I don’t care, it’s my money.

-it’s your funeral.

And sure enough, when Ralph arrived home from the pub he sure had a lot to say. But to their family’s disfortune, Rudolf would not budge. He was prepared, confident and stood his ground.

And even though Ralph would never be able to understand his sons unreasonably expensive taste, Rudolf kept his shoes, continued to keep his standards high, and Ralph respected the man his son became.