Morning Glory

Archie, go home!

Abigail Rosso loved routine. So when summer break was over and it was time to go back to school, she spared no time jumping right back to her usual schedule. Wake up at 5:45am. Get into the bathroom before her sister Veronika. Get dressed. Nothing crazy; she doesn’t want to stand out. Her hair can go either up in a ponytail or behind her ears; she wasn’t against some spontaneity. Check her bag. Make sure everything is there. Bread and milk for breakfast while listening to her father complaining about his boss he was chauffeuring at the time. 6:30 – time to leave for the train, in order to not have to hurry. Say goodbye to Archie the dog. Make sure the gate is properly closed so Archie can’t go after her. Down the street. To the right and at the first corner, turn left through Alder Street. Walk past the Zevean house without even noticing the dark, mysterious-looking boy admiring her from their garden. Take the train to school. Attend lessons. Pay attention. Get good grades. After school, back on the train. 1 hour until Tilia. Knit or study to pass the time. If she was lucky, it was Friday, and her boyfriend, Marcel, would accompany her, and they could spend their time kissing. Once home, do the homework. Read. Yell at brother Rudy for playing Metallica too loud. Read a bit more. 5pm. Mom is home from the brick factory. Eat dinner with Mom, Veronika and Rudy. Prepare for the next day. Finally she fell asleep to the thoughts of tomorrow’s breakfast. Her father Ralph would arrive from the pub at different times sometime during the evening. If she was unlucky, he would bring his friend Hugo and them, and her mother Aurelia would keep drinking in the kitchen. Which meant she couldn’t sleep. And her routine was broken. -There are some new people living in the house on the corner of Alder Street-noted Abigail one morning, still grumpy over losing her sleep. -It’s a family from the city-blurted her father under his moustache, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. - The husband Frank is an electrical engineer there. Ralph Rosso always seemed to know everything that was going on in the town. From all the people to all the land. And his expertise ended somewhere along the town's borders as well, even if he didn’t like to admit that. -Anyway, - he continued - he made a deal with the guy who used to live here, and he switched in his city apartment for this old shithole. Hahahha, can you believe that? -Why would anyone want to move here? - grunted Veronika while dipping her bun deep in the milk. -There is nothing wrong with this town, Veronika! stepped in Aurelia. - According to your father, they have three kids. The Alder house has a nice big garden, perfect for a family. - Yes, they must have had at least one son; I saw him in the garden the other day-confirmed Abigail, glancing over to the clock. 6:35. She’s late. Jump up. Take bag and leave. Rush, rush, rush. One time she doesn’t get sleep, and this happens. Down the street. Go, go, go. Abigail Rosso hated to be late. And even though, thanks to her immaculate planning, she still had plenty of time to catch the train, she couldn’t distract herself from the fact that she had left later than planned. Meanwhile Felix was still comfortably putting his shoes on, surprised by how early he managed to leave for the train today. As he got out of the entry, he noticed that he had arrived at the perfect time. There she was again, walking past his house like every other day, not even batting an eye at him like every other day, rushing her small feet faster than usual. Odd. And another thing. A big furry beast after her. A German shepherd, half her size at least. “This is my moment!”- thought Felix as he quickly rushed after them. “Okay, let’s go! You’re gonna take this beast and f**k him up!! You scare him; you save the girl, and she will be so grateful she falls in love with you…. Oh my god, close up, that dog is even bigger… BUT WHAT IS THIS BIG DOG TO YOU? Just a f*****g puppy!! He has got no chance against you; you’re the true beast!” Go, go, go. Quiet sniffing behind her. Very familiar. She knows this sniff. s**t …She forgot to check the gate. Just as Felix was about to jump on Archie, the loyal and protective German shepherd of the Rosso house, Abigail quickly turned around.- Archie! Get back home! Come on, go, go! Abigail pointed backwards, past a stumbled Felix, towards her house. Archie waved his tail for a few seconds, hoping for some pets, but to Abigail’s order, he disappointingly whined, then turned around and started heading back home. Felix didn’t know what to say. Things did not go according to plan. -You okay?-asked Abigail seeing his shocked face. -That’s your dog?-he blurted finally in embarrassment. -Yes-smiled Abigail-his name is Archie. He is a real sweetheart.- He is a real beast. I thought he was about to attack you..-admitted Felix, running his fingers through his thick dark hair. Abigail chuckled. - Yes, he grew quite big. He was the size of my palm when we got him. He likes to follow me around when I leave.- Then, maybe I should stick with you for the train ride as protection. To me. Abigail laughed. -I have a boyfriend. – She said after some thinking. -Right now your dog scares me more than your boyfriend. Abigail laughed again, thinking how Marcel truly wasn’t a very scary guy. In the meantime, Felix couldn’t help but notice that this is already the second time he made her laugh in less than a minute. Not bad for a plan that has gone completely wrong. Felix and Abigail kept waiting for the train together. Just like they did the next day and the day after that. And within a few weeks, the morning train rides with Felix would become a crucial part of Abigail’s routine.