| Harriet with half a mind on the traffic and the other half on Kevin�s strange behaviour this morning was negotiating her car through the early morning peak hour. Kevin was well known among his friends and family for always being difficult to wake up but this morning�s reluctance to climb out of bed had been far worse than normal, and his vagueness, now that was strange. �It was almost as if he did not know who we were.� Harriet thought with a frown as she glanced over her shoulder to make sure she could change lanes safely. A red light distracted Harriet�s attention away from Kevin for a few seconds as she slowed the car to a halt and waited patiently for the lights to change. A tender smile touched her lips as she thought about her husband. For as long as she had known Kevin; he had always been enormously difficult to get out of bed in the mornings and in their earlier married days and he had often with amusingly nefarious means enticed her to keep him company there for just a little while longer. She sighed with a slightly faster heart rate, remembering those times shared in bed, and with a slight longing for the carefree romance of the childless days of their marriage. Children changed things of course, not that it was a bad thing, but sometimes you tended to lose parts of yourself in the daily grind of parenting. You maybe misplaced that spark, that romantic zing that made one�s heart beat that little bit faster but it was replaced by a comfortable existence of love based on the deep foundations of trust and knowing that you were loved and cherished. Kevin had always been the one to make her heart sing, she had known from their very first meeting that here was the guy for her and over time she had slowly peeled back the many layers of his personality, exposing each and learning about the man he was and loving him even more than she had thought possible. However, there was that time way before their marriage when she perceptively thought that she was almost close to losing him to his aspirations of fame and fortune. She had sensed his indecision, his inner turmoil, of how he was torn between staying at home or to walk that uncertain path on the boulevard of broken dreams that was scattered with other people�s failures. She had never asked why he stayed, nor would she have raised a finger to prevent Kevin from leaving, although his going would have broken her heart. Harriet�s vision of loving a person was never to use that love to bind them to you, for she valued her own emotional freedom too much to participate in that emotional but always destructive possessiveness that she had witnessed in several of their friend�s marriages. Then over the course of time, Harriet had watched many of those marriages fall apart. Mainly she chiefly suspected because the couples involved were not friends with each other and once that first flush of intense love had disappeared, there were no other foundations to build on as the emotional ownership of one�s feelings, the ties that bind became a prison to those affections. She would have none of that; she loved Kevin unconditionally, but with honesty, truth, accepting his faults and loving him anyway. In Harriet�s eyes, to love someone was to set them free, to meet them mind to mind, heart to heart but to do so in a way that each person retained their inner self and not lose themselves because of their love. That was the difference with Kevin and herself and many of their friends she reasoned; they were friends, lovers and partners in every sense of the word although they did have their ups and downs, good days and bad days, that went without saying, especially with two strong willed intelligent personalities. Every marriage had those times, but overall life was good, for they were happy and content with each other, still in an affectionate loving relationship. Even after ten years of marriage when Kevin looked at her, his sparkling green eyes were always full of love. Sometimes she would catch him unawares watching her and he would blush like a young boy at being caught with his hand in the sweet jar. Then he would give her that tender sideways smile that always stopped her heart and she would find herself in his arms being thoroughly but oh so enjoyably kissed. Only to be discovered by one of their sons or both in tandem and they would find themselves highly amused at the looks of disgust and complaints that any young boy had at the thought of anyone kissing a girl, especially their father and mother indulging in this horrible pastime. Kevin would affectionately ruffle their hair with a laugh and tell them that they would think differently one day. He was a wonderful father who adored his children, although he was not what you could call a strict disciplinarian. Often Kevin�s own boyish sense of mischievousness and fun lay behind the cause of many of Scott and Liam�s scrapes and adventures which the boys often found themselves in. From countless footballs and baseballs being hurled through windows to the adventurous nature of the two brothers, who did not balk at anything with the potential to break limbs and produce cuts, bruises and scrapes, so very much like their father, caution was often thrown to the wind. Many a time she had discovered three heads; two dark and so very alike with the other fairer head closeted together plotting mischief. Kevin also adored their daughter Annie, named after his mother. The look of joy and pride in his eyes when Kevin cradled his daughter in his arms for the first time after she was born was something she would never forget. Yes, Kevin delighted in his children and they in him. Kevin never seemed to regret his decision not to leave Kentucky but he had seemed distracted lately and she had begun to wonder if his thoughts turned to what might have been if he had at least taken the chance and left to seek fame and fortune in Florida. Instead, he had stayed, and being good with his hands had become a carpenter that had led to him running his own small building company. Which meant that Kevin rarely used the tools these days, the demands of his company dictated that he oversee the organisational side of the small company and maybe that is why he had been so distracted of late. Harriet she wondered if he missed working with his hands for he was a creative personality and their house was packed with handmade furniture that he had lovingly crafted. The traffic light changed and Harriet drove on making a mental note to try to get some time alone with Kevin without the children demanding all their parent�s attention, for both of them had been rather busy of late, and she felt that their relationship had been rather neglected. Like all thriving gardens, a marriage needed care, attention and love to survive. They needed a night out together with some rest, relaxation and adult�s time, where they could talk, get in back in touch with their feelings, which in the grind of everyday life sometimes took second place to the demands of raising a family and their work commitments. Harriet made a second mental note to give her mother-in-law a phone call today as well, for Ann was a doting Grandmother who loved nothing more than to baby-sit and spend time with her lively grandsons and her infant namesake. It is amazing how introspective thought can make the drive to work pass quickly and before she knew it, she had arrived at the facility where she worked as an occupational therapist. Harriet gathered her handbag and brief case and greeted everyone cordially as she made her way to her office. She flung her briefcase on the filing cabinet and sat down, flipping open her diary to see what today would bring. A round of planning meetings was on the agenda. Harriet pulled a face, although the meetings might not be as boring as usual, for Christmas was around the corner and they would probably be discussing the activities for the time leading up to the Christmas season. Harriet loved Christmas; it was a time of the year she especially found herself enjoying and she always threw herself into the festivities with enthusiasm. She knew a highly amused Kevin indulged her love for the season by decorating the outside of the house every year at her behest, manly putting life and limb at risk so he would jokingly inform her to survive yet another Richardson Christmas. It would be their turn to host the family for Christmas dinner this year; there could be quite a few people to feed if the whole clan turned up but she would think on that later, now she needed to get down to work. So opening a folder on her desk she turned her attention to work matters by preparing her suggestions and ideas for the next month�s planning committee meeting and Kevin, the kids, Christmas and all else were pushed to the back of her mind. ************************* Kevin had succeeded in getting himself dressed after rummaging around in the strange wardrobe full of even stranger clothes, which he did not recognise. He succeeded in getting the two boys ready for school and Annie ready for cr�che. He found he was sweating profusely despite the fact that winter was stretching its hag like fingers into last remains of fall and it was already quite cold outside, but he assumed the sweating was more a result of panic than feeling anything of the cold. �Car key�s.� he murmured as he fumbled about helplessly in an unfamiliar anorak pocket as he shifted Annie onto his other hip. Kevin felt a pair of green eyes watching him with suspicious interest. Scott muffled against the cold sat down on the stairs to wait patiently but the look in his eyes was watchful, assessing his every move. Liam was quietly amusing himself with his truck running it up and down the wallpaper, but Kevin was too distracted to stop him. �Do you know where I left the car keys Scotty?� Kevin asked as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair, again surprised at its longer length. His new clean-shaven look and longer hair would take some getting used to but for now he needed to get these kids off his hands so he could think straight. �Uh huh.� Scotty nodded with a mischievous glint flaring in his knowing eyes. Kevin recognised that look having seen it stare back at him in the mirror often enough and his heart sank. �Ok where did I leave them?� Kevin prompted, forcing his voice to sound patient when all he wanted to do was scream and dance about in frustration. He sat Annie down on the floor while he questioned her brother. Scott looked about the hallway, scratched at his nose, sniffed disdainfully then said with a perceptive look said. �Where you always leave them�. Dad?� He added for extra emphasis, which caused Kevin to glance sharply at him. Did this kid suspect he was not his real father? Well not exactly that he was not Scotty�s dad, because Kevin was gazing at a miniature version of himself. The same green eyes, that stubborn chin, all his features and mannerism�s so much like the grown up version of himself, that there was no denying this child�s parentage as he stared up at him. So it was apparent, that somewhere in this alter universe the Kevin Richardson that belonged here was the children�s father and Harriet�s husband. It was just that the Kevin Richardson he thought that was his existence did not belong here and yet here he found himself. Although he thought with a pang in his heart, that Harriet was sure looking beautiful, happy and contented, he found himself envying the other Kevin Richardson for his good fortune with this loving happy family, when his life seemed so barren and empty of love. However, these thoughts were getting him nowhere, he needed to find the car keys and young Scott�s recalcitrance in helping him to find the car keys was beginning to drive him crazy and he just remembered there was a school run involved which probably meant picking up other kids and taking them to school. He groaned, it seemed he was bringing his reputation for unpunctuality with him into this alter existence. �Ok Scott, look I�ve forgotten where I normally leave my car keys. Help me find them will you please? Aren�t we supposed to be doing the school run this morning, we�re going to be awfully late and you know that being late makes your mother mad?� Kevin held his breath and prayed he had that trait of Harriet�s personality right. From what he remembered of Harriet, she was normally a very relaxed person but she really disliked being unpunctual and that was normally the only conflict they had shared in their time together, for he was notoriously tardy. Scott nodded but was stubbornly silent and Kevin had no idea whether he was agreeing to help him find the missing car keys or he was agreeing with his summing up of that trait of his mother�s personality. Liam suddenly stopped rolling his truck all over the wall to placidly watch this battle of wills. �Don�t you think you should tell daddy where the keys are Scotty?� Liam reasoned imperturbably as he glanced at his older brother. Kevin watched Liam�s calm, reasoning demeanour, as Harriet�s pale green eyes were turned upon his sibling with an expression on his face so much like his mother�s and so beyond his years that Kevin was stunned into silence. Annie ignored on the floor was beginning to dig in a pot plant with the greatest delight. Scotty scowled at his younger brother who watched unmoved by his glowering frown and just stood there with a patient look upon his face and stuffed his truck into his already bulging pocket. Scotty snorted, wiped his nose with the cuff of his sleeve and turned on heel into the kitchen where he reached up and took the keys off their hook by the door. He ungraciously chucked them at Kevin and glared daggers at his younger brother who just placidly shrugged his shoulders and smiled at his father before telling Kevin. �Er Daddy� Don�t you think you should stop Annie eating the dirt.� Kevin already about to rip his hair out turned and to his horror saw his would be daughter cheerfully munching on potting mix. He muttered a curse under his breath, and hurriedly scooped the infant up in his arms while wiping her mouth free of dirt. Now close to losing his temper that was already balanced on a fine edge due to the strangeness of his circumstances, and although he adored children, he was not used to actually having to be the parent to a ready made brood, whether they looked like him, shared his genes or not. Today was too much of a shock to his already overloaded senses as it was and he was close to snapping. Liam recognising that they were walking on thin ice tugged at his brother�s arm. �Get in the car Scotty.� Scott angrily tugged his arm out of his brother�s grasp. �Snitch, traitor!� He taunted. That was too much of an insult to his younger brother who promptly lashed out with his foot tripping up Scott as he walked forward. Obviously, the placid Liam had reached his breaking point and a scuffle broke out as the two boys traded blows worthy of a hockey game and Kevin admiring the younger siblings spirit and reminiscing about his own spats with his older brothers decided enough was enough. Not wanting the two boys to show black eyes to their mother and Kevin subsequently being blamed for the ruckus, he stepped in and dragged to two fist-swinging combatants apart. �That�s enough fellas.� He told them in his best authorative voice as he frowned at them over his heavy dark brows. �Get in the car now!� Amongst a bit more pushing and shoving where Kevin bodily decided to step in between, he phrased his request to Liam, who at least seemed predisposed to being reasonable. He offered the keys over. �Can you go open the car and take your sister�s bag for me please. Good boy.� Kevin glanced back at a scowling Scott and appealed to his sensibilities. �Come on Scott, if you won�t get in the car for me, do it for your mother.� Scott picked up his bag with a sniff of disgust and silently followed his brother to the car with a sulky look on his face. Kevin breathed out a sigh of relief, hoisted Annie more comfortably on his hip and followed the mutinous child towards the car and the dreaded school run. He hoped Liam would be helpful as Kevin did not have the faintest inkling on what to do or where to go, this was improvisation and flying by the seat of one�s pants at its best. Kevin made sure everyone was secure and safely belted in when he found himself behind the wheel of a people mover now about to do a school run, whatever that was. He sucked in a few deep breaths and tried to remain calm, this feeling of drowning in a situation way beyond his control was continuously threatening to overwhelm him. With an anxious start, he found himself seated next to Scotty who glared defiantly up at him. Kevin tried to ignore his fit of the sullens as he backed out of the driveway; desperately praying he did not stall the vehicle for his concentration was shot to pieces because his mind was rather frazzled at this particular moment. �Hey Liam, where do we go first?� Kevin asked hoping that this middle child would feel so disposed towards helping him. His instincts were right. �We normally pick up Lia, she�s just down the road. STOP daddy! See there she is waiting for us.� A pudgy finger pointed out of the window to a small girl Kevin guessed to be around Liam�s age. Kevin halted the car and picked up Lia. They continued in this vein with Liam giving the directions until they arrived at the school. The kids clambered out and Liam leaned over the seat to kiss Kevin on the cheek. �Bye Daddy, see you tonight.� �See ya kiddo, hey Liam?� Kevin called after him. Liam spun around. �Do I pick you up after school?� Liam giggled. �Daddy you�re so funny, you know Lia�s mummy picks us up, see ya later and don�t forget we play football in the yard this afternoon.� Waving, he ran off following Lia through the school gates. All the time he had been talking with Liam, Kevin had felt Scott�s eyes burning into him. Kevin turned to face the music. A small face with a pair of serious green eyes were regarding him warily his tiny stubborn chin jutted out with determination. His little hands were clenched tightly into two fists as he asked defiantly with a slight wobble to his voice �What planet are you from and what did you do with my dad?� Kevin felt his lips twitch in surprise and amusement but he suppressed the smile and tried to look serious as he tilted his head sideways and queried with a raised eyebrow. �Planet?� �Yeah planet, you�re an alien invader and you�ve abducted my dad� my real dad.� Scott told him in a feisty voice and a fierce expression. Kevin sighed and turned around to make sure Annie was all right; she was still sitting contentedly in her car seat sucking on her fingers. He returned his attention to Scott and chewing his lip weighed up whether to tell Scott the truth. He figured he really did not have any choice but to trust his would be son. �Look Scott, if I tell you my story, you won�t think I�m some mad lunatic or anything will you, I swear to you I�m not?� Scotty looked dubious and Kevin hastened to reassure him. �Look I haven�t done anything with your dad.�. Scott, let me drop your sister off at cr�che and then I�ll try and explain things the best I can, this is just as strange to me if you can believe that? Will you trust me?� Scott thought about this and reluctantly nodded grudgingly. �Ok.� �Good boy, now I need your help, where on earth do I take Annie to cr�che? Do you know?� Kevin asked with a huge outtake of breath as he expelled his feeling of relief that Scott might just co-operate with him. �Yeah, it�s down the road a few blocks.� �Great.� Kevin restarted the car. �We drop off Annie, then how about we go find somewhere to talk?� He pulled out into the flow of traffic when a thought occurred to him. �Hey Scotty am I supposed to be at work today?� � No, it�s Friday, you usually have a day off on Friday, you�re the boss so you can do that and that�s why you do the school run�s Friday mornings but if you need to, sometimes you work at home doing paper work and stuff, though you always grumble about paperwork.� �Do I?� Kevin glanced sideways with a smile, seemed his alter ego hated paperwork as much as he did. �By the way what do I do exactly?� �You�re a carcanter, but now you�re the boss of your company, you build houses, you built our house so mummy tell us. You better stop here, this is where we drop off Annie.� �Carcanter? Oh a carpenter, is this the place?� Kevin indicated and turned into the car park following Scott�s directions. �Is there anything I should know? Should ask when I drop Annie off?� he queried as he unstrapped the infant out of her car seat, she settled comfortably on his hip as if she almost belonged there. At least she seemed to accept him as her father and was not giving him any trouble. He doubted whether his already overwrought mind would cope with a screaming infant; he was having enough trouble digesting the muddle he found himself in as it was. �Nah you just take her in and they take care of things.� Scott sniffed. �Ok, great.� Kevin collected Annie�s bag and tried to look as if he knew what he was doing, it was not to long before he was back sitting beside Scott in the front seat of the car, sending thoughts heavenwards that he had winged that particular experience of this alter life. Kevin stared thoughtfully out of the windscreen before turning his attention to the child waiting patiently beside him. �I guess we should talk hey?� Scott nodded and Kevin sensed there was a hint of curiosity behind the childlike intelligence that lay within his eyes. �Any suggestions?� Kevin asked. �I guess we could go to the park.� Scott suggested with a shrug of his shoulders. �Sounds as good a plan as any. Lead on Han Solo.� Kevin smiled taking a gamble that with his earlier mention of aliens and other planets that Scott was a fan of the movies that he, Kevin as a young boy had loved. �Does that make you Chewbacca?� Scotty asked with a glimmer of a smile. �Well I guess so, but technically I really should be Han.� Kevin�s smile broadened as his bow drawn at venture hit its target. �How come?� Scott asked with a puzzled look on his face. �Cause I�m flying the car.. well driving it.. but you know what I mean.� Kevin reasoned as he started the engine. �Yeah well�.you might be driving but you don�t know where you�re going, that makes me Han.� Scott pointed at his chest. � Hey does that make Liam Luke Skywalker?� Scott asked as an afterthought and with the first smile Kevin had seen in his eyes since Scott had noticed him wearing Harriet�s dressing gown. Kevin grinned a sideways smile not unlike the smile of Han Solo. �Yeah kid, it just might.� Then he felt a funny sensation in the pit of his stomach at the thought that Harriet would make a great Leia to his Han but he was not going to suggest that to the boy beside him, however, those thoughts were better left unsaid as he walked an uncertain path in this dreamlike state he found himself in. |