Amit & Adam

Chapter 17 - A New Promise

Adam walked behind with Frederick, he took him out on hikes and to museums, basically anywhere they could explore. Adam is a good dad, he taught Frederick alot aand is honest with him about his hardships.

I stopped and panted for air, Joshua followed now long behind, "No luck?"

I shook my head in defeat, "She's too fast."

Joshua looked behind to Frederick, "Hey Fred, could you get Marie for us?"

He looked up from being in mid conversation with Adam, probably about something philosophical, that's why I usually didn't like disturbing him when he was with his dad.

"Oh she's gone, again?" Fred asked unaware of his sister's absence.

Fred hurried ahead calling for Marie into the nearby trees, I sat on top of the hill we were on, "Well here is a good spot, it's got a nice view."

Both men agreed and we set up our picnic, Adam lowered his head, "Do you still think about it?"

Me and Joshua exchanged looks, we barely spoke about the past, especially now that we were too busy raising a family.

"I wrote about it and put it to one side. But I know if my father was still here, he would be very proud." I smiled sadly.

"I am glad that Fredderick can live at ease and have the freedom to do what he wishes. When I was his age I was getting trained to kill and hate." Adam told us.

"I don't regret speaking out against the Nazis, but so many people weren't as lucky as me." Joshua sighed, he looked over to Adam, "I never thanked you properly, I know we have had our differences, but if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here today."

Adam nodded, "No problem."

"Found her!!" A Fred called from the distance.

 He was carrying Marie on his back, she giggled as she bobbed up and down on his sholders.

Her green eyes gleamed at the sight of food laid out, she waddled over to Joshua, as I laid the food out on the blanket.

"Daddy I found a ladybird and I saw ducks...And...And!!" She excitedly babbled.

Joshua ruffled her hair, "Okay calm down, Marie. We are going to eat now."

"Who wants a jam sandwich?" I asked.

"I do!!" Marie flared her arms about.

"Anyone else?"

I spotted Karin walking up the hill with her husband, David. In the last few years they've ran a bookshop together, Karin has been doing well as an language teacher in an elite private school. Her 16 year old son followed behind sheepishly, he got his ginger hair from his father and terrible eye sight.

I waved over to them, "Nice for you to join us, Colemans."

"Where's Uncle Tomas?" Karin wondered, noticing my brother's absense.

I shrugged, "I don't know, he's probably still trying to figure out how to get here."

"Boo!"

Marie and myself were startalled by the sudden loud voice, I frowned as he laughed at us.

"Ah nevermind." I sighed.

Tomas smirked, "I followed Karin's car, so I did know where I was going."

Tomas was 29 years old, he was a free spirit. He hadn't exactly settled down yet, he wasn't interested in getting married anytime soon, especially to a woman. He was always traveling, he was like an flea, he wouldn't stay in one place for too long.

"I'm going backpacking round Europe with Jason tomorrow, so can't stick round for long."

I frowned, "But I haven't seen you since Christmas!"

"I've sent postcards."

Karin was too busy chatting away to Adam to notice Tomas' presence, while Joshua was trying to make sure Marie was occupied.

A hairy looking man was at the bottom of the hill waving, wearing a backpack, Tomas sprung up to his feet, "Oh he was meant to be waiting in the chair... Nice seeing you all, love you sis!"

He jogged down to the bottom of the hill, I narrowed my eyes, "Sure..."

Joshua kissed my cheek, "Don't worry, he'll  be taken care of."

"That's what I'm worried about."

As the day came to a close, we all headed back home. Adam had said his goodbyes to everyone and it was my turn, as I stood in the doorway at my house.

"It was good to see you." I told him.

He nodded, "Same."

There was this awkward tension between us, when you see someone once every summer, it was bound to happen.

"I've had a nice time, Fred is growing up quick, I wish I was there to see him grow up."

"It's not your fault. You're here now, that's all that matters."

I placed my arms around him, "You really did keep your promise, you're a wonderful person Adam Hans."

He gave me a smile as I looked into the same deep brown eyes my teenager self-fell in love with, "You are just as exceptional yourself."

Adam turned to walk down the path, as the sky illuminated with gold as the sun began to set. He gave me a wave, "See you soon, Amit."

A rush of pride washed over me as I waved back to him as he walked down the road.

We actually did it. We both survived and made it through somehow. I never would have dreamt I would have been in this position many years ago. In the corner of my eye, I swore I seen a figure that looked like my father.

"Dad..." I uttered as tears rolled down my cheeks.

He gave me a little nod and had a smile on his face. Before I turned to say something, he was gone.

The End