As far as the Sky

Chapter Four

Charlie-One week before

The phone rings in the living-room.

"Ethan! I shout.

-What?he asks, shouting through the house as well.

-Can you answer?

-Mom will take care of it."

I leave the book I'm reading on my bed and get up.

I step into his bedroom, he is playing video games with his friends.

"Go right, I'll go left", he says.

"Ethan", I call him.

He jumps at my voice.

"Oh my God, Charlie! What are you doing here? He asks as he puts his headphones off.

-This my house as well as yours.

-You know what I mean, what are you doing in my room?"

He is only half-listening, still focused on his game. Until the screen shows the words "Game over".

"You know mom and dad left, right?

-Are you serious? You made me lose my game just to tell me something I already know?

-Right. So, if mom's not here, how can she answer the phone?

-You try to make me go downstairs to answer the phone?

-I try to make you remember which day we are today.

-So, the point is...?

-Fourteenth of February, does it ring any bell?

-What about the fourteenth of February?

-Saint Valentine's Day?

-Oh...

-Right. You forgot.

-I can get her something!

-Better go now.

-You're right, he says as he gets up. Thank you, bro."

He hits me gently on the shoulder.

You're welcome, I guess, I think as he leaves his bedroom in a hurry.

"What can I get her? He asks as he goes downstairs two at a time.

-I don't know. Flowers? Chocolates? I propose as I follow him in the living-room.

The phone rings a new time.

"I got it", he says before I can even think of answering it.

He puts the phone to his ear.

".... Mr. and Mrs. Walker?... They're travelling but they'll come back soon", he answers.

"Yeah, I can take a note. What do you want to say to them?...A problem with what?!"

He looks at me, seeming troubled.

"This isn't funny. Hang up now if this is a joke."

"Hang up, I said", he repeats.

"What do you mean, this isn't a joke? This can't be anything else."

And he hangs up.

"Who was that? "I ask.

He stares at me with a serious tone.

"That was just a bad joke, he replies while faking throwing something behind him.

-Doesn't look like it.

-It's okay, Charlie", he laughs nervously.

I put my hands on his shoulders: