There Is a Boy Ithaca, New York

One day

Evening. Sara came into the bedroom after showering. She wore white T-shirt and black strings. Michael slept. He was so tired that he fell asleep until he undressed. Sara started to unbutton his shirt and unzip his trousers.

Michael catched her butt with closed eyes and started to stroke her wet hair.
-Oh Michael, stop. Sleep.
-How long have I been sleeping?
-Only few minutes.
-Mhm... Come to me. I had a dream. I still have nightmares from all prisons. I see these people...
-Honey, relax. I know it's hard but you have us. It's the past. It will never happen anymore.
-I hope so. If something will happen to you or Mike...
-Baby, try to fall asleep. I'm here for you... to support you. We can get through this together.
-I'm so glad that you sleep next to me every day.

She laid down on his chest and he kissed her forehead. Sara listened to the heartbeat that she thought she'd never heard again.

-I have training course tomorrow. I won't overnight home. Can you stay with sonny boy, Michael?
-Yes, of course. We gotta spend time together. He needs father. I feel it. When I was 7 years I missed my father so much. He was never home.
-I know what you felt. (They kissed) Good night, love you.
-Love you too.

Tuesday, 1p.m.
Mikey left school and looked around to see mom but immeditaly somebody covered his eyes.
-Mom? No... Daddy!!!

Mikey jumped into father's arms.
-Hi, sweetheart. I have all day just for you. We'll do homework and we're gonna do whatever you want to.
-Are you kidding?
-I've never been so serious.

Black eyed girl who stand next to Mikey looked at Michael smiling.
-Dad, this is Lila. My new friend. We played football today. She is better than boys!
-Hi, Lila. Are you waiting for parents?
-Yes. My dad is gonna pick me up.
-So we're waiting with you.

-Hey, Papi!
-What? Sucre? What are you doing here?
-I'm picking up my daughter?
-I can't believe. Do you live in New York?
-We've already moved. I got good work here. I wanted to make you surprise but it's failed.
-Awesome! We need to drink beers together.
-I have free day so no problem. Wait. I'm calling to Maricruz. (Hello, honey...)

Michael put his hand on son's shoulder.
-Have you known is that uncle's Sucre daughter?
-Yes, she told me but she told me also not to tell you.
-Cleverly. You'll have fun. Remember about respect and fair play, ok?
-Ok.
-Girls are sensitive. Don't let anyone hurt them.
-Understood.

-Let's go, Papi. We have a lot to say.
-Daddy, Mikey is my best friend now.
-I thought he is your boyfriend.
Michael said laughing. Children looked at him angry.
-I don't let her have a boyfriend to her 50. birthday.
They both laughed and came into the cars.

Sara did her make up.
-Hi, mom! We have guests!
-Oh my God, Sucre. Are you in New York? Sorry for the mess but I'm hurry up.
-We live in Ithaca now.
-That's great. Finally we'll meet often.
I need to leave. Sweethearts, lunch is done.
She stood up and kissed her men.
-Be safe. I love you.
-Don't drive too fast, Sara.
-Yes, I remember. Bye.
-Bye, mummy.

Mikey sit on father's knees.
-Mikey. Now do your homework and then you can play with Lila.
-Ok...
-Lila, you too. Take your bag. You can work together. You're a team now.
-Uncle Fernando is right. Mikey, help Lila. She is new at school.

Mikey took Lila's hand and they went up.
-I can't believe, Papi. I've never thought we'd drink beer together again.
-That's something hard to believe. But we're alive. We survived. That matters...
Family matters. I've never been so happy before.
-I see, Michael. I see.

Michael and Sucre talked few hours. Mikey and Lila had really good time in the garden. Proud father watched them smiling.
-I think they really like each other.
Michael said.
-Lila is obsessed with football.
-I see. My son is obsessed with prisons and tattoos. It's weird.
-Don't be surprised. You're a hero for him. He doesn't know what a hell prison is.
-Yeah, true. Your daughter is beautiful angel.
-And you bring up a gentelman.
-I try my best. I need to work on more angels in this house.
-Haha no problem, Papi. Just take your woman and done.
-Haha yeah.
-It's late. We're gonna go home. Thank you for everything.
-I thank you. Good to have a friend you close.
They hugged.
-See you. Maybe tomorrow.

-Lila, get ready.
-Bye, Mikey. See you in school. I'm gonna outplay you tomorrow!
-Bye!

-Mikey, go wash up. Then we're gonna watch something.
-I want to go outside.
-Enough for today.
He stroked his hair.
-So tell me a story, ok? Tell me something about your and uncle's Linc adventures.
-Ok, I will. Go, sonny.

Michael changed sense of stories. He couldn't tell him what happened for real. He was too young. Little boy can't hear a lot of escaping, fighting and life on the run.

After showering they built buildings from blocks.
-No, not like this, honey. It's gonna fall down.
-Yes, right. How do you know that?
-It's just math.
-I want to be as good at Math as you.
-You need to work hard and study.
-I will. I have a question.
-Yes?
-Do you love mom?
-Why are you asking?
-Because my not real dad kept saying he loved her but he lied to her. He did very bad things. You say that too and I was wondering.
-You know, baby. Real love never ends. So as long as I say that to your mom or you I'm honest. Don't think about old dad.
-It changed so fast.
-No worries, Mikey. I'll stay with you forever. I'll do everything to be with you.
Mikey hugged dad.
-I'm sleeply.
-Me too.
-Can I sleep with you?
-Sure.
Michael smiled and as always he picked up him  and started to tickle.
-Hahahhaha stop! I can't anymore!
-Stop laughing if you wanna come with me
-Daaaaaad! It's unfair.
Mikey smiled and didn't want to let go his father.

They went to the bed. Mike laid down on Michael and they feel asleep like that.
Michael woke up. Mike slept like an angel talking things about building industry. He started to record it. It was way too cute.
Michael noticed origami on the bedside cabinet. It was a message inside.

TIDY UP MIKEY'S ROOM. LOVING MOM AND WIFE.

'Heh. Sara has come back.' He thought.
'My princess is finally home.'

Michael went down steps and hugged Sara from the back.

-Hi... You smell so good.
She kissed him.
-How did you sleep?
-Good but Mikey still put his feet on my face.
-Haha I know that feeling.
-I think it's 'one day' I used to talk about. I have family and you all are safe. It's just perfect. I wish I had more time for us.
-You sacrifice a lot for us. I'm grateful.
-I'm grateful for every day which I didn't spend in a prison cell.

Sara stroked his head.
Michael:
-Sucre's daughter is cute. I thought about playmate for Mike.
-You mean?
Sara smiled.
-I mean another little Scofield.
-You surprised me. If you had a daughter you would be crazy about her.
-I already love her.
-So one day.
-One day, Sara.