"The Fool", Jain

"Auntie Elise," Matteo screamed while jumping into my arms. I hugged him tight and kissed the crown of his head.

"Hi, sweetheart."

The little boy clung to me and I extended my free arm to side-hug Valentina, who smiled apologetically.

"How are you, honey?" I asked. "I am so glad to see you both."

We sat on the couch of my apartment, with Matteo on my lap. As soon as Aidan entered the room, though, I turned into old news.

"Uncle Aidan," Matteo said, pulling away from me and trying to reach the ground.

Aidan greeted Valentina and answered Matteo's grabby hands by lifting him up in his arms. "Hi, angel."

"Let's draw," Matteo said.

Aidan laughed. "Sure. Actually, I prepared something for you." He walked towards a table in the corner of the room, where some large sheets of paper and a big stack of multicolored drawing crayons were waiting to be used.

Matteo gasped and smiled. And when his feet reached the ground, he ran towards the crayons and started to draw even before being completely seated. Aidan glanced at Valentina and me, and sat with Matteo, starting a sketch of his own.

"I hope it's not too much trouble for Aidan to play with Mattie," Valentina said.

I snorted. "Are you kidding? Look at him, he is beaming."

From the corner of the room, Aidan gave me a mock-annoyed look that quickly turned into a joyful grin, and went back to show something to Matteo.

"You two are the best," Valentina said.

I put my hand on her arm. "So how are you? Tell me everything."

Valentina sighed. "There's not much to tell. We're fine. I'm just tired. With work and Mattie."

I nodded. "Do you need help with anything?" I used intentionally a euphemism as Valentina had already refused money several times before.

"No, thank you. I'm good." I searched her eyes, and she smiled. "I miss my job at the club, though," she continued.

"We miss you too, sweetie."

We talked about her days and Matteo. And finally, when the little boy ran back to us, we raved with genuine "oohs" and "aahs" about his masterpiece. Aidan had drawn the outlines of a beautiful landscape with a house and animals for him to colorize. And he had found the time to sketch Matteo while he was adding the vibrant colors to his own piece.

"It's beautiful. Can I have it?" Valentina asked.

"Of course," Aidan replied with a smile.

"Look, Mattie, we'll put Uncle Aidan's drawing next to yours on the fridge. What do you think?"

Matteo raised his hands in the air with a little joyful dance move.

"We can look after him whenever you want, sweetie. Or if you need anything else, we're here for you both," I said to Valentina.

"I know. Thank you."

Matteo pulled on my hand, demanding my attention. "Yes, honey?"

"A song, Auntie Elise! Please."

I laughed. "Oh! so I am not completely uninteresting then. I am glad." I stroked his hair. "Come with me at the piano and tell me what you want me to sing."