Adrien watches the months drag by slowly and feels stuck.  He recalls he has no freedom since he can only leave for photo shoots, galas, and other events his father preapproves. It is a dull life, to say the least.  He has no friends unless you count Natalie the secretary and part-time tutor. 

     He sighs as he sits down to another fatherless dinner as usual.  He wishes for once his dad could take time off for just the two of them. This was never a problem when his mother was alive. 

     For that matter, he got out more when Emilie was still in the picture because she was adamant that it was better for his health.  He practices piano since he recalls how much the music reminds him of her.  It is the one solid thing that he still has beyond the photos of her in his scrapbook, and on his cell phone. 

     He does not recall much about her death.  He just knows she was away from the house on some trip, but never returned.   He feels like everything is fresh on his mind as he was closer to her than his father. 

    "Adrien's flashback..."

      "Adrien, time to practice your piano so you can impress your teacher," Emilie says.

       ""Alright mom, for you I will make sure to work on the piece again," Adrien states.

           Adrien thinks it is the same old piece every week.  He begins to believe that he will never get better at the instrument.  He continues on though since he can tell his mother enjoys hearing him play.  It seems like there are few things she does enjoy these days.

          He smiles despite the fact he knows she plans to go on a special business trip soon. He wishes he could go with her, but he has to stay put.  It is on account of the fact, his father plans to go with her.  It doubles as an anniversary trip or something.

         He finishes the notes, then the song.  "How did I do, mother?" Adrien asks.

         "Wow, that was fantastic!"  Emilie answers.

            Adrien smiles as he hugs his mother tight.  He does not know it will be last hug he gives her.  Not the last one for a few days, but the last one for the rest of his life.

           Emilie grins as she hugs her son back, Then, she snaps a photo with her camera, and a few with his phone.  This way he always has pictures to remember her by so he will not have to miss her so much while she and his father are out of town.

            Adrien and Emilie do not know how wrong they are about the future. It is not like they can see foward in time.

              Two weeks later, Emilie and Gabriel are on their trip when Emilie begins to feel guilty for not bringing Adrien along. She thinks it simply wicked of them to have done such a thing to their son.  Besides, he might have enjoyed it.

              Adrien is out at the park with his body guard, and Natalie. He has a grand time playing with the other children until he falls and skins his knee. He cries, but stands back up. He gets right back to the swing.  As he swings his small flip phone rings, he answers it when he recognizes the number.

            "Mom, you called me," Adrien remarks with much enthusiasm.

           "Sure I did, after all, I am your mother. I do believe next time we leave for anything we will take you along with us, would you like that son?" Emilie blurts out.

            "Oh, yes, I should very well like that mommy, so very much," Adrien tells her.

             "Good, then considered it done," Emilie replies.

          "I do hope Natalie and the Gorilla are treating you well. I hope you are getting plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and fun,"  Emilie explains.

           "Oh, yes they are ever so good to me. I do miss you and dad so much.  I am having fun in the park," Adrien goes on to say.

           Emilie and Adrien continue the conversation for a few more minutes. Later, when the conversation ends, little do they know that is the last time they will ever speak to each other.

           One week later, Adrien stands at his mother's casket the tears across his face. "Why, mother? Why?  You promised next time I could tag along with you and father.  But now you are gone and there is no next time," Adrien yells.    He sobs as his uncle pulls him away and takes him to sit on a bench. 

         The trouble is Adrien rather stay by her side no matter how hard it is for she is still his mother.

     End of Adrien's Flashback...

       "Oh, mom, Dad want let me do the fun things we all used to do.  He want even let me play in the park or go to school. He makes me stay in my room most of the time and I hate I tell you!  I hate it!" Adrien screams at the top of his lungs.

         "Here I am a teenager, and father ignores me.  Yet, I am told to never go out, expect for helping with his fashion drive and I do not like this life. It was not the one I asked for you know," Adrien scowls.

         Adrien sobs, puffs his lip out, and sits on the edge of his bed. He soon falls asleep with the thought that he is like the male version of Repunzel minus the long hair style.  It is on account of his being in the house so much, doing the same boring things all the time, no company, no life, and most of all no mother.

         Natalie takes pity on Adrien and makes sure the Gorilla finds some excuse for him to arrive late on occasion from the photoshoots. She does not think it healthy for the lad to have no sunshine or fresh air. She rather see him healthy than miserable, and rude just like his old man.

         Find out more in Chapter  7

   Until then, bye, bye little owlets!
     

_Summer out!