Morning

The Golden Morning

The morning light streamed through the thin curtains; golden, peaceful, like a caress. Jessica had woken up earlier than usual, but hadn't moved. Jason was still in her arms, his head under her chin, his breaths steady and warm on her chest. Her right arm was around Jason's thin waist, her left hand on his hair; as if she had been guarding him there all night. Her eyes were on the ceiling, but her ears were listening to the sound of Jason's breathing. She waited. Waiting for the first twitch, the first deep breath, the first moment of waking.

Jason stirred slightly. His eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. First, he only saw light, then warmth, then the subtle vanilla scent of Jessica. He lifted his head slightly, looking around: an unfamiliar bed, white walls, small pictures on the wall. Then he looked at Jessica. His eyes widened.

"Jessica...?"

His voice was sleepy, but full of questions.

"Chiara... Where is Chiara?"

Jessica smiled, gently, without rushing.

"Chiara is home, sweetheart. She gave me permission to bring you with me last night."

Jason blushed. Shyness washed over his face like a sudden wave. He reached for the sheet, but there was nothing to cover himself with. Only the loose T-shirt and soft shorts that Chiara had put on him last night. His body seemed smaller, as if he wanted to disappear into Jessica's embrace.

Jessica hugged him tighter.

"It's okay. You are right where you should be."

Her hand stayed on Jason's back, starting a gentle rub; large circles, from his lower back to his bottom, from his bottom to his back. Her fingers were warm, her movements slow, like massaging a tired child. Then her other hand rubbed his chest, over his heart.

"Relax. I'm here, Auntie is here."

Jason took a deep breath, his embarrassment slowly melting away. He closed his eyes, resting his head back on Jessica's chest. The rubbing continued; Jessica now stroked the back of his neck, then his shoulder, then his lean arms.

A few minutes passed. Jessica kissed his forehead.

"Alright, my dear... Let's go have breakfast."

She lifted Jason from the bed, held him in her arms, and walked towards the bathroom. She sat him on the edge of the tub, turned on the warm water. She washed his hands and face with a soft washcloth; water ran down his cheeks, which Jessica wiped with a towel. Then the toothbrush, she brushed his teeth again, and rinsed his mouth.

They went to the kitchen. Jessica was holding Jason in her arms, cracking eggs with one hand and toasting bread with the other. Jason, his head on her shoulder, just watched. The smell of coffee, the smell of bread, the smell of morning.

Jessica had a small table by the window. She sat on the chair, placing Jason on her lap; just like last night, but now in the daylight. She put a plate in front of Jason, picked up a spoon, mashed the egg, and brought it to his mouth.

"Eat, darling. Today is your day."

Jason opened his mouth, ate, and smiled.

Jessica ate too, sometimes bringing the spoon to her own mouth, sometimes to Jason's.

And the morning, with all its light,

embraced them;

like an unspoken promise.