Chapter 8: (v.2) Brothers in Arms?

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On the way home, Christos told Michalis about the branches he broke against the tree and upon hearing the event, Michalis laughed.

A question formed inside Christos’ mind: Was Michalis laughing at him or feeling embarrassed about his brother? He decided he didn’t want any more excitements for the day.

The house was empty of guests, since the lunch was over and the silence of noon covered all the last hour's events.

Petros and Iulia waited in the living room. “What happened again?”

“He was in the forest hitting trees with branches,” Michalis said.

A memory came to Christos’ mind:

Little Christos was around nine years of age and prepared himself to visit a friend. His house was only a few blocks away. Christos’ mother had forbidden him to visit his friend, because she didn’t like him. Nevertheless, Christos wanted to go at all costs, so he planned to visit him in secret, after his family had lunch.

He opened silently the door to leave the house, but Michalis saw him.

“Where are you planning to go?” he asked suspiciously.

“I am going to Costas to play!” replied little Christos.

“Mom!” shouted Michalis. “Christos is heading to Costas!”

Iulia came and scolded Christos.

Christos became enraged with Michalis but kept it inside.

This memory had as a consequence for Christos not to be able to trust people, with the fear if he tells them his secrets they will spread to others.

“My son,” asked Iulia, “can you tell us what’s wrong with you?”

Christos momentarily remembered his dialogue with Petros earlier, but at least he his mother. . . talked more.

“I don’t know,” he said, “It seems that. . .“

“What?”

“It seems that I see you all as hostile!”

Petros became startled and said, “Hostile?” as if he didn’t believe it.

“But is it really possible for a child to hate his parents?” asked Iulia not believing it either. “Why?”

Christos felt guilty with the words of Iulia. He wanted to reply, but at the moment his communicational resorts were dried out. He gave his silence as an answer.

Iulia and Petros, not knowing what else to say, went to their room to rest.

On the other hand, Christos didn’t want to rest but to think instead.

He calmed himself a little more, and the division he felt inside started to subside. He had succeeded in expressing his anger without fear. That meant change for him and began to believe that there had been a substantial improvement in his behavior, due to the appointments with the Teacher. It was then that he felt a need to speak with him.

***

The time was 3:15 p.m. and Christos wondered, “Could it be that this isn't the right time to call?”

He took his mobile phone to call the Teacher, but an incoming call caught him up.

"Teacher?” asked Christos, surprised with this synchronicity.

"How are you?” asked Christos.

"I am fine!” replied the Teacher in a cheerful mood. “How is it going for you? Anything interesting that happened today?”

“Have I got a story to tell!”

He left the house and told the Teacher the last events. He focused more on the confrontation with his father and his outburst in the forest.

“The things you describe are shocking!” said Teacher excited. “Not only did you express your anger, but you did it without hurting anybody!”

“Did I do the right thing with my father?” asked Christos.

“Look. . .“ started the Teacher saying.

Christos expected that the Teacher would take his side.

“. . . it’s a good thing to want to communicate with your father,” continued the Teacher, “but your father probably can’t make this talk in front of others!”

That sounded reasonable to Christos’ ears. How could he miss something like this? As a scientist he always paid a lot of attention to detail!

“Could it be that he has so much lack of social experience?” the Teacher wondered. “Have they blocked this childthis much?”

“So,” said the Teacher. “I have an assignment for you to do!”

“Good!” Christos replied. “What should I do?”

“You will set communication goals and you will achieve them!”

“Communication with whom?”

“With acquaintances, friends, relatives, anybody!” Teacher replied. “You could start from Iulias’ office! Go one day there to help, just as your brother Michalis has done before!”

“What should I do with my father?”

“Just let him be. It is obvious that he doesn’t want to communicate.”

“But. . .”

“Look Christos,” Teacher interrupted, “I have known your father quite for long now. He is not the communicative type. His life is only home-work-home and nothing else, and speaking about it, it's not strange that you yourself have communication problems! It appears you are his replica!”

Christos clenched his teeth upon hearing these words. He hated the idea of looking like somebody else, especially when that person was his father with whom he felt angry with. Deep inside, he didn’t want to quit trying to bridge the gap between them.

During last spring, amidst his studies and depression, he talked with Petros on the phone daily, trying to reach out to him. Everyday, he encountered a barrier.

“I will not give up yet!” he thought. “Another time I might succeed on my goal!”

“What’s going on Christos?” asked Teacher as if he was reading his thought.

Christos then thought about his Teacher. Even though he didn’t like the idea of not taking his side completely, nevertheless he understood that he didn’t support him just because he liked him. He was being honest with him as well.

That made Christos appreciate the Teacher even more, and realized that whatever positive comments the Teacher gave him during the previous appointments, he meant them. He immediately felt more courageous.

“Christos?” asked the Teacher again.

“Okay, I will do what you say!” said Christos returning to reality. “I will go to work at the office of my mother, Iulia!”

They said goodnight and the telephone hung up.

Submitted: February 27, 2024

Literary Fiction romance therapy psychology counselling personal-development