It was starting to snow. Rene looked out the library’s giant front window and smiled. He knew that Misha would be cursing the white flakes of doom, and Emory would be doing a little happy dance. He was just wrapping up his final tasks when he looked out the windows again and saw Misha running up to the library, a scowl on his face as the snow collected on his coat and in his hair. He was lit only by the street lamps, as it was dark out now. Rene couldn’t help but laugh. 

Rene did his final scan of the upstairs shelves, then walked down the stairs, where Misha was standing at the bottom, looking up with those puppy dog eyes. 

“My socks are wet,” Misha whined.

“You know, I would have picked you up.” Rene laughed. 

“Yeah, but I hate waiting. And my boss always looks at me funny like he expects something from me. When that clock hits 5:30, I am out of there! I don’t want them to forget about me and lock down the building with me in it.”

Rene shook his head, laughing again. 

“A few more minutes, okay?” Rene said. “I’m not leaving early tonight. There’s a lot of cleanup. Already had a homeless gentleman piss in one of the aisles. And a little girl dropped her pudding in the reading corner. Cleaning those up cut into my routine quite a bit.”

“Can’t you get Julie or Charlie to do those sorts of tasks?” Misha asked, brushing excess snow from his coat in frustration. 

“Well, I could, but frankly they don’t get paid enough. Plus they were swamped all day. Internet went down for some folks in town, so there were a lot of people checking out the computers throughout the day. It’s been busy, is what I’m saying.”

“Fiiine, I guess I can wait.” Misha grumbled. 

“That’s good, because you don’t really have a choice.” Rene set about finishing up so that he could close. He gave Julie the signal to start ushering folks out of the library. Though it was another fifteen minutes until close, it usually took at least that long to get the last stragglers out. Rene did his first checks of the bathrooms and the aisles as Misha followed him like a lost puppy. Rene didn’t mind. In fact he loved it when Misha walked around with him. It made the tasks go by that much faster.

“So other than the pudding and piss, how was your day?” Misha asked. 

“Fine. Good. Another lovely day at the best, albeit only, library in town.”

“Nothing too exciting then? Make any new friends? Did you invite the homeless man to live with us by chance?” Misha asked. 

“Oh yes. I’m giving him our room. We’re going to have to bunk next to Emory. It’ll be a little awkward for a while, but I think we’ll get through it together.” Rene grinned. 

“The more the merrier.” Misha said. 

“I did give him plenty of resources and called in a favor at the homeless shelter. Hoping he keeps his urinary adventures to the toilet there so I don’t get in trouble.”

“Fingers crossed.” Misha said, absently running a hand along the spines of the books as Julie announced over the intercom that they would be closing in ten minutes, and to please check out your books right away. 

“Oh!” Rene stopped, tapping his head with his hand as he suddenly remembered. “There’s a man that wants to interview me. Interview us actually. For the publication for my award.”

“Really?” Misha sounded intrigued. “Was he hot?”

Rene scoffed. 

“He was…unique. I’d say yes, there was something beautiful about him.”

Rene walked into the men’s bathroom and checked every stall. No one there. 

“Uh oh. Should I be worried?” Misha asked. “Start looking at other places now? Or do you think he’d be up for a threesome?” 

“Ha!” Rene burst out laughing. “He seemed very nice, but I don’t think you have to move out just yet. Besides, I’m kind of attached to you at this point, you know. We’ve come this far. May as well keep on going until death do us part.”

“But after that, anyone is totally fair game,” Misha said. 

“Of course.” Rene nodded. He knocked on the women’s bathroom and announced himself. Then he opened the door part way and announced himself again. No one responded, so he walked in and checked the stalls. No one was there. He locked up both bathrooms. 

“So when is he going to interview you? Or us? Or whatever?” Misha asked, following Rene back down the aisles as Julie now announced that it was five minutes until closing and everyone needed to please wrap it up and get going already if they hadn’t. Rene assured himself that the top floor was completely empty of patrons, then doubted himself, and did one more sweep as Misha continued to follow him. 

“I have to text him to set up a time. I was thinking maybe dinner on Wednesday night as that’s our short day. I wanted to run it by you and Emory.”

“Well, she may get a vote, but I vote yes for Wednesday and if you also vote yes then we have a majority and her vote doesn’t actually matter.” Misha said. “Though, if she doesn’t like it, she can always stay with Ari.”

“Yeah, she could,” Rene agreed. He was finally convinced that the upstairs was empty, and locked up the office before heading down where presumably the last patron was just heading out the door. Julie was doing a sweep of the downstairs aisles. Charlie and Katrina had already gone home. 

“I want to cook for him.” Misha said. “Maybe you won’t be the only one who impresses him.”

“Oh-ho! Now we’re in competition huh? Well may the best man win!” Rene said. 

Misha smiled sheepishly. 

“I promise to visit on the weekends if he and I hit it off. You know, for Emory’s sake.” Misha said. 

Rene playfully punched Misha in the arm, and Misha winced, giving a whiny “oww” in response. 

“That’s spousal abuse!” Misha said. 

“Uh oh, trouble in paradise?” Julie asked, walking up to them. 

“Paradise is a myth, Julie. Perpetuated by Hallmark. Real love is painful and cruel.” Misha said. 

“That is good to know.” Julie said. She turned to Rene. “There’s no one down here that I saw. Frank is ready to lock up. Are you all set?”

“Absolutely. Have a great night, Julie.” Rene said. 

“You too, Rene. It was nice to see you, Misha.”

“Nice to see you, Julie. Same time tomorrow? Assuming this snow doesn’t bury me?” Misha said. 

Julie smirked, “Drive safe, you guys. And please tell Emory that I say hi.”

“We will.” Rene assured her.

A few minutes later, the place was locked up and dark, and Frank was waving goodbye to them as they headed to Rene’s car. Misha got in, immediately grumbling again about the snow. 

“I don’t know why you like it. It’s just frozen water. Frozen water that wants to kill us. Sure, it looks pretty under a microscope, but that’s just deceptive PR.” Misha said. 

“Emory seems to love it.”

“Only because you brainwashed her!” Misha insisted. 

“I did no such thing.” Rene laughed. His mind kept flitting to his phone now and the text he needed to send to Khal. He would do it when he got home. He absolutely refused to text and drive. 

“Do you think Ari made us any Bibimbap tonight?” Misha asked. 

“I don’t think we should count on it. Wouldn’t want to get your hopes up only to be let down.” Rene said. 

He drove carefully through the snow, which was definitely sticking now, making a fine icy sheen on the unsalted roads. The Pacific Northwest wasn’t always the greatest when it came to preparing for snow. Plows would be out soon enough though. 

They reached Ari’s house a few minutes after they usually would, owing to Rene driving like a careful old lady. Misha didn’t dare mock him for this, as he was terrified of sliding off the road. They got out of the car and slipped and skidded their way up the walkway to reach the door. There wasn’t even time to knock before Emory had thrown the door open, a beaming smile on her face as she greeted them. 

“News said it might get up to 4 inches by tomorrow!” Emory exclaimed. “Do you think they’ll cancel school?”

“You never know.” Misha stepped inside and lifted Emory into his arms, giving her a big bear hug.

“Hi guys!” Ari stepped in from the kitchen with a towel on her hands, which she was using to wipe something off. “I hope you’re hungry. I made Bibimbap.”

“Yes!” Misha roared, spinning with Emory in delight. “Bibimbap,  Bibimbap, tonight we’re having Bibimbap!”

Emory giggled, then chided Misha for not taking off his boots right away. 

“Mommy doesn’t like it when we track mud on her floor.” Emory pointed out. 

“Oh shit! I mean shoot! Sorry Ari!” Misha quickly kicked off his shoes by the door where Rene’s had already been set. “I’ll clean up the mess, I promise!”

“Don’t bother.” Ari said. “It’s easier to sweep up once it’s dried anyway. Go take a seat at the table. Dinner will be done in just a few minutes.”

Rene, Misha, and Emory went in and sat down at the table, which had already been set. 

“I took care of the table, and I helped mommy cook!” Emory said. 

“She did. And she did amazing.” Ari said, walking into the room with a large stone bowl full of Bibimbap, which she set down on a pot-holder in the middle of the table. 

“Did we go with namul or kimchi today?” Misha asked, doing his best to get the Korean pronunciation correct. 

“Today is kimchi. Just like uri eomma used to make.” Said Ari.

“Is that my grandma?” Emory asked. 

“It is!” Ari said. “You would have loved her. And she would have loved you.” 

Ari walked over and hugged Emory in her chair. Rene was touched by their bond. He and Misha had been so lucky that Ari Kim, one of their best friends, had been willing to make such a wonderful little girl with them. An unusual little family, but a happy one nonetheless. While Rene and Misha were Emory’s primary caregivers, she visited with Ari several times a week. Together, they were a village, raising an incredible little girl. Due to the way they’d done the process, they weren’t sure who Emory’s biological father was, but it didn’t matter. Both Misha and Rene were every bit Emory’s dads, and that reality was never in doubt. 

“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me this evening.” Misha said. “Ari, you are a dream come true. I salivate just imagining the incredible dishes you make.”

“He does. It’s kind of gross actually. I think I need to keep a spare towel in my car.” Rene said. 

Emory giggled and Ari smiled as she began to serve up their food. They all ate as they spoke about their days. 

“I got 100% in math and science today. But my art teacher only gave me a C+ on my drawing. I really don’t think that’s fair.” Emory said. 

“What was your drawing?” Rene asked. 

“Oh, I think you’ll love it when you see it,” said Ari. “Emory, why don’t you go grab it out of your backpack and show them.”

“Okay!” Emory jumped down from the table, ran into the other room, then returned quickly with a piece of paper which she laid down before her fathers before getting back into her chair. 

Rene looked down at the page and burst out laughing. It was a smiley face, done with all the colors of the rainbow. Simple and adorable. 

“He only gave this a C+?” Misha said indignantly. “This is definitely A+ material right here! I mean, look how many different colors you used. And there is beauty in simplicity.”

“I thought it was good!” Emory said. “I was so mad.”

“It’s exquisite! This is going right up on the fridge when we get home!” Misha said. 

Rene grinned as he took a sip of water to soothe his tongue from the spicy food. The spice never seemed to phase Misha and Emory, but Rene wasn’t quite as experienced as them. They often mocked him for the tears running from his eyes on Ari’s spicier cooking nights. Sometimes Misha would also prepare meals just to watch Rene suffer a bit with the seasoning. 

“Oooh, daddy is already getting into the water.” Misha pointed out. “Careful, this Bibimbap might affect his singing voice. We wouldn’t want that.”

“Uh oh, daddy. Are you not going to be able to sing anymore?” Emory asked with a smirk. 

Rene shushed her and took another bite. 

“So Rene has something to announce.” Misha looked at him proudly. 

Rene was mid-chew when Misha said this, so he couldn’t really respond. He took another drink of water as the others all looked at him expectantly. When he opened his mouth to talk finally, Misha burst out, “He’s getting interviewed for the paper where he won the award! We’re inviting the man for dinner on Wednesday. He wants to meet the family. Ari, you’re of course welcome to come.”

Rene frowned as Misha rambled. He didn’t really mind. He was used to Misha blurting things out and not always having the patience to listen. It was more amusing than anything at times. 

“Congratulations, Rene! That’s wonderful. You save a couple lives and now you’re national news. Good for you.” Ari leaned over and patted Rene on the shoulder. 

“Daddy is a hero.” Emory said. “What’s the man like?”

“He’s uh,” Rene thought about it. “He’s kind of familiar. Like I’ve seen him before. But he said he wasn’t nationally famous or anything. He seemed very nice. Pleasant face. Voice like a purring cat. Deep green eyes.”

“Like yours, daddy?” Emory asked. 

“Kind of like mine, I guess.”

“You better hope I don’t fall in love with him.” Misha teased.

“Daaaaad.” Emory rolled her eyes and Misha looked at her sheepishly.

“Sorry. Inappropriate?” Misha asked. 

“Yes!” Said Emory. 

“Misha has offered to cook for him, so he better not mess it up.” Rene pointed out. 

“Ooh, I’ll make something extra spicy so he can watch you cry the whole time.” Misha said. 

Rene glared at Misha, which caused Emory and Ari to both burst into fits of laughter. 

“Can I help you cook, dad? So you don’t mess it up?” Emory asked. 

“I think that would be a wonderful idea.” Rene said. “Someone’s got to keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t cut himself.”

“She should also help you both pick out your clothes.” Ari said. “To look nice for the interview.”

“I always look nice!” Misha protested.

“Umm, no.” Emory stated matter-of-factly.

“So, would you like to go, Ari?” Rene asked. 

“Sure. Sounds fun.” Ari said. “You said it’s Wednesday?” 

“Yeah. I’m thinking about 6pm.” Rene said. “Gives us time to order takeout if Misha messes up dinner.”

Misha opened his mouth in dismay, “I am hurt! Hurt! That you think I would ruin dinner!”

“Dad, do you remember the time you caught the kitchen on fire when you left the pizza in the oven on the cardboard?” Emory asked. 

Misha playfully put a hand over Emory’s mouth. 

“Shhhh, you’re not supposed to talk about that.” Misha said. 

The rest of dinner was a pleasant and hilarious affair. When it was done, Rene took Khal’s card out of his pocket and sent him a message as Misha and Ari got Emory ready to go. Less than a minute after Rene texted Khal that they’d love to have him over for dinner on Wednesday night, Khal responded emphatically. 

Great! I’m so happy to hear that and look forward to meeting your family. Please let me know your address, and if I should bring anything. 

Rene gave Khal his address and assured him that it wasn’t necessary to bring a single thing. 

As they opened the door to head outside, they saw that the snow had really begun to accumulate now. Emory gave Ari a hug goodbye, and Misha carried her to the car as he grumbled and growled about the icy conditions. Soon enough they were home, Emory’s new art on the fridge, and the butterflies really began to set in for Rene’s big week ahead. 

Chapter 4 https://storiesfrommontana.com/2023/01/29/2023-writing-challenge-chapter-4-untitled/