Cleaning House

[theravenboy]

After the upheaval of February passed, the inhabitants of the Davies cottage settled back into something resembling their normal order. Monday night is for cleaning, as it has been for as many years as Bran remembers. Thus tonight Owen and Bran Davies scrub counters and sweep floors in peaceable silence.

Comments

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen is turned away from Bran, rubbing the kitchen table with a soaped cloth, when he speaks. "Spring holiday next week."

[theravenboy]

"Yes." Bran continues wiping down the stove. "I thought I'd help you and Mr Rowlands with the lambing. Getting on in years, he is, and could use a hand with his half of the work."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen rinses the table with another cloth, pushing the water neatly into a bucket, before he replies. "You said something about young Will inviting you to Huntercombe."

[theravenboy]

Bran stops, right hand resting on an unlit burner. "Yes, but that was before -- it is not the same, now."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen fills the bucket with more water and soap and goes for the mop. He still does not look at Bran. "Your friend has asked you to his home, and goodness knows Clwyd Farm has seen enough of Will over the years that it is time to send you back to his house again."

[theravenboy]

Realizing that he has stopped cleaning, Bran applies himself to the next burner. "Quiet here, if I left."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen begins to mop, but his eyes follow Bran now rather than the track of the cleaning solution.

"Careful behind you, the floor is damp. Mr and Mrs Evans have asked me to dinner all the week and Mr Rowlands said to come to tea. Also there is plenty of work to do for chapel."

[theravenboy]

Without bothering to put down the can of bleach he is holding, Bran turns to face Owen. "You spoke to them already."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Mild brown eyes meet intent golden ones before Owen returns his attention to the floor. The silence stretches.

[theravenboy]

Bran finishes with the stove. He steps over the wet area and through the doorway to begin sweeping the parlour.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen is still mopping the kitchen. "You cannot stay here always, you know."

[theravenboy]

Bran sets the broom against the parlour wall and comes to stand in the doorway. "I know."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen squeezes the last of the water from the mop into the bucket and bends with a creak to towel the floor down.

[theravenboy]

Bran waves Owen away from the towels. He lowers himself easily to his hands and knees and begins drying the floor.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen stands, idle for once, looking down at his son. "You see, that is why you have to go this time."

[theravenboy]

Bran continues wiping the floor, his motions suggesting neither agreement nor disagreement.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen leans heavily against the counter. "It will remind the both of us that this is not permanent."

[theravenboy]

Bran collects the towels in one rapid movement. He stands, holding the armful of towels and looking at Owen. For the first time Bran notices that he is taller than his da. He has no words.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen does not turn aside this time, but returns Bran's look evenly.

"You were only loaned to me. I have known it for a long time."

[theravenboy]

"No."

Bran drops the towels in the bucket, heedless of the splash, and places a hand on Owen's shoulder.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen covers Bran's hand with his own left hand, but says, "Visit Will, Bran. You will be back soon enough."

[theravenboy]

Bran does not move. "I will be back." He pauses meaningfully. "I will always come back."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen presses Bran's hand once more before dropping his own hand to his side. "Do not make promises, Bran. You do not know what God wants of you."

[theravenboy]

"I will always come back," Bran repeats, eyes glittering. "As long as we both live. I promise you."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

The moment passes. Owen and Bran, turned their separate directions, dust the parlour furniture and shake out the rugs. Later, Owen calls the Stanton household to coordinate travel arrangements and train schedules.

[theravenboy]

When he takes the phone to speak to Will, Bran seems oddly unexcited about the coming visit.