Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 11 Sept. 824 A.S.
As he put the tea-pot aside to cool down for a moment, Erik went out of the kitchen. He slowly rose up the stairs and walked through the hallway with a somewhat of a drag. He entered Peter's room and took a seat on the side of the bed, glancing at a picture on the boy's nightstand. It was the only photo of Cynthia in the house. She always hated being photographed so Erik gave up trying to take her picture long before she died. Still, here it was, a picture of her holding newborn Peter in her hands. It wasn't her dark locks, in contrast with her blue eyes, but the happiness of a new mother that made her look radiant. He sighed deeply, knowing this was going to be the last time he ever thought of her with sorrow. Instead... she was to remain only a joyful part of his past. I'll always have a place for you in my heart. he thought, as he gently touched the picture's frame. Then, he left the room as slowly as he entered and went back downstairs.
An hour later, the boys were still playing volley-ball outside. Erik couldn't really hear their yelling and laughing from inside the house, but an occasional glance through the window was enough to assure him they were having fun. Having finished drinking his tea a while ago, he was now sitting in the living room, reading the news on his holo-pad.
