School night

“Bedtime, mate,” Angelo said as the credits rolled, but Zack remained motionless on a beanbag he’d long outgrown.

Angelo, gently kicking the beanbag, noticed downy hairs on his son’s shins. “School night. Up ya get.”

Zack rose slowly, like a skyscraper under construction. “Sleep well,” said his mother, Nadia.

Zack bent to kiss her before leaning in to his father. Angelo flinched. “Bit old for that now, mate, you think?” he said, shocking himself.

If there were words to retrieve the situation, Angelo, flushed and flustered, couldn’t find them.

Zack mumbled a weak “Night, then” and made his exit.

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