A playdate
After a visiting day and a trial day at the nearest school for gifted children, Charlie was ready to make his final decision to switch schools. After saying his goodbyes to his teachers and his classmates, he transferred to his new class shortly after the start of the second term. Almost immediately he noticed the difference with his previous school and he felt more at place than he could have imagined. Not only were the classes more challenging, the kids there seemed to understand him and after just one week he was even able to make his first real friend since Sam. Bonding with him over one of the games his father had bought him as a gift for making the decision to transfer.
Another week passed before Charlie asked if his little friend could come over for a playdate and even wanted him to stay for dinner. Jason, who had gone to pick him up, as he made sure to do at least twice a week after his talk with Jenny and their promise to do better, was flabbergasted to hear his son say those words. He knew that his lack of real friends was part of the reason they had him switch schools, he still hadn't expected Charlie to ask if a friend could come over much less so soon after him starting out at his new school. After saying a stammering, "O-of course" and introducing himself to the boy's parents, who were standing a few feet away along with their son, the three of them were on their way over to Westwood mansion.
Jason, who was still not fully believing what he was seeing and hearing, felt his eyes and ears being pulled towards the two strapped in boys in the backseat. He listened to his son talking to his friend about their game and the boy was replying in a way that made it clear that he was understanding what Charlie was saying. When they arrived at the mansion and the two boys got off, Jason remained in the car for a moment as he let what he had just seen sink in. Then he sent a message to Jenny asking her if she was busy at the moment. When she replied that she wasn't, he immediately called her up to tell her about the news.
Jenny, who was in the middle of writing her treatment plan for the case they were studying, picked up his call cheerfully as she asked, "Hello, hello. What has you calling me in the middle of the day on a random Thursday?" Jason answered her question by saying, "You will never guess what happened today. OUR son, OUR Charlie, asked me if he could bring his friend over." Jenny gasped and responded just like how he thought she would respond to the news. "No. Really?! His first little friend from the new school?"
Jason nodded as he replied as if she could see him on the other side of the phone. "Yes. A real friend. I just brought the two of them over to our home, where they are currently playing." Jenny tried to contain her excitement to prevent herself from cheering for her son in the middle of the hospital. She said, "Oh, I am SO proud of that boy! How he is dealing with this big change and how quickly he adjusted. Making a friend after just two weeks. I am so happy that he was able to make a friend. Make sure to take a few pictures of the two and send them to me. I hope I can continue to focus on my work as I will be floating on air for the rest of the day because of this news." Jason chuckled as he playfully replied, "Oh my, floating on air, hmm? I don't think anything I have done has ever gotten you to float on air but our boy is doing it so easily." Jenny laughed softly at his remark in order to not disturb the other people at work around her before she replied, "I am always busy floating in your arms, so I have no time to be floating on air as well."
After this cheesy remark they wrapped up their conversation and Jenny made Jason promise to send her at least three pictures of their son playing with his friend. Then they both went on with their work. Jenny at the hospital and Jason at the office in his room, while the two boys played in the room in front of the office so that Jason could keep an eye on them while he did his work. Just like Charlie, his friend was a quiet boy. Meaning that Jason had no trouble focussing on his own work, while they did their own thing.
When dinnertime came and Jenny returned from the hospital, she was excited to finally meet her son's new friend. Rushing up the stairs, two steps at a time, to call them for dinner and see the boy who was gifted like Charlie was. When she opened the door to their room carefully, peeking inside through the gap she had created, she saw the two boys playing. Being too fully absorbed in their game to notice her presence. When she opened the door a bit further, Charlie suddenly looked up in her direction. When he spotted her, his face lit up as usual and he ran to her with a big smile. He threw himself in her arms as he called out "Mommy!", giving her a warm welcoming hug.
Hearing this, Jason too got up from behind his desk and walked towards the opening with his hands in his pockets. Looking at her from the small distance with a smile. The boy, who was a silent observer, didn't know where to look. The unexpected smile from the intimidating man or the beautiful woman who was nothing but smiles.