Erling and Jude (3)

The cold Norwegian winter painted the landscapes white at Christmas. In the kitchen, your grandmother Gry was making garlic bread, your favorite, while you, at just a year and a half old, watched her. Outside, your parents were arguing: the news was falsely reporting that Erling was seeing a girl named Isabel Haugseng. Jude, furious, decided to go outside to talk so you wouldn't hear them. After an hour of tension, Erling resigned himself and went for a walk alone, while Jude returned home.

Noticing the atmosphere, your grandmother asked your grandfather Alfie to take you to the park. He bundled you up and you said goodbye to Jude and Gry; your British father stayed in the kitchen venting to his mother-in-law.

Dinner was incredibly tense. Your parents sat in separate, distant chairs. The silence struck you as odd, but you didn't say anything. When it was over, Jude gave you a warm bath and put your pajamas on. He rocked you in his arms, but the oppressive atmosphere of the house kept you from sleeping. Looking at his face, you began to babble in English:

— Dada... don't cry... (Dad... don't cry...) — Dada, hug... (Dad, hug...)

Jude sighed, touched. He spent all night trying to get you to sleep, but your babyish worries kept you awake.

At dawn, Jude took you to the kitchen. Gry and Erling were already there. Your grandmother, worried, asked them if they were alright. Jude gave a soft, tired laugh, and Erling immediately noticed the dark circles under her husband's eyes. Gry sighed, picked you up, and gestured for them to relax and talk.

He took you to your room, even though you refused to sleep. Downstairs, your parents finally talked, cleared everything up, and reconciled. Exhausted, Jude went upstairs to rest, while Erling went to get you. He signaled to his mother that he was coming out with you. Your Norwegian father bundled you up warmly, got himself ready, and put you in the stroller.