Familial love - part 3

Benjamin, his wife Karmen, and their son Luka got out of the car. Luka ran toward the house where his cousin Miha lived and rang the bell.

"Good morning," said Klemen, Benjamin’s older brother, as he opened the door. Beside him stood his wife Petra and their son Miha. Karmen and Benjamin walked slowly toward the house. Klemen and Petra greeted them. The weather was quite cold, as it was already November.

"I’m really looking forward to the hike," Luka said.

Klemen is tall and strong with brown hair. His wife Petra is slightly shorter than Klemen, also strong and brown-haired. Karmen has long brown hair; she is shorter than Klemen and Petra but taller than Benjamin. It might look a bit unusual that the wife is taller and stronger than the husband, but love knows no bounds.

"We’re going to do a lot of walking," Miha added. "Let's go greet Grandma and Grandpa first," Karmen suggested. "Okay," Luka grumbled, eager to get going. "Luka, be respectful," Benjamin corrected him.

Klemen and Benjamin’s parents were sitting at the living room table, reading the newspaper. "Benjamin, come sit here," his mother said. "Okay, thanks," Benjamin replied as he sat down. "We’re heading out now," Klemen announced. "Have a great time and enjoy yourselves," Benjamin said. "And you rest here and enjoy your day, sweetheart," Karmen said, giving him a hug.

After Karmen, Luka, and Klemen’s family left in Klemen’s car, Benjamin remained at the table with his parents. He sat comfortably at the table covered with a colorful tablecloth.

"How are you, Benjamin?" his mother asked. "The same as usual," he replied. "Your wife and son went on a hike with Klemen’s family, but that’s too strenuous for you," she noted. "Yes, that’s true. I prefer sitting here. It's the same for you two." "We must rest," his mother agreed.

"Shall we play Ludo?" she asked. "Yes, great idea," Benjamin said. His father rose slowly from his chair, walked over to the cupboard, and brought out the board, the pieces, and the dice. Benjamin looked out the window. It was a beautiful, sunny day. He could see the hill with the orchard. Then he looked at the laptop on the table.

"You'll be able to see your wife and son on their hike," his father said. "I’m looking forward to it," Benjamin replied.

The hikers reached the starting point and took their backpacks out of the car. Klemen switched on the head-mounted camera, which activated the stream on the laptop in the room where Benjamin and his parents were sitting.

"Look, Mother!" Benjamin pointed at the screen as it flickered to life. "This technology is truly wonderful. We can follow what our family is doing from right here at home."

This hike had been organized at the request of his son and nephew. Usually, they went somewhere accessible for Benjamin's electric wheelchair, but this hill was not. They were joined by Karmen’s sister Mateja, her husband Aleš, and their sons Jaka and Mitja.

Mateja is slightly taller than Karmen but shorter than Klemen, looking very much like her sister. Aleš appears taller than Klemen, and Jaka—though 12 years old like Miha—is taller than his cousin. At 10, Luka is the youngest. Mitja’s age falls between Miha’s and Luka’s.

Jaka and Luka kept running ahead, even though it was steep, setting the pace for the hike. "Benjamin, look at your son running up that hill," his mother said. "I see him. He's very fast and has great stamina," Benjamin remarked. "He’s the one who wanted this hike." "And my Karmen went with him," Benjamin added. "Petra is barely keeping up," his father noted. "Klemen sometimes tells them to slow down to maintain a steady pace," his mother said.

"Our bodies are partly in heaven," his father remarked. This meant that the part of the body that doesn't function on earth—like Benjamin’s strength and energy—functions in heaven. "Yes, that’s true," Benjamin smiled.

On the trail, Mateja asked Karmen, "Where is your husband?" "At his parents'. He’s watching us via the computer," Karmen replied. "That’s nice to hear," Mateja said. "Uncle Benjamin is always sitting," Jaka chimed in. "Yes, he sits," his mother, Mateja, confirmed. "He doesn't walk," Jaka added. "No, he doesn't," she replied. "My dad walks, but Uncle doesn't," Mitja observed. "Yes, your father walks," Aleš said with a smile. "Karmen, why does your husband only sit?" Jaka asked. "Because the doctor told him he needs to rest," Karmen explained. "He’s been sitting for as long as I can remember," said Mitja, the oldest of the children. "Yes, he’s been sitting since before I met him in college. He used to get around campus in his electric wheelchair," Karmen said.

Benjamin turned on the microphone and joined the conversation: "Now, now, I can walk a little bit. Even when I met Karmen, I could walk a little." "Yes, that’s true, but you can’t walk for long. Every step is a struggle for you; you need the wheelchair," Karmen said back to Benjamin through the audio link. The others heard it too. "Benjamin, stop it now," his mother said, switching off the microphone.

"Could Benjamin have used his electric wheelchair here?" Aleš asked. "No, it's too rocky and steep, full of roots. Next time we'll go somewhere accessible for him, but today we came here because the kids wanted to," Klemen explained.

Back in the room, his mother scolded him: "Benjamin, don't interrupt their conversation." "I just wanted to say that I don't sit all the time," Benjamin defended himself. "True, but the doctor said you must rest, which means walking as little as possible to avoid problems," his mother said. "Yes, you're right," Benjamin said, looking embarrassed.

Sitting in his chair, Benjamin listened to the conversation and smiled. He knew he couldn't have climbed this hill, but he could go elsewhere. Luka and Miha had their wish fulfilled today. Next time, it would be his turn to choose a place for the wheelchair.

"Let’s focus on what we can do—let’s get back to the game," his father said. The three of them continued their game of Ludo.

An hour later, the hikers stopped at a clearing with a view of the valley to eat. They had another hour to go, as Klemen put it. "Look at that beautiful view," Benjamin said. "They are so resilient and full of energy," his father added. "They're going to eat something now. At least that's what Klemen said," Benjamin noted. "Let’s eat something too," his father said, going to the kitchen to prepare bread, cheese, and ham.

They ate and then continued their game. "They’re having quite a feast up there," the father remarked. "Karmen prepared a lot of food yesterday," Benjamin said. "We shouldn't eat that much," his mother lectured. "True, I’m already too heavy. Karmen and Klemen are much leaner," Benjamin admitted. "Because they move so much," his mother added.

An hour later, the hikers reached the summit. Klemen invited them for lunch at the mountain hut. "They’re at the top," the father said. "I’m glad they made it," the mother added. "They’re going into the hut to eat," Benjamin noted. The father got up to heat a pot of food on the stove. He prepared the plates and cutlery. "Thanks for the good lunch," Benjamin said. "I'm glad Petra is such a good cook," his father replied. "They’re eating a lot at the hut," Benjamin noticed. "Well, they’ve been walking; they’re hungry," his mother said.

After a short rest, the hikers began their descent. Two hours later, the hike was over. Klemen turned off the camera, and the laptop screen went black. "They'll be here soon, and then I'm going home," Benjamin said. "It was lovely watching them," his mother said.

Half an hour later, they returned. "How was your day at your parents'?" Karmen asked Benjamin. "It was nice. I saw you had a pretty tough hike." "Yes, it was quite exhausting. Now, let’s go home," Karmen said. Benjamin, Karmen, and Luka said their goodbyes and headed home.