Chapter 4: In the Name of the Moon

Some time after what he still wasn't sure was an actual date, Lief still couldn't get Josefin off his mind.

Of course, that had happened to him at least three times before, and none of those times ended well. And yet, something told him she was worth it.

Nevertheless, he was wary. Arvid and Edvin's mother was a widow, after all. He had no experience with widows.

But then, there was nothing wrong with courting a woman with experience. On the other hand, Josefin might still be grieving her late husband.

Lief wasn't going to push her into a potential relationship if she didn't want one. It was still worth a try, though.

So, the next chance he got, he waited until Karen got home from school. When she did, he made sure she was all right on her own.

Of course, perhaps Lief should have taken better note of the night.

Lief had forgotten that this particular night was the full moon.

Indeed, the full moon, under certain circumstances, could instill a sense of romance in certain people.

It also bathed the town in a freaky eerie glow and made some townspeople go borderline crazy.

Said borderline crazies gave Lief a partial reason on checking up on the Oss family. He didn't want anyone bothering Josefin or the boys.

Thankfully, Josefin was home.

 "You guys okay? You know how some people get during the full moon..." At this point, Lief was cursing his general cowardice. He was trying his best to resist asking, "And can I go out with you sometime?"

"We're okay. If anything, I'm surprised someone came to check up on us." She said, before looking down and blushing.

"Oh, well, you know, just worried about you, is all."

"You were worried about little ol' me? Well, that's just so sweet of you." Normally, such words would be said with a tone of sarcasm, but then again, Josefin wasn't one of Lief's ex-wives.

So in this case, her words were genuine.

As she was talking, Lief finally decided to gather up his courage and tell her the truth.

"Well, actually, Josefin...There might have been another reason for me coming here." Lief swallowed, thankful he wasn't wetting his pants at this point.

"Oh? And what reason would that be?"

"Uh, well, it might just be the moonlight talking, but..." How could Lief properly evoke his thoughts as spoken words? Should he bring her beauty to attention? The fact she was a hardworking mother of two boys? Or even that she was a subject of many of his thoughts?

"Well, you know that obviously you're a...Well, you're a lovely lady and, eh...Just thought maybe that since you're single and all, I was wondering..."

"Oh? Go on." The fact that Josefin had not slugged Lief over his stumbling was amazing.

"I, uh, thought maybe you would want to, you know...go on a date something, or something? Figured, I myself am looking for a new lady, but..."

At this point, Lief took a deep breath to compose himself better. "I don't know, I've never asked out a widow before. I would assume you'd still be grieving over your husband and all."

"Well, actually, come to think of it..." The instant Lief heard those words, he could not believe his luck. "The boys have been wanting me to start dating again. I suppose it's a way for me to help move on from Kalle's death."

"R-Really?! I mean...You'll really think about us dating?" Lief was wanting to punch himself, for surely he must have been dreaming.

"Well, of course! You're a nice enough man, and I'd would love very much to pursue a relationship with you."

"And if it doesn't work out, we'd part amicably, right?" Lief didn't want to add that last part, but he had to cover all the bases just in case.

"You know we would!" Already the two seemed to be making headway in a budding relationship.

"Awesome! Can we kiss on it?" When Josefin nodded in approval, it was done.

That night, Arvid and Edvin seemed to notice Mr. Helgason going home with a noticeable spring in his step.

And there was good reason for that. In fact, come tomorrow morning, Lief was going to tell his kids the good news.

Well, it was good to him, anyway.

(End of Chapter 4.)