Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #15 (3.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Chan and Evan are meeting for dinner Saturday night, after Evan gets off work. But in the meantime, Chan has promised to spend some with this young siblings. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Super Trooper #15 (3.1)



Cleaning hadn’t taken very long—selecting something appropriate from his wardrobe for tonight had consumed far more of his time. He had waffled longer over what color to select than anything else, and was dissatisfied with everything he found in his closet. He wanted to strike just the right balance. Not too formal and not too casual. Something that made him look good but not overtly seductive. Finally he decided on a pale peach polo shirt and khaki slacks. He laid his choices out on the bed for later, in case he ran late, then dressed quickly to meet his family.

They lived in a quiet residential area of Tucker Falls, within walking distance of the school and a short drive from several parks. Chan’s mother taught at the school, and her husband, Baljiwan—Balji, for short—owned his own insurance agency. Between them they were able to afford a comfortable life for themselves and the children. Even before she’d married Balji, Chan’s mother had always made sure her son lacked for nothing, especially love. Nothing had changed when she remarried, except for having two parents who loved him instead of one. Balji had always treated Chan is if he were his own son, not just a stepson, even after the little ones were born. Chan had loved them from the minute he saw them, each and every one.

Chan parked in the street in front of the house and sauntered up the driveway toward the sidewalk. He could tell it was going to be a glorious day. Warm but not too warm. The sun was reaching toward its zenith, a warm orange glow in the sky. Unseen birds chirped merrily, as if to say all was right with the world. Could anything bad truly happen on such a day?

He reached the front door, but before he had a chance to knock, it was flung open with abandon by his brother. Kamal wore a wide grin, excitement mixed with impatience. He reached for Chan’s hand and tried to drag him inside. Chan didn’t argue and good-naturedly allowed his brother to lead him, pausing just long enough to close the door behind him.

“Laksha!  Madhu!  Chan’s here! C’mon, let’s go!” Kamal yelled, still dragging Chan along without pausing.

“Kamal! Mind your manners. Your brother has only just arrived. Let him catch his breath before you try to run off with him.” Chan’s mother emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. She smiled at both her sons, even as she admonished the younger one. She threw the towel over one shoulder then held her arms out toward Chan.

Chan returned her embrace, once Kamal reluctantly released his hand. His mother’s cheeks glowed, and her dark eyes sparkled. Chan divined the cause when Balji appeared, also drying his hands. Even after all these years, his parents were still crazy about one another and did the household chores jointly.

Chan kissed his mother’s cheek, then turned toward his stepfather for another hug. His family was very open about showing their affection for one another, a trait which Chan greatly appreciated and emulated.

“You’re looking good,” Balji said before addressing his younger son. “Don’t yell that way, none of us is deaf. Besides, give your brother a chance to visit with us. The park isn’t going anywhere, is it?”

“No, but what if it rains?” the seven-year-old argued. “Then what? We should go now, while the weather is still good.”

“You always worry for nothing.” This was from Laksha, who had just joined them. Just eleven, she was already as tall as their mother, and blossoming into young womanhood. Chan knew it was only a matter of time until the boys began to flock about her, but at this age they were luckily still into video games, for the most part. “Besides, it’s just a park. No big deal.” She tousled Kamal’s hair as she spoke, and winked at Chan, out of her younger brother’s sight.

“Just a park? Just a park?” Kamal’s voice began to rise in indignation. “It’s more than that. It’s fried chicken too, remember, Laks? And Chan! We have Chan today!”

“You make it sound like he’s never here.” Laksha laughed. “You’re so silly.”

“Am not!” Kamal insisted. “And you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Not like you play with us anyway!”

“Kamal!” Maa said in a stern voice. “You don’t talk to you sister like that. Apologize to Laksha right now. You know you don’t mean that.”

“Well,” the boy began, but at a look from their mother he backed down. “No, I want her to come, of course. But she shouldn’t make fun of me for wanting not to get rained on. Besides, she always has her nose in a book when we go to the park.”

“And what is wrong with that?” Balji interjected. “Reading is important. You like to read too, don’t you?” He swept the child up into his arms until they were at eye level with one another.”

“Yes, but not at the park.” Kamal was not about to be deterred in proving he was right.

Another country heard from.

Chan felt a tug at his pants leg and glanced down to find Madhu standing there, looking as though she’d just rolled out of bed. Perhaps she had. Little girls like her tended to take naps still. She gave him the sweetest smile and held her arms up. He lifted her up and hugged her tightly.

to be continued

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