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.
Vinnie and Ethan unexpectedly find Anderson waiting for them, along with a new mission. What's really surprising is that it involves Ethan's Uncle Benny! See what's happening in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne 6. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!'
Anderson hesitated before responding to Ethan’s
question. I could tell he wanted to say yes, but his Southern gentleman manners
were holding him back from doing that, and I suspected I knew why that was. “I
know your sister’s visiting,” he began instead. Told you. That man was nothing
if not polite.
Ethan held up one hand immediately even as he said,
“Sarah will understand. She was going home tomorrow anyway. I’ll explain what’s
going on to her. There won’t be a problem.”
Especially
since she’s mad at you right now.
Of course I never said that aloud. But I’m sure the
same thought was flitting through Ethan’s brain.
“Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate that. More than you can
imagine.” Anderson sounded relieved. “All things considered, I knew I could
count on you. On both of you.” He rose,
just as Alex made an unexpected appearance. He ran into the room, giggling, his
frazzled mother just a few steps behind.
“I’m sorry, he got away from me,” she apologized.
“No worries, I was just leaving,” Anderson said. He
leaned down and offered his hand to Alex, along with a warm smile. “It was nice
meeting you, young man.”
“Nice meeting you,” Alex dutifully echoed as they
shook hands. I couldn’t help but think how cute he was. One glance at Ethan’s
face and I knew he was thinking the same thing. My mind went back to the
unfinished conversation of this morning and instantly doubts began to beset my
mind.
Ethan obviously loved kids, so much he was talking
about having them. I, of course, was not equipped to give him any. Maybe he was
regretting our relationship. Maybe I was holding him back from his true destiny
as a father. I didn’t want Ethan to finish out his life with regrets for what
might have been, and I didn’t want to be the reason why he didn’t have progeny
of his own.
Was I selfless enough to give him up to some woman
who could fulfill his need for a child? I’d do just about anything for Ethan,
but I didn’t think I could do that.
Lost in my own somber thoughts, I was surprised to
glance up and realize Anderson was gone, and Alex was once again in his
mother’s loving arms. Whether he liked it or not.
“I understand completely,” Sarah was saying. “Don’t
worry about it. Do what you have to do.”
At least she didn’t sound angry. “Let me know what’s
going on when you can,” she continued. “And tell Uncle Benny I love him and
miss him.”
“I will, don’t worry. Hopefully when this is all
over, we can all of us get together and do some serious catching up. We’re past
due for that.”
Did all of us include the two Josephs, I couldn’t
help but wonder.
“Amen to that,” Sarah fervently agreed. “It’s been
too long, hasn’t it?”
“It certainly has.”
A moment of silence followed.
“Ethan, I…”
“Sarah, I…”
Must
be that twin thing.
They both laughed, and just like that the tension
between them was broken. At least for now.
“You know I only want what’s best for you,” Ethan
said. “Both of you. I love you.”
“I know. And I love you too, Ethan.” She hefted Alex
up a little higher on her hip as he tried to wriggle out of her grasp.
“Benny!” Alex insisted, pointing toward the kitchen.
I suspected Benny was taking a nap, lying in what sun he could find. Part of
his daily agenda. But he’d be up for playing if awakened.
“Okay, just a minute,” Sarah soothed her son, before
adding for her brother’s benefit, “I won’t do anything foolish or stupid, I
promise. Okay?”
“Okay,” Ethan replied. “Just know you can call me
any time, day or night, okay? Vinny and I are always here for you, no matter
what.”
My heart warmed at his inclusion of me, but I should
have known better. That was just how Ethan was. Thoughtful and generous. No
wonder that I loved him so very much. Which made the idea that I was
potentially holding him back from attaining his heart’s desire all the more
painful.
“I know, and I will,” Sarah promised.
“If you like, I can stay at the hotel tonight and
you can stay here,” I said. My offer was sincere although I didn’t really want
us to separate, even for one night, but I could understand his wanting to spend
what time he could with his sister. I was determined to do the right thing, no
matter at what cost.
Sarah surprised me by enveloping me in a big hug,
one that included Alex apparently, who thought it was funny and hung onto me as
well. “You’re so sweet, Vinny, no wonder my brother loves you so much. We’ll be
fine, don’t worry. You two just go do your job and watch over Uncle Benny.”
“I’ll call you later,” Ethan promised. “Maybe we can
drop you at the airport tomorrow.”
“Okay, if you can,” she agreed. “If not, that’s why
they make Ubers, right?” She gave him a quick wink before heading toward the
kitchen with the excited Alex.
And now we were alone. And now Ethan was giving me
a… look. The kind that meant trouble because I just knew he was going to ask me
something tricky. Something I wouldn’t care to answer.
“I think I forgot to make the bed.” I plotted an
escape route to the hallway, one that would dazzle Ethan with my speed of
execution. But he was faster and blocked my way rather handily, his beautiful
blue eyes boring into mine. How could I resist?
“Vinny, what’s the matter?’ he said gently.
to be continued
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