Part 1 - More to come.
All characters are 18 years of age or older.
Enjoy!
*
Tragedy struck my family shortly after my 18th birthday. My parents had been on their way to a business trip and the jet they had chartered crashed.
It wasn't an easy thing to cope with, but my parents were forward thinking. They had made sure my older sister and I were well taken care of in the event of their death. The house was paid off, their debts taken care of, and the remainder was left to us. My sister, Wren, and I knew our parents weren't wealthy, but they made sure that in the event of their deaths we were taken care of. The money was substantial enough that the two of us could go to school full time and still pay the bills.
It wasn't always easy, waking up every day and realizing our parents were gone, but it slowly became easier. There were still moments where I'd see their faces in a dream and wake up crying.
Wren and I continued life for the next couple of years, going to school, taking care of the bills, and making sure that we did everything we could to make what our parents left for us matter.
One late afternoon I got home from my evening class, the house was almost completely dark save for the TV which was sitting on the dashboard to my Xbox. I walked over, thinking Wren had fallen asleep again watching something.
I came around the corner to see her sitting on the couch; her knees up by her chin, sobbing.
"Wren," I said softly. "What's wrong?"
She shuddered and looked up at me with her tear laden eyes. "I couldn't help it," she said. "Mom's favorite show is now available on the Xbox, and she's never going to get to watch it." He face fell back into her knees and she started crying harder.
I sat down next to her and pulled her close. She curled up against me and continued to cry against me. I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped it around her.
"How do you do it?" she asked. "How have you kept yourself so...calm?"
"I wake up crying," I admitted. "I'm no more ready to move on without mom and dad than you are. I just try and...get through it. It's been two years and I still don't find it any easier than if it was a week ago."
Wren wiped the tears from her eyes. "I must look like a wreck," she said with a slight chuckle.
"It's alright," I said. I lifted her chin and wiped a tear away. "Come on, put something nice on and we'll go out to eat, how does that sound?"
Wren smiled happily and sniffled. She laughed as she lunged forward and hugged me. "Thanks little brother," she said. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
She got up and bounded away into her room.
Less than an hour later I was ready to go dressed in my nice cloths and waiting for her by the door.
"Come on, Wren!" I shouted. "It's Friday night and if we don't get going soon they won't have any seats left."
"Coming, coming!" she shouted back. "I forgot where I put my good shoes." I heard her coming as her heels clacked against the fake hardwood floors. She came around the corner in the best looking dress I had seen her in, in a long time. It was a long green number that reached just above her knees. Below that she wore nylons and attractive low heeled shoes. She left her brown/red hair flow around her shoulders, no special attention to that, and her makeup was simple and elegant. She looked very natural...and stunning to behold.
I was speechless for a moment, my mouth gaping wide in astonishment. "Keep staring," she said. "You're eyes will stay that way."
I laughed and shook my daze. She and I left the house quickly and were on our way.
At the restaurant we waited in a line for a few moments before we got to the podium.
"Welcome to Harris and Malone," said the man at the podium. "How many will be dining this evening?"
"Two," said my sister giddy and excited.
The man bowed, made note on a computer screen, and guided us away. He seated us at a two chair table and left us the menus.
"Natalie will be your waitress for this evening," he said. "Enjoy."
My sister and I opened our menus quickly talking back and forth about what we'd like to have the most. I always went with my favorite. A medium seasoned steak, house made mashed potatoes, and their artery clogging gravy smothered over the plate.
"Gee," said my sister. "Why don't they just call it a heart attack on a plate?"
We laughed together until we noticed someone had stepped up to the table.
I looked up and locked eyes with perhaps the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was at least my age, perhaps older. Five foot five at least, long black hair, green eyes, a bright face, great smile, and a fantastic figure.
"Hello!" she said cheerfully. She looked between Wren and I and the moment her eyes met mine I saw her feel the same jolt of unexpected attraction. "My name is Natalie; I'll be your server today."
I saw a wry smile come from my sister and I knew she had seen me see Natalie.
"Hello," said Wren, breaking the moment of silence.
"Can I get either of you drinks?" asked Natalie.
"A bottle of red wine, sweet preferably, an inexpensive bottle of any brand will do," said Wren. She handed her ID over to Natalie who handed it back after checking it. "Nothing for him, he's still underage."
My look moved immediately from Natalie to Wren to give her a dirty look.