Chain Reaction 3.1.65: Spending Time

Braydon

     I'm starting to wonder if there isn't anything Isabella Taylor can't do.

     I mean Love. Isabella Love. Dammit.

     ANYWAY, I was about to lose another member when... Hang on. Isabella's back.

      I get up because her eyes are wide like she's in a panic over something.
     "Braydon, I am so. sorry! I was out of line. I'm sure you had that under control. I overstepped. I've been doing that too much lately, and I'm really sorry."
     "What?" I can't help but laugh. "You're apologizing? Seriously? That woman's been wanting to quit for weeks. I've tried everything I could think of, and none of it worked!

     "Then you sail in here and not only get her to stay but have her spend more money!" I laugh again. "And you're apologizing?"
      "Well... I..." She starts blushing. Please don't. 
      Hiring Isabella was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. I'm not sure exactly how much, but sales are up. At least, I've never seen so many new faces. I honestly wonder if it's that winning smile that gets them.
     However, it could also be argued that hiring her was one of the dumbest things I've ever done. I haven't been able to turn off the 'attraction switch' in my brain. I'm doing everything I can to keep my distance, but it isn't easy.
     "You're not mad at me?" she asks, her eyebrows pushing together.
     I can't help it. I laugh. This is fabulous. "Mad at you? I could-" kiss you. SH*T! I clear my throat. "I mean I should give you a raise." Yeah, the jury's still out on whether I'm a genius or a complete idiot.

     "You're not mad," she states like a question.
     "No." I shouldn't have thought the kissing thing. I almost plumbing said it. That would've been extremely inappropriate. And the more time I spend with Isabella, the more focus I have to give on being appropriate. Slip ups like that are dangerous waters.
     What would she have done if I had, though? Stupid brain.

     She'd be shocked, obviously. She doesn't have a clue; she shouldn't have a clue. I shouldn't even be thinking this.

     But it would be so nice. I wouldn't be aggressive about it. I'd hold her only just tightly enough to keep her in place in order to kiss her. If she pushed back, I'd let her go.

     "I was thinking," she speaks even though I'm barely aware of it, "that maybe I should sign up for some courses in accounting. Maybe instead of a raise you could pay for them? Then, um, maybe hire me as a... kind of..." There's a pause. "Braydon?"

     "Mhm." But what if she DIDN'T push me back? 

      What if instead she wrapped her arms around ME and kissed me back? That would be wonderful to feel her in my arms as she would 'test the waters' to figure out MY reaction. Women have told me I can be a little intense, so I'd do my best to keep it light.

     Unless she wanted more...

     "Braydon?"

     My eyes fly open.

     I plaster a smile on my face. "Yes?"

     "I can see you're tired. Or something. I won't bother you." Her face falls.

     "Accounting classes, right?" My teeth are almost clenched together. "Sure. That's a good idea. Just let me know what you find. We can talk about it later." I still wear my plastic smile. I probably look like a lunatic. Plum plum plum plum sh*t plums. 

     She smiles, even if her brow still shows concern. "Okay." She turns back to reception.

     "Okay," I reply. Then I practically run up the stairs. There's a yoga class going, but I need something else.

     I punch an imaginary me, pounding out a rhythm that I hope finally makes it into my thick skull.
     Married. Woman. Married. Woman. Married. Woman. Married. Woman. Married. Woman.

Alaric

      Mom was right. A change of scenery can really lift spirits.

     They buy a new place, going once more for a modern, contempo look. However, this new house is MUCH smaller than the old one. It's a two bedroom. And I won't occupy the second bedroom for very long.

     Of course, it also helps that it's near the water. I really hope Mom can begin to heal.

     I decide I don't want a party for my birthday, so Mom just makes me a cake.

     The Maker had me go outside for my 'after' makeover pics because the lighting in the kitchen needs fixing. I've decided my partly-shaved head look is behind me.

     I send in my official college application and have to wait a few days before I can leave. Dad is still really excited about my music label idea. I want to do this on my own, but let's face it: having a financial backer, especially in the beginning, couldn't hurt. Still, I have to remind him how I really feel like I need to attend Eden U. Yes, I know he's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to how to run a successful business, but I'm curious what else I could learn.

     Finally, my application gets accepted, and I begin my first term.

      When I get here, I realize a little "gift" from my dad. I have the whole second floor to myself.

Ivy

      "Mommy! Brent slide!" my son tries to get my attention, but I'm distracted by my phone.

They say you're perfect for part. Filming starts in three weeks. Emailing paperwork, etc.

     YES! I got the part! It's only a supporting role, but that's a step above being randomly featured in various episodes of various shows. I finally got a continuing role!

Thanks!

     I force myself to keep my reply quick. Sandy, my agent, never likes it when people say too much.

     "Mommy! Brent sliiiiiiiiide!" Brent announces more adamantly.

     "Okay, sweetie. Here comes Mommy." I smile and walk over to my precious boy.

      "Go, Brent, go!" I cheer, and he grins and starts down the slide.

      This has become his favorite park, and I'm glad that today, I get to take him to it instead of 'Aunt Em-em.' She still glares at me, not totally ready to forgive me for what I did to Mike. I can tell she tolerates me because of how Mike and Darrin have decided to tolerate me, but I'm not her favorite person.

     If filming begins in three weeks, I'm going to spend as much time as possible with my boy now. I have no idea how much I'll be required to be on set, but I have to be ready to be gone a lot. Still, I need to get home and fill out all that paperwork.

      "Yay!" I cheer when I catch him. "You're such a big boy, Brent!"

      He laughs and reaches up for me to pick him up.

     "Go again?" I ask.

     He kicks his legs. "Again!" He would play on this slide all day if I let him.

     As I walk around, I almost slip on the wet leaves. It had been drizzling all morning, giving an icky pall to the sky.

     "Okay, you go play. Mommy's going to rake the leaves." I put him down and pull out a rake from that mysterious place where everything goes.

      By the time I make a little pile of leaves, Brent gets distracted by watching a girl on the monkey bars. I smile as I listen to him try to carry on a conversation with her, and she tries to figure out what he's saying. My heart fills even more when I think about how he will have no trouble at all making friends.

      I get a little carried away in raking the leaves. It's almost therapeutic. I smile when I hear Brent giggling about something and decide to quickly take care of some leaves behind the bathroom building.

     But when I come back around to check on him, I can't find him. "Brent?" I peek in the leaves, wondering if he'd decided to hide. "Brent?" All around me are kids chatting and laughing about stuff, but no Brent. I ask the nearest child to me if she's seen him, but she has no idea who I'm talking about. "A little boy! Brown hair." I take a deep breath. He's got to be around here somewhere.

     A boy in a pink shirt turns to me. "Oh, his dad got him, I think."

     "Huh?" Both Mike and Darrin are at work. Keep calm, Ivy. "Where'd they go?"

     "Um, they went..." He points but then looks around with a scowl on his face. "I don't know."