Thanks to Liesel Meminger(it's so wonderful to have another Christina Aguilera fan out there!), Captain Weirdo, and Zsulie for reviewing and to others who read but do not review.


December 1, 1962 – 17.30

Richard Gerard unlocked the front door to his home and ushered his friend inside. They both shook the snow from their coats and hats. It was snowing yet again and coming down hard.

"Is it snowing again?" Richard's younger brother Max said when he came across them in the foyer.

"Yes, it's snowing again. It's been snowing for hours; where have you been?"

"With Clarisse in the sitting room. She's helping me with my school project. Who's your friend?"

"Oh," Richard chuckled. "Max, this is my friend Joseph. Joe, this is my little brother Max."

Joseph smiled at the boy. "It's nice to meet you, Max. I've heard quite a few stories about you."

Max narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Whatever you heard, it wasn't true." The boy didn't bother staying around. He left the men in the foyer to rid themselves of the cold.

Richard looked over at his friend. "He's actually quite nice and friendly."

"I'll take your word for it." The two took off their coats and hung them by the door to dry. They stomped the snow off of their shoes and wiped them thoroughly on the mat. "I can't believe I've never been to your house before."

"I know. I figured now would be a good time," Richard told Joseph. I've been to your house so much. It was about time you came to mine."

"Especially considering I've known you well over a year," Joseph grumbled at him.

Richard smiled and motioned to the man. "Come on. I'll introduce you to my sister."

"Tell me something about her first."

"Well, she just turned seventeen. She's in her last year of school," he told him. "She's extremely beautiful and uh, oh yes, she's off limits."

Joseph went wide eyed. "What?" he said innocently.

Richard wagged a finger at him. "I know you. I've seen women throw themselves at you before."

"That's them, not me. I've never once acted on anything," he defended himself.

"I know but I'm just saying…" Richard motioned again to the man to follow him.

Joseph followed the man through the house. He admired the myriad of expensive things they passed. Joseph wasn't rich but he wasn't poor either. He envied Richard for the lifestyle but he knew that as much as it was a gift, it was a curse too.

"Hello, Clarisse," Richard greeted his sister. He leaned over the settee to kiss her cheek. "Where are mother and father?"

"They're dinging at the Daultrev's this evening," she answered. "Where have you been?"

"At class, he replied innocently. "Where else would I be?"

Clarisse hummed lowly with a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"I was," Richard said, although Clarisse could hear the laugh he tried to hide. "I even brought home evidence. Clarisse, this is my friend Joseph, from school. Joe, this is my sister Clarisse."

Clarisse stood to greet the man. She wasn't prepared for the eyes that bored into her soul.

She held out her hand to him. "Hello," her melodic voice drifted to his ears. He gladly accepted her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. His lips tingled from the feeling.

"Hello."


The story will continue to unravel with another update tomorrow.