Chapter 2 Lost loves
Toni looked up. It was morning now. She would have liked to read all night but she had to go to schoo. What she had read worried her. Why the hell would this perfect couple ever break up? She knew her parents hadn´t been together since highschool. Her mother was an actress. She traveled the world, she lived in London for many years. She also knew that her parents were away from time to time, whatever that meant. Her mother had studied and graduated from RADA. Toni had even considered applying there…maybe Oxford? Going into writing…not acting…she didn´t know. The possibilies were endless. Reading about sixteen-year-old Dylan was an eye opener.
„Toni…would you like to come to the beach after school? I´m going bike riding with Kyle and Sheila." Erica walked into her bedroom.
She pushed back her wavy brown hair and looked at her niece.
„That sounds good." She exhaled, put her father´s book on the bedside table and stood up.
Downstairs her siblings were already waiting for her at the kitchen table. Kyle was dying to try his inline skates and was impatient. Erica tried to calm him down. School is more important. Disappointed, Kyle ate his corn flakes. Toni laughed out loud.
„I can´t wait either."
„When are we leaving?" Sheila asked, sipping her milk.
„I´ll pick you up from school and then we´ll drive on immediately." Erica explained. „And now have breakfast. Otherwise there is no beach." She winked.
The children hurried.
At the beach, Erica rented a tandem bike for herself and Sheila and sat back saddle. Toni also had her Roller blades and raced with her brother. They enjoyed spending time with their aunt. Toni always said she wanted to be like her.
„What do you think Mom and Dad are going to do now?" Sheila looked out to sea.
Erica did the same. „I guess they´ll be thinking of you a lot and looking forward to going home."
„You´re right. I guess it´s normal to miss the parents at some point, isn´t it?"
Erica smiled at her niece. „Of course."
„I love you aunt Erica."
„I love you too Sheila."
Back at home Toni helped Iris in the kitchen.
„Granny, was Mom really Dad´s first love?"
„Yes and you know that. He says it all the time." Iris winked at her.
Toni shrugged. „Yes, I know."
„How is the book? I hope you´re not reading too long?" Iris laughed at Toni´s surprised expression. Then she got serious.
„Don´t worry Granny. I´ve slept enough. Honestlyy…it´s sweet. They were intense and young and happy. I mean, it´s just the beginning, but it seems so to me." Then she got serious too. „I wonder what happend?"
„What do you think?"
„Mom and Dad were separated. Maybe they broke up because Mom moved to London? Makes sense right?" She giggled at herself.
Iris smiled. „Maybe…I don´t know…maybe you´ll find out." Iris smiled at her granddaughter.
At sixty-six, Iris McKay still looked very attractive. Although her hair was already gray, she still looked the same as she did fifteen years ago. Same clothes, same jewellery, same fondness for crystals.
„I´m sure I will." Toni nodds.
„Shall we eat?" Iris called to Kyle and Sheila who were busy with their homework.
For dinner the next day, Erica invited the kids to the Peach Pit.
„Oh yeah." Sheila, Kyle and Toni clapped their hands. They were happy to ride in Erica´s new Porsche.
The Peach Pit was full. They waved to Nat. Nathaniel Bussichio. This old man was practically part of her family and had the best mega burgers in town. Erica and the kids found a free table near the old jukebox.
Although Nat was already sure over seventy he works still in his Peach Pit. But only for a few hours a day. The main time his son Frankie worked.
„Hey Erica..kids..I haven´t seen you in over a week. Where were you? Don´t you miss your uncle Nat?"
The children laughed. „Just hanging out at home…you know how it is."
Nat nodded understandably. „If I had your estate, I´d rather stay at home, too. How are your parents? Are they still in Europe?" He asked affectionately.
„Yes, they called yesterday. They sound like they´ve having a great time. Alone and everything. You know their." Toni rolled her eyes playfully.
„I do." Nat smiled. „Those two crazy kids." He shook his head, rememberring how long they had all been back. Now Nat was feeding the next generation.
„How were my Mom and Dad back then, Uncle Nat, as a couple?" Toni wondered.
„Oh you know…like you boys, young and free. Your parents were very much in love, young but real. They were close, good friends too. Your mother was always good for Dylan…even when they were apart." Just then, they heard a loud crash from behind.
Nat groaned. „I´ll be back to take your order…new waiter." Her rolled his eyes and made his way to the storage room.
„Hmmm…I wonder what he meant by that?" said Toni to herself, but loudly.
Erica shrugged and looked at the menucard.
„Erica?"
Her eyes closed…shit. She looked up and there he was…Brandon.
With Sammy and Nath on his hands, he stood there smiling shyly. Looking at her with his perfect dark hair and blue eyes. Erica said nothing and immediately felt bad for making the kids come here.
„Hi Brandon." Erica replied, looking back at her menucard.
„I texted you last night. Did you read everything?"
Erica sighed and looked at him again. „Yes, I read everything. Thanks."
Brandon´s eyes traveled to the children and then back to her.
„Well, if you have any questions…I´m here."
„Thanks Brandon. It´s okay." Erica tried to control the butterflies in her stomach.
„Okay Erica."
Erica blushed. „Where is Kelly?" She asked, trying to keep calm.
Brandon bit his lip and shrugged. „She´s at home. We also wanted to get dinner from here."
„Well…just like us." Erica looked embarrassed.
„Uncle Brandon, why don´t you join us?" Kyle beamed at him.
„Ok, I wanted to got to your house but now that we are meeting here. How are you?"
„Fine. We had a great afternoon with Aunty Erica."
„Kyle, don´t call me Aunty, please." Erica laughed.
Brandon laughed too.
„Great. I see, the live is perfect. I´ve done my job as uncle." Brandon slapped his thighs.
„Do we have to go?" Nath asked sadly.
„Unfortunately Nath. Mom is waiting." He tapped his son on his nose. Nath squeaked.
Nat made his way and looked back and forth between the families.
„You want the usual?" he asked kindly.
„Yes…please Nat." Erica smiled.
Nat added to Brandon. „Brandon, your dinner is ready."
„Thanks Nat." He smiled at his once best friend.
Erica was shaking slightly and didn´t dare look at Brandon.
„See you tomorrow?" Brandon smiled at her again.
Erica swallowed. „Y-yes. I´ll there." She only looked at him briefly.
She wouldn´t let Brandon see her teary eyes. The last thing she saw was Brandon´s eyes shining as he looked at her.
Then Brandon and his kids left the Pit.
Toni and Sheila looked at their Aunt.
„Aunt Erica, are you crying?" Sheila whispered.
„No. Everything OK. Let´s eat."
But when Erica sat back in her Porsche later, after dropping the children off, she narrowed her eyes. Tears flowed freely. If she could get over Brandon…she prayed it would be soon.
What Erica didnt´t know was that Brandon, as he drove home, was also thinking about Erica´s strange behavior. Why she´s been weird when she´s around him? He just texted his sister that everything was fine and then he got out of the car.
It was quiet at home. He spotted Kelly in her study.
„Hey, are you still working?" Brandon came over to her.
„Yes, unfortunately, the report still has to be finished." She took off her reading glasses and rubbed her face.
Brandon leaned down and kissed her neck tenderly.
That was exactly what Kelly needed right now. She stand up, turn around and returned his kiss and deepened it. Kelly was addicted to his kisses.
„Break it up for today." Brandon mumbled against her lips. „We´ll eat our burgers now and then I´ll run you a bath."
Kelly liked the idea. „But only if you come with me." She smiled at him sweetly.
„I thougt you would never ask." Brandon smiled.
They kissed again and Brandon took Kelly´s hand and led her into her dining room where their boys were already waiting for her.
I know, a very short chapter. But it´s going on…
I hope I didn´t make a mistake with the age of the characters. Iris and Nat should be in these age. Review please…