“Why do I have to babysit,” Jolene demanded, pushing aside her hot dog.
“You’re not. I am,” Eli shoved the last of his hot dog in his mouth while reaching for another.
“Ugh, you’re so gross.”
Eli chuckled, unphased by his sister’s comments. Grabbing a napkin he wiped mustard and ketchup from his face. “It’s part of the experience,” he said “besides I don’t hear you complaining about the twins or Cai. They have way more on their faces than I did.”
“They’re little,” she said, giving him a look of disdain. “You don’t have that excuse.”
“I don’t need an excuse,” he grinned, taking a huge bite of his hot hog now that it was just the way he liked it, mustard, a little ketchup, cheese and lots of relish. “I just like hot dogs,” he said as a glob of condiments oozed out, ran down his chin and plopped onto his shirt.
“You’ll never get a date eating like that,” she jeered. She waited for the usual look of defeat to cloud his eyes, the slump of his shoulders as the truth of her words sank in. Realizing her words lacked their usual sting she said, “you should wear a bib like a baby.”
“Sure why not,” Eli said laughing at her “people wear bibs when they eat lobster. What’s the difference if they wear one all the time.”
Pouting, she turned to her parents “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m much too old for one.”
Setting the plate down that Cecil had just handed him, Jonah gave his daughter a stern glare. “After what happened when you watched your brothers your lucky I’m not asking your Uncles to babysit,”
“That wasn’t my fault,” she cried. “Ephy knew he wasn’t supposed to do magic without Cecil. He’s the one who did it, not me. I don’t see why I have to be punished for something I didn’t do.”
“You dared me to do it,” Ephy murmured, head down unable to meet anyone’s gaze.
Ezekial rubbed his hand, “it’s ok Ephy. You didn’t mean to hurt me.”
“And why is it ok,” Jolene demanded, “because I healed you. You wouldn’t have a hand if it weren’t for me.”
“And let’s not forget that he wouldn’t have needed to be healed if you hadn’t egged Ephy on to do something you knew he couldn’t do,” Eli added in his best big brother knows all tone.
“It was his choice to do it,” she said glaring at Eli. “It’s not my fault he was dumb enough to do something he couldn’t. I couldn’t stop him. Not really. Not once his mind was set.”
“And that’s why Eli will be babysitting,” Jonah said, eyeing his daughter sternly.
“But I’ll do better,” she pleaded, “I promise.”
“No and not another word about it,” Jonah said, picking up his hot dog and taking a bite.
“Can I invite Awan over,” Eli asked after finishing off his second hot dot and grabbing a third.
“Yes please,” Jolene begged, determined to get something out of the deal.
Eli gave her a sharp look but wisely decided against saying anything.
After conversing with Cecil a moment Jonah nodded “as long as you don’t get distracted and, this time,” looking directly at Jolene, “absolutely no magic while we’re gone. I’m also going to have your Uncle Jayden check on you just to make sure everything’s going ok.”
At that announcement both Eli and Jolene groaned together.
Jonah drummed his fingers on the table, the white tablecloth coarse to the touch. “Do you think we should have left them alone?”
Cecil could hear the concern in Jonah’s voice, reaching across the table, he gently took Jonah’s hand in his. “Eli’s been home alone with the kids multiple times. He and Awan can handle things.”
Jonah squeezed Cecil’s hand, taking comfort from his unspoken support. “You’re right. I just can’t help but worry after what happened before and I was home then. What if something happens and we’re not there?” He fell silent as their waiter approached the table to take their order.
“Would you like to go home?” Cecil asked before telling the waiter what he wanted.
“No,” Jonah forced a smile to his lips “it’s not often I get a chance to go on a date.”
“Then you’re ready to order,” the waiter asked in an overly polite tone like he’d been kept waiting for hours instead of a several seconds.
Nodding Jonah handed the menus to the waiter “we’ll have the roast duck with blackberry-orange sauce.”
Once the waiter was gone Cecil took Jonah’s hand again, rubbing his thumb over the soft skin over the delicate, fine boned fingers beneath. “Would you like me to call your brother to check on the kids?”
“They’ll think we don’t trust them,” Jonah said, nibbling on his bottom lip.
“Do you,” Cecil prompted “trust them?”
Jonah started to nod his head before giving it a firm shake. “I trust Eli and Awan. The one I don’t trust is Jolene. She has a way of egging others into doing things they wouldn’t ordinarily do.” Sitting back he sighed “I don’t know what to do with her. She won’t listen. At least not to me. The only one she listens to is Ethan. Sometimes I wish she would go and stay with him.” His mouth dropped as his eyes bugged out “I can’t believe I just said that. I love her. Really I do. It’s just..” He shrugged, shaking his head, not finding the words to express how he felt.
After a few moments of silence Jonah leaned forward “that makes me a terrible father wishing my child to live somewhere just because I don’t know how to deal with her.”
Standing, Cecil tugged on Jonah’s hand “let’s dance.”
“You’re trying to distract me,” Jonah said looking up at his husband.
“Of course I am,” Cecil admitted, “we’re supposed to be on a date.”
“So we are,” Jonah agreed, letting himself be led towards the dance floor. It never ceased to amaze him how well Cecil was above to navigate new places despite not being able to see. “The piano player is pretty good,” he said as he gathered Cecil into his arms.
“Not as well as you,” Cecil whispered in Jonah’s ear as he leaned into him, swaying to the soft piano music.
Chuckling a little Jonah dipped Cecil in his arms “you know exactly what I want to hear.”
“When are we going to eat,” Ephy whined following Eli around the kitchen. “We’re starving.”
After tripping over his little brother for the third time, Eli felt his patience slipping even further than it had since he found out Jolene had let the mac and cheese turn into a gelatinous mess. He doubted they’d ever be able to clean the pot. “Why don’t you ask Jolene,” he snapped, “she’s the one who ruined dinner.”
“Don’t blame me,” Jolene cried “it’s not my fault.”
“I told you to watch it,” Eli said.
“And I told you I was busy,” she rolled her eyes, flogging her hair back dramatically.
“All you were doing was staring at yourself in the mirror,” Eli said, giving up on trying to scrape the goo from the bottom of the pan and simply ran water and let it soak in the sink.
“What are we going to eat,” Ephy asked, his whine becoming more distinct than it was a few moments before.
Walking over to the fridge Eli stared at its contents. “We have a couple of frozen pizzas,” he said mostly to himself “we’ll have those.”
“That’ll take forever,” Ephy drooped like a wilting flower.
“Fifteen minutes,” Eli said, transferring the pizzas from the box to the oven.
“If you don’t burn it again,” Jolene giggled when Eli glared at her.
“You burned the mac and cheese,” Eli mumbled, knowing it was pointless arguing.
Jolene stuck her tongue out “you shouldn’t have left it on the stove. I told you I was busy.”
“Dad said you were supposed to be helping,” Eli said, tossing a salad he knew no one else would eat besides him and Awan. “What was so important anyway that you couldn’t drag yourself away from your mirror for five minutes?”
“I was putting my makeup on,” she fluttered her eyelids to emphasize the deep blue lids.
“JoJo a clown,” Cai announced, causing the twins to break into giggles.
Eli smothered his own giggles not wanting to antagonize his sister even more than she was already.
“I am not a clown,” she protested, frowning severely.
“You know dad doesn’t like you wearing so much makeup,” Eli said, closing the oven door and resetting the timer for five minutes.
“He’s not here,” she said, lifting her chin in the air “and I wouldn’t care anyway. Daddy says I look nice.”
Rolling his eyes Eli snorted “Ethan just says that because he knows Dad doesn’t like you wearing makeup. Of course Ethan’s going to say the opposite.”
“You’re just upset because you’re afraid that Awan won’t notice you because all he’ll have eyes for is me,” she said primly.
“Do you like Awan,” Ezekiel asked looking at his older brother with large round innocent blue eyes.
“Of course he does,” Jolene snickered, before Eli could reply, “but Awan likes me more.”
A knock at the door interrupted whatever anyone else might have wanted to say. Eli moved as if to get the door when the timer went off for the pizzas.
Jolene said “I’ll get the door. I wouldn’t want you to burn supper for a second time tonight.”
Eli watched her leave with a triumphant toss of her hair. “I didn’t burn it the first time,” he muttered under his breath. He’d asked her to simply stir the mac cheese while he changed Cai’s diaper.
Meanwhile Jolene threw open the front door startling the young man standing there with a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers. “You shouldn’t have,” Jolene cooed, reaching up and taking the flowers from Awan’s hands “they’re lovely.”
Plucking the dandelions from the bouquet she tossed them at Awan “you can give those to my dumb brother or his lil feelings will be hurt.”
Before Awan could stop her Jolene wrapped her arm through his, smiling up at him, she led him into the kitchen like some kind of prize. “Aren’t these the most beautiful flowers? And you thought Awan wouldn’t notice me.”
Awan pulled his arm free saying “you should put them in some water.”
While Jolene was busy selecting the best vase to display her flowers Awan helped Eli carry the food to the table. Once they had the little kids taken care of Awan leaned in close whispering in Eli’s ear “I’m sorry. The flowers were meant for you. She just,” he shrugged, what else could he say?
“It’s alright,” Eli said, glancing up at Awan as his fingers brushed against Awan’s “you’re forgiven.”
“Hey,” Jolene said loudly behind them “hands off my boyfriend.”
And just like that the spell between them broke and Eli stepped away from Awan leaving them both wondering how they were going to fix this.
It wasn’t until the twins were in bed that Eli found a moment to be alone with Awan. The entire evening Jolene had stuck close to Awan’s side making sure that they were never alone.
“Alone at last,” Awan chuckled, glancing around the backyard as if he expected to find his Jolene shaped shadow hovering nearby.
“The boys are asleep and Jolene is taking a bath,” Eli affirmed “we should have at least a half hour to ourselves.”
“I really am sorry about earlier,” Awan said, reaching for Eli’s hands. “I guess I didn’t realize how much she liked me…”
Eli let out a little sigh, watching the way Awan’s fingers intertwined with his. After a moment of silent reflection he looked up “were those flower’s really for me?” he asked.
Staring into Eli’s eyes, Awan’s lips quivered upwards “of course they were for you” When Eli looked away he added, “I admit to encouraging her crush on me. And I admit to being flattered by the attention.”
Eli moved his gaze from their hands to Awan’s face as if searching for answers. “Does that mean…” he licked his lips as his mouth felt drier than the desert in Oasis Springs. He moved in closer “I like you … a lot.” Groaning he turned away muttering to himself “you idiot.
“Hey,” Awan reached for Eli’s arm, keeping him from leaving “you’re not an idiot.”
Stopping, Eli half turned towards his best friend “you don’t think so.”
Awan chuckled, shaking his head hearing the unasked question in Eli’s voice. “No I don’t think so because I like you too,” smiling he added “a lot.”
“Now you’re making fun of me,” Eli mumbled, his head hanging down refusing to look into Awan’s face.
Gently Awan lifted Eli’s chin upwards “maybe a little.”
Eli’s eyes peered into Awan’s eyes. They were soft and kind and he felt as if he could peer into them forever and never get tired. He leaned forward, tilting forward on his toes, their lips connected for the briefest of moments before he pulled back. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, cheeks burning as they turned into glowing embers. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I’m not complaining,” Awan said.
Eli could see the twinkle in Awan’s eyes “what about your dad? I know he won’t approve…”
“Let me worry about my dad,” Awan said with a confidence that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“You make it sound so easy,” Eli said as he let Awan pull him close. Resting his head on Awan’s shoulder he relaxed in what he felt was the best place ever. “What if he hurts you,” he couldn’t help but worry “I know he does.”
“It’s ok, I can take it,” Awan assured him.
Stepping back Eli looked up at Awan “I don’t think I could live if I knew you got hurt because of me. I’m not worth it.”
“I think you are,” Awan said once more pulling Eli close and this time when their lips connected it was like an unspoken promise was made between them.
Jolene stood by the door transfixed by the sight of Awan holding her brother in his arms. How could this be happening? Awan was her boyfriend! Her mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. Awan brought her flowers. Gave her the necklace she clutched in her hand. How could Awan do this to her?
Disbelief and shock kept her from storming outside and confronting the no good, two timing cheater. To her horror Awan wasn’t only holding her brother but kissing him. KISSING. A roaring filled her ears like the entire power of the ocean was pouring over her head.
Turning from the door muttering “you’ll regret this.”
Her face twisting in pain, hurt and anger she reached for her phone. Ignoring the little voice inside her head telling her to stop, she punched in the number she knew would put an end to what was happening outside. Awan had this coming. He deserved to be punished. Betraying her like this. Cheating on her. HER! How dare he!
When the call was made and an end to her misery was in sight she couldn’t help but wonder if this was how Ethan felt. Betrayed by the man he loved. The pain of seeing the man he loved in the arms of another. The little touches. The tender looks. The kisses.
Yeah Awan had this coming!
A man slipped through the gate, his eyes glittered in anger as he approached the two young boys locked in an intimate embrace. “How long has this been going on,” he demanded, deriving some satisfaction from the startled, shocked faces as the two boys jumped apart.
“Dad,” Awan gasped, stepping in front of Eli protectively.
“Get in the car, we’re leaving,” Awan’s dad said.
Eli grabbed Awan’s hand, “don’t go,” he entreated him.
“Do as I say. Get in the car,” he repeated, his voice rising as his anger bubbled over.
“He’s not going anywhere with you,” Eli said, holding onto Awan’s hand.
“Oh,” the man queried, looking at Eli, snorting dismissively “get in the car Awan. Don’t make me tell you again.”
“Eli I have to go,” Awan said in a low steady voice but he couldn’t disguise the fear in his eyes.
“Stay here,” Eli squeezed Awan’s hand, gripping it tighter “we can protect you.”
Shaking his head, Awan pried his hand loose “no you can’t,” he said in a low voice that only Eli could hear.
“No,” Eli cried, “he’s not going with you.” He raised his hands, releasing the energy he needed to force push Awan’s father away. And …. Nothing happened. Staring at his hands, gasping “what happened?”
Laughing, Awan’s father grabbed his son’s arm in a tight, bruising grip. “Foolish little boy. Do you think I wouldn’t have protection against magic? You can’t stop me from taking my son home.”
Awan twisted in his Father’s grasp as he was dragged towards the gate. “This isn’t your fault,” he said “I love you.”
Running to the gate Eli called after them “I love you too.” The slamming of the car doors had an ominous sound to them like the music in most horror movies just before something awful happens.
Jolene watched from the window savoring the events she helped start. Her enjoyment dimmed as she watched Awan being dragged through the gate. She wanted Awan to hurt the way he hurt her. She wanted him to be punished…but she didn’t feel the satisfaction she anticipated.
Instead she had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach that made her feel queasy. She hated that feeling almost as much as she hated seeing her brother crumple on the ground. Was he crying? She hadn’t thought about how her actions would affect her brother. She hadn’t thought beyond hurting Awan.
She should go out there, she knew, and confess everything but she couldn’t see what that would accomplish other than make Eli mad at her. She knew Eli wouldn’t understand that all she wanted to do was hurt Awan the way he hurt her. Feelings were so messy especially those not her own.. She probably should have listened to Josie. At the thought of her cousin, she knew who she could call. Uncle Jayden.
For the second time that night she made a call that would be instrumental in making irrevocable changes in her brother’s life.
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