Thread: Sweet Summer Secret { Flash & VenomousLips }

Ben.., Is that you. Its David your brother The voice on the other end of the line was different than I remembered, which was hardly surprising since I had not heard it in years. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was not comfortable making this call, His voice was strained, How are you Ben, its been awhile since we talked. I smirked, A while it had been nine years, Im good David, How are you and the family I asked out of politeness. Oh, Im fine. So is Martha he stuttered In fact we are off on a cruise this summer he fell silent for a few moments Marie-Jane. Well there was a uncomfortable pause Shes the reason Im calling. I was wondering how you felt about taking Marie-Jane for the summer. There it was the reason behind the call, I knew that there had to be something for my brother to call me out of the blue like this. But I had expected it to be money, I thought that after nine years he had finally swallowed his pride and was willing to accept the money I had offered him all those years ago. I dont know Dave, thats a lot to ask I sat back in my chair and considered his request I mean its not like she even knows me anymore, The last time she was here she was what seven, eight years old. I quickly did the maths in my head She must be what seventeen now, There is not a lot out here for a seventeen year old girl. There are no clubs out here, hell the nearest Mall is about an hours drive. Shed hate it. I could almost see him squirm on the other end of the phone Thats just what she needs he said Listen Ben, Your right Marie-Jane is not the little girl you remember, And yes her life revolves around the mall and night clubs. Which is exactly the reason I want you to take her. he paused a moment Look I aint going to lie to you, Shes going off the rails. Shes drinking, partying. Christ half the time she doesnt even come home at night. Me and Martha are that busy we barely even see her any more. His voice was strained, he was trying hard not to sound too desperate Im hoping that getting her away from that crowed she hangs with for a while will make her see sense. I ran my fingers through my hair as I listened to my brother, The things he was describing hardly sounded like the Marie-Jane I remembered, but then a lot can change in nine years. I had a good life out here, the ranch was my escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life I had grown up in. It was peaceful and the thought of a delinquent teen tearing through the place was not one I was keen to make reality. Please Ben, youre my last hope he added his voice cutting through my thoughts. For a long time neither of us spoke. Ill do it I finally said putting him out of his misery She can stay. I took a deep breath and wondered what I had let myself in for. I spent most the morning tidying around the house, Airing out her old room. Nobody had used the room in years and her old stuffed toys still lined the shelves on the wall. The room could have done with a lick of paint, but my brother was not one to give me much warning. I had little under six hours to get the place ready. So the discoloured pink walls would have to suffice. A little after noon I saw the billowing cloud of dust form in the wake of a shiny silver lexus as it sped along the road leading up to my drive. The car looked completely out of place in the rural surrounding so I knew without a doubt that my guest had arrived. I stood on the porch watching as the car drew ever closer. It slide to a halt at the end of my drive way, a good half mile from the house itself and I watched as two figures stepped out. One of them moving to the trunk of the car and unloading three large suitcases. Stepping off the porch I started walking down the drive to meet them. I had barely made it half way when the shiny Lexus spun around and wheel spined back the way it had come, leaving Marie-Jane standing alone surrounded by cases. I shook my head as I watched the plume of dust as the car disappeared over the horizon. I guess your father had more important things on his mind I quipped as I finally joined you at the end of the drive. I shook my head Something never change I fell silent as I looked at you sizing you up. You bore only a passing resemblance of the little girl of my memories and I smirked And I guess somethings do, the last time I saw you you were this height my hand hovered around four feet from the ground. I smiled as I stepped past you and easily picked up two of the mammoth cases lets get you up to he house. I waited as you picked up the last case and set off back up the drive carrying the cases as if they weighed nothing at all. Glancing back I suppressed a laugh as I watched you struggling to keep up with me, your heels sinking into the loose gravel. It took twice as long for us to reach the house as it had for me to walk out to meet you. I set the two cases down just inside the door and turned relieving you of your burden as you struggled to mount the porch steps. Leading the way inside I headed for the kitchen, Ill rustle us up some lunch while you get yourself settled in I turned back to look at you You remember were your room is dont you.