58
1579 Words
9th December
Autumn sat by the river smoking, the sun reflecting like a mirror across it, the water
rippling as the ducks swam across it. It was so peaceful out here.
“Hey Red.”
She looked over at him, his hair fell over his face. “Stenton.”
“So, are we ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
He held his hand out she looked at it awkwardly. “It doesn’t bite red.” He chuckled.
She stretched her hand out placing it in his, he tightened his grip around her hand and pulled her up to her feet, leering go of her hand. “Let’s go.”
She nodded following him. “So will your dad be there?”
“Yeah, he’ll be in his study.”
“Oh.l
“Chill Red, it’s work-related he’s on a high-profile case he needs to distance himself from anything that will distract him.”
“Won't being there distract him?”
“No Red, we’re going into the library.”
“You have a library?”
“Yep. Dad likes a little light reading when he’s not working and he encourages me to read too, though it bores me to death.”
“I can imagine.”
They continued turning down many streets until they got to the three-story house she’d been here once before at Halloween now she could see its true beauty in the daylight.
“Come on Red, stop gawking at my house we have a lot of work to do before you rush off to meet Con.”
She looked at him. “Sure.”
“Follow me.”
She nodded following him into the well-decorated home. So many doors. She followed behind him taking in all the beautiful home. Mom’s a clean freak she hates it when nothing is in its rightful place so please do touch anything Red, even if you have a desire to. She’ll chop your fingers off if she hints something has been moved believe me. My dad and I have been at the end of her wrath and believe me it is not pretty.”
She nodded as he veered off to the left, she followed him into the dark wood room with shelves filled to the brim and the ceiling with books. “Wow.”
“I know right? Please be careful read some of these books that are centuries old.”
She noded.
“Let’s get started.” He said sitting down, tapping the empty seat meet to him.
She swallowed hard joining him. Taking her books out of her bag placing them on the table. They began their homework as a Latino male stuck his head around the door. “Argh, busy at it I see.’
“Dad.”
“Son.” He looked at Autumn. “How are you, Miss. Cleveland?”
‘I’m good Mr Stanton and please call me Autumn.”
He nodded. “How is your work going Mr Stenton?”
“Quite well thank you. I hope Jonah is behaving himself.”
“Dad.”
“He is sir.”
He nodded. “Has he offered you a drink or refreshments?”
“No sir?”
“Jonah what have I always taught you? Always ask our guests if they would like a drink.”
“Sorry, dad I forgot.”
“It’s okay, sir.”
“No, it’s not. Jonah, get Autumn a drink and brings some refreshments.”
“Sure dad.”
“There’s no need honest.”
“Yes, there is your guest in our home you should be treated like one.”
Stenton got up walking out of the library. Mr Stenton looked at Autumn. “I’d like to thank you personally for helping Jonah. I know he can be a handful at times but he tries hard though he has a tough time understanding a lot of things in school. He’s doing well really well since you started helping him and I’m great full. He usually messes it up when it comes to a girl helping guess him with his work and I’m glad this time he hasn’t as he has decided to knuckle down and it’s all thanks to yo Autumn.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mr Stenton. I know Jonah tried his best and it's infuriating at times when it seems like he isn’t taking anything in but I can assure you he is.”
“Thanks, Autumn, that means a lot your a good friend to him, and I hope you continue to help him threw out this year. He needs someone like you around to help him gain the qualifications he needs to study his future.”
“I’ll try my best, Mr Stenton.”
“I know you will honey.”
Jonah walked in with the tray of juice, glasses and refreshments, placing them on the table.
“Well, I best get back to it. It was nice seeing you again in Autumn.”
“You too.”
“It was a pleasure talking to you.’
“You too.”
“Keep up the good work Jonah.”
“I will Dad.”
He nodded walking out of the room.
Stenton sat down next to Autumn. “So what did you and dad talk about Red?’
“Not much.”
“I know my dad, Red.”
“He just said he was happy with your accomplishments and thanked me for helping you.”
“If it wasn’t for you Red, I’d still be a struggling no-hoper.”
“Don’t say that Stanton. Some of us just learn slower than others.’”
“Maybe.”
“I’m your friend Stenton and I’ll help you all I can.’
“That means a lot to me Red.’”He smiled, placing a kiss on her cheek. He coughed. “We best get back to it.”
“Yeah”
He poured them some juice and they continued to do their homework.
“So what time that’s your got to meet Con?”
“Three.”
“Don’t tell him I kissed you.”
“I won’t.”
“Thanks, Res. I don’t want him beating my ass cause I kissed your cheek, as thanks, he’ll take it all out of proportion.l
“I know.”
“So shall I wok you back?”
“Yeah.”
“To the lake?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled and they packed everything away. “Let’s go, Red.”
She noddded and they walked out of the library.
“Going already?”
“Autumn has to meet her boyfriend.”
“Oh, I see.” He said, disappointedly.
“Thanks for having me, Mr Stenton.”
“My pleasure hope to see you soon.”
“Sure.”
“Bye Autumn.”
“Bye Mr Stenton.”
“I’ll be back soon dad.”
He nodded.
Stenton and Autumn left the house, and Stenton closed the door behind him. “Let’s go we don’t want Con to think you’ve bailed on him.”
“What did you tell your dad Con was my boyfriend?’
He shrugged. “Well, you act like you are. Besides, it will keep my dad off our backs and him trying to get us together. Though I’d like that, you and Con are tight and I don’t take a chick off her man.”
“I’m not a chick Stenton. I am a human being.”
“I know, sorry.”
Stenton left Autumn at the lake hugging her. “I’ll see you Monday, Red.”
“You will.”
“Thanks again for today.”
“My pleasure.”
“Bye Red.”
“Bye Stenton.”
He walked away, she lay back on the grass closing her eyes.
His lips touched hers she quickly opened her eyes. He smiled. “Con.”
He lay beside her. “So how did today go with Stenton?”
“Good.’
“So was his dad there?”
“He was, he was working in his office.”
“I see.”
“He didn’t try anything Con.”
“Glad to hear.’ He looked at Autumn. ‘So did Stenton’s dad talk to you?”
“Yeah, he did, he thanked me for helping Stenton.”
“Wow, that’s a first coming from a cold man like his father.”
“He didn’t seem at all cold to me.”
“He will once you get to know him.”
He ran his fingers through her hair. She looked at him nervously, he moved closer pressing his lips on hers kissing her hungrily. He moved away lying beside her holding her close.
Stenton closed the door his father looked at him. “I like that girl Jonah, you could so with a girl like her to take your ways.”
“Don’t dad she has a boyfriend.”
“And who is this boyfriend?”
“Connor Harborne.”
“That tare-away?”
“They're good together Dad so doesn't get any ideas.”
“Just think she can do better.”
“By better you mean me? Sorry to disappoint you dad but I’m not who you make me out to be.”
“I know you’ve had your moments Jonah, but a girl like her could put an end to all of that.”
“Don’t dad we’re just friends and that’s the way it’s staying.” He huffed, walking away.
- Writer
