Fireflies at Midnight

FOUR 4

Evelyn was still shocked over the events from early this morning. She sat at the table, Aaron beside her, Eric in front of her, and Kathy pacing back and forth as she made breakfast. Things seemed calm, normal even.

Aaron was laughing at the stories Eric told him. Something about a deer hunting trip he took where he accidentally shot an elk instead. Aaron loved to hunt and so did Eric. Kathy was talking up a storm to everyone around as she scrambled the eggs in the pan. She mentioned something about grandchildren at one point, but Evelyn ignored it. She didn't want any right now.

And then there was Eric. He sat there, across from Evelyn, with another cup of coffee in hand. He spoke to his son with a nonchalant voice. He spoke to Kathy so sweetly. Thanking her for the food, for the coffee. I love you slipping out once even. But for Evelyn, she was a part of the wall it seemed.

Which to her was the strangest thing considering the in depth conversation this morning. But she wasn't going to question it, not in front of everyone. He kept his eyes between Aaron and Kathy, always finding a reason to avoid Evelyn. She'd even handed him the sugar and didn't get a thank you.

Everyone seemed so normal, so complacent. Nothing was out of the ordinary for anyone.

So exactly why did Evelyn feel her blood boiling every time it seemed as if Eric was going to look at her but didn't? She dug her nails into the palms of her hand, under the table out of sight. For the last ten minutes she'd bit her jaw in silence, only speaking when spoken to. It was insane to her, and she couldn't understand it.

But something about being ignored by Aaron's dad was irritating her the longer it went on. Never in her life had she not wanted to be ignored more than now. Especially by someone like him.

"So guys," Kathy began, turning from the stove and putting her hands on her hips. "What are the plans today? It's Saturday and you guys are leaving Tuesday night, right?" Evelyn nodded yes.

"Well, dad and I were talking, and maybe it would be good to go to the lake?" Aaron said, taking a bite of his toast.

Kathy came to the table and sat down, looking between the two boys. Evelyn had to admit, she'd done that quite a number of times by now. Looking between the two, studying all the similarities and the 3 minor differences the two had. It still shocked her just how much they looked alike. The only real difference being Eric looked a little older.

Were they completely similar? Evelyn was so curious. Of course, she knew they weren't identical. But the builds of their bodies seemed to match up pretty well. So did that mean their personalities were similar? Aaron was short fused and quiet. Maybe Eric was too. And if their bodies are almost identical from what she could see, did that mean that their-

No! Do not go there, she thought. Evelyn shook her head, trying to force her brain to quit with in depth thinking. She loved Aaron and really didn't want to know to what extent their similarities went. She didn't care. Did she?

"To me that sounds like a great idea! I can cancel that appointment I had." Kathy exclaimed, quite loudly too. It broke Evelyn's train of thought and in the moment, she was very thankful that it did.

Evelyn wouldn't mind going to the lake. It was hot down here and the water may very well be what she needed. But then again, she didn't bring a bathing suit either.

"Evelyn, how do you feel about it?" Aaron asked, squeezing her leg.

"I'm fine with whatever." She replied, voice soft. This was the first time that Eric had looked at her.

It was a quick look. A flick of the eyes up and over his coffee cup. Evelyn gave a small smile, it wasn't returned.

She was completely over it.