That one Walter boy~ Cole Walter

09. 1 step forward, 3 steps back

The rest of our afternoon consisted mostly on making and selling cider.

Jackie handed over a cup to a man, "Thank you, have a nice rest of your day!" She then brought her attention back to us, "I'd just like to say it was very nice of you two to sacrifice an entire afternoon with Edna..." She paused and laughed at me, "And Erin, who looked thrilled."

"I wonder why she bid so much just to talk to me... she clearly has something to say-" Cole interrupted me, "That is just Erin, she just gets so jealous." He rolled his eyes and bit his cheek. I raised an eyebrow, "Should she be jealous?" I asked.

Before I could force an answer out of Cole, Jackie stepped in, "Hey guys, it would be much appreciated to help break down the cider cart tomorrow."

Cole blanked her question and continued to look at me with a piercing glare. I tried to block him out and focus on Jackie, "Well I think Erin sounded-" I began but Cole, yet again, interrupted me, "Yeah, I'll be there. Cross my heart." He said seriously.

He now avoided eye contact as I exasperatingly stared at him. Jackie raised an eyebrow, "Ev will you please help..." I slowly brought my eyes away from Cole and nodded my head, "Yes." I replied bluntly.

Grace, Jackie's friend, suddenly appeared at stand. "Hey! Skylars saving us a spot at Monty's. I'm starving." She glanced between Jackie and I.

Not in the conversation, Cole butted in "I could go for some pizza." He turned his head to look at me for reassurance. Grace frowned, "you wanna hang with us?" She sounded confused. His eyes remained on me, "Yes." He replied without even looking at her.

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As darkness drew in, we all hustled into Monty's. It was busy, full of kids from school and other family's. We had ordered some pizza to share and Cole was yet to join us.

"Is Cole even coming?" Grace asked, tucking into a bit of pizza. Almost on cue, he swept into the room. I watched as he scan the room and spotted our table, he began to walk over until he was sidetracked.

Erin pulled him over into a corner and as they spoke, she shot me a piercing glare.

He gazed out the window to see the celebrating footballers. They must have won the big game...

He cast a contemplative glance my way before redirecting his gaze through the window, back to the chanting team. His eyes sharpened as they fixed on Erin, and a subtle nod conveyed his agreement. I observed in silence as she effortlessly led him out the door, his willingness evident as he didn't even turn back apologetically.

As I watched them leave my view, I was reminded that he'll consistently go back to her, leaving me feeling like a temporary toy tossed under the bed. While momentarily forgotten, I knew he would return back into my comfort and I felt unsure whether to accept that.

For him it's like 1 step forward and 3 steps back. He finds someone new and then shortly discards them for Erin. Shes like his favoured toy, the one that only remains under the bed for, at most, a week before getting rediscovered.

Then again, maybe he's only ever been just friendly to me... nothing more?

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As the morning rolled by, Jackie and I made our way down to town to pack up the cart. It remained in the same position as yesterday, untouched by humans but sprinkled by rain.

I was unwilling to go this morning, and it was evident that Cole shared my reluctance, given his absence. Not a trace of him last night or this morning; he was unresponsive to calls from me, Jackie, and even Katherine.

Before we left for town, all hell let loose at the house. Parker was kicking off that Cole wasn't going to watch her game. I helped to reassure her and tried so hard to get a hold of Cole. He didn't reply, breaking Jackie's and Parker's trust.

I ended up doing both activities. Most the morning I spent helping Jackie until Alex arrived and my use wasn't needed.

I got back to the house, just in time to leave for Parker's game. She had calmed down by then and was all dressed and ready to go.

"You are going to smash it, and just remember we're all going to be up in the stands cheering you on!" I said reassuringly.

I had this unspoken bond with Parker, it's like she looked up to me in a silly way. I suppose she's never had a sister figure before and I could tell she liked not being the only girl in the house.

As we started the car, ready to leave, Isaac and Lee ran out the house "Were coming too!" Isaac called out. A smiled formed on Parker's face, all the more making up for Cole.

We had made it to the football game, just in time. As we all piled up onto the small stand, Parker ran onto the field to join her team warming up.

Katherine was busy talking to another mom and so I was left to talk to Isaac and Lee. "So Isaac, $300 for an afternoon with me?" I laughed and he rolled his eyes with embarrassment. "Worth a try." He shrugged. Lee couldn't contain his laugh at his brother's poor attempt.

"You can spend an afternoon with me for free, you just have to ask." I said kindly, still laughing. He raised an eyebrow, "I was only doing it for the auditorium, plus Cole would kill me."

I gave him a questioning look, "What, why?" I asked. As he went to reply, the whistle blew indicating the start of the game. He shrugged off his response and became captivated on the game, on his sister.

"Go on Parker!" We all cheered as she got the ball in her hands. Successfully, she charged through the crowds of young girls. Gripping onto the ball like it was a baby, she drew closer and closer towards the opponents end.

Dodging one more person, she made it across the goal line, scoring for her team. Erratically, we screamed her name, jumping up and down. Issac was hugging me, Katherine was hugging me, they were so ecstatic to see Parker score. Nonchalantly, she glanced over at us, trying to hack back a huge grin.

"I wish Cole was here to see her play, he'd be so proud!" Katherine grabbed my shoulder emotionally. Sympathetically, I smiled, "I'll tell him all he's missed out on!" I promised. She nodded, "Yeah and make him regret it." She laughed, "He's so unpredictable that boy..."

The game was shortly over and Parker ran over to us, pleased with her win. She immediately ran to hug me and then greeted the others.

I sat next to Parker in the car and she excitedly told me all about the game from her perspective. "And then I scored, and then I looked up to see you guys in the stand," she paused, "Cole should've been there, he promised..."

Suddenly her exhilaration faltered and I stroked her hair sympathetically, "I'm sure he was just very busy this morning, or overslept." I made up excuses for him. She huffed, "But he crossed his heart."

I offered her a considerate smile, "Well I cross my heart that we will make him regret not coming!" She grinned cunningly.

Once we returned, everyone bustled into the house, excitement stricken from the game.

I followed Parker's lead and she flunked onto the porch steps. "I'm waiting for Cole." She sighed. I sat beside her, "Hope you don't mind me joining you..." I had nothing better to do.

We sat for some time, she told me more about herself and gave me an in-depth insight into her family. I was intrigued to hear what she had to say and I was pleased she felt free to talk to me.

Silence soon overcame us but it was peaceful. We soaked up the rest of the morning sun, enjoying each others presence.

Cole soon arrived home, shame visible on his face. Parker strutted up to him and he guiltily replied, "Look Parker, I can explain." She interrupts him, anger taking over, "No! You promised you were gonna be there and you weren't." She shouts and I watch Cole's eyes falter back to me.

Parker chucks the 'Walter' jersey on the floor and storms away, "Come on Ev!" She grabbed my hand, pulling me into the house.

I hesitated at his regretful stare but he'd been a bad brother and a bad 'friend'. I let Parker pull me inside and I didn't let my feelings turn back around.