Loved & Loyal | 1

ii

Once Abby and I got some of the things that we would need for the trip to the Greek coast, we loaded the car and I drove back in my black half ton truck.

The conversation on the way home was like it always is. Light, joking, and completely comfortable. We never had an awkward moment. Except for in five seconds when I thank Abby for what she did in West49.

"Hey, uh, Abs. Thanks for what you did in West49. You totally saved my ass."

"It's no problem Bear, I would ask for help, too."

Bear is what she's called me since we were eight. I was a tall kid, kind of skinny, so it had nothing to do with my stature. We were outside for recess at lunch in elementary school, and a boy had made fun of Abby because she dressed like a boy - she was a bit of a tomboy when we were younger.  I had always been so protective of my Abs, even then, so when he almost made eight-year-old Abby cry, I was pissed. Abby said I got so mad I growled at the other boy and apparently I sounded like a grizzly bear, so now she calls me Bear. The only thing I remember about that day is when I beat the kid up for what he said, then brought Abby ice cream after school to cheer her up. 

I looked over at her and smiled gratefully. She reached across the console and lightly shoved my shoulder, lightening the mood.

When I pulled up to our houses I looked to Abby.

"Yours, or mine?"

"Yours, my parents were 'arguing' last night and I don't feel like going through that awkwardness just yet."

"OK, you wanna talk about it?"

"Nah, I'll be good." With that, Abby dismissed the conversation and we got out of the truck.

When we walked in the door my mother - Lisa - greeted us with a shout.

"Yeah, Mom, it's me. I brought Abs, too."

"Oh, goody! Hello, darling, how are you?!" My mother intercepted us in the entryway before we could escape to my room. She embraced Abby in a hug, to which she accepted.

"I'm great, how is the cooking going?" Abby asked, referring to the apron my mom was wearing.

"Oh, that's a story for another day, why don't you two head up to Benjamin's room." That was Mom for, "I may have burnt something and I don't want you guys to smell it."

I grabbed Abby's hand and dragged her up the stairs, two at a time. I tugged her to the left, down the short hallway, and into my room at the end. My walls were painted a navy blue, with a double bed including white bed spread, a white desk, dresser, and nightstand. My mom bought my furniture. Thank god I got her to stop after full length mirrored closet doors. No curtains for me, just plain, pull-down blinds.

Abby flopped down on my bed, me following right behind her.

"I wonder what Mom burnt this time," I pondered aloud.

"She probably tried to make pasta. If anyone can burn noodles, it's her."

"Yeah, your right. Maybe we should order pizza for supper just in case."

"That's a good idea and all, Ben, but I just blew all my money on that shopping trip."

I turned on my side and looked at Abby, propping my head up on my hand as she turned her head to look at me.

"Well then, maybe you should stop buying so many converse. How many pairs do you have now anyway? Twenty?"

She hit my arm with her elbow, causing my head to fall down on the bed as I rolled over to lay on my back. She quickly moved to sit on top of my abdomen, keeping me down.