The Uniques

Chapter Ten

Woah, the big 1-0! It's awesome. I've never actually wrote this much. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to all my friends who are reading my story (Viv, Charlotte, Nicole, Acelyn etc). I hope u like this chap, some really cool flinging people off the edge stuff. :D Anyways, read on!

Oh yeah, if you can, give me some comments on how you think the story should go on. (Facebook is fine too :D)

*Jamie*

            I picked up Colbie and Ray from school since Brad was hanging out with one of his friends. I was pretty relaxed with him since I figured he could defend himself. Anyway, I brought the two kiddies home and played with them a little while Lucy was at work.

            I quit my job to take care of Brad and then Colbie, and then Ray, so yeah, I’ve been jobless for the past few years. Why? Lucy got her dream job and I figured it wasn’t fair for her to have her sacrifice anymore than she already had.

            “Hey Brad, back from shopping?” I asked teasingly. He gave me a ha-ha-ha-not-funny-at-all look. “Okay, yeah, I’m the lame one,” I said, rolling my eyes. “What did ya do?” I asked, busying myself at the kitchen.

            “We played a bit of basketball, then we went to the arcade and yeah, that’s pretty much it. Boys don’t shop Dad, they just buy,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Wow, that’s surprisingly true,” I mumbled to myself.

            “What’s for dinner?” he asked, dumping his bag on the floor and coming up to the grill. He liked to cook a lot. “Well, what do you want? I bought some pork and fish and some steak,” I said, peering at the groceries.

            “I’ll do the salmon and you can fire up the steak. We can fry the pork ribs, how about that?” he asked, pulling out the pots and pans. “Sure,” I said, handing him the oil. We worked alongside each other quietly. I liked these father-and-son times with Brad. We didn’t need to say anything to each other, we were comfortable with that silence between us. No wonder all of them said that Brad took after me.

            We whipped up a storm and by the time the rest got back from work or school, the food was ready. Brad kicked his bag aside and sat down, devouring his food hungrily. Lucy gave me a quick peck on the cheek and we began to eat.

            “What’s with the salmon today? I didn’t know you cooked that well,” Eric said, stuffing the salmon in his mouth. “I cooked the salmon today,” Brad said in between mouthfuls. “I’m starting to really like you, kid. I’m taking him with me,” Eric joked, giving me the evil glare.

            “It’s really good, Brad,” Rick, Eric’s son commented. “Hey, the steaks aren’t so bad are they?” I asked, pretending to be hurt. Everyone bursts out laughing. “Aw, don’t give me that bambi eye look. I like the steak,” Lucy said, pinching my cheeks.

            I gave her a grin and continued eating.

            After I washed everything up, I grabbed a beer and sat quietly outside. The children were busy doing homework and the area was still full of noise, but I liked it here, it was serene.

            “Hey chef,” Lucy said ,taking a seat next to me. “Hey,” I said, kissing her gently. “Brad’s quite the cook eh?” she said, laughing. She leaned on my shoulder and watched the moon. “It’s so nice out here, everything’s so quiet. It makes my troubles seem like a freckle on the nose of life’s complexion,” I said quietly, breathing deeply.

            “Yeah,” Lucy agreed quietly. We sat there watching the stars for a long time, just basking in the joy of the simplicity of it all. I kissed Lucy’s forehead. ‘Come on, Brad probably needs help with his work,” I said quietly, getting to my feet.