Once Upon A Time... The End

Polka Dotted Scarves and Tomato Soup

Benedict Narrating:

I can't exactly remember when or how, but one day, she came home with a scarf. A blue one, with orange polka dots strewn across the thick fabric. I remember it being the summer time, which, I think is what made it so preposterous that Olivia had a scarf in the first place, and she was around the age of seven. It was a big scarf, too big for her at that age, the tassels at the end reaching about mid thigh. Sharon, with her very eccentric style, thought the scarf was wonderful, while I believed it to be absolutely hideous.

I was in the kitchen with Sharon, making supper while she sipped on a glass of wine before Olivia came in...

                                                                  ~

Dinner was coming along quite nicely, if I did say so myself. The soup smelled delicious, it's rich tomato aroma making me smile with pride. And Sharon, dubious, having never seen me cook before, didn't believe I could do it. But I'd only smirked, deciding to wow her with my tomato soup, a recipe of my mother's. The look on her face when she first tasted it was reward enough.

Olivia was with the Anderson's, Sharon's neighbor's, having accompanied them to the new zoo down the road. She'd been gone all day and was expected to be here any minute. My visit was a surprise and she had absolutely no idea. I was convinced I was more excited to see her than she was to see me. It's been a year since my last actual visit and I had no idea how she would react. If she would be angry with me or not.

I popped the French bread into the oven, letting it warm through before moving to the refrigerator in search of salad ingredients.

“What kind of greens have you got, love?" I asked Sharon absently, my speech no doubt muffled since my head was in the refrigerator.

Sharon, already slightly tipsy, answered back. “Uh... I dunno. Do we have to have a salad, Ben?"

I laughed, pulling out cucumbers and lettuce, placing them on the island.

“Yes. Yes, we do." I smiled at her, my heart twisting as I looked into those beautiful brown eyes. I quickly jerked my head back to the refrigerator, grabbing some onions.

Stop it, Ben, I thought.

Sharon, hardly even noticing me, groaned playfully before taking another swig from her already half empty glass.

“Why?" She complained.

I chuckled, taking her wine from her and replacing it with water.

“Because, love, you are a vegetarian."

I watched as her eyes widened. She brushed her hair behind her ear, a mortified look on her face. “God, Ben. I think I'm drunk."

“I agree." I replied gently, as she stood from her stool and walked over to me. I placed some of the chopped vegetables into the salad bowl before looking down at Sharon.

She was so beautiful. That lopsided smile that seemed to always be on her face, along with the slightly embarrassed look she always wore. Brown eyes and hair, just like her twin brother, Steven. Full lips and a petite, but mildy curvy build.

And I was in love with her. I had been in love with her since Uni.

I rolled my eyes before kissed her forehead sweetly. She smiled.

“You are the worst." She told me, taking out the bread. “A horrible friend. Why do I keep you?"

“Just looking out for you, is all, darling." I replied, trying to ignore the way her hips switched back and forth in that long skirt. It had crazy designs all over it in dark green and purple and didn't at all match the bright orange tank she wore.