Edwardus Augustinus is a man on a mission to find normalcy. Tired of always feeling like he is living under a microscope being daily scrutinized by the public and his family, he's set off on a spontaneous adventure. The only thing he left behind was...
Edward paced up and down the floor of his bedroom. Occasionally running a frustrated hand through his hair.
What was I suppose to do anyway? She just wouldn't stop talking. She thought I didn't feel the same way. I'm way ahead of her. I've never met anyone like her. She irritates me, she challenges me, I feel like she sees me for me not just me as the...
He stop pacing and walked to the draw he stashed his phone in and hit the power button.
Just as expected the messages started pouring in. This time all from his sister. He started reading them and he felt guilt deep in his belly as she begged him to come home. Their parents were threatening to resume her training if he didn't come back home.
With a frustrated groan he tossed the phone on the bed and plopped himself down next to it.
Immediately his phone started ringing and he cursed himself for not turning it back off.
"Hello?"
"Whereareyou? I'mbeensoworried" came his sister's quiet whisper.
"Lizzy I'm fine and I can't tell you where I am"
"Just come home please!"
"I'm not ready to be back there"
"But you don't understand. You have to come home. Father had a mild stroke the night after you left. The doctor told him he has to step down now. They're about to put me in place if you don't come home"
"They can't do that, you're too young"
"They can too if mother can help it and believe me she's all gibs blazing for this who h means she will have her way"
At the mention of his mother Edwardus found himself gripping the mobile phone even tighter.
"Did they put you up to this call"
"Of course not Eddy"
"Lizza a lot has happened since I've left. I'm not sure I even want to come back"
He heard his sisters startled gasp on the other line and closed his eyes as he got ready for the tears that he was sure was about to come.
"You can't do this to me Edwardus! You promised you wouldn't let this happen. What could possibly make you not want to return home?"
"I met someone"
"This is about a woman? You're abandoning me for one of your flings!?"
"Mind your manners Elizabeth! She is not a fling! I...I care about her"
"You do? Eddy why would you allow yourself to develop feelings for someone. You know you cannot be with her. Our marriages have been arranged since birth. Alexandraiswaitingforyourreturnhome. Orhaveyouforgottenyouchosenbride?"
He grimaced and shook his head at what his sister was saying. That's been his number one worry since he ran into Rose when he stepped out of the local diner.
"I will figure something out"
"We don't have anymore time Eddy. Mother is pushing for that end of the week. She says she will not allow unruly children to send her husband to an early death"
"Always with with the theatrics that woman"
"I will ring you again soon. I hear mommy dearest coming downstairs"
"Take care Lizzy. I love you"
"If you love me you will come home"
Before he could respond the line went dead. He heaved a sigh and drappes himself into the bathroom and into the shower. As he stood there letting the water cascade down his body he realized not even that could clear his mind.
He wrapped himself in a towel and walked back into the bedroom and got dressed. After pulling on a gray jogging pants he walked out to the back porch and sat on the steps as he stared up towards the sky while the sound of the ocean echoed around him.
***
Rose sat on her front porch staring out into the night as she reminisced on the kiss. She ran her thumb against her lips as her eyes fell and her thoughts brought her back to all the time she's been spending with Edward. A smile spread across her face as she remember his teasing the night he had asked her to join him for dinner.
But why would he kiss me like that then literally run away. What is he running from?
With a sigh she got up and went back inside and climbed the stairs and fell into bed. That night her dreams were filled with images of Edward. Images that had her taking a very cold shower the minute she work up the next day.
"You look tired mommy" said Emma
Rose looked at her daughter sitting across the table eating a bowl of captain crunch.
"I'm alright sweetie. Just still tired from yesterday but I'm OK."
By the time they got done with breakfast and Rose drove Emma to school she was right on time for work not was surprised to mpt see the usual crowd for this hour.
"Where is everyone?" She asked Natalie
"At home in bed where I wish I was"
"That's a first for us"
"Its even better. We get to close early and go to the town dance tonight early than usual. I might even be able to find myself a date this year."
"Oh right that's tonight"
"And as usual you forgot. So who are you going with?"
"Um... No one. I'm going solo as always"
"If you say so. I thought you'd be going with a certain handsome man that's new to town"
"Edward and I are just friends"
"Oh is that what you children call is these days"
"Can you please just send in my first patient"
Rose tried not to blush as she hurried away from the other woman and her teasing. By the time finished washing her hand her first patient walk in with his mother.
"Are you right Rose? Your face is a bit red there" said the woman to her.
Rose immediately turned back to the sink and splashed a little water on her face. She grabbed some paper towel and quickly dried her face as she turned back to the little boy and his mother.
