Honeybee

Honeybee - chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

"Hmm...isn't the color a bit too......dark?"

Sarah's voice rang out from inside the kitchen. 15 year old  Michael walked inside to see  his 25 year old sister bent over the bread he had made, as she inspected the black, crumbling mess.Her waist length honey colored hair had come out of her plait in soft strands,and a curly lock of hair partially covered her vivid green eyes,which now twinkled with contained amusement.

In contrast to his sister,Michael had hair as dark as ebony, and bright amber eyes which now shone dangerously.

"Too dark you say?I don't see how.......hmm." he said as he drew near the smoking mass of bread.

Sarah recognized the mock anger in his voice and  her lips curved gently into a small smile

"Oh really? I cant imagine that you are so visually impaired that you are not able to see the large patches of black on your so called 'wonder bread' ." she teased

Michael let out a sigh of resignation and stalked out of the kitchen. At that moment, the bakery door rang out in a merry peal and with a " I'll be right over! " Sarah skipped over to the bakery counter.

"Oh good morning Mrs Maple.It's been quite a long time since you've come here."

"Yes dear, well the past few weeks have been quite busy, with the wedding preparations and such. Speaking of weddings, when will you be going down the road of matrimonial bliss, Sarah?" she teased.

"Not any time soon.....I've got the bakery to manage and  Michael's only 15......."

When they were alive, Sarah's parents had run the bakery. After a horrible accident in their jeep when going through the mountains, the responsibility of running the bakery and raising  Michael was thrust on the 16 year old Sarah's lap.

Once Mrs Maple had bustled out  the bakery with her bag full of goods, Sarah donned her coat and hat to take a short walk to the post office to deliver a letter. Taking the letter, she went out in the cool September air.

She took a deep breath and sighed appreciatively. There was nothing as refreshing as a deep gulp of autumn. Unfortunately it was equally memory-reviving, something which Sarah resented. Looking at the letter in her hand, her eyes glazed over; filled with memories and doubts.

Is it reasonable to still have hope? To still try? Even after all these years... not even one reply.... over 7 years....am i just being optimistic that she might reply, or  am i just desperate ?....Do i give up or keep on hoping that maybe, just maybe.......

Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice the tall, brown-haired man standing in front of her, and promptly walked into him. She was saved from falling on her face by a strong, warm arm; she looked up to see her childhood friend's brown -ever smiling eyes.

"Wow Sarah,  is it really too much to expect you to look where you're going?" he chuckled. Sarah opened her mouth, then realized that she was in no position to argue.

"Sorry Riley... you're right I wasn't paying attention." Admitting it made her a little irritated, but seeing her best friend smile from ear to her,  the irritation melted to her toes.

"Anyway what are you doing here now?Isn't it peak time at the bakery now? Or, " he began accusingly, " are you slacking off all the work onto Michael again? That poor boy..." seeing the letter in Sarah's hand he said, "Oh.  I see you're posting a letter. So,who is the unfortunate creature who has to deal with that unrepairable grammar of yours?" He shook his head in mock sadness.

Sarah turned red and her face twisted into a guilty expression as she stuffed the letter into her pocket. Riley's eyes narrowed.

"I believe its none of your business, mister. If our conversation is over, I shall take my leave. Have a good day." She proceeded to walk away, but Riley's hand caught her arm. She whipped around to see Riley's eyes filled with sadness and .....a little bit of pity. Sarah's eyebrows raised in question.

"Look Sarah; I know that expression. Isn't this going a bit too far?" His voice was gentle, but firm.  "It's been how long......7 years I think. If she hasn't replied for that long, do you think she'll reply now? Leanne may not even be......" Riley's voice trailed off, but he knew that Sarah understood him. She glared up at him, her eyes filled with tears and denial.

"No!! Don't even say it....unless i have proof that she's dead, I'll write...I always had, I always am and I always will! I wont stop believing in her, you know i wont. I know she'll write... she will. You'll see."    Hearing the anguish in her voice, he let her arm go. Sarah walked away stiffly. Riley watched her going, shook his head and went his own way.

Sarah's head was in turmoil. Her legs were acting of their own accord ; they kept moving her forward, when all she wanted to do was collapse and cry. As she strode away in the growing darkness, memories flashed in her mind....memories of apples, of honey, of sweet candies, of laughter that sounded like silver bells, and those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through her.....but weren't ever able to see ...... 

Somehow, Sarah managed her way back home that night, albeit without delivering the letter.  After hearing all that Riley said, she couldn't bring herself to do it. His words echoed in her head.... ......     she hasn't replied.............7 years.................Leanne could be........No!! Sarah shook her head to clear all those thoughts, and went back to work. The next batch of bread wouldn't bake itself ; Michael was already annoyed that she had come so late. In the clouds of flour, the scent of butter and the heat of the oven ,she lost herself. Like she always did.

Honeybee will continue in chapter 2.....look out for it!!:)

-Makaela :)