just breathe

-

It was a Saturday evening. I was wearing a pair of dry sweats and had pulled my hair into a simple   pony-tail. With nothing better to do, I started on my English homework. That's when Dave came home. I ran downstairs and made him his normal coffee. 

“Hello Dad. Welcome home." I said

"Hey Callee"

He stepped out of his boots and hung up his gun belt before lumbering over to his usual seat in the living room. When I was a child he'd always remove the bullets as soon as he walked in the door.

I brought to him his drink before slipping into the kitchen. I decided to make spicy chicken fajitas for dinner. It was a long process, but it would keep me busy. I tried to concentrate on dinner but my head was spinning, trying to analyse what had happened early this morning at the old cafe. I remembered the boy’s awkward seated position and the way he glared at me. It looked as though something was bothering him. My eyes stung - a delayed reaction to the onions. He was interesting... and mysterious...and beautiful. I hadn't noticed Dave walk in until he spoke. 

"Smells good Cal"

He sniffed appreciatively. 

"Thanks"

I dished the fajitas out and placed two dishes on the dining table. He took the first bite. He seemed to like it. We ate in silence for a few minutes. Neither of us was bothered by the quiet.

"So, how do you like school? Have you made any friends?" He asked when was almost done.

"Well. I have a few classes with a girl named Brittany. I sit with her friends at lunch. Everyone seems pretty nice." With a few outstanding exceptions. "I went to Cafe Olga this morning. And there was a boy who kept staring at me. He was tall with bronze hair."

"That must be Jace Raylen. Good kid -- nice family. His dad, Dr. Raylen, works at the medical centre. He's a great man and a brilliant surgeon also, we're lucky to have him -- lucky that they wanted to live in a small town, especially Orcas, one of the rainiest places in Washington."

"He was very attractive" I added, trying to be more complimentary.

"You should see the doctor," Dave said, laughing.

We lapsed back into silence as we finished eating. He cleared the table while I started on the dishes. He went back to the TV, and after I had finished washing the dishes I went upstairs unwillingly to work on my English homework.