Top of the World (War romance story)

Chapter Five

So last chapter, I left off with a bit of sibling rivalry between Hudson and his brother, Michael. I see some people are already on "Team Hudson", ha! Keep up the comments! It just makes me want to write more and more! By the way, I don't mean to vote for my own darn story. I use the mobile app, and it accidentally clicks things all the time, I promise. Ha ha ha.

Anyway, here's the next installment!

I want to thank you all so much for reading. Really, I appreciate it so much. You're all so wonderful! I hope this story is exciting to read. Thank you. ♥

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Abby

Monday, May 22, 1939

It had been a week since I had last seen Hudson.

He hadn't been to Mrs. Wilke's house, which I thought was a little suspicious. I wondered if he was avoiding me, if I had done something to upset him, or pushed him away. Had I been rude? Had I appeared pretentious?

I had sat in my room, thinking it over, trying to recall anything that I had said that would've caused this. Maybe I was putting too much thought into it, and there was a completely logical explanation that didn't involve blaming me.

I decided to resort to my familiar nook again, to regain a sort of peace of mind. It was mid-afternoon now, with the temperature staying fairly average, with a light breeze. It was quiet in the neighborhood, and it seemed more still than usual. I had grown restless, wanting to go track him down and ask what was wrong. Something that would provide relief to my growing anxiety.

I tapped my fingers against the wood of the porch swing and began to sway back and forth. My eyes stayed peeled on the street, awaiting that familiar whistle to float through the air, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I turned away, and looked towards the book resting on my knee, waiting for me to crack it open. I couldn't stand looking to something with false hope and heightened expectations. It was useless.

A half hour passed until I was settled comfortably in my seat, devouring each word that was printed onto the page. I sulked lower, resting my back on the armrest, and read as the sun began to sink further into the blue afternoon sky. As I turned the page, I heard the loud roar of a car engine come down the street, and stop right at the end of Mrs. Wilkes' driveway. Immediately, I shot up, tossing my book off to the side, staring in angst towards the road. Finally, after days of anxiety and waiting, the familiar figure stepped out of the car. I smiled widely, and jumped up with a jolt.

"Hudson!" I called out, waving my arms in the air with excitement.

"Hudson? I'm not Hudson, Miss Abigail!" The person yelled back. He took a turn, changing course in order to come up right to the side of the house, closest to the porch swing. He rested his hands on the railing and looked up at me as I eased away from the my nook and walked closer to him.

"Oh...hello, Michael." My smile had dropped, but I still remained polite.

"Sorry to disappoint you." He joked coyly. "I was just here to give Mrs. Wilkes a helping hand."

I arched my brow, "You? What about Hudson?"

"I've decided to take this job off Hudson's hands," Michael replied, giving a little shrug, "my brother's too busy, anyway. So, being the big brother I am, I decided to help." In that instant, I wanted to reply back with something witty and snippy, but I refrained myself.

 "How nice," I forced, "so you'll be working here now, instead of him, I presume?"

"Yes, ma'am." He replied.