This Can't Be Love 2

Chapter 2: Straight Forward

An early morning struggles to make its presence felt against the darkened storm clouds that seemingly touch every horizon of Thurston County. The angry rainfall is pounding away at the asphalt as a ground level mist forms around each drop. The rumbling sounds of thunder from this early morning storm is a muffled afterthought inside the Walsh residence, where Aaron is preparing his favorite breakfast. He is wearing his business suit as he labors happily over the stove while singing a low tune to himself.

"It's a beautiful morning..."

The years have been kind to Aaron; No visible gray hairs, no weight gain or loss, and no wrinkles to speak of aside from the rarely noticed crows feet that indicate when his smile is sincere. His skin seems to have been toughened by so many years of shaving daily, but he is still the same Aaron he was over twenty years ago.

He proceeds to hum off beat as he serves two plates of hash browns, sausage links, and eggs. He carries the two plates to the dining room and sets them on the table.

"Beck...! Oh, Beckers...!"

He smiles as he looks toward the stairs that lead to the second floor of his home.

"Come on down, breakfast is served..! Don't wanna be late for your first day at the University...!"

"Coming, dad!"

Seconds after that, Rebecca Walsh comes skipping down the stairs, wearing a black blazer over a collared white shirt, which is unbuttoned to Aaron's disapproval, just enough to show cleavage. Her thick black hair bounces playfully behind her as her silky white face gives off a confident smile with puckered red lips. The pants she wears are neatly pressed black slacks, and although the business suit is thrown off a bit by the presence of white sneakers, this outfit seems to work for her.

"Morning, daddy."

"Morning, sweetness."

Aaron holds her head and kisses her forehead.

"Look at you this morning. You look beautiful! Although... I kinda have to..."

He reaches in and buttons her white collared shirt to cover up the black bra and cleavage she was showing.

"That's better..."

He smiles and proceeds to sit at the table in front of his plate as Rebecca rolls her eyes and grunts. She then sits on front of the plate that is accross from Aaron.

"Dad... You do know I'm just going to unbotton it again as soon as I get to the school, right?"

"Of course I know, honey. I just want to make sure you know I don't approve of it. So hopefully when you do unbotton it, you're reminded of why it was buttoned to begin with and show a little more respect... Not to me, but to yourself."

"Good one, dad."

Aaron chuckles a little.

"Excited for today?"

"Not really. It's just college. Basically an extension of High School."

"Well, I'm excited. Not just for your school, but also for us as a family. I'm meeting with the agent I told you about, in regards to that big brick house you saw."

"That big ass mansion?!"

"That's the one...! Hopefully, it all goes well and we'll be ready to move in within a couple of months."

"Awesome! Well, is that all you're doing today? Just meeting wth a real estate agent? What are you doing after that?"

"Sounds like you want something."