Loving Oliver

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ０５ Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ Ｐｌａｃｅ】

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　０５　Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｐｌａｃｅ】

Chapter 05 Loving the Place

We made it to Sam's place pulling up to a beautiful cottage and parked in front of the garage on the gravel driveway. To the left of the driveway closest towards the front door was a beautiful garden full of sun flowers and wild roses.

They bloomed full and tall. The flower's colors were vivid and stunning, and I couldn't remember a time I had seen a gardened as well tended as this. It sat in front of the picture-perfect cottage with a medium sized yard that was a beautiful bright green. This place didn't feel like a house it felt like someone's home.

My brother made a home for himself here. And it was flourishing. He had kept the garden alive and thriving.

And that thought brought a razor-sharp pain through my stomach from the shear jealous I felt because I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep life going. My or anyone else's. And then shame roared its ugly head and I needed to go lay down before I lashed out.

Sam exited the truck with a smooth grace as did Owen and I joined him heading towards the front green door. I glanced behind me and across the street and saw homes less well kept than Sam's and at the far corner and across the street a home had a for sale sign stuck in the grass with another sign glue to it. The for sale part was scratched out with a giant x mark and the smaller sign hung under read sold.

"It's a small neighborhood here. Haven't seen many people move in since I bought my place." Sam grunted as he followed my line of sight landing on the smaller cottage some distance away. He unlocked the door and opened it waiting for me to enter first. Sam and Owen followed.

I took one step over the threshold and a second one moving me into a mud room with a soft lamp in the corner that made the room feel cozy.

I could already tell. The difference between him and mom. His home was warm, soft, inviting. His home was a home and mom and dad's place was a museum of art from artists that neither of them knew.

I liked this place.

I followed into the hallway leading past a spacious living room with a record player, tv, bookshelf, and fireplace.

Sam followed behind me closely and I could feel his eyes on my back the entire way. He was always watching me. For what I wasn't sure.

I found myself walking into a beautiful kitchen with a breakfast nook to the right leading to a back door and fenced yard beyond on. The kitchen had a wooden Island and pots hanging above it. Perched on the island was a discreet paper bag.

"I'm gonna go ahead and grab your suitcase and bring it to your room little Jones." Owen spoke behind me before giving my shoulder a friendly squeeze and before heading back outside.

I took a seat at the island on a stool and turned looking on as my brother as he went to the other side toward the cabinets to grab two glasses and filling them up with water.

"Your place is beautiful Sam." I comment looking around at the kitchen. It had warm honey colored wallpaper that gave the room a gorgeous glow especially with the sun hitting it.

"Thanks Parker. I'm sure it's nothing like the penthouse that you're accustomed to, but it serves its function." He barks out with a slice of resentment. He slides the glass in front of me and I nod a thanks. He grabs his own and takes a couple of gulps.

"You're right. It's nothing like mom and dad's house. I much prefer it that way." I whisper out staring into the glass placed in front of me. The water was still and flat. A calm and tranquil entity despite being contained.