Michael

Michael can feel his whole life falling apart; and when his brother comes home for a visit he brings home a opportunity of a life time. Will Michael take his chances? Or will he give up his chance?

  I stood on my Mommy's porch for a second looking out at the empty yard, the neighbors house was almost always empty. I could hear Mommy coming out to the porch. Probably had some lemonade in her hands. I hated summer now, because I wasn't with Ella. I could barely keep my job or even pay the bills. It was so hard moving on, I couldn't do it. I guess that moving back with my Mommy was the best for me right now. Maybe that's also why I hate my own home.

“Who was that?” Mommy sat down on the porch swing with iced tea in hand.

“Do you really want to know?” I asked laughing looking over at all the other houses on the block.

“Of course I really want to know,” Mommy paused and laughed, “I wouldn't have asked if I didn't.”

“It was Trevor,” I could feel the surprise in the air, at first she didn't know what to say.

“What did he want?” Mommy hissed, “to shove it in your face again that he took her from you. Maybe that they are getting married because she doesn't know you damn will exist anymore.”

“Mommy,” I paused and breathed, “you're going to be a grandmother.”

“You're kidding right?” Mommy was in shock, “how is that possible? You guys haven't... in just about 5 months.”

I hadn't told Mommy or anybody else about that night, that night we bumped onto each other. It made me smile thinking about that whole time we were together, we couldn't leave each others sides when she had to leave. When I had to leave. I hated it. I looked back at Mommy sitting, looking at me.

“Mommy, don't be mad at me,” I blushed and I looked at the wooden planks on the floor. They needed to be repainted.

“You know, the night I first met her. I feel in love with her like she was my own daughter, I know you've raised hell, but I can't ever be mad at you for very long,” Mommy laughed and looked me straight in the eyes, she could see the embarrassment on my face.

“We saw each other a month ago,” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“How did you manage that?” Mommy asked already knowing the answer to that.

“Trevor left the country for a week, she was staying with a few of her girlfriends in Dallas,” Mommy nodded, “I was there on a business trip. We ran into each other, once I didn't have anything else to do. We met up, had dinner, and made love in her friends bed.”

“How did Trevor know it was yours?” Mommy asked concerned.

“I think he wanted us to met up,” I sighed hating to feel like that was a setup, “I think he wanted us to say goodbye so that he could have her all. She misses me like crazy! We talked for hours that night,” I could feel the tears streaming down my face, “oh Mommy, I miss her so much. I just want to see her And have her as my own again.”

“I know, baby,” Mommy started crying to, “I miss her too,” Mommy hugged me.

I just wanted to see her, I needed to hug her. I remember when she was pregnant the first time. God, she glowed. It was amazing that the sun wasn't jealous. I needed her to come back home. I heard my brothers truck pull in. What was he doing here?

“I have the best news in the whole world!” Keno was out of breath.

“What is it?” I asked turning to face him.

“Whats wrong?” Keno paused and looked at Mommy, “never mind, you can tell me later. Guess who just got Miss Eleanor Dixie Long for a patient?”

“What?” Mommy asked.

“I'm an ultrasound technician for pregnant women, in Wyoming! Right near where she goes to the doctors, guess who got her as a patient?” Keno was smiling.

“Guess who's the father of that baby?” I said smiling.

“Trevor?” Keno asked.

“Me!” I hit his arm.

“Come with me to Wyoming! I will have her every time she comes in, and sometimes guess who won't be their!” Keno was so happy about this.

“I can't see her again, not now,” I shock my head.

“What? Why?” Keno jerked his head to look at me, “this is your chance!”

“To what Keno?” I yelled opening the screen door.

“To get her back!” Keno came in after me, “Trevor never said you couldn't try! You have to! Don't you want to see watch you baby grow up? Or see her?”

“Its time to move on! Start thinking about other things,” I yelled.

“Well, if you change your mind,” Keno said as he want back to his car.

“He just flew all this way for you to turn him down?” Mommy asked as she met me in the kitchen, “you know who else is pregnant and lives near Ella?”

“My cousin?” I asked dumping out the iced tea in the sink.

“Yes, you know who else just left her husband?” Mommy hinted towards the door, “go help her!”

I ran out the door and grabbed all of my stuff packed at the door. I drove to the airport. Keno was waiting for me at the doors. “Don't say another word,” I hissed as we walked into the airport with all my things.

Keno chuckled. The plane ride was so long, and I hated flying anywhere. The only reason why I ever did was because I never had the money to drive. Keno slept the who way their. He was always so good at that. I couldn't stand how dizzy and my ears popping. It made the whole experience much worse wherever we went. I just wanted to stay on the ground and walk their. I guess Keno took after Mommy, when I was a kid; I was always jealous of them both flying anywhere. They both sleep the whole way. I wonder how she'd react to me being the same state as her. I wonder how Trevor would react. How mad would he be? I couldn't let that stop me.

When we landed, I could see the crowd getting smaller as we walked towards the airport doors. I saw all these people who looked like I used to. Happy and country. Now, I guess you could say that I am sad and country. But, I missed being out here. It was good to be back, I liked the outdoors and the horses. Being with a bunch of people who understood. I liked it, I saw a blond lady standing near Keno's car. Who appeared to be the skinniest girl I knew.

“Who is this?” I asked Keno as we got closer.

“My finance,” Keno smiled and kissed her on the lips.

“Its ever so nice to finally met you Michael,” The blond said as they got in the car.

“You too,” I tried to force a smile.

“Would you like to stay with us or go straight to your cousins?” She asked.

“Cousins, I can tell that Keno wants his privacy,” I smirked.

“Okay,” she smiled.

The rest of the car ride was awkward and silent. The whole time they kept talking about what they were planning for the summer. I tuned out half way through of the most boring conversation I think I have ever had to listen to. I was glad that my cousin wasn't as fair as I had thought.

“Its nice of you to come out and help me,” Cora said standing on the porch of her little house.

“It would be my pleasure,” I said hugging her.

“Good, because I am going to need the help,” Cora smiled, “by the way, Ella is coming over some dinner to help me with somethings and her loving boyfriend. If that's okay, you can hide in your room and watch for a distance if you'd like.”

“Really?” I almost couldn't hold back the smile.