Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Jordan's Second Chance 3.1

Hey everyone and welcome to another Wednesday's Briefs! For those new to the group, every Wednesday, a group of authors use either a pictorial or written prompt to write a flash fiction of 500-1000 words. This week, I've chosen to use a written prompt, 'That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.'

This week we continue with 'Jordan's Second Chance.' Jordan's confession has shocked Wynter. What will his reaction be and will he like the answers when the truth is revealed? I hope you enjoy this latest installment.

Happy reading,

TC

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Jordan’s Second Chance 3.2

 

            Wynter blinked, uncertain if he’d heard correctly. “What do you mean, you killed her?” Jordan did not seem the murdering type.

            Jordan sighed, leaning against the porch railing. He stared across the expanse of the backyard, silent. Finally, he shook his head and turned to face Wynter. “A few weeks before Lucas was born, his mother wanted to visit the cabin in the mountains that her family has owned for generations. It was their tradition to hire a midwife and have the baby there.”

            Jordan fell silent once again. Wynter reached over and entwined their fingers together. “Go on,” he urged softly.

            “Sarah Marie—Lucas’s mother—and I were supposed to go up to the cabin together, but a client called at the last minute and requested a meeting. Sarah Marie begged me not to take the meeting and to go with her. But I … I,” Jordan paused, looking at the landscape once again.

            “Couldn’t she have waited for you to finish your meeting before heading to the cabin?” Wynter asked, stepping back and wrapping his arms around Jordan’s waist.

            Jordan leaned back into Wynter and sighed. “The midwife had called earlier that day and told us she going to be at the cabin earlier than we’d originally planned. Sarah Marie wanted to make sure the place was aired out properly and straightened up before the midwife showed up.”

            “Was it all right for her to do that?” Wynter asked, trying to picture an eight-month-old woman bending down to clean without toppling over. He also couldn’t believe Jordan had allowed Sarah Marie to do such physical chores while close to her due date.

            Jordan chuckled, the gloomy atmosphere lightening marginally. “Sarah Marie was a very stubborn woman, she did what she wanted, when she wanted. A cleaning crew had already taken care of the cabin but she wanted to check on it for herself. You have to remember, that cabin had been in her family for generations and she was having our first child. She wanted everything to be perfect.”

            Wynter smiled, he could appreciate that. He wished he had something like Sarah Marie’s cabin that would remind him of his parents. “I can understand that.”

            “Indeed. Family was very important to her,” Jordan said. He turned around and pulled Wynter against his chest, tucking Wynter’s head beneath is cheek.

            “You loved her,” Wynter said quietly. He’d expected to feel anger or jealously. But strangely, he felt at peace. He was glad Jordan had had someone to love and who loved him in return.

            Jordan nodded. “I did, and I still do. Sarah Marie will always hold a piece of my heart and I hope you can understand and accept that. She was my first love. We grew up together and started dating in middle school. It was a given that we would mate when we turned of age. So when we graduated from high school, it felt like the natural course of events to mate and move into our own place.”  

            Wynter’s fingertips traced the broad expanse of Jordan’s back. He nodded his understanding. “Of course, I understand, Jordan. I’m happy that you had someone to love you.”

            “You are so good to me. You’re the best.” Jordan leaned back and captured Wynter’s lips in a soft, gentle kiss. Wynter’s breath caught in his throat. The kiss conveyed every ounce of longing Jordan had for him. Wynter’s body melted, surrendering to the intense emotions that intoxicated him like a drug. Jordan broke the kiss and buried his face into the crook of Wynter’s neck.

            “Will you tell me the rest?” Wynter asked in a soft voice after several minutes of silence.

            Jordan inhaled and stepped back, dropping his arms. Wynter followed, tightening his embrace and refusing to break the connection between them. “Sarah Marie went ahead and drove to the cabin by herself, but only after I made her promise to call me as soon as she got there. Only … she never called. After my meeting, I checked my phone and noticed she hadn’t called. I called her cell phone and the cabin’s phone, but there was no answer. The midwife hadn’t seen or spoken to her—she was still at the restaurant where she was supposed to meet Sarah Marie. I drove home, hoping she’d decided to wait for me instead and had just fallen asleep or something. It was only after …,” Jordan broke off and turned away.

            Wynter released him this time, knowing Jordan needed the space. He stayed silent, allowing Jordan to regain his composure. “When I got home, there was a police squad car in front of my house. They told me a drunk driver had run a red light and hit Sarah Marie. She was rushed into emergency surgery where they performed a cesarean section.” Jordan paused, his eyes damp with unshed tears. “She lived long enough to bring Lucas into this world and then she.” Jordan turned away, unable to continue.

            “You said you killed her. How was this your fault?” Wynter asked, confused.

            “Because I wasn’t there! If I’d scheduled the meeting for a different time, then I could’ve saved Sarah Marie! I could’ve …” Jordan growled, his hands clenching.

            “Don’t be ridiculous! That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!”

To be continued …
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