It Started With A Book

Chapter 10

Is there a timeframe of when one should bake cookies?
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Elliott eased into the damp driveway of a two story home perched on the edge of a winding cul de sac.

Breathing in the crisp night air, the scent of cut grass wafted into his nose before he spotted the green remnants lining the pathway.

"This is it?" He asked.

Brin let out a yawn, breaking the structured silence that had befallen the numerous two car garage neighbourhood.

"Do you want to tell me what that text was about?" Brin fumbled with the dangling zippers on her bag. She peeled off her bracelets and dumped them amongst the bottles of lotion, lip balm and a blue baseball cap.

"Not really, no."

The porch lights casted a warm glow on the grey siding, reminding Brin of the way lightning flashed across a cloudy sky.

"You are unbelievable."

Her legs wobbled as she stalked up the wooden stairs. Whether it was due to the fact that she'd been sitting since daylight first broke or a side effect of anger stirring, she didn't know nor did she care.

What she did care for was to be shielded from the torrential downpour and to not be subjected to nonchalantly conceived answers.

"Brin. Are you seriously mad at me right now?"

Silence.

"Alright," Elliott let out a sigh, pressing the lock on his car keys, emitting a sound from the red vehicle, "let's get this over with."

He joined her on the porch overlooking the front yard graced with red chairs in a swirling pattern.

A small table was enveloped between the seating area hosting a potted plant and a lipstick stained coffee mug.

Brin chuckled silently.

Yup, this was the right house.

Brin breathed deeply, lifting her hand to knock but stopping short halfway through.

Her partner in crime was silent though she could feel his gaze intently the same way she did when she shut her eyes.

She pinched the skin at the top of her nose, deciding whether or not to warn him of her Aunt's 'eccentricity'.

Brin didn't get a chance to before her feet lifted off the ground and her ribs were being suffocated in an overwhelming bear hug.

"Hi Aunt Betty," she squeezed out, struggling with every inhale, tapping her back repeatedly till she received the hint.

Brin's sneaker wearing feet stumbled back upon her release and just as quickly as she let go, hands grabbed at her midsection.

She didn't have to whirl around to figure out who it was. Betty confirmed her suspicions with a slight head tilt.

"And who's your friend?"

"Um this," Brin tapped on his fingers, hoping he got the hint to let go. She was surprised her brain was operational with the amount of woodsy musk engulfing it. "This is Elliott Mitchell."

"Hi ma'am."

His fingers wiggled in what looked to be an attempt at waving. His speech was softer, shy even.

Ma'am?

That wasn't going to fly around here.

"Don't be so formal!" She yanked him to her, (almost knocking Brin down in the process) the loud floral pattern flushed against his alarmed body. "Call me Betty."