Michael’s Short Story

I smile as my mother enters the restaurant. I tried to meet up with her every wee or so. I felt a pang of guilt for not calling my little sister. She only lived a hour away but I never did seem to find the time to go to see her.

I had finally finished my 12th year as a marine. Moving to Idaho to be close to my family still hadn't given me much time to see them. I now worked with a security company that kept me on my toes.

"Hi, mom," I said rising up to hug her.

"Hi Mickie. Sorry, I'm late. Today was your sisters first day, so I was waiting on her."

Shit, my guilt rose in me.

"I'll try to call her."

She smiled weakly at me, "don't try to make promises you probably can't keep."

Here I was a thirty two year old man getting called out on my bullshit by my own mother. We ate and she caught me up on stuff in her life. Toward the end she began to drop hints on her desire for grandbabies even though she was only fifty four. She ran a little flower shop, so in a couple of years I imagine she'll want to retire. I wasn't ready to have children yet, and I knew that the news would break her heart, so I said nothing.

After the dinner, we hugged goodbye and I walked back to my apartment.

A sigh escaped me in the empty living room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christina smiled at me as I walked into work. "Good news," the perky thirty nine year old said to me. "Slow day."

I relaxed, I loved slow days because the gang and I usually sat around playing poker in between jobs. Installing security systems all day wasn't exactly thrilling. Getting called in to support a family who had just been robbed was even worse.

"Also, my sister may stop by today."

I couldn't help the big smile spread across my face. I had met Juniper about a month ago. I shamelessly flirt with the sexy thirty one year old. Her long strawberry blonde hair could bring a man to his knees. The black thick glasses made her chocolate eyes look bigger. She was the sexiest teacher in all of Idaho, and she took her job seriously. I wondered if it being summer would make her excuses not to go out with me harder.

Chris laughed at my smile, "you realize you can't hook up with my sister or it'll make working with you akward."

"I promise if I took out your sister it wouldn't be just to hook up."

I meant it too. I was getting to old to hook up, and I was looking for something serious.

At that moment Juniper walked in and threw me a smile. "Hi Michael," She sang.

"Are you busy this Saturday?"

Her laugh sent thrills through me. "As a matter of fact I'm not."

"You know," Chris hummed. "We aren't really busy, so why don't you two have breakfast instead."

"You sure?" I ask.

"I am sure my husband won't mind," She winked at me.

I turned back to Juniper who was wearing a excited smile. I opened the door and followed her into the warm June air. When she took my hand, I never felt anything so amazing in my life.