38. FALL.

Fall is the season after summer—the season when leaves fall from trees. It is the season where the days get shorter and progressively colder, a gradual transition into Winter. The start of fall is characterized by a few good things like the colorful leaves, the seasonal treats and the cooler temperatures.

There’s always this sort of happiness, and chattering that comes from the people that walk on the road, whose frequencies could be loud enough to fall those yellow, orange leaves. It’s a beautiful time, and it was always Olivia’s favorite season since was a kid.

If not because of the cool winds and vibrant leaves, then because of her father’s birthday. Gerald’s anniversary marked the arrival of autumn, and growing up, it was all Liv ever looked forward to. The party, there would be cake, occasionally karaoke and a time at the end of the day when he usually sat them down in the parlor, recounting the favorite part of his previous year and laying down his expectations for the next. It was a family tradition, and the Sanders had one too many—traditions that died after that crash.

She remembered the last time they were sitted in the parlor, and she had her feet on the cushion, gorging on the leftover red velvet she’d saved all day and with Whitney Houston playing from the speakers. He started the same he always had.

“I’m thankful for family” Her father always said and now a conscious action, he would look into her eyes and add—“I’m thankful for you.” And though he had a lot of expectations for the next year, they couldn’t save him. The both of them.

Now awoken by the edge of her bed, Olivia had a rare photo of them in her hands—it was his birthday and she’d never forget how enthusiastically she used to look forward to this day. Now, after his passing, it was merely the opposite. The day that marked the start of fall was usually slow, quiet and depressing like the months after his death. She hated that this anniversary was a reminder that she didn’t have him anymore.

That she didn’t have anyone.

Her eyes turned glassy as she folded the photo in her palms before slipping it into her pockets. She was not going to let today be a repeat of the last year that she spent wasted and tearfully over sharing to random strangers at the bar about her undue thesis and how her life crashed the moment her father died. She ran her hands through her hair, filling her lungs with air.

And then she stood to walk to her large drapes, which she pulled apart, allowing the light fill her room. She was bathed with the sunlight and you could already see the color and dust in the Autumn atmosphere. Her shorts fell above the thighs and her cold palms held clenched the sides of her warm bosoms.

The tears sunk back in her eyes, because her life was so much different than it was last year, and what were the odds she’d end up in a bar again. It was then her phone chirped in the distance and she threw her head over her shoulders. The echoes of her footsteps filled the empty room as she hefted the device. Seeing his text forced a rapid smile to carve unto her lips as she replied.

Luke: You free today?

Liv: Don’t know if your brother would want me at work.

Luke: Come on, you promised to show me around the city.

She read that with a pouty emoji next to his words and she could hear the tone of his voice like he was right next to her. She rolled her eyes. Liv: The chauffeur could, or maybe Davis.

It took more than a minute before his text popped up again.

Luke: I want you.

She quenched the chill that was about to run up her spine as she pushed a hard lump down her throat. Liv: Nothing’s going to happen between us. Nothing can.

Luke: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

It took about a minute before his next text came into her phone and she returned to the edge of her bed, letting a sigh out of her lips—how could she say no, even on her worst day.

Luke: I just want to go to the Art Institute.

She rolled her eyes, realizing that perhaps spending the day with Luke was a more healthy option than wallowing in her bed. Liv: On one condition— She thought contemplating whether or not to send it. Liv: We get Dunkers Donuts after.

She could imagine his shrill laughter on the other end of the line, and a smile crept to her face the moment her phone lit up. Deal.

-

“I’m glad you mended things with your brother” Amanda sat in the chair opposite Damien, tilting it slightly. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes to the back of his head

“It had nothing to do with you” He lied, straightening an article in his hands. His eyes shot through from his seat and across at her. “The next time you try to lock me, i’ll have you on the first economic plane back to Texas” Amanda laughed jeeringly at his words, till she almost couldn’t breathe.

“I can’t believe you”

Damien scoffed. “Do you not have an iota of respect for your mother? You know the moment you realize i don’t have to be here, trying to save this company alongside you, that would be the moment you realize my value” Damien was silent, only a half hearted smile across his lips. It was the way they communicated and no matter what both said, neither had taken offense.

A few seconds had passed before she spoke again. “Have you made your decision about Raznak?” She asked, resting her back into her chair and Damien blew raspberry. “When i eventually would, i’d have you know” He flatly replied, and her eyes never went off him. She contemplated whether or not to ask this next question but she eventually did.

“Have you made your decision about Olivia?”

And at the sound of her name, he froze, with the articles falling to his desk. Her eyes met his intense gaze and the silence was loud—only she knew what that meant.

To be continued…