A Slow Burning Fire

by J. F. Jenkins

  “We're almost there, honey!” Patty answered, not bothering to say hello. Which was typical of her mother. When the woman got excited, her manners flew out the window. “I can't wait to see you.”

  “I can't wait either. We're almost at the baggage claim, and then we'll be right out.”

  “Love you!” And then her mother hung up before Arial could reply.

  She sighed and put her phone back into her pocket. Hardly anyone checked luggage for the flight. Then again, the plane hadn't been all too full to begin with. Not many people wanted to fly into Ohio for a visit. Most were probably connecting for another flight. It made getting her things easier. She reached for her black suitcase on the carousel, but Bryce beat her to it. He picked it up with such ease, despite it being heavy with things like books and other more personal items. Clothes were still plentiful back at her parents’ house.

  The muscles of his arm bulged and stretched as he carried it to the side for her. Then he came back and did it again with his own suitcase, which was even bigger than hers.

  “Did you pack your house in there?” she teased.

  He laughed. “I didn't want to forget something important.”

  “Like your socks and toothbrush? I remember our trip to the Atlanta comic book convention. That was a disaster. Everything was missing.”

  “Because I think someone raided my bag for things to sell online. Not the point anyway. I don't want to be an inconvenience while I'm here.” He lifted both of the suitcases, one in each hand. “Where are we going?”

  Arial pointed to the nearest exit. “You're never an inconvenience. Not forgetting something is probably a good idea here. Some things are hard to come by out in the country.”

  A wide grin spread across his face. “That's the part I'm looking forward to most. Not sure I believe you when you say there's no civilization. After all, I've yet to see anyone in your family grunt and pound their chest like a caveman. Are you sure you're not being too hard on your hometown?”

  “Just wait, city boy.”

  They walked out the door into the hot summer air. Sure enough, waiting outside was her parents full-sized SUV. The front passenger door opened, and her mother leapt out of the car. Arial had two seconds to brace herself for the suffocating hug her mother gave her. Kisses were shared, and then it was Bryce's turn.

  Patty looked him up and down. “You've grown since the last time I saw you.”

  “It hasn't been that long, has it?” he asked with a quiet laugh.

  “About five years since we were last in person together. I know you were a grown man then, too, but somethin' about you is different.” She gave him one more kiss on the cheek. “Let's get going. The Henderlites are expecting you, and we shouldn't keep them waitin' for too long.”

  “The Henderlites?” Arial asked. She was about to load up the trunk, but once again Bryce beat her to it. Instead she took a seat behind her mother. “Why are the Henderlites waitin'?”

  Bryce snickered a little. “Accent,” he teased.

  “Hush.” She scowled. It flowed out of her naturally when she was with her family. There was no way to stop it; she'd tried many times. It was like she couldn't escape her roots no matter what she did.

  He put his hands up defensively and gazed out the window. “You already know how I feel about it. Stop being so grumpy.”

  “Yes, how could I forget?” she grumbled. He thought the accent was cute, like a little schoolgirl’s. That's exactly not what she wanted to sound like the whole time they were together. “Mama, why are the Henderlites waiting?”

  Patty buckled herself into her seat. “They're waitin' for Bryce, honey. Your father and I thought it best for him to stay elsewhere. I hope you don't mind.” She looked back at Bryce as if she were speaking only to him. “It just didn't seem proper to have you there. We have three young ladies in the house. And it's not that we don't trust you, but it would just be better for everyone's comfort all the same.”

  ****

  “I'm fine with that,” Bryce said. In a lot of ways it was better. Being in such close quarters to Arial all of the time wouldn't help his confusion. Just knowing she was sleeping under the same roof would be tempting enough. He wouldn't dream of doing anything to destroy her virtue, but even cuddling against her at night was a desire he couldn't fulfill.

  Arial nodded but didn't say anything.

  He gave her a small smile, wishing he could cheer her up. She seemed so down the moment they walked into the airport at Los Angeles. “We'll still be able to spend lots of time together during the day. I'd really like to see this farm I keep hearing so much about.”

  “Great, we can put you to work,” her father said. Richard was a kind, strong man, with old-fashioned values. Bryce always admired his work ethic and devotion to the family. Those two things were becoming increasingly harder to find these days.

  Bryce chuckled. “I'd be more than happy to help.”

  “Good, the animals are gettin' to be a bit of a handful for me these days. I'm not as young as I used to be. Then there's always the lawn work, too. Kieran isn't quite old enough to help with a lot of those kinds of things,” Richard said.

  Nodding, Bryce couldn't help but smile as he listened to the man talk. Kieran would be eleven now. The last time Bryce had seen him, the kid had been at least five. Arial was the eldest child in her family. She had three younger sisters as well: Tiffany, who should be about thirteen, Caroline, who would be seventeen, and Nadine, who was twenty. When Arial's parents took turns living in Los Angeles, they'd also take turns bringing the other kids along. Set visits were frequent. Sometimes Arial complained about it, but Bryce had never minded seeing them in the slightest. Her family reminded him so much of his own, back when it used to be whole.

  ****

  Arial couldn't believe Bryce was offering to help work on the farm. Was he crazy? He didn't know what he was getting himself into. Mowing the lawn was not an easy one- or two-hour task like it was in the suburbs. And did he know anything about taking care of animals? Her family didn't own as many as they used to, but there was a big difference between feeding a horse and feeding a cat. She did admire his wanting to be useful. Any of her other friends she'd made out in California would have rather sat around and done nothing. She could tell he wasn't asking simply out of polite obligation, and that was even more amazing.

  “What kind of animals do you have?” Bryce asked.

  Her father made eye contact with her through the rear view mirror. “Ari didn't tell you? I thought you heard so much about the farm.”

  She groaned and rolled her eyes, looking back out the window. The sky was darkening, and the city lights were fast disappearing behind them as they drove down the interstate. “I didn't go that deeply into details.”

  “She told me about a cow she was best friends with growing up,” Bryce said. “The one that made her vegetarian.”

  “Mostly vegetarian,” she corrected.

  “Right, mostly. You did eat the bacon I made Saturday morning for breakfast.”

  Her mother looked back at her with raised eyebrows. “You ate bacon? I thought pork was on your no list.”

  But Arial knew the real reason behind the curiosity in her mother's eyes. She was wondering why Bryce had cooked her breakfast.

  “Later,” Arial mouthed at her. She didn't want to get into details in front of her father and especially not in front of Bryce. Clearing her throat, she spoke. “It's on my list of foods I indulge in once or twice a year.”

  “It was turkey bacon anyway,” Bryce said. He winked at Arial, and her heart beat a little faster. “I wouldn't ever try to feed her something she was morally against eating. Besides, it's so much better for you.”

  Richard groaned. “Nothing beats good ol' pig fat, young man. You both have spent too much time out West.”

  “That's probably true,” Bryce said. “I look forward to having a taste of the countryside and some physical work.”

  Arial laughed. “You don't know
what you're asking for, buddy.”

  A slight wince was hidden in his smile. “No, I don't know, and that's what I like the most.”

  She swallowed at the sight of his smile. Every time he did it while looking at her, it stopped her brain from working properly. “We'll see if you're singing a different tune at the end of your first day.”

  “When do you wanna start?” Richard asked.

  “As soon as I can,” Bryce said. She hoped some of his enthusiasm rubbed off on her.

  ****

  An hour later Bryce was dropped off at the Henderlite residence. They were next-door neighbors to Arial's family, but the house was a half-mile down the road. She didn't want him to leave her. The Henderlites would treat him well, no doubt. Mrs. Henderlite was like a second mother to her, and her husband was equally as sweet. The middle-aged couple never had children of their own, so they would dote on Bryce just as much as they had Arial. However, Bryce was also her last touch of California. With him gone, isolation started to set in around her. Space was a good thing to have, but she didn't want him to be too far away either.

  It's only a half-mile. I can see the house from my back yard. It'll be fine. She didn't know what her problem was. Back in Los Angeles, they lived across town from one another, and it didn't bother her. Still, she missed him all the same. Part of her was afraid that if she didn't keep him entertained enough, he'd change his mind and leave altogether. She wouldn't survive the next two months without him if that happened.

  Shaking her head, she carried her suitcase upstairs to her bedroom. At least she had her own room. The next eldest of her siblings lived in the basement, the two younger sisters shared the large guest room on the second floor just down the hall from Arial, and her brother slept in the room next to her parents on the main floor.

  Arial did love her bedroom on the farm. Part of it was on the second floor and consisted of a room about the size of her walk-in closet back in California. Enough space for her to keep her dresser, twin-sized bed, and a nightstand. There was a pull-down ladder, however, that went up into the attic. It was there she kept her stereo, a couch, all of her books, and other valuables. Some of the family antiques were up there as well, of course. In order to make the area her own, she’d had to make a deal with her parents and share part of the attic for storage. Thankfully, they had understood her need for a private haven of sorts. She needed a place to read scripts and unwind without having to listen to her siblings yell at each other all the time.

  She put her things by the side of her bed and laid down on it. Her mind wandered back to Bryce as she wondered how he was settling in. Calling him was tempting, but he was probably talking with the Henderlites. He loved to talk, which made him a lot of fun to be around. The fact that he would rather tell a story than play stupid games on his cell phone said a lot about him. And he always had the best stories. He could make just about anything seem interesting.

  A quiet knock came from her door. The knob turned, and she saw her mother. “Do you need any help?”

  “I'm fine, Ma,” Arial said with a weak smile. “It's late here. You should go to bed.”

  “But I want to talk with you. See how your flight was, and get the scoop on what exactly is going on with you and your 'friend'.” Patty sat down next to her on the bed.

  Arial rolled her eyes. “We are just friends. Nothing else is going on.”

  Patty shrugged and then leaned over so she could play with her daughter's long dark curls. “Can't blame me for being curious. The timing is rather convenient after all. He did just break up with your co-star, yes?”

  She nodded, relaxing under her mother's touch. When she was younger, her mother braided her hair every night before bed. Those were the kinds of small things she missed about living at home. She'd give up being a grown woman for a few minutes to enjoy the moment.

  “It may seem convenient, but they've been apart for two weeks. He didn't bother to tell anyone, not even me!” Arial frowned. “And I know why.”

  “So if you're only friends, why did he cook you breakfast last weekend? Hmm?”

  Heat filled Arial's cheeks. “It's nothing like it seems. He'd had too many drinks at the party.”

  “I read about that.”

  “And I'm sure you also read about the supposed models he spent the night with, yes?” Arial couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her mother should honestly have known better than to believe a tabloid.

  “Mm-hmm, I did read that. Instead he really spent it with you?”

  She let out an exasperated sigh. “Mama, please, let me finish.” She took in a deep breath. “I helped him get home again to make sure he was protected from those models. And it wasn't plural, just one actually, but she was trying to take advantage of him all the same. Poor guy was too shaken up by everything to look out for himself. I only did what a good friend would do. Yes, I stayed the night. On his couch. Alone.” She made sure to drive the point home, in case there was any more doubt. “I was worried he might try to drink more or get sick. He cooked breakfast to thank me. Nothing more.”

  Her mother began to braid her hair, and for a long time she was quiet. It unsettled Arial any time her mother didn't speak for long. If she wasn't talking, she was thinking about something awfully important. After a few more seconds passed, Patty said what was on her mind.

  “It's good you both came back here, then. I do notice how you look at him, and it's not simply in a 'gosh, he sure is cute' kind of way. You have feelings for one another, and I can't say I blame you. After all, he is one fine-lookin' boy.”

  “Mama!”

  “And very nice. He's always been good to us. But you need to be careful.”

  Arial groaned, exaggerating it even to make sure her mother knew just how annoyed she was. “I know. I am careful. Always.”

  Patty laughed. “Honey, I mean in more ways than simply saving yourself for the right man. It's dangerous to fall for a man who's mourning the loss of his first love.” She kissed her daughter's forehead. “Someday you'll understand how tricky love can be.”

  Too late, Arial thought with a weak smile.

  Chapter Five

  By the time Arial rolled out of bed for breakfast, lunch was being served at the kitchen table. She gasped when she saw Bryce sitting down eating some potato chips. Her mother was cooking grilled cheese on the stove.

  “Rise and shine!” Bryce greeted her cheerfully.

  She groaned and sat down across from him. “Why didn't someone wake me up?”

  “I figured you needed the sleep, honey,” Patty said. “Tomorrow I'll make sure you get up in time to help with the chores. Enjoy your free pass this time. One day for jetlag, but no more than that. The time difference isn't that bad.”

  Arial rubbed her eyes. “Been here long, Bryce?”

  “About an hour and a half,” he said. “Long enough to shoot some hoops with your brother.”

  “Where is Kieran?” she asked. She missed her siblings. They were noisy but fun.

  “He already ate.”

  Patty brought the sandwiches to the table. “I was thinkin' after lunch you could show Bryce around the farm and explain some of the things he'll be doing.”

  With a slight nod, Arial yawned. “Of course, Mama.” She picked up a sandwich and saw they were not only grilled cheese, but they had tomato in them as well — her all-time favorite comfort food. A small moan of happiness escaped her lips as she took a bite.

  Bryce also took a bite. “This is good. My…” He swallowed. “My mom used to make something like this, too. Only she added spinach as well.”

  “I'll have to try it that way sometime,” Patty said. “Eat up because the fish do need to be fed soon. You can start there.”

  “You have fish?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Arial nodded. “Yes, and they're huge. I'm not sure why you keep them, Ma. It's not like you use them for anything. Soon they're going to be too big for the pond.”

  Her mother scoffed. “They're fine just as they a
re. Hurry up and eat because I know you're going to want to change out of those pajamas of yours.”

  She looked down at herself. Her cheeks flushed at the realization she'd completely forgotten about the loose pants and tank top she had on. Nothing scandalous by any means. Bryce had certainly seen her in less on the set a number of occasions, but he hadn’t stared at her the way he was now. He licked his lips before averting his gaze to the table.

  “Probably can't do a lot of stuff in that outfit,” he said, giving her one more look before taking a large bite of his sandwich.

  Patty glanced between the two of them curiously. Arial shook her head, warning her mother to not even think about whatever crazy idea was going on in her mind. She ate her sandwich quickly, kissed her mother on the cheek, and then left to go change up in her bedroom.

  “I'll be back soon!” she called out.

  ****

  Bryce watched Arial go, his hands still gripping his sandwich. For as long as he'd known her, he could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen her so unpolished. Even when she was natural and in her own element, she hardly ever appeared to be so disheveled. In fact, she was more together the morning after the party, which was saying a lot. It was a different and more tender side of Arial. Vulnerable even, and only a select few were allowed to see her in such a state.

  He personally liked it when she was so relaxed she didn't notice if her hair was a little messy. It didn't matter if she wore any make-up now anyway. Who would care? Not him, and there were no photographers around to snap pictures of her either. He hated having to wear the stuff at work. Who in their right mind would put it on regularly? Arial was just as beautiful without it.

  “Get comfortable. It'll probably be at least twenty minutes,” her mother said.

  He chuckled. “Then I'll take another sandwich if that's all right.”

  “Of course. I made extra, knowing you're a young man with quite the appetite.” Patty looked him over. “Who also doesn't eat enough. Honey, you are too skinny. Who feeds you?”