Like Ashes We Scatter

by Bradon Nave

  “What’s your favorite genre, Mr. Holloway?” She slowly turned to him.

  “I’m not particularly picky as long as there’s a happy ending.”

  “That sounds dirty, Bishop.”

  “It can be…depending on the genre.” He moved closer, smiling.

  “I’m scared, Bishop.”

  “Of?”

  “Happily never after.”

  “What are you talking about? We’re a match, Alex. I literally love every second I’m with. It’s like fate.”

  As he took her hand, her gaze shied from his.

  “What if I rushed fate, Bishop? What if…what if everything was going to work out as it should have but I rushed it?”

  “That doesn’t make sense to me, Alex.”

  Softly, his thumb and index finger raised her chin so her eyes were level with his.

  “Yeah…I know, Bishop.”

  Sensing her despair, he pulled her to him, looking down into her eyes. “What do you feel like reading tonight?” His question was asked in a goofy whisper, but had her blushing just the same.

  As she worked her hands into his front pockets she kissed his cheek. “Something hot.”

  Instantly he hoisted her into his arms and headed to his father’s large oak wood desk. Gently, he sat her atop of it as their lips met once more. Her legs dangled over the side as he stood in between.

  “I want you, Alex.” Bishop’s gaze met hers, her eyes wide with excitement, her pulse racing under the glistening skin of her throat.

  “Okay.”

  With her permission, Bishop began inching the yellow dress up over her hips and waist until she was free. With nothing behind her on the desk, He gently pushed her backward and climbed atop her, passionately kissing her lips, then further down to her chin, chest—kissing the tops of either of her ample breasts, tone stomach, and then his tongue was wriggling its way under her panty line while his hands worked their way under the cups of her bra.

  Seconds later she was free of her undergarments, and he was tasting her, listening to her hastened breath and soft moans until she was pulling him up to her. She pulled his shirt off over his head and threw it to the floor. As he reached for his belt, his hands were slapped away. Alex’s fingers worked feverishly—unzipping his shorts.

  She stood to meet him, kissing his glistened lips. He watched excitedly as the top of her head came into view as Alex went to her knees. Within a few seconds, he was kicking free his shorts and boxers, and then he was in ecstasy as she took him into her warm mouth. Bishop’s head went backward in complete pleasure as he stared toward the ceiling. Swallowing hard, he glanced down to her. “Stand up.”

  She immediately did, grabbing his excitement as he eased her back on the desk.

  She lay back slightly, guiding him into her as he embraced her, gently laying her back the rest of the way. Cupping her breasts from above her as their gazes met, he rocked into her. It wasn’t slow, it wasn’t rushed; it was perfectly paced. Their eyes remained fixated on each other’s as the temperature rose. Bishop felt sweat tracing its way down his spine.

  Her face was perfect. Her nostrils flared slightly and she gently bit her bottom lip. Her nipples hardened between the slight pinch of his fingertips. The only time her gaze fell from his was when she glanced southward.

  He felt amazing within her and was now completely convinced they truly were a perfect match.

  Knowing the house was empty allowed for louder antics as they both vocalized their pleasure.

  Minutes later their mutual climax was imminent. She rose from the desk to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as their experience came to a climactic end. Her chin rested beneath his clavicle as they recovered their breath.

  Bishop turned slightly—kissing her ear as sweat traced its way down her neck. His arms wrapped tightly around her, he then kissed her atop her head. “You’re amazing…that was amazing.”

  When she didn’t immediately respond, he gently pulled from her and raised her face to his.

  “You okay, Alex?”

  “I’m good. I’m great actually.”

  He brought his lips to hers—their bodies still as one—and kissed her once more. “You want some cheesecake? It’s chocolate cheesecake. It’s awesome.”

  “Are you kidding me? Of course.”

  In the kitchen, dressed yet bordering disheveled, they leaned over the center island, laughing and taking small bites of a half-eaten cake from the box.

  “So…I need you to be completely honest with me, Alex.”

  Alex’s eyes widened as she sat her fork down and stood straight. “Okay.”

  “Was I…was it okay? It’s been a while.”

  Instantly she was smiling and reaching for the fork. “It was fantastic. And trust me, it’s been more than a while here too.”

  The loose strands of hair falling freely over her eye were too tempting to leave unviolated. Bishop reached across the island, cradling her face in hand while pushing the hair behind her ear with the other. “I’m falling for you. I…I know that sounds crazy but I’m falling for you.”

  Her face in his hand was drained all expression. Nothing was said in return as she turned from him.

  “Okay then. Too soon I guess—”

  “Me too.” Her interruption was blurted and harsh-sounding. “I’m falling for you too, Bishop.”

  She walked from him to the glass doors overlooking the pool.

  “Are you okay, Alex?”

  He walked up behind her, glimpsing a tear as it etched its way down her smooth cheek.

  “Alex…we could have waited. I didn’t mean to rush you.”

  “It’s not that, Bishop.”

  Silence ensued as they looked toward the flowerbed at the east end of the pool, filled with beautiful colors under the light from the back patio.

  “Then what is it, Alex…you know you can literally tell me anything.”

  “Your flowers are beautiful.”

  “Ha…nice subject change. My mom loves flowers.”

  “So did mine…but not ones you could plant.” She turned to him, resting her head into his chest.

  “Flowers that you can’t plant? Huh?”

  “My mother loved wild flowers. She liked the weeds on the side of the old roads.”

  “So…let’s go get her some.”

  “What?” She lifted her head from his chest—her gaze falling on his.

  “Let’s go get your mother some flowers.”

  “I…Bishop I don’t know about that. I have no clue where to even look for wild flowers.”

  “Neither do I but I’ll be with you. Come on…can you imagine the look on your brother’s face when he sees her gravesite covered in wild flowers.”

  “That would make him so happy.”

  “Let’s go to the garden shed and grab some shovels and buckets.”

  “You’re serious, Bishop? You seriously want to do this tonight?”

  “What? Stroll down dirt roads with my beautiful girl and pick weeds in the moonlight? How can I say no to that?”

  Her gaze remained steady on his and boasted a haunting ache that had Bishop wanting to cradle her—to protect her, but he had no clue from what; he had no clue what had her so shedding tears and she didn’t appear open to talking about it. For now he could only remain supportive.

  “Okay. Let’s go get my mother some weeds.” Her smile was soft, but clearly appreciative.

  Shovels, buckets, pots, and a half a bag of potting soil loaded in the car, they pulled from the driveway without a clue as to where they were going.

  Bishop’s home neared the outskirts of the suburban area and was surrounded by acreage and scattered houses, many of which resembled miniature castles. The majority of the roads leading out of town appeared moderately well maintained. Nearly ten minutes later they were approaching a dirt road on the left. Bishop slowed the vehicle as Alex stared cautiously.

  “Bishop…this looks creepy.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be
shot at if we get caught trespassing.”

  “Surely not. I don’t even see a sign.”

  Pulling down the road they were instantly surrounded by overarching vegetation, tickling the sides and roof of the car. The darkened surroundings and narrow road reminded Bishop of some haunted hallway. There were no flowers in sight.

  “Bishop. I’m not seeing any—oh my gosh! Look, Bishop!”

  As the right side of the road cleared, the headlights revealed the opening to a field. Dancing in the beams were slender green stems adorned with hardy purple flowers atop each one. As Bishop slowed and repositioned the lights to face the field, it appeared the pasture was clad with them. He looked to see Alex’s face sporting a look of shock.

  “Wow. Alex, I think we hit the jackpot.”

  “We did, Bishop. They’re blazing stars. My mother loved these. Purple was her favorite color.”

  “Let’s get to it then.”

  With the running car parked in the road—its lights guiding their efforts, Bishop and Alex made their way across the soft ditch to the unleveled field. The moon was shy—hiding behind long and semitransparent clouds. The wind was but a mild breeze and the night was serenaded by an orchestra of birds and insects from the woodlands surrounding the dim lit field.

  Shovels and buckets in hand, they calmly took in the surroundings prior to the excavation.

  “This is so beautiful. It’s so natural and untouched.”

  “You’re so beautiful, Alex. That shovel in your hand is hot.”

  “Ha. You should see me change a tire.”

  “How many of these bad boys are we getting?”

  Alex reached to the base of one of the wild flowers and attempted to pull it up. “We’ll have to do some digging. We’ll dig until we don’t want to dig anymore I guess.” Alex then gently placed the spade near one of the plants and pressed it down with her foot. She pried the handle back, producing a plant free of the confining earth. “Bucket please.” After shaking the loose soil free she placed it in one of the buckets as Bishop followed her actions.

  “You know, Alex…I hear gardening can be therapeutic.”

  Her smile in the moonlight nearly halted his efforts. The thoughts of their encounter in the library sat heavy on the forefront of his memory.

  “Yeah, well a lot of things are therapeutic.”

  “Agreed.”

  With nine plants in their buckets, Alex wiped her forehead. “I think this should do it.”

  “Let’s load up.”

  “Thank you, Bishop.”

  The air around them stood still as they gravitated closer to one another.

  “Thank you, Alex.”

  “For what?”

  “You have no idea, do you?”

  “Huh?”

  Her confused expression assured him she was truly clueless as to how much she’d geared him toward the path of mending. “You…you make me wanna wake up every morning again. I wanna be happy again and start…I dunno…start legitimately planning my future and thinking about things I’d just said to hell with. I feel good with you.”

  He’d hoped his proclamation would light her face; rather, it brought tears to her eyes—fat tears he could plainly see in the moonlight as they streaked her face. “I didn’t mean to make you cry—”

  “It’s perfect…you’re perfect and tonight has been perfect. I want you to be happy no matter what happens because that’s what you deserve. But I need tonight. Tonight has to stay perfect.”

  “What? Alex, tonight is yours but I promise you there’ll be more if you want them. I’m all yours if you want me. I mean that. I’m in, one hundred percent.”

  With this, her few tears became a downpour. Bishop rushed to her as she cradled her face in her hands. He wrapped his arms around her as concern coursed through him. “Alex, what is going on? Are you in some kind of trouble or…just talk to me…please.”

  “Bishop…I know how hard it is to forgive people that shit on me. I can’t expect anyone else to forgive me and…and…”

  Her soft sobs trailed as her head rested into his chest.

  “Alex, it takes too much to hold a grudge. I wasn’t there and I didn’t know your mom but maybe you can forgive her now. She’s gone. There’s nothing wrong with letting that animosity go with her. I’m sure you can conjure up some good memories to hold on to. Even if you can’t forget the bad ones, it’s okay to let your guard down and let go of the resentment.”

  She looked toward him—her eyes showcasing a deep pain as she wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t know what to do, Bishop.”

  Kissing her on top of her head, he rubbed her back gently while he embraced her. “Let’s go plant some flowers.”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Five

  Her eyelids opened without hesitation in response to the pale twilight peeking through the thick wooden blinds. Sitting up in his bed, she looked about the room as the previous night’s memories flooded her brain.

  The flowers she and Bishop collected were planted in small plastic pots and perfectly placed about her mother’s gravesite.

  She looked to her dirty fingernails—packed with soil and then to Bishop. He was by her side, flat on his back and shivering slightly in nothing but the shorts he decided to sleep in. He’d apparently kicked free of his bedding at some point in the night.

  They’d returned to his home late and Bishop insisted she stay with him. She sported some worn basketball shorts and a sweatshirt that extended well past her knees.

  Gently she climbed from the bed and stood at the foot of it, looking down at him as the sun chased the shadows from his face. The thought of losing him was secondary to the thought of his regression. If he truly believed she was the reason he rolled out of bed, then she knew for certain she truly was an awful human being.

  She grabbed the comforter from the floor and gently covered him to his chin, kissing him lightly on his cheek. She then collected her clothing, shoes, and phone and slipped from his room. They’d only drifted to sleep five hours prior.

  Descending the stairs she cautiously eyed the surroundings for Constance. The house was dark. It seemed she was either out or sleeping.

  Deciding to Uber a ride home, she pulled out her phone as she tip-toed off the staircase and into the kitchen. The smell of coffee assured her she was not alone on the first level of the home. Lingering momentarily in the doorway of the kitchen while securing her ride, she turned only to be met by Constance.

  “Oh!” her shriek was coupled with her phone and other belongings falling to the floor as her hands slapped over her mouth.

  “Oh, dear, I didn’t mean to startle you. Please, allow me to gather your things.”

  Constance was dressed in professional attire. She was poised and proper as she kneeled to collect the dropped items.

  “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Holloway. I was just leaving.”

  “No, darling you weren’t. Not quite yet.” With Alex’s things in her hands, she made her way to the center island and placed them atop of it. “Come dear. We need to talk.”

  Alex felt her heart could rupture. Her throat instantly dried as she approached the stone-cold looking woman.

  “I apologize for staying here. It was late when we got in—”

  “You needn’t provide any explanation or give detail of the activities that take place behind my son’s closed bedroom door. He’s a grown man and generally has a keen sense of judgment…generally.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  Alex kept her head down, her gaze glued to the granite counter.

  “Tyson is a sweet boy, Alex.” The catch in Constance’s voice had Alex looking toward her. What if she knows?

  “Yes. He is.”

  “We visited extensively yesterday. He’s very brave.”

  “Yep.” She does know! Tears welled in Alex’s eyes as Constance stared her down.

  “The instant I saw that barefoot boy wandering about my halls…that scar…I knew.”

  Alex said nothing. Her voi
ce was gone—her throat ached with despair.

  “It’s true. He breathes with my son’s lungs. Is this not true?”

  “Yes. I…I think so.”

  “You think so?”

  “I can’t say for absolute certain—”

  “Tyson received his new lungs the day my Nathan…the day my Nathan gave them away. He breathes with my son’s lungs.”

  “Yes.”

  The cold stare was now fierce as Constance leaned toward Alex. “Explain to me why you are here, Alex. How?”

  She was incapable of swallowing—her hands shook as tears poured from the corner of either eye.

  “I just…I…”

  “Choose your words wisely my dear, and speak only the truth.”

  “I was working…there was an interview. I was watching this awful interview and it just clicked. I wanted to know more about Bishop, the brother of the boy who saved my own brother’s life. I’m so sorry. I looked him up on social media and as soon as I did I was worried about him. I didn’t mean to meet him. I didn’t know he would stop and talk to me. I just…I just wanted to make sure he was okay but I ended up falling in love with him.” Her lip quivered as she wiped her eyes.

  “Horseshit.” Constance’s tone was harsh as she stood erect.

  “No…I promise I’m not lying. I do love him. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “I’m not saying I don’t believe you, young lady. I’m saying the situation you’ve created is horseshit. Does Tyson know? Does your brother know that you have located the family of his lung donor without his permission and have been sleeping with his donor’s brother?”

  “No.”

  “I didn’t think so. So instead of appreciating the gift of life my family has given yours, you meddle in my Bishop’s business to the point of concern and think that you need to do what, investigate? Of all people on the earth, you felt you were the most appropriate person to assist my Bishop during his struggles? How the hell does that make any sense?”

  “It doesn’t!” Alex’s voice snapped through the kitchen. “I know. What I have done is deplorable and unforgivable. I didn’t mean to meet him or to love him. Trust me, the second my brother and Bishop find out I’ll be left with no one—”