Like Ashes We Scatter

by Bradon Nave

  “I would love to accompany you, milady.” Tyson offered a goofy bow.

  No sooner had the front door closed and Alex was looking to Bishop. “I have a lot to be thankful for.”

  He offered a casual smile.

  “We have what, twenty minutes, Bishop?”

  Bishop bit his bottom lip. “You…you wanna go right now?”

  Alex only nodded and then motioned toward his bedroom. They sprinted up the stairs like track stars, slamming the door behind them.

  Within seconds his khakis were around his ankles and he was seated on his bed. She gently pushed him backward. Once totally aroused, she removed her panties and straddled him.

  She glanced down to find him chuckling. “Wha…what’s funny?”

  “This is bad…this is so bad.”

  “Why? Just…working up an appetite.”

  Grabbing her waist, he rolled her on her back.

  She gasped as his pace quickened, gripping his shoulders.

  A few minutes more and Alex was nudging for the top position once more. The transition was less than graceful. As Bishop went to lie on his back his heel slipped on the clothing on the floor. His arms scrambling as he toppled to the hardwood—the back of his head met the bedpost with impressive force.

  “Oh my god, are you okay, Bishop?”

  Instantly grabbing his head, grimacing with a smile from the floor, he looked to her through squinted eyes while flat on his back.

  They both laughed as she reached for his hand, assisting him from the floor and to the bed. “Just lie back…relax.”

  Taking him in her mouth, conscious of the time constraints, she was relieved after a few minutes to find his breath hastening, his gentle grip on her shoulders tightening and his body tensing.

  “I’m…I’m gonna…”

  “I know.” Her soft words and softer hands completed what they had started.

  With a whimsical grin, he continued to stare at the ceiling while Alex grabbed a handful of tissues from atop his dresser.

  “We better get ourselves together. I’m sure your mom would be outraged.”

  Bishop leaned forward as Alex tossed him his boxers and pants.

  “Oh my gosh…Bishop, you have a huge goose egg on your head.”

  “A what?” He prodded his injury, eyes widening. “Well that’s a battle wound for sure.”

  ***

  From the dining room table, Bishop held a baggy of crushed ice while Alex uncovered the dishes she and Tyson had brought.

  Constance and Tyson arrived to the story that Bishop had hit his head on the staircase. The looks given by both Constance and Tyson assured that neither of them believed such nonsense.

  As the remainder of the meal was set out, drinks were poured and the four of them found their seats around the heavy oak table.

  “There’s been a vast amount of change this year.” Constance stood solemn at the head of the table. The authority in her voice demanded the immediate attention of the dinner guests. “This year came with a void, a void that I will never be able to completely fill…nor will I want to. This year came with questions and so much unmanageable pain. This year left me nearly hollow…an emotional ghost town.” Her soft gaze danced slowly from Bishop to the others. “This year showcased the depths of life’s cruelty…and then…and then it did something else. This year brought with it a seed of renewal. To watch this seed blossom into this scene of beauty is something I didn’t see coming. Life truly is the most unexpected journey. It’s brutal and in its realest form it’s at times overwhelmingly punishing. But when it counterbalances…when the clouds part and the dust settles, and the sun shines…life sets the most beautiful people at your table, in chairs that would otherwise be empty.” Constance dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “Bishop, you are my heart, but I think we can agree that this year would be so lost without our guests, Tyson and Alex Ayers.”

  Prior to Bishop’s response, a cheerful Tyson was making his way to Constance, offering her a hug. The interaction had Bishop reaching for Alex’s hand. “I couldn’t agree more, Mom.”

  Constance proposed a simple toast. Seats were taken and glasses raised, “And here is to many more.”

  ***

  “I’m surprised your brother asked to play scrabble. Mom seemed more than pleased.”

  The afternoon air was brisk. The scent of leaves, fireplaces and holiday meals was heavy in the surrounding neighborhood as Bishop and Alex walked hand-hand.

  “Nah…Tyson will eat that up. He would have been a total momma’s boy if my mother would have let him.”

  “Well…here’s his second chance. My mom loves the shit out of that kid.”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Ha…she likes you too.”

  Her exaggerated exhalation had him looking to her—her head resting into his shoulder. “What? She really does.”

  “I would hope that both of you do because I’ve come to the conclusion that my life is so outlandishly insane that it would only make sense to you or some cheesy low-budget soap-opera producer. If you ever decide you’re out I won’t even have the luxury of being a cat lady because of Ty. That’s a bright future right there.”

  Bishop slowed his pace, nudging Alex toward a bench near the community gate. “What are you talking about, if I’m out?” As they sat, Bishop cradled her into him from the side.

  “Just talking I guess. You have to admit this past year has been…”

  “Indescribable?”

  “Basically.”

  “I just, I don’t know…I feel like things are calming and like, I can inhale and just…enjoy what I have but it’s almost like it’s too good, Bishop.”

  Raising her face to meet his, he kissed her chilled lips. “Like your brother would say, I think you’re thinking too much.”

  “No…no I’m really not. I feel like I found the one; I honestly think you’re the one, but then…but then what if I do something else to mess it up or something happens that’s out of my control? What if it’s too soon and I’m just pushing for it too hard and—”

  “Alex.” Gently touching his index to her lips he silenced her. “All I know is I’m sitting next to the girl I’ve fallen for, thankful I’m not standing over her grave. Look at everything that has happened. If there’s no such thing as fate, then whatever we’ve got going on is a damn good imposter. If Tyson has taught me anything it’s that I’m only guaranteed right now…we are only guaranteed right now and we don’t have to know all the answers. All I need to know is you make me smile, Alex.”

  Pushing her hair behind her ear, Bishop continued. “I was at my weakest when I met you…I’m still weak, Alex…but your strength makes me stronger. I’m happy with you and I’m so ready to see what’s next.”

  Alex smiled, biting her lip. “What if it’s structural fires and superficial head injuries?”

  “I was thinking we could make some less painful memories…but I’ll take whatever I can. When I wake in the morning with a smile it’s because of you. I want to keep that.”

  “Bishop, this last year has been a year of second chances for me. At this time last year I was watching Tyson struggle to hobble down the hall. Watching him take what Nathan gave him and literally flourish has been the biggest gift I could have asked for…but then there’s you…and you’re so perfect—”

  “Oh my god I’m not perfect.”

  “You’re perfect to me, Bishop.” The seriousness in her eyes, the grasp of her hand—She means every word.

  “It’s not perfect but it’s perfect to me and I just don’t want to mess up again.”

  “Alex, we are going to mess up. We’re gonna mess up real bad…but that’s life. Life is about that shit. All I’m saying is I am ready for all of it and I’m in one thousand percent if you are.”

  Her uncontrollable grin had him completely captivated. The excitement in her eyes matched the excitement in his soul.

  She pulled him to her, kissing his lips as the wind whisked around the
m. Separating, she casually took both of his hands in her own. “Okay, Bishop Holloway…let’s do this.”

  BEFORE YOU GO…

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  Acknowledgements

  To Karen Hess—thank you for allowing me to pick your brain while writing this book. You have a gift for what you do and I’m thankful to have you as a friend.

  To my wife, Bethany—thank you for living with me through this process yet again. I know it’s not always fun or easy to watch me chase my dreams on a keyboard.

  I could rattle off names all day…but I’d like to thank Kristen, Jennicorn, Steven, Tyler, Tammi, Luci, Laurie, Logan, Megan, Robert, Brenda, Melissa, Meredith, Leonard, Neko, Mary, Americo, Lisa and Kayla and for becoming a second family. The work we do is grueling and often thankless. I couldn’t do this without the support of each of you. You’re all uniquely talented and together we’ve proven again and again that there can be life after tragedy. Thank you.

  About the Author

  Bradon Nave was born and raised in rural Oklahoma. He attended a small country school during junior high and high school, and graduated with only three people in his class. After graduate school, he decided to devote his spare time to his passion of writing.Bradon currently lives in Piedmont, Oklahoma, with his wife and two young children.

  When he’s not writing, he loves running, being with friends and family, and being outdoors.

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