It Gets Worse by Alasdair Mackenzie (lightweight ebook reader .TXT) 📕

My father and I fought and fought until we were both on the floor practically wrestling to choke each other; finally I kneed him in the crotch and stood up before stalking off to Zach's house.

***

Knocking on his door, I waited as rain began to fall. I cursed under my breath as I forgot to get myself an umbrella. How very, very stupid of me to forget to check my app on my phone for the weather tonight and now I'll have to pay the price. Please hurry and open the door.

"Daniel? What are you doing here? Get in, get in," Zach said, stepping to the side to let me in, opening his door wider for me to slip through. I was glad he answered the door just in time before it started to pour; the minute he closed it lightening hit the ground. "The bitch?"

I turned my attention to my boss eyes widen at his perfect guess; I nodded and took off my coat for him to hang up. Zach always loved helping people but he was never the one to cross. The last time someone tried to cross Zach it took all seven of his half-brothers to restrain him.

"Yes and my parents decided to pay me a visit." I mumbled under my breathe. He seemed to hear and went into the kitchen probably to make hot cocoa with marshmallows and cinnamon and vanilla extract. Instead of sugar, he uses honey which is a lot sweeter than sugar.

As Zach stirred a pot of hot cocoa adding in the extra ingredients, I leaned against the door frame of the kitchen and watched him. He always had the ability to make every and any beverage you ask even the ones that sound like they could be nearly impossible to master that's why Zach owns his very own Coffee Shop called "La Cafe de Delight"

"Done." Zach called out as he turned off the stove's fire and poured each of us a glass of the hot cocoa then finishes off with tiny marshmallows and cinnamon on top before carefully handing me my glass. I take the glass in my hands liking how the burning sensation burns at the palm of my shivering, cold, wet hands as I blew on it and take a few sips as did he.

His hot cocoas are the best.

***

"Alright since my brother has decided to sleep over at a friend's house you can sleep here, my other brother will be coming home and you know how Reagan feels about having to share or 'give up' his bedroom for a guest or two. " Zach explained showing me the way to Asher's bedroom.

Their names were so ironic. Asher sounds like a tough guy's name but he is so soft and very good with kids and animals while Reagan's sounds like a innocent's person's names but he is a tough martial artist with a scowling temper.

Opening the door to Asher's bedroom I looked around, blue and white, his two favorite colors. It had a few animal posters and photographs, typical animal loving Asher. I gazed all around until my focus was on the bed, ti was also blue but it had the design of a killer whale/orca. I remembered as a child, he would make us all watch Free Willy, Jaws, Brothers, and Brother Bear, anything that has to do with animals.

"I hope it'll be comfy." Zach said, acting as if he worked at a hotel. I rolled my eyes in amusement and nodded still looking around.

"Yes, thank you boss." I chuckled, knowing it would set Zach off since he hated being called a "boss" even if he did owe his father's restaurant after he retired. From the corner of my eye, I saw him pout a bit and crossed his arms. I couldn't help but grin widely.

***

I woke up early the next morning to see a slim small body of Asher. He had muscles but not as much as Asher, his twin brother, yes did I forget to tell you they are twins? Well now you know. I stretched my arms and legs getting up as Asher moved out of the way so I can slide out of bed.

"Hello Dan." He greeted, holding a scrapbook which I guess had animals. Asher seemed to read my mind and opened the book, it had pictures of children. The background looked professional what was he doing with a scrapbook full of children? Has become a pedophile?! Asher rolled his eyes and closed the book. "Relax Dan, I'm not a pedophile."

That makes me feel a whole lot better.

Following him downstairs, we both smelled the sweet aroma of waffles, strawberry, chocolate chip, blueberry, plain, caramel, blackberry, raspberry, all types of waffles you can think off. Rushing into the kitchen we both stopped to see Reagan setting out some plates, silverwares, and glasses before getting the whip cream.

He scowled at me as he set the glasses above each corner of each plate. What was his problem? I mean I know we've both had differences but he and I are grown men, what's with the scowl? Why was he mad at me? What did I do?

"Waffles are ready gentlemen." Zach said stacking the waffles on four plates.

***

I have never felt this full in my ENTIRE life! The waffles were so delicious I just had to have some more and some more and some more until I could not eat anymore. I've always had trouble with the deadly sin gluttony as every food I see and try look so damn delicious, it be a sin not to try.

"Wonderful as always." Asher complimented. Reagan nodded his head, drinking a cup of coffee with whip cream and cinnamon.

The rest of us nodded in agreement as Zach's smile turned wider and wider. He loved being complimented on his cooking skills. It boosted his self-esteem which was a good thing but, I could not help but notice the blush forming on his cheeks as he looked directly at me.

We stared at each other for what seemed like hours before turning our gazes away from each other. Now, things were just getting too awkward, rubbing the back of my neck, I made my way towards the TV and turned on the news channel. A heavy chance of rain was coming our way so as always the electricity will go out and soon enough, they were right, the TV shut off as well as the lights.

I rolled my eyes a bit then turned my head from left to right, luckily Zach was prepared and had flashlights and candles and well, ha-ha, a couple of light-sabers. I could not believe once, that he kept them, and they were in very good condition. Every one of us used to make fun of him until, like this time of day, the power went off and low behold, he had one of his lightsabers.

I looked outside to see the wind blowing hard, the sky a dark green, and rain pouring; if the weather was just rain, it would have been exactly the weather moment when I found my beloved husband dead, wrists slit, skin paled, and hang by a noose. Tears started to form from my eyes and down my cheeks but I didn't notice until a small smooth, yet rough finger wiped them off. I turn around to see my uncle, Zach, clearly worried about me.

"I'm here." Zach whispered as I dropped my head on his shoulder and cried.

***

I woke up not even realizing I had fallen asleep on the lap of Zach. I carefully and quietly sat up and looked at my boss. His mouth was slightly open, his head thrown back; he looked both comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. I smiled and laid him down so his head contacted with a pillow and drew his feet up so he's now lying down. I covered him with a blanket before grabbing my jacket in which I had the idea that he took it off before he fell asleep.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed myself a pop-tart and headed out the door to buy coffee from Star Bucks. I felt a little bad leaving Zach but I also didn't want him to think that I was watching him sleep, which is not a bad idea actually... no, snap out of it. He's my boss, I'm his employee plus married! Not happily but married non-the-less.

Suddenly, Zach's home phone rang snapping me out of my trance. I sat straight up and leaned over to see Zach picking up the phone. After he said his "hello" a woman's screech filled his ears that he practically had to move himself away from the phone. I could hear it too, it sounds like my mother.

"Tell Daniel we are expecting him home NOW! We have matters to discuss about him and his wife!" She yelled out. I sighed and rolled my eyes as Zach told my mom he will bring me over soon before hanging up. He turned around with regret in his eyes I smiled in reassurance.

***

"Well, ready to face that bitch again?" Zach joked trying to make me feel at ease. We were both in his car, with him driving me back home. I scoffed out a laughter and looked outside the window. I could have walked but my boss insisted he drive me home, I caved in.

Publication Date: 02-17-2015

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