The Drive To My Friend Burton's House by Serena Axel (suggested reading .txt) 📕

The Drive To My Friend Burton’s House
By
Serena Axel


“No reason to talk,” Burton said in a husky voice. “Throw your bags in the back and we’re off.”
I grabbed the door handle of his silver Mercedes SUV and pitched the bag over the headrest into the backseat. The drive to Burton’s house was going to be a time for me to relax and recharge. My work had been suffering lately and we were not just friends, but partners. I thought of this, but my mind drifted to a faraway
memory of Susan as I stared out the window at the green grass and bungalows flying by. This was the woman who stayed at my home more than her own for the last two years. We both loved Mexican food, reading poetry from Pablo Neruda’s books, and making love. I had the image of a heavenly life filled with eternal love in her embrace. How could I have been so wrong? I don’t think I really knew her at all. Why did I think she wanted a wedding ring? I am just a hopeless romantic, I suppose. For months my head has been satiated with questions about love and relationships. I’m beaten down trying to figure it out.
I muttered to Burton, “Think I’ll shut my eyes for a while.“ I eased myself back and adjusted my seat to recline. I gazed at the narcotic blue sky and thought how perfect it could have been with Susan. My eyes grew heavier with each new thought of her. I welcomed sleep like a dear friend I hadn’t seen for a while—four months, ten days to be exact. I wanted to move on.
I heard a voice in the distance as the car started to slow and come to a stop.
“Aaron, I have to get gas. They have a store inside do you want anything?” Burton asked as he exited the car. “We still have a way to go.”
“Yes I need to use the head and I had a shitty little breakfast. I’m starving,” I chimed.
I put up the seat and unfastening my seat belt, smoothed out the wrinkles of the olive green polo I’d thrown on that morning. I opened the door to feel a cordial breeze, got up and stretched.
“Hey Burton! You know what I like, pick something out for me and Ill meet you back at the car,” I replied. I could see a pine forest laid out before us as I ambled to the bathroom door. I was in and out in a flash. No time to waste, my stomach was growling so fiercely. Burton returned with a bag full of chicken sandwiches, chips, bananas, and Cokes—not our usual fare, but very much appreciated today. We got back in the car and began to eat, taking care not to make to big a mess. I offered to drive but he wouldn’t hear of it . We both talked with our mouths full and agreed not to talk shop. This was a vacation.
The shade and the coolness offered by the trees all around us was pleasant. The trees started to thin after a few miles, and I could see silvery clouds spread out like cotton candy. The sun was dancing behind them, creating flashes of warm light that bounced off the hood of the car. The road meandered; the miles clicked by, and then to the right a sign welcoming us to the town of Westborrow, Population 500, came into view. This was the edge of his town. The house lay just past that flat stretch at the base of the majestic mountains. The road wound and curled, and before us lay a valley of flowers; colors so vibrant they almost hurt my eyes. I could see the house, now, and the imposing set of open gates ended the narrowing road. We slowed and passed through, and a garden of majestic Birds of Paradise and Camelia with blooming. Buds leapt on either side of the drive. Burton pulled the car to a stop at the curve of the driveway, and as if by divine timing, the immense double doors swung open revealing a beautiful young woman. She had long chestnut hair, with curls framing her sun-kissed skin, and my heart seemed to stop when I first saw her fervid green eyes and cherry-red lips.
Burton threw open the door and ran to embrace her. She threw her arms with sheer abandon around his neck and kissed his cheek. I sat dumbstruck, frozen by her beauty.
“Get out of the car, Aaron, I want you to meet my sister Sophia, “ Burton yelled.
I couldn’t seem to move fast enough; it seemed like a dream. I somehow managed to remove my restraints, and then opened the door to meet this magnificent creature. She extended her hand to welcome me when I arrived, trying to control the blushing in my face. Her skin, so smooth to the touch, like satin. I felt a fire rise up in me and looked deep into her eyes.
“I have been waiting for you boys forever, and my brother has told me so much about you, Aaron,” she said in a voice that could have quite easily inspired great music. She slipped her arm in mine, and we all went inside. My knees were trembling. I wondered why he’d never mentioned her before? What was his real agenda for this trip?
Feeling the closeness of her body next to mine, I wondered, too, what the afternoon had in store for our futures…

Publication Date: 10-15-2010

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