Siblings: The Series - Episode 4
#2 of Fetish
Siblings - The Series
Episode Four
© 2016 Carlos Penguin
Victoria Fox - Editor Extraordinaire
"Larry!" Rick shouted as his old friend arrived at the pub.
"Rick, you scruffy old fox!" They shook hands vigorously. "It's been what, fifteen years?"
"A long time. Too long." Rick agreed. "Heck, yer little girl and my nice and nephew weren't even in school yet."
"So, what happened? It seems one minute we're hunting and fishing, then boom! All this time flies." Larry sat down at the table and picked up a menu.
"What happened was ya found that lawyer gal and lost all interest in fishin' and guns." Rick said accusingly, but smiling. "So how is the missus?"
Larry's expression turned sombre. "She left, Rick. I dunno where she is."
Rick gave an expression of sad shock. "Well heck, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Me too." Larry said. "She called about ten years ago, asking me to pick Tonya from Girl Guides and that was the last I heard from her." He motioned for the waitress to come over. "Last anyone heard from her, even her law partners."
"Is she dead?" Rick regretted asking the moment he said it.
Larry shook his head. "Nope. Put in a missing persons and a month later they said they heard from INTERPOL that she was alive and that's all I had the right to know."
The waitress arrived and he ordered a burger and a beer. "Tonya took it pretty hard, but it also hardened her resolve to understand people. She drove herself into a Bachelors of Social Science by the time she was seventeen and is now working on a psychology doctorate."
"Whoa, that's some serious stuff." Rick said, feeling helpless that he couldn't do anything to improve his old friends situation. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yeah..." Larry smiled. "After I do some business here, how about you show me the local fishing hangout?"
"You got a deal!" Rick said, raising his mug to his friend.
--
As Ethan and Elise's dad warned, Aunt Eugenia was over to their apartment immediately, being a total hen.
"Oh, you dear, sweet young people. Thrust into becoming adults so soon in your young lives." She said, hugging them each for the fifth time.
"We ARE adults, Aunt Eugenia." Elise said with a hint of exasperation.
"We both talked about the possibility and we're fine with it." Ethan added.
"Oh, you brave, brave children. "Eugenia said, cupping Ethan's cheeks with an encouraging smile.
The siblings looked at each other with a sigh.
"Does your mom and dad know?" She asked, putting her hand to her chin, switching to a concerned expression.
"That I'm pregnant, yes. Who the father is, no." Elsie said, "It was a most unusual announcement. I think mom is almost off the deep end and dad, well, he's acting like he wants to buy the town cigars."
"That doesn't surprise me about your dad, honey. When he and Rick are faced with something they can't control, will just party it out first, then deal with the facts along with the hangover after." Eugenia said, sitting down at the dining table. The siblings sat down as well. "As for your mom, well, I'm not sure."
"Before we went to school, she always took us to church on Sunday. Could it be a religious thing?" Ethan asked.
"I've never known her to be that conservative. I mean, her and your dad were fooling around long before they were married." Eugenia was rubbing her chin, thinking. "Maybe it's just the fact that she just moved out and all of a sudden, she's pregnant. It's a parent's worst nightmare to imagine their daughter partying with the boys and one day, waking up with a bun in the oven and a crab-apple's throw as to which guy is the daddy."
"I am not a slut!" Elise snapped indignantly. "I'm quite proud that I resisted passes from some very tempting boys in school."
"Of course you aren't and I didn't mean to insinuate that you were." Eugenia said apologetically.
"I'm sorry." Elise said, laying her forehead on her hand. "I've been so moody all of a sudden."
Ethan nodded his head rapidly to his aunt, eyes wide.
"That's normal, sweetie." Eugenia said comfortingly. She looked at Ethan, "It'll get worse, too."
Ethan put his head down in his arms on the table and groaned.
"Men can't handle this dearie. They aren't designed for it." Eugenia said to Elise. "You should take some time to be with your auntie or girlfriends.
Ethan gave a huge sign of relief on the inside.
Eugenia patted Ethan's arm. "You both will need support. I'll do what I can."
"What about Uncle Rick?" Ethan asked.
"He's not home. He doesn't know, yet." Eugenia replied. "He's meeting that friend of his that he told you about the other day."
"Oh, great. I forgot about that." Ethan said, not looking forward to the 'fixup'. "Elise doesn't need that kind of emotional stress."
"Ethan, I trust you." Elsie said with an endearing smile. "Just get it over with."
"So, what do you think Rick will do when he finds out I'm the father?" Ethan asked his aunt, hesitantly.
"Rick?" Eugenia smiled. "I can pretty much guarantee he'll laugh his head off."
"What?" Elise and Ethan said simultaneously.
"Remember the story I told you about my brothers? Well when your mom had you two, he said to me when we were in the hospital, looking down at your angelic little faces, that if any redneck genes of his got passed down to Ethan, my story would probably repeat itself."
"Oh, jeez!" Elise said as Ethan laughed.
--
The drive home seemed exceedingly long. Not a word had been spoken the entire way. Mark parked the van and got out. He opened the door for his wife. She silently exited.
He unlocked the door and they entered the house. He sat down on one chair with a grunt and Alice slowly lowered herself onto another.
"So, what's all this BS about? I'm happy, Elise is happy, heck, even Ethan seems tickled." He asked her.
"Our daughter is pregnant." She said.
"Yeah, fact in evidence. Now why aren't you happy?"
"Does she even know who the father is?" Alice said with wide eyed distress, her ears planed back and rankled fur. "I was afraid this would happen. Her first taste of freedom and she meets up with some boy and...."
"And birds and the bees!" Mark cut her off, having enough. "However it happened, she's our daughter and [she] will get our love and support." He moved over to the sofa, closer to where she sat and softened his tone. "Look, that's why I cut you off in there. If Elise wants us to know who the father is, she'll introduce him. But really, who is her business. Her health and care is OUR business. That's what we need to focus on."
She looked at him with a scowl. "You are so annoying when you're right." She got up and went upstairs.
Mark threw his hands in the air, "Gah! If like mother like daughter, whomever he is, I feel sorry for him already."
Elise picked up her phone to find several messages. One was from Cerise, wondering if she was OK. Five were from Kiana, plus two more complaining about not getting a reply. Several others were from acquaintances asking what she was up to or inviting her out.
Ethan took the phone from her hand and put it face down on the table. "Go have a nap." He said and kissed her forehead.
"But Eugenia spent so much time here, I'm behind on chores." Elise protested.
"Wasn't it my day for that? In exchange for your treat yesterday?" He said. "I'll clean the bed of all that laundry and you crawl in."
He went in the bedroom and put all the clothes back in the basket for sorting and folding. He pulled the covers back on her side. "There, now you get in all cozy."
She gave him an appreciative kiss and took her shirt off. Ethan watched her boobs sway from side to side as she did. She gave a smile, he always enjoyed her giving a daily 'strip show'.
He ran his fingers gently over her nipples, causing them to harden. She giggled and covered them with her hands. "Tickles. They're sensitive."
Ethan grinned widely. "And soon they'll be all full and milky." He smacked his lips.
"Oh you!" She gave him a gentle swat. "You've been so special and supportive today. Thank you." Putting her arms around him, she gave him a long, loving kiss.
Elise squeaked as he pulled her close and his hard-on poked her belly. "You're one hot momma vix." He said as he unbuttoned and unzipped her pants.
She stepped out of her pants and sat down on the side of the bed. He sat beside her as well. "What's wrong?" He asked.
With a frustrated glance, she said, "My breasts aren't the only thing sensitive. I'm sorry."
He held her tight. "That's all right, my love. You just rest."
She looked at him, amazed at his compassion. She ran her hand across his face. "You're so wonderful to me."
She put her hand on his chest and leaned him back on the bed. She gave his balls a gentle lick and his sheath a nibble. "Cerise is right, you do have a nice penis." She kissed the tip and then took him deep into her mouth.
"Oh, yesssss!" He sighed and ran his fingers through her hair as she settled her mouth over him, showing her appreciation for his support.
She woke up several hours later. Ethan was spooning her and snoring loudly. His arm was around her and she wrapped hers around it and snuggled closer to him. "Take care of the chores, hm?" She whispered to herself and dozed back off again.
*BZZZZT! BZZZZT!*
Ethan stirred at the horrible noise coming from the other room. Elise was still asleep, so he very carefully got out of bed.
"Oh yeah, chores!" He said to himself. Looking at the clock, it was past six in the evening.
He went into the other room, wondering what it was he heard. Then he saw the light on his phone flashing. "Oh yeah, vibrate." He said and noticed there was a voicemail, but didn't recognize the number. "I probably won a cruise in trade for all my bank PIN numbers." He scoffed and checked the message. It was from his uncle.
"Heya Ethan! Down at the pub with my friend Larry. What'cha up to after work tomorrow? He'd like to buy you dinner someplace and have you meet his daughter. See ya later, nephew!"
Ethan groaned and put his phone back on the table.
"Who was it, sweetie?" Elise said standing naked in the bedroom doorway, rubbing her eye.
"Oh honey, did I wake you?" He went over to her and took her hand. "I thought I was quiet."
She shook her head. "It's past six. We need to get up. I'll start some supper for us."
But at the mention of food, she let out a belch, covered her mouth and ran to the washroom. Ethan felt for her, but the brother in him couldn't help but snicker.
The toilet flushed and she gargled mouthwash. Coming out with a small towel in her hands, wiping her mouth, she said, "Maybe I'll have something light."
"I can cook." Ethan smiled mischievously. "Want some nice, greasy bacon?"
"HRMPH!" His sister held the towel to her mouth, eyes wide, turning she ran back into the washroom. "BLEAHHHHHHHH.....!"
Ethan laughed evilly and successfully ducked an incoming bar of soap.
By two in the morning, they had finished chores and snacked throughout the night rather than cooking a large meal.
"We are going to be so bagged tomorrow." Elise said, not tired yet, sitting curled up in a chair, mindlessly surfing through the TV channels.
"Consider it practise." Ethan replied, laying on the sofa as Elise looked puzzled. "Kit keeping us awake, being fussy and all."
"And that's all after putting up with five months of biological misery." Elise said, melancholic. "Oh Ethan, what have we done?" She began to cry.
He immediately went to her side and held her. "Shhhhh, it's OK. Life's a challenge, honey. This one's just happening now rather than ten years from now, hm? And I'll be at your side the whole way."
She turned and held him tightly, softly weeping on his shoulder.
--
Kiana: Why haven't you returned my calls? I'm worried!
Elise read the text as she ate a bowl of cereal the next morning. She was wondering how she would break the news, given how badly she handled learning about her and Ethan.
Ethan dragged himself out of bed, later than usual. "If I skip my shower, we can make the bus on time."
Elise walked in to the front of the store. Cerise was handling several customers and didn't notice her slip inside. She put her purse on her desk and hung up her coat on the rack in the corner. She didn't want to talk to anyone today, but business was business.
The morning rush went quickly, thanks to Cerise's skill. Without missing a beat, she scurried to Elise's desk. "How did eet go? You did not breaks up, non?"
Elise yawned. "No, no, we didn't break up. But we discovered why I was so out of character the past few days."
"Oh, why ees that?" Cerise's head perked up, curious.
Elise smiled and said in a low voice, "I'm pregnant."
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Oh my God!" Cerise shrieked and jumped up and down happily, clapping her hands. She stopped and crouched down beside Elise and whispered, "Eet is good thing, oui?"
"Yes!" Elise gave a beaming smile.
Cerise shrieked and bounced up and down again. She gave Elise a big hug. "You must tell me all abouts!"
"What the?" Elise's dad came in to the front. "Is someone getting murdered up here? We can hear you over the forklift."
"Just spreading the news, daddy." Elise replied.
He smiled, nodded, rolled his eyes and went back to the warehouse.
When the door closed, Cerise pulled a chair beside the desk and sat down. "Ees Ethan's?"
Elise smiled and nodded, wiping a happy tear from the excitement her friend was showing. "He's been so wonderful, too. I hope I'll be as good a mother as he seems to want to be a dad."
"That I have no doubt, hm? He loves you, so he will the kit, too." Cerise patted her arm, "Has the doctor gone over all ze new mother info, classes, exercise, possible problems, daddy's classes...."
"Possible problems?" Elise's smile was wiped from her face.
Cerise shook her head. "Routine ees the information. But more so since you are ze brother and sister."
Elise's face filled with fear.
"I did not mean to frighten you!" Cerise realized she said something the young vixen never considered seriously.
"You mean Ethan wasn't kidding that the kit could have three tails and two heads?"
Cerise face-palmed. "Non, non, non! We have to slap Ethan, then tells you truth." She grumbled in frustration. "After works, we go to ze dinner. You and I."
This suited Elise just fine, since Ethan was going out with Uncle Rick to meet his friend Larry and his daughter.
"So, did you sleep last night?" Ethan's dad asked him.
"Not a lot." He replied. "I guess I'll have five months of Elise's mood swings and then a few years of kit fussing before getting eight hours sleep again.
His dad laughed. "Well, unless the guy Elise is seeing swoops her away, or that girl Rick wants you to meet swoops you off."
Ethan banged his head against the inventory shelf. "That's tonight, isn't it? I totally forgot."
"Yep! So never mind the bus, I'll take you two back to your apartment tonight. You get all showered and handsome for her."
Closing time came and a chatty, rambling overtired vixen locked the door. "What kind of food do you want?" She asked Cerise, who was gathering her handbag and coat.
"Have you tried ze French food? Zere ees ze new restaurant I want to try."
"Nope!" Elise replied. "But after hardly being able to keep anything down the past couple of days and feeling good now, I'll try anything."
Her dad and brother came in from locking down the warehouse. "I'm going to give you two a ride home tonight to save time." Her dad offered.
"Thanks dad, but Cerise and I are going out for dinner." Elise smiled happily.
"Well that takes care of that." Her dad said. "Just us two tonight, son."
Ethan and his dad pulled out of the parking lot and began driving out of the industrial area. "So...." His dad said unsure how to begin the conversation. "Do you know who the father is?"
Ethan's heart went into his stomach. "Yes."
"Uh-huh." His dad nodded, hoping to have fished more information. "Is he a decent guy, at least?"
"I think so."
They didn't speak again until they arrived at the apartment. "Mind if I use your washroom before returning home?" His dad asked.
"Not at all." Ethan said, motioning in a welcoming manner.
While his dad used the washroom, Ethan gathered some of his better clothes to put on after his shower. His dad exited the washroom, thumbing through a pamphlet Ethan had brought home from the hospital.
"First Steps to Being a Father." He read off the title. He looked at his son impressed. "Preparing yourself to help out incase the father becomes a deadbeat, eh?"
This time Ethan's heart got stuck in his throat. "Yeah, something like that." He smiled, relieved that his dad was slow on the uptake.
His dad took another shot at fishing for info. "Well, you tell your friend Al to be good to my little pumpkin." He winked. "Or he'll have to answer to me!" He added and turned to go to the door.
Ethan sighed heavily. His dad was fishing and coming to wrong conclusions. His sense of justice couldn't allow that. Damn his honest upbringing, Ethan felt about himself.
"Dad, Al.... isn't the father."
"Oh?" His dad turned and smiled that he was getting somewhere, even if by process of elimination. "He's been pretty much the only guy hanging around other than....." He stopped dead. It all came together now. The rapid change in attitude Ethan had toward Elise. The out of character closeness and support he showed for her. The move out of the house to share an apartment. His mouth, eyes and whiskers melted downwards as if his face was made of wax and had been hit with a heat gun on high.
"Oh God, Ethan." He said, barely audible.
He appeared in distress and staggered to the counter, grabbing it to keep himself from falling.
"DAD!" Ethan shouted and ran to him, grabbing him.
He felt his dad's pulse race and breathed rapidly. He helped him to a chair and sat him down.
"I'll call an ambulance!" Ethan said anxiously. Shaking, he pulled out his phone and dialed 9-1-1.
"No." His dad said hoarsely. "I'll.... recover."
"9-1-1, police, fire or ambulance?" The voice said from the phone.
"Ambulance." Ethan said, adrenaline rushing through his veins that felt like ice water.
"What's your emergency?" The operator replied.
"I think my dad is having a heart attack." Ethan said, his voice higher pitched than normal.
"No, not heart attack." His dad growled and clenched his fist. "It's angina. My pills are in the van. Just get me an aspirin."
"Uh, he says it's angina." Ethan said.
"Is the patient conscious?" The operator asked.
"Yes, he is." Ethan replied.
His dad grabbed his phone. "Hello, I'm the patient, it's subsiding, sorry to bother you."
"We can't get a location from this number, are you on a cell? What is your address?" The operator ignored him.
"Miss, please. My son panicked. I'm OK." Ethan's dad said calmer and breathing better.
"Very well, sir. May I have your name so I can close the file? Otherwise we have to send the file to the police to follow up." The operator asked.
"Oh, very well." He said and replied to her questions, then terminated the call.
Ethan took his phone back. "Dad, I didn't know you had angina?"
"No one but my doctor knows." He said. "And it's going to stay that way, understood?"
"Sure, dad." Ethan replied. He got him an aspirin and a glass of water.
His dad handed the glass back, unsteadily. He pointed shakily to another chair, "Sit, dammit."
He had his face in his hands for some time. Then sighed, rubbed his face and looked up with an expression of anger, bewilderment and pain. "From the top. What the hell happened?"
Ethan didn't know what to say. "It... just happened. Between us, that is."
"That's it? It just happened?" He said his anger growing. "You ruined your sister's life because 'it just happened' between you two?"
Ethan realized he was going to get nowhere until his dad calmed down. "I think I should explain everything after you've had time to rest."
"Uh-uh, mister. You will not dismiss me like that!" He snapped.
"I'm not dismissing you!" Ethan said defensively. "I'm worried about you."
"I wish you showed that much concern for your sister!"
Ethan stood up, getting angry himself. "I did! I do! Dad, it's more. We fell in love."
His dad just glared up at him. But he said it. He got it out and surprising himself, not only did he not regret it, he was proud to proclaim his love for Elise. He sat back down.
"There is nothing, NOTHING, nothing I can say right now that won't permanently end you as my son." He spoke with more anger, even downright hatred in his face, than Ethan had ever seen before. "You disgust me."
Ethan felt as if his heart was hit with a baseball bat. He couldn't help but feel the tears well up in his eyes. "Please rest before you go. I'll go in the other room so you won't have look at me."
Ethan went in the bedroom and gently closed the door. He fought the tears, but lost. He lay down and buried his face in a pillow. The unimpeded sadness took over.
Ten minutes later, her heard the apartment door slam shut as his dad left.
"Dad?" He said tearfully. He went out into the other room and saw something beside the chair his dad was sitting in. He leaned over and saw it was part of the picture his dad had always carried with him in his wallet - the picture of him holding himself and Elise as they were newborns, one in each arm, big smile on his face. It was the part of the picture of his dad holding him, torn off and cast away.
Ethan felt as if he didn't want to live anymore.
--
Cerise and Elise entered the new restaurant. It was a very upper class dining experience.
"Oh Cerise, this is too expensive." Elise said immediately.
"On ze contrary, this ees perfect!" Cerise said with an impressed expression.
"Bonjour!" The sharply dressed host greeted them. A middle-aged wolf of impeccable manicure picked up two menus and a wine list. "Pour deux?"
"Oui, merci!" Cerise responded.
"Suis moi, s'il vous plait." He said and led them to a table.
He seated them, pulling the chairs out for each like a gentleman. He placed a menu in front of each and the wine list in the middle. Cerise handed back the wine list, "Non, non! Mon ami est avec un bébé!" She said happily.
"Ahhhhh, oui!" The host said with smile. "Félicitations!" He said to Elise.
Elise had a blank look. "I'm sorry, I don't speak French."
"Congratulations, madame." He said in English. "Your waiter will be with you, presently" His accent was almost as strong as Cerise's.
The host left and the ladies opened their menus.
"Oh my..." Cerise said. "I have not seen food like this since I was a child. This will be a good treat."
Elise gasped when she looked at hers. She looked over the menu with wide eyes and whispered, "Please tell me this is the calorie count and not the prices! I can't afford this!"
"No, you cannot. But I can." Cerise said cheerfully. "My treat."
Elise felt unsure, but didn't want to offend. She examined the items. The only item she recognized was filet mignon.
The waiter came and introduced himself and asked what they wanted to drink.
"Have a French hot chocolate" Cerise smiled to Elise, who nodded.
"Deux chocolat chaud, merci!" Cerise said as the waiter nodded.
"What is special about it? Is it full of booze?" Elise asked.
"No alcohol for you. Will harm ze kit." Cerise said. "French hot chocolate ees ze dark chocolate, heavy cream and ze shot of French espresso. Not ze powder your cafe serve and coffee made ze way eet should be."
The waiter returned with their hot chocolate. He waited until Cerise sipped hers and nodded that it was good. He then looked to Elise. She was not used to this kind of service where the staff waited on the approval of a simple beverage. She sipped hers and decided she had a new favourite hot drink. "Wow!" She said with a smile.
This pleased the waiter and he asked for their order.
"Uh, filet mignon?" Elise said as if she was asking Cerise if it was OK. "Medium."
Cerise looked surprised. "You are eating for two, now. May I do ze order?"
"Sure!" Elise said, relieved.
"Deux bavette d'aloyau avec pureé de la pomme de terre, s'il vous plait." Cerise said as the waiter gave a bow and took the menus.
"Now tell me, how did you find out you were with kit" Cerise asked. Elise retold her the story in detail from the time they had parted company the day before.
"I do not think such can be a secret for long, non." Cerise said with a bit of concern. "Sooner or later, ze mom and dad will find out."
"Which is giving me unnecessary stress." Elise admitted. "I mean, I got a really bad feeling about this, even worse just now. How will mom and dad take it when they find out it's Ethan's?"
"If they really love you, eet does not matter." Cerise said encouragingly. "You are daddy's [lil'] girl? You always will be that."
"I guess you're right." Elise admitted and sipped her coffee.
"But now, why I brought you here tonight ees settle your mind. Ze baby will be beautiful, but there ees things you can do to help. Vitamin, diet, exercise..." Cerise began.
"Will that keep him or her from getting seven fingers on each hand?" Elise asked concerned.
Cerise face-palmed. "Ze baby will be ze baby. No one can say at this time, "[']Oh, ze baby will be ze handicap[']". It is for this, you must not think about it. You must focus on you, then ze baby have ze best chance."
"It's... that simple?" Elise looked doubtful.
"Oui! And get yourself ze reference for ze obstetrician."
Elise pondered the advice. "What about prayer?" She asked half joking.
Cerise shrugged. "If you believe, then why not? Science, yoga meditation, church, how ees ze frame of mind, hm?"
Their food arrived and the aroma and appearance of the extremely fine sliced meat arranged into a flower erased any concerns from Elise's mind for the time being. "Bon apétit!" The waiter wished them and left the table.
--
*Knock, knock, knock, knock*
"Hey nephew, you in there?" Uncle Rick shouted through the apartment door.
Ethan opened the door.
Rick looked at him and his smile immediately vanished. His nephew's eyes were red and swollen and his nose was chaffed from all the tissues. His face fur was matted from the tears.
"I don't think I'll be up to going with you, tonight Uncle Rick." Ethan said despondent and stepped aside to let his uncle in.
"What the heck happened, boy?" Rick asked and put his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "You look like you just lost your best friend."
"Not far from the truth." Ethan said as the two of them sat down at the table. He showed him the torn picture.
"What the....!" Rick said with indignation. "What happened to cause this?"
"I'd tell you, but you'd do the same thing, too. I don't think I could handle that right now." Ethan put his head down in his arms on the table.
"I seriously doubt that." Rick said consolingly. "But OK, you handle it in your own way an' time. I'll meet Larry an' tell him it's off fer tonight."
They sat there, wordless for about ten minutes. Ethan with his head down, giving the odd sniffle and Rick staring at him, a smile on his face, thinking about the growing up he had to do when he left home. Not all of it pleasant, but that was what made him the man he was today.
"I have to go meet Larry now. But I don't wanna leave ya like this. Is there anyone I can call?" Rick asked.
Ethan raised his head. "Aunt Eugenia?"
Rick nodded, "Sure thing. Phone's in my truck."
He got up and gave Ethan a firm pat on his shoulder and left.
Rick met his friend at the restaurant and conveyed Ethan's apologies and backed him up that it was something extremely important to cause it.
"No problem, Rick." Larry said. "Tonya didn't drive down with me and her flight got delayed due to a storm, so she isn't here until tomorrow."
After a burger and a beer and sharing a few tall fishing tales at the restaurant, Rick excused himself.
"Sorry to cut it short, but I have some family business to tend to." Rick said and left after pleasantries.
He arrived at his brother's house and rang the bell. Alice answered the door.
"Where the heck is that idiot brother of mine?" He growled and stepped in.
Alice looked worried, "You mean, he isn't with you?"
Rick looked at her bewildered, "No. Ya don't know where he is?"
She shook her head, "He never came home and his phone is going straight to voicemail. What's going on?"
"He and Ethan had it out it seems. The boy is depressed as hell and Mark tore that picture I took that he keeps in his wallet of the kids as kits."
"Oh God, it probably has to do with Elise. He's probably with her now." Alice said looking a little relieved.
"Elise?" Rick asked.
"She's pregnant. I guess she hasn't told you yet." Alice said and Rick's eyebrows practically came off his head.
"Well, that'll do it." Rick said, rubbing his chin. "Did ya call Elise?"
"No." Alice said and picked up the phone. "I'll do that now."
Elise and Cerise had just finished dinner and were drooling over the dessert menu when Elise's phone rang.
"Hello? Hi mom!" She answered. "No, I'm at dinner with a friend. He drove Ethan back to the apartment, last I saw him. Ok, bye."
"Ees everything all right? Cerise asked, hearing Elise's tone change.
"I don't know. Dad never came home it seems."
"Maybe he ees with that Rick brother of his?" Cerise suggested.
"I hope so." Elise said, tucking her phone back in her purse and thinking about that bad feeling she got earlier.
"He's not with Elise. She said he drove Ethan last." Alice said, returning the phone to the cradle.
"An' I just came from there. He ain't with Ethan. Talked to Eugenia earlier an' he ain't with her."
"What should we do?" Alice asked, looking frightened again.
"You wait for him here. I'll check the usual haunts he visits when he needs to think things out." Rick offered and left.
Elise returned to the apartment. It was unusually quiet. Even if her brother was gaming, he always had the radio on in the background. Then she remembered that he was probably still out for dinner with Uncle Rick's friend and his daughter.
She turned the heat up to take the chill out of the house. She unbuttoned her blouse and went into the bedroom. Turning the light on, she gave a gasp at seeing Ethan lying in bed on his back, eyes open in the dark.
"Ethan?" She asked in shock. "Are you OK? Why aren't you out on your date?"
He turned his head slowly, "Dad disowned me, I think." He was thumbing the piece of torn picture.
Elise was speechless. She lay down gently beside him, taking the torn picture and looked at it. "Oh my God..." She said. "Why would he do that?"
"Because I told him. I told him the truth." Ethan said.
Elise curled up beside him, putting her arm across him and laying her head on his chest. "It had to be done, honey."
He put his arm around her and pulled her closer.
"I'm so sorry." She said in a sniffle.
"It's not your fault." He smiled for the first time since the incident. He kissed her head. "I'm so glad you're home. I feel so alone right now."
--
Rick wasn't having any luck. He checked several bars, even drove past their fishing hole they had ever since they were children. He ran low on fuel and pulled in to a 24-hour station to fill up. He just had taken the receipt from the pump when he thought he saw Mark's mini van drive by.
He jumped in his truck and followed to take a look at the license plate, but the van was two cars and too far ahead. A few kilometres down the road, he saw the van take a turn. "Wha?" He said to himself and took the same turn. The road merged on to the freeway. "Well, at least I'll be able to catch up on tha' freeway." He said to himself and hoped he was wrong and it was just another van that looked alike.
He merged on to the freeway as well and caught up quickly, as the van was going five under the speed limit. "If'n that's Mark, he's drunk. Tha' the only time we go that slow."
He saw the plate. It was his brother. He manoeuvred into the passing lane and pulled along side. He saw his brother with an expression like he just saw a ghost. He honked to get his attention, but Mark ignored him.
Not wanting to cause an accident, he slowed and pulled back in the lane behind him. He turned the radio on and tuned in his favourite country station. "Looks like we're goin' fer a cruise." He patted his truck's dashboard.