Coreopsis 13 c

  “Interesting.” Orion commented, “great flavor.” After completely chew the bite of burger. 

   “So,” Paul asked, “what do you want?”

   She didn’t look at him. “You are going to think it’s silly.”

   “Try me.” He was quick to respond.

   She sighed. 

   “Drop the question Paul.” Orion encouraged.

   “No, that’s okay.” She sighed again. “It’s only fair. I want a love that time will lay still for.”

   “Good luck finding it.” Orion scoffed.

   “It has to exist.”

   “You mean a love like grandma and pa?” Paul asked.

   “I don’t know your grandparents well enough to know how they relate to each other.”

   “Sometimes you could swear they can read each others minds.” Orion softly remarked.

   “Yeah, they finish each other sentences all the time.” Paul added.

   “Never ill word.” Vaulto remarked.

   Paul included, “something under the surface is bothering both of them. They try to hide it but I can tell. They are sad a lot.” He turned his attention back to Sarah. 

“What would your love be like?”

   “I work long hours. I want someone that understands that and will not harass me when I can’t come home at 6. I want someone that when I go to bed, will wrap their arms around me. Someone that won’t make fun of me when I cry, and will hold me when I’m sad.”

   “That doesn’t sound too hard.” Paul smiled.

   “Just wait young man. There will be things that you will seek in a relationship that seem like an impossible dream.”

   “Is that why you aren’t married?” Orion asked.

   “Everyone wants to marry a doctor’s money. No one wants to marry the doctor.”

   The four of them sat in silence eating their burgers. With the exception of Orion, one bite was all he took.

   “Kind sir, if you are not going to consume your half of this delicious cow I would like the honor.” Sarah smiled.

   He gave her a half smile, “the cow is yours.”

   “But,” Paul voiced. “You still didn’t answer the main question.”

   “I forgot.” Sarah admitted. 

   “Have you ever been a servant? Why should you know how to cook when there are people to do that for you?”

   “Why not? What is wrong with knowing how to cook, clean, do laundry, and be able to take care of yourself in general? What would you do if tomorrow you woke up and your entire family was gone?”

   “Hire someone else to do it.”

   “Where would you get the money?”

   Paul thought for a moment. “Are our servants paid dad?”

   Orion had his elbows on the counter with his head in his hands. His lack of a response brought everyone’s attention to him. Sarah immediately noticed there were red whelks exposed where the material of his shirt was pulled away from his wrists. 

   “Dad?” Paul put his hand on Orion’s shoulder.

   “In a manner of speaking, all of your help is being paid.” Orion finally answered. 

   “Young Prince it doesn’t make one weak or a servant to know how to take care of oneself. It, to me, makes you smarter.” Sarah answered. 

   “I guess.” He scoffed.