marla brandon – three good words

September 10, 2014May 18, 2020

fireflies

‘There you are.’

He turned, surprised. So he was smoking, she’d already wondered about the wisps rising.

‘Mind if I took a draw?

His surprise deepened. Then he smiled and handed her the stub. Marla took a draw and sighed. Sometimes you just needed that. Especially after that crowd still celebrating inside. And that was his family. She didn’t fully understand how they were connected and not connected. He never called Fred or Joan Mum or Dad. Fred was all right, but Joan. Wow.

Marla handed the cigarette back to Caden, who took it and said what she expected,

‘I didn’t know you smoked.’
‘Just a bit,’ Marla shrugged. ‘You?’
‘Hardly. Only when I’m here really.’
‘Here?’ Marla asked, looking around. It was beautiful here.
‘Well, not here,’ Caden said and Marla understood.

Yes, one would need a time-out after spending time with Joan. And that Penelope who decided Marla was her best friend for some reason. She wanted to know everything about her, chatting away as if they’d known each other for years. Marla was wary. She had met enough of Heather’s friends.

They stood facing the wide, lush garden. Someone had lit the candle lamps, it looked enchanted. All that was missing were fireflies.

‘I hope it wasn’t too bad,’ Caden said.
‘Oh, no it’s been fun.’
‘Really.’

She looked. His smile was ironic, disbelieving.

‘I’ve been around people like this before. I mean – I’m sorry, they’re your family -’
‘No, it’s all right.’
‘It’s just – Heather, my roommate in New York. All her friends were like this, so. I’m used to it.’

Caden nodded, crushed the stub into an ashtray she hadn’t seen, it stood next to him on the stone balustrade. So Steff even thought about the ashtrays. Steff was the kind who probably thought about everything, from the bricks in the chimney to the tiles on the floor.

‘So, you and the groom went to uni together?’

Caden nodded, picking up a tumbler, smooth round Waterford crystal a quarter full with something golden.

‘Where to?’
‘King’s.’
‘Really?’

Marla hadn’t wanted to sound so surprised. She blushed and said, ‘That must have been something.’

‘It was ok.’ He didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.
‘So it was you, the groom and Angus?’
‘And a few others, yeah.’
‘Like Davis?’

A tall man, dark like chocolate, he really was, she didn’t care how that sounded. Calm and amused in his three piece suit, speaking easily to his wife who seemed to know everybody present. Davis so far was the one person who could silence Angus just by looking at him.

‘Yeah,’ Caden smiled a genuine smile now. Marla tried not to look too closely. He looked very good in his suit. Marla couldn’t help herself and looked again. In a hidden corner deep inside, something sighed. Marla looked away quickly, blushing. Thank God Theresa wasn’t there to see that. There’d have been no end to the teasing otherwise. Though Theresa expected – expected – something worth telling once Marla was back. Marla already dreaded going back home again. Really, what was she supposed to say? His mother’s mad, his sister no less, his brother’s a bit of an ass, but he looks great in a suit? There wasn’t much of a story in that. Theresa, Marla knew, would be disappointed. And blame Marla for it, Marla who apparently was getting very boring of late. She could already hear Theresa huff, ‘What’s the point in you going out if you don’t do anything with it, sweetheart? And he’s so fucking gorgeous. Really, Marla, don’t you have any eyes in your head?’

Oh, she had eyes all right. She had eyes aplenty. But seeing was one thing. Acting like a complete and utter idiot something very different. She had seen what he went for. A Marla C. Brandon was definitely not that type. There was no need to embarrass herself, though knowing Theresa that was exactly what she wanted. Stories, stories and more stories. Theresa had always been one to kiss madly and then tell, tell, tell. Marla couldn’t though. Not here. Not now. And in this particular case: not ever.

August 30, 2014May 18, 2020

table talk

They took the cars to the reception, the place looked like a photograph from one of those design magazines. Not that he was surprised, Steff had been setting it up for six months now, no mistake was allowed. Richter said she was afraid one wrong move would jinx it. Except that the jinx was already on it, but Caden wouldn’t start that now. Sunny was flirting heavily with some cousin of Richter’s which Richter was trying to ignore. As he would, Steff was right next to him, looking like she just planted a flag on some new soil.

Parking was at the gates, so they walked down the wide tree-lined drive to the open doors, children running, people laughing, Steff and Richter at the front looking like a movie-still. Caden kept well away from Joan and Penelope, and with Liz around Angus couldn’t turn up either. He did notice how silent Marla was after one of the Mastersons left her alone again. She hadn’t really said much since they sat down for the ceremony. He regretted turning on her like that, but better that than having to clean up the mess after Angus had enough, as he would after week three, latest. Not to mention the war that would flare up once Liza found out, and Liza always found out. He didn’t need that in his life right now.

For three seconds Caden wanted to be back in O’Connor’s. He liked the mornings best when the bands came in to try out their sets, and he got to hear some genuinely good songs. The lyrics were rarely less than perfunctory, they were just starting after all, but some got it just right. They were everything from eager kids to serious musicians, Caden didn’t care which as long as they knew how to play. He always checked out one of their jam sessions first, or just a low-key gig somewhere, before he had them over. His rep was built on that. Band Night in O’Connor’s was a sure way to start up a solid fanbase, he had regulars who came every week just to see what was new. Lately scouts had started turning up as well, small labels, yes, but it was starting.

He enjoyed it. He liked standing behind the counter, keeping his hands busy, while the air was filled with real music and not just noise, everybody listening, maybe joining in if the band was good with the crowd, all of them having a genuinely good time. It made having the bands thank him seriously afterwards something really good. The younger ones especially were always pretty floored if the gig went well, getting chatty afterwards, drunk on the night and all the drinks they downed to stay steady. Closing up the place afterwards was something Caden wouldn’t miss. It was a way to wrap up the night and bring the place back to normal. And he always felt he’d really accomplished something, made something happen. It wasn’t anything grand, but it was something real, and with the way people kept on coming back, he wasn’t just seeing things.

It was at least an hour in, probably more, and Marla was still fairly silent next to him. That is, she kept on talking to Sunny and tried to be polite to Matt, but really didn’t say much to him, Caden. He didn’t like it much, it was the wrong kind of silence, but Jessie St John Lewis was right in his line of sight, watching his every move. Caden didn’t look, but he knew she was doing it, she always did once they were in the same room. He’d made the mistake of ignoring her before, and that always ended in tears and some kind of argument, if not a full blown fight. At one point Ella just refused to join anything that had to do with ‘those people’ as she called anyone who belonged to the Corrigans. flowers 4

It had taken a while until he understood that the moment Penelope and Jessie saw him, their goal was to make his life as miserable as possible. If Matt could already make Marla fidget like that… He didn’t need a meltdown here. Definitely not here. So Caden said little and only spoke when someone insisted they needed an answer. Usually it was Joan, Matt or Sunny, Marla keeping to herself if no one was actively trying to get her to talk again. Finally, Angus got up, tapped his glass, got some silence and started talking about how honoured he was to be best man. Steff kept on smiling her manicured smile, and Richter tried not to look as if he was about to be hanged and quartered by sundown. With everyone busy listening, Caden finally leaned over and said, ‘How’s the wine?’ Marla turned, startled, and said,

‘Good. Very good. Where’s it from?’
‘Spain.’
‘Where exactly?’
‘You know your way round Spain?’
‘A little.
‘Penedès?’
‘Oh. Yes. Nice. I heard they had good wines there.’

She tried to smile. Angus was still talking, trying to make it funny. People were polite and laughed where they should.

‘Sorry about just now. You caught me in an off moment.’
‘It’s ok.’
‘No, it’s not. It’s just – I don’t want you to get caught up with them.’
‘Caught up with whom?’

He couldn’t answer, Angus just raised his glass for the toast. Everybody got to their feet, raised their glasses, said, ‘To the happy couple,’ and cheered Steff and Richter as if they meant it. Everybody sat back down again, and Steff gave a nod down to the door which meant it was desserts now. At least the food was great so far. It would be all day, till the morning breakfast tomorrow.

‘So, Ms. Brandon, Caden tells me that you work on the hill?’

That was Joan. The whole table turned to Marla, who said a very composed,

‘I do.’
‘And do you like the work?’
‘It’s interesting, yes.’
‘It must be difficult for you. As a woman in such a male domain. How do you manage?’

Again, Marla’s whole face said, ‘What?’

‘I – we’re a good team,’ was what she said out loud.
‘Are you the only woman?’
‘Ah – well, yes, but Anna –’
‘Of course you would be,’ Joan nodded. ‘I guess they don’t let you girls in that easily, do they?’

Marla actually looked to him for help.

‘Their team tends to fluctuate,’ Caden said, he could see Marla’s relief.
‘Why?’ Joan asked. ‘Don’t you get along?’
‘That’s not how it works, Joan,’ Fred finally said. ‘As far as I understand, it’s all contractual. Once the contract runs out you move to the next project, am I right, Miss?’
Marla smiled gratefully, ‘Yes, quite like that.’
‘But that must be such a strain,’ Joan frowned. ‘When do you get to settle?’
‘I’m quite settled now,’ Marla tried.
‘Don’t you want to get married? With all that travelling – Sunny tells me you were in India and New York?’
‘I was, yes, but –’
‘Well, you see. With all that travelling, how are you ever supposed to start a family? Or are you one of those career women who abhor children?’

It was in moments like these where Caden knew exactly where Matt got that smirk from.

‘I – well – that subject hasn’t really – come up yet –’
‘But you must be what, twenty-seven? Twenty-eight? It’s about time, isn’t it?’

Marla just stared.

‘Really, these young women today,’ Joan shook her head at Fred who was getting a bit pink at the ears. ‘All business and no time for family. I sometimes wonder if letting them all study was all that clever. How are people supposed to have children?’
‘Oh, that’s quite easy, Mrs. Corrigan,’ Marla said calmly. ‘You just have to have a bit of sex in between.’

Sunny snorted into her cup, and even Matt couldn’t help a chuckle. Caden drank his coffee to hide the smile. Joan gave Marla a long look and was about to say something, but Richter’s dad was already tapping his glass, and the room fell silent again.

August 28, 2014May 18, 2020

down the aisle, 2

‘Caden? Is that you? I didn’t know you’d be here!’

Caden almost said ‘Fuck’ out loud. Penelope. A mistake. A big mistake. But he didn’t know then, young and stupid as he was. He didn’t know he needed something called space until he didn’t have it anymore. Or air. He needed to breathe. Penelope didn’t understand that concept. Ever since he escaped, she kept on trying to clap him in chains again.

He managed to keep it down to a few kisses, several hugs and no mention of Marla, who’d have no peace once Penelope found out she was there with him. Penelope had her troops ready, half the Talbot-Halls, a couple Bernards, three Mastersons and Marjorie ‘Jessie’ St John Lewis, who was Penelope’s NSA, she was everywhere and reported back to HQ in seconds. There was no need to put Marla through that, so he stood and waited until he could finally disentangle himself and run.

Once outside, Caden made sure none of Penelope’s foot soldiers could find him, fully aware of just how ridiculous this was, but he really wanted some peace today, he didn’t need the shouting. Or the tears. So he smoked one behind the church, and promptly got found out by the pastor – who asked if he had another, he’d been dying for a fag since breakfast. They shared a smoke, talked about nothing in particular, the good weather, the number of guests, how old the church was – ancient by the sound of it – the padre talking away, almost as if he was nervous. Turns out he was.

‘You never know with this crowd. They’re very… particular about how it’s supposed to go. Friend of mine had a bit of a sore throat once, family was up in arms he spoiled the whole ceremony, and all he did was clear his throat a couple of times. And that was before the vows. They were ready to sue him, I’m positive.’

The padre shook his head, thanked Caden for the cigarette and went back in with a, ‘Wish me luck.’ Caden finally went out to the car, past more guests coming in, suits and hats, and another Masterson, as it looked like Richter’s whole family was going to show up. He was just at the door when he heard it, high and sharp, like someone was about to sneeze. Caden opened the car, took out his camera and slammed the door shut, extra loud. That didn’t sound out the last, near-strangled sound behind the bushes. Caden leaned against the car, unscrewed the lense’s lid and checked if there were any smudges – none. There was rustling and giggling, and more rustling. Then, much to the lack of his surprise, Sunny and Richter tumbled out from behind a Mercedes SLK, brushing themselves of leaves and greenery.

Sunny didn’t see him, but Richter did, Sunny half running, half walking back to the church, pulling her dress in place, while Richter strolled over looking much less anxious and far more relaxed.

‘Don’t look at me like that, you knew about it anyway,’ was the first thing he said.

Caden scaled the trees to check the light.

‘Come on man, you know what she’s like. And I can’t stay with a kid like her, I’d be dead by day four.’

Caden took a shot and looked at the still. Good.

‘Come on, Tellis, you know what it’s like,’ which was where Caden said, ‘Actually, I don’t,’ straightening.
‘What?’ Richter laughed, as if it was all a joke. He never really got rid of that.
‘Just leave her alone from now on.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes, Steve, I’m serious. And you’re right, she’s a kid. So, drop it. I can’t have last year happen again, especially with Steff watching. And neither can you.’

That seemed to hit home.

‘Come on, Caden, it was just –’ but Caden didn’t wait to listen and walked back to the church.

Angus was telling her something about how Richter fell into a ditch in the Hebrides when Marla saw Caden walk down the church aisle. Something was wrong. She excused herself from Angus as best as she could, and walked over to Caden who was taking pictures, possibly to figure out the light first before the ceremony started. She stopped next to him and said, ‘Those windows are beautiful.’ He lowered the camera and adjusted the lense, wordlessly.

‘You all right?’ Marla asked.
‘Yeah, why?’
‘You looked a bit upset just there.’
‘Where?’
‘Just now. You sure you’re all right.’

He gave her a quick look, piercing.

‘Word of advice?’
‘Advice?’
‘Yeah. Stay away from Angus. He’s got a girl, Liza. Steff’s best friend. You don’t want to get mixed up with that.’

The blush flooded Marla’s face. It was the way he said it, as if she was doing something deliberately stupid, insulting her own intelligence.

‘I – we were just talking.’
‘Yeah, right.’

He lifted his camera, scaled and took another shot. The blush increased.

‘We were. It was just small talk – ’
‘Did he tell you about Liza?’ he said, taking another shot.
‘Well. No, but –’

He stopped then, turned to her, and said seriously, too seriously,

‘These people aren’t like yours, Marla. Or mine. They don’t mean half of what they say, so don’t start believing whatever it is they’ve been telling you.’
‘I –’
‘Use your head –’
‘Caden –’
‘Or just bloody stay away from him. Or whoever. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.’

And with that he walked down the aisle towards the altar, stopping once to take another shot, looking very professional. It took a moment until Marla realised she was just standing there, staring. He didn’t say anything rude, but his tone… The irritation she felt was real. There was no need to talk to her like that. All they did was small talk. Honestly, that was not on.

The bride looked like she just conquered a piece of valuable real estate, the groom looked resigned to his fate. The ceremony was beautiful though, the hymns tasteful, the sermon brief, the vows clear and unimpeded, the rings flashing brightly even from where Marla was sitting. She and Caden hadn’t spoken a word to each other since he snapped at her for no reason whatsoever. She didn’t understand why he was suddenly so angry with her, she just talked to his friend, who was cheeky and flirtatious and not the kind of man Marla would have ever taken seriously. And then he snapped at her like that. She knew it wasn’t jealousy. It was the way he said it. Like he had this genuinely high opinion of her and she disappointed him. As if she really was being stupid and stopped using her head. She’d never seen him like that before, and through the whole ceremony Marla was aware that she was mildly shocked. She had looked forward to this wedding, but now… she really hoped the reception would be better.

August 27, 2014May 18, 2020

down the aisle, 1

The first guests were already walking down the gravel path. Richter was waiting at the head, Angus next to him, laughing and grinning about something, slapping Richter’s back. Richter didn’t look too happy. Caden parked the car next to Matt’s and they all got out. Joan was all smiles for Richter, she basically loved him on first sight, straightening his tie and fiddling with his buttonhole as if Richter was Matt all over again.

‘My God, Tellis, thank God you’re here,’ Richter said once he got away from Joan. ‘Gus is driving me nuts, I don’t think he’s off whatever Matt gave him last night – I say, who’re you?’

Caden checked and saw Marla was actually right next to him, so he said, ‘Richter, Marla. Marla, Richter.’

Marla smiled politely and stretched out a hand, ‘Pleased to meet you.’ Richter took her hand and kissed it, he was worse than Matt sometimes.

‘My, my, Tellis, where have you been hiding this gem. What was your name again?’
‘Marla.’
‘There’s a singer out there isn’t there?’
‘Yes, but Marla’s just a nickname really.’

Caden almost said, ‘Since when?’ but Angus already joined them, laughing again, slapping Richter’s back before stopping altogether, staring at Marla and basically shouting,

‘Fuckin’ hell, you’re gorgeous! What’s your name, sweetheart?’

Marla looked nonplussed.

‘Gus, shut up,’ Richter frowned, annoyed. ‘I’m sorry, he has no manners. Please, come in – Gus, get off.’

Angus wasn’t listening.

‘Seriously, what is your name, gorgeous?’ but Marla already fled to Joan, not that Angus cared. ‘Fuck, Tellis, where’d you find that one?’ and in a lower voice, ‘Did you see those tits on her?’

Both Caden and Richter said, ‘Angus.’ together.

‘I’m just saying. Phenomenal. Does she have friends? Or sisters? Tell me she has a sister.’

Caden asked Richter, ‘How’s it been so far?’ Angus demanding, ‘She must have sisters. Tellis, tell me she has sisters.’

Richter sighed, ‘No meltdown yet, so we’re good. The flowers finally arrived so that’s a relief, and the padre’s here so we’re just waiting – Angus would you finally shut up?’
‘Seriously, Tellis, where did you find her?’

Caden moved to go inside, followed by Richter, but Angus wouldn’t have it, he actually held him back.

‘What?’
‘You and her. Is it serious?’
‘Hands off, Angus, I mean it.’
‘I fucking hate you so much. – Tell me that she at least has a sister.’

There was no point in fighting it. If he didn’t stop it now, the whole day would be like this, so Caden said,

‘She does and she’s in America with some tech-star fiancée, so forget it.’
‘She hot like yours?’
‘I don’t know, Gus, and I really don’t care.’
‘As if.’
‘So where’s Liza?’
Angus just grinned, ‘One dares to dream, Tellis, one dares to dream!’
‘She here?’
‘Of course she is. Up there somewhere getting manhandled by the stitches.’
‘Stitches?’
‘Steff’s bitches, they’re a whole hive.’

Angus grinned and Caden couldn’t help it, he did smile.

‘So how’s it going?’ Angus asked, sounding more like himself. ‘You’re place doing good?’
‘Yeah, it’s fine.’
‘How many bands d’you have signed anyway?’
‘A few.’
‘Richter said the last ones he heard were pretty good, where’d you get them all the time?’
‘They call, Gus, you know that.’
‘Just making small talk, mate, before the big man starts listening.’

They were in the church by then, the aisles slowly filling with guests, Marla standing a little to the side, scanning the windows and ceilings. Angus found out where he was looking and started again.

‘Fuckin’ hell, Tellis, look at that. Do me a favour will you, and fuck it up again.’
‘What?’
‘I want at least half a chance this time.’
‘What’re you talking about?’
‘What’s he on about now?’

That was Richter, coming down the aisle. Angus finally shut up.

‘Something’s on, Tellis,’ Richter said once he reached them. ‘Joan’s about to have a fit about something and I can’t make it out. By the way, are you bride or groom, your girl over there was a bit confused.’
‘Put me in bride otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it.’

Richter laughed, and before Caden could stop him, Angus ran off to Marla, all smiles once he reached her. Caden had no time to get irritated, he could already see Joan was… not pleased. Well, better get it over with now. He walked over.

‘Oh thank God, darling. Look at these flowers. Look at them. They’re dreadful! Who ordered this? Did that Richter woman start meddling again?’

Caden sighed, ‘They’re fine, Joan,’ but she wasn’t listening.

‘Pink! Pink roses! And those ghastly white things – oh, this is horrible –!’
‘Joan, they’re all right.’
‘All right? Flowers at a wedding aren’t supposed to be all right, darling, they’re supposed to be perfect, but apparently white was too sterile – sterile! That woman has no style –!’

It took him five minutes to calm her down, but he finally got her to see that the flowers weren’t the disaster she thought they were, so far no one had complained and Mrs Talbot-Hall had already told Richter how nice the set-up was. It was a complete lie, all he’d seen was the old crone look around and nod approvingly, but at least it calmed Joan down. With that sorted Caden went over to save Marla – except that Marla needed no saving. She was still standing where Angus found her, and they were laughing and smiling, Angus obviously gaining some decent ground. He’d have to warn her, but right then Sunny turned up right next to him, looking furious.

‘What?’
‘That. Woman.’
‘Which one?’
‘That mother of yours.’
‘Ok. What happened?’
‘She said she was glad I didn’t look like a prostitute this time. What a relief it was that you got me to dress well, she was already worried.’

Ah, yes. The old Joan vs. Sunny. Round five hundred probably.

‘I told you to stay away from her.’
‘She just turned up next to me, ranting about flowers!’ Sunny snapped.
‘You know how she gets at these things. Stay away from her.’
‘How’s that supposed to work if she just turns up like some harpy – oh, hi, Steve. Excited yet?’

Richter smiled at Sunny in a way Caden wished he didn’t. It was too obvious somehow. Caden had always had his suspicions, but he left it at that. It didn’t help to see them hug and kiss hello like that though.

‘So you came after all,’ Richter said after they finally parted.
‘Of course I came, I wouldn’t miss this for anything,’ Sunny grinned wide.
‘Sadist. She just came to see me slaughtered.’
‘You didn’t have to propose,’ Caden couldn’t help saying.

Richter laughed a loud, ‘Ha!’

‘Tellis, you mad? One more month and she’d have knifed me. It was life or death, mate, and I chose life. Come here, you, I need to put you somewhere before I start getting ideas.’

And off they went, Sunny giggling and Richter with that look that never meant anything good. They walked down the aisle and Caden turned around so he could legitimately say he had no idea where they went. Angus was still occupying Marla, but the pews were filling more and more, and the organ player had started a quiet solo to get people in the mood. There were hats and suits everywhere, people moving easily, steadily, filling up the space. The windows of this one were actually worth looking at, which reminded Caden of his camera, there was some seriously good light in here, and it’d be a great way to keep Steff quiet for a few months.

August 27, 2014May 18, 2020

glow

‘There you are, darling. I’m so glad you came.’
‘I hope we’re not late.’
‘Oh, not at all.

Caden leaned forward for the inevitable peck on the cheek. How was it that Joan not only managed to look it, but also smelled cool and composed? He never found out and wasn’t about to start now. And this was the woman who read books to him as a kid. A few pages before going to bed, asking, ‘Do you know what that means?’ and answering the questions he had. A few pages before she said good night, until they were through with whatever book she decided he needed to know about. It’s not that he minded though. That was their time, just him and Joan, who smiled more while she sat on the side of his bed with a book in her hand. It was when she laughed a real laugh, usually when she thought what he said was funny. He often felt that’s how it would have been with his own mother.

Looking at her now, he couldn’t put the two together, Joan then and Joan now. Sometimes he started doubting what he remembered. How she morphed into this icy blonde who cut anyone down who placed a fork wrong… that was something Caden still couldn’t put together. Something happened on the way, something he didn’t catch. It wasn’t as if Fred changed, he was still quiet, locked up in his office Monday through Friday, golfing on weekends and some pool on Wednesdays when Joan was off with her club. He was the same Fred as always, unmovable in his views, expecting the best as a matter of course. He talked about family like it was a fort, all the flags flying, all the gates closed, everything sealed up tight. Caden was just lucky that he grew up within the walls.

‘Where’s your young lady?’
‘Freshening up. Something about the dress.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Joan smiled politely.

Caden could see the subtext though. It was just like him to bring a woman who couldn’t get her wardrobe right. He’d come to think that that subtext was always there, it just took a while until he could read it.

Five minutes later Joan looked up and said, ‘There she is.’ The sub was a clear About time. Caden turned and stopped. That was… she was in something green, light green, all bust, no straps. It showed off her legs, long and firm like a runners. She did go jogging. She’d done something with her hair that showed off her neck, shoulders, very smooth. And those thin earrings you never saw until you were up close. She looked… Caden noticed he was staring, stopped and said the truth once she was with them. ‘You look good.’ Marla smiled, shyly, which just made it worse, as in better. There was something about her right then, something… glowing. He didn’t like that he noticed.

Matt walked up to them right then, ‘The car’s ready, are you coming?’ He looked Marla over and smirked,

‘You clean up nice.’
Marla frowned, ‘Pardon?’
‘That’s a nice dress,’ Matt nodded at her.‘A bit top heavy though, don’t you think?’

Caden saw the blush first, it spread all over her cheeks, her face, killing the glow. She started touching her dress like it might not be there. Caden felt the old urge to kick Matt, but just said, ‘We should probably go.’ Oblivious to the damage done, Matt grinned, ‘Round two.’ Joan said a stern, ‘Matthew,’ turned and walked to the cars. Caden looked at Marla, she was still touching her dress, so he said, ‘That colour looks good on you.’ She actually said, ‘You think so?’ looking down herself like he was lying. He never got that with women. ‘We really should get going.’ Marla just blushed more, but at least she stopped fidgeting.

He motioned her to the cars and they went down, Caden seeing for the first time that Marla had a small, very small star tattooed on her right shoulder, just above the hem of her dress. It was as if she put it there as a decoration. It was strange. He’d never thought Marla to be someone to get her skin inked in any way, she didn’t seem the type. It’s not that he didn’t like it, it softened her somehow, made her less that woman on the hill. It was still… unusual. And she smelled so good again, it was really hard not to notice. Why did they always smell so good?

They finally reached the cars, and Matt did the usual. He held the door open for Marla, even adding the ‘M’lady’ with that stupid half-bow, as if he was some kind of butler. It made Marla smile and shake her head. It surprised Caden time and again, he never remembered to expect it. Matt insulted them one minute, next they were smiling like he’d made the world’s greatest joke.

‘You know the way?’ Matt asked after closing the door.
‘Sure,’ Caden said.
‘It’s just down –’
‘I know, Matt. I was there yesterday.’
‘Oh yeah, right. See you there.’

They got into the cars, the sound of the doors closing sharp in the quiet. The sun shone bright on the tarmac, a smooth black, the grass glowing in several shades next to it, swaying in the light breeze. Caden turned and checked, yes he had his camera in the back. The light was good today.

They were on the road when Marla started talking.

‘Is he always like that?’
‘Who, Matt?’
‘Yeah. I mean… I’m sorry, he’s your brother and all, but he’s not very…’

Caden waited but nothing came. Instead she said, ‘Is he always like that?’ again, so he said,

‘Mostly.’
‘Was he always like that?’
‘Why’re you asking?’
‘Just curious. – So, he was?’
‘Matt’s always been Matt.’

Marla nodded there and brushed her hands down her dress again, crossing her legs, they really were endless. He noticed she was in green and gold. Green dress, those shoes, and her purse lying lightly on her lap. He’d always liked how easily women could pull that off, just looking good without much effort. It was nice knowing Marla was no different, never mind her work on the hill. He still wanted to know when she got that star on her shoulder.