This chapter was re-submitted on October 6. Many thanks to HanglidersWing for editing it in a manner that would make an English teacher proud.

Tell me a Story

Prologue

Rob was engrossed in his book. It was a mystery, the newest book in the current series of his favorite author. Mystery was his favorite genre and when he wasn’t on duty or teasing his friends, he could usually be found reading a suspenseful title. He was so absorbed with the novel that he didn’t hear his fiancée, Laci, call for him to come and have dinner.

When he did not respond to the fifth summons, Laci strode into the living room, with her flowery pink apron wrapped around her waist. As soon as she saw what he saw doing, she shook her head in an indulgent manner. Rob was capable of spending an entire day reading a book without realizing it.

Then she began to think of a way to capture his attention. When a suitable idea came to mind, she set about putting into motion.

Laci draped her upper body on the couch directly behind his shoulders. No response. She loosely wrapped her arms around him. Again, no response. She turned and face, so that her warm breath caressed his ear. Still no response. Laci grinned wickedly as she purred silkily into his ear. “Rob my darling, do you love me?”

Rob jumped at the question, his book clattering to the floor, forgotten. He stared at her in clueless surprise; it took his startled mind a few minutes to process that she was serious and she wanted an answer.

Think, Robert, think! He racked his brain for one of the witty responses that were his trademark. Instead, he got the cheesy and clichéd lines that the male protagonist said to his love interest when he tried to seduce her. He decided to go with the next thing that popped into his mind. “Yes I do Laci-love; I love you because you are always in my heart, because I always miss you whenever we’re separated, because I always want to hold you. And because every day that passed makes me love you more and more” Great, I’m channeling the spirit of a romance novelist, Rob thought in dismay. He craned his neck to try and get a better look at Laci’s face.

She stared at him with tears in her chocolate colored eyes, her face quivering with suppressed emotions. “That…that was…”

“It was?” Rob allowed the question to hang in the air for a moment.

“That was so clichéd Rob!” Laci allowed the suppressed laughter to overcome her.

“But it was the truth. I meant every word.” Rob wore a mask of mock hurt.

Laci wiped the tears her eyes and gave him an affectionate peck on the cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” was the automatic reply.

“Now come and eat dinner,” Laci commanded. “Before the food get cold.”

“Yes ma’am.” Rob meekly followed his fiancée into her kitchen.

Laci was just about to sit down, when her phone demanded her immediate attention. She rolled her eyes and went to pick up the ringing device.

“Hello?” Laci paused, then her eyes widened in surprise. “Mom?!” Laci’s mother never called anyone from five to seven in the afternoon; she was a firm believer in the family dinner and bonding time. Woe to the telemarketer who interrupted it. “No, nothing’s wrong! You just never call around this time…Did you need me for something? This week? Well, I have an appointment with the wedding planner on Saturday night…She will? Are you sure?...Okay…Love you too Mom, take care…Bye.” Laci returned the phone to its proper place and resumed her place at the table.

“How is Mrs. Tate?” Rob asked.

“She’s excited because Dad’s taking her on a surprise trip.” Laci explained. “They’re going to the Florida Keys for a week.”

“What are they going to do with Marie and Nia?” Laci’s younger sisters still lived with her parents, as was appropriate for sixteen and ten year-olds. They had tormented Rob for a full six months before they deemed him worthy enough to date their beloved older sister.

“That’s what Mom called about. Dad forgot to call a baby-sitter, so she wanted to know if they could stay here. Mom said Marie had already agreed to watch Nia when we go out for our meeting on Saturday, so I said it was okay.”

“All right, that’s fine by me.” Rob began to eat his neglected and lukewarm dinner.

“Not that you’d a choice anyway.” Laci smirked.

Rob stuck his tongue out at her.

Author's Notes

If you have just stumbled upon this story, please take moment to send me a review. I return all reviews and deeply appreciate constructive critism.

Until next time,

Kimono3kitty