#august cloud

To the bedroom... (pg13 content behind the cut)

When she got to her sister’s countryside mansion forty minutes later, she stepped out of her used black Honda civic and made quick strides to the front door where she was promptly greeted by Mr. Jennings.

“Hello, Miss Cloud. It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“Hello, Mr. Jennings. Where’s my sister?”

“She is in the dining hall waiting for you to join her for breakfast.”

“Alright. Where is it again? On the left or right?”

“It’s down to the right side once you reach the end of the foyer.”

August gave Mr. Jennings a professional yet friendly shake of the hand and said “Thanks” before heading off in the direction of the dining hall.

When she got there, Alice, who wore a light blue summer dress, threw a genial smile her way. Just as August pulled out a chair on her sister’s right side and sat down, the food was served and Alice folded her hand over the white table cloth and leaned forward with a degree of palpable interest.

“Well, you’re a sight of sore eyes. I’m surprised you’re still single at the ripe age of twenty five.”

August doubtfully looked at herself wondering what was so fascinating about her outfit that she usually wore with very little variation: a cotton and polyester blend, violet t-shirt, form-fitting, black jeans, and black shoes of some sort. Today, she had on her ankle-length boots. She looked back up at her sister with some suspicion.

“What’s so special on how I dress?”

Alice shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing. I do think you look beautiful in your own simplistic way and that you haven’t had any men or women lining up to be with you. The only thing I’d wish you’d change is your long and wavy copper hair. You should take it out of the long ponytail you always have it in. Aside from that, I was making friendly conversation. We don’t see each other as much as we could.”

“That’s because I’m busy as a private detective and your now-dead husband didn’t like me very much.” August placed a white cloth napkin onto her lap like the way their mom taught her to and picked up her silverware. Her sister had already had her napkin ready and so she was ahead of her in taking a bite of her breakfast before she continued.

“Yes, well, Edward seemed to not like many people ever since we got married last year. Anyway, I need to know who murdered him so I can put this whole thing behind me and move on with my life.”

August had just finished chewing and swallowing a piece of crispy turkey bacon. “Where was he found?”

“In his study.”

“Who found him?”

“Mr. Jennings.”

“Do you know how he was killed?”

Alice chewed her lower lip and thought for a moment. Then, she looked straight into her sister’s royal blue eyes. “Not exactly. I know he was stabbed in the heart and there was some struggle between him and his murderer because I saw the ruined stated of the study.”

“Alright. I’ll look into the matter.”

“Thank you, August. I’m so lucky to have you as my baby sister. You’re my favorite sister in the whole world.”

August looked down at her plate, cut a slice of cantaloupe and muttered, “I’m your only sister, you dope.”

"Well," August said, confidently, "I think we could do it."

"Yeah?"

"Of course, I will still support you no matter what. But if you want this, then I want this."

"Is everything okay?" Arun was concerned. "We haven't had a sit down 'talk' like this since I moved in."

"Everything is fine," August replied.

"Then what's going on?"

August and Celene looked at each other, and then back at Arun.

"I'm pregnant!" Celene said, excitedly.

"You-you what?" Arun stuttered.

August reiterated, "Celene is pregnant."

Arun looked stunned, worried even. How was he supposed to take this? He swallowed, nervously, and started to speak. "Do you know..."

August cut him off. "It's mine. Don't worry."

"We did a paternity test already." Celene chimed in.

Arun was relieved. "Oh, thank god," he said. "I thought I was about to be in trouble." He laughed, nervously, and paused for a moment, before continuing. "I suppose congratulations are in order?"

"Thanks, we're really excited," August said.

Arun thought a moment before speaking again. "So what does this mean for me? Do I have to move out?"

They sat together at the island. Celene seemed anxious.

"Well..." August asked again, "what did they say?"

"It's yours."

August breathed a huge sigh of relief. "So then, what do you want to do?"

"I'm still not sure," Celene said. "Are we ready for this?"

"I mean, is anyone really ready?"

Celene gave August a moment to settle in after he got home from work before asking, "hey, got a minute?"

"What's up?"

"The clinic called," she said, "with the test results."

August looked nervous. "What did they say?"