TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT WEEK - MORE OF "TOO LATE FOR GOODBYE."

 

Welcome! This is picture prompt week. We can only use 300 words, too. We have another episode of "Too Late for Goodbye." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales to read the other wonderful stories. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“Let’s go to Beans and Books for lunch and ice cream,” Marty suggested.

Silently they piled into the car. Sophie fell asleep on the way. When Marty turned off the car, Ethan leaned over and shoved his sister in the shoulder.

“Wake up, stupid!”

“Ethan! Don’t talk to your sister that way,” Jen said.

Sophie opened her eyes and burst into tears. She slugged her brother’s arm. He hit her back and World War Three broke out in the backseat. Jen tried to interfere but was helpless in the front seat. She got out, opened the back door, and pulled Ethan away from his sister. Marty grabbed Sophie and carried her through the stifling heat of the hot August day into the air-conditioned restaurant. They took an empty booth with one child on each side and not sitting directly across from each other.

“Ethan, gotta tell you, buddy. Guys, good guys, men-type guys don’t hit girls. They don’t hit little kids, and they don’t hit their sisters - ever.”

“She was being a pain.”

“Maybe. But you’ve gotta your use words. You didn’t hurt her, but you could have. So don’t do it again, okay?”

Ethan hung his head, but mumbled, “Okay.” 

Jen trained big eyes on Marty. Did he overstep? Wasn’t he going to be their father? Wasn’t it his job to tell Ethan–as a role model and all?

“Thank you.” Jen reached over and squeezed his hand. 

 They ordered burgers and ice cream sodas. The rumble of thunder meant rain, and a welcome relief from the intense humidity. 

“How about after lunch, we go home, turn on the ceiling fan and watch a movie? I’ll set up the new TV. I think we can all fit on the new sofa?”

“Great idea! Yes, we can,” Jen said.

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