Read Online Consequence by Shelly Crane - Free Book Online Page A

have the fire for something.
                  I was fascinated by the thought that I could create something like that.
                  We used to travel around with Daddy's job, staying in a place for a couple months before moving on to the next place. It might not sound so appealing, but it really was amazing to live in all those states. We lived in New York, Washington, Chicago, Texas, and about fifteen other states. But, when I was almost in high school, they wanted us to settle down, so we moved back to Tennessee and Daddy bought Mom a big, beautiful red house with a wraparound white porch. Rodney's old fort made from wood slats was still in the backyard, though he hadn't been back there in years.
                  It was our home and I loved it, but also couldn't wait to leave it. My teenage heart was so fickle. But the one thing it wasn't fickle on was wanting my significant.
                  So, back to the part where I was waiting. Even though I wasn't of age yet, every reunification brought anxiousness for me. I was fifteen. Mom was only seventeen when she imprinted and since all the rules were being broken, I couldn't help but hope that I would imprint soon.
                  It was more than just wanting to have somebody, it was like this thing in my body was pulled just a little too tight. Just enough to annoy and bother me, but not enough to be painful. My significant was the only one who could make me feel normal. I knew it.
                  Dad tossed the noodles with the white sauce, Mom's favorite, and divided it onto four plates as our new puppy Mavis rubbed against my leg. Dad glanced up at me with a smile. "Put ice in some glasses for me, sweetheart?"
                  "Sure."
                  "Rodney. Rodney!" he called louder.
                  Rodney took his earphones out and looked at him. "Yeah?"
                  "Silverware."
                  "Why are you cooking again?" he asked. "Mom's a way better cook than you."
                  "Hey!" Dad laughed and slung a noodle at him. It landed on Rodney's face and hair.
                  He jumped back like that would save him, but it was too late. "Dude!" he shrieked, his voice cracking with puberty as he swatted at his shagged hair. "Dude, my hair!"
                  Dad and I were laughing so hard, we could barely stand up as Rodney went on. Rodney jumped across the counter and stuck his finger in the sauce before holding it out to Dad. "You're gonna get it, old man."
                  I ducked out of the way, fearful of my own hair, and giggled by the fridge as they fought and wrestled. I felt Mom's hands on my arms and heard her laugh behind me. "Oh, my. Ava, what's going on?"
                  "Dad pulled the unforgiveable. He got noodles in Rod's hair."
                  She giggled and came around me with her blue silk robe on and bare feet. "Is all this for me?" she crooned sweetly, looking around at the mess on the counter.
                  "Mom, totally his fault." Rodney pointed at Dad shamelessly as he laughed.
                  "Oh, I believe you." She wrapped her arms around Dad's neck and wiped a smidge of sauce from his cheek with her thumb.
                  "You believe him over me?" Daddy asked, his voice changing like it always did where Mom was concerned.
                  She laughed, reaching up on her tiptoes and kissed him. "Thank you for cooking dinner. You didn't have to."
                  "I wanted to," he replied. His voice and eyes held a reverence that I'd always seen and heard about my whole life, but never experienced. "You earned it. You're such a good woman, and I know the reunifications take it out of you."
                  I had watched my parents for what seemed like centuries.