Fearless Hero

“Just eggs will be fine.”

“Is Brady awake yet? He’s due to be back with your father.”

“I’m not sure,” I said, looking around the house as if I didn’t know where Brady was. “I haven’t seen him this morning yet.”

As if right on cue, he appeared. “Oh—good morning, everyone,” he said, fully dressed. He exchanged a secretive glance with me, and I hurriedly averted my gaze.

“Morning, Brady. You better hurry and get to the Speaker’s house. I’ll take things from here. You want some quick breakfast before you go? I’ve got eggs and bacon.”

“No, thanks. I’m good,” Brady said. He nodded to us both. “See you later.”

“Good bye, son,” Wallace said.

“Good-bye,” I said.

Brady winked at me when Wallace’s back was turned, and then headed for the door.

How I hated seeing him leave; I already wondered how much longer it would be before I saw him again.

I sighed.

“Something wrong, sweety?” Wallace said, stirring the eggs.

“No. Just uhm…Another long day of studying ahead for me. It’s getting tiresome.”

“Don’t worry about it. All your hard work will pay off in time. You’re going to ace that test, I just know it. I feel nothing but good things in store for both you and your dad.”

I smiled. “I hope so.”

* * *

The days after of Brady’s appearance drug by with such excruciating slowness, I felt like the universe had to be playing a prank on me. I tried my best to feel thankful that I at least had good memories to keep me satiated. Whenever I found myself missing him, I tried to think about the last time we’d been together, frolicking at the pool and having the time of our lives. Nevertheless, every moment away from him was starting to feel more and more like torture, and I longed for a time when we could be together permanently, without having to worry about safety precautions and my father’s campaign schedule. Sometimes I felt panicked thinking that such a time would never occur, but I tried to dutifully push such depressing thoughts aside. I wanted to hold on to the hope that one day, Brady and I would officially be able to be together the way we wanted.

I’d been heading to my bedroom, prepared to go to bed hugging my pillow with visions of Brady dancing through my mind.

“Goodnight, Mr. Wallace,” I said.

Yet, before he could respond, the doorbell rang. “Hmm,” he said, struggling up from the couch and heading to the door. My heart skipped several beats. Wondering…hoping…

“Looks like another shift switch.”

“Oh,” I said, trying not to reveal how pleased I was. Moments later, Brady came through the door.

“Good evening, Wallace,” he said, nodding his head at the older man.

“Good evening, Brady. Am I to report to the Speaker’s place again?”

“Yes, sir. He has a meeting tonight, but it shouldn’t last long.”

“All right. See you in the morning, Autumn.”

“All right, Mr. Wallace. See you soon. And tell my father I said hello.”

“Will do.”

He disappeared out of the house and it took everything within me to not rush into Brady’s arms. He stood in the window, his hands casually in his pockets as he watched the older man drive away.

Slowly he turned around.