One Wish

Eli’s expression softens, the tiniest of smiles coating those beautiful pink lips of his. “It’s about a soldier from the American Civil War era who accidentally travels into the future and falls in love with a modern woman.”

Be still my heart.

“Sounds beautiful. I can’t wait to see it.” I bite my lip and Eli glances down, causing butterflies to flurry excitably in my stomach.

“Sounds like a load of drivel,” Gregory snorts.

“Gregory!” Eli’s mom snaps, almost in a playful manner. Why is everyone treating this horrid excuse of a man with kid gloves?

“Well, it’s just one sappy movie after another. Same storyline, same romance. Nothing new and nothing to really impact the world. Not like real soldiers who fight in real wars. They’re the real men. They are the ones to look up to.”

Absolutely fuming, I stand up so abruptly that my chair scrapes against the wooden floor. “That’s enough!” I shout, throwing my napkin onto the table in disgust. My anger only continues to rise as Gregory gapes in surprise and annoyance at my outburst.

“Millions of people all over the world adore your son. Yes, soldiers who fight in wars should be revered as heroes, but equally revered are the men and women in entertainment who have kept these soldiers’ spirits alive during their time in battle. There’s a reason why the Gregory Pecks, the Cary Grants and the James Deans of this world are still in so many hearts and minds sixty and seventy years on. And so too will your son be in the next sixty or seventy years…”

“Kendra, it’s okay,” Eli pleads, grabbing my arm. I’m so angry I can’t even look Eli’s way. His mom’s eyes are wide, her mouth agape, her shock at my outburst completely evident. For now, I’m way too angry to care.

“That’s right, Eli. Put a gag on your wife. The lack of wine and too much food has obviously muddled her once sensible brain.”

An almighty crash permeates my ears as Eli’s fist meets the table. “Don’t you dare speak about my wife like that.”

Eli stands, causing Gregory to stand. “I will speak to whomever I want, however I want in my own goddamned house. When you get your wife to be your barking dog it’s not any wonder she cheats on you every chance she gets. Looking for a real man, considering she obviously hasn’t got one in you.”

Grabbing Eli’s arm, I hold it tightly as his murderous eyes are fixed towards his dad. “Eli, I think we should leave.”

“Yes,” he responds with gritted teeth. “I would like nothing more.”

Our backs turned, we head out towards the door hand in hand.

“Please, Eli, come back,” his mother begs from behind us.

“Oh, let them be, Sophie. Always with your constant fussing,” Gregory snaps back.

We’ve reached the door when Sophie—now I know her name—rushes towards us, pleading with Eli to come back.

Eli’s rigid posture softens towards her. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really am. I wish I could have eaten with you all and remained civil, but I can’t tolerate him being rude to Kendra like that.”

Sophie’s eyes flit in my direction, a hint of anger laced in them. I can’t say I blame her. Judging by what I have learnt about myself lately, I don’t deserve his loyalty. Lord knows, I haven’t reciprocated that loyalty. Well, until just now, it seems.

Tears in her eyes, Sophie places her hand on Eli’s arm. “I’m sorry.”

Eli takes her into his arms and hugs her tightly. “Don’t you dare apologize for that man. You have done nothing wrong.”

Except allow this man’s behavior towards his own son.

Am I being too harsh?

They eventually part and he places a soft kiss on her cheek, saying a hasty goodbye as we open the door. The moment we emerge outside, Craig springs to action, opening the passenger door for us, and I smile my appreciation towards him for being so quick. The urge to leave is palpable.

On the ride home, Eli’s quiet. A little too quiet. His head is turned, staring out at the darkening skies and trees ahead. It makes me wonder if he’s angry with me for saying something.

“Are you all right?” I eventually ask. The silence is killing me.

“I’m trying to work out what’s going on,” he eventually replies, still looking out the window. “You and my dad are close. You have always been on each other’s side—never mine. I’m struggling to figure out a motive.”

Eventually, his head snaps to mine, his eyes slightly glazed, seeming lost.

“You think I have an ulterior motive?”