Abel Scott, Back from the Dead.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Abel, breakfast is ready” Sarah’s voice echoed through the house.

“I’m coming,” Abel Scott replied. He crossed the tie on his neck to the right, to form a knot. Then he moved it back and back to the right. He was confused on what way to go. 

Abel Scot sighed, dragging the tie off his neck. “I guess that is it” 

“Abel” Sarah called again from the living room. “Your food is going to get cold” 

Abel looked at the ceiling pleading for some invention of some sort. “I will be there shortly”

“Hmmm..” Abel Scott took a slow breath as he walked into the living room, letting the warm aroma fill his lungs. “Is that scrambled eggs and toasted bread I perceive?” He asked.

“Oh yes, coupled with the faint aroma of fresh coffee.” Sarah Lawrence added, a warm gently spreading across her face. 

“Oh! My favorite” Abel Scott said, dragging the chair to sit down. 

Abel Scott grabbed a fork and shoveled clumps of the scrambled eggs into his mouth, barely chewing, he grabbed the toasted bread and ripped it. He took a large gulp of the coffee.

“Slow down, You would  burn your tongue, Abel” Sarah Lawrence said as Abel Scott winced from the gulp of the hot coffee.

“Don’t worry darling, I will be alright. I have an interview to be in” Abel Scott smiled at her. 

“How do I look?” Abel Scott asked Sarah Lawrence, standing from the table.

“Are you done eating?” Sarah Lawrence asked, her voice soft and her eyes searching his face.

“There’s so much left on your plate, Abel,” She added.

“I know dear, but I have to start going so I can be on time for my interview” Abel Scott said, already reaching for his bag and tie. 

“can you help me with this tie please?” Abel said, stretching the tie towards Sarah Lawrence.

Sarah Lawrence stood on her toes, her hands brushing slightly against his chest as she knotted the tie together.

“Hold still” Sarah Lawrence muttered, concentrating.

Abel Scott watched as her brows as pinched with focus, her eyes were graceful “Sarah, you are the kindest person I know, I am lucky to have you”

Sarah Lawrence let a slow smile tug at the corner of her lips as she kept her focus on the tie. 

“I am lucky to have you too, Abel” Sarah Lawrence said, finally looking into his eyes. 

“Your eyes are beautiful Sarah” Abel brushed strands of hair that escaped from the messy bun she had packed. Then he planted a peck on her lips.

“Ugh, can someone tell me why this house is boiling hot?” A voice called from inside the house.

“Are you not supposed to be going for an interview?” Elena Lawrence’s irritated voice questioned now standing at the door to the living room.

Sarah Lawrence sighed, her face dimming. “Mum, it’s too early”

Elena Lawrence crossed her arms and her eyes narrowed in disdain. “Abel Scott you are busy playing dress up like a some kind of Prince Charming, newsflash: the world does not wIait for dreamers”

Abel Scott's eyes met her gaze with steady silence. “Men, I’m tired of this woman” he thought to himself. 

“Mum, can’t you just get tired of all this?” Sarah Lawrence asked, turning to Elena. 

Abel Scott held Sarah’s hands.

 “It's okay, dear,” He said and turned for the door.

“That is right coward, off to your fantasies, again” Elena snorted. 

Just before stepping out, Abel Scotted said “It is better to chase something than to live all day on the couch complaining bitterly and do nothing about it”

The door shut behind Abel. 

Elena stood frozen for a moment. Her mouth opened with shock. She said nothing as Abel Scott words registered its meaning into her head.

Sarah Lawrence had a subtle grin at the corner of her lips. For the first time in a long while, Sarah Lawrence felt proud of Abel Scott. 

“He thinks he’s smart, now” Elena Lawrence said searching for a response.

“He has always been smart” Sarah Lawrence said “you were just too loud to notice it”

“Where is your father?” Elena Lawrence asked, desperately seeking to change the topic.

“He left earlier with Mr Jackson Alfred” Sarah Lawrence answered. 

“They went to the station to answer some questions about the fire incident at the mansion,” Sarah Lawrence added. 

“Ugh, it’s hot in here,” Elena Lawrence said.

“Mr Schmidt is a good man but this whole building is ancient” 

“If you want to shower, you have to pray first. Look at the view, rusted vans, cracked sidewalks”

“Then some dude who thinks that playing trap loudly by 6 in the morning is cool. Don’t get me started on the water pressure.”

“I almost cried trying to rinse shampoo out of my hair last night”

“Ugh! I miss the noise of the city and our home at the Lawrence mansion. At least, you get noise and working plumbing.” Elena Lawrence wailed.

“Mum, you complain about everything” Sarah Lawrence said finally getting tired of hearing her whine. 

“Be thankful for what we have mum, at least we are not on the streets.” Sarah Lawrence said, her voice calm but firm.

“We have a roof above us, even if it groans. We still have people around us who care whether we wake up tomorrow. That’s what matters mum” Sarah Lawrence continued.

“So, I should be grateful for crumbs?” Elena Lawrence queried, crossing her arms.

“What I am saying is that you should stop cursing everything that we have. If you stop, you will realize that what we have is not crumbs but survival. It’s more than some people could have.” Sarah Lawrence said, stepping forward, her voice now raising by a notch. 

“If we want better, we have to fix it together. But first mum, stop acting like we are the most cursed people”

The air was filled with Silence hanging. Even the squeaky fan stood still. Elena Lawrence looked away, muttering some words under her breath. She sat on the couch, folded her arms and wore a thoughtful gaze. “I’m so…”

Knock. Knock. A voice is heard at the door cutting Elena Shut.

“Who is that?” Sarah Lawrence asked.

“Abel, is that you?” She asked moving towards the door.

She grabbed the door handle and twisted it open. As the door gave way, a sharp hiss filled the air. Before the wink an eye, a burst of liquid splashed against her face, stinging like fire.

“Agh! My eyes!” Sarah Lawrence screamed, stumbling backwards, her hands reaching for her eyes.