Clover Village

Chapter 28 - Local Tourists

JESSE

"Do you think Sierra is hiding something?"

"Jesse, stop thinking the worst," Eric says.

Our plane landed about an hour ago, and we are driving towards the village.

"She doesn't have a social media account. Who on earth doesn't have one? Even I have one."

"What you have can't even be called a profile. There is no photo, and it only says Jesse without the last name."

"But I have one; that is the point."

"You are overthinking stuff. When we come home, you will sit down and write her an email."

"I gave her mine. Why hasn't she written to me?"

"Because you are a psychotic, needy idiot," Eric says, irritated.

"Then you are a fucking dry asshole!" I yell.

"That doesn't even make sense," he says and looks out the window.

I'm desperate. I enjoyed myself while we were with our parents, but going home confronted me with the reality that I don't know Sierra's whereabouts.

"I'm sorry," I say.

"No worries. We will help you, Jesse. Don't jump to conclusions until you have hard facts. Can you stop at Harry? I want to check on him and Sue."

I drive towards the center and park close to the flower shop. Eric has a bit of trouble going up the stairs, but manages. We knock on the door, and Sue opens it.

"Did you have a good flight?" She says as we come inside.

"Yeah, we did. How are things here?"

"Things are fine. Harry has stayed in bed since we arrived," she says, guiding us to the bedroom.

Harry smiles when he sees us.

"Welcome back! How was the vacation?" He says.

"It was all right," I say, shaking his hand.

"I'm sorry that I freaked out, and you had to miss Sue's company."

"You wanted to protect her. We understand that and are thankful," Eric says, greeting him.

"Has the press given you any troubles?" I ask.

"No, but we can't say the same for my family," Harry says with a chuckle. "According to my sister, my mother is furious about me disappearing. People are asking questions about my whereabouts. I don't doubt that they will find me if they want. I'm sure that it was my mother who sent the photographers in the last days. The prodigal son was coming back. Good press for the Colfields."

"You should come home with us, Harry. Probably you are more comfortable here, but you shouldn't be alone," Eric says.

"I can't impose myself on you," Harry says.

"I will stay here and head to Garnett House in the morning," Sue says. "Can you guys give me a ride home? I need to get clean clothes and other stuff."

Eric lifts an eyebrow.

"What?" She says in a warning tone.

"I don't find it appropriate," Eric says.

"Why? Because I'm a woman? You didn't have a problem when Jesse slept together with Sierra," Sue says, pissed.

"Hey, keep me out," I say.

"Sierra is not my sister," Eric says.

I look at Harry. The situation is awkward, and he is obviously embarrassed.

"Eric, I slept here for the past two days, and I'm still a virgin. Are you happy?"

My brother is speechless. I didn't know that about Sue, and we are very close.

"Now, will you bring me home or not?" Sue asks.

"Sure," I say.

Sue moves closer to Harry and gives him a tender kiss on his lips.

"I will make dinner when I come back. Do you need something to drink or to go to the bathroom?" Sue says to Harry.

"I'll be okay," he says, smiling at her.

We head home, and I help my siblings with their suitcases. I grab the laptop and place it on the kitchen counter. I open my email... nothing.

I start a new message.

Dear Sierra...

That sounds too formal.

Sierra...

Now I sound like I'm going to break up with her.

Hey, Sierra...

Much better.

How have you been? I hope you had a safe trip back and that they are treating you well at work. How is the book going? My siblings and I spent some days with my parents, and it was fun. I told my Mom about you, and she is looking forward to meeting you one day. I miss you and hope to hear from you soon.

Love...

That is daring.

Big hug, Jesse

A friendly greeting, that is what it needed.

"Okay, I'm done. Thanks for doing this, Jesse," Sue says.

"You are welcome. By the way, I don't find it an issue that you are staying at Harry."

"Thanks," she says as we head downstairs and to the car.

I drive, and the curiosity is killing me.

"Are you a virgin?" I say.

"Yeah, I am. Is it a bad thing?"

"No, I don't believe it is. It is just uncommon nowadays."

"You know I have dated little and what happened with Eric's ex-girlfriend shocked me. Imagine giving your body and soul to somebody and having them pay you back by cheating. I can't do that."

"What about Harry? Is he worthy of you?"

"I can't judge that now. We have been together for a very short time. He is kind and respectful. That is worth a lot for me."

"And he loves you."

"I love him too," she says.

"I'm happy for you both. Harry is a good guy, and I'm glad to have him as a brother-in-law."

I say goodbye to Sue, wait until she goes upstairs and then head back to our home. As I come upstairs, I find Ellen sitting in the living room with Eric.

"Hey, Ellen! How have you been?" I say, kissing her cheek.

"Busy and missing your brother," she says, holding his hand.

"Take him, but I have to warn you that we don't accept returns," I say. Eric doesn't find my comment amusing.

"I intend to keep him. I heard that Sue will stay at Harry. Do you want me to cook something for you?" She says, looking at us both.

"Are you sure?" Eric says.

"I am," Ellen says and head to the kitchen.

I open my laptop again and read the email that I'm going to send to Sierra. I find it okay. It is friendly and doesn't sound desperate. I only hope that she replies soon. I head to my room to get her email address...

"NO!"

"Jesse, are you okay?" Ellen says next to me.

I had a glass of iced water and left it on top of my nightstand before I went to bring Sue to Harry. Next to it is the paper with Sierra's email. The condensation of the glass has made the table wet and the paper unreadable.