48 hour short story contest

Kane stood inches above me, our hands entwined like the soft wind on our cheeks. The birds above us and the water from the waterfall hounding upon our skin, his brown hair, his moustache socked from the water.
“Kane I love you.” I sat bolt upright remembering the holiday resort in Florida in 1998, we saw birds, swam with dolphins and laid by the tropical beach. He was still with his wife but he was suffering and we knew each other from College. Although now in ordinary England, with ordinary jobs, ordinary lifestyles and homes everything was different, the puzzle had changed its image and the pieces had moved with it. His wife went crazy, claimed he worked too long hours, she was an angry suspicious woman from Australia. She cheated on Kane with the butler, the policeman, the doctor and my fiancé. Kane never believed me so I told him I know longer wanted to be his acquaintance. I walked out of my London apartment, my files in my hand, my pajamas still tight on my skin. I sat on the steps just to watch the people, my family was rich, my father bought me off when he disowned me. I looked down at my feet, on one foot a black sock and on the other a silver toe ring placed on my little toe. I am a wine taster and I suddenly realize my prompt of wine to analyze for the promotion should have arrived at 10am today.

I ran inside, my heart pounding. I’d dreamt of a job doing something I enjoyed. My skin went cold as I switched on the computer and watched the Windows 93 sign fade into the screen of black. I stared blankly as the log in for my account came up : Bicycle. I always used that password, my niece usually comes over every Saturday and we get on ever so well. I bought her the first bicycle which wasn’t a Schwinn bicycle unfortunately, it was the small, red bike I’d bought out of the newspaper and she adored it. I walked Buster close behind her as she rod up and down my quiet, rural road. Buster picked up a bottle cap from the side and then when smelling the alcoholic flavor threw it into the road, it hit Melissa’s bike and it was her first fall. She was in tears for ages and her father had such a go at me. Trevor, my brother, her dad was the only one out of the three brothers that came to visit now and again.

I clicked on the Outlook Express and looked through the new messages. Finally, I found the one I had been looking for. I’d been set the 1999 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto. A dry red wine. The retail price was $44.00 which meant nothing to me as I am English but it is a prompt so I’d be required to do my research. A sudden knock at the door brought me from my daze. ‘It must be Mel.’ I smiled to myself, placing my files in the bottom drawer of my desk and running to the door. I twisted the silver knob and opened the latch.
“K…Kane.” I whispered as he pushed his way through the door, his fingers ran through his hair, a panic crossed his face like I’d never seen before. A type of fear that unnerved the soul and broke everything I thought I knew about him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked softly seating him on the couch beside me.
“At nine twenty three this morning my wife, Harriet burned the house down with both her and Matthew inside, Matthew was saved but died in hospital at eleven twenty one am. So police told me. I didn‘t know who else to turn to Elena. I‘m sorry.”

“Oh Kane,” I mutter letting his head lean on my shoulder and his feet take up the final space on the three-seater. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” He sighed. “You warned me off her, it was just with Matthew born when we’d only been together two years. Well, I wanted it to work.”
“I know, I understand that.”
“So how are you and your fiancé, Dan?”
“You’re dumber than I thought, I left him of course. He went off with the his secretary. Which was obvious.”
“Sorry.”
“Look, if there’s anything I can do. Have you got any clothes left? I have some of my fiancés. You can have the spare bedroom.”
“Are you sure? I could rent somewhere.”
“You’ve got no money and you’re in no state to work.”
“I quit my job.”
“What?”
“I quit. Harriet didn’t like it.”
“Oh you fool, you bloody fool.”
“Well, maybe if I hadn’t worked such long hours she wouldn’t have done this.”
“Then go part time. You should never have wrapped her up in cotton wool. She was a spoilt brat who had you right where she wanted you.” I hiss not daring to look at Kane, I grabbed two white wine glasses and a bottle of 1999 Chateau D'Yquem. Kane never did drink much but this seemed a time he would.
“Thank you.” Kane spoke expressionlessly taking the bottle from my hands, popping the cork and pouring the wine well into the glasses.
“How’d you know how to do that when you don’t drink?”
“My father.” Kane mumbled without looking up.

“Come on, I’ll show you your bedroom,” As Kane and I begin to walk up the stairs there is a knock at the door. I ran back down stairs whilst shouting up to Kane. “Two doors to the left.”
“Okay. Cheers for this El.” I smile back up at him as he turned the corner at the top of the stairs. As I open the door I realize it must be Melissa.
“You?” I stumble back as I gaze into his eyes.
“Yes me.” My brother, Anthony walks in in his suit and tie.
“What’s wrong?”
“Father wants the house back. He has control of the deeds and you will be evicted. You have two months notice. He will compensate you with £200,000 and if you accept this he will throw in a convertible Vauxhall Tigra.” I sigh knowing it would work in my favour to accept.
“Okay. I accept.”
“Good girl.” My brother patronizing pats me on the head.
“No wonder you’re no good with women.” I smirk under my breath.
“I’ll give up the house when the money and car is presented.”
“Okay.” My brother smiles as he walks out. I fall flatly into the chair once he’s gone.
“Elena? I’m getting the life insurance for my child and wife soon. I know it’s a crazy idea but how about we, well, move in together. Help each other to heal.”
“I’m not sure,” I smile. “okay?”
“It’s fine.” He grins taking my hand and walking me upstairs.

“Lay down,” He instructs. I do ask he asks. “On your front.” He smiles gently as I turn. He lifts up my top an strangely enough begins massaging my back. Not expecting anything from me for once.
“Okay.”
“Okay to what?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Look, El, I’m not a mind reader, do what?”
“Move in together.” I laugh as I turn back over and swing my arms around Kane finally feeling even an ounce of completeness. Finally, for the first time in my life my lips caress another pair and like the lightening the danced around the tree, once green now white, I feel an eternity, a changing the day to day events of my life.
(1267 words)