Maraschino

Maraschino
Chapter 2

“We’ll miss you guys.” Autumn said sincerely as she handed a box to Edward Lawrence, the tenant in the apartment on the west side of the ground floor. His pregnant girlfriend, Trisha Barton, turned to them with dewy eyes as Grant helped load boxes into the back of the moving van.

“Really?” Trisha asked as Grant bent to scoop up their first child, Elliott.

“Of course.” Grant responded sarcastically. Autumn glared at him as he blew a raspberry against the skin of Elliott’s arm. Grant had never got along with Edward and he only tolerated the couple’s company because he adored their young son.

“So what’s the new house like?” Autumn asked as she brushed her hands off on her jeans.

“Small. But still good, bigger than here. Enough room for two of them.” Trisha patted her belly as she smiled at her partner fondly.

“Do you know what you’re having?”

“Hopefully a girl.”

“Mum’s having a little brother.” Elliott announced as Grant dangled him upside down.

“I have a little brother.” Grant said as he lowered Elliott to the ground.

“Is he cool?” Elliott said as he looked up at Grant, his hair ruffled.

“Yeah, he’s the best.” Grant said uneasily. Autumn smiled warmly at him, Grant didn’t speak to a majority of his family and his relationship with his youngest sibling was particularly tumultuous.

“Have you met the new tenants yet?” Edward jumped down from the back of the van and moved across to them.

“Nope.” Autumn replied as Edward passed them and made his way across the garden to the main entrance of their apartment. The lower two apartments opened out directly into the patio and were a few meters away from the car park.

“You’ll get along real well. It’s a med student and his baby boy.” Trisha said with an enthusiastic smile.

“Makes sense. The place is already child proofed.” Grant shrugged as he leant down to tie Elliott’s shoes.

“Oh I know. Edward child proofed that place to kingdom come.” Trisha rolled her eyes.

“You should be thankful Elliott didn’t get into the cabinets with all the cleaning stuff.” Edward said as he approached a large box in his hands.

“I am baby.” Trisha blew a kiss at her partner as Autumn gently nudged Grant in the general direction of Trisha’s apartment. Grant stumbled a little before stalking towards the apartment, his shoulders tense.

“So do you know when they’re moving in?” Autumn asked as Trish watched her son run to play on the swing that another tenant had installed. Penn and Lucy Taylor also lived on the ground floor and had been trying for a child for at least three years. Penn and Edward had installed the swing soon after Elliott turned three.

“End of the week at the latest. He was real nice when he came to inspect the place. Said it was perfect because Elliott’s room was perfect for his own little boy.” Trisha held her hand out to her and Autumn took it. Trisha pressed her had against her belly and Autumn could feel the kick of her baby’s hand against her stomach.

“Good to know. At least we’ll have nice, friendly neighbours. Still.” Autumn said as she smiled at her neighbour. A dark blue Mitsubishi sped past at breakneck speeds and skidded into a parking bay at the far end of the parking lot.

The passenger side down popped open and Lucy Taylor hopped out with a canvas bag full of groceries clutched to her chest. She shut the door with her hip and sped to their side as her husband got out of the car leisurely before going to the back to retrieve the remainder of the groceries.

“I hate it when that fucker drives.” Lucy complained as she trembled. Trisha laughed as Edward moved off to his apartment. Grant came out of the apartment with a massive box and gave Edward a wide berth.

“You guys leaving already?” Lucy pouted at Trish as she nodded.

“New tenants are in by the end of the week.” Autumn said as Grant slid the box onto the back of the van.

“Nice people?” Lucy said excitedly as Penn approached carrying a majority of the shopping.

“Real nice.” Trish reiterated.

“We should have a send-off. You know to say goodbye and then we can invite the new tenants. Like a dual hello-goodbye thing, we can invite the whole building.” Penn proposed as Lucy inched away from him.

“Sounds great.” Grant commented.

“Boys. Any excuse for a piss up.” Lucy rolled her eyes.

“Friday sounds good.” Trisha said pensively as Grant moved over to Elliott and began to push him gently on the swing.

“Why is Friday good?” Edward asked as he approached, toting a heavy box.

“We’re having an out with the old in with the new party. You being the old and the new tenants being the new.” Penn said brightly.

“Thanks ever so much Penn. I’m so flattered.” Edward said sarcastically as he slid the box into place. He stepped on the bottom step on the small stepladder and reached up to pull the strap. The back door of the van slid down and Edward stepped down.

“And that’s the last of it.” He said as Trisha began to cry quietly.

“Oh hey Trish, it’s okay. We’ll see you at the piss up.” Grant said cheerfully as he balanced Elliott on his hip, preparing to hand him over to his parents.

“And you can come over whenever you want.” Autumn promised as Lucy tugged her husband towards her by his belt loops.

“We’ll love to have you guys over.” Lucy added as she groped in Penn’s pocket for his keys.

“Luce, love, I don’t really think this is the place.” Penn groused.

“Hush Penn.” Lucy scolded as Trish laughed through her tears. Grant handed Elliott over to Edward as Lucy pulled a ring full of keys out of Penn’s pocket.

“We’ll be back Friday.” Edward promised as he set Elliott down.

“Is it that time already?” Trisha asked sadly as Autumn glanced at her wrist.

“It’s nearly three.” Autumn supplied.

“Oh, we should go.” Trish said as she wiped at her tears.

“Into the truck little man.” Edward nudged his son towards the cab of the van while Trish pulled the keys to the family car out of the pocket of her maternity pants and turned to her neighbours.

“Do you want me to drive you to your new place?” Penn asked kindly.

“Yes please.” Autumn smiled fondly at Trish as she sniffled.

“Let me just put the groceries inside and we’ll go.” Lucy gave Trish a quick, one-armed hug before darting off to help her husband put the groceries inside.

“Be here at six thirty okay.” Autumn said as she tugged Trish into her arms.

“Friday, six thirty.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys.

Western Power (my electricity provider) turned our power off for a couple hours and it totally buggered out internet connection. But I'm Back and I have a treat for you all.
And here are my responses to reviews:

Akay-Maraschino is the processed cherry that are used to put on cakes. And Dominick was too pivotal a point in time for her to really forget. (And to be honest if my first time was a nice as he was I would never forget).

Anon1-This Autumn is so much better, I agree. She's got more guts.

Karlitah-Dominick isn't cool, he's Ice Cold (i'm sorry I couldn't help myself.

Anon2-Of course Dom will be back. He just can't seem to keep away.

SynneR-I'm glad Im back too.

Dream-Toxin- Cake? Brownies? Oh be still my beating heart, you hit the nail on the head. Oh and I love you too.

Ephimel-Don't worry babe, everything will work out.

Anon3-Glad to be back. Thanks.

Emilie-Ask and ye shall receive.

Anon4-I can officially say I've been much anticiapted.

Carolena- Curiousty killed the cat, which is brilliant cause I hate cats.

Anon5-Here, have an update.

Stas-Dom had his reasons. But he'll be back soon.

Thanks for reviewing guys and to all you anonymous reviwers, names would be nice. I like to know who reads me. the Q and A will start up soon, I can't help but ask asinine questions.

Love always,
MissMalice