Evergreen - 2. Chapter 2: Green Fire

Evergreen

Chapter Two: Green Fire

"Mom, I don't see the big deal. All I did was pinch David's bottom, he hit me, you know."

"Avery, this is a very serious matter and we are going to discuss it fully this morning before you leave for school."

"Mom, if you would just think about this in it's proper perspective you would know it was nothing. I have slapped David's bottom a hundred times on the football field and that randy goody two shoes has slapped my bottom two hundred times, at least."

"Avery, don't talk about David that way. He is your best friend and almost a member of this family."

"Mom, he is my ex best friend and if I told you what happens every day in boys locker room you would understand my position on this matter. No one gets detention for any of it. What I did was funny. What he did hurt like the dickens."

"Avery, you were not on the football field or in the locker room. You were at assembly in front of the whole school. It was completely inappropriate behavior."

"That's why it was funny!"

Avery's father was sitting at the kitchen table trying to look busy with the paper and holding his hand over his grin.

"Well, Walter don't you have something to say to your son the comedian."

"Yes, Mary I do. Avery you will not be grounded. But! Your mother will compile a list of chores for you. You will not complain and you will do each one with goodwill. You will also apologize to your mother and to David. Clear."

"Yes, it's clear, father."

"Now, I love you son. Off you go, kiss your mother."

"I love you, mom; and I'm sorry." Avery kissed and hugged her.

"Thanks Dad, I love you too. Goodbye, see you tonight."

"Well, Walter?"

"I know how you feel Mary, but he's just a seventeen year old boy."

"It's just he has been so blessed, he could do anything, be anything; and I wonder if he is going to reach his potential or just coast along because it's so easy for him."

"I remember seventeen Mary, it is very easy to be distracted by a cute bottom at that age. Isn't that how we met."

"Walter?"

"Mary, I can still feel your hand on my bottom."

"Walter!"

Mr. Greene stood up and gave his wife the look. Avery's baby brother was conceived that morning on the kitchen table. Seems Mrs. Greene's gynecologist was wrong. Mrs. Greene was still in her prime and Mr. Greene had been cocked and ready since the day he turned thirteen.

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I remember another time, a different me; but still seventeen. Sea Breeze caught my hair and played his hand thru it. He was my first love in this life. "Green Fire you burn my heart." My eyes are always different but always green. No one in our village had green eyes. Our shaman prophesied that they were an omen of the sea god, a good omen fortunately for me, otherwise I would have been a sacrifice to that same sea god. But all the village knew the shaman had been right. Great joy and good life had come to all since my birth. I was held in great regard and my parents and family prospered and rose in rank.

"Sea Breeze you must marry Bright Star. You will be Chief, you must have sons. All know this. You know this. I know this."

"Green Fire, I will die. Bright Star does not want me. She wants you!"

It has ever been and will ever be, I burn and I bleed the ones I love.