Of Sun & Moon (Midnight Guardian Series, Book 1)

by Bryna Butler

  ***

  “What are you doing in bed?” Brooke barked.

  “Huh…wha...,” Colby rose startled. She pulled the comforter off his head. He noticed Jamie pass by the doorway in silence with a mischievous grin spread across his face. But, Brooke’s attention was fully focused on Colby. She didn’t even notice Jamie walk by.

  “You were supposed to be ready. Lunch with my parents, remember? Oh, I can’t believe you’re not ready,” Brooke said as she began pitching articles of clothing from Colby’s closet. “Here, wear this,” she said shoving a shirt and tie into Colby’s half-awake face.

  When he didn’t respond, she stopped and looked at him suddenly realizing he was still very groggy. She noticed that his usually perfect hair was sticking straight up and his bewildered, innocent eyes stared at her. Her mood couldn’t help but lighten at the sight of him. “Meet you downstairs in five minutes. And, Coco Bear, don’t forget my present,” she grinned and trailed out the door and down the stairs.

  Colby rolled out of bed and into the pressed dress pants that Brooke had laid out. He had completely forgotten. This was the first time that he was to meet Brooke’s parents. How could he forget? He had practiced making a good impression for two weeks. Of course, for the kind of kid that Colby was, first impressions were easy. He was studious, focused, and excelled at a wide vocabulary. He was good looking, polite, and always neat. If he was equally skilled at sports, he would be every parent’s dream. Certainly, even Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Banes, III, would be impressed.

  He wrapped a striped tie around his neck as he leapt down the stairs two at a time. His mother gave him a kiss on the cheek and handed him a small, tastefully gift-wrapped package as he darted out the door. He came upon the chauffeured town car, which was very similar to the limousine which Mr. Banes hired to take the gang to the Fall Ball. He entered and seated himself next to Brooke. Her mother was at Brooke’s other side and her father had taken the front passenger seat beside the driver.

  Mrs. Alexa Banes was a tall, slender woman with voluminous, bleach blonde hair. On this day, her long nails were painted to match her fire-engine red dress suit. She wore black-trimmed glasses, which Colby suspected were fake, designed to make her appear more intelligent. She just had that way about her. She seemed to be someone of questionable intelligence, but impeccable taste.

  Colby could tell little about Brooke’s father. He could see that he had a full head of dark brown hair, professionally coiffed. He seemed to be of medium build and height. His nose was deeply buried in the business section of the daily newspaper; so much so, that he did not even acknowledge Colby’s presence.

  “I see you have decided to join us,” Mrs. Banes sneered. Colby’s hope for a brilliant first impression faded with the comment.

  “I am so sorry. I had difficulty sleeping last night and…”

  “No excuses young man. Tardiness speaks for itself.”

  The car fell silent. Colby felt that it was in his best interests not to pursue the point further, although he was surprised that Brooke did not intervene. She did flip through the items in her purse as if to draw attention away from Colby. Mr. Banes kept his nose buried in the newspaper.

  “Is there any news about those missing kids from our school?” Colby asked in an event to make small talk.

  Mr. Banes grunted.

  They left their small town and drove into the neighboring city of Grant. The ride took only fifty minutes, yet it seemed like hours until they arrived at Antonio’s. The driver hopped out and opened the door for the ladies. Colby took Brooke’s arm, in an effort to impress her parents, and escorted her inside.

  The owner, Antonio himself, came rushing to the podium as he saw them enter. “Hello, Mr. Banes, wonderful to see you,” he said boisterously. “Your usual table?”

  Mr. Banes simply nodded.

  “I will seat you myself. Right this way.”

  He escorted them to a booth in a darkened corner of the restaurant. It was evident that this was a preferred table, as it was much more private than the other tables. Antonio handed them menus and brought a complementary bottle of red wine to the table. Colby noted that Antonio showed much respect, maybe even a little fear, for Mr. Banes.

  Mr. Banes ordered for everyone in perfect Italian. It was the first words that Colby had heard him speak. He found himself staring at Brooke’s father in amazement. Unfortunately, it didn’t go unnoticed.

  “What are you gaping at, boy?” Mrs. Banes snapped.

  “I…uh…”

  “Articulate too? Brooke, what are you thinking?”

  “Mother, please.”

  “I spoke to your brother yesterday. He’s doing so well. He finished his project and he’s looking for his next one. Brooke, you should really talk to him. Perhaps he can help you meet someone.”

  Colby had never met Brooke’s brother, but from what little Brooke spoke of him, he could tell that the guy was really driven and very stubborn. Brooke had said that he attended boarding school overseas. Mrs. Banes spent much of her time with her son; while, Mr. Banes seemed to spend more time with Brooke. Colby could tell that Brooke’s mother had stepped over a line by mentioning her brother. Brooke’s nostrils flared and she sat up straight, positioning herself to take the offensive.

  “Mother, I assure you that Colby is special. I bet Father can see it.”

  Her dad had been reading emails on his phone since Antonio’s departure from the table. He didn’t even raise his head to answer, “Sure, princess.”

  “Father!”

  He raised his head and took a deep breath. He stopped mid-inhale and his expression changed to one of interest. “Yes, I do think there is something special about this one.”

  Brooke seemed pleased with her father’s confirmation. She smiled at Colby and took hold of his hand under the table.

  Colby noticed that this interaction lightened the mood greatly. Now, Mr. Banes was present in both mind and body. He became an active participant in the conversation. This lessened the tension that Mrs. Banes seemed intent on creating. Mr. Banes asked him about all the right things: his academic achievements, his goals, and his family.

  Just before dessert, Colby presented the neatly wrapped box to Brooke. She opened her Christmas gift with overwhelming excitement, ripping and tossing the paper aside. Of course it was instantaneously picked up by the restaurant staff. Within the wrapping was a black velvet box. She opened the box to reveal a white gold necklace. A solitary stone dangled from the chain. The stone was very unique, like two stones combined in one. The top of the stone was an emerald; the bottom sapphire. Colby explained, “This necklace represents us, love at first sight. We created something wonderful when my blue eyes met your beautiful emerald eyes. I hope you wear this and remember that I love you, Brooke.”

  Brooke hugged him tightly. Mr. Banes clapped his hands in approval. Mrs. Banes simply rolled her eyes in silent protest.

  As they finished dessert, Mr. Banes was called away on business. He left the town car for them and asked Antonio to call him a taxi. Upon his departure, he shook Colby’s hand and pulled him in. “This was certainly an interesting lunch. I am pleased that my princess has found you.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “And the gift, it was perfect. She is certainly very fond of all that glitters.” He patted Colby on the back and smiled. “Curious cologne you’re wearing. Is that what Brooke gave you for the holiday?”

  “No, sir. I think Mom gave it to me for my birthday. I don’t recall what it’s called.”

  He sniffed a couple more times. “Yes, well,” Mr. Banes said dismissively. “I hope that if you ever need help or advice, you will call on me. You can tell me anything, son.” He passed Colby a business card and patted him on the back again as he left.

  A few moments later, Colby, Brooke and Mrs. Banes set off for home. Once back in the town car, Mrs. Banes took the opportunity to shatter the confidence that Colby had worked up during lunch. By the time the
y pulled in front of his home, he was eager to leave the day behind. He quickly hugged Brooke goodbye, said a quick “nice to meet you” to Mrs. Banes, and ducked out of the car.