Read In Search Of Dreams (Story) Episode 3

Episode 3

“Wow,” Rob says, walking out of the school.

“I know, it was brilliant, right?” Marcus says,
bumping into his friend as someone brushes
past him.

“You were right. It was better watching it that
way than at home, alone.”

“Told you.”

“That was the best speech I’ve ever heard,
Marcus. It wasn’t even a speech. It was a…”

“A sermon,” Marcus supplies.

“Yeah. Hell, if I could orate like that, I would
never lose a case,” Rob says.

” That’s what hit you?” Marcus asks, incredulous.

He stops, looking right and left. “Where the
bloody hell did I put my car?”

“I knew I shouldn’t’ve let you drive,” Rob
mutters. He grabs Marcus’s elbow and tugs left.

“And yes, I got the message he was layin’ down.

I’m just sayin’ he was a really powerful speaker
and I wish I was that good.”

“He’s had more experience,” Marcus laughs,
dropping behind Rob as their path narrows
again.

“Well, I was payin’ attention to more than just
his words, I tell you what,” Rob says, turning
and looking back over his shoulder at Marcus
rather than looking forward. “I learned a lot
more than you did, I guaran—oof!”

Rob stops short, feeling something small and
soft collide with his chest and then disappear.

“Oh, Lord, I’m so sorry, miss, here, let me help
you!” he exclaims, reaching his hand down to
the petite woman whom he has just toppled.
She had just come around the corner as Rob
reached it, not paying the least bit of attention.

“Ow,” she mutters, lifting her arm to inspect her
elbow. There’s a scrape that will very likely be
joined by a bruise by morning. “Thanks,” she
looks up at the man she ran into, slightly
surprised to see a handsome, blonde-haired,
blue-eyed man looking down at her, his face a
mask of worry and remorse. She puts her purse
strap back up on her shoulder, places her small
hand in his, and he helps her to her feet. She
smoothes her skirt and tries to collect herself
while he stammers on.

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was
walking at all, it’s completely my fault,” he says,
apologies still falling from his lips. “How’s your
elbow?” he asks, turning his head to look at it,
even reaching up with his hand a moment
before thinking better of it and dropping it to his
side.

She lifts her arm and pokes at it and then
carefully picks a small piece of gravel out from
where it stuck in her skin. Rob digs into his
pocket for a handkerchief, his head down, when
he feels someone shove his chest.

“Get away from my sister, cracka! What the hell
do you think you’re doin’?”

“Elliot!” Lori yells, pulling him away from
Rob. “It was an accident! He hasn’t done
anything except apologize!” She pokes her
brother hard on the shoulder.

Elliot glowers at Rob, and Lori puts her
hands on her hips. “And that is no way to talk
to a fellow human being, Elliot Thomas! Weren’t
you listening in there? Didn’t any of his words
get into your hard head?”

“Hey, I saw him knock you down!” Elliot defends
himself, but he knows he’s going to lose this
battle. “Then he leaned over you, and…”

“He was helpin’ me up, fool,” she says, reaching
out and snatching the proffered handkerchief,
which has been dangling from the end of
Rob’s frozen hand as he stands there staring
at the arguing siblings. “Thank you,” she says
softly to Rob, pressing the cloth to her elbow,
dabbing the little spots of blood that have risen
to the surface. She hisses, sU-Cking air in
between her teeth.

“I’m really sorry. I should know better than to
not look where I’m walking.”

Lori smiles at him. “It was an accident. I think
I’ll live, but I’m not sure about my brother.” She
narrows her eyes at Elliot again, who has the
decency to look apprehensive as his sister
glowers at him.

“Go easy on him. He’s just lookin’ out for you.

You’re lucky to have a brother who loves you,”
Rob says.

“Yeah, real lucky,” Lori rolls her eyes.

Elliot steps up again, peering at Marcus now.

“Hey, do I know you?”

“Well, you don’t look familiar, but…” Marcus
thinks, scratching his head.

“We all look alike to you, is that it?” Elliot
starts, his tone accusatory again. Lori gives
him a look.

“No! I have a terrible memory for anything
except music,” Marcus admits.

“Yeah, I’m his best friend and he forgets my
name about every third day,” Robert pipes up.

“Music… you play piano at Gareth’s, don’t you?”

Eliot asks, snapping his fingers as he thinks.

“Yeah.”

“You’re really good. Gareth’s is a great place,
but I keep wonderin’ how long they’ll let him
stay open. You know, because he lets in
coloreds.”

“That’s why I keep working there. He pays
lousy, but he’s not a bigot,” Marcus says.

“I like your accent. Where are you from?” Lori
asks Marcus, handing Robert his handkerchief
back.

“Keep it, I’ve got plenty,” Rob says. “Or throw
it away. I don’t think that blood will come out
anyway.”

“Ireland,” Marcus says. “Been here about a year.”

“Welcome,” Lori says, smiling at him. “Well,
thank you for your help,” she says to Rob,
looking down at the cloth in her hand, absently
rubbing the fabric between her thumb and index
finger. She notices that the material is soft and
fine, and that the little RC monogram in the
corner is professionally done, not hand-stitched
like hers is. So he has a bit of money. But he’s
kind…

“Least I could do, since I knocked you over,”
Rob says, smiling apologetically.

“Have a good day, and thanks again,” she says,
and starts walking, her brother following.

“Wait,” Rob calls, stepping towards them.

“What’s your name?”

“What’s yours?” she asks, turning around and
looking at him, hands on hips again.

“Rob” he says, “and this is Marcus” He holds
his hand out.

“I’m Loretta,” she says, stepping slowly over
and clasping his hand. “But most people call me
—”

“Lori!” Elliot calls, several yards away now,
looking very impatient. “Come on! Dad’s waitin’!”

“And my brother Elliot” she sighs. “He does
mean well, just…”

“I understand, don’t worry about it,” Rob
smirks. “It was nice to meet you, Loretta.” He
releases her hand gently.

“Nice to meet you, too, Rob,” she smiles back
at him, a twinkle in her eye that Marcus puzzles
at.

“Enjoy your evening,” Rob grins and tips an
imaginary cap to her and saunters in the
direction of Marcus’s car, Marcus himself jogging
to catch him up.

“What was that?” Marcus asks.

“She was really nice,” Rob says casually.

“And?” Marcus prompts.

“Very pretty, too.”

“Dangerous, Rob.”

“I can’t say a colored girl is pretty? Is that
against the law?”

“No, but you didn’t answer my question. What
was that?”

“What was what? “

“That look that passed between you. You looked
like you were sharing a secret about
something.”

“Oh. I maybe slipped her my card when she
shook my hand,” he admits.

“Rob…”

“She might need legal assistance one day.”