Here is the other warmup that I promised last week!
It's still Wednesday over here.
Abel stared into the mirror as he pushed his tie up to the collar of his shirt, stared hard at the tiny curves on his mouth. It looked oddly like a smile, and Abel could not bring himself to push the corners back down.
He turned and glanced at the bundle of covers that slowly rose and fell, and he thought to himself, "Why am I realizing this just now?"
He picked up his pre-prepared briefcase and walked out the door, locking the house from intruders immediately after. He slid the key into the ignition and fired up the engine, backing up from his long driveway.
The sun shone brightly in the sky, and today Abel didn't squint or look away. He drove on, silent, admiring the way the sun's rays reflected off the car's hood, the roads, and buildings. No one on the roads obnoxiously sneaked past stop signs and red lights as Abel swore they did every other day. Actually, now that he thought about it, today was stranger than all other days. Different.
Abel reached the tallest, highest bank in the city, one that nearly dominated all the other small banks. Cars sat in all of the parking spaces in front of the building. Abel shrugged mentally and drove around to the back. He parked and pulled his briefcase out with him, locking the car as swerved around to the front to enter.
The receptionist smiled at Abel as he approached. "All of the spots in the front were occupied, sadly."
"I don't mind," Abel said.
The women stared at him, blinking as if she just watched a parent smacking their child's cheek harshly. "You don't?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Stuff happens, it's all right."
He left the receptionist in her stupor and walked along halls and stood in an uncrowded elevator. Once the dig indicated his floor, he stepped out and walked down a hall until he entered his own shiny office, seeing "ABEL WILTSHIRE" on the door.
Again, why was he just realizing this now?
He slid into his chair and set his briefcase on his desk, opening it and pulling out papers in neat stacks, bound by large clips. Today, instead of being a train wreck, work would be a peaceful meditation full of mathematics and people being screwed over by money and someone offering helpful advice.
Today, Abel was a good guy.
"I'm home," Abel said as he entered his house, glancing back at the door that was left unlocked. He walked into the living room, shoes deposited at the door, and saw Mark sitting on the couch with the television glowing with a music video. Mark's eyes blinked at the phone in his hand, his fingers tapping swiftly. When Abel sat on the couch, Mark quickly hit the "send" button and laid his phone next to him, eyes resting on Abel.
"Oh, hi. I guess work was pretty good today, huh?"
"Any reason you guess so?" Abel said with a smile.
"You're in a good mood. Usually if it's a bad day, you pout or something."
Abel chucked, causing Mark to flinch. "Not at all, it's quite the opposite! I'm sure I helped some people from financial debt for six years. That is definitely something to be happy about."
"Wow, okay," Mark said, leaning into Abel with a second glance. "Nothing bad at all?"
"Not at all."
"I'm glad that you are glad," Mark sighed happily, watching the random commercial on the television. "I like these days."
Abel ruffled Mark's shaggy hair and nuzzled him. "So what would you want for dinner?"
Mark shrugged.
"I can make whatever you want. Or buy to your wishes. Or we could go out? Or perhaps you would rather wait for later or hang out with friends, that would be okay with me."
Mark turned to face Abel. "If I skipped out on a dinner with you for friends, you would be okay with that?!"
"That's what I said, wasn't it?"
Mark slowly turned back to the television and shrugged. "I just didn't think you would be, I dunno, okay with missing a plan."
"Trust me, I'd be okay." He nuzzled Mark once more and he felt Mark shudder under him. The younger boy scooted away from Abel and looked at him.
"You're acting different."
"I am?"
"Yeah. All... nice and stuff."
"Is that bad?" Abel asked, his head tilting.
"I guess not, but it's kind of freaking me out." Mark bit his lower lip.
Again, Abel chuckled. "I would have never thought that kindness would freak you out."
Instead of further prying, Mark just stared at Abel for a few moments. Next to his hands, his phone vibrated, and Mark's face visibly brightened. He glanced at his text and looked up at Abel. "Oh, dang, looks like Nellie did want the group to eat after all. Sorry, is it okay if I go with them?"
"Of course. I can occupy myself here in your absence," Abel said, no glint of rage in his eyes.
Mark nervously smiled and walked to the door, slipped on his shoes, and dashed out the door.
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