Topic: Everything and Nothing

Philip Guiscard

Date: 2015-06-18 21:21 EST
A month ago?

?So who is she?? A voice asked, feminine and coy as she collected empty bottles and forgotten trash onto a tray while busing the barren tables.

Tearing his attention from the dark horizon in the distance, Philip looked up and over to the waitress and in turn realized the patio bar was unpopulated except for the two of them. ?I beg your pardon??

?Who is she?? The waitress repeated, her amusement dimming only a hair at his confusion before her hands continued to busy themselves and she nodded towards him with the curve of her chin. ?You?re sitting out here, alone, with your drink mostly untouched. Staring off and being broody.?

He didn?t bristle, but attempted to sit up even straighter as he was quick with an excuse. ?I am just thinking.?

?You turned down attention from a pair of pretty twins who were just about all over you. Looked like you didn?t even notice them. Then again, you could prefer guys or be a eunuch,? she trailed off with a shrug as she passed by his table.

Dark eyes followed after her and the sway of her hips before he was looking down to his glass. ?I am not a eunuch.?

?And you like my hips enough to watch them, so I?m going to go back to my all-knowing women?s intuition and say you?re thinking about a girl. You?re not drowning in drink, so you?re not trying to forget her, so I think you?re pining for her.?

?Are you a budding psychologist during daylight hours??

?Nah, if I was then I?d point out that you?re being evasive and avoiding the subject. All the same, if you want anything from the bar, don?t hesitate to wave me down. It?s a quiet one tonight.?

?I?ve heard that word is a curse in these parts.? Wry tone, near amusement flickered on his own features as he looked up.

?I won?t tell if you don?t --- Oh will you look at that!? Pointing out and up to the sky as a flash of white light shot across the muted backdrop of deep blue black and purple atmosphere above them. ?Shooting star. You better make a wish before it?s too late.? Grinning over at him, she continued on her way back inside.

After a moment?s hesitation, Philip muttered to himself, ?I wish Constance was mine.?

From just inside the door to the bar the waitress called out, ?I told you it was a girl.?

Philip Guiscard

Date: 2015-06-19 19:53 EST
His head throbbed with the dull ache as if he was recovering from his skull being cracked open. Opening his eyes led to the wince and subtle hiss caught between his teeth as the light filtered in through the window. His joints were stiff and muscles ached as leather quietly groaned as he moved in the wingback chair.

Philip had just registered his surroundings as a familiar voice approached from behind him.

?My apologies Lord Guiscard, I did not realize that you were sleeping here in the study.?

?You?re fine Charles. I didn?t even realize that I came all the way home last night.?

?Yes sir. Will you be having breakfast in here then? I shall bring the tray in here.?

?Sure ?wait, Lord Guiscard? What?s with the formality Charles? I?m not Edwin?.? His voice trailed off after a smear of his hand over his face and he noticed the gold band worn on his ring finger.

?Lord has been the appropriate title for the head of your family for centuries sir. Shall I bring you some aspirin with your morning tea? You do not seem to be feeling well.?

Philip?s utter shock at his wedding band became mildly muted as he struggled to compose himself. ?I ? I am just still waking up Charles, I?m sorry. Breakfast here will be fine and I would appreciate some aspirin.?

?Very good sir. If that will be all, then I will return shortly.? Charles nodded with a slight tilt of his head as he began to back out of the room.

Philip sat up further in the chair, craning his head to watch Charles leave before he was quick to add in one more question, ?One more thing Charles, my wife? I?d like to see her. Where is she??

Charles looked startled as he stopped mid exit though the confusion on his weathered face did not linger long. ?Your wife sir? I believe she is indisposed at the moment, but I can have it arranged for her to be brought to you shortly if you wish it.?

?No, that is not necessary. If?..? Philip made a vague gesture with his hand as though to encourage Charles to help him out.

?..Lady Constance sir??

?Constance?!? He regretted raising his voice not only because of the pounding in his head but for the blink that Charles gave him. ?I mean, yes. If Lady Constance is not feeling well, there is no need to bring her to me. I can go to her instead.?

?As you wish sir.?

?I?ll go after breakfast. You may need to bring me some Scotch to with it.?

?Very good sir.? Charles then made his exit and left him alone.

Alone with his shock, the memory of the wish from the night before trickled into the forefront of his mind.

?I can?t believe that actually worked.? Philip muttered.

Shortly afterwards he began checking himself for his cell phone. He had a couple of phone calls to make before checking in on his wife.