Tuesday Tales: From the Word CHEESE

Welcome to the middle of May and this week’s Tuesday Tales. I’m continuing with Trouble With Eden, my contemporary romance. Today we have a word prompt, CHEESE. I’ve used a variation of the word. Here’s your 400-word scene.

“So, are you getting another Mercedes?” she asked, pulling out of the hospital lot and onto the street.

“Yes. I’m not sure I would’ve done as well with a lighter car.”

“Those German cars are built to last. Too bad that moose didn’t watch where he was going. He didn’t make it, but I’m glad you did.” She bit her lip.

Jackson laughed and winced. “I am, too; otherwise, I would never have met you.”

“The feeling is mutual, although according to Uncle Eli, Dad was planning to contact you. The pandemic screwed up his plans—and everyone else’s, too. I understand you’re a writer from Toronto. I tried to look you up, but I guess you must use a pseudonym or whatever you call it.”

“I do. I’m not much for sharing my personal life with every cat and canary, but Cecil Longtree, my alter ego, has a large online presence with several thousand followers.”

“Then I suppose the pandemic didn’t really change your life much. I know from Uncle Eli that your mother died before it started, and I am sorry for that. I didn’t know either of you existed. Dad never said a word, although when Uncle Eli explained it … Damn, I’m running off at the mouth like a bloody teenager. I … I’m rather a private person, so meeting strangers, isn’t easy for me. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I didn’t know about you either. If you have questions, ask away.”

“Will your wife be joining you? It’s not a problem since we have lots of room.”

“My wife’s dead. She was one of the pandemic’s casualties, a nurse in a Toronto long care facility.”

She glanced at him quickly before focusing on the traffic once more.

“I’m so sorry. So many people died.”

“Yes, and a lot more would’ve, had it not been for the vaccine.”

“Too true. So what were you doing on the 138 the night of the accident?”

“I was coming to see the house, to see you. Not my smartest move as it turned out.”

Surprised filled her eyes. “Did Eli know you were coming?”

“No one knew. It’ll sound cheesy, but I anticipated this great family reunion—you know like twins separated at birth. I wanted to surprise the brother I never knew I had.” He laughed. “Turns out the moose and I were the ones surprised.”

That’s it. Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales