Page 7

7

GENIE

Current Day

B y the time Ted “Genie” Williams was 31 he was five kids deep; three girls and two boys. Tidiness was the first lesson all the kids learned so their mom wouldn’t trip, rough housing wasn’t allowed inside so furniture didn’t get jostled or shifted.

“Bethany,” Genie called as he shut the door behind him. Genie walked through the house seeing her in the backyard playing fetch with her dog through the accordion window doors.

“Beth,” Genie almost reverently repeated as he stepped up behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her dog returned with his ball.

“Release,” she stated. He immediately dropped the ball at her feet. “How was work?” she didn’t turn to look at Genie.

“Work. Is there a plan for dinner?”

“Is it that late already?”

“I’m home,” Genie parried back. He kissed her neck, “I’ll get it.” As he headed back to the house he called over his shoulder, “hot dogs, right?”

Bethany growled.

“I can see you rolling your eyes!” he laughed as he moved through the doors.