Holt's Holding (Part One) - By A Dagmara Page 0,4

this car. It had reminded me of my mother’s…down to the color. Black

The only advantage was that this one was new, and I loved the backup camera.

One final check in the rear view mirror, then my eyes out of habit, landed on the screen of the center console. Letting off the brake, I slowly back the car out of the parking spot, and out of the garage. Like every morning, I knew my drive to Georgetown would be an endless battle down I-95.

I drove easily out of Baltimore city and entered the beltway. My IPod, blaring thru the speakers, was common.

I always used this time in the car just to center myself. In many ways, the drive to work was what I needed to prep myself for the endless barrage of; “Lillian get me this…or I need that…Where is…!” I hated the demands my boss put on me.

Junior editor…right more like his personal slave.

Pulled from my thoughts, my blue tooth always rang thru the speakers.

“Good morning Julie.” Gotta love caller ID.

“Hey love!” Her voice groggy, no surprise there; as this was not normal for her.

“And how are you doing this morning?” I teased remember her one niter. Hell, I was having a hard time forgetting him.

“Tired…ugh, I have to pack. I finally got a freelance assignment, so I’m flying out to Haiti in the next three hours.”

“Wow…I take it your covering the earthquake?” I was happy for her…this was indeed the break she was waiting for. And a good thing remembering her one night stand.

“Yup…It’s such a shame what happened…but an exciting opportunity for me, and my camera”, she sounded so tired.

“So, I take it your one niter didn’t give you too much time for sleep!” I teased. Fuck, I knew I shouldn’t have brought him up. Yet, what possessed me, was clearly stupidity. Trying to make light of it, “I guess that’s something you can do on the plane” ok I was a bit jealous remembering the way he looked at me. Hell, I could tell that he was built under that suit, not to mention his height was something I always looked for. I think he was 6’5 or taller.

Julie laughed with me.

“Oh lord Lilly…he wasn’t a one niter…” she giggled some more “He’s my half-brother Charlie. I’m sorry I would have told you sooner, but you were out last night.”

Half-brother? I had forgotten she had mentioned him from time to time. Great, he was even more of an off limit for me now. What am I saying!

“Oh shit…I thought he was…shit, I was so rude this morning, I just ran out. I don’t even know if he left or not. I got so distracted when my boss called. Shit, he must think me to be a scatter brain.” Ok, I was frazzled. She was my roommate, regardless of how close we were or not, he was her family. I was raised with manners and clearly didn’t bestow him any.

“That’s a lot shit calling’ Lilly…no worries. Who gives a shit” she paused laughing “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I just didn’t know if he were actually going to stay. I offered what seems like forever ago, an invitation to stay with me while his brown stone's renovations were still ensuing. He said that it would be completed by the time he planned to move to the states. I didn’t expect him, honest. Then last night he just showed up. I hope you’re not mad?” Her tone was sincere.

“It’s fine…he’s your brother. How long is he staying?” Fuck me. Please say a day or two…I can’t afford this type of entanglement.

“Only for a week, I think…it shouldn’t be an issue…He’ll stay in my room, since I’m going to be gone. Plus, he works a lot, as do you; so I doubt that the two of you will cross paths too much.” Julie paused, and I could tell a warning was coming…I knew what her long pauses meant. Giving her time, I waited a moment for her to throw me her warning.

“Lil…he’s my brother and all, but he’s well …without totally sounding mean; well he’s not the type of man too…and you are, well…”

Quick to cut her off, “I get it off limits. No worries, I don’t have time for a man beyond a one night stand. I would not ever get involved with my friends brother. Warning heeded.”

“Lil not what I meant…he’s just not right for you. He has a bit of a reputation, and well…It’s not