SAVANTS
Chapture 5's

That afternoon, Tina drove me home in her car, saying that she wanted to see where I was staying. I think he really wants to meet my parents. His vehicle only had two seats, the rest were devoted to the tooling room for his brother's plumbing business.

"He gave this car to me when he bought the truck," he explained cheerfully, honking to move a group of teenagers out of the way. "He's officially my favorite brother for at least another month." He said with a small laugh.

"How many brothers do you have?"

"Two. More than enough. That you?"

"I'm alone"

He kept chatting as we passed through the city. His family sounds amazing - a bit chaotic but close. No wonder he has confidence.

He turned on the gas pedal and we shot up the hill.

"I met Zed and Yves Benedict during music practice" I said casually.

"Isn't Zed really cool?" He smacked his lips enthusiastically, turning slightly as there was a cat who dared to cross the street.

"Yes, I guess." My answer.

"Nobody isn't interested in Zed. That face, that body - what else does a girl want? She's perfect"

"But he had a slightly mischievous attitude - making the teachers angry. Her two brothers were similar but the teacher said she was the worst. Almost kicked out of school last year for disrespecting a staff member." Further.

"That's it!"

"Yes, anyhow. Seven sons in one family. Three are still at home, their home is on top of the city next to the cable car station and the older one is in Denver."

"Hanging train?"

"Yes, their father runs it during the winter, their mother is a ski instructor. We all think Benedict's kids are the kings of the hillsides"

"There are seven brothers?"

"The Benedictine family has a pattern...Trace, Uriel, Victor, Will, Xavier, Yves, and Zed. Help them remember, I guess."

"What a weird name."

"Family's weird, but they're all cool."

Sally and Simon were unpacking art supplies when we arrived in front of the house. I could see that they were happy that I had brought a friend home so soon. They're more worried about my shame than I am.

"Sorry, we have nothing to offer you other than biscuits bought in the store" my mother said, picking up a few drinks from the grocery box on the kitchen counter.

"And here, I hope for a complete English tea," said Tina with a twinkle in her eyes. "You know, a nice cucumber sandwich and cookies with jelly and cream."

"You mean scone and jam" Simon said.

"And don't forget the butter" Sally and I corrected it automatically the three of us laughed.

"I'm sorry, did I miss something?" tina asked as we laughed.

"The old-fashioned joke isn't funny" Simon said briefly. "Sky told us that you love art, Tina. What did you hear about the new center?"

Sally stood up and threw her scarf over her shoulder. "Yes, I love that medium for sketching."

"Are you going to have a class?"

"That's part of the deal," Sally confirmed, staring at Simon happily.

"I'd like to come, Mrs Bright, if I may."

"'Of course, Tina. And please, call me Sally."

"Sally and Simon" added my father.

"OK." Tina put down the sketchbook and put her hand in her pocket. "So, is Sky here taking artistic genes from you guys?"

"Eh .. no." Sally smiled at me, a little embarrassed. It's always like this when people ask. We have agreed that we will never pretend to be other than our true selves.

"I'm adopted, Tina," I explained. "My life was a little complicated before they accepted me."

I had been dumped at a highway service station when I was six years old, no one could track down my biological parents.

I was traumatized, unable to even remember my name. The only way I could communicate in the next four years was through music. Not a time I like.

It reminded me of the haunting feeling that maybe one day someone would show up and claim that I was like a lost suitcase.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to talk about it. But your parents are amazing Sky"

"It's okay." Answer me and we talk again. After the sky was a little dark Tina was ready to go home.

Tina took her bag. "I've got to go home now, it's getting dark outside. See you tomorrow." He said with a cheerful wave.

"I like your Tina," Sally announced, hugging me.

"And he thinks you're great." My answer.

Simon shook his head. "Americans think shoes are amazing, someone who offers a ride is amazing, what will they do when they meet something truly amazing? They'll run out of words."

"Simon, stop being such a stupid old man." Sally hit Simon's rib.

"How was your day, Sky?" Ask Sally.

"good. No, it's better than fine. It's amazing." I smiled at Sully. "I think I'll be fine here." As long as I avoid cheerleader Mrs Green.

Jazz band practice falls at the end of the week. During the break, I did not find two Benedict because our schedules did not seem to overlap. I've seen Yves in the distance when he played volleyball, but Zed's schedule doesn't fit my schedule.

But not me. Not that I spent all my time looking for it, of course not that I was just a little curious.

I heard more about him. He and his family are one of the favorite topics for gossip. Three of the Benedict Boys Uriel, Victor, and now Trace's oldest while Zed is best known for roaring around in Wrickenridge on his motorcycle, getting into fights at local bars, leaving a trail of heartbreak among the female population - most of them fail to date local girls.

The oldest two, Trace and Victor, have calmed down a bit now they have jobs out of town, ironically both in law enforcement, but that doesn't stop their past exploits associated with overwhelming pleasure and fondness.