Colin's Coming (Writing Prompt)

I'm very excited to show this to you guys.

 This little piece of writing, inspired by the writing prompt "Write about when you cried before the guests arrived", fits into Hitchhiker.  But that's not what's exciting about it.  What's exciting is the fact that it's written from Richard's 20-some-year-old sister's perspective, and it takes place many years before the events of Hitchhiker!  Which means it most certainly will not be in the book.  So, once again, you guys are incredibly lucky.  
I'm thinking about making this a two or three book series, and perhaps the second book will...oops, no spoilers. 
Anyway, by the time Cameron escapes from those villains affectionately known as BGs and Natalie picks him up off the side of the road, Alexis and Colin are already married.  Sorry for the cheesy post name; oh well.

A lead weight formed in my heart as Mom hung up the phone.  I knew what she was going to say and fought the urge to hide.  "Colin's coming."  Normally those two words brought excitement, but today I was pained to hear them.  I liked Colin; he himself wasn't the problem at all.  It was the fact that this would be the first time Mom and I would see him without Richard.
Mom saw the look on my face, understood, and hugged me.  We stood there for a couple minutes, silently sharing in each others' grief, and I don't think I ever loved her as I did at that moment.  Finally she released me from her arms and looked into my dark eyes with compassion.  "I have to start cooking something; he will probably be hungry."  I watched her pull out her recipe box and paw through it. "I haven't cooked for a man in ages," she remarked.  Tears blurred my vision.  Richard used to eat like a horse.  "Do you want me to help?" I asked, desperate for something to distract me.  Mom nodded, smiling, and I realized when I studied that smile that I was not the only one suffering.  Mom's usual perky posture was gone, and the sparkle in her eyes was dimmed.  Seeing her trying to be happy, I wiped my eyes and donned an apron.
We thumbed through all our recipes, making feeble jokes about Colin that neither of us thought was funny but we both felt compelled to laugh at for each others' sake.  When we came across Richard's favorite food, we tried to ignore it, but we both felt lumps in our throats as we remembered the last time we'd shared that meal with him.  It was so long ago - too long.  Before he'd joined the Army.  Before he'd died.  Now I was older than he was when he left.  
Mom seemed to guess my thoughts, because she said, "I know this will be painful.  It is for me, too.  Richard was my son as well as your brother.  But Colin also shares our grief; Richard was his best friend.  He doesn't want to be greeted by sad faces.  He wants to be encouraged.  So we must do our best to help him."  I swallowed and nodded.  Mom was right, as usual.  Standing straighter, I nodded and forced a smile.  "That's my girl."  Mom's eyes brightened.
She finally decided what to cook.  I didn't care what we made; I probably wouldn't be able to eat anyway.  But spending that time with Mom was like a balm to my soul.
Colin arrived at our doorstep just as we were putting dinner in the oven.  I answered his knock.  "Alexis!" He exclaimed, shaking my hand warmly.  I responded in kind, but I couldn't believe the change in him.  He looked older than he had when I'd seen him last.  Granted, that was a few years ago at Richard's funeral, but the stress lines around his eyes couldn't possible have been developed by the passing of time.  "Where's your mother?" he asked.  My jaw nearly dropped to the floor.  Colin had always called her "Mom".
Just then, Mom herself appeared behind me.  "Colin!  Please come in."  He obliged, and we all made ourselves comfortable in Mom's richly furnished living room.  Colin leaned back and studied his surroundings.  "It's good to be here again," he remarked.  "I've missed this place, but I decided to stay away in case I invoked painful memories for you two.  Finally my selfishness overcame my kindness."  He gave us a half-hearted wink, and I felt terrible for how I'd treated his impending visit.  "It's wonderful to have you back," I ventured.  He turned his entrancing green-brown eyes on me.  "Thank you!..so, how are you?"  He didn't end his sentence with the word I knew he was thinking.  "How are you recovering is what he meant to ask.  "We're alright.  How's your family?"  Mom spoke up, and I sighed inwardly.  The formality and stiffness of the conversation made me want to cry for the loss of the easy communication we'd had when Richard was around.
Suddenly Mom jumped up.  "I'm sorry, but I forgot the food in the oven!  Please excuse me!" She hurried out of the room.  I couldn't help laughing, and Colin joined me.  Thank you, Mom, I thought as I felt the tension ease.
We fell into relating what had gone on in our separate lives since we'd seen each other.  We were careful not to mention Richard, even though everything we said or did brought a new memory of him.  Finally Colin growled in frustration.  He got up and sat next to me on the couch.  "I'm sick of avoiding the topic," he whispered.  "I shouldn't have to never speak of my best friend again.  How have you been since Richard died?"  I swallowed.  "It's been very hard on both Mom and me..." I began.  He shook his head.  "No, I want to know about you.  Alex..." The way he said my name made my breath catch in my throat.  He stared into my eyes.  "I love you."  The words were stated like a mere fact, but his eyes betrayed so much more emotion.  I fought tears as I realized I'd been waiting for this moment for years.

Well, that's all!  Sorry for the suspenseful ending.  But let me get you thinking.  Adrian pretended he was in the Army, and when he was captured, it was made to look like he'd died in action.  Richard used to be a fairly respectable young man until he fell in with bad company and stopped visiting his family that often (though they hardly knew anything about his change of heart).  A little later, he joined the army.  And that's where he was proven to be worthy of joining the BGs, who apparently watched all trainees and picked out the skilled ones.

That's all I'm saying.

Lots of love and please tell me how I did,
-Ashley