Second Chances

One persons loss...

Alanna spent two days fixing problems with the funeral home and the daycare. Carol continuously asked Alanna for time to talk, but Alanna was too busy taking care of the business and any free time she used it to see Jack.

After 3 days of no-stop passion, Jack and Alanna had barely seen each other, and when they saw each other it wasn't the best time. Alanna was either rushing or Jack was busy with Hunter. Alanna couldn't wait to take a break and spend some time with Jack. Jack took advantage of the free time and looked for a nanny. He spent the last two days interviewing nannies.

After work, Alanna called Carol into her office. She finally had time to talk to her. Carol looked upset. Alanna wondered why she looked so upset. Carol sat and began talking immediately, " I can't do this anymore. You disappear all the time, and I'm the one left here to take care of everything. When you gave me 50% of your company, I was so excited but didn't realize that all you were looking for was someone to do your job." Alanna tried to jump into the conversation, but Carol didn't let her even start talking. Carol raised her voice and continued, "This is not even a company. You spend more money than you make. This place has not made any money for years. If it wasn't for the daycare, you would be broke. You are not a business woman. Your husband was the one who kept this business going. He didn't go around giving everything away."

Carol stopped for a second and Alanna replied, "I'm so sorry if you feel that way. I thought you were happy here." Carols eyes watered up and she cried, "You don't care about anyone but you. My son was in the hospital and you didn't even care. My husband left me for another woman." Alanna jumped up from her chair and leaned over her desk, "Carol! I didn't know!" Carol stood in front of Alanna and screamed with a broken voice, "You have been too busy with your teenage romance drama, and haven't even care to find out how others are doing. Alanna, all you do is act like you are a victim when you are just what they say. You are a man-eater, going from man to man."

Alanna's hand swang in the air. She didn't realize what she was doing until her hand made contact with Carol's face. Alanna tried to apologize but Carol stormed out of the office. On her way out she screamed, "The papers to relinquish ownership of this worthless company are on your desk." Alanna plunged into her chair. She looked around her desk and found a folder with her name on it. She looked inside and found the legal papers stating that Carol wasn't her partner anymore.

Alanna was filled with anger and in shock to hear her friend of many years talk to her like that. She thought about what Carol said and wondered if she was really the selfish monster that Carol painted her to be. She opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a bottle of wine. She opened it and began to drink from the bottle.

Hours passed and Alanna was still sitting at her desk thinking. Alanna picked up the wine bottle to take a sip and realized that it was empty. Alanna lifted the bottle up and stared at it. Then tears filled up her eyes. She took the bottle by the handle and threw it across the room. The bottle slammed against the wall and cracked into a million pieces.

Someone yelled "Wow!" Alanna looked up and found Jack at the door looking at the shattered bottle. Jack walked towards Alanna, studding her face. "My love, are you okay?" Jack exclaimed as he got close to Alanna.

Alanna looked at Jack and began to cry. He knelt next to her and grabbed her in his arms. Alanna cried, "Do you think I'm selfish?" Jack stood up, holding on to her arms. He pulled Alanna up in front of him and said, "'You are the most generous person I know." Alanna looked at Jack's eyes and said, "You don't think I'm self-absorbed or a man-eater?" Jack smiled, "Well, you are a man-eater." Alanna smiles and kissed him.

Jack fixed Alanna's hair back and asked her why she was talking like that. Alanna explained what happened, with Carol. Jack couldn't believe that Carol had talked to Alanna like that. Jacked asked Alanna, "I thought she was your best friend?" Alanna shook her shoulders and said, "I don't have any friends, they say they are my friends but they are not." "Brenda hasn't been speaking to me since she got her boyfriend to keep me away from him. You know I'm a man-eater."

Jack was confused. He couldn't believe how mean people could be. He grabbed Alanna and took her to his car. He closed the funeral home and headed to Alanna's house. On the way to Alanna's house he called the baby sitter and told her that he was going to be late.

Alanna felt asleep in the car. Once they arrived at Alanna's house, Jack carried her inside. He laid her on her bed and gently took her clothes off. Then he took his clothes off and took her to the shower. Jack took his time bathing her. He was enjoying spending time with her even when she was partially conscious. Alanna wrapped her arms around him and kissed her as he showered her. Jack finished and helped her get into bed. Alanna grabbed him and began to kiss him. Jack gently pulled her arms away and grabbed his clothes.

Alanna called, "where are you going? Please stay." Jack was heart broken seeing Alanna so vulnerable, but he needed to get back to Hunter. Jack finished getting dressed, then he jumped back into bed with her. He kissed her and caressed her. Jack lay with Alanna until she fell asleep, then he rushed home to Hunter.