Second Chances

Reunited

Many months went by since Alanna had a magical encounter with John. She tried to stay occupied, to keep her mind from wandering back to his arms. She spent a lot of time hanging out with the young women that worked for her. The young women enjoyed spending time with Alanna, so Alanna was invited to every party they had. They went to the movies together and spent a lot of time sunbathing together.

Jackie's 21st birthday was a week away. The girls planned a pool party at Jackie's house. They invited Carol and Alanna. They even invited the children's parents. It was going to be a big part. She was turning 21. Alanna decided to accept the invitation. What else would she do on a Saturday night? She had not gone on a date since she spent that weekend with John.

The memories from the weekend she spent with John ran ruthlessly through her mind. Alanna never thought she was going to feel anything for anyone else after her husband, but John anchored himself in Alanna's mind, and she couldn't shake him off. Her nights have felt lonely and cold since that weekend. Nothing seemed to bring her peace. Alanna had been in constant expectation. Hoping to find John everywhere she goes. Alana had begun to regret not giving John her contact information. She didn't think she was going to feel anything after that weekend. She thought she was going to just remember him as a fun time. To her surprise, all she did was think of him. Distracting herself by spending time with girls wasn't helping.

Alanna started feeling melancholic. She was going to excuse herself from going to the party and stay home watching a romantic comedy. When she texted Jackie excusing herself from the party. Jackie called her immediately. Alanna answered, surprised to hear Jackie begging her to go. She insisted nonstop. Alanna could not come up with a good excuse, so she ended up agreeing to go.

Alanna slid off her pajamas and put on a black bathing suit, with a split that went all the way to her bellybutton, exposing the inner sides of her breasts and long leg openings that made her legs look longer. She then slides on a see-through long black cover-up dress. She packs some pool essentials and heads to Jackie's house. The night was dark. The moon was in its new phase. Jackie's house at the end of the block was brighter than a Christmas tree. Every light seemed to be on and the music coming out of the house was echoing down a few blocks.

On the way to the backyard, a strong smell of chlorine and cigarettes tickled Alanna's nose. Red cups decorated the outdoor furniture, the landscaping, and even the pool had some floating red cups. A DJ plays all the newest hits. Jackie danced alone while her friends sat in the corner. They were not drinking. Linda as solidarity with Katherine who is only 20 years old.

Jackie saw Alanna walking in the backyard, and she ran towards her, "Alanna, you made it." Jackie's breasts looked as if they were about to pop out of her miniature strapless bikini top. Alanna handed her a present. " Happy birthday", Alanna said, while Jackie snatched the present and opened it. "Wine!" Jackie screamed excitedly. Alanna had just packed the bottle she was planning to drink alone that night. Jackie hugged her and told her to get comfortable.

Alanna went to say hi to Katherine and Linda. They showed her where the drinks were. Apparently, everywhere. Every surface had a bottle of alcohol. The pool was full, but the hot tub was only occupied by a couple who had just started fighting and left. Alanna saw an opportunity. She grabbed a bottle of wine and called the girls to go with her. Linda and Katherine moan as they sit in the hot tub. Alanna poured herself a glass of wine and exclaimed, "Okay, this is not bad."

A young man passed by and smiled at Katherine. Katherine blush. Alanna asked her, "Do you know him?" Katherine nodded shyly. Linda told Katherine, "Go talk to him". Katherine walks to the young man rubbing her arm. Her bright orange bikini didn't favor her skin tone, but her small waist was enough to get the boy's attention. Linda, on the other hand, wears a light blue two-piece string bikini. She was well-gifted, so it fit her right. After Katherine leaves, Linda pours herself a glass of wine from the bottle Alanna brought with her. They sat in the hot tub until they finished the bottle. Linda went to fetch another bottle. At the drinks table, Linda meets a cute guy who invites her for a walk. The boy was cute, so Linda followed. A little tipsy already. After a while, Alanna realized that Linda was taking too long with the bottle, so she decided to look for another. She was stopped by a familiar male voice calling her name. Alanna stops and turns around and sees one of the daycare parents. Alanna stopped to talk to him and his wife.

In the garden, Linda smoked some weed with the young guy. Then the guy grabs her and kisses her. Linda enjoyed the kiss, so she wrapped her hands around him and kissed him back. They made out for a while. The young man decided to grab her bottom. Linda was startled and a little uncomfortable, but she went with it. He became excited and started to rub his hardness against her. She started to feel uncomfortable but still went with it. Maybe the weed or the drinks she had made her minimize her feelings.

Maybe the weed or the drinks she had made her minimize her feelings. Then the guy grabs the triangles of the swimsuit covering her breasts and moves them out of the way, exposing both of her breasts at the same time. She moved them back and asked him to stop. He laughed and continued kissing her. She went back to kissing him too. Then out of nowhere he put his swimsuit down, turned Linda around, bent her over the bushes, and pulled her bathing suit string to the side. He began to make his forced way into her when she turned around and gave him a self-defense throat strike. He fell on the floor on top of a rock. Linda fixed her swimsuit and ran away.

Linda ran into the pool and paled, breathing heavily. Alanna saw her and rushed to her. "Are you okay", Alanna asked. Linda's eyes filled with tears and in a shaky voice she replied, "He tried to rape me." Alanna hugged her and asked, "Who? Who tried to rape you?" the guy in the garden. Alanna called Jackie and Katherine. She left them with Linda, and she went to the garden to investigate. Alanna walked to the garden and saw legs sticking out from behind some bushes. Alanna went close to check. There was a young man on the floor with a pile of blood under his head and his pants down. This must be the guy. Alanna carefully went close to the guy and checked his pulse. He was alive.

Alanna ran back to the pool area and asked for a towel and for someone to call 911. Jackie asked, "What happened?" Alanna explained that the guy fell on a rock and cracked his head open but he was alive. Alanna ran back to the guy and put the towel on his wound. She put pressure.

The ambulance, the fireman, and the police arrived. "Jackie, Jackie" a man called. Jackie went to him and he embraced her. The paramedics rushed to the young man. Alanna explained to the paramedics how she did not move the young man, how she barely moved his head to place the towel on the wound. The paramedics pulled up the young man's pants and strapped him to the stretcher. The guests were leaving. Alanna moved through the crowd back to the pool area to check on the girls.

Alanna saw fewer and fewer people until the area was clear. Alanna saw the girls at the other end of the pool surrounded by police officers. A police officer stopped Alanna, "Ma'am, you can't be back here. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Alanna replied, I just want to make sure Linda is okay." She pointed at the girls. Showing the officer who she was talking about.

As she scanned the people looking for Linda, a tall man stood petrified staring back at her. Alanna gasped. She placed her hand on her mouth and froze. She was suspended in time, she felt as if she had entered a tunnel. Everything turned black and the noise disappeared. All she could see was the man at the end of the tunnel. His small blue eyes, his broad shoulders, his pink lips surrounded by short light brown and silver hair. "A police officer", Alanna could not believe what she had seen. Her heart bounced almost out of her chest. "Could this be another dream or maybe alcohol?", Alanna wondered.

The man that she knew as John was there. In front of her. The man who hunted her dreams and robbed her desire to be with anyone else. The man she spent the most magical days of her life with was just a few feet away. Alanna felt like she was going to faint, when the officer next to her interrupted, "Ma'am, please leave." Alanna didn't acknowledge the officer. She kept her eyes on John. The officer grabbed her shoulders, getting ready to remove her from the premises. A firm loud voice called to the officer, "Miller! Let the lady go." John ordered the officer as he walked towards them. The officer let go immediately, "Sergeant", the officer saluted as he walked away.

"Sergeant?" Alanna inquired with a smile. He stood in front of her only inches away. She could feel his breath as he gazed at her from head to toe. He then looked at her eyes and asked with a smile, "What are you doing here?" Alanna moved a little closer, her breast almost touching his uniform. "I was at a birthday party", she replied. He hands on every word Alanna says. Squinting his eyes a little. Alanna smile. Then Jackie came from behind John. "Dad?" she called. Alanna's eyes widen as she sees John turning his face to look at Jackie. Jackie notices Alanna and goes to her. She hugs her and thanks her for everything. John was confused. "Do you know my boss, Alanna", Jackie announced. John's eyes widened and he repeated in his head "A-l-a-n-n-a". He sights and Alanna stretch her hand with a smirk on her face, "Nice to meet you?" John smiles and stretches his hand saying, "Likewise my name is Jack". Alanna thought, "That makes sense Jackie, Jack". They hold each other's hands a little too long. Jackie interrupted, asking her dad if Linda and Katherine could stay because they were freaked out. Jack turned to Jackie and, with a soft gentle voice, he told her that they could stay as long as they wanted.

Jackie left to talk to the girls. Jack and Alanna were finally alone. They directed their eyes back at each other. Alanna exclaimed, "There goes the fantasy". Jack asked her to follow him. He took her to his home office. He closed the door behind them. Jack grabbed Alanna by the waist and brought her body close to his. "The fantasy could be over but maybe the reality could be better". Alanna held onto his arms and looked into his eyes. He slowly approached her face. Studying her expression as he got closer. He turned to the side to avoid bumping her nose. When she could feel his facial hair tickle her upper lip, Alanna closed her eyes and kissed him. They embraced in a kiss. Alanna finally felt those sweet lips that she had yearned for an agonizingly long time. She has the opportunity to be in his arms once again and taste him, feel him, and smell him. After thinking that they would never see each other again, it all felt unreal. They were transported to that magical weekend that they spent together. They were able to enjoy their magical embrace once again.

Someone called Jack outside the door. Jack lets go of Alanna and rushes to open the door. Officer Smith was looking for him to let him know that all the officers were leaving. Officer Smith glanced at Alanna standing behind Jack. The officer made a disapproving face and walked away. Jack was puzzled by the officer's facial expression and looked at Alanna confused. Alanna recognized Officer Smith. They had never got along. She never knew why but he always had some demeaning remark to say. Alanna became worried about Jack's expression and decided to leave before their magical moment was ruined. She hugged Jack and said goodbye and left quickly. Jack was left more confused after Alanna left so abruptly.

That night Jack stood up. He couldn’t sleep. He finally found the woman who had awoken feelings and desires that he never experienced before. He called his sister to give her the good news, but she didn’t answer. It was two in the morning and she had been sleeping. He left her a message letting her know that he had found his mystery woman. He laughed as he explained that she lived in the same city as him. All that time he was hoping to find her. She was closer than he could ever imagine. For a month Jackie had been working for her. Jack then went to bed, hoping to see Alanna the next day.

The next day at the station, Jack saw the officers murmur as he passed by. Some of them smiled and others looked at him with pity. Jacked made it to his office where the Lieutenant was waiting for him. The lieutenant's frowning lines were more pronounced than usual. "Jack, don't embarrass yourself like that," he said, putting his hand on Jacks's shoulder. Jack was confused, "What do you mean?" The lieutenant explained, "Smith saw you with that floozy." "Who, Alanna?" Jack replied surprised. The lieutenant proceeded, "You know she is known as The Maneater?" Jack lowered his eyes. He was embarrassed to look the lieutenant in the eyes. He did not want to believe what he was hearing.

At noon Jack went to eat at his typical spot. However, this time he went alone. Normally he would have lunch with a group of officers, but he didn't want to hear any more negative stuff about Alanna. Jack had officer after officer tell him stories about Alanna going out with different men. Jack sat at a double table at the corner of the restaurant. He ate quietly, keeping his head down. Suddenly, he heard a commotion and Alanna's voice. "Good afternoon to you officers". Alanna flirted with the officers while they said obscene things to her. Alanna smiles and walks to the register where her friend Brenda has been waiting for her with a bag. Jack looked at her, so bubbly and happy. " She seemed to enjoy the attention", he thought. Alanna spotted Jack on her way out. Her cheeks became red and she gave him an innocent smile as she quietly walked away. Officer Smith bumped into Alanna and with a smirk announced, "Are you looking for your next victim?" Alanna laughed, "Sweety, you weary about your vows, and I worry about my life." Smith cringed his teeth and kept walking to the table full of officers. Jack stared at Alanna walking away. His phone rang. It was his sister returning his call. Jack ignores it. He didn’t feel like talking to her. She was just going to rub in that she was right.

"I recognize that face. Don't feel bad Sergeant", Brenda spoke while cleaning Jack's plate off the table. "Don't take it personal, she doesn't mean to break people's hearts. She is just not ready to move on. I always say there is only one love for each of us. Even though she says she is not, I can tell she is looking for love." Brenda shook her head and walked away, "Here I go talking too much again." Jack was intrigued by what he had heard Brenda said. He left a tip on the table and left the restaurant. He ignored the group of officers and walked by them with a serious face.