Wings Of The Incubus

Chapter 2

Alyson was jolted awake the next morning when she heard a knock at the door. Jamie was already getting out of bed in a panic knowing it was a walkthrough. Her heart sank inside her chest as she jolted up and quickly grabbed everything feminine she could think of. the only moment in her life she would feel thankful to be out of tampons. they would want a full tour and Jamie had already gone through the routine. just grab the stuff that was feminine and consolidated into a bag and hide in the back of the storage on the outside deck out of sight.

her heart was pounding when she threw a blanket over herself and a stored kennel for Jamie's dog that his parents were holding onto. she left the kennel poking out slightly so that curiosity wouldnt make them look closer. muffled voices entered from the other side of the wall and she sat trying to calm her anxiety.

after a while, the voices came outside.

Jamie: this is my deck. to the left is my power box and to the right is my storage shed.

he opened the door and Alyson held her breath.

Jason: you have a dog?

Jamie: yes but my parents are watching it until i can financially afford a pet deposit. I'm honestly waiting to see what therapy expenses and polygraphs are gonna look like financially before i figure that out though.

Jason closed the door and Alyson let out a quiet and shaky breath. when everything was hypothetical, this actually seemed kind of fun. the rebellion and secrecy actually mildly turned her on but this was a straight nightmare. how was she supposed to get any peaceful rest with s**t like this as a constant worry? it literally just took her walking out at a bad time for her to be stuck on her own holding down the fort in an apartment that wasn't hers and that she couldn't afford on her own. she was just a lowly clerk an ice cream parlor. maybe if she was lucky and got the shot at playing oldies on the music, she would actually make decent tips to manage. the thought of doing this alone hurt her and she was scared for the future.

Alyson heard the door shut but she waited for Jamie to come get her. it felt like an eternity but he came out to get her.

Jamie: I'm so sorry! are you okay?

he reached his hand to help usher Alyson out.

Alyson: I'm okay but we need to have a serious talk about this

Jamie: what's there to talk about?

Alyson: there has to be a better way to do this than me waking out of a dead sleep and crouching next to an old stinky dog kennel

Jamie: what do you have in mind?

Alyson: i don't know

Alyson withdrew and Jamie was irritated. she went inside and took her bag with her full of makeup and hair care. funny thing to her is that she rarely used makeup. she hated the idea of being anything like those clown faced tv personalities. "this is beauty", more like "this is garbage". that's part of what Jamie loved about her was her desire to be real rather than artificial.

when they first started dating, none of this was here. Jamie was a person who was so alive. Everywhere he went his attitude about life spread like wildfire. sometimes he was a bit cocky for his own good but she could always see a fire in his eyes. everything was snuffed out the day they got that call. almost like he instantly became another person and Alyson didn't know what to do. the first thought that crossed her mind was that this amazing man had stood by her and now it was her turn to support him. That was months ago and the future looked bleak at best.

She started at him seeing the constant fear in his eyes and she just longed for the man she knew to come back to her. "you just need to be patient with him. this is the worst time of his life and he'll be back" she snapped herself back mentally. she grabbed her bag and got ready for work. She just worked a basic customer service job but it paid the bills and tips were always fun money. Not that she could go out with Jamie with his paranoia. he became an introverted home body since all of this happened. always looking over his shoulder when he went to do such basic things for life. sometimes she wondered to herself in the back of her mind "if he's so good at tricking the system like this, what else has he done along those lines. you don't get that good from nothing. right? ".

Alyssa arrived at work at Harry's wood fired pizza. she was really close with a lot of her coworkers. despite that, there were also clear signs that half of the place was trying to get in her pants. of course she took advantage of it here and there and of course Jamie wouldn't understand. it's not like she let any of the guys close enough to do anything. she was just nice to them and was there for them. for most guys they'd consider that leading on but for her, she just wanted to be a part of the group banter. a lot of the guys sadly took it seriously but it was clear that most of these guys weren't getting laid. she had grown to care for these guys over the years but if anyone made a pass, she would say no. she loved Jamie and that was the bottom line.

her work went by fast because it was swamped. the end of the night was coming and she was about to close until she heard a ring from the door alarm in the back. she was angry and about to storm out to tell the customer that they were closed until she saw who it was.

Victor: Alyson! long time no see

Alyson: yeah

she chuckled nervously seeing how much he had changed over the past few years. he was tall with dark brown hair. his teeth were still a little flawed but his smile was genuine.

Victor: I'll take your shrimp carbonara

Alyson: okay I'll get that in. it'll be a while. i haven't seen you in so long whats new?

Victor: just in town for a family emergency

Alyson: oh my God. what happened?

Victor: my mom sustained a head injury at work and has been out for a week now.

Alyson: how did it happen?

Victor: doctor said it was a ruptured aneurysm.

a silence filled the air for a moment.

Victor: i may need to move back here at this point.

Alyson: you had a whole life and career in Oregon. are you sure?

Victor: family comes first. I'll figure it out. I'm sure there's flooring work that needs to be done here in Colorado.

Alyson: i never knew what you did out there.

Victor: i started as a helper on the weekends and i had to work my way up. i was working 2 jobs for the longest time.

Alyson: damn you must have been so tight on time

Victor: that's all i really had out there. i went out there for a change of scenery but i didn't really find much other than work. all jobs that i could just as easily work and not leave home. at least in hindsight

regret and guilt lined his face

Victor: I'm sorry i didn't mean to just unload on you

Alyson: its okay. it sounds like you're going through a lot right now

Victor: not much i can say about that. so many people think that when s**t goes south that there's an answer or a way to heal. honestly there's not much to be said when things actually happen. such is life right.

he sank within himself and Alyson was starting to get very uncomfortable. she looked over to the kitchen hoping the food would come.

Victor: im sorry i don't mean to come in here like this. everything is still fresh and...

Alyson: its okay. i understand. I'm not judging you.

Victor: where are my manners. how are you? what's new?

Alyson wanted to be careful with her words because he had already unloaded on her. it just didn't feel right to do the same. he might get the wrong idea.

Victor: can i get your number? i would love to catch up. i know you're closing and it looks like my food is done.

Alyson nodded in agreement and grabbed a pen to write her number on a napkin. she decided to put a heart and a smiley face next to her name. Victor sent her a text to give her his number, they said their goodbyes and he left.