Altered Reality

CHAPTER ONE
         Just as the afternoon rush hour peaked on the mid-October day, Aimee Chadwick stepped outside her office building and immediately noted the early autumn weather matched her mood. As she walked to the nearest Metro station, she could not ignore the dark, menacing clouds that cast shadows under shop awnings or the chilly breeze that carried loose papers and fallen leaves around her feet. The distant thunder spoke to her in an odd, foreboding voice. She tightened the collar of her jacket tighter around her neck, took a deep breath then proceeded further along the sidewalk, purposefully avoiding looking into the faces of those she passed.
         Walking by the coffee shop, she glanced inside and stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes caught the questioning glare of the man she had noticed more than once inside the café the past year or so. He sat at the same table every morning but there was never any food or drink; there was none now.
         Aside from how good-looking she thought he was, there was also something mysterious about him that intrigued her. He was taller than the men she at first was attracted to, but his physical attributes was something she simply could not ignore:  He was at least six feet tall with silky black, wavy hair cut in a slight military way, medium complexion, broad shoulders, and although he always wore long-sleeved shirts, she could tell he had awesome biceps. And she had even checked out his unbelievable rear view when she stood behind him in line to place their orders. On the few occasions when they would make eye contact, Aimee often found her heart race wildly when she gazed into his light blue-grey eyes, which were outlined in a deeper blue. She always wanted to say something to him but with the exploding brain cells nothing came out. All she could do was nod good morning.
         Aimee was about to turn and walk away when he crooked his index finger for her to
come inside. Her heart stopped, something holding her back. She shook her head politely and headed back down the street.
         Just as she reached the intersection an unfamiliar voice shouted, “Hey! Wait up!”
         It being the Nation’s Capital, someone always hollered in the street. As usual, she paid no mind to it as she pressed the kiosk to cross the street. A moment later a gentle hand rested on her shoulder. She turned around to blast the intruder who had touched her but froze when she saw it was Coffee Hunk, as she had dubbed him.
         “Hi. I’m sorry to startle you,” he said, promptly removed his hand. Even though Aimee had heard his voice when he placed his coffee order, now, however, it was strangely calm and alluring – intoxicating even.
         Because Aimee was a tiny five foot, five inches tall, she had to tilt her head back as she looked up and up to look into his face. She waited for her head to break off and roll off into the street. “Yes, well, it is D.C. Ya can’t be too careful. There are some . . .” Stop rambling, idiot!
         When he saw the small box tucked under her arm he asked, “Is it your birthday?”
         Actually, her mother died only a month earlier in a horrific vehicle accident. Even with two weeks off to settle her mother’s estate and to deal with the deep loss, it still was not enough time to function on any level. Taking an extended leave of absence from work was the only way she believed she would be able to heal. When that healing would begin she had no clue.
         “No. I’m just—” She swallowed hard, making an effort to not say too much. “It’s an appreciation basket from my boss.”          
         “Oh, that was thoughtful of him.”
         Suddenly feeling vulnerable and emotionally exposed she began to panic. “I’m really sorry, but I’m meeting friends for dinner in a bit.” The truth was she was going home, nuking a frozen Stouffer’s green pepper steak dinner, taking a long, soaking bath with candles, soothing music then going to bed early.
         “Okay.” His voice was full of disappointment. “Well, maybe we can get together at the coffee shop another morning.”
         “Yeah, sure,” she replied, even though she doubted it would ever happen.
         “By the way, may I ask your name?”
         The answer to his question was simple, yet she had become oddly cautious. “Aimee.”
         “Nice to meet you. I’m Ian Mathison.”
         Shifting her feet she looked over at the crosswalk sign in hopes it had changed to allow her quick escape. Thankfully the seconds ticked down quickly. “Look, I’m running late.”
         “Oh, right, sure. I’m sorry. Good luck.”
         “Thanks. Bye.”
         As she crossed the street, she was grateful to get away from him, yet had an awkward sense that he was burrowing his eyes into the middle of her back. And he certainly was watching her. He knew it would not be the last time he would see her.
         As soon as Aimee got onto the train, the clouds opened up and it rained relentlessly. By the time she had walked home from the station by her house she was soaked to the bone. She relaxed in the tub for almost an hour, and when her stomach growled in hunger she decided to grab something to eat. Just as she stepped out of the tub and grabbed the bath towel, the phone rang. She did not want to answer it. She only wanted to be alone and wallow in her misery. Sighing heavily, she wrapped the towel around her as she went to the nightstand, picked up the phone and answered it unenthusiastically.
         “Hey, Aimes, you got cable?” It was Joey, a very good friend from work. She knew he wanted something when he used his nickname for her.
         She ran her fingers through her damp hair as she sat down on the bed. “Yes, I’ve still got cable. Why?”
         “Hmm. What are you wearing?”
         She shook her head when she heard his smile through the phone. “You are such a perv.”
         “And I’ll never change. You want company tonight?”
         She was in no mood to be social. “Oh, sweetie, I’d love to have you over, but now isn’t a good time.”
         “I figured you may not want company, but the truth is my cable went out because of the storm, and there’s this movie I want to see. I was hoping I could watch it with you.”
         “Tell you what, you bring Chinese food and some beer, and we’ll watch the movie.”
         “Uh, you got a sexy red nightie you can wear?”
         She could imagine the devilish grin on his face by the tone of his voice. She had seen it many times before. “Joey, knock it off.”
         “Okay, okay. What kind of Chinese do you want?”
         “What do I always order when we had it at work?”
         “Moo Goo Gai Pan of Shit.”
         “Uh, no,” she chuckled.
         “Sesame chicken, fried rice and one egg roll with lots of Duck sauce. Right?”
         “Yes, exactly. See ya in a bit.”
         “Okay.” He was silent for a second before he added quickly, “A pink nightie—”
         “Bye, Joey.”
         After they hung up, she sat on the bed for a while thinking about their friendship. When they first met at work she was a naïve eighteen year old; Joey was a few months younger. They were as different as night and day, yet as they found common interests their friendship easily evolved. He was a sweet and caring guy, but he had a few minor faults. At times, she did, too. They only had a couple of major fights when they would not talk to the other for days on end, but they would eventually forgive one another.
         She headed back into the bathroom to dry her hair. As she dried the last strands of her shoulder length golden blonde hair, she thought she heard a knock. She turned off the hair dryer and listened intently. Booger, her Calico cat sauntered into the bathroom, brushed up against Aimee’s leg and meowed. Cat Speak translation:  “Someone’s at the door, Mommy. Please see if they have catnip for me.”
         “Thanks for the warning, Booger.”
         Throwing on a thin, full-length robe, Aimee headed for the door. She could not help but giggle when she peered through the peephole and saw Joey making a goofy face. She immediately unlocked the dead bolt, unlocked the safety bolt then unlocked the door itself.
         “Hey,” she said as she held the door open for him. He simply stood in the doorway and looked her up and down, his eyes wide with a sly grin on his lips. “Shut up and get in here.”
         Joey winked as he walked past her and headed to the kitchen with Aimee closely behind. As he dug out the food from the large paper bag, she pulled out the plates and silverware and set them on the counter by the six-pack of beer. Grabbing a beer, she popped the top and drank it thirstily until it was half empty, not even paying attention to the expression on his face as he watched her.
         “Ah. I needed this,” she said as she set the mug on the counter and finally looked at him. “What?”
         “I didn’t think it’d be that difficult to get you drunk,” he teased with a sly grin.
         Shaking her head, she said, “I’m going to go change. Why don’t you take the food and plates in the living room, please.”
         “I have an idea. Why don’t you put something sexy on?”
         She stopped in mid-turn and looked at him. “All you get to see me in tonight are sweats and a t-shirt.”
         “Hmm. Does that mean you aren’t drunk yet?”
         “I’ll be right back. Booger, keep an eye on that man!” She dressed quickly and joined Joey by the coffee table on the floor and prepared her plate. “What time does the movie start?” she asked with a mouth full, then playfully stuck out her tongue.
         “That’s completely disgusting, you know that?” he admonished, but then laughed before he suddenly choked on his food, coughed heavily and patted his chest. He took a swig of beer to clear his throat. “Starts in half an hour. Think you’ll be done eating so I don’t choke to death?”
         “I’ll think about it,” she teased before she completely shut down and grew solemn. Silently, she pushed the food around her with fork.
         “What’s wrong? I was only joking.”
         “I know. Joey, I’m going to be so lost without you.”
         He was in the middle of putting a fork full of food in his mouth when he realized how grave she had become. He placed the fork down on the plate, grabbed his beer, leaned against the couch and stared at her, trying to read her thoughts. “Aimes, don’t get all grim on me. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
         “I’m just being realistic.”
         “No, you’re being stupid.”
         “Thanks,” she said as she finished her beer.
         “And I’ll miss you every day. No one can make coffee as well as you. But you are coming back. What are you planning on doing?”
         “I was thinking of heading somewhere for a few weeks, England, maybe. I could always go to San Diego and see Shamu, too.”
         “Ah, I should have guessed that one. I still have that dolphin you gave me from Orlando.”
         “Really? I thought you would have given that to one of your girlfriends,” she teased.
         “Oh, shut up,” he said with a smile then looked at his watch. “The movie is starting.”
         “What channel?” She grabbed the remote, swiveled around to face the TV and turned it on.
         “It’s HBO.”
         “Oh, sorry. I don’t have that movie channel,” she told him seriously.
         His eyes grew wide with disappointment until she chuckled. “That was mean.”
         “Maybe, but I’m cute.”
         Both settled against the couch and finished their dinners, having two beers each during the movie. Since she had seen it twice in the past, she thought of Ian, frustrated  that she could not get to know him better . . .
         “Aimes?” She turned to find Joey looking over her face inquisitively. “Where were you? You didn’t even watch the movie.”
         When she focused on the TV, the credits scrolled up the tube. “I, uh, I’ve seen it before.”
         “Oh. What were you thinking, by the way? Are you okay?”
         “Joey, I feel like I’m sixty years old, not twenty-four. I don’t know how everything can change so quickly. Since Mom’s been gone, I can only sleep a few hours a night. I can’t stand being by myself. I leave most of the lights and the T.V. on so I don’t come home to a dark house.”
         He did not say anything but instead grabbed the empty plates and went to the kitchen. Knowing how he hated being around melancholy people, she sighed then followed him, leaned against the sink, and watched him put the dishes in the dishwasher. When he was done, he stood beside her with his hands on the edge of the counter and looked over her face carefully. “Hun, you can talk to me, you know that, right?”
         She nodded. “I’m scared to death. I don’t think I should have taken the leave. Maybe work would have been a good distraction.”
         He shook his head fervently. “No, you made the right decision. I’ve noticed how difficult things have been for you, understandably enough.” She shrugged her shoulders, but did not say another further. “Who was that man you were talking to at the corner this afternoon?” he asked curiously.
         Aimee’s head swung to face him. “You were following me?” She did not know why she had flared up angrily like she did, but she did not have a chance to compose herself.
         He walked out to the living room. When he did not return, she went out after him and stopped at the couch, watching him. He pulled out a small desk calendar from his coat pocket. “When I saw this sitting on your desk, I went after you and saw you talking to him. You seemed into him.”
         “Are you jealous?” she asked, half joking, yet half serious.
         He frowned, seemingly hurt by her accusation. 
         Sitting down heavily on the couch, Aimee placed her hand on her forehead, suddenly feeling extremely exhausted. A second later, the cushion next to her shook as Joey sat beside her, his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, scrutinizing her face carefully.
         “That wasn’t fair. I’m sorry, Joey.”
         He brushed his shoulder against hers that made her look up, and their eyes immediately locked. “I just don’t want . . .” His voice trailed off, and he looked away ashamed.
         “You don’t want what?” she pressed.
         He sighed heavily then he looked back at her. “I don’t want you to see that guy again.”
         The expression on his face was something she had never seen from him, and she knew how dead set he was. While she was curious about his feelings, she was also briefly angry. “Why? We’ve already talked about crossing the line of our friendship. But you’ve never had a problem with my boyfriends before—wait, I’ve never had any, really. Do you know him?”
         He shook his head. “I know his type.”
         She placed her hand on his knee, and immediately pulled back when she felt something strange between them that surprised her. “I’m a big girl now. I can take care of myself.”
         “Maybe,” he said as he forced a comforting smile but failed miserably. “I’m allowed to worry about you if I want to, aren’t I?”
         She smiled. “I love that you worry about me, but you don’t need to.”
         Again, their eyes locked, and she suddenly felt her cheeks burn, something she always hated because she could never keep her true feelings hidden. She did not break eye contact and before she realized it, their heads drew closer until their lips met. They closed their eyes as the kiss grew, but she was confused when she felt her pulse quicken and her head began to swim. She groaned before she pulled away from him. His eyes were closed for several seconds before he realized her lips were no longer on his. He slowly opened his eyes and looked over her face.
         “Should I be frightened?” she asked, trying to forget how delicious his lips were.
         “That depends on you. Wanna give me that back massage you promised me on my birthday?” he answered flirtatiously.
         “Seriously, I mean about Ian.”  He nodded, seemingly ashamed.  “What’s with this guy?”
         “I just don’t want you to see him. He’s dangerous.”
         As she searched his eyes, she understood how vital it was that she stay away from Ian. She also realized that maybe Joey wanted her for himself. She had considered going out on a real date, but knew there was absolutely no way a relationship between the two would ever last. Wanting to avoid an argument, considering her day thus far, she relented and finally agreed. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
         Ian hid behind Aimee’s neighbor’s bush across the street and had grown very impatient and grumpy, almost bored. When Joey had first arrived, Ian silently cursed him, and for an instant he was thrilled at the thought of taking care of both of them at the same time. But that was not why he was there. He simply hunkered down and waited for Joey to leave.
         Before Joey showed up, Ian had planned on it taking only a few minutes. In and out; easy peasy. But after three hours, he had resolved that Joey would stay the night. Although disappointed, Ian was about to leave when the front door opened and Joey stepped out of the door, gave Aimee a hug and walked onto the sidewalk towards his car. Ian’s heart began to race; his mouth even became dry. He prepared to stand to approach the house, but Joey suddenly turned from his car, a jacket over his arm, and went back to the house. He knocked on the door a few times before Aimee finally answered and allowed him inside again, closing the door behind him.
         Ian cursed aloud that time when the living room light came back on. He had to remind himself that there was no rush.
         He could always come back.
         He would come back. And he would take care of her.