I get some complaints on the length of time between chapters, but this isn't my day job. Yet. It's either I write stories like these on a monthly release cycle between the detective stories I usually release quarterly, or I go dark for three to four months at a time. These stories allow me to test concepts and try new things outside of my normal format. You might be able to read 10,000 words in a few hours, but I promise you, it takes a hell of a lot more time to write it. But hey, people getting anxious over the time between chapters is kind of good thing when you get down to it. It certainly shows the interest in the story. I'm a silver lining kind of guy.
I try to keep myself to a release schedule. I post on my bio estimated times of release for upcoming stories. I hope to have the next detective crime drama up before Christmas, and I'm working on it. Give the bio a look for updates if you're curious, or feel free to DM me on the forums if you have any questions.
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Diana's phone woke her up at fifteen till five. She had set the alarm while driving to Riley's knowing she'd need to wake up to drive home, change, and prepare for work. The alarm didn't stir Riley who was sound asleep. Carefully, she exited the bed to gather her clothing. Once fully dressed, she walked to his side of the bed and kissed his cheek. He groaned but didn't awaken.
There wasn't much light in the house, but there was enough to walk without second guessing her steps. Dawn was just breaking. Yellow-orange light was glowing through the windows, giving Diana enough light to maneuver with confidence. Taking a moment to look around, she saw the ironing board still propped up against the wall. She smiled, remembering how crisp his shirt was. It was nice to know he took the time for the small things too often ignored.
The streets of Ferry Grove were nearly empty, aside from a few early risers putting out their trashcans. She slowly drove wide around the occasional jogger. Two red lights slowed her down, and she waited for over a full minute for both even though no traffic was coming from either direction.
It was shortly after five in the morning when she tiptoed into her house. The first floor was dark, and it appeared empty. The front of her home faced west, so the first light was illuminating the other side of the house. Diana assumed Whitney was asleep. She removed her shoes at the door and took one step into the living room. The lamp next to the recliner snapped on.
"Gotcha!" Whitney said, making her mother jump back in surprise.
"Jesus!" Diana said, clutching her chest, feeling her heart race for a moment. "I said don't wait up."
"Where'd you go last night?" Whitney said with a grin.
"Had a few drinks, talked with some friends..."
"...mom, I'm fifteen, not five," Whitney said. She pulled the lever on the side of the recliner to draw the leg rest back so she could stand up. "You also have bed head, so I know you slept at someone's."
Diana looked at herself in the mirror and saw how her hair looked. If her and Riley continued this, she'd had to leave a silk pillowcase at his house.
"You caught me," Diana said with a laugh. "The date went very well."
"You gonna tell me with who?" Whitney asked, and Diana debated with herself if she told her so soon. "Come on mom."
"I was with Riley last night," Diana said, and watched her daughter eyes bulge.
"Riley Blake? You fucked Riley Blake?"
"Young lady," Diana said, chastising her for her language.
"Sorry, but, damn mom," Whitney said, and began giggling.
"I need to shower and get ready for work. You need to get ready for school," Diana said, and then noticed her backpack next to the chair, ready to go. "I'd appreciate breakfast if you wouldn't mind."
"Between you and me cooking? I'll pick me," Whitney said, and began to prepare breakfast.
Diana finished getting ready for work by fifteen before the hour. Whitney had an empty plate in front of her and was nibbling on toast as she scrolled on her phone. Some scrambled eggs were on the counter, kept warm between two paper plates.
"Thank you," Diana said. She picked up the plate and walked it over to the table. "Do you have any questions?"
"I know what sex is, mom," Whitney said, and lowered her phone. Her mother's face demanded more be said. "Not from experience, relax."
"Good. Not until you're thirty," Diana said. Whitney detected no sarcasm.
"Who asked who?" Whitney asked.
"He asked me," Diana replied, and Whitney started to giggle again. "Even you said we'd have a lot in common."
"Do you?" Whitney asked.
"We connected," Diana said, and Whitney put her hand over her mouth to smoother a laugh. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
"When was your last date?"
"Three years. And the one before that was two years. It's slim pickings the older you get," Diana said. Up until this point, she just relegated herself to believing that part of her life was over. That she was going to be single until she died.
"Was he cool?" Whitney asked.
"Absolute gentlemen," Diana said with a smile.
"Gentlemen have sex on the first date?" Whitney asked.
"Even gentlemen have dicks," Diana said. They both laughed, and Whitney teased her mother on her language.
"You gonna see him again?"
"I hope I do," Diana said. She then started to eat.
--
Riley had a feeling he would wake up alone. Diana had too important of a job to lounge around in bed. He wasn't offended. He understood. Rather than get out of bed immediately, he placed his hands behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. He smiled to himself, then tilted his head, wondering if he could still smell her on the pillow. Her scent was present; a lovely aroma of citrus he remembered from inhaling her during the night.
After several minutes, Riley committed himself to starting his day. He dressed without a shower, choosing loose fitting clothing he purchased at a moment when he felt a sudden desire to start an exercise regimen he never did begin. Much like his desire to learn how to cook or fix cars. He had a particular skillset, and his life never saw him wandering far from it.
He left his room in sweatpants and barefoot. Tilly was on the couch with a plate of food on her lap. Poached eggs on toast, sliced down the middle, and was now dipping the bread in the yoke.
"No company?" she asked, her head resting on the backrest to look at him.
"She had to leave early for work," Riley said while taking a cup of coffee from the pot Tilly had already brewed. He took a sip and immediately noticed it was much smoother than the way he normally made it. He had grown so accustomed to bad coffee, good coffee felt like losing his virginity. The pleasure, the joy, the general confusion of what happens next. "Seriously? What am I doing wrong?"
"What?" Tilly asked, and he raised his coffee cup to show her. "The golden ratio of coffee? That's more basic than hard boiled eggs. Must I teach you everything?"
