The explanation / justification for my having the nerve to write a sequel to 'Roomers' is summarized at the beginning of Ch. 01. I hope I've slipped in enough back-story so that you don't have to have read the first series to enjoy this follow-up. On the other hand, if you're a 'Roomers' virgin, it would certainly help to scroll through it quickly.
Two points: remember to vote and remember I respond to non-anonymous feedback.
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'How come you spend so much time lookin' outa that dam' window?' Jeez, what a dumb question.
My comfort zone, Annie. Guess it's where I do my thinkin'. You gotta go already?' She was dressed, hair still damp from the shower, looked exactly like a well-fucked woman. Fact is, she looked almost exactly like the first time I saw her. Older, sure, but she was handling it pretty good. Still gave the best BJ's in the fuckin' universe too. I was kinda glad ol' Ray was mostly out of her system.
'You're getting' too set in your ways, Doug. You wanna come eat with us? Kids been askin' about you some.' Women don't always appreciate I like being set in my goddam ways. I shrugged and wriggled my toes in the rug.
I kinda enjoy lookin' out the window, kid. You know that already. Spring's on the way, and it's always sorta pretty this time of year. What's the plan?' She snorted.
'Girls in spring clothes are sorta pretty, I guess you mean. What we'll do is pick up the kids from Maria's, hit the mini mart for beer, seein' as you're visitin', start cookin', thank God it's Sunday.' Sounded real dull to me
'How about pick the kids up, eat at Daisy's Diner, catch their early bird special? Easier for you, more fun for the kids.' She looked at me and grinned.
'And you won't be stuck waitin' for me to finish cookin'. Right?' Busted. I nodded and grinned back.
'That too. Use the truck, bring y'all back here after?'
'Jeez, Doug, I'm still kinda excited havin' a car and you won't even let me drive ya round town. Your way, I guess, less you're worried 'bout lookin' too much like a regular family.' Good point, but a good cause.
'Guess I'll risk it this time.' She looked sorta pleased when I said that, followed me out to the truck without any more moaning. I fired it up and we rolled. She was sitting quiet, looking pretty happy, and I gotta say she had reason. Five months since the shop opened and she reckoned she'd be showing a profit any minute. That made me feel pretty good too. Smug as well, you want me to be totally honest. Entrepreneur Doug.
Fact is, entrepreneur ain't quite the word. Venture capitalist is nearer the mark, you wanna be picky. Any college town has a fixed proportion of hippy wannabes, and this one's no different. And Annie sure knew how to sell bongs and stuff so the kids thought they were getting advice from the horse's mouth. Which they were, come to think of it: woman was a goddam expert when it came to smoking out. Seemed like I'd done myself a real good turn too. I mean, I was gonna get my money back, plus some tax breaks, plus someone one hundred ten percent on my side, no questions; always useful. Guess I made that point already, but it sure is an important one. Sex was OK too. Regular occasional, getting better every time; I wasn't pushing any: making warm and sensitive, biding my time is all. You lose your husband in a real unpleasant way, you gotta right to a little space. Guess I'd called it right this time. Found that out the first evening I went round to the new shop. She'd smiled when I walked in.
'You know Kirsty came round, told me she was splittin' for a coupla weeks?' I'd nodded.
'Told her right at the beginnin' it was friends with privileges, no more no less. Might even have said it a little firm.' Snort from Annie.
'She still thinks the sun shines out of your selfish goddam ass. I kinda like her though. Awful young, but she's been real good with the kids, and she thinks stuff through some. I kinda admire her for that. Told me how she and you got together too. Thought I was gonna shit tryin' not to laugh.' I let that one slide.
'You give her any good advice?' She'd shrugged.
'What I told her before. You're red hot in the sack, you're a helluva lot of fun, and you're cold as fuckin' ice when you want something bad. Let her talk about you a little, told her she was smart enough to handle it. She's still hopin', but she ain't gonna collapse when she realizes it ain't gonna happen.' One of the things Annie does real good, she knows how women think.
'Cold as fuckin' ice? That's kinda hard, ain't it?' She'd smiled then.