Fifteen years. If you're wondering. That's how long it takes. Fifteen years. To fix it. Fifteen years. To become better. Fifteen years. When your life comes crashing down around you.
"Will you be staying with us long Sir?" The cute hotel concierge asked me.
I looked her over, but couldn't make any remarkable comparisons that would've put her on my list. She was pretty, young, probably still in college. She wore a black dress shirt, buttoned modestly, and a tight royal blue skirt that fell to her knees. "Not long." I replied. "I'll be apartment shopping for a few days while staying here. Then I'll be out of your hair." Nice hair it was too, long and blonde, although put up in a librarian style bun currently.
"It'll be nice having you Sir. We don't get much company here. Is this your first time in our little town?" Her subtle flirting had me rethinking how I wanted to spend my time tonight.
"No." I said sourly. "I've been here before. A long time ago."
Her eyes spoke of a woman begging to be taken. "I suppose then, that I should welcome you back, huh?" She was nervous, a little forward, but clearly unfamiliar with adult relations of my sort. "Welcome Sir, to Mount Parish." That Sir came almost too easily from her lips.
I took the room key that she provided to me, and made my way without another word. Welcome? Please! There wasn't anything welcoming about this town. Not to me. Not anymore.
The next morning, I awoke to the sight of her rushing to get dressed. Her embarrassment was obvious, she was forward with me before. That was probably a mistake, most women can't handle what I have to offer, although they relish it during the act. Mornings after like this weren't uncommon however, as the rush fades in the light of day. "Sorry Sir, I Uh. I didn't mean to wake you. I'm late for work." I allowed her to leave without another word.
As I exited the building that morning, she was avoiding meeting my eye. Also not very uncommon.
I made my way out into town with an apartment on my mind.
Hours later, I was being shown an available rental by a very attractive married brunette around my age. I knew her, but she didn't know me. By name and appearance I was an entirely new man. One that she watched carefully as I took a look around. "Well, Mr. Pearce? How do you like it?" She asked hopefully.
I turned to her and fixed my gaze. She blushed a pretty pink at my stare. "It's a bit soft for my tastes Susan. Too much carpet, too much light. I think we can find something better. Don't you?"
She wanted the sale, even realtors fall on hard times. "This is one of the nicest spots in town Sir. Are you sure it won't do? I could probably talk to the owner on your behalf, get you a discounted rate?"
I scoffed. "Nice. That's the last thing I'm looking for." I knew the game she was playing, having done my research far in advance over the past few years. Her boyfriend and her had quite the gambit going and together they got quick paydays working over their customers. She would sell specific apartments for commission, owned by her boyfriend, who would increase the rates almost immediately afterwards. Turnover was commonplace, which is how they got away with it the way they did. I meant to fix that. "Show me something on the outskirts. Bigger, darker, something with an edge to it." I knew where her boyfriend's properties extended. The outskirts wasn't among them.
She had trouble meeting my gaze, as she realized I wasn't interested. Her boyfriend wouldn't be happy, not that I cared. "I'll look into that for you Sir. It may take me a few days."
