The Slade Chronicles: Chapter 3 – Part 1

Lunch was a mix of excitement and sorrow. We decided that the wedding would take place on Thanksgiving. It’s not a typical day to pick but we were not typical. Getting married at nineteen without being pregnant was a rarity. I called Ron, my boss, and Cheryl, his wife, to come over to Aurora’s parents’ house even though Aurora and I had just left their house to come there.

Mom and Charlene, Aurora’s mom, were suggesting a color theme and everything. With it falling on Thanksgiving Aurora and I asked for an orange, brown, and burgundy color theme.

“You can’t use those colors. It would clash with Aurora’s red hair,” Charlene explained.

“Mom,” Aurora started, “It makes sense to use these colors. They blend in with Thanksgiving color scheme, and I don’t care about the decorations. I’ll be wearing a white dress, and Slade will be in a black tux. Everything else is just gravy.”

“You can’t mean that,” Charlene asked.

“Yes, I do. Cheryl, help me out here. You have thrown many parties with many color themes,” Aurora pleaded with her.

“It’s true, I have thrown many parties. I think the colors could work out well. If the bridesmaids wore burgundy dressed and the guys wore black tuxedos like Slade’s then the rest will fall into place,” Cheryl said.

“Have you thought about a venue,” Ron asked.

“No, we have not. Who would even be open or available for a Thanksgiving wedding,” I said.

“How would you like it to be at the Country Club? The owner is a close friend, and he owes me a couple favors,” Ron suggested.

Aurora’s eyes lit up, “Do you think we could really have it there? What about catering and all the waitstaff? Wouldn’t they rather be at home with their families?”

“Let me worry about that. It will be our wedding gift to you and Slade,” Ron answered.

“Ron, you don’t have to do that, we can figure something else out,” John, Aurora’s dad, said.

“It’s no trouble. It would be our pleasure to help make their special day happen,” Cheryl added.

“That’s awfully nice of you Ron,” my dad, Jeff, said. Ron and my dad have been lifelong friends since elementary school.

“That’s settled then,” Ron said adding, “The Country Club on Thanksgiving day and the colors will be orange, brown, burgundy, white, and black.”

Everyone else left the Johnston’s house around 3pm I was the last to leave at 3:45. Aurora walked me out to my car to grab her bag. “I love you Slade! This is all happening so fast, but it feels right,” Aurora said.

“I love you too,” I said leaning in to give her a kiss. “I hope you have great first week at college. Don’t miss me too much.”

Aurora kissed me back, hugged me, and smiled before walking back towards the house.

That first week went by fast. Ron kept making excuses to come talk to me on the job site. He seemed to want to say something, but he never spoke up about anything out of the norm. It was just after lunch on Friday when I saw Ron approaching me.

“Hey Slade, you got a minute,” he asked.

“Sure thing boss, just let me put these tools away first,” I replied.

It took me about ten minutes to make sure everything was put away and secured in the trailer. Ron had gone back to his trailer office. I walked over and knocked on the door.

“Door’s open Slade,” Ron hollered from inside.

I opened the door and got a blast of cold air hitting me. Being the boss had its perks, like having an air-conditioned trailer. I knocked the dirt off my boots on the side of the metal steps leading up to the door. I took my hat off as I passed through the doorway.

“What can I do for you,” I asked.

“Have a seat,” Ron said pointing to the empty chair across his desk from him. He looked at me for a long second. “I have watched you grow up from an infant and now you are a young adult. I don’t have any children of my own, as you know. I’m thinking about retirement, no I’m not retiring any time soon, but I want to leave the company in good hands when that time comes. That is why I have asked you here. I want to mentor you to take over the company when I am ready to retire.”

I sat back, stunned into silence. “Me,” I asked. “I think Mike would be a better fit.”

“Mike has been with me for several years, he’s a great foreman, and he’s an honorable man, but he is also getting up there in years. I want young blood. Someone who I can mold and trust to run things long after I’m gone,” Ron said.

“I don’t know the first thing about running a construction business,” I protested.

“That’s why I am talking to you now. I want you to learn the business from me, but I also want to pay for you to go to school for business administration, and take a construction trades course,” Ron offered.

“I can pay for my own schooling,” I offered.

“I won’t allow that, call it an investment for the future, a scholarship if you want,” Ron commanded.

“Wow! Um… thanks… You have done so much for me already. I know you paid off my medical bills from the attack. That was more than enough. Then you hosted and threw the engagement party. And now you want to pay for the courses too. It’s too much,” I said.

“Look, you and your parents are the closest thing I have to family, other than Cheryl. Agree to this and we can celebrate tonight. I’ll invite your parents over and if you would like I will also invite Aurora’s parents so that they see how much potential you have for the future, not that they really have anything to worry about with you,” Ron pled.

“Okay, deal,” I said standing and offering my hand.

“Great,” Ron exclaimed shaking my proffered hand. “Now go pick up that sexy fiancée of yours from school and we will have a late dinner at my house.

I drove home as fast as I could without getting pulled over. I ran inside, grabbed clean clothes and hopped in the shower. I didn’t even wait for the water to get warm. I was in a hurry. Washed off the dirt and sweat from work. I quickly dried off and got dressed. I called Aurora and told her I would be there in about half an hour to pick her up and take her to dinner at Ron and Cheryl’s house.

I made the drive in twenty-three minutes. I was lucky there were no state troopers or sheriff’s deputies that saw me. Aurora was waiting for me curbside. She wore a green sundress with sandals. She looked amazing. I got out and opened the door for her, giving her a kiss before she climbed in. Once she was seated, I gently closed the door and ran around to the driver’s side and got in. Throwing the car in drive we took off. Aurora talked about her first week of classes, her roommate Daisy, and all the people she had met. Her talking filled the entire drive to Ron’s house. Our parents were all there already.

They were all out on the patio. We made our way through the house and out to them. “We’re here,” I said.

Aurora ran to her parents and gave them both a big hug. Then she hugged my Mom, and much to his surprise, she hugged my Dad. Finally, she walked over and gave Ron and Cheryl hugs. Ron threw steaks on the grill; he already had foil wrapped potatoes cooking on the grill.

“Dinner should be ready in no more than fifteen minutes,” Ron announced.

I helped Ron bring the steaks and potatoes while Cheryl, Aurora, and my Mom brought out salad, sauteed mushroom, and caramelized onions. Charlene asked Aurora how her first week was. She spent most of dinner repeating what she had already told me. I was done eating by the time she finished with her update.

Ron finally spoke up, “Thank you to everyone for being able to come on such short notice and join us this evening. Earlier today I had a nice chat with Slade, and we worked some stuff out. Slade, please share the good news with everyone,”

“Well, Ron wants to take my under his wing and mentor me to take over the business when he is ready to retire—” I started explaining.

“No, I’m not retiring any time soon,” Ron interjected after my dad shot him a look.

“With me agreeing to this, Ron also is going to pay for me to take some courses, at the technical college, that directly relate to the construction business,” I added.

“Oh, sweetheart that’s great news,” Mom said with approval.

“Ron, you don’t have to pay for his courses. You have already done so much. I have money saved that he can use,” Dad protested.

“I see it as making an investment in the future of the company Jeff,” Ron countered.

Dad was not really against it, but it was the principle of it. Ron appreciated his counteroffer, but both men knew it was already settled and not up for discussion.

Aurora gave he a hug, “I’m so proud of you!”

“Let’s go get something stronger,” Ron said finishing off his beer, “The bar is open!”

Everyone got up from the table. Mom came around and gave me a hug. John and Charlene came over to congratulate me. “Slade my boy, you are going places,” John said shaking my hand.

We walked into the den where Ron had built the bar. The ladies all had wine and us men had whiskey. I coughed a bit as the first sip went down. All the guys laughed. I laughed too and took another sip. I drank plenty of beer in my eighteen years but never had anything stronger.

Aurora started hanging all over me. Touching my arms, a brush against my cock. She was driving me insane. I wanted to take her to a room and fuck her so bad, but our parents were still there. “Settle down,” I scolded, “There is plenty of time for that later.”

Aurora pouted and walked away, swaying her hips knowing that I was watching her. I joined in on the conversation about football. Arguing about who was the best QB or wide receiver. Aurora kept making seductive facial expressions towards me. At around ten, mom announced that dad had enough to drink and she was going to drive them home. John said that they would follow them back to town to make sure they got home safely. Everyone said their goodbye’s.

Ron, Cheryl, Aurora and I went to sit in the living room. Aurora practically sat on me. She was pawing at me and kissing my neck. I was trying not to be rude to our hosts, but I was starting to succumb to Aurora’s antics.

Cheryl smiled and said, “You know, we are having two couples over three weeks from tomorrow. Would the two of you be interested in joining us?

Aurora paused, “Of course we would love to join in.”

“Yay! You are going to love them,” Cheryl exclaimed.

“I need get Aurora back to her dorm. She has plans with her roommate in the morning,” I said standing up, pulling Aurora up with me.

“Awe, do you have to,” Cheryl pouted.

“Yeah, I already promised I’d show Daisy around town and treat her to lunch,” Aurora responded.

With that Ron and Cheryl walked us out, waving goodbye as I pulled out of the driveway. Aurora fished my cock out and started giving me roadhead. I had a tough time concentrating on driving. I scolded her and told her to wait until later, hoping we would have some alone time.

“Oh, alright,” she pouted, tucking my cock back into my pants.

I parked my car in a parking lot for visitors. We walked to Aurora’s building.

“I want you to meet my roommate, Daisy,” Aurora said.

“I’d love to meet her,” I responded. Disappointed that we wouldn’t have any alone time after all.

We entered the dorm and walked up the stairs to the third floor and made our way down a long hallway to her room. Aurora unlocked the door and guided me into the room. Laying on the bed was the tiniest girl. She stood up and walked up to me. “Hi, I’m Daisy,” she said.

“Hi Daisy, I’m--,” I started to say.

“You’re Slade, It’s so nice to finally meet you,” she gushed.

I went to shake her hand but instead she launched herself at me and gave me the tightest hug I have ever had. She stood around five feet tall. Her blonde hair had a pixie cut and she was very petite.

“Sorry, I’m a hugger. Aurora told me ALL about you,” Daisy said with emphasis on all. She released me from the bear hug.

Aurora grabbed my hand. She led me to her bed and we sat down. The three of us talked for a few minutes before I asked where the bathroom was.

Aurora showed me the way saying, “I’ll be back in my room. I want to change into something more comfortable.”

I got done pissing and washed my hands. Then I splashed cold water on my face. I tried to calm down from being so horny. We can’t do anything with Daisy there. I made my way back to their room. I heard giggling before I knocked. “Who is it,” Daisy asked.

Aurora burst out laughing. “I hope it’s a hot guy,” she said opening the door.

I stopped. Aurora was only wearing a smile. Daisy was standing behind her, wearing the same. Daisy giggled and blew me a kiss.

Daisy’s tits were small, almost flat, but her nipples stood out at least half an inch and they were thick. Her pussy was shaved. She looked so tiny.

Aurora grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me into their room, slamming the door behind me. Aurora then pulled the bottom of my shirt up. I raised my hands to help her but had to finish removing my shirt because she couldn’t reach that high. I tossed it on the floor in the corner.

“Oh my god! He’s so hot,” Daisy exclaimed.

“Come over here and help me get the rest of his clothes off,” Aurora offered.

“Oh goody,” Daisy squealed as she grabbed for the button on my jeans.

Aurora waited for Daisy to drop my pants before she stepped behind me and grabbed the sides of my boxers. “Ready for the main attraction,” she asked as she pulled my boxers down.

My hard cock bounced up and almost hit Daisy in the face. “Holy fucking shit! That thing is huge. I don’t think it will fit,” she said.

“Only one way to find out,” Aurora said offering my cock to her roommate.

I guess I was wrong about not getting lucky tonight. Daisy placed her hand around my cock. She felt the weight of it and then gave it a few tugs. Looking up at me she brought her lips to my cock head. With lust in her eyes, she gave the tip a kiss and then opened her mouth as wide as she could and took the head into her mouth. Her small hands made my cock look bigger. She stroked me as she twirled her tongue around the head.

Aurora came around to watch her roommate. Her pussy was glistening. Without realizing it, she slid a hand down and started to play with herself. Daisy popped my cock out of her mouth and stood up. She went to her bed and laid down on her back.

“Come here eat my pussy,” she begged of me.

I got between her legs and licked her labia. She was very wet. I licked up to her clit and gave her nub a little suck as I slid a finger into her tight honey hole. She whimpered. I continued to finger fuck her for a few minutes before I stopped eating her pussy and kissed my way up her body. I stopped at her A-cup tits and sucked a nipple into my mouth. She let out a gasp and low moan. I pinched the other nipple between my thumb and index finger. She arched her back and moaned again. I continued kissing up her chest, kissing her neck, then kissing her jaw, then cheek and finally I kissed her mouth. Our tongues danced and explored each other. My cock poked her inner thigh. She spread her legs wide. My cock pushed against her pussy.

The tip penetrated her lips. Daisy let out a gasp. I slowly slid my cock in until it wouldn’t go in anymore. “I feel so full,” she whimpered. “Fuck me, please fuck me.”

I pulled out and pushed in again, going an inch deeper into her pussy. “Oh fuck. Aurora, get your ass over here and sit on my face,” Daisy demanded.

Aurora climbed onto the bed and positioned her pussy over Daisy’s face. Daisy lifted her head and licked Aurora’s wet pussy. Aurora sunk down onto Daisy and rode her face to a quick orgasm. Watching Daisy bring Aurora to orgasm made me cum. Daisy’s body shook as I unloaded my weeks’ worth of cum. I pulled out and Aurora leaned down and started to 69 with Daisy. Aurora licked my cum out of Daisy’s pussy.

I watched as I recovered for a few minutes. Before long I was hard again. I got behind Aurora and thrust my cock into her pussy. Daisy licked my balls as they slapped her face. Aurora came, squirting on Daisy’s face.

“Holy Fuck! That was fucking awesome,” Daisy exclaimed as she was now covered in Aurora’s juices.

I reached around and fondled Aurora’s breasts and pinched her nipples. Aurora was pushing back on me and squeezing her cunt muscles. I felt the buildup of pressure, and I came, balls deep, in her pussy. As I pulled out, cum dripped out into Daisy’s open mouth. She swallowed it and then proceeded to clean up the creampie I gave Aurora.

Aurora got up and went to lay in her bed, I followed. We fell asleep cuddling. I woke up at 9am. Aurora was awake and Daisy was gone.

“Good morning beautiful.”

“Morning, stud.”

“I should get going. I have to help Dad with yardwork.”

“I wish we could spend the day together.”

“Me to babe.”

I got up and got dressed in yesterday's clothes. Aurora gave me a hug and grabbed my ass. I leaned down and kissed her.

“Tell Daisy that I had a great time and hope the three of us can do it again sometime soon.”

With that I left her dorm room and walked to my car. The drive home was pleasant, the sun was shining, traffic was light, and I had one hell of a night. I turned down our road and slowed; there was an unmarked police car and an unfamiliar car parked on the street in front of our house. I parked in the driveway and walked to the side door. Mom met me there, she looked worried.

‘What’s wrong, is Dad hurt,” I asked before she could say anything.

“Your Dad is fine, it’s about Mike. His parents posted bond and he was released yesterday.”

“Oh, that’s it?”

“Mr. Jones, have a seat,” one of the detectives, that visited me in the hospital, said.

Dad looked worried too.

“Michael Schulist was released from the county jail yesterday,” the detective said.

“Okay but why are you here,” I asked.

“As part the conditions of his release, he would be under house arrest and had to wear an ankle monitor,” the second detective said.

“Sometime early this morning he cut the ankle monitor off and he fled before deputies could get there after dispatch was notified of the alarm. Before he cut it off, he broke into his dad’s safe and stole his dad’s gun,” detective number one added.

I swallowed the lump in my throat down.

“Before he was released, he was overheard threatening to kill you while talking to Stephen Smith. You will have an undercover police escort with you until further notice.”

“Fuck him,” I yelled getting up from the table.

“Slade sit down!” Dad yelled continuing, “This is a real threat, not some schoolyard bullshit.”

I sat down with a huff, “Fine!”

“We have an undercover deputy ready to go. Deputy Flynn, please come here,” one of the detectives ordered.

A redheaded woman about the same size and build of Aurora stepped into the kitchen. She stood at attention.

“We figured it would be easier to hide someone in plain sight, so we asked Deputy Flynn to pose as your girlfriend, Aurora,” the detective explained.

What a trip. She looked like she was in her early twenties. Hair length and color were similar. She is as curvy as Aurora is, but her breasts looked bigger. Kind of hard to tell under the large sweatshirt she was wearing. It had the logo from the UWSP, the college Aurora was currently attending.

“Please call me Jenn,” Deputy Flynn said offering her hand.

“Uh, ni… nice to meet you I guess,” I stuttered.

“Deputy Flynn will be with you while you aren’t working. We also have three male deputies rotating shifts to work on the job site with you,” the detective added.

“All this because of one guy? Adding, “I doubt Mike would try anything.”

“We don’t want to take any chances.”

“Do I have a choice in the matter?”

“Yes, you do but we strongly advise you to accept the protection.”

“I will for now, but if this interferes with my work or my life in anyway, so help me I will pull the plug.”

“Noted,” the second detective said.

With that the two detectives left, leaving Deputy Flynn behind. Mom offered her something to drink. She asked for water as she took a seat at the table.

“You look so much like Aurora, it’s uncanny,” Mom said.

“That was the idea. If Mike is watching from a distance, our hope is that he will think I am Aurora with Slade and his guard will be down,” Deputy Flynn responded.

“Deputy Flynn—,” I started.

“Please call me Jenn but try not to use my name in public incase Mike is within hearing distance.”

“Okay, Jenn how does this work?” I asked.

“Well, if you leave the house I go with you. I will drive you to work and pick you up from work. Essentially, I will be living with you, posing as your girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” I said.

“Oh, well congratulations.”

“You should call Aurora and let her know what is going on. We already contacted the campus police, and they will keep an eye on her.”

I got up and went to the house phone. Her phone rang until the answering machine picked up. I had to leave a message for her to call me as soon as possible.

“Slade and I have yardwork to do,” Dad said to Jenn.

“Okay is there anything I can help with outside, I really should be near Slade, or he will have to stay indoors.”

“We can always use an extra hand.”

“Great if someone could point me to the bathroom, I’ll be ready to go in a few minutes.” she said.

Jenn came out wearing a sports bra, spandex shorts and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Damn she was hot. She could have passed for Aurora’s sister. She followed Dad and me out to the garage. Dad told me to use the push mower. I pulled it out and filled the gas tank. Once I put the gas can away, I gave the pulled cord a yank. It fired right up. I went into a trance listening to the hum of the mower, I was lost in my own thoughts when Jenn got my attention. She had a glass of fresh lemonade Mom had brought out. I stopped the mower taking the glass from her. Our fingers touched. My heart skipped a beat. Jenn seemed to pause too. She quickly turned away and I took a few sips from the glass. Mom always made the best lemonade.

I wiped my brow and walked over to the patio table and set the glass down. I had about half an hour worth of mowing left to do. I got back to it. Once I was done, I put the mower away. Mom hollered that lunch was ready. I went inside and walked down the hallway towards the bathroom to wash up. I bumped into Jenn, as I went to open the door, almost knocking her down. I grabbed her arms as she gripped my biceps.

“Sorry,” I said startled.

“Me too,” she responded, her face turning bright red.

She ducked out of my way and I entered the bathroom. I washed my hands and face, splashing cool water on it. “This is going to be torture,” I thought to myself. I joined everyone in the kitchen and sat down at the table. We had ham and cheese sandwiches with potato salad and wedges of watermelon. Lunch was refreshing. After eating Dad, Jenn, and I went back outside to finish the yardwork.

It was almost 3 o’clock when we finished. I was dirty and hot. Dad showered first and then I insisted that Jenn go next. She thanked me. She came out in a tank top, cargo shorts, and her hair was wrapped in a towel. Her nipples poked through her top. My mouth watered, wanting to suck on them. She caught me staring and smiled with a wink. Embarrassed, I quickly made my way into the bathroom.

I opted for a cold shower. I needed to calm down before I crossed a line. She was there to protect me, not fuck me. I stood under the showerhead for longer than normal. I got out and wrapped a towel around my waist. I stepped out of the bathroom and headed to my bedroom when Jenn came around the corner, she gasped at the sight of me.

Her eyes widened as she looked at my chest and abs, “Aurora retuned your call. Your mom had me talk to her and give her the update. She took it well, at least it sounded like she did.”

“Thanks, I’ll give a call back to make sure,” I said before turning and entering my bedroom. I closed the door behind me. My cock was semi hard. I got dressed, pulling on a Slipknot t-shirt and black basketball shorts. I decided not to wear underwear, which would turn out to be a mistake later.

“Your Mom and I are going out to eat and then a movie. You should go to Napa to get an oil filter and the oil so we can do that oil change on your car,” Dad said reminding me of our project for tomorrow.

“Shit, sure thing Dad,” I said.

They left and Jenn sat in the living room watching tv. I went to return Aurora’s call. She answered, “Hello.”

“Hey sexy, how was your day,” I asked.

“Uneventful compared to yours I imagine.”

“Yeah, kind of crazy, isn’t it?”

“I hope they catch Mike soon. I’m going to be worrying about you constantly.”

“Did Jenn tell you that the campus police would be keeping an eye on you?”

“Yes, she did. She sounds hot,” Aurora teased.

“I wouldn’t know,” I said downplaying her beauty.

“You are a liar Slade Brando Jones,” she chided me. “She told me that she was picked because she was similar to me in appearance.”

“I guess.”

“I know you better than you know yourself. Be safe and I will reward you next time we see each other.”

“I will. I love you!”

“I love you too. Stay safe!”

She hung up and I placed the phone back on its base. Jenn was still watching tv when I entered the living room. She looked up and smiled.

“I need to go to Napa before they close. Dad and I are changing the oil in my car tomorrow and I need to get the supplies,” I announced.

“Sure, let me put on a t-shirt and I can drive you there.”

The trip to the auto parts store was quick. We got home within forty-five minutes. I left the oil and filter in the garage, and we went inside the house.

I grabbed the copy of Sports Illustrated sitting on the table next to Dad’s recliner. Jenn turned the tv back on as she took her t-shirt off. I skimmed the pages, trying not to look at Jenn. I was failing miserably. I was staring at her again but started daydreaming this time. A throw pillow hit me in the face. I snapped out of it.

“Earth to Slade,” Jenn said waving at me.

“Wha… What,” I asked

“I asked you if you wanted anything in particular for dinner.”

“I don’t know. Pizza is always good.”

“I love pizza. What do you want on it?”

“Anything, I’m not picky.”

Jenn made a phone call and about 45 minutes later there was a knock on the front door. She peeked through the curtains to see who it was then she opened the door. Someone handed her two large pizzas and a liter of soda. She thanked them and closed the door. Jenn set the pizzas and soda on the coffee table. I went to the kitchen to get paper plates, napkins, and two glasses filled with ice.

I placed them on the coffee table and Jenn told me to dig in. I opened the top box, and it was a meat lovers. Then I looked in the second one. It had the works. I took a slice from each box and sat next to Jenn on the sofa. She did the same. I had finished my first slice when Jenn coughed. She had choked on an olive but was able to dislodge it herself. I grabbed the soda and filled both of our glasses.

I handed her the glass and she took a sip. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

We continued to eat until we were both stuffed and half of the soda was gone. I leaned back on the sofa and groaned. Jenn laughed. “What’s so funny,” I asked.

“Nothing, just remembered something that Aurora said to me.”

“Now you have got to tell me.” I turned to her.

“Nope.”

I reached out and tickled her. Both of us froze. We stared into each other’s eyes. Then Jenn pushed me back and climbed over me. With her weight on me she leaned down and kissed me. I kissed her back. Our hands roamed. Mine came to rest on her breast. Her nipples were hard again. I slid my hand under her tank top.

Jenn pulled back and stood in a flash. “We can’t do this. I’m on duty and we… We just can’t.”

“You’re right. I have Aurora and she’s not here.” I sat up and placed the leftover pizza from one box into the other. I grabbed both boxes and the soda and walked away to the kitchen. I put the pizza in the fridge along with the soda. I turned around and Jenn was standing there holding the glasses, half full of melted ice. She took them over and placed them in the sink.

I stepped up behind her, placing my hands on her hips. “Slade, this isn’t a good idea. What about Aurora?”

I spun her around so that she was facing me. She was looking into my eyes. I saw the confliction in hers. I slid my hands from her hips to her back and stopped. I felt hard steel. I dropped my hands and stepped back.

“That is my service weapon. You didn’t think I would be protecting you while unarmed?”

“I guess not, I didn’t think about that.”

“Look, this is my first protection detail. I don’t want to screw this up. If I do it would be a career ender or worse.”

“Worse?”

“Mike could follow through and complete his threat.”

“Oh.” I went pale and got a little wobbly. I grabbed a chair to steady myself.

“It looks like the gravity of the situation has finally hit you.”

“I just need a minute. Could you get me a fresh glass of water?”

Jenn dumped the watered down soda in to the sink and turned on the kitchen faucet and let it get cold before filling the glass and handing it to me. “Thanks,” I said.

Jenn sat in the chair across from me. We sat in silence. I started to get my color back and felt a little better.

“I should go lay down. I’m tired. Did my mom get you settled in the guest room?” I asked.

“She did. I’m all set. Have a good night and I’ll see you in the morning.”

I opened the door to my room but didn’t turn on the light. I pulled off my shirt and plopped down on my bed. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I woke up when the sun was well up in the sky. I put my shirt back on and walked slowly down the hall. The door to the guest room was slightly ajar. I was rubbing my eyes as I peeked in the opening. Jenn was getting dressed. She was only wearing panties. Her back was to me, but I got to see some side boob. Her skin was the same milky white as Aurora’s. I heard a noise coming from the kitchen, so I quickly moved on.

Mom was washing up the dishes from Dad’s breakfast and the glasses from the pizza last night. I gave Mom a kiss on the cheek and said, “Good morning.”

“Morning sleepyhead,” she teased. “Make yourself some toast and be sure to clean up after yourself.”

I ate the toast and cleaned up. I went back to my room and changed into the old shop overalls I would wear when working on our cars or other small engines. I met Dad in the garage. He was just rummaging through the boxes he never gets rid of.

“Ready,” he asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” I answered.

We got to work. I drove my car up onto the portable ramps that we placed inside the garage, with Dad directing me. I put the car in park and engaged the parking brake before getting out. Dad had the oil pan already under the car. I grabbed the socket wrench and laid down on the creeper. I slide under the car and loosened the drain plug, dropping it into the oil pan. “Shit!”

“Did you drop the plug in the oil pan again?” Dad asked with a chuckle.

“Yup.”

“You can fish it out once the oil is done draining.”

I slid the creeper out from under the car. After ten minutes I slid back under the car with a rag and dipped my fingers into the oil, looking for the plug. I found it and used the rags to wipe my hand and the drain plug. Once clean enough. I screwed the plug back in and tightened it with the socket wrench. Then I went about removing the oil filter. It gave me a little trouble, but I got it off and replaced it with the new one. I slid out on the creeper and handed Dad the used filter. Then I got down and dragged the full oil pan out, carefully to not spill any on the driveway.

Dad popped the hood of my car and poured the new oil in while I poured the old oil into an empty galleon milk jug. When I was finished I stood by Dad and we talked about everything going on. He warned me about temptation as if he knew I was tempted with Jenn. Of course he knew. She looked exactly like Aurora. I told him that there was nothing to worry about and that I was completely in love with Aurora. He accepted that and the subject was changed to baseball.

I drove my car off the ramps and parked it back a bit so we could pull Mom’s car back into the garage. As I got out, I thought I saw someone standing in the woods that are next to our property. I stopped to look. Dad came over to me because I wasn’t answering him.

“Hey, what’s the problem? You go deaf,” he asked.

“What… No, I thought I saw someone in the woods watching me,” I answered.

He grabbed me and rushed me into the house. “Jenn, Slade thinks he saw someone in the woods,” he said grabbing his binoculars.

Jenn rushed out with her weapon pulled. Mom ran to me and covered me like I was a little kid in danger. Dad and Jenn stood on the driveway and used the binoculars to see if they could spot anyone. After they were sure it was clear Jenn called for me to come outside. “Where exactly did you see this person,” She asked.

I pointed, “About 150 feet away, behind that large dead oak tree.”

“Okay, go back inside. Both of you. Now,” she ordered and started to walk towards the tree that I had pointed out. She came back 15 minutes later and used the phone to call dispatch. Within 15 minutes there were six squad cars, eight sheriff’s deputies and a K-9 dog congregated in our garage.

Jenn told the deputies to be on the lookout for signs of anyone and led them to the tree. There she had found a candy bar wrapper, three cigarette butts, and an empty Mountain Dew bottle. One deputy told another to grab the discarded items. They should be able to get fingerprints from the bottle at the very least. The K-9 and other deputies combed the woods, but the dog lost the scent on an old logging road.

The Sherriff was at the house speaking with my parents and I when the others came back. “I think it’s time we move young Slade to somewhere he can be safe,” the Sherriff said.

“You think Ron would have me? I mean with everything going on,” I asked Dad.

“I’m sure he would. Let’s give him a call,” he suggested.

The Sherriff looked at me with a questioning look as we went inside to the kitchen. “Ron Abernathy, he’s my boss,” I said.

Ron agreed to help hide me out at their house. Now the question was how to get me there safely. They didn’t want me to take my car since Mike knew what it looked like and could follow it. Jenn suggested that she and I hide in the back of a squad car. That was the easiest and quickest way to get me out of town. I packed a large suitcase. Gave Mom a hug and Dad a handshake. “I’ll be okay, I promise,” I said as I let go of Mom.