Home away from Home

You start the engine and pull from the parking lot. You begin to drive once more.

Both you and Elsie are buzzing. Your conversation starts naturally, both of you trying to play it cool about just how much you liked your new friends but it isn't very long until Elsie cannot stop talking about Felix and you are the same about Casey. Both of you laugh, each recognizing just how smitten the other was. Neither of you could wait to meet them again. You were getting a bit too swept away by it all.

"Oh my god, we are being so silly El. We just met those two!" You exclaim. "We've got to slow down here."

She giggles. "I know, I know!"

You each look at each other, smile, and begin to laugh once more. You could be wrong but you had a very distinct feeling a similar conversation was going on between Felix and Casey at this very moment. Something just clicked between the four of you. You wished you could have found some reason to keep the night with them going. You couldn't wait to talk to Casey again.

"Oh my goodness. Casey is so lovely isn't she!?" El says. "That hair, those eyes, wow!"

"I know, right? And Felix. Slim and trim and boyishly handsome."

Elsie giggles once more. "Like someone else I know."

You chuckle. "El!"

She waves your criticisms away. "I know, I know! Just sayin, there is a resemblance."

You look over at her. God she looked happy. Her fragile breakdown earlier seemed a distant memory now...though a memory you would never forget. You hoped and prayed that Felix wouldn't break Elsie's heart. But it sure had gotten off to a good start.

You continue to drive. You had no destination and it was getting late now, into the wee hours of the morning. You hear El's long yawn.

You let out a sigh. "Well..."

As if reading your mind she offers. "We don't have to go home."

You look at her wondering what she meant.

"Aunt Peg. She said if I ever needed some time away from the house. Anytime. I could go to her place. She won't mind." Elsie, her eyes suddenly a bit sadder. "She...knows. About Fiona."

"She does!?"

Elsie nods. "Yeah. I swore her to secrecy though. Even from Mom. Peg has really helped me out these last few years. I...I honestly don't know if I'd still be here...without her."

"Elsie!" You reach across and take her hand. "God El, I wish you had of talked to me."

El squeezes your hand tight. "I know. I'm okay now, it was rough for a while though. She had a few words with Fiona, not mentioning anything specific of course. It seemed to help, for a while. She...um..." Elsie then smiles again. "...she even knew about my crush...on you."

"Huh." It made sense. Peg and Elsie had always enjoyed a close relationship. To be honest...they were probably the closest things to sanity this nutty family had. "Okay, Aunt Peg's it is."

You turn at the next corner and start driving toward the upscale neighborhood your successful Aunt lived. She was your mother's older sister and a brilliant geneticist. The streets are quiet. The only vehicle you pass along the way was a police cruiser. You notice the lanky black female officer take a good long look at your car as it passes.

You soon pull up to your Aunt's ultra contemporary house. You are surprised to see a light on in the living room. You park in her driveway and you can see the shapely form of your aunt approach the huge picture window. She watches you and Elsie approach her front door and she soon moves to come greet you.

The door opens as you approach it.

"El? Jesse?" Her face was a mask of concern. "Everything okay?"

She was slurring her words, the flush of **** consumption across her regal face.

Elsie hurries forward and hugs her Aunt. "Never better! We just...needed a place."

Your aunt looks from El, to you, back to El again. "Ohhhh. I see. Okay then. I guess I can make up the downstairs guest room, it is very private."

Elsie laughs and shakes her head. "It's not that. Oh Auntie Peg, we've just had the most wonderful night!"

Peggy grins and waves you inside. "Oh? Great. Come in, come in! I want to hear all about it."

You walk up and hug your aunt then close and lock the door behind you.

A smooth jazz song is playing softly. An almost empty glass of red wine sat on your aunt's coffee table beside an almost empty bottle of that same wine and a laptop. On the computer you could see...well...you weren't sure what you were seeing. Scientific formulas and other mumbo jumbo that meant nothing to you. Your workaholic aunt had been burning the midnight oil.

Your aunt still had on the tight black skirt and white collared blouse she wore to the lab, though the top few buttons of her shirt had been undone to reveal her milky cleavage. For a woman in her mid 40's your aunt was in tip top shape. You had to admit that she was one hell of a hot milf.

"Working late?" You observe.

"Yeah, always." She replies with a tired sigh. She removes her glasses and rubs her eyes. She walks over and flips her screen down then picks up the bottle and glass and takes them to the kitchen. The entryway, kitchen, and living room were all connected in a spacious open design. Everything about your aunt's place just oozed good taste and class. You couldn't help but think...Casey would like it here.

You shake your head. God, you didn't even know the girl really. One step at a time Jesse old boy, one step at a time.

You and your sister pull off your shoes and jackets and put them away. Elsie hurries to her aunt's side.

"Jesse knows." Elsie confides. "I told him...everything."

Aunt Peg looks slowly up at your sister. "Good." Is all she says.

Elsie then goes on to explain to your Aunt all that had happened that night. From the strange wager to the meal to your crazy scheme to the lows of your post cucking episode to the highs of your night out with your new friends. Elsie goes on about how amazing you were, how supportive you were after the confession, how encouraging you were with Felix, and generally just what a great brother you were. You stand nearby, allowing Elsie to have this moment.

When it had all been said your aunt turns to you, approaches, and gives you a long hard hug. She whispers in your ear. "John would have been so proud of you tonight." John...your Dad.

You hug her back. "Thank you." You then add, thinking about how she helped Elsie through her tough times. "Thank you for everything."

"Hey, sorry Chloe got involved in all that business." Peg apologizes for her child.

"No, it was my fault. It was all my fault." You fess up. You couldn't blame Chloe for being Chloe.

She holds you a long time before walking over to El and doing the same. Finally she says in a cheery, though tipsy, voice. "Soooo, tell me more of these cute kids you met!"

You and Elsie were off to the races. Each of you excitedly going on about your new friends. In another family it might have come off as rather odd, but the Bailey's let few into their orbit so new friendships were something to celebrate. You make your way to the living room and she just allows the pair of you to vent for the next twenty minutes. She looked both amused and happy for you as she listened to your youthful exuberance.

You could see she was tired though. And so was El. So were you. The emotions of the day had taken it out of you. You shoot Allison a text just to let her know you wouldn't be back tonight.

With a long tired sigh your aunt asks. "You guys mind just crawling in with me? I don't want to have to make up a spare room."

Elsie doesn't even hesitate. "I'd prefer it actually."

You hesitate. "Uhh...I could sleep on the couch."

"Aww, Jesse, we can at least cuddle. Can't we?" El pleads.

Peg laughs. "Don't worry Jesse, I promise I'll control myself. Come on, it's nicer in there." She waves you to follow her.

You finally shrug and follow along, Elsie joining you at your side.