The Morning After

You sleep like the dead. The workout and massage had completely taken it out of you. No dreams this night, just a deep peaceful sleep.

The next time you open your eyes it is light in your room. You lay exactly where you had flopped down, still in your clothes from yesterday. Late morning light streaming in through the window. You had slept in. Well, you probably needed it. Laying there half awake you do your first set of the special exercises your aunt taught you. Just tightening, holding and relaxing as you were taught. Easy peasy.

Everything was fine...until you tried to move.

"Ughhh!" You groan.

Oh sweet Jesus! What was this pain!? Your body was practically seized tight and it felt like someone had injected corrosive acid directly into your bloodstream. Every fiber of your muscles ACHED like you had never felt and were rebelling against you, refusing to follow direction. It takes a concerted act of will to get yourself moving.

"Guhhhh!" You sit up then slowly stand. Holy fuck were you sore! For how good you felt the day before, it felt like now you were paying back the debt. Christ! Like The Mummy in those old black and white movies you begin to shuffle around.

It is a slow motion **** to get dressed and freshen up but you manage it. By the time you were heading downstairs you were moving a bit more naturally, though your muscles continued their constant protests. The stairs were a particular challenge.

You could hear some movement in the kitchen. You weren't sure if you wanted to deal with either Fiona or your mother but you were hungry. You head in that direction.

You are surprised to find them both there. Both up and dressed for the day. Your mother was up at the counter already pouring you a coffee. Fiona sat at the table, her own mug cradled in both hands. You had to admit she looked pretty damn good today. Her long blonde hair was back in a loose braid, she had on makeup, and she wore a skirt and blouse combo that really highlighted the long powerful body. A split up the side of her dress gives you a glimpse at her long shapely leg and her blouse gave you the most enticing peak at her cleavage.

You glower at her.

"Well. Good morning to you too." She quips at the dirty look.

"Fuck you." You growl.

Normally your mother would say something about that, this time she is quiet. She hands you your coffee, made just the way you liked it. You take it from her with a little nod of thanks.

"I guess we're not talking then?" Fiona asks.

"You lose? Have you cheated?" You ask about the wager.

Fiona sighs. "No, of course not. Jesse, listen..."

"We have nothing else to talk about."

Fiona's left eye twitches. It bothered her not to be in control of this situation.

"Fine." She snips. "Could you just tell Elsie that..."

"No. You tell her. I'm not your fucking errand boy." You take a slurp of coffee and go to get some cereal and a fruit. Your mother already had you covered. A dry bowl of cereal and an apple already waited for you on the counter.

Fiona's eyes narrow. She bites back whatever she was about to say and stares out the kitchen window into the back yard. She then says in a low voice. "You should thank me."

You scoff and shake your head. Setting your coffee down you open the fridge to find the milk.

"For helping you see how bad Allison was for you. She didn't deserve you Jesse. I'm glad it's over with her, if that means anything." She then adds. "I never thought...that would happen by the way. I thought you'd bang her and I'd win the bet. You're the one that cucked yourself ya dumb fuck."

Your mother goes to sit across from her daughter. She says in a soft voice. "Leave him be Fiona."

You pour your milk and say without looking back at her. "I don't need your help Fiona. I don't want it, and I don't need it. Never again."

A tense quiet descends on the kitchen. You stand at the counter eating your breakfast as the other sit at the table. There have been rough times between you all in this household but nothing like this. Your mother was like a whipped dog, beaten down by guilt and an inability to make things right. Elsie was gone. Fiona and you barely on speaking terms. There was love in the house, there was always that, but things were strained almost to the breaking point.

It is finally Fiona that breaks the silence, though what she says grips you with fear. "I went to find you yesterday. To...um...apologize. I tried to meet up with you after your last class." Oh no. "When I found you, you took off so fast I couldn't catch you." Oh no. "I found you again buying flowers. Roses. Very nice but...very curious. You sure were in a good mood for a guy who'd been exposed as a shrimp dick then had just broken up with his girlfriend." Oh no! "So...who's the red head? She's pretty."

You had been so laser focused on getting to and meeting Casey you hadn't even been looking at your surroundings.

You slowly turn around, Fiona's steely gaze locks with yours. "Leave her alone." You warn her in a dark voice.

Fiona grins, upper hand regained she was feeling good again.

Your mother looks up. "Fiona was saying you met her in the Drama department. Is that her major?"

"You followed me!? You creepy bitch!"

Fiona calmly takes a sip of coffee. "I never would have guessed you had a sidechick. You dirty little dog." She leans forward. "What's her name?"

"None of your business. And she's not a sidechick."

"Oh? Fuck buddy then? Or was Allison the mistress? Or did they know about each other."

"Fuck you." You hiss, your fists tightening into hard balls at your side.

Your mother could see you getting angry and was getting more and more uncomfortable. "Fiona...please..."

Fiona holds up her hands. "Hey, settle down. Big Sis was just curious, lookin out for her little bro."

"I told you. I don't want your help."

Your mother, unable to contain her curiosity, asks in a soft careful voice. "Did you and Allie have an open relationship or something?"

You groan and roll your eyes. "NO! You know that. Jesus." You sigh. "Mom, I met Casey and we really hit it off. I really like her. I was asking her out on a first date."

"Casey. Nice." Fiona smiles.

Shit! She had you all flustered. As usual. Even after all the building up over at your aunt's you suddenly felt like you were the same old Jesse again. No, you weren't going to let this happen. You weren't going back.

You take a few deep breaths and slowly settle yourself. You concentrate. You are mindful. Everything seems to slow down a beat.

You could taste the aftertaste of the coffee in your mouth. You could smell the smooth coffee aroma in the air along with your mother's flowery perfume. You brush your fingertips across the seam of your jeans and note how simultaneously soft and rough it feels. You feel the soreness in your body. You see your mother, sheepish and nervous. You could see how wounded and confused she was. She seemed so...childlike sitting there. There was a strange innocence about her. And Fiona...her posture was confident but you see her fingers fiddle subtly on her coffee cup. And that smile...you see no happiness there. Her lips grinned but her eyes showed no joy. No humor. In her hard eyes you see...jealousy? Pain? Anger? You weren't sure but you knew it wasn't a positive emotion. You realize she was baiting you, trying to drag you down to her level.

You remember Elsie. You remember Peg. You remember how good you felt last night and you realize that nothing had really changed since then. You remember the sanctuary of your aunt's house and you remember that it was there if you ever really needed it. You feel the soreness in your body and you felt proud, like you had earned that pain. You remember how good it had felt visiting with Casey and you remember you had a date with her next week. Life was actually pretty fucking good right now.

You take another deep breath in through your nose and you smile. A warm genuine smile. You look out the window and see the bright sun. "You know. I'm not really hungry. It is such a nice day. I think I'll take a walk."

Fiona can't mask her surprise. Her eyebrows raise, her eyes widen. She had been expecting an argument, a battle of wits, an opportunity to bully and belittle. The usual. She had not been expecting a happy smile.

You look at your mom. "Want to take a walk with me Mom?"

She sits up, surprised by the offer. "Oh! Uh, yes! Yes, I would love to."

Fiona sits back in her chair. Not saying a thing but just studying you and your sudden shift in behavior. You take another slurp of coffee then go to offer your mother your arm.

Your mother grins wide. Standing up she loops her arm through yours. You turn your back on your sister and the pair of you start to head out from the kitchen.

Just then you hear a loud mighty...

SMASH!