Disturbed. Perturbed. In Suburbia. Disturbia…
Sitting on my couch still wondering what I did. Women! I thought we were friends. So, I called her kiddo? I was just being… like… friendly! I realize that I have not thought about wild beavers in the wild in awhile. I cannot wait to get focused on just that. I have Aurora’s white lace panties with the faint yellow stain in my hand and I bring it up to my face smelling its sweet scent. I almost feel guilty inhaling her aroma. But it still puts me at ease. Aurora. So strange.
The phone rings. It’s Ivan. We just finished the shoot a couple hours ago. What could he want? I feel a sense of dread. Hello. What happened? Ahhh, nothing really. I was told you upset Aurora and she slapped you. Is there something going on between you two? No! I mean, we’re just friends. That’s it. Did you call her kiddo? Yeah. Listen, Jake, you have done excellent work, but in all the time you have taken their photos you failed to realize they were WOMEN? Not KIDDOS? Umm, well, of course… I was just trying to be friendly. I have to tell you something Jake, Aurora set up that entire shoot. It was all her idea AND I got the distinct impression she did it for you. Are you sure there is nothing going on between you two?? Because I do NOT want Aurora upset. It was like all her idea? Yes! Wow. I guess she was just being nice. I am not going to mention this to the StarDreamers investors. They would be very upset. I spoke to Aurora and she said she was sorry she slapped you. She said she had been drinking champagne and it was very early in the morning and she just emotionally over-reacted. I thought she was drinking beer? Jake! Pay attention! Everything is worked out. Send me the photos when you get a chance. Should I like apologize? No! Don’t even mention it. I will call you later to arrange the next shoot.
I didn’t know she arranged the entire shoot. No wonder she was upset. And she did it for me? Everyone is saying don’t apologize. I want to apologize. I feel stupid. Do all women make you feel stupid? It must be something in their DNA. Man, she slapped me hard. Wicked, strange woman.
Over the next couple weeks, I did my best not to think about Aurora. Easier said than done. The more you try not to think about something, it seems the more you think about that something. That something being Aurora. I was dreading, somewhat dreading, the next shoot. I don’t know what I should say or how I should act. I just don’t know. She is my friend after all. Isn’t she?
Ivan called and said the photos were great. Some of the best so far. He didn’t mention the slap at all. I was relieved. Maybe he just wanted to get past it and maybe I should too. He said the investors wanted a photo shoot outdoors, but in the rain with the DICE wet. So, the weather was going to be the factor. Everyone would gather at the Mansion when there was a chance of rain. And so, the following week when rain was forecast, we did just that. Gathered at the Mansion. There were no hugs this time. The mood was somewhat tense. The ladies had different outfits on. Aurora was dressed in white jeans with a nice patterned top and black leather boots. Piper and Josie had skirts and blouses with high heels. Their clothing was not really important. It was the rain that mattered.
We set off in a van that morning heading for downtown. It was Sunday morning so the city was not that busy. It was sunny at first but the dark clouds soon moved in. You could feel the drop in temperature. And then the rain started. They first posed at a fountain and with the rain and the water from the fountain and there was still sun streaming down I captured some great shots. There was even a rainbow! The DICE were soon soaked and dripping wet. I thought it would be a good time to get some coffee and wait a few hours. Find another location as well. The ladies appreciated the idea although Aurora still seemed somewhat aloof. And she started to sneeze a bit. Our next location was a bench in the middle of the city. The rain was really coming down now and I really limited the amount of shots we took. They were cold and drenched. Hot Chocolate! They liked that idea as well and tried to warm up as much as they could. Aurora was sneezing more, but she said she was fine. I was a little concerned, but felt like I should just mind my own business. A few hours later, in the early evening, we found a bus stop as our last location. There were trees hanging over that were dripping with rainwater. Even though the rain had lessened, it was still coming down. As they posed, soaking and wet, three young men came walking up wondering what was going on. They were not interested in me and it soon became apparent they were drunk. One of them started to harass Aurora. She swore at him. And then he pushed her to the ground and into some mud. I saw red. I didn’t even think. I just reacted! I went and punched the guy in the face! I must have broken his nose because blood gushed and he fell to the ground. His buddies looked at me and decided to just pick their friend up and leave.
Aurora looked at me. She was sobbing. Covered in mud. I picked her up. Her head was against my chest and she blew her nose into my shirt. Snot was hanging from her nose. Josie opened the van door and Piper got in first and helped me get Aurora in. She has a fever. What? Piper had her hand on Aurora’s forehead and said again, she has a fever. I drove them back to the Mansion as quickly as I could. I have to admit I was concerned about Aurora… and getting out of my snot covered shirt. We were all pretty much soaked, wet, and muddied.
Once inside the Mansion, I carried Aurora to the upstairs bathroom. We all agreed that she needed a hot bath. At this point, she was pretty much out of it. She said she was cold. Piper and Josie seemed to know what they were doing getting Aurora undressed and into the hot water. I asked if they needed my help and they said we could all use maybe some soup. Great! That I could do! I went down to the kitchen which was well stocked. Found some chicken broth and decided to make some chicken noodle soup. There were chicken breasts in the freezer which I soon defrosted and cut into small chunks. I fried them in olive oil with some red-hot sauce. It would all be diluted in the broth anyway. But would add just a bit of spice that I think we all needed. Into the broth I added the chicken and some noodles and seasoned it with some salt and basil. Normally, I would also add some veggies like carrots and celery, but the broth was more important. I let it simmer.
I was just about to head back upstairs when the ladies came back down. Aurora was wearing flannel pajamas and looked worn out. Piper helped Aurora to the couch and Josie covered her in a blanket. Piper and Josie said they had to leave and could I watch over Aurora. Me? They said they had to go. Okay. Can I have a quick shower first? Yes. They would watch over Aurora while I had a shower. I was cold myself. I went back upstairs and got out of my wet and muddied clothes and snot covered shirt. I cannot believe I cooked soup like that. I got into the shower and let the hot water warm my body. Strange, I suddenly had this strong sense of déjà vu. I got cleaned up and put on some clean clothes I had brought with me for just this reason.
I went downstairs. Piper and Josie were still sitting with Aurora. They said they had found some cold medication and given it to Aurora. She was still hot though. I asked them if they were going to have some soup, but they declined saying they really had to go… and so, they left.
Okay, now what? I went and got a small bowl of soup for Aurora. I cooled it down with a little milk so it was just warm. I sat next to Aurora on the couch and tried handing her the bowl. That didn’t work. So, I spoon fed her. And she ate the entire bowl. Well, it was a small bowl. She appeared dazed. I set the bowl aside and wondered what I should do next.
Jake?
Yeah.
You hit that guy. You smashed his face.
I reckon so.
Why?
He hurt you. I could see her lip quivering.
You did it for me?
Well, you’re my friend. I then realized she may also be in shock.
Jake?
Yes.
I’m sorry I slapped you.
That’s okay. I’m sorry… I called you kiddo. I smiled. She gave me a hint of a smile back. Hey, I understand you set up that entire shoot. That was amazing work.
You really liked it?
Yeah.
Jake?
Yes. Holy, this was dragging on.
I’m sorry, Jake.
No… ahhh… what? And she leaned in … and kissed me. Her lips. They were soft. I could taste the chicken noodle soup on her breath. This is the second time she has kissed me. This one seems… more sincere? More honest? She fell over into my arms. I think she passed out. The drugs! Just like the last time she was medicated and probably didn’t know what she was doing or saying. That was somewhat of a relief. I guess.
I picked her up again and carried her upstairs to the master bedroom and got her into bed. She spoke again and said she was cold and to please not leave her. She wanted me to hold her for warmth. I sighed. Okay. I already slept with her once and nothing happened so I think I was safe this time too. I got undressed and slid in behind her. As I put my arm over her, she placed it under her flannel pajama top with my hand on her very warm fleshy chest. She held it there as she pushed herself back into me. I could feel her heart beating. I could feel her breathing. Even through the flannel pajamas, I could feel her heat. I could smell her. I could smell her hair. I could smell her sweat. I could still taste the chicken noodle soup on her breath. After she had kissed me. Her lips were so soft. I closed my eyes and drifted off.
When I awoke, she was facing me. She was breathing steadier now and her breath gently caressed my face. My hand was still on … her chest and she was no longer burning up. Her fever had subsided. I was almost tempted to stay, but thought if she woke up it would be really awkward. I rolled her over and sighing, I removed my hand. Quietly, I got dressed and went downstairs. I noticed the soup and thought I should at least leave a note for Aurora. I found a pen and a notepad. Aurora, there is still plenty of soup. You should have some more. Hope you are feeling better… s… I was going to write slappy, but that just seemed stupid. And it probably wouldn’t go over well. So, I hastily wrote something else and signed it, Jake.
Where should I leave it? So, she could easily find it? I didn’t want to wake her, but I went back upstairs anyway deciding to leave it on the night stand next to her. I found her still asleep. She was smiling. It made me smile. She must be having a nice dream. A ray of sunshine radiated her face. As I looked at her… it occurred to me how… I had taken so many photos of her and not really seen the human part of her. The vulnerability. Like at the lake when she was afraid. Afraid of white rabbits. And how I had upset her just by calling her kiddo. And then when that guy had pushed her down, she seemed more upset that I had punched him.
Anyway, I quietly left Aurora in the safety of the Mansion… and my chicken noodle soup.
Badger Unfiltered 