Finding my angel, facing my demon

Before the lake house

Alison never rolled over that night, like she usually did. I think she was afraid of being alone. She spent the night holding my hand, keeping me from turning my back to her, not that I would've anyway. She fell asleep first, although I could tell she hadn't wanted to. She looked at me with sad eyes until I could see her drowsiness in her face. Reluctantly she shut her eyes and succumbed to her exhaustion. I watched her sleep for a while and I was overcome by both sadness and regret. I shouldn't have hidden Jessica from Ali. I could've come up with a million excuses to explain working with Jessica that would've both eased suspicion and alleviated tension. Jessica and I were, after all, in similar professions. I had also behaved inappropriately. I knew Alison had been jealous of Jessica and taking her out to dinner after we had worked together was probably inappropriate, as were the text messages she had sent me. But then again, we were old friends. Why couldn't I take her out to dinner or send her a text?... I knew the answer to that. It was because I had hid it from Alison, and not just because of the lake house. I knew Alison wouldn't have approved so I kept it secret, using the secrecy of my purchase to validate it in my mind.

Right before I fell asleep I noticed that Alison was no longer holding my hand, she was sleeping. Our hands were just lightly trapped together but I didn't want to let her go. That was partly because I didn't want her to wake up disappointed that I had let her go but a more basic and much more self-centered part didn't want to let go because I liked holding her. I liked touching her and I liked that she wanted to touch me. So when I fell asleep my hand was still locked with Alison.

I didn't wake up the next morning. I was woken up, which didn't exactly thrill me. I was sleeping somewhat peacefully when I felt a chilly hand rubbing my exposed leg. Alison and I were in the same spot we had been when we had fallen asleep in, except the hand that had been holding mine was currently rubbing my leg. I looked at Ali and she smiled before kissing my cheek for the billionth time.

"I know you're still angry but I thought we could head out early and get to the lake house before lunch." Alison was chipper, like she usually was. I couldn't help but fall in love with her at that moment. Her eyes sparkled with happiness and tranquility at the chance to make everything up to me.

"That's fine." I said as I stretched. Alison kissed me again before running off to get our things packed. I refused to go anywhere near a suitcase. I decided to call my dad to tell him I was taking time off.

"Hey daddy" I said into the phone as soon as my father picked up.

"Good morning, baby. To what do I owe the pleasure of such a lovely Sunday morning call." He laughed into the receiver and I felt a tad calmer. He was in a good mood and that helped. He was always an easy-going man but that didn't make me any less stressed about taking a week off of work. He was still my boss.

"I'm not going to work on Monday." I said.

"Okay... Is everything alright?" The fatherly concern was almost immediate.

"Everything is alright, dad. I'm just going to take Alison to the new lake house for a few days."

"I thought that was a Christmas gift."

"It was. I just had to reveal it a bit sooner than planned. It's really no big deal dad. I just wanted you to know that I will be out for the week."

"Week?" My dad's incredulous question almost made me laugh. Almost.

"Yes dad. If I'm correct there is nothing on my schedule that can't be moved back. Have my assistant make the calls. If something comes up just take care of it will you?"

"Emily, what's wrong?" My dad's concern had returned again. He knew me too well. Between exposing the lake house and taking a week off he knew something wasn't right.

"It's nothing. Alison and I just got into a little argument. We are taking some time off to be together and work some things out." I breathed heavily and prayed he would leave it at that.

"Take as much time as you need, honey." My father told me gently. "There are some things that are much more important than work. I will deal with everything here until you can come back."

"Thanks daddy. I love you." I said as I hung up. Tears welled in my eyes as I tossed my phone back in my purse.

"Are we off the hook?" Alison asked just as I had finished wiping my face.

"It's all taken care of." I told her a bit too coldly. Alison nodded slightly, she looked a bit discouraged by my attitude. But her smile returned an instant later. Only I would've been able to notice the slight fluctuation in her mood.

"Are we taking the dogs or do we leave them with Hanna?"

"Let's bring them." I said apathetically. At last that way I would have some distraction from my situation with Alison if I took the dogs.

"Are you sure?" In the way she said it I knew Alison didn't want to take them. I hated it when she did that shit. Why did she ask if she didn't want to take them? It's not like I really cared anyway. "I was just thinking that we could take your car, drop the top and relax. The dogs won't fit in your car."

"Suitcases won't fit in my fucking car, Alison." I said firmly. But I decided that wasn't a fight I was interested in. "I'm sorry. Never mind that, I'll drop the dogs off at Hanna's while you finish getting everything ready."

I walked over to the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans, a white tank-top and a pair of white nike. Then I headed to the bathroom and pulled my long hair up into a high ponytail. I put on my sunglasses and headed down stairs. Alison was waiting by the front door with both dogs and a bag of their stuff.

"Here you go, babe. Drive safe." Alison leaned forward and kissed my lips softly so she wouldn't hurt me.

"Yeah, I'll be back soon." I muttered. I grabbed my purse and the dog bag and headed out the door. I walked over to my other car, an SUV, and I put the dogs in the back.

The dogs followed me obediently to the car and hopped into the back with little instruction. I drove over to Hanna's house in record time. Fighting with Alison always put me in a horrible mood and that always made me drive fast. I rang Hanna's door bell and waited for an answer.

"I can't believe you cheated on... What the fuck happened to your face?" Hanna's said as soon as she opened the door.

"Alison is what happened to my face and I did not cheat on her." I grumbled. Hanna laughed and waved me and the dogs into her house.