The Virus : Strain Z

Chapter 8

I woke up to something wet wiping across my face and an awful smell. I opened my eyes to see Ridgey. Once he saw I was awake he scooted over to Lux and began licking him in the face, wiggling happily. After Lux woke up Ridgey jumped off the bed and proceeded to jump back on and back off. He continued until I scolded him and opened the door where he bolted out and darted downstairs. 'Lord have mercy, it sounds like thunder' I thought as I shook my head.

Lux and I followed him downstairs and were surprised to see that my parents were not already up. I decided to make french toast and bacon for breakfast. Lux started getting dishes out of the cabinets and set the table. As I finished cooking we heard my parents coming down the staircase. I poured coffee into their mugs and set the food on the table.

They slumped into their seats and reached for their coffee before speaking. "What are y'all two doing up this early? Usually you're still asleep Salia" mom inquired.

I pointed to Ridgey who was happily munching away on a rawhide I'd thrown him earlier. "Him. He slept in my bed last night and woke me up by scrubbing my face with his tongue." I answered ruefully.

Dad started laughing, "That's why he's not allowed in our room anymore kiddo. Plus he hogs the bed" dad snickered. I just rolled my eyes and poured myself some milk and started in on my breakfast.

Afterwards Dad decided he would clean-up and chased us all out. "I'm gonna get lunch started since it'll take a few hours to cook. Nobody come in for at least thirty minutes. After that knock before entering" he ordered.

"Why did he say that?" Lux queried.

"My dad has a secret sauce and spice he puts on his cooking and won't let anyone know what it is. He says he's gonna take it to his grave." I answered as I followed mom into the living room.

"Hey mom? I'm gonna run up into the attic and get those clothes we have. That way Lux can wear something else." I turned to him "Cause no offense but your clothes stink" I teased him.

"Ok but be careful. You don't want to slip and hit between the rafters and fall through" she told me.

I turned to Lux, "Come on, there's some clothes that should fit you in storage. We'll get them and you can try them on and have a few changes of clothes" I laughed at his puppy dog frown

"My clothes don't stink, They smell....manly" he pretended to pout.

He followed me to the attic staircase and I unlocked the door. I went straight to my Uncles old chest and started rifling through it until I found some jeans and t-shirts. I passed them to Lux and told him to see if they'd fit. "Who's were these? They don't look like they'd be your dad's" he said.

I was quiet for a moment, "They belonged to my Uncle, dad's little brother. He lived with us for a few months before he passed from a heart-attack. He'd gotten hit by a big jolt of electricity on his job and it messed his heart up. He died just a few weeks later" I told him sadly. "He was the only family my dad had left and my only Uncle. I was his only niece and he always let me ride his Harley with him" I smiled as I thought back to the bittersweet memory.

Lux was quiet "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a painful subject. I didn't know" he said.

"It's ok. It helps some to talk about him occasionally." I murmured. "Do you need any socks or boxers? There are some here" I said clearing my throat.

"Socks yes, I'll have to see if the boxers will fit" he answered. I pulled out the bundle of socks and the bag that had the boxers in them. As I did I caught a glimpse of glass at the bottom of the chest. I dug down to it and realized it was a picture of my Uncle and myself on his motorcycle.

"This is him. Uncle Dom." I said as I showed him the picture of a handsome young man with dirty blond colored short but curly hair and green eyes with a much younger me sitting in front of him with a mile wide grin.

"Wow, you look kinda like him. And that's a sweet ride" Lux said.

"Yeah, he left it and everything else of his to me. It's down in the garage. I'll show it to you later." I told him. After gathering a few more pieces of clothes I closed the chest and helped carry the clothing, and the picture, downstairs.

I deposited the clothes on Lux's bed and brought the picture to my room where I set it on my dresser alongside several other items Uncle Dom had bought me over the years. I smiled at the memories and went to knock on Lux's door. I heard him answer and opened the door. 'Oh Lord...that's a sight to drool over..' I thought to myself. Lux stood in just a pair of low slung jeans that showed his six-pack and hair line from his chest down past his waistline.

I mentally smacked myself and started apologizing, blushing the whole time. "It's ok Sals." he said as he picked up a shirt. "Why are you blushing so hard? I mean it can't be over seeing me shirtless now...can it?" he teased gently. He threw his shirt on and I sighed internally upset slightly over losing the wonderful sight.

In reply to his question I just rolled my eyes and scoffed "Oh you wish" I replied mouthily as I headed out the door, shutting it behind me. I went downstairs and walked to the garage. Ridgey saw were I was going and ran over, eager to play with his balls.
I walked over to the corner where my Uncles former belongings now sat. I carefully pulled the tarp off the Harley and sat on it , brushing my fingers over it. I heard the door open and Lux call out for me, "Over here, around the corner." I answered.

As he approached his eyes lit up as he saw the motorcycle. "Wow! That's a classic! I'm talking drool-worthy classic!" he exclaimed. He squatted down beside it and ran his fingers over it and I had to reign in my imagination to stop from thinking how it'd feel to have him do that to me.

I opened another chest beside the bike and pulled out the chaps, gloves, vest and helmet used when riding and showed him. "He must have adored you Sals. I can tell by the picture" he said as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear. I was about to answer when suddenly there was a gurgling scream from outside.