Last To Know *COMPLETED*

Last To Know chapter 12

Chapter 12-

"Wow. You really do live in the city." Jill said, marveling. I tried to see what she was seeing, but I had to concentrate on driving....

"Yea. Sometimes I hate it though."

"I can see why." A guy just had pulled out in front of us, not even daring to turn on a signal. He flipped me off on his way by.

"Yep." I smiled. "Okay, so just up the block is my apartment. My brother might be there, too. You know, he kept it up while I was gone off to war and all." I said, glancing at her, her beautiful hair, and her eyes.

Sure enough, my brother was there. I waved, pulling into the short drive. Jill stared, wide-eyed at my brother Michael. "I thought he was older." She said.

"He's twenty five." I said, wondering what surprised her about him. She just shook her head like she was clearing it, and then smiled at me.

"Oh. Okay." She shrugged, and hopped out of the car.

"Hey man! How've you been?" I yelled at Michael.

"Great! Your apartment survived, and I see you did too!"

"Barely. I was in a coma for two freakin' weeks. Did Louise tell you? I thought you'd be one of the first ones to know about that." I said, hoping I didn't have to tell him what happened.

"Yea, and I'm sorry, Aaron. And who's with you?"

"My...um...my girlfriend, Jill." I said. Michael shook her hand like a gentleman. I laughed, feeling awkward.

"I'm not a robot!" Jill said jokingly. Michael looked at her for a second, confused. "Just give me a hug!" she said. We all laughed, and Michael gave her a bear hug.

"Damn it! I've got to go. My boss wants me at work, so I'll see you guys later." Michael jumped in his nice car, and pulled out of the driveway, going to his job. I just realized that I didn't know where he worked since I'd left for Iraq.

Jill and I were alone now. Uncomfortably, I sighed. "Let's go inside and get something to eat."

"Okay." We walked into my old apartment. Comfort overflowed as we walked in, only to see that it hadn't changed a bit. Maybe Michael hadn't even been in here since I'd left. Or maybe he just missed me too much. I'd have to ask him later, I thought.

The kitchen was clean, the marble counters wiped free of dust, so someone had to have been in here. The cabinets were still stocked full. Chips, crackers, cookies, and all of my favorite snacks were still in the right places. I gaped, wondering if my loving brother did this all for me. I checked the refrigerator. Yep, everything was in place. Milk, eggs, cheese. This was so nice of him. Maybe he didn't move out like he'd said he would.

Jill smiled. "I guess he left all of this for you. How sweet." She walked to the living room, and sat in the nice leather couch. "I love this apartment! It's so... well, it fits you."

"Um. Thanks; help yourself to a snack. I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

I headed to the bathroom, but a strange feeling came through me. Why on earth would my brother still choose to live here, alone? Why wouldn't he just move? Just those little things bothered me, but the thought of Jill... The thought of her made all my problems seem like nothing. After all, she was the one whose house caught on fire, and she was the one who I'd left to go fight. At least that was for a good cause.

And she'd lived with my aunt, and I could only imagine what must've been like. And she'd endured it all, for who? Me? The thought made me feel guilty that I'd left. And then the whole coma thing made it that much worse.

At any rate, I'd have to talk to my brother later, and talk some sense into him. I knew he worked outside of the city, so I'd guessed he wouldn't live here. But maybe he had. There was no question that he'd cleaned up before I got here.

I was almost done changing clothes when I heard Jill talking in the other room. I guessed she was on a cell.

"What? Are you serious? When does it start?"

There was fainted mumbling from the other line, and then Jill laughed. "Yea, I'll call him back. Yes ma'am, I'll write it down. As soon as possible." I could hear her scribbling on paper in the kitchen. "Thank you, thank you so much. Yes. Bye." She hung up.

"What is it?" I said, trying to sound casual. I walked out of the bedroom. I was wearing my button up shirt, but I hadn't had a chance to button it yet. But she gave me a questioning glance. I simply ruffled my wet hair and repeated my question.

"What is it?"

"Oh. Um... You'll never believe this, but I got a new job offer in Boulder! It starts as soon as we can get back. And I'm pretty sure it's close to where my new house is."

I hadn't seen her house yet, obviously, because I'd spent all my time at my aunt's. She's said it was glorious, as I'd figured as much, because her other house was. And with her family's money... well, I hoped it was nice. "I can't wait to see your house! But what kind of job is it?" I asked.

"It's as secretary job, and it pays... big time!" She said. I could tell she was exited, as was I. "I just have to call..." She glanced at her scribbled paper. "Someone named James L." She said.

And that's the closest I've gotten to knowing your last name, James. But that corporate office was where she'd met you. And the next few months were very... interesting, to say the least. But I'd guess you know all about that.