MUD

Chapter 20~ No Games

Saturday, 9:56 am

The past few days have been a bit calmer, though I know the storm hasn't ended. Tye came over here yesterday and we had a long talk. He'd said he didn't know whether he believed I could be involved or not, especially since I'm all mixed up with the files.
Honestly I don't know if I believe I can actually be good or not so I don't blame him.

I don't know why Alison had my father's number but something bigger is going on here.

"Ruff!" Frida jumps up on my bed even though she knows it's forbidden territory. She is my company and though she cannot communicate in my language, she often understands my mood. Petting her, I pick up my phone to send a message.

Me: Come over here?

...............

Victoria: be there in 15.

I find myself straightening my already tidy room, and combing my hair, and changing my shirt. Why do I even care how she sees me?
Why do I keep thinking about her lips, and the way she twitches her thumb when she is anxious?
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later there is a knock at my door.
"Good morning," I greet her as I step out my room, "let's go get a drink."
Victoria nods and follows me down the passageway. As I pass my study I notice Ms. Gwen cleaning inside and she offers me a wave. I know my staff has seen Tori here a few times I just hope they don't have the wrong idea.
"This way," I direct my guest.

"This is nice! Bryson I never got the chance to tell you, for a man without a family this is an extravagant home," she says.

"Thank you, I really don't know if I'll ever use all the space."

In the bar, I pour myself a glass of scotch and she opts for sparkling wine.

"Victoria, I've always wanted to know, " I pause to chuckle and then continue, "what was going through your mind that night I put on a show with the ladies?"

"Not that I'm excited to go back to that night! But, I was kind of lost in what was happening. It's like I forgot that I should be mad at you for bringing me there I was just mesmerised... how come it didn't feel like that when you know, we did it?" she replies.

" Tori I don't know," I'm smiling but I don't know why, " they are more seasoned in doing things with me so we work well together, but you were expecting more like a connection."

She's thinking now,
"So in other words, they're able to go with it because they understood there were no feelings involved and it's less complicated."

"Mhm." I nod.

In a split second she dunks the rest of her wine on to my shirt.
"You're such a dog!" She shouts laughing.
We both burst into laughter as I throw insults back at her and she continues to joke about how sad and lonely I must be.

"A-hem" Gwen makes her presence known in the room breaking our laughter. I think she wants an introduction now.

"Victoria this is one of the ladies who keeps this place running. Her name's Gwen. If you're ever here and need anything she's always around some place."

"Hello love, how are you doing today?" Gwen smiles at Tori, taking her in by the inch.

"I'm well thanks, hope you're doing good today," she replies.

"Better than most days, at least we have some company around here today," Gwen says with a wink, "well, I'll be off. You kids have fun."

Gwen is not qualified to even call us kids, as she is only fifty. Round as a coin with pudgy cheeks, she is something of a fairy godmother for my building.
Victoria and I both watch her leave absentmindedly, sipping our drinks.

"Let's go somewhere!" she says suddenly.

"Well I hadn't planned on leaving my house today-"

"Come on! It's the weekend," she buts in,"soon enough you will have to go back to work in the old office anyway!"

"I thought you believed I'm a criminal, you want me back there?" I question.

"I know that isn't the case now, so yes. By the way you didn't tell me why you were mixed up in the case."
She cocks one eyebrow and her eyes jump out at me; God she is gorgeous.
I can't help thinking it even though the rules are I cannot see her that way.

"Where will we go?" I ask her.

"Take me to the roof of the Bret. Coleman building."

On that roof, you can see the whole city. The view is spectacular.

"Very well then, I'll just be a few moments," I agree.

"Alright then I am going to use the rest room."

In my closet, I'm walking the floor looking left and right for what I would like to wear. My phone rings, and the number is from Detroit.
I contemplate answering and then,

"Hello?"

"Bry..."

"Gabby,"

"I'm going crazy, I had a sister? A twin sister, and I was the last one to know.. a twin that's dead now. Bryson are you sure you're not making a mistake?" She sounds very troubled.

With everything that has been going on, I hadn't even called Gabby. I'd never tried to find out what she felt about this whole situation.

"Yes, I know it must be hard to swallow. But I'm kinda busy right now cousin."

"Please. Is there anything else you can tell me? Did she know of me?" Gabby continues.

"I really don't know," I tell her, pulling on my sweatpants, " I'm trying to keep my head above the water as it is."

"Ok. But remember no matter how much you push us away, we are family."

I hang up the phone and try to push this whole situation to the back of my mind. My friend is outside waiting for me to get ready so that we can go watch the city; and deep down I feel like I just have to add that highlight to her day.

______________________________