| Chapter 2: The New Voice Lauralee woke up to her dog, Angel, clawing her arm. “Not now, Angel,” Lauralee slightly pushed Angel away. Angel cried and went back up to clawing her arm. “Can’t you bother your father every once in a while?” Lauralee leaned up groggily to see Alex sleeping soundly. She looked at the alarm clock, which was way past noon, saw Angel cocking her head to the side, and smiled. “My furry alarm clock. Alright, I’m up.” Lauralee tossed the covers onto Alex, who still slept as Angel went down from the bed, her bushy tail wagging frantically. Alex tossed over, putting a pillow over his head. Since Angel woke her up, Lauralee decided to give the same present to Alex. “Angel? Where’s Daddy? Where’s Daddy?” Angel barked and hopped up on the bed, clawing at the pillow, barking wildly. “OK, OK ankle biter, you got me up!” Alex tossed the pillow on the floor and leaned up as Angel licked his face. “Ew, dog breath!” He petted Angel’s head as he sat up and looked at Lauralee. “You know I’ll never forgive you for teaching her that trick.” “It works every time,” Lauralee gave Alex a soft kiss. “Morning.” Alex rubbed his eyes. “More like afternoon.” He stood up, grabbed a cigarette from the night table, and lit one up. “Some night last night. I think I’m still hearing the music in my head.” “Aw, too much champagne?” Lauralee came from behind him and rubbed his temples. “Better?” Alex inhaled from his cigarette. “Much. So what are you going to do today?” “Gotta go down to the club and check over some things, then meeting the girls to plan Laura’s bachelorette party.” “No strippers,” Alex pointed a finger at her. “Me?” Lauralee feigned surprise. “I wouldn’t dream of that.” “Sure babe,” Alex rolled his eyes. “Just think of me when that guy struts his stuff.” “Besides,” Lauralee smiled, “It’s for the bride, not me.” ~*~ Howie woke up to the light streaming in from the windows, squinting from the light in his eyes. He sat up groggily; rubbing his face to wake him up a little, though his memories flooded his mind all night long. That hadn’t happened for a while—he thought he would somewhat get over it. But from last night, the club… he knew it would trigger it. Her face was in perfect view of him: the curly black hair, brown eyes that sparkled when she smiled. That smile, it got him every time. Even when they had an argument, she would smile, and all would be forgotten. He went under his bed, and grabbed the plastic container from it. Everyone thought he had stored it in his garage, but he couldn’t put it away, it was like putting her away. He opened it up, and took out the picture of him and her. It was the last time they were together. He looked so much in love; she was snuggled to his chest as if they were the two missing pieces in a puzzle. Howie lightly dragged his finger over her face, that smile still looking up at him. Oh, that smile… ~*~ Lauralee sat behind her desk at the club, going over the inventory sheets for the newest shipment. The club was opening to the public tonight, and from the crowd’s appearance the night before, it was going to be huge. She picked up the phone and dialed her mother to let her know about the opening. She hadn’t been to New York in two months, and was going to go down in about two weeks to see her. The phone rang and someone picked up. “Hello, Deverson residence.” It was a man’s voice. Lauralee paused a moment. No, he said Deverson residence… “Is… is Sandy in?” “One minute.” Lauralee was still floored as her mother picked up the phone. “Hi honey! How was the opening?” “G-great… how are you?” “Couldn’t be better.” “Uh, Mom, who was that who picked up the phone?” “Hold on a minute sweetie… OK, I’m here.” “Mom?” “There’s so much to tell you and I don’t know where to start.” “How about the beginning,” Lauralee leaned back in her chair. “Well, about a month ago, one of my friends told me about this man she wanted to set me up with. His name is Jerry, he’s a lawyer in the city, and has his own practice. Now, I hadn’t been on a date since your father, so I decided to meet him with some friends at a lounge near my job. He was very sweet, very caring, and we met up the next night for dinner.” “So, are you saying he’s your… boyfriend?” Lauralee almost choked at the last word. “I guess you can.” Lauralee felt a big headache coming on. “And he’s living with you?” “Of course not,” Sandy laughed. “I had the day off, so he came over to help me with some things around the house.” “Oh.” “Honey, are you OK with this?” “Um, well, first I’d like to meet him,” Lauralee rubbed her temples. The headache was on full blast. “And you will when you come out. He’s really excited to meet you.” “OK, well, I’m gonna go Mom. I’ll talk to you later.” “Bye honey.” “Bye.” Lauralee hung up and grabbed two aspirin from her desk drawer. Oh, I’m excited alright. She popped the two aspirin in her mouth and swallowed. Chapter 3 Contents Chapter 1 |