Gamma pt. 40

It was a chilly morning as Kiki headed into the Dorms of Salisbury State University. Wearing tight workout pants and a hoodie over a sports bra and white tank top. Holding a couple of protein shakes she knocks on Brandon’s door hoping to surprise him. Unfortunately for Kiki, quite the opposite takes place. A tall, thin stacked red head answered the door wearing a pair of white socks, some white cotton panties and a men’s pajama top. “May I help you?”, She said in a thick Russian accent.

Kiki: Hi! Is Brandon home?

Girl: Who are you?

Before Kiki could answer, Brandon came rushing to the door, past the girl and into the hallway. “Hey Kiki. I’m ready to head to the gym now”

Natasha: You didn’t say anything about meeting a woman for your workout.

Brandon: It was a spontaneous thing. I forgot to mention it baby. I’m sorry.

Kiki: If it’s a problem, I can leave.

Brandon: Nonsense. Natasha this is Kiki. She’s friends with Jess from Omni-Gym.

Natasha: Another woman I have not met.

Brandon: Because you won’t go to work out with me.

Natasha: Because I don’t want all those manly muscles.

Brandon: Be nice. After my workout I’ll come back and we’ll hit IHOP. How does that sound?

Natasha: You better. And you make sure you remember who Brandon belongs to.

Kiki: Got it, chief.

Natasha kissed Brandon goodbye very passionately and shot Kiki an evil look before she shut the door and Brandon and Kiki walked outside and onto the Gym. “Wow, that was awkward.”

Brandon: Yeah, sorry about that. I probably should have mentioned Natasha last night.

Kiki: Yeah probably would have been a good move. She’s awfully protective of you.

Brandon: Yeah…It’s a long story.

Kiki: It’s a long walk to the gym.

Brandon: Fair enough. She was an exchange student in my Freshman year in college. I was looking for some extra cash and signed up to teach English 101 to foreign exchange students. She was the only one I got.

Kiki: I see. Looks like you slid a little French into the curriculum.

Brandon: Well it may be little but it is hardly French.

Kiki: Haha…you’re sick.

Brandon: That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everyone.

Kiki and Brandon chatted all the way to Omni-Gym while on the other side of town, at Wor-Wic Community college, Jess was finishing up her Phone call with Frank about the particulars of the mission.

Jess: Okay, so her first class is 8:30 and it’s 7:55 right now. Any information you want to get in particular? She running drugs? A whore?

Frank: No this is just an initial. Whatever you gather in the next couple of days will most likely be your only involvement.

Jess: You don’t know do you?

Frank: Not a clue.

Jess: Aren’t you curious?

Frank: I have found that when working for the government, the less I know, the better off I am.

Jess: Fine. I’ll report back later.

Frank: This one is on the low down. So don’t go blabbing it to Kiki or anyone else.

Jess: It’s down low, Playa. And I won’t. what about Dr. Bob

Frank: Especially Dr. Bob. We’re testing you. You have to know who you can trust.

Jess: Even my co-workers?

Frank: Especially your Co-workers.

Jess: Okay I think I see her getting off the bus. Later.

Jess hangs up in a rush and heads in Sharise’ direction. Coming up behind Sharise, Jess slowed to a walk and caught her attention. “Excuse me, do you have the time?”

Sharise: Yeah it’s 5 minutes after 8.

Jess: Thanks…Hey…you look kind of familiar.

Sharise: We me last night. You got pissed off because I was hanging with your ex-girlfriend.

Jess: Ah…If I could I would really like to apologize for that. You didn’t deserve that.

Sharise: You’re right. I didn’t. but you can make it up to me.

Jess: Uh…Okay.

Sharise: Meet me here in an hour. We’ll grab a cup of coffee at the Beaner-E.

Jess: You’re on.

Sharise headed off to class while Jess passed the time by checking out the college bookstore, taking a walk around campus, and finally sitting on a bench next to where she and Sharise were to meet. Right on time, Sharise came out of class and the girls headed off to the coffee shop.

Getting settled in and coffee ordered, Jess and Sharise began to chat starting with last night and venturing out into other subjects.

Jess: I feel really bad about last night.

Sharise: Don’t worry about it. I understand totally

Jess: You do?

Sharise: Yeah I know about the whole situation. Well not all of it but I think I am getting the bigger picture.

Jess: Run it by me and I’ll fill in the blanks. To the best of my knowledge.

Sharise: Okay. You and Dean have been friends forever. She gets feelings for you but doesn’t realize it. Then some chick named Jade comes along and starts dating Dean. Things don’t work out with Jade, Dean tells you she’s into you but you’re not into her, she gets pissed, moves out, bumps into me…literally and we fast forward to last night.

Jess: Wow…that’s pretty accurate.

Sharise: Yeah I’m pretty intuitive. Also that’s mostly what she told me. I just kind of guessed at her coming onto you.

Jess: Yeah. I mean it’s not Dean’s fault at all. I was…am scared.

Sharise: Of what?

Jess: If it doesn’t…didn’t work out.

Sharise put her hand on Jess’ in a comforting way. To Sharise’ surprise, she didn’t get the rush that she had experienced last night. She said a silent prayer of thanks that her changes had worn off this morning.

Sharise: Well I don’t know you but I know that Dean would be with you through anything. You’re all she talks about. Admittedly not really a whole lot of positive in there, but fact is, she IS still talking about YOU.

Jess: Really?

Sharise: Really. Some free advice for you. Fear will keep you from a lot of things but Love will be with you when your fears come true.

Jess: That’s pretty deep.

Sharise: Yeah, my grandma is always throwing out gems like that. Listen I have to run. It was great talking to you.

Jess: Same here.

Sharise: Listen, why don’t you swing by Break Time tonight. I’ll give you a few pointers in getting Dean back.

Jess: I thought you guys were…

Sharise: Just friends…we are.

Jess: But I saw you guys kissing.

Sharise: You seem to have more senses than your eyes. Use them.

Jess: Heh. Okay. But I work late so I won’t get there till like 11:00

Sharise: Perfect. The party will just be starting then.

Jess and Sharise said goodbye to one another and when Jess was sure Sharise was out of earshot she picked up her cell and called Frank. “Yeah” He answered in a slightly aggravated tone.

Jess: You could be a little more friendly you know.

Frank: Sorry, I get a little testy when I have to wait on information.

Jess: I’m in. We’re meeting tonight at Break Time.

Frank: Hey isn’t that where you and Dean used to…

Jess: None of your business.

Frank: Fine. What is your take on Sherise?

Jess: She seems nice. Why the hell is the government spying on her?

Frank: Didn’t we already have this conversation?

Jess: Yeah yeah. But I’m going to find out.

Frank: I’m sure you will.

Jess and Frank continued their conversation for a few more minutes with Frank keeping it as professional as possible, while on the other side of the Beaner-e, Sharise was having a phone conversation of her own. “You were right, grandma. The spell worked. I didn’t steal any of her strength when I touched her hand.” The voice on the other end was a sultry older female voice betraying any signs of her actual age. “That’s wonderful, baby. You’re powers are growing just as I thought they would. Does your mom know yet?” Sharise bit her lip a bit, “No…I don’t think so anyway” “Well our concern isn’t with her right now. You need to focus on your training and your first test, tonight. I love you, baby” Sherise smiled, “I love you too, grandma Taylor.

2 b continued

Brian