This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to ANYONE is completely coincidental. Anyone who engages in any "activity" is well over the age of 18.
Amy
Part IV
When last you read a game designer, David Drake had just met a woman who claimed to be his twin sister and she had just enough conviction in her claims and proof that David began to believe her. And now we pick up as David is readying for a dinner with Amy Fries.
A short while later I was dressed in a nice pair of black jeans and a polo shirt. It was strictly "meeting with the team" attire and not my normal Friday night wear.
As I pocketed my keys and wallet Sophie came to the open door of my room. She looked at me and with a small sigh asked, "You okay?"
"Yeah, of course. Why?"
"Do you REALLY think she's telling the truth," Sophie asked?
I nodded and said, "I do, actually."
Sophie crossed her arms, a look of concern creeping across her face. I was in "going out" clothes. I knew immediately what she was thinking. She was afraid I was going to do what many people might do when faced with a revelation like this.
"I'm not going out for drinks," I answered her unspoken question, "I'm actually going to meet her for dinner at Frank's." Going to Frank's was a two-fold win. The food was the best in town and Lys, Sophie's wife, worked there as the manager. Sophie knew she wouldn't let me drink.
Sophie's eyebrows went up in yet another all-too-familiar gesture. "Her?"
"Yeah, I guess we have 49 years of catching up to do," I said. Sophie seemed to take the answer.
"Do you want me to set up the blood and DNA tests she talked about," Sophie asked.
"Yeah, please." I headed toward the door and said, "I'll probably be late." I gave Sophie my customary kiss on the forehead and headed out the door.
Twenty minutes later I walked through the door of Frank's. Lys was smiling at me as soon as I walked through the door. Lys was a genuinely wonderful young lady. She and Sophie were understandably nervous coming out to Grace and me. We had both come from conservative families.
There was never any question. Lys became another of our children immediately. All that mattered to Grace and I was that she made Sophie happy and respected her. Though she did get the same "dad" speech from me that any boy would have gotten--minus the pregnancy bit.
Lys and Sophie moving in after Grace died was a Godsend. It likely saved my life.
Looking at that shit eating grin on Lys's face I asked, "I take it she told you?
Without a moment of hesitation Lys said, "Oh Soph told me you were coming in for dinner, but she didn't tell me you were on a date."
"Ah," I said while I was betting I was making the family frown. "I take it the lady is here, then?" Lys nodded as her grin increased.
"I'm not on a date," I said to Lys.
"Sure. You're dressed up as much as you ever get. And you're groomed," she prodded at my trimmed beard, "And the woman is absolutely gorgeous. But this isn't a date."
I turned to Lys and said, "Your wife left out quite a few details. Look, I think she's my sister."
It wasn't often I could knock Lys speechless, but I always enjoyed doing it. Lys was my smart-ass kid-in-law. She and I loved to get one up on each other. Playfully, of course. We were never nasty to each other. I really did love her like my own.
I gave Lys a look over my glasses and gave her a wink as I headed into the dining room.
Sitting at my favorite table was Amy. I was stopped cold. I thought Amy was attractive when I met her at the house. I had no fucking idea.
Amy had her hair pulled back giving me a full view of her neck and shoulders. They were flawless and creamy, and I wanted to kiss the crease where neck met shoulder. I could have spent all night just kissing her neck and shoulders.
She had changed out of her form hugging dress from earlier and she put on a "dinner" dress that was very low cut. Had I mentioned I was a breast man? Yeah, and holy shit were they spectacular. Judging by the dress she couldn't possibly have been wearing a bra and was little to no sag evident. Shit, my man boobs sagged more.
I leaned back into the foyer and said to Lys, "Maybe just one rum and Coke." I was fixed with a look that'd turn boiling water into ice. I quickly added that I was kidding and after I took a moment to regain my composure I moved forward.
Have you ever heard the expression that some people smile with their whole face? Well Amy certainly could. It was brilliant! Her entire face lit up and her eyes, I swear to God her eyes sparkled. All the light in the room seemed to focus on Amy as if it existed solely to illuminate her. It was a smile that you would do anything to see. You would give everything for that smile to be directed toward you. And holy shit, it was all for me.
"David!" she exclaimed happily standing up.
"Amy," I stumbled out, "thank you for meeting me."
I joined her at the table, moving very deliberately so as not to make an ass of myself. I reminded myself that this was not a date.
Part of me hoped I was wrong. Part of me wished I was wrong.
Amy said, "I really didn't expect to hear from you so soon, David. But I'm really glad we have a chance to talk."
"I uh...wanted a chance to speak to my angel."
What the fuck did I just say? What the fuck was wrong with me?
Amy looked startled for a second. I thought for sure she would get up and leave. Shit, I would get up and leave.
I heard Lys, just as good an eavesdropper as Sophie say, "Jesus Christ. Good thing this isn't a date." I shot Lys a quick look before going back to trying to not sound like a creeper.
"Sorry, bad joke."
"Go on," Amy prompted, clearly amused and not creeped out. My relief was indescribable.
"As soon as you were out the door I got on a call with my, with our, older brothers."
"What did they say," Amy asked.
I sighed, gave my famous frown, and said, "Well they're lying sacks of shit but they're really bad at it. That being said, I asked them if I had a sister."
"Did they admit to it?"
"Only after I told them I met you. But they said, and I actually believe them, that my parents told them you died when we were born."
It was like a light went out. The smile-the radiance just shut off. I felt like I had been shot because it hurt so much to see that smile vanish. I saw Amy's eyes begin to water. Dammit dammit dammit.
"That's," she said with a barely contained sniffle, "really fucked up."
"I know.," I said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so blunt. I should have found a better way to say it."
"No," Amy said, gathering herself together, "I really appreciate the honesty. I just can't imagine why..."
Lys chose that moment to come over. I didn't know whether to be annoyed or grateful for the interruption.