Episode 12: SUBLIMINAL VERSUS

Monday morning snuck up on Gavin Reese. Of late his slumber became troubled by the ladies in his brownstone. Two women he had grown fond of were bruised up. A third he could only envision being roughed up, having not seen actual proof. Trouble back in Iowa told him he should know better and mind his own business, but he felt obligated to defend these women. In a sense being the only male in the building he was the man of the house. Chivalry never died!

Having tossed and turned since 5:00 AM, he got up and made some instant coffee. All he had was a pan of hot water to make a harsh reality. Black java certainly opened his eyes. Having done a bit of grocery shopping last night, after having dinner with Ginger and the girls from the band Milkbone, he at least managed eggs and bacon. Eying the tacos in his refrigerator, having gone untouched since Isabella’s benefactor Blake Sizemore shoved them at him, his concern that the prick might have spit on them or worse, he left them sit. A reminder that he needed to leave Isabella alone as well.

Out of the frying pan onto his only full plate, Gnarly filled his belly. At least he had a toaster to make toast, if not forgetting the butter. Egg yolks saved the day. Uncertain what to do next he decided to take a hot shower. Within the cascading steams mesmerizing effects, he recalled his bathing with both Isabella, and his landlady Naomi. His first few days in Chicago was filled with eventful meetings. Everywhere he turned there was a new beautiful woman in his sights.

While lust and damn good sex was keeping him busy, his need to play his guitar on a stage had an equally demanding desire. He knew he was on the right track accepting Ginger’s job offer of being Milkbone’s roadie, driver, and bodyguard. Being in the field would undoubtedly invite new connections. His day was coming, even if it was a day at a time.

Pondering on Crystal Balou’s predicament, he recalled her job at the nightclub Barbarians. Maybe he should check it out on his own, without Crystal to make introductions. Without her being there he might learn a few things concerning Crystal and this cop that was stalking her. Of course, dealing with an elusive officer of the law might put him in hot water. Speaking of, his water was getting cold. A chill breaking his trance.

Drying off he wrapped a towel around his waist. Killing thirty more minutes he found himself going stir crazy. Getting dressed he decided to get some fresh air. Sun just coming up he headed out the back door, shades atop wet hair. Inhaling the morning, he stepped over to his Harley and tinkered a bit, checking oil, and plugs, moving then to his Jeep to do the same. Satisfied things were good, he dropped the hood and rested his back against the grill. Soul searching crept over him like a devious fog.

Thoughts on the loan officer at his bank, the drop-dead gorgeous Edie Mooney, he realized he should call her and ask her out. Funds low however, he frowned at not being able to offer her much of a date. He didn’t want his first real date in Chicago to go down as him being a cheap bastard.

His first few checks were already spoken for. The record store was part time and parking alone was going to eat that paper. Ginger had given him his first $400.00 as an advance on Milkbone’s Naperville gig. After buying groceries and Vicki Chow a new bicycle he was back to being broke. At least helping Naomi Carpenter fix up the vacant apartment’s he might catch a break on his next rent payment. Still, he owed her for buying him home furnishings. Maybe not!

“Well, Hells Bells!”

Eying his Harley he again considered using it as collateral for a reasonable personal loan. Shaking his head with his eyes lowered he realized that alone was a red flag for Edie Mooney to know he was as broke as broke got. Out of the question he sighed. He wasn’t selling it either. That bike had history. Maybe Pinky’s suggestion of a hat on the curb idea had merit. Starving artist on a street corner whoring out his guitar strings. Could be worse! Sad thing was, looking for a third job was going to interfere with the band. He couldn’t just dictate his schedule to any employer to accommodate what they would call a hobby.

“Someone steal your hairbrush?”

Looking up from his depression Gnarly spotted his neighbor Regina Cowan stretching for a morning run. The ebony beauty wore tight black bikini style bottoms and a black sports bra. She eyed him with concern.

“Morning.” He managed! “Looking mighty sexy for a jog.” That earned a sheepish grin at best.

“Why you moping while your guitar gently weeps?”

“Just realizing my life is in gridlock. I’ll figure it out. You got a minute?”

“Sweetie it’s going to take more than a minute to satisfy me.” She wryly flirted!

“I’m worried about the girls. I ran into that Blake guy last night. He threatened me and told me to stay away from Isabella. We’re just friends, unless you want to call her my housekeeper.” He sighed! “Looks like a mobster.”

“Might just be one. He works at the DA’s office. Consultant, I hear. Daddy’s spoiled little rich kid.”

“Great! Crystal walked in on our testosterone fest. She’s all bruised up.”

“Awww, hell.” Regina moved closer leaning on his Jeep’s drivers side fender well, arms folded against the early morning chill. The nipples were wide awake, and that sports bra did not do its job.

“How much do you know about Crystal’s social life?”

“Are you getting all fuzzy inside on our girl?”

“Just concerned! Badboy lookin’ out for the good girls. You included should you ever need me Reg.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Biker boy.” She winked at him. “Crystal keeps to herself mostly. Either driving folks around or pouring drinks for party animals.”

“I think one of those animals tried to maul her last night. I know so actually.”

“Not good! Did she tell you this?”

“I probably shouldn’t be telling you when it’s not even my business. Yours neither.”

“That’s not true. We’re a family here. One of us gets hurt, we all hurt. Fill me in concerned citizen.”

“Bouncer from Barbarians. He’s also a fulltime cop.”

“Daaaamn! Cops around here stick together. If she’s in trouble, it’s probably going to get worse.”

“Right! So how do I help her?”

Shrugging after a moment of thought on the matter Regina revealed their only option. “Be supportive as best we can. I won’t let on you told me about this. I’ll keep my eyes open and if I see her needy, I’ll slip in under her radar. I know that’s not much help but, for now that’s all we have to work with. Live your own life, Guitar Man. Don’t sing everyone else’s blues.”

“What about Isabella? Someone should check on her. She could be hurt and hiding it. Blake reminds me of the abusive type.”

“Her being here in the states illegally doesn’t help.”

“Wait! Izzy told me she had a green card.”

“Not true! She’s playing it safe until she knows you better. This Blake guy keeps her here, pays her bills, feeds her. Better life than what she had in Colombia. If not bordering on slavery.” She rolled her eyes! “We all know how that nasty bit of history went.”

“For what it’s worth the only cotton I own are t-shirts.” He grinned at her like the devil.

“Burn ‘em like a rebel flag.” She sneered playfully! “I knew that country boy feel, painted you into a barn.”

“Bored off my ass right now. Mind if I join you on a jog?”

“Wearing that get up?” Regina sized up his boots and jeans. “I’m doing five miles. Gonna keep up or start wheezin’ just around the corner?”

“I guess we’ll find out. Run around the block while I get changed.” He clenched his teeth suddenly. “My tennis shoes are still upstairs by Vicki’s door. You better give me two laps around the block.”

“Hurry it up, Sweet Homie Alabama.”

“Iowa. More into Slipknot.” He chuckled, leaving her with a pat on the shoulder. Ass next time!

Running in step until he entered the back door, Regina shook her head once, thinking to herself, “Mmm mmm! I might have to reconsider givin’ the boy a run for his money. Lil’ rough around the edges but he’s got promise.” She had no clue who the band Slipknot even was, presuming he was going to trip over untied shoelaces.

Changing swiftly, he put on a pair of knee-high black trunks, a gold and black University of Iowa t-shirt, and thicker socks. Pinning his hair back into a tail he left his keys, wallet, and cell behind on the dining table, taking only his ID and a $10 bill should he need it. He wasn’t worried about anyone entering his apartment, not even Isabella now that she had been banned from interacting with him by Blake.

Heading upstairs to the third floor, with his boots in hand, he discovered the new bicycle in the same position as it was left. Putting on his tennis shoes, he replaced them with his boots so that Vicki knew he wasn’t abandoning her. It was a respect thing he wanted to establish.

He didn’t know a lot about Chinese culture, but he did know that respect was important. He had already concluded that she wanted more from life than her upbringing had instilled. Her desires were clearly evident if not fully realized. Shyness kept her grounded, yet on occasion she would test herself, like yesterday after her bike accident. Letting him see her in her underwear while Heather Norton tended to her wounds was a good start. Nothing more, other than studying his reaction. Respect won out. Sighing at her door, he headed back down.

Reaching the first floor, he turned from the staircase toward the back door entrance when he heard another door open. Looking over his shoulder he discovered a face, and body, he hadn’t seen before. Out of her apartment stepped a fellow neighbor by the name of Julia Lowe. He had to pause in step considering her lack of attire and her cranky tone. She was mumbling aggressively as she tiptoed on bare feet from her door. Quite naked at that!

The redhead with flawless milky white skin stood at 5’7, 135 pounds. Busty, but not overpowering at a 36C they were certainly perky, nipples peaking at the morning chill.

Her hair was long and curly as if Disney’s Merida. Barefoot, she marched out of her apartment without any concern of being seen. Stepping to Naomi’s door she knocked, awaiting her landlady to rise. Immediately, he connected her appearance with actress Ashley Greene from the Twilight movies. Yeah, Gavin had suffered through those in his younger days, thanks to an old girlfriend. Even after a harsh workout earlier, Gavin’s body realized this woman’s sensuality. Her scent didn’t help, it was like lavender in passing.

“Easy might still be asleep.” Gnarly made his presence known. “I call her Easy.”

Darting her gaze toward the unexpected voice Julia smirked then faced him placing her hands in her hair to reveal a full-frontal pose. “You must be the neighbor stud I heard about. Don’t mind me Naomi knows I’m a free spirit. Stripper by trade if you ever need a lap dance.”

“I need a job before I start tucking tens in your ... well, hair I guess.” He lowered his chin while rubbing the back of his neck. It wasn’t like she was wearing any undies or garter belt to hold any cash. “Now who might be saying things like that Stud part?”

Julia knocked a second time frowning with impatience. Agitated she leaned against the wall next to Naomi’s door with folded arms. Facing Gnarly, she sized him up from head to toe. “Everyone! I can see why panties are dripping. Mine are all in the laundry.”

“Nice to know I have fans. Everything, alright?”

“My toilet is leaking all over. I put towels down, but I don’t want to let it go and ruin Naomi’s floor.”

“Bad seal probably. You shut the water flow off behind the toilet?”

“Wasn’t aware it had one. Do I look like a plumber?”

“You have the crack.” He chuckled! “A couple of them!”

“Save it for the stage, Perv.” She scowled playfully! He could see it in her sparkling eyes that she loved showing off.

“So, you’re a stripper.”

“Technically a dancer but we all know where the steps lead.”

“Prancer! I can shut the water off until Naomi gets up. Just leave her a note.”

“You the maintenance man now?”

“I’ve been maintaining a bit.” He chuckled, meaning servicing Naomi, and the other girls in one fashion or another. “Unless I’m overstepping my boundaries. Just trying to help.”

“Follow my perfect ass. Just don’t step on that big crack.” Julia abandoned Naomi’s door and strolled toward Gnarly like a stalking lioness, her eyes mischievous as all get out. Opening her door back up she wiggled her ass at him, while casting a waving hand over her shoulder, with an alluring index and middle finger calling him in. “This way to potty paradise.”