Thread: Applewood Fields (kaigen & MetalMelissa)

Eric seemed to feel it when her eyes landed on him as he did his work. Though he made sure not to let on. He didnt turn to look back when he felt her looking at him. Knowing when someone was looking wasnt so much a sixth scense as it was him being aware of his surroundings. No, he did not constantly turn his head or actively look around with his head on a swivel, like a war vet or cop. But he did learn early on when he lived on the streets to know everything that happened around him. During those years doing so meant the difference between an easy meal or going hungry, or the difference between being hurt or walking away. Despite the comfort he felt in this place old habits died hard. In this place in time though, his ability to know what was going on around him caused the tall and well built young man to smile to himself. Over the years Eric saw many people act as Tammy and Alan did. While it was almost refreshing to see, it was never a behavior he felt a desire to recreate. Though he did at times recreate it. Mostly because he assumed that it was expected when he was with a woman for more than a night. It always worked out well though, and kept whoever he was with happy enough to keep him around until he was ready to leave. It was an activity that was never more than a means to an end for him and while he played the part well he knew thst he never enjoyed it as much as these two lovers did. But he did enjoy it. The rest of the day went very much as he expected it to. After lunch he stopped pretending to not notice the attractive older woman's wantering glances. At first he simply 'saw' her gazing. But after a time he began to throw her little half grins and even allowed her the opertunity to catch him checking her out. He did of course look over toward Tammy throughout the afternoon. But the looks he gave her were only ones of civil courtesy. A chuckle when she said something funny. Or a laugh in retort to something Alan said about Tammy. But none of those looks could even remotly be construed as lingering. And through it all he said not a single word since he last spoke when he agreed to wait for Lauren to meet him in the evening. Yes he knew where this likely would go and he knew it could cost him the safe, comfortable place where he now resided. But he learned long ago not to leave any avenue. Unchecked. Even as the two women talked about Elizabeth he remained mute. Finally at the end of the afternoon's work Eric retired to his nearly ancient RV. Despite its age, it was remarkably well kept. But still sported the old decor. After a quick shower he pulled on a clean set of jeans then grabbed a small glass and a single, large icecube and poured some brown liquid from an ornate bottle into the glass. After he sat on the wellworn couch behind the driver's seat he set the glass down and picked up a paperback book. His home on wheels was sparsly furnished with only the couch to sit on and a fixed end table to each side. The kitchen area was just as vacant. The small table and chairs had been removed long before he bought it. But there was a clean counter for him to set his plate when he ate there. Other than the minimal furnishings the only other items of note was the rolling toolbox strapped to the back of the passenger seat. There were no decorations no nicknacks. Just some motorcycle parts in the sink and an otherwise clean RV. And the only picture anywhere was a very aged one of a young boy standing next to a young girl of about the same age in what appeared to be an innercity playground that hung above the couch. And so he sat there. Slowly sipping the brown liquid as he mouthed the words he read from his book.