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Erik Nolan Ch. 01

By: PerilEyes



I

Of all the people Victor thought he'd befriend, a man like Erik Nolan would have been way far down the list. Of all the people he thought he'd have as a housemate, Erik would not have been on that list at all.

Erik was by far the most interesting person Victor called a friend and it boggled his mind that he even considered him a close friend. Victor didn't subscribe to any belief system, but 'blessed' was a word he would have used for Erik. He was naturally outgoing, naturally tall, and naturally rich.

That said, Erik Nolan wasn't a saint. He had a rough personality -- not intimidating, but the kind that wasn't afraid to make crude, non-PC jokes or offer blunt opinions. He liked a good party and a good drink.

This was the Erik Nolan Victor met in college and this is the Erik Nolan he shared Erik's three bedroom, three bathroom house with. But before Victor even met him, he made a pre-judgement that their paths would likely never cross. For one thing, despite being in the same educational level, Erik was a few years closer to 30 than he was. He was the archetypal popular high school jock, if such labels still existed. Victor didn't think he did formal sports. Victor definitely didn't himself. People liked him, and girls liked him. Victor did drink occasionally, but wasn't particularly loud or the people magnet he was.

But for whatever reason, whatever makes the universe work as it does, they hit it off. Maybe it was the 'opposites attract' thing.

Following graduation from their respective graduate programs, they were both young upstarts at new jobs, both single, and both self-dependent. So naturally (or maybe it wasn't so natural) they rented an old but newly renovated house together -- the mentioned tri-bedroom home all to themselves. Or at least, Victor rented. Erik owned the whole thing. How did they afford it? Victor had savings from working all through high school and undergrad and a bit of education funds from his dad too, while Erik almost exclusively had a boat load of money from his parents. Erik though wanted the extra space in case they took on another body.

About six months into living together, Victor's mom and dad said they wanted to come see the place their son was so avidly raving about.

It had been years since Victor lived with his parents -- his last year of high school in fact, because his schools were always outside their tiny town. He did, of course, go back to visit during summers and sometimes Christmases, but it was never more than three or four weeks at a time. He had gotten used to being on his own. Now with his own place and in the workforce, he was officially never going back. That felt good.

Erik initially made fun of him for getting a visit by his parents as a grown man, but he was basically cool with it -- Victor thought he was anyways; he never actually said. Victor suspected that they weren't ever going to get such a stay from his roommate's parents. At least, not together.

Erik's dad was a high level public servant, and his thick salary and sophisticated pension as well as his savings put the Nolans in a very stable situation financially. But despite his work ethic and savviness, Steve Nolan, like his son but in other ways, was not a saint. He was aloof and inattentive towards his wife, and didn't realize his marriage was breaking down.

There was no person Erik loved and respected more than Elsie Nolan. At least, that's what Victor believed. Erik wasn't a touchy feely kind of guy, but he breathed affectionate wisps about his mom here and there. Every bit of a son feeling most attached to his mother seemed true for Erik and Elsie. Victor never saw a picture of her, but she had to be beautiful just judging by Erik's tone.

His father was mentioned even less, and without the same fondness. Erik told Victor his parents separated while he was off in college and Victor guessed that it was sparked by his mom getting up and leaving her husband. His dad almost tried to compensate for the family breakdown by showering his son with money and allowing him free reign. It didn't work, because Erik resented his father still, but he probably couldn't lie that he hated having the freedom and disposal money.

Anyways, the plan for Victor's parents was that they would stay for two or three weeks, depending on how long they felt. Erik and Victor both had a month off, surprising vacation time for how new they were to their jobs. Victor's mom was emphatic about not wanting to 'burden' them or 'overstay' their welcome. Victor assured her they would accommodate her fine.

On the day of their arrival, Victor opened the door to his mom - with her short stature and all -- rushing in to hug and kiss his son. The late afternoon sun brought plenty of light into the foyer. "Oh my god, my Victor..." she ensnared him. With Erik facing him while leaned against a wall, Victor knew he'd hear it from him later. Victor could see his all too familiar sheepish smile ridiculing him now. His grinning friend scanned them up and down as he took in this surely 'gay' display.

Victor's dad came in in a more reserved fashion, as was his style. He dropped the bags - a couple of older suitcases - and joined the Schafer reunion. Actually, he oddly tried to shake hands with Victor before his wife -- Victor's mom - told him to give me a little more than that.

"You haven't seen him in who knows," she flustered.

After forced into a father-son hug, the family collectively turned toward Erik, who was just smiling after watching this awkward sequence.

"Oh, guys, this is my roommate, Erik," Victor rushed. "Erik, my parents, Amie and Kurt."

Erik pushed himself from the wall and straightened his body while stepping towards them, his bare feet patting on the hardwood. He donned a white sleeveless shirt, a pair of Nike shorts, and red cap worn backwards on his head that covered his blonde hair. The Schafers were not a tall clan, and Erik certainly accentuated that. The male members were both about 5'4, a few tiny steps above the matriarch who was a diminutive 5 feet even. Erik was, in Victor's estimation, 6 feet - maybe 6'1.

For the warm day, Amie donned a pair of white shorts and deep green tee. Sandals covered her uncoloured nail feet. She was a woman of fair complexion, not overly tanned with shoulder length brown hair and bangs across her forehead. She had a bit of shape to her hips and chest, but for the most part she was a slender woman. Victor's dad had on a pair of brown slacks and a light blue button-down shirt. Like his son, he was a thin man of slightly darkened skin derived from his day job. While his arms and hands were hairy, the top of his brown hair was thinning.

Erik extended his hand, taking the new guests' individually, and gave one of the more respectful greetings Victor seen from him. "Erik. Pleasure to meet you both." Amie Schafer smiled back and offered a sweet 'hi' while Kurt Schafer just nodded and said 'hello'.

"We still have those?!" Victor then said, turning to the raggedy cases by his dad's feet.

Amie immediately shook her head. "I told your father we needed new ones, but he won't listen." She looked legitimately annoyed, but Victor didn't think much of it. She rolled her eyes and landed on Erik. Victor wasn't sure how much support she was going to get from him. He at least smiled -- or grinned -- back.

After a few more inconsequential words, Victor showed them up to their room. He knew Erik brought home more than a few overnight 'guests', but they never stayed in their guest room. The Schafers would be breaking it in. It was minimalist -- what was one to expect from two guys decorating? But it had a lot of light, a queen-sized bed, and closet space, which were the musts to Victor. They didn't complain. He showed them the shower, Amie said how happy she was to see her boy, and then he let them get settled.

The next move was to get started on dinner. He preheated the oven and turned on the stove. It'd be pasta and chicken strips tonight.

Prepping everything, Erik walked in just as he was setting a pot of water to boil. He traversed the tiled floor and reached into the fridge for a pre-stocked Heineken. He always had a beer stash in there at all times.

"Parents are all good?" he asked, after taking a swig.

Victor's head wavered. "Yeah, I think so...it was a long drive. They're tired and cranky." The oven beeped that it was ready. He loaded it with a tray of frozen battered chicken. The water needed a bit more time, but Victor had the linguini ready to go.

"Yeah, your mom was really showing your dad who was boss. Dad's a wimp, huh?" he laughed.

"No, that's how things are in house," Victor played off.

Even with two men in the family, Victor knew that his mom seemed to be the authoritative voice in the family. She was a sweet and loving woman, but he and his father knew not to argue with her because it was an argument they would lose. The suitcase stuff was just a weird by-product of that, he guessed.

"Plus, like I said, it was a long ride. Anyone would get annoyed," he added. The water was bubbling now.

Erik shrugged it off. He took his beer and left the room. Victor finished off dinner, considering Erik's words some more. If he was implying what he thought he was, it was a misogynistic comment to make. At least, it could have been interpreted as such. It fell in line with other things Erik said and did anyways.

He organized the table in a way that he was sure to make even his mother proud that she raised him right, and then went upstairs to summon his parents. The door was partly ajar and he heard their voice inside. They weren't loud and combative, but somehow they sounded at odds about something. Victor tapped on the door and pushed it opened.

"Hey, hungry?" he interrupted.

Amie sighed, sounding relieved. She had changed into a long skirt and a blouse. His dad remained in the same clothes. "Yes. Let's eat."

While trailing her son down the stairs, Amie mentioned that he never gave them the 'grand tour' of the house. Victor obliged. He figured they already knew the top floor (although maybe not that Erik had the master), so he focused on the ground level. He showed them the main floor powder room that was recently reno'd. He toured them through the living room with the restored fireplace and big screen TV. Finally, he led them through the kitchen and its granite counters and white cupboards.

"Wow, you did this?" Amie enthused about the table setup. Victor mentally gave himself a mental pat on the back as he told her that it was indeed his handiwork. She was glad to see it.

"Where's Erik, by the way?"

"Oh! He's probably outside. I guess I should show you that too," he remarked, heading toward to the backyard walkout.

He slid the screen door and walked out to the charming yard. A spacious house meant a not so spacious outside, but it would do. Looking around, there was the patio area, a little walkout to a garden area, and a barbeque. A fence with bushes rounded the perimeter, shielding the neighbours' yards for the needed privacy.

A shirtless Erik was sitting at the patio table. The discarded garment hung over top of the chair next to him. He had a cigarette in one hand and a phone, held to his ear, in the other. An empty beer bottle sat beside the ashtray and his hat next to that. Without it, Erik sported a wavy head of rich dirty blonde tresses. It was grown out a bit, but by no means long. As his parents stepped in front behind him, Victor saw his mom's eyes widen a bit. Victor didn't speak out of respect for his friend who was chatting and to allow his parents to take everything in.

Victor put his hand to his mouth to alert his roommate it was dinner time. Without a real acknowledgement from him, he led his parents back inside.

The Schafers began dinner in Erik's absence. The now covered man walked in a few minutes in. He went right into the fridge and grabbed a beer while offering Victor and Kurt one. Like his son, Kurt was also the occasional drinker. "Amie? I've got wine too."

The older woman waved her hands dismissingly. "Oh, I don't drink at all." Erik didn't say anything to that and sat down.

After a toast to their 'safe arrival', dinner conversation centred on the guests. Amie Schafer worked inside the home.

"Plain old housewife," she said behind a shy laugh. Kurt Schafer had a few more years on his wife and was a 'lead operations technician' at a community centre. What did that mean?

"I'm the head janitor," he undersold, much to his wife's visible chagrin. She shook her head and reminded him it was more than that. Kurt didn't say more than that.

Amie fitted and swallowed some greens before asking, "So, what do you do, Erik?"

He answered that he was a high level account manager for a large financial firm.

"Oh," Amie intrigued. "That's pretty exciting."

"Yeah, everyone is pretty useless, so I have to do it all and clean up everyone's messes." There was the Erik Nolan 'charm' Victor was used to. He didn't think his parents would be too appreciative.

However, Victor then watched them go on a weird conversation line of 'doing it'. He didn't think it was sexual like his generation's mind was programmed to think. It didn't look like his mom thought of it that way, anyway. In any case, she was into it.

"Sometimes I do it too much at home," she laughed. Victor thought it was a joke. He laughed -- nervously. His father remained silent - as he had almost the entire time at the table.

After dinner, they ventured into the backyard. Erik took his usual spot at the end of the long oval table in front of his ash tray, still with remnants of his earlier endeavours. Victor sat next to him and Amie beside him. Kurt curiously sat at the other end, considerably away from everyone.

The sky's turned golden glow turned a dark blue as they sat around the table. Tobacco scented the air while Erik casually worked at his cigarette. Somehow Victor was thankful it wasn't a blunt wiggling between his fingers. Although they didn't smoke, Victor knew his parents could tolerate cigarettes. His mom in particular told him it was disgusting habit, but she could 'learn to be OK' with it. She wouldn't be as tolerant of weed.

"So Amie, I bet you get a few looks on the street, huh?" Erik suddenly said. Victor thought he was so unfiltered to ask a question like that.

His mom seemed to think so too. Amie audibly laughed it off. "Oh boy, that's trouble..."

"Well, do you?"

Victor wanted -- and expected -- his mom to laugh it off again and not entertain the line of question, even as light-hearted as Erik made it out to be. She did laugh. But then she answered, "Oh gosh, not in a long while..."

"Oh come on," Erik dropped his hand. "You're what -- only 44? 45? I'd say you still have it. You're hot..."

It wasn't that Victor didn't think Erik was right. He was. His mom was beautiful. A son could see that. She had a pretty face, highlighted by long brown hair and hazel eyes, and a tiny yet curvy body. It was just that knowing Erik and the 'cool' persona he put on for people -- it was hard to believe he was being nice and sincere just to be nice and sincere. Nice wasn't the word Victor would have used for him. There was always something digging beneath the surface.

And then he added two monster words.

"...Sexy even."

The compliments, the chatter...it occurred to Victor that Erik was flirting with her! He was unmistakably flirting with his mom! He had heard and seen this song and dance from his roommate. He made a living of it in college. He was good. He succeeded in most of 'conquests' (which was Erik's word for many of his partners.) But this wasn't the tall pretty blonde from the university volleyball team...this was his mom!

Victor was angry and annoyed inside. Once again, it wasn't that his mom wasn't objectively good looking. She was. But to hear the word 'hot' placed next to her name by Eric Nolan...that put him off.

Amie modestly thanked him behind some high pitched laughs. Victor looked across to his father to see if he was seeing this craziness too. He expected to see some ire on his face. But there was nothing. His head was almost hunched into his neck, his back almost hunched forward. If anything, he looked like he was getting drowsy as he just watched the rest of the table converse! He didn't really say much the whole day, come to think of it.

Victor turned back to the conversation to catch the end of something Erik said. He didn't make it out, but Amie was smiling and chuckling again. His head basically bounced between them while they amicably traded lines. He might as well have been back in the house. Kurt certainly wasn't present despite being present.

He thought things might've stopped when his dad rose up. He just sleepily announced, "Going to bed now...Night everyone."

And with that, he was gone. A few 'goodnights' went his way and then he disappeared into the house. Amie didn't follow. Victor noted her smile still painted onto her face. There was a chill in the air and, without the patio light, it may have well been dark. Victor didn't say anything but wished his mom would start yawning too.

More words were danced back and forward between Amie and Erik. Victor stopped playing ping pong and tilted his head look at the sky. He wished he had a star to wish upon right now. The light pollution of the big city concealed everything.

While Victor was distracted in celestial contemplation, suddenly Erik reached over and slapped his leg. Victor was understandably startled and let out a cry while he leaned forward in his chair.

"Look alive, Vic!" Erik amusingly commanded.

While he rubbed his thigh, his mom seemed to enjoy the horseplay. Victor didn't know whether she liked the slap or his reaction more. Erik played around a lot like that with him so he was used to it. He was just caught off guard and a bit embarrassed to have it in front of his mother.

Amie must've heard Victor's mental commands. She put her hand to her face and covered her mouth. "Well then, I guess I should call it a night too." She pushed her chair out and lifted herself up. Victor saw the droopiness in her eyes. She was indeed tired. Thankfully.

"Need anything before you turn in?" her son offered.

Amie didn't. Her lips went into an exhausted smile. "I think we're OK." She looked toward Erik and wished him a good night. He raised his glass to her.

After collectively watching her step inside, Victor and Erik sat at the table alone. Darkness took over the patio and after a moment Victor considered retiring into the house as well.

Just as he was about to leave, Erik lit up another cigarette spoke, stopping his friend. "Your mom really needs a good fuck, you know."

"What?"

"Your dad isn't doing it for her. She's way unhappy."

Victor shook his head and wondered where this was coming from. His hands relaxed on the arm rests, where he was readying to push himself. "What are you talking about?"

Erik coolly puffed a cloud into the air and fed more ashes into the crystal tray. "Your dad is a moron. Just like my old man. He stopped caring for your mom a long time ago. Definitely hasn't fucked her in years."

Victor knew he was likely right that they stopped being intimate. His dad had asthma and really limited what he could do -- that must've included sex too. And they weren't generally touchy feely and affectionate with each other. Victor knew they did bicker a little bit, but what couple didn't? But to say that his dad stopped caring for her -- that crossed a line.

"How do you know?" he quizzed.

"Because I saw it with my parents, dummy! Your mom's trapped. She's got a husband that doesn't say much and doesn't show her anything. Her marriage is pretty much going through the motions of living. 'What are we going to eat...did anyone call today...did we pay the water bill...' And she's not going to open up to her son because they're pretty much the same guy. She's starved for attention, Vic."


Erik Nolan Ch. 02



II

Victor started the next day by checking on his parents. He told them of the plan to go into town and indulge in some brunch. They were jovial and light-hearted, a total different vibe than yesterday.

As he walked away to get ready himself, he thought that Erik had his parents wrong and overstated their apparent problems. Victor was right: the travel had gotten to them. Time and sleep heals all; that's all they needed.

Victor waited in the main foyer for everyone. Erik came over a minute later and Victor went over his ideas for the day. They would brunch at La Petite Dejeuner, an acclaimed weekend eatery, and then walk along Elm and Stevens for some window shopping -- or real shopping should his parents want. Rather expected of Erik, he wasn't very invested in his housemate's plans. Nonetheless, he gave him a nonchalant 'go ahead'.

Victor's mom appeared next at the top of the steps. Much like the previous day, she wore jean jacket atop a long earthy brown skirt that hid a pair of simple flats.

"Ready to go?" he asked when she reached the landing. Then, curiously noting that his father was not with her, he quizzed, "Where's Dad?"

Amie shrugged. "He changed his mind. He wasn't feeling too well." Despite the news that her husband was unwell, she seemed oddly unbothered.

"Oh." Victor was disappointed his father wouldn't join them, but tried to shrug it off as best he could.

They took Erik's car, a tall SUV. It was an entertaining sight watching Amie, petite as she was, trying to climb into the tank-like vehicle. Erik helped her into the back seat and Victor swore he heard a giggle as she thanked him.

"So, is Dad sick or something?" he quizzed again as they took off, hoping for more info.

"Yeah, he thinks he got something from dinner or something..."

Victor prepared dinner perfectly. There wasn't much to screw up with frozen chicken and boiled pasta. He voiced it to her.

Amie was wishy-washy in her response. "Yeah, well, I'm not sure..."

Erik was silent in this, bringing them to their destination. He drove with one hand directing the wheel. The other hung out the widow, casually and occasionally coming to his mouth to puff his cigarette. Victor wished he wouldn't smoke around his mom, but again she seemed fixed on him.

Reaching the restaurant, Amie filed into the booth first and her son sat down next to her. Erik occupied the other side to himself but sat directly across the older woman. Amie and Erik spent the beginning of the meal in conversation with each other. Amie once again asked about his job. Erik told her about the nature of clients his firm carried and a couple in particular that he took care of. "CEOs, execs, you name it."

Amie's hazel eyes lit up when hearing about these high rollers -- financial district 'hustlers' as Erik called them. The stories of living in penthouses and driving fancy cars -- it was all another world to her. Victor counted about six 'wow's in his mom's responses.

When it came time to reciprocate with information about herself, the stay-at-home woman was a bit less inclined to converse.

"You try to pick up things to do -- hobbies and whatever -- but it gets kind of boring," she laughed off.

Erik stirred his coffee, "That's not a life."

Amie didn't say anything to that.

Victor did. "But you have Vicki and Helen, don't you?" he said, recalling the neighbours that used to come over for coffee when he was growing up.

"Oh gosh," she laughed. "They haven't come over for years!" That was a revelation to Victor. He didn't know his mom was that bored, as she said it.

The waitress came in with their food and asked if they needed anything. They didn't. While she was stepping away, Erik made no attempts to hide his ogling. Her skirt fluttered and her hips wagged. This was typical Erik Nolan behaviour as Victor knew it. He turned his head to catch his mother looking at Erik's behaviour. He expected her to show dismay at this blatant rudeness.

But then she went about enjoyably sampling her food. "Mmm, this is delicious," she said, cutting into her eggs. "Thanks, Erik."

Thanks Erik? Thanks Erik?! It was Victor's idea! Victor had the idea to go out, Victor thought up the plans the night before! Erik didn't even care. Victor looked to his housemate. The arrogant guy just tipped his head at him.  When it came time to pay, the guys jostled a bit on who would cover the bill. Erik was quicker on the draw when the waitress came by, flashing his credit card. Even as she configured the machine for him, Erik was still checking out her lower body. Victor shot him mental daggers. She passed it to him and he grinned, returning to her face.

"You have great set of eyes...and legs, by the way," he said to the server while punching in his card.

The waitress gave him a polite smile and quietly thanked him. He handed it back to her. Desperate to get out of here, Victor rose up first to entice the others up. Before they got going, Amie excused herself to the little girl's room.

While they watched her walk away, Erik nudged him. "Man, what a piece of ass your mom is."

"Don't talk about her like that."

Erik laughed at him. "Or what?"

Victor didn't say anything.

"See, she's desperate. Tired of dad."

"What are you talking about?" he said under his breath.

"He won't show her nothing and doesn't accompany her out. That's a loser," Erik said.

"He's sick," Victor defended, although even he was starting to doubt that.

"Yeah, you tell yourself that."

Fortunately, Erik didn't say anything more. Victor was already bothered; he didn't want to listen to more of his friend, who wasn't being much a friend right now. Amie came back and flashed a smile mostly to Erik, informing them she was ready to go.

They commenced to the promenade. As it should have been, Stevens was busy on this weekend afternoon. Couples and families and friends were all out enjoying the sun. Last out the door, Victor walked behind the other two on the busy and crammed sidewalk. He couldn't shake the feeling of being the odd person out -- a pathetic third wheel, of sorts.

Occasionally his mom stopped in front of a shop and looked inside the window. Victor asked if she wanted to go inside and have a look, but each time the older woman shook her head and said to keep walking. Victor didn't know her to be a huge shopper. She more looked and wished than actually pull out her cash.

Finally, she stopped in front of another boutique. There was some jewelry in the window and a trio of mannequins with stylish clothing. Her brown eyes looked very intrigued. They darted around and sparkled at the fine display. Victor wasn't going to say anything because she would just tell him she was just looking.

Erik did, however.

"Just go inside, Amie," the tall man assertively instructed.

Amie laughed. "Alright, alright, I'm going in...I'm going to do it this time."

Victor didn't get it. She was deaf to his repeated urging. A couple of words from Erik Nolan, however, and she obeyed. What was that?

While Amie and Victor went in, Erik hung back outside to smoke a cigarette. The female sales attendant welcomed them and told them about the store's 'holdings'. Amie rushed between the racks of clothing. Victor joined in with his mom to start. Whatever dress she pulled off the rack, her son asked if she wanted to buy it. He thought he was being helpful and hospitable, but she brushed off every question while continuing to awe at the beautiful fabric. Eventually, he felt out of place trying to shop with his mother and hung out at the front of the store near the door.

Just as he stood, the ringer above the door sounded and Erik stepped in. "I wouldn't bother with her," he warned. "She's just browsing around." He didn't think Erik would've been interested to look at clothes with her anyways, but to Victor's surprise, he moved past him and towards Amie.

Erik shook off his sunglasses and hooked them onto his shirt. As he came to Amie, she showed him a white and black polka dotted dress she had been eyeing.

"What do you think of this?"

"I think it'll look pretty damn sexy on you."

Amie sighed. "Yeah, it would."

"Your husband wouldn't appreciate you in that."

"You're telling me," she laughed. "The first thing he would say is 'How much did that thing cost?' and 'Why do you need that?'"

"What an idiot," Erik boldly called. "It's called looking nice."

"Yeah, and it's been such a long time since I got something nice for myself. I mean, there's just no reason to. Not anymore, anyways."

"You need to treat yourself, Amie,"

Amie pressed the dress to her body and gauged how it looked on her. It did look really good -- maybe even sexy like Erik said. Gosh, it had been a while since she had been described like that. Actually, never. She sighed again. She hooked it back onto the spinning rack. "Yeah, but I couldn't do that.

The older woman made her way over to the jewelry counter. She scanned the shiny trinkets inside before letting out a cry, "Oh my..." She peered in and fixed in on a good necklace with a blue heart shaped pendant. It captivated her.

Erik brushed his hand on her skirt, running it down her hip.

"Oh Erik...I can't..."

"Can't what?" he smiled behind her.

"Can't get that necklace..."

Erik gave the attendant a beckoning look and she came over. "The lady would like to try this necklace on."

As the jewelry piece was taken out of the case and Erik rubbed her side, Amie meekly protested. "Please...I can't..." Truthfully, she was fixated on the blue shine and the sweet caresses on her body.

Erik momentarily took his hands off her to fit it around her neck. Amie lifted her hair and unzipped her jacket, unable to hide her amusement. He leaned in close to connect the clasp. Then, with it set, she dropped her hair. It was naturally centred on her chest.

Amie turned her body to face the mirror on the counter. She briefly touched the pendant. She loved it. Really loved it. Erik's imposing body was behind her. He continued to feel her. She let him.

"The earrings," he then prompted.

They came out of the case. Matching blue stoned studs. Amie didn't say anything. No protest this time. Amie admired them in her palm for a moment; they glimmered in the overhead lights. Amie held them up to the side of her head. She wisped her neck around and emulated the possibility of those jewels dangling and twinkling sexily.

"They look hot on you," the stud behind her commented. He rubbed her lower back.

In an uncharacteristic fit of confidence, she said, "I know."

While she continued her self-admiration, Erik patted her back. "She'll take them," he announced to the clerk.

There were no words about it from Amie. She watched as he pulled out his credit card and handed it to the woman. Her eyes went between his hand and his face -- his confident, stern face.

As the payment wrapped up, Amie went to take them off so they could be placed in their cases. Erik told her to leave the necklace and put on the earrings. The mom complied. "You're the boss," she smirked.

Outside, Victor was loitering around the street, waiting for them to emerge from the shop. He couldn't watch Erik and his mom. He couldn't support it. How could he? Erik was stalking and hunting prey. He hung behind her, said a few things; she was so...receptive! Then came his rich housemate's active hands. He was stroking and feeling his mom! It was highly inappropriate -- this older, married woman and this much younger, much taller womanizer -- in a public place no less! Even the woman patrolling behind the counter looked like she knew something was wrong. Like Victor, she didn't want to say anything.

He had to get out of there. So he hung out on the sidewalk. He was a pacer. He walked up the length of the shop, turned around and did it again. He peered in the window. It looked like they were wrapping up. His mom reached behind her head but then looked to Erik and stopped what she was doing. She was smiling. Then she laughed. Victor shook his head and turned away.

His mom came out first. A bag hung around her wrist. Erik was behind her -- close behind her. The gems around her neck and at the side of her head really shone in the sun. She looked really happy. Victor grimaced at the sight of his friend's hands bracing her back as they stepped on to the street. Without a word to him, they continued on while he tagged behind.

Reaching a large public park, the trio planned to fill out the rest of the afternoon amongst the other revellers of the square. Or at least, Erik planned to do so with Amie.

Victor was about to take a spot beside his mom in some shaded area when an arm pressed into his chest, preventing him from sitting. He looked up at Erik who was holding a folded twenty dollar at him.

"I think your mother would like some ice cream from Ed's. How's about you go fetch us some, eh?"

Victor shook his head. "There's a line out the door, dude. I wouldn't be back for twenty minutes at least."

Erik just shrugged and nonchalantly said, "Alright. If you don't wanna go, that's fine..."

Victor hated that tone. The guilt tone. Yes, his mom was here and his guest so he should do this for her. But it was ridiculous. Frustrated, he grunted and swiped the money out his fingers. "Fine, I'll go. What do you want mom? Cone, bowl, ice cream, gelato, flavours?"

Amie was piqued at the idea of gelato. "Anything chocolate or banana please!"

"Gelato for me too. Mango. And get something for yourself," Erik ordered. Yes, ordered was a good word. Victor was apparently their servant.

Get something for yourself, Victor repeated to himself. That was real nice of him. He silently walked past him on the way to the little ice cream shop. It was good stuff, but very expensive and with a long wait. He sighed again.

Erik waited until he was away and then returned to Amie. She sat back on her hands and eyed the lines of trees and people between. Some were picnicking and leisurely consuming adult beverages.

She turned to the younger man. "Victor went to get the gelato?"

Erik nodded.

"I'm really glad to be here."

"You don't get out much, do you? Not with that asshole of a husband."

Amie laughed, strangely foregoing the comment about Kurt and answering his question with a question of her own. "What gave you that impression?"

"I had a hunch," he nonchalantly mentioned.

"You know, I had to actually convince him to do this visit. Imagine that, seeing your own son needed convincing."

"I know. He's fuckin' awful."

"It wasn't even that he didn't want to see Vic. He just won't go anywhere. Doesn't like the travel, doesn't like the hassle...I don't know."

Amie eyed a quartet of young twenty-somethings passing around a flying disk as she spoke. The girls were pretty; the boys were handsome.

"It never used be like this, you know." She paused to straighten her body. Her face lit up with memories. "You know, in the old days we used to go to and see the big lights of the big city. We used to go to all the discotheques -- that's what they still called them, even though it was 1987 and disco was long over. It was a different time then. They cleaned it up now, but then it was seedy. I mean, we never got into any trouble and weren't big partiers, but wow, that was a great time. Now we're lucky to even get out for a coffee."

"You know what happened, don't ya."

"Yeah, getting old did," she bluntly assessed, attempting a laugh.

"No, he just got lazy and stupid and can't be bothered to take his great wife out for a coffee ," he revised.

Amie didn't say anything to that. "It really started when Vic went away. Which is stupid because you'd think THAT would be the start of our time. Instead things got boring and quiet. More quiet."

She stopped herself and pondered.

"But I mean, we raised a good kid. He went to school, got a job...that's all you want as a parent. We must've done something right."

"Are things really OK or do you tell yourself that?"

That caught Amie off guard. "I...I don't know. What are you saying?"

"You know what I think when I look at you?"

Amie shook her head.

"You're fucking hot, Amie."

"Oh..." Amie nervously laughed. She had never been told that before! She shifted in place. Her legs rubbed up against each other. Erik rubbed her thigh.

"...And you make me hot just looking at you now."

She legs twitched again. "I do...?"

"Yeah. You haven't ever been told that, have you?" he asked, as if reading her mind.

"No...I haven't..."

"I'm going to let you decide, but I think -- no, I know you've wasted your life 'til now."

"I have...?"

"You could be so much more than a boring housewife and you know it."

Erik pulled on her skirt. She watched the fabric run up her leg and expose her calf muscle. Amie was silent, but her mind was getting flustered. Her pussy itched. She was trying hard to keep her hormones down.

"You don't need to be this covered up. A sexy woman like you should be on display."

Amie giggled at that. Her voice then tempered as she teased him, "So what do I do now, Mr. Know-It-All?"

Erik tugged on her skirt more. He leaned into her body. It looked like he was about to kiss her, but he bypassed her face and put his lips to her ear. "Whatever you feel like doing." The younger man pulled out with a grin. Amie saw it and met it with a smile of her own. In that moment, she was getting very excited. The tickle of his words and his voice on her ear made her tingle. He was so confident, so bold. They were sitting so near. If she didn't know any better, she was taking a shameful liking to this younger man. She was nervous too; there was no doubt about that. But something felt so right about it now.

Her focus was broken by the sudden dimming of the sun. She looked ahead and saw a figure -- Victor -- standing before them. He held three white paper bowls. If she looked hard enough, she could've seen his hairy legs quiver a bit. She also could have seen his eyes darting between his hand on her thigh and their close positioning.

"Oh, you're back, eh there Vicky?" Erik announced in his deprecating way. Amie shifted away from him.

Victor stepped in and handed each their gelato and keeping one for himself. Amie scooped a bit of the chocolatey frozen treat into her mouth and down her throat. She licked her lips, tasting the residue. "Mmmmm..." As she watched a foursome throw around a Frisbee, her stomach wasn't the only place that housed her pleasure.

Amie continued the afternoon in the most jovial of moods. The weather was nice, and she liked being around Erik. When they drove back, Erik made sure that she rode in the passenger seat up front with him. She would look over and see the dirty blonde haired man with one arm out the window, casually commanding the steering wheel behind his sunglasses.

Then she would crane her neck up to the rear view mirror and see Victor strapped in the backseat. It had been a while since she saw such a sight. It reminded her that even though he was adult now, Victor was still her son, riding in the backseat during a road trip. That oddly amused her.

Arriving home, dinner was set out to be a barbeque. Erik did the grilling. Shirtless again. He had a beer next to him at all times as well as a cigarette. Victor was quiet. As was his dad, even after a morning and afternoon by himself.

When the Schafer parents retired to their room, only then did Kurt open up to his wife.

"So how'd it go today?" the older man asked.

Despite her good mood, Amie had taken note of her husband's silence. He was a quiet man by nature -- too quiet. And his decision to not take part in the afternoon's activities bothered her. She had not shown it to Victor because she didn't feel up to talking about Kurt's stupidity. It was a silly question to ask how her day was; if he had gone with them, he'd know!




Erik Nolan Ch. 02



"Fine," she said. She was planning on leaving it at that but she added, if only to avoid followups, "We ate and got ice cream."

"That's nice," Kurt asked, not sounding particularly intrigued. Amie knew he had only ask out of some courtesy or something.

They were quiet for the next few seconds. Amie took off her shoes and tidied up the room while Kurt got ready for bed. Amie was going to keep quiet about him as she always had, but then she found herself chastising, "You could have come, you know."

Her husband nonchalantly shrugged. To Amie, it was like he was saying to her, 'What do you want me to do?'

His lack of care irked her more. She continued to look through her bag -- or pretend to, anyway --- as she spoke to him. "I think you could at least make an effort while you're up here, you know."

"We've got two weeks here."

Amie looked up. Her eyes pierced at him. "Yeah, and that's what you'll say every day until we have to leave, isn't it? Isn't it?"

"What's this about, Amie?"

"Why don't we ever go out? Don't I deserve better?"

Kurt was taken aback. "What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Nevermind. You know what? Do what you want. I'm taking a shower," she said, walking into the adjoined ensuite. Kurt stood completely flabbergasted. He didn't know what had gotten into his wife.

Carefully climbing into the shower tub, she turned the knobs to an appropriate pressure and temperature. The raining water cascaded on Amie's curvy form. She had to cool down, both literally and figuratively. Kurt irked her so much. She hadn't really come to the realization that she was unhappy mostly because of him, even though all the signs were there beforehand.

When she thought about it, Erik was very much the anti-Kurt. The young man was vocal, understanding, and wise beyond his years. He seemed to understand her. He was also vulgar and unapologetic. Amie recalled his caresses. There was nothing friendly about them. As she lathered her body, she had not been touched liked that in a long time (which was, again, part of her dissatisfaction), but she knew what it meant and how it felt.

And boy, it felt good.

As she started to think about it again, she hooked a finger into her pussy. With a breath in, she slid it inside and worked her cunt. She felt some shame for being so electrified by his touch. She was still a married woman after all! But somehow shame and lust fed into one another producing something so erotic. Everything felt so taboo. She couldn't fight it.

Her finger freely pistoned in and out of her hole. As she closed her eyes, the image of the taller, hot man prevailed in her mind's eye. Absentmindedly, she lifted her leg onto the tub's ledge. That allowed her a better angle to herself.

"Erik..." then she found herself whispered. She called out his name. She called out her son's housemate's name as her husband was presumably sleeping on the other side of the door. "Oh Erik.." she did it again. She felt so bad. But it all felt good.

"You deserve better..." she then switched. She repeated it like a mantra. It was engrained in her brain now. She was entitled to an exciting life. She didn't have to be brought down anymore.

"Erik..." she cooed again. By now she slid another digit inside herself and was working hard. She went until climax, coming some moments later. It wasn't huge, but she purposely tried to keep it quiet. Part of her thought her husband could stand to see that she had to pleasure herself to keep satisfied, but again, what was the point?

She settled her foot on the tub and finished off her shower. When she stepped back in the bedroom, fresh and somewhat gratified, Kurt was fast asleep and snoring on his side. Sighing, she slipped into bed beside him.



Erik Nolan Ch. 03



A couple of notes because I neglected to give the proper acknowledgements in the previous two installments: 

Many thanks to my editor 'tigerssman' for his assistance. 

Thanks to the individual who approached me with the idea. 

***** 

III 

With Kurt on his stomach and snoring away beside her, Amie stared at the ceiling as hints of sunlight peeked through the window. She wasn't really thinking of anything, beyond whether she should continue to lie in bed or get up and do something. Kurt snorted again and she had her decision. Pushing her small frame off the mattress, she swung her plaid pyjama-clad legs off the side of the bed and dropped her feet onto the ground. 

Walking into the en suite bathroom, she bent over the sink and splashed water on her face. Looking up, she shook her head and laughed at her reflection. Despite her best efforts with creams and moisturizers, her age showed in her skin. And in that moment, she gave herself a reality check about everything that went on yesterday. 

What Erik would ever see in her? He had free pick of any 20 or even 30-something young vixens. Why would he even bother with her? She was convinced he had to be humouring her. No sensible young man would have an interest in an aging housewife. Drying off, she stepped into the quiet hallway and carefully made her way downstairs. 

Even though it wasn't her house, she resolved to cook everyone breakfast. She reminded herself she liked doing this kind of stuff. She liked caring for her family. That was, after all, her duty, wasn't it? It took a bit of locating to find the mixing bowls and whisks, but she eventually had all the ingredients and utensils for a big breakfast. 

Soon enough, the kitchen and the house filled with the aroma of eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, and coffee. And naturally, the Schafer men found their ways to it. 

Victor walked in and incredulously noted the stack of pancakes and the steaming cups of coffee on table, and then his mom toiling away putting strips of bacon on a plate. His Dad was less shocked. He sat down with a cup of coffee. 

"Mom?" 

Amie turned around just as she finished. "Oh! Morning! I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd come down and fix some breakfast. Hope that's OK." 

"Mom, you didn't have to do this. You're on vacation here." 

"I know. But I really wanted to show my boys how much I like taking care of them, and show you my appreciation for letting us stay here," she sweetly said. "Where's Erik?" 

"I think he had to go into work. He didn't say anything to me, though." 

Victor's dad was already pouring syrup over his pancakes. Victor joined him while Amie turned off the stove. More toast popped out of the toaster and she added it to the stack on the table. "Bread? I've margarine here but I can get jam if you want." 

Victor declined. "Just sit, Mom. This is great." 

Amie did. Kurt was moving through his breakfast at a high pace. 

"So, how do you like it here so far?" Victor asked, then addressing it to his father in particular. "Dad?" 

"It's OK. A bit of a young neighbourhood, isn't it?" 

As Amie was dressing a piece of toast, she wondered to herself how he knew that given his refusal to do anything yesterday. For the sake of her 'turning a new leaf' approach, she said nothing. 

"Yeah, a little bit. We have a few families though, like the one across the street from us," he said. "How's the theatre centre doing?" 

"We had to wash the walls last week, which was a challenge because the lobby has such a high ceiling. We couldn't use the scissor lifts because of the potential for ruining the protected stuff." 

Amie crunched into her bread. Kurt worked in a still functioning century-old theatre that was attached to a modern community centre. Working the operations and cleaning of the place was difficult because there were so many heritage factors that couldn't be disturbed. She was annoyed, yet again, still silent that he didn't promote the difficulties and the gorgeous venue the other night. Only he called it a community centre! 

"So what did you do?" 

"We had to make makeshift mops out of extend-o-poles and mop heads." 

Victor wolfed down his food. He was always a fast eater Amie remembered. She stood up, "More, Vic? There's a lot left." she said, picking up the stack of pancakes and sliding one on his empty plate. Her tiny body couldn't quite reach over the table so she had to really lean for it. "Bacon, too? 

"No you don't have - " he started, but he already had a couple of pancakes and three strips of bacon in front of him, "Well, OK. But no more." 

He liked this - his family breakfast together again. His mom was smiling, his dad was talking, and they could be a family. Best of all, there wasn't Erik around. 

Kurt finished and left the kitchen, leaving Victor and Amie to lift the table. Amie told him she would handle everything, but her son insisted again that she didn't have to do so much work and that she should at least let him help her. She obliged. She rinsed the oily scraps off the plates and he loaded them in the dishwasher. 

"So, how are you?" he asked, slotting a plate in the rack. 

"Good!" she smiled. She meant it too. 

"I didn't get to ask what you thought of yesterday." 

"It was OK," she said, although she might have been downplaying. "That was a really nice part of town." 

"Yeah, it's very tourist-y, but the people who live here also like it." 

Amie nodded, "Mhm," and passed him a handful of forks and knives. 

They were quiet for the next few moments while they emptied the sink. Victor was a bit anxious being next to her now. With everything Erik had said about his mom and the known charm he had on women, it scared him that his roommate would somehow move in on his own mom! He had to know what was happening from her perspective. 

"So how has Erik been?" 

Amie did not waver in responding, but she wasn't adamant one way or another in her delivery. "He's OK...seems nice enough..." she paused, making him a bit nervous, but then added with a smile, "Kind of brash though, no?" 

Victor laughed, "Yeah, you could say that." 

With that shared chuckle, the notion of Erik and his mom was put to rest. The more he thought about it, the more ludicrous it was: Erik and his mom...it didn't sound natural! He knew his mom wouldn't be into it. She was married, after all - for a long time at that. And Erik, he was probably joking around. Yes, his parents had marital problems, but he himself had to respect a married woman. 

After finishing in the kitchen, Victor grabbed his stomach. He commented with a laugh that he was full and said he might need a nap after that. He went upstairs, and Amie retired to her room as well. Kurt was already passed out when she got there. 

She stayed in bed for about ten minutes before she admitted to herself that she wasn't anywhere near tired. Sure, she was up an hour earlier than the other two, but she ate much less than them. She thought it would've been a foolish exercise to force sleep, thus she got up. Taking a final look at her heavy breathing, slumbering husband, she closed the door behind him. 

Passing by Victor's room, he was out cold too. She carefully closed his door too. 

An empty house where she was the only one present - or in this case, conscious - was all too familiar to her, so she turned to habit: she would tidy up. The kitchen was taken care of, so she started in the living room. There were some magazines scattered on the coffee table which she arranged into a neat pile to one side of the table. 

Next, Amie wandered out to the patio. A chair - Erik's 'throne' as she cheekily named it - was displaced from the table. She pushed it back in and then worked at emptying the ashes that had accumulated in the crystal tray. She didn't know why he left them so long. It was kind of gross and dirty. 

The main floor powder room needed some attending - not much, but some attention nonetheless - but otherwise she had the main floor covered. It only left the upper level bathroom. She wiped down the counter, cleaned the mirror, set the hand towels neatly back on their racks, and even gave the toilet and bathtub a little wipe. 

Then, she was done. The house was clean. 

She sighed as she wandered into the hallway. What was there to do now? That took thirty minutes at the most; it was barely noon now. She grazed her hand on the handrail to go find something to occupy her time. But then she stopped. She looked to the open room at the end of the hall. That was the master bedroom, Erik's chamber. 

It was massive. It was highlighted by a king-sized bed which faced a giant TV mounted to the opposing wall. There was a walk-in closet to the side and bookshelf of varying titles. Amie's favourite part, though, was the walk out to a balcony overlooking the front of the house. There was a seat and tiny table. Expectedly, there was another ashtray with butts and soot. Returning to the room, she fixed the unmade bed, wondering to herself what his reaction would be. 

From there the only corner left - although it was anything but tiny - was the en suite. The earthy coloured bathroom had a spacious glass shower and a tub that looked all too tempting to the mature woman. Her feet patting on the heated floor, she wandered to the luxurious double vanity sink, which was kept in neat condition. 

She was about to circle out of there when she saw something that made her call out. "Oh wow." 

There was a picture of a half-naked Erik Nolan on the wall. It wasn't a little picture either; this was a full length poster! Amie's first reaction was that the young man must've thought a lot of himself. Then she saw the coloured resistance bands nearby, and she thought it must've been part of some fitness thing. 

She leaned against the counter and studied it. He was posed from the waist up. His arms flexed above his head for the shot. His chest was broad and defined; his biceps and forearms were on their way to being bulging and veiny. His hair was a bit shorter than real life in the image. He had a subtle grin. 

Amie rubbed the front of her sleepwear. The more she looked, the more she kept returning to one idea; Erik wasn't Kurt. They were nothing alike. She couldn't even picture a flexing Kurt. It wasn't in him. In fact, it was a funny thought. Erik was athletic, buff, and cocky. Her husband was, well, none of that. She exhaled, continuing to stimulate herself through her clothes as she looked at the poster staring back at her. 

With her arousal building, she curiously stopped herself from going further. She left the bathroom and Erik's bedroom, wandering to her room. Even before she could gingerly open the door, she could hear Kurt's snoring. She opened the door enough to confirm her husband was indeed far gone before shutting it again. 

Next, she moved to Victor's room. There was no noise from inside, so she was a bit anxious in checking on him. Alas, she slowly pushed the door and stealthily peered inside. He was undisturbed and sleeping on his side, facing her. She shut the door. 

As quietly as she left, Amie returned to the washroom. Erik met her again with that smile. She resumed her spot against the vanity counter. She playfully wiggled in place and sucked on her bottom lip. Her mind was feeling adventurous and naughty.  

She thumbed the waistband of her bottoms. Then, getting more daring, she slipped inside them and touched her lips. She rubbed them for a moment before pressing two fingertips inside. She circled them around, feeling the instant relief. Of course, there was shame too: shame for snooping inside another man's bedroom, shame for pleasuring herself to that same man, and shame for doing both while her husband and son slept on the same floor. But like last night in the shower, shame fed into her excitement and deviousness, which fed into horniness. 

She tugged at her pants and slipped them down her legs, her black cotton panties travelling with them. Her button-down top was next, joining the flannel puddle on the smooth, warm floor. Then, reaching behind her back while continuing to monitor 'Erik', she completed the striptease. Her bra slid down her arms and dropped to the ground. 

She hoped he approved of her indecency. She was a very meek person normally: never one to show off or bring attention to herself. But here and now, with her hand massaging her bikini region while her feelings were all over the place, it was a different story. 

Resuming her activity, Amie closed her eyes and exhaled. Her fingers rotated and flicked. When she reopened them, he was still staring back at her. It was like he knew. He was mocking her about it, completely expecting that she would give in like this. She pressed further, hitting her clit. 

She pictured Erik in the place of her fingers. They were doing a great job, but nothing could compare to the feel and impact of a big, young dick. Or so she imagined anyways. She didn't actually know what Erik looked or felt like down there. A part of her - as terrible as it was -wanted to know. 

When she came close, she purposely broke her concentration. She wanted to cum, but wanted the build and excitement to last more. She felt so good, free...sexy! She just imagined him hovering over her body, his hands pressed to the bed on either side of her, and his pelvis pushing into her. Erik would just grind her into submission; she could do little about it, although she wouldn't have wanted to. 

She was close again. Her finger poked at her most sensitive spot. Her body buckled as she was perched on the counter. "Oh Erikkk..." she moaned, rubbing intensely. Her eyes were clenched. She swallowed and sighed again. The visual image of the young, handsome man was at its strongest. The pressure between her legs was at its apex. She was almost there, but...then she opened her eyes. 

Two ringing chimes echoed through the room. Her concentration broken, she took a moment to gather herself and pinpoint the source of the sound. It signalled again. 

The doorbell! Without any thought, she rushed to dress herself. 

The bell rang again as she flew down the stairs. "I'm coming, I'm coming..." Then, reaching the foyer, she undid the locks and opened the door. Her skin and heart jumped at the sight on the other side. 

"Good morning," smiled a suit and sunglasses-wearing Erik. She saw his head briefly tilt up and down at her and she was suddenly and alarmingly met with the realization that she was standing in front of Erik Nolan in her pyjamas. 

"Good morning," she wished back, although knew her voice stuttered as she did. "I didn't expect you back so soon." 

"I was out early this morning so it's not so soon for me," the corner of mouth curved to a grin. 

"Oh. Well, everyone's kind of taken a midday nap," she told him. Then smiling, she said, "I'm bored." 

He nodded toward his car - that big SUV. "Let's go for ride." He didn't hesitate in the suggestion. 

Amie didn't hesitate either in accepting. "Let me change into something a little better," she said, laughing and slipped back inside. 

When she got back to her room, Kurt was still out cold. She wondered how anyone could sleep through a loud doorbell, but didn't question it further. Amongst his heavy breathing, she discreetly went into her suitcase and pulled out a pair of black shorts and a purplish top. She swapped them for her flannel coverings -which still gave her a laugh from standing in front of Erik in them - and got out of the room. She didn't check on Victor, but his door was still closed. 

She was about to rejoin Erik when she made a turn into the kitchen. Briefly rummaging for paper and a pen, she wrote them a message: 

Went for a drive with Erik. Be back soon. 

- MOM 

When she went outside, Erik was sitting on a chair and tipping ashes into the ashtray on the adjacent table. 

"Sorry about that, I had to write the others a note of our whereabouts," she explained. She watched the tip of his cigarette light up as he took a long drag. 

"How responsible of you," he said after puffing out a toxic cloud. Somehow she knew he wasn't completely serious in his compliment. He stamped the butt out and left it to extinguish while he stood. "Let's go." 

He started the dark tinted windowed-vehicle with a button and helped her inside it. After they backed out of the driveway and took off, Amie made conversation by asking, "How was work?" 

Erik was less inclined to talk about himself. Instead, he pointedly asked, "What do you see in your husband that you care for him so much?" 

Amie laughed. "That's a weird change of subject...?" 

"Answer the question." 

She paused, thrown off by the sudden question. "I...well..." 

"Take your time..." 

Amie waned in answering. Whereas she was facing him before, now she was looking straight ahead at the line of cars before them. "Well, he's a good man at heart, and he really cares about me dearly. And he turned out to be a good father I'd think." 

He laughed and shook his head once. "You don't even buy that crap." 

"Huh?" she quizzed, although figured that he knew even she didn't believe in her words - not wholeheartedly anyways. 

"You don't know what you saw in him, not anymore. Tell me, were you popular in college?" 

She nervously tried to laugh him off again, "What's with these questions?" 

"Just answer: were you popular? Did you have a lot of boyfriends?" 

"What boyfriends?" she laughingly scoffed at the silly question. "There was Kurt. That's it." 

"Why?" 

"Why was there only Kurt? We saw something in each other - whatever it was - and then just stayed together," she explained, then adding in a quieter voice, "...all the way until now." 

"You were too good for him then. Too good for him now, too. But you weren't popular. I can tell. There were popular girls, weren't there?" 

"Of course there were." 

Erik's Socratic questioning continued as they drove. Amie didn't know where they were going, but there were a lot of people out of the street. They were stopped at a light and a hoard of people crossed it in both directions. 

"But you're right: I wasn't one of them...I didn't really want to be one of them," she thought aloud. Then tagging on, she added, "I couldn't be one of them." 

"Who were they?" 

"Oh you know, the girls that always went to parties and were with all the cute boys and had nice hair and couldn't be seen in anything but nice clothing and makeup, even in classes." 

"What kind of clothes? What kind of makeup?" 

"Gosh, Erik...I can't believe you're making me do this!!" she puffed, albeit light-heartedly, continuing to reluctantly reach into her past. "Fine, they were always in nice dresses and had lipstick on and eyeliner. It was like they were always showing themselves off." 

"They had the right idea. You wanted to be them. They were women." 

"What? No. I said I didn't want to be them." 

"Don't deny yourself. I hear in your voice how you talk about them. You envied them." 

"What? No. They wore nice clothes, yes, but they were dressed so shameless and inappropriate often times. I couldn't do that." 

"Doesn't it feel good when you, as a woman, capture the eyes of a man?" 

"Of course it does," she answered yet another obvious question. 

"And not just any man: the Alpha male. The best of the best. That makes you a true woman." 

"So I have to dress like a...slut," she forced herself to say, much to Erik's amusement, before completing her skeptic question, "to be a 'true woman'?" 

It was his turn to laugh. "I didn't say that. Your problem is you're so hot and sexy, but you don't know how to present yourself. You dress old. You dress like you're the furthest thing from sexy, and like it or not, you know that. Showing yourself off to attract Alpha males is what makes you a woman. You're with an omega loser of a husband - and no Alpha ever bothered with you because of that." 




Erik Nolan Ch. 03



Amie said nothing to his harsh observation. Yes, she recognized she was old, but it struck her to be called old. And yes, she had visions of wearing better quality attire, but she didn't think she looked that bad with what she had! 

Erik continued. "But you know what? It's not your fault. You have no confidence. It's been sucked right out of you for 20 years by that janitor and his weak son. They are weak and that's what makes you weak. They are bringing you down, Amie." 

"I...I'm not sure about that," she declined, although her busy mind considered it. "Maybe," she then conceded. 

"You can change that. You can still change the game to attract Alphas, Amie." 

Erik turned into a public lot and figured his vehicle into a parking space. He shut it off and finished his thought, "And that is why confidence is your starting point, Amie. That's what's going to carry you. The biggest thing you can do to boost your confidence is change the way you dress. How to carry yourself," he emphasized again. 

"Where are we?" 

"We're going shopping," he winked. 

Getting out of the car, they stepped inside a boutique not unlike the store yesterday. As per his words, Erik had Amie sample clothing. "Pick out whatever you want, Amie. And be confident." 

So she did - or, at least, attempted to. Be confident. That was easier said than done. She was, though, starting to believe that years of her husband had, perhaps on an unconscious level, eaten away at her desire and self-esteem. She gathered up some articles and made way for the dressing room. She swapped her 'old' clothes for the new getup. 

She emerged wearing a grey dress to her knees and a slightly darker sweater covering her arms and shoulders. 

Even though she was happy with herself and thought the young man would be too, Erik only shook his head at her. "You can do better. I'll do it for you. Strip out of that and I'll bring stuff to you." 

Wondering what he had in store for her, Amie stripped down. She had to wait a few minutes in just her bra and panties which got her even more nervous. Then she heard a knock. She shyly opened the door enough to retrieve the items, very conscious not to expose herself. He still saw her, however. 

The next outfit was a skirt and tee combination. The pleated skirt was higher in the waist which meant more leg to be shown (albeit hidden behind black tights). Up top was a white shirt tucked in the waist. They were tight. 

It made Amie feel young, although in a very uncomfortable way. She stepped out of the changing stall, immediately shaking her head. "I don't know, Erik...It's not me..." 

"Then make it you. It looks fuckin' amazing...you have to have the confidence to tell yourself that it does. Here," he then handed her a nearby dress, "Put that on." 

So, for a third time she went back in. She got out of the schoolgirl-ish clothes and put on what was admittedly a very gorgeous yellow sundress. Even before it dropped down her body, she knew the hem was going to be short and it would expose a lot of upper body skin. She stepped out and waited for the verdict. 

"That's what I'm talking about! That's better." 

"I like how the actual material is on me," she worked out her thoughts out loud, "but I feel a lot of air on me. More than I like. " 

Erik met her skepticism. "You need to stop acting like a reserved old mom and start acting like a free woman. Ask anyone: you look fine." 

Right then, a store attendant, a much younger woman, approached them. Amie watched her smile grow as she opened her mouth. "I'm not just saying this because I get paid to sell, but that looks amazing on you. Very summer-y." 

Amie looked at herself in the trio of mirrors. Her bra straps were showing. That made her uneasy. She was still unsure, even if she did trust the girl's genuineness. 

"Right?" Erik chimed. "She'll take it. And wear it out of the store, too." 

"Excellent. I see you're shoeless...shall I get you a pair to add to complete everything?" 

Amie moved to decline, but Erik spoke first. "Yes." The mom was left to wonder what happened. Between Erik and the shop girl, Amie's entire image had been decided. 

"What are you doing? The dress is one thing, but I don't need shoes!" 

"Yes, you do," he said. 

"Kurt never liked me wearing heels. He said that it tightens the muscles and gives you long-term pain." 

"That's bullshit." 

"Why is that bullshit?" 

"You wanna know why? Because if you wore tall shoes you'd be taller than him. That's why. He's controlling you because he's insecure about himself. It's not about your health. It's all about him. Real men don't do that." 

The store clerk came back holding a strappy pair of 'summer-y' - what was with that word now? - two and half inch shoes. As the girl helped her, Amie reluctantly slipped her feet in and the attendant did up the clasp. Amie watched Erik watching them. He wore his now familiar grin. He was loving this, she knew. 

The girl stepped away, allowing Amie to move around and examine herself. She was surprisingly fine at balancing on the heels. Some part of her liked how her calves looked in them. 

Erik promptly made the arrangements to buy everything. Between shuffling in and out of change rooms and listening to Erik's words, money and cost did not factor into her thinking at all. And even though she still felt coerced, there was still something inherently nice about the way he treated her, even with the blunt opinions. Like the jewelry, she enjoyed to be spoiled in a way that her husband never did on her. 

Exiting the boutique, Erik and a very antsy Amie promenaded down the busy sidewalk in search of a local café. 

"See how all the people are looking your way now," he said to her. "They just adore you now. And that's a good start." 

Amie did see them. They - men - were passing by them and giving her second looks! "It feels weird..." she admitted. 

"Get over it," he scoffed. "Soak it in. Get used to it. It's going to happen a lot more from now on." They walked further and Erik told her, "You know what they're doing?" 

"What?" 

"Picturing you naked." 

For a woman that was feeling exposed as it was, Amie did not want to hear that. "What?! I don't want them to see me naked!" 

"No one is seeing you naked, Amie. I'm just telling you what men imagine. We make judgments on people we see every second. Sometimes knowing it, sometimes not. Omegas don't admit it. Alphas embrace it." 

She shook her head, calming herself. "I still don't need them to imagine me naked." 

"You need to stop seeing it as shame and let it empower you, Amie. Them picturing you naked is power. You hold their lust. You know what they want? They want to fuck you. They want to fuck you hard and then cum inside you. You're making them feel that." 

She went silent and then said, "I...I never thought about that." 

"That's bullshit," he asserted. "You mean you never pictured having a big strong guy with a big strong cock sliding into your cunt? Making you cum hard? Dropping his cum inside you, making you feel that you own the stud?" 

"I..." Amie started but stopped. She had thought about that - just today! 

"Life's a game of watching and being watched. As soon as you figure that out, you'll know how to play it." 

"How?" 

"Show it off. Show yourself off. Free yourself. You've been a beggar too long, Amie. Time for you to become a chooser. Why stick with an omega when you can choose Alphas?" 

They reached the coffee shop. Erik instructed her to take a spot on the love seat near the fireplace while he brought over some lattés. She had a nervous moment where she crossed and uncrossed her legs while trying to get comfortable. Gauging her foot, part of her still didn't believe she was donning those shiny black heels. 

Looking around, it was neat a little independent coffee shop. There were long work tables of patrons on their laptops and then individual lounge chairs for those who valued solitude. Closer to her, there were groups of occupied tables in direct sight of her. Perhaps Erik's 'wisdom' was working on her because she was feeling a bit better about being an 'exhibition'. 

Erik returned and handed her drink. Dropping his on the table, he instead put his arm around her back and quickly slid it down her body. Amie felt him grab at her ass and she had to fight off a shriek. He took a big underhand palm that pinched her through her light, colourful new dress. She did giggle, though. 

Leaning into her, he whispered, "See, they're watching you, Amie. They want you. You can be so much more wanted if not for your stupid husband and son." 

He trailed a finger from her shoe up her leg. "You have a right to be happy. You have a duty to yourself too. You gave so much for them...Ask yourself: what did they do for you?" Revising his statement, he then said, "Actually, forget your son. Your husband, did he do enough for you?" 

"No," she cooed out of pure desire. 

"Anyone else would give you more." 

She sighed, "I do want to be happy." 

Erik talked to her about the pair of guys that ogled her on the way in and out of the establishment. They made it a point. 

"That guy over there with his girlfriend in the washroom, he hasn't stopped looking over here," Erik added. 

She swung her foot playfully. "Really?" 

Perhaps it was the emotion and the repetition of his words, but she was more comfortable now with the 'game' of watching and being watched. His hand massaged her backside and she knew they were pushing boundaries. It was discreet for now, but Amie couldn't promise her reaction wouldn't give them away. 

"Poor girl," he said. 

"Why poor girl?" Amie puzzled. She was a good looking girl; Amie didn't see a reason to pity her. 

"Because you know they are going to fuck later on and he's going to have other things other than her on his mind." 

"What kind of...ohhh...," she said, realizing the answer to her question before she finished answering. 

Erik responded anyways. "You'll be on his mind. Not his girlfriend." He grabbed her ass cheeks, making her cheerfully flinch. "He is going to fuck her imagining he's with the sexy older woman he saw in the coffee shop earlier that day. Tell me, does that feel good?" he said, fondling her ass. 

"Yesss..." she hummed. 

"Good, because it should. I'm glad you're learning Amie. You're a good learner." 

While they worked on their coffees, Erik told her more about their surroundings and continued to feed her mind with dirty thoughts. He also told her he would continue to improve her self-worth, but she needed to realize that Kurt was at fault for her failings. 

Not feeling able to contain herself longer, Amie smiled, "I'm bored, Erik. Let's go back, OK?" 

He grinned back. With his hand still cradling her ass, they walked out of the coffee house. They reached Erik's SUV and the younger man patted Amie's ass just as she was about to slide into her seat, much to her amusement. 

Climbing in himself, Erik went to start the vehicle, but he curiously stopped. He looked over to Amie and she looked at him. "There's no rush to go home, is there?" 

She smiled, "No...there isn't..." 

He leaned over and cupped her breasts. He pressed them together and rotated them in his clutches. Amie craned her neck up, closed her eyes, and grinned blissfully. 

"Tell me more about young Amie," he whispered in a low, controlled voice. 

"What do you want to know?" 

"Did she have a boy crush?" 

She added nostalgia to her look. "She did. Jeff Edwards." 

"What was Jeff Edwards like?" 

"He was tall, brown hair. I think he played basketball for the college. We didn't speak too often, but I had him in a foundations class." 

"Did he have a girlfriend?" 

Her smile dropped a little bit. "Kylie Winters." 

"Tell me about her." 

A wisp of annoyance went through her brain as she recalled her, but it was quickly overtaken by the cloud of lust. "She was tall, thin. And blonde. Really blonde. I think she was a volleyball player. They were like some power couple. She was always on his arm." His really strong arms, she thought. Erik worked her nipple. She moaned and continued. "I remember seeing them in the common room once getting really close." 

"What were they doing?" 

"They were on a couch. Erik - I mean, Jeff - was groping her really openly. It was gross, but...but I thought it was kind of hot too." 

"You mean like this?" Erik said as he toyed with her breasts more. 

She gulped as she thought about that scene more. Her thighs pushed together. 

"No, more than that," she moaned. "God, I hated her so much. Everything she was. But I guess now I realize I wanted to be her." 

Erik lifted her chin. Amie opened her eyes. "You can be her..." They peered into each other's eyes. Amie still had groggy vision when he said, somewhat surprisingly, "...But you wear really cheap underwear, you know that?" 

"Huh?" she said in a blur, trying to recall his words back to herself and figure out if he had said what she thought she heard. 

"You need better bras," he held a brassiere strap and weakly snapped it against her. "What you have now isn't going to cut it. You're my girl now." 

The light sting woke her from her reverie. "I don't think what I buy is that bad." Then, she added, "...Is it?" She remembered trying to cover up in the change room in front of him. He probably saw her. 

"Oh, it's bad," he grinned. "We need to get you some new stuff. Lacy and sheer bra and matching panties. That's what a real woman wears for a real man." 

Amie trusted his words. Maybe she was too trusting? She wasn't sure. Erik was a smart guy, though, and maybe this idea of making cosmetic changes to her appearance was a good one. She did want to look good. For him. For the world. "But not now, OK?" she said. 

Erik didn't object, although he had more requests for her. "We're also going to get you some lingerie. Flannel is hideous. Big boner killer." 

He continued to grin like he was making light of her poor bedtime wardrobe, but the mom knew he was pretty serious. She obeyed. She trusted him. She raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. "You're so good to me." 

No sooner than she caressed his face, Erik commanded her attention from his head to his crotch. "It's your turn now," he said. "You're Kylie now." 

Amie looked down at her hand on his suit pants and back up at him. She sheepishly grinned as she started to rub him. Just as he said, she thought of herself. The attention seeking blonde bimbo from college. She was sexy, Amie admitted. Everything was natural to her. Jeff loved her. She never thought she would say it, but she would have to 'become' Kylie Winters! 

What they were doing felt so wrong. From where they were, they could see people walking on the sidewalk or to their cars. She had to remind herself of the tinted windows, because a look in their direction and anyone would see this middle aged woman caressing a man half her age! That scared and excited her. 

He felt hard. And big. She could never voice her desire, but part of her wanted to unzip him right there to see exactly what he had. An even naughtier part wanted to give him a blowjob. She had never done 'it' in a car. She laughed at the thought of attempting that with Kurt at any point in their relationship. But now, she could see herself leaning over and bobbing her head on his lap. Yes, Kylie would do that. 

Erik lifted his hand back to her breast. He rotated his wrist and squeezed her fleshy mound through the layers of fabric. "Yeah, we are definitely getting you a better bra. One that fits. I can't even feel your boob. What a turn off." 

A few minutes of this and Erik took his hand off her chest. "You're an amateur at this, Amie. You're going to have to be a lot better. But there'll be plenty of time for that later..." he winked as she stopped too. She was sad. Sad how blunt and insulting he could be, but Amie got it. She needed to improve. Everywhere. He started the car. 

Amie spent the ride to Erik's place trying to contain her excitement. She was having a lot of fun - and it was more than just the sexual excitement! She had not had a genuine day of fun in a long time. Erik was great. He made her day great. 

He didn't help her restraint when they arrived on the driveway. Before she could get out, he was carrying her out of the SUV! Amie laughed the entire time as he cradled her. "Erik...my dress...my dress...!" she warned, feeling the hem riding up. She was going to be exposed in front of the neighbours! 

Kicking the door shut, he lifted her up the steps and to the door. She tapped his arm. "OK, OK, I think you have to put me down now." 

Fixing herself and pulling her dress down, she was still giggling when Erik pushed the unlocked door open. They stepped into the spacious house and lingered with each other for a moment. 

Victor and Kurt, hearing them, joined them. 

Her husband, unlike her, was not smiling when he started to address her. "Where were you until now?" 

"I was out," Amie replied thinking nothing of the question. "I left you a note." 

"It said you were going for a drive." 

Amie's contented look dropped a bit as she recognized his less-than-amused tone and expression. "We also looked around..." As she peered around the hallway now, the other part of the 'we' - Erik - was nowhere to be found. 

"Where did you get that dress?" 

"Guys..." Victor meekly tried to mediate. 

"I bought it." 

"Why?" 

"Why?" Amie echoed. That was a stupid question. She should have expected it, though. "Why do people buy clothes?" 

"That's not something you need." 

She shook her head. "No. It's not something you think I need. I want to look nice once in a while!" 

Victor sounded again. "Guys, don't..." They ignored him. 

"How much did it cost?" Kurt asked. 

"It doesn't matter." 

"I want to know." 

"It doesn't matter!" she more loudly repeated. She was seething now. As they stood now, they were feet away. Victor was behind his dad, although not close behind. Lines were being drawn in the tiles. "This is like you. You're not going to change." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" 

"Oh my god," she exasperated. She was going to say more, but she stopped herself. "You know what? I'm not going to even try anymore." Then she stepped past him. 

"Mom, stop..." Victor tried. She was already headed towards the stairs. After she disappeared, he just shared a look, albeit not the same one, with his unconcerned father. 

Amie closed the door and locked it. As she paced around her temporary bedroom, she was fuming! The only time he was any bit expressive was when he questioned her activities. Unbelievable! If she didn't believe it yet, she was starting to really consider that Kurt was terrible for her. A real, supportive husband would have paid her a compliment on her new attire, not immediately jump to inquiring about prices or why one needs to buy new clothes! She shook her head at his stubbornness. 

She was going to stay away from everyone for the rest of day. She was also going to take Victor's room tonight. There was no way she was sharing a bed with the jerk tonight. No way at all. Victor tried to reason with her and tried to figure out what was happening when she told him of her intention that night, but she wasn't going to listen. Unless he was going to offer her his support - which he wasn't - it was all a defence of Kurt to her. Erik was right in some ways, Victor wasn't any better than his father. In fact, they were both the same; big omega losers. 

She laid in Victor's bed that night, contemplating where things went wrong. The dress draped over a chair, she was firm in her position. She didn't regret the gorgeous gown and she wasn't going to apologize for feeling as she did. She just wanted to be justly and respectfully and lovingly treated like a woman. That wasn't too much to ask! 




Erik Nolan Ch. 03



Sprawled out as she was, she thought of Erik. He would not have treated her as Kurt had. He was a real man. Her hand migrated to her lower body. She ditched the 'hideous' pyjamas and her apparently awful underwear tonight. Erik would've been proud of her. She was taking charge. She was changing her life. She was going to be choosing from now on, instead being given a choice. 

Amie hooked a finger inside her lips and worked to get herself off. She thought about that strong, assertive sexy guy and how he was the only person in this world on her side - not that loser janitor and not that unhelpful son! Her toes curling and her knees bending, she moaned and cooed his name and stimulated her moistening pussy. Someone like Erik liked her. He had money, he was handsome, and he was brash. How much of her life had she wasted with losers? Thank God finally for Erik! 

That thought made her hit her climax - finally after a day of coming close multiple times. Her body stiffened as a euphoric wave passed through it. She was in charge now. If anyone could hear her supressed cries, they would know she was relieved and overjoyed. 

As she panted and settled down, her hand went in again for another go - Erik providing the inspiration again.



Erik Nolan Ch. 01



Erik paused to take another go. He might've been letting his observations sink in. But he probably wanted another smoke. "Trust me. I know this stuff, man," he said again, the smoke breathing out of his mouth and nose as he did.

"I don't know man..." What else could he say? 'Yes. You're right.'? He might have been. Victor hoped he wasn't.

"No, I'm right. Just think about it. Your mom is hot and sexy and still in her prime. And then she's got your dad who's slowed down and doesn't give a shit anymore about her needs. Or he's just too blind to see what they are. Either way, it's been going on for a while and your mom ain't going to take it."

Victor watched his friend lift his brows and nod, as if to say 'You know I'm right, bro." He was probably hinting that he would have a say in it too.

"Yeah, well...I don't know..." Victor sounded. He was going to escape the situation by literally escaping the situation. "I'm going to hang out inside a bit and go to bed."

"Alright man," Erik replied. That was his farewell. One wasn't going to get a 'goodnight' from Erik Nolan.

The clock above the stove told him it wasn't even midnight. He gathered the beer bottles from dinner and dropped them into the box in the corner. They rattled as they joined Erik's collection of empties. Soon he filed up the stairs and into his room. While Erik probably sat outside alone and on his phone texting random girls (or maybe he came inside...who knew?), he toiled mindlessly on his laptop before calling it a night.