Another Reality

Chapter 5 


Nick sat in a comfortable chair before his TV. Beast was sleeping on His lap.
He was staring at the TV, but saw nothing. He idly stroked the dog's back and 
head and ran the soft ears through his fingers. He finally couldn't sit still
any more. Nick picked Beast off his lap, gave the dog a kiss on the top of 
the head and set him gently on the floor. Grabbing his coat, he headed for
the door. 

Beast ran at his heels expecting to go, too. Nick smiled down at his friend.
"No boy, you stay here. I'll be back soon." 

He took a small dog bone from the pocket of his coat and set it before Beast.
He opened the door and stepped out closing the door in the eager dog's little
face. Beast stood looking at the door for a minute. Then picking up the bone,
he carried it to Nick's chair, jumped up and settled down. He set the bone
close by and watched the door with his warm brown eyes. 

Nick stepped into the street. It was a breezy late September evening. He
pulled his collar up around his neck. He went to the Apartment parking lot,
got in his Ford Escort and headed down town. His drive took him to a posh
dance spot and restaurant called The Raven. He parked and walked to the door. 

The bouncer at the door smiled. "Hi, Nick," he said and opened the door wide
for him. "She's by the bar." 

"Thanks Jim," Nick said, as he entered the dimly lit establishment and headed
through the tables of patrons. A beautiful raven-haired woman stood at the
bar chatting with a customer. She was radiant, dressed in black silk, elegant
and low cut. 

"Hi, sis." he said, right behind her. "Nicky!" she cried. Turning, she threw
her arms around his neck. "How's my favorite little brother?" 

Nick smiled into her beautiful face. After losing his mother at a young age,
Nick's father had married Janette's mother. Janette was 5 years old and
though she could have resented Nick who was 10 months old, she'd taken to
him, mothering and loving him with all her heart. Richard had been born a few
years later, but their relationship had always been the strongest. Because of
her black hair, he'd nick-named her "Raven" as a child, thus The name of the
club she owned. He regarded her with a somber look. "What's wrong?" she
asked, planting a kiss on his cheek. 

He sighed and took a barstool next to her. "Oh nothing, just wanted to See
you." 

"Yes, and horses fly Nicky, what's wrong? You can tell me anything." She ran
a finger over his forehead, tucking an errant curl away from his face. 

He smiled. "I met a woman." 

"Really," she said. "You don't look too happy about it." 

"She's very special and different," he said vaguely. 

"How different?" 

"Very old world and eccentric. Foreign. She has a sun allergy and can only
come out at night. She's a cop on the homicide detective team here in
Toronto." 

"Really? She does sound different. What are the good things?" She watched his
face light up. 

"She's so beautiful and exotic and - exciting! I can't concentrate on
anything but her." 

The bartender came and set a small glass of white wine before him, a favorite
of his. He took it and sipped the cool liquid. He seldom drank and it burned
his throat, warming him. 

"My, you have it bad, brother. I was beginning to think you would never be
smitten. What does she think of you? You have let her know you're interested,
haven't you?" 

"Oh yes, she knows. She's sort of after me," he said, his eyes unfocused and
he could feel Natalie's cool finger caress his face. 

Janette studied her brother's face. She felt a bit jealous that some Other
woman had captured his attention and yet she knew that was silly. She wanted
him to find someone and be happy. He was already 30. She enjoyed having Nick
come to her with his problems and she knew if he fell in love and married
that could change. She grabbed his hand. "Come dance with me, brother." Nick
let her drag him onto the dance floor and he slipped his arms Around her.
They'd learned to dance together, so their movements were in sync. 

The music was slow and Janette laid her cheek against his shoulder. "Nick, go
slow. Make sure this is what you really want. Find out more about her, her
friends and family. This would be a big change for you. You'd have to make
some changes in your life." 

"Not too many, Janette. I've been on the night shift for two years already. I
can't explain, but I feel something for her... something very profound and
amazing." 

Janette pulled back and searched his face. She had never seen him so sure of
anything in his life. She hugged him close. "I will pray that you will find
all that you want from this, Nicky." She fought the tears that were brimming
her eyes. Maybe one day she would be so lucky as to find that perfect man to
compliment her. 

*****