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Rated: 13+ · Interactive · Fanfiction · #1703697
Men slowly change into different kinds of girls.
This choice: "How have you been handling your debt?"  •  Go Back...
Chapter #11

"How have you been handling your debt?"

    by: Mary Michelson Author IconMail Icon
"Beg pardon?" Aron asked.

"Don't misunderstand me," Melissa said, "I love having you around. It's simply that you've been living with Jeff and me for a while now. I just want to make sure you're being, well, responsible."

"Responsible?" Aron asked, arching an eyebrow.

"If this is making you uncomfortable, I'll drop the subject right here. But if you need some help managing your finances, I could lend a hand anytime you need."

Aron was shocked Melissa thought so little of him. He liked to splurge every now and then, but who didn't? It wasn't as though he were vacationing in Aruba every year. "Melissa, I'm 30 years old. I'm perfectly capable of sticking to a budget," he said, arms folded in contempt. His scoop neckline was even more pronounced now, reaching down to his sternum. What's more, the shirt's logo had completely evaporated leaving nothing but plain white fabric behind.

"Oh no, sweetie, babe, don't get upset," Melissa said, taking Aron's hands. "It's just the accountant in me. I deal with people every day trying to escape compound interest, and predatory loans, and money lenders, and I'd hate to find out it's happening in my own family. In my own house, even."

"It's nothing like that. My finances are fine."

"You're living with us because you couldn't afford to live anywhere else. Fine isn't fine. Good is fine."

What was Melissa saying? He had been living in this house his entire life... hadn't he? He certainly remembered living with Melissa his entire life, but that didn't make any sense. He was 31. Melissa was 44 and Jeff was 46. Melissa would have been in middle school. No, no, he must have subtracted wrong. He tried again: Jeff and Melissa married when they were 25. They bought this house when they were 27. Before that, Aron had been... well gosh, where was Aron during those years?

"I've upset you," Melissa said, covering her eyes in shame. Aron snapped back to reality, forgetting the entire logical inconsistency. "We were having such a good evening, and I ruined it. I am so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," Aron said, hugging Melissa from behind, nestling his head on her shoulder. "I've taken you for granted. I've been living with you and Jeff for so long, I've come to think of your home as mine."

"This is your home too, babe," Melissa said. Aron gently began rocking Melissa as they stood, embraced in equal parts shame and sororal love.

"No, sweetie, this is your home. I'm just an extended house guest. If you want me to start looking for apartments, I will."

"The last thing I want is for you to move out because you feel you're unwanted. You can live anywhere you want as long as you're happy. But make sure you're happy."

Aron spun Melissa around. The two stood facing each other, hands locked, staring deeply into each others eyes. "I don't think we know how to live apart from each other," Aron said.

"I suppose not," Melissa said. "Here we are, squabbling like schoolgirls, and yet I can't think of anyone more important to me."

What an odd metaphor, Aron thought. But the sentiment was there. He was 32 years old, and he should be living. It seemed like the last ten years of his life passed by without him even noticing. He loved Melissa like... well, more than a mother. And even more than a friend... maybe like a cousin, but closer? Was there a such a thing? He couldn't think of the proper word.



It's almost time for dinner. What does Aron do next?

You have the following choices:

*Noteb*
1. Go fix his face

2. Prepare a salad

*Noteb* indicates the next chapter needs to be written.
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