Reunion (princess pesch & Vyrania)

[Vyrania]

Beyond the tinted windows of the hired car, the cityscape rushed by, bright lights and deep shadows creating stark contrast in the twilight. Jamie gazed at familiar sights from the backseat, ignoring the chatter going on up front. Mr. Clark always liked to chat with the driver, or really anyone they met along their journey. He was a business man and considered himself quite important. He made the pretense of being personable with the "little people", but in truth, he just needed everyone to know how important he was.

The man was an idiot. It would only be a matter of time before he got them both in trouble. But, he paid well.

Jamie combed his fingers through his raven hair, a subconscious gesture meant to make sure his appearance was sound. They were getting close, which brought him back to attention... which meant he had to listen to Mr. Clark prattle on. At least the ride had been a reprieve: it meant he didn't have to feign interest for a short time.

Soon enough, they pulled up in front of the hotel. Mr. Clark gave the driver an unnecessarily large tip and then got out. Jamie followed suit, taking the time to adjust his sweatshirt and tight jeans while they waited for the valet.

 

[princess pesch]

He was getting too old for this. Abe thought with certainty that his life was settled that he would have little if any problems to face as the years wore on. But life was cruel, the recession caused a lot of turmoil. Working twenty-seven years at a company seems like a sturdy platform that he wouldn't fall victim to losing anything. It didn't mean shit. The door was practically slammed in his face, the platform under his feet fell and he was cast out. Well in their terms "laid off". There had been some reluctant hope that it would be temporary, that when the company managed to get back on their feet they would rehire him - that's what they had promised. But as the months dragged on and his savings slowly became depleted that hope turned to bitterness and a fear of the unknown. He wasn't the type to just roll over and give up.

Abe was still trying to be optimistic, it had only been three months since he had relocated and started his new life in the city. It was still a shock to start from the bottom, to live in a box, and eat frozen dinners. But he was sure that the resumes he was emailing out everyday would finally get him something promising. Until then, well he was stuck here with two jobs working over time and living off of generous tips. It could be worse he always tried to confide in himself but at present his mind had to really offer a worse scenario.

Choppy grey eyes lacked enthusiasm as he tried his best to stifle a yawn. There was a strain he was fighting against, the will of sleep was demanding him to close his eyes. The after taste of coffee remaining, making him desire just another cup of hot java to feel it lift his spirits and give him the much needed alertness. He had to focus, so with some effort he straightened his jacket, fiddled with his collar and touched the buttons making sure he was impeccable. The second he heard the car roll up to the curb he felt a calm inwardly fall over him, reminding himself to be every bit courteous and quick - above all speed was essential to please. With a forced but well practiced smile Abraham was with in a moment's pace stepping towards the door and standing aside as he opened it for Mr. Clark.

"Hello Sir," he was new to the job other wise he might have recognized him and possibly refereed to him casually by name. "Shall I prepare you a room, if you'll follow me..."

For a moment his voice trailed as he half turned to escort Mr. Clark and his guest, but as his eyes fell on the guest there was a jarring sense of De'ja vu. His jaw locked as a puzzled momentary frown twitched over his lips. His mind was racing to place the stranger's identity, but just as it felt like it was coming together Mr. Clark interrupted his thoughts replying that he wanted the usual room.

"Of course Sir, let me take your jacket - will there be anything else for your stay ? " although he was asking his attention wasn't on Clark but rather the other male, as if rather addressing him while still trying to recollect what he thought he had almost knew a moment ago.

 

[Vyrania]

When Jamie saw the valet approaching, his blue eyes momentarily widened. He knew this man, and it didn't take him nearly as long to realize from where. After all, a decade didn't change a grown man's appearance as much as it did a child's. Still, Jamie did find himself double-checking, as it had been ten years and he wasn't entirely sure. This man did look older... Maybe he was mistaken. He hoped he was mistaken.

"A bottle of Brandy would be excellent!" Mr. Clark was saying in his usual jovial, charismatic manner as they walked into the hotel. "I have some important work to do, and brandy always makes that easier when working on one's own time, you know?"

Jamie did his best to keep his eyes away from the valet, to look straight ahead, to fall into the background as he normally did when with Mr. Clark or a similar client. He didn't want attention. What he was doing wasn't exactly legal, after all, and discretion was essential in his line of work, for himself and for his client.

 

[princess pesch]

Abe was quick to assure Mr. Clark in a courteous manner that their service would be the best, and that he would have the brandy brought up immediately. A tingling sensation ran from his finger tips down his spine, there was a sense of excited tension rising from the thought of recognition. While it might be nice to meet an old face in unfamiliar setting he wished it was under better circumstances. The casual run in the coffee shop with the lull of jazz music in the background, hot coffee in their hands. Or a jog through the park, early morning their brisk legs carrying them down the path while some playlist buzzed in their ear - passing with would be seconds but it only took a second to see a face stop and call out to them. It was easy to imagine a different scenario of meeting a stranger that was familiar, but meeting someone at your own job...

Not to say that it was a bad job, but it was obvious with Abe's age that this was the bottom - younger men started off in this position the only guys working here at his age had put in years of loyal service. Being dressed up didn't help matters, it just didn't suit him. He was a big guy, the kinda guy that could have been on foot ball teams and tackled some unlucky bastard down. His face was long shaped well when paired with a well trimmed beard it carried his smiles with charm, while his grey eyes with almond slivers brightened with sincerity. There was still youth in him, or the illusion of it - moment where he sat or stood and there he was the young wreckless teenage tank and then it was gone again.

There was a list started in his head checking off just about anyone he had known through out his life - most didn't add up because he was so young and that was the factor that was throwing him. He almost gave up seeing as they were approaching the doors and his duty would end when they reached the guest service desk to check in. As he grasped the door handle and pulled it open stepping aside to watch the desk a sudden memory went right through, back when he had his house, years ago opening the door for a young boy. It wasn't to say that he had forgotten this boy, in his heart there had been a deep impression a joy that had come and gone so quick that it had faded into something to only think about in passing. But that couldn't be him - could it ? Just as Jamie was passing through the door he gave him a quick glance over but it was the blue eyes and the way he stared a head as if wanting to disappear. That same look he had seen so many times when Jamie's parents had fought, when he had found himself in his living room, or sitting out side on his porch. Just wanting to disappear. He hesitated for just a moment but decided he would fall in line with the youth as Mr. Clark reached the desk he hoped he wouldn't over hear him speaking to his guest.

Licking his lips he tried his best to give a polite smile - but given that this was Jamie or not he hadn't been recognized or so it seemed so he was more nervous than anything to approach him. "Excuse me, I know this might sound - well, crazy..." he started trying not to gesture as he rooted himself momentarily next to the guest ready to bolt out the door. "But you - you look like someone I know." he thought this might prod the other into revealing himself but he felt compelled to say it before they could answer, "You - you wouldn't happen to be little Jamie, the young boy who lived next door back on cress hill lane would you?"

why he had to be specific with the details was beyond him, maybe he figured if he had said it it would jog some memory loose but now he just sound a little weird and things would be awkward one way or another. His throat tightened and his hands fiddled - maybe this was a bad idea?

 

[Vyrania]

When the older man approached him, Jamie's brain began spinning lies and tales to avoid what was most assuredly coming. He didn't want to be recognized. he didn't want to face anyone from his childhood, especially someone who had been kind to him, someone he had looked up to in lieu of having a respectable father. The idea that Mr. Abe might recognize him and deduce exactly what he was doing accompanying some stuffy old businessman into a hotel room was appalling.

So, despite his having expected it, Jamie still felt a jolt in his body when it happened. The older man wasn't certain, and that made Jamie collect himself quickly and open his mouth. "O-oh... N-no, sir, you must be mistaken. I--"

"Jamie!" Mr. Clark called over, making Jamie visibly wince and bite his tongue to keep from swearing aloud. "Have you eaten dinner? Should I order some food?"

Jamie swallowed. "U-uh... N-no, Mr. Clark, I haven't eaten yet. Dinner would be nice." His stomach was twisting itself into knots, and when he accidentally glanced back at Abe, he had a deer-in-the-headlights look on his face.

"Such a polite young man," Mr. Clark was saying to the clerk behind the desk. "An intern from the University, and quite talented! With my tutelage, he'll be making billions in no time!"

"Yes, of course, Mr. Clark," said the clerk with her ever-enduring and quite practiced false smile. "Here is a menu." She handed him said menu. "Do let us know if you require anything else."