I slept. For perhaps the third time since New York, it hadn't been drunken unconsciousness. True, I had been drunk but it was a quiet and restful sleep. No nightmares, at least none that I could recall. The occasional movement and the sound of Tina breathing had soothed me, it seemed. I only opened my eyes once. I watched as she hummed quietly to herself, sneaking off to the bathroom. My eyes closed again as soon as the door quietly shut behind her.

The next time they opened, the smell of eggs and bacon from the kitchen drifted into the room. I stood and walked into the front area. Tina was at the stove, her panties peeking out from beneath one of my shirts. The fabric was slightly askew, one cheek on full display as she reached into the cupboard above the sink. She pulled two glasses down, opened the fridge and poured some orange juice in each. She jumped when she noticed me.

"Mornin'," she said, offering me a glass. I took it and drank some, placing it on the counter. She kissed my cheek. "You were dead to the world, so I ran into town and picked up a few things. Mort had called, checking on us. He and his wife just landed in town. Told him you'd call after breakfast. He seemed a little too interested in the fact I was still with ya."

"Smells good," I said, laughing. "You'll have to pardon Mort. Just the way he is. Hell, he eyeballed you a bit a couple of years ago, at the book signing. Has a thing for blondes." My gut trembled as I spoke. I started towards the bathroom, then turned to her. I glanced towards the open blinds in the living room. "I'll be right back. Still raining, huh?"

"Another day or two, at least," she said. She turned back towards the stove. "At least that's what my phone says. Rain and wind, no real storm. Just lots of rain. It'll be ready when ya get back. Hope ya like it. I have about thirty minutes, then off to work. Figured ya could use a decent meal."

"Sure I will," I said. "Can't wait. Thanks, sweetheart."

In the bathroom, I sat down on the cold porcelain and picked up one of the worn paperbacks that I always kept beside the sink. My stomach eventually relaxed. I wasn't even reading the book, not really. I was glad she had stayed, was happy she was making breakfast. I had half-expected her to be gone when I woke. There was still a pang of guilt in my heart, a neglected emotion or memory nagging at my brain. Then it hit me.

I was happy. I missed Megan, but I loved having Tina around just as much. To my left, the rainwater outside the window trickled down and washed against the pane. I sat there and stared. Like the rain, my grief and my joy collided in one jarring moment. It came in one tremendous wave, dissolving me and refusing to not be heard. I cried. I hung my head but not in shame. This was different; this was acceptance. I rocked back and forth, sobbed into my hands. I worried that I may not have shut the door, that Tina may see this moment of weakness. The tears began to dry as I stared back into the bedroom. She never did. I stood, washing my face the best that I could. I dried my face with the towel and placed it back.

"Damn," I said. "It's okay. You're okay." I started to smile as I raised my gaze to the mirror.

MINE.

A simple word, four letters scrawled unto the surface. It was streaked in a wet smear, barely distinguishable. I had nearly missed it. I lurched, dropping to my knees and forcing my head into the toilet. I gagged, clutching my chest. The scabbed scar in the center seemed hot to the touch, the flesh pulsing under my hand. I vomited, forcing myself to do it. It splashed up towards my face. I closed my eyes just before it hit my cheek. My body felt wrecked and I tried my best to remember that moment, just seconds before. That feeling of acceptance and calm and understanding, it seemed so distant now. I fought hard against the pictures playing in my mind. Lily beckoned and waited there. Visions of her sprawled beneath me gave way to her clinging as she rode above me, biting and clawing in feverish abandon. Our lovemaking moments skipped and stuttered, like the static and warped tracking of an old VHS tape.

With one final push, I dug my fingers into my abdomen, expelling the remnants of alcohol and bile. I stood and ran water over my hands. I brushed the hair out of my face, slicking it back. My forehead was hot to the touch, the skin clammy and damp. I coughed, then took my hand and pressed it against the mirror. I wiped the word away and pounded a weak fist against it. I grabbed the bottle of mouthwash and swished it around. I gathered my composure and flushed the toilet. I prayed that the breakfast she had made would stay with me for at least a little while.

I walked back into the kitchen and sat down. She sat beside me and placed my plate in front of me. We looked at each other. She smiled. I tried my best to smile back. I took another sip of juice and began to eat. I knew I would have to talk to Tina about Lily, about everything. I had no idea how I would even begin to explain any of it. I was unsure of who she was, where she had come from and why, despite all the obvious reasons to be concerned. I couldn't lie to myself. This morning was a jarring moment of clarity. The blood. The unnatural gleam in her eyes. Her fingernails digging into my chest, just inches from my heart. They were dark and wonderful moments, unnatural and frightening. My hand trembled as a thought occurred to me.

She might not be a woman at all.

It was like she was haunting me. She entered a room and I was hers, without question. I had fallen for her, at least physically. In the back of mind, questions loomed. Thinking of Lily, I felt myself begin to become aroused. Tina laughed. Her right hand rested on my upper thigh as she ate. She gave me a playful squeeze. I cleared my throat then continued eating, quick bites and careful swallows. I never looked at her.

"I knew I could cook, but damn," she said. "Didn't know it'd have that effect." She paused and glanced at the clock above the stove. "We have ten minutes-"

"No," I said. My voice was like that of a lone mountain climber with his leg trapped between two rocks; a dry and desperate cry for help heard only by his own ears. ""It's a tempting offer, just we both have a lot to do today. No need to rush. There will be plenty of time. I'm not going anywhere." I searched her eyes for some sense of agreement. She finished eating and stood, with a sigh.

"Fine. You're right. Can't spoil you too much, anyway. You might get used to it." She took our plates and started towards the sink. I reached for hers and grabbed the last strip of slightly burnt bacon. She turned the faucet on and started rinsing the dishes. "Greedy bastard." She kissed my cheek as I chewed and finished my glass of orange juice.

I walked into the living room. I raised the blinds and opened the front door. The overgrown grass surrounding the pond danced and beckoned, articulating phrases that I could not to understand. The water rippled with the rain as it fell, the surface splashing with each drop. The liquid seemed to open and close in tiny waves, swallowing the rainwater in subtle yet eager movements. It had all started at that pond. The same pond I had woke to found myself nearly drowning in. It fascinated me. I remembered pulling Lily from the cool waters, her dress clinging to every contour of her body. Soaked and shivering in my arms, I felt that I had done the right thing, that I had saved her from drowning. Now, I was the one who felt like he was drowning. For a moment, I could taste the acrid water and lily scent in my throat. I coughed and nearly gagged, my nose burning just like it had when the pond water and forced my eyes open. I breathed in and regained my senses.

"Shit. Gotta go now. Don't wanna be late," she said.

Tina brushed past me, already dressed for work. She straightened her hair on top of her head, and pulled it tight into a purple scrunchie. I looked back at her, glad to be distracted from the dark imaginings and memories best left buried at the lake. "Sorry. Wow, dressed already? That was fast." I glanced down at my watch. "Ten minutes on the dot," I mused. I had been standing there for ten minutes. It had felt like seconds.

"Yeah, ya seemed to be lost in thought. Put it in your story. Whatever it was, must've been fascinating. Hope I can draw that kinda attention one day. Off to work. I'll be home around four or so. Try to get some work done today."

I watched her drive away. The tires spun and kicked up the mud on the way out of the driveway. I waved. I decided to keep the door open and enjoy the rainy weather. I propped the door open with a small piece of wood from the front porch. I avoided eye contact with the pond as I did. Mingling between the smell of wet grass and rain was another familiar and earthy scent. She was close. I could smell her. I could feel her. When she would show herself, I didn't know. She seemed content just reminding me she was there. She skulked in the shadows of the trees and danced in the morning rain, wild and seductive in my mind. Her bony hands clutched at my heart and her lusting whispers swam in my thoughts. Whether she was visible or hidden, nothing changed those facts. My body ached for her. I knew I would eventually rebel against her and I shivered even as I thought it. I was afraid of what that might entail. What it might cost me or even worse, poor Tina.

I had lot of work to do.