EXTRACT FOR
Transformation
(Crimson Rose)

"I c-can't explain it. I've been thinking a lot about that night and how horrible I was and...and...I can't...I'll talk later." Unable to control myself, I hung up the phone and balled my eyes out for a good fifteen minutes. When I was done I felt like a new person. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I was seeing the world in all its beautiful vibrance for the first time. Forgetting about Caitlyn, Drake and all my other worries, I took a look around the living room and shook my head. "What a mess." Sighing, I started picking stuff up ??" something I only ever did when a woman was coming over, or I was neck deep in clutter.

An hour later, the living room and bathroom were clean and I was in the kitchen washing dished when someone knocked on the door. Rinsing and drying my hands, I went to the living room and opened it to see Caitlyn. I immediately pulled her inside and hugged her tight. "I am so, so sorry for the way I treated you the last time you were here," I apologized. And of course I'll buy you a new dress and panties."

"Wow! Who are you and what have you done with Aiden? I mean, seriously, if this is some trick to get back in my ass then you can forget it."

"No, no I've had a long think since you left and realized I was a complete asshole to you and there's no excuse for it. I've even been using the patches to quit smoking and they're working wonders. I haven't craved one in two weeks."

"Wonderful! And you're wearing the patch twenty-four-seven in the location I suggested?"

"Absolutely," I replied, lifting my shirt and slightly lowering my shorts to show her the patch stuck in place. 

"I'm proud of you Aiden. Really. It takes a lot to recognize when one is wrong and to make amends. And I hope you can keep up with kicking the habit. To that end, I've brought another six month supply. I strongly suggest you use them all to ensure you've smoked your last cigarette. Can you do that for me?"

"It's the least I can do after the way I treated you. Honestly, I've never been so embarrassed about the way I treated anyone in my life as I did you that night and I can never apologize enough."

"Buy me a new dress and panties, keep using the patch and let me move in here with you to make sure you don't slip back into your old self and that'll be apology enough."

"Move in?"

"Unless you're not allowed to add people to the lease. To be honest, I've been staying with family and they're driving me nuts. If it's a matter of money I can help out with the rent and utilities. I just need a place to stay while I'm in college that isn't a dorm or home."

"What about with Drake?"

"You didn't hear this from me, but he's part of the problem. Don't get me wrong. I love him dearly, but he smothers me worse than an overbearing parent and gets pissy every time I show even the tiniest bit of interest in someone. You know what? It's probably a bad idea. Forget I mentioned it."

"No, you can stay as long as you like, but I only have one bedroom."	

"How big is the bed?"

"Queen."

"Perfect. Then one of us won't have to sleep on the couch."