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  Analise’s Journey: A Serial Tale © June 2013 by Dakota Trace

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

  This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be access by minors.

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  First Edition June 2013

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  Dedication:

  When I started this serial story I wasn’t aware of how popular it was going to be, so I ended up bundling it together for all those who loved the story and sell it as a complete volume. A special thanks goes out to my beta readers, Marie, Stephanie and Becca. Without you this book wouldn’t be what it is.

  Analise’s Journey: A Serial Tale

  By Dakota Trace

  Episode I: Big City Lights & A Munch

  Part I: Big City Lights

  “Sugar…you got to hold the door…for us…” Panting from the exertion of carrying her box springs up three flights of stairs with the help of her Uncle Paulie, her father, Erik Rochon, nearly stumbled over the doorjamb as they entered her new studio apartment. She’d lucked out and found one in Rogers Park. It even overlooked Lake Michigan.

  Analise rushed forward as the bottom part of her bed, propped on its side swayed dangerously towards a stack of boxes with her dishes in it. “Whoa, be careful.” She caught the edge of the foundation in the middle, before it wiped out any of her favored Betty-Boop cups.

  “Thanks, Analise.” He leaned over the box springs, bracing himself on the edge of it while he tried to catch his breath. At only fifty-three, her dad was still an attractive man, even if you had to disregard his worn jean shorts and dreadful Grateful Dead shirt. “Damn Paulie, you’d never guess I lug fifty pound bales of hay every day with the way I’m wheezing.”

  Her uncle laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. With his close cut dark hair, tank top, khaki shorts and Adidas sneakers he looked like the average graduate student. “Well, carrying this heavy ass thing up three flights of steps would take it out of even the youngest of men, Bro.” Paul leaned against his end, his chest heaving but not quite as much as his much older brother’s. “Pumpkin, did you have to get an apartment in a building with no elevator, and then pick a studio on the third floor?”

  “Hey, it has a very pretty view.” A slender hand went to her hip, and Analise shook her head at her family. “Not to mention this place was in my price range, and close enough to the public transit that I can take a train to work.” She gave each man a kiss. “Besides, didn’t you tell me, Pops that you were worried about me driving in Chicago traffic?”

  Her dad nodded. “Yeah, I’d forgotten how bad it was. It’s been years since your mom and I came here on our honeymoon, and if anything the traffic has gotten worse - not better.”

  Her excitement about being in the big city suddenly fizzled at the mention of her mom, Karen. Analise still felt a bit of guilt over causing her mother’s death all those years ago, even though her dad had assured her many times that it hadn’t been her fault. A freak ice storm had stranded her mother in labor at their farmhouse with no electricity. The delay in getting to the hospital because of downed power lines and ice was what had taken her mother’s life, not her birth.

  “I…” She rubbed her palms over her capris.

  “Sugar, your mother would’ve been proud of you. You went to school, got your degree, and even managed to land a job at that fancy ad place.”

  A small giggle escaped her as she tucked her dark hair behind her ears. “You mean Sneezeclod Inc? I wouldn’t call them top of the line. They aren’t any Davis Harrison Dion or DDB Chicago, but I’m happy they actually hired me right out of school. The competition for positions in graphic design is tough, even here.”

  Her dad harrumphed before straightening up, and Analise knew she was in for the lecture. The ‘you’re not just another pretty face’ one, she’d heard nearly all of her life. Especially if or when she said something her dad thought belittled herself.

  “Girl, you were the valedictorian of your class. They took you because you know your shit. Not because of some damned popularity contest.”

  She wanted to roll her eyes, but she didn’t, knowing it wouldn’t do any good. “Yes, Daddy. I know that. I was just saying I’m lucky to have the job. Lord knows how many other designers applied for the job. The economy is tight and to be picked above them.” She shrugged. “Well, let’s just say I either had an angel watching over me, or I was lucky.”

  Erik growled, before turning back to her uncle. “Let’s get this in her room, before I’m tempted to beat her with it. Luck my ass.” He lifted his end, waited for Paulie, and within minutes they had it resting against her new bedroom wall.

  Paulie hung back as her dad headed back downstairs. He caught her arm, dragging her to a stop when the door shut behind Erik. “You know, Analise, your Dad is really proud of you. Why do you run yourself down like that? You know it pisses him off.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe because I don’t feel that there is anything special about me, Uncle Paulie. I’m just me and he’s placed me on a pedestal I don’t deserve.”

  He drew her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. “You are special, and don’t let anyone else ever tell you that you’re not.” He leaned back to stare into her eyes. “I know you’re not perfect, but don’t get yourself hurt just to prove you’re not. You understand?”

  She sighed. Paulie had been even more against her move than her dad. Actually she probably had her dad to thank for talking him into helping her move. She still inwardly cringed at the memory of her uncle’s reaction when he’d found out she’d accepted the job with Sneezeclod. He hadn’t talked to her for nearly a week after she told him she was going to be moving to Chicago. She knew he’d hoped she’d find something in Cedar Rapids or possibly Iowa City, not something two hundred and fifty miles away from their home in Springville, Iowa.

  “I’m not going to go out and join some cult, Uncle Paulie. I’m here for a job and to spread my wings a bit. I told you, I wanted to give this job a year’s trial then decide when my contract comes back up for renewal, if I want to stay or not.”

  He nodded. “Which is one of the reasons, I let your dad talk me into helping. I want you to sow your wild oats while you’re here. Then when your year is up, I want you to move back home - where you belong.”

  The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach didn’t bode well. She couldn’t promise her U
ncle that. She needed something different. Was it here in the big city? She didn’t know, and she sure as hell didn’t have a crystal ball to let her see into the future. Instead of promising him anything, she pulled away and pasted a smile on her face. “Why don’t you go down and help Dad before he tries to throw his back out bringing up my mattress?”

  Paulie smirked down at her from his six foot two height, looking so much like a younger version of her dad she wanted to cringe. Because there was only a five year age gap between her and Paulie, due to her grandfather’s second marriage to a woman half his age, the man was more like an older brother and a confidant than an uncle. Which is probably why he’s so dead set against me moving to Chicago.

  “You’re not fooling me, Analise. Just remember I know what men want when they look at you. They see that beautiful white skin, dark hair and gorgeous green eyes, looking so much like that actress from the Mummy and they start thinking with their little head instead of their big one.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “Aw come on, I didn’t come all the way up here to just get laid, Paulie. I could’ve done that in Iowa City while I was going to U of I. There were plenty of horny undergrads there for me to pick from.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he scowled down at her. “Which idiot am I gonna have to hurt? I warned those fools before you started that if anyone touched my niece they’d answer to me.”

  Which was exactly the problem. No one wanted to risk the wrath of a former Heisman Trophy nominee to do more than give me a peck on the cheek at the end of a date. Being threatened with removal of their arms was enough to discourage the horniest college boy. “Relax, no one forced themselves on me. Your reputation protected me long before I even got out of freshman orientation.”

  He eyed her. “You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you?”

  Rising up on tiptoes, she grabbed his nose. “Now why would I do that?”

  Jerking back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “To protect some horndog from my wrath?”

  She hid her grin as she heard her father’s voice in the hall. “Maybe. But I think you have something more pressing to worry about.”

  “And what’s that?” He raised a brow at her.

  Unable to stop it, an impish smile crossed her face. “How about Daddy being torqued that he just tried to carry up my mattress by himself?”

  “Paulie, get your butt down here and help me with this damned thing!” Her dad’s muffled shout had her uncle sighing.

  “I mean it, Analise.” He cupped her cheek. “When this is all over, when you’re done exploring, come home.” Then he hollered back at her father. “Hold your horses, Erik!”

  * * * *

  After consuming a Chicago style pizza, a first for her, with her dad and uncle, Analise walked them down to their truck and the now empty U-Haul. All the boxes and her gently used second-hand furniture had been lugged up to her new home. It would take time to unpack the boxes, but she was officially moved in. The blast of heat hit her in the face as she followed them out onto the sidewalk. It was hard to believe it was still in the eighties at eight o’clock at night.

  “You’re going to call me when you get home, right?” She shoved her hands into the back pockets of her Capri’s, as she stood at the curb.

  “Of course.” Erik tugged her into a hug. “It’ll be late but I’ll call.”

  She nodded, inhaling deeply she savored the familiar scent of her Dad’s cologne. When would be the next time she’d smell it? Her nose burned a bit and her eyes stung. She wouldn’t cry! She wouldn’t. She needed this time away from her dad and Paulie. She wasn’t going to bumble it now after fighting so hard to get where she was now.

  “Please do,” she stepped out of his arms. “I’ll worry about you making it there safely.”

  Erik gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll call, promise.” He gave her a smile. “I’m really proud of you, sugar. You’ll knock ‘em dead…” Cupping her cheek, he brushed a kiss across her temple. “…just like always.”

  “You got a hug for me?” Paulie asked, as her dad rounded the trailer.

  “Sure.” She found herself swept into his arms in a heartbeat. She couldn’t stop the squeal that escaped her, as he spun her around just like he had when she was a little girl. “Put me down, you fool!” She gasped, barely able to speak because of his tight hold on her.

  “Don’t forget we love you, Analise.” He gave her a sound smacker on the lips. “We’re just a phone call away if you need us…” he released her, catching her as she stumbled. “…just don’t call after ten on Saturday nights…a man needs his beauty sleep.”

  “Beauty sleep, my butt. You just don’t want to be interrupted during your Saturday night special.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Make sure Dad doesn’t fall asleep at the wheel, and call me when you make it back home.”

  “I will.” He gave her one last squeeze before releasing her and slipping into the truck next to Erik. “Good luck Monday at your new job.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Paulie.” She waved to them as they pulled away. She waited until they were out of sight before turning to head back into the apartment building. She was just getting ready to open the door and head back inside when a petite, but curvy blonde dressed in the most delightful jumper of purple and white posies came bouncing up the steps, her arms full of some strange folded table.

  Without a thought, Analise held the door for the woman, her small town manners kicking in. “Here, let me hold the door for you. Looks like you have your hands full there.”

  The blonde smiled behind the black rectangular glasses as she turned the table sideways and slid it through the door. “Thanks, girl. There are days I wish I’d have done as my mama had suggested and became a medical transcriptionist instead of masseur.”

  Holding the door, Analise waited for the table to clear the door before following the woman in. “I would imagine that massage is much more interesting than becoming a transcriptionist”

  “Too true, I’d go crazy if I was stuck behind a desk all day. I need to move and I love working with my hands.” Propping the table against the door, the woman stuck her hand out. “I’m Lena Ask, and don’t ask, it’s actually my last name.”

  “Okay, I won’t.” She shook Lena’s hand. “I’m Analise Rochon. I just moved in today on the third floor.”

  “Sweet! I was wondering who got unit C, after Serena moved out last month. She graduated and got some ritzy job back home in Minneapolis. Not that I’ll miss her. She had guys coming and going all the time, until she met her boy-friend. There are times I wish I’d have taken mama’s advice, and moved back home after I graduated for Loyola, but what can I say. The rent is right, and I can’t beat the view. Besides I’d kill Mama if I moved back in with her.”

  Obviously Lena realized she was rattling on and stopped herself. “I’m sorry, I talk a mile a minute. Just tell me to shut up when I start to get on your nerves. Anyway, we’re neighbors. I live in unit A. Just directly across the hall from you. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

  “Thanks, I think.” She held open the door for the stairs and let Lena pass. Following her neighbor up the steps, she listened as Lena continued to rattle on, talking about the neighborhood, the wild kids who moved in and out every semester, and on and on. When they finally pushed through the third floor door, Analise wasn’t sure if she wanted to gag the woman or hug her. Lena, despite her hyperactive mouth, was just the bit of normalcy she was going to need as she adjusted to her new home.

  “So, are you a student? Loyola just let out for the summer, but it’s not unusual to see a flux of students come in at the beginning of the summer. They like to get into their new apartments, then enjoy the beach until classes start.”

  “No,” she followed Lena down the hall. “I just graduated from the U of I in May.” She stopped in front of their doors, grabbing the table as Lena unlocked her door.

  “Cool.” She tucked her keys back into her big straw bag. “I don’t know about you but I’m s
weaty as hell from lugging this table all over town. I need a shower in the worst way. You busy later?”

  “I’m thinking of hitting the hay in a bit. It’s been a long day. I drove in from Iowa this afternoon and spent the day lugging all my worldly possessions up three flights of stairs. A shower and a nice soft bed sounds rather inviting.”

  Lena sighed, shoving the table inside her apartment. “I hear ya. If you don’t have anything planned tomorrow afternoon, why don’t you meet me in the common room downstairs? We can hang out until it cools down enough we can hit the beach.”

  “You know that sounds good. I have to stick around long enough for the cable/internet guy to come by, but once he installs my stuff I should be free.”

  “Sounds like a plan. See ya tomorrow.” With that Lena slipped inside her apartment, leaving Analise’s head spinning. Either she’d just met her new best friend or a walking tornado. Only time would tell.

  Part II: The Munch…

  After waiting most of the morning on the service guy from Comcast to install her phone, Internet and cable, Analise was getting hungry. The leftover pizza from the night before had served fine for her breakfast, but now that it was pushing lunchtime, she was ready to gnaw off her arm. The knock on her door had her surging off her couch. It was about damned time, she thought as she wrenched the door open.

  Her irritation skyrocketed as Lena breezed into her apartment. Today she was wearing bright lemon culottes with a blue spaghetti strapped tunic and flip-flops. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail high on her head. The ringlets spilling from it was like a cherry on the cake. She looked not only refreshing but well rested. Unlike me, who was up half the night because of all the noise. I never realized the city could be so loud- even at two in the morning.

  “Afternoon, Analise. Can I call you Ani?” She glanced around the apartment. “I love the Betty Boop. I’ll have to have you over sometime, so you can check out my collection.” She spun around to look at her, her lips pursing. “Man, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that frown was for me, but…” Lena glanced at the blackened screen of the television. “…I’d have to say it’s because whoever was coming over from Comcast hasn’t shown up yet.”