Chapter Two
Damon opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar bed. An attractive blonde slept soundly beside him. What in the world? His head spun. He hadn’t felt like this since he was in college, which was why he never touched alcohol again afterward.
Scrambling out of bed, he noticed his luxurious surroundings and wondered where the heck he was. Bringing his hand up to wipe the sleep from his eyes, he froze. He slowly examined the pale hand. In a panic, he rushed over to the full-length mirror by the bedroom door. Staring back at him was the image of a bearded, redheaded, green-eyed white man! This had to be some kind of sick joke!
His body felt solid, so this guy obviously worked out. Damon was almost too scared to feel himself between his legs, but curiosity got the better of him. Not believing what he felt, Damon looked inside the silk pajama bottoms he wore. Holy shit, the white boy was packing! His cock wasn’t even hard and it looked to be at least a good seven inches in its limp form. He might have been a little jealous if he hadn’t been such a well-endowed man himself when he was alive.
Wait a minute. He was alive!
“Are you having fun?” Damon turned around to see his friend Paul standing behind him. “What the hell is going on? Why am I here? I thought when I came back, I would come back as me!”
“Oh, come on, you should have known better than that. Now, don’t you think you would have freaked people out if you walked around in your old body? Besides, Peter did say there would be conditions and you agreed to them.”
“But couldn’t I have at least come back as a brother? Or maybe someone not quite so pale.”
“You’re being dramatic. Besides, the ladies apparently find Mason Collins quite appealing.” Paul grinned widely. “I suppose you’re wondering what I’m doing here.”
“Well, it did cross my mind. Aren’t you supposed to be watching the Fox family?”
“I have someone taking care of them for me. I think you probably need me a little more than they do right now.”
“Well?”
“Okay, man, here’s the deal. You are Mason Collins. You’re forty-two, divorced with one son, and you own this home, a couple of car dealerships, and five other properties. You?—”
“Wait a minute. Are you telling me I’m that obnoxious car salesman on TV? Brandi and I used to make fun of this guy and his tacky commercials and now I’m supposed to be that cheese ball?”
“Hey, beggars can’t be choosers, man. So, are you going to let me finish?” Paul glared at him.
Damon sighed.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why this guy, right?”
“I have to admit I’m very curious.”
“Mason was due for a massive heart attack last night, which he would not have survived. He was going straight to, well, you know where. I think Luc is going to be upset that he didn’t get his clutches into this one. Anyway, this guy’s grandmother is a Watcher. You know Amanda Collins, don’t you?”
“This is Amanda’s grandson?”
“Yes. A really sweet lady, isn’t she? She couldn’t stand the thought of one of her flesh and blood spending eternity with the Dark One, so she has been campaigning Peter to bend the rules a little… although if anyone deserves to be downstairs, it’s certainly Mason Collins.” Paul shook his head.
“I’m still confused.”
“This is where you come in. You are going to redeem him. Right now his spirit is in limbo. You have to right the wrongs done by him while he was alive. He’s been a bad boy so you have your work cut out for you.”
“I have to redeem him? Isn’t it up to the individual to redeem themselves?”
“Normally, yes, but this was what Amanda chose as her reward. The thing is, even when he is redeemed in the eyes of the people he once hurt, Mason is still going to serve a long time in purgatory, and even then he might not make it upstairs, Still, purgatory is better than sharing time with Luc, and those are the breaks.”
“What if I don’t redeem him?”
“You have to come back, but you lose your Watcher status.”
“How am I going to do this and win Brandi back?”
“Well, my friend, you can’t get something for nothing, not even in heaven.”
“Look at me! Brandi might not even want me. I don’t think her preferences run to pasty white boys.”
“I’m sure any woman you loved cares more about the person inside than the surface, but like I said before, you’re seeing your new self from the eyes of a man. Seen through the eyes of a woman, you’re actually quite attractive. Now, let me finish telling you the rest of your conditions.”
“There’s more?” Damon asked in disbelief.
“Yup, but remember, this is what you wanted. You can’t tell Brandi who you were and you can’t tell her what Rodney did. She has to find out for herself. If you break one of these rules, you will be summoned back immediately to spend some time in purgatory with our friend Mason before the big guy lets you back in.”
“What happens if I redeem this guy, but I fail to win Brandi back?”
“You’ll be stuck in this body until it gives out.”
“Didn’t you say this guy was on the verge of a massive heart attack?”
“He was.” Paul winked.
“Ah. Some strings were pulled.”
“You could say that. Look, I have to get out of here before your little friend wakes up and wonders who the heck you’re talking to. See you later… Mason.”
“Wait! How do I go about redeeming this guy? What exactly has he done?”
“I’d tell you, my friend, but I have a feeling you’ll soon find out. Remember, from now on you’re Mason Collins. Damon Evans no longer exists. You’ve been given just enough of his memories to function as Mason, but you’ll have to learn more on your own. Call me in case of an emergency. Good luck.” Paul disappeared.
“Hey, wait!” Damon--Mason--called back. Damn. He obviously had his work cut out for him. First, he had to think about winning his family back from that maniac.
“Mason, who are you talking to? I want to play.”
Mason turned around: the blonde was sitting up in bed. “Uh, I wasn’t talking to anyone.”
Paul mentioned a divorce, so who the heck was this? She didn’t look older than sixteen. God, please tell me that you didn’t put me in the body of a pedophile.
“Don’t you want to come back to bed? It sure is awful cold between the sheets without you.” She pouted and dropped the bed sheet to her waist, revealing the largest man-made breasts he’d ever seen.
His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. How in the world did she manage to walk upright with those gigantic jugs? His thoughts drifted to Brandi’s small but well-formed breasts, and he hardened, thinking about her little brown nipples in his mouth. Brandi had this woman beat hands down.
The blonde giggled, obviously thinking the erection he now sported was for her. “I see you want to play, too. Now come back to bed, lover.” She crooked a finger at him.
This was the last thing he needed. “Well, I…I think I’m pretty worn out from last night, sweetie. How about hopping into the shower and I’ll make us some breakfast.”
The blonde’s eyes widened in surprise before she burst into tears.
What was wrong with breakfast? He walked over to the bed and sat next to her, uncomfortable to be around a strange naked woman whose name he didn’t know and who might not be legal. Mason took her hand in his.
“Why are you crying?”
“I didn’t please you and now you’re going to fire me! I cheated on my boyfriend for nothing.” She sobbed uncontrollably.
What in the world? Mason Collins had threatened this woman’s job if she didn’t sleep with him? What a slimy bastard. How was he going to wiggle his way out of this?
“Umm, I didn’t mean to give you that impression. Don’t worry. Your job is safe.”
“Really?”
‘Yes, really. Now how about that shower? I’ll fix you something to eat.” He left the room as fast as he could. While walking down the stairs, he took in his surroundings. The house was huge. Mason Collins was certainly loaded. Wait, he was now Mason Collins. This would be a hard adjustment to make.
He remembered the tiny apartment he and Brandi started out in. It could have fit five times over in this living room alone. The house looked like something straight out of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Brandi and the kids would love it. It needed a homier look, but that could easily be rectified.
Thoughts of his family brought him crashing back down to reality. How was he going to woo his wife in this body? He knew he would have his work cut out for him.
When he found the kitchen he saw a note next to the answering machine, which was blinking. Mason picked the note.
I quit! Clean your own damn house. You are a heartless bastard and I hope you burn in hell. And I’m not Mexican! I’m from Peru. Luisa
This was certainly another interesting start to his new life. It seemed he pissed off the housekeeper. Mason was almost scared to listen to the messages on the answering machine, but he knew he’d have to eventually.
The first message was from yet another very irate woman. “You son of a bitch! You have screwed with us for the last time! Ben was up all night waiting for you to show up. You forgot you promised to spend the weekend with him, didn’t you? I bet you were with some bimbo, you pathetic excuse for a father!
“You only want him around to shoot your crummy commercials, but enough is enough. I suppose you won’t be bothered to show up to Parents’ Night next week at his new school, either. If you can’t keep your commitments to your own son then stay the hell out of his life.” Click.
The more he was finding out about the old Mason Collins, the less he liked.
The next message began. “Dad, it’s Ben. I don’t care what Mom says. I know you had a good reason and that I’ll see you at my soccer game this week. The coach is going to start me at goalie. I’ve been practicing really hard. Okay, I gotta go. I hear Mom coming. Bye, Dad, I sure do miss you.” Click.
Beep“Mr. Collins, this is Don Keaton at the Sunny Brook Nursing Home. I’ve left several messages about your past due payments. I regret to have to say this, but if payment is not received within five days we’re going to have your mother removed, in which time you will either need to come get her or she will be moved to a state-run facility… provided there is any space.” Click.
Mason raked his fingers through his hair. He had to agree with Paul; Mason Collins’s soul belonged due south.
He rummaged through the kitchen cabinets trying to find something to make for breakfast as he thought of a game plan to tackle the problems ahead. By the time the blonde sauntered into the kitchen, the meal was ready. He’d found enough ingredients to make blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs. She gave him an uneasy smile as he pulled out her chair at the table.
When he sat down across from her he gave her a long, hard stare. He couldn’t have breakfast with someone whose name he didn’t know.
“Uh… I know I’m going to sound like a jerk but what is your name? I’m feeling a little forgetful this morning.”
She blushed. “Gina Scott. It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t okay. I really have to apologize for putting you through this. I must not have been myself.”
“Oh, but… I kind of wanted it to happen.”
“You did? So you’re saying you would have slept with me if I didn’t threaten your job?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. The girls in the office were telling me how… oh, dear, I’m babbling.”
“Please finish.”
“The girls around the office say how well-endowed you are and I suppose I was a little curious to see if it’s true. I justified sleeping with you because you did threaten me, but now that I know you were bluffing, I’m feeling really guilty.”
“Don’t. The blame is completely mine. It won’t happen again.” There was an awkward pause. “Gina, exactly how old are you?”
“Twenty… almost. In two months.”
He was really relieved that she was of age. “You said that you cheated on your boyfriend. Are you going to tell him? How do you think he’ll react?”
She paused before answering. “I don’t know. We’ve been having problems lately. He’s very hard to please. I got these implants to make him happy, but it wasn’t enough. All I’ve gotten is a backache and his temper whenever we go out. Ever since I got these things, I get a lot more attention.”
“I can imagine.” His eyes strayed to her chest again. In most circumstances, he would have been like any other man, ogling them like an idiot, but they really were too big for her frame. He decided to steer the conversation to safer territory.
“What exactly do you do for me at work?”
“I’m one of the receptionists.” She looked confused. He knew she must be thinking that he was asking questions he should already know the answers to.
“Are you content with being a receptionist?”
“I guess so.”
“Isn’t there anything else you would like to do?”
“Well… I haven’t really thought about it. No one’s asked me that before. I wouldn’t mind going to school to earn a degree.”
“Doesn’t the dealership have some sort of tuition reimbursement program?”
“Umm… You got rid of that.”
“Oh. I forgot.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just having some trouble remembering things. I haven’t really been myself lately. Now, how about that breakfast?”
The road to redemption was sure going to be a long one.
On the bus ride to school, DJ Evans was having a hard time trying to bring his sister around to his way of thinking. He scowled at her in exasperation. She just didn’t seem to get it.
“How many times do I have to tell you? If Uncle Rodney marries Mom, we’re going to be miserable.”
“I don’t think so. He’s not so bad. He always buys us ice cream and he bought me that Barbie doll I wanted.”
“Don’t be such a dummy! He’s just being nice to us because of Mom.” DJ fought back the urge to shake some sense into his twin.
“I am not a dummy. You are a cretin!” Mya tossed one long braid over her shoulder.
“You don’t even know what that word means. I know you got that from the movie you weren’t supposed to watch.” He smirked.
“I do so know what it means.”
“What does it mean, then?” Why were girls always pretending they were so much smarter when they weren’t?
“It means you’re a fathead. You always give Uncle Rodney such a hard time. You’re just jealous.”
“That’s not true. I just don’t like him. Anyway, he’s not as nice as Dad was.”
“No one is as nice as Daddy was, but Uncle Rodney makes Mommy smile.”
“If Mom marries him, I’m going to run away.”
“Now you’re just being crazy. Where would you go?”
DJ didn’t give it a lot of thought up until now. “I’m not sure, but somewhere warm. I can get a job and a nice apartment.”
Mya rolled her eyes. “You don’t know anything.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“You shut up! You’re not the boss of me just because you’re ten minutes older. I like Uncle Rodney and I don’t care what you say.” She turned away from him to stare out the window, an angry expression on her face.
He sighed, hoping she wouldn’t tattle when they got home.
At the next bus stop, another group of kids got on. The one with a mop of bright red hair caught his glance. DJ had seen him around the playground by himself and felt a little sorry for him. He turned to Mya. “Hey, there’s that new kid Ben. We should talk to him,” he whispered.
“Why? He’s icky. Look at all that red hair.”
“So what? He seems cool.”
“Whatever. You talk to him then.” She turned back toward the window with apparent disinterest.
As the redhead walked by, DJ called to him. “Hi, Ben.”
The boy paused, a look of surprise of his face. “Hi.”
“Why don’t you sit with us? Move over, bubble butt.” He shoved his sister over.
“I don’t have a bubble butt!” she retorted with righteous indignation.
“Come on. Have a seat,” DJ offered, scooting over.
“Thanks.” Ben gave him a shy smile as he sat down.
“I saw you on the playground yesterday. I’m Damon but everyone calls me DJ. This is my sister Mya. She’s a bit of a pain, but she’s okay for a girl.”
“Hi, Mya.” Ben gave her a slight wave.
“Hi,” she mumbled without even turning around to look at him.
“Ignore her; she can be really moody sometimes. You must be in Miss Cartwright’s class. Is she as mean as they say she is?”
“She’s okay.” Ben shrugged.
“So what are you into? Do you like transformers or Yu-Gi-Oh? I like them both.”
“I’m not really into either. I like sports and my PlayStation.”
“Hmmm, my mom won’t let me have a game system yet. She thinks it will rot my brain or something. I like sports, though. My dad took me to an Eagles game when I was little. Do you like the Eagles?”
“Yes. I bet it was nice going to the game with your dad. I don’t see mine that much, but that’s because he’s really important and he’s usually busy.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. Still, at least you have a dad. Ours died when we were six.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it now. You know what? I think we should be friends. I’ll introduce you around on the playground. What do you think?”
“I would like that a lot.” Ben’s wide smile revealed two missing front teeth.
“Good. You can join our football game at recess. I think we’re going to be awesome friends.”