Chapter 26 Pt. 2: This Ain't My First Rodeo

It was a week before anyone else knew that I was back...Mason and I literally got home and stayed in bed for days.

"I am so glad to have you back," he keeps telling me.

I laugh, "You mean you didn't like that little skinny girl body?"

"Hell now," he says between trailing kisses up and down my skin, "I missed every single inch."

And then he proves just how much.
I have to admit I missed my old body too.  It's amazing how different all of our bodies are.  I was able to make love to my husband while I was in her body, but it just wasn't the same.  Her lady parts worked differently than mine do or something, who knows.

Either way, we pretty much continue like we're a new couple for the next month.  Even though Mason does go back to work and I visit people, whenever we're together, our family knows to call before they come over.

We are just so incredibly happy that everything is back to normal.  Now we can get on with our lives, just the two of us, no complications.

Of course, as we all know, God likes to play little jokes on all of us.  Just when I say I am planning on having a quiet existence with my husband, I get a wake up call...in the form of a strong curry scent that used to always make me sick to my stomach...but it hadn't in a long time.

as I slowly lift up out of bed for fear of upchucking all over my husband next to me, I realize why curry hasn't turned my stomach in awhile...

It can't be...

Damn it...

Chapter 24: Just As Free, Free as We'll Ever Be

*REAL HADLEY'S POV*

...Over time...

Ugh...I have never been a big fan of all these rags, but now I can't stomach them at all.

Mason has really taken the majority of the heat for the "Madley Split" as the paparazzi has dubbed it.  He has been called a cheater, philanderer, a liar, a bad father, a bad person, an asshole, pretty much every name in the book.  I have been called a home-wrecker, a tramp, a slut, pretty much any derogatory name you can think of as well, but I didn't have as much notoriety, so I have been able to avoid the paparazzi - at least a little bit.

"Hadley" on the other hand has been all over the media - giving interviews, articles, television shows, she has become the jilted divorcee' turned Phoenix rising from the ashes and overcoming adversity.  After everyone got over the initial shock, of course they wanted to hear what happened, and she was so kind to oblige.  

Huh, best of luck to her is all I can say.

We might not have much, but this is what we have to look at every evening - and that's what we do.  We sit out on our back porch in the quiet, calm, serenity of nature and be together.  After all that has happened, that's really all we want.

Aunt Z found us a great little plot of land that overlooks the river and we are more than content to live in a little one bedroom, one bath house.

We have become boring over time, Mason still goes to work, thank goodness all the bad publicity has done wonders for fans in the stadium, even though they all hate him, they all want to see him and when the wives are booing, the husbands are realizing what a kick-ass football player Mason is and are secretly cheering - which is enough for me.

Even though it was shaky at first, our sex life has returned with renewed life and fire.  I'll admit it was weird for Mason being with me because I'm not in my old body anymore, but he got over it after awhile.  I would say he got over it a little too quickly, but what at least I'm the one benefiting.

I guess it's safe to say we're pretty happy in our life and we have been content to just keep going as is.

Until one day, we have a visitor...

We normally never have anyone visiting and certainly no one rings the doorbell.  Our family has a strict "walk right in" policy - even our threats of walking around the house naked haven't deterred them, so it was startling, after not hearing the doorbell in months, suddenly hearing it one afternoon.

"Who on the planet could that be?" Mason asks as he heads to the door.

I just shrug.

"Mason, it's so good to see you," I hear a familiar voice ringing like a pleasant song.

"Oh, uh, hey," he replies.

I peak out the window and see that it's Melody Sky - a challenge mother friend of mine, or of the old me.

I brace myself because we have had a couple friends of mine that didn't realize what was going on show up and clock Mason good, but nothing like that happens.

"Melody, how have you been?" He asks, obviously surprised at how not piping hot angry at him she is.

"Well, I was wonderful until I came into town, Mason," 

Her we go...

"Who is that wretched woman in Hadley's body?"

Chapter 20: Just a Small Town Girl, Living in a Lonely World

*MASON'S POV*

Did I just hear what I think I heard?  Surely not.

"What did you say?" I ask again, just to be sure.

"Hadley, our Hadley, is really Briana - and Briana is in Hadley's body - that's why she hasn't been able to remember anything."

Suddenly, I bust out laughing.

"That has to be the craziest joke I have ever heard." I tell her, "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

Evie looks at me and she's not laughing.  I sigh.

"I wish it were a joke, Mason, it's not." she says.

"Ev, come on," I say, "listen to what you're saying...it's crazy."
Evie glares at me, "Crazier than bringing her back from the dead in the first place?  Why is it so hard to believe that her body was switched somehow?"

I can't accept this.  I have been working too hard with Hadley...
"Mason, think about it...you were saying yourself how she wasn't like herself...maybe this is why."

"Okay, even if this is true, why hasn't Hadley in Briana's body said anything to me?  She's been living in my house now for almost a month."
Evie raises her eyebrows, "Probably because of how she knew you would react.  There is no way you would have accepted that coming from some chick you didn't even know."

"I can't believe this," I just keep saying, "this is impossible..."

"Just think about it, bro," Evie starts in again, "why would you even let Briana come stay with you?  You don't normally just let strangers stay in your house.  Why have you been so drawn to her?"

"Evie, I can't accept this...I just...can't..."

"Mason, please think about it.  Hadley needs us."

"I don't know." It's all I can say...because I genuinely don't.  I know that Hadley has been different, but that doesn't mean anything...necessarily...she lost her memory...but...

She hasn't been the same...she's a lot bitchier than she was, and whiny, and all of a sudden she's in love with a horse when she was never a big animal person...her temper is gone...her sense of humor has been gone, she's fixated on being famous and how much the paparazzi loves her...and she's more flighty than she ever was...maybe...

But what if I'm wrong?

What if Briana is Hadley?  What then?  How in the hell are we going to get them back to where they belong?  Why hasn't "Real Hadley" brought this up with "Real Briana"?

Well, I guess as long as I don't know what's going on, both of them are staying in the house...

THE NEXT MORNING....

*REAL HADLEY*

Evie told me she spoke with Mason and even though he acted like he didn't believe her, he is probably thinking about it, so...I guess it's just a waiting game...and I don't want to do anything that might anger the wacko that's taken over my body.

I don't know what I'm going to do...damn, skinny bitch...I should get it really fat.
Pancakes it is!

  

As I put them down on the counter, I hear someone come up behind me.

"What the hell is this?"
Ahh, it's The Bitch.

"Pancakes, help yourself," I tell her.

"They're not poisonous, are they?" She asks, "You know, I'm a little smarter than that."

In response, I grab a fork and take a bite out of one of them.

"You could have poisoned the rest of them," she says.
"I'm hurt, you actually think I would drug you?" I can't keep my smart mouth shut.

"Actually, yeah," she replies.
"So fix a plate and take them to Mason, I hear him getting up," I say, "you know I wouldn't risk hurting him."

This seems to pacify her.

She grabs a plate and eats them standing up.

"These are really good..." she says between bites.
"Yeah...they're a secret recipe...they're m...*light bulb*...they're Mason's mom's famous recipe...his favorite."

"Nice try, I know his mom can't cook," she says.
"Aww, can't get one over on you," I say slyly, "...but it's true, they're pancakes, anyone can fix pancakes."
"I'm not an idiot," she says matter-of-factly.

Huh, matter of opinion.

"I know," I reply, "fine, don't believe me.  I'm sure Mason will realize you're not me when you never remember anything...so, fine, go ahead, give them to him...tell him I made them...that'll be sure to send him into my arms even faster."

"Whatever"

"Screw you too."

She picks up a plate and heads into the dining room calling for Mason all the way.  Now I just have to hope she takes the bait.

Her screeching sounds horrible on my voice, I have to say, "MASON!  Come downstairs, I made you something!"

*MASON'S POV*

"Baby, you made these?" I ask her.
"Yup," she replies.

Hmm, maybe it is her.

"Delicious...eating these always reminds me of being a kid." I tell her.  Is she starting to remember something?

"Uh, yeah, somehow I just knew how to make them," she says, "like I was remembering something...didn't...it's kind of fuzzy, but someone gave me the recipe."

He leans back and smiles, "That's right!  You're remembering...I used to get so excited when I would come downstairs and she would be in the kitchen making these pancakes."

Her eyes brighten and she smiles.  Oh wow, she is remembering something!  Evie is so crazy, she didn't know what she was talking about.

"Yeah, I didn't want to say anything, but I remember your mom fixing these." she says.

Huh?

"Uh, I have to go to work," I say and head out.

Okay, was she confused?  Maybe she just thinks that's who it was in her memories...

See, it wasn't my mom...my grandmother would fix pancakes for us whenever she would visit...and Hadley got the recipe from her...but...if she was remembering the pancakes, wouldn't she remember that?

Damn, how did my life get so confusing?
Unfortunately, I don't have time to think about it because I have a game.

*REAL HADLEY'S POV*

The bitch and Mason are at his football game, Keely is down for a nap, and I am bored...so I start exploring my house...

Ahh, my bath tub...I debate taking a nice bubble bath, but I don't want to freak Mason out, getting all Fatal Attraction on him....and I don't want the crazy bitch to try to drown me...*sigh* better not.

So I head downstairs...

I turn on the TV, but it doesn't help because there's some wedding show on and it reminds me of my wedding...
Am I ever going to be able to kiss my husband again?

This is too depressing.

Back to channel surfing...

I didn't even hear the door open and shut, but Mason comes in and he's staring at me.

"Hey," I greet him.  I'm not in the mood to try to pretend to be someone I'm not, so I hope he just leaves me alone.

"Hey," he replies, but he just stands there.

Oh-kay...
"Have a good game?" I ask him.

"Yeah, we won," he answers.

"Great," I reply...he's still standing there staring at me.  God, he's hot...ugh.  Cold shower, cold shower...

He's still standing there.  What is he waiting for?  An engraved invitation to sit on his own couch?

"Do I have something on my face?" I ask.
"No...uh...I need to talk to you..."

Exasperated, I ask him, "What is it?"

"What did you tell me the first time you saw me dressed like this?"

Wait, that's not a question for the "new" me...
I look at him and he's staring at me expectantly, then I look around for her....she's nowhere in sight...

I stand up...

"Well, first I said..it was different..." I say, walking toward him...
"Yeah?  What else?" he asks.

"...I told you you needed a purple hat with a feather and some gold teeth to go with it..."

He walks toward me slowly...too slowly...or not slow enough...

and before I know what's going on, he grabs me and kisses me...the deepest, most passionate kiss I think I have ever received from him...and we've had some good ones...

Thank God...

Chapter 10: Now I Remember Why I Can't Take You Anywhere

*BRIANA'S POV*

Waking up was extremely disorienting, especially since I am used to waking up in a dingy, mold-covered house in a bed with strings poking out of the mattress and sheets that are so thread-bare you would think an angel sneezed and made them.

I stretch to get my bearings.  Oh, what a glorious snooze.  Of course, then I think of Trevor.

I am sure he's waking up now, realizing I'm not there.  There's no telling what he will do.  

That thought terrifies me.

I have to get back and get to Keely...and find out what I'm going to do from now on.

I go downstairs and find Hadley in the laundry room.

Hadley: Did you sleep well?

Briana: Better than I have in ages.  Thank you so much for your hospitality, I must be going.

Hadley: Oh, at least stay for breakfast.

Briana: I'm sorry, I can't.  I really do thank you though...for everything.

Hadley: Oh...kay...at least let me give you a ride home...or get you a cab?.

Briana: Oh, no...I couldn't...

Hadley: I insist.

She grabs her phone and calls a cab company before I can argue anymore.  I guess my first stop is to go get Keely...but after that, I have no idea what I'm going to do.

*HADLEY'S POV*

After Briana leaves, I go outside to see Pepper.  She has grown up so much lately.  She's a big horse now.  I try my hand at riding her...

I must be doing it wrong...my body bounces up and down so much I think Pepper will buck me off of her.  Thank goodness she doesn't.

After I think I've fully bruised my backside, I get down and my phone rings.  It's Mason.

Mason: Hey baby, my parents are having a party tonight.  Should I tell them we're coming?

Hadley: Um...

Mason: We don't have to...

Hadley: No, let's go ahead and go.

Mason: Okay, Mom told me to tell you to come over any time you want.  I'll be there after work.

Hadley: Okay...see you there...

Mason: Yeah...

Hadley: Bye...

Mason: Bye.

Just before Mason gets off work, I head over to Zoey and T-bone's.  I always feel a little awkward here.  I don't know why.

I walk through the kitchen and see Evie at the microwave.

Hadley: Hey!

Evie: Hey Hadley!  What's going on?

Hadley: Nothing much....what are you doing?

Evie: *laughs* My version of cooking.

Hadley: That's a microwave meal...

Evie: Exactly.  It's about done, come on with me in the dining room...

Hadley: Okay...

Even though I still don't like her all that much, Evie and I are getting along a little better, especially since she gave me Pepper.

As we head out to the table, my dad catches me and I chat with him for a bit.

Andrew: How ya' doin' baby girl?

Hadley: Can't complain...just the usual, me with a broken head.

Andrew: At least it's a cute broken head.

Hadley: *giggle* It looks just like yours.

Andrew: *blush* Oh...

My mother walks up behind him.

Amy: Don't let him fool you.  He knew exactly what he was saying when he said it.

Andrew: *to my mother* Are you implying that I'm vein?

Amy: I'm not implying anything, I'm straight up saying it.

She winks and pats him on the back and he smiles back at her before she walks off.  I guess that's a thing between them, but I can't help but glare a little bit.  I don't like her calling him vein.  It's times like these that I wish I could remember my previous life.  I'm sure that's the kind of thing I would have laughed at before.

Hadley: It's okay, Daddy.  I don't think you're vein.

I give him a big hug.

Andrew: Haha, she's called me worse than that, punkin'...don't worry a bit about it.

Hadley: Okay, I won't.

Dad walks off and I hear Zoey somewhere in the kitchen.

Zoey: There's a cheese plate in here if anyone wants some.

Evie: Mama, you made a cheese plate?

T-bone: She bought a cheese plate...ouch!

Zoey: You know good and damn well I can put cheese on a plate.

I sigh.  More jokes I just don't get.  I head into the kitchen and get a plate.

Hadley: This looks good Mrs. Pope.

Zoey: Ooh, damn, honey, please call me Zoey - or Aunt Z.  You're making me feel old.

Hadley: Oh, I'm sorry.

She pats my back.

Zoey: I'm just teasing you, call me whatever you want.

I am really starting to like Zoey.  She is not as blunt as my mother can be sometimes.

I head back to the table where Evie is sitting now and my brother, a male version of my mother, is just getting up.  Evie is teasing him.

Evie: Ice cream, Keaton?  Really?  Aren't you a doctor?

Keaton: Yeah, it's calcium...good for you.  Hey, Hadley!

I sit down as he's getting up.  I always feel a little shy around Keaton, and I'm not really sure why.

Hadley: Hey Keaton.

Keaton: Doing any better remembering things?

Hadley: Not really...I'm starting to think I'm never going to remember.

Keaton: I'm sure you will, those memories are floating around somewhere in there.

I smile at him and we chat for a couple more minutes, but then he leaves.

Mason shows up right after Keaton leaves.
Evie: Ooooh, look!  Mason is gracing us with his presence!
Mason: Nobody likes a smart ass, little sis.
Evie: So touchy.

After Mason eats, the three of us split up.  

I sit down with my parents and talk...I'm talking about dishes, and apparently my mother is talking about a disco ball...and my father looks confused.   That I understand.

Mason goes upstairs to his childhood bedroom and does some reading.  I'm not really sure why he needed to do that, but whatever.

We spend so much time there that all of a sudden, Zoey comes out in her nightgown.

Zoey: Y'all are still here?

We all take the hint and go home.

Now I remember why I don't like those parties.  I get really stressed out because I don't know how to interact with everyone.  It's like being in a different culture or something.  I do much better at home with Mason.