Summoned Again?

To my surprise, it only took three weeks for Mr. Graham to sort out my legal status. I thought that was amazing, considering all of the 'undoing' that had to be done on a death from so long ago. He told me it was because it was so long ago that it was relatively easier for him to do it. They couldn't validate my license, since that had expired. My social security number was active once again and all related documents like my birth certificate were valid.

I discretely told Mr. Graham to leave the headstone and body where it was, because digging up someone they couldn't identify was only a waste of time and money. What I did do, was buy a new headstone and had it marked as John Doe and where he was found. Perhaps someone would see it and know that their lost loved one might be buried there.

I had to stay in a hotel for that time, since the condo sale had to be delayed for a month for the occupants to finish moving out. The bank happily extended the loan to make it an even million dollars to cover it and expenses, thanks to the nine million in collateral they still held for the government. Of course, they got most of that money back with the sale of the condo, since it was owned by people who used their bank. It was a great time for all concerned, especially me.

Now that I was a legal citizen again, I was allowed to own property, buy a car, and get my license again. Thankfully, I was only renewing my license and I wasn't a new driver getting my license. I passed on the first try, to my sister's chagrin. It had taken her two tries and she had barely passed when she did it.

“How did you remember so much about it?” Jenny asked me.

I shrugged, because I didn't want to admit that I could read the handbook from my inventory.

“You didn't even study!” Jenny exclaimed.

“Some things just stick with you.” I joked and she smacked my shoulder.

“Come on, we're going shopping.” Jenny said and pointed to my new car that she had driven here. “You're driving.”

“That's good, because I was driving anyway.” I said and climbed in.

“Just because you're alive again, doesn't mean I can't keep bossing you around.” Jenny said.

“You do realize I was acting like that for the government's benefit, right?” I asked.

“No, you did it because you love me.” Jenny countered and leaned over to rest her head on my shoulder. “Plus, I have all the money. That means I'm the boss.”

“I knew I acted too well.” I said with a chuckle.

“Was it really an act?” Jenny asked and lifted her head to look at me.

“Was I really sad to 'donate' nine million in gold to the government and only got a million in return? Yes.” I said and drove out of the parking lot. I only had the paper license and the real one would come in the mail in a couple weeks. “Was I sad that you decided, without talking to me first, that we were going to be living together? Yes.”

“Don't be such a big baby.” Jenny said. “I saw a way to get out of the house before I had to earn enough money to get a place of my own, so I took it.” She said, a little proudly. “Tell me that you wouldn't have done the same, considering how they've been treating you.”

I opened my mouth to speak, then sighed instead. “Maybe when I get a job...”

“Dad's dead set against you hurting mom again.” Jenny said, then she sighed, too. “I really hate to say this.” She looked and me and reached over to touch the side of my face. “They think you really did die back then. Their son did. The man that came back isn't the son they buried.”

“I know.” I said. “I'm ten years older, a little world weary, and cynical beyond all measure.”

Jenny chuckled and let my face go. “When you get your feet under you, they'll reconsider getting to know the new you.”

“The DNA matched, you know.” I said and came to a stop at a traffic light. “Right down to the last adenine.”

“That doesn't matter. I'd love you even if you were Frankenstein's monster.”

“Uh huh.” I said and pulled away at the light and drove down the street. “I think the greyish dead skin might be a bit of a turn off, not to mention a few conspicuous scars.”

“Don't forget the huge bolts in your neck for recharging!” Jenny laughed and poked my neck. “BZZZT! Ha ha ha!”

“I'm tying to drive here.”

“I don't care.” Jenny said with a knowing smile. “I'm the boss and you need to park soon.”

“Did you see a store you want to go in?” I asked and started looking for a parking space.

“Nope! I need to tinkle and I can't hold it much longer.”

I sped up to make her laugh, then I slipped my car into a spot that it barely fit into.

“I don't want to know how you did that.” Jenny said and hopped out. “Okay, where... oh! Coffee shop!” She took off at a jog.

I laughed and followed her. I entered the door just as she passed the counter.

“A latte with extra foam!” Jenny said loudly. “I gave him his allowance and he's paying!”

The surprised woman behind the counter looked at me.

“Make that two, please.” I said and took out some of the allowance my sister had given me and paid for the lattes. She did it as a joke the first time and I had laughed, then each day she gave me the same amount and told me to spend it wisely. It was getting on my nerves for a week and I thought I would tell her to stop, then saw the happy gleam in her eyes.

I had a flash of Divine Sight at the time and we were sitting at the table at the condo a month from now. She reminisced about us going on dates when she was younger, with me giving her an allowance so she could buy things on her own, and I understood what she was doing. Now, I take the money when she offers it and I thank her for being so generous.

Jenny came out and I handed her one, then we sat down and chatted about where I should apply first. “We'll check out that construction site down by the reservoir first.” Jenny said. “They should take one look at you and hire you for grunt work right away.”

“Geez, thanks.” I said and rolled my eyes.

“You're big and muscular, Damon.” Jenny said. “Everyone that looks at you thinks you work in construction.”

“You don't?” A young woman asked as she brought over another latte.

“Not yet.” I said as she put the latte in front of me. “What's that for?”

“That lady over there sent it.” She said and pointed.

I turned to look and saw a statuesque blonde woman with a white faux fur jacket. She waved at me and I waved back, then had a flash of Divine Sight and as far as I could see, it was an orgy. It took me a second to count seven sets of limbs, not necessarily all female. I had to slap my face on both sides to stop the vision. It was going to be a very pleasurable experience and I had to really consider if I was going to accept.

“Let's go.” Jenny said and stood as she took my hand.

“But...” I stood up and she dragged me away from the offered latte.

“Let's go.” Jenny repeated and ignored the woman as she dragged me by and out the door.

“I'm sorry!” I said and waved to her.

The woman smiled and winked at me.

We hopped in the car and drove around, did some shopping, which made my sister very happy, and then we went down to the construction site. Now that I had a license and was alive, I could work and get myself back into the government system. I had to pay taxes to keep my legal citizenship and I needed to work for that. To my surprise, Jenny was right. I had barely stepped out of the car when the foreman saw me.

“Pick up that steel girder.” He said immediately and I walked over to it, inched it up to get a good grip, then I walked it to an almost upright position with one end still on the ground. I stopped, rested it on my shoulder and held on, then stepped backward. The beam leaned back and balanced on my shoulder perfectly.

I walked over to the foreman. “Where do you want it?”

The man laughed. “Right back where you got it.”

“Oh.” I said and carefully turned around and went back where it was. I reversed my move and put it right back on the ground, with barely any effort.

“You're hired.” The foreman said. “Step into my office and we can get the paperwork out of the way.”

“Where's your office?” I asked and looked around.

“See where I'm standing? That's my office.” The foreman said and laughed. “What's your name?”

“Damon Smith.”

“Smith? Really?” He asked, concerned.

“I've got a birth certificate, social security number, and a driver's license that says so.” I said and then smiled. “All recently approved by the federal government.”

The foreman laughed. “All right.” He said and filled out the paperwork right there as I told him my information and showed him the proof. He wrote everything down. “You'll be starting at the bottom with the lowest wage.”

“Grunt work?” I asked.

“Grunt work.” The foreman said and nodded.

“Great.” I said and smiled. “When can I start?”

“Tomorrow morning at seven.” He said. “Hard hats are in the trailer as are the harnesses and safety equipment.” He looked at my boots. “You've got good taste. I've had a few people come here with expensive boots, not realizing that boots need to be functional and not just safe.”

I nodded. “See you bright and early.”

“Don't be late.” The foreman warned. “You only get one chance and if you blow it, you'll never work in construction again.”

“Don't worry, sir. I'm going to work so hard that I'm going to own this company in five months.” I said.

The foreman laughed. “Now that's drive that'll get you places.” He said and waved to us as we drove away.