Bob’s feet were casual thumps on the steps as he alighted from the first floor to Timber’s basement. Pieces of the gang were already there: Angela and Patti over on the sofa, Kelly at the opposite end of the sofa with Clint seated on the floor between her legs so she could massage his shoulders—Timber and Ben constructing a large vessel out of Lego Building Blocks, Carmen in a beanbag chair sipping a Clearly Canadian, and Dave, with Jeanine, on the loveseat, engaged in a casual liplock. The triplet paused for a moment on the third step from the bottom. He blinked his eyes. For a split second, everything seemed comfortable.
But then he remembered.
Scott was not there, and Dave and Jeanine had been seeing each other for a solid two weeks despite the emotions drawn from Angela’s presence, and Clint still seemed afraid of Kelly, and Carmen was jealous of Timber… but Timber was the same. Bob knew that no matter how bad things got, Timber would always be Timber. That was a comforting thought.
Timber raised her eyes to meet those of her best friend. “Hey man.” She greeted, going back to stacking white blocks for a surrounding wall of whatever they were currently working on.
“No Tim, the directions say that you have to put a three right there.” Ben corrected, holding the sheet of paper that was folded like a map.
“What’d I put?” Timber asked, meaning to backtrack in a moment of confusion. “God, I hate those directions, I only buy Lego sets for the people; especially the girls.” She giggled.
She sat back on her heels, gazing at the partially composed structure, peering for a moment out of narrowed eyes. “Screw it.” She announced. “Let’s just build something fun, not going by these dumb directions. Like a space station… or the new Prada store in Soho, New York. Something fun.” She grinned with a dreamy look in her eyes.
“Hey Timber,” Kelly began, still rubbing Clint’s shoulders carefully. “You know, don’t we have a bet?” she asked, with a look on her face, namely her eyebrows, which warranted suspicion.
“What bet?” Timber asked, beginning to deviate from the previous plans of that particular Lego set.
“You’d better remember the bet Timber!” Kelly exclaimed. “The pageant is in three weeks!”
“Oh yeah!” Timber began to chuckle. “I haven’t really given it much thought.”
“I don’t think so missy!” Kelly exclaimed, gripping Clint’s shoulders and causing him to whine in pain. “So I’ve taken the liberty to be your coach.”
“Um… doesn’t that kinda defeat the purpose of us betting against each other?” Timber asked.
“I know, really.” Bob snickered, having sat down next to his best friend on the carpet.
“Bet or not! I want Timber to win!” Kelly exclaimed. “And Timber, I know you want to win too! I was in a pageant once. And those bitches… I got fifth place. FIFTH!!!” she shouted, gripping Clint in anger.
“OW! Shit Kelly! That hurts!” Clint cried, sitting forward, away from her, and rubbing his shoulders. “Damn.”
“I want you to win! We’re going to win Timber! We’re going to show these bitches where their places are and put them in it.” She growled, eyes narrowed.
“Um… Kelly?” Bob asked, a flash of concern over his face.
“Yeah, Kelly, you’re getting a little too… passionate about this.” Dave informed her carefully.
“Oh fuck you.” Kelly snapped. “Timber, we have a lot of work to do.” She continued focusing her attention on the matter at hand. “Now, I’ve printed out the itinerary for the pageant. Luckily, I’ve known Mrs. Chalfonte for a while, we’re family friends, so I was able to sign you up late, even thought the cut off was three weeks ago—since you never took the liberty to sign up yourself.” She paused long enough to glare at her friend.
Bob and Clint exchanged glances.
“I also got tickets for all of us, and you and I can go shopping in a few days to get your costumes. You’ll need evening wear, swimwear, sportswear, and also a talent. It’s just like modeling Timber. You have to get your walk down, get an attitude, but enthusiasm; they like enthusiasm, get your hair done, a makeup artist…”
“I don’t want a make-up artist.” Timber stated.
“Too bad.” Kelly informed her. “And with those legs we’re going to put you in a short skirt. Long legs and a short skirt. But you need to go on a strict diet for the next three weeks until the pageant. A very strict diet. Exercise seven days a week, watch what you eat. Because the judges are looking at every aspect of your body Timber, and you can’t have cellulite or a gut, or any flab anywhere. They’re looking almost specifically at your body…”
Timber stiffened. “Umm… okay.” She said plainly.
“Oh please.” Jeanine spoke up. “Timber’s body is in tip top shape. We dance five days a week and it’s not like she couldn’t use a Big Mac or two so lay off Kelly.”
“Yeah, really.” Carmen agreed.
Kelly shrugged. “I’m just saying. The judges are all about your form. It’s all about tits and ass. A dog-eat-dog world.”
“I don’t think I want you to help me anymore.” Timber stated dryly.
“Hey, you wanna go shopping next week Timber?” Clint asked, a smirk growing over his cheeks.
“I wanna come!” Bob whined.
“Yeah! Shopping trip!” Timber chuckled.
“Oh my God.” Angela suddenly stated, standing up, her eyes wide. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Where is Patti?!”
All eyes turned to her.
“Wasn’t she sitting with you?” Dave asked.
“She was playing with Lego’s, wasn’t she?” Ben asked, still attempting to salvage the building set before him.
Timber shrugged. “She couldn’t have gone far. Maybe she just got sick of hearing Kelly talk.” She smirked, jabbing back at her friend in a passive aggressive attempt to retaliate for the zealous comments previous made.
“You know what Timber!” Kelly exclaimed. “You need to get serious with this!”
“MY SISTER!” Angela cried out, gripping her hair. “We have to find my sister! There’s no time for arguing! Patti!” she cried out in panic.
“Good point.” Bob nodded, getting to his feet. “I’ll get upstairs.”
“I’ll check the kitchen.” Dave agreed.
“Library.” Jeanine put in.
“I guess I’ll get the family room.” Carmen suggested, rising from the sofa. “Patti!” she called out. “Where are you, ya little hamburger?”
Kelly stood up, pouting that she had been insulted when trying to assist Timber in her competition . “You and I should check down here.” She advised Angela as the other filed up the stairs. “She’s probably just playing hide and seek. You know how kids are.” She smirked.
Angela nodded slightly, beginning to check behind the doors lining the walls of the basement’s main room.
* * *
Scott lay on his stomach across his bed, recovering from the previous night on the town. He had stumbled into the house sometime as the sun was rising, crouching in the bathroom for a good few hours before passing out on his bed. And as his eyes creaked open, he realized that he had narrowly escaped the head-pounding nausea that accompanied him each morning in the form of a hangover.
It was getting easier. He was on his way. The sun was shining, and it did not take his eyes. The birds chirped in the trees, and the sound did not pierce his ears. He was cloaked in a sheen of sweat, still wearing the clothes he had donned the night before, the smell of a bar: smoke, beer, cologne, in a force field around his limp body. He had kicked his shoes off sometime in the night.
Yet he was awake at that moment, with only the intentions of passing the time before he could do it again. All he wanted to do was party under the lights, strobe or star, drinking himself into a stupor, wearing his sunglasses despite the darkness, living as a stranger with an air of mystery. That’s all he could do. He feared that if he stopped for one split second, he may realize; he may tumble into a spiral of self-pity and loathing. If he was forced to stop, he would be forced to think of Angela, and nothing good could come of that.
Last night’s flavor wore designer jeans and a halter top; he did not want to get emotions involved by exchanging names. They had fucked in the bathroom of a club downtown just before he had left, up against the hand dryer. She was a blonde, her mane dropping to her mid-back; he thought that was skanky.
The mattress was jounced in a chorus of springs as Scott squirmed to position himself on his back, hand on his belly to feel where it ached for breakfast, eyes shut peacefully. He realized how suddenly content he was. He could stay in bed all day, he did not have to keep moving, and his mind would remain idle; there would be no abyss of feelings that day. He was finally okay. He was over it.
“Scotty.” Patti stated, resting her hands on the mattress and preparing to climb onto the bed.
Scott’s eyes shot open, startled. He turned his head from where his face had been basking in the light from the window and met the smile of the little girl.
“Scotty. Ah you sweeping?” Patti asked, struggling slightly as she managed to mount the bed and situate herself beside him. “Nap time.” She stated, laying down and closing her eyes in an attempt to feign sleep.
“Patti?” Scott asked, trying to recall if he had actually woken up that morning, or if he had merely imagined it. “Um... what you are doing here?” he asked. “Does your... um... sister... know you’re here?”
“Nap time.” Patti giggled, still screwing her eyes shut.
“No, no, honey. Is Bob babysitting you? Is that it?” Scott asked, raising to prop himself up on his elbows. “I thought Bob was at Timbers.”
The little girl continued to fake sleep.
“Patti, honey, listen to me.” Scott stated firmly. “Where’s Bob?” he asked. “Is he here?”
She finally conceded, opening her enormous brown eyes. “No.” she responded, taking a moment to maneuver her body into a sitting position.
“Is Angela here?” Scott asked, swallowing thickly at the taste of her name.
Patti shook her head, becoming distracted and trying to climb on him.
“No, no, Patti.” Scott stated, gripping her arms gently and trying to maintain eye contact to be sure she was still listening. “Is Clint here? Dave? Jeanine? Kelly? Carmen?” he rattled off.
Patti gazed at him blankly.
He realized he’d have to be more patient. “Where did you come from?” he asked.
Patti continued to stare.
“What room were you in?”
She blinked once, then resumed her task of attacking him.
“No, Patti, listen to me sweetpea. You have to listen.” He pleaded. “Here, sit.” He directed, crossing his legs and settling her on his lap so she faced him. “Where’s Angela?”
“No.” Patti stated, beginning to giggle wildly.
“No, Patti, where is she?”
“No!” Patti continued to laugh.
“Patti…”
“No!!!” she giggled wildly, cutting him off mid-sentence and trying to touch his face.
He seized her hand. “Seriously. Please! Tell me where you’re supposed to be!” he begged, knowing no one was at his own house, as it was almost completely silent.
She blinked like a baby doe, long lashes sweeping like a butterflies wings around enormous eyes. She smiled, and the tiny teeth she possessed gleamed like a pearl necklace strummed along her gum line.
“Come here honey.” Scott requested softly, extending his arms for her as he realized that she was a memory re-embedding itself in his mind. She was precious, a tenderness filling the void between his arms that had laid gaping for such a long time. Because somehow, it was not Patti that he was holding; it was his angel. And as he felt her skin, he did not want to let go.
* * *
Jeanine leaned over the bar in the dining room, having run out of places to search for the mischievous toddler. Relenting with a deep sigh of futility, she poised to turn around just as Dave’s sinuous arms surrounded her from behind.
“You are so fucking gorgeous.” He growled in her ear, haphazardly caressing her skin and moving her shirt up on her stomach.
Jeanine giggled gently, gripping his wrists and feigning a struggle. “We can’t…” she breathed coyly. “Everyone is in the next room.” She giggled, stepping forward.
He did not remove his arms from her waist, having them extend with his hands rested on her hips. “Come on baby…” he murmured, drawing himself to her.
She was now standing against the bar, hands clutching the rim. As his hands roamed up over her breasts, she whimpered gently, feeling an excitement build from her center and shoot through the passageways of her veins. “Dave…” she whispered.
He kissed her neck softly, sweeping her hair back from her shoulder and enmeshing his nose just behind her ear. “You smell so delicious…” he whimpered, pressing his erection into her backside and moaning softly.
“Oh…” Jeanine gasped, eyes opening widely as she attempted to dig her nails into the surface of the counter. She turned to face him, crushing her lips against his with bated breath.
Dave ravenously reciprocated, pressing her back into the bar and beginning to feel her chest.
“No, we can’t…” Jeanine gasped between tastes of his tongue. She threw her arms around his neck and tipped her head to the perfect angle to feel his body aligned with her own. “Dave…”
Just as their rapture began to take off running with the two teenagers held captive, the doorbell sounded, and there no longer existed a private romance that could continue towards an uncertain future. With the tintinnabulation, signaling the arrival of a visitor, there was an end to their tryst—yet that end had come too soon.
“I love you.” Dave whispered in her ear, kissing her lightly on the neck.
“I love you too.” Jeanine giggled, stepping away from him as footsteps neared the foyer that was merely a room away.
Angela glanced at the two suspiciously as she extended her arm to the front door. She knew exactly what had been going on; the look of their faces said it all. She could remember the times when she and Scott would be in that same exact position, feigning innocence, yet knowing, but not caring if others could also sense the lust hanging thick in the air. She merely smiled at the two, the fog of memory dispersing, then swung open the front door.
He stood on the stoop, humbled for the first time in a long time. It had been since as long as her memory stretched back that she could remember him with such a countenance on his face. It had been around the time they had first made love. Her heart leapt with the aching of a stomach-flipping drop, and butterflies filled her insides, beating their wings rapidly for an outlet through her mouth. Yet if she opened her mouth her release them, to speak, they would fly from her lips in the form of vomit and tears.
Patti swung her legs from the height of his arms, her small hands along his cheeks. She smiled brightly, not uttering words or a giggle, as if waiting for them to begin.
Scott took his turn, eyes faltering to the door molding, voice hoarse at first: “I… uh…” he cleared his throat. “She… she just showed up in my room… I…”
His bedroom. Angela’s eyes misted over. His bedroom, the sight of where they had…
“I figured she had wandered over… because no one was around… and I saw Ben’s car…” he tried to stop himself, but he couldn’t help but speak. “I thought maybe there were people over… and I don’t… I don’t know how she got over here… I just kinda guessed that she recognized the house so she… so she…” he cracked a smirk as if nothing had happened. “So she just moseyed on over.”
Angela smirked gently before remembering proper break-up decorum.
“I--“ missed you. He dared not finish the thought aloud. “I brought her back. Here.” He quickly spoke, attempting to hand her back to Angela.
Patti clung to Scott’s neck. Angela merely blinked for longer than the allotted period, her eyes closed blissfully to recall his scent.
Scott smiled awkwardly, trying to disentangle her arms, clearing his throat as Angela did nothing to be of aid.
“I have to go now Patti, I’m sorry.” Scott said softly.
Angela heard the words, as if she were a voyeur. She did not want Scott to go. If he left, where did that leave her?
“Um…” Scott said subtly, prompting her to take her sister.
“Oh,” Angela was flustered. She stepped close to him and as she did, Patti extended her arms for her sister.
Angela quietly took the girl, trying not to focus of Scott’s proximity, the heat of his chest through his tee shirt. Her arm was wedged between his body and her sisters, and his heat was enough to give her a third degree burn.
His breath caught in his chest. His face turned red from the lack of oxygen.
“I need to go.” Scott stated bluntly, letting go of Patti all too quickly. The little girl cried out in annoyance as Angela wavered with her for a moment, unstable with her arms.
“I’m sorry.” Scott quickly stated, stumbling backward, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry too…” Angela regurgitated, her eyes lifting with a hope that could not be explained.
Scott stopped. He stared. As if to reconsider.
“Did you find Patti?” Timber asked, traipsing into the foyer from the back hallway.
Angela did not hear her, and neither did Scott. Their eyes were locked and there was nothing in the world that could shift a gaze so deep.
But he backed away, step by step, until he turned and he ran, off the sidewalk and down the street, heart thudding, fueling his legs to move.
She remained in the doorway, a toddler struggling in her arms.
“Angela…” Timber stated, touching her shoulder softly as she delved deep within herself for the compassion to console her friend.
Angela remained frozen, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak.
“Do you want to go for a walk Angie, so we can talk?” Timber asked quietly, a hand dropping on the shoulder of a friend. Her brow was creased with concern as she attempted to see into Angela’s mind.
Angela gently turned, eyes downcast. Patti had stopped struggling and sat still, her arms wrapped protectively around her sister’s shoulders. The older girl tried, for the sake of her young sibling to keep from crying.
“Here, I’ll take her.” Timber stated knowingly, securing Patti in her own arms. “Go.”
Angela didn’t need to be told twice.
* * *
She began to wander beneath an unknown sky; the sun was so bright, she feared she may go blind. Like a wolf, she tried to catch wind of his scent; her heart was thudding so fast in her chest, she felt it was overpowering her lungs and she would soon loose her air. Her feet moved against the pavement with an automatic push against the cement; her arms swung to and fro as if she were pushing through water. He was somewhere; she could sense him near to her, and she swore by every star in the sky that she would find him…
* * *
“I’m standing outside.” He smirked, clicking his cellular phone shut and broadening his smile as he gazed up towards her window and saw her peer through the lace curtains.
He started up the font walk and took the steps to the porch two at a time. Ringing the bell was not necessary, he could already hear her footsteps approaching quickly; she was bouncing with excitement. After such a close encounter, he too was more than excited to make a new memory.
She struggled for a moment with the latches before opening the great door.
“Brandi!” Scott exclaimed, arms splayed for her to enter. “Let’s make a new memory.”
* * *
Angela eventually came to a pivotal moment where she realized that finding Scott would be more arduous a task than she originally thought. In the heat of the moment, she could just chase after him but there came a time, as she wandered farther from home, that she no longer had the strength, nor the patience to chase him. It was in that moment that she realized she could chase him forever, but if he didn’t want to be found, he could not be. And although love led her to believe that everything was for some Greater Cause, she had to give up. If he couldn’t meet her halfway, she began to wonder if it was even worth it anymore.
And so she wandered, having not the slightest clue where she was, taking a moment to gain her bearings.
Standing at the corner of a street, Angela chewed into the corner of her lip, turning in a half circle and scratching her head. She surmised she was still in the suburbs somewhere; it was a residential area. The streets, however, were unfamiliar. She felt her pockets for her cellular phone, quickly finding that she had left it at Timbers’.
She was alone. She would have to get out of this one on her own.
“Shit...” Angela hummed, trying to decide what she could do.
She started to walk in the direction she had come, heading for what appeared to be a main street. It seemed to be a pattern. Whenever she went running after Scott, she seemed to be the one that suffered. She couldn’t help but wonder if there would be love after Scott, if the first love wasn’t the only love.
It just seemed hard to believe that something so good could ever happen more than once.
* * *
After Angela’s departure, Timber carried the baby in to the kitchen where the others had assembled to raid her refrigerator.
“There she is.” Bob announced.
“Boobie!” Patti cried, giggling.
“Patti!” he cried, mirroring her enthusiasm with his arms outstretched.
He took her from Timber, who headed towards the pantry where Clint searched for something sweet to satiate his hunger.
“No, no Timber.” Kelly announced in an authoritative tone. “No sweets, no carbs.”
Timber turned to her with a raised eyebrow, shocked that those words had been uttered. Her eyes darkened. “Well excuse the hell out of me!” she stated, hands on her hips.
“Uh oh.” Bob undertoned, bouncing the little girl on his hip as he headed for the opposite side of the room. A bomb was about to drop and he wanted to avoid the mushroom cloud at all costs.
“Pageant.” Kelly stated to serve as a reminder for her friend.
Timber stood akimbo. “Alright, listen.” She firmly snapped.
“Whoa damn.” Clint said, stepping back from her.
“Ease up on that shit okay? I’m not fucking kidding.” She stated.
“Timber, I’m just trying to help you.” Kelly attempted.
Timber rolled her eyes. “Well making me feel like a fat ass hunk of flab isn’t helping!” she cried, snapping so suddenly, it was unexpected. “I’m working on it!”
Kelly’s eyes widened in a sudden surprise. “Timber—“ she began.
“Timber, you’re not—“ Bob started to put in.
Timber just shook her head. “Forget it.” She quickly recovered. “Just… stop. Chill out.” She stated abruptly. “Case closed. Over and out.” She held her hand up to deter any further discussion.
A moment of silence passed as no one moved, not knowing what to say.
“Wow. Awkward.” Ben smirked.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaand butt-sex.” Clint concluded, resuming his perusal of the pantry.
“Timber,” Kelly started to say.
Timber held up her hand, slightly embarrassed by the entire fair but wishing to express this embarrassment in the form of anger. “Kelly. Enough.”
“I’m sorry!” Kelly blurted out. “I—I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, yeah, so is your mom.” Timber shook her head.
“Where’s Angela.” Carmen asked, changing the subject drastically.
“She left.” Timber stated, sitting on a stool at the counter.
“To where?” Bob asked.
“Okay, let me consult my crystal ball!” Timber exclaimed. “Like I fuckin’ know.”
“Where’re Dave and Jeanine?” Carmen asked.
Timber glared deeply. “Get a Global Positioning System, okay? I’m not God. I don’t fuckin’ know where they went either.”
“They dipped out.” Ben smirked.
“Where’d you find Patti, by the way?” Bob asked, looking down at the small child as she played with the chains around his neck.
“Angela found her. Scott brought her over.” Timber responded, propping her elbow on the countertop and resting her cheek in the palm.
“Brought her over? What?” Kelly asked. “Where was she?”
Timber made a series of noises that sounded as if she had slurred the words ‘I don’t know’ together in an expression of verbal laziness.
“I’m bored.” Clint stated.
“Sorry we aren’t entertaining you Clint.” Bob bantered.
“Yeah, sowee Cwint!” Patti snapped back sassily.
Clint abhorred from the little girl across the room. “Well damn.”
* * *
Angela sighed deeply, rubbing her bare arms with her hands crossed over her chest. She wandered aimlessly, having found her bearings but not yet wishing to return to where she had been. It was too difficult to face the familiarity, knowing that the familiarity was not familiar at all. If she were going to be lost in the world, she figured she might as well be aware of her condition, not hanging in the purgatory of an unusual status quo.
The library by the highschool hung drably in the distance and she pursued it, holding it as the goal as she headed in a lax stroll down a block she had crossed many times before. It was times as such that she began to say goodbye to the tiny features of everyday life, wondering herself out of the picture, trying to imagine the library to others without her sitting on the steps and gazing up and out. She was sleepy. She wanted to go home.
Yet somehow, there seemed to lack cause in this desire, so Angela remained just where she was, sitting on the steps, powerless to stop the rush of people in the day.
She wondered if she would see the entire city pass by, sitting there. Would she recognize him if he were to drudge past alongside the masses?
She knew she would. She would recognize him anywhere.
If it weren’t for the sudden pain in her shoulder, she would have waited. But the swelling chords of memory were stirred to discordance. Her first instinct was the grasp her bruise. Her second, to look up, searching for a source of such pain.
The sun was eclipsed in the shape of a man, but he was shadowed out from the glare. He leaned towards her; so close she pulled back, falling to rest with her palms on the step behind her; so sudden, she forgot her injury in her haste and the slap of her hand on cement shot pain all the way up to her collar bone. She flinched at the awkwardness of the moment, lowering her eyes as she was overfluxed with too many happenings in the same instant.
“So sorry.” The man stated, stretching back to his full, shadowing height and displaying the book that he had rescued from the step the moment before. He spoke with a thick accent, and she forgot herself, staring.
“I have much books.” He chuckled with a good natured friendliness. “I so sorry I hit you.”
He struggled with the stack in his hands, unsuccessful as another book toppled from the pile, hitting the step by her leg and causing her to flinch.
Angela raised her eyes once more, mouth remaining open.
“I so clumsish.” He stated. “Are you—okay?” he asked, dropping yet another handcover novel.
Angela stared.
He stared.
She decided it would be wise to speak.
She shut her mouth.
“It is okay, really.” She stated, rubbing her shoulder as the throbbing began to set in.
The man stopped, and his head dipped out of the sun’s way. He attempted to gather the two books he had lost, sacrificing three more, then the remaining books dropped, leaving him holding only one, shrugging.
“So clumsish.” He berated himself, laughing.
Angela eyed him suspiciously. “Oh!” she suddenly stated, returning to life. “I will help you.”
“Gracias.” He stated.
She raised her eyes to him in the course of collecting the books on her lap. There was something she had recognized about his accent. She revived slowly but surely, staring him down. He was dark haired, a chocolate brown like hers; a chocolate brown that matched his eyes almost identically. His skin was caramel-dark as if the sun he had previously shadowed had toasted him to gold. His chin showed the remnants of hair, the beginning of a five-o’clock shadow…
He turned to her. She turned away.
“Thank you… much.” He commented as the rest of the books, mostly children’s novels, were collected.
He stooped onto the step, eventually sitting back, beginning to arrange the books in his hand. Angela remained on her heels, balancing her stack of seven on her lap.
“My name is Miguel Platon.” He stated tentatively. “What is yours?”
Angela dropped her eyes from his. “Angela Tendero.” She responded quietly, securing the tower of thick novels with one hand, using the other to brush a section of curls from her face to behind her ear.
“Perdon?” He dipped his face in an attempt to grasp hers in her shyness.
“Angela—Tendero.” She repeated, clearing her throat to find her voice in the midst of her reserved demeanor. She extended her hand in an expression of bravery.
He slid his elegantly into hers. It was much larger. He did not grip her palm, but nearly caressed it with his fingertips.
“You are from Espana, no?” Miguel asked.
Angela smiled.
She turned her eyes to the sun that was suddenly in clear view now that this stranger sat beside her. She turned to him after a moment and nodded. “Yes. Yes I am.”
* * *
“That was some really good chicken.” Dave smiled at the memory, patting his belly with his free hand.
Jeanine chuckled, swinging her arm with his from where their two hands were united. “Oh Dave.” She shook her head.
Dave glanced to her for a split second, his lips twisting upwards.
The wind blew and her hair was rustled. It grazed his cheeks like gentle fingers testing the texture of his skin.
“Wait. Oh my God. Stop.” He suddenly announced, eliminating his steps and causing a pull on her arm with his abrupt halt.
“What?” Concern flashed in her features when she turned around to him.
“I need—“ Dave began to pat his pockets. “Oh my God, I need—“
“What is it?” Jeanine asked in alarm, stepping towards him with the desire to help.
“I need to kiss you.” He said unexpectedly, gripping her hands and yanking her towards him.
She took a last breath before feeling the crush of his mouth, closing her eyes. Her eyelids were pulled taught with the surprise in her brows, but relaxed as she melted to him, knees trembling, rocking back on her soles.
They parted and Dave smiled at her.
“You so silly Davey.” Jeanine giggled childishly, playfully, enclosing her fingers with his and tugging as a prompt to continue their stroll down her block towards the intersecting block.
“I love chicken.” Dave sighed blissfully.
“I know, I know.” Jeanine rolled her eyes, her teeth flashing in the darkness of near midnight.
* * *
Timber dug her finger into her best friend’s ribs in annoyance, pressing her body back against his as they lay in what could only be described as a spooning position on the long sofa in the Moffatt’s living room. He stirred in his insipient sleep, cracking one eye open and muttering slurred nonsense in her ear.
“I hate being on the outside.” Timber muttered, her face glowing blue from the television playing with the volume turned all the way down.
Bob, wedged between her and the back of the couch, scooted as far against the warmed leather in a lazy attempt to fulfill her wishes, finding that even with his limited scooting, he could not go anywhere, not allotting her anymore space.
“Damnit Bob!” Timber suddenly exclaimed. “I swear to God, this is so uncomfortable. I have like no room.”
“Shhhh.” He hushed her, slinging the arm that had been bent between his chest and her back over her waist, holding her to him.
She was quiet, attempting to settle back in the knook her had created for her. Bob held her body closer, securing her on the sofa and closed his eyes, searching for the sleep he had almost captured moments before.
The side door opened in the kitchen and whispers overpowered the minimal traces of the voices on the television.
“Let’s go this way…” was the last Bob heard before drifting off.
Timber, too, was on her way into the unconscious as two people momentarily obscured the television, taking the blue glow from her features they sending it slapping back over her chin, her nose, her forehead. The two figures left the sound of their hushed whispers behind as they crossed into the foyer, joined at the hand, then disappeared up the steps.
* * *
“Just relax…” Dave breathed softly.
Jeanine nodded softly, eyes wide and roaming, searching his fervently for falseness. She needed to know right then and there. She needed to see it in his eyes.
Every endless night... has a dawning day...
She nodded softly, lowering her gaze from his face and he ran his hand down the length of her naked body, feeling her smooth skin, wondering how God could have created a creature so soft.
Every darkest sky... has a shining ray...
“Dave... wait...” Jeanine stammered, suddenly beginning to panic. “Are we going to...?”
He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, shifting against her body in embarrassment, wishing he could hide the erection that was flagrantly protruding from his middle. His legs intertwined with hers in his effort to be close to her; he lay a gentle kiss against her shoulder, wanting for a moment to tug the sheets over their bodies, but too focused in time to break his concentration with something so trivial.
Well is shines on you... baby can’t you see...
“Dave...” she gasped as he kissed her jaw line, aiming towards her lips.
“We can take it slow...” he whispered. “If you don’t... want to... then...” he trailed off, capturing her cheek with the moisture of his lips.
You’re the only one... who can shine for me.
He lay on his side beside her supine body, grazing just the tips of his fingers along her tan lines and freckles. When he reached where her thighs met in a V, where there was a strip of dark brown hair leading between her closed legs to a Never Neverland that intrigued him to no end, he pried his way down below and what he felt there was nothing short of amazing.
It’s a private emotion that fills you tonight...
“Dave...”
And the silence fall between us, as the shadows steal the light...
He looked deep into her eyes, touching her at the same time with one hand and propped against the pillows with his other elbow.
And wherever we may find it... wherever it may lead...
“I love you Jeanine.” He whispered, not awaiting her reply as his body slithered the length of hers and he parted her legs for a taste.
Let your private emotion come to me...
She shivered, not knowing what to expect from him next, afraid to enjoy him for fear of what might occur. But by the time he had caused her to cum, she knew she was going to be alright.
When your soul is tired... and your heart is weak...
“Dave.” She gasped, accepting his lips and placing her hands on the sides of his face for support.
Do you think of love... as a one way street...
She placed a hand on his shoulder to maneuver him on to his back, but he stopped her almost right away, clutching her fingers in a loose fist, using the tips to trace over his lips.
Well it runs both ways... open up your eyes...
“Jeanine... I really...” he started, knowing what he wanted to do, but knowing he did not want to unless she was as avid as he was.
She gripped him where he ached for it, pressing her body on his to get close to him. Her eyes half mast, she was unbridled with her passion for him at that moment. She appeared so untamed, her hair wild and wispy against the dark blue of his sheets.
“I’ll be gentle... I promise.” He gasped, willing to promise her anything.
can’t you see me here... how can you deny...
Jeanine slid further onto her back and opened her arms to him when he covered her body like a mist, unabashedly grinding his pelvis against her thigh.
“I’ll be so gentle...” he groaned, running his fingers into her hair and along her cheek.
She could only nod.
“Just a little bit in...” he murmured, wishing he could calm himself, that he could quell the hastiness that his pelvis reduced him to, but he was already feeling for where he could fit.
“Just a little bit...” she whimpered, spreading her legs to cup his hips.
It’s a private emotion... that fills you tonight...
“Gentle Dave!” she gasped in a hoarse whisper, tightening her thighs on reflex as he pushed against her too forcefully.
And the silence falls between us... as the shadows steal the light...
“Sorry…” he moaned aloud but quietly feeling her suck at just his tip, attempting to swallow him whole if he did not control his thrust.
“It’s in.” he stated on her ear, burying his face in her neck, his hips beginning to twitch.
And wherever you may find it... wherever it may lead...
Jeanine began to moan, digging her nails along his back. “More Dave...” she sighed.
Let your private emotion come to me...
His body sprouted sweat like that sudden moment that defined springtime; that single second when all the flowers decided to bloom in unison. Their bodies together collected friction so quickly, he could swear the entire bed were on fire. Jeanine began to whimper, pleading in his ear to go deeper as she felt a rub that she could not resist.
“More Dave... please!” she begged, her eyes tightly shut as if she were wincing.
And with each of her desperate demands, he pressed himself further inside her, retracting, then always finding more of himself to give.
Jeanine was soon screaming in his ear yet he could not mind the noise because he was groaning just as loud. The bed was shifting but he did not pause to notice. There was a more urgent task to be done; one that neither of them could deny. At each other’s mercy, he could not help but move faster until he was pounding her with every inch, every millimeter, he owned. She clawed at his ignited skin, spreading her legs wider in hopes of providing him more room. She, overwhelmed, aimed to suck him in completely, swallowing him into her womb, never wanting the moment to end.
“It feels... so good Dave—Dave!” she cried, tears of passion that went unnoticed sifting from the corners of her eyes. “Don’t stop...” she begged, whimpering with interspersed sobs. “Please... don’t... stop... ever...”
“I won’t ever stop.” He promised, his face pressed into her neck where he could smell her pheromones strongest.
Every endless night... has a dawning day...
“I love you Jeanine...”
Every darkest sky... has a shining ray...
“Never stop.” She sobbed.
It takes a lot to laugh... as your tears go by...
“I promised Jeanine... I promise.”
but you can find me here... till your tears run dry...
His body trembled like an impending earthquake and she cried out desperately, nearly breaking through the skin of his back. He filled her from the inside out, gasping with ragged breath into her hair.
It’s a private emotion... that fills you tonight...
“My God---“
And the silence falls between us... as the shadows steal the light...
“Dave...”
and wherever you may find it... wherever it may lead...
“Jeanine.”
Let your private emotion come to me...
He began to slide from inside her, but she gripped him.
“No... stay.” She whispered, her eyes not yet open.
Let your private emotion come to me...
His heart pouding in time with hers... he could feel hers pumping against his chest—against her chest. “Thank you.” He breathed.
Let your private emotion come to me... come to me... come to me…
* * ** * *