28 comments/ 48547 views/ 10 favorites A Proper Goodbye By: writingdragon Gebriele Winder sat in a quiet booth towards the back of Sacker’s, a local Bar and Grill just outside her home town of Plainview Arkansas, near Nimrod Lake. It was the 23rd of August the time was 8:30, she knew the ritual, this was the sixth year in a row she had sat in this booth and waited, waited for the clock to strike 8:39 so she could tell him all about the year and maybe say goodbye. Glancing slowly around the interior of the local watering hole, Jacob Billing known locally as the ‘Bear’ plied his ministrations to the top of the white oak bar, he was the owner, bartender and bouncer of the establishment. She looked past where he was standing, her eyes drawn to the methodical movement of color in the windows behind where he stood. For as long as Gebriele could remember the Budweiser sign blaring it’s neon red greeting had competed for attention with the Blue and gold Coors sign in the front two windows. She always felt the two signs made the front of the place look like a weird Christmas display year round. Her eyes returned to ‘Bear,’ who at a glance, seemed to be haphazardly running the rag in his hand over the flat surface, but upon closer inspection, one could pick up his careful, loving, almost tender care in everything he did for his establishment. Gebriele chuckled a bit, her father had told her once it was as if the bar was his wife and he went about to ensure her happiness in all he did. She noticed the young kids in the first booth up by the bar as they got up to leave. Probably a summer romance, she took them both for no more than High School freshman or sophomores. That left the guy in the booth two up and across from her as the only other person in the place, a stranger that wasn’t at all unusual for this time of year. It was a very slow night, for which she was glad, sighing heavily; she sipped on her beer the first legal one ‘Bear’ had ever served her. Gebriele was going into her senior year of high school when her life changed. She was just a youngster starting to grow into her womanhood back then; she had gone from being a shy skinny kid with long straight black shoulder length hair and dark brown eyes, to the way her body had developed, now at 24, her body was sleek and well defined, she had worked hours at toning it. She was 5’7” 128 lbs and although not model material, she would turn heads in any crowd. The raven black hair that flowed aimlessly to the middle of her back and dark brooding eyes were the only hints of her Cherokee Indian heritage something she was and always had been extremely proud of. As she sat in quiet contemplation the memories came cascading back without provocation, hanging all about her like humidity on a hot summer day, she gave in, letting herself drift back to that night six years ago. “Grebs wait up,” she heard her best friend Kersen Tennery, yell over to her. “Well hurry up slow poke,” she laughingly replied. Kersen, he had been her best friend and buddy since his family had moved into the farm across the road from her family when they were both six. ‘Grebs’ was his very own private nickname for her and she would only allow him to call her that. Kersen was a likeable guy though a tad bit skinny, he was actually well muscled at 5’11” 175lbs, light brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. He and Gebriele had done everything together, growing up, fishing, hunting, cooking, cleaning house, playing baseball, basketball and tennis, as well as playing card games. They had joined 4-H, learned to ride horses and care for livestock together, and with their parents who were also good friends, had hiked, camped, canoed, and learned about nature with each other. During the summer both kids looked forward to the family camp outs at Nimrod lake. Only 5 or 6 miles from their houses, the lake offered the friends time to explore and discover a completely new universe in the paradise setting. That special year had been a turning point in their relationship; they were both preparing to enter their sophomore year of H.S. in the fall. By June, they realized they had fallen in love with the other. Both of them understood that, what they now felt towards each other was much deeper and richer than it had ever been before. Their parents were supportive of the relationship once they discovered their kids had become ‘an item.’ Not one of the parents understood exactly how deep the bond between their children had become. Kersen was the first guy to hold Gebriele’s hand, the first to hold her and whisper lover’s secrets in her ear, given her the first kiss as well as her first French kiss. In early August of that same year, they shared themselves with one another for the very first time and became lovers, happening as it did out in the Tennery’s field, under their favorite tree. Kersen true to form had held her after that first time reassuring her of his love, after which he asked her in all truthfulness if this meant he could take her to homecoming in Oct. and prom in the spring. Then before she could answer he asked if this meant they were going steady. When she said yes to all three, all the boy could do was grin ear to ear. She thought it was so cute. By the evening of the August 23 the young lover’s had been together four times. They had made some time to be together that day and for some reason it had seemed very special, almost as if they had become one that afternoon. Since the two families were enjoying the last weeklong campout by the lake of the summer, they asked their parents if they could go up to Sacker’s for a root beer. Her dad said “OK.” As they walked towards the small bridge that separated the campsites from the Bar and Grill area, Kersen stopped and kissed Gebriele, there was raw passion in that kiss mixed with unbelievable tenderness. When they broke, Gebriele asked, “Not that I mind, but what was that for?” “Ever since we made love today, I can’t believe how close to you I feel, how special it was today. I mean every time has been wonderful, but today was so beautiful so…. I wanted to just crawl inside your skin and be part of you.” Kersen’s smile lit up her whole world. She brushed the hair out of his eyes, “I know it was that way for me too today,” she kissed him again, just to watch his eyes sparkle. Just as they crossed a bridge about a quarter mile from the bar, Kersen kissed her again then they exchanged ‘I Love You’s’ and he said, “I have to pee, you go on ahead, I’ll catch up in a moment.” She walked aimlessly along the river path towards the Bar, the low hanging branches brushing against her head and face; she waved to Betsy, Mr. Bear’s niece as she sat on the back steps of the Tavern. Gebriele suddenly screamed as pair of rough hands grabbed her. “Lookee what I got Tommy. After we knock over the store we have something to play with tonight,” a sickly voice resounded in her ear. Another voice said, “Look on the steps another one.” Gebriele bit the hand over her mouth and screamed, “Becky, run get help, hurry.” At the same time her captor yelled, “You little bitch,” she watched a hand move towards her face, and remembers hearing Kersen’s voice, he was screaming something then all was black. Gebriele woke up in the hospital about an hour later; her Mom and Dad were with her, comforting her she had asked, “Where’s Kersen?” Her Mom got a funny look on her face and looked up at her Dad, who swallowed very hard. Fear gripped Gebriele’s mind she started shaking her head side to side and asked again in a tear filled voice, “Where is my Kersen? Daddy where is he?” Her father took her in his arms and held her, “Baby he was shot and killed by the men that attacked you tonight. He was protecting his friend, the girl he loved…. I’m so sorry honey.” Gebriele tried to understand, she tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn’t work except to cry as she held her Daddy and her Mommy as they put their arms around her to comfort her in her time of loss. Sometime later that night Kersen’s Mom and Dad came in and all Gebriele could do was hold them and cry some more. At that moment, no one realized how devastating the loss would be. Gebriele was shaking as she brought herself back to the present, she glanced around no one was looking at her, she was weeping quietly. Looking at her watch, she noted she still had five minutes; she sighed and let her mind wander back. She remembered that over the next month she slowly pieced together the circumstances of the next few minutes after she was rendered unconscious. Becky told her, “You yelled, then the guy holding you punched you in the head and you fell to the ground. One of the guys started coming towards me when Kersen charged them with a boat oar he picked up from a rowboat someone tied up near the path.” He yelled, “Get away from them,” “Then smacked the guy charging me in the head with the oar, giving me the time I needed to get inside and get my uncle.” Mr. Bear told her, “he responded to his niece’s screams by grabbing a shotgun, then he sent two of his customers whom he knew had rifles in their cars to get them, and circle either side of the Bar. Watching through the back window, he saw Kersen charge the remaining two men, smacking the first man the one who they later learned had hit you, with the shank of the oar on his knee, then twirled around hitting the last guy in the ribs with the edge of the paddle. His attacks were startling and brutal, as both of those men moved as rapidly as they could down the path away from the two of you. Kersen glanced quickly around, finding no more danger, he dropped the paddle, then started to bend down towards you. He suddenly stopped and seemed to stiffen, then stood up, and took a step towards the Bar.” Mr. Bear continued a catch in his voice clearly evident, “I looked down in horror, and saw the first guy who Kersen had saved Becky from, he was now standing, his right hand covering a bloody wound on the side of his head that he had received a moment earlier. His left arm outstretched pointing towards Kersen, the man was holding a gun. Kersen took a step towards him, I think to get between you and the gunman, the man screamed something, and then fired twice; both bullets struck him in the stomach. I moved to grab the doorknob and glanced at the clock it was 8:39, then I flung the back door open. The guy that had shot Kersen looked up the steps at me then started to swing his gun towards me. I unloaded both barrels into his head and chest he didn’t have a chance. As I started to move out to get to Kersen who was now on his knees and one arm holding himself up, his other arm around his stomach, suddenly two bullets slammed into the doorframe beside me. It seemed the other two goons were shooting at me, I moved back into the bar. The Ol’ boys I had sent out to get their guns, opened fire with their hunting rifles while I reloaded the shotgun. There was a long silence, as a lone ‘I give up,’ echoed into the night, and one of the two remaining rowdies came into the light with his hands on his head. We quickly found out that one of the fellows with the rifles had found his mark; two of them were now dead. No one moved for a second, and then the night lit up with the sounds of sirens, it seems Becky had called the Sheriff. One of my buddies took control of the man who had surrendered. Becky and I got to you two a moment later; Kersen had just said something to you, I bent over pulling him up on his knees, leaned him into my chest so Becky could get some of the towels she had brought onto the wounds to stop the blood flow. He looked up and asked me to tell you ‘Goodbye’ and that he both loved you and knew you loved him. Your parents had heard the ruckus at your campsite came running up to us just as the sheriff arrived. He lasted until 8:51, but he got to say I love you and his Goodbyes to his parents, they were holding him when he died. Your parents got to you by then they were cradling you as life left him. He was holding your hand when he died honey,” ‘Bear” concluded his story. Gebriele opened her eyes as she whispered, “Kersen, I wish you would have held on so I could have said goodbye.” It was 8:39, she felt a twinge of regret, but for some reason she was more comforted this year than before, “oh well” she thought, “Time heals all wounds.” She sat and told him all about the year the goings on in her house and his parents house, including the wonderful news that his parents had been approved to adopt the twins they had been foster parents to for the last 3 years. Also wonder of wonders his Mom had allowed her to go into Kersen’s old room, box up everything, repaint, and redecorate it since the twins were girls. Running out of things to say she just sat and thought about her bestest friend and how much she missed him. Then it was over at least for another year, she could go on with her life. Becky waited until Gebriele sighed and started to lift her head, then slid into the bench across the booth from Gebriele, who looked up with tear-stained cheeks, and smiled, at her friend. Becky said, “Hi!” “Hi yourself.” “You Ok now?” “Yea, for another year.” “Gebriele, I’ve been here with you for 6 years, you’ve never told me why you can’t move on?” “I’ve asked myself that exact same thing for six years Becky. I was the only one who didn’t get to say Goodbye, to see him go, I’ll not see him again to say it until I cross over, at the end of my life. I know it’s stupid but I wanted, no needed to say goodbye. Trust me Becky, it’s getting easier to live life afterwards, but, I am healing.” Gebriele smiled at her friend. “I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast,” Becky remarked, “gotta get home to my Hubby,” getting up to leave she went out the back door to where her truck was parked and left. Gebriele, sighed and allowed her head to fall into her hands, elbows on the table, tears flowing easily as she felt him with her once again. Sitting with her head in her hands, she didn’t see the two drunken college boys come into get a couple of 12-paks or that they noticed her. Bear was outside making sure the remaining six college rowdies all stayed in the truck; while Carla the regular night shift girl was watching the cash drawer and filling orders. The two Romeo’s staggered over and sat down with Gebriele one sliding in across from her, the other one next to her moving his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close to him. Startled, she gave out a cry, “What the Hell do you want, get your arm off of me, get out of here and leave me alone.” She was absolutely flabbergasted at the man’s gall. The man across the table slurred out, “ah com-on hunny, you don’t need to cry over him, we’ll make everything all better, now quite playin’ hard to git.” He winked at the guy who was still holding her. “First, get off of me.” Poking the guy in the ribs, he moved his arm as she pushed him out of the booth and onto the floor. “Second, that is the worst southern drawl, and pick up line I’ve ever heard.” “Third, get out of here and leave me alone.” Both men got real quiet, then the guy who was sitting across from her snapped his hand and slapped her hard on her cheek. The unexpected move had Gebriele back on her heals so to speak, and she moved into the corner of the booth her arms close to her body, her hands up near her face guarding. The man who had been deposited on the floor, crawled back up from the floor putting his knee on the booth seat, “so you like it rough bitch, well I like it rough too!” he spit the words out like they were physical barbs, then lunged at Gebriele. She screamed, “No!” The man stopped inches from Gebriele’s face, then staring at her in obvious pain, mouth hanging open, no words coming from the evil smelling canyon that now dominated his face, he seemed to be frozen in place. He slowly slid backwards to the end of the booth. The man let out a low groan of pain mixed with terror whispering, “My Balls, Oh my god, he’s got me by the balls.” He lowered his head to the bench and just shook. Gebriele looked up to see a tall man of average build; he had a gentle look in his eyes she noticed as he met her gaze briefly, he smiled then nodded back at her. He looked at the rapidly sobering man sitting across from her; the tall man’s voice was firm but had a distinct edge to it, “Ok boys, this lady has made it very clear she doesn’t want your attention, furthermore she has asked you, not once, but twice to leave her alone. So, I’ll leave the gruesome details to your imagination if you decide to challenge, now get lost.” The stranger released his grasp, then slammed his fist back between his buddy’s legs, the man lurched forward and slid down under the table, as a low almost inaudible groan tumbled from his lips. The guy across the table from Gebriele jumped up to grab the stranger, was met with a hard, well placed left jab that landed on the bridge of his nose, splattering blood over both of the antagonist, as the drunk student fell limply back onto the bench. The stranger looked at Gebriele, “Sorry about the mess ma’am, it would probably be best if you got another seat after I escort our two guests out to their car.” All Gebriele could do was nod her head in agreement. The man gathered the two goons then drug and pushed them to the bar where they picked up the two 12 – packs of beer, then manhandled them to their awaiting truck. The boys took off out of the parking lot only to be immediately pulled over by not one, but three sheriff’s cars; it seemed Carla made a phone call to alert them. When the man came back inside, Carla handed him a wet rag to clean himself off, he handed the cloth back when he was finished, nodding to the woman in thanks. He found that he had a friend sitting at his booth. “Gebriele,” she introduced herself, as she shook his hand. The man mumbled something the sounded like ‘Kenny,’ as he stared at her with big doe eyes. Gebriele smiled, the man’s gentleness disarmed her, she found him easy to talk to, and was amazed at how quickly he drew her in, as she ended up telling him all about Kersen. He seemed amazed at the depth of commitment the two had for each other. When he said, “I am truly sorry for the loss all the people involved incurred,” she didn’t know why, but she felt he really meant it. As the bar closed down, Gebriele asked where his car was parked. He pointed to a late nineties model Mustang, she turned and asked Kenny if he would mind giving her a ride home, her raw emotions coupled with the beer she had, were too much to risk the drive. As they drove along, she pointed out the house where Kersen had lived; Kenny studied the place with genuine interest, surprisingly he pulled into her parent’s driveway before she told him where it was. He had walked her to her door, when she politely asked. “Would you like to come in?” Standing off to the right side of the porch, with a sad far away look in his eyes, he replied, “I don’t think I’m allowed?” Gebriele stood by the front door a bit dumbfounded by his answer, then noticed a tear running down his cheek. “You Ok?” She asked softly. He nodded, then sighed, “Well do you like the way I would have looked? I guess this is about what I should have been like at our age now?” She stared at the man in front of her, “What do you mean?” she asked confusion apparent in her voice. The man looked at her, emotion readily apparent on his face as he gushed, “I have missed you so much Grebs, and I didn’t mean to leave you that night, especially without saying goodbye. I don’t know what you did, but they sent me back for just a few brief spans of time and that allotment is growing short, Oh my Grebs,” the man both sighed and let out a soft sob, as he continued, “ The Lord knows, I love you so much.” An impossible hope sprang up in Gebriele as she saw the man in front of her for who he was. Moving quickly towards him she grabbed him and fell into his embrace, then pulled him down to her, and her lips touched his, both of them were lost in the moment. When they broke, she looked into his eyes, “Kersen, it’s really you…. You’re here holding me, how…. how is that possible?” A Proper Goodbye "It was nice talking to you. I mean, we see each other at work but it never seems like we really talk about anything other then work, you know?" Justin said as the mall patrons passed by them, standing in the half empty parking lot. "Yes, I know what you mean. You seem so different outside of work. I'm glad I met you." Eva responded with her thick Puerto Rican accent. "Me too. Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow?" He smiled. She nodded. Tentatively they hugged each other. As Justin leaned in, he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Eva blushed at the touch of his lips on her skin. She pulled away and her hand touched his. They said good night and turned away from each other. Without a thought, they both turned back to each other and she leapt into his arms. Instantly, his lips were drawn to her mouth. She kissed him, her mouth opened quickly to receive his tongue. They held each other in the dark of the night, with just the light of a not so distant neon sign to direct them. They kissed again. Justin's hands held her tight against his chest, slipping through her blond hair and up and down her back. They kissed as if they were the only people in the parking lot. They didn't care if anyone saw them. All that mattered to Justin was holding her in his arms, kissing her soft lips. She returned each of his kisses with her arms wrapped around his neck. She moaned quietly into his mouth as they held each other. After ten minutes of varied kisses on the lips and cheek, they parted ways. Justin walked to the bus back to his apartment with the taste of Eva still on his lips. That night, he had a dream about her. It wasn't a sex dream. No clothes were removed in the dream. It was a romantic dream. Of their kisses in the parking lot, and of holding hands through the day when no one was looking. Eva had come came back to his apartment in his dream and fell asleep in his arms. Justin woke up in the middle of the night, hoping the dream was real. But he woke up alone in his bed, with no sign of her anywhere. He went back to bed hoping to pick up the dream where it left off. There was no luck there either. And before he knew it, the alarm clock went off. At least Justin knew he was going to see her again today. Justin got to the store early and opened. Eva was coming in later then he was. The day seemed to drag by slowly until 2:45. That's when she was coming in. Justin was by the door then, knowing he'd be the first one to see her. He waited anxiously until she got there. She walked by and smiled, saying hello to him. "I need to talk to you, if you get a chance?" she whispered as she walked past Justin. "Okay. I'll be around today. Come find me later." he smiled back. She nodded her head and continued past him to clock in. Justin began to re-arrange one of the displays by the front door. Justin spent the next two hours wondering what she wanted to talk to him about. He began doubting if he should have kissed her last night. What if she didn't want him to? A few hours later, she found him sitting in the break room. The room was empty when she walked in. He rose to his feet when she came in. "Hi." she said. "Hey," he replied back. "Listen, this isn't an easy thing to say. But I just found out they cut my internship back. I'm going to have leave earlier then I expected," she frowned as she sat down in front of him. Justin's jaw dropped. She was only there on an advanced internship, receiving college credit. "What?" Justin placed his hand on her shoulder as she cradled her face in her hands. "When do you leave?" "At the end of the month. I got three weeks left. I was supposed to be here for five weeks, but I need to get back to school. I'm really sorry", she said. "It's okay. I mean, it's not your fault, right?" He stroked her shoulder as she looked up at him. Justin's heart sank as it looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I'd stay if I could. I mean, I can't believe you kissed me last night," Eva said nervously. Her eyes bounced around the room, afraid to look him in the eyes. "Is that okay? That I kissed you? That you kissed me? That we kissed?" Justin replied. "Yes, it was more then okay. I just think it was terrible timing, you know?" She sighed, almost under her breath. The door to the break room swung open and Justin jumped back a few feet away from Eva. A few of their co-workers entered the break room. "We will talk more about it later?" The rest of Justin's shift just continued to go by slowly. He continued to check his watch as he worked. He tried to work near Eva for most of the day, but for the most part she was working the registers and he was in stocking, thus their paths hardly crossed. And now it was time for him to clock out. He looked around the floor to see if he could find her, but she was nowhere in sight. He took a deep breath as he clocked out. Justin headed to the employee hallway when he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Leaving all ready," was the voice that rang out from behind him. Justin knew Eva's voice. He turned around and saw her standing there, smiling. "Yeah, it's about that time. Been a long day, I guess you could say," he replied. He took a deep breath. "Was it long because of me?" Eva asked, biting her lower lip. Justin froze, staring at her. "Not really. Just a lot going on." He lied. "I'm sorry," she replied. "Well, I guess I should get back to work. Just told them I was running down to use the bathrooms" She shrugged. "Have a good night?" She smiled as she nodded. Without thinking about it, for a second night in a row he kissed her, this time in the employee hallway. It was quieter then the night before. She returned his kiss, as she did the night before. And that's the way it went for the next three weeks between Eva and Justin. On the clock, they were completely professional. They almost got caught a time or two, but no one was the bit wiser. As soon as either one of them, if not both, were off the clock, they could be found somewhere quiet in a warm embrace, their lips locked tightly together in deep, passionate kisses. They had said their final goodbye in the break room on her last day of work, neither sure when or if they would see each other again. That was before Justin checked his phone and saw a missed call from an unrecognized phone number. He held down the one button and listened to his new voicemail. "Hi, Justin. It's me. It's Eva. I was wondering if you could come by the hotel tonight when you get out of work. I just want to see you one more time before I leave. I hope you can make it. I'm staying at room 1426 at the Adams Hotel." Justin's eyes lit up as he heard the message. He looked down at his watch and cursed under his breath. Justin still had three hours to go before his shift ended. He took a deep breath and remembered her smile. It made him smile. Then he remembered her taste on his lips. He couldn't wait for this day to end. The day seemed to go by really slow. But finally, time to clock out. Justin ran to the time clock and clocked out. He went to the employee bathroom and changed clothes, silently cursing himself for wearing a plain t-shirt and ripped jeans. Checking himself one more time in the bathroom mirror, he left the mall and headed to the bus. Sitting on the dark and half-empty bus, Justin was nervous. He had no idea what to say to her when they saw each other for what probably would be the last time. He didn't want her to go, but he knew her life wasn't here. She had talked about how home sick she was; how much Eva missed her parents and her sisters. He knew she would be happier leaving and that made him sad. After what seemed like an eternity, it was Justin's stop. He made his way two blocks from the bus stop to the Adams Hotel. He took out the piece of paper that he had written the room number on and followed the signs to room 1426. Taking another deep breath, Justin stood outside the door, slightly pacing as he thought about what he was going to say. He gathered all the confidence he had and knocked on the door. Justin fidgeted as he waited for the door to open. He knocked again. Still no answer. Justin looked at the crumpled piece of paper and again at the number on the door. They matched. After knocking a third time, Justin decided to check the lobby in case Eva had decided to meet him there. He moved quickly down the long corridor and through the pool area. He checked the lobby, the gift store and even the restaurant area. Still no sign of her. Justin moved back to the hotel room to see if she was there now. He was getting nervous now. Was she just playing him? Justin leaned up against the wall, cursing at himself and at her for this. He couldn't believe she would stand him up. He was angry. His hand was clenched in a fist as he looked around. She didn't seem like the type to play him. Maybe she wasn't? He was so confused now. He began to walk away, heading to the bus area that he had originally arrived. Justin took a deep breath and sighed. Justin decided to make one last loop around back to the lobby and then check the room one last time before heading out. He walked carefully down the path to the main lobby, looking around at the various people who had passed him, just to make sure she wasn't one of them. Five minutes later, he found himself walking back to the room for one last ditch effort to find Eva. He had given up hope that he was going to find her that night. But for some strange reason, there was a voice in his head telling him to check the hotel room one last time. Justin stood in front of the hotel room and knocked firmly on the door three times. He was about to turn around and leave, cursing under his breath when the door opened up. "I was beginning to give up that you were coming tonight!" Eva said as she grasped the door. "I could say the same thing. I have been from here to the lobby like three times looking for you," he replied. Eva held the door open and gestured him inside. "I guess we kept missing each other. I'm sorry. I should have stayed in the room. I am glad that you made it though." Justin stepped into the room as Eva released the door. It swung shut. "It's okay. All that matters is I am here now. And so are you,", he smiled. They both looked around the empty room. "You do realize this is the first time that you and I have ever truly been alone....?" he asked. "I know. Amazing, isn't it?" she responded back. They looked at each other and rushed into others arms, kissing passionately. Justin's hands slid through her soft blond hair as she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding his body close to hers. Their tongues pressed firmly together as they kissed. Carefully Justin guided her to the bed. She went willingly. He laid her down and moved on top of her, his lips never leaving her skin. He began to move on top of her, his body moving slowly as he looked into Eva's eyes. She bit her lip, feeling him pressing between her legs. Justin couldn't resist any more. "I want to touch you. Like I haven't before," he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "We shouldn't. You shouldn't. I mean, I hate to say it but we may never see each other again. And if you touch me, I am not going to want you to stop," she whispered back, still feeling the hardness rubbing between her legs. "You're right. I know. I am sorry," Justin responded suddenly looking away from Eva. She reached out and touched his face, guiding his gaze back to her. "Don't be sorry. I want you to touch me. I just don't think it would be a good idea," Eva said. She kissed him again, slipping her tongue past his teeth. He moved forward again, almost thrusting on top of her. Eva could feel her will power leaving her. She wanted him. They kissed again, his hand slipping slowly up her hip, teasing her slowly. Part of her wanted him to do it, but she knew it was best that he didn't. The kisses lead to more kisses, which lead to more of him moving on top of her. Justin began to dry hump her, wishing there was no clothes between us. Suddenly, Eva stopped him. "I'm sorry, I should stop," Justin said as he rolled off of her petite body. "No, it's not that. I just, hmm, I need to go use the bathroom. This is sort of embarrassing," she replied suddenly looking away from Justin. "It's fine. Hey? When mother Nature calls, you better answer!" he joked back. She giggled half heartedly as she crawled off the bed. She walked to the bathroom and half turned around, flashing Justin a sexy smile. Justin sat in the quiet hotel room for a few minutes. He wasn't entirely sure what he should do. He debated turning on the television while he waited. There were no sounds coming from the bathroom. He wondered if she was all right. Justin stared out the window when a moment later, he heard the door open and Eva cleared her throat. He turned his attention to the doorway as she stepped out of the bathroom, naked. Her small breasts stood up at attention. Eva stood in the doorway, biting her lower lip as her hand dangled by her side. Justin jumped to his feet. "What happened to we shouldn't?" he asked. "If you really want me to, I can put my clothes back on." Eva responded knowing full well he wouldn't say yes. She rushed to him as he pulled her back into his arms, kissing her lips passionately as his hands squeezed her small breasts tight in his hands. She moaned as she reached for his belt, slowly unhooking his pants and letting them fall to his feet. Justin struggled to kick his pants and shoes off. Eva moaned as she reached between them and felt between his legs. She stroked slowly as she pulled down his boxers, exposing himself to her for the first time. Justin's hands slip between her legs. Eva moaned a little louder. Justin's finger slipped inside her. Eva moaned, biting her lip a little as her hand wrapped around his shaft, rubbing a little faster. She kissed him again, as their hands explored their bodies. Justin's finger became soaked as he continued to slide it in and out of her petite body. Eva released him and focused on the pleasure. Her eyes closed as she moaned again. She was on the verge of orgasm. With her voice barely a whisper, she slipped out. "Harder," she moaned. Justin slipped a second finger into her. That was all she needed. Eva's body convulsed in a jarring orgasm. She erupted all over his fingers. Her eyes flew open as she kissed him again, reaching under his shirt to play with his nipples. She pulled the shirt off his chest. She ran her fingers through his chest hair. Justin picked her up and carried her to the bed. He laid down next to her, kissing her passionately. Eva's hands slid up and down his back, causing him to shiver at her touch. She rolled him onto his back with a devilish grin on her face. "What are you going to do?" he asked as she smiled at him. "Don't you worry about a thing. I owe you for that," Eva smiled as she laid beside his chest. She started with soft kisses on his neck, letting her blond hair rub against this skin. She would occasionally glance up and stare into Justin's eyes as she continued to tease him. Kissing his chest and nipples next, she could feel the electricity running through his body. She glanced back up as she slid her body lower, to his stomach. Eva's hands wrapped around his muscular thigh as she kissed his belly button. Justin bit down on his lip as he looked down and saw the devilish grin on her face as she moved lower. She sucked him into her mouth, tasting how hard he felt inside her mouth. She felt Justin's hands slip from the bed to her blond locks of hair, holding her head gently. Her mouth moved up and down, slowly at first as she tasted him. The bed under them squeaked gently. Her lips held him tight in her mouth as she moved up and down, letting her tongue gently caress the tip. She took as much of him as she could in her mouth, sucking harder. Her face began to move up and down at a quicker pace. Justin moaned louder as he felt her licking him. Eva reached between her legs and began to play with herself as she continued to please him. She felt herself getting wetter and wetter with each soft flick of her tongue on his skin. Justin's hips raised up off the bed, driving him deeper into her mouth. Quickly she jumped off the bed. She looked at him, licking her lips as she tasted him still there. Justin watched as she reached into her nightstand. She pulled out a condom and quickly unwrapped it. Justin stood up behind her, kissing her neck as his hands went around her waist holding her tight. She felt him hard against her back. She turned around and kissed him hard. Eva gestured for him to sit down. He complied, smiling as he lowered himself to the edge of the bed. She smiled back as she knelt on the bed beside him. She unrolled the condom and slipped it on him. Eva grinned as she saw how hard he was for her. Without a word spoken, she stood up in front of her and crawled on his lip, kissing Justin deeply. Eva reached between their bodies and moaned as she took him in her hand and guided it inside her. She closed her eyes as she felt him enter her. Justin's hands slid up and down her spine, making Eva's body shiver at his touch. She bounced slowly on his lap. They kissed gently as his fingers traced her spine. Her body moved up and down on his. Justin took her by the hips and flipped her onto her back. Her eyes lit up as he crawled on top of her. Her legs flew open as she felt his weight pressing down against hers. This time, it was Justin's turn to reach between their bodies and guide himself inside her. She bit his bottom lips as she felt him press against the inside of her body. They kissed deeply as the moved together in a perfect rhythm. The bed shook with each thrust of Justin's body into hers. Her nails dragged up and down his back, spurring him to go faster. The room echoed with the sound of moaning as Eva and Justin gave into their desires for each other. They kissed and licked and sucked whatever they could get their lips on as they moved together, like a well oiled machine. Justin caressed her thigh as he pushed into her. They were both in heaven. Justin could feel how tight she was becoming. He figured she was close. He gazed into her eyes with a big Cheshire Cat grin. She knew what he was thinking. She nodded her head. Justin began to thrust a little harder, drive a little deeper inside her. Eva's eyes rolled in the back of her head, her hands dropping from him to the bed, grabbing the sheets tightly in her small hands. Justin kissed her neck as he watched her surrender completely. She erupted around the condom deep inside her. "Do it," Eva whispered in a labored attempt to get her breath back. She wanted to know that she can make him feel as good as he just did for her. "Whatever it takes," she said before slipping her tongue back in his mouth. He responded with actions, not words. He began to thrust harder into her, the bed now violently crashing into the wall. Eva could feel herself getting damp as she took him all the way inside her. Eva's hands dragged through his chest hair and around his nipples, playing with them. She looked at his face. She figured he was close too. She leaned forward to suck his nipple into her mouth. Her tongue swirled around his skin as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Justin started moving even harder, feeling the tension in his body get ready to burst like a dam. He knew he was close. He could feel every ounce of his body tense up. And finally he erupted, filling the condom deep inside her. Sweat poured off his body as he orgasmed. Feeling his body give in, Eva came again for the third time that evening. Justin rolled off her body and collapsed on the bed. She slipped over to him, drapping her blond hair against his darker chest hair. He stroked her hair as they glanced at each other. A Proper Goodbye "That was incredible, Eva." He said. He kissed the top of her forehead as he closed his eyes, still struggling to get his breath. Curiously, Eva reached between his legs and slid off the condom, careful not to spill any. She smiled as she saw how much he came because of her. She glanced over and Justin looked like he was sleeping. She took the condom and threw it in the trash, pushing some old paper towels over it so her roommate would know what they had done. She threw on her clothes, careful not to wake him. She let him sleep for a few minutes before waking him up. "I'm sorry that I fell asleep." He said. "Don't worry about it. I am just glad that you enjoyed yourself." Eva laughed. "Yes, I most certainly did. Did you?" "I did. Of course I did." She smiled. Justin reached for his shirt and pulled it down over his head. "I don't want to go." He whispered. "I don't want you to go either. But Maria will be back soon. I think that would be a little awkward, don't you?" Eva laughed. "Yeah, probably" Justin finished dressing. He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up in his arms. They embraced for a moment followed by one last goodbye kiss. Eva walked him to the door. "I am going to miss you." "You know I will miss you too, Eva. I hope to see you again. Some day down the road?" "I would like that very much." And with that, Justin walked out the door. They never did see each other again. A Proper Goodbye Krista and I were heading back to the office from lunch; one of the last times we'd be doing so because she was going back to school for her PhD starting in a couple of weeks. I'd been a little bit smitten with Krista since we'd first worked together so many years ago and when we ended up at the same company, I was pleased with the opportunity to see her every day. We didn't go out to lunch on a regular basis, which was probably good because I'd have been afraid of betraying the unprofessional things I was feeling about her. As it was, I'd been entranced during this particular lunch by her sparkling green eyes and watching her lips as she talked. I hoped that either she hadn't noticed or, if she had, that she was flattered rather than creeped out. As we were walking down the street talking, we turned toward each other at one point and, before I really comprehended what was happening, my head was moving toward her and hers toward me. There, in the middle of the sidewalk, half a block from the restaurant, our lips met and we were kissing. Once it started, the intensity picked up and I placed my hands on her hips as her arms went around my neck. It wasn't us slobbering all over each other but probably appeared pretty romantic to the passersby. It occurred to me once we separated but I still had my hands on her hips and her arms were still around my neck that one of those passersby could potentially be somebody one of us knew. I mentioned this and we decided we might be better off in the privacy of her office back at work if we wanted to continue. I know that I wanted to and she appeared to, also. As we resumed our return trip to the office, I was glancing at her profile and looked down at her tits jutting out, separated by the strap of her purse, almost letting out an involuntary moan; they looked so large and firm. I wondered what the odds were, in light of what had just happened, that I'd get my hands on them; I thought they were pretty good (the odds and her tits). Back at the office, we discreetly headed toward her office and closed the door behind us. Inside, we started kissing again, which quickly lead to making out and my hands dropping from her hips down to squeeze her ass. This was much more passionate than what had occurred on the street and her ass, which I had admired so many times, felt incredible in my grip. There was no way she couldn't have felt the bulge in my slacks pressing against her abdomen as I massaged her ass, pulling her against me. I gradually worked my hands up under the back of her skirt and felt her panties between my hands and her ass cheeks. Since she wasn't offering any sort of resistance at all, I went ahead and slid the back of her panties down so that my hands were on the bare flesh of her nice, round ass. I liked the direction this continued to be going, so as we continued to make out and my hands massaged her bare ass, I started moving a hand around between us and into the front of her panties. Her bush was trim and her pussy was dripping. We separated enough that my hand could comfortably fit into her panties as my fingertips slid up and down her slit and over her clit while she brought one of her hands down between us to massage my bulging cock. Her other hand soon came down from around my neck as well so that she could undo my belt and open my slacks, working a hand inside to grasp my cock. As I enjoyed the feel of her soft hand stroking my throbbing cock and the wetness of her pussy on my fingers, she was trying to work my slacks down with her free hand, so I reluctantly let go of her ass to help her. With my pants and briefs down lower, she was free to really stroke my cock but I was thinking that we ought to continue moving forward so I sat down in front of her. I raised the hem of her short skirt and asked her to hold it up for me as I slid the front of her panties down to expose her trim, dark brown bush. Once I had them completely down, my hands went back to her bare ass to guide her over me while she reached down with her free hand once she was straddling me and directed my cock into her pussy as she lowered herself onto my lap. As her hot, wet pussy engulfed me, I had to suppress a moan that would have traveled throughout the entire floor. She sat for a moment with her eyes closed, my girth completely filling her, before looking at me and leaning down to plant another kiss on me. She started to slowly ride me as we made out again and I continued to hold onto her bare ass. I don't know how long it took before it hit me that those tits that I had been admiring were right there in front of me just waiting to be fondled. I moved my hands up from her ass to pull her shirt from her skirt, then slid them up under it and to her luscious tits. Her hard nipples were pressing out against the thin material of the cups so I brushed my palms over them and gently pulled them before reaching around behind her to unfasten the bra. My hands were under her bra and fondling the bare flesh of her tits immediately, caressing the soft, smooth underside and feeling her hard nipples against my palms. While they felt outstanding, I had to get a look at them having spent so many years ogling them and wondering what the flesh beneath the blouses and sweaters actually looked like. I slid her shirt and bra upward and, once they were both above her tits, I pulled my lips from Krista's so that I could see them. They were even more remarkable than I had expected, sitting up high on her chest even unsupported with large, pink areolas and hard nipples. I wanted to take her shirt and bra completely off, but I didn't think it would be a good idea there in her office. Granted, if anyone barged in, whether her shirt was completely off or partially off, in the position we were in, it really wouldn't matter, but I figured we'd better stay as clothed as we could. When I finally withdrew my eyes from her luscious tits, I saw that Krista had her eyes closed and her brow furrowed as she continued riding my tool. My hands remained on her tits, caressing the soft flesh and brushing over her hard nipples, but I was more cognizant of how much faster she was riding me and how much more juicy and hot her pussy was becoming. While her pussy felt absolutely outstanding, I wasn't finding myself in any immediate danger of cumming, so I enjoyed her tits and the feel of her pussy while I watched various expressions crossing her face. Her breathing was heavy and an occasional soft whimper escaped as she got closer and closer to cumming. I couldn't believe that her pussy could continue to feel better and better with each passing moment, but I loved the fact that it was. I was just starting to feel the stirrings of my own orgasm when she sat down hard on me and I could feel her shuddering. When I knew she had finished cumming, I stood, lifting her while still embedded deep in her pussy, and set her down on the "peninsula" of her office workstation. She laid back, her tits still exposed and jutting toward the ceiling, as I hooked her legs over my arms and started fucking her hard. Leaning forward, I could reach down and fondle her tits as they bounced with my thrusting. As I was fucking her and playing with her tits, she looked up at me, smiling, and told me that, when I was ready to cum, she wanted it in her mouth. I briefly contemplated climbing up to straddle her chest and fuck her tits first, but with my slacks and shoes still on, it would have proven to be a difficult task. Instead, I just enjoyed the feel of her slippery pussy on my cock, the feel of her large tits in my hands and the smile on her face as she looked up at me. Since she had already cum and I needn't worry about holding out for her, I was fucking her pretty hard and fast, my hips hitting against the backs of her legs. My orgasm was building slowly and with maximum pleasure and I would have been content to continue for several more hours. I was thinking, however, as I gazed down upon her face, about what it was going to feel like when I slipped my cock into her mouth and decided not to wait until I was right on the verge so that I could enjoy it for a bit. I did keep fucking her sumptuous pussy until I felt my orgasm was well on its way, relishing every second of the slow build and every thrust in and out of her. When I finally managed to pull my cock from her hot pussy, I dropped back onto the chair again as she first sat up, then moved to kneel before me. My focus was on her dark, trim bush until her skirt fell over it, then on her tits until her shirt slid down, then on her face as she dropped to her knees and grasped my cock. She stroked it a few times and, when I thought she was going to lower her mouth onto it, she instead pulled her blouse back up and squeezed it between her tits. I had to suppress another moan as she started sliding her tits up and down either side of my throbbing tool, the soft flesh wrapping completely around it. I could feel my orgasm continuing to rise under this unexpected and astounding stimulation but the position proved just a bit awkward, so I soon found my cock in Krista's hot mouth. She slid her lips up and down, her head bobbing in my lap, while gently pumping the base as I ran my fingers through her dark brown hair. She proved to be a talented cocksucker, just one of many pleasant surprises over the past hour or so. My orgasm was building in earnest now as she lowered her mouth over my stiff shaft repeatedly. I was watching my cock disappearing and reappearing between her lips, which proved to be a huge turn-on in and of itself, but combined with the feeling of her mouth, my long awaited orgasm was approaching at a nice pace. I was trying not to moan, knowing the walls were thin and not insulated, but I couldn't control my heavy breathing and softly muttered encouragements. My cock swelled even more as the pleasure built to unprecedented levels until, finally, I was done for and I exploded into her mouth. She let out a soft cry of surprise, but continued to suck me dry, swallowing my load without pause. Once I was completely spent, she sat back on her heels and smiled up at me. It was about two-and-a-half more weeks before her last day at work and we made good use of every day available. We varied the time of day, so as not to draw attention, and really felt that we were discreet enough not to arouse any suspicions. Her last day was a little tough, not only because so many people were stopping by to say goodbye, but also because we didn't know when our next opportunity to be together would be. We were determined, however, to figure something out as soon as she got settled over at school, which was within walking distance from the office. A Proper Goodbye “I don’t know, but I think it’s so we can say a proper goodbye to each other, I didn’t get to leave anything else for you so…” He grinned, the way Gebriele had always loved, the little boy caught look. The night air, which had been hot and stifling, was suddenly cool and refreshing as she looked up at him. It suddenly occurred to her she had something very special to show to him, “Kersen I need to go get something, if I run inside to get it, will you still be here when I get back.” He thought and acted as if he were listening to something, then nodded yes and said, “Hurry.” Gebriele, flew into the house, opened her parents bedroom door without knocking, her Mom and Dad who were both reading looked up at their wild-eyed daughter, “No time to explain call Mom and Dad Tennery, tell them they have to get over here in the next 2-3 minutes, there is a miracle standing on our front porch, hurry.” As she left the room her father grabbed the telephone, something in her voice told him don’t ask, after calling them he and his wife scrambled out of their bed, threw on their robes then headed downstairs, they saw their daughter fly out the front door in front of them. ‘Now why did she get him up they wondered.’ Kersen was stunned when Gebriele returned, the screen door slamming shut behind her, she was holding a child, a boy by the looks of him around 5 or 6, Kersen noticed Grebs was shaking as she moved across the old banister front porch towards him, ‘it still needs painting,’ flickered across his mind. Gebriele sat down on the porch the sleepy child hugged his mother, “You did leave me something Kersen, you left me our son, growing in my womb, and this beautiful little boy is Kersen Winder Tennery, your son my love…. Our son.” Kersen was speechless, but then no more than Grebs parents who had emerged from the house and were now standing on their porch, staring at a young man on their front porch that had been murdered 6 years ago that very night. Kersen looked at both of them, “Could I have a hug, I need to say goodbye, and I don’t have very long.” Both of the Winder’s moved slowly past their daughter and grandson to face him, Mrs. Winder grabbed Kersen followed in short order by her husband. After a few moments in the embrace Mrs. Winder remarked, “Now my boy, go meet your son, he asks about you a lot.” Kersen nodded and knelt down in front of Gebriele and reached out a trembling hand to touch his son, the child looked up at the man in front of him,” Are you my real Daddy?” Kersen replied, “Yes son, I am your Daddy.” Kersen put out his arms allowing his son to come to him, for their first embrace. His son held him smiling, “I prayed to God for a long time to send you back and help Mommy not to be sad anymore, so she can be happy like me. I know a bad man hurt you, and God has to have you in heaven so you won’t hurt. I love you Daddy and I will take care of Mommy for you.” Kersen thought he sounded so grown up, he was very proud of his son. “My son, my precious child, I love you too and I love your Mommy so very much. Thank you for taking care of her because I can’t. But don’t worry I will watch over both of you even when you can’t see me or hear me. Now let me tell you a secret only we can know, Promise.” “Promise,” the child replied, making an exaggerated X over his little chest. Kersen smiled and returned the gesture, “I Promise you, when it’s time for Mommy to go be with God, a long time from now, I will come to her and take her to heaven, Ok.” “Ok Daddy,” came his proud answer. “Now I need you to go to Grandma and Grandpa, because I need to give your Mommy and my…. Wife enough loving to last until the end of her life.” Kissing each other, father and son separated with, ‘ I love you, and goodbye’ exchanged for the last time this side of eternity. Grabbing his love, while still sitting on the porch, they both held on to each other allowing the moment to fill them to the brim, feeling two more sets of arms enfold him; he looked up into the shocked faces. “Momma, Daddy,” he said as his parents were also allowed to partake of the miracle of a child’s faith. For a few brief moments of time, three families said the things to each other that are necessary for healing, then at Kersen’s insistence, final goodbyes spoken, hugs and kisses exchanged, Gebriele took Kersen’s hand and walked with him towards the road knowing it would be their last walk for a while. Kissing her fiercely, Kersen took his love in his arms, “Grebs, I want you to get out and experience life, all it has to give. Find the things you want to do, go to the places you want to see. Find love, accept it in return, give of yourself as much as you can, but remember when it’s all over I’m coming to get you and for a long time we will share each other with just God, because I’m waiting for you.” They kissed one last time then looking deeply into each other’s eyes, said goodbye. Gebriele hugged him and closed her eyes. After she felt, his arms go limp from around her, she stepped back away from him, a few moments later, she slowly opened her eyes, looking around, and he was gone. Sighing, she heard the door on the mailbox creak, going over she looked inside to find six envelops, one addressed to each of the six people in the two families. No one would ever reveal to the other’s what he had written to them, no one ever asked. Gebriele grabbed the letters, as she turned towards the house she heard his voice on the wind near her ear, “Goodbye, I love you Grebs.” A single tear fell down her cheek, “I love you too my Kersen, thank you…. Goodbye.” She heard him sigh, and then the sounds of the night came rushing back into her mind. She stood and cried for a few minutes, only there was no sadness, only joy, it filled her so completely, she had to let it out and tears seemed so appropriate. Looking eastward, she saw the first light of the dawn of a brand new day break the horizon. Her heart was light, as were her footsteps, she turned and walked towards the house, ready to face a future that was suddenly bright with promise. Epilog: Two weeks after her 83rd birthday Gebriele lay in her hospital bed, her body failing, waiting patiently for her best friend to come and escort her to her new home. Her oldest child Kersen, now 65, was in the room, talking and reading stories to his mom as she rested. He looked up as the door to the room opened to find his father standing there, looking much as he remembered him from all those years before. Kersen stood, his dad said, “Hi, sorry you can’t hug me, I don’t have a physical body for this trip. “ “I understand Dad.” “Thanks for watching out for your mom for me, I love you for it all the more.” “Yer welcome Dad, Uh, I want to know something, are you…I mean, will you.” the embarrassment shown on his face. “Son we will both come back for you and your lovely bride, but right now your mom and I have a date, so tell her goodbye.” Mother and son said their peace to each other, returning to his seat near the window he watched as his father moved over by the bed. Kersen looked at Gebriele, he had a huge smile on his face, “You Ready.” “Yes love, I’ve waited patiently for you, for such a long time.” Taking his best friend by her hand, Kersen gently pulled Gebriele up from the bed towards himself. Their son watched in awe as a spirit of his mother stood from within her body she looked to be 20 years old. The two Lovers embraced, said goodbye to their child, then they slipped out the door as the cardiac monitors blared their trumpet call ‘another person freed to eternity.’ Kersen sat in the chair in the corner of the room as the hospital staff made a valiant effort to save the old woman, the doctor finally said, it’s too late. Kersen distinctly heard, “Grebs wait up,” followed by, “well hurry up slow poke,” and the laughter of little children as they run through the meadows on hot summer days fading away in the distance. Kersen smiled gathered his things to go sign the appropriate paperwork, make the phone calls to his three half siblings, then get home and try to explain this to his wife.