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Defying Gravity Ch. 01

By: JakeReyna



Since my eleventh birthday Mom has insisted that I could talk to her about anything, no matter what. She promised that she would listen to what I had to say without interruption until I had said my piece. I was unsure at the start but she has always kept her promise. Once again uncertainty clouds my mind.

I'm Daniel Carter, or Wash to the small group of friends I hung around with. You can figure out how that name came about on your own. I live at 1224 Summer Hill Drive with my Mom, Kate, short for Katherine Mary and Dad, James Aaron. Grandma Carter still calls him Jimmy which still ticks him off, he changed his name to James after Jimmy C was voted into the White House.

Dad is a production engineer at the Mills tractor plant, the Mills plant is the single largest employer in Billington. Everyone in Billington knows of a family member or a friend who works at the plant. It was at Mills that a seventeen year old Katherine Jones first met twenty seven year old assistant engineer James Carter. 

I attend the local community college, I was taking business and mechanics; all the courses attended by the offspring of their employees are fully funded by the plant; my reasons were simple, I didn't want to add to the financial burden that I already was to my parents. I also decided to take extra music classes.

Mom surprised me by persuading Dad to use some of my college fund to buy me a set of wheels for my birthday. Dad wanted me to buy a two year old Nissan that was being off loaded by one of his bowling friends, saying that it was economical, easy to maintain and reliable. Mom was more practical minded and made a case for me to buy half share of a minivan which she could also use. I wanted a pickup truck.

I compromised; mom chose a silver minivan and I bought a half share. In the meantime my Uncle Bob, owner of an auto repair shop and gas station, used his contacts and located a 53 Chevy step side that had been in storage for the past eight years. 

I used a little of what was left of my college money to take Mom and Dad, Uncle Bob and my Aunt Paula out to dinner at Rossi's in the Quadrant. Rossi's is a local family Italian restaurant that served the best pizza in town. It was a thank you for everything that they had done for me. Even though Mom and Dad both came from large families, I considered the five of us to be, in all intents and purposes, my family.

The evening was a stone wall hit after I had also volunteered to be the designated driver; Dad and Uncle Bob had a few too many glasses of red wine and Aunt Paula hadn't been that far behind them both. Mom was as usual in control and after two glasses with her dinner she drank mineral water. When we arrived home I had to help Mom carry Aunt Paula inside and then upstairs to our spare room, where I left her to sort out her sister. Returning to the minivan I then had to guide Uncle Bob and Dad inside. I managed to get them as far as the den where they then set about making light work of a bottle of Jack. Leaving them to punish themselves even further I went in search of Mom to see if she needed help. Mom had undressed Aunt Paula, when I arrived at the door she was lying on the bed wearing a matching set of fire red bra and pants that was high cut at the waist, the bra pushed Aunt Paula's breast into perfect globes. I could see the dark circles of her areolas through the sheer lacy fabric. Looking over the swell of her stomach I noticed a lack of darkness in her panties. I was shocked when I realised that Aunt Paula shaved her pussy. Give me a break, it's a pussy when your Mom's standing in the same room and you are ogling her sister.

I don't remember how long I just stood there looking at Aunt Paula lying on the bed until Mom walked over to me and whispered in my ear. To this day I can't remember what she said; I will never forget seeing a strange glint in her eye as she looked at me. 

I was out of the house early the next morning; unlike the others I was working to pay off the professional work that I would need to have done on my truck. Uncle Bob organised the engine rebuild and the chassis powder coating and translated the cost into hours working at the gas station. I was ahead and had banked enough hours for a full body respray. The original colour was a flat grey; my new truck would be New York cab yellow.

I returned home just after lunch to find only Mom had managed to rise from her bed, I found her sitting on the patio nursing a cup of coffee; typically she had no signs of a hangover. The others managed to climb from their beds or, in Dad and Uncle Bob's case, the floor in the den later that afternoon. Mom made the best of the opportunity to make fun of them and still reminded them from time to time.

Life at home has its own routine. Dad works twelve hour day shifts, Monday to Friday, starting at 06:00; he was also a member of two bowling leagues and was out of the house at least four nights a week and sometimes five if there was a competition or the committee held a meeting. 

College started at 08:00 and, other than on Fridays, my last class finished at 16:00. I usually worked three nights a week after school, on Wednesday I took the extra classes in music. Mom was a homemaker from when she married dad; recently, in the last eighteen months and after a great deal of persuasion by her older sister, my Aunt Paula, they started up a small catering business making one off celebration cakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other special events; one woman even commissioned a divorce cake for her freedom party. The business was now thriving after the divorce cake was pictured in an article in the Billington Gazette.

Dad and Uncle Bob played golf on Saturday; their idea of exercise was a four hour ride in a golf cart, followed by lunch and then a seat at the poker table. Mom and Aunt Paula managed to attend aerobic classes at least a couple of times a week. I didn't go in for team sports keeping fit by cycling the seven miles between home and college twice a day. Saturday I would head up into the local hills on my bike and think nothing of covering 40 or 50 miles. My goal was to compete in the annual Iron Mountain bike race. The rest of my free time I practiced my music.

Sunday was a family day.

So here I am, sitting at the kitchen table, Mom is sitting next to me her eyes locked on mine, the muscles in my legs were burning; it's Saturday afternoon and I have just showered and changed after a hard 55 mile ride out into the Black Hills. The ride had done nothing to fix my mind.

The turmoil started the previous day. My last class had been cancelled so I headed home early. When I pulled into Summerhill I spotted Aunt Paula's Cherokee parked in the driveway next to the minivan. Pulling into the driveway I dismounted and walked around the side of the house. Mom and Aunt Paula were sitting on the deck, still dressed in their sweats from the gym. 

Though they were sisters Mom and Aunt Paula were not alike. Maybe it was due to the nine years that separated their births; Mom told me once that Grandpa and Grandma Jones hadn't planned on having anymore kids after Paula and that she was an accident. I'm eternally grateful for people making those kinds of mistakes.

Aunt Paula was five-four with short blonde hair, a cleavage that she liked to show and an ass that you could set your watch to as she walked. Mom was tall, five-ten, slim in an athletic way with long dark brown hair that reached to between her shoulder blades. Aunt Paula's vanity was her weakness; she wouldn't consider walking around her house without make-up and had undergone eye surgery when her sight started to weaken. Mom was a polar opposite and would happily go through the day as nature intended; when her eyesight start to weaken Mom took to wearing spectacles. Irrespective of their differences there was one thing that they did have in common, they were both lookers. It was only as I grew older that I saw the effect Aunt Paula had on men, old and young alike, she may have been racked and stacked but it was her butt that drew admiring glances. I'd heard several comments from the guys at college who, thinking that I was out of earshot, would state that they wouldn't mind getting some of that. I was glad that they saw Mom as the plain Jane sister and that suited her because she was a mom.

"Hey Mom, Hi Aunt Paula," I called out.

"Hi Honey," Mom called back. "How come you're early?"

"My last class was cancelled."

"How's school? " Aunt Paula asked. I felt her eyes wander over me.

"It's going OK," I answered. 

"Do you want me to make you some lunch Honey?" asked Mom.

"That's ok Mom. I'll grab something later."

"OK, Honey," Mom answered.

"Catch you later Aunt Paula," I called out before heading inside.

The air in my bedroom was hot and stuffy when I entered so I opened the window. The sound of Aunt Paula's voice instantly filled my room.

"If I was twenty years younger I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you but up stairs shagging the face off of your Danny."

I started to breath slowly frightened that they would know that I was there.

"Why, isn't Bob doing it for you anymore?" Mom teased. There was a moment's silence.

"Bob still does it for me, but, what we used to do all night now takes all night." Mom erupted in laughter.

"So, then tell me little sis, is your sex life so fucking fantastic? Does Jimmy still knock your boots off?" I was shocked at hearing Aunt Paula cuss.

"Jim hasn't knocked my boots off as you put it since I can't remember when," Mom confessed sadly. "He comes home every Saturday after playing golf and tying on a few in the bar and we go to bed early. He rolls on a condom, climbs on, jabs me a few times, comes, rolls off and then falls asleep. I have to creep into the bathroom and finish myself off."

"The same happened to Bob; that's when I met a new friend." Mom must have given Aunt Paula a funny look as she then said, "Not that kind of friend, I went on the net and bought a new toy. It's surprising what little gadgets they have on the market these days."

"I've already got a couple of toys. They just don't do it for me. Jeez Paula, I'm not a frigid bitch. I'm only thirty eight but plastic fantastic, give me a break." I heard the heartfelt cry for help from mom. "Jim doesn't even kiss me anymore; I think that he's even forgotten what foreplay is. I can't believe how much I miss the simple things such as cuddling up on the sofa together or even just making out. I miss the intimacy." 

They were quiet.

"You could..."

"Don't tell me to get a lover. I can't and won't do that to Danny."

"I would never tell you to do something like that," Aunt Paula answered. There was something in her voice that sent a shiver run down my spine.

"So, are we still planning on surprising Danny next weekend?" asked Aunt Paula, suddenly changing the subject.

"Yeah, but I don't want him to know. You're both coming too?" There was a moment's silence where I assumed Aunt Paula nodded to Mom. "I he knows that we'll be there it might just be too much. It's just that I have to be there." My music teacher had arranged a performance by the entire class. Most of my fellow students were musicians and that left Becca and Me as vocalists. As Mom said it would be my first public appearance and Mom needn't have worried as I knew that she knew in advance having arranged it that she would overhear. Their voices faded and I realised that they had disappeared inside. I was dressing when Aunt Paula called out from the foot of the stairs.

"I'm heading off now Danny."

"Catch you later Aunt Paula," I yelled back. "Say hi to Uncle Bob for me and tell him that I'll call round on Sunday morning to take a look at his computer." Knowing that I was planning on visiting her sister on Sunday I knew that Mom would persuade dad to come along with us too.

The conversation between Mom and Aunt Paula occupied my mind for the remainder of the afternoon. That night I decided against joining my buddies in town and after dinner headed to the garage to work on my bikes. I had three bikes, two for training and one race bike. I spent the rest of the night checking over my two training bikes. In the back of my mind I knew that Mom would need my second training bike if she was planning on joining me in eight days time. Finishing up I headed into the house. Mom was sitting at the kitchen table when I entered. She looked up as she heard the screen door open.

"Hey Honey, what've you been up to?" Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator I moved to stand in the cool breeze by the door. 

"I was just checking over my bike ready for tomorrow." Mom nodded knowingly. She knew about preparation. "I need to build up my training for the Iron Mountain." 

He paused.

"If you don't have any work on next Saturday you could borrow my spare bike and come along. I know that you'd enjoy it." Mom smiled. 

"We'll see." It was her stock answer when she didn't want to disappoint, knowing that she wouldn't be able to keep a promise if there was a last minute order to be delivered on the Saturday.

"Would you mind if I tagged along with you on Sunday when you go over to fix your Uncle Bob's computer?"

"Does that mean I don't have to ask if I can use the van?" Mom gave me an evil eye but only managed to make me laugh.

"Do I hear you complaining when you don't need to fill it with gas?"

"Mom, I've used the van three times in the last four weeks, each time it was to go to the store for you; the rest of the time you've needed it." I knew that I'd hit Mom's guilty spot.

"I'm sorry Honey; you know that you only have to ask." I put my arms around her, and lowered my head to rest against her shoulder. Mom raised her hand to caress my face.

"Mom, I was only fooling. I know how busy you and Aunt Paula are and I don't mind about the van. Besides, the minivan isn't cool enough when I take out my girlfriend."

Mom jumped.

"Why am I only hearing about this girl now?"

"Mom, I'm not dating anyone at the moment so just chillax." I gave her a hug. Mom moved her hands to cover mine. She knew full well that I didn't date, not now, not since the park.

For all the luck I had in the gene pool lottery it came to nought when I became the victim of a practical joke that went wrong. It was a Wednesday night and I was with a few of my friends from high school when a group of seniors thought it would be funny to let off some fireworks before the Memorial Day weekend. The prank got out of hand when one of the fireworks was thrown into the middle of the group. My head was filled with Becca's scream so I reacted by reaching for the firework and had the intention of hurling back at to where it came. As I was reached down it exploded in my face. I still have the scars; they are the reasons why I'm thankful for the gene pool and why I wear my hair long. The firework tore away my skin on my neck and face; my jacket melted in the intense heat, welding to my skin. I tried to pull the firework off damaging my hands in the futile effort. My friends reacted quickly, putting me down on the ground; Becca grabbed a leather jacket off one of her friends and tore the firework off my body. Whist this was going on another friend called 911 as another ran to my home. The paramedics arrived with two deputy sheriff cruisers. I wasn't aware but Mom arrived as I was lifted, unconscious, into the back of the ambulance.

I regained consciousness in hospital. I could only see out of my right eye and immediately panicked until I felt a hand take mine and Mom's voice reassuring me that I would be ok. I still carry the scars; the surgeons told Mom and dad that the injuries to my face and neck were more similar to those suffered by the victims of bombings. There were also burn scars across my chest, shoulder and arm. The surgeons were at least able to minimise the damage to my hands. They are scarred but I did regain full articulation.

Mom was with me every step of the way during my recovery and rehabilitation. She was nurse, mom, teacher, housekeeper and cook and always had a reassuring word for me every time I was at my lowest. For hours she would sit with me and we would just talk; eventually we could talk about anything. There wasn't a subject that she would not talk to me about or ask me. She even asked me if I had a girlfriend after arriving at my room to find Becca sitting at my bedside.

I have close friends who are girls but not a girlfriend. The scars from the surgeries were still livid by the time of the Senior Prom; by hard work, friends and luck I managed to stay with my year during the rehab. A few of the guys knew that I liked Jane Moore and pushed me to ask out her to the Prom. When I asked her she publicly put me down in front of everyone in the cafeteria. That was when I knew that I had great friends; they insisted that we attend the prom as one, even though I didn't have a date; I was never on my own and had a dance partner throughout the night. I learned later that it was Becca who had got her friends together. At one point Jane Moore approached our table and had the courage to ask me to dance. Instantly Becca grabbed my hand, saying 'you promised me this dance I believe' and pulled me on to the floor. When I looked back towards our table my friends were telling Jane where she had gone wrong.

"I was just saying that I wouldn't make a good first impression if I were to pick her up in the minivan, that's all."

"If she isn't impressed by being asked out by you in the first instance then she isn't worth picking up, minivan or no minivan," Mom replied.

"That's my mom." I kissed her cheek and released my hold. "I'm going to head off to bed. I'll be out early tomorrow so, unless you are up with the birds I see you when I get back."

"OK, Honey, if I don't see you for breakfast, promise me that you'll ride safely and don't forget to take your cell with you just in case." I didn't realise what the accident had done to Mom until I had returned to school. The moment that I was out of sight she became a bag of nerves. It's eased a little now but she still worries. I thank the guy that invented the cell.

I laughed. "Yes mom."

Mom relented, "I know that you think that I'm always getting on at you but..."

"You're my mom, so it's allowed." I kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night Honey," Mom answered. As I headed upstairs I called out goodnight to my dad who was watching Jay Leno. I didn't hear a response.

~ ~ ~

Mom was in the kitchen when I crept downstairs just after dawn the next morning. We sat down for a healthy breakfast of oatmeal, OJ and fresh fruit. I was cycling along Summerhill half an hour later with Mom standing on the front porch watching me until she could no longer see me. Upstairs my dad would just be rising for his morning golf game.

The fifty five miles were punishing; not because of the distance but because of the turmoil that I was trying to drive out of my head. My mind was in a paradox as opposing thoughts and arguments tackled each other to a standstill in my head. I returned home with the muscles in my legs burning fiercely. After a long hot shower I lay on my bed for what seemed like hours but was in fact twenty minutes before heading downstairs. I found Mom in the kitchen, she had prepared lunch whilst I had been in the shower; it was already on the table.

"I thought that we would have a lazy afternoon," said Mom, taking her usual place at the table. Mom sat at one end of the table, the one nearest the back door with dad sitting opposite. I always sat on mom's left, with my back to the stove.

"I forgot the iced tea; would you get it please Honey? It's in the fridge."

"Sure mom," I answered. He muscles in my legs felt like melting jello as I walked across the kitchen and back again.


Defying Gravity Ch. 01



"How was your ride?" That was the start of our small talk over lunch. I explained the ride and the route. Mom listened attentively and nodded from time to time. I changed the subject slightly by asking mom about her new spinning class. Mom was more expressive. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she had had a very good training session. When we had finished lunch; it was just sandwiches made from cold cuts and potato chips, I helped clear away the plates and then took out the trash. When I returned Mom was sitting at the table.

"Come on and sit down for a minute." That was always the opening for one of our serious discussions. I sat back down at the table with my legs burning.

"Honey, is there something troubling you?" I could see the concern etched on mom's face. "You know that you can tell me anything you know that."

"Mom, I'm not sure if I should talk to you about this," I answered honestly.

"Have I ever set ground rules on what you can and can't talk to me about?" I knew that she was right. I have never figured out women's intuition or even if mom's have a sixth sense when it comes to their kids but my mom had it in spades.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"Honey, you're beginning to worry me. Is your shoulder giving you trouble?"

"I...Are you and dad ok?" I saw the look a shock that flashed across mom's face. "I mean, you're not going to get divorced are you?"

"What makes you think that we are getting divorced?"

"I heard you and Aunt Paula talking out on the patio yesterday."

"How dare you listen in to a private conversation?" Mom was clearly angry.

"Well, if it was that private why did I hear it up in my room," I answered back. I pushed back my chair and got to my feet. I was opening the kitchen door before Mom could react.

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere I can get some fresh air without over hearing someone else talking." I knew that my words hurt her but I was angry and at that moment needed to get away before I said something that I would hate myself for saying the rest of my life. 

I hadn't thought things through. After storming out of the house I paused for a second, I couldn't go back inside with Mom angry at me; given time she would calm and then we could talk, unless she wanted to just drop the subject. However, don't ask me why, but I knew that this time she would talk to me again. 

I headed down Summerhill and had calmed by the time I'd walked as far as the baseball park. I walked over to the bleachers and watched a little league game between the Pirates and the Chargers. As I watched the teams change at the end of the fourth I reached into my pocket for my cell and then had a mental image of it in my bedroom attached to the charger. I stayed until the game was over; the Pirates won 5-3.

The minivan wasn't in the driveway when I returned home. Mom was out. Instead of heading for the sanctuary of my room I headed to the shed and got out the mower. The garden was my responsibility; both front and back. We could easily afford to have someone cut the grass each week but I had negotiated a deal that dad would pay me the going rate. I was cutting the front lawn when Mom returned. Pulling into the drive she parked in her usual spot in front of the garage. She walked around to the passenger seat and retrieved three bags of groceries. I stopped the mower. Mom looked over her shoulder.

"Do you need a hand?"

"No, Honey, I can manage. Do you want a drink?"

"No Mom. I'm nearly done." I watched her walk into the house and then closed my eyes.

Things between us were strained to say the least. Bagging the grass cuttings I carried them to the bin behind the garage. When I walked back I saw Mom at the kitchen window; she was just staring out across the yard. Putting the mower away I headed inside. Mom was refilling the coffee maker when I entered the kitchen. When she didn't turn to look or even speak I continued on through the kitchen and headed to my room. My cell was where I'd left it. When I checked the call log there was one missed call. I didn't need to check the number to know that it had been Mom. I was lying on the bed when there was a soft knock on the door. Mom slowly opened the door.

"Danny, is it ok if I come in?"

"Sure." I couldn't really say no. Mom came in and as mom's do she examined my bedroom before sitting on the end of the bed.

"Mom, about..."

"No Danny," Mom instantly cut me off. "I'm sorry Honey. I've always told you that you could talk to me about anything and I didn't. I..."

"Mom, that's enough already." I watched her eyes lift. "If we can't get mad at one another from time to time then there's something broken."

She let out a soft laugh. "When did you suddenly get smart?"

"Always, I just don't like showing off." That brought a smile to her face. We were both silent for a moment. 

"I know that you are still worried about me and your dad but it's not the first time and certainly won't be the last time it happens to married couples."

"I know that Mom, but it's the first time that I've seen it in this house." I paused. "Are you happy Mom?"

"Some of the time Honey," she answered. I wasn't sure if she was totally honest.

"Is there anything that I can do?" What the hell was I saying? What help could I give to my Mom?

Suddenly she pushed herself to her feet. "I've taken a couple of steaks out of the freezer. I'll give you a shout when it's ready."

"OK, Mom," I answered. She was announcing that our conversation was over. She paused at the door before leaving. I could see that she was deep in thought and wondered what I had said.

It was a warm evening and we ate on the patio. Our conversation stuttered and several times I caught Mom just staring into thin air. We had just finished clearing away the dishes when Dad arrived home from the golf club. It was only with him being home that I suddenly how uncomfortable I was, knowing that he and Mom were heading up to their room to fuck. Strangely I knew that I had called it right because that was how Mom had described the act to Aunt Paula. I left Mom and dad in the kitchen and headed upstairs. My room is on the far side of the house from the master bedroom so I was safe from hearing anything that night. It was bad enough that my mind played tricks on me at every sound on the house.

~ ~ ~

The next morning I was the first one to rise and started the coffee maker before setting the patio table for breakfast. Heading around the side of the house I located the Sundays half way up the front walk where they had landed. The paper boy needed a lesson in tossing the newspapers closer to the front door. When I walked back around the house Mom was sitting out on the patio drinking her first cup of coffee of the day.

"Morning Mom," I called out and watched her jump with surprise.

"Morning, Honey."

I set the newspapers down on the table so that Mom could easy reach them and headed back into the kitchen. Sunday was family day but I also thought of it as Mom's day so I usually made her breakfast; it was only fresh fruit, a glass of OJ and freshly warmed croissants but, for one morning during the week, she could relax. We ate our breakfast and read the newspapers in silence, warmed by the morning sun. Dad appeared after we'd finished eating, grabbed a cup of coffee and then waited for Mom to make his breakfast. Mom went into the kitchen in her time to cook him bacon, hash browns and scrambled eggs.

After breakfast was cleared away Mom and I headed to Aunt Paula's as promised. Dad didn't come along for the ride; I wasn't sure if Mom had asked him if he wanted to go with us or not; we left him sitting on the patio reading the newspapers. I drove the minivan; the ride to Aunt Paula's was made in silence. When we arrived we went our separate ways, Mom and Aunt Paula headed for the kitchen whilst I headed to the den with Uncle Bob. The computer was a quick fix; Uncle Bob had picked up a couple of viruses. I uploaded anti-virus software and also added a new programme that scanned all the sites accessed on the web. Whilst I had access to his laptop I cleaned up the hard drive and his history logs. I quickly looked through the log and wasn't surprised when I learned where and how he had managed to infect his PC.

Done, I mentioned stopping off at the gas station and uploading the anti-virus software on the system there; Uncle Bob, in payment, announced that it would cover the new interior for my truck. It was more reward than the work deserved and I thought that he was maybe he was paying me through guilt.

When I went to find Mom, she and Aunt Paula were out on the rear deck. They looked to be in a serious conversation and I knew that I couldn't let Mom think that I was listening in again so I found Uncle Bob, gave him the keys to the minivan and asked him to let Mom know that I'd decided to walk home. I had been walking for about ten minutes when Mom drew up alongside. She didn't say anything, just gave me one of those 'don't mess with me' looks that Moms do. I know what's good for me and did as I was told. Mom took the long route home and then took me by surprise by pulling into the parking lot of the little league baseball park. It felt like another case of déjà vous.

"Come on, it's such a lovely day that I thought we could go for a walk." She must have caught something on my face as she quickly added, "heck, your dad won't miss us until he gets hungry. I'll bet he's crashed out in the living room any way."

I climbed out of the van and met Mom on her side. We headed towards the baseball diamond; I noticed that the Pirates were playing again, this time against the Silverbacks and they were already two runs behind in the second.

"Do you remember when you used to play?" asked Mom. I was an outfielder for one game; the remainder of the season I warmed the bench.

"I've been trying to forget Mom; thanks for reminding me." Mom laughed. I felt as if I hadn't heard her laugh so easily before.

"You're welcome, Honey." She was thoughtful for a moment. "I just thought that you looked really cute in your uniform." I wouldn't be surprised if she still had it packed away in a closet somewhere.

We headed around the diamond and out into the park. Mom met up with a couple of the neighbours; she exchanged news and some gossip about what was going on in the development. I just blanked them out. I didn't need to know that Bill Holmes had just lost his job, though I did listen when Mom was told that Jane Moore was doing well at the hospital; she was training to be a surgical nurse. I was glad that she was doing well after she came to the house the morning after the Prom and in front of my Mom she apologised for her behaviour to me at school. Expecting Mom to rip into her I was surprised when she asked Jane to join us for lunch. Jane meets up with my friends when her shifts allow and we have watched a few movies together; just the two of us and just as friends. 

Mom hoped for more but I knew that it would never be. Jane was looking for the same dates I was and having better luck. Later, I was amused when Mom relayed the news that she had just been told to another neighbour and didn't pass on the news about Jane. I guess it was the way the neighbourhood worked. News exchanged, we continued on our way.

"Danny," said Mom. "Yesterday why did you ask me if I was happy?"

"I'm not really sure Mom." She was silent which meant that I had to explain. 

"I guess you got me thinking about things." She knew that I was referring to hearing her talking with Aunt Paula. "You used to sing to yourself when you were in the kitchen and I can't remember hearing you recently. You've also been spacing out. I don't know how many times I've walked into the kitchen and you've been staring out of the window. Other times you've been out on the patio and you just zone out for a minute."

"Is that it?" Now she was pushing for more.

"I thought that I heard crying a couple of weeks ago."

"When was this?"

"Last week or maybe the week before," I lied having heard it on more than one occasion. We resumed walking and fell into the same easy pace.

"People are never happy one hundred percent of the time."

"And Mom's are people too," I finished for her.

"You said that right," Mom agreed.

"Mom, I meant what I said. If you need me to help then just tell me what to do."

"I'm not sure that you can do any more than you are now Honey but I do appreciate your offering to help."

"You're the only Mom I've got." I saw a strange look in her eye. When I looked a second time it was gone.

We continued to walk through the park. Stopping at one of the mobile vendors that parked at the baseball diamond on the way back I bought us both ice cream cones. We watched the last two innings of the little league game as we ate the cones.

"I guess we'd better see what your dad's up to," commented Mom before pulling out of the parking lot. There was very little enthusiasm in her voice.

The ride home was no more than five minutes; even after talking as we walked through the park, the ride home was filled with uncertain silence. The afternoon was a bust as I still had an assignment to finish off. Dad was watching a soccer game between Red Bull and the LA Galaxy when we arrived home leaving Mom to relax in the yard. Dinner was at seven as usual and immediately after dad excused himself and headed back to sit in front of the television. After helping Mom clear the table and load the dishwasher I headed back to my room.

I was working on a few things that were flying around in my head when Mom knocked on the door. She entered carrying two mugs brim full with hot chocolate. Mom had even remembered the marshmallow.

"Hey." Mom smiled and just lifted the two cups she was holding as if it was enough explanation. "What are you doing?"

I wanted to continue the pretence. I hadn't told Mom about Friday on purpose. If I had then she would definitely not be there. This way I knew that she would. The night was for me but in a larger way it was for her too.

"I'm just finishing off an assignment." Mom smiled and then had that far away look in her eye. "Mom, are you OK?"

"Danny, how much of our conversation did you hear?"

"From the moment when Aunt Paula said that if she was twenty years younger she's shag my face off." Mom was deathly quiet for a moment.

"So when you said that you could help you already knew what was happening between your dad and me?"

"I guess," I answered. My voice sounded feeble in the room.

Again she fell silent.

"Honey, when you mentioned helping, what did you have in mind?"

"I hadn't really thought about it," I answered quickly. It was only partially the truth.

"Danny." Mom's resolve and patience outweighed mine and I cracked.

"You'll get mad at me." Again Mom waited me out.

"You said that you miss being held. I thought that if it would help then we could do it." I was at the point of no return. 

Mom composed herself.

"I appreciate the thought that has gone into this and your honesty but I think that we should forget this whole conversation. I am your mother after all."

"I'm sorry Mom; I shouldn't have said anything."

"I'm not mad honey; I just think that we should just put a line through it and move on." Mom got to her feet. "I'm feeling a little tired, so I think I'll go to bed. I'll see you at breakfast in the morning."

"Good night Mom," I answered. Looking at her, I had the impression that Mom left my room in a more thoughtful frame of mind than when she arrived.

~ ~ ~

During the week dad was out of the house by 05:20 at the latest. Mom always saw dad off to work and then read the newspaper until I appeared in the kitchen some time around 06:30. Breakfast was, as usual, quiet and I was on the road by 07:15. Mom sent an IM at lunch; I confirmed that I was working at the gas station after school and would be home late. Pumping gas was an inaccurate description but sounded better than sitting behind a console pressing buttons and taking money. Uncle Bob was in the workshop when I arrived and I used the time to talk about the new paint job on my truck. I was shocked when he took me to the paint booth and I saw my new truck in its yellow livery for the very first time.

As usual Mom sat with me as I ate dinner, she had eaten earlier, and we chatted about our days; me with school and then excitedly telling her the progress with my truck and she about her busy day. I cleared my plate away and headed upstairs to shower and change. When I went downstairs Mom was in the living room watching Jon Stewart. I dropped down onto the opposite end of the sofa to Mom. She was just wearing her usual denims and a sweater that she wore in the house. She always said that visitors would take us as we are or they can take a hike.

"Scootch up here," said Mom, patting the cushion next to her.

"I'm ok where I am, so, how about you scootch over here." Mom slid across the sofa to sit next to me. She tucked her legs up on the sofa which pushed her over to lean against me. Instinctively I moved my arm around the back of the sofa.

"You are allowed to put your arm around my shoulder you know." Mom wiggled slightly, settling herself into my shoulder. "That's better."

"Mom..."

"Shush," she said quietly. "Let's watch a movie."

Surfing the channels I found Mamma Mia. Mom liked Abba's music and the movie was one of those feel good films no matter how many times you watch it. Besides Amanda Seyfried looks damned good in a swimsuit. There was a point near the start of the movie when Mom let out a loud snort and her hand flew to her face. I managed to embarrass her by laughing.

"Stop it." I felt a light punch in the ribs. 

I stopped laughing. Mom snuggled under my arm and placed her hand on my chest. Before I realised that she'd moved again, Mom's head was resting on my chest. It was then that I was conscious of my hand lying on Mom's waist. The hem of Mom's sweater had pulled out from the waist of her denims revealing a narrow band of naked flesh under my fingers. 

I automatically ran my finger tips lights across Mom's baby soft skin; feeling the ever so slight roll of flesh pushed up by the waist band of her denims move under the pressure from my touch. My fingers slipped under the waistband of her denims as I caressed her skin. Mom moved her hand from somewhere underneath us and captured my hand in hers, pressing it down on to her firm flat lower stomach.

I started to slowly move my fingers. Catching my breath, I felt the soft, smooth silk of her panties beneath my fingertips. Mom shifted slightly, twisting towards me. A gap appeared between her stomach and the waistband and my hand slipped down further as my finger explored the sensuous feel of silk.

"I need to get up but I'm too comfortable," murmured Mom. I pulled my hand back until it rested on her sweater.

"Go and do what you need to and I'll make you some tea." Mom looked up and smiled at me. 

"Save my seat." Then she pushed against my chest as she say up straight; pausing she looked back over her shoulder before scrambling to her feet and then hurried away. I moved slower, heading to the kitchen. I poured boiling water over a tea bag for Mom and let it sit whilst I grabbed a glass of water. The aromas of strawberry and citrus filled my senses as I returned to the family room. Placing the drinks on the coffee table I settled back into my spot of the couch. The leather still held the indentations of our forms.

Mom returned and I saw her hesitate before she slid back on to the couch, tucking her legs under her she leaned into me again. Leaning over the arm of the couch I reached for Mom's drink. When I passed her the tea I knew that the moment had vanished as she sat up slightly, smiled and took the cup in both hands. Mom took me by surprise by handing the cup back to me. She waited whilst I put it on the table and then lifted my arm and snuggled into my side.




Defying Gravity Ch. 01



"Thanks for keeping my seat."

"Sure," I answered. Taking up with the movie again I became aware of Mom's hand resting on my thigh. Slowly her finger moved as she caressed me through the heavy denim.

My hand was resting on her hip, outside her denims, when the sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the spell. I felt a shudder run through Mom as she started to move away. I couldn't quite figure what was in her eyes when she looked at me; I thought it was sadness at first but there was something else there too. I started wondering if she was feeling guilty.

Mom was in the kitchen when Dad entered the house through the garage. I could hear them talking. Switching off the television I headed to my room.

2

Breens was crowded as I stepped up to the microphone. Looking across the sea of faces I saw Jane sitting with Becca and Charlie. They had commandeered three tables; they were sitting front and centre of the stage. I knew that Mom was standing at the back of the room. She was with Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob had tagged along too. I wasn't surprised that dad hadn't come along. Friday was one of his bowling nights. Catching Becca's eye I nodded and watched as she quickly spoke to Charlie. Quickly gaining their feet they slipped through the crowd. When they reappeared Charlie had my Mom by the hand, Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob followed behind, herded along by Charlie. If you are wondering Charlie is Charlotte, Becca's older sister.



Defying Gravity Ch. 02



1...

My hand was resting on her hip, outside her denims, when the sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the spell. I felt a shudder run through Mom as she started to move away. I couldn't quite figure what was in her eyes when she looked at me; I thought it was sadness at first but there was something else there too. I started wondering if she was feeling guilty.

Mom was in the kitchen when Dad entered the house through the garage. I could hear them talking. Switching off the television I headed to my room.

2

Breens was crowded as I stepped up to the microphone. Looking across the sea of faces I saw Jane sitting with Becca and Charlie. They had commandeered three tables; they were sitting front and centre of the stage. I knew that Mom was standing at the back of the room. She was with Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob had tagged along too. I wasn't surprised that dad hadn't come along. Friday was one of his bowling nights. Catching Becca's eye I nodded and watched as she quickly spoke to Charlie. Quickly gaining their feet they slipped through the crowd. When they reappeared Charlie had my Mom by the hand, Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob followed behind, herded along by Charlie. If you are wondering Charlie is Charlotte, Becca's older sister.

The band of fellow students started to play the intro of the first song when Mom appeared. I could see the shock on her face as she stepped into the light and saw me up close for the first time; though I'm not sure if it was because I knew that she was there or from my appearance.

Mom hadn't seen me since breakfast. After school I had immediately gone to Becca's parents' home. Charlie washed and cut my hair that afternoon. I didn't know how my hair should be and left it to Charlie and Becca to tell me their ideas. The first steps outside were character building as the three of us went shopping and it was Becca who talked me into buying a black suit, white shirt. It was Charlie who then took me by surprise by producing a hat that would block the harsh stage lights from my eyes and cast a shadow across my face. 

Looking into Mom's eyes I smiled and my heart and confidence lifted when she returned my smile tenfold.

Me and Ms Jones, we got a thing, going on. We both know that it's wrong...

I sang to just one person in the audience. As the last note faded I closed my eyes as the applause filled the room. Jane, Becca and Charlie were on their feet, yelling for more. I looked at Mom and now saw tears rolling down her cheeks. The band was already into my next song.

Oh my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door...

Stepping off the stage I was assaulted. 

"Why didn't you tell us that you could sing like that?" squealed Jane. I shrugged. I saw a wicked look in her eye. I simply shrugged my shoulders. "You are full of surprises."

Becca simply walked up to me and gave me a hug.

Charlie waited for her turn, like Jane she held me in a tight embrace; only, before she released me I felt the brush of her lips against my scarred cheek. I stared at her in disbelief. Charlie being Charlie gave me a mischievously wicked smile. 

Turning to look for Mom I discovered her chair was empty. Anxiously I looked around, to my relief I found her and Aunt Paula hugging each other. They broke apart and then Mom was there, standing with me.

"Look at you," she said, tugging off my hat and putting it on her head. I was suddenly worried if she liked it. 

"Do I look ok?" Only one person's opinion mattered to me.

"Better than ok," she answered. She tilted the hat so that it cast a shadow over her eyes. "Now everyone will know that I'm your girl."

"Always," I answered easily.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and was dragged back to the stage. Slinging my acoustic guitar strap over my shoulder I looked at Mom and Aunt Paula as they animatedly chatted together as I started to play a familiar guitar riff and watched them fall silent, turn and look at me with astonishment in both their eyes. 

Where it began...

The entire bar joined in on the chorus. I ended the song holding the last note, feeling all the emotion I had in the words. The crowd erupted again with Charlie, Jane, Mom and Aunt Paula as my head cheerleaders. As I stepped off the stage Mom dashed across the dance floor and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Laughing she slipped her arm through mine as we walked back to our table. As I took my chair, Mom tapped me on my shoulder; I was looking away when she sat on my lap. Instantly I felt my cock instantly harden and push up against her ass. Mom continued to laugh and chat to Uncle Bob and Aunt Paula without missing a beat.

Becca was next up on stage and started to sing Carrie Underwood's Last Night. 

Last Night I got served...

Luckily I was saved as Mom jumped up and dragged me up on to the dance floor. Becca seamlessly flowed from Carrie Underwood into Taylor Swift's 'You belong to me'. Mom and I danced to both of Becca's songs. 

My night wasn't over as Becca was asked on stage for one more song; this time she dragged me along with her. I whispered in her ear and received a wicked smile. We quickly passed word to the rest of the band. The crowd fell silent as Becca started to play the familiar intro.

Imagine there's no heaven...

Breens fell silent and reverberated with our voices through the entire song. Part way through our next number I noticed that Uncle Bob was dancing with Mom, or maybe a more accurate description would be swaying in the spot; Aunt Paula was dancing with a guy who was vaguely familiar, whilst Jane and Charlie were both up there too; a couple of guys had asked them to dance. At the end of the song Becca and I were done. If nothing more we had aced the assignment, but we had both got more from the night. We stepped off the stage to a thunderous applause and wild cheering we walked over to where everyone waited for us. Uncle Bob was the first, welcoming me with a handshake, only to pull me into an embrace. 

"What you did tonight took a lot of guts. Your Aunt Paula and I are damned proud of you." Aunt Paula grabbed me next, enveloping me in a bear hug. It took all my energy to breathe. 

"Uncle Bob, help."

Uncle Bob started laughing, "You made her cry, so you make her stop."

Jane and Charlie were queuing up and he took pity on them, taking Aunt Paula from me. Jane jumped me first and Charlie, impatient to get in on the act made it three. Finally I looked for Mom. She was there, her eyes were shining. 

"Hey, have you got one of those for me?" she teased.

"Scootch on over here," I answered. Mom giggled, moved across the narrow distance that separated us and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of you tonight," she said quietly and personally. Pushing back she spoke in a louder voice.

"When Becca and Charlotte appeared we knew that you must have seen us sneak in."

"Becca's mom didn't happen to mention tonight to you and Aunt Paula when you were at the gym last Friday then?" At first Mom looked confused and then he face soften as she realised that she had been set up.

"I am so going to get you for this." I laughed, which only earned me a poke in the ribs. I laughed and wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Am I still your girl?"

"For as long as you are wearing my hat." I answered. 

Becca shouted for me to get back on stage. She actually said, "Wash, get your ass back up on this stage right now." The whole room erupted with laughter and then into cheers. Jumping on stage I looked at Becca and without a word she started to play her keyboards. We finally stopped performing at midnight, our last song was Sweet Caroline and the whole room sang along with us.

I had arrived with Becca and Charlie but drove the minivan home, making a detour on the way to drop Uncle Bob and Aunt Paula off at their house. I was still buzzing when we arrived home but Mom was emotionally exhausted. As expected Dad was home when we returned and had already retired to bed; he had an early tee time the next morning. Being honest I wasn't that put out. We didn't have a typical father/son relationship; Mom was the one who sat down with me each night as I did my homework. It was Mom that taught me how to look after myself, I can launder my own clothes, but, hell, don't tell Becca or I'll never live it down; she also taught me how to ride a bike and how to swim in Aunt Paula's pool. Mom had been the one to sit at my bedside when things were really bad during my rehab. 

Dad was noticeable by his distance. At first it bothered me but not that much anymore. It was one of the subjects that I had brought up with Mom but she explained that he was busy at work. It was the first time in my knowing that Mom had lied to me; I never asked her that question again.

I shook the strange thoughts of my father out of my head as I half carried and half walked Mom upstairs to her room. I watched as she sat on the end of her bed; Mom and dad had slept in separate beds for the last couple of years. I couldn't sleep and headed downstairs.

"Honey?" The sound of Mom's voice took me by surprise and I jumped in the chair. Mom let out a little giggle and all at my expense.

"Hey, watch it," I said before turning towards the door to the hallway. Watching was exactly what I was doing.

When I saw her standing there I was stunned into silence by the sight of her standing there in a halo of light. The light from the stairs had made her cotton nightdress opaque. I could see the dark sweep of her waist through the fullness of her hips and along the slender sculpted slope of her legs. My eyes swiftly move up to her breast. They were unrestrained, her nipples pushing against the light cotton. I could see the dark circles of her areola. God, my Mom had the most wonderfully perfect breasts. I lowered my eyes and then instantly saw the dark shadow at the junction of Mom's inner thighs. I suddenly felt pain in my groin and the imminent need to adjust my hardening cock. 

Mom just stood there.

"I'm too wired to sleep," I said to explain. Turning away I quickly adjusted my cock. The pain eased and I felt my cock grow even harder. I have porn; hell, every normal guy my age has some stashed away, on as hard drive and under a secret filename. I had a selection of material, I will admit. I didn't need it now. I had something better, something real, something that was mine to keep in my mind.

"I was wondering if your offer to go riding with you tomorrow is still open."

"Sure," I said a little too enthusiastically.

"Then we should get some sleep; don't you think" I nodded. 

Mom stood there for a few moments longer. "You made me so proud tonight." 

"You make me proud every day," I answered and then felt the heat of embarrassment start to rise in my cheeks as I realised what I had just said.

Moms smiled softly, "We don't need to start out too early, do we?"

I shook my head and laughed, "No."

I suddenly had a flash of an idea. "I was thinking that we could head over to Denman and ride up to the waterfall."

Mom nodded as I spoke. "It sounds good to me. I'll see you in the morning Honey."

"Good night Mom."

"Good night Honey."

I watched her turn and instantly became mesmerised by the ebb and flow of her butt as she started walking up the stairs. She must have known that I was watching her as she seemed to have a tush push as she climbed each step. If Mom's breast were perfect her ass was sublime. I closed my eyes and watched replay after replay of Mom's ass moving beneath the sheer nightdress.

~

I woke later than usual to find sunlight flooding into my room the following morning. My bedside alarm flashed 08:10 into my brain. Rising I showered and dressed in my usual biking gear. Heading downstairs I could hear Mom moving about in the in the kitchen. 

"Morning," I yawned suddenly. Mom laughed.

"Good Morning to you too, Mr Sleepy Head." I shook my head in horror as memories of when I was five appeared before me. Mom was one of the morning people.

We breakfasted on oatmeal and OJ. After breakfast I fixed the bike carrier to the minivan and secured both bikes. Mom had changed from her denims and a blouse to black cycling shorts and a bright yellow and grey Lycra riding top. Returning inside I grabbed my pack containing tools, puncture repair kits, a map, a small med-kit, my cell and a compass. Mom was waiting at the van. We chatted about nothing in particular during the ride to Denman. There were six cars in the parking lot at the foot of the trail to the waterfall when we arrived. Before we set off I went over the three trails that we could take up to the falls. We headed along the blue trail, it was longer as it followed the valley around the mountain and the gradients were easier. The Black Trail was my usual route.

I let Mom set the pace as we rode side by side. A couple of time we came across other riders and I pulled ahead slightly until we passed and then fell back to ride alongside, with Mom on my right. The ride started off gently with a smooth climb before flattening out as it cut along the edge of the tree line along the north side of the valley. Our ride was accompanied by the sound of the fast flowing Den River in the valley below. 

Denman and the Den River were both named after the first family of settlers to enter the valley and stay. A few house soon bloomed into a small town that flourished when the sudden housing boom required timber. As Denman was built on the timber industry Billington grew around the tractor plant. Later the Montana Forestry Commission located itself at the small regional airport. During the summer months Billington airport rivalled Detroit and Pittsburgh for flight movements, with hundreds of water bombing aircraft and helicopters landing and taking off each day.

You can hear the thunder of the waterfalls before they came into sight. The sound rumbled inside. You are still a mile and half away when you first spot the cascades through the trees. Mom slowed as she saw the rainbow created by the sunlight and spray.

"Quick, make a wish," I said.

"I'm way ahead of you," she answered. Mom pushed away and a few seconds passed before I set off after her. I could hear her humming and only as I drew closer did I recognise the tune. I sang along with her in my mind. My mind replayed random thoughts from the previous night. The sound of Mom's tune brought back images of Aunt Paula dancing with Sean. I knew him. I know that I've met him. Slowly it dawned on me. Not where but with who. The last half a mile to the waterfall was downhill and Mom pulled away as I coasted down the slope. She was already off her bike and looking up at the cascade as I slowed and pulled to a stop. We stayed for thirty minutes before headed back along a different trail which took us down to the river. In all, the ride took just under three hours as we stopped several times on the return.

Turning into Summerhill we were chatting when I suddenly lost all trace of thought on what we were talking about and fell silent. Sitting in the passenger seat Mom gave an involuntary giggle as she look at the shocked expression on my face. I stared at my truck that was not as expected, sitting in Uncle Bob's workshop, but was parked in the driveway. It looked even better than I ever imagined.

"Surprise," Mom said, breaking me from my trance.

I was in a trance as I unloaded the bikes and then cleaned and serviced them ready for the next time. All the while I went outside to check that it wasn't a dream. I was just finishing when Mom shouted.

"Honey, Becca's on the phone." I hurried inside. Mom had answered the kitchen extension and hung around as I chatted to Becca. I could see that she was only hearing half of the conversation.

"OK, I'll see you at seven. Catch you later."

"Are you going out?" I detected a hint of disappointment in Mom's voice.

"I got a date," I announced and then ran upstairs. Forty minutes later I was back in the kitchen. Mom took one look at me and smiled. I was wearing my favourite white cotton shirt, tan chinos, boots and had a white bandana to mask the scars at the open collar.

"You're date is a lucky girl," she said and then glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only sex-thirty. "You're a little early, don't you think?"

I laughed, "I'll park up outside her house and honk the horn. I'll give her twenty minutes and if she's not ready by then I'll go to dinner on my own."

Mom laughed, "Becca won't like that."

I smiled, "I won't be late."

"Have a nice time Honey," Mom wished me. I saw the sadness in her eyes when I kissed her cheek.

Hurrying to my truck I sat in the driver's seat for a moment to take in the smell of new upholstery. The engine fired first time and ran like a dream. Shifting the selector into gear I gave Mom a wave as I reversed down the driveway into the street. It was a short drive but I took a few wrong turns as I started to get the feel of my new wheels. I pulled up out front of her house and smiled to myself as I honked the horn twice. I saw a curtain move in an upstairs window and set for a wait.

My date appeared twenty two minutes later. If I was a betting man I'd wager that she had been ready at least five minutes and was just making a point. Her appearance stole my breath and forced me to look twice. She was wearing an LBD I can't remember seeing her in a dress before. It caressed her figure from the slope from her breast across the sweep of her flat stomach to the flair of her hips. It came to mid thigh showing off her perfect legs. I didn't need to see the rest to know how it fit her butt. She carried a small purse and a shawl over her arm. She looked awesome. Sliding from the driver's seat I hurried around to the passenger side and opened the door.

"You look absolutely..." I had momentary brain freeze. I know Mom age but she looked ten years younger and even younger when I looked into her eyes. "Wow!"

She smiled, "thank you." She said breathlessly. "That is probably the best compliment ever."

"I was being honest," I answered.

"That's why it's the best."

There is a knack to climbing into a car or even a truck when wearing a short dress. If I asked my Math teacher it would be all about geometry, you know angles and that BS. She should have explained the leg flash to every teenage guy in that classroom; we would have nailed that year's paper.

She put her butt on the edge of the tan leather seat, raised her legs and twisted. As she did so her dress slid up her smooth tanned legs. My eyes bugged out of my head when I saw the edge of her pants. They were sheer, white and lace. Instantly I felt my cock grow. Hurrying back around to the driver's side I climbed aboard. I was smiling to myself as I started the engine.

"A girl need time to get ready for a date," she said quietly.

"You couldn't look more awesome if you had had all day." I suddenly felt the flush and heat of embarrassment rising in my throat.

"My date doesn't look bad either," she said. "So, where are we going?"

We were going to the Jade Garden in the Quadrant. The Quadrant was four square blocks to the south of the town square where, seven years ago, cars were prohibited. Soon it became a thriving venue for restaurants, diners, galleries and shops. The Jade Garden was a particular favourite of mine and Mom's.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

Finding a parking spot on a Saturday evening usually took ten or so minutes. We dropped on lucky as we spotted a car reversing out of a spot as we turned in. She waited for me to open her door. I was gifted with another glimpse of her perfect tanned legs as she climbed out of the passenger seat. I felt her slip her arm through mine as we headed into the Quadrant. She leaned in closer.

"Just in case I forget, I really enjoyed myself tonight and I'd like a second date, real soon. But don't have any ideas that you are going to get lucky. I'm not one of those girls."




Defying Gravity Ch. 02



I slowed, dragging her back as she kept hold of my arm. A worried look fell across her face at my reaction. 

"I wouldn't have asked you to go out if you were." We stood there for several seconds just looking into each other's eyes.

"We should be getting along before we get a towed." She smiled and surprised me when I caught the hint of colour in her cheeks.

I savoured the feeling of the closeness I possessed as we walked through the Quadrant. Mom, wearing her heels, could look me dead in the eyes and as she talked she held my eye contact just a fraction longer each time. The Jade Garden was across the street from Rossi's. As we entered Main Street my date instinctively turned right towards Rossi's. A group of us had been there many times and in a way it was our place.

"You're going the wrong way," I said, nodding towards the Jade Garden. Her eyes lit up.

"You're spoiling me," she leaned closer and whispered.

"I am and you'd better remember it." She gave me a warning look. "Besides you are worth it."

"So right you are!" Two could play that game. I knew it and she did too. We laughed as one.

Entering the restaurant we were showed to a small, secluded table in a quiet corner of the room. When the front of house manager departed we exchanged a look. A waiter appeared and we ordered mineral water.

She smiled softly. "I was surprised when you asked me out. I didn't think that you'd noticed me last night."

"I definitely noticed you," I answered. 

"I wasn't so sure about you, especially when I saw you with your three girlfriends. I thought you might be a player."

"I don't think so, not with a face like this," I said suddenly and then bowed my head in shame.

I felt a soft cool hand caress my scared cheek. "It's a kind face. It's a nice face. I think that it's a beautiful face. Please don't hide it."

I look up. Mom's eyes were filled with compassion.

"Last night was so crazy I didn't even ask you your name," I said slowly.

"Katherine though most people call me Kate," she answered.

I paused.

"So, how are we doing so far Katherine?" I saw her shiver as I called her by her name. Only Grandpa Jones called Mom by her given name.

"So far so good," she answered. "You were called Wash last night, is that your login name or something?"

I shook my head, "I got the name back in junior high. There were two Dan Carters in my grade so I became DC. Then this guy called Ryan started calling me Wash, after Washington DC. I prefer to be called Daniel."

"Daniel," Mom said quietly to herself.

"They're not my girl friends," I said suddenly. "Becca, Jane and Charlie are girls and they are really good friends but they are not my girlfriends. Becca is my best friend; that is after my Mom. She's my hero."

"She's a lucky girl."

"No, it's lucky me. She spent every hour in the hospital at my bed side. She even had the nurses put a mattress in my room. That is something that I will never forget or be able to repay."

We were silent for a moment.

"I think that you should know that I have a boyfriend."

I closed my eyes and shook my head, "You should have told me that before. I'll take you home."

Mom tilted her head to one side. "Before you do perhaps you should know that agreeing to go on a second date makes the guy sitting across the table my boyfriend." A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.

"You're still not going to get lucky mister."

The waiter took that moment to arrive at our table. We ordered a selection of dim sum. Mom was still looking at me as the waiter moved away.

"I have to be home by midnight." I nodded.

"It's the same for me too."

The waiter arrived with a half dozen small bamboo baskets. He laced them on the table between us and explained each dish as he removed the lid from each basket. A second waiter arrived with the deep fried dim sum, spring rolls and a platter of Szechuan ribs.

"Did we order all this," I said once the waiters had departed our table.

I took care in placing the chopsticks in my right hand. I knew that Mom was looking on with interest. This was the test I had given myself after leaving hospital. I had surprised the nurses, doctors and even Mom by announcing that I would only be happy with my recovery when I could hold chopsticks and eat a complete banquet. They had expected me to mention playing the guitar.

I took care as I lifted a small prawn dumpling, dipped it into a small bowl of soy and lifted up to Mom's lips. She bit into the delicate pastry. I ate the other piece.

"I could get use to this," announced Mom. I nodded. The dumpling was as good as the last time that I remembered.

"So, tell me about your music. Who do you like?"

I thought for a moment. "I like songs rather than artists or bands." I mentioned Glenn Miller, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. My mention of the Black Eyed Peas and Rhianna came as a surprise.

"So what's your favourite song?"

"Of all time?" Mom nodded. "Louis Armstrong, we've got all the time in the world."

She was quiet for a moment. "Why didn't you sing it last night?"

I was thoughtful for a moment. "It's private. To me it's a love song to be shared with only one person, not with an audience of strangers."

"Would you sing it for me?"

"Yes." I bit into a spring roll. A sudden burst of fresh chillies brought tears to my eyes.

"So what music do you like?"

"I like Country music, but not the real depressing stuff about dying dogs and heart break. I liked some of the rat pack stuff too." I knew that she and Aunt Paula liked Sweet Caroline; it held good memories from them both.

"If you can guess what my favourite song is you might get a kiss goodnight."I let it tumble over in my mind.

"So, this second date, it would be ok with me if you chose something that you like doing," I said.

"I can choose anything, and you'll go along with it?" I nodded. "In that case one of us may be thinking of a third date."

"Does that mean that we're going steady?"

"We'll see." I lifted the last prawn dumpling and saw it snatched from my grasp. Mom had a wicked look of triumph in her eyes. I started to hum. At first it was in my mind but I soon realised that I was thinking aloud.

MmmmmmMmmmmmmMmmmmmm. Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high. 

There was a flash in her eyes. It was fleeting and undecipherable. As I sang I watched Mom's eyes glance away and I realised that the restaurant had fallen silent. I didn't stop singing. More than that, I couldn't stop myself either. When I finished I opened my eyes and found Mom was crying.

"Hey," I said quickly, reaching out to take her hand in mine. Mom held on.

"It's OK," she said. "They are happy tears." I looked at her, concern still etched on my face. I had made her cry too many times.

"Honey that was beautiful, thank you."

"I make you cry too much." My soul felt heavy in my chest.

"Yes but you make me happier than I deserve to be." Mom smiled. "I'm fit to burst. I can't eat another thing." We had made a sizeable dent on the food that had been laid out for us.

Looking up I caught the waiter's eye and signalled for the bill. The front of house manager appeared at our table a couple of minutes later and informed me that the bill had been paid by another customer. I asked her to thank them once we have left. I knew that it was a private gesture. I pulled $20 from my wallet and left it as a tip for the service.

Outside we stood for a few moments each to our own thoughts. It was still only 22:00 and a perfect late May evening.

I smiled. "Would you like to go for a walk?"

Mom slipped her shawl around her shoulders and then slipped her arm through mind. As her hand moved down my arm she took hold of my hand. Our fingers interlaced together.

"Oh," she suddenly chuckled to herself. "I know what we are going to do for our next date."

When I heard her say, 'our next date' a strange buzz filled my brain sending a shiver running down my spine as the hairs on my neck sprang up.

"Now, don't ask me what it is because it wouldn't be a surprise."

"I wouldn't dream it."

"Liar," she retorted.

We walked along Main Street and stopped every so often to look in the windows of the boutique stores lining both side of the street. As we came upon a small delicatessen that was just preparing to close for the evening we went inside and bought the last remaining cheesecake. We strolled back to the parking lot. 

I unlocked the passenger door and held it open for Mom to climb inside. I was gifted with another glimpse of white lace. Only this time I was sure that I could see a faint shadow where the delicate material had formed along the fold of her pussy. I pushed the door to and walked around to the driver's side as if walking on air. Opening the door I was surprised to find that Mom had slid across the bench seat to sit in the middle.

I fastened my restraint and then checked that Mom had hers fastened. The back of my hand grazed across the curve of her stomach. There was a moment when her hand rested on mine and then the spell was broken when the sound of laughter filled the cab. Glancing over my shoulder I spotted two couple standing next to a Lexus SUV. I recognised them and knew that it was time to leave. I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. AS we headed home Mom moved closer, leaning against me. Her hand moved to rest on my leg. I felt her finger curl around my leg to caress my inner thigh. I was conscious of her hand for the entire ride home.

I pulled up behind the minivan. I switched off the engine and we sat in silence. I climbed out but strolled to the passenger side to open the door for Mom. I was once again treated to the sight of her sculpted legs. I'm sure that she knew that I was looking. Following her inside I closed and locked the front door and then stopped. I fell against the door with Mom was standing only four steps away at the bottom of the stairs. She closed the gap between us in five easy steps.

Looking deep into my eyes she reached up and cradled my scarred face in the soft palm of her hand. Instinct took over and I turned my face slightly and kissed the flesh between her thumb and first finger. Her voice was no more than a whisper.

"It's a kind face."

I raised my eyes and looked deep into Mom's bottomless green eyes.

"It's a nice face."

There was wonderment in her features.

"It's a beautiful face."

Mom moved silently on to her toes and kissed me softly on the lips. My mind went blank and my lips felt like lumps of dough. Just as she started to break and pull away I reacted by nipping at her lips with mine and then returning the kiss.

I heard a moan. Mom's hand slid up my face until her fingers were entwined in my hair. My kiss eased and then I was once more hungry. I fed greedily. I was hungry for the taste of the woman who now held me in her hands.

My hands were circled around Mom's waist. I started to trail my right hand up along her spine, feeling her skin beneath the material of her dress. My fingers caught on her bra strap and settled there. My other hand headed south and settled on the upper curve of her ass. Her butt was solid and exquisite. Mom's hand slipped from my face and covered the hand resting on her butt. She didn't make any attempt to move it.

Mom pulled my head down and then broke the kiss. I opened my eyes slowly. Mom was breathless, her chest heaving for control.

"I had the best time in a long, long time, Honey."

"Well, you have something to live up to next time."

"Next time," she repeated thoughtfully.

I looked at her for a second. Drawing her hand down my face she cradled my cheek. Leaning forward she kissed me softly on the lips. She tasted sweet, of strawberries and citrus.

"I love you Daniel."

"I love you too."

A soft smile appeared on her lips, drawing my eyes down and my mind into making wishes. Her soft touch on my chin brought me back.

"Just you remember who said it first. Good Night, Honey. Don't stay up too late" I watched her walk to the stairs where she paused for a second to look back over her shoulder.

"Have you any plans for Friday?

I nodded. I saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes. "I have a date."

3

"Danny, turn on your laptop. You're on You Tube!"

I had finished in the garage when I heard the screech of tyres out front and went to investigate. Becca was scrambling out of her Volkswagen Beetle; she tripped, stumbled and ran a few steps before regaining her balance. I heard a scream of laughter and realised that it was Becca laughing at herself. The instant she saw me she yelled that I was on You Tube.

"Becca, what are you going on about?"

"I'm talking about you, singing." I stared at her. "If you don't believe me then take a look for yourself."

Becca shoved her cell too close to my face. The image was blurred. The sound was distorted, but it was me. I knew the when and I knew the where. The words of the song started playing in my head.

"You're famous," Becca squealed.

"What's all the noise," Mom asked. Hearing the commotion she had walked around the side of the house. "Oh, it's you Becca. Are you staying for dinner?"

"Miss Kate," Becca was shouting with excitement. "Danny's on You Tube."

Mom took hold of Becca's cell and moved it to where she could clearly see the images. I was standing on the small stage at Breens. Becca could be seen behind her keyboard. 

I was watched them closely and then Mom's eyes moved to look directly at me. I felt as if she could see through me with the intensity of her stare. Her face softened and she smiled. I wondered if the awkwardness between us had gone. 



Defying Gravity Ch. 03



2... 

Looking deep into my eyes she reached up and cradled my scarred face in the soft palm of her hand. Instinct took over and I turned my face slightly and kissed the flesh between her thumb and first finger. Her voice was no more than a whisper.

"It's a kind face."

I raised my eyes and looked deep into Mom's bottomless green eyes.

"It's a nice face."

There was wonderment in her features.

"It's a beautiful face."

Mom moved silently on to her toes and kissed me softly on the lips. My mind went blank and my lips felt like lumps of dough. Just as she started to break and pull away I reacted by nipping at her lips with mine and then returning the kiss.

I heard a moan. Mom's hand slid up my face until her fingers were entwined in my hair. My kiss eased and then I was once more hungry. I fed greedily. I was hungry for the taste of the woman who now held me in her hands.

My hands were circled around Mom's waist. I started to trail my right hand up along her spine, feeling her skin beneath the material of her dress. My fingers caught on her bra strap and settled there. My other hand headed south and settled on the upper curve of her ass. Her butt was solid and exquisite. Mom's hand slipped from my face and covered the hand resting on her butt. She didn't make any attempt to move it.

Mom pulled my head down and then broke the kiss. I opened my eyes slowly. Mom was breathless, her chest heaving for control.

"I had the best time in a long, long time, Honey."

"Well, you have something to live up to next time."

"Next time," she repeated thoughtfully.

I looked at her for a second. Drawing her hand down my face she cradled my cheek. Leaning forward she kissed me softly on the lips. She tasted sweet, of strawberries and citrus.

"I love you Daniel."

"I love you too."

A soft smile appeared on her lips, drawing my eyes down and my mind into making wishes. Her soft touch on my chin brought me back.

"Just you remember who said it first. Good Night, Honey. Don't stay up too late" I watched her walk to the stairs where she paused for a second to look back over her shoulder.

"Have you any plans for Friday?

I nodded. I saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes. "I have a date."

3

"Danny, turn on your laptop. You're on You Tube!"

I had finished in the garage when I heard the screech of tyres out front and went to investigate. Becca was scrambling out of her Volkswagen Beetle; she tripped, stumbled and ran a few steps before regaining her balance. I heard a scream of laughter and realised that it was Becca laughing at herself. The instant she saw me she yelled that I was on You Tube.

"Becca, what are you going on about?"

"I'm talking about you, singing." I stared at her. "If you don't believe me then take a look for yourself."

Becca shoved her cell too close to my face. The image was blurred. The sound was distorted, but it was me. I knew the when and I knew the where. The words of the song started playing in my head.

"You're famous," Becca squealed.

"What's all the noise," Mom asked. Hearing the commotion she had walked around the side of the house. "Oh, it's you Becca. Are you staying for dinner?"

"Miss Kate," Becca was shouting with excitement. "Danny's on You Tube."

Mom took hold of Becca's cell and moved it to where she could clearly see the images. I was standing on the small stage at Breens. Becca could be seen behind her keyboard. 

I watched them closely and then Mom's eyes moved to look directly at me. I felt as if she could see through me with the intensity of her stare. Her face softened and she smiled. I wondered if the awkwardness between us had gone.

It didn't. Even with Becca staying until after dinner Mom was distant. By the end of the evening the clip had multiplied into a dozen and there had been close on one hundred thousand hits.

The following Monday morning it was as if nothing had happened; breakfast was as it always had been. We chatted. Mom asked if I was working late. Then I headed off to school. Things changed that lunchtime. I sensed something when I caught several students who I had never met or spoken to before greet me as I headed to the cafeteria. The buzz in the room fell silent as I entered. I sought out a friendly face and found Becca sitting with her friends. The tale was crowded. I wanted space. I needed quiet. Turning away I headed to the music studio. Taking lunch into the studio was against regulations but there was a back room we sometimes used. I hadn't sat down before my cell started to vibrate. I checked the caller-ID before answering.

"Hey Jane," I answered.

"Danny."

"That would be me," I laughed. Jane did too.

"Danny, I need a favour. Can you come over to the hospital after school?" The question threw me.

"I can, but you'll have to give me more than that?"

Jane was silent for a few moments. "You know that I'm on rotation in the burns unit at the hospital..." I knew that a boot was about to drop. "Well I was wondering if you'd come and talk to one of my patients."

"I don't know what good I can do," I answered finally.

"Danny, please think about it."

I assured her that I would and only when I agreed to meet her in the hospital cafeteria after school did she hang up. I made a call to Uncle Bob asking if I could start an hour later. I told him why and asked him to keep it to himself. The afternoon passed without drama and I found Jane already waiting for me when I arrived.

"Thanks for doing this," greeted Jane.

"I haven't agreed to do anything yet." I wasn't prepared to tell her that I was almost certain that I would.

Jane fell quiet and started me wondering how well she knew me.

"Tell me about this patient." Jane's face exploded just as I've seen Mom's do many, many times. Amy had suffered from burn injuries as I had after another stupid prank had gone stupidly wrong. Hearing her story brought back the pain and anger.

"What do you expect me to do?"

"I just want you to be yourself."

I started to shake my head. "Jane, give me a break here. You're a nurse. You know what to do, how to act."

Jane reached across the table.

"I'm sorry. I just thought...I don't know what I thought."

"You want me to talk to this girl?" I asked. Jane nodded. "What is she in to?"

"She's an Orioles fan."

Baseball; now that was a big oh no. I know nothing. Where most kids can reel off the batting averages of every player current and past I struggled knowing the names of which city went with each team.

"What else?"

"She saw the video from Friday night." My head jerked up. Jane didn't falter. "She recognised me at the end."

I now knew how two and two made four. The video showed Jane and Charlie standing at the front of the stage as they screamed, cheered and whooped for joy.

"When were you thinking of doing this?"

"The sooner the better." Jane looked at me for several seconds as she waited for an answer. 

I had to leave to start my shift but assured Jane that I would call her with my answer the following day. Retrieving my bike from the staff bike rack on the south side of the hospital I easily slid on to the saddle and started riding through the parking lot. 

Thoughts started tumbling through my mind. I wanted to talk things through with Mom. Work was a hit and miss affair. It was busy for the first couple of hours and then died off. There were no customers for the last half hour. As soon as Uncle Bob showed up we closed for the night, just leaving the automated, 24-hour pumps switched on. I cycled home with my thoughts arranged in my mind.

Mom was in the kitchen when I arrived home. Hearing the garage door she stepped out on to the deck as I turned the corner of the house. Immediately I noticed that she favoured her left leg.

"I've ordered Chinese," she said in greeting. "It's in the oven."

I nodded and looked at her. She was limping as she walked forward. I hurried up the steps to the deck. 

"What happened to your leg?"

"I fell down stairs," she replied. "I'm ok."

"The hell you are," I answered fiercely. Mom had injured her knee, elbow, shoulder and her back. I slipped my hand around her waist as she limped back into the kitchen. She explained that she had slipped down the last five steps and landed in a heap on the hallway floor. She had hurt her butt, her shoulder and somehow had banged her knee on the way down. Mom insisted that I eat. We sat together. I didn't let her know that I noticed her wince as she sat at the table. I served the take-out. I suspected that we both had lost our appetites as we both went through the motions on auto-pilot. We didn't eat even half, so I put the containers in the refrigerator. They would nuke later, if we were hungry by then.

"OK, let me take a look." Mom looked at me and then started to gain her feet. She openly winced and I felt the sharp pain lancing through her body. There was no argument when I insisted that we head upstairs. I had a med kit in my room; Jane had helped me put together a compact but comprehensive kit that contained the things that I would most likely need had I taken a tumble. It was for just such emergencies but when I was out on the trail. Mom sat on the end of the bed. She was worryingly quiet.

"Mom," I started to say. "Let me see where you're hurt."

I was about to stop her from standing when she started to rise but stopped when her hands reached for the hem of her sweater. She tried to tug the sweater free from her waist but failed. Undeterred she unsnapped the button on her denims. Slipping her thumbs over the waist band she pushed them off her hips. They caught and settled at her hips, revealing the tops of her butt clothed in black silk. I would recollect that I became aware for the first time that Mom's underwear clung to her skin but my eyes were taking in the dark bruising spreading from her hip, across her back and upward beneath her sweater.

I moved forward and took her hands in mine. "I can see that it hurts to move."

I dropped to my knees and tugged the legs of her denims until the waistband had fallen to her knees. Rising I eased her back. She sat without protest.

"I need to remove your sweater." I looked into her eyes. "OK?"

She tried to smile. I saw her wince as she raised her arms. Her left arm hung lower than her right. I grasped the hem of her sweater and pulled it up over her stomach, from the swell of her black lace encased breasts and finally along her arms. Her head appeared followed by a raven waterfall of hair.

Mom was beautiful but my eyes could only see the bruising. She lowered her left arm to rest it across her lap. It was not modesty but comfort that brought about the act. Her right arm was pushed down against the bed to give her support. I folded her sweater and placed it on the floor by her feet. I gave her a reassuring smile and then took hold of her right foot. Raising her leg I pulled the leg of her denims free. I repeated the same act with the other leg of her denims only even more gently. 

Mom was now sitting on the end of my bed in only her bra and pants. It was the most beautiful and erotically fulfilling sight to behold. Her knees were apart and I could look along the flawless upsweep of her inner-thigh to her silk-clad pussy. My mind though was focussed. She was hurt. Mom was vulnerable. Sitting so close was the only person who had sat with me when I needed help.

I quickly look at the abrasions on her knee, shoulder and elbow. I could still see small fragments of gravel and dirt in the wounds. The wounds needed irrigating. I had several saline vials in the med kit and a dozen antiseptic wipes. First, I needed to get her into the shower.

"This will help ease the aches."

I reached down and help her rise to her feet. She immediately went to remove her pants. I stopped her as she was just hooking her thumb over the string running over her hips. I knew that there was no better chance to see her naked but not like this. I dashed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. When I turned around she was standing behind me. I knew that the moment she stepped under the cascade of water the pain would lance through every nerve cell in her body. I held her hand as she stepped under the shower. As she entered she slipped and started to fall. I stepped behind her and caught her around the waist. I felt her lean against me and took her weight in my arms.

I wasn't aware of the water as it ran down my face.

"Honey," Mom said, breaking me from my silence. "I think that you're supposed to get undressed before taking a shower."

I laughed. It was infectious but short lived.

"I'm starting to feel better; the hot water feels good but you'll have to help with washing me."

"OK," I replied quietly. "Let me just get out of these things." My clothes felt as if they weighed 50 lbs. I stepped out of the stall and quickly kicked off my sneakers, shirt and denims. I stepped back into the shower wearing a pair of shorts, made translucent by the water.

I stepped back under the hot shower. Putting my hand supportively on Mom's waist I reached around her and grabbed the soap and a face cloth. I soon had a good lather on the cloth. I started on Mom's good shoulder. She jumped at my touch but quickly settled back against me; reaching back with her right hand she placed her hand on my hip.

"Yell if I hurt you," I said.

"I'll do more than yell," Mom answered through gritted teeth. I felt her fingers grip the flesh at my hip.

Re-soaping the face cloth I moved down her back. Taking care as I washed the small of her back where the bruising started. I could see a darker line across the centre of the heaviest bruising. I knew that it was an impact wound. My hands moved down her left thigh and then her right. When I looked up I was inches from her butt and, just at that moment, I had the greatest urge to just lean forward and caress her silk-clad butt with my lips. I stood suddenly letting the hot water cascade across her back, rinsing away the soap.

"You missed a bit," said a quiet voice.

"Where?" I ask some really dumb-ass questions still.

"Well, see if you can figure it out," Mom replied. "You've done my back half; so that means that you have missed?"

"I guess that I missed a big bit."

"Hey, watch it mister." I was doing exactly that without bidding. "Are you calling me fat?"

"Mom, you are anything but!"

"You just remember that when I am fat." I wanted to laugh but didn't.

I re-soaped the face-cloth. When I raised my head I found her watching me with an intensity I had never seen before. Raising her right hand she placed it on my shoulder. I started washing her arm and then across her shoulder and chest, making sure that I kept clear of her breast, just grazing the upper slopes with trepidation. If Mom had any disappointment it didn't show in her eyes. I washed her stomach and then knelt down to wash her legs. I took care to wash her left knee. I could see that she had also had a crack on the lower part of her thigh and the bruising had spread through her knee. 

I started to rise; all the while I looked into her eyes knowing that at any moment I could glance at her pussy or breasts and that would be it. Mom placed her hands on my hips and stood with her eyes closed. Rivers of water cascaded down her face to fall on her breasts.

"Wait here whilst I get the towels."

We fell silent. The only sound was the rushing water from the shower. I stepped around her and went in search of fresh towels. Leaving a trail of splashes on the carpet I returned with two large bath towels and Mom's towelling bathrobe. I quickly stripped off my shorts and towelled myself dry; wrapping the towel around my waist. Then holding up the other towel I waited. As Mom stepped out she turned and I wrapped her in the soft fleece towel.

Unlike when I dried off I took extra care patting Mom dry, just pushing the towelling against her bruised skin. Pulling away the towel I grabbed her robe and slipped it over her shoulders.

"You missed a bit."

I frowned.

Mom laughed.

"I'm still wearing my bra and pants."

I pulled her robe off her shoulders and draped it over the towel rail. Slowly reaching forward I slipped my fingers under the strap of her bra. Mom coughed softly.

"It fastens at the front."

I started to reach around. "It'll be easier if I do it. You just help me off with it."

The shoulder straps fell loose and I slipped my fingers under each one and removed it without causing pain. I grabbed her robe and held it so that she could slip her arms into the sleeves. Taking the belt in my hands I tied it around her waist.

I guess that she was about to speak when I slipped my hands under the hem of the robe. I trailed along her outer thighs and then across her hips until I felt the silk beneath my fingers. Mom's skin was on fire. I slipped my fingers and thumbs under the waistband. The silk slid easily and I felt my thumbs caress the soft skin of Mom's butt. That single sense of touch was instantly burned into my mind. The pants slid down her legs and Mom casually stepped out of them. I picked them up and tossed them to lie on top of her bra in my laundry basket. 

I dried her butt and her back. Mom coughed. I knew what it meant. Stepping forward I reach around her and placed my hands on the flat of her stomach. Slowly I moved upward to cradle her breast in my hands. Mom leaned back against me and I heard a soft moan. Mistakenly thinking that I was hurting her I released my hold. 

"Did I hurt you?" I asked in reflex.

"No," she answered softly. "I feel much better thanks to you."

"Jane gave me some cream that will help with the bruising. If you get on the bed I'll put some on your shoulder and back."

Mom nodded.

We moved into the bedroom and Mom sat on the side of the bed facing the window. Retrieving the cream from the med kit that was spread across my desk I turned back to the bed and stood in mesmerised silence as I stared at Mom's naked back. When my back was turned she had unfastened the belt from around her waist and slipped her arms from the sleeves to reveal her naked shoulders and back to me.

"This will be cold."

Mom jumped when I gently touched her shoulder. The cream would ease the ache but also help in healing. Moving down I tended to the bruising on her back. Instinctively I moved forward and kissed the soft flesh between her shoulders.

"What was that for?"

"I remember someone telling me that it makes you better."

I sensed that she was smiling as memories, good ones I hoped, flooded back. You believe everything your Mom tells you as a kid. If she had told me that the moon was made of green cheese I would have believed her. Mom kissed me and my bandages every morning, noon and night as I lay in the hospital.

I moved off the bed and stepped around to face her. There was a look of amusement in her eyes as she lifted the robe and held it across her chest. The amusement didn't leave her face as she watched as I knelt down on the floor and moved the side of her robe away to reveal her left leg. I applied cream to the bruise on her thigh and then bent down and kissed her knee.

"I bumped my face too."

I slowly raised my head. Rising slowly I placed the cream on the bed. Mom was as still as a leopard. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. 

Mom remained motionless.

"It wasn't there."

I kissed her nose.

"You're warmer but still pretty cool."

I shifted weight to my right knee. I let my lips linger as I kissed her jaw on her left side. I felt a shudder run through her body.

"Now you are colder."

I moved across her face and kissed her jaw on the right side of her face. Mom shuddered again only this time I felt it too.

"You are really cold."

I next kissed her chin, letting my lips linger as I tasted her flesh.

"Now, you are getting warmer."




Defying Gravity Ch. 03



I gave her a quizzical look.

"A clue would help."

Mom leaned forward and nipped my bottom lip between her teeth. 

"Oh! Is that where you're hurt?"

I kissed her soft lips and suddenly she was hungrily kissing me back. Parting my lips I fed on her hunger, returning her energy and vitality. I cradled her face in mine as we fed on each other. I probed further, running the tip of my tongue across her upper lip and back across her lower lip. Mom parried with her own tongue. I felt her fingers flutter across my bare chest.

My hands cradled each side of her face. I ran the tip of my forefinger around her ear and then started to caress her ear lobe. That's when I heard the low moan coming from deep inside her chest. Renewed she fiercely kissed, running her tongue over my teeth. I parried, pushing my tongues against hers. I was answered by a soft moan.

I felt Mom hook her fingers through my hair and then a trail of kisses as she traced the line of my jaw. Slowly, purposefully she kissed my scarred cheek.

"It's a kind face."

I closed my eyes.

"It's a nice face."

Her lips caressed my flesh.

"It's a beautiful face."

Her lips touched mine. Our tongues fought as we kissed. 

4...

Where or even when I could stand up in court and witness on oath but I've heard people tell of heart stopping moments. I didn't take it serious really. The slam of a door downstairs stopped mine. Mom jumped from the bed. She winced in pain as she slipped her arms into her robe. Had I been more alert I would have realised that she had been naked from the waist up as we were making out. Without a glance Mom hurried from my room.



Defying Gravity Ch. 04-05



4... 

I've heard people tell of heart stopping moments. I didn't take it as serious as I should really. The slam of a door downstairs stopped mine. Mom jumped from the bed. She winced in pain as she slipped her arms into her robe. Had I been more alert I would have realised that she had been naked from the waist up as we were making out. Without a glance Mom hurried from my room.

Footsteps trailed upstairs and then a door closed. I heard the door open and then voices coming from their room. Something within me made me exit my room and walk down the landing. I was heading towards their voices. As I closed on their room I realised what had triggered my actions. They were arguing.

"Get out!"

"This is my bedroom." I saw the shadows move across the landing.

"Then you can have it; I'll sleep in the spare room," Mom replied.

I was too late and standing on the landing when she burst out of the doorway. She came to a shuddering halt the instant she saw me. I don't know who was the more stunned. Dad appeared at the door. When he saw me his face fell.

"What's going on?" 

"This is between me and your mom," dad replied.

"Mom?"

"Just go back to your room Danny," she answered.

Dismissed and pissed, I turned away and walked back to my room. I closed and locked the door. Turning off the light I lay on top of the bed. Every sound in the house was magnified by my imagination. I heard a brief exchange of muted voices on the landing and then, first of two doors being closed loudly.

Sleep was hard to come by and I was showered, dressed and out of the house before either Mom or Dad had stirred. I didn't want to face either of them and was too early for class so headed to a local diner for breakfast. 

There were only a few dawn birds in the diner when I parked in the street out front. Most were from the plant. The family run diner hadn't changed in three generations as proved by the photographs of the original eatery hanging on the walls. I decided to sit at the counter instead of occupying one of the booths.

"I'll be right with you." Charlie's voice shocked me from my thoughts. I'd forgotten that she was covering for Becca the next two weeks as Becca had exams.

"No worries," I answered. My voice had the same effect on Becca's sister. Running on autopilot she knew that someone had entered the diner and was now sitting at the counter but had still concentrated on the customers' orders that she was serving. 

"Hey," she called out.

"Good Morning," I replied and smiled. Having served her customers she wandered along the counter. 

She said, "And a very good morning to you too."

I looked into her sparkling blue eyes. "Hi."

"Can I get you some coffee, or would you like tea?" 

"Tea would be good," I answered. Charlie dropped a bag in a cup, poured over hot water and then placed it on the counter before me. "I'd recommend the ham and eggs."

"OK."

"How do you want your eggs?"

"Scrambled," I replied.

"Would you like pancakes or toast?" Charlie asked

"I'll have whole wheat toast."

Charlie smiled. She looked at me for a second or two. "Is everything OK?"

I nodded. I'm not sure if she believed me. She disappeared into the kitchen. I heard her shout my order. Five minutes later she re-appeared carrying two plates loaded with ham, eggs and a side or of toast. A nod of her head indicated that I should follow. Charlie settled in the back-most booth. She placed both plates down and slid into the booth.

"Don't let it go cold."

"Yes Mom," I answered. I earned a glare.

We ate in silence. 

"Danny, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I answered between mouthfuls of ham. Inside, I wasn't as sure as I sounded.

"Would you like to go to the movies with me?"

"Sure...I mean, yes, I would like that."

Charlie smiled.

"We could go to Rossi for a pizza after," she hurried on. "Or we can eat before the movie; if you'd prefer?"

"That sounds like a date," I ventured.

"Is that a problem?" Her voice failed her.

"No," I replied. "Pizza and a movie is classic first date material."

"It is, isn't it?"

We chatted for the next five minutes and then Charlie's break was finished. I watched her at work for the next half hour and we exchanged a few words as she passed my booth.

"There's a new Johnny Depp movie on at the Mall," Charlie called out as I was leaving for school.

"OK." I said that I would call her after school.

"Hey Daniel," she called out as I was leaving. "Nice hair."

I nodded, "I'll tell my style guru that you like her work." 

Mom sent an IM at lunch. Finding her cell on the kitchen table, I had sent her a message before leaving the house that morning, knowing that she would only get the message once she had gone to the kitchen the start making dad's breakfast. I let her know that I would get breakfast out and that I would be late home as I was working. Her first message asked if I was ok. I replied yes and reminded her of my earlier message. 

Three minutes later my cell started to ring.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself," she answered. We were silent. "Danny, is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Damn it Danny, I'm talking about you and my sister going on a date."

"Is it OK?" I asked uncertainly and was greeted with loud laughter.

"OK," Becca screamed. "It's better than OK."

There was a moment of absolute quiet.

"Danny, did you think that me and you..." Becca's voice cracked and failed her.

"I..."

"Dan Carter, you are my best boyfriend, I love you but I'm not in love with you."

"I just..."

"Chillax," she yelled. "Charlie couldn't wait to tell me about you two going out on a date. She is so mad about this, it's unreal."

"She is?" I asked.

"Danny, she's been waiting for you to ask her out on a date since before you...."

I stared into nothingness. "Were burned?"

I heard Becca's sharp intake of breath. "Yes."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"She told me not to. I'll tell you this though; she would have said yes if you'd have asked her to go with you to the senior prom."

That single revelation had me stunned. It would be later, the more that I thought about it, that I understood more about why Becca had lead the revolt against Jane.

"Hey, are you still there?"

"But she was going out with that Dave guy," I croaked. I hadn't liked him since I was invited home by Becca one afternoon and found Charlie and her guy sunning themselves on the deck. He had come across as a serious buttfuck. 

"He was just a friend." No, I argued in my head, he was a buttfuck.

"You should have told me," I said finally.

"Danny, I just did. I'll also tell you this. If you hurt Charlie I'll chop off your dick and beat you with it." I swallowed as a very vivid image appeared in my mind.

I laughed. I heard Becca's laughter too.

"You wouldn't do much damage with it."

"That's not what I've been told."

"What?" I yelled.

"And don't be late picking her up." Becca cut the call. I could still hear her laughing from across town. I was late getting to my next class. 

I was easily able to swap shifts at the gas station; something that Uncle Bob turned a blind eye to just as long as the station was manned. There was no one home when I arrived. Leaving my bike in the garage I entered through the kitchen. The house was silent. I hurried to my room. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes for an hour. Waking I stared at the bedside alarm until the time pierced my brain. I was late. Quickly showering I headed out. Neither Mom nor dad was home when I left. 

I dialled Mom's cell but it was switched off. I left a voice mail message and added that she could call me any time. 

Charlie and Becca were sitting on the swing set on the front deck when I pulled up in the street outside their parents' home. Sliding from behind the wheel they were heading down the garden walk as I walked around the hood, arriving at the passenger door with just enough time to open the door.

"You're late," announced Becca.

"He's not," Charlie answered instantly and then turned to me. "Don't pay her any attention Daniel. You're not, you are exactly on time."

In truth, I knew that I was early. It didn't bother me because Charlie had spoken.

Have I told you about Charlie? I guess I mentioned that she was Becca's older sister. She was and is by all of eleven minutes. Charlie mentioned that for those eleven minutes was the only time that she had her mother's complete attention.

The day we met at junior high I could tell them apart. They may have been identical twins but I knew Becca from Charlie. People asked me how but I couldn't tell them as I'm sure that they wouldn't believe me if I did. They tried to fool me one time. It didn't work and they both stopped talking to me for three weeks after their trick backfired in the school cafeteria. It was Charlie that made the first move to bridge the gap between us when, during one lunchtime, she walked past the table where she usually sat with the want-to-be cheerleaders and sat at the geek table, taking the seat next to me. Not to be out done by her sister Becca plonked herself in the seat on my other side.

"You look really nice," I said to Charlie.

"Nice!" Becca cried out. "She looks nice? What kind of word is that?"

I felt my embarrassment burning across my scarred cheek. I had to turn away.

"Can't you just leave Daniel alone? Why do you have to spoil everything?" Charlie's sad voice struck me deep in my chest.

"Sis I..."

"We should get going," I interrupted. Becca gave me a strange look as if I had two heads. Instinct took over and I turned to hide my scars. I know that Becca realised what I had done; she had witnessed it too many times when we had been out. Only this time she was the person that I was hiding from.

I closed the passenger door and hurried around to climb behind the wheel. I heard Becca talking to her sister through the glass but paid little attention as I fired up the engine.

"Danny..." Becca called out as we pulled away from the curb. I caught Charlie looking in the mirror to see Becca standing on the sidewalk where we had left her.

I drove in silence as Charlie fought unsuccessfully to stop her tears. 

"Why does she hate me," said Charlie finally. It took it to be rhetorical because, for one thing, I didn't have an answer. 

I turned left at Mason when I should have turned right. Watching the movie was now a bad idea. Instead I was heading for the baseball diamond. It was the place where I had gotten hurt and where I also sought solitude and peace of mind. There were half a dozen cars parked in the lot and I purposefully parked at a distance from them. Turning off the engine I finally spoke.

"Becca called me during the lunch break." I knew that I had Charlie's attention now. I could feel her eyes on me. "She was fit to bust as she told me that it was about time that the two of us were getting together."

"She was?"

Charlie was asking for reassurance.

I nodded. "She also threatened me that if I hurt you than she was going to hurt me."

Charlie laughed and cried. It was a strange, strangled sound that filled the truck cab. I couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly Charlie must have realised that we weren't at the Quadrant.

"Where are we?"

I grabbed my cell and punched in the number for Rossi's. I ordered two pizza, loaded, no anchovies and no olives, and sodas to be delivered to the ballpark lot. The order arrived inside fourteen minutes. One minute later and they would have been free. It could have been me but they were the best tasting pizzas yet. When I looked over at Charlie she had tomato sauce on her chin as she took another slice. I guess it wasn't me after all.

"This was a better idea than a movie," Charlie commented.

"It's not the classic first date," I answered.

Charlie laughed, "Daniel, we've been friends like forever, so we know each other. First dates are like interviews and this was never going to be a typical first date. This is way better."

I didn't answer.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I replied.

"Why did you agree to go out on a date with me?"

"Why did you ask me out on a date?" I countered. I could see that my answered had knocked her confidence.

"I said yes because I wanted to be here on a date with you." Charlie smiled warmly. "I don't ask people out because I look like this."

Charlie angrily slapped my arm.

"Don't you dare think like that," she yelled at me. "If they can't see what a handsome man you are then more fool them and it's their loss and my gain."

I looked surprised.

"So you have plans for more than this date?"

Charlie's flushed with embarrassment.

"So what if I have?" she fired at me defensively.

"No worries, just wanted to know in case Mom asks me what's going on between us. I won't lie to her so I guess that I should say that you are my girlfriend."

"Then that would make you my boyfriend," Charlie added.

"It's OK with me if it's OK with you?" Charlie nodded. I smiled. I had a girlfriend.

"There's one thing though." I heard the other shoe hit the floor with a reverberating and thunderous crash.

"I've been accepted to USC on the early graduate scholarship." I was pleased and saddened at the same time. 

"That's great news." 

Evidently I didn't see what Charlie was searching for.

"What about you and me?"

Charlie was staring out of the windshield. I could see that her hands were tightly clasped. The knuckles on her left hand were visible and white. I unfastened my restraint. Grabbed the empty pizza box and shoved it on to the dashboard and slid across the bench seat.

"I was assuming that there would still be a 'you and me'. Unless you thinking something different?"

Charlie leaped from her seat and straddled across my lap. All uncertainty and her doubts were cast out of her mind as she mashed her lips to mine. Charlie literally and figuratively took my breath away. I felt her take my hand and move it to her breast. She then covered my hand with hers to prevent its escape.

Wow, I thought, I'd reached Second Base.I'd never even managed a hit in my short little league career. Maybe I was a late starter.

There was now something I could master at the baseball park. Charlie let out a soft moan and pushed the tip of her tongue into my mouth. 

"God, I'm so turned on." Her voice was muffled by mine as she spoke. Charlie's fingers were clawing at my hair as she fed hungrily on my lips.

"Oh God!"

I felt her push my hand inside her shirt. My fingers instinctively curled around, to cup her bra encased breast. I felt Charlie squirm on my lap and felt a hard ridge pressing into my groin. I pushed my hips forward on the seat and felt her push back. I was a hard as granite.

"My God Daniel," she moaned. "Love me."

I caressed her breast and felt the growing hardness of her nipple. Sliding my thumb over the hard raisin I felt it grow erect. Charlie pushed down with her hips. Her hand moved between us and I felt her free her breasts from her bra. I slid her nipple between my fingers and pinched it gently.

Charlie moaned again.

I felt Charlie release her hands from between us and then thrust them between our gyrating hips. Her hands went to my denims. She popped the buttons with expert fingers. I felt my cock leap for freedom. Charlie plunged her hand inside my denims.

"My God, it's bigger than I imagined."

"What!"

Charlie was staring into my face.

"Yours is my first," she said meekly.

I leaned forward and kissed her soft open lips.

"This is mine too."

Charlie's eyes opened wide. "I heard that you and Jane..."

I shook my head before she could finish and replied, "I heard that you and that college guy did it after the Senior Prom."

Charlie didn't answer immediately.

"He had planned it all but I didn't let him."

I closed my eyes and whispered, "thank you God."

"He wasn't who I wanted to be with."

I tenderly kissed her lips.

The inside of the truck was suddenly filled with light. The first thought to invade my mind was the police and how would I explain this to Charlie's parents. 

I had enough time to push Charlie off me and fasten my denims before a shadow moved outside the truck. Mom's face suddenly appeared at the passenger door. Before I knew what was happening Charlie was being bundled into the Jeep. Mom ran around to my side of the truck.

"Mom, what's going on?"

"Slide over," she ordered. "I'm driving."

I stared at her for a few moments and then, slowly, unclipped my restraint and slid across the bench seat. I fastened the passenger belt as Mom started the engine. The underside of the body was peppered with gravel as Mom slammed the gear shift into reverse and stamped her foot down hard on the accelerator. Making a 180 she pulled out of the parking lot and tailed Aunt Paula's Jeep. We were heading in the opposite direction to where we lived.

As I watched her I realised that I hadn't seen the woman behind the wheel. She was focussed beyond anyone I had ever seen. Her eyes seemed to see everything and look everywhere. She was seeing the road ahead and the road we had travelled. We turned into the street where Charlie lived and pulled to a halt four door down. Mom shifted in her seat.

"I need your cell phone." He hand was outstretched. I handed her the phone and watched dumfounded as she removed the back cover and pull out the battery and SIM card. She then dropped the pieces into a plastic bag, which disappeared from sight.

I looked through the windshield and saw Aunt Paula walk with Charlie to her front door. She went inside and then reappeared at the door with Charlie's Mom and Dad. Aunt Paula spoke quickly and then ran to her Jeep. Aunt Paula lit off from the kerb. Mom stomped on the gas and followed, keeping about ten car distance from the fender. Glancing in the wing mirror I caught sight of a silver Ford SUV pull in behind us. I could see Uncle Bob behind the wheel.

I remained silent during the remainder of the journey. We headed towards Denman, taking the exit for the waterfall and then taking a quiet road into the hills. Finally we reached our destination; the Den River Inn. Uncle Bob unloaded three cases from the trunk of the SUV. They contained his and Aunt Paula's clothes in two of the cases. Mom's and my belongings were in the third and largest case. We entered the hotel as a group and Uncle Bob and Aunt Paula checked us in. We would have three rooms on the first floor, 23, 25 and 27. Uncle Bob gave Mom the key card to 25 and the passed the key card for 27 to Aunt Paula.

The atmosphere was strained. When Mom started to walk towards me I turned away and waited at the door to the room. Mom opened the door and entered first. I waited.

"Better get inside Danny." I looked at Uncle Bob. 

"Do as Bob says," added Aunt Paula. I turned and looked at her. They were standing just behind me. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Not until someone tells me what is going on."

I was firmly shoved in the middle of the back. I stumbled over the case and crashed face first to the floor. Scars and carpets do not play well together. The burning in my face quickly spread across my jaw. I slapped away the hands trying to help me up. Uncle Bob was standing at the door, now closed. Mom and Aunt Paula were closer; they were standing at the end of one of the twin beds in the room. It was their hands that I had slapped away. 

"Way to go you asshole," I said in a cold angry voice. Mom took a step forward. "Just leave me alone."

She took another step.

"I can't do that."

I shook my head. "The hell you can't. There are two other rooms, use one of them."

"I can't do that."

I closed my eyes.

"Why? What the hell is so vital that I can't be alone after the crap that you three have just put me through?"

"Paula, can you order room service." Mom took charge. "Have you eaten?"




Defying Gravity Ch. 04-05



"Danny?" I realised that she was asking me.

"I'm not hungry."

Mom ignored me. "See if they can rustle up a burger and fries."

"I said I wasn't hungry," I growled. Mom's head jerked around.

"Let me know when you are going to listen to anything I say. Until then, leave me the fuck alone." I walked by her and entered the bathroom.

I stared at the scared guy standing in the mirror. I was confused, angry and royally pissed at the three people I trusted the most. Now, I wasn't so sure any more.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Danny, may I come in?"

"It's not locked." I couldn't keep my anger but I wasn't prepared to say more than I had to.

The door opened and Aunt Paula hesitated.

"We need to talk and I'm not sure how things will be after that." 

She suddenly snatched her cell from where it was clipped to her waist. I hadn't heard it ring. She listened for a ten or so seconds and then flipped the cell closed, terminating the call. Seconds later there was a knock on the door.

I stepped out of the bathroom as Aunt Paula closed the room door. She returned carrying a room service tray. There was a coffee pot, two cups and a large plate of sandwiches and chips. I was strangely relieved that she hadn't entered with a burger and fries.

"I'll tell you everything but first you need to eat." 

She put the tray down on the end of one of the beds. We sat opposite each other. As she bit into a turkey and cranberry sandwich I poured coffee for us both; it was just for something to do. There was another knock at the door. I could hear the conversation with with Uncle Bob and then the door being closed.

"What I am about to tell you will shatter everything and everyone that you've come to know, trust and love."

"My name is Paula Jones. I'm a US Marshall in the Witness Protection Program." My head jerked up.

I found myself staring into nothingness as I listened. Uncle Bob and Aunt Paula weren't who I had known them to be. They were US Marshalls.They were married to each other, that much was true. My grandparents were retired law enforcement agents who had been brought out of retirement for this detail. Dad was in fact Jimmy Allen had been the senior officer in the detail. There was still only one Jimmy Carter.

"Why did she pretend to be my mother?" 

That was when I felt a hand touch my knee.

"Kate was your babysitter the night that your mother was killed." 

"Who am I?" Paula shook her head. She wasn't Aunt Paula any longer.

"Your real name is Bryan."

I was on my feet. "Which room is Mo.....I'd like to talk with her please."

Paula made the call. Answering the knock on the door Paula left the room as US Marshal Kate Carter entered.

"Hello," Kate said. Her voice was uncertain.

I smiled. "Hello."

"What do I call you? I can't call you Mom." Kate nodded. "And I think that we have gone beyond the point where I call you Marshal."

"My name's Kate Carmichael," she answered. 

"Thank you," I said finally. Those two words started the tears. "Paula told me what you did for me. I'm still not able to get my head around everything but I do know that I'm only here because of you. Thank you just sounds so insignificant when I think for the sacrifice that you've made for me."

"Stop it!" Kate cried. "Just stop it."

The room phone stopped any further conversation. Kate answered and listened to whoever had called. The conversation was brief and totally one sided.

"That was Paula. We will be leaving early in the morning, so we need to get some rest."

"Would you tell me where we are headed if I asked?" Kate gave me the look that was all too familiar. "I guessed as much."

I looked at the twin beds.

"Do you want the bed nearest the door?" I will never know why I asked that particular question.

"I can get Bob to stay with you if you prefer." I looked at her and then shook my head.

"Then I'll take the bed by the door." I used the bathroom first. When I finished I found Kate sitting on the edge of her bed. She raised her head as the door opened. I saw a familiar but restrained smile appear.

"Do I have to tell you not to leave the room or answer the door?" I gave her a strange look. 

"What if I was thinking of escaping?"

"If you were lucky you might get as far as the lobby," Kate answered without emotion. 

I found a pair of lounge pants and a clean if wrinkle T-shirt in the case that Bob had carried into the room. I had changed and was lying on my bed when the bathroom door opened.

"Can you not sleep?"

Kate's voice invaded my mind. Sleep hadn't come. Lying in bed I had listened to the silence in the room and then to the sound of Kate's breathing. My mind was still reeling from the events of the past seven hours. 

The room light exploded into illumination. I was forced to shield my eyes from the brightness. I was sitting in one of the chairs at the window. Kate was now sitting up in bed.

"I want to talk with Charlie," I said finally.

"I'll see what I can do," Kate answered.

"No, you will make it happen."

"I can't do that Danny," Kate answered.

"You were able to make me disappear for sixteen years so you can make that one simple thing happen." Kate looked at me with surprise on her face.

"I said I'll see what I can do and I mean I'll see what I can do," she repeated. "Look Danny, to make this work you will have to trust us on some things."

"How do you trust someone who has been a total lie and fabrication?"

"I am still the same person," Kate answered.

"You're not my mother!" I was losing control of my anger. 

"Don't you think I know that," Kate answered. 

"I don't know because you didn't tell me," I fired back. "When I was growing up you told me that we could talk about anything. But the truth was that it was just a ploy so that I would talk to you as a US Marshal. You would know what was going on in my life."

"You could have lied and told me that I was adopted and that my mother was dead, instead of believing that you were my mother."

"I was ordered not to tell you." I turned away from her. "Danny, this is breaking my heart too."

I hadn't thought about her pain. I had lived with this woman for sixteen years. She had been my mother in every part of my life apart from giving birth.

I turned my head towards her. "I'm just so angry."

"I know," Kate moved to stand behind me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean the things I said." I failed to fight back my tears. I was angry with myself and shouted, "Damn it, stop crying!"

"Let it go Honey."

5...

Favours were called. One came through best of all. That was why I was now standing on the sidewalk outside the Tri Kappa sorority house. The post Freshman Ball party was well underway. Walking up the garden walk to the front door I was surrounded by the music blasting through the open windows. The door was open so I entered.

The hallway was filled with loud noise as I pushed my way through the revellers. I started moving from room to room without success. As I passed through each one I could sense bad thoughts that she was upstairs. Two and two were slowly making seven in my mind.

"It's about time that you got here." The familiar voice sent a shiver running down my spine. "She's outside by the pool."

My body language must have given me away. 

Kate had gone against orders and let me call Charlie using an untraceable, pre-paid cell phone that she destroyed after the call. Charlie and I spoke for over an hour as I explained as best as I could about what had happened that night and what was happening to me. As I ended the call I heard her tell me that she loved me. I answered the same. Only when the call was over did I promise that we would be together again.

"Danny, she's with her Tri-Kappa girlfriends."

"And she isn't dating any one?" I asked to be sure.

"She might be now if you don't get your butt out there."

I nodded. "And stop calling me Danny."

"Shit," Becca hissed. "I'm sorry D....Bryan."

I gave Becca a hug and told her that I owed her.

I opened the kitchen door and stepped out on to the deck. I instantly caught sight of Charlie. She was dressed in a mid-thigh white dress that also showed off her shoulders. She was standing in the midst of a group of girls who had gathered at the pool house end of the pool. I could see a group of guys eyeing them from the opposite side of the pool. I kept my eyes focused on her as I started down the steps leading down from the deck.

Her back was towards me as she chatted with her friends. I could tell by the movements that the conversation was centred on the group of guys. I slowed as two guys broke away from the group and made their approach. The girls engaged them in conversation and I could that Charlie, and the blonde standing next to here, were their intended targets.

Using the diversion I stepped up behind Charlie and waited. I caught the opening line; falling angels my ass. Laughing to myself I caught Charlie rubbing her hand over her neck. When she moved her hand away I saw that her skin was covered in goose bumps.

I caught one of her friends checking me out. I don't look the same as I once did. I now wear fashionable, dark rimmed spectacles and my hair is long and sun bleached. My wardrobe is California in style, 501's, surfing, Hollister and Aeropostale. I answered her quizzical look with a friendly smile. Charlie turned her head to see who her friend was looking at. My eyes instantly locked on to hers. 

"Hello Charlotte!"

Charlie stared into my eyes. I could see total non-recognition of my presence in her eyes. Then her eyes opened wide in shock and her mouth fell open. Charlie looked absolutely beautiful to me.

The air in my lungs exploded as Charlie flung herself through the air. I caught her and held her tightly against me. My lungs were filled with her essence and memories of that night in my truck flooded ever sense in my body and soul.

"Don't you ever leave me again!" cried Charlie as she clung to me. I didn't get the chance to answer her.

"Are you going to introduce us Charlie?"

Charlie had no intention of letting me go. Pushing out of my embrace she grabbed my left hand in both of hers. I raised my right hand and held it towards the girl that had asked the question.

"Hi, I'm Bryan Carmichael." I felt Charlie jump in my arms as she heard my name for the first time. 

"Hi Bryan, I'm Bobbie and on behalf of the Tri-Kappa sorority welcome."

"On behalf of Bryan Carmichael I thank you." I made a point of shaking hands with each of her friends in turn. There was no way on earth that I would remember all of their names. I even shook hands with the two guys who had been making a move on my girl.

"Let me apologise now if I don't remember all of your names when we meet next."

"That's OK Bryan," chirped a new voice. I traced it to a brunette standing at the back of the group. 

"I appreciate that Gill," I thanked her with a smile and glad that I had remembered her name at least. I felt Charlie squeeze my hand.

"What are your intentions towards our Tri-Kappa sister?" asked Bobbie.

"Well, I guess that's what I'm here to find out." I started to answer and felt Charlie's eyes searching mine.

"Sisters," announced Charlie. "If you will excuse us I need some alone time with Bryan."

Charlie dragged me towards the house. I head one of her sisters call out, "You go girl" before we entered the house. Charlie ignored the knowing looks that came our way but I didn't as she dragged me upstairs. Charlie's room was on the second floor. Her room was reasonably large and had an en-suite bathroom, a small study, a living area containing a sofa and a matching armchair and television. The bed was under the window. Charlie roomed alone.

Charlie pulled me inside the room and then released my hand. I heard the door close with a solid clunk. I heard the lock as it clicked home.

"You have some explaining to do Dan....I mean Bryan Carmichael!"

"Where do you want me to start?

"How did you get here and who's Bryan Carmichael?" I reached out my hand. Charlie let me lead her to the bed. We held hands as we sat side by side.

"To answer your second question first," I started. "I am Bryan Carmichael. That is I was named Bryan by my birth mother and last week I was legally adopted by Ms Carmichael."

Kate had been and still is my Mom. She didn't give birth to me but she gave me everything and more that a mother would provide for her son.

"Would you like to see of photo of me and my new Mom?" 

Charlie nodded. "I'd love too."

I reached for my wallet. The photo was one of several that had been taken at our new home. There was one in particular that I loved more than the others. It showed the two of us together, with me standing behind Mom and our arms entwined around her waist. The smiles on our face were filled with peace and love. I showed Charlie the other photo that I carried with me always; it was of my family, Mom, Bob, Paula and me.

Charlie turned my face and kissed me tenderly and lovingly.

"I love you Bryan Carmichael."

"I'm not sure but I think I love you too."

"I'll take that." Tears started to roll down her cheeks.

"Please don't cry."

Charlie shook her head.

"I thought that I'd lost you."

"So did I," I agreed.

"Could you hold me for a little while?"

I smiled. "For as long as you want me."

We parted when Charlie needed an urgent bathroom break. I used the time to stretch my legs. Whilst I used the bathroom Charlie disappeared. When she returned she was flushed and carrying a six-pack of soda, a large bag of chips and a pizza. I let her put the things down before I started to speak.

"There's something that you need to know before this goes any further."

Charlie's face lost its colour.

"I'm sitting in your English Literature class during the remainder of this semester."

Charlie stared at me in disbelief.

"I'm transferring to the music program here and they said I could take a couple of extra classes. I thought that if I could find a study partner then I could choose the Creative Writing and the Literature classes."

Charlie ran to me and buried herself in my open arms. I'm unsure how long we stayed like that. Charlie pushed her head away from my chest.

"Kiss me Daniel!"

The first kiss at the little league park took my breath away and lived with me from that moment. Our second kiss was passionate, soft, easy and sublime.

"Your mom's not going to burst in here is she?"

I started to laugh uncontrollably.