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A Second Chance

By: aldenbradley



The rain slashed through my headlights like miniature meteors streaking Earthward. The slap-tick of the wipers was mesmerizing. Only the gut-grinding fear of losing traction on this two-lane road in the eastern mountains of Tennessee kept me from surrendering to their metronomic pulsing and drifting off to sleep.

I was at the range of my endurance. I'd been driving over six hours, all of it in rain, and most of it in the dark. My head buzzed with random thoughts as I tried to concentrate on the road. The seat belt chaffed my shoulder, but I dared not release it. Under these conditions I realized I was only seconds away from careening into or through a guardrail and plummeting down the slick, green, wet mountainside. Only that seat belt would keep me from ghastly injuries my dead-tired mind conjured.

A brilliant bulge appeared in the road to my right. I started, and pushed steadily on the brake, slowing my vehicle as the specter passed to my right. My sleep-deprived mind slowly functioned and I recognized the figure of a hiker, slogging along the roadside in the rain. Slowed to a crawl, I pulled off to the shoulder and stopped, shaken and blurred by my near miss of the pedestrian.

Once stopped, I noticed the rain was not the torrent it appeared when I was driving. Instead, it fell in a gentle, dark drizzle. My wipers swept the small drops swiftly from the windshield. I twisted the switch to slow their frantic beating.

My breathing had slowed to near normal and my heart's racing beats resumed their more regular pattern when I was startled by an apparition in my window. My hand flew to my throat and a small scream erupted from between my lips. In the window a very damp, young man was peering into my vehicle. In spite of his most miserable appearance, he had a smile on his face. That smile, so unassuming and genuine in the dank Tennessee mountain darkness, gave me the confidence to crack my window an inch.

"Are you all right, miss?" the young man said.

"I think so," I told him. "I though I was going to hit you. Then you startled me."

"Sorry," he smiled. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing out here at this hour?" I asked the young hiker.

"Actually, I'm hitching my way to St. Louis," he said. "I got a ride up from Atlanta. But the guy was going north. He dropped me off about three hours ago. I've been waiting for a ride going west. Not much traffic out at this hour, though."

I check the dash clock. It read 2:12 A.M.

Perhaps it was my exhaustion that clouded my judgment. Maybe it was the pathetic vision of this young guy slogging along in the middle of the night in the rain. I cracked the window open another inch. "If I give you a ride," I asked him, "are you going to rape and murder me?"

"No, ma'am," he said, politely, the smile getting broader. "I'm neither a murderer nor a rapist."

My tired mind registered the "neither/nor" phrasing. This was not trailer park trash. This young man was educated and articulate. It helped me confirm my decision.

"Come around to the other side," I instructed him. "Throw your gear in the back and climb in the front. Let's get you out of the rain."

The young man grinned wetly at me, again, then worked his way around the back of the car. He tossed his backpack in the rear seat, then climbed into the passenger seat next to me. He was literally soaked to the skin.

"If I had a towel," I said, "I'd offer it to you. You're going to catch your death."

"I'm grateful to be out of the rain, ma'am," he grinned. "You're very, very kind. And, very brave."

"Probably more stupid than brave," I observed, putting the car in gear and starting off down the road. "What's your name, anyway?"

"Jeremy," he said. "Jeremy Shugart. My friends call me Shug. Like sugar?"

I couldn't help but giggle. "Okay," I said. "Shug it is. I'm Caroline. My friends call me Caroline."

"Yes, ma'am," Shug said.

"Tell me about yourself," I ordered.

"I'm a second year medical student at Emory in Atlanta," he told me. "I'm hitching home to St. Louis for spring break."

"What," I chuckled, "no Fort Lauderdale?"

"No, ma'am," Shug answered, "not for me."

"Shug," I said, "two things. First, you've got to stop calling me ma'am, okay? You make me feel old."

"Yes, ma'am," he said. "Oh, sorry."

"Okay. Look, it's okay. Just work on it," I suggested. "And, the second thing is, when I saw you, I'd just about decided it was time for me to stop. So, I may not be able to take you far. I'm just too tired to keep going tonight."

"Yes, ma'am," Shug said. "I understand."

"You're really going to have to stop with the 'ma'am' stuff, Shug," I reprimanded my passenger. "Every time you say that, I think you're going to say 'Mom'. That would just kill me."

"I'm sorry, really," he said. "It's just my upbringing."

He changed the subject. "Are you a mom?" he asked.

I nodded. "A six-year-old son," I admitted. "Nathan. He's staying with his grandmother while I'm on this trip. He likes that. She spoils him incorrigibly."

Shug nodded slowly. "So then you're a married lady," he said.

"No, actually I'm not," I said. "I'm a widow. My husband died stupidly about three years ago."

Shug was silent.

"Don't you want to know?" I asked him.

"If you want to tell me," he answered.

"He was a pilot," I explained. "A stunt pilot. He made a mistake. He should have quit when Nathan was born, but he wouldn't. Now, he's gone and Nathan has no father."

"I'm sorry," Shug said. "I really am sorry."

"It's all right, Shug," I told him. "I'm tired. When I get tired, I let my emotions run away with me.

"It was just so useless and stupid," I continued. "He did it because he liked it. No, he loved it. But, he killed himself and left me and Nathan alone. I'm still pissed off at him about it. Then I get feeling guilty because I'm pissed off at a dead man, and a man that I loved. Then I get even more pissed off because I loved him but he didn't love me enough to stop something so damned dangerous."

I stopped. Tears of anger welled up in my eyes. I realized my voice had risen in volume and intensity.

"Sorry," I told the boy. "I didn't mean to make you the brunt of all that."

"It's good to get it out," Shug said quietly. "I understand."

We drove on in silence for another eight miles before the Co-Zee Rest Motel sign loomed up out of the rain spatter night. Two miles, the sign said, clean sheets, free TV, air conditioning. That's all I needed.

"That's where I'm going to stop," I told Shug.

"Okay," he nodded.

I pulled off the highway into the drive of the Co-Zee Rest Motel and headed the car toward the office. As I parked out front, I turned to Shug.

"You want me to get you a room, too?" I asked him.

"I'm running short on capital," he admitted. "That's why I'm hitching."

"Oh," I answered. "How about I get us a double, then. You can have one bed and I'll take the other."

"I couldn't impose," Shug answered. "I'd probably better be getting back out to the highway."

"There's no way I'm letting you go stand out there in the rain and wait for a ride this time of night," I said, sounding very motherly, I thought. "Are you in a particular hurry?"

"Not so much," he said. "It would just be, you know, awkward."

"Shug," I said, "you need a shower and a change of clothes. You're soaked through. You'll catch pneumonia. Come in, have a shower and change. We'll get a good night's sleep and I'll take you to St. Louis tomorrow. Okay?"

"Is that where you're headed?" he asked with disbelief.

"It's not," I admitted. "But it's only a few hours out of my way. I'm willing to do that for the company. And, you can help with some of the driving, okay?"

Shug relented. "If you're sure, then okay."

I booked a double from the sleepy Korean owner of the Co-Zee Rest Motel. I paid with my credit card and picked up a half-dozen additional towels. He gave me a key and pointed down to the end of the row of the somewhat shabby structure.

"Twenty-seven," he said, "on very end row, backside."

I nodded, then took my stash of towels and ran back to the car. I tossed them in, then jumped in the seat.

"This is very kind of you," Shug said as I started the car.

"It'll make a good story for you sometime in the future," I told him. "You can regale your fellow interns with the tale of the night you got picked up in the rain by this crazy old woman and forced to shower in her motel room."

I parked outside the door labeled 27 on the backside of the motel, away from the highway and as far from the office as one could get. I pulled my overnight bag from the back seat, went to the door and unlocked it. I walked in, searched a second for the light switch and snapped it on.

The room looked comfortable, if a bit seedy. All I really wanted was what the sign had advertised, clean sheets and air conditioning. I didn't give a damn about the free TV.

Shug followed me into the room. He looked a wreck. When I finally got to see him vertical, he turned out to be about five-eleven and maybe 180 lbs. His hair was sandy-blond and streaked down across his brow. But, what captivated me were the crystal clear, bright blue eyes that sparkled out at me from under his light eyebrows.

I stood and looked at him for a few seconds. He shifted uncomfortably. Then I asked him, "How old are you, Shug?"

"Twenty-four," he answered. "Why?"

"Eight years," I observed. "Eight years difference."

Shug nodded. "Yeah, well, uh, where do you want me to put my stuff?" he asked.

I indicated a luggage stand off the end of the bureau. "That be okay?" I asked.

"Sure, fine," he said. He yanked his pack onto the stand and started fumbling with the zippers.

"Tell you what," I offered, "why don't I take my a shower first. It's going to take a while for me to get my hair dry. You can shower while I do that."

"Okay," the boy said. He yanked a pair of shorts and a shirt from his pack. 

I pulled a T-shirt from my bag and walked into the bathroom, stripped off my clothing and climbed into the shower. The spray stung my skin as I feverishly soaped, then rinsed. I reached for the shampoo and poured it in my hand. I quickly rubbed it into my dark curls, scrubbing with frenzy. I stepped back under the spray to rinse, allowing the warm spray to wash over me.

I twisted off the taps, snatched aside the shower curtain and grabbed a towel. I scrubbed at my hair with it, then bent over to wrap it around my head. A twist and it was done, the make-shift turban captured my dark curls to keep them from dripping everywhere. I took another towel from the shelf and wiped off the droplets. Finished with my cursory drying, I pulled the long T-shirt over my head and checked to see I was modestly covered. Then I stepped out into the cool air of the room.

Shug was sitting on one of the beds, watching an old black-and-white movie on the TV. He stood up and flipped the set off. He had undressed and was wrapped in one of the motel's bath towels. He smiled his glorious smile at me. My heart did a little flip when I saw the formation of muscles in his chest. I took a deep breath.

"Didn't you wash off your make-up," he said.

"I did," I confirmed.

"Really?" he asked me. "You look just as pretty now as you did before."

"Why, Shug," I exclaimed. "I believe you have just paid me a compliment."

Shug looked down at his feet. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Maybe I ought to just shower and go back out to the highway."

I took a couple of steps toward him. "Do you think I'm pretty, Shug? Do you really?" I asked him. He nodded, almost like a little boy who gotten caught dipping a finger in the icing. I put my hand on one of his pecs, just resting it there and looked into his eyes. 

"Then, I'd like you to stay. Stay the night with me. I couldn't bear to think of you out in the rain, the dark and the cold when you could be in here with me. I really want you to stay, Shug. Please."

I don't know what craziness made me do it, but I leaned up to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips. His bright blue eyes had something of a deer-in-the-headlights look, for about three seconds. Then it was gone, replaced by a clarity and focus. He put his hands on my face and pulled me toward him for another kiss. This one had more hunger than my poor offering. It took away my breath.

When Shug released me, he spent several seconds looking at my face. Then he whispered, "Caroline. If I stay you know what's going to happen." It was a statement, not a question. I nodded.

"How long has it been?" he asked, his eyes roaming my face, taking in each feature, then moving on.

"Three years," I said. "I told you. Three years." In spite of the hours of traveling and meetings, the exhaustion of this trip, my senses were suddenly at fever pitch. 

He backed away from me. "Don't disappear, okay?" he said.

"I'll be here."

I watched his strong young back as Shug took another towel and stepped into the bathroom.

My hair dryer was in my overnighter. I pulled it out, plugged it into the wall and pulled the towel from my head. My damp curls seemed to spring into a wild riot around my face. I found my styling brush, and began to dry my hair.

Shug emerged from the shower in a few minutes, still with that towel wrapped around his waist. I looked over my shoulder to see him staring at me.

"What?" I said, over the hum of the dryer.

"It's the sexiest sight I've ever seen," he said. "I love watching a woman brush her hair."

I gave him the brightest smile I could manage.

"You mean an old woman like me can still turn on a young buck like you?"

"You're not an old woman, Caroline," he said. "Please don't say that again. You're not old."

I let my arms drop into my lap. I flipped the switch to silence the dryer. "I feel old, Shug. I feel old and tired."

"It's late," he said, coming to me and putting his hands on my shoulders. He gently massaged my shoulders and lower neck. "Let's get some sleep."

"My hair," I protested. "It'll be a mess if I don't dry it completely."

"You can shower again in the morning, when you're not so tired," he suggested.

"You just want to get me into bed, don't you?" I jibed at him.

"I think you need to sleep," he said.

"You're not going to make love to me?" I asked him.

Shug shook his head. "Not tonight. Tomorrow, maybe. Tonight, I'm going to let you sleep."

"You're kidding," I said.

Shug walked to one of the two double beds. He turned back the covers and placed the two pillows in a stack.

"This is for you," he said. Turning around, he slid under the covers of the other bed. He threw his towel out from under the covers. "I'm sleeping over here."

There was my way out. I could, if I wanted, climb into the other bed and simply go to sleep. My heart pounded in my chest. I could hear the rain outside increase in its intensity. Dampness flooded me as I made my decision. I stood up, put my brush and dryer on the bureau. I checked the layout of the room and snapped off the light. 

In the darkness, I maneuvered between the beds. I sat on the one Shug had turned down for me, for about ten seconds. Then I stood up, pulled my T-shirt over my head and stood in the aisle between the beds totally nude.

"There is no way," I said very softly, "that I am sleeping in this room by myself in that bed."

I reached for the corner of the bedclothes on Shug's bed, lifted them and slid my body in alongside his. In the absolute pitch blackness, I could feel his heat. As I settled into the bed, Shug wrapped his arms around me. I put my hands up to find his shoulders, then his neck and finally his face. My fingers located his lips and I aimed my mouth at them.

When I broke our long kiss, I whispered, "You are making love to me tonight, Shug, because I want you to."

"Caroline," he murmured back, "I don't have any protection. I'd love to make love with you, but…"

"Tell me I don't have anything to worry about, please," I begged him.

"You don't." he answered.

"Then make love to me, Shug, here, in the dark, with the rain beating down."

Shug's hand caressed my back and shoulder. He traced his fingers down the front of my chest, then cupped my breast in his hand. His thumb flicked across my nipples, sparking jolts of electricity through my body. I moaned with the contact.

"You like that?" he whispered.

"I like that," I agreed, my own hands caressing the firm flesh of his back and sides.

Shug tried to squirm his way down my body. His lips pressed against the flesh of my shoulder. He licked and sucked his way toward my breasts. My hands found his face, cupped it and pulled upward.

"Not now," I said, urgently. "Not tonight. I really want to feel you inside me."

Shug rolled over atop me, taking his weight on his knees and elbows. I felt his hardness probing me. I caught him in my hand, and he gasped with unexpected contact. I positioned him at the opening to my love canal, and whispered, "There. Now, push inside me."

He pushed. I groaned as his hardness slipped inside me. The feeling was glorious. A warm wave of pleasure swept through me, from my hole, across my ass, up my spine, and broke over my brain, warming my whole body. In the darkness, Shug kissed my face, trying to center on my lips. I made it easy for him. His tongue probed my mouth and I reciprocated, pushing my tongue at his, wrapping around it, and sucking it into me. I hitched my legs up and locked my ankles around his thighs.

"Let me get used to you inside me," I whispered. "It feels very good. Full, smooth and hard." I clenched my muscles on him again and again, adjusting to the feeling and delighting in its warmth.

"You feel good, too, Caroline," he said. "You're so warm and tight, and, oh! You squeeze me so good!"

"I want to cum," I told him. "I'm close, Shug, really close."

"Are you?" he sounded amazed. "We haven't done anything yet."

"I've been waiting a long time," I answered. "I'm ready for it. Just talk to me."

"Talk to you?" he said. "About what?"

"I don't know," I told him. "Talk sexy to me."

Shug took a second. "You feel so good around my cock," he said. "But, tomorrow, when we make love, we're going to do it in the light. I want to see your face when I enter you. I want to see your eyes when you cum."

He was good at this! I clamped on him again and again. I hitched my hips so he slid in and out of me a little tiny bit. I bit my lip and willed the orgasm to come.

"I'm cumming, Shug," I whispered fiercely. "Help me. Just a little."

Shug picked up my tempo and jerked in and out of me. I squeezed hard on him and pressed against the little wave crest. My back arched upward under him and I bit into his shoulder, grunting and nearly weeping with the release.

"Ow! Damn!" Shug said in shock and pain. "That hurts, Caroline."

"Sorry," I said, between gasps. "It was so…overwhelming. I'm sorry. Really."

"I can see I'm going to have to be careful of you," he joked. "You bite. Do you kick and scratch, too?"

"Depends on how good it is," I answered.

"The kicking I can deal with, I think," Shug told me, pushing up on his hands. He took my wrists in his hands and pushed them down into the bed. "The biting and scratching, that's another story."

I was pinned to the bed. The weight of his hips pressed mine down. His hands held my wrists captive next to my head.

"What are you going to do?" I asked, only a tiny bit alarmed.

"I'm going to make love to you," Shug said. "I'm probably going to make you want to scratch, bite and kick. You'll have to scream instead."

With that, Shug began to slowly withdraw, then press into me. I tossed my head from one side to the other with the sensation of his cock sliding across the nerve endings in my vagina. "Oh, dear," I said, "Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear!" The sensations were amazing. As he slid out of me, Shug's cock left a trail of white light in my mind. When he punched back in there was a brilliant blue ball of lightning traveling up my entire torso. I wanted to reach up to him, to grab him and dig my nails into his flesh. But he held me pinned to the bed, pounding his hips at me, alternately filling me up then trailing the white lightning through my pussy.


A Second Chance



"Do I really want to do this?" She asked herself silently as she gave her naked body a long look in the mirror as it steamed up slightly from the heat of the shower. Her tits weren't overly large, but were a good handful with perky nipples that came alive when her boyfriend touched her body. It didn't matter where he touched her; it could be just a light brush of his hand across the small of her back. 

She sighed, wishing her body were more like the models she saw in the magazines, but happy that her curves were healthy and more importantly that her boyfriend thought she was beautiful. She loved the way he made her feel and always wanted for him to feel the same way. That is exactly why she had let him try shoving his cock in her ass. She had never really been that interested in it, but knew that he was so when the time came and they were lying in bed kissing each other frantically, both wanting each other, she told him to go ahead and do it. Wow, what a sensation that was! She twisted her face up to remember it. And now here she was standing with the hot water streaming over her body touching herself thinking about trying it again.

Not the same way as before of course. She would make sure of that. She had felt silly getting online looking for "how-to" pages but found so many of them she laughed and thought that maybe a lot of people were doing it wrong to begin with. She began by rubbing her breasts and as her nipples got tighter and tighter she worked her fingers down between her legs and between the lips of her pussy. She felt the familiar wetness as she closed her eyes and pretended that it was him slowly sliding his fingers around in her juices, making her wet by sliding his fingers in and out of her. Her fingers moved in and out as she let out a small little gasp and moan. She braced herself against the wall as she worked her fingers gingerly over her clit bringing herself almost to the point of orgasm. She then took a deep breath and began to work her fingers around her asshole, dipping the very tip inside. The next time she went a little further and then continued until she was more comfortable with different positions and how changes in pressure caused her more or less sensation. She smiled to herself and thought, I can do this. I am actually enjoying it. She kept working both holes and found herself shaking and moaning loudly uncontrollably as she felt herself cum harder than she had in a long time.

As she got out of the shower, she giggled to herself and wondered if her boyfriend had heard the noise from the living room where he was watching tv. She shrugged and decided that it would just be a tease if he had. She dried her hair and wrapped her towel back around her. 

"Come with me if you want to live." She said breathlessly as she grabbed his hand and pulled him off the couch. He looked up and saw the crooked little smile she smiled that made his insides jump. He felt himself harden against the zipper of his pants. How she could get him revved up and ready to go like that all the time was beyond him. He just knew he liked it. And now he really liked that she was dragging him towards their bedroom. He started to unzip his pants as they reached the doorway to the bedroom, but she stopped him. She dropped her towel and guided his hands to her tits and gently squeezed them with her own. She leaned her head back slightly and let out a small gasp. Smiling, she dropped to her knees and started caressing his aching cock through his pants. He groaned as she unzipped his pants and began stroking his shaft while flicking her tongue across the head of his penis. His breathing quickened as she took him all the way in her mouth and moved her tongue around it. She took as much of it as she could in her mouth and stroked him harder. As her pace quickened so did his breathing. He finally lifted her off the floor and laid her down on the bed. He began kissing her body from her legs up to her stomach to her breasts. She had never liked to have her pussy licked but she loved to have his fingers inside of her and even more so his hard cock. It was perfect to her; the perfect size, shape, length and oh the things he could do with it. And now she was about to tell him to shove it in her ass.

He couldn't believe his ears when he heard it. Had she really said it? He began stroking himself in anticipation as she said it again. "Go slow and easy." He circled the head of his cock around her tight little asshole rubbing the juices from her pussy and her spit as he pushed the tip in. He looked up at her face to see her reaction. She had a smile from ear to ear encouraging him to explore further. He began to work himself in inch by inch, pulling out and going back in; trying hard not to explode right then because it felt so damn good! He couldn't believe he was fucking her ass again! His pace quickened and she joined him, moving her hips around telling him to speed up or move around. He was definitely turned on by her telling him what to do. 

She was loving this! Way better than the first time for sure. God his cock felt good in her ass. She was so close to orgasm, but didn't want this to end. She knew he was almost there too by the way his cock jerked ever so slightly in her asshole. She looked up at him and almost shouted for him to fuck her hard because it felt so good. Instead she pulled him down to her and whispered in his ear, "Fuck me like you mean it you sexy beast!" and with that he couldn't help himself anymore, and pumped away into her ass as she screamed out in pleasure and began bucking her hips up into him. He couldn't take it anymore and began cumming all over in her asshole.

He pulled out and laid next to her running his fingers across her stomach. She kissed him like she had never kissed him before and cuddled up into him before telling him that they should go take a shower. He smiled and felt himself getting hard all over again...



A Second Chance



I met Sandy when I was in my final year of college. She was a sophomore and doing more partying than studying at the time. We ran in the same circles and saw each other at most frat parties, even though neither one of us belonged to either a fraternity or sorority. She was usually with one guy or another and I didn't pay her much mind other than to wonder what she'd be like in bed. Hey I'm a guy and that's what guys do at a party, check out the women. Sandy stood about 5'5" in her stocking feet, no more than 115 pounds and had short brown hair. Though no runway model, she was cute.

I didn't have a steady girl friend at the time, because frankly I didn't have the money it took to keep one. I was going to school on a shoestring and a prayer with no money to spare. I figured that with one semester left, I'd be out of here and would owe somewhere in the area of only $5,000.00 in school loans, a pittance of what most graduates would owe.

On the week before finals we ended up at the same party and in the same general area of the house.

"Steve isn't it?" Sandy said talking to me for the first time ever. "You with anyone tonight?"

"No, why do you ask?" 

"Well there's this annoying guy over there that won't leave me alone. Where ever I go, he's always three steps behind me," she said looking over her shoulder at some dweeb in the corner "If you don't mind, can you be my boyfriend for the night?" she asked with half a smile.

I reached out to her, pulled her in tight and gave her a full mouth kiss with a lot of tongue. In response Sandy proceeded to spill half her beer pulling away from me.

"What the hell was that?" she said wiping the spilled beer from her jeans.

"I kiss all my girlfriends like that," I told her watching the puppy that who'd been following her walk away. "You can say thank you anytime you want," I told her.

"You shit head, she steamed, you got beer all over my new jeans," she said continuing to wipe her jeans with a kitchen towel, trying her best to dry them off. "Thank God beer doesn't stain or you'd be buying me a new pair." 

"Well, you could come to my place, take them off and we could wash them if you'd think that would help."

"You'd like that wouldn't you? And I'd suppose while we were waiting you'd want a little action, just to pass the time," she said to me. "Well that's not going to happen, so get that idea out of your head."

"First of all, that's not what I had in mind. Look I have three roommates that are all home this weekend, so unless you like pulling train, I'm not taking you home with me for any action. However, we do have our own washer and drier so we can do laundry whenever we want. All you'd have to do is bring a change of clothes and we could wash what you are wearing, that's all I was suggesting."

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've heard every line you can imagine but washing my clothes for me is definitely a new one," she now said smiling. "Let's try this again shall we?" she said looking into my eyes for some type of response. "Hi Steve, my name is Sandy," she said extending her hand. "I want to thank you for helping me get rid of that stalker. You want to get out of here and grab a burger?" she asked.

"You buying?"

"No, I'm not buying," she replied.

"Well then, let's make it pizza. I've got a twenty five percent discount coupon from Pizza Hut and there's one three blocks from here."

"Pizza it is," Sandy said as we headed out.

To tell you the truth, I didn't like pizza much. I'd lived on pizza and crap like that for the past four years and was sick to death of it, but it was cheap. With my coupon, we could have a pie, in house, along with drinks for under $10.00, a cheap date. That night I ate one piece as Sandy consumed the majority of the rest.

I'll bet you're expecting me to tell you that Sandy became so infatuated with me that she couldn't keep her hands off me the rest of the night. That I screwed her until she cried out that I was the best she'd ever had. Sorry to disappoint you. Hell, I barely got another kiss when I walked her back to her dorm room after dinner. She was cute and all, but I was on a mission and right now it didn't include a party girl. So we exchanged numbers, each of us saying we'd call and get together but neither one of us did. 

\

'*************

I graduated and three months later had a pretty decent, entry-level job, in a consulting firm. The work was easy but monotonous and the hours were long. I took the job because after three months, the firm would reimburse me for tuition and books to go back and get my masters. Like I said, I was on a mission. 

Six months later I'm sitting in a marketing class and who should walk in none other than Sandy. She sat three rows up from me and much to my surprise was actually paying attention and taking notes; will wonders never cease? As class ended, I made my way over to her.

"Looks like we're in the same class."

It took her a split second to recognize me, but at least she smiled when she realized who I was. 

"You never called," she said trying to look angry.

"Well, neither did you," I said.

"Would you believe I lost your number?" 

"I will if you'll believe I lost yours too," I said with my best smile. "You want to go out and have a drink?"

"Drink no, but I could use a cup of coffee."

"So be it," I said walking out with her.

For the next two hours we got reacquainted. She had finally buckled down and given up the booze after being put on academic probation by the college because of poor grades.

"My dad gave me holy hell when he saw my grades. I let my friends talk me into doing too many crazy things and now I'm paying for it. Hell, it's going to take me until I graduate to get my G.P.A. back to where it should be."

"Well, if you need a little help I'm more than willing," I told her.

"I just might take you up on your offer," she said finishing her second cup of coffee. 

'****************

That night began my relationship with Sandy. It started off as a study partner, moved to that of a close friend and finally to girlfriend, boyfriend. 

Four and a half months later Sandy and I consummated our friendship.

We had gone out to dinner and were walking around a local lake when our kissing became more than intense. We'd both held off up till this point, neither of us knowing quite what the other was looking for. With both of our temperatures rising fast we opted for the front seat of my car.

"Damn it Steve, I feel like a teenager stealing a few kisses in the back seat of my boy friends dad's car. Why don't we go to your place where we can at least be a little more comfortable," Sandy said with that look in her eyes that meant that I was about to get lucky.

I'd gotten a new apartment six months ago and for once I didn't have to worry about roommates.

"You sure about this Sandy?" I asked hoping she wouldn't change her mind.

"Well, if you don't want to, I guess you can take me home," she said sticking out her lower lips pouting. "But, if you want to take it to the next level, I'm more than ready. Hell, I've been ready for months," she said buckling her seat belt. "Let's see if you can set a new land speed record back to your place before I cool down."

I didn't break the record but it was close. After chasing her up the stairs and through the door, our lips never left one another. We kissed, as we got undressed, we exchanged tongues as I carried her to my bed and finally my lips tasted every square inch of her body. Sandy especially liked when I consumed her pussy.

"Oh God yes," she screamed at me as she lay back on my pillows. "It's been way too long," Sandy said as she lifted her ass so my tongue could go deeper into her. 

Her first climax, as she said afterwards, was long over due. She held my head with her small hands as she moved her pussy over my lips and tongue. Reaching down, she pulled my face to her lips kissing me and licking the remaining fluids off my lips and chin.

I was rock hard and hoping for a blowjob after what I'd given her, but that wasn't what Sandy wanted. She merely rolled me over onto my back, straddled my waist and reaching down, guided me into her love nest. 

"A perfect fit," she said smiling as she raised and lowered herself onto my dick. 

I reached up and played with her breasts squeezing her nipples until they stuck straight out. Tonight was the first time I'd seen Sandy completely nude and my eyes took in all of her lean tight body. A Flat tummy, breasts that were definitely more than a handful and those long, hard pink nipples, I almost lost it right there.

Sitting up. I braced my back against the headboard and feasted on her nipples as she ground her pussy on my dick. I soon realized that this position wasn't working. I wasn't getting the penetration I wanted so I flipped Sandy over and dove between her legs. At six and a half inches I wasn't going to hit her kidneys, but with her legs over my shoulders, I could at least get in a little deeper. 

Soon I felt the familiar tension building. There wasn't a chance in hell I was going to last more than a minute or two more, no matter what I did or thought about, so I went for broke; I pounded her ass for all I was worth. Goddamn it felt so good that when I got my first nut off, I just pushed my dick in hard and held it there as the next two spurts shot deep inside of her.

I knew that Sandy had also gotten off as I could feel her pussy quivering and hugging my dick for all its worth. I lay there some what on my elbows, trying not to crush her, as we both started to come down. Finally I rolled off Sandy and onto the bed next to her. I pulled her into my arms and just silently held her, feeling her heart rate finally start to slow down.

"I didn't think you'd ever make your move," she whispered to me. "I thought I was going to have to rape you if it went on any longer," she giggled. "What were you waiting for? You had to know how I felt about you?" she asked.

"I just wanted to make sure. I didn't want you to think I was just using you for sex but that I really did care for you."

"Hells bells, I've known how you felt about me for months. I know you said that we should take it slow, but I just thought that meant we'd do it on the second date, not the first. If I'd known you were going to court me, you and I would have had this conversation months ago. I decided to let you make the first move but I was losing patience," she said looking into my eyes. "So if you've gotten enough rest, we have some major catching up to do."

And catching up is exactly what we did. We did it twice more that night, and I finally did get my blowjob, among other things. Sadly Sandy had more experience than I had but I was a fast learner, her words not mine. 

'*************

Three months later Sandy moved in with me. I told her it was a matter of economics. "Look at all the gas we'll save not driving from one place to the other."

Four months later I asked Sandy to marry me; she turned me down.

"Steve, ask me again in nine months when I graduate. I told my parents I wouldn't do anything until after I graduate. They are paying my bills and I owe it to them. It's not like I'm going to move out or anything. You still have me, just not in the way you want just yet."

I told her I didn't like it, but I understood. I didn't really, but I didn't want to fight over it. 

After all, she hadn't said that she wouldn't marry me, just that she wouldn't marry me now. Her parents weren't rich and it took a lot for them to put her through school and like she said, she had promised them that she would finish come hell or high water. So I waited, not happily but I waited.

On graduation day, I asked Sandy's dad for her hand and proposed to her that very night after dinner. This time however she accepted. We decided to have a long engagement so we'd have enough for a house when we came back from our honeymoon. I moved up in my company and Sandy started with a large marketing firm in town. Life was good.

Sandy let her short brown hair grow out and started at the gym to remove the college pizza weight. I encouraged her as I'd started back jogging and had already dropped the eight pounds that had grown around my middle. Sandy would have a glass of wine every once in a while but had basically sworn off the beer and booze, which didn't bother me in the least. She'd gotten herself in trouble more than once being inebriated.

The one change that did get under my skin was some of the clothing she was wearing to her new job. I know the style was shorter skirts but some outfits didn't look too professional and in my eyes were on the slutty side, I thought so any way. 

When Sandy started stopping off on Thursday nights after work, with a few of her new friends, I said nothing. 

When she started coming home after 8:00 I still held my tongue. But when she came home in a cab drunk at 10:00 three weeks later I'd reached my limit. Friday night, at dinner, we had our first big fight.

"Sandy, I don't like where you're heading; where we're heading. You're staying out later and later and it seems that now your starting to drink heavy again. Hell, you didn't even know where your car was Thursday night."

"Steve I know I screwed up, but it was only this once and we'd just signed on a new client; we were celebrating that's all. It's not like I'm going out every night and getting hammered. Steve, I'm still young and need to blow off a little steam once in a while."

"I'm just concerned that you're reverting back to your old ways. It got you in trouble before and I love you too much to let it happen again, that's all."

At that her head snapped up and I knew I'd hit an exposed nerve.

"Steve, you're not my damn father. I'm twenty-three years old, not nineteen. I think I know what I'm doing."

"I can only hope so," I said trying to control my voice and growing anger.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just take it as a warning, that's all," I said taking my plate of food to the trash and dumped in what was left. I'd lost my appetite.

'***************

We slept in the same bed Friday night but the air was a little chilly. 

We made love on Saturday night but it wasn't the same as it always was. It was like we were doing it because we always made love on Saturday and neither one of us wanted to acknowledge that there was a problem.

Things got better and Sandy skipped the next two Thursdays. I think she knew I wasn't happy and was doing what she could to put us back on tract and it seemed like it had worked until about a month later.

I'd been up for department manager before and like always I figured I didn't have a chance in hell until the front-runner transferred to a different division. There were still two other capable people up for it besides me, but son of a bitch, I got the promotion.

When they told me Thursday afternoon I was walking on air. A healthy raise, my own office came with the promotion. The only down side, was that I'd have to travel once a month. Hell, being gone two days a month for training was a small price to pay. I would graduate with my masters this semester and then no more homework or papers to write. It didn't get any better than that.

It wasn't until 5:30 that I finally had a chance to call Sandy. I had made a 7:00 reservation at the best steak house in town and was trying to track her ass down. She had her phone off so I tried her work. Everyone was gone except one of the girls in accounting.

"I think they went to that Salsa club over on 9th," she told me as I headed out.

My mind never stop whirling as I kept thinking about all the things this promotion would do for us. "I think if we're careful, we can afford that house we were looking at last month. I know it's still on the market and I think now we'd qualify for the mortgage," I thought to myself as I played out all the seneros in my head.

When I pulled into the club parking lot I drove around until I found Sandy's car. I ended up parking in the back of the lot because it was so crowed. I thought about using valet parking but hell, I was saving money for our new house.

I was lucky I had gone to the bank yesterday because it cost me a twenty-buck cover charge just to get in the door. The sign out front said ladies were free until 6:00; no wonder Sandy liked this place. It was dark, smoky and loud. I must have wandered around for twenty minutes before I found her, or should I say them.

"*******************

There must have been fifteen people at the table, both men and women. I was about to rush the table with my good news when Sandy and one of the guys hit the dance floor. I stopped and decided to give her this last dance before we left. "Hell we still had plenty of time to make our reservations," I said looking at my watch.

I didn't like it. I didn't like any of what I saw on the dace floor. His hands were all over her and she was doing nothing to stop him. When she grabbed his ass with both of her hands I thought I was going to blow a gasket and when she kissed him I lost it. 

You're probably wondering if the guy is still in the hospital or if I've already been charged with assault, well you'd be wrong on both counts. First of all, the guy was a full head taller and out weighed me by fifty pounds. The only thing I did manage was to get a few halfway decent pictures of the two, with my cell phone, before I left but that was it. There was no way I was going to fuckup my life for the two of them; they just weren't worth it.

As I hit the door I was pissed as hell. I was shaking so bad that I had to wait a couple of minutes before even starting the car. I didn't know who in the hell she was with or even if she was drunk or not, it didn't make a difference at this point.

Back at our apartment, I was stuffed a few things in a bag as I laid out two changes of clothing. If I stayed here the earth would move when Sandy got home, and I wasn't a hundred percent sure what I would do, so I was leaving for a couple of days. I sent Sandy the pictures I'd taken of her and her buddy, along with a short text saying that I expected her to be out of my place before I got back Saturday night. I checked into a Motel 6 and called it a night, or tried to.

Sandy kept ringing my every five minutes until I shut it off. Some people probably think I should have confronted her in the club or at least been there when she got home; wasn't going to happen. I didn't have a short fuse, but when I lost it, I really lost it so I avoided being around anyone when I was in that frame of mind.

'*********

"I want to talk to no one," I told the receptionist. "Just take a messages and I'll pick them up later." I had to get my head and ass wired together because I had a new job to do and people were counting on me.

Friday's morning meetings went well. I laid out what I expected of the department and told everyone that I wasn't going to micromanage them. 

"You were hired to do a job and I expect you to do it to the best of your ability without me looking over your shoulder. I can be the best boss you'll ever have or your worst nightmare; your choice." 

I left the conference room and returned to my office. My receptionist Carol followed me in and closed the door behind her.

"Steve, some crazy woman keeps calling you every ten minutes," Carol said handing me a slew of messages, which I threw in the trash.

"Carol, the next time she calls just tell her that you've been instructed to tell her to stop calling. That should stop it," but it didn't. 

A quick check showed that my cell phone voice mail was full and I had no doubt that my personal e-mail account would be the same. In bed that night I listened to a few of Sandy's pleas for me to call and talk to her, but never once did she mention what went on at the club. Thank God I found out now before I walked down the isle. I did however send her a text telling her that if she wasn't out by Saturday night I'd have the sheriff evict her from my place.




A Second Chance



'******

Saturday I sat in the parking lot and watched my apartment windows for about an hour before getting up enough nerve to go up to my place. I wasn't in the mood to confront Sandy just yet but would if I had to. The place was empty and kind of a mess. Looking in our bedroom her closets were empty and her makeup and personal items were also gone, same with the rest of the place. There were still a few things of hers left, but ninety present of what she'd brought with her was gone. 

The note on the kitchen table caught my eye as I went for a Corona in the refrig.

That's it, one half page? Hell, when I broke our neighbors front picture window as a kid I wrote a longer 'I'm sorry' note.

Steve 

I don't know all of what you saw Thursday night, but it's not what you think. The guy I was dancing with is just someone I work with, that's all. There is nothing going on between us, you have to believe that. I know my flirting went too far, but that's all it was. Please call so we can talk this out. I don't want to lose you over something stupid I've done. I love you please believe that. I'm staying with my parents until we work this out.

Please don't let this wreck our future together.

I'll give you a couple of days before I call you again. Hopefully by then we'll be able to talk. 

I LOVE YOU

Sandy

Nice, sweet, right to the point and made no difference to me any more. I'd warned her before and been told I wasn't her father. Damn right, I was her fucking fiancée for Christ's sake. What would Sandy have done if she'd caught me all over some hot babe? Grinding on the dance floor with some hot blonde, grabbing her ass, kissing her among other things? I'd probably never hear the end. At least she wasn't going to bug me for a couple of days anyway.

"******************

Anytime you start something new there are bound to be more than a few issues. The outgoing manager had left more than one problem and it took me the rest of the week just to put out the old fires. I also found dealing with the new clients was challenging. Most of the time our salesmen oversold our service packages and we were the ones who took the heat for what we could and couldn't do. Let me rephrase that, we could do anything, for an additional price that is. After Wednesday, I was counting the hours until the weekend.

'****************

I finally took Sandy's call Thursday night. I'd thought long and hard about what I was going to say, and I knew she wasn't going to be happy.

"Steve?" Sandy said as I picked up the phone and said hello. "I thought I was going to get your answering machine again."

"Nope, you've got me Sandy," I replied.

"Steve, it's not what it looked like honey. I guess I had too much to drink that night and got carried away flirting with him."

"Do you always kiss the guys you flirt with to?" I asked now getting my dander up.

"It was just a little peck to thank him for the dance," she said still trying to play down what I'd seen.

"I'd hate like hell to see what you'd give him if he bought you a damn drink Sandy," I shot back.

"Steve, please let me come over so I can explain myself. There is nothing going on with him or anyone else, you've got to believe that," she said pleading with me now.

"You're probably right, but your actions weren't those of a woman who is engaged to be married," I said in a calm voice even though I was now pissed again. "I think we need some time apart from one another. That way we can both think about what we really want and if we'd be better together or apart."

"Steve, no, please believe me when I say that I want to marry you and don't need any additional time to think about it."

"Well Sandy, maybe you don't, but I do. In light of how you've changed over these past months, I'm not sure I want to marry you now," I told her.

"Please Steve," I heard her sob. "Let me come over so we can talk face to face and work this out," she pleaded for a second time.

"If you come over now in the mood I'm currently in, you may not like my answers. Feel fortunate I'm not asking for my ring back at this time," I told her. "Give me a couple of months and please don't harass me. If I want to talk to you, I'll call you. Do I make myself clear?" I asked.

I heard a quiet sob along with an I love you before I hung up. 

"Maybe she'll think twice before she disrespects me the next time. So the next two months went by with me by myself.

"****************

I found out two things during this time. One, I hated dealing with new customers and their complaints and two; I had a hard business streak in me. 

"Ken, it's not working," I said to my boss on Friday afternoon. "I don't like what I'm doing and I'm not giving our new customers the attention they deserve. Peggy would be a much better customer service manager than I am."

"Steve, I haven't received a single customer complaint," was his reply.

"Yet. Sooner or later you will, and then the hammer will fall. We can't afford to lose any new business in this economy," I said hoping to show him I was still a company man and didn't want to leave, just transfer somewhere else.

Ken called Peggy in and said that I'd recommended her as my replacement. After we pulled her down off the ceiling, she thanked us a million times before leaving for what would be a great weekend for her.

"Steve, what do you want to do? I mean, is there any area with the company you think you'd fit in?"

"There is one, but I'm not even sure about it," I told him. "You know the department that sends people into other companies to show them where they can cut costs? That's where I want to go."

"Steve, you'll be traveling most of the time, are you sure about this?" 

Ken, I don't have to smile and be nice, all I have to do is show them where to cut to save money; and that I can do."

Three phone calls later I was transferred and scheduled, along with another associate, out on a new project effective Monday morning. 

'******************

The following Monday, Ron and I were touring the facility, scanning their books and operation procedures. After getting up to speed we sat with their management team and company president.

"What exactly are you looking for?" I asked the president of the company.

"We need to cut at least ten percent and unfortunately these manager are too close to make the hard choices," Pausing for a moment he continued. "If we don't make cuts, we could lose market share and go under in six months and none of us want that. Just take a hard look and come up with your best recommendations, but we need to move fast if you know what I mean."

Two weeks later we gave him our recommendations. They were harsh but would get the results he was looking for. We shook hands and left.

"Steve, you were brutal," Ron said as we left their offices. "You've got him cutting his work force by five percent and demoting two department managers along with cutting his production mix by twenty percent." 

"He'll get more than the ten percent he's looking for, and I even gave him the list of people to let go. Hell, he can just tell them that they lost their jobs because of me, I don't give a shit."

"Steve, I never knew you had this mean streak in you."

"Ron, It's not mean, it's just strictly business, that's all," I told him.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side."

However, my bosses were elated at what I'd done. In no time I moved up in the pecking order and even picked up the nick name 'Ax Man.' when I was assigned a company, the phrase that always proceeded me was, 'the Ax Man comeith.' 

'***********

Sandy and I were still talking but that was about it. I had even gone on a few dates for no other reason than to see what was out there. No one at work interested me and even if they did, no girl would want it to be known that she was going out with the Ax Man; I was getting a bad reputation.

After talking on the phone over a dozen times, I asked Sandy out to dinner. It was long overdue and I was really looking foreword to seeing her. It was high time I got over my anger and needed to see if that old spark was still there.

"I'll pick you up at 6:30 for dinner and we can see where it goes from there," I told her fully hopping we'd end up back at my place.

I got more than a chilly reception from her parents when I went to pick her up. They were corgel but I felt the rift between us. 

"Hey, it wasn't me who started this," I thought to myself, as we wasted no time leaving her house.

Dinner was going well until I noticed that Sandy wasn't wearing her engagement ring.

"Sandy, how come you're not wearing your ring?" I asked thinking that she'd just forgotten to put it on. I was wrong and from there it went down hill.

"I haven't worn it since the night you threw me out," she replied. "Are you saying that you still consider us engaged?" 

"Of course I consider us still engaged," I said with my temperature rising.

"So you going out with other women is acceptable behavior for an engaged man, you're telling me?"

Can you say busted?

"Those were just casual dinners," I said trying to explain to Sandy but she wasn't buying it.

"Did you by chance dance with any of them, or give any of them a kiss goodnight?" she now cross-examined me. "I just want to know what your limits are for being engaged that's all," she said folding her arms on the table. 

Someone must have seen me and told Sandy so there was no use lying about it.

"I guess I did danced a few songs and I'll admit I did give them a kiss goodnight, but it meant nothing," I said as I now remembered where I'd heard those exact words. "Besides, if you hadn't made a spectacle of yourself in the first place we'd still be together and I wouldn't have had any reason to go out with those women. I was digging myself a hole fast.

"I thought you just said that you still considered us still engaged and together. So you feel it's ok for an engaged person to date others, is that what you're saying? I just want to make sure I understand your definition of being engaged," she threw back at me.

"All right, I guess it does make me look like a hypocrite and I guess I can't have it both ways, but I didn't sleep with any of them if that's what you're implying."

"I'm not implying anything, I just want to see where we stand and it looks like I got my answer," she said throwing her napkin on the table and starring at me. "So if you don't mind, I'd like to go home now."

"Come on Sandy, we're having a nice night, we can get past all of this," I said trying to diffuse the situation. "I've forgiven you and now we can go back to where we were before this all started," I said reaching for her hand.

"You've forgiven me?" she now shouted,' jerking her hand away. "I admit I made a mistake and did something I shouldn't have, but did we talk about it like two adults? Hell no! You kicked my ass out, wouldn't take my calls or e-mails for what, to make me pay? You then proceed to go out with other women all the while telling me how I disrespected you. My friends saw you out with other women no less, how do you think that made me feel? And now Mr. High and Mighty is asking me why I'm not wearing my ring because all the while he was making me feel like shit, he was having the time of his life dating other women. On second thought, I'll catch a damn cab home, I don't want to put you out more than I already have," she said standing up and walking away.

"Sandy, wait a second," I yelled at her motioning to our waiter for the bill. Tossing money on the table I ran towards the door only to see Sandy getting into a cab and driving off. 

"Shit," was about all I could say. This didn't go anything like I thought it would. I figured Sandy would be so thankful to be back together we'd end up back at my place and have makeup sex for the rest of the weekend. What do they say, men make plans and God laughs.

'**************

Sunday Sandy wouldn't answer her cell, and her parents said that she didn't want to talk to me when I called the house phone. 

"Screw her, let her stew for a while, she'll come around," the alpha male in me reasoned.

'***********

I let work dictate my life for the next couple of weeks. I still tried to call Sandy at least every other day, but she wasn't taking my calls. I became even more of a prick than I'd been before. I was working at a company that was on the verge of bankruptcy when I told them that it would almost be better if they did a Chapter 11 than to try a dig out from the hole they were in.

"It's going to take you at least six years at a minimum to pay everyone off and that's if your sales hold up. You can do a Chapter 11, get new bank financing and end up paying your vendors back $.10 on the dollar. You'll come out of it in about ten to twelve months clean and without any debt. Hell it'll be like a fresh start."

"But all our vendors will hate us for sticking it to them," one of managers piped up. "We've had some of them for almost twenty years."

"Look, if you go belly up they get zippo and no future business. This way, they get something; write off the rest as a bad debt and stick you with cash in advance terms to make sure they get their money this time around. It's kind of a win win situation for all concerned," I told them. "It's business, nothing more. If you start to let your personal feelings get in the way, you're going to lose everything," That's when it hit me. I was treating my personal life like it was one of the businesses I was analyzing. 

'*******************

"Sandy I need to talk to you," I said leaving her another message on her cell for the umpteenth time. "Please call when you get in, I don't care how late it is," I added. 

How many messages has she left that I'd ignored for almost seven weeks? Even when I did take her calls I was a pompous ass, no wonder she went off on me. Well, I was out of town until Thursday night so there wasn't much I could do until then.

I raced from the airport to her house; I had to talk to her.

"I'm sorry Steve, Sandy is out with her friends tonight and I don't have a clue where," her father told me. "I'll let her know you stopped by," he said with a small smirk.

Well, I knew of three places she went after work, so I headed out again. I struck out on the first place but saw her car parked at the second. The parking lot was full so this time I paid for valet parking, I wasn't thinking about the house of our dreams this time.

The place was dark and crowed as usual. After about ten minutes of searching, and thinking I'd been wrong about her car, I saw her with a group of about ten people. They were drinking, laughing and having a grand old time it looked like. I made my way through the crowd and came up behind her.

"Sandy," I said once before saying it again, louder this time.

"Steve, what are you doing here?" she said turning around to face me.

"I need to talk to you," I said loud enough to be heard over the music.

"I've got nothing to say to you," she replied as the rest of the table started watching us. "So if you don't mind, I'm trying to have a good time with my friends," she said turning away from me and facing her friends who were still watching us.

I then made my first mistake; I grabbed her arm and asked her again to talk to me. The guy next to her and the one across the table both stood up.

"She said she doesn't want to talk to you," the one next to her said loudly pulling her away from me.

"Pretty boy, this doesn't concern you and unless you want your face modified I suggest you back off," I told him now getting in his face.

"I'm so fucking scared little man, why don't you leave the lady alone and you and me can take this outside."

"Stop it both of you," Sandy yelled at the both of us. "Steve I'll talk to you later just leave."

"You heard the lady asshole, leave before I make you leave myself," her friend said puffing up his chest.

I moved my upper body towards him and was about to reply when I was cold cocked. Who threw it or where it came from I hadn't a clue but I went down like a load of bricks.

I knew something was going on but until I came to I didn't know what. The bouncer had put something under my nose and I was coughing and spitting when I came to. It took me a few seconds for my mind to register where I was and what had happened while I heard him asking me if I was all right. Except for a bruised ego and a pounding head, I guessed I'd live. He helped me to my feet and then told me it would probably be best if I left.

After a couple of swallows of water, I was escorted out the front door. Outside stood Sandy and the group she'd come with. I guess everyone got kicked out. I handed the valet my ticket as the bouncer told him that there would be no charge.

"Steve," I heard my name being called but ignored it. I'd had about enough for one night as my car came and I got in. I heard my name one last time as I drove off. 

'*******************

I was going to have one hell of a shiner I could see as I looked at the right side of my face in the mirror. The ice hurt like hell but it would keep the swelling down to a minimum, I hoped anyway. I hadn't been in a fight since high school but I guess this wasn't really a fight. I could only guess it was pretty boy who threw the punch but I couldn't be sure. Three Advil's, a Corona and an icepack, yup this had all the makings of a great night.

"Shit," I said looking at my phone seeing that it was Sandy calling. I turned it off, threw it on the couch next to me and decided at that moment to move on with my life. She'd screwed up than I did. I tried to resolve it but was now icing the results of my efforts.

'*****************

Friday was both good and bad. The good thing was that I'd scored big with the company I'd left yesterday. They gave me glowing reviews on what I'd accomplished. They didn't take my suggestion on the Chapter 11, but told my boss I was a keeper.

"They're going to implement about twenty five percent of your suggestions, but say that they just don't have it in them to stick their vendors with their debt," my boss told me. "Whether they implement five or ninety percent make no difference to me, I'm going to bill them the same. You get that shiner from one of their vendors," he said smiling.

"Nope, this was a gift from my ex-girl friend's new boyfriend," I said trying to sound upbeat.

"Well, take the rest of the day off and take care of that eye, it looks like hell," he told me. "Next weeks trip has been postponed for at least two weeks. Get caught up on your paperwork and I've lined up two short trips until then," he said waving at me as her walked down the hall to his office. 

He didn't have to ask me twice.

I spent Friday afternoon sleeping. I got back to my place at about 10:00, had a glass of juice, closed my eyes and slept straight through until almost 7:00. This is going to screw up my nights sleep tonight was the first thing that came to my mind. I hoped my new Netflix movie was in the mailbox as I grabbed my key and headed downstairs.

Bills, nothing but bills and advertisements clogged my mailbox. "I thought everything was supposed to be going paperless," I said tossing ninety percent in the trash. I wasn't hungry but knew I'd have to eat something eventually so after seeing nothing in the refrigerator I headed out to who knows where.

As my cell rang I could see it was Sandy again.

"What?" I said answering the phone.

"Steve? Is that you?" she asked.

"Who else would be answering this phone?" I barked at her. "Sandy what the hell do you want?" I asked in a not too nice a tone.

"I just want to know how you are?"

"I look and feel like shit, what else do you want to know?" I said in a snotty voice.

"Can we talk sometime? Maybe this weekend?" she said with that pleading tone in her voice not letting my anger deter her.




A Second Chance



"What for? I tried calling you, but you never returned my calls."

"I was just trying to pay you back for when you wouldn't take my calls," was her reply.

"Sandy, it looks like you've moved on, so I don't see much point in hashing out who was wrong, who was right and who got hurt the most, it doesn't really matter anymore."

"So you just want to call it quits? Is that what you're telling me Steve?" Surprisingly she didn't sound too happy at this notion

"Well it looks like you and pretty boy are pretty tight, so I guess yes that's what I'm saying," I finally told her getting it out in the open.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm not doing anything with Carl; I just work with him. I didn't ask him or you to put on that macho display back at the club. I guess he was just trying to protect me. Look if you want to end it that's one thing, but don't use me or Carl as an excuse," she told me.

"Sandy, so much has happened and I'm not sure," I started to say when she stopped me.

"Listen, I still love you and I think you still love me. We've hit a bit of a rough patch, oh hell, our damn relationship is on life support but it's not dead yet. If you want to try again I'm willing, but no more games and no dating. But if you want to chuck it, well then I'll send you your ring back and we can go our separate ways. It's your choice now, but I'm not going to sit around forever waiting for you to make your damn mind up. So, it's an easy question, yes we owe ourselves a second chance or no, you want to end it."

"Yes," I told her before she'd even finished.

"What? What did you say?" 

"I said yes. Yes I still love you and yes I'm willing to give it another shot," I told her as I became surer of my answer.

"I thought you might say that, where in the hell are you anyway?" she asked.

"I just left my apartment and was going out to get a bite to eat."

"Well, Steve, I'm standing in front of your apartment door as we speak and slowly starting to undress. I hope you get here before I get totally naked because that cute guy in 4B keeps giving me the eye."

The land speed record was broken this time. We spent Friday night getting reacquainted and Saturday moving her stuff back into my, our, apartment. We did set a wedding date this time; I wasn't taking any chances of her changing her mind this time. 

Will we make it this time? I think so, because we both finally figured out that childish games don't work, what lines can't be crossed and most of all, to leave our egos at the door.



A Second Chance



"Oh please, daddy. Can we go. It would be so much fun. Besides, it would do you good to get out. You never leave the house."

I was listening to Bobbie, short for Roberta, my thirteen year old daughter beg me to take her on a cruise. You know the one, with all cartoon characters as the theme. I thought about what she said about me never leaving the house. I guess it was true. Ever since my wife had passed away I had pretty much shut myself in. Bobbie's mother had been the love of my life and her death had nearly destroyed me. If it hadn't been for our daughter, God knows where I would be. She was the reason I had continued on. 

Two years after my wife's death I was still in mourning. Whenever Bobbie was around I would put on a brave face and pretend everything was okay but some nights I would still cry into my pillow. I owned my own company. We designed customized computer programs for large businesses. Even though I'd had to let a couple programmers go due to the downturn in the economy, we were still able to stay afloat. It wasn't like I needed the money if we did fail. I had made a lot when things were booming and had wisely invested it.

As for getting out of the house, I would go into the office a couple times a week. The rest of the time I worked from home. What with the internet and web cams, I could always talk to anyone that needed me from my home office. Other than that the only times I went out was to attend Bobbie's school functions and her soccer games. I made sure I was always there for her. For the first year after her mother's death we were both pretty much a mess but during the last year she had seem to come to terms with it and was coping quite well. It was me that was still a mess emotionally. I realized that I hadn't taken Bobbie anywhere other than maybe the mall when she need clothes since my wife died.

Bobbie was going to be out for summer vacation in a couple weeks and I decided she was right. It might be fun to go on a cruise together.

"Okay, sweetie. Let me see what I can do. I'll go online and make reservations."

Bobbie squealed with glee and wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed hard.

"Thank you, daddy. I love you so much."

"Yeah, it's funny how you always love me when you want something," I said teasing her.

"Uh uh, I always love you daddy."

"I know, baby, and I love you too. But, tomorrow's a school day and you need to get your little behind in bed."

"Yes, daddy."

Bobbie skipped off happily to her room to get ready for bed. She was the sweetest child, never giving me any problems. I thanked God everyday that she had been born. She was a part of her mother. I gave her time to get in bed and then went in to tuck her in and tell her goodnight. After I turned her light out I returned to my office and kept my word to her. I booked us passage on a seven day cruise in a two bedroom suite. It wasn't cheap but I could afford it and wanted the best for Bobbie. When I told her at breakfast that our trip was in four weeks, she was ecstatic. I swear she was walking on air when I dropped her off at school.

Needless to say, the cruise wasn't the only expense. Oh no, Bobbie dragged me to the mall as she said we needed new clothes for our trip. I let her pick out enough new outfits for the week and even allowed her to chose some new clothes for me. She may only be thirteen but I must admit she does have good taste.

Wanting to make sure there were no last minute surprises we flew to Florida on Friday and spent the night in a hotel prior to our boarding the ship on Saturday. Right on time we went aboard the next day. Our first priority was to get settled into our room. Bobbie was so excited the she had her own room and that we had a balcony looking out over the water, I thought she was going to burst. It wasn't long before she was dragging me out of the room to go explore. She oohed and aahed at all the things she saw that were directed towards entertaining kids. 

We ate dinner in one of the family dining rooms that evening and then attended the welcome aboard gathering where they explained about all the things there was to do. There were a lot of planned activities for kids depending on their age. Bobbie and I talked it over and she wanted to participate in one of the supervised activities for kids her age the next morning and then for me to take her swimming in the afternoon.

My daughter was up bright and early the next morning, literally dragging me out of bed to get going. I took her for breakfast and then walked her to where the kid's club met. Having the rest of the morning to myself I decided to be adventurous. I went back to our suite and sat out on the balcony and read one of the books I had brought with me. At lunch time I went and collected Bobbie for lunch. She wanted to go the on board pizzeria. I'm not the biggest fan of pizza but this trip was for her so I agreed.

We took another stroll around the ship just checking things out. Around two Bobbie pulled me back to the room to change into our swim suits. The were three pools on board and we went to the one that was for families. The other two were for either adults only or kids only. I took my book with me and found us a couple loungers. Bobbie took off for the water while I read. I glanced up often to make sure she was okay and wasn't surprised to see her playing with a cute little girl around five years old. Bobbie loved little kids and was very good with them. I took note of the slim brunette sitting on the edge of the pool with her legs in the water. She was obviously the little girls mother.

-------Bobbie and Amy

Bobbie had a lot of fun during her morning activities but she was determined to get her dad out of their rooms. She loved her father very much and she worried about him shutting himself off from life. She knew her father had loved her mother so much that he still hurt. She wished he would meet someone his age to be friends with, if not more. 

At least bringing him to the pool got him out around other people. Once her dad had settled in his lounger Bobbie hopped into the pool. She had only just got in when she saw a pretty lady with a little girl walk to the water. The mom got in and reached out and picked her daughter up and set her down in the shallow end. Bobbie waded over to them.

"Hi, I'm Bobbie," she said to the little girl.

"Hello. My name's Kerry," the little girl said smiling. "And that's my mommy."

Bobbie introduced herself to the little girl's mother and then started to play with the five year old. Amy Wilson smiled as she watched her daughter, Kerry, having fun and enjoying the attention of the older girl. She hopped on to the edge of the pool and sat with her legs in the water. She did notice the guy in the lounger looking their way a few times. Having just been divorced six months earlier, men weren't high on her list. Sure, he's fit and good looking but she bet he was a pig just like her ex-husband.

"Are you out here alone?" Amy asked Bobbie.

"No, I'm here with my dad. That's him over there," she said waving to him.

"Oh, Amy," said realizing that was why he kept glancing their way. "Is you mom here, too?"

A look of sadness crossed Bobbie's face. "I don't have a mom anymore. She died."

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry," Amy said.

"But I do have daddy. He's the best dad in the whole wide world," Bobbie said, brightening up. "Would you like to meet him?"

"That's okay, Bobbie. He looks like he's comfortable with his book," she said, not really interested in meeting men.

"He would spend all his time reading if I let him. Wait, let me get him."

Before Amy could think up an excuse for her not to, Bobbie had climbed out of the pool and was pulling at her father's hand urging him to get up.

------David

"Come on, dad. Don't just sit here like a bump on a log all day. Get in the pool with me," my daughter said pulling at my hand.

I chuckled and let her pull me to my feet and hopped into the pool with her. As soon as we were in she pulled on my hand again leading me over to where her little playmate was.

"Daddy, this is Kerry. Isn't she cute?" Bobbie said as we reached the shallow end of the pool.

"Hello, Kerry," I said smiling down at the youngster.

"And this is Kerry's mom, Ms. Wilson," Bobbie said.

"Hello, Ms. Wilson," I said politely.

"Hello, Mr.?" she answered obviously not knowing my last name.

"David Johnson, just call me David."

Up close I noticed that Ms. Wilson was very attractive. She was wearing a rather conservative one piece swimsuit but I could tell from her slim waist and well toned legs she obviously kept herself fit. I made a couple comments about the cruise and the weather and she just nodded not hardly looking at me. Obviously she wasn't inclined to have a conversation with me which was fine. It wasn't like I was trying to pick her up or anything. Not wanting to intrude into her personal space I excused myself and returned to my book. If her husband showed up, he might get the wrong idea and I wasn't looking for trouble.

-----Amy

Amy watched as Bobbie pulled her father to the pool and over to where she was watching her daughter play in the water. She was a little irritated at the intrusion. When Bobbie had introduced David to her she purposely didn't give him her first name, letting Ms. Wilson suffice. And the couple times he had made comments she kept her responses to a curt nod. What she couldn't help notice was that he was really handsome up close and obviously worked out. His chest and abs were well defined. His dark hair with just a touch of gray at the temples complimented his deep blue eyes. After a few minutes he had returned to his chair. Amy thought he was at least perceptive enough to know he wasn't going to get lucky with her.

"I worry about him. He never goes anywhere since momma died. I don't think he would ever leave the house if I didn't make him," Bobbie said after her dad had left.

"How long ago has it been?" Amy asked.

"Two years.

Amy was shocked that it had been that long. She looked over at David and thought he must have really loved his wife if he wasn't out looking for women after two years. She then felt guilty by how she had treated him. Amy stayed at the pool for awhile, letting Kerry enjoy playing with Bobbie. A couple times she glanced over at David and wondered what it would have been like to marry a man who cared so much for his wife instead of the two timing pig she had married.

"Isn't Kerry's dad going to come out to the play with her?" Bobbie asked Amy.

"No, her dad and I don't live together anymore. He moved away and she doesn't get to see him."

"Oh," Bobbie said.

Amy decided that Kerry had enough sun for one day and told Bobbie they were going to go in now. Bobbie picked Kerry up and handed her to Amy.

"Bye, Kerry. I had fun playing with you," Bobbie said.

"Me too. I like you," Kerry said.

"It was very nice to meet you, Ms. Wilson. Thank you for letting me play with Kerry. I hope we see you again."

"It was very nice to meet you, too, Bobbie. I'm sure Kerry would love to play with you again if we see you around."

-----David

I glanced up to see Ms. Wilson and her daughter leaving the pool area as Bobbie swam back over and got out of the water.

"Daddy, I'm hungry," my daughter said.

"Guess we can't have that. Come on. Let's go shower and change and I'll get you something to eat."

We changed and had an early dinner. As we ate, Bobbie told me how much she had enjoyed playing with little Kerry. She also said she was sad for her because she didn't have a daddy. I asked her what she meant by that and Bobbie told me that Kerry's dad had moved away and didn't see her anymore. I looked at my daughter and shook my head. How could a man not want to see his own child.

When we were through eating, Bobbie said that there was a movie she wanted to see. The ship had areas set aside for kids of certain age groups with games and movies. She wanted to go to the one that was for kids ten to fourteen. Parents weren't allowed in, but they were watched over by some of the ships staff. I dropped her off to have fun with the other kids and told her I would come back at nine to get her. I went back to the room and read until it was time to meet her. She was ready for bed when we got back. She's had a full day and was tired.

The next day the ship made it's first stop at one of the islands. It had beautiful white sand beaches and a skiff that went back and forth about every half hour taking people to and from the island. Bobbie wanted to go to the beach, so we caught the little boat and headed over. There were umbrellas and loungers along the beach so I was able to sit in comfort and watch my daughter frolic along the shoreline. 

We had been there a half hour when I heard the voice of a little girl shouting excitedly.

"Bobbie, Bobbie."

Little Kerry rushed by my chair towards the water and my daughter. She ran over laughing merrily and hugged my daughter . Hurrying behind her was Ms. Wilson. She went to the girls and I heard her and my daughter talking. Bobbie promised she would look after Kerry and wouldn't let her get into the deep water. As the beach sloped gently out they could safely play in the shallows. Bobbie then suggested that Ms. Wilson could sit with me. I saw Kerry's mom look to where Bobbie was pointing at me and she paused as if she was considering it. Hesitantly she walked over.

"Hello, David. Would you mind if I share your umbrella while the girls play."

"Not at all, Ms. Wilson. Please have a seat."

"Please call me Amy. David, I apologize about the way I acted yesterday."

"That's alright, Amy. You didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize."

Amy gave me a small smile and took a seat in the lounger on the other side of the small table with the umbrella. We sat in silence watching our daughters laugh and carry on. I saw Bobbie whisper in Kerry's ear and the little girl grin and nod her head. The two girls came charging across the sand towards us. Bobbie grabbed my hand pulling at me as Kerry pulled on her mothers. 

"Come on, dad. We want you guys to help us build a sand castle."

I laughed as I let her pull me up. The last time I had built sand castles with my daughter was when she was only a little older than Kerry. My wife was still alive and we had taken a vacation to the beach. We hurried down to the water's edge and soon had a good start on a castle. Occasionally I would look up and see Amy smile at me as we worked with our daughters. It seemed all too soon that we were needing to pack up and head back to the ship. Amy and Kerry went back with us to catch the skiff. Bobbie and Kerry walked between Amy and I holding hands and chattering away. It did my heart good to see my daughter having fun. 

When we were back on board, our daughter's started begging us to let them have dinner together that evening. They were so cute that Amy and I couldn't help but laugh and give in. We had enough time to shower and I got in a short nap before we went to meet Amy and Kerry. We ended up in the pizzeria again but only on the promise from Bobbie that she and I would eat in one of the other restaurants the next night. The pizza was served buffet style. We filled out plates and our daughters hurried to one of the booths and slid in one side to sit side by side. Amy turned and looked at me. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. She slid in and I sat down next to her.

We didn't really get into our personal lives but I learned from Amy that she had won this trip in a contest of some kind. After we had eaten we took the girls to one of the arcades and watched them play games. Bobbie was very attentive to the littler girl and helped her with the games. When we got ready to return to our rooms, it was Kerry who whispered into Bobbie's ear. Bobbie grinned and nodded at her. All the way back to the room, my daughter chattered about how much fun she's been having.

-----Amy

Amy had agreed to take her daughter to the beach but as they walked towards the water, her daughter had pulled her hand free and took off running. At first she had been afraid Kerry was going to run out into the sea but when Amy saw Bobbie she breathed a sigh of relief. Amy went to the girls and Bobbie said she would look after Kerry and she could sit with her dad. Still embarrassed at how she had acted yesterday she cautiously approached him and asked to share his umbrella. She was grateful that David was so gracious in telling her he had not taken offense to her demeanor the day before at the pool.

Amy had watched how David interacted with Bobbie while they built sand castles and could tell he loved his daughter very much. Once again she wished she had married a man who was more like David and not the one who had turned his back on his wife and daughter. As she and Kerry headed back to their room that evening she listened to her daughter carry on about how much fun she was having. She smiled and was really glad to see Kerry so happy.

That night as she lay in bed she thought about David. He wasn't like most men she had met. He didn't leer at her, he was soft spoken and a total gentleman.

------David

We got up on our third day aboard ship and went to breakfast. This would be another day at sea. Bobbie wanted to go back to the kids room and then meet me for lunch. I was fine with that as it would give me time to sit out on the balcony and read. I picked her up at noon and we actually ate something other than pizza, thank God. I can only stomach just so much pepperoni. In the afternoon she wanted to go to the pool again. I found a lounger and started to read. Instead of jumping in the water, Bobbie sat next to me seeming a bit antsy. Suddenly she bolted up and ran across the deck. I looked up to see Amy and Kerry coming towards us.

The two girls talked excitedly to Amy and she nodded her head. Bobbie took Kerry to the shallow end to play in the water while Amy came over and said hello and sat down in the lounger next to mine. We sat quietly and watched the girls. Finally I asked her if she was enjoying the cruise.

"Yes, it's nice to get away from the grind and relax. Kerry is really having a blast. Your daughter is so sweet to look after her the way she does."

"Bobbie is something special. She really has a way with younger kids and loves to look after them. I think she's going to make a great mother someday," I said with pride. "So is there anything you haven't done yet you want to do?"

"Well, part of the package I won included a treatment at the spa but Kerry doesn't want to go to the kids room since parents aren't allowed in, so I guess I won't get to do that."

I thought about it for a few minutes and then made a suggestion. "We don't make our next stop until after lunch tomorrow. Why don't you make an appointment for in the morning and I know Bobbie would be happy to watch after Kerry and I can keep an eye on both of them."

"I couldn't impose on you like that, David."

"Honestly, Amy. It wouldn't be any imposition. We would be happy to watch Kerry for you."

Amy paused as if she was wondering if she could trust me with her daughter. I guess she decided I was okay. "It would be nice to be pampered. If you're sure I'll ask Kerry if she would like to spend some time with Bobbie."

Amy and Kerry joined Bobbie and I for dinner again that evening. I had already asked Bobbie if she would like to spend the morning watching over Kerry and she was all for it. When Amy asked Kerry about it over dinner she was thrilled with the idea. The next morning we met them near the arcade where we told Amy we would be when she got out of the spa. The girls had a blast playing games. Even I got into the action with them. There was one game in particular the Kerry wanted to play but she was a little too short. She asked me if she could sit in my lap so she could reach it. We were in the middle of that when Amy returned from the spa looking very relaxed.




A Second Chance



"I am surprised, David. Kerry doesn't usually like to sit on a man's lap."

"He's not a man, mommy. He's Bobbie's daddy," she said innocently.

Amy and I laughed at that. We all had a quick bite to eat and then caught the skiff to our next port of call. This stop was more touristy with lots of shops to visit. We wandered around the village and I bought the kids some souvenirs. When we got back to the ship that evening we were all tired from all the walking we did. We decided that we were just going to stay in that night and order room service. We agreed to meet up at the pool the next afternoon. I fell asleep that night thinking about I had enjoyed being in Amy's company. I hadn't spent this much time around a woman since my wife had passed away.

-----Amy

When Amy got back to their room she ordered a quick dinner for Kerry who was tuckered out then put her to bed. As she lay in her own bed she thought over the day. She had been amazed to see her daughter sitting in David's lap when she had returned to the arcade. Ever since her husband had walked out on them, Kerry had seemed to have a distrust of men just like her mother. And she was taken with how David always made sure to buy something for Kerry when he bought something for Amy. And most of all he had never hit on her. Amy wasn't vain but she did know that men did find her to be very attractive and she wasn't used to being around one who didn't make a pass at her. She was actually finding him to be intriguing.

------David

I found myself looking forward to seeing Amy and Kerry that afternoon. I was starting to think that my daughter was right. I really did need to get out and start living again. Bobbie and I arrived at the pool first and I found two empty loungers. I put my towel and novel in one to save it for Amy. I spotted them when they came on deck and watched as she walked towards me. She smiled brightly at me when she came up. Today we chatted with ease. We still didn't discuss our private lives other than what concerned our daughters. I did tell her a lot about Bobbie, her school and her hobbies. When we decided that the girls had had enough water and sun it was Amy who suggested we meet up for dinner. I quickly agreed. We ate early and then took the girls to the arcade again. 

The next day we would be headed back towards our starting point. We had one final night aboard ship. We spent the day together. We even got a few comments about what a lovely family we were from fellow passengers. Amy and I just smiled and went on our way, not bothering to correct them. It was that afternoon when we talked about where we would eat tonight that Bobbie surprised me with her suggestion.

"Dad, you and Ms. Wilson haven't got to eat in the real fancy restaurant yet. Why don't you guys let me baby sit Kerry in our room tonight and both of you go there. They even have a place you can dance after you eat."

"I don't know, sweetie. I mean Amy might not feel comfortable leaving Kerry with you."

"Geez, dad. She's sitting right there. Ask her." I could feel my face getting red.

"Amy, would you like to eat in the adults restaurant tonight?"

"That might be nice, David. If Bobbie doesn't mind watching Kerry."

And so it was set. I had my first date in fifteen years. Actually I just looked at it as a dinner with a friend. After all, it wasn't like we would see each other again once the cruise was over. Since it was going to take Amy longer to get ready, I took our daughters to eat. Yep, you guessed it, pizza. I then took both girls back to our suite and Bobbie played with Kerry while I got ready. At seven thirty I went to Amy's room. I knew she was beautiful, but she was a true knock out in her little black dress.

"We need to go back to my room, before we go to dinner." I said.

"Why, David?"

"Because I need to get my bat." 

"Your bat?" she asked confused.

"Yeah, to beat off all the guys trying to steal my date."

Amy giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment." 

I was the envy of every man when we walked into the restaurant. We were seated at a nice cozy table for two. I had a nice bottle of wine brought to the table when we ordered out meal. For the first time since we had met we opened up about our lives. Amy told me how she had fallen for her ex-husband and against her parents wishes had married him only to have him leave her and their daughter for another woman. I told Amy about losing my wife and how hard it had been. I was touched to see the tears well up in her eyes. After that we changed the subject to less emotional topics.

The food was excellent and when we plates had been cleared away I asked her if she would care to go to the lounge next door. Amy said she would like that and soon we were sitting at another table listening to the music and watching couples dance. The final night of the cruise they were playing all slow songs. 

"Amy, I'm not the best dancer in the world but I would be honored if you would dance with me."

"I would love to, David."

I led Amy onto the dance floor and took her in my arms. She was the first woman I had held in two years and when her body pressed up against mine a jolt of electricity went through my body. We stayed on the floor for three songs. Her body seemed to meld to mine. I was in a daze when I led her back to our table. We danced one more time for another three songs and decided we should get back to check on the girls.

We took the elevator to deck nine and walked to my rooms. Amy was amazed at the size of our quarters. Both our daughters were asleep on the floor in front of the TV. I chuckled at the sight and told Amy to wait. I picked up Bobbie and carried her to bed. She only slightly roused and went back to sleep as I tucked her in. I kissed the top of her head and went back out to the living room area.

I bent down and picked up Kerry in my arms and told Amy I would carry her back to their room. We made it there without her waking up and I gently laid her in her bed and pulled the covers over her. Amy leaned down and kissed her daughter's cheek and then walked me to the door.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, David."

"It was truly my pleasure. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed an evening like this. How about we meet for breakfast in the morning. I know Bonnie would never forgive me if she didn't have the chance to say good bye to Kerry."

"Yes, David. That would be nice." She quickly kissed me on the cheek and went back inside her room.

I returned to my suite feeling conflicted. For the first time since my wife had died I had a desire for another woman. I went to bed torn by what I felt. I cried that night, afraid I was betraying my love for my departed wife.

-----Amy

Amy went to bed that night with feelings she thought she would never have again. It had been a wonderful night. David had been a wonderful date. He had complimented her on her looks and had listened attentively to everything she had to say. And when he took her on to the dance floor and he had put his arms around her she felt a jolt flash through her. Amy cried into her pillow that night that she hadn't met a man like David to fall in love with.

------David

We met for breakfast on our last morning. Our daughters gabbed away about how much fun they'd had. Amy and I sat and listened. We would look at each other and smile. We would be arriving in port soon, so after breakfast we had to return to our rooms to pack and have our luggage ready to be taken off the ship. We told the girls to say good bye to each other. Amy looked at me and stepped in and hugged me. I held her for tightly for a minute before releasing her. I could see a glimmering of tears in her eyes as she looked at me..

"Thank you for last night, David. I had a wonderful evening."

"I did too, Amy. Here, this is my card. It has my e-mail address on it. Just in case, well, you know?" I said. I wasn't sure why I gave it to her. Maybe somewhere inside I didn't want have her leave my life. Amy nodded and smiled as she took it. Then Kerry ran up to me and held her arms out. I bent down and picked her up. She wrapped her little arms around my neck and hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"I wish I had a daddy like you," she said out the blue.

I was taken aback. I was going to miss both Amy and Kerry more than I had realized. I was too choked up to speak so I just hugged her tight. Amy hugged Bobbie and we went our separate ways. I looked back one last time just as Amy turned to look at us. She gave me a sad smile and I saw a single tear slide down her cheek. 

Our bags had been picked up and once we docked we made our way off. I looked around but I didn't see Amy or Kerry anywhere. We had an afternoon flight booked back to take us back home. I hadn't realized it but I had hardly said a word to my daughter since breakfast. Once we were in our seats on the plane she looked up at me.

"You really like her, don't you dad?"

I looked at her startled. "Yes, Bobbie. I guess I do. She's a very nice lady."

"I can tell she likes you too. Maybe you should give her a call sometime."

"Yeah, maybe."

I then realized I didn't have anyway to contact her. I had given her my card but hadn't asked for her number or e-mail. I tried to perk up and spent the rest of the flight talking with Bobbie about our trip. For her the trip had been thrilling. I felt good that I had agreed to take her.

When we got back to our home airport we headed for the baggage claim area. I had just picked up our last bag when I stepped backwards onto someone's foot. I heard a woman's voice cry out in pain. I quickly turned.

"I'm so sorry," I said immediately apologizing. The woman on whose toes I had stepped on looked up at me.

"David?" she exclaimed in surprise.

"Amy. What are you doing here," I said equally surprised.

"This is where we live," Amy said. 

I realized that while we had talked about a lot of things, we hadn't ever mentioned where we lived. I looked at Bobbie and saw her laughing at us as she stood holding Kerry in her arms.

"What?" I said to her.

"I can't believe you two didn't know we live in the same city. Kerry and I have already talked about it on the boat and made plans to see each other again," Bobbie giggled.

I had a luggage cart and helped Amy get her bags and loaded them with ours. She and Kerry had taken a different airlines but as coincidence would have it, we had arrived at the same time.

"Is your car here?" I asked Amy as we were leaving the baggage claim.

"No, we're going to take a cab home."

"Where do you live, exactly?"

"Over in Richmond Hills."

"We go right by there daddy. Let's give them a ride home," piped in my daughter.

"If you would give me a chance, I was going to suggest that," I said. "How about it, Amy. Can we give you and Kerry a ride?"

"If it's not really out of your way, that would be nice."

I was thinking that even if it was out of our way, I would still want to give her a ride home.

"Alright, if you will wait here with the girls, I'll get the car and pick you up."

As I went to the parking lot I couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't fate that we had met. Whatever the reason, I now believed that this wouldn't me the last time that Amy and I saw each other. When I returned we quickly loaded the car . Our daughters sat in the back talking and giggling all the way to Amy's. I helped Amy get their luggage into their condo and got a nice hug for my effort. She slipped a piece of paper into my hand and asked me to call her. 

Bobbie talked all the way home about how great it was that we all lived so close together. I just nodded my head as we drove. I went to bed that night still conflicted over my feelings for Amy and my love for my departed wife.

Our first day back I headed into the office to make sure everything had run smoothly while we were gone. It was great to find out that there had been no problems. I had good people working for me. To thank them for their hard work every year I would have an annual picnic for my employees and their families. I would arrange to have a catered barbecue cooked on site. This year it was scheduled for the weekend after our cruise. 

Bobbie started in almost immediately how nice it would be if I invited Amy and Kerry to go with us. It didn't really take any convincing for me to agree. On Thursday I called Amy.

"Hello Amy," I said when she had answered the phone.

"Hello David. I was hoping you would call."

"That's nice to hear. The reason I am calling is that my company has an annual picnic every year for the employees and their families and it is this Saturday. I was wondering if you and Kerry would like to go."

"Sure, David. I would like that. I know how much Kerry wants to see Bobbie. She asks me everyday when will they get to see each other."

"Great. I'll pick you up at eleven. The picnic actually begins at noon but I like to get there a little early to make sure the caterers are set up."

We chatted for a few more minutes and I hung up feeling good. I really did want to see her again.

-------Amy

Amy had been wondering if David was going to call her. She had even been tempted to call him but kept putting it off. Now he had called and invited her and Kerry to a picnic. It wasn't like being asked out on a romantic date for two but she would get to spend more time with him. She also knew that Kerry was going to be thrilled to see Bobbie again.

-------David

Bobbie was so excited that Amy and Kerry were going to the picnic. On Saturday morning, starting about nine, she would ask every fifteen minutes if it was time to leave. I had to laugh at her eagerness. When I did finally tell her it was time she raced to the car and was already buckled in by the time I got there. We pulled up in front of Amy's condo and just as we stepped out of the car her front door opened and little Kerry burst out running as fast as her little legs would carry her and leaped up into Bonnie's arms. I looked over and saw Amy standing in the door laughing.

When my daughter put her little friend on the ground Kerry bounded over to me and held her arms up. I reached down and picked her up and gave her a hug which was enthusiastically returned. I swore I saw Amy dab at a tear as she watched us. Amy closed and locked her door and came over and gave Bobbie a hug as I put Kerry in the back seat and buckled her in. My daughter ran around the car and got in beside Kerry and I opened the front door for Amy. Instead of getting in she stepped up and hugged me. I felt the same jolt of electricity surge through me that I had felt the night I first held her as we danced. I put my arms around her and returned the hug.

The drive to the park was fairly short. Amy and I mainly listened to our daughter's happily chattering away in the back. When we arrived and got out Kerry excitedly pointed at the swings in the little playground area and Bobbie asked for permission to take her little friend over there. Amy said it would be fine. They were close enough we could keep our eyes on them. I saw where the caterers were setting up and told Amy I wanted to make sure everything was in order. As we walked towards them Amy slipped her hand into mine and I felt a tingle of pleasure at this simple contact.

My employees and their families began arriving at noon and I made sure I was there to greet them. I introduced Amy to each arrival and was pleased to see they made sure to make her feel welcome. I did catch a few of them giving me nice smiles. They all knew that since my wife's passing that I hadn't dated. The picnic went great. The weather was perfect and the food was served on time and was enjoyed by all. We had some organized games like the three legged race and an egg toss. Amy stayed close to my side all afternoon and even helped me hand out the prizes for winners of the games. The picnic officially ended at five and by five thirty I had said good-bye to the last family to leave. The caterers were finished packing up and I loaded Amy and the kids up in the car.

"Thank you for inviting us, David. We both had a really nice time," Amy said once we were in the car.

"I should be thanking you for coming. I enjoyed spending more time with you," I replied.

We talked about how well the picnic had gone as I drove them home. I pulled up and got out to help Kerry out of the car but Bobbie beat me to it. We exchanged hugs all around and Amy and I hugged last. She looked up into my eyes.

"Maybe we can get together again," I said hopefully.

Amy nodded. "I would like that. Call me," she said. And then added, "Soon." She stood on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Again I felt the electricity.

-------Amy

Amy put her tired but happy daughter to bed that evening before turning in herself. She lay in bed thinking about the events of the day. She really had enjoyed spending time with David. She had thought that David worked for the company and was surprised to learn he owned it. And she recalled how welcome his employees made her feel. She could tell they all had a great respect for their boss and were quite fond of him. This just convinced her more that David was a special man. She fell asleep hoping he would call her soon.

------David

Bobbie waited all the way until Wednesday before she started bugging me about when I was going to call Amy again. She thought it would be a good idea if she baby sat Kerry so that Amy and I could go out together. One trait my daughter had inherited from her mother was her ability to read me like a book.

"Daddy, I know how much you loved mom. We both still do. She loved us both so much. Please daddy, you have to know that she would never want you to live alone and be unhappy because she can't be here with us. Neither of us will ever forget mom, but I know you really like Amy and it's time for you to be happy again."

I couldn't help the tears that ran down my cheeks as I looked at my wonderful daughter. I realized she was right. My wife would never have wanted me to pine my life away anymore than I would have wished that for her. As long as I had Bobbie I would always have a piece of her.

"Just when did you get so smart?" I asked her. Bobbie just rolled her eyes at me and giggled.

"I've always been smart. I get it from my parents. It's about time you noticed." I reached over and grabbed her and started tickling her as she squealed with glee and squirmed begging me to stop. I relented and hugged her tight as she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I called Amy that night and asked her if she would like to have dinner with me Saturday night. Just the two of us. I told her that Bobbie had offered to baby sit Kerry here at my house. I also told her that I would arrange to have our neighbor's eighteen year old daughter stay with the kids. She often came over to stay with Bobbie when I had to go somewhere.

Amy sounded excited and instantly accepted my offer. We decided it would be easier if she drove over here since Kerry would be staying with Bobbie. I told her we lived in a gated community and I would leave her name with security and they would let her in. When I told my daughter that I had a date for Saturday night I think she was as excited as I was.

I was impatient the rest of the week waiting for Saturday and when the day arrived I realized that I was beginning to feel nervous. I felt like a high school kid going out on his first date. Luckily I had the help of my daughter who laid out the clothes I should wear. I got her seal of approval once I was dressed. The doorbell rang right at six and I realized that my palms were sweating as I reached for the door knob. When I opened the door and saw Amy looking absolutely gorgeous my nervousness changed to desire.

Little Kerry greeted me with open arms demanding a hug which I was more than happy to give her. I passed her to Bobbie and they ran off laughing as my daughter took her in hand. I was now free to turn my undivided attention to Amy. She seemed to glide across the floor as she stepped into my arms. My heart was beating hard as I leaned down and kissed her softly. Her lips were soft and warm and I believed they spoke to me telling me that she was glad to be there.




A Second Chance



I gave Amy a tour of the house and she seemed to be impressed. The neighbor's daughter, Jill, showed up shortly after Amy and I introduced them. I made sure Jill still had my mobile number and we gave our daughter's a hug and headed out. I had made reservations at a restaurant that was on the top floor of the tallest building in town. It had windows that looked out over the city and gave a nice panoramic view. I made sure to reserve a table in one corner. This would be a little more private and had the best view. Amy had never been there before and was very impressed.

Our conversation flowed freely and I couldn't help but feel that she was enjoying herself as much as I was. She had a lot of questions about how I had come to own my own business. I told her about how I a friend of my parents had complained that he couldn't find a program that met his needs. I offered to try and write one for him. I worked with the owner and two months later had him a program that worked for him. He told other business owners about what I had done and they contacted me to help them. By word of mouth I was soon swamped with new business and had to hire a couple other programmers to help out. My company was born and it became a success.

After I had paid the bill I took her down one floor to a night club that had a quartet that played dance music. This wasn't a loud hang out full of blaring music but rather a dimly lit place where you could talk without having to shout. I ordered us each another glass of wine and then asked her to dance. The music was romantic, meant for slow dancing to. Amy seemed to melt into my arms and she felt so right being there.

During our second dance I looked down at the top of her head and she raised her face to mine. We stared into each others eyes and my mouth just naturally sought hers. Our kiss started warm and soft and I felt her lips part slightly. My tongue naturally slipped into her mouth and was warmly greeted by hers. I think we were both slightly breathless when we broke the kiss. My cock had swelled to full size and I know she felt it press into her and she pressed herself tighter against me. We danced several more times and then I noted that we needed to leave so Jill could go home.

Amy held tight to my arm all the way to the car and sat close to me holding my hand as we drove home. I was sorry our evening was coming to and end. We got to my home and I paid Jill and thanked her for baby sitting. She told us that our daughters had gone to bed around ten. Amy and I walked down the hall and looked into my daughter's room and saw that Kerry was in bed with Bobbie and they were both soundly asleep. I took Amy's arm and drew her back into the living room.

"Amy it's late and Kerry is already asleep. It would be a shame to have to wake her up. Why don't you stay the night," I said. Her eyes grew wide and she looked a little shocked. "I'm sorry. I should have said that I have two spare bedrooms and your more than welcome to use one," I said in a hurry hoping that I hadn't offended her.

Amy smiled at me. "Well, I guess that would be okay. Only I didn't bring anything to sleep in. Have you got a spare shirt I could wear."

I chuckled. "Hang on just a second." I popped into my bedroom and got one button up and one tee shirt and brought them back out. "Your choice," I said holding them up.

Amy looked them over and then took the tee shirt and held it in front of her. It would come down to just above her knees. "This ought to work just fine."

I led her down the hall to the spare bedroom. I showed her that this and the other bedroom had a bathroom between them and as no one was in the other room it would be hers to use alone. She rewarded me with a toe curling kiss. I hurriedly left her to change before I forgot I was a gentleman. I fell asleep that night feeling happier than I had in a long time.

------Amy

'My God that man can kiss,' Amy thought as David left her to get changed for bed in his spare room. She felt a naughty shiver run through her body as she recalled feeling how hard he was as they danced and how her body naturally pushed against him. As she slipped her panties off she could see the evidence that he had made her feel a deep desire for him.

At first she had been a little shocked when he suggested that she stay the night until he quickly said he had a spare room. Then she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he hadn't actually just took her to his room.

Amy knew that they had both had a rough time. He had lost his wife and she had found out the man she had married was a cheating scumbag. They should take their time but she hoped soon they could move forward and their relationship would become all she now hoped it could be.

-------David

I woke up and the birds were singing outside my window. For the first time in a long time I was in a hurry to get out of bed. I went into my bathroom and relieved myself and brushed my teeth before heading to the kitchen and put on the coffee to brew. Next I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the makings for breakfast. I was standing at the stove and had just put the bacon on to fry when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. A definitely woman's body pressed into my back as I was hugged. I turned around and put my arms around Amy and gave her a good morning kiss.

When she stepped back she asked what I was cooking and I told her eggs, bacon and toast. She jumped in and started cooking the eggs while I tended to the bacon. Despite the fact that it had been over two years since a woman had cooked in my kitchen it felt natural to have her here. And damn but she looked so cute in my tee shirt. My thoughts were interrupted by our daughters bursting into the room. Kerry came racing over to her mother.

"I spent the night with Bobbie," she said proudly as she hugged her mother's leg. She then noted what Amy was wearing. "Did you spend the night, too?"

Amy laughed at her daughter's natural inquisitiveness. "Yes honey. David let me sleep in his spare bedroom last night."

Bobbie seemed to be totally unfazed to see Amy standing in the kitchen wearing my tee shirt. She just gave me a big grin and set about pouring orange juices for her and Kerry. The conversation was light and cheery as we ate. I couldn't again think how long it had been since there was such a feeling of happiness at the table. I had one twinge of guilt but quickly buried it away.

Amy helped me to clean the kitchen and then she got dressed and told Kerry it was time to go home. Kerry wasn't happy that they were leaving but she felt a lot better when I invited her and her mother to come back and swim in our pool the next weekend.

Over the next week I would call Amy every evening to talk. I waited until I knew she would have put Kerry to bed and she always answered on the first ring. I sensed that she enjoyed our chats as much as I did. On Friday evening she told me how much she and Kerry were looking forward to spending the day at my house on Saturday. I made sure she knew I felt the same way and told her that she was welcome as early as they could be here.

I didn't have to wait long for at nine a.m. the next morning I answered the doorbell to find Amy and Kerry on my doorstep. I got my now usual greeting hug and kiss on the cheek from Kerry and a tighter hug and kiss on the lips from her mother. Kerry showed up in her bathing suit while Amy wore a sundress and carried a beach bag which I presumed held her bathing suit. Kerry wanted to get straight into the pool. We had to convince her to wait until after lunch when it was a little warmer outside. In the meantime Bobbie took her to her bedroom to play. Amy and I sat in the kitchen and talked over a cup of coffee.

Amy helped me fix a light lunch and then at the continuing insistence that we go 'shwimmin' as Kerry pronounced it the rest of us went to put on our suits. The kids and I were first out and I went ahead with them to the pool. Bobbie hopped into the shallow end and helped Kerry into the water. Amy came out the door a few minutes later wearing a cover up and carrying a towel. She walked over to where I was already laying in a lounge chair and set her towel in the seat next to mine. She raised the cover-up, which was like a long loose shirt, up and over her head. I felt my eyes grow wider. She wasn't wearing the one piece suit she had worn on the cruise but instead had on a bikini. It was a respectable bikini to wear in front of the children but still showed much more skin than her one piece.

I let out a low wolf whistle that only she could hear. Amy grinned and did a pirouette. "You like?" she asked.

"I like. I like very much," I replied hoping my tongue wasn't hanging out.

Amy and I sat basking in the sun until we gave in to the girls' insistence that we get in the water. I let myself be used as a target for their splashes much to the glee of Kerry. After three hours and several applications of sun block we decided to go in. I especially liked putting the sun block on Amy's smooth back. We had enough bathrooms that we could all shower and rinse the block and pool chemicals off. Once Bobbie was firmly in charge of entertaining Kerry again I poured a glass of wine for Amy and got a beer for myself.

With the girls up and about much of the sexual tension between Amy and I was replaced by one of being at ease in each others company. Time passed quickly and we made dinner side by side. Afterward I was able to ply her with enough wine that she agreed to spend the night again. We had the same sleeping arrangements as before. Kerry and Bobbie in Bobbie's room, me in mine and Amy in the guest room. Amy and Kerry didn't leave until the following afternoon. During the day we would share small kisses.

This became our routine for the next four weeks. Amy and I would talk on the phone each night during the week then we would spend the weekend together with our daughters. A couple of times we took the kids out to the park or the zoo. Each time though our sleeping arrangements were the same.

By our sixth week of dating I was wanting to move our relationship to the next level but wasn't sure how to proceed. It had been many years since I had made an overture like that. I was still wondering how to suggest it to Amy when that Saturday night I was in her room and we were locked in a hot kiss. Amy pulled her head back and looked into my eyes.

"David, Bobbie is your daughter, right?" she asked.

"Of course she is," I replied confused.

"Then I assume you understand the mechanics of how she was created?" she continued. I nodded. "Well, I'm not suggesting that we actually create a child but I was thinking it might be nice to practice the mechanics of that procedure with you."

I had to laugh. Obviously Amy was getting frustrated with my lack of moving forward and was taking it onto herself to give me a push. Well, that was all I needed. I swept her into my arms and carried her to my bedroom and put her on my bed. I lay next to her and pulled her body into mine as we continued the kiss we had started. I ran my hand up from her waist and cupped her breast through the tee shirt she wore. Amy had always insisted on wearing one of my tee shirts to bed and I was all for it as she looked so damn cute in them.

Amy moaned into my mouth when I gently squeezed her firm tit. Our kiss heated up as our arousal grew until she reached down and pulled the tee shirt over her head. I had left the light on in the bathroom and it cast a low light into the room. I looked down at her naked body and my cock which was already throbbing seemed to get even harder. I quickly pulled my own shirt off as well as the gym shorts I had put on and joined her in the nude for the first time. Amy's hand reached down and took hold of my manhood and that simple touch was in itself enough to almost make me cum. I gasped and let out a groan.

"Careful sweetheart, I'm on the edge as it it," I warned her. Amy gently pushed me onto my back.

"It's okay, my love. Relax and enjoy yourself and I'm sure the second time will be easier on you." Amy put her head down in my crotch and I watched her lovely lips part and my hard cock slide into her mouth. Only one other person in my life had ever imparted so much love in this simple act of sex. I wasn't a virgin when I married Bobbie's mother and I had engaged in oral sex with other women but none was ever as special because they weren't doing as it an act of love in itself. Now I felt that same emotion from Amy.

As much as I would have enjoyed this for an hour I seriously doubt I lasted a full two minutes before I cried out in warning that I was going to cum. Amy never moved, she kept her lips tightly sealed around me, taking my cum into her mouth as it erupted from my cock. I could feel her swallowing to keep it from running past her lips. I lay on my back gasping for air as Amy looked up at my and licked her lips.

"Mmmm," was all she said. She slid her body up along mine and kissed my deeply. I held her in my arms until I had fully recovered and then rolled her over.

"My turn," I said with a leer.

"Really David, you don't have to," she said sounding concerned.

"Maybe not, but I really really want to," I replied. I learned later that her ex-husband had never done that for her. I didn't want to rush it so I licked and kissed my way down her body, pausing to suck and nibble on her nipples. I continued on and stuck my tongue in her belly button causing her to giggle and stopped when I kissed the top of her mound. Moving quickly I slid to the foot of the bed and kissed her feet and up her ankles. By the time I reached her thighs I was licking and kissing her. I could hear Amy's breathing becoming more rapid and in shorter breaths. I teased her by kissing either side of her pussy before running my tongue from the bottom of her lips up over her clit. 

Amy's hips lifted up and cried out, "Oh God." I became lost in the taste of her sweet juices and made out with her pussy. I pushed my tongue in as far as I could and then began to lick and suck on her lips. Within minutes she let out a keening sound.

"Oh David, I'm going to cum," she called out. I moved my mouth up from her pussy and sucked on her clit as I slid two fingers into her. Amy pretty much erupted at that point. Her body shook and I felt her pussy clench around my fingers. I was glad that my daughter's bedroom was on the other side of the house where she wouldn't hear Amy call out in a mixture of a scream and and a guttural growl. Even after she had collapsed back on the bed and I had moved up to lay along side her I would see her tremble every few seconds. Finally her eyes opened and she gazed at me in what I could only describe as adoration.

Amy put her arm around my neck and pulled my face forcibly to hers and used her tongue to battle mine. I felt her hand slide down my chest until she reached my cock which was again rock hard. She growled into my mouth and pulled at me so that I ended up between her legs. Within seconds I was entering her. She felt so wonderful as I slipped into her heat. Warm, wet, and tight. My only regret is that I wish we would have done this weeks ago.

My eyes were locked with Amy's and I felt that we were mirroring the love that we had come to feel for each other. With our first orgasms having tempered our arousal we made slow gentle love for the next fifteen minutes. Her eyes closed momentarily and she moaned and pressed harder into me. Our pace migrated from slow to medium and finally as we reached our peak we were moving fast to meet each other. Her climax triggered mine and we rode the heights together.

The act of sex is so much more fulfilling when it shared with someone you love. This was very much an act of love. I thought of my departed wife only briefly and felt no guilt. I knew she would be happy that I had a second chance at love.

We kissed softly afterward. The sheer pleasure of holding her naked body close to mine was intense. "I love you," I whispered.

"And I love you too, David. So much," she whispered back to me. At some point we both slipped into sleep. I don't know if I had slept for one hour or two but when I woke up Amy had her back to me as we lay like two spoons. My cock was hard again and trapped between her legs. I could feel the heat from her pussy on me and I reflexively began to move my hips back and forth. I guess the sensation of my hardness rubbing across across the lips of her pussy woke her. I felt her press back against me and her hand reaching down to guide me into her.

"Hmmm, good idea. We might not have it down yet. We need more practice," she murmured. We moved slowly in a state of half sleep until I felt her shudder gently and I released my cum into her. This wasn't the hot sex of earlier but rather a loving uniting. 

It was morning when we next woke. I went and started the shower and Amy quickly joined me. Twenty minutes later we emerged clean and refreshed. We found our clothes laying on the floor and dressed. When we entered the kitchen our daughters were already there. I'm sure Kerry was too young to realize the significance of her mother and I coming in together from the direction of my bedroom but it was not lost on my daughter. As Amy was putting on a pot of coffee, Bobbie came and kissed my cheek.

"It's about time," she whispered in my ear with a giggle. I looked at her and raised my eyebrows which she chose to ignore. My daughter turned and went and gave Amy a good morning kiss on the cheek before returning to sit with Kerry.

That happened a month ago and Amy and I have discussed that we should continue to explore out relationship and give ourselves a year to move forward. Amy no longer sleeps in the guest room when she and Kerry stay over and personally I believe that we both know it is a foregone conclusion and in less than a year we will announce to everyone that we are making the ultimate commitment.



A Second Chance



This is really the last sequel to The Lake House Rules/Dana's Side stories, so familiarity with at least one of those series, and the prior sequel, "Rebecca's Story" are probably necessary to appreciate this fully. I understand that it covers a great deal of time in a short space, and that was intentional. I wanted to wrap up this story, first for me as the writer, and also for those readers who complained about the ending to the initial series, but without having to write 40 plus years of chapters, or even providing more detail about the time that elapses here. There is sex in this story, but no explicit descriptions. I have appreciated all of the feedback to these series and intend to keep writing stories, some of which will take place in this universe, and others that are not.




Rebecca and I once agreed that the one thing that we liked about Judaism was the tradition of sitting shiva. Stripped of any religious meaning, which we both rejected, it was a way to spend time with family and friends remembering a dead loved one. It forced you to talk about the deceased, and try to put a good face on a bad situation. I never expected to be sitting shiva for Rebecca, at least not at such a young age. But the cancer diagnosis came weeks after her 55th birthday, and she was dead within 3 months.

I was devastated. Rebecca was the love of my life. My partner, best friend and lover. From the moment I met her at the physics symposium in Indianapolis, I was never interested in another woman. And here I was, still relatively young, and trying to figure out how to go on without her.

Without my friends and family around, I think I would have fallen into a bottomless depression. My sister Sarah and her husband Steve flew in from Washington and stayed with me the last week of Rebecca's life. Our son, Peter, left grad school and flew home to be with his mother, and our daughter, Marie, came home from college. Rebecca's mother Rose and sister Leah were there for the last couple of weeks, and my father flew in a couple of days before she died and we all spent time at the hospice and at our home, going through the motions of life, waiting for my beautiful wife's suffering to end. She was still beautiful to me in her final days, even as she wasted away. 

The funeral was a whirlwind. We were aggressively secular, so the "service" at the university chapel consisted of a few family members and friends reading statements about Rebecca, who was a brilliant scientist, a great teacher and a valued member of our university's community. The president of the school made a wonderful and touching speech that had everyone in tears. I was able to croak out a few lines before breaking down, and Peter came up and finished my speech for me while I sobbed in my seat. Then came the trip to the cemetery, and watching the coffin being lowered into the ground meant that I could no longer pretend that Rebecca wasn't dead. 

But I had to sit shiva, so I had to be able to receive guests. Sarah, being one of the country's leading party planners, and who always was there for me when I needed her, had taken over responsibility for making sure that we had food and drinks, and that the house was ready. It was a blur at first, and I tried to speak with my friends, and the family, but I was a wreck, and after a while, Sarah made me take a sleeping pill and go to bed.

I woke up early the next morning to a quiet house. The kids were asleep in their old rooms, Dad was in one guest room, and everyone else had taken rooms at hotels. I made a pot of coffee and picked at some food, tried to read the news or watch television but nothing kept my attention. It wasn't long before Sarah, Steve and their adult children showed up, and I let Sarah take over getting ready for the next onslaught of visitors. 

Eventually, the rest of the family arrived, and some of our friends from the college began to filter in. I was pleasantly surprised when the door opened, and one of my oldest friends, Fred, came through the door with his wife. We hugged and he made the appropriate comments, and we commiserated. Fred had worked at our university for a while, and knew Rebecca, and his wife and Rebecca had become friendly. Unlike me, who retained some of the social awkwardness of the high school nerd that I had been decades before, Rebecca was one of those people who made friends easily, and seemed to make everyone believe that they were the center of her attention. 

A little later, I was very shocked to see my oldest friend, Gina, arrive with her husband. We had been best friends for years and dated for a brief time at the end of high school. She had married relatively late in life, and I was glad that she had finally found someone. We went through the drill, and she and Fred went off to catch up, while I dealt with other visitors.

I was sitting in my favorite chair, talking with a group of people about Rebecca when I looked up and saw Dana. Other than Rebecca, I had never felt about a woman the same way I felt about Dana. If I had never met the true love of my life, I probably would have married Dana, and I'm sure I would have been happy. But I did meet Rebecca, and instead, Dana became one of my closest friends. She was also Sarah's business partner. I hadn't seen her in a year or so, but she still was the second most beautiful woman that I had ever known. Yes, the years had changed her beauty, but not diminished it in any way.

She came over to where I was sitting, and I stood up to give her a hug. The feel of her in my arms, and her scent, carried me back to our times together which began at the end of high school, when we had torrid sex and carried on a "friends with benefits" relationship for years, until I met Rebecca. It was a sign of Rebecca's confidence and trust in me that even though she knew the details of my relationship with Dana, she never appeared jealous and developed a friendship with Dana. We chatted briefly, and she went off to catch up with Sarah and to make the rounds.

Eventually, the guests began to leave, and Dad went to sleep. I told my kids to go out and see friends, or go to a bar or movie or something, because it was just awkward with all of us rattling around the house being sad. With a display of reluctance which I guessed masked their relief, they left the house. The next thing I knew, it was just me and Dana, sitting on the couch, talking.

"Jack, I'm so sorry for you," she said.

"Thanks," I said. "I feel like a hole has been ripped in my chest." 

She looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes, and said, "I can't imagine. I've never loved anyone the way you loved her." 

"And I'm sorry for that," I said. "You deserved to find someone that made you totally and completely happy." 

She took my hand and said, "I guess so. You know that I am here for you, anything you need. Any time." 

I squeezed her hand and said, "Thanks. We have been through so much, haven't we?" 

We started to reminisce about some of the crazy things we had done over the years, mostly relating to sexual things we did in public, and she actually got me laughing a little.

After a while, though, I was getting tired, so I said, "Dana, I'm so glad we did this, but I am exhausted and need to go to bed." 

She looked at me with a look that I hadn't seen in years. Other than Rebecca, only Dana had ever had the ability to buckle my knees with a look, and apparently that hadn't changed. She said, "I'd be happy to stay, if you want. Even just to cuddle, so you won't be alone." 

I briefly thought about accepting her offer, but realized that I couldn't and shouldn't. "I appreciate it, and frankly, I'm sure it would feel good, but it is just too soon, and I don't need to start having to explain things to everyone." 

She smiled and said, "I understand, and you are probably right, but I wanted you to know that my offer to do anything you need is without limits. I'll see you tomorrow." 

We hugged, and she left. 

I went to bed, alone, and lay there thinking about how much I missed waking up with Rebecca, and how, in some ways, having Dana with me would have been comforting, but I knew it would be wrong.

The next morning, I was having breakfast with Sarah, Steve and Dad, and told them about my conversation with Dana. Sarah looked at me and said, "I hope you didn't take that wrong. I think she really was trying to help you." 

I replied, "No, not at all. I understood that, and I'm sure that it would have felt great, but I couldn't take her up on her offer." 

Sarah responded, "I probably shouldn't say this now, but you know that the reason that Dana has never married anyone is because she always said that no one lived up to you." 

I was stunned. I sometimes suspected that might have been the case, but my ego was never that big. 

Sarah continued, "I think she has been in love with you since high school, and kicked herself that it didn't work out between the two of you, but she never resented Rebecca, because she knew how happy you were with her." 

I was really speechless.

Dad weighed in at that point, saying, "Son, I do think that it is too soon, but remember what happened to me when your mother died. I spent years mourning her and refusing to have any fun whatsoever, until you and your sister convinced me that I needed to move on, that your mother would not want me to spend the rest of my life sad, and to call Dana's mother. And even though that didn't work out in the end, you were right. So, whether it is Dana, or someone else, don't wait forever. You are too young to spend the rest of your life alone."

Over the next few days, the number of visitors decreased, but Dana came every day, and helped set up and clean up. She and Sarah had worked together for so long, they were a well oiled machine, and every detail was perfect. We also spent hours talking, about Rebecca, my kids, her life, and other things. But eventually, it was time for everyone to go home, and one evening, I closed the door, locked it, and realized that I was completely alone. 

I walked through the house and saw reminders of Rebecca everywhere. I went to our bedroom, where we had spent so much time reading, watching TV, playing with the kids, and, yes, having amazing sex, and took off my clothing. I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a 55 year old man. My hair was thinning, but, thanks to the fitness regimen that Dana's sister Ariel and I had developed years ago, I was still in pretty good shape. I got into the shower, and let the hot water flow over me as I began to cry uncontrollably. I sat down on the floor of the shower and sobbed as the water poured over me. Eventually, however, I cried myself out, turned off the water, dried off, put on pajamas and got into my empty bed.

Over the next weeks, I tried to throw myself into my work, both researching and teaching, and dealt with the friendly condolences that I received from everyone, until that petered out. I looked up one day and it was the end of spring semester. I gave my finals, attended graduation and decided to close my lab for the summer, much to the dismay of my research assistants, although I was able to find them positions for the summer so that they could continue to get paid. 

I knew that I needed to get out of town for a while, but I had no real plans. Peter was staying at his college for the summer to do research, and Marie had gone to Europe for the first month of the summer to study French, and I had arranged for her to spend the rest of the summer staying with Rebecca's mother in Ohio, working as a day camp counselor. So, I was free to do whatever I wanted.

I spent June driving, alone, around the country without any real plan, visiting historical sites and national parks. I went to outdoor concerts in small towns, tiny local museums, minor league baseball games and county fairs. I have always been comfortable being alone, and even when I was in a relationship, I valued my solitude. I occasionally found someone to chat with in a restaurant or at an attraction, but mostly kept to myself. At the end of the month, I came home to rest and relax. I spent a week or so trying to avoid everyone, and packing up Rebecca's things, donating some of her work related items to the school, giving away her clothing to charity, and holding back a few things for me and the kids.

Sarah called me and said that she and Steve and the kids were going to spend a week at our lake house, and wondered if I might be interested in joining them. It actually seemed like a good idea, so I flew out and rented a car and drove up to the place. I loved the lake house—it was where in an incredible weekend orchestrated by Sarah I had lost my virginity to Ariel, and then learned an incredible amount about sex and women from two other friends of Sarah, and where I had spent many wonderful times after that, both before and after I got married. 

I had a great week, swimming, hanging out with Sarah and Steve, who had started dating Sarah that same wild summer, and was truly a wonderful guy, getting to know my nieces better, and generally just relaxing. When Sarah and her family decided to leave, I decided to stay, and moved into the master bedroom, where I had two of the most incredible sexual experiences of my life during that long-ago summer, and a few more in the years since.

The solitude was wonderful. I read, watched baseball, swam hundreds of laps in the lake and engaged in what my psychologist friend Randall referred to as the healing process. One hot afternoon, I was lying out by the lake, half asleep in the shade when I heard a car pull up the road to the house. I wasn't expecting anyone, and I wouldn't have expected Sarah to have returned, or Dad to show up, without calling me. I grabbed my towel and walked back to the house. I was stunned to see Dana getting out of a rental car, carrying a bag. 

"Hey," I yelled out as I walked up the path to the house, "what are you doing here?" 

She turned, and said "Aren't you happy to see me?" she asked, shooting me the look that I hadn't been able to resist since 12th grade. 

"Of course I am, but I'm just surprised you didn't call first."

"Why?" she asked, "do you have another woman in there?" 

"No, of course not," I sputtered as I got close.

She laughed, saying "I'm just kidding. Sarah told me that you were here and I didn't call because I was afraid that you would tell me not to come, and now that I am here, I know that you are too polite to send me home, at least not without a good meal." 

By this time, I had made it to her and I could see that she was wearing a tight t-shirt and jeans, and looked at least 20 years younger than her actual age. We hugged, and I was again transported back decades. And, for the first time since Rebecca died, I actually felt some desire for a woman. I pulled back from her, shaken and discomfited by these feelings, and said. "Of course I'm happy to see you. Come on in." 

She hadn't been at the lake house since Sarah and I renovated it to make it more comfortable for two families with kids, and she looked around and admired the changes. "It looks great, but I will always have strong feelings about the old configuration." 

When we were younger, we were able to make use of the fact that the bedrooms shared a bathroom for semi-secret trysts. I agreed. 

"Look, Jack, whatever you really think about me visiting you here, it's a long way back to civilization, so, I'd like to stay over, O.K.?" 

"Sure," I said, "there's plenty of room." 

I wasn't ready to just assume that she wanted to share my room, although based on her comments after the funeral, and Sarah's revelations, she probably did. But I wasn't really ready to let her, anyway. I also knew that I was in the presence of a master manipulator of men, who I had trouble resisting my whole life, until I found one woman who I loved just that much more than her. But my Dad's voice kept nagging at me. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone and sad. 

Dana opened the door to one of the downstairs rooms and said, "Is here O.K.?" 

"Sure." 

She went inside and closed the door. I went to the kitchen to see what I could cook for dinner, because I knew that Dana never actually learned to cook anything. I found some chicken and vegetables and decided to make a chicken stir fry, a meal that I first cooked for her before we left for college, during the one and only month in our lives that we were in a committed, exclusive relationship with each other.

She came out of the room wearing the same t-shirt and sweat pants, with her stylish brown hair pulled back into a simple pony tail. 

"I hope that you don't mind that I got comfortable," she said. "This place always makes me want to dress like a kid." 

I hadn't known Dana for nearly 40 years without knowing that she expected me to say, "No problem at all, and you look great just the way you are." 

Dana's face lit up with a smile, and she came over to the kitchen and watched me preparing dinner. "Chicken stir fry?" she asked. 

"Yeah," I said. 

"Well, that brings me back," she responded. 

"Me too," I replied.

We made small talk while I chopped veggies and made rice, and I told her about the kids, and my month-long road trip. She told me a few interesting anecdotes about some famous people she met at work, and dropped the fact that she had recently broken up with her latest man, a well known entrepreneur, who she had been seeing for a few months. But she never pressed anything. Listening to the conversation, you would have thought that it was just a couple of old friends catching up. And I wasn't sure that I wanted it to be anything different.

The chicken came out pretty well, and we ate it while drinking some very cold beers. Dana actually helped me clean the table and the kitchen and suggested that we watch a movie. There was a time that meant, watch part of a movie, make out on the couch, then go have sex. But that was a long time ago. 

I agreed, and we found something that neither of us had seen, a light comedy that had gotten pretty good reviews, and we sat on the couch. It somehow seemed natural that I put my arm around her, and she cuddled into me, as if by using muscle memory. It was a funny movie, and we both laughed. 

When it was over, Dana looked at me and said, "I'm glad to see that you can laugh." 

I replied, "I am profoundly sad every day, but I know that Rebecca wouldn't want me to wallow in self pity, so I try to enjoy the things that I enjoy. Physics. Good food. Cold beer. A good swim. A good book or movie. Music. And beauty." 

I think she took that as a cue, and she leaned into me for a kiss. Our lips brushed, and I felt electricity, which scared me. 

I pulled away and said, "I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed. I'll see you in the morning." 

Dana seemed surprised at my reaction, but clearly didn't want to make me uncomfortable. 

"See you in the morning," she responded, getting up and heading toward her room. 

I started to head upstairs, and she said, "Do you still make great eggs?" 

"I do," I responded, "famous in 5 states." 

She laughed and said, "Will you make them for me?" 

"Sure," I replied. "Good night." 

She didn't reply, so I assumed that she was in her room.

I got undressed and got into bed, but couldn't sleep. Clearly, she was here to rekindle our relationship. Technically, we had never officially terminated the "friends with benefits" arrangement that we started in high school, and continued, until I got married, not that it was a legally binding agreement or anything. And clearly, I still felt something for her. But it still seemed too soon after Rebecca's death for me to start seeing someone else, and I wasn't really sure that I was ready. 

This was, of course, standard for me and Dana. There always had been something standing in our path, and the timing was never right. The worst part was that, on a purely physical level, I wanted desperately to sleep with her. I wanted to sleep with her all through high school and when I finally did, I wanted to keep doing it, except for a very few times that I was in serious relationships, until I married Rebecca, when I thought that I had finally put that behind me. And as long as I had Rebecca, I honestly had lost all desire for Dana, despite her beauty, her sexiness and our history. I had expected to grow old with Rebecca, but that was not going to happen. It was very confusing. 




A Second Chance



I needed to speak with someone about it, and there really were only two choices, neither of which was perfect. I could talk to Ariel, Dana's older sister, who had long been a sounding board for me ever since she ended my virginity in a room downstairs. But she was Dana's sister, and they were close. On the other hand, she lived in Hawaii, so with the time difference, she was probably awake. Or, I could call Sarah, who I knew would steer me right, but was also Dana's mentor, business partner and close friend.

I decided to sleep on it. My penis had gotten hard while I was thinking, so it was clear how that part of me would vote.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee brewing. When I went downstairs, Dana was watching TV, drinking coffee. She was wearing a bikini that, if not as revealing as the ones she wore when she was 18, or 25, was pretty daring for a woman who was eligible for AARP membership. Objectively, she pulled it off. A combination of genetics and hard work, I guessed. Plastic surgery was another option, but I never heard that she indulged in that, and her face and body didn't seem to have that false, tight look. Or, she had a really good plastic surgeon. Either way, she looked amazing and she clearly wanted me to know that.

"Dana, you look incredible," I said, and she smiled. 

"Oh, this old thing," she said, laughing and posing for me. She knew exactly what she was doing. 

I poured myself a mug of coffee to give myself something to do, and my loins continued to make a case for succumbing to her, but my brain still had reservations. 

"Still want eggs?" I asked. 

"I do," she replied, and I started working on cooking, which allowed me to take my eyes off of her.

Of course, while we ate, I was facing her, and her face and cleavage were their usual attractions. I knew exactly what she was doing, and I'm sure she knew that I knew. But neither of us cared. We had danced around each other for so long, that it was like riding a bicycle—you never forget. After breakfast, she wanted to go to the lake, so I changed into a bathing suit and we went down the path. I jumped in and started doing laps, and Dana followed. I did my usual number of laps, and when I finished, Dana was standing in the water, watching me, the wet bikini outlining her still gorgeous breasts, and displaying her hard nipples. I started walking out of the lake and she followed me. We lay next to each other on lounge chairs, in the shade. To me, one sign of a true friendship is that you can be together and not have to fill all the silences, and we lay there quietly. I needed to speak with Sarah, so I told Dana I had to go to the bathroom, and went to the house.

I called Sarah and told her what was going on. She laughed and said, "as soon as I told her you were at the lake house alone, she literally put down the papers she was holding, told me that she was taking vacation and walked out of the office." 

"What do you think I should do?" I asked. 

"What do you want to do?" she responded. 

"I don't want to dishonor Rebecca's memory by doing anything too soon." 

She replied, "So, what you are really saying, is that you want to be with her, but won't because you are afraid of what other people would think?" 

"Not exactly," I said. "I do want to be with her, and it's not what others would think, but what is appropriate." 

"But isn't 'what's appropriate' really just another name for 'what people will say'?" she responded. 

"I guess so, but I have to live and work with those people," I replied. 

"Not necessarily," she said, "and if you do, anyone who would begrudge you happiness after what you have been through is an idiot." 

"So you are saying I should explore the situation?" I asked. 

"I'm saying that you shouldn't foreclose it, if it is what you want. I know it is what Dana wants. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but she told me that she sees this as her last chance for happiness." 

I was silent for a few seconds as I pondered that. "I think I need to speak with Peter and Marie," I said. 

"I don't think you do, but I don't think it would hurt, either, if it would help you make up your mind." 

"Thanks, Sarah," I replied. "Say hi to Steve and the kids." 

"Say hi to Dana," she said, "and tell her to come back to work," she continued, laughing.

I had been away much longer than I would have needed for a bathroom run, but I wanted to try to reach some sort of a decision, so that I could either ask Dana to leave, or suggest that she move her stuff upstairs.

I tried Peter, and he was at home, working on his dissertation. "Peter, I need to ask you something." 

"What, Dad?" he asked. 

"Let me start by saying that you know that I loved your mother more than anything in the world," I started. 

"That was pretty obvious," he responded. 

"Good," I said. "And you know that I would never, ever do anything to insult her memory," I continued. 

"Where is this going, Dad?" he asked. 

"O.K., I'll cut to the chase," I said. "You know that I have always been close with Aunt Dana, right?" 

"Yeah, I heard the stories," he said. 

Not all of the stories, I thought, but enough, I guessed. 

"So, I'm at the lake house, and she surprised me here, and, O.K., I'll just say it, I have feelings for her, and she does for me and I wanted to know how you would feel if we started seeing each other." 

There was silence on the line, and I thought he was upset. He broke out laughing. "Dad, seriously, you are calling to ask my permission to sleep with Aunt Dana? I think it would be great if that is what you want and if she made you happy. I know that Mom would want you to be happy, and I know that she liked Aunt Dana. So, go for it, I say." 

I started laughing and said, "Thanks, Peter, I love you." 

"Love you too, Dad," and we ended the call. 

Rebecca and I had always been open with our kids about sex and love, so Peter's frankness didn't really surprise me, and his reaction was heartening.

I tried calling Marie, but got voice mail. I decided to go down to the lake, so that Dana wasn't suspicious. I was willing to bet even money that she was sunbathing topless. Surprisingly, she wasn't. Maybe she thought that she needed to back off a little to prevent scaring me off. Or maybe she just didn't think of it. She was sleeping, but awoke when I arrived. 

"Are you O.K.? You were gone a long time for a bathroom trip, and with guys your age, I know that becomes an issue," she said, smiling. 

"Trust me," I said, "there are no problems in that area. Sarah called, and we chatted for a while. She says, hi, and get your ass back to work." 

"We'll see," she said, ambiguously. 

I lay down on my chair, but a few minutes later, Marie called. I took the call and started to walk away, so that Dana couldn't hear the conversation, which went essentially like my call with Peter. She wanted me to be happy, Mom would have wanted me to be happy, Aunt Dana was great, etc. I wondered if Peter called her first, but didn't really care.

So, it was up to me. And I knew what I wanted. I returned to the lake front, walked up to Dana, bent over and kissed her hard on the lips. Dana sighed, and kissed me back. I took her hand and led her back to the house. She started to head for the stairs, but instead, I led her to the couch. 

"We need to talk," I said. 

"O.K.," she said. "So, talk." 

I replied, "I need you to tell me exactly what you want. After all of these years, I want everything out on the table." 

She looked at me, and strangely I could see both happiness and sadness on her face. She paused and said, "I want you. I want you completely and totally." Tears started to fall down her beautiful face. She continued, "I've wanted you since high school, but I could never get myself to say it, or there was some reason not to say it that seemed logical at the time, like being at college. And I was mostly glad that you went off and found Rebecca, and became happy, and had kids and a family life, because I only wanted the best for you. I've had a good life, and a fun life and have been pretty happy, but I always believed that if we were together, I would be truly happy."

It took me a few seconds before I could respond, "You know that I've always loved you, but every time we were close to really getting together, something got in the way. Pride, fear, college, work. And then I met Rebecca, who I loved as much as I loved you. More, in fact." 

She was crying harder now, and I continued. "Sorry, I know that may be cruel, but that is true. And I think you know that the second I met her, my feelings for you were gone, and I never once considered being unfaithful to her, with you or anyone." 

Dana interrupted, sobbing, "I knew that. I knew that she was your soulmate, and that whatever you felt for me was not quite at that level. And you know that I have never, ever, in my life pursued a man who was married, or even in a committed relationship, and as much as it pained me, I wasn't going to break my rule, even for you. Not to mention, I knew it wouldn't work." 

I interrupted her, "It wouldn't have, but I appreciate your not tempting me, because I've never had much luck saying no to you. But when Rebecca died, and I saw you when you paid your shiva call, my feelings for you flooded back. I so wanted you then, but it was too soon, and too raw."

"So, what do we do now?" she asked. 

I thought for a second and said, "I wasn't sure when you showed up here. I felt the old attraction, and for the first time since Rebecca got sick, I felt desire for a woman, but I was scared." 

"Scared of what?" she asked. 

"Scared of giving myself to someone again, and getting my heart ripped out again. Scared of what my family and friends would think. Scared of what would happen if it didn't work. I called Sarah, and I called my kids, and each of them said exactly what you and I said to our parents forever ago—you need to live, you need to have fun and Rebecca would have wanted that. And, as a bonus, they already know and love you." 

By this point, I was bawling and we both took some time to gather ourselves. Finally, I said, "Dana, if you are in, I'm in. Totally in." 

She leaned forward and kissed me, passionately, and then said. "I'm in. I love you." 

"I love you, too," I responded, and we kissed some more.

Without saying another word, we went upstairs and made love, skipping dinner, until we fell asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, we made love again, and, in fact, spent the rest of the week alternating between bed, the kitchen and the lake. We rediscovered each other's bodies, likes and dislikes, and at least for me, it felt natural. We called Sarah, and filled her in, and I called my kids and father, and they were all happy for us. The only thing that was left unresolved at the end of the week was how we were going to deal with the logistics of our long distance relationship. We decided to leave that open, and refuse to let it be an impediment. Luckily, we were both financially secure enough that we could fly to each other.

On Saturday, we both drove to the airport. Dana went home to Washington, and I flew to Ohio. I wanted to discuss my relationship with Dana with Rebecca's mother. She was entitled to hear it from me face to face, because I loved her, and because she was Rebecca's mother. Plus, I would get to see Marie and speak with her. When I got to Rebecca's mother's house, she hugged me, and we held each other for a long time. Rose looked a lot like her daughter, and I choked up a little when I realized that I would never see Rebecca at that age. We sat down in her kitchen and drank coffee. 

"So," she started, "what's so important that you had to fly here to talk?" 

I paused and said, "I felt that I owed it to you to come here and tell you that I have started seeing someone." 

A pained look briefly flashed across her face. 

I continued, "You know my friend, Dana?" 

She nodded and said, "Of course." 

I kept going, "You probably know that we dated, on and off, for years before I met Rebecca, but when I met Rebecca, any romantic feelings I had for Dana disappeared completely, but after, you know, after, our feelings seem to have come back." 

She paused and looked at me. "Jack, I'm actually happy for you. And as a psychiatrist, I'm not surprised at all." I looked at her as she continued, "Rebecca told me all about your relationship with Dana, and how she trusted you completely, because she knew that you loved her, not Dana. I was skeptical, because I had seen too many men act like jerks, and I had seen Dana, and knew that she was beautiful and alluring. But Rebecca was right about you. And when she was dying, and in the hospice, she actually said to me, 'When I die, tell Jack to call Dana. I think she can make him happy now that I won't be able to.'"

I stared at her, and she continued, "But I didn't tell you, which was wrong. I couldn't, but I guess my Rebecca knew. I miss my Joseph every day since he passed, but I was already old. You are too young to be alone. You have my blessing, with three conditions." 

"Anything," I said. "Anything." 

"First, she said, make Dana happy, and be happy. Honor Rebecca's memory by living like she did, with joy. Second, don't forget me. Jack, I love you and if you forget me, it will be like I had two children die. And finally, include me in my grandchildren's and, hopefully great-grandchildren's lives." 

"Of course," I exclaimed. "I love you, too, and I intended to do all of those things, anyway." 

I kissed her on the cheek, and we changed the subject to Marie, and how extraordinary her grandmother thought she was.

Marie showed up a little later, looking like a slightly taller, broader shouldered, blonder version of her mother, with a sunburned nose. When she saw me, she smiled and came running over to hug me. 

"Dad, what are you doing here?" she asked, "is everything O.K.?" 

I knew from experience that when you have a parent die young, you think the worst of unexpected appearances by the other parent. 

"Yeah," I responded, "I wanted to tell Grandma Rose in person about my beginning to see Aunt Dana." 

"And?" she asked. 

Rose interrupted, "I told him that your mother wanted him to be happy, and if being with Dana made him happy, then it was fine with me." 

Marie hugged me again, and began telling me about her day, her summer, the very cute, sweet boy that she met (I could see Rose roll her eyes a little), and how much she liked teaching swimming at the camp. When she ran out of gas, she went to change, and I asked Rose if I could take the two of them out for dinner. She agreed, and we had a wonderful dinner. I slept in Rose's guest room, and left the next morning.

I called Dana from the airport, and we talked about my visit to Rose and Marie, and ended by telling each other that we loved each other. When I got home, I realized that I could no longer live in that house. Although I had packed up most of Rebecca's things, every item in the house reminded me of her. And while I didn't want to ever forget her, I knew that seeing the house every day would make me miserable. I woke up the next morning with a real plan. I called Dana and laid out my ideas, the most important of which was to move to Washington and move in to her apartment. She was ecstatic about that, and very supportive of the rest of my ideas. But again, I needed to get support of my kids, which they gave me.

I made an appointment with my department head, and asked him whether it was too late for me to retire before the next semester, because I was scheduled to teach, and didn't want to leave him in the lurch. As it turned out, my retiring and Rebecca's death permitted him to hire a couple of new, young hotshots, so I submitted my retirement papers, took emeritus status, so that I could come back and teach again, if I ever wanted to, and would receive my pension. Luckily, I have never needed money; my family was wealthy and I made out well with investments, including my piece of Sarah's company, Lake House Promotions. But every little bit helped, considering my future plans. I sold the house, at a nice profit, got rid of all of the unnecessary crap I had amassed over the years, shipped a bunch of stuff to storage in Virginia, and a few carefully chosen items, and my clothing, to Dana's apartment in a upscale neighborhood in Washington.

Dana's apartment was beautiful and spacious, and she made room for the few items that I needed. My first night sharing the apartment was incredible, and Dana showed me that she was still able to fit into the bustier and corset that she once wore for me when we were 18, even if the laces maybe weren't quite as tightly tied.

After I settled in and learned my way around, I borrowed an office at Lake House, and began to set up and raise money for my new venture, the Rebecca Berman Foundation for the Improvement of Physics Instruction. I donated to the foundation all of the money I inherited from Rebecca, matched that with my personal funds, and obtained contributions from my family, Dana and friends. Sarah and Dana held a fundraising party which was attended by pretty much anybody who was anybody in the capital, and we raised a ton of money. Sarah's older daughter Alex, who had an education degree, became our director, and we adopted a number of inner city schools and used the foundation funds to train and pay for mostly young physics teachers to assist the existing teachers and try to instill a love of physics in the students. 

Although I was decades older than most of the other teachers, I assigned myself to a particularly disadvantaged school, and using techniques that I had been honing since I tutored Dana, I worked hard to make physics understandable and fun. Our successes have been few, so far, but are growing as time goes on, and we have improved our techniques. I get up every morning happy to see the beautiful woman in my bed, and excited to go to school. 

We decided, for my second Christmas after moving to Washington, to have a big family celebration, and we were amused at the connections. We invited my father, and Dana's mother, Linda, who had dated before Linda remarried, and her second husband. Dana's sister Ariel, who was my first sexual partner, and who I subsequently slept with a number of times, and with whom Dana and I had a hash fueled threesome once, was there, with her husband and children. Sarah, the best sister any younger brother ever had, and who was involved in a particularly crazy group sex session that included Ariel and me, was there, with Steve, and their kids, and their significant others. Rose, my late wife's mother, was there, and my kids, with their significant others. Everyone got along incredibly, and it was a great weekend, which we have tried to repeat every year.

My life with Dana has been incredible. We have an active social life, but also spend time alone. She has enjoyed showing me the city that she has made home, and I have enjoyed spending time in her world. And although we no longer have the flexibility or stamina that we may have had as teenagers, our sex life continues to be active, exciting and loving. I think of Rebecca almost every day, and I miss her and our life together, but I'm also glad that I was given another chance at happiness. So many people don't even get one chance at love, and I was given two.



A Second Chance



"Oh, Shug," I yelled, "you're fucking me. You're fucking me, Shug. It feels so good!"

Shug covered my mouth with his own, forcing me to breath through my nose. I panted several times before twisting loose.

"Can't breathe, Shug," I said, gasping for air. "Oh, dear! I'm cumming again! Oh, fuck me, Sugar. Fuck me, baby."

I needed him to move faster. I spurred him with my heels and hitched my hips up to drive him farther and faster into me.

"Faster, Shug. Harder. Fuck me harder," I ordered. Shug pumped into me. He drove his cock and hips at an ever-increasing tempo, guided by my own spurring and thrusting. His cock swelled inside me, and for an instant I thought about the ramifications of his coming inside me. Just four days out from my last period I decided I didn't give a damn.

"I'm coming, Caroline," he groaned, his hips pounding me into the bed.

"Yes, baby," I urged him. "Come inside me. Come deep inside me. I'm going to come with you."

Our hips pounded against each other. My legs strained to hold him inside me. He pressed my wrists deep into the bed, raising the top of his torso away from me. A long groan exploded from deep in his chest and I felt the first hot spurts of his come splash deep within me. I clamped on him, concentrated on visualizing his jism squirting out and coating my vagina. That vision and the pulsing of his cock pushed me over the edge one additional time. I wailed and wept with the glorious sensation.

I lay under Shug, with my wrists still pinned to the bed for what seemed like minutes. Finally, he released me, rolling sideways and sliding his cock out of me. We lay on our backs, listening to the rain and trying to catch our breath for a long time. Finally, once our breathing had returned to more normal rhythms, Shug spoke.

"Are you all right?"

I reached out to touch him in the darkness. "Absolutely. You?"

Shug chuckled. "Definitely," he said. "But, I can see I'm going to have to invest in some restraints."

It was my turn to laugh. "Really? How kinky." I reached for the towel that Shug had thrown off when he got into bed. After a few seconds of feeling around in the dark, I found it. I wiped and handed it to him.

"Thank you," he said.

"I want you to know," I told my new lover, "that it was wonderful. It was just what I needed. I think I can sleep now. Would you hold me?"

"I'd be pleased," he said.

I snuggled up to him and curled myself into a ball. He enveloped me with his arms and body, and within minutes, I was sound asleep.



A Second Chance



In high school, his class voted him most popular, most athletic, and best looking. He married his high school sweetheart, a woman of equal beauty one year his junior and they lived the proverbial 'Happily ever after'.

Happily ever after until two weeks ago that is. Leaving work, Mike's lovely wife Ellen was ran over by a fleeing felon and killed instantly. The funeral was in the Midwest where they spent their entire married life. Michael traveled back east to attend a memorial service in Ellen's and his hometown. He now finds himself surrounded by extended family and old friends who came to pay their respects for his slain wife.

Liz opened the sliding glass door and left the overheated kitchen for the brisk February air. The sky was gray, snow clouds loomed low to land, and occasionally the first flurries skittered through the sky. 

"Oh, Michael, I'm sorry, I didn't know you where out here" Liz said.

"It's OK Liz, how have you been?" Michael replied

Liz walked over and stood by Michael. Looking at him, Liz thought to herself he is even better looking now than he was thirty-four years ago. Michael is tall, almost six foot three, his hair is golden, and there's plenty of it. His eyes sparkle, a clear crystal blue. Mike's a big man; he is very athletic. He has a firm square jaw line; he is simply the epitome of the all-American boy look. A Robert Redford type of beautiful, like the way he was in "The Way We Were" . Standing there in the cold wind Liz did not know what to say to him . "You know, Liz, I still cannot believe she is gone" Mike went on, "We had twenty six great years together, in a way that makes me luckier than most people. Ellen will always be alive for me. I see her in the faces of the kids. We spoke so much of this day, if it were to happen, and now I am so glad we did. Her words comfort me and as odd as it sounds I feel OK, maybe I'm still in shock I don't know."

Liz looked into his blue eyes and said, "I know what you mean, I think I do at least. Michael, if you ever want to just talk, you know, well, I am only a phone call away" 

"Hey Liz, do you remember when we were kids, playing freedom back here? That one time you climbed up to the very top of one of those pine trees that used to line the left side of the property and you were there for about two hours when you finally let on where you were,.?"

"I remember well Michael," Liz said. "I was afraid to come down and you had to climb up and help me down. I always had a way of finding a good spot to hide"

Together Liz and Michael walked down the wooden steps that led off the deck and out into the frozen yard, reminiscing and laughing as they walked.

Liz stopped and leaned against a large oak in the middle of the yard. Looking at Michael, she began to speak slowly, "Michael, I need to tell you something, I know this is not the best time but this has been on my mind for thirty years and I don't know when I'll get another chance".

"Go on Liz, you've got my attention now, what is it?"

Liz continued, "OK, here goes, Michael, do you remember one night when we were kids playing freedom, I was the only one caught and you were the guard? We were sitting on that old picnic table that used to be right here under this tree."

"Yes, Liz, I think I remember the night, it was devastating for me. I finally got up the nerve to put my arm around you and no sooner than I did you removed my arm and said 'And don't even think about trying it again!' Boy, you set me straight that night."

Michael, that's exactly what's on my mind. I was so scared I had waited years Michael, years for you to do that. When you did I panicked, the next thing I knew I was removing your arm and the entire time saying to myself,' What are you doing Liz are you nuts?' You know", Liz continued, "There are not many things in my life I regret, mistakes I made I think of mostly as necessary learning mistakes. You know the things that shape us into who we are today. Regrets, well that is another story, when I think back that night here on that picnic table, well, that is something I still regret to this day. I had the biggest crush on you, ever since the first time I saw you. I was beginning first grade and you were going into fourth."

"Wait, You had a crush on Me? I had a crush on you; you were the prettiest girl I had ever laid my eyes on." Michael said.

"You thought I was pretty?" replied Liz

"Yes Liz and you've grown into a beautiful woman." Michael said softly.

A brief moment passed as they looked into each other's eyes, then Liz spoke "Um, well, it's getting really cold, we should go back inside."

With that they turned and walked slowly back to the house. Michael took Liz's coat to the closet as Liz went to the kitchen and fixed them some coffee. Returning to him Liz said, "It looks like my mother is getting ready to leave; I'd better see her out. I'll talk to you in a bit Michael."

The hours dragged on. There was still a steady flow of people coming to pay their respects, bringing casseroles and cakes enough to fill an entire dining table. Why, when you lose a loved one people assumed you have forgotten how to cook at the same time is something Liz never understood. Liz looked over and sensed Michael needed a break. She caught his eye and made her way over to him. Michael grabbed her arm and steered her out of earshot of the lingering mourners.

Whispering in a low voice so no one would hear he asked her, "Liz, I need to get out of here for a bit, you want to take a walk with me?"

"Sure" Liz replied

"Great" Michael said. "Mom keeps her walking thermos in the cabinet above the coffee maker, why don't you fix us a nice pot and I'll get the coats?"

"Sounds like a plan." Replied Liz

When they got out to the street, Michael offered Liz his arm and she looped her arm within his. The two walked in silence, not an awkward silence when no one knows what to say. It was a silence shared by two friends, content to be together both lost in their own thoughts.

They came upon the crumbling stone wall they once played on as kids and stopped to sit. Liz and Michael shared the steaming coffee. They talked of old times and places. The stories they told made them laugh until tears flowed from their eyes. The conversation changed and they spoke of Ellen, her premature death and what a shock it was. They talked about getting old, wondering where the time went, how it passed so fast. This time they cried until there were no tears left.

The snow was falling steadily now and the crystal flakes glistened in Liz's hair. Suddenly Michael removed his gloves. He pulled himself to his full six foot three stance, bringing Liz up with him. Michael's warm hands softly caressed Liz's rosy cheeks. Standing there, locked in each other's eyes, time seemed to stop.

Slowly Michael lifted her head as he bent down. Their lips met in a kiss thirty years in the making. Every part of Liz was on fire. She loved the feel of his lips against hers, the feel of his tongue in her mouth, caressing her own. Slowly they parted from the most exquisite kiss Liz ever experienced.

Looking in her eyes Michael began, "I need some time Liz. I need to figure this all out, but I promise you I will be back. When I do return Liz, I'm going to put my arm around you, now promise me you won't remove it"

Liz smiled and said, "I promise, Michael, I did that once a long time ago and have no intention of doing it again"

They both smiled and laughed before turning to start the walk back to the house.

Later that evening, Michael waved as Liz pulled away, both lost in their thoughts of what the future may hold.



A Second Chance



A Second Chance : Does Our Past Really Matter?

There is very little sex in this story.

Thanks to 'Techsan' for editing my story.

*

There I was at the dinner table with my new girlfriend sitting next to me. She had come over to meet some of my family for the first time. She had met mom and dad many times. They love her almost as much as I do. I think they thought I would never get married again after the first fiasco of a marriage I had. It was my fault. We got married when I was only twenty one years old. I guess I just wasn't ready for marriage. I was just into the sex like most guys my age at the time.

I was caught cheating on my wife. We were at a New Year's party and I guess I had too much to drink and was caught with one of the women in the back bedroom. My wife walked out of the room and out of my life. That was six years ago. Luckily we didn't have any kids. We just split what few assets we had and went our own way.

I'm now thirty and a lot wiser and more mature. I'm an accountant for a large firm and do quite well. Of course I have a degree from State College where I sowed my wild oats. The girls were plentiful. Some were there to find husbands but a big portion were there to party just like I was. I had nothing against these women. There was no real love but a lot of sex went on. There weren't too many virgins. At least none that I knew. What you have to understand is that all these guys at college were having sex. They had to have partners so anyone that says the girls were all little saints are lying to you. Take it from a person who was there. In fact that is where I met my first wife.

I met Sally, my girlfriend, at work. She applied for a job as a executive secretary at our firm about seven months ago. She had moved here from California a couple of years before that. She was a good looking woman that carried herself with dignity. She was twenty-five and dressed and acted professional unless we were alone. Then she was just a sweet loving woman. It reminds me of the song 'Behind Closed Doors' no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. She worked for the executives on the floor above me. I met her in the executive lunch room one day when I was watching her and dropped my food tray. Boy, I really felt stupid. She just laughed and helped me pick up my mess. I got another tray, sat down with her and we became friends.

We started dating. It just seemed right the two of us together. We didn't have sex until about two months into our relationship. She never told me much about her past, just that she went to college in California and received her degree. She needed a change so she moved east to basically start over. I never mentioned it to her but wondered. Starting over from what? 

I do have to say she was the best lover I have ever had. She could be gentle or she could be rough. She was willing to try whatever I wanted. I know she had sex before we ever met. No woman could be that good and not have some knowledge of the sexual acts. With me she seemed so giving, so loving. After about three months with her, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I wanted her for my wife. If she would only have me.

She was also a good homemaker. Her apartment was spotless, neat and looked as though it was decorated by a professional. She had done it all herself. She was a great cook and could make some of the best desserts. Well-mannered, caring, smart and beautiful, all in one package. Every man that saw her wanted her. She always politely refused and said she was a one-man woman, and I was that man. No man could ask for more. I asked her to marry me after dating her for just three months. She cried and said. "Jerry, are you sure you want to do this? You don't really know me well enough?"

I just looked at her beautiful face with tears coming down and said, "I love you with all my heart and soul. I have never loved anyone as I love you. Please marry me."

She was crying as she said, "Jerry, I love you so much and, yes, I'll marry you."

We were both hugging and tears came to my eyes. I wondered what I did to deserve such a wonderful woman. She smelled and felt so good. I never wanted to let go. We went into the bedroom, got undressed and made slow passionate love. I was kissing her and slowly worked down her body. God, what a gorgeous human being. I stopped at her heaving breasts as I sucked on her nipples until they became taut. Then I worked my way down her body kissing her soft tummy. I could feel her getting worked up as my mouth went lower over her soft trimmed mound. She pushed her vagina up against my mouth. I tried to devour her taking her in my mouth and listening to her sighs and moans.

I had to take her, I couldn't wait much longer. I reached into the night stand to get a condom. She put her hand over mine saying, "Not tonight, honey, I want to feel the full power of your love. Please, just take me, I am yours and yours alone."

I slid my hard penis into the moist valley below. She felt so warm, so good. I laid across her body resting on my elbows so I could devour her lips as I exploded into her. I raised slightly and looked into her eyes, and saw tears forming. She looked at me and said, "No matter what ever happens I want you to know I truly love you." Then she kissed me again before I could respond.

After we made love and showered together I felt better than I ever have. I called my parents with the great news. Sally and I were getting married. Mom said they were so happy for us. Then she invited us over Sunday for a family dinner so my sister Leah and my brother Kevin could hear the good news.

As we were sitting at the table my brother Kevin and his wife came in with their two rug rats. Kevin took one look at Sally, smiled and said, "My God, Jerry, what did you do to deserve her?" as he smiled with his wife giving him a love tap on the arm. They were a great couple, made for each other.

I mentioned to Sally that my sister went to college in California also. Sally all of a sudden looked nervous and said, "What college did she attend?"

I just told her USC. Sally looked extremely nervous. I didn't know why. Then my sister Leah and her husband came in. Sally stood up to face them. She looked at Leah. As Leah looked at Sally she said, "Oh my God, it's Sally." as she covered her open mouth. They both said their hello's but I knew there was tension there. Sally told us that they both attended USC at the same time and it was a surprise to find out Leah was my sister. Leah said to Sally, "You need to stop by so we can talk over old times." I needed to find out why there was so much tension between them but had to find another time to ask about it. We went on with dinner. Everyone being polite to each other. It surprised Leah to hear that Sally and I were getting married. She and her husband had just gotten married two years ago and had one child of their own.

Sally didn't say anymore to me about Leah. I dropped Sally off at her apartment, kissed her goodnight and then went home. The next day I had lunch with Sally. She said she was going over to Leah's after work to talk to her for awhile so she wouldn't be able to see me tonight. It bothered me so when I left work I headed over to Leah's myself. When I got there I saw Sally's car parked out front. I pulled into the driveway and entered the house through the garage.

As I entered the kitchen all I heard was Leah yelling, "You can't, Sally, you just can't. Please don't do it."

I rushed into the room. Sally looked at me with tears in her eyes and ran out the door. I looked at a crying Leah and yelled, "Can't what, Leah? Can't what? Can't marry me? What's going on, Leah?"

Leah looked up at me and said, "She just can't do it." I looked at Leah and then ran after Sally. I had to know what this was all about.

Before I could get to her car Sally had sped off. I ran out, got in my car and went looking for Sally. I knew I was driving too fast for these crooked roads, but I needed to catch up with Sally. The next thing I knew I didn't make the curve and my car was rolling over an embankment. Then I woke up in the hospital or was I awake?

It was like I was a spirit looking down on my body just lying there. I could see the doctors and nurses working on me. I was hooked up to all kinds of machines. I could see it all happening. Was I dead? No, I was breathing but was unconscious. I was comatose. I could see everything happening to my body but couldn't do anything but watch.

My parents came in and took my lifeless hand. I could hear everyone talking but couldn't even move a finger. I wanted to tell them that I was alive but had no way of doing it. I couldn't move my fingers or even my toes. My eyelids would move ever so slightly and that was it. I kept yelling while looking down on the room. I'm alright, please hear me, I'm alright. Mom was crying as dad held her. When they walked out, my sister Leah came in with her husband. She kept saying she was so sorry as she cried over me. Why couldn't I move? God, let me at least move a finger.

My brother came in with his wife. I guess they only allowed two visitors at a time. My little brother tried to keep a stiff upper lip but broke down and started crying over me. He kept repeating, "Why, bro, what happened?" He and his wife then walked out. 

God, what happened to me? Was I dying? Would I recover? What ever happened to Sally? I needed answers but all I had were unanswered questions. Why was I able to see what was going on? Is this the way it is for all comatose patients? Do we see ourselves dying. No, this isn't the way it's suppose to be. I was suppose to be getting married not dying.

The nurse came back in after my brother and his wife left. She checked all the machines, shaking her head in a no direction and then walked out. Then I looked over at the door and there stood Sally. Dad walked her into the room and stood back while she came up to my near lifeless body. She was crying as she kissed my forehead then held my hand in hers and kissed it also. I wanted to squeeze her hand and let her know I was alive but nothing happened.

Dad told her it was time to go. She said she wasn't going anywhere. She was staying here with the one she loved and sat down in a chair next to me and wept.

A week passed and I was still in a coma. Sally went to work everyday and then would come sit next to my lifeless body for hours. She would tell me everything that went on that day and sometimes read to me. She told me she had taken care of the insurance and that she notified my bosses and that I was on a medical leave. I was not to worry because my job would be waiting for me. She talked to me like I could hear everything she was saying.

One day I overheard the doctor and nurse talking. The nurse said, "He's so young. What are his chances? What happened to him?"

The doctor replied, "We've done everything medically possible for him. It's out of our hands now. All we can do is wait. It isn't looking good. His brain is still working but his vitals signs are falling. He must have hit his head extremely hard in the accident. I don't know if he'll recover."

My parents started stopping by each day for about an hour. Then the time they spent would be less and less. Who could blame them? Sitting there watching their son unconscious not knowing if he would ever recover. They would always kiss my forehead and then hug Sally as they left.

Just so you know, my spirit body couldn't just travel anywhere. As long as my body was alive, I could stay near it. I saw and heard all the doctors and nurses comments. They weren't sure if I would recover. They told Sally one day that I couldn't hear her and maybe she should leave and get some needed rest. Sally got irate with them. This was the first time I'd ever seen her mad. She just flat out told the doctor that he was wrong. She knew that I could hear her and that she knew I would recover.

The doctor apologized to Sally and said he wished he had the faith that she had. She smiled at the doctor and said, "It's even more than faith. It's the total love I have for him. He will recover."

This daily routine went on for about a month. My parents stopped in for a few minutes every day. My sis and brother came by maybe every three or four days. Sally never missed a day. I think she spent all her free time sitting by my bedside, reading stories or newspapers to me. She said when I woke up she didn't want me to be behind on the news. 

The next time Sally came in and was alone with my lifeless body she said she had to let me know what happened, why she left so abruptly. She always wanted to tell me but was afraid I would leave her. But seeing my sister Leah, she couldn't keep it a secret any longer. She had to tell me, no more secrets.

----------------------------------------- 

Sally began telling me her story:

"Believe it or not, Jerry, it all began in high school. I wanted to be popular. So I found out early in high school that if you want to be popular with the boys, just put out. That's what I did. I had dates all the time. I would date different guys for two or three months at I time. I was a good looking girl that put out. All the guys wanted to date me. Yes, I was a slut but never thought of myself as one, not at the time. Were the guys sluts? They were doing the same thing I was. If guys put out, are they sluts?"

"I was still an excellent student. I had brains and a body. Looking back, it was too bad I didn't use the brains more. I did find out I could have just about anything or anybody I wanted. Looking back I could see where I was bad, really bad. But at the time I was just having fun. I smoked marijuana in high school and in college. Everyone I hung out with did too."

"I had the grades to go to USC but I had to have sex with the guidance counselor to get his recommendation. Damn him, I didn't like being used. I liked to be in charge, to pick my partners. I should have turned him in."

"I started at USC, I made the sorority. I had the brains so the schooling was a breeze. That gave me time to party. I did a lot of it. I guess I was a slut. I had sex with most everyone I wanted. You notice I said sex, not love. You're the only person I made love to, Jerry." 

"That's where I met your sister Leah. This is what you heard about at Leah's house. When she said, 'Don't do it.' she wasn't talking about us getting married. She was fine with that. She didn't want anyone to know she was somewhat of a slut herself. I needed time to think. That's why I left so abruptly."

"Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this but she was pretty wild too. She told me she was going to party and then return home to Ohio and live a clean life. She wanted to get the sex scene out of her system. I guess she did. One time we even had a little girl on girl action. It wasn't that big of a deal at the time but now looking back I regret most of my college days. I figure Leah never told her husband and was afraid if I told you, he might find out."

"I got pregnant and had a abortion when I was a sophomore. I thought I could handle it but I couldn't. I never overcame it. I took a life. I couldn't believe it. I killed my baby. I wasn't sure who the father was but that didn't make any difference. I took my baby's life."

"After that my life changed. I mean it really changed. I dropped out of the sorority and put my mind to work. They say a tiger can't change its stripes but this one was going to try. I even changed colleges my junior and senior year. I didn't want to drag the baggage with me. I graduated from California State with my degree. I cut all ties with USC. Leah knew about the abortion. That was the last time I saw or spoke to her until the dinner at your parents."

"I did tell my parents I had a miscarriage. I couldn't tell them I killed their grandchild. It wasn't the baby's fault, it was mine. I was so sorry for being promiscuous and possibly hurting them also. I was doing my best to change. No more drugs, no more sex, I wanted to start over." 

"A lot of people blame their lives on their parents. It's not true in my case. My parents were wonderful. I have three brothers and two sisters. I was in the middle. I guess I didn't get enough attention so I went out and found it. I really regret my past but I was going to learn from it."

"After graduation my parents agreed with me starting over was a good idea. So I packed my bags and headed east. I had an older sister in Indiana in whom I confided. She said I could stay with her and her family until I got on my feet. She was a homemaker. She taught me how to cook and decorate. I stayed there at her place until I moved here."

"I applied for secretarial work in Indiana and Ohio. Over a two year period I honed my abilities. Then I applied for this executive secretary's job. I am good at what I do, Jerry. I didn't have to give my body to get a job. I did it with my abilities. You need to know that I never slept with anyone to get a job. I worked my way up the ladder."

"Then I met you, Jerry. You might not believe this and I can't blame you don't but you were the first man I have had sex with since the abortion. It wasn't sex with you, Jerry, it was love. I wanted to tell you about my past so bad. I didn't want secrets between us. I was distraught when I saw Leah. I reacted stupidity. I should never have run out on you. God, I'm so sorry. I was so afraid of losing you and now I will probably lose you either way. I just wanted you to know. I love you so very, very much. When you pull through and I know you will, I will tell you everything. Even at the cost of losing you. Please forgive me."

--------------------------------------------- 

Wow, she told me everything. The love of my life admitted to being a slut. How was I supposed to deal with it. My mind knows but I can't do anything one way or the other. She's been here by my side day after day going on two months. She is trying to change and succeeding. Doesn't she deserve a second chance at a good life. Has what she did so much worse then anyone else? Hasn't she paid the price for her wrong doings?

What about all the women I have had sex with? I lived the same kind of lifestyle as Sally. I've changed, I know I have. I'm in love with Sally and when I pull through I'm going to take her in my arms and together we'll have that second chance. 

"God, please help me. I know I can't do it without you." Isn't it funny how we turn to God when all else fails?

The next day my parents came in and talked to the doctors. After they left the doctors were turning my machines off. Have they given up on me? Was I dead? God, what was going on?

A few minutes later Sally came in screaming, demanding to know what was going on? The doctors told her that they have turned off all life support systems. The only thing they left hooked up was my feeding tubes. If I was to make it now, I had to do it on my own.

"Why?" Sally yelled, "Why can't you help him? Leave the machines on. Please."

The doctors showed her a document. It was a living will that I had signed after hearing about comatose patients being on life support for years. I remember signing it a few years ago. It read, "If I am ever comatose, after two months, if the doctors don't believe I have a good chance of recovery then I want to be taken off life support and allowed to die. But under no circumstances were my feeding tubes to be removed." I was not going to starve to death.

Sally was crying. She was on her knees praying to God. "God, please help him. He's a good man, he's the love of my life. If you take him, take me also. Life without him wouldn't be worth living. Please, Lord, give him a second chance. Give us a second chance. Give us a chance to be a family. Please, Lord, please."

The doctor and the nurse had tears in their eyes listening to Sally's prayer. The doctor looked at his nurse and with tears in his eyes he said, "There is no God! If there was, he wouldn't put this poor woman through all this suffering for nothing. What is there to gain to letting this man die?"




A Second Chance



Then I asked myself, "What did she just say? Give us a chance to be a family? Is she pregnant? God, I had to wake up, I had to." God, I was crying as hard as any man ever cried. I was going to be a father and I was dying. I kept crying. All of a sudden tears were rolling down my cheeks on my near lifeless body. Sally looked up and called the doctor in. "He's crying doctor, my love is crying. Is that a sign, doctor? Is it?"

The doctor pulled up my eyelids and I cried harder. Sally grabbed my hand and I moved my finger. "Doctor, doctor, I felt him move." The doctor quickly yelled to his nurse to turn all the machines back on. He had to read the meters. "Pulse up, blood pressure rising, temperature rising." Sally was crying. She leaned over and kissed me on the lips. I opened my eyes and began to cry. 

The doctor called for help. They asked Sally to step out, she looked at the doctor, "Please," he said, "just for a minute. He'll be all right." Sally ran to the telephone to call my mom and dad.

The doctor looked at his nurse and said, "There really is a God. This just didn't happen, this was a miracle." The nurse asked the doctor what she should write on the charts? He said, "We can't write a miracle down. We will just have to put down 'Comatose patient regains consciousness.'"

I as a spirit was leaving the air and going back into by body. I turned and looked at the doctor and asked for a glass of water. It felt good to have fresh water touching my lips. I looked up and it was a crying Sally holding the cup full of water with a straw to moisten my dry lips. The doctor didn't say a word. He knew it was this woman's love and prayers that helped bring me back.

In the next couple of hours everyone in the family showed up. Mom and dad, Leah and her husband, my brother Kevin and his wife. I was allowed three visitors at a time. The hospital knew that Sally wasn't going to leave my side. I was getting tired so everyone was smiling and leaving. Well, almost everyone, Sally spent that night in the chair right next to me holding my hand.

In the next couple of days I began to return to normal. All life support systems were removed as well as the feeding tubes. I was allowed soup and Jell-o for the first couple of days. When I was released from the hospital Sally took me to her place. She said the doctor said she needed to be by my side. We both laughed. I knew she just made that up. We sat at the kitchen table and she brought me out a bowl of homemade soup. She looked at me very seriously and said, "Jerry, I have to tell you about my life. It might completely change our relationship. It's why I ran out at your sister's home. I have to be totally honest with you. There is no other way if we're to stay together."

I took her hand in mine, "Sally, I love you with all my heart. There is nothing you can say to me that would change that."

Sally said, "But. . ." I cut her off.

"But nothing, I love you and besides you all ready told me everything while I was in the hospital. About your teenage years, about your wild college years, my wild sister and yes even about the abortion." 

Sally was in full fledge tear dome, "You heard me? You were in a coma but you heard me. You know everything? Will you forgive me?"

"What's to forgive? That was your other life, you asked God to give us a second chance and he did. I do have one question though. When is our baby due?"

She got up, hugged me then she said, "Babies, we're having twins and they are due in seven months"

I was elated. I have the woman of my dreams. I'm going to become a father in seven months. Then I realized that would be right around Christmas. What better present could my wife give me than a family of our own?

Sally wanted to be a June bride. It was already May so we started making plans for a small wedding. Her mom and dad were so happy for us and said they would fly in. A couple of her brothers and sisters were going to make the trip also.

On my side of the family everyone showed up. We had a small church wedding with our family around us. Sally was just beginning to show so she didn't want a wedding dress. But she looked beautiful in her light blue dress. I rented a blue tux in the same color. I wanted everyone to know that we were a couple.

We left after the wedding for a honeymoon. We made love every night. Seeing the radiance around her and kissing her little belly that was home for our future children was a wonder all its own. I never pictured life being so good.

We moved into Sally's apartment for now. We planned on getting the house with the little picket fence in the future. We were taking the gift of life that God gave us one day at a time. I did stop over to talk to Leah. I told her that I knew about her past and her secrets were safe with Sally and I. Her past was between her and her husband. I mentioned that Sally and I agreed never to discuss her past with anyone. We were only looking toward the future.

Mom invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. All my family was there. We were all sitting around the tables and were getting ready to partake of the feast when Sally stood up and asked my dad if she could say a blessing before eating?

My family believed in God but we weren't big church goers or even the type to say grace before meals. My dad looked at my pregnant wife and said, "By all means, Sally, it would be an honor for you to give thanks on this day of Thanksgiving."

We all held hands as Sally spoke, "Our dear heavenly Father, we are gathered together here on this day to give thanks for all you have given us. Thank you for family but thank you most of all for giving us back Jerry. I know that it was only because of your Devine intervention that we have Jerry with us today. Thank you for giving me, my husband and my family a 'Second Chance' in life. In your name we pray. Amen

As she finished I looked over at her and kissed her gently. Then saying "I Love you" as we all began to eat.

My mom was asking Sally about our future babies. She was wondering if twins ran in her family? Sally told her when she spoke with her mom that she said that she knows of no other sets of twins in our family. My mom said that she didn't know of any in ours either. I just said there's probably a set somewhere that no-one remembers.

In truth Sally and I talked about it. We honestly feel that God in his infinite wisdom is giving Sally her baby back through us. He's giving her baby a "second chance" at life also. We could be wrong but we don't care what other people think. We know what we have been through.

Sally's parents planned on coming to Ohio for the Christmas holiday. They wanted to be here for the birth of our babies. 

They arrived here on December 23rd. Sally was ready. She was happy but she wanted the babies born. On the 24th we were all over at my parents home celebrating Christmas eve. Sally came out of the bathroom and said, "Jerry, my water broke. I think your kids are about ready to come out." I jumped up running around gathering everything up. I thought I was prepared but I wasn't. I threw everything in the car and started off until I remembered I forgot Sally. I backed up and ran to the door. There stood my family laughing at me including Sally. I slowly walked her to the car, opened her door and then got in and drove to the hospital. I took her to the emergency room and had her admitted. The nurse said something about dilating and that it might be a couple of hours.

I went to the waiting room and Sally's parents and my parents arrived. They all wanted to be there for the arrival of their new grandchildren. I was so nervous I had to go to the restroom and throw up. When I got back it was just after midnight, December the 25th. The nurse came out and got me. She asked if I wanted to be there during the delivery. In one sense I did but in another I didn't. I had to be with Sally. They gave me a hospital gown to put on and a face mask. I walked in the room and saw Sally looking at me. I knew she was in pain but she still smiled at me as I held her hand. Just like she had done for me many months before.

I heard Sally scream out as the doctor said, "Here it comes. A baby boy." They weight him. I went to the door and said, "I'm a father. I have a son, Joseph, five pounds seven ounces. Born at 12:17am." Our parents were smiling with joy. Then I ran back in and grabbed Sally's hand. She screamed out again. The doctor again said, "Here it comes, a beautiful baby girl." Again after being weighed I ran to the door, "We have a beautiful baby daughter, Mary, five pounds four ounces, born at 12:42am." As our parents were crying with joy outside in the waiting room I was crying inside the room with my wonderful wife.

After the little ones were cleaned up and Sally was presentable our parent came in to see Sally and the babies. All three were so beautiful. The babies were taken to the nursery and our parents left. Sally had gone to sleep. The nurse asked me if I was leaving. I just smiled at her and said, "No, you see I love this woman with all my heart and all my soul. If she wakes up, I want her to know that I'm here waiting for her.

Epilog:

From that day on we had a storybook life. Sally decided she wanted to be a full time homemaker. She wanted to be there for her family. I received a promotion, I was the head accountant on our floor. We bought that house, though not so little, but it did have the little picket fence.

We're still not real religious people. We do go to church from time to time. We know that our life was all second chances, Sally's past, our twins, my near death experience. It was God that answered Sally's prayer, it was God that heard the doctor saying he didn't exist, it was God who intervened and saved me from a sure death. I believe it was all because of the love of one woman for one man that God saved me. "I love you, Sally."

*

Thank you for reading my story.

Comments welcome.

DG Hear 



A Second Chance



Author's Note: This is only part one – I'll be adding new chapters after Halloween is over. And I'll be back to the Fairy Tales at the end of the month as well, so keep checking for updates!

*

Rose rolled on her side, gazing at her fiancé Keith and smiling softly. Six years together and the couple, now 22 and 29, were still infatuated with each other. And while Rose's family had been upset and skeptical at first, these days things were a little calmer.

"If you could come back as any animal, which one would you choose?" she asked him, tracing her fingers down his bare chest. He laughed, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips, placing soft kisses over every inch of it.

"You ask the strangest questions my love," he teased, leaning in to kiss her gently.

"Seriously Keith, tell me, what would you choose?" She watched him think, brow furrowed, long black hair flowing over his shoulders.

"A wolf I think, they're powerful, and I could protect you," he said lovingly and she smiled, snuggling against him. His comment made sense – in the middle of the clearing where their house was, it was a good ten minute drive from the main streets, a wolf would not seem out of place. The storm raged outside, the branches of a nearby tree scratching against the window of their third story bedroom.

With Halloween three days away, they spent the next day searching for costumes. Keith's company, of which he was the Vice President (though Rose had money of her own as a young but reputable vet), always had a massive party to allow their employees time to have a bit of fun before the Christmas season left them working twelve hour days, seven days a week. Rose was going to miss him, she always hated how busy they got and it never let up until the end of January. She tucked her arm through his as they wandered the streets, ducking into the various seasonal shops and even one small sex shop where Rose found a cat costume, laughing with Keith as he picked out a collar to go with the tiny latex top and shorts. The employee grinned, licking his lips as he watched her prance around, fishnets and knee high boots completing the outfit.

Keith chose a vampire's costume at the next shop and they wore their costumes that night to show off to each other. From the way Keith stared, speechless, Rose didn't even need to check her reflection in the mirror. He touched her cheek gently as she walked towards him, wrapping her in the long black silk cape and leaning down to kiss her lightly upon the lips. She leaned up into his touch, eyes bright with joy as she wound her arms around his neck.

Backing her into the bedroom, he tumbled her into the bed, a twitch of his wrist pulling the shorts down and off of her body and he entered her slowly, gazing into her eyes, one hand capturing her wrists gently above her head. He watched her eyes as she raised her hips to meet his, the motions slow and loving. Their climax's, not bone jarring or noisy, came in unison, deeply satisfying, slow and lingering and they lay enjoying the aftershocks in each other's arms as they drifted off to sleep.

The night of the Halloween party, Keith was running late. Rose called him twice on his cell phone and they ended up arguing when he said he might just go home and meet her there. Rose hung up on him and got herself plastered, trying to forget about how angry she was. She flirted too much and made out with a few strangers, a guy in a Zorro costume and some Egyptian who teased her about worshipping cats. She left her keys with Keith's friend Jake, figuring her fiancé would bring them home after work on Monday. She took a taxi home and crawled into bed at two in the morning, barely giving a thought to the fact that Keith wasn't home yet.

The phone broke through her sleep and she groaned, glancing at the clock. It was six am and a hangover ripped through her skull. She sat up, instantly regretting it as the room spun around her, reaching for the receiver and raising it to her ear.

"'Lo?" she mumbled sleepily, rubbing at her eyes.

"Is this Miss Jones?" a voice inquired, crisp, professional. She nodded, forgetting he couldn't see her.

"Yeah, s'me," she said softly, "Listen, I was at a party last night, can this wait until, say, noon?" she asked hopefully.

"Miss Jones, I'm afraid I have some bad news... last night there was an accident," the man's voice informed her, dangerously calm. Rose tensed.

"Keith..."

"Mr. Richard's car was struck by a semi," the voice said.

"No..."

"I'm sorry to inform you that he died on site, prior to the arrival of the ambulance," the man blinked as a loud crash echoed through the phone.

"Miss Jones? Miss Jones?"

Rose stared at the pieces of the phone on the floor opposite the bed. The man had to be lying... this couldn't be happening, she'd yelled at Keith... called him selfish, practically cheated on him to get her revenge.

Over the next few days there were papers to sign and a trip to the coroners office to identify Keith that left Rose shaken. They hadn't even bothered to tidy him up a little and bones jutted out of his blood stained face and chest, bringing the taste of bile to her throat. She'd been able to nod before rushing out of the room to the washroom down the hall and losing what little breakfast she'd managed to force into her stomach.

Time passed, as it will, and Rose began to draw away from her old friend, people who reminded her too brutally of what she'd lost. She bought a new house in a new town, desperate to forget. But she couldn't forget. Keith had been her whole world and everywhere she went, something reminded her of him.

It was October 31st and Rose was driving home from work. Her mind had begun to wander when a wolf darted in front of her pick-up. She screamed and slammed on the brakes, but not before she hit the animal and watched it fly off the side of the road. Cautiously, she slipped out of the car and searched around. A soft whine alerted her to its presence and she grimaced when she saw it lying in a ditch, one leg visibly damaged, twisted at a cruel angle. Other than that, it seemed to be alright and she slowly approached it, whispering soft soothing jibberish and holding her hand out. She figured it would growl and attack her, but instead, in a moment that was decidedly domestic, it sniffed her hand, and then nuzzled at her arm. Shocked, she gently stroked its massive head, then jumped out of the ditch and backed her truck up to it. As carefully as she could manage, she maneuvered the wolf up the side of the ditch and, one half at a time, moved it into the back of the truck. It was impulsive, but seeing it had reminded her of Keith's words and since it seemed so friendly, she was determined to help.

She drove carefully, glancing over her shoulder constantly to make sure the creature was still comfortable. It was a beautiful wolf, fur so white it seemed to glow in the moonlight, ears perked as the bright blue eyes gazed around intelligently. It seemed resigned to this adventure and it didn't protest when she parked the truck and fetched a flat dolly she used for moving furniture, easing it onto it and rolling it into the house.

Making sure it was comfortable by the fire, she searched for some gauze bandages, thankful that she kept a bag of supplies on hand in case one of her patients called in an emergency. She walked back into the living room but the wolf was gone. In its place... was Keith.

He looked... perfect. His dark hair was impossibly soft and shimmering softly in the light of the fire, icey blue eyes gazing into hers. She could feel the joyful tears running down her cheeks and she gasped aloud before rushing to him. Enfolding her in his arms, he held her tight, pressing his lips against her head.

"H... how?" she sobbed, looking up at him in shock.

"It's Halloween Rose, remember? The one night I can return to you... once a year, change from that wolf form to my own." She was shaking, grief and happiness overwhelming each other until she felt she might collapse.

"Keith... I'm so sorry... I did... I did terrible things, I was so angry with you..." she choked. He pressed a finger to her lips, smiling that smile, the one she'd fallen in love with.

"Hush... I know..." he whispered. She felt his fingers glide down her body, unbuttoning her dress along the front and sliding it off her shoulders, letting it glide to the floor before leaning down to kiss her, running his fingers through her long waves and down her back. One hand undid the clasp on her bra, the other moving to rest on her cheek as she wound her arms around his neck, praying that she wasn't dreaming.

She undid the buttons on his white silk shirt, pushing it off of him and sliding her hands down his firm chest, never letting her lips leave his. He slide his hands under the straps of her bra, easing it down her arms and dropping it to the side, hands coming back up to her chest, fingertips teasing along her breasts, nails grazing across her nipples. She moaned against his lips, running her fingers along the waistband of the white dress pants, fumbling awkwardly with the button until she felt she might scream. His hands grasped hers and brought them back up his chest

"Slow darling, don't worry so," he whispered before capturing her lips again. She traced patterns along his skin, working her way down and feeling the tension ease out of her. When she returned to the button, it came loose and she pushed his slacks down slowly until they pooled at his feet and he stepped neatly out of them, laying her back on the faux-fur rug and kneeling between her legs. She bit her lower lip lightly, wrapping her arms around him when he leaned down to kiss her. His fingers eased her white cotton thong down her legs, gently stroking at her skin as they passed. When they were off, he flicked them away and leaned down to kiss her again.

She felt him position himself at her entrance and she quivered, taut with anticipation. For the first time in a year, he entered her, the only man to do so, and they both gasped with the tightness. Her wetness eased his passage as he pressed into her and he paused when all eight inches were sheathed within her. She wound her legs and arms around him and he slowly began to move, though the steady pace drove them both insane and soon he was lurching into her erratically, drawing loud moans from her full lips.

He reached his completion with a loud howl, eyes flashing silvery in the moonlight and she followed his climax with her own, shuddering long and hard and letting out soft little noises, incoherent words. She could feel his juices flooding her insides and it left her deeply satisfied. Snuggling close to him, she closed her eyes.

"I love you Keith," she whispered softly. Just before she fell asleep, she heard his voice.

"I'll always love you Rose..."

When she woke he was gone, and the wolf was gone. Concerned, she searched the house, calling his name. When she couldn't find him inside, she wrapped herself in a jacket, heading out into the crisp fall air. No matter how much she searched, the wolf was gone.

She went into the doctor's office three weeks later, complaining of nausea. The doctor ran some tests and came back into the room, smiling knowingly.

"Congratulations Rose," she said, beaming, "you're expecting 



A Second Chance



I looked at the woman leaning against the wall carefully. She reminded me of someone I'd known at one time. She had the same mouth, the same eyes, and the same open smile, but there the resemblance ended. This woman was much slimmer than Sophie had been, her hair was shorter and far less elegantly styled and she didn't carry herself in the same upright, self confident manner. Even so, the similarity was amazing, and I couldn't help but stand and stare. Then, as if conscious that someone was watching her, she looked up and her eyes met mine.

"Dermot? It is Dermot, isn't it?"

So it was Sophie, and obviously I'd changed as much as she in the last four years.

"Good God, Sophie! Talk about a blast from the past. How are you doing?"

"Surviving, Dermot, as much as anybody else." She glanced at her watch. "It would be nice to talk to you but I'm busy right now, are you around for a day or two?"

She didn't look busy leaning on a wall, but what did I know? "Yes, I'm in town until Thursday, and it would be nice to talk to you too. Can we meet?"

"I'd like that. Tomorrow, say about eight?"

"Fine, but you'll have to say where because I don't know my way around yet."

"Tell me where you're staying and I'll come to you. Oh, and don't worry about Luke, we're not together anymore." She smiled briefly in remembrance of our past.

I gave her the name of my hotel and offered up silent thanks that Luke wasn't going to be after my skin in the way he was the last time Sophie and I met, then I went to my appointment and put her to the back of my mind for a while.

That night as I lay in my hotel bed, I couldn't stop thinking about the Sophie I'd once known. She and I had been lovers, our affair starting on the night before she married Luke and lasting the best part of three years. It began when we shared a 'knee trembler' in an alley behind the club where she was holding her hen party, with one of her friends keeping lookout while she enjoyed her last shag as a free woman. We had fucked up against a wall with her skirt rucked up and her knickers around her ankle, and with her 'lookout' watching shamelessly. Afterwards she handed me her knickers and told me to keep them as a momento -- I still have them. She wanted, she said, to feel my cum trickling down her legs while she danced. I discovered later that that sort of gesture was par for the course with her; she had a very open and individual attitude to sex.

It was about a couple of months later that we met again as I wasted an afternoon idling around the shops. To be honest I'd almost forgotten about her, until a voice behind me asked 'Have you still got them?' and I looked around to find her there, smiling broadly. It took a moment for memory to kick in, I mean, the last time I'd seen her she had been dressed in a rah-rah skirt and a T-shirt with the logo 'I'm still a virgin, but this is an old shirt' blazoned across the front. Now here she was dressed in a light blue business suit over a tailored white blouse and carrying a briefcase, but then I remembered her and I grinned back.

"Yes, as matter of fact I have. And any further contributions you care to make would be gratefully received."

She laughed, a light tinkling laugh showing no embarrassment or offence at my remark. "I have a business meeting to attend and I don't think a 'Sharon Stone' moment would be appreciated, do you?" 

"Damn!" I pretended devastation and she laughed again, before raising her hand in goodbye and going on her way.

I expected that to be that, but about fifteen minutes later she came back down the street with a face like thunder.

"That was a short meeting." I said as she got near.

"Cancelled!" She barked the word at me as if it were my fault. "And the ignorant bastards didn't even have the decency to let me know." 

"Then let me buy you a coffee and give you chance to cool off, or do you need to get home?"

"There's nobody at home and I'm not sure he'd notice if he was."

"Oh." I said and left it at that, domestic disputes are not my thing.

She calmed down pretty quickly and then we spent nearly two hours sitting, drinking coffee and chatting. I think the waitress thought we were testing out their 'buy one coffee and get free refill's' policy, judging by the dirty look we got each time she came around, but in truth the reason was simply that she was so easy to talk to and so straightforward. There were no airs and graces, no pretence, and no hidden agendas. What you saw was what you got with Sophie. I must also say that what I saw, and got, was pretty spectacular. She was a woman in her absolute prime, mid twenties, tall, well built, auburn haired and with the most glorious breasts it has ever been my pleasure to lose my cock between.

Sophie ran a small recruitment and temps agency that supplied local factories with short term staff, while her husband, Luke, owned a crane hire business. They were not yet wealthy, but certainly working towards it, enjoying a secure and prosperous lifestyle. I tell you this because it is relevant to the story. The only problem inherent in their way of life was that they were often like ships that passed in the night and communication was not good. Her hours were, to put it mildly, flexible, and she was often out and about visiting clients and setting up meetings, while Luke would regularly drive a crane himself if the job was particularly tricky, and could be away for days on end. Combine that with his 'missionary position in the dark' approach to sex and her very high and adventurous sex drive, and it was almost inevitable that she would stray. And stray she did, with me as the lucky recipient.

Now, I must admit that I was a bit wary of starting anything with Sophie. Luke was a big man, ex-army, short tempered and aggressive, and with a habit of solving problems with his fists, and I'm a dyed in the wool coward. But Sophie was a real beauty, with an easy laugh, a happy outlook, and a very frustrated libido. She needed someone in bed with an open attitude and an adventurous streak, and a willingness to satisfy her in whichever way she needed. I'm glad to say she saw that person in me and made it plain that she was available. 

With the donated knickers as a starting point, our coffee shop chat soon began to take on overt sexual overtones, with innuendo and double meanings littering our conversation. We both began to feel randy and a repeat of our first encounter became more and more likely. Eventually we agreed to meet again the following day, this time at a motel just outside of town, and we both knew it was not just for coffee. 

No sooner had we closed the room door behind us than we were in each other's arms and kissing passionately, but then she wriggled free and held me at arms length. 

"Dermot, hold it a minute, we need to set some rules, and as I'm the one who's married and has the most to lose, I'm gonna set them."

I couldn't fault the logic, so I stood quiet and listened.

"Firstly, you must never contact me unless it is prearranged. Secondly, you have absolutely no rights over me whatever. Thirdly and most importantly, we will fuck my way, and you'd better be a damn good shag, because you and I are here together only because Luke doesn't do it for me. If I'm going to stay with him I need extras, and you're it. To put it in a nutshell, I'm going to use you as my animated dildo, and if you can't handle that, well - tough."

I looked at her in absolute amazement, but at least I couldn't say I didn't know where I stood. Strange as it may sound, that's the way it worked. She always rang me to say that she'd be free on such and such a day, and we'd get together. Sometimes it would be almost every day, and sometimes two or three weeks would go by between her calls.

Then, when we did meet, it was Sophie who called the shots, arranging where we would meet, telling me what she fancied doing, and even sometimes how we would do it. But the gaps between meetings were down to her fear of being caught, not because she waited until she felt horny then called on me to sort her out. And, even though she set the agenda, that was usually because she was plain fucking kinky and had a much wilder imagination that I would ever have. She was naturally an assertive person, but in actual fact she could also be slightly submissive sometimes, and even enjoyed being spanked and tied up.

In short, our relationship was based on pure lust and, although she never quite used me as the 'animated dildo' she spoke of, I was there just to provide the satisfaction she wasn't getting at home and she made sure I knew it. Romance never, ever intruded into our liaisons, and I didn't care. As far as I was concerned, here was a beautiful woman who wanted me to fuck her with no strings, and I was quite happy with that arrangement. The only thing that I wasn't happy about was that she would deride Luke's bedroom abilities to me, and I felt that was unnecessary. She was with Luke purely for his money and the lifestyle he gave her, and she made no secret of that to me either.

That first motel meeting was one of plain uninhibited sex. We fucked almost continuously, in her case cumming over and over again and in my case three times, and in just about every position that we could reasonably get into. It was wild, abandoned, and bloody good. Obviously Sophie thought so too, because she arranged a second date on the spot, this time in the open air in some nature reserve woodland about fifteen miles away.

We arrived at the rendezvous almost together and immediately she walked off into the woods, beckoning me to follow. She knew exactly where she was headed, and about ten minutes later she turned off the path and through the trees until we came to a clearing about two hundred yards further into the woods. There she unrolled her blanket, lay it on the ground and began to undress. I never did find out why she chose that spot, or even if it held any significance for her.

There was something very surreal about watching a beautiful woman taking off expensive business clothes, neatly folding them and laying them carefully to one side, before disporting herself totally naked on a blanket in the middle of a forest. I just stood and watched until she was lying with her legs wide, showing me a smoothly shaved pussy and gently playing with herself.

"C'mon Dermot. Don't let me do everything on my own."

Fat chance of that, I thought as I abruptly came to life and began rapidly stripping off my own clothing. It isn't easy, fumbling with buttons while your eyes are being constantly drawn to the naked beauty waiting for you and to fingers that kept disappearing into a hot wet pussy, but eventually I made it and went to lie on top of her.

"No, Dermot, not yet."

I wished she'd make up her mind, but I obediently stood and waited for her to tell me what she wanted.

"I want you to wank over me. I want to feel your cum splattering all over my body." 

The idea must have been a real turn on for her, because just vocalising it sent a shiver of anticipation through her and her fingers pumped in and out of her pussy a little more forcefully. For myself I thought it was a waste of cum, but who was I to argue?

She wriggled round a little and swung one leg around me so that I was standing between her knees and looking directly at her pussy. It was beautiful sight, her fingers were working hard and fast in her pussy and her hips were gyrating slowly, making a picture of absolute lust. She was very, very horny, so wet that I could even hear a soft squelching noise as her fingers went in and out of her tunnel, and her labia were visibly red and swollen. My hand went to my cock and I began wanking above her.

All the time I stood there playing her eyes were fixed on my cock, although occasionally her arousal made then roll back and close for a few seconds and even then they would shoot open again and keep watch for the first signs that I was going to cum. I found the whole thing just a little disturbing, I'd never been watched with such intensity, but even so it was incredibly erotic and it wasn't long before I could feel my cum begin to build up in my balls ready for my climax.

"Are you going to cum soon?" She asked me when I started breathing heavily and stroking my cock more erratically.

I nodded my 'yes' with my eyes half closed and my tongue running around my lips, and she immediately switched playing to with her clit so as to leave her entrance uncovered and began pulling at her nipple with her other hand. Sophie had large soft breasts and she could pull them into incredible shapes by tugging on her nipples, and it never failed to turn me on even more. Now my pelvis began involuntary little thrusts and the fire began to flare at the base of my cock.

"Do it, Dermot, shoot it all over me. Try and get some on my face if you can. I really want to feel it landing on me."

The moment I came, so did she, giving out loud gasps and groans as she shuddered in orgasm under the rain of spunk splashing down on her. My first burst landed across her breasts, covering one nipple and trickling between them, but my second was more powerful, landing mostly on her neck and chin but also spattering her face with creamy white drops. She groaned loudly, opening her mouth to catch more and rubbing frantically at her clit to get the most from her climax.

After a second powerful pulse that coated her lips and nose, my spurts of cum declined, landing closer and closer to me until the last one just dribbled onto the knuckles of the hand working at her clit. The result was that the entire length of her body, from forehead to crotch had been showered in spunk, with little globs and droplets all over her.

I stood for a minute or so on jelly legs before subsiding, lungs heaving and heart racing, onto the blanket beside her. She looked across at me and squeezed my hand, her own chest rising and falling rapidly under its load of cum.

"Thank you. Believe it or not that's the first time I've ever watched a man cum. I've often felt it, but I'd never seen it."

We lay there silently for a minute or two, Sophie on her back and me on my side gazing at the shiny wet results of my labours, and then she spoke again.

"Do you know, it does feel good to have your cum on my skin." She smiled happily. "Now, just lie flat for a minute."

I lay myself out flat, legs side by side and arms by the side of me and waited to see what she had in mind. I didn't have to wait long. As soon as I was settled she rolled over and lay flat on top of me, carefully aligning her legs with mine and her body in full contact all the way along. Then she began sliding herself back and forth, using the slippery dollops of my cum as a lubricant and spreading it between us. She was giving out little unintelligible murmurs of pleasure as she slithered along my torso, and I can understand why, the feeling was like oiled skin, except that it wasn't oil and that knowledge made it intensely erotic. 

Then she kissed me and I could faintly taste my own cum as her tongue explored my mouth. It was such an incredibly uninhibited and sexy sensation that even though I had climaxed only minutes before I began to feel my cock stir between us. I think Sophie had noticed its revival too, because as soon the slipperiness began to turn to stickiness she wriggled her way right down my body until her head was level with my cock. Then she took my semi hard shaft between her fingers and guided it into her mouth, licking and sucking at it until it hardened once more, then as soon as it was stiff enough to stand by itself, she took the head deep into her mouth and started sliding her lips back and forwards along my shaft in the most gorgeous blow-job I've ever had.

After that we met quite frequently, though at varying intervals, and sometimes it would be in the woods, sometimes in a motel, and, when Luke was out of town, sometimes she would come to my place. But, with maybe a handful of exceptions, every meeting was an adventure, and I never knew what she would come up with next. She was the most imaginative and unconstrained woman I have ever met, a mass of contradictions and fantasies, and she had me fascinated with her almost to the point of obsession. It got to where there was almost nothing I wouldn't do for her or to her -- sexually, I mean -- or allow her to do to me. 

Sometimes my conscience would prick and I would ask about Luke, but she was always scathing about his bedroom abilities and it got so I didn't like to ask anymore. It soon became clear to me that although she liked the man she didn't really love him, and that she was with him for the just lifestyle he could offer her. She had worked it to get the best of both worlds. Luke provided the standard of living and the comfort, while I supplied the sex and gratification. Both he and I were being used. The only real difference, apart from him being her husband, was that he was kept in the dark while I knew just what was happening and selfishly didn't care. But then, if I describe just two of my meetings with Sophie you'll probably understand why.

Both took place at my house during one of Luke's out of town jobs, and on both occasions Sophie turned up only a half hour or so after having rung me to arrange things. The first time it seemed that I had hardly put the 'phone down and tidied away the ironing (Yes, single men have to do their own ironing, and it's not the most romantic sight to greet your lover with.) before she was knocking on my door with a shopping bag swinging from her wrist.

I should have realised she had something new in mind the moment I saw the shopping bag, but it wasn't until she dug into it and pulled out a pair of handcuffs that I began to worry. Within ten minutes I was stark naked and sitting on the bed with my hands behind my back and my wrists handcuffed to the bed-head, while Sophie was still fully dressed. I must admit I was a little nervous at that point, because with Sophie almost anything was possible.

But then she began to undress. She had dressed with the deliberate intention of stripping it all off again, right down to having a thong on under her knickers just to increase the tease. She put a cd on the stereo and started to move to and fro to soft slow jazz music, letting her long auburn hair sweep across her face as she moved. The movement was all in the hips, a beautiful languid swaying with her arms floating beside her, so very feminine and so very erotic. 

She kept this up for the entire first track, but then the second track was a late night jazz saxophone, and it was to this music she began to strip. Once again her movements were slow and gentle and in time with the music, but there was now a definite sexiness to them, invoked perhaps by the sensuous sound of the saxophone, and they had my cock standing up and applauding - and that was even before she began unbuttoning her blouse. 

The rest of the album was similar 'midnight music' recalling smoky clubs and sexy black musicians, and Sophie stripped gradually moving sinuously and sexily the whole time. By the time she was down to that final thong my cock was sporting a purple head as hard and as bulbous as it ever had been. God, how I wanted to fuck that woman. 

Then, the moment she was totally naked she went and changed the album, replacing the slow jazz with slightly faster, slightly heavier music, again featuring the tenor sax, but now it wailed more raunchily over an insistent drum beat. I hadn't heard this music before and I had no idea who the artists were, but right then I would willingly have awarded them a trophy for the sexiest sound ever recorded. Even if I'd been back to doing my ironing I think my cock would have been reaching for the sky by the time the first ten bars had played. Sophie clearly knew just what she was up to, and I was mesmerised.




A Second Chance



As this second cd played Sophie began to dance, but it was no dance I'd ever seen before, and would have brought the house down in the local strip joint. She swayed, gyrated, turned, and contorted, turning her body into an overt representation of sex, running her palms over her skin, cupping her breasts, squeezing them, pulling at her nipples, the letting her hands slide down her stomach, past her beckoning hips to her thighs where they played and stroked before they retreated up to her pussy and outlined her womanhood between her fingers. All this was done in sensual slow motion as she stared up at me from below lowered eyes, running the tip of her tongue over her lips. I became intensely aware of the limitations placed upon me by the handcuffs. All I could do was watch this fabulous creature perform to her erotic best. I wondered how far she would go before her own need drove her to release me to fuck her.

Then suddenly she had jumped up onto the bed, straddling me and moving forward until her feet were planted wide beside my shoulders, her hands rested against the wall behind the bed and she gazed down smiling as my eyes stared at her pussy literally inches from my face. Then she began gyrating her hips in time to the music, thrusting slightly forward and back, bringing the fabulous musky scent of her scent of her cunt close to my nose and then moving back, letting my eyes take over the enjoyment as she moved now from side to side. She was completely given to her arousal, her gaping pussy quite literally running with her juices, her inner thighs shining damp and slippery and her clit standing hard and erect like a miniature cock. I couldn't take my eyes from her.

"Lick me, lick my cunt." Her voice came intense and breathy.

I leaned forward, putting out my tongue to comply with her instruction, only to be brought up short by the handcuffs with my mouth only an inch or so from her pussy. Her teasing laugh registered only vaguely as I tried to push forward far enough to make contact. I so wanted to taste her I was straining my neck to reach and hurting my wrists on the handcuffs. She giggled again and moved away. 

"You'll have to grow a longer tongue." She mocked me and then moved closer again. "Here, have another try." 

This time I could reach, not easily and not entirely, but enough that I could lick and suck her clit with my nose hard up against her pubes. Sophie gasped as soon as my tongue touched her and I knew she was very aroused, but apparently not ready to let herself cum, for after only a few moments she moved back and out of reach. 

"Did it taste nice?" She asked me. I could only nod a 'yes'.

"Then tell me if it looks nice." 

She spread her thighs as wide as standing on the springy bed would allow, then reaching down with both hands, she pulled open her pussy, showing me her gaping wet hole. I stared openly at this brazen display, wishing my tongue was back on that hard little clit, or my cock inside her slippery hot cunt, and thinking for an alarming moment, from the way she was splayed open, that she was going to pee on me. For some reason it wasn't the thought of being peed on that bothered me, that was actually quite exciting, but the idea of having to sort out my bed afterwards.

She was having trouble keeping her balance on the bed and so she moved to lean on the wall above my head with one hand and used the other to show herself to me, opening herself up with two fingers while using a third to massage the end of her clit. I was not going to be needed, except as an audience, for she was gasping and groaning, teetering on the brink of her orgasm. She was not alone in being turned on, my cock was beginning to hurt with its hardness, desperately needed attention and jealous of the finger that played with her clit.

Suddenly she let out a sudden 'oohh' and her pussy jerked under her fingers, and I watched her cum, seeing the spasms running through her pelvis, hearing the cries and groans that came from her lips and watching the lubrication trickle from her empty passage. I was so turned on by this display that a bead of pre-cum grew on the end of my cock, even though it was still totally untouched.

Her first orgasm over, Sophie looked down at me and grinned. "Nice, was it?"

"Not as nice as it would have been with my cock inside you!" I replied morosely, thinking that my chance of cumming was rapidly receding.

She laughed again, that carefree tinkling laugh that she used so often. "Don't worry, your turn next. Anyway, stop complaining, you fuck me more often than my husband."

She took a step back and knelt down carefully, still straddling my body, so that her pussy was lowered towards my belly. I hoped she would move back a little further so that she might impale herself on my painfully rigid cock, but instead she pressed herself against my abdomen and began sliding herself back and forth, spreading her juices over my skin. It felt fabulous, but I wanted more. 

She leaned forward so that now she was bent over me, her dark engorged nipples dragging over my face as she moved back and forth. I tried to take one in my mouth, but she giggled and swung her breasts to keep it out of reach, still sliding her wet pussy over my stomach. 

Then she slid back a little further and her bottom collided with my the tip of my cock and she stopped, suddenly alarmed at the contact.

"Are you ok?" She asked me.

"Yes, fine, except I want to fuck you."

She laughed again. "I thought that might have hurt." She said, meaning the sudden contact between my cock and her behind.

"No, it didn't hurt."

"Then lets do it again; you never know it might find a way in." She started sliding slowly back, trying to find out just where my cock came to. 

"And you never know which way in it might find." Her voice was breathless with excitement.

She pushed back until she hit my cock, and then pulled forward again, repeating the movement time after time, but without my entering her in either hole. I couldn't do anything to help it find the way, and it seems that Sophie wouldn't, though I got the impression it was not missing one entrance or the other by very much. Each time she moved her breasts trailed across my face and chest, and each time I felt her skin slide over her own wetness on my stomach, and I desperately needed to fuck her. It was intensely erotic and even more intensely frustrating.

Then suddenly I felt it slide into her pussy, deep into her very hot and very wet tunnel and she groaned with pleasure coupled with frustration.

"Damn, I wanted it to be the other hole!" Sophie cursed, but I didn't mind, I was just pleased to be inside her.

"You can move it, if you want." I suggested, thinking how nice her arse would feel.

"No. Fate decreed and all that, I'll take what I was given." She shook her head, her hair cascading across her face, and she began moving on my cock, fucking me at last. 

She must have been as hot as I was, for she rapidly built up the pace until she was bouncing on my cock, gasping and moaning, her head thrown back and her eyes closed. It wasn't long before she rammed herself down onto me as hard as she could and cried out loud as her orgasm ripped through her, but it was just long enough. Even as she squirmed, impaled on my shaft and shuddering with pleasure, my cock exploded into her as my own climax arrived and sent spurt after spurt of cum deep into her. God, I was ready for that. 

The next day she rang to ask if she could come round the next afternoon, and you can guess my answer. She arrived just after lunch, swinging that ominous shopping back once again.

"What surprise have you got in the bag today?" I asked cautiously.

"No surprise, just the same things." 

Her answer was cloaked in laughter as she put her hand in her bag and took out the same damn handcuffs. I wasn't sure if I was up to another teasing session, and I said so.

"You worry too much, let's go upstairs and have a bit of fun, eh?" Her answer was as enigmatic and unhelpful as it could be, but I followed anyway.

As soon as she reached the bedroom she began to undress, and so I did the same, still wondering just what she had in mind this time. Whatever it was, it was already turning her on, because as she stripped her breathing became heavy with anticipation and her fingers fumbled with her bra fastenings. I couldn't remember ever having seen her being this excited, and so I worried even more.

When we were finally both naked she handed the handcuffs to me, much to my surprise. I stood there with them in my hands and wondered what the hell to do. Then she held her hands out in front of her, wrists together, and I got the idea. This time, it seemed, it was her turn to be cuffed.

"Thank you." She breathed as I locked them over her wrists.

"I think I was a bit too naughty the last time I was here, and I think I deserve to be punished, don't you?"

Now what the hell was she thinking of, I wondered silently, while agreeing with her out loud.

"Yes, you do. Have you a punishment in mind?" I would have given odds that she had.

She looked at me and nodded, then raised her hands and put them behind her head, still fastened together, then planted her feet a couple of feet apart. She looked beautiful and defiant standing like that, but quite defenceless too.

"I want you to slap my tits, hard."

"What?" I was shocked to say the least.

"I want you to hit my breasts, I want you to slap them both, and don't hold back." Her breathing was now loud and eager and it was clear she meant what she said.

I stood looking at her, wondering for a minute if I should, or even if I could.

"Do it, I was naughty, punish me." It was typical of Sophie. Even when playing the 'sub' she had to give the orders.

I drew back my hand and hit her hard across the side of her breast, the sound of my palm against her soft flesh resounding around the room. She swayed a little to the side under the force of the blow.

"Now the other one." She gasped out.

I repeated the clout from the other side, hitting her a little harder now that I knew she could take it. She took a sharp breath and an involuntary step to the side.

"Yes, that's good, but I told you not to hold back. Do it again, but harder." The words came out as tight little gasps from between clenched teeth.

I did it again and I didn't hold back this time, in fact I slapped her hard enough for my fingers to sting and hard enough to make an involuntary step to the side each time. 

"God, that hurt something wonderful. Now do it just once more to each tit." 

I drew back my hand to repeat the blows, but she interrupted me. "No! Backhand me. Give my tits a backhander each, really hard ones."

I moved my raised hand over to the other side of my body, noticing as I did that I was sporting a huge erection. I wasn't sure what to make of my body's response, but I was as turned on as she was.

This time I hit her as hard as I could, making her cry out and stagger back, but she came back, a little white faced, and planted herself for the next one. Her breasts were, I noticed, red and sore looking, especially the one I had just backhanded. I raised my other hand again, but then I remembered the ring I was wearing and paused to remove it. I didn't mind hurting her, but I didn't want to do damage.

Again she cried out in pain and staggered backwards from the blow, and when she stepped back and raised her head I could see tears of pain welling in her eyes. I had really hurt her that time, but she made no compliant, looking into my eyes as if defying me to hurt her.

"Thank you. I needed that, and I deserved it to." She looked at me with a shy little smile tugging at her mouth. "And it was nice."

"Nice!" How the hell could that be called nice?

"Yes, nice! It's got me going, just feel my pussy." I did as I was told, and found her pussy soaking wet. I've never understood the link between pain and pleasure, but here was plain evidence of its existence.

She went and knelt on the bed, lowering her head and raising her behind.

"Now fuck me as hard as you slapped me." 

Once again, I did as I was asked, driving hard into her doggy style until my cock exploded and I filled her pussy with my spunk once more. Her climax came almost immediately my cock penetrated her, a powerful, earth shattering orgasm that had her ramming herself backwards onto my cock and screaming out her delight. Then she simply knelt submissively and waited for me to finish inside her.

I never did understand what drove Sophie. She would come up with the most imaginative and erotic ideas for sex, but she never said what gave her the idea or why she wanted to try it. I looked at it that I was getting the best end of the deal and if it ain't broke, don't fix it, so I left well alone. 

In fact, I left well alone for three years, fucking Sophie regularly and with great variety, and enjoying every last minute of it. I suppose that over time we had become a bit blasé, we'd got away without Luke finding out for so long that we expected it to continue forever. As Sophie put it with her usual succinctness.... 

"I'm glad I'm fucking you, it keeps the world on an even keel."

When I looked at her puzzled by that remark she enlarged on it by saying. "This life works fine. He gets his meals cooked and clothes washed, and I get my bills paid and my pussy filled. The only thing that's unusual is that it's not the man paying my bills who fills my pussy."

I thought that was a bit cold-hearted, but then I was only the pussy filler!

But, of course, all good things must come to an end, and we must have got careless somewhere along the line, for one day instead of Sophie turning up for a meet, it was Luke. I learned later that he's been tipped off by an anonymous someone that Sophie and I would be meeting at a certain motel at a certain time, and there he was, baseball bat in hand. I will readily admit that I was out of that motel room via the window and in the car way before he had smashed his way through the lock, and it was a week before I showed my face again. By that time both he and Sophie had gone, nobody seemed to know where. A couple of weeks later their furniture followed and a 'for sale' sign appeared on the lawn. That was four years ago and I'd never seen either again until now.

*************************************

Just before eight the next evening my hotel phone buzzed and I answered to find it was the reception desk to tell me a 'person' was asking for me. 

"Send her up, will you, please." I told him and made to put the phone down and greet my visitor.

He caught me just in time. "I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that."

"Oh?" I asked. "Why not?"

"I'm afraid the lady is known to us and she is not allowed in the hotel, except in the public rooms."

"And why is that?" I asked imperiously, sincerely believing that I'd soon put him straight.

The clerk coughed nervously and then continued. "I'm sorry Sir, but this person has been caught using the hotel for the purposes of prostitution, and she is no longer allowed into our guest rooms."

I was silent for several long minutes. Sophie? Prostitution? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Eventually I heard the clerk's voice as if from miles away. "Sir, what should I tell her?"

"Tell her I'll be down directly." I said brusquely and replaced the receiver. 

As I descended the stairs I could imagine Sophie standing at the desk listening to the man telling me about her, and being embarrassed by the conversation, so I was expecting to walk into an argument between herself and the clerk. But as I reached the reception area all was calm, the clerk had his head down and Sophie stood patiently waiting to one side.

As I emerged from the stairs she walked forward with her arms out and we embraced warmly.

"It's so good to see you Sophie, how are you?" I asked after pulling myself clear.

"I've answered that once. Surviving, Dermot, surviving." She gave me a crooked smile. "I'm sorry about not being able to come up, I'd forgotten this hotel wouldn't let me."

"But surely it's a mistake?"

She shook her head sadly. "No mistake, Dermot. What he said was perfectly true."

I stood mute, staring at her in disbelief. My Sophie on the game? It was just too hard to take in. The sophisticated, well off, middle class woman who had used me to satisfy her carnal desires was now a cut price whore who received pay for satisfying other men's desires. The change in fortune was staggering.

"Come on." She said. "I've got a motel room we can go to. I don't want to talk in public."

She turned and led the way through the doors and into the car park, while I followed meekly behind, still gobsmacked. 

We drove to her motel in silence. I don't think either of us knew what to say, or how to say it, and I still couldn't believe what was happening. But if I doubted the truth of the receptionist's accusations and Sophie's own admission, the doubt was dispelled as we checked into the motel. 

"This one isn't business Jake; it's personal, so no time limit, okay?" Jake nodded and handed her a key without question or payment.

As we walked to her room she explained.

"I keep a room here for clients and Jake looks after me. He's a good man and if I ever get any bother, or someone outstays what they've paid for, he comes and gets rid of them for me. I just didn't want him to think you were here too long"

She stopped suddenly and looked at me seriously. "I'm sorry you had to find out what happened to me, Dermot, but you know me, I can't pretend. I am a whore and have been since Luke threw me out, and I may as well be upfront about it. Please don't judge me too harshly."

Sophie is someone who does what she needs to without bitterness or rancour. How could I judge her at all, let alone harshly? I turned to her and took her into my arms and for a long time we just stood there and hugged quietly.

The room was a bog standard third rate motel room, though cleaner than most. Sophie saw me looking round. "I pay Jake a retainer to keep this room available till last, and I bung the cleaner a bit extra to keep the place tidy, and she doesn't do a bad job really. So you can sit down without fear of bed bugs."

I wasn't quite sure if that comment was made in jest or seriousness, but I looked hard at the bed before trusting myself to it.

"What happened, Sophie?" I asked finally, after we both sat side by side on the little single bed

"When Luke found out about us he went looking for you, but I gather you were a bit too quick for him, so he just threw some things in a couple of suitcases and drove us out of town. I didn't get the choice, he literally frogmarched me to the car and I was scared stiff about what he meant to do."

She drew a deep breath before continuing. 

"For a couple of days we stayed in a little motel, a lot like this one, and all the time he never said a word to me, but then on the third day he went out alone, locking me in the room. When he came back it was obvious he's made his mind up about something because we checked out and drove away. He never told me where we were headed, but it didn't matter because about ten miles down the road he pulled up, threw my suitcase into the roadside ditch and ordered me out of the car."

Sophie looked at me with a tear in her eyes as she remembered the next moment.

"He reached over into the back seat and picked up a hammer. I thought he was going to kill me, and maybe he thought about it too, but in the end he just pushed open the door and told me to go and be a proper whore instead of a freebie one. Then he simply pushed me out of the car and drove off. I haven't seen him since and the only contact I've had is when I had the divorce papers served on me. He left me destitute and he didn't care."

"But what about the house and your business?"




A Second Chance



"He wrecked my business by telling all my clients that I was on the verge of being jailed for fiddling the tax man. Temp work is fickle and clients drop you at the first sniff of possible trouble, so the work dried up and the business collapsed. The house was in his name and, as he was divorcing me for adultery, I didn't get a look in. It was put in his name so it could be used as collateral against a business loan to buy the two giant cranes he had. I had never thought that it would ever matter when I signed my half away. I found out later that I hadn't needed to, but it was too late then."

"So what did you do?"

"I moved here and did what he told me to, I became a proper whore and made my living on my back." She looked at me again. "And I still do."

"Why?" I asked, puzzled. "Why don't you just take another job?"

"I tried, but Luke kept threatening anyone who might give me a reference, and the only jobs that didn't need references were monkey jobs. So I got into debt, you see I'd never had to budget before."

"Monkey jobs?" I asked, puzzled for a different reason this time.

"Yeah, monkey jobs. You know, pay peanuts and get monkeys?"

"Ahh!" I said as the penny dropped. I suddenly felt the weight of her head on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her. It was probably the first genuine affection that had ever passed between us in all the time I'd known her.

Quietly she told me of how she had drifted into prostitution to keep food in her belly and a roof over her head. She told me of vomiting after her first client, of the times when she was beaten up, and of some of the activities she had been forced to endure. And she told me in such a matter of fact way that I accepted what she told me without flinching, without looking down on her, and without even feeling the disgust that I expected to. 

She also told me how expensive life as a whore could be, with even the rent for her apartment quadrupling in order to keep the landlord quiet, and how she had fought to prevent herself being 'adopted' by a pimp, who would feed her drugs and take her money in return for 'protection'. The lack of this so-called protection had cost her several severe beatings, but she had determined to stay independent.

Her new life had changed Sophie, but for the better. Gone was the selfish hedonism that triggered her affair with me and in its place was a philosophical acceptance of the retribution that had befallen her. When she spoke of Luke's actions in ruining her life she shrugged and said that after what she did to him she probably had it coming. She was a better human being for her experiences, one that I could relate to in more than a purely physical way.

For a long time we sat, silently thinking about the 'might have beens' and the 'what ifs', until I moved my head to look down at her at the same time as she looked up at me. Then it was inevitable that we should kiss. It was a long kiss, a very gentle and very emotional kiss in which seven years of waiting were poured out to each other in that simple meeting of mouths. I realised that she had meant more to me than I had ever let myself admit, and I'm pretty sure Sophie felt the same.

Then we were lying side by side on the bed, arms around each other, hugging and squeezing, kissing affectionately and murmuring silly nothings into each others ears. I have no real idea what either of us said, except it could all be conveyed as one sentence. 'Thank God I've found you again!' Sophie cried into my neck and I struggled to keep my voice from catching as I told her how much I needed her. 

Then we began to undress each other, trying to struggle out of our clothes without losing that so important physical contact between us, and giggling stupidly in the attempt. Then, naked, we went back into our clinch, this time skin on skin, breast against chest, and legs tangled with legs.

Sophie's new life had changed her body as well as her outlook. She was never fat, just buxom, but now that extra padding had gone, leaving a slimmer but equally beautiful woman. Running my hands up and down her naked back I could feel hard muscle instead of the former softer flesh.

I explored her new body gently, stroking and caressing her, running my hands everywhere I could reach without getting out of kissing range, and Sophie moved to let me, sighing softly at the touch.

"Dermot, you could never know how good it feels to be touched like that by someone who cares instead of someone who's just paid for it."

I shushed her and carried on exploring. Then just above her hip my fingers encountered a little ridge of flesh, an unevenness that was out place on the smooth silkiness of her skin. She felt my fingers touching and investigating it, and explained.

"It's only a scar, Dermot."

"Feels a big one, how did you get that?"

"Just a punter wanting more than he'd paid for, and cutting up rough when I said no."

I sensed that I would get no further explanation, and so I let it go, but it gave me a deeper insight into the murky world she inhabited.

Soon my hand had found her breasts, smaller and firmer now, but still topped with those little bullets that were her nipples. It felt good to touch them again and I played with them for a long time, moulding, squeezing and stroking them, then tugging at her nipples and rolling them between finger and thumb. Sophie groaned and gasped, holding tight to me, but making no effort to guide or command me as she once would have.

"God, Dermot, I've missed that." And so had I.

I moved a little so that I could take her nipple into my mouth, and at the same time I reached between her legs, seeking her pussy. She turned onto her back and spread herself wide to give me unrestricted access, letting my hand go where it wanted and do whatever it wished. Touching her pussy I discovered to my surprise that she had let her pubic hair grow back, long and thick, perhaps as a subconscious way of dividing her old life to this one. Paying customers would not get the smooth and silky Sophie that I once knew.

I parted her bush with my fingers and stroked the length of her slit, causing Sophie to gasp with pleasure and cling to me tightly with the single arm she still had around me, pulling my mouth hard against her breast. She was wet, soaking wet, her pussy open and slippery, just waiting to receive me. I slid one finger inside her, making her groan, and then pushed another alongside it, hooking them both slightly before pushing in and out of her.

"Oh, my God, yes." She said, reaching down with her free hand to place it over mine and feel my fingers working to and fro.

"Dermot, I know I shouldn't ask, but could you still fuck me?"

"Yes, Sophie. I'd love to." I mumbled from around her breast.

"Even knowing what I do?" She gasped loudly as my fingers were rammed deep into her and I smiled by way of answer.

"It doesn't matter." I meant that.

"But you'll have to wear a condom." She looked at me as if to say 'did I realise that?' 

That's when it all came home to me. Up till then I'd accepted that Sophie fucked men and got paid for it, but I hadn't realised just what that entailed. Even what she had told me such a short time before hadn't really sunk in until she mentioned that condom. That's when I understood the reality of prostitution. It wasn't just being paid to do a pleasurable act. It wasn't just the opening of legs and closing of minds. It was not even just the effect on the girls' mental and physical well being. It was the alienation, the rejection by society, as well as the effect on their health and that of their clients. Sophie didn't know if I'd want to fuck a prostitute, as if prostitutes were no longer women. I was moved and didn't know what to say.

Sophie picked up on my hesitation, but she misinterpreted it. She began crying quietly, tears streaming down each side of her face and onto the pillow.

"I'm sorry Dermot. It's not that I don't want to feel you inside me, I do, I really, really do, but you know what risks I take. I'm sure I don't have anything, honestly. It's just that I care for you more than anything and I want to be safe for you, just in case."

She had said it without saying it, and probably without knowing it, but I spotted it straight away, and my heart leapt. Both of us had been thinking and speaking in euphemisms, using the phrase 'caring for' instead of what we really meant -- 'loving'. I made my decision then, though I didn't say anything to Sophie until later.

"Sophie, my Sophie, don't you know, I'd wear a cardboard box for you if necessary."

She giggled at the imagery, the giggle getting louder and less controlled until I began to fear she would become hysterical. But the laughter was just a nervous release that mended the tears and we were soon back to kissing and hugging like adolescents at a drive-in, clothes not withstanding.

After a few minutes she disentangled herself enough to reach into a bedside cupboard and take out a little bowl containing a selection of different condoms. She didn't even look at the varieties, but just took a condom from the bowl and replaced it in the cupboard, her eyes locked on mine the whole time, trying, I guess, to gauge my reaction. Still looking directly at me her fingers tore open the packet and took out the rubber, then she reached for my cock and expertly enveloped it in latex. Once again her eyes glistened with tears.

"I'm sorry, darling Dermot, I'm so sorry it has to be like this."

It had been a long, long time since I had last worn a condom, and never before with Sophie, so the sensation of entering her strange, but nonetheless it felt almost like coming home. I slid into her waiting pussy like it was only yesterday I'd been there before, and began to thrust into her deep and meaningfully in just the way I knew she liked. For a short time she lay beneath me tense, perhaps not used to sex with an emotional rather than commercial overtone, but soon she relaxed and moved with me, gasping and moaning in my ear while gripping my shoulders and pulling me hard against her. My climax came slowly, delayed maybe by the sensation reducing condom, and so her orgasm had time to build, its pressure getting more and more intense until finally we both came together, shouting out, grabbing at each others bodies, holding on for all we were worth with Sophie gouging furrows in my back and my fingers leaving bruises on her arms where I held her. 

I felt the reservoir at the tip of my condom fill with my cum as I spurted into it, happy that the condom had let me enter her, but wishing that it was Sophie's womb that would be receiving it instead. All the time I was cumming Sophie was bucking and shuddering beneath me, held fast by her own colossal orgasm, an orgasm so intense and so powerful that it left her drained and in tears as it passed. As for myself, I felt a mixture of elation that I had made love to Sophie for the first time rather than having simply fucked her, and sorrow that it had to be in such circumstances. We were both on a roller coaster of emotions.

Our post coital embrace was a strange one. Neither of us quite knew how to react and so neither of us reacted at all. I let my flaccid cock slip from her pussy, and then I rolled to one side and removed the spunk filled condom, an act that Sophie diplomatically ignored. After that I reached out and took her hand so that we lay side by side, string at the ceiling, wondering what to say and how to say it. In the end neither of us said anything and we both drifted to sleep. At one point in the night I think I felt a pair of soft lips fasten gently over my cock for a few seconds, but I truly can't be sure, even though I hope it was for real. I did wake later to visit the bathroom, and someone had switched off the light, so Sophie had been awake at some point.

In the morning I woke before she did, and just lay on my side watching her breathing, conscious of how beautiful she looked. I lay like that, watching and drinking in her beauty until my arm became numb from leaning on it and I had to straighten it. The movement disturbed Sophie and she stirred quietly before her eyes popped open and she focused on me. At first she seemed confused to see me, but then I think memory returned and she smiled, a gorgeous smile of pleasure.

"Hi,"

"Hello Sophie."

She smiled and stretched, then, without warning, she slipped out of bed and headed for the shower. I'm glad she did, because the short absence gave me time to gather the nerve to tell her of my earlier decision.

When she came out of the shower wrapped in an incongruous pale lemon bath sheet I held out my hand and steered her to sit on the bed. She looked at me but said nothing, understanding that I had something to say that needed her attention.

"Sophie, meeting you again has made me realise that I love you. Will you come back and live with me?" I put it as simply as I could.

Emotions, most of them positive, flitted across her face in rapid succession before a look of regret settled on her.

"How can I, Dermot? I love you too, but I'm a whore and you don't need a whore in tow."

I shook my head.

"No Sophie. You used to be a whore, but now you're my fiancée. Leave that part of your life behind and start again as my wife."

This time her tears were tears of happiness, and this time I shared them.



A Second Chance



She was a kid when we met. Sixteen of seventeen tops, but I knew she would be a real knockout when she got older. We hung out a bit, but I fucked it up when I refused to be her first, which is why three years later when she called I nearly dropped the phone. 

"Chris?" the voice breathed into the phone, "its Steph. Stephanie King..." the voice trailed off. 

I knew exactly who it was, without her telling me. "Yeah hey...long time no talk huh?" I replied the best I could. Needless to say I was at a loss for words. She started with small talk, the way everyone does when they want something from you. 

"I was wondering if you were busy Saturday night. I think we should talk," she asked. "It's been so long and... well I guess I've been thinking about you a lot lately." 

My heart was skipping beats at a time. She thought about me? The way we parted was messy and I hardly acted like a gentleman. I was twenty when we dated and I supposed the age difference freaked me out. She deserved better. 

"Sure. Saturday is fine with me," I answered. We set the time and place and said our goodbyes. The thought of her plagued me all day. A call from an ex out of the blue would frazzle anyone I suppose, but a date? 

Friday night I sat in my apartment watching TV. I couldn't stop thinking about her and my anxiety for the next night's date was tearing me apart. I poured myself a drink, changed out of my suit and flopped on the couch. Visions of Stephanie crept into my head with each sip of my drink. I wondered what she looked like three years later.

She was tall, with dark brown hair and a warm chocolate complexion. Her eyes were almond shaped and exotic with beautiful, thick lashes that gave her bedroom eyes when the light hit her just right. Stephanie was the opposite of every girl I had ever been with. I'm five foot eight with blue eyes and light brown hair. Just the average white guy, which is why I was so surprised when I first met her. She was interested in me, as if I stuck out from the rest of the pack. Normally I get the short skinny and slightly crazy red head at the bar. I date her for the standard three weeks, and then fall out of contact. That's been my dating history since Stephanie.

Steph, steph steph... 

The thought of what she might look like now was giving me an instant hard on. I put my drink down on the table and reached inside my pants to free my member. Stroking it slowly, I thought of her long brown legs and beautiful smile... I wished I had made love to her like she begged me to. But I wasn't worthy of her flower and at her age, she would have regretted giving it to me. I stroked my hard cock faster as visions of her beautiful breasts flashed in my head. Mmm her skin was always so soft... ahhh I came in my hand and all over my pants. The sticky white fluid was everywhere. I don't think I had blown my load like that for a while. Cheap red heads had never made me cum like that and they were not worth my time. I could not wait for Saturday night. 

I arrived at Chateau the restaurant on Saturday night at 6:50pm, about ten minutes early for my date with Stephanie. I reserved a corner booth and dressed to the nines. I wanted to show off my date, just in case any former flames were dining there that night. 

At seven o'clock sharp she walked into the dining room through the French doors, following the matrie'd. What a knockout. Her hair was slightly lighter, possibly from the summer sun and it framed her face beautifully. Stephanie wore a simple v-neck black dress that went down to an inch or two above her knees. Her full figured body was completely covered yet somehow it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen her or anyone wear. She spotted me and slid into the booth beside me.

"Hi Chris." She simply stated. "I know you're wondering why I asked you here tonight but I want you to know before anything that I don't expect anything from tonight. I've just been thinking about you so much that I need to know if everything I felt for you three years ago was exaggerated in my mind, or if we were really that good together... am I making sense?" 

I blinked at her for a moment. I hadn't realized how badly I wanted a woman to say that to me, and now that a woman like Steph had said it, I somehow felt complete. I didn't quite know how to respond, so I simply asked the most innocent question I could think of. 

"Did you find your way here ok?" I nearly whispered. It would be an interesting night...



A Second Chance



*zzzzzz*.....*zzzzzz*.....The blue cell phone vibrated on the passenger seat as Justine accelerated through the yellow light and onto Germantown Road. She seized it quickly and flipped it open before it rang a third time. 

"Hey, Laura. What's going on?" 

"Justine! How're you doing? I was just wondering if you could drop by and help me out with my physics homework. I really don't get thermodynamics at all and Ms. Polack can't teach worth shit."

Justine smiled. "Sure! I was just heading over to McDonald's for a pumpkin pie. I'll drive over to your place as soon as I'm done." 

She shut the phone as she approached the drive-thru and paid for two individual-size pumpkin pies, figuring Laura would appreciate the "brain food" as well. Then she navigated onto South Bend Street and made her way over to her friend's house.

The origin of Justine and Laura's friendship was unusual. They had first become acquaintances when Justine had dated Michael, Laura's older brother, two years previously. After Michael abruptly broke things off with Justine, she and Laura became even closer. Visiting Laura was always mildly uncomfortable when Michael was around, but she generally stayed in her friend's room, and didn't have to see him. Since her 18th birthday, she had occasionally sensed him watching her more closely, but she ignored him and he avoided contact with her, so nothing was ever mentioned about it.

Today was no exception. Justine grimaced slightly when she saw Michael's blue Saturn in the driveway, but she resolutely pulled up to the house and parked. When she rang the doorbell, books and McDonald's bag in hand, she heard chaos erupt within the house. The dogs went crazy and began to howl. In the window, Justine could barely make out the entryway. No one answered for a moment, then Laura flung the door open, breathless and red-faced. 

"Sorry, Justine! I was just getting dressed and 'Douchebag' in there," she indicated the living room with her head, "didn't want to get up from the football game." 

Justine shook her head and rolled her eyes. She hadn't expected anything more from Michael. Ever since they had broken up, he avoided her like the plague. She glanced over at him now, sitting on the couch, his eyes glued to the TV screen. He was home from college for the weekend, but as far as she could tell, he may as well have stayed in his dorm room. Whenever she hung out with Laura, he remained stationary on the sofa, budging only to fix himself food or to go outside to smoke. 

His long brown hair hung around his face, obscuring his ears. It draped well past his shoulders. It was thick and full-bodied and (she hated to admit it) fun to grab, but it had hid his eyes when she used to kiss him, too. His eyes now reflected the blue-white glare of the television so that their deep brown hue was barely visible. At one time, she could have lost herself in the depthless pools of his eyes. That had been a long time ago, though. Now, they both averted their eyes on the infrequent occasions when they came in contact with each other. His feet were propped up on the coffee table and at this, she wrinkled her nose distastefully. He really was a slob. As if to reinforce her opinion of him, he belched heartily, and Justine and Laura rolled their eyes in unison.

Laura dashed upstairs and Justine, without a backwards glance at Michael, followed her up to her room. From the couch, Michael heard her feet land on the first stair step and his eyes followed the back of her head until she was gone from his line of sight. He sighed and returned his attention to the game. 

In Laura's room, Justine spread out her textbooks to join her friend's pile of jumbled papers and books on the floor. Laura slipped a Rammstein CD into her computer disc drive and, to the soundtrack of German industrial heavy metal, she and Justine began their homework. Justine easily explained the concepts of heat measurement and energy transfer to her friend. Having taken physics her junior year as Laura was doing, Justine was now in AP Physics and was working with thermodynamics in her class too. Then, she helped Laura with her chemistry study guide and they both worked in amiable silence on their respective English homework. She stretched her curvaceous tan legs out on the floor and yawned. Justine was tired of high school.

As she wrote, she wondered, 'Why can't Laura just ask Michael about this stuff? He took chemistry and physics when he was in high school, and he was a straight-A student, too!' She gritted her teeth in irritation at Michael. When she swallowed, she realized that, in the hours they had been up there after eating her pumpkin pie, she had had nothing to drink. She was parched.

"I think I'm going to go down and get some water. I'll be right back." 

Laura grunted from her comfortable position on the floor, her book, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", blocking her face from view. As Justine descended the stairs, she tried to make her footfall light so she could sneak down without disturbing Michael. Perhaps if he didn't know she was there, he wouldn't be so firmly attached to the couch. She peeked around the corner and inspected the living room. Nope. No Michael. 'It works!' she thought with amusement. She whirled around and found herself staring at a broad chest. 

At 5'5", Justine felt herself to be decently tall most of the time. Not so as Michael loomed over her, one eyebrow raised in question. At 5'11", he was tall enough that she had to tilt her head up to look him in the eye. He was standing so close to her, she could faintly smell his TAG deodorant and it made her head spin. 'He's an emotionally stunted dumb ass,' she told herself firmly, but she could not help feeling a jolt of electricity across her body when she was this close to him. She could feel herself blushing crimson. 

Trying to dismiss her traitorous hormones, she stared up at him defiantly. It was the first time she and he had held eye contact this long since their break up and it was making her dizzy. 'This is stupid', she told herself. 'He's a selfish, lazy bastard.' Her body did not agree. She saw the slightly defined muscles of his biceps and couldn't help recalling how hard and strong his arms had felt against her back as he'd held her. His beard stubble, still a part of his "look", had scratched her neck and her chin when they had kissed. Justine tried to expel the memories from her mind but they kept popping up, unbidden. Her head was light from the scent of his deodorant. Nothing more. That was it, she was sure.

"Was there something you wanted?" she asked with an almost formal politeness. She was determined to let him know he couldn't faze her.

Michael shook his head as if to clear it. He hadn't been this close to Justine since he had broken up with her several years ago and now, all the old feelings, rushes, and urges came crashing back. He saw the outline of her breasts through her long-sleeved shirt and remembered how pink and hard her nipples had been when he'd kissed them, how soft her breasts had been when he'd grabbed them in his hands. He saw her soft brown hair. She had cut it since they'd dated. Her large blue eyes, framed by long dark lashes, gazed into his brown ones and for one breathless moment, he wanted to wrap his arms around her as he had two years ago. 

He shook himself out of his reverie at the sound of her voice, casually polite and crisp. It gave no indication of any feeling. It was like a line from a commercial. Of course she didn't still like him after two years of non-communication. She was just trying to be friendly for Laura's sake. He told himself this, and then he noticed her flushed cheeks. His pulse began to increase. She looked as she had when he had ground himself against her on the couch. He remembered her messy hair, her expression of ecstasy, and her beautiful, sexy blush. 

It was stupid, he knew. She'd probably smack him. One part of his brain screamed at him, 'Don't be an idiot, Michael! She doesn't want you anymore!' Almost of its own accord, though, his hand began to rise.

Justine felt her own words, falsely, emptily cheerful, ring thin on the air. There. She'd said it. There was no way he could think she still had feelings for him. No way in hell was she going to be thought of as anyone's love-sick pup. She couldn't possibly let him know the effect he had on her. As she stood there, feeling pleased with herself, she didn't notice his hand until he gently stroked her pink cheek with his finger. At this contact, she could no longer hold back a reaction.

Bracing himself for the slap or the bitch-fest he was sure would follow his presumptuous move, Justine's sharp intake of breath and fluttering eyelids took Michael completely by surprise. Her full ruby-red lips parted slightly and he could see her bottom lip quiver. He was hypnotized. Her breathing was shaky and shallow and he watched, transfixed, as she struggled to regulate it. Her eyes glittered in the dim light from the living room and the kitchen, and she seemed to be trying to move forward and back at the same time. He wasn't sure whether she wanted to recoil or press herself against him.

His finger was still on her cheek, he realized, and almost instinctively, he slid it slowly downward to rest on her bottom lip. Her eyes were closed by this time, and he could feel her tiny warm breaths against his index finger. He slid his finger on down her chin and then his entire hand stroked her jaw back up to the side of her face. The feeling of her skin against his palm was like soft suede and it sent chills down his spine. He felt a familiar tug in his groin.

Justine sighed as his hand came to rest on her cheek again. She had had to close her eyes when he had stroked her lip. It felt too good. Now, his fingers barely brushed her right earlobe. He seemed to notice this too. His fingers began to gently play with her earlobe, then his thumb and index finger softly pinched at the base of her ear and traveled up, around the helix. 

He knew how sensitive her ears were. He felt her shudder, barely discernibly. It made his head fuzzy. His blood was beginning to flow to areas of his body other than his brain. Michael moved his hand down to her neck, another sensitive part of her body he knew.

Oh, this was agony. He stroked her neck and she unconsciously bent her head to the side, exposing more of her downy throat to him. She wanted to feel vulnerable. No, she didn't. Oh god, it was so wonderful. All that mattered to her in the world was his hand on her neck, warm and tender. She was lost in his touch. She felt him move towards her, and suddenly, her chest was pressed against his. Her abdomen became molten, she was sure, and she could feel her nipples hardening. So could he.

He had finally no longer been able to resist the urge to hold her. He had closed the distance between them and felt her reaction, rather than seen it. Her heart beat fast against his chest, and her breasts pressed against him. As her nipples brushed against his torso, he could feel his own rock-hard erection brushing her pelvis. His hand descended from her neck to the small of her back. She trembled slightly at his sudden movement.

Justine rested her head against his chest, just like she had when they first dated, and her right hand traveled up and down the side of his body, from his ribs to his outer thighs. Her left hand entangled itself in his hair and, before she had a chance to second-guess herself, she brought his head down and brushed her lips against his. He didn't pull away. She let her lips linger a bit longer, feather-light against his. 

Her breath tickled Michael's lips. This was torture. He pulled her into him and deepened the kiss, pressing his lips hard against hers and grabbing the back of her neck to give him more control. He backed her into the wall and ground his throbbing cock between her legs. As she gasped, his tongue entered between her parted lips and he hungrily French-kissed her while his pelvis kept her pinned to the wall. He could feel the lips of her pussy against his cock and it drove him half-mad with desire.

Justine's mind was overloaded with sensation, her nerves were on fire, and she couldn't make sense of anything. The part of her that had so vehemently denounced him as a lazy bastard now quivered at his touch and her bitter thoughts had long since been silenced. 'Ah, hell, just go with it.' She stroked his head and slid her right hand down to grab his firm, muscular ass. His muscles tightened as he pressed against her even harder. 

All of a sudden, Michael placed both hands under her ass and picked her up. He hadn't planned it, but when she wrapped her legs around his waist, he strode over to the door of his room, opened it, and knelt against the bed, pushing her down on top of the covers. After shutting the door firmly, he climbed on top of her and dropped between her legs again. This time, there was no holding back. He slid his left hand up her shirt and under her bra, first pinching her nipple, then squeezing her breast so tightly, she thought she might scream. His right hand held her arms above her head firmly so that she was completely helpless beneath him. He couldn't stop himself, nor did he want to.

Justine wanted to fondle his hair, to grab his shoulders and squeeze his ass, but she couldn't move her arms. He was in complete control of her, and he was going to do whatever the hell he wanted. He moved his hand from one tender breast to the other and repeated his ministrations, eliciting a tiny moan from her as he grabbed her breast so tightly, she could barely stand it. She wrapped her legs around him once again and thrust against his hard dick, gasping as he thrust back harder, hammering her pussy.

As much as Michael enjoyed pinning Justine to the bed, her arms above her head, there were other things he wanted to do to her. Releasing her arms, he pulled her shirt up over her head and deftly unhooked her bra, releasing her small, soft tits, 36B's. She tugged at his shirt, trying to remove it, and he yanked it off, falling back upon her and squashing her breasts with his pecs. He turned his attention to her neck again and this time, he was rough, biting and sucking her soft flesh. With each red mark he left, he became more and more turned on. She mewled with pleasure as he sucked on her skin and it made him suck harder. He knew he was leaving marks, and he didn't care.

Justine scratched Michael's back as he bit her. Those bruises were going to show tomorrow, damn it. Her annoyance made her dig her nails harder into his back and she heard him moan. The sound caused her pussy to tingle. He began to dip lower with his bites until he reached her hard, pink nipples. He circled the areola of her right breast with his tongue and, before she could so much as moan, he took it in his teeth and pulled. Justine gasped in pain. Michael continued to yank at first her right nipple, then her left, until they were both red and tender. 

Now it was Justine's turn. She wanted to make him moan again. Pushing him over onto his side, then flipping him onto his back, she crawled down to the button and zipper of his jeans and undid them, sliding them down to his knees along with his boxers. His long, hard penis was dripping with pre-cum and she bent down to kiss it. 

He shuddered as she teased the head of his cock with her soft lips, first brushing them against it, then dragging it in a circle around the outside of her mouth. Craning his neck, he lifted his head so that he was looking into her eyes as she flicked her tongue against the head, moistening it, then engulfing the head entirely with her mouth. She circled the tip with her tongue and then, without warning, slid his cock all the way into her mouth. It hit the back of her throat and she choked a little, but she was able to take it all in. Slowly, she started up a rhythm; up and down, up and down, with her tongue flicking and dragging, driving him insane. She kept her eyes on his the whole time, though it was hard with her head moving and the head of his cock hitting her uvula every time she plunged her head down. He gave a deep groan and placed one hand on either side of her head, guiding her, forcing his cock deeper into her throat, sliding her faster up and down. He could feel his orgasm building and his hands grabbed her hair like handles as she sucked his dick. Finally, he slammed her head down and shot a huge load of semen down her throat. With difficulty, she swallowed it all and he wiped the head of his penis on the corner of her mouth, enjoying the sight of his cum on lips.

The bittersweet taste of his semen lingered on her tongue as she started to wipe away the bit of cum he'd left on her mouth. Before she could, he had grabbed her and flipped her over on her back beneath him again. Quick as a flash, he'd yanked her sweatpants off of her and, after taking a long, ravenous look at her moist panties, he removed them too. The look in his eyes was animalistic and he licked his lips as she spread her legs for him. He placed his hands on her knees and dragged them up her legs, forcing himself to go slowly, taking time to caress her sensitive inner thighs. She felt faint as he came to her folds and carefully slid his fingers over them. She couldn't hold back a moan, and he began to rub her labia with firm, controlled strokes. 

Her pussy was so wet, he just had to see what it felt like. As she began to move her hips in rhythm with his strokes, he dropped his thumb within her soaking folds and slipped it into her tight, wet cunt. He began to stroke faster with his thumb in her, his palm against her clit. She was bucking against his hand at this point, and he decided to try two fingers. With his free hand, which had been squeezing her firm, round ass, he inserted his index finger into her pussy, stretching her to accommodate his fingers. 

"Oh Mi-Michael!" She could barely stand the pleasure. She was about to orgasm and it had been less than thirty seconds since he'd begun to finger her. With one last hard thrust, she came into his hand. As he gazed at her, stars exploded behind her eyelids and her mind succumbed to pure bliss.

Watching her orgasm, he could stand it no longer. He wanted to take her. He was already hard again, and now that he'd come once, he'd be able to keep going for a long time. Justine probably wouldn't be walking quite right for a while. He smirked at this thought. It turned him on to think of her, loose and sore from his cock, walking gingerly into the kitchen. God, he wanted to feel her around him. They'd never even had sex while they'd been together, for Christ's sake!

Justine, still reeling from her "little death", barely registered as he removed the covers from under her and draped them around them both. However, she did respond when he lifted himself up over her again and kissed her deeply. She knew what was coming, and she kissed him back, shyly but surely. He grabbed her right hand with his left and squeezed it tightly as his right hand caressed her side. It was a small gesture, but it helped her to relax and respond to his touches. He rubbed his hard penis against her inner thigh and she shivered with anticipation. Their bodies were intertwined and they stroked each other in preparation. At last, she was ready and she guided his penis towards the entrance to her vagina, pausing when the tip touched her pussy. 

Michael took it from there. He gently pushed into her, feeling her pussy slowly give way for him, until he was completely inside her. Then, he remained still for a few seconds so she could adjust to his size. When she grabbed his head and kissed him, he began fucking her. He started off slowly to give her time to warm up. Then, he went deeper. He pushed into her until he could go no farther, until he trembled from the effort, over and over again. He pounded her into the bed, making the springs creak in protest as he thrust into her and back out. They established a rhythm and breathed together as she pushed up and he pushed down, then reversed their movements as he withdrew. The whole time, his eyes never left hers. He could see every single thrust reflected in her eyes as she responded, and she could see his tension mounting as he fucked her harder and harder. His hair hung around her face, creating what could almost be described as a tunnel from his face to hers. Everything outside that tunnel was obscured. It was just the two of them. 




A Second Chance



Justine bit her lip, trying to hold back her moans of ecstasy until he whispered in her ear, "Scream as loud as you want, baby." She let go, crying out his name or just groaning as he slammed into her. It seemed to fuel his libido. He started picking up speed and power until she thought he might split her in two, he was going so hard. He pummeled her pussy and she could feel his balls smacking against her ass each time he shoved his cock deep inside her. She could feel her climax approaching, but she wanted to come with him. He saved her the trouble of waiting when he groaned, "I'm about to cum in you, Justine—oh, god!" He threw his head back as he thrust one last time, the deepest thrust, and shot his hot jizz into her pussy. She contracted her cunt around his cock as she came, taking all of his semen into her core, her legs trembling with the effort.

He collapsed on top of her, both of them breathless, sweat-streaked, and thoroughly spent. And for a while, they laid like that, he on top of her, still inside her, breathing in and out in unison, chests rising and falling together. She began to shiver as the sweat cooled on her body and he wrapped the covers more tightly around them both, flipping them so that they were on their sides, facing each other.

Michael stuck two fingers into Justine's cunt and began to gently masturbate her. The semen he'd shot into her lubricated her pussy and dripped out of her folds onto his hand. She bit her lip, trying to stifle her groans, when he inserted a third finger. Now she was soaking wet again and she widened her legs as he loosened her pussy before shoving a fourth finger in her. Justine had never been stretched this wide before, and she wasn't sure she liked it. It hurt as he twisted his fingers around. But gradually, she started to get used to it. Before she could stop him, he squeezed his thumb into her hole, then his entire fist. Justine screamed in pain until Michael clamped his free hand over her mouth. He bent down and kissed her, grabbing her arms again with his free hand while the fist in her pussy started to move. He was stretching her beyond anything she'd ever felt before, and he kept going deeper with his fist. Justine tried to relax, knowing that it would hurt worse if she didn't. 

For a while, he kept moving his fist around then suddenly, he removed it. She could feel her pussy gaping open from the girth of his fist as he grabbed something from his bedside table and shoved it into her. Without warning, she felt cool liquid squirting into her cunt as he lubed her up. Then, he stuck his fist in her again and began pumping with renewed vigor. Strangely, as the pain dissipated, Justine began to get off on his fist inside her. It felt humongous when he pushed against her walls, and she enjoyed feeling completely full with his lower arm fucking her.

She barely had time to think about it before she had another mind-blowing orgasm. She shuddered and felt empty when he withdrew his fist from her. Michael grabbed her so that she had her back to him and stuck his partially firm dick against her ass crack. He fondled her breasts and her loose, dripping pussy, making her gasp. They lay like that for half an hour before Justine remembered Laura waiting for her in her room and rushed to get dressed. It was difficult. She was so sore from her fist-fucking that she could barely hold her legs together. At this, Michael smirked. As she tried to pull her panties up, he smacked her ass and quickly donned his own boxers. She pursed her lips at him and slowly dressed herself. 

They went into the kitchen where Justine finally got her glass of water and, after a last passionate kiss, she made her way gingerly up the stairs to her friend's room. 



A Second Chance



Foreword

I've heard it said that only the good die young. If that's the case then I understand why God called Kate (my wife) home at 35. As a God fearing combat veteran; I have to accept and believe it but I sure as hell don't have to like it. She died from a rare form of uterine cancer that, once discovered, was too late to do anything about. Kate's funeral was very sad. I felt like my whole world had come to an end and afterward for a while; all I did was work, work, and more work just to keep from having to stay in that house all alone.

___________________________

My name is Tom McNeal. I'm 45 years old, 6'2" and I weigh 225 lbs. I have dark brown eyes and dark brown hair, slightly graying at the temples. I had retired from the Navy a few years earlier and now I'm self employed and living in the Florida Keys, Key West to be exact. I owned an underwater salvage company that, through sheer luck, managed to be very lucrative for both me and my partner. We'd been in business for barely a year when we stumbled upon, and secured an admiralty for, a sunken Spanish Galleon that turned out to be the flagship of the 1733 Spanish Treasury Fleet. 

Once we'd excavated all the artifacts and everything went to auction. My partner and I ended up splitting 30 % of the haul, which was 972 million dollars, right down the middle which ended up being roughly a few hundred million each. We were both set for the rest of our lives but then Kate got sick and died just shortly afterward. I was thankful that she didn't linger in pain for very long and when she passed away; I was right there to hold her and kiss her good bye. She died in my arms at 4:06 a.m. on November 3rd, 2000 with a smile on her face so that I'd know she was in heaven. I was devastated but, through the intervention of a friend.....

Chapter One

When I was a child; my mother put me behind a piano under intense instruction at the age of five, where I remained until I was seventeen. The word prodigy had been mentioned by my teachers on more than one occasion. However; due to some trouble that I got into as a teenager, I had to join the Navy right out of high school, so that put all my ambitions where music was concerned on hold. But I still continued to play whether I was happy or sad and Kate always used love to hear me play for her. Through my own investigation I discovered that a close friend of mine named Michael Wells, whom I was in the Navy with, had moved to Los Angeles to get into the recording industry. So, I decided to look him up.

I knew that I would never be an entertainer at my age, which at the time was 40, but I was certain that perhaps I could get some studio work or something along that line.

I called Mike that afternoon and of course he was ecstatic to hear from me, which pleased me greatly. After all; we'd been friends for fifteen years. Mike and I were in the same SEAL Team for ten years and I'd known him for five years before that. After our ordeal in Panama in 1989; Mike was offered the option to get out and he took it. I stayed in until 1997 and by then; I'd been in the Navy for twenty years. I met Kate in the last two years of my enlistment when I was thirty-five and she was twenty-nine. She moved in with me a couple of months later, and then we were married the day after I got out of the Navy. She died in November of 2000, and for the first time in my life I was all alone. Rather than bore you with all the details; suffice it to say that I ended up selling everything but my personal items, pictures, mementos, etc... and within six weeks; I found myself at thirty-five thousand feet aboard a chartered Lear 210, bound for Los Angeles. 

When I arrived at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport); Mike and his wife Sheryl were there to meet me. "Hey buddy! How in the hell are ya?" he said, as he put his arms around me and gave me a hearty hug that I gladly returned.

"I'm doing better I guess!" I replied. 

He looked at me and, with a huge smile on his face, said, "Well, now that you're here with us; we're gonna take good care of you, old friend!" 

As we released each other from the hug, I grinned at him and replied, "Old my ass! I'm only forty ya know!"

Mike giggled and said, "Tom, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sheryl!" 

I went to shake her hand but instead, she stood up on the tips of her toes and kissed me on the cheek while she hugged me and said, "Around here we hug those who love us and whom we love in return!" Then she stepped back leaving me blushing slightly. 

Sheryl was a striking woman that had long straight honey blond hair that hung to her waist and big blue eyes. She stood about 5'8" and weighed roughly 130 lbs. She reminded me of Kate and it gave me a pleasant and comforting feeling just being around her. I looked at Mike then laughed and said, "She's pretty. What the hell is she doing with you?" 

He just grinned, and shaking his head, replied, "Beats the shit outta me! I've been asking her that ever since we got married!" Then Mike excused himself to go get the car while Sheryl hooked her arm in mine and led me to the baggage claim area of the airport to retrieve my luggage. If you've never flown in to LAX let me tell you, it is one big airport. 

Having a bit of a distance between the terminal and the baggage claim area; we were afforded a few moments to talk while we walked. As we were making our way through the airport I felt Sheryl squeeze my arm slightly and then she said, "I've heard some pretty amazing things about you, Tom," and before I could reply she added, "Mike's been bouncing off the walls ever since you first called him!" 

I simply smiled at the thought of it and said, "Mike's a good guy and a good friend. I just hope that you and I can be good friends too!" 

Sheryl smiled and replied, "Ya know, Mike told me about Kate, your wife, and I am very sorry Tom!" She squeezed my arm again when I told her how much I appreciated her compassion. Then she said, "Don't tell Mike but, can I tell you something?" 

"Of course!" I replied. 

She stopped walking, causing me to do the same and then looked me directly in the eyes and, with tears beginning to form in her own; said, "Mike told about how you saved his life. He told me about what happened a long time ago, when you guys were on an operation. He said that you were all outnumbered and that even though you were pretty badly wounded yourself; you single-handedly took out twenty-eight bad guys, all by yourself, with only a rifle and a pistol, just to save him." And with tears threatening to spill down her face, she added, "I just wanted to say that, for saving Michael's life; I'm grateful and forever in your debt!" 

The memory of that day painfully flashed into my mind but before I would let it adversely affect me; I pushed it out just as quickly, and then smiled, and with a shaky voice, I laughed and replied, "Oh Yeah? Well, first of all, Mike talks too much and secondly; you don't owe me a thing sweetie!" Then nodding my head I added, "Come on and let's get outta here!"

We got my bags loaded into the car, and then piled in ourselves and headed to Mike and Sheryl's house. Mike and I talked on the drive to his house about music. We'd played together a little bit when we were in the Navy. In the Officer's Club was a baby-grand piano and Mike used to bring his guitar in and we would sit and play and sing and drink together all night long until they closed the club. It was a lot of fun in those days. Mike was an exceptional guitarist then and I always knew that he would do well if he chose to follow it. Well, follow it he did and to my amazement and astonishment, I found out that Mike earned the title of a two-time, Grammy Award winning guitarist.

When we arrived at his house in Malibu; I was thrilled, enjoying the fact that they lived on the beach. As soon as we walked inside Sheryl took my hand and showed me where I would be staying, and I was told that dinner would be served in about two hours. She winked, then turned and left. The room I was staying in had its own bathroom and so I washed my face and decided to lie down for a few minutes. I must've been more tired than I thought because it seemed only a few minutes had passed after I closed my eyes. The next thing I knew; it was dark outside and I was being gently awakened by Mike, telling me that dinner was ready. I sat down to steak and lobster that was absolutely exquisite. Sheryl had gone all out to make a great dinner that I won't soon forget. Everything was very nice and after dinner; Mike poured us each a brandy.

As he stood up, he smiled, then looked at me and said, "Follow me, Bro! I've got a surprise for you!" I stood up and, with brandy in hand, followed Mike down a long hall way. At the end of the hall was a set of double doors made of polished steel. Mike smiled and, as he opened the right side door and turned on the light, he ushered me into his own home recording studio. I saw, at the far end of the open suite area of the studio, a baby grand-piano just like the one they had in the Officer's Club many years ago. The only difference was that this one was made by Steinway and Sons. That meant that it was one of the most expensive and one of the best pianos made. I looked at Mike and, before I could say anything, he said, "You need to sit your ass down and let's play together right now so my wife doesn't think I'm full of shit when I said we used to play together!" I laughed and walked over to the piano and sat down.

While I was opening the cover on it, Mike disappeared for a second to reappear wearing his guitar. He looked at me and said, "Go ahead and play something that we used to do and I'll come in behind you!" I started playing Leon Russell's 'A Song for You', and Mike's guitar sang the melody line and then some. The music flowed like water, gently and then swiftly, then gently again all together all in tune, rhythm and rhyme. When we ended the song; Mike looked at me and me at him, as I remembered the past and the goodness of renewing an old relationship with an old friend. As I looked down; tears filled my eyes and I began to weep softly. However; I just as quickly sat back up. But, before I could cover it, and in a flash; Mike was on one side of me and Sheryl was on the other, both with their arms around me. Mike just smiled and said, "It's okay to hurt and it's okay to cry, buddy. You're safe here and you're with people that love you very much my friend. So there's no need to put on that front of indifference that we both had to wear for so many years!" 

It was right then and there that, for the first time in many years, I broke down and cried. I cried about Kate, I cried about the friends that I'd lost over the years, but most of all I cried because I was truly lost and didn't know what to do. Being the true friends that I now know them to be, Mike and Sheryl sat up with me most of the night as Mike and I played a little more, then talked and cried together about all the shit he and I both saw. They cried with me when I told them everything about Kate and about how she died. I finally fell into a deep sleep about an hour before the sun rose but not to wake before I fought my way through some very disturbing dreams.

When I woke up; it was 2:00 in the afternoon. I got up and put on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt and made my way into the kitchen to find Mike and Sheryl sitting at the far end of the breakfast table drinking coffee. "Well, hello there sleepy head!" said Sheryl as she smiled and rose from the table. 

Mike grinned and said, "Sheryl's gonna get you some coffee so, sit down here with us and enjoy it!" 

"Okay!" I grumbled, smiling. Moments later; a cup of steaming java was placed in front of me. 

As I took my first sip; Sheryl reached across the table and patted me on the arm and said, "Tom, you play beautifully. Mike used to tell me all the time how good you were but until I heard you last night, I never realized how good. You can make it in this town with your abilities!" 

"How much college have you had?" Mike suddenly asked. 

"Why do you ask?" I replied. 

Then Mike grinned and said, "Don't get me wrong buddy; you're the best I ever heard. But, unless you've got at least a bachelors degree in music, any producer who's worth a shit around here isn't gonna give you a second thought, much less an audition!"

I sat up and scratched my head and replied, "Well, I've got all of my academics, done. I've got a Master Diver's Certification and I know that will account for some college credit but that's about it!" Mike giggled suspiciously making me ask, "What?" 

He leaned back in his chair and said, "Well, the head of the Music department at U.C.L.A. is a good friend of mine and I'm willing to bet that he might let you take the necessary C.L.E.P. (College Level Examination Program) exams to get your degree in just a few weeks".

"How the hell can you do that? Don't you have to go to classes and all that?" I asked. Mike sat up straight in his chair and explained that, at my age and with, not only my military experience but most certainly, my musical abilities; universities sometimes allow their candidates to take all the necessary tests that, if successfully passed, allow them to earn degrees in their fields of expertise without the need of classroom instruction. I was all for it, so that afternoon; Mike drove me to the U.C.L.A. campus and also to my destiny....

Chapter Two

I smiled as Mike and I sat in Dr. Marcus (Mark) Johns' office receiving word that all the college credits, from courses that Kate insisted I take, transferred. All I had left were my music major related courses to take. Dr. Mark, as he insisted that Mike and I call him, reached into one of his filling cabinets and took out a manila folder, then took us into one of the music rooms where a piano sat. As he asked me take a seat in front of the piano; he reached into his folder and pulled out a piece of sheet music then placed it in front of me and said "Play it!" It was a piece by Mozart that I'd played many times as a young teenager and I still remembered every bit of it. 

I picked up the sheet music and looked at it then handed it back to Dr. Mark and said "I've got a better idea!" 

He smiled and said, "What?" 

"I'll play it note for note and you tell me if I miss one" I replied, hearing Mike snicker behind me. 

Dr. Mark looked over at Mike, and then after raising one eyebrow he said, "Okay! This I've gotta see!" I played it perfectly. Little did either one of them know that when ever I wanted to warm up before I played, this was the piece I used. After I was done; Dr. Mark shook his head laughing and said, "That's the damnedest thing I've ever seen!" The he reached into his folder and pulled out a piece by Rachmaninov. It was the Etude in G#, supposedly the most difficult, to play, piano concerto ever written. 

My mother had spared no expense when it came to paying for my instruction, as a child and on through adolescence. I was fortunate enough to be able to study under the best teachers in the country, so this particular piano piece, also, had been basically drummed into my head by every teacher I had once my abilities reached a certain level. So as before; I played it as flawlessly as the first piece. Dr. Mark looked at Mike and said "Bring him back here Monday morning at 8:30, Okay?" 

"Gotcha, and thanks, Doc!" said Mike. 

Dr. Mark turned to me and said, "You're the most gifted pianist I've ever seen. Why aren't you out on the circuits playing the concertos and/or conducting symphonies?"

"Whoa Doc, he just got to town yesterday!" said Mike grinning. 

Dr. Mark shook his head and laughed then replied, "Okay then, I'll see you two on Monday". 

As we walked back out to the car; I was more excited than I had been in a long time. Mike looked at me and said, "Well, its Friday night so we're gonna go out and paint the town!" 

I looked at him and, remembering last night, said, "Why don't we do it from your house. My head still hurts a bit from last night." 

Mike laughed and said, "I've got a better idea." Then, without saying another word; he reached for his cell phone on the console of his car and dialed a number. I heard the ringing sound come from a speaker beneath the dash then I heard Sheryl's voice say, "Hello?" 

Mike smiled and said, "Hi Honey, it's me!" 

"Oh hi!" she replied, and then she asked, "How'd it go?" 

Mike laughed and replied, "Well let's just say that this time next week Tom will have his degree. Say hi to him. You're on the speaker phone!" 

"Hi, Tom, and congratulations, sweetie, we're very proud of you," said Sheryl. 

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied grinning. 

Then Mike said, "Tom and I are gonna go out to an early dinner and maybe ride around L.A. for a while okay?" 

I could hear the smile on Sheryl's face when she said, "I think that's a great idea. You two boys have a good time and don't get into too much trouble!" 

"Okay! Thanks Baby!" said Mike, as he hung up. Then Mike looked at me and said, "I'll tell you what; there's an Italian place near the campus here that is out of this world so how about it?" 

I've always loved Italian food so I replied, "You lead and I'll follow Bro!" Mike turned left at the next traffic light and drove another block to a valet stand beneath a bright red, neon high-lighted sign that read "Vincente's".

Once we were out of the car and seated in the restaurant, a cute little blonde waitress named Cindy greeted us and took our drink order. Mike ordered a bottle of Chianti and we proceeded to put a huge dent in it long before our food order was even taken. Halfway through the second bottle of Chianti; our food arrived. Mike had chicken cacciatore while I had shrimp scampi and chicken Marsala. It was extremely good and I found myself enjoying every bite. 

As we ate; I saw two women coming through the dining room to sit at the bar at the far end of the room. One of them had the typical college girl look to her while there was something noticeably different about the other one. At first I was attributing it to alcohol induced horniness as I'd not been with a woman in any way, since a year before Kate died but, I felt myself being drawn to her. She stood about 5'9" 130 lbs. I'd say she had a bust size of somewhere between C and D cup, with measurements that, I later discovered, but I'm getting a little ahead of myself, were 38-24-35. She had waist length, dark brown hair and the most riveting blue eyes that I'd ever seen but she couldn't have been any older than twenty-one or twenty-two at the very most. It was almost like she could see into my soul when she glanced our way. I wasn't looking to be with anyone, but there was something about that woman so compelling. I couldn't quite put my finger on it nor could I explain what I did next.

I told our waitress to call the bartender to our table. Upon his arrival; I placed five crisp $100.00 bills in his hand and instructed him that the money was to be discreetly used to pay for the two young ladies drinks, dinner etc. and whatever was left over would be his tip. I knew that I would never know how much their tab was or how much his tip was but, I just couldn't help it. Mike took notice and, to his credit, said nothing but smiled real big. We paid our bill and left shortly after that, never to see the young woman again. I felt rather pleased with myself so I just smiled in silence all the way back to Mike and Sheryl's house. Mike and I ended up staying up late, playing music together and getting very drunk but, it was all in the safety of home. The rest of the weekend went about the same way until we went to sleep Sunday night.

The following Monday morning; Mike and I were in Dr. Mark's office at 8:30 am sharp. When Dr. Mark walked in he smiled and said, "Okay Tom, you and I are pretty much gonna spend the whole day testing, both written knowledge as well as hands on and/or oral knowledge." Then he looked at Mike, smiled and said, "I'll call ya when we're done, okay buddy?" 




A Second Chance



Mike grinned and replied, "Gotcha Doc!" and then looked at me and said, "Good luck Bro!" as he winked and then turned around and left.

We began immediately and Dr. Mark put me through a whole battery of written tests that occupied me until about 1:00 pm. We took a very short and quick lunch break then got back after it. I sat in a music room with Mark testing my knowledge of tones, steps, scales and pitch. I was pleased and, needless to say, quite shocked to discover that I had perfect pitch. Dr. Mark told me that it would be a very useful tool if I ever decided to one day conduct music instead of just simply playing it. I thanked him for his praise, which was all I'd heard all day long. Still though; it felt good to be recognized as an equal, especially from someone of his musical and academic stature and by the end of the day; Dr. Mark gladly informed me that I was finished. He also told me that he would have the results of my tests back no later than Wednesday, and that I would most definitely hear from him by then. 

When Mike arrived to pick me up; it was 6:00pm and I was mentally exhausted. We went straight back to the house where Sheryl had supper ready and waiting on the table. As we ate; I told Mike and Sheryl all about the day I'd had and how mentally taxing it had been. Of course they were both excited to hear it anyway and once I finished telling them everything; Mike looked at me and asked "So how do you think you did?" 

"Well it was pretty easy for me and everything came right back to me. It was just a pain in the ass to have to fill out all the paperwork and written tests with those computerized answer forms and such," I answered. It wasn't too long before I began to get really sleepy, so I went to bed.

The next day Mike and I went SCUBA diving and it was exhilarating to be back in the Pacific Ocean again. After all, as a SEAL; I had trained, worked in, and been around this particular body of water for twenty years. So it was kind of like a homecoming in some ways. We spent the entire day in the water and on the beach and not once did I think about Kate nor anything other than the great day I was having. All combat veterans are eventually forced to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder issues and I'd not yet faced mine, regardless of how strong I thought I was. At any rate, we ended up making three dives that day and by the afternoon I was famished. Mike suggested we all go out to eat that night and, at the time, it sounded like a good idea. 

That night; Sheryl decided that we would all dress up in our finest evening apparel. Mike and I donned our suits, while Sheryl wore a deep blue spaghetti strap evening gown. When she walked into the room; both Mike and I were breathless at how beautiful she looked. When I saw the look on my friends face as he appreciated the beauty of his wife; it made me remember Kate when we would go out. She was always so beautiful too.

Sheryl wouldn't tell us where we were going and I didn't know where we were until we passed the U.C.L.A. campus. Then as the car headed down the main thoroughfare; the sights became familiar and we were back at Vincente's again. Sheryl turned to look at both Mike and I and said, "You two got to eat here without me the other day and now it's my turn!" Then she giggled and added, "Besides; Michael knows how much I love this place. It's where we met!" 

I smiled and said, "This I've got to hear!" 

As Sheryl and I got out of the car; she took my arm and gave Mike a playful smirk and said, "Then come on handsome and escort me in while my husband parks the car!" 

We all laughed as I bowed slightly, then said, "This way, M'lady".

That night I found out that Mike had played with such artists as Phil Collins, Patty LaBelle and, one of my favorites, 'Yes'. He received his Grammy awards in recognition of his guitar playing abilities. I always knew he'd do well because Mike is that good. I was proud, not only of my friend, but to also be in the presence of greatness and I told him so as well. He and Sheryl just laughed suspiciously and looked at me kinda funny. "What?" I asked. 

Mike chuckled and said, "You really don't know, do ya?" 

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "What in the hell are you talking about?" 

Sheryl reached across the table and put her hand on top of mine and said, "Tom, honey, you're the best and most gifted pianist I ever heard, and I should know. I used to be a rock critic and I wrote for Rolling Stone Magazine. I met Michael for an interview right here a little over seven years ago and the rest is history. There are really talented players and then there are truly gifted players Tom, and I think you're ready for a little greatness yourself. What do you say?" 

The confusion I felt must've been written all over my face because before I could say anything, Mike stepped in and said, "While you and I were diving today; Sheryl got in touch with a couple of my friends that I'd like for you and I to jam with. One is a smoking Bass player from Jamaica named Jed and the other is a banging Drummer from right here in L.A. named Rufus!" 

I looked at him and giggled and said, "Rufus?" 

Mike laughed and replied, "Yeah, but he really rocks!"

The next morning, Jed and Rufus showed up just as Mike said they would. After all the introductions were made and everyone was set up; we all sat down and played together for the first time. We started off with a Twelve-Bar Blues instrumental in the key of E. Everyone took a lead and when my turn came; it suddenly felt like all the pain, anger, emotion and frustration that I'd kept bottled up inside for so many years, was flowing from my hands onto the keys of the piano. It roared with strength and anguish. It breathed with passionate emotion and it wept in solitary pain. When I was done; I looked up and realized everyone had stopped playing and smiles were on every face of each person there, myself included. We all sat silent for a brief moment and then Sheryl stepped up and put her arms around me. Two seconds later everyone else followed suit. That brief moment became a rediscovery of an inner peace, something I'd not felt since way before Kate died. 

After everyone had returned to their respective places; Jed looked at Mike and, with a thick Caribbean accent, said, "Oh My Goodness! Where did ya find dis one, Mon?" 

Mike laughed and said, "I told ya he was good, didn't I?" 

Rufus chuckled and replied, "Good my ass; He's great! I haven't heard anything like it since Rick Wakeman first came here with 'Yes' in the 70's!" 

"Well, I don't know about being all that!" I said. 

"I do!" said everyone in unison, making us all laugh. That was the moment that, unbeknownst to the rest of us; Mike began to formulate a plan in his head.

We played together all morning. Each of us named a host of different songs that, it just so happened, we all knew. So we attempted, with great success, to play them one by one. Around one in the afternoon, we all stopped and decided to call it a day. As we sat down to the lunch that Sheryl had made for all of us, Mike looked at the other two guys and said, "What do you guys say we put something together and see how it goes?" After everyone was in agreement; he looked at me and asked, "Have you ever considered using electronic keyboards as well as piano?" 

I smiled and replied, "You mean synthesizers?" 

"That's exactly what I mean!" said Mike. 

I grinned and replied, "Yeah, but I never had a reason to till now!" 

Mike looked at Jed then at Rufus and me, and then said, "Okay! I'll put a rehearsal schedule together and make sure everyone gets a copy!" as we all shook hands and grinned.

After Jed and Rufus left; Mike and I were sitting in front of his computer looking at different keyboards and talking about what kinds of different sounds we would need to suit our purposes when, the phone rang. It was Dr. Mark calling with my test results. I rushed to the phone and he said "Well Tom, You're test scores are all perfect and I don't see any problem with you receiving your degree, save one. According to our curriculum you're gonna need one semester of Contemporary American History. It means you're gonna have to sit in the classroom for this one!" 

He heard the exasperation in my voice when I said, "Aw Man!" 

Dr. Mark laughed and said, "It won't be so bad. Besides; we've got a new professor that's gonna be teaching that class. Her name is Dr. Laura Zane and, like you, she's brilliant. I've got strange a feeling that you two will get along famously. Now, the spring semester starts in less than a week. So you need to get enrolled tomorrow. Okay?"

"Okay!" I said, relenting. 

Then Dr. Mark laughed again and replied, "Cheer up! It's not gonna be that bad. Besides; from what I've seen and heard of you so far; this university is gonna see even more greatness come from its hallowed halls once you graduate. See ya soon!" and then he hung up.

Over the rest of the week and weekend; I managed to not only get enrolled at school but, I also managed to get a new house only two miles south of Mike and Sheryl. It used to belong to some idiot movie star that had delusions of being a rock star so it had a recording studio in it as well. I'm sure glad Mike was there because he offered to teach me how to use it. I also bought a baby grand piano (Steinway & Sons) to put in it and Mike helped me wire it for sound. That afternoon; I bought a brand new Corvette Stingray and Mike and I took it out on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and 'sailed' down the road like a couple of teen age boys in their daddy's hot rod.

Sunday night, which to this day, has become a weekly ritual; I met Sheryl and Mike at Vincente's for dinner. We had been sitting there for only a few moments when; into the bar came the young woman that I'd seen only once before. As before, the same girl was with her. She turned and only briefly glanced at me again. However; this time she held her gaze a little longer than before but only momentarily. I was determined to speak to her this time but something within me held me in my seat again so, I had our waitress summon the bartender to our table. Per my instructions and another five one-hundred-dollar bills in his hand, I requested he do again what I'd asked of him previously and like before; he readily agreed.

Chapter Three

I found out when I picked up my schedule that I would be taking Dr. Zane's class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. History had always been a favorite subject of mine so, I anticipated getting off to a good start. After I arrived at the classroom at the specified time, I wasted no time in finding a seat. I estimated there to be about 35 to 40 people in the classroom and a part of me couldn't help but feel a little old and out of place amongst the fairness of youth that surrounded me.

Suddenly I was taken totally off guard and almost fell out of my chair when, the door opened and in walked the same girl I'd seen at Vincente's. I was a lot nearer to her this time and was stunned when I saw how absolutely breathtaking her beauty truly was. She walked in with a determined and confident, yet definitely feminine, stride. Placing her books on her desk, she looked up and said, "Good Morning Class, I am Dr. Laura Zane and we will be strolling through the not so distant past this semester. Today I'm going to hand out your work syllabus and then you're dismissed. However; the seat you are sitting will be your assigned seat for the semester and I expect you all to be prepared for a quiz on Wednesday that will cover the first assignments outlined in your syllabus!" With that said, she passed out the papers then everyone left.

On the drive back to the house I felt kinda silly. I knew that I stood no chance with this woman. Who was I trying to kid? She barely looked old enough to drink much less have a Doctorate's Degree. None the less; I poured myself into the first five chapters of the book that dealt specifically with the Vietnam War. I didn't necessarily agree with what they were teaching and although I'd served with men who had fought in that particular war, I still kept my thoughts and opinions to myself. After all; I was, according to our government, too young to fight in Vietnam. But, after having trudged my way through and studied the material, I felt secure in the knowledge I would need to do well on the upcoming quiz.

Mike called me later that afternoon to see if I wanted go looking for some new keyboards. We had the best afternoon. I bought an 88 Key, KORG TRITON Pro, a KORG MS-2000, a KORG TRITON STUDIO, a MELLOTRON and a MOOG MiniMoog Voyager. By the grace of God Almighty, I also managed to lay my hands on an ARP 2500 that was in mint condition and it cost me more than everything else combined but, it was damn well worth it. In addition, I paid for a HAMMOND B-3 organ that was to be delivered to my studio the next day. Along with the keyboards, I bought all the necessary cords, amps and Leslie cabinets that I would need. I hadn't told Mike about Laura yet, so when he invited me over for dinner later on that night; I decide to tell him then. When I got home, I was feeling pretty good about myself. I was excited about the band and was really looking forward to what lay in store for us. But most of all; I was thrilled that my mystery woman would be my teacher. I couldn't get her out of my mind and had no idea why. What was it that was so special about her? As I sat down on my couch; I spied a tablet that was part of the supplies I would need for class. I took a pen from my pocket and the words began to flow onto the paper. Once the lyrics were complete; I took the paper to my piano and the melody poured from deep within me. Having some staff paper in my desk; I put the melody down on it with the chord changes for each verse as well as the chorus. I played through and sang it a couple more times before I was sure about it, then I took off to Mike's.

When he answered the door I was waving the paper in his face saying, "Get you guitar and let's go into the studio! You've got to hear this!" 

Mike just giggled and said, "Okay, Bro!" He closed the door and followed me as I ran down the hall to his studio. 

Once there; I looked at Mike and said, "Forgive my vocals, but here it is!" With that said; I sat down at the piano and poured my heart out. 

When I was done; Mike looked at me frowning, and said, "Why didn't you ever tell me you could sing like that? That really hurts my feelings!" 

Alarmed that I'd truly hurt his feelings, I said, "Jeez Mike! I wouldn't hurt you for nothing but I really don't think I sound all that good!" 

With the biggest shit-eating grin, Mike replied, "I'm gonna get you to lay this down on tape for me and then you'll see just how good you really do sound." Mike called Sheryl in to help him and after all the microphones were put in optimum places; we began to record. This was the first time Sheryl had heard the song and once I was done, I looked in the control booth to see her crying her heart out. 

I hopped up and quickly ran into the booth and said, "What's wrong? Sheryl, are you alright?" 

She looked up at me and, with tears in her eyes, kissed me softly on the cheek and said, "Tom; that has got to be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life!" 

I just smiled and said, "Thank you," because I didn't think it was all that. However; when Mike played it back to me with all the added studio effects; I was of an altogether completely different opinion. I was shocked to say the least. But in my stupidity, what I did say was, "Wow! Is that really me?" Sheryl and Mike both laughed heartily and hugged me. 

The next day; we brought Jed and Rufus into the studio to add their parts and before I knew it; the song sounded just as good as anything I'd heard playing on the radio. I was absolutely ecstatic and Mike said, "Just think, two more like that and I could put together a promotional package....maybe even get us at least a three album deal with any one of the Record Labels downtown!" 

"Really?" I asked. 

"Sure! Why not?"" replied Mike. I told the rest of the guys that if they all wanted this then I would try and write two more. Of course, they all agreed so the ball was in my court now.

When I woke up Wednesday morning I felt like a kid at Christmas. The reason being was that I was going to get to see Dr. Zane again today. I still hadn't said anything to Mike and Sheryl about her yet. When the class came to order; she immediately handed out test sheets and answer forms. I breezed right through it and was the first one to hand in my test. As I handed it in; she looked at her watch and then gave me a strange look. I took my seat and waited till the others were finished. After roughly thirty odd minutes or so, the last of the tests were handed in and she began to speak and said, "Now then, because of all the controversy involved in the Vietnam War; the quiz you took will be all that we will study of that war. However; there will be some of the same questions on the final. So don't forget! Now open your books to page 251 please!" The elegance with which she spoke was exhilarating. As she poised to speak again, I was prepared to hang on her every word, until she said... "We are however, going to speak in depth about the war in Beirut, Lebanon. This particular war was nothing more than politics versus religion!" 

I immediately sat straight up in my chair over that remark. Because I was there from 1982 to 1985, I knew for a fact what the particulars of that war were all about and they had nothing to do with neither politics nor religion. I sat and listened for a few moments more until I could no longer stand to hear the 'press released' crap that she was handing out to all the young minds in the room. I raised my hand while she was speaking and she coolly replied, "Hold your questions until the end of the lecture, please!" 

Before she could say anything else; I stood up and said, "Excuse me ma'am, but your information is inaccurate as well as incorrect and I don't think you ought to be filling these children's minds with this crap, either!" 

She glared at me with an intensity that heated the entire room and said, "What is your name?" I told her and then she said, "Well Mr. McNeal, what makes you think my information is incorrect and inaccurate?" 

I set my book down on the desk and crossed my arms in a defensive posture and said, "Because, that's not how it was," while looking her sternly in the eye as I spoke. I continued saying, "And, that war had nothing to do with politics or religion. It was a show of strength by several different factions and jihads all with one goal in mind, and that was to wipe out everybody who don't think like them. When I say wipe out everybody, I mean men, women and children, as well as the aged and/or infirmed. While at the same time, American men and women, not much older than any of these kids here, were getting their heads blown off in the process. So excuse me if I don't agree with the Whitehouse polished garbage you're trying to hand out here!" The room grew silent and she glared at me like a Lioness about to pounce on her prey. But; I stood my ground. 

She sat down at her desk, still maintaining her air of slight arrogance and cool intellectual superiority, and then she replied, "Well then Mr. McNeal, if that is the case, then what you're trying to tell us is that the text is wrong and you're right." 

"I'm not trying to tell you anything, young lady. I'm telling you!" She put both her hands firmly on her desk and stood and said, "I know that you're an older student Mr. McNeal but you will refer to me as Doctor Zane and not young lady. Do I make myself clear?" 

"Crystal!" I replied sharply.

Then, as a parting shot and thinking herself cute, she added, "Besides; an old dog can be taught new tricks. I assure you!" 




A Second Chance



The snickers that emanated across the room made her glare at me almost victoriously and gloating until I viciously replied, "Not by someone who was still stuffing her bra and just beginning to grow pubic hair while good men were over there fighting and dying because of, what was it you called it, politics versus religion?" This made the class howl with laughter. I showed neither emotion nor any mercy whatsoever. Her previous remark had thoroughly pissed me off, hence the reason for such a cutting rebuttal. 

She glared at me equally as viciously, then looked around the room and said, "Class is dismissed for the day. Mr. McNeal! I want to see you in my office, immediately!" 

She was waiting for me at the door when I arrived. She motioned for me to sit down. I stood defiantly instead. Then she closed the door behind her and the moment it latched shut, she looked at me sternly and said, "Just who in the hell do you think you are, coming into my class and disturbing it like that and insulting me?" When I didn't answer her immediately, she tried to bait me and said, "Well? What do you have to say for yourself Mr. McNeal?" 

I looked her dead in the eye, and then I leaned down until I was within inches of her face and, with a very menacing growl, I replied, "I'll tell you exactly who I am lady! I'm one of those Americans I was talking about that fought in the war we just spoke of. I'm also one of those Americans that provided this nation with the blanket of security that little snot noses like you seem to take for granted. So forgive me if I will not stand by and let you dishonor the brave men that died over there, one of them in my arms, by spouting this Whitehouse censored crap that you call history. Do you understand me Miss Zane?" By this time; angry tears were raining down my face. 

She was clearly and obviously unnerved. However, she stood her ground and looked at me and, with a shaky voice, said, "You will call me Doctor, Mr. McNeal!" Then, pointing to the diplomas on her office wall, she hatefully added, "I think I've earned it!"

So I stood up straight, wiped my eyes and pulled my wallet from my back pocket and, withdrawing my retired military I.D, I showed it to her and said, "In that case Doctor Zane; you will call me Commander McNeal. I think I've more than earned it. In the mean time Doctor, piss off!" 

Then I turned and opened the door, and as I was about to walk out, she shouted, "Get back here, Damnit! We're not finished!" 

I turned around and replied, "Oh yeah we are!" Then I left without saying another word.

That afternoon I sat out on the beach near my house and stewed about what I'd been forced to deal with earlier that day. Looking back; I had to admit that up close, Laura Zane was even more beautiful than I ever imagined, especially when she was angry. Thinking about it began to bring forth familiar stirrings deep within the nerves of my groin. It made me think of Kate and all the sexual adventures we'd experienced together. Just as suddenly as those tingles in my groin started, they stopped at remembering that my Kate was dead. I looked out to sea at the waves as they washed upon the shore, and felt the sting of tears in my eyes as they rolled down my face. I rose up from the sand then turned and walked back to my house. I was beginning to realize how much I truly missed her. Kate had been my entire world after I got out of the service. Whenever I would lie next to her at night; just knowing she was there chased away all the nightmares of my past. Now I was living a fairly solitary life. I needed to get out of the house because it seemed that the ghosts of the past followed me here regardless of how far I tried to run away from them. I decided right then and there that I would treat myself to a night on the town, starting tonight. I wasn't going anywhere in particular so I changed into a pair of Docker pants and a short sleeved button down shirt and my good old Rockports. I'd just bought a new car and it was a convertible so, after taking down the top; I backed it out of the garage and decided then to go to Vincente's. The drive down the PCH with the top down cleared my head and by the time I got to halfway there; I was in a decent mood again.

As I drove past the U.C.L.A. campus, I smiled thinking about what had happened in class that morning and told myself to be sure to apologize to Doctor Zane as soon as the opportunity presented itself. As soon as I pulled up to Vincente's, the valet opened my car door and handed me my parking stub. I got out and went in, only this time I went straight to the bar. There were only two seats available and I took one and got comfortable. I had my back to the door, which was not what I preferred but, because they were so full, I had no choice. Of course the bartender most certainly remembered me and was immediately there to take my order.

I'd been sitting there for no more than ten minutes when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder while simultaneously hearing a distinctly female voice behind me say, "Excuse me, but is this seat taken?" When I turned around, lo and behold there stood Laura Zane. When she saw that it was me, her face went ashen and she gasped, "Oh God, never mind!" 

Before she could turn and walk away; I gently grabbed her arm and said, "Please don't walk away!" 

She looked at where my hand touched her arm and snarled, "If you don't take your hand off of me this second, I'll call the police!" 

"I'm trying to apologize, Doctor Zane. Please don't leave yet!" I gently asked. 

"Give me one good reason not to!" she replied. 

I smiled and as I removed my hand I said, "If you call the police, you're going to have to admit to being afraid of, what was it you called me, an old dog?" Then I looked at her with a serious face and said, "I'm a jerk sometimes so please accept my apology Doc. I'm very sorry for the way I acted. I was way out of line. If you sit down I'll buy you a drink of anything you want!" 

I thought she wasn't going to have any part of it, but then she climbed onto the barstool and smiled then replied, "Yes! You are a jerk!" followed by the beautiful sound of her laughter. 

I looked at her and asked, "I guess this means I'm forgiven then?" 

She again looked at me sternly and said, "No, not yet, you're not!" 

"No?" I asked. 

Then she grinned real wide and said, "You haven't bought me that drink you promised me!" 

I laughed and replied, "Well I can take care of that poste haste!" With a wave of my hand; the bartender brought her a white wine, while I drank bourbon.

As I watched her take that first sip, I felt a slight chill run down my spine as I witnessed her soft lips gently touch the glass. In order to keep her from knowing that I was watching her; I nervously took a drink from my glass and, as I was setting it down, I saw her giving me a quizzical look. 

"What is it?" I asked, uncomfortably. 

She gracefully put her beautiful hands gently in her lap and, looking down, said "After our little encounter this morning; I was going to have you expelled!" Then she looked up at me and added, "But then I saw your transcripts and C.L.E.P. scores. You scored perfect across the boards and that piqued my curiosity. So I went to see Dr. Johns and he told me all about you. Why didn't you tell me that you were a highly decorated combat veteran as well as a Navy SEAL?" 

I grinned and told her, "Well, as I recall; I don't think you gave me much of a chance to say anything!" 

She immediately crossed her arms, signaling a defensive posture, and replied, "I gave you the same chance that you gave me, Commander!" 

I smiled to put her at ease and said, "Okay, look! Why don't we start over?" I extended my hand and said, "I'm Tom McNeal, Commander, United States Navy retired!"

She grinned and as she took my hand, she giggled, making her face light up, while at the same time driving me crazy, and said, "Hi Tom! I'm Doctor Laura Zane and I teach history at U.C.L.A.!" 

We shook hands and I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Laura!" 

She flashed a devilish grin this time and replied, "It's nice to meet you too and, just so you know; I've never stuffed my bra!" Now it was my turn to be caught off guard and I almost fell out of my seat laughing.

When I regained my composure; Laura winked at me and said, "Now we're even!" 

I looked at her confused and said, "I don't understand that one!" 

"No?" she asked smiling. 

Then I said, "I didn't make you laugh; I made you mad!" 

She smiled pleasantly and said, "At first you did, but then, after you left my office and I'd had time to cool off; I remembered how you turned and stomped away like some little boy and....." her face turned to a crimson blush as she continued "...to be honest; now that I look back, I thought it was absolutely adorable!" Then she began to giggle, making me laugh as well. 

She softly touched my hand and said, "Tom, can I ask you a rather personal question?" 

I looked at her and, shrugging my shoulders, said, "Go ahead Doc! I'm an open book" 

She adjusted herself in the seat and began, "I was just wondering what a guy like you is doing in my classroom? I mean, it's quite apparent by, not only the way you handle yourself but, the way you carry yourself that there probably isn't anything that I could teach you. I watched you when you left the building. You got into a nice sports car, so I know you're a man of means and you're not looking to start a new career. I guess what I'm asking you is; what are you doing here?" 

I smiled as I told her, "Well, according to the curriculum, I've got to have your class to get my degree!" 

"Why now, at this point in your life?" she asked me politely. 

I smiled and said, "I'm gonna need another drink!" 

I ordered another round for us, only this time, when the bartender brought our drinks to us, he smiled and said, "So, you finally decided to talk to her instead of paying for her dinner and drinks right before you leave!" I put my face in my hands and shook my head in embarrassment. 

"Were you the one who paid for all those drinks and all that food, both nights?" 

I just nodded my head silently. 

"Why?" she asked. 

I mustered up all the courage I had and said, "Well, the first time I saw you I thought that you were the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen and somehow I just knew there was something special about you!" 

I stood up and proceeded to take my wallet out to pay my tab, making preparations to leave when she gently grabbed my arm and said, "Where are you going?" 

I looked ashamedly at her and replied, "I don't want you to think that I'm some kind of dirty minded pervert that's just out to pick up a young girl and that's why I didn't stick around!" 

The grip on my arm tightened and she replied, "Tom, please don't go!" Then I looked over at her again and she added, "Stay here and talk to me. I don't think badly of you at all!" Suddenly her total countenance changed to a soft comforting smile that seemed to warm me from within. As I sat back down; she gave me that devilish grin and replied, "Besides; I'm not some young girl!" 

"Oh, no?" I asked coyly. 

She shook her head, took another sip of wine and said "Nope! I just turned 29 this past Friday!" Then, changing the subject; she said, "You never did answer my question!"

"What?" I asked. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked me again. 

I thought for a minute and came up with a plan. Then I asked her, "Do you really want to know?" 

"I wouldn't have asked if not?" she replied. 

So I asked her, "Are you busy tomorrow?" "Well, I have a ten o'clock class tomorrow morning but I'm finished at noon and after that I'm free. Why?" she replied. 

I smiled and said, "I'll pick you up at 12:15 pm tomorrow afternoon, right outside your office, and then I'll show you why I'm here, okay?" 

"Where are you taking me?" she asked, suspiciously. 

I laughed and said, "Relax Doc! I'm taking you to meet one of my oldest and dearest friends. Trust me!" 

She seemed to relax and then said, "Okay! I'll see you tomorrow then. Now if you'll excuse me Tom, I still haven't graded the test you took today!" She finished her glass of wine and then prepared to leave. Right before she walked away; she put her hand gently on my arm and said, "It really was nice meeting you. I enjoyed myself, thank you!" Then she turned and left but not before she winked at me while she gently squeezed my arm. I drove home smiling the whole way. I just hoped she liked what I was going to show her.

Chapter Four

The next day; I pulled into the parking lot of the history building on the U.C.L.A. campus at 12:05 pm according to my watch and Laura was already there waiting for me. I pulled up in front of her, looked at my watch and then asked, "Am I late?" 

She smiled warmly at me and said, "Of course not, silly. I just got out a little early, that's all" then she giggled delightfully and got into the car. 

I already had the top down so, before we drove off, I said, "If you'll look in the glove compartment, I've got a cap you can wear so your hair won't blow all over you!" 

She smiled and, while reaching into her purse, said, "I've got it covered!" Moments later; she had her hair tied back with a scarf she'd retrieved. Then she grinned and said, "Let's go!" 

In a few minutes we were out of downtown and on the PCH headed toward Malibu and Mike's house. While we were driving; I had loaded my CD player with all my favorite tunes. "Evil Woman" by Electric Light Orchestra came on and Laura sat up excitedly and said, "Oh Gosh! I just love old retro music like this!" 

Not missing an opportunity to tease her; I hung my head and disappointedly said, "Old Huh?"

In seconds; her face went bright crimson and, out of compassionate reflex, she gently put her hand on my leg close to my knee and said, "Oh god, Tom! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...." 

I broke out laughing and I looked at her and said, "Gotcha!" 

She smacked me rather sharply on the knee with the hand that was on my leg and replied, "Oh, you shit!" But I still couldn't control my laughter and soon it rubbed off on her as well. In a few seconds Laura began to laugh too. After the laughter died down; she relaxed and enjoyed the drive and the music all the way to Mike's. However; I have an extremely wide range of peripheral vision and every so often out of the corner of my eye; I would see her occasionally look at me with very gentle and tender facial expressions. But it was only two or three times and I was certain that I wasn't meant to see it so, I acted accordingly.

We pulled into Mike's driveway at 1:00 pm sharp and as I took the car out of gear and put on the brake; Laura pulled her scarf off and smiled at me warmly. After getting out of the car and coming around to her side to open her door for her; I escorted Laura to Mike's front door and rang the bell. "WHO THE HELL IS IT!!!" blared from the intercom.

"IT"S ME, NOW OPEN THE DOOR ASS HOLE!!!" I yelled back. "Sorry!" I whispered to Laura, who just shook her head and snickered. 

The front door flew open and Mike appeared wearing a pair of surfing shorts, a tee shirt and a New York Yankees ball cap. I grinned as we hugged each other. "What's up bro?" asked Mike. 

I turned to Laura and replied, "Mike Wells; I'd like you to meet Doctor Laura Zane!"

Mike looked back and forth between Laura and me and said, "Doctor? You sick or something Tom?" 

Laura couldn't help but laugh out loud and I said, "Not that kind of doctor, you asshole! She's a professor that has a Doctorates Degree!" 

"In what?" asked Mike, and before I could answer; Laura spoke up and said, "Contemporary American History!" 

Suddenly; Mike's face lit up and said, "Aren't you taking that at school Tom? So, what, are you dating your teacher for a good grade?" then he broke out into a fit of laughter. 

I just shook my head and told Laura, "I think his mother dropped him on his head. He's only kidding I assure you!" 

Then Mike straightened up and looked at Laura and said, "He's right! I'm only teasing ya, Doc!" 

She smiled and replied, "Oh, feel free to call me Laura!" 

Mike gently patted her on her shoulder and said, "No Ma'am! If you've earned the title of Doctor then you deserve the respect to be called nothing less so, that's it!" Then he turned and escorted us into the living room. I just looked at Laura and shrugged my shoulders. She beamed proudly beside me.

"Well, hi Tom!" said Sheryl, as we entered the room. As she stood and was hugging me, she looked at Laura and said, "Oh My! Who is this pretty thing you've brought with you?" 

Before I could answer, Mike interrupted and replied, "Honey, allow me to introduce Doctor Laura Zane! She's Tom's history professor!" 

"Well then; in that case, it's really a pleasure to meet you!" said Sheryl. As Laura extended a handshake, Sheryl just smiled and said, "Oh Honey, around this house we hug!" So she hugged Laura and said, "Welcome! It's good to have another woman here in this sea of testosterone!" 

Laura laughed very openly now then looked at me and said, "After our first meeting; I would've never guessed that you knew such nice people!" 

"What's she talking about Tom?" asked Mike. 

"Oh, nothing," I replied, giving Laura a subtle wink. 

"You guys are just in time to eat lunch. I made plenty!" said Sheryl. 

Laura was about to protest but I gently put my arm around her shoulder and softly told her, "I know Sheryl well and it'll be my ass if you don't eat!" 

She grinned and said, "Hmmm! There's a thought!" then she broke out laughing and told Sheryl, "Thank you, I'd be delighted. Is there anything I can do to help?" 

Sheryl took her hand and said, "No, but we can still go in the kitchen and have some girl talk. C'mon Honey!" 

As the two women walked into the kitchen; Mike and I sat down and he immediately asked, "Well?" 

"Well, what?" I replied. 

Mike immediately began smiling and said, "The girl, she's kinda young, ain't she?"

"Oh shut up! It's not like that. She's my history professor!" I said, nonchalantly.

"Yeah, uh huh!" clucked Mike, knowingly. To his credit though, nothing else was said that would imply anything where Laura and I were concerned. 

Lunch was wonderful as usual. Sheryl had gone all out and made Chicken Cacciatore (Mike's Favorite) and it was absolutely wonderful. While we were eating, Laura inquired of how Mike and I became friends and learned that we'd served together in the Navy and how we'd remained friends and stayed in touch after Mike got out.

After we'd finished lunch and were sitting around talking; I looked at Laura and asked, "I'll bet you're wondering why I brought you out here, huh?" 

She gave me a wistful smile and said, "Well, I haven't really thought about it until now but, yes, I suppose so!" 

I looked at Mike and asked, "Do you still have the tape cued up from the other night?"

Mike smiled and said, "As a matter of fact; I was listening to it when you rang the doorbell and I think there's room to add a couple more keyboard tracks!" 

"Oh, yeah?" I asked surprised, but then snapping back to why I was there in the first place, I said, "Laura asked me what brought me out here to L.A. so instead of telling her; I thought that maybe we could show her!" 

Mike grinned then rose from the table and said, "Follow me!"

We went into the studio and. Mike and I were in the control booth while Sheryl and Laura remained in the main suite of the studio so they could listen to the song itself. Mike turned on the tape and as the music flowed; he pointed out the places where he thought additional keyboard tracks might add to the song and I whole heartedly agreed. After the song had finished, I looked through the window to see both women in tears. I walked through the sound proof doors of the control room and into the main suite and asked, "How did you like the song?" 




A Second Chance



Laura looked at me and gently took my hand and replied, "That is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. You are just full of surprises, aren't you?" 

"We never knew he had such a beautiful voice!" added Sheryl. 

I just laughed and replied, "Me either!" I suddenly felt Laura squeeze my hand and as I looked at her I saw the same look on her face that Kate used to have right before she'd tell me she loved me. But in Laura's case, nothing was said and looking back; I should've known then that nothing would ever need to be said for me to understand what she meant. But at that time I was still unaware so, I just smiled back at her and said, "Now you know why I 'm here huh?" 

Laura's eyes were dancing like candles and all she could say was, "Wow!"

We adjourned to the back of Mike's house that faced beach that was basically nothing more than a steel framed box that was covered with a glass roof and supported by glass walls with a lounge table and four lounge chairs. Where the room joined the house was a full wet bar and as we sat down and Mike was fixing our drinks; Laura looked at her watch and said "Tom, I'm gonna have to be getting back pretty soon!" 

However; Mike being the type of person who didn't mind to butt into someone's personal business, grinned and blurted out, "Why? Do you have to be somewhere or are you just bored with our company?" 

Laura shifted uncomfortably in her seat and replied, "Well, no, but, I just didn't want to over extend my welcome or impose on you guys!" 

Mike laughed and, after setting our drinks on the table, he put his hand on my shoulder and, pointing at me, said, "It's like this Laura. You came with ugly here and that more or less makes you family. So don't ever think that you're gonna wear out your welcome here, okay? Besides; it's almost four o'clock and the traffic this time of day sucks, so stick around and enjoy yourself!" 

Laura smiled warmly, then looked at me and said, "Okay, but under one condition!"

"Name it!" replied Mike, still grinning. 

Laura sat up and replied, "Because I teach Contemporary American History, and because it appears to me that you two apparently were directly involved with ninety-eight percent of what I'm trying to teach; I'd like to ask you some questions about it, if that's alright?" Then she looked me directly in the eyes and added, "And I want the truth!" 

I looked over at Mike and all he did was shrug his shoulders as if to say, "Don't ask me!" I finally relented and thought, "What the hell?" So I looked back at Laura and replied, "Alright! We'll do this but, you must understand that there are some things that neither Mike nor I will ever be able to talk about. Okay?" 

Laura just smiled at me disarmingly and replied, "I'll tell you what, I'll ask the questions. Answer the ones that you can and don't worry about the ones you can't, okay?" 

I looked over at Mike who nodded his approval and then back at Laura and, with a sigh, said, "Okay! You've got a deal!"

For the next three and a half hours; Laura bombarded us with a barrage of questions and when something came up that we couldn't talk about; she went on to something else, unmoved in her determination to find out all she could. It was apparent by the questions she was asking that she had truly put in many, many hours of study and forethought as well as research to have the knowledge she possessed. She insisted that we be as graphic as possible excluding nothing. It was then I discovered that she had a photographic memory and I was, once again, truly amazed at her brilliance. During the interview and every so often, she would glance at me and smile with her eyes blazing. By the time it was over, it was going on 8 pm and I was worn out mentally, but charged emotionally. I didn't realize it then but, that was when I first fell in love with Laura.

On the drive to take Laura back to her car on campus; I had put the top back up because there was a slight chill in the air. Laura put her hand on mine and said, "I wanted to thank you for today. I had a very nice time." 

I smiled and replied "I'm glad you enjoyed it!" With her hand still resting on mine she said, "Ya know; you're a pretty amazing guy, Tom?" 

"Nah, not really, I'm just someone who's trying to put his life back together!" I replied. 

Then she leaned over closer to me and took me by the bicep and wrapped her arms around it and softly said, "I know! Sheryl told me that you'd lost your wife not too long ago and I just wanted to let you know that, I'm very sorry, and if you want someone to talk to; I'm here!" 

"Thank you, I appreciate it!" I replied. 

The rest of the ride was quiet as we listened to the music, each of us in our own thoughts. Laura remained wrapped around my arm throughout the rest of the ride back to her car. When I pulled into the parking lot, she directed me to her car. It was an Acura Legend that was somewhere between ten and fifteen years old. When I pulled up next to it; she leaned up and quickly but softly kissed me on the cheek. 

"What was that for?" I asked. 

She giggled then replied, "I was wrong about you Tom McNeal and that was my way of saying, I'm sorry!" 

I grinned and said, "Well, in that case; apology accepted!" 

Laura just shook her head, giggled then said "I guess I'll see you in class tomorrow?"

Yeah, I guess so!" I replied, not wanting her to go but knowing she had to. 

"Okay then, have a good night!" Laura said.

Chapter Five 

When I walked into Laura's class, the whole room fell silent as every eye of every student followed me to my seat. Shortly after I'd taken my seat, Laura walked in followed by the same girl I'd seen her with in Vincente's. She scanned the room with hardened features. When she saw me, her face softened but just slightly enough that I was the only one able to pick up on it. Then she addressed the class and said, "I have the results of your quiz from Monday. It looks like most of you read and absorbed the assigned material. Some of you didn't do so hot and I think you know who you are. You're smart enough to get into this University, so, I'm going to assume your progress will improve over time. But, don't take too long!" Then she came around to the front of her desk and leaned against it and said, "However, one of you scored perfect. Mr. McNeal, would you stand up please?" When she saw my face turn ashen, I saw her raise an eyebrow and then smile daringly at me. 

Once I was standing up, and with all eyes on me, Laura said, "Ladies and Gentleman, through a little inquiry; it has come to my attention that we have a bona fide combat veteran among us. Mr. Tom McNeal is a retired Commander in the U.S. Navy and, as luck would have it; he is also a real live U.S. Navy SEAL and was one of the guys that fought and lived through almost everything we're studying this semester." The room began to echo with whispered oohs and aahs and at this point I couldn't recall ever being more nervous or embarrassed in my life and it felt like I'd just been stabbed in the ass. To drive the knife in deeper Laura grinned and added, "So, for the rest of the semester; Mr. McNeal is going to share some of his experiences with us. Mr. McNeal, would you please come to the front of the class?" 

As I picked up my books and made my way to the front, the blonde girl that came in with Laura, began to pass out paperwork to the rest of the class, while Laura said, "This is my teaching assistant, and she is passing out your test results. 

When I finally arrived to Laura's desk where she was now seated, I said, "May I talk to you privately, please?" Laura rose and led me into the hallway right outside the classroom doors. When the door closed I looked at her and asked, "What are you doing?" 

Laura smiled at me and replied, "Well, seeing as how there's not much I can teach you, and they won't let me give you a C.L.E.P. exam, and, in order to earn the 'A' that I've already given you for this course; you're gonna help me teach these kids!"  

"I can't do that! I don't have any teaching experience!" I explained. 

She smiled at me and said, "Look Tom, I reviewed the textbook last night when I got home and I agree with you that it's Whitehouse polished Bull Shit! I want someone who knows the truth to tell it to these kids so they won't go blindly through life believing the same crap that I was fed. I'm asking for your help, are you up to it?" 

I just laughed and said, "An 'A' huh?" 

She smiled warmly and, smacking me on my waist near the top of my butt, said, "Yeah! Now go in there and amaze me even more than you already have, Commander!"

The minute I walked back into the classroom; a young lady in the back raised her hand. I acknowledged her and said, "Yes?" 

She stood up and said, "I've heard that combat veterans have nightmares. Is that true?" I smiled and looked at Laura who just shrugged her shoulders." Suddenly I had an idea. I asked the girl what her major was and when she replied, "Psychology!" 

I said, "Let me put it to you this way. I want each of you to close your eyes!" After I was certain that all eyes were closed, I said, "Now, I want you all to think about, in detail, the worst, most horrible experience you've ever had in your life!" I saw wrinkled and/or sad expressions throughout the room. Then I said, "Okay, that's enough!" When everyone had opened their eyes again I told them, "Now, I hope that whatever it was you thought about only happened to you once. But, I want you to try to imagine something like that, or maybe even worse, occurring on a daily basis for weeks, months or even years at a time!" Then looking back at the girl who'd asked the question to start with and said, "In answer to your question; yes, I, like all combat vets, have nightmares, but I think maybe you might be able to understand why now, huh?" I watched as more than several heads nodded in affirmation, which made me feel good. 

Then a young man raised his hand and upon acknowledgement from me said, "I've always believed that there is no need for violence yet you represent the epitome of violence, and personally; I find killing to be a very heinous and senseless act regardless of the reasons for it. Furthermore sir; killing is a trained response and nothing else, and I find you and all people like you offensive!" 

"Now wait a minute!" snapped Laura, as she stood to defend me. But before she could continue; I stopped her and smiled. She gave me a puzzling look and I raised my eyebrow at her. 

Then I turned back and looked at the young man again and said, "So what you're saying is that you would never kill regardless of the circumstances, right?" 

"That's right!" he said arrogantly. 

I laughed and asked him, "Do you have any siblings?" 

"Yes Sir, I have a younger sister!" he replied. 

I turned, looked at Laura and winked, and then I turned back around and said, "Okay then, in that case; how old is she?" 

"Thirteen, sir!" replied the young man. 

Then I stood up and said, "Where is she right now?" 

"Why does that matter?" he asked, defensively. 

I looked at him menacingly and replied, "Because tonight I'm gonna come to her and beat and rape her and sodomize her. What do you think of that?" 

The young man's face went beet red and he angrily replied, "No you won't either!"

"Why not?" I growled, baiting him. 

"Because I'll blow your fucking head off before you get within a hundred yards of her, mother fucker!" exploded the young man. 

"Oh, but I though you said you would never kill anyone?" I replied softly. 

In uneducated defiance; the young man replied, "That's different and you know it!"

"It's no different so deal with it!" I said sharply. 

Then the young man looked saddened at his own realization of self and replied, "But she's only thirteen, sir?" 

I smiled, walked over to him then gently patted him on the shoulder and said, "Its okay, but this is what I'm trying to tell you. If the circumstance presents itself, we as humans will all kill to protect what we love and hold most dear. There's no denying what's in our nature!" 

The rest of the class time ended up being a Q&A session and when there was only about fifteen minutes of class left; Laura stood up and interrupted saying, "Okay, we've got time for one more question and then class is dismissed!" 

One young lady sitting in a group of five or six other young ladies, all of them very pretty, raised her hand and, after Laura acknowledged her, asked "Mr. McNeal how old are you?" 

I laughed and replied, "First of all; my name is Tom and; I'll be forty one in just a few months" 

Then the girl gave me a come hither look and said, "My name is Brittany Marks and I'm president of Kappa Delta and we think you rock!" 

With that; the whole group she was sitting with stood up and yelled "KAPPA DELTA WOO-HOO!" making the class roll with laughter. 

With a surprisingly loud and an almost jealous tone of voice; Laura hopped up and said, "That will be enough Miss Marks. This is not a frat party nor is it a sorority tea. You will keep comments like that to yourself henceforth. Do I make myself clear?" 

"Yes, ma'am!" the girl replied meekly. 

"Okay, class is dismissed!" announced Laura, and then all of the students stood and slowly but steadily emptied the room.

After the last of the students had gone, all that remained were Laura, myself, and the blond haired girl I'd seen her with before we met. Laura motioned toward the girl and said, "Commander Tom McNeal, let me introduce you to my teaching assistant, Miss Zoë Daniels!" 

Zoë smiled and extended her hand and said, "It's a real honor to meet you, Commander!" 

As I shook her hand; I grinned and replied, "It's just plain old Tom and it's a pleasure to meet you too!" 

Zoë just smiled and replied, "Thanks Tom! Laura's told me all about you and, because I'm a history major, I was wondering if maybe I could set an appointment to talk with you?" 

I looked at Laura, who nodded her approval and then added, "Zoë's one of the brightest minds on campus and I think that would be a good idea Tom. Are you busy this afternoon?" 

I shook my head and replied, "No! Why?" 

Laura grinned and said, "Well, Zoë and I both are free and we were wondering if we could take you to lunch? Besides; it will give Zoë a chance to pick your brain. She's got a big paper coming up and, with your help; I think it will be one of her finest works yet!" 

I grinned and said, "We're gonna study in a restaurant?" Laura and Zoë looked at one another, then at me and, in unison, replied, "Yeah, why not?" 

I thought, "What the hell?" and said, "Because; you can't expect to be able to retain anything you've read with all the noise, so, how about if we go to my house instead and I'll make lunch for us all?" 

"Where do you live?" asked Laura. 

"Just a couple of miles down the beach from Mike and Sheryl!" 

"You live in Malibu too?" asked Laura smiling. 

"Guilty!" I said, grinning. 

She and Zoë looked at one another excitedly, and then Laura said, "Give me your address and we'll be there in about an hour. Okay?" 

"Okay!" I replied, then wrote my address and phone number on a slip of paper and handed it to Laura. 

As she took the paper from my hand and read it; she looked up at me and smiled, then softly said, "I guess we'll see you soon!" 

I drove fast and flew home to give me some time to have something that would be almost ready to eat when Laura and Zoë arrived. I opened the windows and let the Pacific air permeate the house. I went out onto the balcony and lit the grill. Then I changed into a pair of cut-off shorts and tee shirt and went to work on lunch in the kitchen. About forty minutes later; I heard Laura and Zoë pulling up in the driveway. I went and looked out the front window and they were getting out of what must've been Zoë's jeep I almost passed out at what I saw. Both Laura and Zoë were wearing cut off blue jeans with socks and sneakers and bikini tops. Their hair was held back by ball caps on their heads. I had always loved the sight of Kate when she dressed this way and the sight of these two lovelies only added to my passion for the fashion. I went to front door, opening it just as they were about to knock, and said "Good Afternoon Ladies! Please feel free to make yourselves at home!" 

As they walked in; Laura looked at me and said, "I want to thank you Tom for doing this for Zoë!" 

I winked and replied, "Think nothing of it, Laura!" She smiled as they walked by and I closed the door behind them.

I brought them into the house and sat them down. As Laura looked out the back glass windows at the ocean; sighed and said, "My God Tom! This is beautiful!" 

"Thank you!" I replied, then I asked "Are we gonna eat first or study?" 

"Eat!" said Laura and Zoë, in unison then giggled. 

When I asked them what they would like to drink Laura asked, "What are you drinking, Tom?" 

"I'm having Bordeaux!" I replied. 

Laura smiled and said, "Then I'll have the same!" 

And then right behind her Zoë giggled, "I'll second that!" I went to the kitchen and got two more wine glasses and filled them both.

As I was bringing them back into the living room; I said "Now this particular Bordeaux is a very potent wine. It's Chateau Lafitte Rothschild and it sneaks up on you very quickly so; consider yourselves forewarned!" 

Laura grinned and as I handed the ladies their glasses; Zoë said "I'll only have half a glass because I've got to drive!" 

"Good for you, Zoë!" I said, praising her for her good sense. 

Laura agreed and said, "I told you she was brilliant! However; I'm not driving so, after we eat and if it's all right; I'm going to lie out on your deck and get some sun while you're talking to Zoë!" 

"That's fine" I said blushing. 

From the moment they arrived I'd been fighting tooth and nail to try to keep from staring at their breasts while they were wearing their bikini tops. It was even more difficult as we ate lunch, but I still stayed strong. While I was in the kitchen doing dishes, I heard the back sliding glass door open and as I looked out the kitchen window onto the deck; I saw Laura walk out. Gone were the cut-off jeans leaving her wearing only her bikini? She was looking at the ocean so I was looking at her profile. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen and to me she looked perfect. From the top of her head to the bottom of her feet was a line of beautifully defined femininity. Her skin was tanned and smooth and, her stomach was toned and flat. The swell of her breast brought out the tingle in my groin that had only recently come out of hiding. Her body had the look of being sculpted by God himself, I swear. As I was gazing out the window; I felt something soft and smooth on the back of my shoulders and a voice behind me seductively breathed, "She's beautiful, isn't she?", snapping me out of the trance I'd fallen into. I turned around and Zoë was pushing her almost bare breasts against me on purpose now, and making it very obvious. 

I gently pulled her away from me and said, "I really wish you wouldn't do that!" 

Zoë looked at me and smiled, and then she put on a tee shirt she'd brought with her and said, "Because you acted like you just did, especially after what I did; that shows me that you are genuine and a really nice man!" Then she asked, "Can we sit down? The reason that I wanted to make an appointment to talk to you has nothing to do with history. There's something I want to tell you Tom!" 

"Of course," I replied. 

Then I pulled out a chair for her at the table and as we sat down, Zoë said, "If Laura knew I was telling you what I'm about to tell you, she'd be real pissed. So I'm gonna count on your discretion, okay?" 

"Okay!" I answered. 

Then she took a deep breath and began, "I'm not just Laura's teaching assistant; I'm also her room mate. I'm one of her two best friends and we are all each other have. You see my parents were killed when I was a little girl and I was raised by an alcoholic Aunt who didn't give a shit about her own kids, much less me. Laura's parents died in an avalanche when she was still a baby and so she was raised by her grandparents who are both dead now. Now, the reason I'm telling you this is because ever since you brought her home the other night; all she can talk about is you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that; I don't want to see her hurt!" 




A Second Chance



"Well, you've got me there, because I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about!" I replied, making Zoë giggle. 

"What?" I asked, genuinely confused. 

Zoë smiled and replied, "Gosh! Even a man of your maturity can still be a dumb guy, I guess. What I'm trying to tell you is that, she's falling for you!" 

"No, surely not," I answered, surprised. 

"You think I don't see the way you two look at each other and the way she acts around you?" Zoë asked. 

"But we barely know each other! Besides; I'm almost old enough to be her father!" I said. 

"What, is it such a bad thing that a beautiful young woman is attracted to you Tom?" said Zoë. 

I shook my head and said, "No but...." 

"Look Tom!" she interrupted, then continued, "I know that your wife died recently and I'm very sorry that it happened. I know it's gonna take some time for you to get over it but; I think that you and Laura becoming friends is a good thing. Give it a try. Who knows; I think you two will be good for one another!" 

"We'll see!" I replied, with a sigh. 

Then Zoë totally caught me off guard when she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and said, "I can see why Laura feels the way she does about you!" 

Before I could respond; Laura walked in and, holding up her wine glass, said, "Can I get a refill, Tom?" 

I looked at Zoë who was grinning like a Cheshire cat and then at Laura and said, "Why, you most certainly may!"

That's the way it went for the next four and a half months. Laura and I began going to lunch together after class. Sometimes Zoë joined us, sometimes she didn't. But, either way; Laura and I slowly came to be very close friends and before I knew it; we would sometimes go out to either, dinner, a movie, or sometimes both. Sometimes we went to my house to eat and afterwards; we'd sit and talk late into the evenings or take long walks down the beach. We talked about everything in the world but had only lightly touched on each others personal lives. Still though; I found her to be a very intelligent and mentally stimulating young woman and the time we spent together became more and more. I also found myself looking forward to it more and more.

Chapter Six

Mike and I, along with Jed and Rufus, practiced constantly and soon became as tight as a group could get. We played everything rock and roll from 1967 to present time and, even if I say so myself; we were damn good. After practice one Thursday afternoon Mike announced, "Oh, by the way, we've got a two day gig this weekend!" 

"When did this happen?" I asked. 

Mike looked at me laughing and said, "Yesterday but, I forgot to call you!" 

I just shook my head and asked, "Where?" 

"It's a surprise!" replied Mike.

The next day, after class; Laura pulled me into her office and said, "I wanted to tell you that I was going to see one of my Sorority sisters this weekend!" 

"Why tell me?" I asked. 

Laura just smiled, then shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I don't know, I guess I just wanted you to know!" 

I patted her arm and replied, "Well just drive safely and I'll see ya Monday!" 

Laura suddenly put her arms around me and, with her cheek upon mine, hugged me very tightly. Of course, I hugged her back and when she released me; she had a look on her face I had never seen before and said, "Tom you are a really super person and a wonderful man. I needed to tell you that!" 

I gently brushed her cheek with the back of my hand and softly replied, "Thank you, Laura. I think you're pretty special too!" Then she giggled and scampered away.

That afternoon; I was at Mike's house by 2:00pm. We loaded up his van and Rufus's truck with all our gear and by 3:00pm; we were headed out. As we traveled south down the PCH, I looked out the window of the van and saw all the people on the different beaches we passed. It was at that moment I realized that this would be the first weekend in a long while that I would not see Laura. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind; I found myself missing her. It was strange. How could that be? After all; we were only friends, or so I thought.

When Mike's van came to a stop a few hours later; we were in La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya) Cove, in front of a club called Spanky's. After we got out of the vehicles, and while Mike went inside to tell the club owner we were there, I took a moment to look around and stretch my legs. As I looked out over the sea; my thoughts went back to Laura again. The wind blowing softly on my face reminded me of the way it felt when her cheek was against mine. I found myself wondering where she was and who she was with. Because she was going to visit an old sorority sister, I knew there would be a party and that she would be around younger men her own age. It wasn't long before I felt a twinge of jealousy rise up.

However; I was snapped out of my reverie when I heard a voice say, "Well hello there Commander! How in the hell are ya, sir?" I jerked my head around and to my surprise and pleasure; I saw standing before me, an old friend from many years past. It was my old Master Chief, from the first team I'd served with as a young enlisted man, Spanky O'Malley. He retired about 5 years after I had enlisted. He was one of the guys from the Vietnam era. Those were the frogs (What SEALs call one another) who defined the SEAL teams in the first place. It was men like him who helped mold this nation into what it has become today. I had always remembered Master Chief O'Malley fondly and rightly so. 

When I answered him I grinned and replied, "You can stop that 'sir' shit anytime, you old Irish War Horse!"

Spanky howled with laughter and, as we threw our arms around one another and hugged, he said, "Damn, it's good to see ya, Tommy!" 

"You too, Spanky," I choked out. As we released one another and came face to face; we smiled proudly at the sight of each other's tears. 

Then Spanky put his hand on my arm and said, "I was real sorry to hear about your wife. I never had the honor of meeting her but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about her!" 

"I appreciate it Chief!" I replied, visibly saddened at her memory. 

However; Spanky being the type of guy he was, wouldn't let a happy reunion turn sad so he said, "That's Master Chief, Damnit!" then he laughed that old familiar howl. 

About that time Mike giggled and said, "If you two ladies are through simpering; we've got work to do!" We all pitched in and, in about 3 hours, had everything set up, our sound checks done, and then we were ready to go with a good 45 minutes still left over before we had to play. Per Mike's instruction; I'd packed my toiletries and three sets of fresh clothing to play in for two nights. Spanky put us up in his house next to the nightclub. 

After we'd all relaxed for a bit, and once we were all dressed; Spanky looked at his watch and said, "Well boys; I've got to get to the club and make sure the damn waitresses and bartenders are doin their jobs!" 

Mike laughed and replied, "Well, I think we'll go over with you. It's almost time for us to take the stage anyway!" So the four of us followed Spanky back to the club

As we walked into the parking lot, I noticed the sun had set and the Marquee neon sign was ablaze with color. In big red letters outlined in white set against a pale Irish green; the sign read Spanky's. Right below that, where the advertisement marquee was; I read "Tonight and Tomorrow Only!" and directly beneath it was "The Howlers!" I looked at Mike and said, "The Howlers?" 

He laughed and replied, "When I talked to Spanky he asked what we called ourselves. Before then I'd never really thought about it so it just kinda fell out of my mouth from the top of my head." 

After I thought about it for a second; I laughed and said, "Well I can live with it if you can old friend!"

That night, the club was full of people, about 1200 I'd say. Everywhere you looked was wall to wall people. Beautiful faces were everywhere and the crowd was into everything we played. We we're nearing the end of our third of five sets and we'd just finished playing Joe Cocker's version of "Feelin Alright" when; Mike stepped up to the microphone and said, "How's everybody doin tonight?" The crowd cheered loudly making us all grin at each other. Then Mike calmed them back down and said, "I'd like to introduce you to a good friend of mine. He's one of the finest keyboard players I've ever heard, Ladies and Gentlemen; Mr. Tommy McNeal!" The crowd cheered and I stood and waved my hand. Then Mike added, "He wrote this song not to long ago and I think you're gonna love it as much the rest of us. So, we're gonna try and talk him into doing it for ya!" Then he smiled and winked at me and, turning back to the crowd, said "Let's show him how much we love him and want him to play it!" 

The crowd then went crazy with applause and after about five seconds I nodded my head and said, "Yes!" over the microphone. Soon after; the crowd grew near silent and I said, "This is a song about a guy who falls madly and passionately in love with a girl, the very first time he sees her!"

Within seconds of starting the song; my mind drifted to Laura and I found myself pouring my heart out. Once again, all the emotions I thought I'd cleansed myself of, began to pour from my hands onto the keys. I closed my eyes and sang it with everything I had. When we were done, the crowd went wild. When I opened my eyes, I looked up to see lit cigarette lighters being held up everywhere and, it seemed for a moment that, I was floating right above a warm fiery sea. Mike got back on the microphone and said, "We're gonna take a break. Stick around though; because we'll be back about thirty minutes!" Then the stage lights went dark and as we stepped off the stage; the jukebox began.

As I was making my way to the bar; different people patted me on the back in praise and I thanked them in gratitude. My adrenaline was being pumped at an astounding rate and, just when I thought it couldn't get any better; I heard a familiar voice call my name. When I turned around; there stood Laura. She said later that the look on my face, at that particular moment, would always be her fondest memory of me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, delighted to see her. 

She smiled and, as she hugged me, she said, "We got here right when Mike was introducing you. Oh my God Tom, it sounded so beautiful!" 

"Thank you!" I replied, while looking softly into her face. 

Suddenly, she grinned playfully and said, "This is where I told you I was going this weekend. What are you doing here?" 

I laughed and said, "Wait a minute now. You never told me exactly where you were going. You only told me you were going out of town, remember? Besides; I didn't know I was coming here until we got here. Mike just told us about it yesterday!" 

By this time we'd parted from the hug slightly but, she was still holding my hand and, squeezing it, she smiled and replied, "Why didn't you tell me silly boy, I would've come with you?" 

"I didn't know and if I had; I didn't want you to break your plans!" I replied, grinning. Suddenly from out of nowhere appeared a woman that had a seductive look about her.

She reminded me of Charlize Theron as she glided up next to Laura and said, "Who's this, Lars?" 

"Lars?" I said, laughing. 

Laura grinned, squeezed my hand and replied, "Oh hush! It was my nickname in college!" Then she said, "Tom, I'd like you meet one of my best friends in the world, Allison Hughes!" Then she looked at Allison and said, "Allison this is Commander Tom McNeal!" 

She put her hand on Laura's shoulder and, with a knowing look, said, "Ah! So this is the guy you've been telling me about. You're right Girl! He is gorgeous, just like you said!" 

Laura's eyes went as wide as saucers and she gasped, "Damnit Al! You don't have to repeat everything I say, do you?" I could clearly see that Laura was embarrassed so I squeezed her hand this time. 

When she looked at me I gave her a silent look of assurance and winked. Then I said, "I was just on my way to the bar to get a drink. Would you ladies care to join me?" I offered my arms to both women and each took hold. 

As we began to walk Allison leaned over and said, "He's polite too. You need to hang on to this one honey!" 

"It's not like that. I told you we were just friends!" scolded Laura, looking at me for reassurance. 

Allison laughed loudly and said, "Yeah, right, tell that lie to someone who doesn't know you, okay?" 

I had to laugh this time and when I did; Laura playfully scolded me and said, "Don't laugh at her Tom, it just makes her worse!"

We got to the bar and got our drinks and as I was escorting them to our private table; Allison looked at me and said, "So tell me Commander; how is it that a guy who's done what Laura tells me you've done, comes to play and sing as beautifully as you do?"

I giggled and said, "Well thank you but, my name is Tom and, as far as the music goes..." I smiled briefly at Laura then looked back at Allison and continued, "....lets just say that I was inspired!" 

Allison swooned and said, "Oh my God what a charmer!" and I felt Laura snuggle closer to me as we walked. The rest of the night while I played; I felt as if I were on top of the world. Laura watched me while I played and every time I looked at her; my heart warmed me from the inside out. 

At the end of the night, after the club began to empty; Laura looked at me and asked "Are you going back to L.A. tonight?" I told her about Spanky and everything and then she smiled and asked, "So, what're you gonna do tonight?" 

"To tell you the truth; I hadn't really thought about it!" I replied. 

"Taking me by the arm, she said, "Well I have, and you're coming with me!" When she told me this I felt a streak of fear run up my back that originated from I don't know where. Somehow she must have sensed that there was something wrong with me because she said "Tom, I'm not asking you for anything more than you're willing to give. All I know is that I want; no, I need to be with you right now. So will you please come with me back to Allison's house? It's not more than four or five miles away!" 

Suddenly and from out of nowhere; I heard Mike's voice say, "I think that's an excellent idea Doc!" 

"Oh you do, do you?" I heard myself say. 

Then Mike appeared in front of me grinning and replied, "I wasn't talking to you but; yeah, I do!" 

Allison, Laura and I all rode back to Allison's house in her truck. I sat between the two women with Laura holding my hand the entire way. They talked back and forth while I sat listening silently until Allison said "So, tell me Tom; how do you like southern California?" 

"I absolutely love it here!" I replied. When I said the word love; I don't know why but I squeezed Laura's hand, making her snuggle closer to me and lay her head on my shoulder. I could feel her body molding tightly to mine. I felt her breasts against my arm and her hip rubbing against mine. Those old but familiar stirring feelings began to arise and it was then I knew that I belonged to her. It was useless to try and fight it so, much to Laura's disappointment; I let go of her hand. However; her disappointment turned to delight when I put my arm around her instead and we rode the rest of the way back to Allison's that way.

When we got to her house Allison wasted no time in going to bed, so that Laura and I could be alone together. As soon as Allison disappeared down the hall to her bedroom; Laura looked at me with fear and concern written all over her face. "What's wrong Doc?" I asked, concerned. She looked at me like scared little girl and I could feel her beginning to tremble. Before she could respond; I put my arm around her and said, "You're trembling! Are you alright?" 

She pushed away and sharply replied, "No! I'm not alright Tom McNeal, and you're the reason why". She had an angry look on her face when she said this and I felt the pit of my stomach rising to my throat. 

I couldn't possibly imagine what I done to make her feel like this, so I asked, "What have I done?" Laura stood up and walked into the kitchen with me right behind her. When she finally turned around to face me; she had tears streaming down her face. I got alarmed and asked her, "Laura, you're scaring me honey, what's wrong?" 

"Nothing!" she said, beginning to cry lightly. 

"I guess I must be dumb. If there's nothing wrong then why are you crying?" I asked.

She looked at me with those piercing blue eyes and said, "If I tell you; you'll think I'm being childish!" 

"No I won't!' I replied. 

"Do you promise?" said Laura, as she looked at me again, wiping her eyes. 

This time when she looked at me however; it was as if I was looking into the face of a scared little girl whom, I somehow felt needed me right then so I replied, "With all my heart, Sweetie!"

She led us back to where we were and sat us down. Then she took my hand and said, "When we met for the first time; I thought you were the biggest asshole that God had ever created. Then as I got to know you and as I found out more about you I began to feel connected to you. I would find myself getting excited like a kid on Christmas every time I saw you or was around you. I know this sounds crazy Tom but....." then she began to cry again and "....I think I'm falling in love with you!" After she said this; she broke down and laid her head in my lap and cried hard. 

I stroked her face and let her get it out and when she slowed I said "Shhh, its okay, Baby!" 

She looked up at me with scared eyes and so I decided to tell her the truth so, I said "Laura, I have a confession too!" 

Her eyes got wide and she sat straight back up and replied, "What?" 

I smiled as she did this and replied, "The very first time I saw you in Vincente's that first night; I thought you were the most beautiful creature I'd seen in a long time. Little did I know that you'd be the...Uh...fireball...that you were when met that day in class!"

She giggled making me laugh and then said, "You made me so mad that day in class and after you left my office, I was fuming even more!" 

"Sorry!" I squeaked. 

Laura grinned at my feeble attempt of meekness and continued, "Right after you turned the corner, Zoë poked her head into my office and grinned at me. When I asked her what was so funny, you know what she said?" I just shrugged my shoulders and Laura replied "She said, 'Yeah Girl, I like him too!' Now, that pissed me off even worse!" 

I laughed and said, "I'll bet so!" but then I added, "To tell the truth; I feel the same way about you that you do about me and I'm just as afraid as you are Laura!" 

She reached over and turned off the lamp next to the big leather couch we were sitting on and said, "Will you hold me Tom?" I didn't say a word. I simply wrapped my arms around her and we laid down on the couch, face to face in the darkness. When I was in the service and due to the nature of some of the operations I'd been on; I'd developed a sort of night vision and I was able to see in the dark as well as any cat if not better. I could see her face smiling contentedly as she laid her head on me. I could feel her breath as it blew gently and sweet across my skin. We never said a single word to one another for the rest of the night. We simply communicated on an emotional or perhaps even a primal level and before long I was sleeping. I dreamed of Kate that night. However; this time it was as if she saw me lying next to Laura while we slept. Kate was smiling and giving me that look she always did when she was happy about something. Then she slowly faded, leaving me slumbering safely in a gentle warmth of no pain, no regret, only love. That was the first time I slept that soundly since before I joined the Navy so many years ago. I realize now that, the first night I spent next to Laura was the first step toward becoming whole again.