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Second Half of Life

By: SW_MO_Hermit



CDR Jeremiah Fielding wandered around the Officer's Club shaking hands and slapping backs. This was the base's monthly 'Hale and Farewell' party—a party to welcome incoming Officer's and say good bye to those leaving. He felt sorrow, nostalgia and yes, even a little fear at the future he was facing. He had been in the Navy for just over 24 years. Tomorrow he would be a civilian again for the first time since he was 18 years old and he left home for the Naval Academy. He knew it was time to return home but he was not sure what he wanted to return to. Oh, he well remembered the hills and valleys, that special river and the quiet his family had cherished for generations. He knew he wanted to return to that. He just did not know what, if anything, he wanted to do for the remainder of his life. For the first time in his adult life he did not have a task or career facing him. He had never married and now he would face the loneliness being single in a strange place would be like. Always before he had his friends and his duty, his job, to keep him occupied. Oh, there had been women in his life. There had been a lot of women over the years and even one or two special ones but the one time he had thought of marrying she had demanded he get out of the Navy. He just could not do that so the relationship broke up.

Late in the evening Jeremiah was visiting with some of his fellow Seabees when the base commander cornered him. "Jer," he said. "I can still stop those retirement orders if you would let me. You're just too good a man to see drive off. You'll be on the next Captain's List for sure and then who knows? I can find you a job in my office if you would like. Hell, I can almost promise you a position anywhere else in the Navy if that's not what you want."

Jeremiah smiled at his friend and said, "Thanks Admiral but it's time for me to go. I miss the hills back home. I want to see the sun come up over the hills and watch the fog rise over the river for a change. I won't miss all the BS this administration is laying on us but I will miss many of the people I have worked with. I want to go back home and relax, maybe even find a woman to settle down with."

The Hale and Farewell was scheduled to end at 2200 hours but because this was also CDR Fielding's retirement party most of his friends and acquaintances kept on partying until the club closed. Being the responsible senior officer he was Jeremiah called a cab for the ride to his now nearly empty quarters for his final night on base and in the Navy. 

The first day of his retirement, a Saturday, it was nearly noon when Jer struggled from his bed. He made his coffee and drank a couple cups while he packed his overnight bag and small suitcase with the remainder of his possessions still in the building. He filled his thermos, rinsed the coffee pot and walked out the door and into the second half of his adult life. He was halfway down the stairs walking toward his parking spot when he stopped in surprise. His truck was not in his reserved space. His first reaction was anger. He thought it had been stolen then he thought some of his men had, perhaps, taken it as a joke. He was in the process of calling security when he remembered he had taken a cab from the party because he was so drunk.

Jeremiah felt a swift surge of embarrassment and felt his face redden. He remembered how drunk he had become and feared he had acted like a newly commissioned Ensign at his first Officer's party instead of like a Senior Officer. He was ashamed he had allowed his friends...No, let's be honest, he had allowed himself to imbibe way too much alcohol.

Jeremiah set off walking toward the club. It was only a half mile and the exercise would do him good. Perhaps he would get his lunch there and he would not have to stop for several hours. He was walking into the parking lot when he heard a horn honk behind him. He jumped and turned to see his Master Chief smiling at him. He stood aside and the Master Chief pulled into the lot and stopped beside him. The young looking Master Chief jumped from the car and gave CDR Fielding a snappy salute even though he was in civilian clothes. Master Chief smiled and reached to shake Jeremiah's hand before saying, "I thought you would be long gone this morning Commander. I went by your quarters just before 0800 and your truck wasn't there. I was hoping to see you once more and wish you well before you got off."

The Master Chief looked around and spotted the large F250 Super Crew that belonged to Jeremiah sitting in front of the club. After seeing the dry space under the truck it became obvious it had sat there overnight. It had rained in the early morning hours and the underneath would have been wet if the truck hadn't been there for several hours. "If I didn't know better I would think you partied a little too much last night sir. It looks like your truck has been here a while."

Jeremiah gave a sickly grin and said, "Well, I may have had just a little too much to drink last night. Those Bastards plied me with way too much good Glenlivet for me to chance driving. 

Master Chief smiled and said, "Yes Sir. I know just what you mean. Those nasty old sailors just led you down the path to intemperance didn't they Sir?" The comrades stood uncomfortably together for a moment then the Master Chief said, "I dream of retiring but when I think about actually doing it I get scared. I mean all I have ever known is the Navy. I'm like you. I never found anyone to share my life with except my buds here in the Navy. You have any plans for after? Did you ever worry about what you would do, how alone you would be when you hung it up? I mean Sir, what does a man do with himself when this is all gone?"

Jeremiah looked around him at the part of the base he could see. In the distance he could see masts of ships at the piers. He felt an emptiness gnawing at his middle and sighed. "Yeah, there's a lot I'll miss for the rest of my life I expect. There's other things like the BS I won't miss at all. Most of all I think I'll miss the people and the work we did. I haven't given much thought to what I'll do when I get home. I want a small place in the country where I can relax. I would like to find a good woman to finish my life with. I don't know what else I want to do. All I've ever known since I grew up is the Navy and building things. I just don't know right now."

The two friends looked at each other another short moment and Jeremiah smiled. He reached out and shook the Master Chief's hand once again then said, "Guess I better get on down the road. Take care Master Chief. If you or any of the other men are ever around southwest Missouri drop in. There's always a rack there for you. I will be happy to put you up for a day or even longer."

Jeremiah forgot about his plans to have lunch before he left. The first few miles he was thinking about the conversation he just had with the Master Chief. There had been a lot of loneliness and longing in that conversation. He was almost an hour down the road before he felt the first hunger pains. He drank his coffee and kept going, ignoring his body. He was in a world of serenity. For the moment nothing existed except the steady drone of his tires on the pavement and the deep throaty roar of his powerful turbo diesel. The miles flew past and before he knew it dusk had fallen. By now his hunger was intruding on his consciousness and he was feeling tired. At the next town he pulled off, filled his tanks and ate his supper before finding a motel for the night.

Jeremiah went to the hotel's cocktail lounge after he checked in. He sat in the dim light alone at his small table sipping his Glenlivet. He listened to the low drone of other conversations and the somewhat louder sounds of the TV's while he contemplated his future. He saw several men his age or older making plays for the younger women in the bar. He smiled and remembered how he had been in years past. It was Saturday night and the hunt was on.

Jeremiah leaned back and remembered the conversation he had with his Master Chief before he left the base. It had seemed like there was a yearning in the Master Chief's voice, a desire for something more than the Navy. In any event the conversation haunted him. All either of them had known since leaving home had been the Navy. Over the years they had been stationed together several times and they had built a solid friendship. They had been there for each other during times of personal sorrow and during the tough times brought on by the Navy or life in general. They were as close as Officer and Enlisted could be and not cross the line of fraternization. They had discussed his retirement several times over the last year of his career. Master Chief had enough time in to retire also and had made it plain that soon a decision to do so would be forthcoming. For some reason though there seemed to be a hesitation, something else was needed for the decision to be made. Jeremiah had tried to give advice, to help with the decision but nothing he had said seemed to be of great help.

Finally the alcohol and exhaustion worked together to force Jeremiah from his chair in the bar and to his bed. He didn't even shower before collapsing onto the soft bed. Jer just stripped and rolled into his bed. The next morning he showered, hit the free breakfast in the lobby and filled his thermos with coffee. Once again he droned down the road stopping only to relieve himself and stretch his legs in the rest areas until evening when hunger and the need for fuel and sleep once again forced him to stop. This evening was a repeat of his first on the road.

About noon Monday, his third day of retirement, Jeremiah drove through his home town of Steelville. He noted several changes and many things that had not changed. He felt strange driving down the main street past relatives' businesses and houses he knew used to belong to parents of his few school friends. He almost stopped at the Farm and Feed Store owned by Jim Fielding, his Grandfather. He could see his uncle's Veterinary Truck parked beside the clinic. Jeremiah slowly passed by the business and drove on out of town. He slowly made his way to the family enclave about seven miles from town. He knew most of the family would be at work but they would gather that evening to renew their bonds and catch up on family and neighborhood events when it became known he had finally arrived.

Over the next week Jeremiah took up residence in one of the Fielding Resorts cabins. He drove around the area, stopped in the local café's and renewed old acquaintances. Some days he spent on the stream fishing and evenings laying around the resort relaxing. The first weekend he was home was spent as were many summer weekends at a family gathering. His cousins Charlie and Jeffery Fielding were helping him drain his bottle of Glenlivet beside the river while their wives and some other family members cleaned up after a BBQ.

Charlie looked over at Jeff then turned to Jeremiah and asked, "So Jer. Have you decided where you're going from here? You going to stay around here or go to the city to find work?"

"I've had enough of the big city life I think. At least for a while. I guess I need to find someplace to live so Grandpa can rent his cabin again but at present I have no real plans. I would like a nice quiet place around here maybe on the river. Not really sure what kind of work I want to do but I will need to do something to keep from being bored."

Charlie glanced once more at Jeff then said, "I know of a little place downstream a ways that you might be able to buy. It's pretty hilly and only has about fifteen acres of cropland but there's several nice places a guy could build a house and barn. If I remember right it's about 50 or 60 acres total. There's a nice bluff overlooking the river and a couple of nice deep holes to swim and fish in if you were interested. It's what's left of the old Hendren Orchard. I don't know how many acres are still in fruit trees but I would guess more than half of it could be put into some kind of production if you wanted. If you didn't, at least it would be a nice place to build and live on. If you're interested Sally down at the real estate office in Steelville handles it."

"Dunno. Sounds like it at least deserves a look see."

Jeremiah thought about the land the rest of the weekend. It sounded interesting but he could not remember how it lay. He drove past the plot of ground on Sunday but the gates were locked and he didn't go onto the property. Monday he drove into town for coffee at the café. When he finished visiting he drove over to the real estate office and stopped. A very beautiful woman looked up when he entered the building and smiled at him. "Hello Jer," she said. Charlie told me you might stop by to talk about the Hendren place. Is that what I can help you with?"

Jeremiah was surprised to be called by name. He looked once more at the woman behind the desk and was confused. She appeared to be about 26 or 28 and had a wedding ring on her finger. When she saw his confusion she laughed, a melodic laugh that seemed to lighten up the room with her smile.

"You don't remember me do you?" Jeremiah looked embarrassed and shook his head no. The woman grinned larger and said, "I'm Sally Stewart. Dad works for your Grandfather in the Farm and Feed store. My maiden name was Johnson?"

Recognition dawned and Jeremiah's face broke out in a huge grin. "Damn Woman. You sure grew up didn't you? Heck, you weren't even walking when I went to the Academy. I don't suppose I saw you more than a time or two when I came back on leave. I can't believe you remembered me."

Sally laughed and said, "Well, it wasn't too hard. Every time I went to the store to see Dad your latest picture was right there on the wall with the rest of your family's military members. They always had a list of your most important exploits and accomplishments under it. Everyone in town calls that wall the Wall of Honor."

Jeremiah actually blushed and said, "Oh. I forgot about that. Do you mean they still post things on that wall? It must be full by now as many family members as are in the service or reserves."

"Yeah, pictures are starting to bend around the corner in front now but we all take time to look when anything new is posted. They even have another wall set aside for local kids that are in the military but not members of the family. It's almost a shrine to our hero's now. I know one of the young farmers that moved in made a disparaging comment about the wall of war mongers one time and he was invited to take his business elsewhere. Poor man has never been welcome back in the café in town either."

"Well, I'll have to go by and see this monument sometime. In the meantime, can we go look at the Hendren place? What can you tell me about it?"

Sally only had her car with her. She offered to go home and pick up her husband's truck because the land was too rough for her car. Jeremiah offered to drive his truck so off they went. Jeremiah spent nearly three hours looking over the land, trees and potential building sites. When he returned to the office he and Sally discussed prices and options. The family was asking $150000.00 for the 60 acre farm.

After the negotiations were completed Jeremiah purchased the farm for $120000 cash. Jeremiah had nothing better to do so he decided to do all the construction work himself. He still had the majority of his life's savings to draw on and could have afforded to hire the work done but he enjoyed doing it so decided to indulge himself.

The first order of business was to improve the road back to the home site and to get rural water and electricity ran back. Those tasks took three weeks to accomplish then Jeremiah began building. He had chosen a site overlooking the river at the edge of the bluff. It was protected from north winds by the bluff and was surrounded by large oak trees and a few ash, maple and walnut. The natural clearing he chose for the house was only about 100 by 90 feet but he didn't need a large house and garage so it would work perfectly.

Jeremiah began working on his new home in early May. He designed the building himself. It was set on a concrete pad and was 40 feet by 30 feet. He put a barn style roof on his building so he could put two bedrooms and a small bath and living area upstairs if the need ever arose. There was a large covered porch extending southeast supported on pilings overlooking the river. Downstairs he had a nice kitchen separated from a dining area by a breakfast bar. He had a large master suite with ensuite bath in the southeast corner of the downstairs and a living area on the other side. There was a 40 X 30 three car garage off the northwest corner of the house with three garage bays. The protected L shape allowed for a covered patio.

Primary heat would be a wood furnace. Jeremiah had licenses in all facets of construction so he did the wiring, plumbing and all carpentry himself. He did hire some of the heating and air conditioning done because he did not own the tools to crimp metal and do the ductwork.

The new home was completed just before thanksgiving and Jeremiah turned his attention to cutting wood and planning for the next year. He was taking some online courses and some seminars in preparation for operating the orchard once more. He also had plans to obtain some honey bees to pollinate his trees. He would sell excess honey. During the winter he planned to build the hives he would put the bees in. All in all Jer was happy. He was lonesome, missing the companionship he had while in the service. He found himself going to visit family frequently and he spent many mornings at the café and feed store visiting with the farmers.

Several weekends Jeremiah had gone to one of the larger nearby towns to get laid but he had not found anyone he wanted more than a one night stand with. Most of the women he had during his Navy career had been longer term relationships and he missed the companionship and just sleeping with a woman. He felt he was much too young at 44 to go to the local Senior Center dances even though he had been invited several times. He had gone one time and just could not get into that type socialization especially with women who averaged fifteen to twenty years older than he was.

His first winter did not go badly. Some of the nicer days he spent building a larger storage barn just outside the trees protecting his house and yard. He stored his larger equipment there and his completed bee hives and woodworking tools. One end of the building had been closed in with concrete floors to process and sell his honey and fruit. He had run water and electricity to it and was ready to go. Spraying equipment, a 40 horsepower tractor and trailer was stored inside as were his chemicals for spraying.

During the time the trees were dormant he pruned dead wood from them and tried to prune them so they would bear better. He did not get the entire 40 acres of trees pruned and cleaned up but he had made a good start by the time they started to bloom. He was happy with his preparations for his first year's crop and with his home.

Jeremiah had plowed a large space of about two acres for a garden. He planned to sell excess produce as well. In the early spring he ordered his bee colonies and got them in the hives ready to work. By June he had accomplished all his important tasks and was able to work shorter days and take some days completely off to relax. He was more fit than he had been in years and was enjoying his solitude. Jeremiah had taken to going nude around his home after his days work was completed. He was in the middle of trees and could not even see his neighbors home so felt comfortable in doing so. He was well tanned all over and enjoyed the feeling of the breeze blowing over his body as he relaxed. He even skinny dipped in the river if no canoes were in view.


Second Half of Life



Late one June afternoon Jeremiah was nude, air drying after his swim and dozing in his hammock when he thought he heard a noise. He carefully swung his legs off his hammock and sat on the edge trying to identify what had broken his reverie. Just as he decided he was imagining things he heard a familiar feminine voice say, "Wow Sir. Did you strip ship just for me or is this some new phase you're going through?"

Jeremiah jerked his head around toward the voice and saw Master Chief Joanna Collins grinning at him from his front deck. He felt embarrassment and just a hint of anger. After all, the gate to his place was closed and there was a no trespassing sign affixed to it. Joanna looked him over and blushed slightly then said, "Looking gooooood though sir. The country air and sun seem to agree with you. Now why don't I just step around the corner here for a moment while you get yourself back together hummmm?"

Jeremiah rapidly walked into his house and pulled on some shorts. He went to the front door and opened it for a grinning Joanna. He reached out his hand to shake hers and was surprised when she quickly gave him a hug. It only lasted a moment but in that time he became deeply aware of her breasts pressing against his chest and of his cock coming to half mast.

"What brings you to these parts Master Chief? You're almost the last person I thought I would see sneaking around spying on me."

Master Chief looked slightly embarrassed and said, "It's not Master Chief any longer sir. I finally hung it up like you did. It's just plain Joanna now. I didn't have anywhere else to go and I remembered your invitation so I decided to come see you before I settle somewhere. You made this area sound so wonderful when we talked about things back in the day that I decided I wanted to see it for myself. I also remembered some of the conversations we had and...OH, I'm not intruding am I?" She looked worried and continued, "I won't upset your girlfriend or a wife by coming will I?"

Jeremiah smiled and said, "No wife or girlfriend I'm afraid Mast...uh Joanna. I've been too busy building my house and working on my little farm to bother with that. I haven't found anyone around here that wants to put up with me or I want to put up with I guess I should say. If I need anything I have to go to one of the larger towns ya know?"

Joanna smiled and seemed to relax. "That's good...OH! I didn't mean it that way Sir. I'm sorry. I just meant I was glad I wouldn't cause you a problem by visiting."

"No, not a problem at all. In fact I'll enjoy tripping down memory lane with you. How long can you stay?"

"Well, I have no plans. I'm just blowing in the wind as it were. Guess I can take a couple days or so. I need to find a place to stay though. Are there any motels close by?"

"No, not for about 40 miles. I can see if Granddad has a room at the resort or...my couch makes into a bed and you can use it if you want. I'm afraid I don't have a spare bed. I never got around to finishing the upstairs here so didn't buy beds for the extra rooms."

The two friends completed the negotiations on quarters and began doing 12 ounce curls. At dusk Jeremiah heard Joanna's stomach growl and began preparing a meal. He grilled steak on his BBQ. He also put potatoes in foil and baked them on the grill. While he did that he allowed Joanna to prepare the salad. They ate outside on his patio and managed to drink two bottles of a good Merlot.

By the end of the meal neither old salt was able to walk too straight a line and everything said was funny. Finally they decided to call it a night and they staggered off to bed. There was only one bathroom downstairs and Jeremiah allowed Joanna to use it first. It had a door off the master bedroom and to the living area as well.

The next morning the two friends drank a lot of coffee sitting on the porch watching the sun come up over the hills. They listened to the birds singing and cattle lowing in the background. Once again mist hung low over the stream and in the low area around it. After the coffee pot was emptied they bustled around the kitchen preparing a new pot of coffee and a good country breakfast.

Over the meal, once again eaten on the patio Jeremiah said, "Is there anything you want to do today? I have a few chores I need to take care of and I need to run to town for groceries then we can visit or sight see if you want."

"No, I have nothing I want to do. I just wanted to see your place and visit a while before I moved on. If you need to work or something go for it. If there's anything I can do to help just let me know and I'll try it." Joanna laughed and continued, "I'm not much good around the farm though. I grew up in the city and don't know anything about growing things."

"Let's run to town first then and when we get back I need to spray my trees. If we leave pretty soon I think I can finish by mid afternoon then we can decide what we want to do the rest of the day."

After returning from a quick trip to town Jeremiah changed clothes and headed out to work. Much to his surprise Joanna followed Jeremiah to the barn and watched while he mixed his spray. She then climbed up on the tractor with him when he went to the orchard. They did not get to visit much but she seemed interested in what he was doing.

After they finished spraying the trees Jeremiah suggested a swim then relaxing in his hammocks in the shade. He had purchased another hammock while in town that morning for Joanna to use. That evening was a repeat of the previous one and the friends once again staggered to bed.

Joanna didn't seem in any hurry to leave and Jeremiah enjoyed her company enough he didn't think about her departure. She soon was working on the place as many hours as he did. She kept the house for him and prepared a lot of the meals. Many times she helped in his garden and orchard after she learned what needed to be done and how to do it.

One evening the two friends were sitting in the shade watching the sun set when Jeremiah turned to Joanna and said, "Jo you've been here three weeks now and I was wondering what your plans were. I mean you never said what you were planning to do and I know that couch isn't the most comfortable place to sleep. Lord knows I am enjoying you being here but..."

Joanna looked shocked then she felt tears come to her eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstay my welcome. I guess I just lost track of time and I was enjoying it here so much I just stayed on. I'll leave tomorrow Sir." She stood and began picking up her belongings while she pressed her lips together.

Jeremiah jumped to his feet and grabbed her. He pulled her to face him and said, "NO! Jo, that wasn't what I meant. I just wanted to know if you had any plans because if you didn't I was going to suggest we finish the upstairs in the hot weather and I will buy a bedroom set for it. I didn't want to run you off. I...I have really enjoyed you here and the work you have done has been great. I feel like I need to pay you though. I'm sorry you thought I wanted you to leave."

Joanna sagged and he felt the tension run out of her body. She pulled herself against his hard body and hugged him. She rested her head on his chest and just stood there. Jeremiah was surprised but he found his arms wrapped around her also. Joanna squeezed him tightly once more and whispered, "The last thing in the world I want to do is leave Jer."

Jeremiah was surprised when he heard her say that. Then he decided he had not really understood what she said. He asked, "What did you say Jo?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking. I am really enjoying being here and working with you. Unless you are tired of me I would really like to stay here a while longer." She pushed back from his embrace and continued, "Would that be OK with you? I've been trying to pull my own weight sir?"

"Dammit Jo. We're not in the Navy any longer. How many times do I have to tell you that my name is Jeremiah and you are to call me that or Jer? And you are more than pulling your own weight here. I don't care how long you stay but...I really hope you aren't planning on running off any time soon. Now what do you say about doing a little finish carpentry so you can have a room of your own for a change and a comfortable bed to sleep in?"

Joanna felt her heart swell when he said that and she smiled before answering, "Yes Sir!" She giggled at the scowl that came over his face then squalled when Jeremiah smacked her ass. She stepped back from him and rubbed the place he hit her ass. "That hurt you brute."

During the next week the two friends insulated the upstairs walls, installed sheetrock and the bathroom fixtures. They painted and did the trim work to get the rooms ready for the carpeting and tile floor covering. Jeremiah had allowed Joanna to pick out the colors for the rooms and he was impressed with the taste she had shown in her selections.

When the rooms were completed he hitched up his box trailer to his truck and they went to Springville and purchased not only the bedroom furniture but a love seat and two easy chairs for the upstairs den. After they had carried the furniture inside and placed it to Joanna's satisfaction she turned to Jeremiah and gave him a quick kiss. "Jer I feel grungy. Would you be upset if I took a quick shower before I make supper?"

"That's fine. I have a couple things I need to do outside anyway. Catch ya later."

Jeremiah took a quick tour through the orchard and decided he needed to bush hog the grass the next day. He hooked up the tractor and bush hog then wandered down to the river. Without thinking he stripped and waded into the cool refreshing water. He was floating draped over a noodle when he heard laughing coming from the bank. He looked over to see Joanna standing there staring at him. She was in a very brief bikini.

"I see great minds think alike don't they. I looked for you to tell you I was coming down here for a quick swim but I couldn't find you. She stood staring at Jeremiah for a moment then blushed slightly. She grabbed the top of her swim suit and pulled it over her head then hooked her thumbs in the sides of her bottoms and pushed them down and stepped out of them.

Joanna smiled and walked slowly into the river. She was smiling and staring at Jeremiah as she moved slowly toward him. He felt his cock surge to full erection as he watched her approach. When she got to him her arms came out and she wrapped them around him. She pulled him to her and gave him a long kiss. He felt her tongue running over his lips and opened his mouth for her. She smiled when she felt his erection rubbing against her nether lips.

"Jer I have a confession to make. I have been deceiving you this summer and I feel guilty about it. I don't want to ever leave here. I have loved you for the last five years and when you retired and left the base I was miserable. I tried to get over you but I couldn't. I finally had to retire and I came hunting you. I..." Joanna began crying and wiped her eyes with her fingers then continued, "I was just so empty after you left knowing I would never see you ever again if I didn't do something...I've been living with you all summer now and I let you spend all that money on your house to make a room for me but I don't want to sleep in it. I think you feel something for me but I need to know what.

"I've watched you watch me while we work. I have enjoyed the times you reach out and touch me when there is no need to do so. I have dreamed...Hell I've prayed you would make a move on me or come to me in the night and you haven't. Please Jeremiah is there a chance you could feel more for me than just as a friend? I have to know. The uncertainty is killing me. I know you have never had a permanent woman, that you move on after a short time and if that is all I can have I will take it. I've done the same thing but that isn't what I want. I tried to find a husband but the one time I thought I had a good one he wanted me to get out of the Navy. When he refused, you know he divorced me. Truthfully that did not hurt me too badly because he just was not you."

Jeremiah stood in the river in shock. He heard what Joanna said but he just could not comprehend it. He had stronger feelings about her than he had for most of the women he had bedded over the years but his feelings had been tempered by that feeling of comradeship for a fellow sailor and of safety and comfort you found with a very close friend. He knew she was beautiful and he had many times thought what it would be like to screw her but he had never allowed those thoughts to stay in his head. A superior did not fuck—no, a superior did not make love with—a subordinate. If you were a good Officer or Petty Officer and they both were the best, you did not fraternize. You kept the relationship professional and did your job no matter what your feelings about the other person.

He gently pushed Joanna away from him and looked into her eyes. Her face was mottled and her eyes were brimming with tears. He had forgotten they were naked. He walked to the river bank and sat in one of the two chairs they used when they were there. He watched her watching him and thought about what she had said.

"Joanna I don't know what to say. Oh, sure, I am a man and I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about you as a woman but I never allowed myself to go beyond that. You must know I didn't want you to leave or I wouldn't have made you welcome and finished the rooms for you. Over the years I have valued our working relationship and friendship above most of the others I have made. I have been happier and enjoyed this summer more than most of the last years I spent in the Navy. I have definitely enjoyed the time you have been here more than I did the months before you came to be with me. I like you a lot as a friend and as a woman but...

Jeremiah smiled and continued, "Hell, you must have done something to me. I haven't gone to town looking for a piece...Uhhh for a date since you arrived. There have been times...Hell; I don't know what to say. I just never thought you might be interested in me like that and well, I never considered..."

Joanna was smiling as she walked out of the river toward Jeremiah. When she reached his chair she held her hand out and let him take it. She gently pulled and he rose from the chair. She began walking toward the house holding his hand. When they reached the front door Joanna turned and wrapped her arms around Jeremiah and pulled their bodies tightly together. She placed her right arm around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss. When the kiss broke Jeremiah was hard and they were panting. His cock was trapped between Joanna's thighs and he could feel the lubrication draining from her cunt.

Joanna smiled and opened the door. She pulled Jeremiah inside and led him to his bedroom. They kissed again at the side of the bed then she sat and pulled him between her legs. Her small right hand reached out and grabbed his erection. She kissed the end of it and then looked up into his eyes. She said, "I would really, really like to see if there is something more than friendship in your heart for me. If there isn't I will understand but I think I have loved you for at least the last five years. I know I have not had any other lovers in that length of time. No one I found could compare favorably to you and I just wasn't interested.

"I really want to know if this...if we have a chance for more." Joanna once again inserted Jeremiah's cock into her mouth. Her tongue swirled around the tip of it and he jerked and moaned. She looked into his eyes and smiled. Her eyes were glistening. Slowly she sank her mouth down on him then pulled back. She worked her tongue and lips until Jeremiah's legs began to tremble.

"JO! You better stop. I'm almost there."

Joanna wrapped her arms around Jeremiah's ass and held him as she pulled almost all the way off his cock. Her tongue swirled around the head of his dick, fluttering and teasing the sensitive area underneath until with a groan his hips involuntarily slammed forward and his seed shot out the end and into her mouth. She sucked and swallowed licking and nibbling until he was drained. Jeremiah felt his legs trembling and moved to the side. He crawled onto his bed and collapsed, rolling onto his back as he watched his friend, his lover watch him. 

Joanna's eyes were sparkling and she was smiling as she crawled up beside him and lay pressing her body to his. She threw a leg over his and leaned up to kiss him. He felt her wonderful breast drag over his bicep and chest until her lips reached his. When she bent to kiss him he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her down to him.

The two new lovers lay together for a short while then Jeremiah pushed Joanna onto her back and crawled between her legs. She watched him with a smile and spread her legs as widely as she could, drawing her heels up until they nearly touched her ass cheeks.

Jeremiah blew gently on her exposed sex and smiled when it contracted. He gently kissed her labial lips then gave a gentle lick. Slowly his licks became longer, more demanding. He slid his tongue down into her crack and rimmed her pussy hole then lifted his head with tongue extended to the top of her crack and the little button waiting there for his attention. Joanna gasped and her hips twitched when he touched her clit. Her hands moved to either side of his head as she gently held him, gently guiding him to just the right spot.

After several minutes Jeremiah pulled back and marveled at the amount of lubrication draining from Joanna's cunt and running down the cheeks of her ass. He moved back and tried to lick it all up but he could not keep up with her drainage. Her hips were writhing, thrusting and she was moaning. Finally she reached the pinnacle and shrieked out her passion as her orgasm ripped through her. First she pulled his head tightly against her and when he kept licking her clit she almost violently pushed him away. "GOD, Please! It's too tender. Just wait a minute please," she whimpered. Her pelvis still writhing and her cunt contracting from her orgasm.

Jeremiah grinned when he saw her cunt spasming, clenching and releasing as the orgasm rolled on and on. Finally Joanna reached out and placed her hands on either side of his head and gently pulled him upward guiding him between her still splayed thighs. Jeremiah moved willingly upward. As he bent to kiss her he felt his cock nudge against her still wet nether lips. As if it had eyes it notched perfectly into place and he felt Joanna thrust gently upward lodging it a little deeper, beginning its journey between her pussy lips on its road to the center of her being.

Almost without conscious thought the two new lovers moved in concert thrusting toward each other until Jeremiah was fully seated inside Joanna's well lubricated pussy. He began slow gentle movements pulling almost all the way out then gently sliding back inside her tight pussy.

As their passion mounted once more their movements became more forceful, more demanding, more urgent. Joanna moved her legs and locked her ankles behind Jeremiah's thighs. She strained and slammed her pelvis upward. Their coupling became a symphony of loud grunts and moans interspersed with the smack, smack, smack as their genitals smacked together.

Finally Joanna let out a deep guttural UNHHHHHH and slammed her cunt upward. Her neck muscles locked as did her thigh and hip muscles. Her pussy began throbbing, contracting and releasing as she milked Jeremiah's cock. He moaned. It felt like he was locked in a vice. He made one, two, three more thrusts and he straightened his arms and pushed as deeply into Jo as he could. He felt his balls draw up to the base of his cock and his cock contracted and released over and over. He felt his sperm rush out into Joanna's still throbbing cunt with every pulse.




Second Half of Life



Jeremiah made gentle thrusting and side to side movements as the throes of orgasm tapered off for both of them. He let his arms relax and bent down to give Jo a gentle kiss. He whispered, "Damn I needed that. It may have been the best I've ever had."

Jo giggled and pulled him tighter to her. She gave him another gentle kiss and said, "Me too but I want more. You may have created a monster here. I don't think I've ever cum like that before and I've cum a lot of times."

Jeremiah rolled to the side and collapsed onto his bed beside his woman. He was rapidly drifting off to sleep when his eyes popped open. Joanna felt his body stiffen and turned her head to him. She sleepily asked, "What's the matter?"

"I was drifting off to sleep and I thought how nice it was to be here with my woman."

Jo smiled and replied, "Ummmm. I'm glad. I hope you mean it and it just wasn't the pussy talking." She wrapped her arm around his chest and threw her leg over his then the two new lovers drifted off to sleep.

It was almost full dark when Jer and Jo woke. He was trying to get up to go to the bathroom without waking her. They both rose from his bed and walked toward the bathroom. Neither felt the need to dress. Jeremiah moved to the kitchen and made a pitcher of Margarita's while Jo watched. He walked toward the door with the pitcher and two glasses. She followed him to the covered porch and they sat in chairs drinking Margarita's and watching the sunset. Neither felt the need to speak. 

Finally at almost full dark Jeremiah turned to Jo and said, "This feels right. I don't feel like I need to do or be anything except what I am when I'm with you. Neither of us feels like we need to dress and I like that. I enjoy being here with you just as we are. I like working with you and relaxing with you." He laughed and continued, "And I ESPECIALLY like having sex with you. I don't know how much sooner we could have started doing that but I sure wish we had started earlier.

"To answer your question from before though, 'YES'. I think I WOULD like to see where this goes. I've known you for years as you have me and I've never thought of you as anything besides a Lady and a great person. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for you that I sheltered never letting it grow to anything other than a good feeling when we were working together. I think, maybe, it could have been more but our duty kept that from happening. Now we can see where those feelings lead us if you still want to."

Joanna's eyes were glistening once again. She reached her hand out and gently held Jeremiah's as she said, "Oh, yes. I still want to. Maybe I want to even more after what we just did than I did before. I think I want to get closer to you very, very much."

Over the course of the next week the new couple did a lot of work on the farm but now it was interrupted by bouts of love making. Not all of the interruptions resulted in wild monkey sex but many of them did. Some were just gentle kissing, touching and cuddling. Now every day ended with a sexy swim in the river before the two lovers went into the house for supper.

A week to the day from the first time they made love Jeremiah and Joanna went to the family resort for a BBQ. This time when they arrived he walked around the front of the truck and held her hand as they walked toward the picnic area. Jeremiah's family watched as the couple walked toward them. Many of the family members were smiling and there were several nudges and quiet comments as they got closer.

Amanda, Charlie's wife walked a couple of steps toward the new arrivals and grinned. She placed her hands on her hips and said loudly, "Well it's about time you two got together. We were about to give up hope here." She reached out and grabbed Joanna's hand. She pulled her toward the rest of the women and said loudly, "You come with me Jo. We want to hear all about it. How did you finally get that big lug into your bed?"

Joanna felt the blush rush up her neck and across her face. Her mouth dropped open and she stuttered. Amanda and many of the other women laughed. Grandma Ann said, "Mandy you just hush now. You're embarrassing Jo." Then she looked at Jo and continued, "We're glad for you honey and we would like to know how you finally managed to open Jer's eyes though."

Many of the men were looking at Jeremiah and laughing. Charlie and Jeffery walked to him and slapped him on the back. Charlie said, "Just ignore Mandy Jer. She's been telling us for several weeks now that you two had it bad and just needed a little nudge. Hell, we're all happy for ya son. Now come on. The booze is evaporating in this heat."

When the meal was served Joanna and Jeremiah ate together. For the first time she sat close to him. They could not seem to keep their hands off each other. They left early and walked back to Jeremiah's truck arm in arm. When he opened the door for Jo she slid across the seat so she was sitting beside him when he got in.

That was the end of Jeremiah's freedom but it was also the end of Jeremiah's and Joanna's loneliness. Sometime during that evening the bonding became complete. Perhaps it was the full acceptance of their relationship by his family, perhaps it was something else but they were fully coupled. When he asked her to marry two weeks later it was almost anticlimactic. The question and her saying yes were almost as if it was a common question like "is the sun up".

Joanna and Jeremiah worked his small orchard and truck garden as a team. Of course during the busy part of the year they did hire seasonal help but they tried to keep it to a minimum. When they were alone they could run around nude and love whenever they wanted to do so.

Eighteen months after the wedding Joanna produced a son for Jeremiah then a year later a daughter. The small orchard prospered as they branched out to making jams and jellies, apple cider and drinks. They grew pumpkins and sold them, corn shocks and straw during October for Halloween. Both had found their niche in life. The Navy became a dim but fond memory for them as they sailed into the future with each other, the Commander and his good right hand, his Master Chief.