© Copyright 2000 by silli_artie@hotmail.com
This work may not be reposted or redistributed without the prior
express written permission of the author.
A work of fiction, meant for adults. Read something else if you are
not an adult, or are offended by stories with sexual content. Then
again, if all you’re looking for is in-out, in-out, in-out, you
should probably read something else. I welcome constructive comments.
Enjoy.
I didn’t expect we’d stay clothed for very long when we got to Rachel’s house. I wasn’t disappointed. We did manage to make it to her bed.
We slid together and she arched her back and neck, moaning and pulling me in tighter and deeper. I slid my hands up the back of her neck and she moaned and shuddered. After a short time, she cried out, nearly screaming, coming quickly and intensely. I followed soon afterwards, and collapsed on to her.
"Oh, I needed that!" she sighed, squeezing me.
I snuggled in, still panting. "So did I."
"Oh, what am I going to do this summer?" she moaned, wrapping her arms around me.
I told her, "Well, you could see me off at the airport at least."
"Oh Andy.... I can’t even do that! We’re flying to New York that Sunday. Daddy has business, so Mom and I are going up to Cornell to scope out housing and visit her family."
"How long will you be in New York?"
"Most of the week, I think."
I snuggled in more, feeling her heart beat. "Things will work out, sweetie."
I’d fly her from New York, I guess -- if her parents agreed. If they did, it would be wonderful. If they didn’t -- we’d live. Letting their daughter run off to France for the summer with a wild 18-year-old kid was a big step. If Rachel didn’t know, she couldn’t be disappointed.
She must have heard something, as she jumped up off the bed. "In the bathroom, quick! I think that was the garage door!"
I gathered my clothes and headed for the bathroom, closing the door behind me and dressing quickly. My, how quickly my heart started pounding!
The bathroom door opened and Rachel said, "False alarm -- sorry."
I sighed and leaned back on the sink.
She laughed, and hugged me. She’d put on her pants and a top, but no bra. I slid my hands on the bare skin of her back.
"So, are we going to ... plan?" I asked her.
She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around me, holding me to her chest.
"Yeah," she said a while later. "I’ll get dressed and we’ll plan some."
We kissed, and I headed to the kitchen, pouring two glasses of lemonade.
We were sitting at the kitchen table about fifteen minutes later, when without warning, the front door opened and Rachel’s dad came in.
"Hi kids," he said, walking to his office. "Forgot some things."
Rachel looked shocked. I hadn’t had time to. I touched the back of her neck and said softly, "Calm and relaxed..."
Her dad smiled at us as he walked out, holding a few sheets of paper. "Be back around nine or so," he said as he walked out.
When the door closed again, we looked at each other for a moment, then started laughing.
"Great timing," I said, holding her hands.
"I’ll say," she said, shaking her head. "I don’t know what’s going on. They were both up at the crack of dawn. It was like they were on the phone or something, really early. Must have been good news, though, ‘cause they were pretty happy about things at breakfast."
I took that as a good omen. Fly her from New York -- merde -- did she have a passport?
"Ever been to London?" I asked.
She gave me a very strange look. "Yeah, Christmas two years ago. Why?"
She had to have a passport for that. "The curried lamb dish is like one I had in London."
She still gave me a strange look, but smiled. "Okay, so what do we need to get?"
We put together the list. Wine we had, although I might give Ben a call. Meat and veggies, most of the ingredients, I wanted to get from places that closed around five.
"Well, we can do the pie crust tonight, but that’s about it," I told Rachel.
She smiled and put her hands on my shoulders. "Good. That means we can have some fun."
"Dinner?" I asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "I know what you need in your mouth..." She slid over to me, holding me down in the chair as she moved to sit on my lap. She pulled my head to her chest and as she held me, she said softly, "I’ve got you, Andy."
I sighed and closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around her waist. I turned a little to hold her better....
Crack! Rachel and I were on the floor -- the chair we’d been in was in pieces, one of the legs broken. My right hip hurt -- I’d caught our combined weight on the way down.
Rachel laughed, and helped me to my feet. I rubbed my right hip, looking at the chair.
"Don’t worry about that thing -- mom’s been on dad’s case to fix it for months. Let’s toss it in the garage."
As we carried it out, I noticed some of the other chairs had wire holding the legs together.
Back in the house, I rubbed my hip. That had been unsettling, bringing back flashes of my dad hitting me, the principal tossing me across the office, but not Marseilles -- weird.
"You okay, Andy?" Rachel asked, standing in front of me.
"Uh, my hip hurts, that’s all. That was quite a surprise."
"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" she whispered warmly in my ear.
I held her. "Dinner and shopping?"
She sighed and gave me another squeeze.
We had an inexpensive dinner at a local place -- I had good, solid American food -- country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Rachel had a mushroom burger and fries.
We did part of our shopping, getting what we could at the big stores, then went back to her place to start preparing. We did the pie crust, cleaned up, and organized for tomorrow.
I looked at the clock. It was about a quarter to nine.
Rachel looked at me. "What’s wrong?"
I held her, closing my eyes as I wrapped my arms around her. "Nothing. My hip hurts still. Why don’t you give me a lift home. I think a hot bath would do me good."
She sighed. "I suppose so. I don’t think I could settle for a quickie -- not tonight, anyway."
We kissed in the kitchen. She drove me home, and we kissed again.
"What time tomorrow?" she asked.
"Oh, by nine, so we can get the veggies and meat."
"Okay. Sleep well, Andy."
"Sleep well, sweetie." I kissed her on the tip of the nose.
I went inside. I stripped in the bathroom, and stretched, moving gingerly. I prodded my hip -- I was sore. I’d probably have pretty colors in a few days. I started the bathtub filling, and rummaged my drawer. I found the muscle relaxants, and the anti-inflammatories. I selected one of each, and washed them down with a big glass of cold water.
I lit the candle Beth always lights when she takes a bath, and dimmed the lights down low. When there was enough water in the tub, I got in.
Oh, that felt good. The water was hot, but not too hot. I settled in, relaxing and sighing.
I opened my eyes, looking at the candle at the foot of the tub. Even though we’d never done anything hypnotic with candles, I felt myself drifting. Something about the little bubbles from the water drifting up my skin, especially up my neck, intensified that.
Beth came in some time later. She sat on the side of the tub. The water was getting cool.
"I love you, Mistress," I told her.
She smiled, and reached over, touching my forehead. I sighed and closed my eyes. Her finger started making circles on my forehead, and she started speaking softly.
I awoke to the alarm going off. We rolled together, holding each other, and were soon making love in that instinctive, half-awake, half-asleep morning twilight.
We washed each other in the shower afterwards. I remembered my hip, wiggling, testing.
"How is your hip this morning?" she asked.
"Okay, I think," I told her. When had I mentioned that to her? I smiled -- last night, undoubtedly. "How was your meeting? When did you get home?"
She turned so I could soap her back. "Oh, not till almost eleven, but it was good."
I could feel myself pouting. We’d have had time. Oh well, no way we could have known that.
"Get plenty done last night?" she asked.
"Yes, well under control. I could have gotten more at the supermarket, but those little hard red things they sell are not tomatoes."
We dried and dressed, then had some breakfast. Beth wished me well. I held her and we kissed before she took off for work.
Rachel picked me up a little before nine. What with me insisting on going all over the L.A. basin, and getting lunch, we didn’t get to her house until almost noon. We got dinner started, and made it to her bed by a quarter to one. I could feel something deep and strong in her as we made love.
I’d set her alarm for two, but we got up about one thirty. We were back in bed, or on it at least, ten minutes later, letting our bodies lead us, quickly and intensely.
We made it out to the kitchen a little before two. The pie went together first, and into the oven. Salads and veggies then, with Rachel doing most of that while I got the lamb underway.
The pie came out of the top oven, and went into the bottom one to cool. Salads went into the refrigerator, as Rachel set the table.
"What now?" she asked, as I was cleaning up.
"Clean up, and then wait until five thirty or so," I told her.
She smiled and helped with the counters.
We set the alarm again, this time for a quarter to five. I flopped on the bed. We’d been going for quite a while.
"I’ll be right back," she told me.
I relaxed on my back. My hip felt pretty good. I’d taken another Naprelan this morning to help with inflammation.
When Rachel came back into the room, I could smell the perfume.
"Oh, Andy -- I’m going to miss you so much this summer," she whispered as she crawled on to the bed with me.
She teased me, held me, rode me, and then held me again as we went to sleep. When the alarm went off, we got up and showered. I like kissing in the shower. I like kissing anytime.
We had the house, and ourselves more or less presentable with some time to spare. We sat on the couch and Rachel held me. I drifted in her embrace.
She got up. I heard the garage door opener. I stood up and ran fingers through my hair. Her parents came in, her mom hugging me, and her dad nosing around the kitchen.
"Daddy!" Rachel called out, chastising.
Her dad turned and said, "Just checking."
I poured glasses of wine, handing one to Pat, and one to her dad. Rachel took one, and I took the other. She and her mom went off to another part of the house.
Joe, Rachel’s dad, "invited" me out on to the patio. I took the hint.
"Andy," he said and took a sip of the wine I’d given him. "Hey, this is good! Andy, Pat and I met with Beth last night. We’ve talked about it -- we’ve talked to your hosts in France -- and we agree it’s a wonderful opportunity."
I sighed and smiled. So that’s what her "meeting" had been about.
He smiled. "Did Rachel tell you about our trip to New York?"
I nodded. "Yes she did. I thought she could fly to Paris from New York."
He nodded, still smiling. "That’s what we thought. If she’s interested, I’ll give you our flight schedule and your folks can take it from there."
"Thank you." I sighed again. "This is going to be great."
He gave me a more serious look. "You’ll take good care of my baby girl?"
I nodded. "I won’t let her out of my sight. I can’t thank you enough."
The patio door opened; Rachel and her mom joined us.
"Dinner looks and smells marvelous," Pat said, sitting next to Joe. Rachel sat next to me.
I took another sip of wine. "Well, I’d better tend to things if we’re going to eat tonight." I stood up. Rachel did as well, saying, "I’ll give you a hand."
The lamb did look and smell delicious. I checked the presentation on the salads -- they looked fine. I started taking them out of the fridge. "Invite our guests in -- dinner is served." Rachel gave me a kiss, and headed out to the patio.
Dinner went well. After the salad, I prepared the dinner plates, arranging things to my liking. Pat and Joe were impressed. I thought things were tasty. I didn’t think I’d have to worry about leftovers -- I put the rice, veggies, and lamb in dishes on the table for seconds (and thirds). Ben’s wine suggestion went very well with the meal.
We’d finished dinner and were sitting around the table polishing off the cheese. You just can’t get the variety of cheese in the U.S. After a particularly long sigh from Rachel, Joe chuckled and gave me a nod. I looked to Pat -- she nodded slightly as well. I held one of Rachel’s hands, and took a breath -- here goes.
"You know," I said to Rachel, "since you can’t go to the airport with me next Sunday, I thought maybe I could meet you instead."
Rachel looked at me, giving me a confused look. "What?"
I nodded, looking into her eyes. "I thought rather than fly back here from New York, you could fly to Paris and I’d meet you there."
Shock and confusion spread over her face.
"Of course, you’d need to spend the summer, only if you want to, of course."
She finally took in a gasping breath. I smiled. She looked to her parents, who smiled and nodded. She exhaled with a gasp and threw her arms around me, holding me tight.
Finally she whispered, "Oh God, Andy..."
She squeezed me once more and leaned back a little, looking to her parents again. Her mom had a tear visible.
"Mom, dad, can I? Is this for real?"
Pat leaned over and took her daughter’s hand. "Yes, it’s real. We’ve talked about it. Would you like to go?"
It was one of the few times I’ve seen Rachel speechless. She did the fish thing -- mouth opening and closing, eyes wide open, no sound coming out. I put a hand on her back, sliding it up to her neck, squeezing gently and easing her back in her chair. She relaxed a little, and I helped that along by stroking the back of her neck.
I told Rachel, "I asked the Dumonts if it would be okay, and they thought it would be a great idea. Your folks have talked with them as well, and talked to Aunt Beth. We need to work out dates, but I thought you could stay through the beginning of August. You’ll need to pack up for Cornell. I’m planning on staying until Labor Day. How does that sound, sweetie?"
Her chin started to tremble and her eyes started filling up. I held her close. She dug her fingers into my back. She sniffled, at the edge of sobbing.
Her dad said, "I need to stretch." I heard chairs moving. I held on to Rachel. Her parents walked past us and out of the dining room. I heard the patio door slide open and then closed.
"I’ve got you, sweetie. Calm and relaxed; calm and relaxed." I held her and rocked her.
After a minute or so her posture shifted, and she held me with more energy.
"I want you on your back," she whispered in my ear hotly, feeling my shoulders.
"We’ll have time," I told her. "If you want to go, that is."
She slid her hands down and poked me in the ribs. "Right -- as if I wouldn’t."
She grabbed my head and kissed me. I put my arms around her and held her gently.
When she pulled back, she said, "Andy, this is fantastic. I didn’t know what I was going to do this summer, how I was going to get through it."
I smiled. "You’re going to be working in a very small, very cramped kitchen in an old chateau, many kilometers away from any big cities."
She put her hands on my shoulders. "Next to you, day and night -- oh God -- you don’t think they’ll make us sleep alone, do you?"
I chuckled. "I don’t think so. I already told your dad I wouldn’t let you out of my sight."
She chuckled as well. "You did, huh? What did he say to that?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "You and your mom came out on to the patio. He didn’t have a chance." I stood up and pulled her up and into my arms. "Help me with dessert and coffee?"
"Oh, Andy...."
I heard the door again, and turned to pick up plates. Rachel’s mom came in and helped us clear dishes.
"That was delicious, Andy! Did you take good notes, princess?"
Rachel laughed. "I’m sure I’ll be able to do that, and more, by the end of the summer."
I served our pie with some French Vanilla ice cream, and decaf coffee.
As we sat around the table, Rachel’s mom poked at the crust, sighed, and shook her head.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
She smiled. "You made the crust from scratch?"
"Oh yeah," Rachel said, "last night."
Her mom shook her head again. "My grandmother made wonderful pie crusts, but neither my mom nor I learned how."
"I’ll take notes," Rachel said between sips of coffee.
We talked about travel dates and details. Rachel did indeed have a passport. I wrote down the number and the issue data and location for the travel agent.
We cleaned up in the kitchen. It was a little after ten.
"Think you’d better take me home," I told Rachel.
She nodded. I thanked her parents once more. The way they looked at each other, some lengthy conversations must have taken place.
We sat in the car necking for a few minutes, parked in front of my place.
"Sleep well, sweetie. See you in the morning."
"Oh Andy -- I don’t know how I’m going to sleep at all! This is going to be so hot!"
"I know, sweetie. I’m glad your folks agreed to it. That’s why I didn’t tell you earlier. I didn’t want you to be disappointed if they’d said no."
She grunted. "I wouldn’t have been disappointed -- I’d have been ripshit!"
I chuckled and held her. "I know. I think they did as well! Sleep well."
I got out of the car and walked to the house, knowing I was grinning from ear to ear.
Beth was sitting on the couch, legs curled under her, reading. She put her book down, stood, and walked over to me.
"Oh, thank you, Mistress," I said, hugging her.
She held me. "I take it things went well?"
"Yes. She’s going to meet me in Paris. I’ll do her tickets tomorrow. Thank you so much."
"For what?"
I raised my head from her shoulder and looked into her eyes.
"For caring, for talking to her parents, for so much."
She pulled my head back to her shoulder. "You look tired. Long day?"
I snuggled in. "Yes. A good day. A successful day."
"Like me to rock you to sleep?"
"Yes, Mistress, please."
When we got into bed, we curled up together and she held me close. She started rocking me gently. Oh, I’m so safe in her arms! She started whispering, and I floated away.
The alarm went off Friday morning. I got up and visited the bathroom. As I crawled back into bed, Beth got out. She returned soon, and we snuggled up again.
"Oh, you’re so warm in the morning!" she told me.
I snuggled up to her back, holding her closer. Soon she was on her back, and I slipped into her from the side. I moistened my thumb and helped her along. I love the sounds she makes as she comes, the way her entire body responds.
She pushed my hand out of the way and rolled to her side, then on to her stomach. I slid in closer, and she moved her hips to help. Soon I was riding her, holding on and burying my head in her hair, biting at the back of her neck. Her motion encouraged me on, and I pulled on her shoulders as I came, drawing myself deeper into her.
We rolled to the side once more, and I held on to her, kissing her back and shoulder.
I awoke again to her moving.
"I’ve got to shower and get going!" she said.
"Oh, but I love to go to sleep holding you, especially after making love," I whispered, kissing her shoulder.
"So do I, Andy... Wash my back?"
"Of course, Mistress."
I washed her back, and her front, and would have washed more, but she complained.
"I need to get going! You are insatiable some times!"
"Is that a problem?" I asked, holding her gently.
She smiled, and pulled me into a kiss.
"It won’t be tonight," she told me.
We got out of the shower. "I’ll dry myself off, thank you," she said.
I stuck out my lower lip in a pout. She laughed. I wrapped a towel around me and went to the kitchen to start coffee.
I had toast ready, and poured her coffee as I heard her shoes on the wood floor in the hall.
"Nice outfit," I told her, handing her a cup of coffee.
After her first sip, she said, "I like yours, too..."
I laughed and got the jam out of the fridge.
"What’s the schedule today?" I asked.
"I’ll pick you up about five thirty. Dress casual, but not that casual."
"Okay. I get the idea."
"What are you up to today? Meeting Rachel?"
"Don’t know. First thing is her plane ticket. I may need your help. What’s the limit on my credit card?" I had a credit card in my name, but she held the purse strings.
"What’s her ticket going to cost?" Beth asked.
"I’m glad you’re sitting down. I want to fly her Business Class. New York to Paris and back to L.A. on Air France will be around $6500. My ticket, L.A. round trip is $6800."
Beth raised an eyebrow. "That’s quite a graduation present. You sure?"
I nodded, spreading grape jam on my toast. "Yes. The L.A. leg is eleven hours; JFK is eight. She’s worth it."
"What expenses do you expect in France?"
"Henri told me I’ll be paying some registration fees with the University there, but that’s about all. The Dumonts will keep us in pocket money. I don’t expect to do much traveling, other than with Ben."
She nodded. "I’m worried about you developing expensive tastes. You have a college education to pay for."
"I know. And I’ve got scholarships for at least the first year covering everything but books, and that’s without touching the award from the paper, or dad’s money, or the settlement. We can take it out of the dad pile. I figure I’ll use mom’s car -- it has a few years left on it."
"So you don’t want to rush out and buy something new to drive?"
I shook my head. "Why? From what I saw of the campus, I won’t need a car day-to-day. If the weather is good, I can make it to John’s place, he’s the therapist I told you about, on my bike. Don’t see the sense in paying a lot of money for a new car just so birds can shit on it. I’d rather use the money for special things."
"Couldn’t you get her a cheaper ticket?"
"The really cheap fares are 14 day advance purchase, and we don’t have that. Besides, I want this to be special for her. She’ll fly coach from here to New York -- that’s bad enough. I looked at cattle class -- as Ben says, life is too short to travel like that. A three or four hour flight, maybe, but not to Europe and back."
Beth smiled. "Okay, Andy. I’ll trust you on this. But you need to be very frugal."
"Haven’t I been so far?"
"Yes, you have been. I worry about you going hog wild, that’s all, dropping a lot of money on pretty girls."
"If I did, I’d start with you, Mistress," I told her.
She sighed and stood up. I stood up and we kissed. "I’ll see you later. Have fun," she told me.
"I will," I told her.
She gave me a kiss on the forehead, got her keys, and went to her car.
"I love you," I said softly to the closed door.
I put on some clothes, cleaned up the kitchen, then got on the phone with the travel agent. I booked Rachel’s ticket, business class. It took a while. I gave her my credit card number, and told her to call me if there were any problems.
I decided to do some cleaning. I’d just finished with the vacuum when the phone rang.
"Hello?" I expected it to be the travel agency.
"Hi sweetie -- what are you doing for lunch today?" Rachel asked.
"Hadn’t planned anything. Got any ideas?"
She laughed. "Oh, plenty. Stay where you are."
"Can I go to the bathroom if I need to?"
She laughed again. "Don’t leave the house, okay silly?"
"Gotcha."
"See you in a while, then."
"Okay, sweetie."
I puttered around for a while, cleaning the bathrooms. Rachel arrived a little after eleven.
"In-N-Out Burger?" she asked after we kissed.
"Sounds good -- don’t think they have any where we’ll be going."
She hugged me. "Oh, this is going to be great!"
We headed out. We barely beat the crowd, and ended up sitting outside eating our lunch.
As we finished, I asked, "Your place or mine?"
She chuckled and tongued a catsup-covered French fry obscenely. "I want to look at shoes first."
I frowned. "Okay."
"Dad told me to get a good pair of running shoes, something for gravel, dirt, and asphalt. He said I’d need ‘em at the chateau."
That was news to me. "Maybe I should get a pair as well. Mine are pretty beat up."
"That’s what I figured. I’ve got plenty of shorts and stuff to wear, and there are places to buy clothes in Paris." She gave me a big smile at that.
I laughed. "Yeah, but we won’t be going to Paris very often. We’re kitchen help, remember?"
She reached over for me. "I know, and it’s going to be such fun!"
We cleared our table and got back into her car. We went to a store specializing in running stuff. I described the roads around the chateau, and the folks at the store helped us choose shoes. I started to buy mine, but Rachel insisted. I didn’t put up a fight.
Leaving the store, I had an idea. "Wait a minute," I told Rachel. I had the phone number for the travel agency in my wallet. We were about five minutes away from them. The agent who had been helping me was in. No, they hadn’t had any problems running the ticket. Could I pick it up in a few minutes? Sure, no problem.
We drove over to the agency. I asked Rachel to wait in the car. I went in and picked up the ticket -- they handled Ben’s travel, and had done my ticket for the first trip.
"Keep this really safe," I told Rachel as I got into her car, handing her the envelope.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Your plane tickets to Paris and back."
That got me a hug and a kiss.
"Let’s take these home."
"Sounds good to me."
We went to her place, and made gentle but passionate love, curling up together afterwards for a nap.
I snuck a peek at the clock. I needed to get going.
"Where are you going?" she asked sleepily, holding on to me.
I kissed her head. "I need to shower and change -- something is up this evening."
She looked up at me and smiled, a beautiful smile. Her smile changed.
"I need to shower too. We should save water and shower together."
I laughed and kissed her, rolling over on top of her. "Okay, we’ll save water."
We showered together. I don’t know how much water we saved.
"Yikes! I need to get ready!" she said as we were drying off.
"I know, sweetie -- that’s what I said."
She wrapped a towel around her hair, then wrapped her arms around me for a kiss.
"Oh, this is going to be so good! Thank you, Andy!"
I kissed her shoulder. "Thank your folks. They’re the ones who agreed to this."
I got dressed, and headed out the door with another hug and kiss. I had time to change my clothes and relax for a few minutes before Beth got home.
We hugged, and she said, "I’ll drive -- let’s get going."
"Yes, Mistress."
I love the way she smiles when I call her that.
We pulled into Ben and Emily’s driveway.
"We picking them up?" I asked. I didn’t recognize the white van in the driveway.
"Nope," Beth said, unbuckling her seat belt.
I smiled. Calm and relaxed, I told myself.
Inside, I recognized two people from the restaurant we frequented in Oxnard. We received hugs from both Ben and Emily, and went out to their patio and back yard. A table was set very nicely for four.
We were offered glasses of champagne. I handed one to Beth, and after Ben handed one to Emily and took one himself, I took the last.
"Congratulations, Andy," he said.
"Congratulations," Beth and Emily added.
After that ceremonial sip, I told them, "I couldn’t have done it without your help. You’ve saved me a number of times."
We had some munchies, and talked about the summer. I told Beth the plane ticket had gone through with no problems.
We were invited to sit down, and were served a very nice meal. They have a great back yard. You could host quite a party there. Weird thoughts flashed through my mind, thoughts of Rachel and me.
The sun went down, but it was still very comfortable out as we were served dessert and coffee.
Ben went into the house and returned with a dusty bottle of armagnac and four small glasses. The stuff was superb.
The restaurant folks had been most efficient. I should have paid attention to them and learned something. I turned to see the gal approaching, with a stack of gift-wrapped boxes.
There was one large box, one a little smaller, and a number of smallish ones. Ben grabbed a small one and said, "This one last."
I looked around the table. "Thank you all. How do you thank the people who have literally saved your life?"
"By doing well," Ben said, raising his glass.
"And studying hard," Emily added with a twinkle in her eye.
I started with the large box. It was a brand new laptop computer -- a Powerbook. The next largest was a digital camera. The smaller boxes had goodies for the computer and camera.
"Now you can take plenty of pictures to show us," Emily said.
I glanced over to Beth and picked up my glass. Ben started laughing.
"At least take plenty of pictures!" he said. We all laughed.
"Thank you so much. This will be great -- for the summer, and for school."
Beth said, "That’s what we figured. You needed a new computer."
I was still shaking my head when Ben tossed me a small box. "Last one," he said.
I opened it. What could it be? Inside were the Volvo keys. I looked at him in disbelief, looked at Beth, who smiled, and then looked back to Ben.
"It’s leased to the company, but it’s yours to use when you get back. You’ll be safer in it. I expect you to make the occasional business call for me up there as well."
We talked for a while longer.
Beth put a hand on my leg and asked, "Load things up?"
I nodded. "Your car. We can pick up the other one tomorrow. I shouldn’t drive."
I thought Ben made a noise. Emily was smiling. We loaded boxes into Beth’s car, and with more hugs, headed back to the house.
"How can I thank you, Mistress?" I asked her softly, as we stood by the side of the bed.
"Oh, I can think of a few things," she said, pulling me down on top of her.
I thanked her as best I could, snuggling together and going to sleep afterwards.
Saturday morning after breakfast we went by Ben and Emily’s place and I picked up the car. What a trip -- I knew this car -- I’d driven the two of us around in it.
Now Beth wanted me to drive her around. We did grocery shopping, and looked at bike racks -- I’d need one to carry my bike up north at the end of the summer. I thought about a car cover as well, remembering my remark about bird shit.
I called Rachel -- no answer, so I left a message on her machine. While Beth read, I spent the day putting the computer together, loading software, working with the camera. Something told me I’d be doing a lot in French, so I set it up for both French and English.
Rachel called a little after eight.
"Hi, sweetie," I said, "How was Friday night?"
"Oh, my folks took me out. It was okay. Where did you go?"
I told her about the evening -- with Beth, Emily, and Ben. I told her about the computer, the camera, and the car. She was excited. She admitted her folks were getting her a car to use at Cornell, through her mom’s family in New York.
We talked about Sunday brunch. She liked that idea. She’d call me back.
When she called, things had evolved into a whole family thing -- not quite my idea, and I don’t think it was her idea either. What the hell -- I asked Beth, and she laughed and said she’d go too. We’d meet at Rachel’s place around nine. Her dad would make reservations for us.
I must have had quite the look on my face, as Beth started laughing.
"What’s so funny?" I asked.
"You -- I wish I had that camera of yours -- you’re priceless."
I managed a smirk and sat down on the couch.
"Aww, trying to plan some time together? If you’re nice to me, I just might spend the afternoon out tomorrow. Of course, I expect a good dinner prepared in return."
I started laughing. "You drive a hard bargain, Mistress."
She gave me a sly grin. "That’s your department."
Rachel looked somewhat glum when Beth and I arrived at her place the next morning. She managed a smile when I held her. She brightened up when Beth said she’d driven separately, and would ride with Joe and Pat so Rachel and I could go together.
"I just want to be with you," Rachel pouted as we followed her folks.
I chuckled and patted her leg. "Well, Beth said she had a lot of running around to do this afternoon, but expected a good dinner when she got back."
"Really!" Rachel squealed.
"Don’t pee on the seats!" I laughed.
The brunch was okay -- I could do better, at least for a small group. Beth and Pat practically shooed us away, with Beth saying she’d see us for dinner.
I thought I heard laughter as we left the restaurant, trying to be calm and casual. Who were we trying to fool?
We hit a grocery store on the way back. Dinner was slow-roasted chicken with garlic, roasted veggies with pasta, green salad -- simple yet good. Rachel and I spent most of the afternoon in bed, managing to get in another nap, and a shower.
Beth got home around half past five, opening the door a little and calling out, "Is it safe?"
"Yes -- come in!" I hollered. Rachel giggled.
Beth came in, setting some bags on the table. I hugged her. "Thank you," I told her.
She chuckled a little. Rachel gave her a hug as well. "Thank you so much for talking to my folks! I’m so excited!"
Beth drew back and looked at us, smiling and shaking her head a little. "Please be careful, that’s all. Don’t do anything too crazy, but have fun."
I held one of Rachel’s hands, and one of Beth’s. "I told her dad I wouldn’t let her out of my sight."
Beth gave us a low laugh. "And what did he say to that?"
"He never got the chance to answer," I told her truthfully.
She pulled a bottle of white wine out of a paper bag. I recognized the label.
"Did you see Ben?" I asked -- it was one of the labels he imported.
She nodded. "We went over to see Emily. We talked to her about the trip as well."
I took a breath and looked at Rachel. Someone had pulled in the heavy artillery on this one. "So we have her blessing as well?"
Beth handed me the bottle. "She supports it as the best alternative available."
That practically crossed my eyes. "Okay, I guess." I opened the wine and poured three glasses.
"She felt it would be good for both of you," Beth added without prompting.
Now I was really confused. I thought I was the "stable" one in this.
We had a good dinner. Beth made a remark about how good it was, considering how easy it was to prepare. Rachel started to blush, but I held her hand and kissed it.
After dinner, Beth insisted on driving Rachel back. She gave us a minute or two to say goodnight, then left.
I cleaned up the kitchen, and was just about done when Beth got back.
As she walked over to me smiling, I asked, "What was that stuff about Emily, and about it being good for both of us?"
She chuckled, but gave me a stern look. "You, my dear, are responsible for that girl. You need to take very good care of her."
I held her hands. "I understand, Mistress. It’s a little scary at times."
She nodded. "Good."
I smiled. "I told her dad I’d take good care of her."
"We are taking a big chance, all of us. We’ve talked to your hosts, and Ben, and Emily, but you to are going to be far away from home."
I looked into her eyes. "I will protect her."
She smiled and nodded, then hugged me. "I know you will, Andy."
Monday morning was back to the grind with Ben. We talked about the weekend, and the week to come. He was very quiet about the conversations they’d had with Rachel’s folks.
I’d work through Wednesday, and that was it. To Ben, that meant we had to cover a lot of ground in three days!
I got home around nine on Monday, took a shower, and collapsed in Beth’s arms in bed.
Tuesday morning, she told me, "Rachel called for you yesterday -- a number of times."
I called her before I left the house.
"Hullo?" she said sleepily.
"Good morning, beautiful," I told her.
"Andy! Where were you yesterday?"
"All over Southern California -- just like today, and tomorrow. Ben’s getting his use out of me for a while. I’m all yours starting Thursday."
She whimpered a little. "Okay, but I miss you."
"I miss you too, sweetie. You can call my cell phone this afternoon if you want."
"I may do that. Drive safe."
"Oh, I will. Go back to sleep, sweetie. I’d like to be there with you."
I got on the road. We were all over the area again, and once again I got home after nine.
"Two days in a row! How long will this go on?" Beth asked.
"Only one more day," I told her. "Ben says it will be light tomorrow -- just a few calls."
"Let’s see -- San Diego, and Santa Barbara?" she offered.
I laughed, and pulled her off the couch and to bed. I started in on top, but she ran her hands up my arms, and I gave myself to her.
I didn’t laugh the next day -- she was too close on our visits -- Santa Ana, Santa Monica, then Thousand Oaks and Oxnard -- a lot of driving. At least we had a good dinner, and I was able to thank people for the meal they’d served us at Ben’s. Beth was in bed when I got home. I snuggled up to her and went to sleep.
The thing at school Thursday morning was an anticlimax. I drove us to Rachel’s house. Rachel and I went over to school together, Beth riding with Pat and Joe.
"Why so glum, sweetie?" I asked, holding her hand as we drove over. "This is part of our victory lap."
"I got my period yesterday," she said with almost a snarl.
I sighed, still holding her hand. "Look on the bright side -- you’re not pregnant."
She raised her eyebrows at that. I smiled and kissed her hand.
It was the honors assembly, for those seniors who managed to escape with some distinction. I’d say there were about a hundred of us on stage in the auditorium, out of about six hundred seniors. As Benjamin was going through his intro speech, I spotted Beth, Ben, and Emily in the audience. Rachel and I were sitting together holding hands.
They had groups stand for different schools. USC and UCLA had large crowds, half a dozen for Stanford, about the same for UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara, then ones and twos. I stood with the Stanford crowd as Benjamin read off names.
Then he started with scholarships and awards. Peter, David, and Terri had pretty impressive packages, as did a lot of others. We applauded for each.
Then he called my name, and I stood up, in front of all those people. I wanted to hold Rachel’s hand. I was surprised by the applause, especially from the folks around me. He read off the Stanford scholarships, the prize for the paper I’d done, and made mention of "triumphing over adversity." That got more applause. I sat down, held Rachel’s hand, and leaned over to give her a kiss.
We had some concluding remarks from the class valedictorian, a severe gal headed for Yale. I didn’t pay attention, but applauded with the rest when it was over.
In the quad afterwards, I exchanged hugs with a lot of people. Mr. Benjamin made his way over, and I was able to introduce him to Emily and Ben.
The crowd was thinning out. Seniors were expected to ditch the rest of the day.
"What now?" Rachel asked.
I smiled, looked around, and said conspiratorially, "Let’s cut classes!"
She laughed.
"I know a good spot for lunch. Fish tacos sound good?" I offered.
She nodded.
I turned to Beth, Rachel’s parents, Ben and Emily. "We’ll be home about nine?"
Beth smiled. Joe said, "Why so early?"
"Big day tomorrow," I said. I looked to Beth. "Can we drop you?"
She gave us a hug. "No, I’ll ride with Emily. Have a good time."
I got back to the house a little before ten.
"You’re late," Beth chided as I dropped my keys in the basket by the door.
I went over to her on the couch and rested my head in her lap. "Been at Rachel’s for the last hour -- you can call and check."
She chuckled and messed up my hair. "I believe you. Have a good day?"
"Very. We had lunch in Newport, spent time on the beach in Laguna, wandered around some more, had mediocre Italian for dinner. How about you?"
"I’m very happy you decided to go through these ordeals. So are Rachel’s parents. So is Emily."
"So am I. It was something, standing there this morning, hearing people clap and cheer."
"You made it. Did you think you would?"
"God, there were times I wasn’t sure, and times I didn’t care."
"But you kept going."
"There were times I gave up." I sat up and held her hands. "But every one of those times, someone was there -- you, Karen, Emily -- especially you. How do I ever repay that?"
"Do the same for others?"
I nodded. "Started with Betty, I guess."
She nodded, smiling. "And Rachel...."
I sighed. "I’m beat. Hold me?"
She nodded again. I went to sleep that night in her arms.
"What’s your schedule for the day?" she asked the next morning as I poured her coffee. We’d snuggled, then showered.
"Oh, pick up Rachel this afternoon -- she’s off getting her hair done, other stuff."
Beth laughed. "That’s important stuff, Andy -- pay attention, and compliment her."
I smiled. "Yes, Mistress."
She laughed. "Have fun. Be careful, and I’ll see you later." She started stepping to the door.
I caught her and gave her a hug and a kiss. "Thank you for making so much possible," I told her.
I spent the rest of the day fooling with the computer and the camera. Damn, the computer was fast -- it had more memory, more disk space, and a faster processor than my old clunker. The camera was pretty slick as well. It would be fun.
I needed to pick up Rachel about five, to give us plenty of time to get to the restaurant, have a leisurely dinner, and then get to the prom at eight thirty.
As I got dressed, I was amazed at how nervous I was. "Calm and relaxed," I told myself out loud, touching my forehead. I sighed; it helped. Thank you, Beth.
I had a flower for my lapel, and a simple corsage for Rachel. The car was full of gas. Away we go.
I was still nervous as I knocked on her door. Her dad answered it, inviting me in without a word. I could see the feelings roiling in him. We shook hands, then hugged.
"Andy’s here," he called out. His voice was full of emotion. He went over to pick up his camera, sitting ready with the flash on it. He was trying to hide in his camera -- I could tell.
Rachel’s mom came out, smiling, but wiping a tear. She gave me a quick hug, then hugged her husband.
Rachel stepped into the living room. "You are beautiful," I sighed. And she was. She’d had her hair done, and it looked as if she’d had a facial as well. Her nails were polished. Her dress was simple, elegant, and very nicely filled out.
The camera flash went off -- that and the sound of the film advancing brought me back closer to earth. Her dad took another picture.
"Okay, the two of you together," he said.
"Wait," I said, and held up my digital camera to get some pictures. The way she smiled to me....
I gave my camera to her dad and stepped to her, and started to fumble putting on her corsage. Her mom stepped up, tut-tutted, and did it. I had the strangest, most wonderful feeling as I stood there for a moment, toe to toe, holding Rachel’s hands in mine, looking into her eyes. As the flash went off again, I knew there was a very strong bond between us.
"Face the camera," her dad said. We turned, and he took more pictures. He put the cameras down. I started moving us to the door.
Rachel and I stood, looking at her parents. They stood, arms around each other. Her dad opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"I’ll take very good care of your daughter," I told them both. "We won’t be out late."
He smiled and nodded. "I know, Andy."
He hugged Rachel. "You’re beautiful, princess. Have a wonderful time."
We both got another round of hugs, I got my camera, and we finally got out to the car.
Rachel sniffed as she buckled up. "I’m going to ruin my makeup," she said, with emotion in her voice.
I touched the back of her neck. "Calm and relaxed. Here’s to a wonderful evening."
We had a different corner table at the restaurant than I’d had before. The staff was happy to see us, and even happier when Rachel conversed with them in French. Our host was overjoyed when she told him she was joining me for the summer. I had them take pictures of us.
We had a delightful meal, with the chef coming out to talk about each course. We got pictures of him as well. Even though Ben had paid for the meal, I left a tip in cash. They gave us a list of restaurants we simply had to visit. I told them I’d try and visit them again before I headed off to school. We left with more hugs.
"Wow, is that how we’re going to be eating all summer long?" Rachel asked as she touched up her makeup in the car.
"Non," I replied. "Smaller portions, not the wild variety, but wine with each meal."
"The wine part sounds great."
"Oh, and we get to cook, serve, clean the dishes and the kitchen afterwards, and some times we won’t eat until everyone else has had dessert -- we’re the hired help," I added.
"I knew there had to be a catch."
"But then we get to sleep together..." I brushed a hand on her leg lightly.
"Oh, I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to meeting you in Paris."
"So am I; so am I."
The prom was at a large hotel, using their ballroom suite -- we had about seven hundred seniors. I used the valet parking.
"Ready for your entrance?" I asked Rachel, offering her my arm.
"You bet," she said with determination.
It wasn’t what I’d expected. We had to go through a damn metal detector, and one of the woman P.E. teachers went through Rachel’s small handbag. Still, we understood why.
They had food and punch, and music in two different rooms. We queued up to have our picture taken, and got that out of the way early. We wandered about, thanking teachers, talking to friends. Some were surprised to see us together. Some were surprised to see us so close.
At one point I held her to me and whispered, "Thank you."
She stepped back and gave me a quizzical look. "For what?"
I held her hands, standing face to face again, those strange feelings filling me again. "For coming with me tonight, for coming to France with me, for holding me," I looked around us and stepped closer, "for not wearing two and a half pounds of makeup," I whispered.
She giggled and held me closer for a moment.
When Sherry saw Rachel and me, she looked shocked. I smiled and waved. Rachel chuckled. Sherry was with a jock, Mike. Have fun, honey. Mike glowered at us.
I’d learned about dancing from Bridget, from her taking me to clubs, and teaching me in the afternoons after our first club visit. What the hell -- what I lacked in skill I made up with lack of inhibition. We had a good time dancing, at least to the stuff I could recognize as music.
Things were supposed to go until midnight. We knew a lot of kids would be going to different places to party afterwards. Our party started in another week, when Rachel got to Paris.
We queued up early for one of the dessert buffets that opened at ten, and put together some outrageous plates.
We sat with David and Terry. David was going to Stanford as well, and Terry was going to Cornell. We talked about plans, and Rachel was so happy telling them about going to France with me. Peter and some of the others wandered by as well.
As we walked around after dessert, Rachel pointed out Sherry, sitting alone.
"Where’s Mikey, I wonder?" I asked.
"Probably off with his buddies, bragging and trying to get loaded," Rachel grumbled.
I nodded -- she was undoubtedly correct.
"I’ve got an idea," she said, her voice brightening. "Watch her -- you’ll know when to come over." She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I leaned up against the wall where I could see Sherry from behind.
Rachel went over and sat next to Sherry. Sherry sat up straight at first. I imagine she was a little surprised, and maybe upset. Soon though, her hands and head were moving as she became involved in conversation with Rachel. Rachel moved alongside Sherry. After a bit, I saw Sherry’s shoulders droop, and her head dip forward a bit. Hot damn -- I love you, Rachel!
I walked up behind them, looking around for dear Mikey. He was nowhere to be seen.
Bending down, I heard Rachel speaking softly, "Deeper and deeper, more relaxed, waiting for him, waiting for his touch..."
I touched Rachel on the back of the neck, and she sighed. I touched Sherry, and she sighed as well, almost moaning, softening.
"More relaxed for me now, my touch is so erotic, so sensual, but you’re so relaxed all you can do is enjoy it. You’re too relaxed to make a sound or move as you let my touch get you more and more aroused...." I whispered to them.
I looked up to make sure we were still unnoticed. I spoke softly, stroking the backs of their necks gently, building and building, finally bringing them both to orgasm. Both of them shuddered and jiggled on their chairs, their breath catching. I talked them through it, and relaxed them into the glow on the other side.
I stepped in front of them and took pictures of them, together and separately. I stepped to Rachel’s side and kissed her neck. "Awake and alert again, my princess," I whispered in her ear. She looked at me with slightly glazed eyes and a smile. I helped her stand.
I sat down next to Sherry for a moment. "Sherry, thank you for all the help you’ve been to me this year. I want you to count to thirty to yourself, and then wake up full alert, refreshed, and relaxed. One... Two..." I stood up, took Rachel’s hand, and we walked away.
We walked back to the doorway behind Sherry. I held Rachel, and she held on to me, kissing my neck and shoulder. When I saw Sherry lift her pretty head and shake it a little, I moved us back out of sight and down the hall to the other room.
"That was wonderful!" Rachel told me with a laugh, putting an arm around me.
"You have great ideas," I told her. "I imagine that’s the best one Sherry will have tonight."
"The only one, more like it," Rachel said.
The music was getting louder, and to my tastes, worse. Some of our friends were leaving. We decided to do the same.
"Let’s have a picture of the two of you," Peter said, holding up his camera.
I handed him my camera and started to stand next to Rachel, but she threw her arms around my neck. I held her and we kissed. We got applause and whistles.
"That’s okay, I’ve got plenty of pictures," Peter called out. We weren’t done yet.
When we were done, we got more applause. Everyone agreed to exchange e-mail addresses at school in the fall, coordinating through Peter’s hotmail account.
As Rachel and I were walking out, we heard someone call out, "Andy!"
We turned, and saw Sherry walking over to us, leaving Mike, some other jocks and their dates, standing behind.
Sherry walked up to me and gave me a hug. "Andy, thanks. Have a wonderful summer." She gave me another hug, then turned to Rachel. "You too. Thanks." Then she headed back to the clique of jocks. Mikey didn’t look happy. Good for him.
I took Rachel in arm, and we headed off again. We saw Coach Haskell -- he walked over to us. I shook his hand.
"It’s great to see the two of you here," he told us.
"Coach, it’s good to be here, and to see you," I told him. "You helped make it possible."
He nodded. "Off to party?"
I shook my head. "No sir, our party starts in a week in Paris."
Rachel told him of spending the summer in France, and how much she was looking forward to it. As she spoke, she held my arm closer.
Haskell looked amused. He looked behind us for a moment. "Well, I don’t have to worry about you two -- I hope. That leaves about a hundred I can’t trust. See you tomorrow at graduation."
"Thanks, Coach. See you tomorrow afternoon," we both told him.
I bailed the Volvo out of valet parking, and drove carefully out of the parking lot, driving past police cars.
We stopped to neck a few blocks from Rachel’s house. Then with sighs from both of us, I took her home.
The porch light was on. I walked her to the door. We kissed again. She held me with a sigh.
"I know, sweetie," I whispered to her, holding her, rocking her in my arms. Those feelings started in again -- in my chest, in my legs, in my arms. I took a breath of her perfume. "You were especially beautiful tonight, princess."
"I love it when daddy calls me that," she said.
We kissed again.
"Good night, Andy," she told me.
"Sleep well, princess. We’ll be over at nine to fix breakfast."
I watched her open the door, pause, and go in. As the door closed, I turned and walked to the car.
I was confused as I drove back to the condo. How did I feel? It was strange. I stayed with it, exploring.
Beth was still up when I went in, curled up on the couch in her robe, reading.
"You’re home early," she said as she put her book down and stood.
I took her hands, standing face to face, toe to toe, as I’d done with Rachel earlier, the feelings....
"Damn! That’s it! I’m scared! I’m scared to tell her I love her!" That was it!
Beth looked puzzled and amused at the same time.
"Damn! I thought I was over that problem!" I moved us both to sitting on the couch, holding her hands.
"I didn’t recognize it earlier. Beth, I love her, but I’m scared to tell her!"
As I sat there, looking into Beth’s eyes, the feelings started to fade. I pulled us to standing again, standing face to face, toe to toe. That did it -- the feelings were stronger again -- all sorts of feelings.
I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scream. I took a deep breath, holding Beth’s hands, looking into her eyes.
"I thought I was through those problems," I said, softer now. "A few times this evening, we stood like this, I looked into Rachel’s eyes, and the feelings I had.... They’re so confused! I love her, but I’m scared to tell her."
Beth nodded, smiling slightly. "Why are you scared of telling her?"
"I don’t know! I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to set something in motion that will only be taken apart at the end of the summer."
"How do you feel about her?"
"I love her! But I don’t want to hurt her. We’re so alike, yet so different. Like she says, we’re from the same tribe."
"And how would telling her hurt her?"
"At the end of the summer, she goes to Cornell and I go to Stanford. We’re back to different worlds. It hurt so much when Karen and I broke up. It hurts so much when I think of the day when you and I will break up."
Beth sighed. "I’ll always love you, Andy."
I held her hands, warm in mine. "I know you will. And I’ll always love you. You know what I mean -- the day will come when what we share now will come to an end. You need to move on with life. I’ll do the same. Oh, Beth -- I’m confused again."
We held each other. She moved us back to the couch, where we held each other for a few more minutes.
"I can understand the confused part, but why were you mad? You were quite upset a few minutes ago. Do you know why?" she asked.
I sighed and smiled, shaking my head. "I don’t know. I thought I’d gotten past those problems."
"What problems?"
"Overcoming fear, especially fear of telling someone something, expressing my feelings. Am I making sense? I’m confused."
She smiled more, and nodded. "You’re making sense. Andy, you said yourself you didn’t want to hurt her. I hope you’re always that way. That doesn’t sound like fear to me. Now, do you want to work more with this? You seem intent on it. I’d like to hear about the evening, but that can wait for later. What do you need?"
I took a deep breath. "Things seem to be settling. It was a very special evening. You have been so right, you and Emily too, I guess -- I’m so glad we’ve done all these things, what I considered little, inconsequential things earlier. They are very important. Rachel looked so beautiful in her dress. That was a shock to her parents, especially her dad."
Beth nodded, "His baby girl is growing up -- soon she’ll be leaving the nest."
I nodded. "I could see that in both of them. Pride, love, sadness. Yet when we stood toe to toe, holding hands...."
Beth said, "Close your eyes, Andy. Be there. Hold her hands and look into her eyes again."
I did it. I closed my eyes and was there again, toe to toe, looking at the sparkle in her eyes, her smile, feeling her hands in mine, feeling the happy tears start in again....
"What color is her dress, Andy?"
"White," I said without hesitation. But that was wrong -- I opened my eyes. "Her dress is black. Why did I say that?"
Beth smirked a little. "How was dinner?"
I shook my head. I was all over the place tonight. "Wonderful. They went wild when they saw Rachel, and got worse when she spoke French -- which she speaks very well. Our dinner was superb. A glass or two of wine would have improved it, though."
Beth laughed, and I laughed with her. The edge was fading rapidly.
"And the prom?" she asked.
I told her about it, from the metal detectors and the frisking at the beginning, to Coach Haskell at the end, and a lot of stuff in between, including what Rachel and I did to Sherry.
"How do you feel about the prom?" Beth asked when I ran out of steam.
I felt my brow furrowing. "It was interesting. We were visitors there. It was a rite of passage, but we were participating on a different level. I saw that in some of the people from our tribe. Many of the others, such as the jocks, Mikey, Sherry, were participating in a different ritual. I’m very glad we went."
"Did you have fun?"
I laughed. "Yes! We weren’t serious adults the whole time. God, what we did with Sherry was fun. And we danced, talked with our friends, and had a very good time."
"Did Rachel have fun?"
"I think so. I hope so. You can ask her in the morning. I’ll ask her in the morning."
"Will you tell her you love her in the morning?"
I sighed. "I don’t know."
"Has she told you?"
"She loves me? No. Oh Beth -- I don’t think she’s been through anything like what Karen and I went through. I don’t want to be the first one to break her heart."
Beth smirked. "How can you know you’ll be the first? How do you know you’ll break her heart?"
"At the end of the summer, she goes to Cornell, I go to Stanford."
"So? Is that forever? You’ll never, ever see each other, or talk to each other after that? It sounds to me as if you’re abandoning paths you haven’t even gotten to yet. What does your heart say?"
"Now I’m confused again. I love her. I’m so looking forward to the summer. Yet I know what happens at the end of the summer -- we part ways. I don’t want to hurt her."
"You don’t want to hurt you. Could you find a different solution for what happens at the end of the summer?"
I hadn’t thought of it that way. "You’re right -- I don’t want to be hurt either. Is that selfish? We could find a solution -- one of us switching schools. So, should I tell her tomorrow?"
Beth smiled. "Should you?"
I laughed. "One day at a time. We’ve planned -- let’s see what happens. It’s too early to monkey with things. We can get together for the holidays and see."
I frowned again. "But I really thought I’d worked through those problems. I guess I haven’t."
Now Beth really laughed. After laughing for a bit, she shook her head and looked into my eyes.
"Oh, Andy -- I’m sorry, but you are so funny some times. Some problems, some issues, are so big that we pick at them. We think we’ve seen all there is of it, but the same thing pops up again, a little different."
"That’s depressing," I told her.
She frowned and squeezed my hands. "No it’s not! It’s encouraging! The last time this problem came up, you dealt with it, right?"
I nodded, "Yes...."
"So you can deal with it again. After a while, it will get to be an old friend -- oh, you again -- I know how to handle you. It comes back in disguises, again and again as you work it through...."
"And eventually?"
She chuckled. "And you deal with it, and it goes away, again and again."
"The Ancient Mariner finally had the albatross fall into the sea...."
She nodded. "And after enlightenment?"
I chuckled. "I know that one -- before enlightenment, cut wood and carry water. After enlightenment, cut wood and carry water."
"And now?"
I sighed and stood, pulling her into a hug. "Thank you, Mistress. I need to hold you."
After cleaning up, we snuggled in bed. She held me and I went to sleep in her arms.
We made gentle love in the morning, then showered together. We loaded stuff for Eggs Benedict into "my" Volvo and headed to Rachel’s house.
"How are you doing now?" Beth asked as I drove us over.
I held her hand. "Better. I’m not confused when I’m being held."
"What about Rachel?"
I nodded. "I’m looking forward to seeing her."
Beth laughed and patted my thigh. "You’ll make a superb analyst."
"What does that mean? I’m nuts enough to be an analyst?"
She laughed more. "No, Andy -- you’re leaving the future open -- you’re operating without attachment, or so I hope."
I held her hand, interlacing our fingers. "Oh, I have so many attachments. Beth, I don’t know how to tell you, to show you, how much you mean to me."
We drove the rest of the way in silence.
I hadn’t seen Beth load the bottles of Champagne into the car -- obviously from Ben. We had Champagne with breakfast, and good stuff at that. Rachel helped me cook, with Beth, Joe, and Pat watching with amusement and taking pictures. Beth had my camera. I wondered how the shots of Rachel and Sherry looked.
The sauce started out a bit thin, but came out just about right. We had a very nice breakfast, talking about last night’s dinner, and the prom. Once again, I thanked Rachel for not wearing pounds of makeup.
We did a quick cleanup on the kitchen and headed to the high school one last time. We all rode in Joe’s car. We were lucky to get a spot in the student lot. With the size of the event, it was held in the football stadium, with the graduates in cap and gown sitting in chairs in the infield, under the sun. I brought my sunglasses, and was glad I did.
I’m glad I went to the graduation ceremony, even though I didn’t get to sit with Rachel. Even though some parts were corny, they brought tears to my eyes. I could have done without some of the speeches. I did pay attention to our principal, Benjamin, though. When he talked about the courage he’d seen during the year, I felt a hand on my shoulder from someone in the row behind me. The school valedictorian, a skinny gal with glasses, no tits, and less of a sense of humor gave a bizarre speech that I didn’t understand.
I spotted Beth in the crowd, sitting with Joe and Pat, and Emily and Ben, and Betty and family as well. I felt supported. I was sitting there as much to thank them as anything else.
After the talk, we were called up one at a time to receive ceremonial blank pieces of paper as the vice-principal misread names into a microphone. No, she did a good job. Being near the end, I got to watch. Sherry, and some of the other kids, looked a bit under the weather -- no damn surprise. Had I missed Mike? I expected some folks had major-league hangovers.
I cheered and applauded when Rachel got her non-diploma. So did some folks in the stands. Yes, some of the jocks and socialites got more applause, but that didn’t matter.
Finally it was my turn. I got to shake Mr. Benjamin’s hand. That wasn’t enough. I gave him a hug and said, "Thank you for everything." I did the same walking by Mrs. Nguyen. I heard people clapping, cheering, and whistling.
The two rows after me went quickly, at least to me. Then after a blissfully short closing, it was chaos time. I found Rachel, and we hugged and kissed.
We were still kissing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Rachel and I separated to see her folks, Beth, Ben and Emily, and Betty and family standing by us.
I picked up Betty and swung her around in my arms before putting her down.
"Thank you for being here!" I told her, and everyone. She was smiling again, with maybe still a touch of a tear visible.
Rachel and I had to turn in our caps and gowns -- we could keep the cheesy tassels. We did that, and met the others in the parking lot. I picked up the Volvo and headed back to the condo. I had a few hours to pack, then it was back to Ben’s for a bon voyage barbecue. Rachel was packing as well, for New York, and also for France.
As I packed, I expected Beth to come in. I expected her to come in. I wanted her to come in, touch me, and carry me off. Oh, how I wanted that, wanted her.
After about an hour of that, I stopped, sat down, and sighed. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I was going to miss her. God, I was going to miss her. Yet I had so much to look forward to. I only knew a little of what I’d be doing -- a few days in Paris, check in with the University, meet Rachel, then out to the Chateau. After that? I stood up and got back to work.
Most of my clothes went into the bag I’d check. I’d learned from my earlier trip -- don’t check anything you’ll really miss. My carry-on had the computer, camera, adapters, bath stuff, some clothing. I put some pot scrubbers in my carry-on, and some in the other suitcase.
Wow -- I’d only been "home" for a few weeks. I was very glad I’d made the trip -- I would have missed so much if I’d stayed in Europe.
On second thought, I got out the computer and the camera, hooked them up, and transferred all the pictures. That would give me more room for pictures at the party.
As I was downloading pictures, I heard the front door open and close. Beth walked into the room and kissed me on the top of the head.
"Packing?" she asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I sighed as my shoulders relaxed at her touch.
"Almost done -- decided to clean the prom pictures out of the camera."
"Ooh, can I see?"
"Sure, pull up a chair," I told her.
The first pic up was the one I’d taken of Rachel in her dress.
"Andy, she’s beautiful," Beth whispered.
"I know. I wish I could have captured the look on her parents’ faces."
I advanced to the next pic. It showed us standing toe to toe. I moved my hand to advance quickly, but Beth held my hand.
The way Rachel was looking at me, the way I was looking at her.... Beth squeezed my hand, and put her other hand on my back, holding me.
"She loves you, Andy," Beth whispered.
"Then why are we so scared to say it?" I asked.
Beth hit the arrow key on the keyboard to advance to the next pic.
We both laughed -- Rachel and I were standing facing the camera, and looked so stiff and formal, you’d never know it was the same people from the previous shot.
The restaurant shots were better -- we were relaxed and having fun.
We moved to the prom pictures. I explained one shot to Beth as trying to capture the amount of makeup one girl had on -- very thick. I had shots of some of the more outrageous dresses. The pic I had of Sherry and Mike was perfect -- his eyes glowing red as he stared at me.
"You picked out Rachel’s dress?" Beth asked.
I nodded. "Rachel and I. I couldn’t have done it without Bridget’s help though, all the times we went into stores, all her remarks about what others were wearing."
Beth rubbed my back and chuckled. "She’d be proud of you. I know I am."
"Thank you, Mistress," I said as I moved on to the next picture.
And that one was of Rachel and Sherry, sitting hypnotized. I felt a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Is that how I look when you’ve got me hypnotized?" Beth asked.
I flicked to the next one -- it should be Rachel; it was, a closer shot of her face.
"We could see," I said softly, turning to Beth.
She smiled and sighed, then kissed me on the forehead. "We need to get going."
I sighed, and Beth laughed as she stood up. I grabbed her hand and stood up quickly, turning her, pressing her against the wall and kissing her. Oh, she felt so good.
I followed her to Ben and Emily’s house -- "my" Volvo would be with Ben until I returned. Rachel and family arrived as I pulled into the driveway -- a very pleasant surprise.
Rachel and I hugged, and went in hand-in-hand.
Their choice of food was a surprise, and great -- barbecued ribs (both pork and beef), beans, corn, cornbread, salad.
Once Betty and family arrived, we started off with a Champagne toast. Betty’s dad poured her a little; Gary got sparkling grape juice.
"Bon voyage," Ben said, raising his glass.
Rachel and I were toe to toe again. The way she looked at me -- why were my thoughts and feelings so turbulent, so muddled? I recalled so clearly raising a water glass at dinner at the old house -- was it less than nine months ago? Toasting my parents, who had just announced they were going on a cruise together. No -- that was the past -- I looked into Rachel’s eyes as I raised my glass.
After that first sip, Ben looked to me and asked, "Well?"
I took a breath. I knew my voice wouldn’t work just then, so I turned to Rachel and gave her a hug. She made a gasping, almost sobbing noise and held me. She also sloshed cold champagne on my back, so I held her closer.
To gentle laughter we moved apart. I went over to Ben, setting down my glass, and gave him a hug. I hugged Emily, then Betty, and finally Beth.
"Now can we eat?" cried Gary, letting us all laugh.
I wiped my eyes, sliding an arm from around Beth’s waist. She wiped her eyes. I glanced at Rachel -- she was wiping her eyes. I walked over to her and hugged her close.
We ate; we talked. I was so glad I’d gone to graduation -- so was Rachel. We got a lot of "I told you so" nods when we told people that.
Finally it was time for us to leave, though. I told Betty I’d see her at the end of the summer, and told Gary not to bug his big sister. He rolled his eyes, but smiled and gave me a hug. I thanked Betty’s parents for all they’d done.
Rachel and I hugged again.
"I’ll see you in a week, sweetie," I whispered in her ear.
"Oh, you’ll be in my dreams," she whispered back.
I thanked her parents once again, and got hugs from them. Both were teary-eyed.
"Ben, I’ll see you in a few weeks too," I said, shaking his hand.
"But I don’t think you’ll be as happy to see me," he said with a mock pout.
We all laughed. I hugged him and he pounded me on the back.
"Thank you, Doctor Carmichael, for picking up the pieces, more than once," I told Emily, holding her hands.
"You are very welcome, Andrew. Study hard," she told me.
It took us another ten minutes, and more hugs, before everyone could get to their cars.
Beth drove the two of us home. Once inside, I put my sunglasses in the basket by the door, touching Beth’s hand as she dropped in her keys. We turned to each other.
We flowed into a kiss, embracing. She pressed me up against the wall. I held her and relaxed into her. She pulled her lips away and moved them to my right ear as her hand slid up my shoulder and her fingers grazed my neck. I moaned in anticipation.
Her voice and her fingers worked magic on me once again. I was aware but in a fog as she led me to the bathroom and we cleaned up. She stripped me and sat me on the edge of the bed. I gazed into her eyes as her fingers stroked my temples, and her voice went deep into me.
She stepped away for some time, returning to stand in front of me. She stripped slowly and provocatively, then dabbed perfume on the tops of her breasts, and her mound.
Then she sensuously slipped on her fur coat, and stepped toward me, holding my eyes in hers. She pushed me back on to the bed, at first with her hands, and then with her body and the coat sliding over me.
Oh how I wanted her! Oh how I wanted to devour her! She paused to tantalize my cock with her breasts and the soft fur of the coat, but moved higher, nipping at my nipples, then kissing me, kissing me with her whole body.
She moved up, holding me too briefly to each nipple, then moving up again.
She rolled to her back, and I rolled over, diving between her legs, devouring her.
After some time she pulled me up and to her side. I moved up, and she urged me to a breast. I was still hungry for her as she held me and rolled over a bit, putting her weight on me.
A hand found the back of my head, holding me gently. I filled myself with her, her perfume, her warmth. She started speaking softly. I moaned as my muscles melted, feeling her hand at the back of my head holding me to her.
When I woke in the morning, I went to the bathroom, and held her close. She got up after a few minutes, but returned quickly. We snuggled up again, spoon style with me pressed up against her back.
"I’m going to miss you, Mistress," I whispered as I kissed her bare shoulder and neck.
She snuggled in closer.
I started whispering to her, about how wonderful it was to be in her arms, so safe and relaxed. I blended into an induction, taking her into trance. I’d never used trance triggers with her, yet she used them with me -- strange.
I eased her deeper into trance, then on to her back. I got up to get the coat -- one last time before I go. As I got it out of the closet in the office, I saw my camera and smiled. I grabbed it as well.
I took a couple of pictures of her face, beautiful in trance. I set the camera down on the bed, and started taking us on a ride on those long, sensuous waves again, caressing her with the coat, eventually sliding into her and bringing her to orgasm. I took a few pictures of her, with her head back, such a look on her face!
I put the camera in my bedstand drawer, and leaning down, let the soft plush of the coat touch me and make me part of the waves as well, taking us on the rest of the journey. I know I called on her to hold me, and squeeze me, and she did, both of us crying out once again, collapsing afterwards into mutual embrace.
We got up quietly and showered. As she did her hair, I packed the camera and put away the coat, holding it to me once more, inhaling our scents and her perfume.
We had a light brunch. We were both quiet, staying close, touching.
Finally it was time to go. I knew I’d be there plenty early, but liked that -- let’s get it over with. We loaded my bags into her car, and with another hug, headed to the airport.
Yes, I had my passport -- in my jacket pocket, along with my tickets. Yes, I had my credit card, and the equivalent of a couple of hundred dollars in francs. And yes, I would love her, and miss her, and would take very good care of Rachel.
We parted outside the Air France terminal with a long hug and kiss.
"I love you, Beth. I’ll always love you. Enjoy your summer."
"Andy, I love you. Take care of yourself, and of that girl. I’ll see you in a few months."
It’s funny how all the surrounding noise, the car horns, the police whistles, the chaos and all the conversations, fade so quickly when you really look into the eyes of one you love.
We embraced once more. I helped her into her car and closed the door. After she drove off, I took my bags into the terminal.
I queued up for Air France, business. When I got to the head of the queue, I spoke to the man on the other side of the counter in French. He smiled broadly. He checked my passport, took care of my checked bag, handed me a boarding pass, and directed me to the lounge. I thanked him and headed off.
I looked at my boarding pass -- seat 3A! I’d been bumped to First Class! Hell, I had over an hour -- let’s check out the lounge.
When I got there, I greeted the cutie behind the desk in French. She responded with a twinkle in her eyes and the most wonderful Marseilles accent! I told her how nice it was to hear someone from that region again -- I’d be putting up with nothing but Parisians for a week, until I could get out to the countryside. We talked for a few minutes.
One of the other Air France people asked if this was my first flight. No, this was my second trip over this year. Where would I be staying? I told them of the chateau. We were over away from the reception area. The short cutie from behind the desk came over and asked if I would like a glass of champagne. Oui, yes, please. She walked off with a wonderful sway.
I got my camera. When she returned, I asked one of the others to take a picture of us. She set the tray with my champagne down and stepped right up to me, putting her arm around me, and my arm around her. I got pictures with a few Air France people, and one of just them.
I sat down to enjoy my bubbly. I thought about downloading the camera again, but the place was starting to fill up -- not sure I wanted the pics of Beth up on the screen. I flipped out the little color viewfinder on the camera, and started looking through the images I’d captured.
The shots from Ben and Emily’s place were good. God, even on that small screen, the way Rachel and I looked at each other -- I could feel my breathing shift just looking at it.
Surprise -- I expected to see Beth in trance, but instead, on that small color screen, I saw my own face. So that’s what I look like in trance? Guess that’s where I got the idea for this morning. She’d taken five pics, and they were something. Of course the ones I’d taken of her looked pretty good too.
I got the camera ready to take more pictures, then turned it off. Half an hour to go -- I went to the bathroom again. Ben had told me -- never pass up an opportunity to pee.
What a trip. I knew Bridget would meet me on the other end. Day after tomorrow, whenever that was, I would meet people from the University, my tutor for the summer. End of the week, Rachel arrives.
The lady and the tiger -- again. I knew what I would be doing, yet I knew I didn’t have a clue. This time, I had responsibilities, someone to look after. Before, Ben had looked after me.
Calm and relaxed; calm and relaxed -- thank you Beth. Thank you, Beth, and thank you Emily. Thank you Karen, and Betty, and Sherry, and Donna. I love you, Rachel.
Someone had refilled my glass. I picked it up, drained it, then picked up my bag. I headed out the door and to the gate. Forward.
Rev 2006/01/20
Growing Up With Beth -- Part 13
By silli_artie@hotmail.com
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/artie/www
© Copyright 2000 by silli_artie@hotmail.com