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Message-ID: <36928asstr$1024679403@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: "Serene Cherry" <serenecherry@hotmail.com>
Subject: {ASSM} [rom fest] Dreams Hereafter (FF, rom) by Serene Cherry
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2002 13:10:03 -0400
Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail
Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d


This is my submission for the Rom festival, again.  This copy has my actual 
comments on it at the end, for category four of the festival's purposes.

As always I've done my best to format it to ASSM submission guidelines.  My 
story, "Dreams Hereafter" has been slightly fixed/spell checked as well 
since it's original release on the ASSM.

Enjoy!

-Cherry

_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com


<1st attachment, "dreamshereafter.txt" begin>

DREAMS HEREAFTER

by Serene Cherry
serenecherry@hotmail.com

This story contains details of explicit sexuality between females

   CHAPTER I

   The morning had always been my favorite time of day, since as long as I
could remember.  It happened to be a very clear summer morning in July when
I decided to take a nice walk outside and take a look at what was going to
be my new neighborhood.  Quietly, I left the entrance of my new apartment
and made a calm stroll down my block, appropriately named Walnut street
thanks to the calm shades of brown found on nearly every building.  The
morning air was fresh and soothing; a tender reminder of why I loved taking
long walks alone with my thoughts.  The sun still sat on the horizon,
rising more with each minute and changing the night's grayness into a
cheerful bright blue.

   I wore the same shade of blue over my shoulders as I paced along the
sidewalk in my warm jacket.  After a minute's travel I found myself
approaching a vast park which I had noticed near my apartment days earlier.
My feet were still sensitive to the hard concrete in my rather worn out
shoes as I looked up at the small sign which stood next to the main gate.
It read 'Tranquil Gardens'.

   Upon reaching the rather secluded entrance to the park, I gently brushed
a lock of my tawny hair away from my face, placing my hands in my pockets.
For a park so large it didn't appear as if many people were inside, most
likely due to my early rising.  I passed through the gates of Tranquil
Gardens and took in a deep breath as my feet met the soft grass.  The air
seemed almost fresher inside the park, as if I had left the boundaries of
the city streets and entered into an untouched area of wilderness.  I
smiled to myself, glad to have already discovered such a comforting
environment.  It seemed almost like something out of a fairytale.

   "I think I'm going to like it here," I said to myself, softly.

   The path led deeper into a wooded area, still lit by the odd lamp post
but gradually growing brighter as if the light were following my steady
stride.  A faint breeze rustled the branches of the full and green trees,
whispering quiet morning sounds along with the crickets who were still
chirping in the distance.

   I almost felt like closing my eyes and imagining that it was indeed an
area of my dreams, as it felt more inviting than I could have imagined.
With that thought, I made my way to a small brook near the center of the
park and took a seat on what appeared to be the only wooden bench in the
park, which rested partially under the tallest tree.

   The brook's stream was about ankle deep with small stones lining the
bottom.  Along the edges of the water were various flowers which had
seemingly grown in naturally though they were obviously planted by someone.
The colors reflected the warmth of the flourishing summer season.  I
listened to the sounds of the brook for a few minutes, letting my eyes just
rest.  After a short time passed, I heard a small thump a short distance
away but didn't bother looking.  I just continued to rest and breathe
silently to myself.

   With my feet together, I waited for the sun to find its place in the sky
and bring first light to the quiet morning.  Just as I thought I might doze
off from the soothing voice of the brook, I was met with a soft utterance
near my ear.

   "You're sitting in my spot you know."

   I almost leapt from the seat out of fright, turning my head to see a
small, thin figure standing just off to my side.  Her hands were holding a
number of thick books and I couldn't make out her expression.  I quickly
jumped from my seat and stood on the other side of the bench, throwing my
hair back into my face clumsily.

   "I'm so sorry, I didn't know, I'll go, I'll..."

   "No, it's not your fault, I was just teasing," she giggled.

   I finally brought my hand to my face and parted my hair to find a young
woman standing near me, her hands clutching what appeared to be school
books.  The sun rose just above her head, casting a bright aura around her
as I squinted to make out her expression.  She was wearing a pair of
half-glasses which were definitely bifocals, and a white cardigan which had
a little dirt on it near the waist.

   "I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your spot."

   "It's all right, It isn't actually," she said in a soft voice similar to
mine.  "I do sit in it often when I'm reading though.  What's your name?"

   "Holly," I answered.

   "My name is Grace.  How are you?"

   I paused.

   "I'm okay I guess, you just startled me is all."

   She smiled brightly, gently letting her books rest in one arm.

   "That's a first, usually it's the other way around for me," she giggled.
"So you're new here, Holly?"

   I hesitated for a moment.

   "Yes, I just moved in yesterday."

   She stepped closer, not making a sound in the green grass.

   "So you're new to this park then, too?" she asked.  I nodded.  "Well,
you've found one of the best spots in it for sure.  There aren't many
people are out here this early in the morning."

   "Would you like to sit here?  I will leave if you want me to," I said.

   She giggled to herself and rubbed a smudge from her bi-focals.

   "No, no, I would love some company for a change.  Would you like to sit
down on the bench with me this morning, Holly?"

   I shifted slightly, letting my first smile appear.

   "Okay...  I guess."

   Grace stepped over and quietly sat on the bench, her books resting
comfortably in her lap.

   "Sit down here and let's talk then," she exclaimed, smiling.

   I moved back beside her and sat down, placing my hands in my lap
nervously.  Grace had her books to attend to but I was empty-handed.  I
hadn't even brought my purse out for the walk.

   "I...  don't really know what to say."

   "Well...  where do you live, Holly?" she began, soft with her voice so
as to calm my tenseness.  I thought to point out where I lived but soon
remembered how far into the gardens I had travelled realized that I had
already lost my sense of direction.

   "Just up a few blocks, on Walnut Street," I said, softly.

   "That's a nice neighborhood.  Do you live in an apartment?"

   I nodded again, this time turning to face her on the bench.

   "Mmm hmm."

   "Do you live by yourself?"

   "Yes," I answered.  "I haven't even really unpacked yet."

   "No friends here in town to help you?" Grace inquired, tapping on her
books now as if she were feeling nervous herself.

   "No, I don't know anyone here personally."

   "Oh," she said, smiling still.  I started twiddling with my thumbs.  "So
what do you like to do, Holly?"

   "Well, I would like to get a job here soon.  I've got a few writing
skills."

   "Are you a good writer?" she asked, happily.  "I'll bet you are."

   "I...  well, I'm okay."

   I began to blush, looking at a row of flowers which closely mimicked the
flesh tone of my cheeks.

   "So how old are you, Holly?"

   "I'm nineteen.  How old are you, Grace?"

   "Same," she replied.

   She lifted her hands to her glasses and rearranged them again.  Grace
had bright green eyes which were nearly doubled in size through her
bifocals; a perfect match to her tied back chestnut colored hair which
looked so elegant and shiny compared to my messy, greasy look.  Grace's
eyes didn't seem to mind at all somehow.  Her gaze was one of quiet
happiness, of caring and compassion.  I looked into them calmly, and she
did the same with mine as if we were locked in silent communication.  We
both paid attention to the sound of the brook as it lulled us both away
from the nervousness of introduction.

   "I know, I know.  I tripped back there as I noticed you on the bench.  A
clumsy, four eyed bookworm, not worth sitting next to a pretty girl like
you, aren't I?"

   I tried to hide my blushing, but at the same time was surprised by her
own self-perception.  I believed she was definitely more attractive than I
was for sure.

   "Of course not, Grace, that isn't what I was thinking at all."

   "What were you thinking, Holly?"

   "I was thinking how nice and pretty you are actually."

   Grace let out a small cough, quickly calming herself as she gripped her
books tightly.

   "Thank you, Holly; that's so nice of you to say.  I wish more people
would talk to me the way you do."

   "How do others talk to you?" I asked.

   She didn't answer.

   "Ummm...  I have classes today but I would love to see you again
sometime," Grace said, quickly smiling once more.  "Can I give you a call?"

   "I haven't got my phone connected yet," I replied, embarrassed.

   "Oh...  I suppose I could back come here early again tomorrow; I do
pretty much everyday anyway.  It's so easy to fall in love with Tranquil
Gardens after visiting a few times."

   "It certainly is wonderful the first time," I added.

   Grace rose from the bench, sniffling for a second and holding in a
second cough.

   "Goodbye, Holly.  I hope to see you again soon."

   "Goodbye," I answered, pushing my hair out of my face and waving a bit.

   Grace made her way around the bench and back onto the small dirt path
which she had fallen on earlier.  She looked back several times, smiling a
little happier with each one as she watched me gaze at her.  After a
moment, she faded into the surrounding trees and I was left alone again,
now with the sun high in the sky as a sign of the new dawn.  I hummed to
myself for a minute or two and lied down on the length of the bench,
allowing myself to doze off into a peaceful, dreamless rest before
returning home.

   CHAPTER II

   I rested my head against my couch armrest for a moment, smiling to
myself.  After a few minutes I looked up at my new apartment, my very messy
new apartment.  A few items of clothing were hanging out of some of the
boxes I had opened, nearly blocking off my view of the window.  I stood
from the couch and held my diary in my arms with both hands after just
having written an entire page about meeting Grace.  I then made my way to
the bathroom for what should have been my morning shower though it was
turning out to be more of an afternoon noon shower.

   I set my diary by the sink and kicked off my ugly shoes, then my socks.
After slipping out of my jeans and shirt I gazed at myself in the mirror
wearing only my underwear.  I made a few faces, some of them smiles, and
thought about Grace's smile.  She had said I was pretty; that was more than
enough to brighten me up for the remainder of the day.  With that, I
slipped off my bra and panties and stepped into the shower, thinking about
Grace.

   ...

   The next day I was even more excited about seeing Grace than I had been
before I hesitantly doze off in my bed.  I jumped up as soon as my 6:30
alarm went off and darted into the shower to get ready for the day.

   I wore a clean pair of black jeans and the same jacket with a nice
collared shirt underneath and, of course, my favorite earrings.  Set with a
nice pink hue, and surrounded by silver, they were as close to diamonds as
I could afford.  They dangled each time I took a step.  As a final touch to
my outfit I attempted to curl my hair a bit in the front, though it didn't
turn out as well as I had hoped.  With that, I rushed out the door and
headed towards the park in hopes of meeting Grace again for the morning.

   When I entered the park, that same feeling of quiet happiness filled my
spirit.  It was the perfect place to see Grace, and I quickly made my way
along the grass and then the small dirt path until I found our bench once
more.  I had hoped she would have already been there waiting for me but she
hadn't arrived yet.  The bench wood was still a bit cool from the night air
as I sat down, waiting, hoping.  Sure enough, after about ten minutes,
Grace appeared on the very same path, the sun shining at her back in a calm
aura.

   "Am I late?" she asked, holding a different set of schoolbooks.

   "Of course not," I replied, moving over to give her room.

   "Good morning," she said, sitting down beside me.  I returned her
salutation, smiling for her and keeping my hands at my sides instead of
fidgeting nervously.  "Oh, you're all dressed up today.  Is this for me?"

   I began to blush again, looking at my outfit compared to hers.  She wore
a similar cardigan but this time more of an oatmeal color.  She had also
cleaned her bifocals of all the smudges they had been marked with a day
earlier.

   "Oh, well...  sort of...  yes."

   "That's sweet of you," she answered.  "I love your earrings, too.  I
think I have a pair just like them."

   I shook my head a bit, letting them dangle.  We both giggled.

   "Ummm...so, why did you come talk with me yesterday?" I asked, hoping
not to sound rude.

   She looked at me.  "Well, I've just been feeling a little...  no," she
cut herself off.  "I noticed how pretty you were and thought that it would
be nice to have a little company for once."

   "For once?" I asked.

   "Well, I guess I could get a lot of company if I really wanted to.  I
just don't want...  that kind of company.  I want someone who I can talk to
and laugh with right now."

   "I can talk and even laugh sometimes, too, if I try," I added.

   We both giggled again.

   "I can see that."

   I moved a little closer to her for once, feeling my heart begin to race.

   "So what are you studying?" I asked, looking at her books.

   "Everything pretty much," she answered.  "I don't want to close any
doors on my future so I'm taking everything I like."

   "Isn't it hard?  I could never do that; I would eventually give up."

   There was a long pause.  I began to cringe, thinking that I had somehow
upset Grace with my words.  She lowered her head, staring down at her
books.

   "Don't ever give up hope, Holly...  It will always be there for you."

   Her words were sincere, perhaps more memorable than any action.  I felt
a surge of emotion rush through my body as I noticed a single tear run down
her cheek.

   "Okay," I whispered almost.

   Grace raised her head up as I spoke, her eyes a bit watery as she
managed another smile.

   "Besides, look how beautiful it is this morning.  We should have some
fun."

   My eyes brightened.

   "Like what?"

   "You know, fun," she answered.  "Like we always used to, back when life
was more simple.  Stand up." She set her books aside and rose before I did.
I stared up at her for a second, her eyes seemed so caring.  As I continued
to gaze, she slid her hands under my arms.  "Up, Holly."

   I stood from the bench and blushed a bit more, not sure what to say.
Grace took in a deep breath, as if she were preparing to jump off the
highest diving board at a pool.

   "Okay..." I said, waiting for her to continue.

   "Come over here by the stream, and take your shoes off."

   "What?"

   "Your shoes," she repeated.  "I'll do it too...  come on."

   Hesitantly, I proceeded to take off my shoes as Grace watched and slowly
began to remove her own.  She had a nice pair of expensive looking black
heeled shoes compared to my ugly runners.  She didn't seem to care at all
that they looked as if a dog had chewed on them.  Once our footwear was
off, we both stood in our socks on the grass, mine black and Grace's white.

   "Now what?"

   "Now, off with the socks, too," she stated, smiling happily.

   She quickly got out of hers and tossed them near her shoes, turning to
me as I stood still, confused and even a bit embarrassed.

   "I don't know, Grace, I..."

   She stepped towards me.  "Oh come on, scaredy cat, get a little dirty."

   Quickly, Grace made a quick lunge towards me, sweeping my feet out from
under me with a swift trip.

   "Grace!"

   With tender care I was caught in her outstretched arms and set on the
soft grass.  A huge smile rested on Grace's face.

   "Walnut street Karate class, yellow belt," she declared, grinning.

   She reached for my feet and proceeded to take my socks off herself.  I
began to giggle uncontrollably, tickled profusely by her actions.  Finally,
after about twenty seconds, Grace was able to get both socks off, tossing
them near my shoes as she jumped back to her feet.

   "Now you can get up and come in with me," she said, smiling.

   "Come in where?"

   As I spoke, Grace turned and stepped into the brook's water with soft
steps, sighing for a second as the cold stream rushed between her feet and
ankles.  She raised her arms as if she were balancing herself on a high
wire and made her way to the center of the calm stream.

   "Come in with me, Holly," she smiled.  "It's a little cold but you get
used to it."

   Without speaking, I looked at the water and then back at Grace.  She
looked at me, smiling and tilting her head to the side a bit.  I just
couldn't resist.  After looking down at the water once more, I made a tiny
hop from the edge of the brook and landed right beside her in the stream,
making a small splash that mostly got me.

   We both laughed.

   "That's more like it," she said.  "But I'm not sure how I'm going to
explain my clothes to my professor now."

   "Oh, I'm sorry," I replied, feeling a little guilty.

   "Don't be, Holly.  I'm glad you jumped in, I couldn't have done it like
that without finding my face in the water at the same time." She bent down
and picked up a rock, showing it to me as if it were a piece of jewelry
before quickly whipping it downstream, making it skipping three times.
"You try it now."

   I bent over and grabbed a rock, mimicking Grace's toss as closely as I
could.  With a small plop it splashed into the stream, not skipping once.

   "Oh fffudge."

   "No, Holly, do it with a disc shaped one; kind of like a frisbee I
suppose." She bent over again and grabbed one like she had described,
wiping it off a bit with her wrist.  "Toss away."

   I tried once more, this time with a little more power.  It still didn't
skip.  I felt a little disappointed.

   "I'm no good I guess, Grace."

   She smiled, putting her arm around my waist slowly.

   "You just need a little practice, Holly, that's all."

   I looked in her eyes.  This was the closest to each other we had ever
been.  I could practically hear my heartbeat from within my chest.

   "I didn't know you went to Karate classes, Grace."

   "I started about a month ago.  I'm going for a black belt one day, I
hope."

   "That would take a long time, wouldn't it?" I asked.

   There was another long pause as Grace lowered her eyes for a moment.
After a few moments I looked down as well, thinking that she was staring at
something by her feet.

   "But one day it could happen, Holly, don't you think?  One day?"

   I felt a lump growing in my heart; Grace was making me want to cry
somehow.  She seemed so sincere, so determined, I couldn't bring myself to
say anything but what she wanted.

   "I guess so...  yes, you could do it.  Of course you could."

   "I'm sorry, Holly.  Thank you.  Just talking to you makes me feel so
happy, even a little nervous too."

   "And you do the same for me, Grace," I stated, not sure really what to
say.

   Grace closed her eyes, concentrating for a moment before quickly
reverting to her cheerful self again.

   She took in a deep breath.  "Well, that was refreshing, don't you
think?"

   "Very," I said, a bit more cheery.

   "What are you doing later today, Holly," she asked.  "I was wondering if
maybe we could have some lunch together...  or something."

   Grace definitely sounded nervous, just like she had said, and just like
I would have been had I asked the same question.  She took off her glasses
and started cleaning off the little drops of water from my big splash.

   "Lunch sounds wonderful, Grace, I would love to come.  Where?"

   She put her glasses back on, blinking to focus.

   "Hmmm...  you live on Walnut street, right?  I think I know a good
little place on the way here to the park, you've probably seen it."

   "There?  Okay, I know it.  When though?

   "Let's say noonish, that's my lunch break."

   "I'll be there," I said, smiling.

   "Wonderful," she smiled.  "Now, let's get out of this stream before I
freeze my toes off."

   Grace stepped out ahead of me, gently holding out her hand.

   "Thank you," I said, taking it and stepping out beside her.

   As I knelt over by my ragged runners, Grace knelt to her knees and set
her shoes upon her lap before me.

   "Holly," she said, softly.  "I want you to have my shoes.  As a sort of
first gift for our friendship."

   My eyes widened.

   "Oh, no, I can't, Grace, I can't accept these.  They're your shoes and
they look so nice on you, and..."

   She smiled tenderly.

   "I know we're the same size, I checked while I was grabbing for your
socks.  Please, I want you to have them, I've always wanted to give a gift
to my best friend."

   I felt my emotions pouring to the surface again.

   "Best friend?" I asked, in a whisper.

   She nodded.  "Yes, even though I feel so nervous telling you this.  I
must look so stupid right now."

   "No," I began, "I'm honoured, Grace, I..."

   "Oh, okay," she replied, softly.

   Grace reached forward with her beautiful black shoes, setting them in my
lap.  A tear came to my eye and ran down my cheek, and then a warm smile.

   "Thank you so much, Grace.  You are the best friend I've ever met."

   She leaned forward and gave me a large hug as I held my clenched fists
against my chest.  She stayed there for a moment, looking over my shoulder
and holding me tight.  More tears came to my face as I waited for a chance
to reach up and brush them away.  Grace was so warm against me, so warm and
full of life, I thought.  Her heart beat against the back of my hands,
steady and soft just as her breath in my ear.  I closed my eyes, trembling
for a moment, and struggling with the words I wanted to say.  Grace made a
sniffle; she was teared up as well apparently.

   When we finally released each other, I opened my mouth; the words so
close to being spoken.  I couldn't find it in myself to say them.  Instead,
I quickly rubbed away my tears and looked up again.  Grace was already
peering into my eyes.

   "Holly, I..." There was a pause that seemed to last forever.  "Why don't
you try them on for me."

   I took the shoes from my lap.

   "Okay," I whispered.

   I slipped my black socks back on and loosened the laces a bit on her
shoes before I slid them both on.  Grace was right; they did fit, better
than my runners had even.  For so small a gift it meant more to me than I
could have imagined.

   "They look beautiful on you, Holly, I'm so glad."

   As Grace remained seated, putting on what had been my runners, I walked
back over to the bench and picked up her schoolbooks.  A small flower lied
between two of them, its pedals sticking out from the top.  I brought my
nose to the flower and took in the sweet fragrance.  It reminded me of
Grace somehow, and its color was a soft green, almost identical to her
beautiful eyes.  I stared at it for a moment, lost in its familiarities as
Grace tied the laces of my former shoes.  She kept a small cough inward,
and then rose fully.

   "Your books," I said softly, reaching my arms out for her to take them.

   "Thank you, Holly," she replied, taking them from my hands with care.
"I probably would have forgot them there actually." I looked down at her
feet.  I could see a bit of her socked toe through a hole in one of the
runners.  Grace reached for my chin and lifted my face back up to hers.
"It's okay, Holly, you already make me happy.  you don't have to worry for
me, too."

   "No, I...  I guess I don't.  But I can worry 'about' you, right?"

   She smiled.

   "I suppose you can.  But if you're going to, Holly, I don't want that to
ever make you sad or anything, that is very important for me."

   She kept her hand under my chin for a second then released it.

   "Okay..." I said, softly.

   "Promise?" she asked, looking at me through her bifocals tenderly.

   There was a pause.

   "I promise."

   "Goodbye, Holly," she said.

   "I'll see you at lunch, Grace."

   We came close to each other again, this time both trembling a bit.  A
final hug against her warm body was enough to calm my raised emotions.  I
felt her tenderness, her strength, all at once with her soothing touch.
The flower which protruded from her books lightly brushed up against my
neck as she held her books at my back.  Grace took in a deep breath as we
both listened to the sound of our hearts beating so close to each other.
She held on much tighter than I did, breathing very quietly in our embrace,
almost as if she didn't want to let go.

   CHAPTER III

   I set my pen down on the open page of my diary, tapping against it
lightly as my pinky nail rested between my front teeth.  Grace's words
continued to stick in my head, as if she had just spoken them seconds
earlier; 'Don't ever give up hope'.  I began to wonder what Grace thought
about; if she thought about our seeing each other, if she even really meant
everything she said.  She appeared to have a very busy life ahead of her; I
wondered how big a part I played in it.  After closing my diary I fixed up
my hair and makeup a bit before beginning a little maintenance on my new
apartment.

   ...

   The nervous feeling of anticipation I had been feeling a lot lately
wasn't in any less excess as I closed the door to my apartment and left
down the stairs towards our meeting place for lunch.  I actually didn't
feel hungry, my stomach seemed full of butterflies or other crawly

   With quick strides, I made my way down Walnut street, staring at my new
shoes as they trudged along the sidewalk.  They reminded me so much of
Grace, her sensitivity, her sense of fashion.  I smiled to myself and
thought to skip along the sidewalk instead of walk, but decided not to
seeing as how I was alone.  I restrained myself until I got to the corner
of the small cafe where we were to meet.

   When I stepped in the door, I noticed that the cafe was nearly deserted.
One or two elderly people sat on benches at the counter and a husband and
wife with their two rather noisy children sat in a booth in the corner
enjoying a family meal.  I sat in a booth by myself near the door, next to
a window where I could see outside.  As I took my seat, a waitress in plain
clothing came up to me.

   "Can I get you something, young lady?"

   "Oh, I'm actually waiting for someone but...  could I get a lemonade
maybe?"

   "Sure, I'll be right back, you just wait here," she said kindly.

   After about a minute she returned with my lemonade.

   "Thank you," I said, reaching for my purse, which I had remembered to
bring this time.

   "Don't worry, it's on the house," she smiled.  "You know, you look very
familiar to me."

   My eyes widened for a moment as I took a sip from my straw.

   "Really?"

   "Ya, don't you have a funny looking pair of magnifying glasses that you
sometimes wear?" she asked, grinning a bit.

   "Oh, sorry, no.  I'm actually new to this neighborhood," I answered.

   "I must be mistaking you for someone else then.  There's someone who
looks almost just like you who comes in here sometimes; always has books,
always orders a lemonade like you just did."

   She gave me a kind wink and proceeded towards the booth with the family,
carrying a coloring book for the kids who sat restlessly, asking when their
food was coming.  I took another sip from my straw and smiled with the
mother as I made contact with her eyes for a second.

   The door to the cafe had a small set of bells near the top which sounded
every time someone walked in.  Even though I thought I was paying
attention, I was snuck up on yet again.

   "Hi Holly."

   I looked up from my straw and saw Grace standing over me, this time
without her books and her hands behind her back.

   "Hi," I pronounced softly.

   Grace motioned for me to scoot over on the seat, which I did, though I
was a bit surprised; the other side of the booth was empty.  She took a
seat and looked down at my lemonade first, and then back up at me, backing
her head up as people with glasses seemed to do when in close quarters with
others.

   "I was just about to ask for the same thing, Holly.  You have good
taste."

   "For drinks anyway," I answered, looking down at my outfit for a moment.

   We both smiled.  I looked up across the room towards the waitress who
now noticed Grace sitting beside me.  She covered her mouth as if she were
concealing a smirk, then walked back over.

   "Now, what can I get 'you'?"

   "I'll have a lemonade too, please," Grace said, looking up at her.

   "Of course, I should have remembered," she returned, flashing me a smirk
before turning towards the counter once more.

   Grace turned back to me, tilting her glasses down onto her nose a bit.

   "So, did you have fun today in the park?" she asked.

   "Oh, yes I did.  How did your professor react to the umm..."

   "He didn't seem to mind, but a lot of people noticed in the hallways
when I came in."

   "I'm sorry, again."

   She smiled.  "Don't worry, Holly, I was fine.  And besides I wore this
oatmeal colored shirt just in case I happened to fall over again, see?"

   We both made a small laugh, the two kids in the family booth heard us
over their bickering and looked up at as from across the room.

   "I didn't really have the chance to tell you but...  I wanted to say
that you look very nice today," I said, looking down at my glass.

   The waitress returned with Grace's lemonade and then went on with her
duties.

   "I suppose I didn't really notice, seeing as how your smile seems to
make me feel just as nice."

   I blushed.

   "You're so flattering, Grace," I mused.

   "Well, this whole thing isn't very normal for me.  People don't talk
with me very much, or even spend time with me for that matter."

   "I can't imagine why," I replied.

   She took a sip from her lemonade and then folded her arms on the table,
setting her chin down on them.

   "I guess not very many people in my life have ever wanted to just sit
down and talk sometimes.  They were always waiting for it to end so that
they could get back to more important things.  But I like to talk to
others; it makes me feel like I'm not alone in life.  I want to be able to
say one day that I lived knowing that I was more than just an object or
someone to be sorry for.  I want to live, Holly..."

   I looked up at her, our eyes met, this time unhindered by the lenses of
her glasses.

   "I...  don't really know what to say, Grace."

   She perked up again, smiling.

   "You don't have to say anything, Holly.  It's nice to just listen
sometimes, too."

   "Mmm hmm," I nodded.

   We stared at each other for the longest time, locked in silent
communication.  The gentleness of Grace's eyes enveloped my consciousness
and I smiled softly for her, gradually letting go of my anxiety.  Grace
reached up with her hand, placing it tenderly against my cheek.  I closed
my eyes, letting her fingers soothe my skin.  It felt almost as if a
feather were embracing me.

   "Holly...  Holly?"

   She let go of my face, smiling.

   "Having a little daydream are we?" she asked.

   "Oh...  I guess so," I managed to get out.

   She closed her eyes as she said, "What do you dream about, Holly?"

   I looked to my sides for a second, feeling the nervousness start to
knock at my door again.  Grace kept her eyes closed and waited, as though
she were listening to a soft serenade.

   "I...don't dream very often."

   Grace opened her eyes, a little sullied but still cheerful in her
expression.

   "You don't dream?" she asked.  I nodded hesitantly.  "Well I love to
dream.  I've always thought of dreaming as glimpses of a better life, of
the next world even.  A place where everyone is happy and there is no pain
or misery, but only love and caring.  Dreams are something to strive for,
to live for, don't you think, Holly?"

   I paused, holding onto a nervous smile.  What could someone say to that?
Instead of uttering a respectable reply to her lively words, I let out only
a whisper, signifying that I was listening at least, but uncertain of what
to say.

   "Uh huh..."

   Grace giggled to herself.

   "It feels like I'm talking to a zombie here," she stated.

   I shook my head, quickly livening up.

   "I'm sorry, Grace, it's just that I was so in tune with what you said."

   Grace took my hand into hers gently.

   "Oh Holly, I wish we could just sit like this and talk for hours," she
pronounced, happily.  I prepared to make my obvious answer which would have
been 'why can't we', but before I could, Grace gently gripped my hand and
took in a calm breath.  "You know what I like to do everyday?"

   "What?" I asked.

   I immediately thought she was going to mention something very strange on
unethical, something to make her seem like a complete stranger again, but
instead she said something that was more true and life-changing than most
people can possibly imagine.

   "Everyday of my life I try to do something that I've never done before,
or something that I would normally never consider doing normally.  You know
that one special person you met while you were out by yourself but you
never had the courage to go and try talking, or someone who you thought was
so beautiful they would never, in their right mind, want to be with you?"

   "You do something like that everyday?"

   "Yes," she replied.  "Today mine was hoping you would step into the
stream with me in the park."

   I focused on the last part of her previous sentence; seeing someone so
beautiful that you felt so nervous about approaching..d.

   "And yesterday's?" I asked, looking at her softly now.

   Grace paused, looked down at herself and then back up at me.

   "Yesterday's," she said, slowly.  "Yesterday's was having the courage to
walk up to you in the park."

   Her words felt like a wave of happiness against my body, so open and
truthful.  Grace held my hand tightly and then let go, unsure of whether
her words were about to scare me off.  I reached up and gently placed my
hand on top of hers, returning the smile that was so much like my own.  At
once, the Grace who I saw as above me and so much more secure was revealed
as the caring and vulnerable woman she truly was.  I felt a great weight
lift from my heart as I looked into her eyes.

   "I felt exactly the same way, Grace.  I was so nervous then, I even am
now a bit," I said, letting my shakiness show just a bit.

   "Really?" she asked, attentively.  I felt her warm hand beneath my own
as I nodded.

   "This almost feels like a dream," I whispered to her.

   "I hope it isn't," Grace said.  "Because it's one of the best that I've
ever had."

   We both smiled at each other; a loving smile, the smile of two friends
who shared the same feelings of happiness in one another.  Grace turned her
hand over underneath mine and allowed our fingers to lock together.  For
the first time in my life I felt open, complete, just as Grace did.  I
immediately thought of her words, her vow to do something that she would
normally never do each day.  The words came out as if they were spoken by
another person, I was so frightened.

   "Would...  would you like to come to my apartment to...  today, Grace?"

   She looked at me for a second, her smile still soft, her eyes still big
and cheerful.  She seemed to realize I was beginning the same daily vow she
had taken.

   "I would love to, Holly," she said, softly.  I felt as if I was going to
faint.  Nearly doing so, I dropped my head against her shoulder, wearily.
Grace giggled.  "Was that today's little risk for you?"

   "It was," I managed to let out, only in a whisper.

   Grace gently lifted my head with her hand, bringing my eyes back to
hers. A small tear rested behind her bifocals.  She smiled and stood from
the table.

   "Let's go then, Holly."

   "Okay," I answered, just above my breath.

   Grace reached out her hand and I took it, rising beside her.  We were
almost exactly the same height.  Before we left, she left more than enough
change on the table to cover our two unfinished lemonades and even tip the
waitress who had called her 'the girl with magnifying glasses' behind her
back.  I doubt Grace would have resented her for it, had she known.

   CHAPTER IV

   It hadn't been much of a lunch, but as I walked with Grace towards my
apartment I thought of it as one of the best lunch dates I had ever been
on. We both walked down the sidewalk together, looking at some of the
places Grace knew.  She pointed them out and gave them each a little
description as we passed.

   "There's the Walnut street office building, which is full of a whole
bunch of small businesses, including my karate class I might add.  And
there's..."

   Without her books to hold, Grace kept her hands wrapped together near
her stomach, as if to keep herself warm though the weather was still quite
fair for the early afternoon.  I set my hands behind my back and looked
down, letting my new shoes avoid the cracks in the sidewalk, playfully.
Within a few moments Grace realized what I was doing and joined in with me.

   We both giggled.

   "You do this too?" I asked.

   "All the time," she replied, trying not to screw up.

   Another pedestrian up ahead noticed the two of us walking all over the
sidewalk with large erratic steps and crossed over to the other side.  The
next one wasn't as passive though; he walked right between us, making Grace
almost trip to avoid a crack.  Instead she stepped down hard and allowed
herself to lose our little game.

   "I win," I said, happily.

   "Hmmphh, that wasn't my fault," she replied.

   I looked up from the sidewalk.

   "My apartment is right up there, the white building."

   I pointed to my building for Grace.  She looked at it and nodded.

   "Okay, which room though?"

   "I'm in 308 I think."

   Grace stopped walking, so did I.  She reached out her hands and took
mine in both, looking at them.

   "Holly, I actually have to go to class again today, but I promise I'll
come over after I'm done.  Is that okay?"

   "Okay, Grace," I answered.

   She released my hands and started to turn.

   "Oh and don't worry if you haven't unpacked yet, I don't mind messy
apartments at all."

   She took the thought right out of my head; I was so worried she was
going to despise the conditions in my home.  I felt very relieved.

   "Okay."

   Grace turned around again, and then turned back to face me a second
time.

   "Hug?" she asked.

   "Yes," I replied, beginning to blush a bit.

   She walked back towards me and reached out her arms as we embraced with
a gentle hug.  I felt Grace's quiet heartbeat against my chest and sighed.
Something as simple as a hug seemed enough to make her content.  She held
her breath the entire time, waiting for a long pause before releasing her
grip.

   "Bye, Holly."

   With that she turned and walked off quickly, starting up another attempt
at missing the sidewalk cracks.

   ...

   After reaching my apartment, I opened the door and stepped in,
immediately noticing the horrid conditions that Grace was about to see
soon. Caught up in excitement, I threw off my shoes and jacket, running
over to a nearby stack of boxes to begin unpacking as fast as I could.

   I pulled out my phone from one of the boxes but couldn't find the cord
which plugged into the wall.  I then pulled out what little silverware I
was able to buy before moving and placed it in the kitchen drawers.  After
what seemed like sixty minutes of work I looked at the clock and noticed it
was already five.

   I rushed into my room and put on a clean pair of jeans, just in time to
hear a quiet knock at my door from the hallway.  After nearly falling over
while slipping on my last pant leg, I jogged to the door and opened it.
Grace stood there, holding a small pot full of the same light green species
of flower which I had found between her books.  She held it out, politely.

   "House warming gift for you, Holly.  I hope you like them."

   I took them from her hands, lowering them so that I could see her fully.

   "Oh, I love them, Grace, thanks so much."

   "I actually picked them from Tranquil Gardens, but I'm sure no one will
mind."

   "I think so too," I said.  "Come in, come in."

   Grace stepped passed me and peered around a bit as I closed the door.
We walked into the kitchen area and I set the flowers down on the already
cluttered table.

   "A very nice place you've got here, it's bigger than mine I think."

   "But no where near as clean," I added.

   "Well maybe we could fix that, Holly.  Would you like me to help tidy
up?"

   I pondered her offer for a moment, wondering if it would seem rude to
accept, but decided to say yes anyway.

   "Okay."

   ...

   It didn't take us very long to unpack all of my things, but when it was
finally over we were both a little exhausted.  I felt particularly warm
after I had dropped one of the boxes, spilling out some of my underwear
right at Grace's feet.  She giggled and helped me pick them up though.
After a few more minutes of work, walked into the living room, allowing
Grace the opportunity to sit down on the couch and stretch her arms above
her head, breathing heavily.  She attempted to hold in a cough.

   "There, all settled in now."

   I sat down beside her and stretched my legs out for a moment.  Then, for
the longest time we just looked at each other; almost a blank stare,
without words but with great thought.  Grace's green eyes seemed to glimmer
from beneath her glasses which reflected the light from the window.  Her
soft features seemed more elegant than usual and her smile appeared more
soothing.  Both of us were very warm and the perspiration from our
foreheads showed through as a result.

   "Grace," I said.  "Have you ever had a boyfr...  someone special in your
life?"

   She looked into her lap, then straightened her glasses.

   "No...  not really.  I've never met anyone who was particularly
interested in my life, instead of just my body."

   "Oh," I answered, quietly.

   "That's why I like being with you, Holly, because you are interested in
what I have to say.  You enjoy being with me on more than just the physical
level."

   Grace looked back up into my eyes.

   "Yes, I guess you're right."

   "And that's why I love being with you, Holly," Grace said, softly.

   I felt the room temperature seemingly double.  I turned red at my
cheeks.

   "It's...  it's very hot in here," I said, stuttering very noticeably.  I
stood from the couch and turned towards the kitchen.  "Would you like
some...  something to drink, I'll get some drinks, I'll be right back."

   Grace lowered her head.

   "Yes, I'd..."

   Before she could finish I stepped out of the room and opened the
refrigerator, feeling the first rush of cool air against my face.  I took a
deep breath, wondering if I had really heard Grace right or had simply
imagined it out of exhaustion.  I felt my heart pounding against my chest
as I picked out two cans of Pepsi and walked back into the living room.

   Grace sat with her legs up on the seat and her head tucked into her
arms. I heard a faint sob from beneath her curled up body.  She looked up,
her glasses down to her nose, and tears in her eyes.

   "I'm...  I'm sorry, Holly, I didn't mean to scare you like that.  Maybe
I should go."

   I felt my knees begin to shake.

   "No, please don't go, Grace, I..."

   "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable like that.  I know you
don't love me that way and..."

   Love.  She loved me?  Out of all the people I had met and cared for in
my life I never would have guessed Grace to be the one to express her
feelings first.  Possibly because I had never been with another girl but
also because I felt the same way she did about holding the importance of
another's life before their physical appearance.  I dropped one of the
Pepsi cans as I stood in front of her, trembling and ready to collapse.

   "You...  love me?" I asked, in a whisper.

   Grace looked up at me.  Her glasses fell off of her face and onto her
arms.  She grew a very emotional smile beneath her tears and nodded.

   "Yes, I do."

   I felt as if I were going to pass out.  The heat became almost
overwhelming as I fell to my knees in front of her, gripping the cold soda
can as the only source of cold in the room.

   "I love you too, Grace."

   She widened her eyes, just as I had the first time I had been called her
best friend.  Yet again the progression of our feelings had crept up on us
both unexpectedly.  Grace set her legs back down on the carpet and opened
her arms up.  I fell into them and she hugged me more tightly than ever
before, sniffling as I just began to tear up.  She made a tiny cough near
my ear before her breathing steadied.

   "I've always loved you, Holly, I just couldn't bring myself to tell you.
I didn't ever think that you would feel the same way.  I'm...  I'm happy."

   I raised my head, our faces now directly in front of each other.

   "Grace..."

   Like the first moment we had hugged, when our lips met the feeling was a
thousand times greater.  It was like nothing I had ever experienced before,
or had ever guessed I would do.  Her touch against my lips was more soft
than I had ever imagined, so warm and soothing.  I felt the room grow a
slight bit cooler but at the same time my vision became shrouded with
light, as if the sun had somehow begun to shine twice as bright.  Our tears
poured over our lips slowly, finally ending, though our first kiss did not
for nearly another minute.  My first kiss, I thought, though it actually
wasn't.  There was no other description for the experiencec; it felt more
angelic than any of my previous ones put together.  It wasn't a kiss of
lust or pleasure, but one of love; the kind two feel when they finally
realize they were meant to be together.  I dropped the other soda can
abruptly when we finally parted.

   "Wow..." Grace said.

   "Wow..." I said at nearly the same time.

   "Can we do it again?" Grace asked, softly.

   "Yes."

   Our second kiss was nearly the same, but even more emotional if that was
possible.  I felt the heat seemingly eating away at me and I also felt a
warm itch between my legs at the same time.  The light shined on Grace as
it would an angel.  Her hair became damp, as did mine and it stuck to our
faces with perspiration when we parted again.

   "That was...incredible, Holly.  How do you feel?"

   My head began to sway back and forth.

   "I feel, I feel...  warm."

   As I finished speaking, my head flopped into Grace's lap, too weak to
pull itself up.  I passed out from the heat almost immediately.

   ...

   When I awoke I was lying on the couch, the two Pepsi cans resting on my
stomach, and Grace standing over me as she bit her nails nervously.

   "You're all right," she said, letting out a huge sigh.  "I was going to
call an ambulance but your phone..."

   "...Isn't hooked up, I know."

   I reached for the soda cans on my stomach.

   "That's the best I could think of," Grace said, smiling timidly.

   "I think it worked," I answered.  "Now I'm feeling a little cold."

   Grace sat down beside me.

   "I love you, Holly."

   I smiled with her, soothed by the soft words which I knew could never be
worn out.

   "I love you, Grace."

   "Whenever I even say that to you it feels so wonderful, it tingles
even."

   "It does for me too," I added.

   Grace looked into her lap.

   "Maybe it's because we're not supposed to love each other like this,"
she said, quietly.

   I sat up, a little concerned.

   "What do you mean."

   "I mean...  I don't think I'm ready to run out and tell everyone
that..."

   "That we're gay?" I asked.

   Grace nodded.

   "Actually, I'm a little surprised myself...  when you put it that way."

   "I don't think you just wake up and realize it.  Maybe this is how it is
for everyone, I don't know."

   I picked up one of the soda cans and proceeded to open it.

   "It feels nice to share it with someone though, not be alone," Grace
said, softly.

   As she spoke, I popped open the can, spraying fizz onto my face and
remembering that I had dropped both cans earlier.  Apparently none of my
clumsiness had changed following our little relvelation.

   Grace giggled to herself and just stared at me.  After a few seconds I
was able to open my eyes and stare back.  The sun was at her back yet
again, as if it followed her somehow, again casting a bright aura around
her.  I watched as she slowly slid across the couch and brought her face
close to mine, causing the hairs on my arms to stand on end.  Her lips came
to my forehead and kissed me softly, taking in the majority of the pop fizz
which had splashed onto my face.  I took in a deep breath, letting Grace's
subtle perfume tickle my senses.  It was a sort of fruity fragrance, the
kind younger kids wore when they couldn't afford the designer trends.
Still, it suited her more than any expensive perfume did, I thought.

   "I tried to bring you to your bed after you passed out, but I'm not
exactly...  I couldn't lift you," Grace said, pulling away.

   "I've never preferred the tough, strapping type, Grace.  I love you just
as you are."

   I was truthful with my words.  Grace seemed like an angel in my arms,
just as gentle if not more than I was, and more beautiful than words could
accurately describe.  I reached my arm around her and brought her close,
smiling as the glare from the window clouded my vision.

   "That feels nice, Holly."

   I rested my hand on her back.

   "What does?"

   "Your touch..."

   The same tingling feeling which I had felt earlier returned as Grace
whispered her words in my ear.  We both began to move against each other,
softly.  A soft grinding as we repositioned ourselves.  I pulled my legs up
onto the couch and lied across the full length of the cushions and Grace
sat upon my thighs, leaning over and tucking herself between me and the
back cushions.  Our hair intertwined a bit as we breathed quietly together.
She then reached out her free hand, the other tucked under her body, and
took hold of my own.  She brought it close to her and gave my hand a small
kiss on the backside.

   "I've never...  been touched like this before, Holly," she whispered.

   "Neither have I."

   "I love you, Holly, and I trust you..."

   With the gentleness of a feather, set my hand on Grace's shoulder and
ran my fingers up and down her bare arm.  In return, Grace set her head
down just above my chest and closed her eyes, resting her own hand around
my waist.  With each soothing stroke she took deeper, more comforting
breaths, sighing as if it were the first time she had felt another's touch.
Across the room, the blinds of my apartment windows swayed back and forth
in the calm breeze, cutting the sunlight into long shards which stretched
out over the room and the couch.  I was reminded of the same peacefulness
which we had both encountered in Tranquil Gardens.  The warmth of Grace's
body against mine seemed like a soothing blanket; the first real indication
of companionship I had felt in my life.

   I let my hand move upwards towards her neck, resting my fingers upon the
back of her head under her chestnut hair.  Grace's pulse was steady and
calm, full of a life so giving and compassionate for having ever talked to
me in the first place.  I stared down at her feet which were clad in
another pair in white socks which showed recent dirt stains.  I wondered if
the pair of shoes she had given me were her only pair, as I hadn't noticed
what she had worn when I answered the door.

   Grace turned her head to the side and rested it on my chest, making only
the slightest sound with her breathing as I ran my hand through the hair at
her neck.  Between my legs the feeling of warmth seemed to vibrate softly.
My fingers ran through her hair, pushing it out of her face and away from
her forehead.

   "I love you," I whispered.

   Grace's hand lied limp in my palm as I gently reached down and grasped
it.  She had fallen asleep in my arms.  I rested it back at my side and let
my head rest on the arm of the couch, covered by my sleeping companion.
Without a sound or movement, I let myself close my eyes and drift away into
a dreamless sleep, hoping that if I did one day dream, it would replay the
moment we had first met and the experiences we were sure to share together
in our new life.

   CHAPTER V

   I awoke with Grace's warm body still huddled up between mine and the
couch, almost silent with her breathing.  The light from the windows was
faint, the sun hadn't risen yet, and the room felt cool from the open
blinds which calmly swept back and forth in the morning air.  I looked down
to see Grace, her glasses hanging off her nose from subtle movements during
the night.  Her hair had fallen into her face and her one leg rested
between my thighs where it was still slightly warm.

   Grace yawned inwardly and cuddled in closer, oblivious to the fact that
I couldn't move with her on top of me.  I reached out and took her hand,
rubbing it gently.

   "Hey...  Good morning, sleepy head," I whispered.

   Grace pushed her back against the couch in a stretch and looked up at me
through her hair.

   "Holly...  is that you?"

   Her eyes couldn't seem to focus on mine, instead looking at the whole of
my face as she couldn't focus without her glasses.  I gave her hand a
gentle squeeze.

   "Yes, it's me.  It's morning now, Grace."

   "Morning?" she replied, a little confused.  "Did we..."

   "We fell asleep on each other, yes," I quickly returned, not answering
what she might have intended to say.

   "I can't feel my arm," she said, quietly.

   I quickly moved myself away from the back cushions of the couch and let
Grace free her arm.

   "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

   "It's okay, Holly, it's always okay.  What time is it?"

   I looked around for a clock but couldn't find one.

   "The sun hasn't risen yet," I answered.

   "I'm sorry I dozed off like that, I just get tired sometimes.  You were
so gentle and..."

   "I've never had someone spend the night before, it was wonderful."

   She finally gathered the strength to lift herself up from my chest,
dropping her glasses from her face onto my neck.

   "Did you dream, Holly?"

   I thought of what to say, knowing in the end that our love was built on
trust, on honesty.

   "No," I said, sounding a little discouraged.

   "You will, Holly, one day, and it will be wonderful."

   "As long as I have you, Grace, I don't need to dream."

   Grace lowered her head and stood from the couch.  She straighted her
wrinkled clothes out and turned towards the window where the sun still sat
on the horizon.

   "As long as you have me," she whispered, her back to me.  "I guess some
dreams aren't that far off after all."

   I pondered her words for a moment, thinking to myself what they might
have meant.  As she always would, Grace was able to brighten up instantly
as if her emotions flowed from a hot and cold running tap.  I reached for
her glasses at my neck and put them on, playfully.  I couldn't see anything
at all in them, but I clearly heard Grace's giggle when she turned to find
them on me.

   "I guess I should get cleaned up," I said.

   There was a pause.

   "Holly?"

   "Yes?"

   "Would you like to walk with me to the park this morning?"

   "Of course I would," I replied.  "Was that you're risk for today?"

   "No," she answered.  "I'm still thinking about that one."

   "I can't go out like this," I noted, looking down at our clothes.  They
were indeed wrinkled from our night together on the couch.

   "I don't have anything else to wear either," Grace said.

   I removed her glasses and handed them back to her, looking towards my
room.

   "Come with me."

   ...

   After searching my newly decorated closets for a few minutes, we were
finally able to pick out two nice outfits for the both of us.  I handed
Grace a clean pair of black jeans and one of my loose white t-shirts.
Grace set them on the bed as I pulled out a similar outfit, only with a
tank instead of a t-shirt.

   "I guess I should leave while you change," I said, quietly.

   Grace didn't reply but gave a passive nod and watched me step out of the
room.  I leaned against the wall on the other side of the door and waited,
listening to Grace's quiet movements.  After a few moments the sounds
stopped.

   "I'm done now."

   I turned and walked back in, getting my first look of Grace wearing one
of my outfits.  It fit her perfectly, though the jeans seemed just a little
loose at the waist without a belt.  Grace tucked in the t-shirt and quickly
appeared flawless again.

   "It fits," I said.

   "Very well too, thank you." Grace walked towards the door slowly.  "I'll
let you be alone to change."

   As she passed my arm I reached out my hand and gently took hers.

   "You...  can stay if you'd like, I won't mind, Grace."

   "I...  okay," she replied, looking back and forth between me and the
living room.

   Just as with all of the other rushes and anxieties I had felt during my
time with Grace, a new one became apparent, the thought of actually
changing in front of another person.  I knew that to some, such a thing was
trivial and almost stupid to dwell upon, but I wasn't exactly the type who
flashed others on a daily basis or even wore skirts often.  I wondered if
what I had said was my risk for the day, or just something that I wished
for Grace to see.

   She stood with her hands behind her back in the door frame as I walked
over to the bed and pulled off one of many tarnished shirts that I often
wore under my jacket each day.  I kept my back to Grace as I unclasped my
bra and set it down on the bed, reaching for one from my dresser.  The
floor began to gently gently creaked; an indication that Grace was
trembling a bit on her feet.  I giggled to myself, wondering if she felt
even more nervous than I did.

   "I don't do this often," I said, stopping for a moment.

   "What?" Grace asked, quietly, desperately restraining her eyes.

   "Change in front of other people, not even at swimming pools whenever I
can."

   I let my hands come to my sides as I turned back towards her.  Grace
looked up at the ceiling, nervously.

   "Neither do I...  but I usually try to avoid situations like that
altogether," she said, finally built up the courage to look down at my
body. Her eyes remained on my face for the longest time before she looked
down.  "You're beautiful, Holly."

   "I guess that's what companions are for, to remind each other that," I
said, trying to sound calm.  "I think you're more beautiful than I am,
Grace, for sure."

   She blinked rapidly for a moment, and her legs became noticeably shaky.

   "I love you, Holly, I really do."

   "Will you hold me, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   With a calm, deep breath, Grace stepped forward and came towards me,
taking me into her arms.  My bare skin met with the material of her
t-shirt. She lowered her head and rested it on my shoulder as we turned in
very slow circles almost like a dance.  I closed my eyes.

   "I've always lived in a rush, Holly," Grace said, her voice becoming
softer with each word.  "Pushed into things that I don't think I was ready
for.  I was always told that it was best for me, and that when I was old
enough I would be thankful" Her voice continued to grow softer with each
word, as if the memory of such a past were painful for her.  I felt her
tears begin to run down my chest.  "You're the only person in my life who
has taken things slowly, the way they are meant to be taken with people.  I
always want to be with you, Holly, forever."

   Forever; perhaps one of the most powerful words when it came to love.  I
held Grace tightly and knew that it was something possible for us.  A
promise that we would both keep for the rest of our lives, and long after
that.

   I returned Grace's tender embrace and felt her tears upon my body more
than ever before.

   "Forever, Grace..."

   Her words were less than whispers now, and she spoke without looking
into my eyes.

   "Even when we one day part?"

   I lowered my head to try to see her eyes though they were still hidden.

   "What do you mean, Grace?"

   "I...  I want to go to the park now," she pronounced, holding in a
cough.

   CHAPTER VI

   The morning seemed quiet, peaceful, soothing.  Across the horizon, Grace
and I viewed the calm aurora which rose over the entrance to Tranquil
Gardens as we both entered.  It was well before seven, and the cool air of
the night had not yet left the interior of the park.  I held Grace close to
me, keeping us both warm, and she never once took her eyes away from mine
until we reached our bench and the sounds of the serene brook.  We both sat
down, not having said a single word between us since we had left the
apartment.  Grace finally found it in herself to slide right over beside me
and hold me as she had before.

   "What did you mean before, about one day?" I asked, quietly.

   Grace peered across the brook at a patch of the flowers which I thought
reminded me of her.

   "Do you believe in Heaven, Holly, of angels and life hereafter?"

   "I've...  never really thought about it, why?"

   "Do you believe in a place where there is no pain or suffering, where
two lovers can live on, forever?"

   "I already live that life with you," I stated.

   "But we won't live forever," Grace returned.

   "We may not, but hope will, love will."

   Grace looked up at me.

   "Hope," she whispered.  "Hope will always be there."

   "You taught me that, Grace, and I believed you."

   "I do too...  now," she replied.

   I took Grace's hand into my own and looked into her green eyes as they
shimmered with tears yet to be shed.

   "Why are you telling me all of this?"

   There was a long pause, and yet Grace couldn't find it in herself to
turn away this time as she spoke.  The honesty, the trust of our love
couldn't stop her from hiding what few knew.

   "I'm sick, Holly..."

   The words struck me as if the world had only one minute left to live; a
sharp pierce into my heart which drew forth tears of bewilderment and fear.
Grace continued to hold my hand tight as she sensed the great pain.

   "Sick?  I...  don't understand."

   "It's been like this for a long time now.  To only dream of what a life
is like that's normal, to live every day as if it were your last.  But...
when I met you I finally felt as if I were truly alive.  You've taught me
what it is to be loved by another, and to love, and you have given me what
I could never have by myself.  Hope."

   Tears burst forth from my eyes, and from Grace's as well as I stared
into hers.  She took off her glasses and tossed them onto the grass at our
feet, taking me with both arms.  The warmth...  the life inside her.  I
couldn't accept her words as the truth.

   "But you can't be.  Your life, your school...  you said you wanted to
finish it all."

   "I never wanted to give up hope, Holly.  I've always tried to live my
life as if nothing were wrong, as if I would live to see my life lived out
at my own pace.  I always believed that one day I would be happy...  and
then I met you."

   Grace now openly cried in my arms, taking quick, heavy breaths and
gasping for air.

   "I don't...  want to lose you, Grace.  I love you."

   "We will always be together, Holly, that was my promise."

   "You won't die, Grace, I know you won't.  You're stronger than I ever
could be, you've lived a happier life than I ever could.  I only hope that
things will always be that way for us."

   Grace reached her hand under my chin, exactly as she had done once
before.

   To live with the knowledge that you would one day die had been one of my
greatest fears.  For those who lived such a way, they could only pass on
what little they could, to tell those of us who question our lifestyle how
truly lucky we were.

   "As long as your hope is alive, I can never truly die, Holly.  I'll
always be with you, in your heart, in your dreams..."

   "...And in my life, I swear it.  Good people don't die."

   The wind gently picked up as we held each other, crying for what seemed
like hours though only minutes passed.  The sun rose for us both, bringing
the promise of a new and loving day which we would spend together.  It cast
a bright beam upon us both, illuminating the hope that we both held as if
it were something tangible.  Across the brook, the flowers I adored swayed
back and forth in the growing wind; some strong, some less so.  I opened my
eyes to see the smallest flower in the patch bend against the breeze,
finally snapping from its bed and flailing into the stream.  When it
finally left my sight I could still remember its beauty as vividly as if it
still bloomed.

   Grace held me in her arms, feeling the cold now blowing against her own
body as it drew near us.  Our tears met the wind together.

   CHAPTER VII

   We held each other for nearly an hour, not speaking, but looking at the
calm waters of the brook instead.  Grace kept her eyes closed for the
majority of the time, compensating for her glasses which she hadn't yet
picked up from the grass.  Her warm touch against my skin was more than
enough to help me bear the cool breeze which seemed to circle us
continually.  The sun continued to shine through the trees, persistent and
full of a hope all its own.

   Grace opened her eyes every so often to look at me, her tears finally
dried.  I let my hand run up and down her arm as I had before.

   "Is this the end of our relationship, or a new beginning?" I asked.

   "I think it's a beginning for us, Holly.  I can't keep anything from
you, you deserve to know, because I love you."

   "Are you ever afraid, Grace?  Of dying?"

   She looked out over the brook again, managing a smile through what I
would have thought to be misery.

   "I think about it sometimes, not very often though.  I've never believed
that life should be about waiting to die, but living the time you have as
best you can."

   "And are you?" I asked.

   She looked back up at me, gazing into my eyes, softly.

   "Of course I am."

   A smile came to my face, after what seemed like so long.  Grace was calm
and quiet, not frightened or miserable.  She looked upon life as a gift,
and knew that some of life's most precious things could never end, even in
death.  I found it in myself to function under that same belief.  Grace had
once said that she didn't want me to worry for her, so I decided to be
happy for her instead.

   "So, where do you live, Grace?" I asked, brightening up a bit.

   "Hmm...  about four blocks away from you, near the university."

   "Is it a nice neighborhood?"

   "I like it," she replied.  "Though it is a little smoky near my
apartment."

   "You mean smog?"

   Grace made a quiet giggle through her dried tears.

   "No, cigarette smoke, silly.  All of the smokers like to use the benches
near my home."

   "You don't like smokers?" I asked.

   "Well, I don't like what they do, but I don't dislike them as people.  I
understand how hard it is to quit."

   "I think it would be a lot easier if they didn't start at all," I added.
"Maybe we should stop glamorizing it the way we do, in books, on TV."

   Grace and I smiled.

   "I suppose it has to start somewhere."

   Grace leaned over and retrieved her glasses, putting them back on and
standing from the bench to stretch.  Her hair blew in the calm breeze and
the sun reflected off her bifocals as always.  She continued to stretch,
eventually moving into a more complicated position.

   "I've never seen that stretch before," I said, smiling.

   "Oh, I like to do yoga every so often," Grace replied.  "I actually had
a class for this too, but I bought a book on it instead, so I could do it
at home."

   Grace stretched her legs and spread them far apart, leaning towards the
ground with her outstretched arms.

   "It looks hard," I said.

   "Would you like me to show you some, Holly?" she asked.

   "We might be seen."

   Grace giggled, straining a bit from her maneuver.

   "It's not like we're naked or anything.  I guess it could be today's
risk for you."

   "Okay...  I guess."

   Grace stood fully once more.

   "Come stand beside me then, Holly," she said.  "You don't usually do
yoga in jeans, but we won't try any really hard positions, okay?"

   "Right."

   I stood next to Grace and watched her position.  She stood with her feet
balanced, and her hands together in sort of a prayer position.  I quickly
mimicked it.

   "Let's try...  the sun salutation, that's a nice one," she said,
smiling. "Stand like me...  okay now take in a deep breath...  good.  Raise
your hands above your head, kind of like reaching for the sun or something,
I'm not sure how that goes."

   We both giggled.

   "I take it you don't know a lot about the spiritual side of yoga," I
said, grinning.

   "Well, there's only so much in the book I've got," she replied.  "Okay,
now keep your arms up and bend them back behind you, get those hips
forward..."

   Grace was doing the movements twice as well as I was, but I was doing
okay for a first try.  It felt so nice to exercise with Grace in the park.
She was quick to cheer herself up and I admired her for that.  The cold
that had chilled our bodies moments earlier began to fade as a warm,
burning sensation built up in our limbs.

   "Now start to breath out while bringing your arms forward, and touch the
ground," Grace said, watching me out of the corner of her eye.

   "Like this?"

   "No, no...do it without bending your knees, Holly, like I am."

   I grunted as I attempted to do it correctly.  I wasn't exact the most
flexible person in the world.

   "Easy for you to say," I managed to say, in a heavy breath.

   "Well, it all takes practice, Holly, you'll get it someday."

   We continued our yoga until we got into some even more compromising
positions for the two of us, seeing as how we were both wearing jeans.  At
one point we were both down on our hands and knees in a position that Grace
called the cobra; we couldn't help but giggle at each other for how it
might have looked to anyone watching.  When we finally finished, Grace came
back into the starting position with her hands together in a prayer.  We
did it two more times before she finally noticed me struggling with each
position.

   "Shall we do it again?" she asked, looking over to see me sitting down
on the grass heaving.

   "Ohhh...  sure, that was easy."

   I slumped my back down to the grass and stared up at the sky and the
branches of the nearby tree.  Grace gave me a scolding look before smiling
once more.

   "You should try this stuff more often, Holly, it's a great energizer."

   I continued to breath heavily.

   "Ya, maybe after I regain my lost strength from trying this stuff so
early in the morning."

   Grace bent down to her knees near my legs and sat with her hands in her
lap.

   "I'm glad you tried it with me though, Holly.  Thank you."

   "It was great," I said, inbetween breaths.  "We should try it again
sometime...  next year."

   Grace smiled softly, and then lied down on the grass beside me, directly
in line with my eyes.  She put her arm around my waist, as she had done the
night before.

   "How can I repay you?" she asked, softly.

   "Just...  be here with me." I whispered.

   She smiled her soft smile.

   "For as long as I can, Holly."

   I paused for a brief moment, looking into her eyes and admiring her soft
features.  Grace let her bifocals come down to her nose, coughing inwardly.
I took a deep breath, staring at her soft expression.

   "Will you die, Grace?"

   "One day," she whispered, looking away for a moment.  "But it's not our
choice to decide when.  I'm here now, Holly, and I'm living the way I want
to.  If I do focus on anything in the future it's our life together, not
the day I will die."

   "Don't ever leave me," I whispered.

   She looked down at herself once more, closing her eyes.

   "I have to go now, Holly.  I'm...  late for class."

   "Please stay, Grace...  please."

   "I wish I could just stay here with you, forever," she said, softly.
"I'll stay, for as long as I can."

   "Okay..."

   She sat back up and waited for me to stand first.  I stood over her and
just looked down at her silently.  Grace looked down at the brook off to
her side, a bright glint in her eyes.

   "I remember when I first came to this park, Holly.  It was with my
mother when I was twelve.  We sat together under this tree, the bench
wasn't here back then, and neither were the flowers.  I loved it here so
much.  It was the day before I found out...  And ever since then I've
always come back here to try and relive that same happiness I felt when I
was a child, but through all of these years it never felt the same until I
found you sleeping so quietly on the bench.  I wondered if I was dreaming,
if our meeting was real."

   "And what do you feel when you come here to the park now?" I asked.

   "When I'm with you, Holly, it's almost as if I'm reliving that day, but
not only here in the park but...  everywhere."

   "I love you so much, Grace, and I hope we'll always be together."

   There was a pause.

   "Don't ever lose that hope, Holly.  If we should ever part, or not be
together for any time."

   "Don't say that, Grace," I said, reaching for her hand.

   She lowered her head and allowed me to take her hand.  It trembled
slightly.

   "I'm...  not afraid anymore, Holly."

   "Afraid?" I asked, softly.

   "Afraid of being alone, afraid of not living the way I wanted to, afraid
that I would never find love in the time I have."

   "You don't ever have to be afraid again," I whispered.

   Grace wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her face close to
mine. Her tears broke through the barrier she had put up to restrain them,
but I couldn't cry with her.  I knew that she didn't want me to be sad for
her.  We kissed each other openly, a kiss of love, as was our every
embrace. My heart pleaded the words that I almost couldn't say out of a
fear that my answer would not be met.  Our lips parted, Grace let go.

   "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Grace, I love you.  Will
you stay with me?"

   The pause lasted for an eternity, our hands held on together.  Grace
cried still.  I could not.

   "I will, Holly, I will."

   I felt her hair with my fingers, struck with a surge of joy.

   "Grace."

   "But...  I have to go now."

   "Don't leave, Grace."

   "I will always be with you, Holly," she said.  "As long as you don't
give up that hope."

   Grace rose to leave.  I grasped her hand, holding her back.

   "I'll be here tomorrow, I promise," I said, not wanting to tear up.

   She peered down at my hand.

   "Okay."

   "Grace," I said, watching her green eyes flutter with tears.  "What if
you don't come?"

   Her gaze remained soft, loving, and full of hope.

   "If I don't come," she said, pausing for a long moment and looking
towards the stream.  "One may always dream..."

   I didn't ever want to let go, but gradually I let her fingers slip away.
For the first time in our relationship I felt apart from her feelings, her
life.  Grace stepped back as I stared into her eyes, once filled with a
hope that I felt present only in my own heart somehow.  I opened my mouth
to speak, but could not breath life into the words I wanted to say.  I
looked towards the brook where the flowers watched on silently.  When I
looked back, Grace was gone.

   CHAPTER VIII

   The sun became covered with clouds for the first time since I had
visited the park as I walked down the path of Tranquil Gardens to return
home.  The warmth still beat down on the trees and flowers, but I felt
empty somehow, without Grace by my side.  I found myself continually
looking back, hoping that she would come running up the path to be with me,
but soon I reached the end of the path and she did not come.

   "I'll see her tomorrow," I said to myself.  "Tomorrow."

   I let myself walk slowly on the sidewalk, staring down at my shoes,
Grace's shoes, and remembering the day she had given them to me.  I managed
a smile for the first time since leavingI the park.

   When I reached my home I stared up at my building, noticing the blue sky
above it, and the clouds which had gathered.  I sat at home for hours,
alone with my thoughts.  I wondered how Grace truly felt about our love.  A
love which, to some, would never be accepted or understood.  I imagined
Grace, alone somewhere, scolded by those who had caused her the pain I felt
when I held her; the pain which seemed to vanish whenever she merely spent
time with me throwing rocks in streams or sitting in my home.

   I managed to fall asleep for a short time.  It was a sleep without
dreams, as all of my nights had been.  My rest was a pleasant relief from
being away from the one I loved, but it could not distance my thoughts from
her.  I woke many times, hoping to see her in my arms as she had been the
night we had slept together.

   After only a short period of time, I stood from my couch, filled with a
strange anxiety.  I walked into my room and picked up Grace's old clothes
which she had left from our evening together and pressed them hard against
my cheek.

   I'll see you again, Grace..."

   The clothes faintly smelled of her, not the smell of any fancy perfume,
but her hair or rather her shampoo.  Even without her face before me, I
could see her features in my head as clearly as if she were standing before
me.  I cried for her until the sun no longer shone in the sky.  Before I
turned away from the window, I whispered the words that had become more
important in my life than I had ever thought possible.

   "I hope..."

   That night, I fell asleep on the couch again instead of my bed.

   ...

   The next day seemed to arrive sluggishly.  I awoke to find myself
shivering, thanks to the open window and a cold breeze.  I rose and made
haste to get ready for our next meeting, throwing on some clean clothes and
brushing my hair as best I could.  Before leaving my home, I grabbed
Grace's clothes and put them into a bag which I carried out the door on the
way out.

   Outside, the air was still chilled and only a few cars lined the usually
busy traffic lanes.  It was early morning, my favorite time of day.  I
entered the park, hoping to find Grace sitting on the bench early for
perhaps the first time.  The bench was empty, as was the rest of the park.
I walked over to the bench and sat down, setting Grace's clothes down
beside me.

   Minutes passed, the sun rose higher, and Grace did not come.  I looked
behind myself every so often, hoping to see Grace come skipping down the
path with her loving smile.  My hand rested on the bag of clean clothes,
gradually tightening my grip as the minutes continued to pass.  Soon the
sun found its place high in the sky; the first time it had reached its
highest point without Grace with me to see it.

   I closed my eyes, trembling as I felt a tear run down my cheek.

   "Don't leave me, don't leave me," I repeated to myself under my breath.

   I lied down across the bench, hoping...  crying.  The feeling of fear
and anxiety pressed against my heart, lost in the worry that she wouldn't
ever show up, that she was truly gone.  I waited on the bench until the sun
left the sky.  I was alone...

   CHAPTER IX

   I returned to the park every day, and every day I sat alone on the bench
for as long as I could before leaving.  My love for Grace gave me the
strength to return, the strength to keep the hope that one day we would
walk together again.  Her memory beat deep within my heart, willing me
onward each day, reminding me of the love we shared and the memories we
created through our experiences together.

   A great time had passed.  I had a job as a writer, I studied many
subjects in university, I took karate lessons, I practiced yoga nearly
every day, and I wore glasses.  I often slept on my couch, crying at night
and waiting for the day I would see Grace again.  My happiness for life
itself pushed me forward, and our vow to try something new each day had
lived on for the time we had been separated.  I had never held anyone
closer to my heart than Grace, though many others had entered and left my
life since we had last met.  I lived the same pain that Grace once had, but
with the strength of hope and undying love to guide me each day; something
that she had never had, but gave to me as what I still refused to call a
'final' gift.

   In the time that had passed, I had kept my promise to return to the park
each day, to keep the hope that Grace was alive and that she would be there
for me, to love and to hold as we once had.  I knew that no length of time
could distinguish our love for each other.  I knew Grace and I were meant
to be together, and her words stayed with me through all of the days gone
by, through all of the tears shed.

   It was that day I waited for a short period of time before leaving for
the park, Grace's clothes in hand.  It felt as if a lifetime had gone by,
time enough to truly test the bounds of my hope for Grace.

   I left my apartment, taking in a breath of fresh air, and passing the
old cafe where we had once met.  Skipping along the path, I smiled to
myself softly, avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk, watching Grace's shoes
move effortlessly on my feet.  My glasses slid down my nose and rose back
up with each stride, shining in the sun's light after passing each
intersection between the buildings.  The streets were lined with cars,
leaving for work as they did each day.

   I entered Tranquil Gardens, our park, hoping to see Grace there already
as a result of my lateness.  She was not near our bench.  The branches of
the trees waved back and forth in the light wind along with my hair which I
allowed to flail into my face as I approached the bench.  The golden leaves
fell gently from the large tree overhead to the browned grass, carried by
the quiet wind.  I held onto Grace's clothing with both hands, wrapping my
arms around them as she had once done with her schoolbooks when we had
first met.  I embraced the memory tightly, knowing that I would never
forget that day, and wishing that she with me.

   The water of the brook was cold as I came to one knee and let my fingers
dip into it.  I thought of myself in bare feet, laughing with Grace and
tossing rocks; just living.  Living the way we both wanted to even though I
hadn't realized it at the time.  I remembered our laughing, our giggling,
and our crying together, cherishing the memories which were now more
important than ever.  I often wondered when I cried if my tears were of
sadness, or of happiness.  I believed them to be tears of life, of one's
hope and desire, and dreams.

   A voice rose above the brook.

   "Is everything all right?"

   I spun around, hoping to see Grace again, smiling happily and looking at
me with her beautiful green eyes.  It wasn't Grace, but a middle aged woman
with black hair; the first person I had seen in Tranquil Gardens besides
Grace.  She had not made a sound and yet she was directly beside me as I
continued to cry.

   "No...  I'm waiting for someone," I managed to say.

   "Why are you crying, child?" the soft voice asked.

   "I...  I don't know..."

   The woman wore a white garment that seemed to be bright even in its
shadowed areas.  Her eyes showed a similar gentleness to Grace's; the look
of love and compassion.  Her voice was just as soft as her appearance.

   "Who do you weep for?"

   "Grace," I answered softly.

   "Do you care for her?" she asked.

   I looked up at her, surprised.

   "Yes, do you know where she is?"

   "I'm sorry, I do not," she replied quietly.  "Why do you wait for her?"

   I looked down, the tears running down my cheeks and onto my clothes.

   "I...  I care for her, with all of my heart."

   Her smile was soft as she looked upon me.  The sun began to blind my
vision slightly.

   "How long have you waited here for her?" she asked.

   "Six years..."

   "Will you continue to wait for her should she not come?"

   I paused, looking down at myself, my shoes.

   "I will always wait...for as long as I live."

   "Why, child?" she asked, quietly.

   "Because I...  love her."

   She smiled, and reached out her hand slowly.  I took it.  Instantly my
hate, my pain, and my sorrow were taken away.  Her touch held a gentleness
I could not describe.  My tears came to an end.

   "I do hope that you one day see the one you love again, my child.  For
two lovers, a life is sometimes a long time to wait, but it will never let
them be apart if they truly love each other.  You will see Grace again.
But until then..."

   "Until then?" I asked.

   Her smile remained as she released my hand and turned towards the path.
Her footsteps were silent as she found it and vanished into the trees.  I
looked down.  In my hand she had left a small gold pendant which glimmered
in the morning light.  I opened it slowly.  Inside was a ticking clock and
the inscription 'One May Always Dream'.  I held it tight in my hand for a
moment, looking back to where I had last saw the woman, my eyes with tears.
The pendant rested around my neck as I left the park, holding Grace's
clothing tightly, hoping...  wishing.

   CHAPTER X

   The morning had always been my favorite time of day, always.  It was a
cool autumn day when I arose and found myself lying on my couch, like so
many nights in my past.  The sun sat on the horizon, as it had nearly every
day for years, waiting to fully find its way into the sky.  It was that day
I decided to visit Tranquil Gardens for the last time.

   I left my home wearing my jacket; the one which I had kept for six
years, and the one that I had first hugged Grace in.  Outside the air was
fresh, quiet and peaceful.  The sun peaked over the buildings calmly, as if
to wait for my arrival into the park.  The streets were empty, no one
walked along the sidewalk, and the sound of my feet skipping along the path
echoed through the vast buildings which lined Walnut street.  I avoided the
cracks without effort, and I was able to travel faster than I ever had
before as I skipped along.  Grace's shoes clicked against the concrete path
with each stride, sounding far off in the distance as I approached the
entrance to Tranquil Gardens.

   The sign at the entrance gleamed in the morning light and I pushed my
tawny hair out of my face to see it fully.  I calmly passed into the
boundaries of the park, embracing the same feeling which I had once felt on
my first arrival, and taking in the air which seemed endlessly fresh.  It
still felt like a setting out of a fairytale.

   "I was right," I whispered to myself, remembering the first words I had
ever uttered upon my entrance into the park.

   The golden trees along the path rustled in the faint breeze, dropping
their leaves as slowly as the tears of my memories, leaving the dirt path
clear for my feet to walk.  I closed my eyes, able to guide myself along
the path as easily as if they were open.  Soon, I approached the sound of
the gentle brook, and the rustle of the tree which sheltered our bench.

   My eyes remained closed.  I passed the trunk of the tree and reached out
my hands for the bench.  It came into my hands and I came to a stop,
opening my eyes slowly amidst the near blinding light of the still rising
sun.

   Grace lied on the bench, huddled up as she had once done on my couch,
silent in a gentle sleep.  The sun shone down on her as it would an angel,
staying with her through every slight movement she made.  She was there,
she was with me, she came back...

   My tears burst forth as I became filled with an incredible happiness,
hardly believing my eyes as they looked down upon the most beautiful,
caring person I had ever met.  I felt my knees tremble, my heart race, just
as they had the first time we met.  I reached out my hand, almost blinded
from tears of absolute joy.  My arm cast no shadow on her as I whispered
almost too softly for anyone to hear, but she did.

   "Grace..."

   She curled up tighter, making her first sound above the brook's quiet
flow.  Her arms stretched out and finally came to her face, filling with
life as she awoke to my gentle call.

   "Holly..."

   I fell to my knees in front of her, the sun behind at my back but still
shining perfectly down upon her.  Grace opened her eyes, her beautiful
green eyes.  The tears coursed down my cheeks as I took her hand into mine
and felt the warmth of life within her.

   "Hi," I whispered, smiling with joy.

   She looked upon me, her eyes able to focus without her glasses, which
rested on her nose.

   "Why are you crying, Holly?" she asked.

   "I...  thought I would never see you again.  I thought that you had left
me."

   "I didn't leave you, Holly.  I've always been here, waiting for you ever
since that day.  I never gave up hope, I never stopped loving you."

   "I...  I've been waiting to, Grace, and I've never stopped loving you,"
I said.

   Grace sat up slowly, pushing her chestnut hair out of her face.  Her
features glowed in the undying light which surrounded her, and she looked
just as she had the first day we had met; she had not aged.

   "I must have dozed off," she said softly.  "I'm sorry."

   I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the same loving person I had felt
the first time we had embraced each other.

   "You don't ever have to be sorry, Grace.  You taught me that."

   We parted, our eyes still locked together.  Grace looked around for a
moment, seeing clearly for the first time.  She took her glasses from the
tip of her nose and held them in front of her.

   "I can see, Holly.  I don't need..."

   "And what do you see, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   She set her glasses down.

   "I see the one I love, the one that I always want to be with.  Forever."

   "Forever," I whispered.

   Grace leaned forward, we kissed.  It lasted for longer than any of our
others, and it was filled with the happiness that I had waited for after so
long.  There were no more troubles anymore.  There was no pain, no
suffering, no fears, only the love that we had waited for so long to live
again.  Our lips parted, we stared at each other, wrapped in a joy that
coursed through us both.

   "Can we...  make love, Holly?" Grace asked, softer than ever before.

   My heart jumped within my chest.

   "Was that your risk for today?" I asked.

   "It's my risk for all of the time that we've spent apart, for every day
that you waited, and kept hope."

   "Yes, Grace..."

   We both continued to smile, just staring at each other and not really
sure what to say or do.  Grace finally built up the courage to lean forward
and rub her hand up against my cheek and hair, breathing softly and
trembling at the same time.

   "I love you, Holly.  I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever
met."

   "Grace," I whispered.

   I reached out my arms and assisted Grace up from the bench.  We held
each other, walking next to the edge of the brook and finding a soft place
upon the grass.  Grace lied her back down and looked up at me with her big
green eyes, smiling and trembling just as I was.

   "Do you remember the night we spent together, Holly?  The way you
touched me?"

   "Yes."

   "Do it again," she whispered.

   Grace lifted her arms above her head and closed her eyes.  Her soft,
beautiful body lied before me, trembling in anticipation.  I let my hands
rest on her stomach, caressing her skin through the material of her shirt,
my shirt; the same one she had worn the last time we had seen each other.
Grace took in a deep breath with each pass of my fingers across her navel,
and we both giggled out loud.

   "I love you, Holly.  I trust you."

   My fingers unfastened the button on Grace's jeans.  I began to feel
warm, and the wonderful feeling between my own legs returned just as it had
the first time we lied together on the couch.  Our breathing quickened, and
Grace's eyes remained closed.  My arms shook with nervousness as I pulled
her jeans slowly down her legs.  Grace let out a quiet sigh, resting her
arms on her stomach.

   "Grace, you are wonderful," I whispered, listening to her breathing
which calmly mixed with the soothing flow of the brook nearby.

   Her jeans reached her knees, and then her ankles.  Grace jerked her legs
and kicked them off, sighing in between her heavy breaths.  Her chest
heaved up and down, anxiously.  I let my fingers run up and down her
thighs, feeling her silky skin and the warmth of her body in the bright
sunlight.  Grace moaned for the first time, tensing up as my fingers passed
near her beautiful vagina.  She began to writhe slowly, moving her legs and
tensing her toes in anticipation.  The first touch of my lips against her
soft skin sent jolts through both of our bodies.

   "Oh Holly..."

   I began to kiss Grace's thigh, inhaling her soft fragrance with each
gentle pass, and squinting as my head still didn't seem to cast a shadow
upon her.  After a deep breath, she began moaning quietly, keeping her eyes
closed as the leaves gently fell to the ground around us.

   The moment finally came.  With one final pass across Grace's warm thigh,
I rested my lips upon her, kissing her vagina softly, still through the wet
material.  Her moaning remained calm as she continued to breathe deeply,
gentle with her movements beneath my embrace.  It was the most erotic
moment of my life.  Between my legs, I felt the same arousal press against
my own underwear, slowing growing more warm.  The soothing heat surged
through us both, willing us forward and building our passion to heights I
never knew were possible.

   Around us the leaves continued to fall, creating subtle breaks in the
rays of the sun upon my body.  The waters of the brook trickled with a
gentle rhythm in our ears, mixed evenly with our breathing.  Grace was at
peace; we both were, and the sensations were slowing beginning to drown us
both in a tranquil bliss, one without lust but gentleness, devotion.

   Grace moaned louder, opening her eyes narrowly.  I lifted my lips from
her warm vagina and saw her gentle gaze, the endearment of her eyes more
clearly than ever.

   "Are you happy, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   After a short pause, she sat up and smiled softly, coming to her knees
as I did as well.

   "I've never been more happy in my entire life," she whispered.

   Grace leaned forward and kissed me.  I closed my eyes.  Her hands gently
became rested on my shoulders, then ran down my arms until she reached my
hips.  I kept my eyes closed and slowly slid my arms out of my jacket,
letting it fall behind me just as Grace began to mimic what I had just done
with her jeans.  She undid the button and began to blush profusely.

   "What is it?" I asked.

   "I've never done this before, Holly, I..."

   "Let your instincts guide you," I whispered.  "And don't be afraid,
Grace."

   "Okay," she answered, quietly.

   With that, I took her hands into my own and guided them to the base of
my cardigan.  For one last fleeting moment, Grace peered at my body, fully
clothed and waiting for her soft embrace, the embrace of an angel.

   Gently, she pulled my t-shirt over my head, revealing the last item of
clothing above my waist.  I peered down as Grace gently let her hands run
across my bra in a caress that felt truly divine.  I let out a quiet moan,
causing Grace to look back up into my eyes, pulling her hands away.

   "Did I hurt you?" she asked softly, frightened even.

   I softened my expression, sighing.

   "No, Grace, your touch is...  nice."

   She looked back down at my bra and smiled, a tear rolling down her
cheek. We were both still trembling, unable to abandon the anxiety of
making love to each other for the first time, and filled with an excitement
that we were unsure of how to express.  Grace's tenderness showed through
in her every subtle action.  The love, the admiration, all of the things I
had hoped I would feel again for so long.

   The leaves continued to fall around us, creating a perfect circle as if
a storm had enveloped us but both but left us in peace amidst the calm
center.  Grace reached under my arms and unclasped my bra, blushing at her
cheeks uncontrollably as we both sat on our knees.  She held onto the
straps and slowly let my bra fall to my lap, pulling her hands away and
staring at my breasts with clear eyes for the first time.

   "You're so beautiful, Holly," she pronounced, nervously almost.

   "Thank you, Grace," I whispered, returning her smile.

   She reached her hands out once more, this time taking my bare skin into
her hands just above my stomach, then reaching upwards and cupping my
breasts gently.  I let out a more prominent moan.  Grace continued to
blush. Her touch against my bare flesh was a soft as a feather, warm and
caring but a little ticklish at the same time.  Grace let her fingers run
over each small mound, holding her breath, smiling, and narrowing her eyes.
After a moment, she slowly moved one of her hands away, setting it between
her legs as if to hold something in.  Our bodies both pulsed with a vibrant
energy, bombarding our senses.

   "Oh, Holly, I feel so..."

   She looked down at herself, and finally let her other hand return to her
knee as she looked back up at me, flushed and red.

   "So do I, Grace," I whispered.

   With my continued words of support, Grace seemed to calm slightly,
allowing her trembling to slow and her breath to become paced once more.
She had not coughed once since I had roused her.

   Slowly, she leaned her head forward, placing a delicate kiss upon my
breast.  Her warm breath sent shivers down my spine as she backed away.  I
immediately let out a great moan, louder than all others before it.  It
felt as if I had reached a small peak of excitement, quickly subsiding as
Grace calmly blew against my bare skin.

   The entire park seemed to grow brighter, and the sound of the brook more
rhthmic, as she spread her knees further apart and let out a whimper in
between her breaths.  Grace gazed down as my hand gently reached between
her legs, slowly beginning to caress her.  After a short pause, she let out
a deep whimper, looking up into the sky and letting the light shine on her
soft face.

   "Holly..."

   After a long sigh, Grace leaned forward and hugged me tightly.

   "Yes?" I asked.

   Without speaking, Grace reached for the bottom of her own shirt, pulling
it off slowly and letting it fall to the grass.

   "Do I look okay?" she asked, peering at herself.

   "Perfect, Grace..."

   She smiled, letting another tear run down her cheek as she pushed her
hair out of her face.

   "Thank you, Holly," she said softly.

   I felt tears begin to run down my own cheek; a cry of happiness, of
experiencing such a wonderful thing with the one I loved.  Our eyes became
watered but neither of us wanted to truly cry, we were too happy.

   "I never dreamed this could happen between us," I whispered.

   "Some dreams are worth waiting for," Grace replied.

   I didn't answer but instead I reached out my hands and set them on her
shoulders, gently pulling the straps of her bra down her arms.  Grace
looked down at herself and smiled, still blushing as she let out another
sigh.  She reached behind herself and unclasped her bra; it fell into her
lap.  I stared at her beautiful breasts as they rested bare before me.

   "They're so beautiful, Grace," I said quietly.

   She looked up at me.

   "Thank you," she answered, very slowly.

   I looked up into the sky, the brightness of the sun, and then back down
at Grace.  The same light shone on her as she sat before me with a single
garment of clothing left on, and tears of happiness in her eyes.  I had
once said she looked similar to an angel, but she wasn't at all similar;
she was even more beautiful.  I blinked my eyes and the tears ran down my
cheeks as I let my hands embrace her breasts for the first time.  Like I
had felt with my own, Grace sighed and began to whimper rather than moan,
remaining slightly more quiet than I had been, but cherishing every second
of my touch as much as she cherished my presence at her side.

   "Oh, Grace..."

   She finally looked directly at me, then down at my body.

   "Do you feel the same way I do, Holly?"

   "Yes," I whispered.

   Slowly, she reached past my unbuttoned jeans.

   Upon her touch, I let out a quiet moan, releasing her breasts as a
second peak of excitement coursed through my body.  I slowly lowered myself
backwards, gently resting my back on the soft grass.  Grace removed her
hand and took a hold of my jeans, sliding them down my thighs with gentle
care.  They stopped at my knees as Grace stretched her legs out behind her
and lied down on her stomach, resting softly on my jeans.

   Without speaking, Grace removed the final layer of clothing between her
and my vagina.  The sensations of the next few moments were the most
passionate I had ever felt.  The brightness of the park soon exploded into
a white light which remained even as I closed my eyes.

   I let my hips writhe back and forth, pressing into the soft grass and
tickling myself at the same time.  The excitement I felt grew to tremendous
levels, and I moaned as loud as I could; crying, not holding back.  Another
explosion of light, another jolt of pleasure as Grace kissed my body, my
vagina.

   All at once I cried out, unable to control my excitement, my emotions.
It was the most incredible feeling I had ever experienced.  It was the
happiest and most special moment of my life, and I was so happy to have
shared it with the one I loved.

   Soon, Grace brought herself up just above my face, smiling softly, her
face still blushing.  The sound of the brook came back into our ears
gradually

   "How did it...  feel?" she asked quietly.

   I smiled, and narrowed my eyes in the blinding light which covered her
entire body.

   "It was heavenly, Grace," I whispered.

   She lifted herself up and came beside me before lying down once more.
Our eyes were parallel, full of tears and happiness.  Our love seemed so
alive now, so powerful, that I felt more than complete.  It was the first
time I truly accepted my life with Grace and how wonderful it was; we were
both living the way we had always wanted.  Our care for each other beat in
our hearts as we stared at each other, lying on the grass near the quiet
brook.  Nearly every leaf from the tree overhead had fallen, and yet none
had touched us somehow.  The sun's rays seemed to shelter us both with a
bright protection and soothing heat.  The wind rustled the hair into our
faces every few seconds, but we still continued to look at each other, into
the love which could be seen in both of our gazes, as clear as the waters
of the brook.

   "I love you, Holly.  I wish there were more to say for what I feel when
I'm with you."

   "You don't have to say anything," I replied.  "I love you just as much,
Grace."

   With that, Grace looked down at herself, and I did too.  We didn't have
to speak, but removed the last garments of clothes we were wearing and
stood up together, naked but more comfortable with each other than ever
before.  Grace took my hand and held it tight, not wanting to let go.  We
made our way to the bench, our bench, and sat down.

   ...

   We held each other for the longest time, not sure what to say but
knowing that our love would never die even though we could never truly be
together.

   "Why did you leave me, Grace?" I asked, letting the tears run down my
cheeks slowly.

   She ran her fingers through my hair, smiling softly, her touch lighter
than a feather's.

   "I said I'd always be with you, Holly, and I will."

   "I don't want this day to ever end," I whispered.

   Grace wiped away the tears from my cheek, and looked out across the
waters where the flowers stood strong in the gentle breeze, full of life
and untouched by the autumn weather.

   "It doesn't have to, Holly.  As long as you don't forget me, we can
always come back."

   I looked up and let my hand come to Grace's chin, pulling it towards
mine gently.

   "I'll never forget you, Grace...  I love you."

   Our kiss was the most passionate of all our embraces.  A final
consummation of my affection for Grace, and the last time we ever had to
affirm our love for each other.  Her angelic body remained close to mine,
forever lit by the warm rays of the sun, and forever happy as I wished her
to be.  We made love on the bench until our tears finally came to an end,
but it was a new beginning for us both, I believed.

   Our love was special, our love was forever.  I held Grace in my arms,
her memory the last gift I would receive from her.  When we were together
there was no pain, no suffering, no death, just the love of two women who
had cared for each other more than they ever thought possible.  She taught
me to live, she taught me to have hope.  Hope enough to push forward with
her love as a light to guide me through the darkness.

   We both held each other, forever, until we fell asleep in each others'
arms.  When I awoke, the love and affection of the one I loved remained
with me as I found myself alone on the bench.  The sun sat in the sky and
shined down upon me, reminding me of the life I still had to live, and how
happy it was going to be.

   I peered down at my pendant, and then looked up to the sky one final
time to see a single light green flower fall from the trees and land in my
lap.  It was Grace's flower, her reminder, her promise that we would see
each other again.  In its pedals glowed the color of Grace's caring eyes,
so full of life and hope.  I took the beautiful flower into my hand and set
it in my hair, standing fully and walking towards the brook, full of an
endless happiness.  I stood in the center of the stream in Grace's shoes
and bent over to take a final stone in my hand.  Looking down at it, I
opened the pendant and smiled softly, whispering the words that a loving
girl had once said before tossing the stone as hard as I could and skipping
it for the first time.

   "One may always dream..."

   ...

   Grace died of cancer eight days after we met.  It spread to her lungs
shortly after her nineteenth birthday, but she lived on long enough to have
experienced a happy life in my arms.  Her wish to live her life without
fear came true for the short time we were together.  Her memory would
always be with me, and so would her love, forever.  I knew from that day
forth she would never be truly dead; she would live on in my dreams, just
as she promised and I always hoped.  Love can exist between two women, and
my love for Grace would live on, for always.  Until the day we would hold
each other, and walk together once more...

END

For my girlfriend, the one I care for and will always love for as long
as I live.  "Don't ever give up hope, it will always be there for you."

-----------------------------

My Views on Writing "Dreams Hereafter"

INTRODUCTION

To start off, I've never written an entire foreword for any of my
stories before, but I thought that it would be appropriate for
this particular story seeing as how it became my new favorite
story even before I was finished writing it. Even more so, this
is the first story I've written that has made me physically cry
and feel happy all in one sitting, a rather strange difference
from some of my more sexually based stories. Regardless, I've
gotten a lot of questions and comments on this story as to my
intentions and feelings as I wrote it so I thought it would be
only right to express them.

For "Dreams Hereafter" I wanted to write something different,
something that meant a lot to me on a personal level, something
to express my values and feelings as a lesbian. I wanted to write
a story that shows how I respond to my relationship with another
woman, how I consider love to be one of the most important
aspects of my life and not the actual physical attraction of two
women who have sex with each other.

I knew when I wrote the first chapter that this story was going
to be something different, and from then on I tried to curve the
story to more a level of being a love story rather than a
traditional erotic story. I did this once before with my story
"Tender Euphoria", but even then the underlying fear that my
readers wouldn't accept it was on my mind. For that story I
hesitantly wrote in more sex than I personally thought was
appropriate for the characters, and as a result the theme of love
I was going for was partially drowned out by the elements of a
regular sex story. So, after writing the first chapter of "Dreams
Hereafter" I knew I was at a point where I could either turn the
story into another erotic tale, or turn it into something that I
actually believe in. From then on I decided to write an emotional
story above all, and I wanted it to be more about love than
anything else.

THE TITLE

As all of my readers have probably figured out by now, every one
of my story titles follow a sort of basic formula: two words. For
"Dreams Hereafter" this formula is still obviously intact, but
for a time I considered several other titles that, in the end, I
thought did not respect the story's theme. The original title of
my story was "Tranquil Gardens", the name of the park in which
Holly and Grace spent most of their time together. I thought this
title was too vague, and that it didn't respect the theme of hope
and dreams I was going for, but I ended up keeping it as the name
of the park itself.

My next choice for a title was "Diary of Dreams", which would
have been the first exception to my title formula, and
incorporated a deleted element of my story. In my original draft,
every chapter was preceded by a diary entry of Holly's written in
the first person. I ultimately abandoned this idea given the fact
that it was too redundant in the plot. I felt that enough
emotional and physical descriptions were given by the main
character as she played out her relationship with this new girl.
Still, though I decided not to use that particular title, a
number of other similar titles were on my mind in it's place. A
few of my unused titles for this story are: "Whispers to My
Heart", "My Heart's Song", "Wings of My Heart", "Forever's Song"
and "Hope and Grace", which incorporated an unused character name
for the one who I later decided to be Holly.

Finally, after discarding countless titles for this story, I
looked up the word "heaven" on the internet, hoping to find a
word that would fit with the word "Dream", which I thought had to
have a place in the title for sure. I'm not the most religious
person, but I am a Christian, and I do believe in heaven and God.
But, as an author, I don't like to personally incorporate
religion into my stories. But, after searching for words similar
to heaven and life I found the word which I thought fit the theme
perfectly, "Hereafter".  It literally means the afterlife, or
what is to follow something, and this became an important element
to my story in the end. So, I went with the title as "Dreams
Hereafter" which I believe is just right for the story.

THE CHARACTERS

Unlike my last romantic story, "Tender Euphoria", which
incorporated four main characters to an extent, I wanted this
story to be about just two people. There are a few minor
characters in this story, but they ultimately do not have
anything to do with the relationship between my two main
characters.

For Holly, I wanted to create a character who wasn't happy all of
the time, which I have to say is closer to the way I am than most
might suspect. Holly had the basic elements of imperfection that
we all feel, including myself, though not to the extent that it
made her seem depressed, of course. The shyness, her lack of true
self-confidence, her old shoes; all personality traits that I
possess to an extent. For her name, I wanted the character to
sound soft, fragile, and loving. I originally intended to name
her Hope, which would have worked well with one of my discarded
titles, but I decided to change her name as I thought her partner
character would work better with the noun based name. I did not
abandon that name entirely though, but instead incorporated
"Hope" as a very important theme to the story next to love.

Grace, I felt, was the most important character in the story and
I knew that her name had to portray her caring, and gentleness as
a character. Some might view it using it's religious aspects, but
I chose the name "Grace" more so because of it's parallels with
beauty and goodwill. Though it may not be apparent in the text of
the story, I wanted both Holly and Grace to be the same person in
a way. Both are almost identical except for their minor physical
and lifestyle differences. When I first wrote the opening
chapter, though, Grace was very different from Holly. She was
originally a very active, athletic, and proud girl who took an
interest in the gentle Holly asleep on the park bench. I later
changed this, looking for a more emotionally fragile character
who was very similar to Holly. In the final version, I made Grace
even more fragile with her bifocals and small cough.

Other than these small differences, both Holly and Grace are the
same woman, though born into different lifestyles. They both
basically have the same hair color and style, the same
personality, the same basic appearance, and the same values of
love and hope that I have.

THE STORY

For the actual content of the story I wanted to write about
settings and actual things that I personally enjoy, as a matter
of fact. I thought a park was the perfect place to use as the
main setting as I don't see much of nature myself. I also wrote
in a number of things that I actually do on a daily basis
including: a bit of yoga, (the position I wrote about is real,
for those who aren't familiar with yoga), taking walks by myself,
not liking smoking etc... I suppose I added that little fact more
to try and make smoking seem less glamorous than it appears in
most stories and erotica. But, through every little detail I
added, I wanted the majority of the story to be about the
relationship between Holly and Grace, and up until about chapter
eight they are almost always together.

When I originally wrote this story I didn't intend for it to be
sad in any way, as it's usually been a part of my style to make
my stories lighthearted, but I always love to try new things, of
course. Though I'm more of a comedy lover myself, I love to go
see a good emotional story from time to time and I actually
watched a number of my favorites before writing this story. I
actually had no idea that it would be so emotional for me once I
read it, but I certainly did cry. I felt very emotional to the
point where I actually removed an entire scene from the story
itself, figuring that it went a little too overboard in the tears
category, if you can believe it. In the original version, Holly
did hear from Grace days after her absence and went to visit her
in the hospital where they had their last conversation and Grace
later died in Holly's arms.  I thought it was way too sad to
leave in, and by removing it I let the idea of Holly's dream
being almost mistaken for reality to remain intact.

But, I didn't write this story to be just a plain sad tale, or at
least I didn't intend to. I wanted to really portray a sense of
love, mixed with hope and dreams. Those are the three basic
themes that I think are the basis of this story, and I'm very
happy with how it turned out. But, of course, a story by me
wouldn't be complete without at least one love scene. This ended
up being a very hard sequence to write, as I wanted to maintain
the theme of love and not lose it to the sex the way I felt I did
with "Tender Euphoria". For a time I considered not having any
love making in my story at all, or having it without the explicit
descriptions I usually write. In the end I chose to keep it in,
as I feel making love is an important part of my relationship,
and I don't personally think that sex always means lust and
impurity. I tried to keep the descriptions lighthearted and more
about love though, and I think I did well.


All in all, I'm very happy with "Dreams Hereafter" as a story and
I would definitely like to go back and write another emotional
story sometime. It's definitely my favorite story, and I had an
interesting time writing it to say the least. 

-------------------------
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/serenecherry/www

I would love any comments at serenecherry@hotmail.com

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