The Last Chimes of Fall

The Last Chimes of Fall
bylaptopwriter©

Prologue:

With-in the confines of chapters one and three, Brent, while working in his back yard, experiences a heart attack. Writhing from the pain, he struggles along the ground in an effort to seek help. During this time, he will relive the joys and tragedies from the three loves of his life. Please accompany him on his journey and I hope you enjoy the read.

Chapter One; "Tanya"



The bitter breeze strewn lifeless brown leaves along my cold, hard Midwest lawn. Only a couple weeks prior they dazzled brilliantly against the sun as it shown through the yellow, orange, and red colors of fall. Now, I struggled against Mother Nature; my only weapon to stop their attempted escape on the wings of her frosty breath was an old fashion bamboo rake, a hand-me-down from a generation long since passed.

I worked feverishly, gathering the last remnants of summer into piles to be bagged and picked up before the first snow fall. The dull, gray sky and wintry winds told me time was short.

My left arm was still hurting as it had been for most of the day. Normal, I suspected for a man who, like the season, was also approaching winter. The long tentacles of the old rake scraped along the ground when suddenly it dropped from my hands. I went down to my knees clutching my chest from the worst pain I had ever experienced. My body twisted from tightening muscles and I fell hard upon the frozen ground behind my house.

I was paralyzed from the agony. My body refused to function. I heard the rustling of leaves under me as I rolled uncontrollably from one side to the other.

I had to regain control. I was alone, blocked from view of the street and my neighbors. Somehow I had to get to the house. Then it hit again. My body curled in a ball as it was wreaked with a second wave of burning torment.

I laid there. I struggled to breathe. I could feel the erratic rhythm of my heart pounding in my chest, when off in the distance I heard a voice.

"I love you," it said like a whisper in the wind. There was something familiar about it. It was almost like a dream, yet so real...no, not a dream, a memory. I heard it again, "I love you with all my heart." This time I recognized it. It was a voice I hadn't heard in over fifty years, the voice of my high school sweetheart; the first love of my life.

"Tanya," I said in a raspy voice. It was all I could manage but it brought me back to a warm summer's night in my home town.

We lay under the stars, our naked bodies entwined, our hearts pounding, our minds spinning, as we both had just experienced the rapture of making love for the first time in our lives. Tanya turned toward me and caressed my cheek with her dainty hand. "I love you," she said. "I love you with all my heart."

I still remember how it all started. Back then, as far as I was concerned, it was the most unlikely romance I could think of. I was certainly no lady's man. In grade school I had red hair, freckles, and wore glasses. I was constantly ridiculed by the girls in my class. I guess I grew out of a lot of that by the time I entered high school. My hair turned darker in color. The freckles were all gone; I still couldn't escape the glasses though and was nonetheless very self-conscious in spite of the small popularity I enjoyed as the school photographer.

Tanya Dickens was a cheerleader and certainly one of the most popular girls in school. She and I shared a class in English Literature, but other than that, I had no real contact with her except to take pictures of her at the football and basketball games.

I still remember my reaction on that cold November, Friday night after the football game when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder from behind. I turned around and saw Tanya with her winter coat wrapped around her little cheerleader's outfit.

"Hi Brent," she said, in what I was sure was the voice of an angel. "Hey, if it's not too far out of your way, do you think you could give me a ride home tonight?"

My brain instantly turned to mush. Be cool, I thought, don't get tongue tied, don't act scared, just answer her.

"Sure Tanya, no problem." Whew! I did it; I spoke to her and didn't make a fool of myself...at least not yet.

It was only a ten minute drive from the school to her house, but it was the most stressful ten minutes of my young life. She didn't wait for me to get out and open the car door for her like the gentleman I was taught to be. Instead, as soon as I stopped in her drive she opened the door herself, glanced over toward me with a smile that would have melted the heart of Genghis khan, and simply said thanks. A moment later she left me sitting there like a love sick puppy as she disappeared behind the front door of her house.

Driving off, I thought to myself, if I live to be a hundred, I will remember this night for the rest of my life, the night Tanya Dickens rode in my car. Little did I know at the time, there would be many more nights to remember.

The following week was pretty much like all weeks in school until Friday in English Lit. I was already seated when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, once again, into Tanya's smiling face.

"Are you taking pictures at the game tonight, Brent?"

"Sure, I'll be there," I said trying again not to pee my pants.

"Could you give me a ride home again?" She asked.

I was really finding this hard to believe. Two weeks in a row?

"Absolutely!" As fast as I said it I wondered if I'd sounded too anxious.

"Great," she replied enthusiastically. "I'll see you tonight then."

That night all I could think of was taking Tanya home again. What if she wanted to talk? What would we talk about? I was so nervous I almost forgot to shoot pictures. I didn't have a single photo that was even worthy of the high school newspaper until late in the fourth quarter. I happened to be in the right spot at the right time when I grabbed a great shot of the winning touchdown.

"Great shot, kid," I heard from my left. I looked over and recognized the middle aged man talking. He was the head photographer for the largest newspaper in the state. They would occasionally cover high school sports in our area.

"Thanks," I said, "just a lucky shot."

"In this game, kid, there's no such thing as luck. Sports photography takes a keen eye and split second timing. You just showed both. Are you a senior?" he asked.

"Yes sir."

The tall man walked up next to me, reached for his wallet and took out a business card. Holding it between his index and middle fingers he offered it in my direction.

"You've got talent, Kid. If you think you'd like to learn the newspaper game after graduation, give me a call." He smiled and walked off in the direction of the parking lot.

What a night this was turning out to be, I thought. Just then Tanya came running up and grabbed my arm. She was all excited from our big win.

"Hey," she said still holding on to me. "A bunch of the kids are going to the restaurant in town. Do you think we could join them, or do you have to get right home?"

Everything was happening so fast. Whose life was I living anyway, certainly not mine; just last week Tanya rode in my car, now she's talking about a...a...a date? Well, maybe not an actual date, but it was close enough for me.

"Sure, Tanya." Just then a couple more from the school's 'A' crowd came over.

"So, you guys going to meet us there?" asked Judy, another cheerleader.

"Yeah, Brent and I are heading over there now," Tanya replied. When we got to the restaurant they pushed several tables together for us. I sat next to Tanya and was actually talking to several members of this elite clique, almost as if I belonged.

Our tables were just getting served when two more from our school walked in, Pete and Darrell, the two stars of tonight's game. Pete was the quarterback who threw the winning pass and Darrell was the tight end who made the spectacular catch.

"Hey Brent," Darrell called out like I was a friend of his. "Did you get a shot of me catching that pass?"

Hell, I didn't even know he knew my name. "Yes I did," I responded. "I got it just as you grabbed for the ball."

"Alright!" he said with exuberance. "I'm going to have my picture in the paper."

I didn't think the night could go any better until we were, once again, sitting in Tanya's driveway. This time I was ready.

"Wait right there," I said as I got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side. She smiled and stepped out as I held the door open for her. It was at that very moment that I thought the universe might explode.

"Thanks," she said. "I had a great time tonight." She then stood on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek. I don't even remember driving home after that.

The following weekend was even more sensational than the last. Once again our team won the game and insured their spot in the sectionals. Tanya was so excited she grabbed me around the neck and started jumping up and down while kissing me several times on the cheek.

Having Tanya's body rubbing and bumping into me soon had my own body reacting. I became absolutely mortified when I felt an erection growing in my pants. Several times, Tanya's body, dressed only in that skimpy little cheerleader's outfit, came in contact with my, now fully engorged dick. I wanted to melt into oblivion and had no idea what to do. I could feel myself getting flush from head to toe. I heard Tanya giggle a couple of times. I didn't know if she was giggling because she was aware of my situation, or she was just excited about the game. One thing was for sure, I wasn't going to ask her.

That night several more kids showed up at the restaurant in celebration of the win. This time, however, in addition to talking about the game, the other main topic of conversation was my photograph of last week's winning touchdown. I was truly living in a parallel universe, I thought, as some of the kids congratulated me and told me what a great photographer I was.

The following Tuesday, Jim, a long time buddy of mine from grade school, walked up to me while I was getting some books from my locker. Just by the look on his face I could tell he had something on his mind.

"Hey, Jim, what's up?" He stared at me for a second before responding.

"Are you really dating Tanya Dickens?" he asked in a voice that more than showed his total disbelief, even in the question he was asking.

"Where did you hear that?" I inquired. It was extremely flattering but what came to mind first was worry, worry that Tanya would hear that and get angry. Driving her home and going out with the kids after the games was one thing, but if she heard some kids use the term, "dating," she'd probably think I started the rumor and be really pissed.

"It's all over school," said Jim still with a questioning look. "Is it true? Are you really going out with Tanya?"

"No, Jim, it's not true. Her house is right on my way home so I've been giving her a ride after the games, that's all. You don't really think she'd go out with me do you?"

I saw the look on Jim's face; I think he was actually pleased. I'm not sure why, maybe he thought we'd no longer be friends if I was really dating Tanya. I'm not sure. We both had to get to our classes so, after a couple chuckles, he went one way and I went the other wondering if Tanya had heard the rumors and if she would ever speak to me again.

A couple days later I was relieved when Tanya stopped to say hi to me in the hall. Either she hadn't heard the rumors, or she simply shrugged them off, I thought.

That Friday night everything seemed normal. Football season was winding down and it looked like we had a good shot at going all the way in the sectionals. As was now becoming the norm, Tanya and I met several of the kids at a restaurant after the game and talked again about our team's victory.

I had been nervous the whole night. Sooner or later Tanya was going to hear the rumor about us dating and I didn't want her to think I started it, so as we pulled into her drive, I had to take a chance.

"Tanya," I said apprehensively. "Ah, well...I ah, well I heard there's a rumor going around the school about you and I dating and...well, I ah, I just didn't want you to think I started it, that's all."

I saw the smile leave Tanya's face and really thought I'd blown it. Evidently she hadn't even heard the rumor until I just blabbed.

"Are you ashamed of dating me?" she asked.

Okay, now I was really confused. I never had a sister and had absolutely no experience with girls, whatsoever. Was she mocking me, making fun of me, or was she being sincere? Then again, my dad said many times, "sincerity is what women fall back on when all other forms of deception have failed."

I didn't know what to say. Then, before I knew what was happening, it just came out. "Hell no Tanya, are you kidding, I love you." Even as I heard myself saying it, I wanted to pull the words back into my mouth but I couldn't. I think my eyes got as big as saucers about the same time Tanya put a smile back on her face. "Oh God, Tanya, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I...I didn't mean to say that."

"Oh, so you don't love me?"

"No, I mean, yes, but..."

"Shhhhhh," Tanya shushed me putting her finger to my lips. "Wow, that's the first time anyone ever told me they loved me. Look," she said, "my mom and dad would like to meet the guy who's been driving me home. Why don't you come in and meet them."

"Oh jeez," I said. "I've already made such a mess of tonight, I don't know."

"Oh come on," she countered. "You haven't messed up anything. Come on in, it'll just take a minute."

I reluctantly agreed. Tanya took my hand and led me into the lion's den.

"Well, you're the young man we've heard so much about," said her dad as he reached out and shook my hand.

"Dad," Tanya said. "Don't embarrass me, please." He chuckled and asked me to have a seat. Tanya had a younger sister who came running in, I guess to see what I looked like. As we all sat and talked I began to relax a little when Tanya's mom brought me a Pepsi from the fridge. What do you know, I thought, Tanya didn't live in a castle guarded by dragons after all; she was part of family just like me. In fact her dad was a no nonsense kind of guy just like my own dad. I really liked her whole family and they seemed to like me.

When it was time to leave Tanya walked me out. "I don't know about love, Brent," she said honestly, "but I like you a lot, and if you ever do decide to ask me out on a real date, I'd be happy to say yes." She then reached up, put her arms around my neck, and kissed me; this time on the lips. It was the first time in my life I had been kissed on the lips. I remember thinking at that moment, if God were to strike me dead right now, I would have no regrets. I had just been kissed by Tanya Dickens, what more could life hold?

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, was all that came to mind as I drove off heading for home. What'll I do? I've never been on a date before in my entire life, not a real date. I've never had a girlfriend before. God! What to do? I have to talk to someone. I need advice, but who? I can't talk to my folks...not about girls...oh God, I thought, that's just sick!

Denny! Of course, my cousin, Denny; he was nine years older than me and was married. Denny and I were more like brothers than cousins. Cindy, his wife, was extremely pretty, too. Not as pretty as Tanya of course, but still very pretty. Tomorrow was Saturday, Denny didn't work so I could go over there and talk to him.

Saturday morning at breakfast, all I could think about was Tanya and the talk I was going to have with my cousin. First; however, I had to help my dad with the last of the yard work. He handed me one of the two brand new bamboo rakes he had just bought, and we spent the next four hours raking and burning leaves.

After dinner I told my parents I was going over to Denny's for a little while. They warned me not to make it home too late, we were all going to church on Sunday.

When I got to Den's I was glad to see Cindy was in the kitchen doing dishes. Den and I sat in the living room. I guess he could read my face and knew I had something specific I wanted to talk to him about.

"Okay, Brent, you look worried, what's going on?" he asked.

"Well," I said softening my voice so Cindy wouldn't hear me, "I need some advice. There's a girl at school. I really like her and...well, I want to ask her on a date, but...

"Hey man, it's about time," Denny interrupted. "Who is she? Is she cute? Hey Cindy, come on in here, Brent has a girlfriend!"

Damn it, I thought, there goes the private conversation I wanted to have. Cindy came into the living room wiping her hands dry on a dish towel. She had a huge smile on her face as she sat next to me on their couch. This was going to be embarrassing; I could just feel it in my bones.

"Brent that's great," said Cindy. "Do we know her?"

"No, I don't think so. Her name is Tanya Dickens, she's one of the cheerleaders at school."

"One of the cheerleaders!" said Denny with a surprised tone in his voice. "Hey man, that's my cousin," he said while shifting his body forward and leaning his elbows on his knees in a more intent listening posture.

"I think that's great," said Cindy.

"Yeah, she's really something special," I said with pride. "But...well, I want to take her out on a date but I don't really know what to d..."

Before I could finish Denny broke in again. "The clit, man, go right for the clit. It drives them crazy, doesn't it honey?"

I looked up at my cousin in shock.

"It's right under the little hood at the top of the pussy," he continued. "Show him yours, honey," he said looking at his wife with a big grin on his face.

I could literally feel my entire body blushing. Cindy looked at me. "Den, will you stop, look at the poor kid; you're embarrassing him."

Denny looked back at me and laughed. "Ha, ha, I don't think I've ever seen anyone quite so red in my life."

"Brent," Cindy said with empathy. "You're a great guy. Just be yourself and you'll do fine."

"Oh hell, Cindy," I said nervously. "She could have any guy she wants. I still don't know why she likes me but she does. At least I think she does. She sure seems to."

"What do you mean you don't know why she likes you," said Cindy in an almost angry voice. "You're smart, witty, and good looking. You have a great personality...any girl would be proud to be your date."

"I don't know, Cindy. It just seems so farfetched that she really could like me. Anyway, I have no idea where to take her or what to do."

Cindy thought for just a second. "Take her to a movie. You can't miss with going to the show, Brent. Pick out a nice romantic comedy, or better yet, let her pick it out. When they turn the lights down low you put your arm around her so you two can cuddle. When it's over you can take her out to a restaurant. If you can't think of anything to talk about, you can talk about the movie you just saw."

"Yeah," I said picturing me with my arm around Tanya. "That's a good idea. Thanks."

"Hey, there's also a little trick you can do by cutting a hole in the bottom of the popcorn box and putting it on your lap," said Denny joking again.

"Will you stop!" yelled Cindy looking at him with a big grin.

The following Monday at school, I was trying to figure out how to approach Tanya. I had the movie section from Sunday's newspaper with me.

I was standing at my locker wondering when I would have the opportunity to talk to her alone when I felt someone push their hip against the side of my body. I looked over to see who it was.

"So," said Tanya with a big smile, "have you thought anymore about what we talked about?"

For the first time since giving Tanya that initial ride home, I was starting to believe she actually liked me. Why?- I still had no idea. Every guy in school would give his eye-teeth to go out with her. All I knew was I was starting to lose some of those inner demons I had developed in grade school. I felt just the tiniest amount of self-confidence as I smiled.

"Tanya, that's all I thought about all week-end," I said while reaching to retrieve the movie section from my locker. "I know it's short notice, but would you be free Saturday night? I thought we could go to the movies."

Tanya smiled as she took the movie section from me then crooked her index finger motioning me to lower my head. As I did she kissed me, ever so softly, and right on the lips.

"Tanya and Brent, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g;" we both looked over and saw Becky Peterson, another of the schools most popular people, singing the little ditty.

Tanya smiled. "Eat your heart out, Becky," she said to her friend with a cute, little cock of her heard. This was all just so hard for me to believe. Any time now I just knew I would wake up and realize it was all just a dream.

For the rest of the day, I'm not sure but I think I probably went to classes. I mean, physically, I must have been there. Mentally; however, I don't remember a thing after that kiss. All I could see was Tanya and me, standing together with wedding bells ringing over our heads. As they say, I had it bad...I was in love.

That Friday night turned out to be a real downer. In an upset, our team lost the second game of the sectionals. Tanya had tears in her eyes when she came over, put her arms around my waist, and leaned her head against my chest. I put my arm around her and pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry, honey," I said. The term of endearment came out before I knew it. It was what my dad always called my mom. It just seemed natural. I wondered if Tanya even heard it, if she did she didn't say anything.

There would be no celebration at the restaurant tonight, no joking, and no compliments on my photography. The game had been played at the rival school which gave us a very solemn forty minute ride home. I had as much school spirit as the next guy but I knew the loss affected Tanya much more than it did me. All the way home I wondered about our date the following night. Would Tanya be in a bad mood all night? Maybe she might not even feel like going at all and call it off completely. My worries were somewhat relieved when Tanya slid over on the bench seat of my fifty-seven Chevy and leaned her head into my shoulder for comfort.

Saturday night I hadn't heard anything to the contrary, so I drove over to Tanya's house at six forty five as planned. Her mother must have seen me drive up and opened the door to invite me in before I could even knock. As soon as I stepped into the living room Tanya made her entrance. It finally happened; I knew it would sooner or later. She was so beautiful that the moment I opened my mouth to tell her so, I got tongue tied. All that came out was gibberish, and it happened right in front of her parents.

I know I must have been turning a scarlet shade of red when Tanya smiled, walked over, and with a small peck on the cheek, said, "Brent, you say the sweetest things."

That brought a chuckle from her dad and a snicker from her sister.

"You look absolutely incredible," I said. The little kiss did it; like a princess kissing a frog and breaking the spell, I could talk again. Tanya took my arm while we said good night to her folks and we were on our way.

At the show we got some popcorn and a couple of soft drinks before going in to sit down. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered my cousin's joke about the hole in the bottom of the box. Tanya asked what I was smiling about and I had to think fast.

"Well, I'm sitting here with the prettiest, nicest, most wonderful girl in the whole world. Why wouldn't I be smiling? " I asked. Just then the lights were lowered. Tanya reached over and gently turned my face toward hers. She slowly moved her lips closer to mine. I felt her left hand on the back of my head as she pulled slightly making our lips touch; then I felt her other hand slip to the inside of my thigh and knew in an instant I would have a raging hard on in another second or two. Tanya's lips opened and I felt her tongue probing for mine. I wanted to concentrate on her kiss, but I was so worried, so embarrassed by the problem growing between my legs.

I knew she could feel it. I tried to take my mind off of my dick and focus on the kiss. I swirled my tongue to intermingle with hers. When we broke the kiss Tanya had a big grin on her face. There was no doubt she was aware of my hard cock. It actually hurt from straining against the fabric of my trousers. Was she teasing me or testing me, I wondered. I was beginning to think I should have paid more attention to my cousin's information about a woman's clit. Shit, I thought, what if she really does want to have sex. I've never even been on a date let-alone had sex before.

I put my arm around her and pulled her close. The screen lit up with the first of three cartoons before the movie. We both laughed as the road runner, using his speed and intellect, out foxed Wile E. Coyote, yet again. Now and then Tanya would remove her hand from the inside of my leg to get some popcorn or to take a drink, but would always return it to the danger zone. By the end of the movie I was actually getting comfortable with the feel of her hand so close to my, still hard cock.

The rest of the evening also went well. I was finally starting to accept the fact that Tanya, one of the prettiest and most popular girls in the whole school, actually did like me. I found myself more relaxed and allowed my personality to come out more. I was always kind of the class clown and usually kept people, even adults, laughing when I was around. It was a trait I had been too nervous to show off around Tanya until that night. We both talked and laughed the night away.

By the time I got her back to her doorstep around midnight, I was actually starting to think of Tanya as my girlfriend, a feeling that was completely foreign to me, but very enjoyable.

"Did you have a good time?" I asked while looking into her deep blue eyes.

"I had a great time," she answered.

"Would I be out of line to ask if you'd like to go out again next Saturday?"

"Next Saturday, and the next Saturday, and the next, would be okay with me," she said. She reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck again. This time I met her half way taking her slim waist in my hands and greeting her lips with a passionate kiss.

The following Saturday Tanya was running a little late which gave me some time to get better acquainted with her mom and dad.

"Tanya tells me you have a job after school, what do you do?" asked Mr. Dickens.

"I work at the Chrysler dealership in town, sir. I clean up the new and used cars that come in. I work every night except Fridays, till nine o'clock and I work Saturdays from eight to three."

"I see," he said with a bit of approval in his voice. "When do you get your homework done?"

"When I get home after work; it's the only time I have," I said.

"So, did your dad buy that car out there for you?"

"No sir. You don't know my dad. He believes people should work for the things they get. Not only did I have to have all the money up front to buy the car, but I had to come up with a year's worth of insurance as well. I've been saving up for the last two years for a car and last summer I worked two jobs to get the rest of the money for the insurance," I said with a smile.

In my sophomore year I was determined I would have a car in my senior year. I worked hard to make it a reality and I was proud of my accomplishment. Although my dad never said anything, I knew he was proud of me too.

Just then Tanya came in the kitchen all ready to go. I almost got tongue tied again as I looked at her. There was not a doubt in my mind, I was truly dating the most beautiful girl in the entire world.

"Tanya, you look stunning," I said.

"Thank you, Brent," she returned with a big smile. We said our good-byes to her folks and, once again, were off to the movies. While driving it occurred to me, I was going to have to find other places to take her if this was going to be an on-going thing.

The movie was a comedy this time and we both laughed till we cried. I had my arm around her waist as we walked from the theatre to the car. I was all set to go to the restaurant again when Tanya said she wanted to show me something. We drove a couple miles out of town, then turned on a dirt road.

"Where are we, Tanya?"

"We're behind the old cemetery," she cooed.

"The old cemetery, what are doing back here?" Just as I said it I realized what we were doing back there. I remember thinking, God I've got a lot to learn.

Tanya kind of chuckled. "Brent, we've been, more or less, dating now for several months. I thought I made it pretty clear that I like you...a lot, yet you have never even tried to touch me. You're not gay are you?"

The question almost killed me. It seemed like I was in new territory every week. I just didn't know how to act around girls, but I was bound and determined I was going learn. "No, Tanya, I'm not gay. To be honest, I'm still finding it hard to believe that you like me at all. These past months, it's like I've been living a dream and I'm so afraid of saying something or doing something to break that dream."

She was smiling again. She turned her body and maneuvered her leg under the steering wheel and over my left leg so she was straddling me. She was sitting on my lap facing me with her arms over my shoulders as she pressed her mouth to mine. I reached around her with my arms and held her, never wanting to let her go. We kissed passionately for several minutes before her long, slender, beautiful legs started to cramp up on her.

By the time she swung her leg back around and was sitting next to me again, I was very uncomfortable with an unbelievably stiff hard-on again.

This time Tanya looked straight at my crotch. "I see you like me too," she said and reached for the tent in my pants.

"Tanya!" I almost shouted as I quickly grabbed for her hand.

"I want to feel it," she said. I removed my hand from hers and let her touch the outside of my pants. Only two layers of cloth protected it from the touch of her fingers. "Oooh; I've been thinking about this." She brought her head around and kissed me again.

I had never been so scared in my entire life. Here was the girl of my dreams, the girl who I loved with all my being, the girl for whom I would lay down my life, offering me sex and I had not the foggiest idea of what to do. It was time to go back and see my cousin Denny again; this time for a much more serious talk.

"Tanya," I said blushing again, "have you...ah, have you ever..."

"Had sex?" she took pity on me and finished my sentence for me.

"Yeah," I said sheepishly.

"No, I haven't; and I'm willing to bet," she said with a smile, "you haven't either."

I gave a little nervous laugh. "What gave it away?"

She laughed.

"Tanya, just so I don't embarrass myself any more than I already have tonight, are you really saying you would like to have your first sexual experience with me?" I couldn't believe I just asked that of any girl, let alone Tanya.

She smiled at me again and kissed me, keeping me in suspense the whole time. Did I just say something stupid? God, I wish she would answer me, I thought.

Finally she broke off the kiss and looked into my eyes. "Yes, Brent, that's exactly what I'm saying."

My hands suddenly started to sweat. My whole body felt like it was getting hot. I must have looked terrified. Tanya smiled, closed her eyes, and kissed me again, so softly this time, I immediately started to relax until I felt her unbuckle my belt. Her hand slipped under my shorts and, for the first time in my life, a girl was touching my cock. It twitched with every light stroke of her fingers.

I didn't know what to do but I was sure I was supposed to do some touching of my own. Tanya's eyes closed and she inhaled with a deep, breathy sound as I reached over and softly caressed her breasts through her blouse.

For the next several minutes we passionately explored each other's body until Tanya pulled back. "I don't dare go any further right now, Brent," she said looking into my eyes. "Please understand; I want you so much, but not here, not like this."

I understood exactly what she meant. I touched her cheek with the tips of my fingers. "It's okay," I said, "I'm going to plan it all out, honey. I am going to give you the most romantic night of your life."

She was beaming. "Can you save up for a motel room?" she asked, "That would be fine with me. I just don't want my first time to be in the back seat of your car."

"My darling Tanya, people are going to write books about your first time," I said grinning from ear to ear, but still not having any clue as to how I was going to achieve this miracle feat.

"Well if they do," said Tanya smiling again, "I hope they don't use names." We each laughed nervously and stayed out there a little longer smooching.

Things were a little quiet in the car during the ride home. I think we were both thinking about what we had actually decided to do. The only thing I knew for sure so far was that I wanted to buy something for Tanya, something nice, something romantic. Something that would remind her of the first time she made love every time she looked at it. For help with that I went back to Cindy.

"Do you think it's too early for an engagement ring?" I asked Cindy.

"Whoa there stud," she said with a surprised, no shocked, look on her face. "You're really serious about this girl, aren't you?"

"Cindy, I love her with all my heart," I answered. She looked into my eyes and could see the sincerity that lay behind them.

"Brent, I know you don't want to hear this, and I can see in your face you really do love her, but you're still very young. She is probably only one of many girlfriends you'll have."

"Cindy, I know I'm young, maybe too young, I don't know, all I know for sure is how much I love her," I said with tears welling up in my eyes.

"Brent, has she said she loves you?" Cindy put her hand on mine trying to comfort me from what she anticipated was going to be a negative response.

"Well," I said sheepishly, "kind of." This was not the conversation I wanted to get into with Cindy. This was the conversation I wanted with my cousin, Denny.

"What do mean, kind of, Brent?"

I just sat and looked at her. I really didn't want to talk to Cindy about this, but she wasn't dumb. She put her hand to her mouth as it dawned on her. "Brent, you had sex with her?"

"No," I said, "well not yet anyway. We talked the other night. She's a virgin and...well, she wants her first experience with me," I said grinning from ear to ear. "Doesn't that mean she loves me? Huh?"

At first Cindy didn't say anything. She just looked at me. Finally she spoke in a soft voice. "Brent, I...ah, I can't really argue with your logic. She's still young too, but it sounds like you two have talked this out. I'm very happy for you, Brent. You're a great guy and I really hope this works out for you."

"Thanks, Cindy," I said while still blushing from our conversation. "But you still haven't answered my question, what kind of gift can I get her to commemorate the occasion?"

We sat there and discussed several options; not only what she would like, but what I could afford as well. We had it pretty well narrowed down when Denny came in.

"Hi Brent," he greeted in his usually jovial way. "How's it going? Hey," he started to ask as an afterthought, "how are things with the cheerleader?"

I looked at Cindy. She read my mind. "You boys have things to talk over," she said smiling. "I'm going to start dinner. Brent you want to stay for dinner?"

"Oh, no thanks, Cindy; I've got to back home pretty soon."

Denny was about to turn the TV on when I asked if I could talk to him first. He sat down in his chair opposite the couch and invited me to start the conversation.

"Den, promise you'll take this seriously," I said while trying to keep from looking so scared.

"Yeah, I guess," he said. "What's this all about? You look like the cat that ate the canary."

"Ah, well, you remember a couple weeks ago when you started joking around about a..." I lower my voice to almost a whisper, "a girl's clit?" I saw Denny's mouth drop open. "Well I'm ready to talk about that now," I said with a big shit-eaten grin on my face. "Tanya and I have been talking. She's still a virgin and I want to make her first time something really special. Like you said, I want to drive her crazy."

"Oh she's a virgin, but you're not?" Denny wasn't about to let me get off so easy.

I hung my head a little and was embarrassed. "No," I said like I was not proud of it, "I'm still a virgin too."

"Hey, don't say it like that, man. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It shows responsibility on your part, that's all, and the fact that you two have actually talked about it without just jumping each other's bones shows real maturity. No kidding, Brent, I'm proud of you, man."

"Really; wow, thanks Den. I really thought you were going to make fun of me."

"Not for something like this, having sex for the first time is way too important. In fact I'm flattered you came to me."

"Who else was I going to go to," I said with a wry smile. "My dad?"

Denny laughed, "Yeah, I see your point. Okay," said Den now starting to get serious, "you have to remember to keep things romantic. There will be times when all you want to do is have sex, raw, passionate, powerful sex, but this isn't one them. You want to do things slowly. Pay attention to every little detail. Make her feel like there is nothing else in the world that matters except her and only her. Every single thought, every movement should be focused on, not just making her feel like a woman, but making her feel like the only woman."

I was surprised. Once he started talking, Denny never cracked a single joke. I learned about the art of seduction, oral sex, and concentrating on her needs before my own.

For the next hour I sat and intently listened to everything my cousin said. I could visualize making love to Tanya as he spoke. He made me promise to use protection and then told me to practice putting the rubber on. "There's no mood killer like making her wait several minutes while you try putting your rain coat on," he said.

Denny took his time and explained the female body to me in detail. "There's a whole lot more to a woman's body than just her pussy," he said. He taught me about erogenous zones, and the importance of finding and stimulating them.

"The most important thing," Den said as he was winding things up, "is sincerity. A woman can always tell if it's not there. Look, I know this will be your first time as well, but make it her night. She wants this to be the most important night of her life. If you do that for her, it will also make it the most important night of your life."

As I drove home that night, I thought of everything my cousin told me. Maybe I was a virgin, but I was now confident that I knew enough as to not make a fool of myself. I knew I would be capable of expressing my love for Tanya as a man.

Now I had to figure out where. It had to be something better than a motel room. I was going to make love to the woman of my dreams. It had to be somewhere...spectacular!

For the next several days and nights all I could think of was making love to Tanya. I walked around with a perpetual smile on my face and everyone, teachers, my folks, friends, everyone except Tanya and my cousin, wondered what I was up to. What was going on in my little pea brain?

Winter was over and spring had sprung with the enchantment of unseasonably warm, summer winds. Of course with the arrival of spring in the Midwest, also comes road construction. Such was the case on the main road so I took the back road home one night after work.

As I got to the far edge of town I drove past the county fairgrounds. Wow, I thought, wouldn't it be something to make love to Tanya in there. It was acres and acres of beautiful tree lined rolling hills with a small picturesque lake and a one hundred year old covered bridge spanning the little stream that flowed through the countryside. Man, I thought, I could spread out a couple of blankets in the soft grass near the lake and we could make love under the stars.

The problem was, the entire site was completely surrounded with a tall cyclone fence that was locked up every night after dusk. I suppose I could cut a hole in the fence but that wouldn't be very romantic, plus I don't think Tanya would like that. Then of course, there was always the chance someone would see the hole and come to investigate. No, that wouldn't do. I'd have to think of somewhere else...or would I?

As I drove home I thought more and more about the fair grounds. The next morning I left for school a little earlier than normal. I took the back roads again so I could go by the entrance of the fair grounds. There were two sets of large gates about thirty feet apart that were used for vehicle entrances. To the side of each of them were two smaller gates used strictly for pedestrians. All the gates had a large chain wrapped two or three times around and locked with a large padlock. At lunch time, when the gates were open, I ran by there again. It was just as I thought and I was starting to form a plan.

The calendar we had hanging on the wall in our kitchen showed each stage of the moon over the dates. Everything had to be flawless. In just ten days the moon would be full, that was the night. So far my plan was coming together perfectly, almost like I was getting divine assistance.

That weekend I searched three hardware stores until I found exactly what I needed. Now all I required was some luck. I prayed it wouldn't rain and that the extremely warm, summer like nights would continue for another week.

I picked out Tanya's gift but had to borrow another fifty bucks from my dad. I promised to pay him back ten dollars a week. I would probably have to see if I could get a few more hours at work to make up the difference, but that was okay with me.

After a week and a half of preparation, and a lot of praying, the big night was here. Tanya knew I had something special planned but she did not know what it was.

I was a little nervous talking to Tanya's parents before we left that night. I wondered if her dad could read my mind. I wondered if he could see the condoms in my pocket. Both her parents and Jackie, her little sister, told her to have a wonderful evening as we left. It was almost as if they knew something, I thought.

Unknown to my own parents, I had even taken some money out of my savings. I wanted to take her out for a nice dinner, something a lot more elegant and romantic than Charlie's, the restaurant we usually ate at. We drove up town to a place my cousin told me about. It was a little pricy, but the romantic atmosphere made it well worth the money.

I could tell Tanya was impressed the moment we walked in. The maitre d' seated us and handed us menus. "Oh, Brent," Tanya said in a whisper so as not to embarrass me. "You can't afford this place. Look at these prices, let's just go to Charlie's, that's fine with me."

"Tanya, this is your night," I told her. "Don't worry about the prices. I want you to order anything you want tonight."

She gave me such a big smile. I sat looking at her and thought to myself, she has no idea what's in store for her. If everything went right, this would be a night she would remember for the rest of her life.

As promised by my cousin, the restaurant was perfect. The food was excellent and the ambiance was exactly what I wanted to set the mood for the rest of the night.

I took my time driving back to town. I wanted to make sure no one would be around the fair grounds. Unfortunately there was no place near the entrance to park after dark without calling attention to the car, so we had to park about four blocks away. Tanya looked at me as I started to get out of the car.

"What are you doing? Where are we going?" she asked. "Why are we parking here?"

"It's part of a little surprise I have for you, honey," I said with a big shit eating grin. I walked around and opened her door for her, then walked over to the trunk and opened it. I had two big, thick blankets in there. I stuck them under my arm and took Tanya's hand.

"Come on, honey, we have to walk a few blocks." Tanya, with a very quizzical look on her face, took my hand and started to walk with me.

When we got to the gate and saw it was locked, Tanya looked at me like I was stupid. "Brent, what are you doing? You know we can't get in here after dark."

"Here hold these a second," I said handing her the blankets. With a big grin on my face, I pulled the magic key from my pocket. I reached for the big padlock, inserted the key, and voila, open sesame.

Tanya's jaw almost hit the ground. "Where did you get a key to the fairgrounds?" she asked in bewilderment.

Holding on to my man of mystery persona, I said nothing, but was still ginning as we stepped inside. I reached through the fence and re-locked the gate. "I'll take those now," I said as I took the blankets back. I wished I had a camera at that moment to capture the look on her face.

Ah yes, I thought silently to myself, a feat of prestidigitation worthy of Houdini himself. Well, not really. When I came back that day at lunch I noticed they left the padlocks unlocked and hanging from the chain after opening them in the morning. All I had to do was find a duplicate lock and switch them before I picked up Tanya. They would use my lock to close up that night, the lock for which I had the key. Before we left that night, I just had to remember to switch the locks back again.

Tanya put her arm around my waist and I did the same as we walked the trail that would take us through the covered bridge and down to the lake. I found the perfect spot and laid out both blankets, one on top of the other. It felt soft, like a feather bed as we stretched out next to each other and looked up at the beautiful round lunar sphere shining down from the heavens.

"I don't know how you pulled this off, Brent, but this has been the most wonderful night of my life," she said as if almost in a dream world.

I could already feel my cock growing as I put my right arm under her neck and pulled her closer to me. I reached into my left pocket and clasped my hand around Tanya's next surprise. "Look," I said reaching my arm out and pointing into the sky. "That's the north star."

As Tanya gazed in the direction I was indicating, I held onto the thin gold chain and let the pendant drop into her field of view. There, dangling from my hand was her present; a gold plated heart with a small diamond right in the middle.

All I heard was a gasp of breath as she reached out. I draped the chain over her hand. "For you, gorgeous," I said softly.

It took her a minute to get her voice back. "Oh, Brent, It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," she said almost breathlessly.

"Well, then I found the right gift," I whispered in her ear; "because you're the beautiful woman I've ever seen."

She turned around and literally threw herself on top of me. She kissed me hard and passionate. Our tongues danced together for a while, then I rolled her over on her back and gently kissed her face as I slowly started undoing the buttons of her blouse.

When she realized what I was doing she pulled her head back slightly and looked into my eyes. "Here? Now?" she inquired.

"Right here, right now," I said as sensually as I could.

"Oh Brent," she said wrapping her arms around me and pulling me down on top of her. Remembering everything my cousin told me, I kept it romantic.

I stood up and reached down for her hand. I guided her to her feet. She closed her eyes as I stepped behind her and reached around, slowly unbuttoning her blouse from behind. I lightly showered her neck and the back of her shoulders with kisses. In just a matter of moments she stood before me...naked in the moonlight.

I took her in my arms and escorted her back down to lie beneath me. She stared up at me while I removed my clothes. "Look, its pointing at the stars," she said referencing my stone hard cock with a twinkle in her eye.

I used both my finger tips and my mouth to explore every inch of Tanya's womanly body. She gasped and arched her back when I gently pinched her hard, pink nipples. "Oh my God," was her cry several times as I used the teachings of my cousin and practiced the art of oral sex.

Her body writhed under the workings of my tongue. I could feel her hands on my head as her body went into euphoric spasms, one right after another.

Call it nature, intuition, or maybe good instructions, but something told me it was time. I reached down, and just as I had practiced, centered a condom over the head of my cock and rolled it down to the base before slowly guiding it into the most precious thing in the world.

Tanya's eyes opened wide and looked into my smiling face. "Yes," she said. "I'm ready, put it in. Please put it in."

I cradled her head and kissed gently as I slowly pushed. "Oh," she cried out. I stop for only a second before continuing. "Oh God," she repeated, but this time her voice was different, it was more pleasure than pain. I backed out slightly then pushed a little deeper. "Oh yes, yes," she moaned. "Oh God, it's wonderful, God it feels so good."

Just then she almost scared me as she screamed from her first real orgasm. I felt her entire body tense up. She grabbed me tightly around the neck and held on while she experienced the rapture. I felt her pussy tightening around my cock.

"Are you okay?" I asked as she started to come down from her high. She bit her lower lip and nodded her head, still unable to verbalize.

"Yo...you haven't cum yet, have you?" she asked, finally getting her breath back a little.

"No, but that's okay," I said. "This is your night."

"Oh no," she said forcefully. "Put it in again, please. We have to do this together... please."

I just smiled as I slid my young, still hard cock, in with no trouble. Tanya kept her eyes open this time. She gazed into the crystal clear night as I began stroking in and out of her warm, moist center of love. It didn't take long for either of us. Within a couple of minutes I felt my balls drawing up tight and I knew I was about to burst. Just then I felt Tanya's body reacting and knew she was also about to cum again. Almost in unison, our cries of ecstasy pierced the night air.

We lay there, looking at the stars, our sweaty bodies intertwined. "I love you," whispered Tanya. "I love you with all my heart."

I knew I had done it. I gave Tanya the most memorable, most romantic night of her life.

"I love you too, Tanya, probably more than you'll ever know," I proudly said.

After that night we made love whenever we had the opportunity. We also spent every minute we could with each other. By graduation the whole school figured we were destined for marriage, me included.

The summer after graduation I remember as being the greatest summer of my life. I had actually landed that job with the newspaper and was looking for an apartment where Tanya and I could be with each other always.

As the summer months ticked away; however, my joy was slowly being replaced with anxiety. In the fall I would start night classes at a local community college, but Tanya was going to college down state. We would be separated for months at a time. I couldn't even think of my life without her.

The night before she left we both cried our eyes out and reaffirmed our love for one another. Five months later I received a dear Brent letter explaining she had met a really great guy and asking me to be happy for her. 'You will always hold a very special place in my heart,' the letter went on to say, and she hoped I would someday find the girl of my dreams.

***

"Uuuhh," another wave of white heat seared through my body ripping me from my dream like state, and back to reality. I tried to lift my head. I had to get my bearings but all I could see was the darkening gray sky above. I struggled to gather my strength. I had to reach the house: I had to get help. I fought to stay conscious but I was having trouble breathing and I was getting light headed.

"Yes, darling, I do love you. I love you very, very much." Again I heard a voice drifting into my thoughts. No, not Tanya's this time, this voice I recognized immediately...

Chapter Two; "Kris"

It was Kris, the woman with whom I had shared ten years of my life and the mother of my two daughters. I remember when she first spoke those words to me. It was so many years ago and yet I could see her so clearly in my mind. She was propped up on her right elbow staring down into my face after our third, marathon love making session that night.

Again I tried to raise my head, but I was still too weak. I could feel the strength draining from my body and I had to regroup. I lay there and allowed myself to think back to the first time Kris walked into my apartment on the arm of my best friend, George. She was stunningly beautiful and, for the first time since losing Tanya, I found myself interested.

"Brent," started George, my pleasingly plump friend; "meet Kris, or as she's known in the modeling world, 'KA.'"

I stepped forward and lightly took her hand. "How do you do, Kris, it's nice to meet you," I said trying desperately not to trip over my words. "Please, have a seat. Can I get you something to drink? I have soft drinks plus a fully stocked bar."

"Thank you," she said. "I'll take a glass of white wine if you have it."

"One glass of white wine coming up," I said. "George, you want your usual?"

"Yeah," he answered while sitting in the chair opposite Kris. "That'll be fine, Brent, thanks."

As I turned in the direction of the bar, George started the conversation. "Brent here is the best damn newspaper photographer in the city," he told Kris. "He's on staff at The Times."

George had a way of exaggerating big time, but I had no problem with him building me up in front of Kris. I knew exactly what he was going to say next when he started to chuckle.

"You know the difference between his job and mine?" he asked. Kris shook her head. "I shoot the live bodies, he shoots the dead bodies."

This was George's standing joke ever since he had gone with me to a crime scene one night. One of our local mafia wise guys had evidently pissed off his boss and was lying on a restaurant floor with several .45 caliber bullet holes in him. I shot a few pictures of the body before the coroner removed it, hence the dead bodies.

George, on the other hand, was the chief photographer for one of the largest studios in the city. They specialized in catalog photography and did most of the work for Sears, J C Penny's, Montgomery Wards, and almost anyone else who produced a catalog of their wares. George worked with dozens of local models every day, hence the live bodies.

Most of the time George's little joke didn't bother me, but I certainly didn't want this gorgeous creature to associate me with nothing but dead bodies.

"Don't listen to him," I said to Kris. "He's just jealous because I get my name in the paper every day."

I handed out the drinks. "White wine for the lady," I said as Kris reached to take the glass from my hand, "and Kentucky bourbon for George."

It wasn't long before we were all engaged in conversation. Kris was so easy to talk to and had a smile that would light up the sky on a moonless night.

As the evening waned on George asked if I would mind taking Kris home. I was beginning to wonder what George was up to. He never did say the reason for the visit, and now he wanted me to give this gorgeous woman a ride to her apartment in the burbs.

At that point I really didn't care about his motives; I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. "I don't mind at all," I said looking at Kris.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I live in Wheeling. That's a good forty-five minutes from here."

"No problem at all," I said as we all started for the door.

The first few minutes in the car were filled with small talk until Kris turned her head in my direction. "George was right about you," she said.

"Right about me, I don't get it, what was he right about?"

"You're a really nice guy," she said with a smile. "I haven't met too many lately. My last boyfriend was cheating on me and when I called him on it, we broke up."

"Cheating...on you?"

"Yeah," said Kris, "and I think it was with more than one woman, too. Anyway, I was complaining to George and telling him I didn't think there were any nice guys in this whole city. He said he knew of one and asked if I wanted to meet him."

"So that was the reason for the visit, I wondered."

"Yep, I wanted to meet the one nice guy from Chicago," she said grinning. "And here you are."

I learned a long time ago, if you're interested in someone, let them know by asking questions and paying attention to the answers. Kris loved modeling. She did hand and foot modeling, as well as lingerie. In addition to George using her whenever he could, she also had several other accounts including De Vry's, one of the biggest jewelers in the city.

By the time we reached her apartment it was getting pretty late. "What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?" she asked.

"Ah," I had to think, "not until ten," I answered.

"Good," she said as she stepped up in front of me. With a slight smile she looked at my shirt and began to unbutton it. She looked back into my eyes. "Then let's get horizontal."

Wow, I thought, these big city girls sure do move fast. I was already starting to pitch a tent in my pants. My brain was telling me to slow down, I've only known this girl for a few hours; of course my cock was saying who cares, we're going to get laid.

I think I was more excited over seeing this breathtakingly beautiful woman naked than I was over having sex with her. Within a few minutes I found myself between her lovely legs giving my tongue the workout of a life time.

She screamed and twisted her body. She grabbed the back of my head and pushed me down into the sweetest pussy I had ever seen. "Oh God," she exclaimed after coming down from her third or fourth orgasm. "You have a very talented tongue."

She crooked her finger at me. "Come up here," she said. As I crawled up further on the bed she reached down and took a hold of the steel bar between my legs and started guiding it home.

"Are you on the pill?" I asked.

She smiled. "Yes, I am. Thanks for asking. Now, quit being so damn nice and fuck me."

I didn't have to be told twice. She already had the head of my cock poking at the entrance to heaven. She gave a breathy sigh as I pushed. I knew I wouldn't last long. The touch of her hand almost had me exploding, but I did manage to hold off a little longer.

"Oh yes, yes," Kris was screaming. "Harder, harder," she yelled some more. I starting thrusting harder, faster, her body writhed under my assault.

Just as I felt my balls drawing up tight Kris shrieked in ecstasy and I knew she was coming again. My whole body stiffened and I pumped with one last hard thrust before groaning with the intensity of my own climax. I collapsed on the bed next to her; we lay there, both trying to catch our breath.

"You're not only a nice guy," said Kris being the first one able to talk, "but you're not a bad lay either."

"Kris," I said still breathing hard, "any man who isn't inspired by your beauty is dead, and I'm not dead."

She turned toward me and lightly touched my mouth with her finger. She smiled, gently rubbed her thumb over my lips and kissed me. I hadn't dated much since Tanya. The trauma of losing her left me scared of getting too close to another woman, afraid of having my heart ripped from my chest again, but as I gazed into Kris' eyes, I knew I was about to become involved, there was just no way around it.

After several minutes of cuddling, Kris got up and disappeared behind the bathroom door. I could hear water running and in another minute Kris came out with a warm wash cloth. I thought I was in heaven as she reverently bathed my genitals then patted them dry with a hand towel. No one had ever done that for me before but I knew next time it would be my turn.

She climbed on the bed, bent down, and took my semi-hard dick in her mouth. Her head bobbed up and down and had me at full mast inside of about thirty seconds. She held it upright with her hand and started to rapidly flick her tongue around the very tip then under the head. She knew all the sensitive areas and she knew what to do with them.

She stopped long enough to look into my eyes. "You ready for round two?" she asked.

I was still in euphoria from her able bodied tongue. I closed my eyes, "Oh yeah," was about all I could get out. Kris crawled up a little and swung her leg over me. She reached behind and steered my missile to its target. Kris laid her hands on my chest and started moving her body up and down. I took a hold of her waist and helped her on the way up each time. She closed her eyes and threw her head back as she picked up the pace. I could hear the bed springs keeping time with the tune of our love making.

"I...I'm going to cum," I cried. "I'm going to cum!"

"Come on, baby," she replied not far from euphoria again herself.

Suddenly my body convulsed in an upward movement. I sat up wrapping my arms around Kris' luscious body just as she too erupted unleashing wave after wave of erotic sensations.

We rested on the bed next to each other giggling at our own exhaustion.

"I know this is probably a silly question to ask a man," said Kris in a soft voice, "but did you enjoy it, because I sure did."

"I can't think of anything I could possibly enjoy more," I said turning my head and kissing her on the lips.

"What time do you have to get up in the morning?" she asked.

"Oh, I should be out of here by seven anyway," I said. "That'll give me time to get home, shower, and change my clothes."

"Okay, I'll set the alarm for six. That'll give us time for a quickie before you have to go," Kris said with a devilish, little smile.

We cuddled in each other's arms and drifted off to sleep. The next morning we not only screwed like rabbits again, but Kris asked if I could make it back that night. I did...that night, and the night after, and the night after that. In fact, Kris and I started spending all of our free time together. We became a couple, a couple who was falling in love.

Six months had flown by like a whirlwind. I knew what my feelings were for Kris. I felt so vulnerable; not since Tanya had I allowed my heart to open up like this. The problem was neither of us had actually spoken those, so important, three little words. Did they really need to be spoken or could they just be understood? I was terrified to say them first. What if she didn't say them back?

One of the nice perks of working for the newspaper was our revolving work schedule. Every third month we got a three day weekend. We would work Friday until about five, then have Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off, not having to be at work again until two o' clock Tuesday afternoon. My long week-end was coming up in another week and I had something planned.

I asked Kris if she had ever been to Door County Wisconsin. I knew she hadn't because George told me earlier it was somewhere she always wanted to go but never got the chance. When I asked her if she could clear her calendar and go for the weekend she jumped at it.

By the time we arrived in Ephraim, our destination, it was too late to do anything other than check in to our motel and get a good night's sleep. The next day; however, was filled with things to do. We found a quaint, little ma and pa restaurant that had the best eggs and sausage either of us had ever eaten. From there we toured antique shops, art galleries, and wineries.

We strolled the waterfront arm in arm and watched the waves of Lake Michigan thunder in and crash violently against the pre-historic rock formations along the shore line. Later that evening we dined at a fabulous, little restaurant in town that came highly recommended by everyone.

All night I tried to keep from showing my nervousness. I had to ask the question tonight, the answer to which, would certainly impact the following night, as well as the rest of my life.

By the time we got back to our room we both needed a shower. She stepped in first but I was right behind her. I reached around and lathered her magnificent breasts just as she reached around, took my cock with her soapy hand, and slowly started stroking my rigid member. I pushed it into the crack of her ass and moved up and down. Kris started to moan. She took a step back, braced her hands on the shower stall wall, and gave me full access to her love canal.

I wasted no time in slipping my stiff cock all the way in. Kris threw her head back as she met my every thrust with her own rhythm. I wrapped my arms around her body and held her tight as we both climaxed.

Kris was having such a good time; she was like a kid at heart. We dried each other off and ran right into bed. I laid down. My cock was already starting to stiffen again. Kris sucked it into her mouth without a second thought. She used every trick she knew and was driving me absolutely wild with desire. Soon I was on top of her again pounding away with wanton enthusiasm. We both came in a climatic euphoria that shook the beams in the ceiling.

We rested for a few minutes then started again, this time; however, I wanted to make love, slow passionate love. I cradled her head in my arm and kissed her softly. She moaned with delight as I caressed the erogenous zones behind her ears, down the nap of her neck, around her shoulders, and then moved to her breasts. She arched her back and whimpered as I gently pinched her nipples.

I worked my way down the tight muscles of her flat stomach and on to the recently shaved mound that lay in wait between her legs.

I brought her to one climax after another before lovingly slipping my cock into her eagerly summoning hole. I moved with a burning passion that comes only from the heart.

It was after two the morning by the time we were both spent. We lay with our bodies intertwined. It was now or never, I thought.

"Honey?"

"Uh huh," she answered as if in a haze.

"I have to ask, you've never said anything; do you love me?"

Kris looked over at me. She propped herself up on her right elbow and looked down into my face. "Yes darling I do love you. I love you very, very much."

That was all I needed to put the rest of my plan into action. I smiled up at her, raised my head and kissed her. "I love you too, honey, but then I'm guessing you already knew that."

Sunday morning we were up early. Everything was so beautiful neither of us wanted to waste a minute of the little time we had left. Today was going to be picture day. I grabbed my Nikon and we were off to capture another day of wondrous adventures on film. Together we explored ancient caves, climbed the highest peaks, and tried to interpret three hundred year old Native American art.

At the end of a full day we returned to our motel room to shower and change into clothes suitable for a pleasant evening of dining and dancing.

By the end of the evening I was afraid Kris might be too tired for me to carry out the rest of my plan, but when I asked her if she'd like to go down by the water and gaze at the full moon for a while, she was all for it.

We changed into some warm, comfy clothes and walked to a little bench outside of our room. As we sat and cuddled, the gentle rolling waves of Lake Michigan lapped at the sand just inches from our feet. Kris turned her head toward me, and with a soft kiss said, "This is really nice, honey, thank you for this weekend."

I smiled; she didn't know it but she was playing right into my little trap.

"You're very welcome, honey," I said kissing her back. "You know, I was watching TV the other night and a commercial came on for De Vry's Jewelers. I saw your gorgeous, feminine hand with long slender fingers adorned with a beautiful ring, and I was so proud to be able say to myself, I know the woman on the other end of that hand."

Kris was smiling as I took her left hand. Then, before she knew what was happening, I slipped a diamond ring onto her ring finger.

"Those commercials are missing one thing though," I said getting down on one knee. "Kris, I didn't think it was possible for me to ever feel this way again, but being with you has become the most important thing in my life and I don't ever want it to end...will you marry me?"

For a moment she just stared at the ring, like she was in shock. The silence was deafening. My stomach started doing flip-flops. I could feel the knee of my Levis getting wet from the moist sand and I thought maybe I had blown it.

Finally, with tears streaking down her cheek, Kris looked up from the ring on her finger and into my worried eyes. "YES," she yelled grabbing me around the neck, "Oh my love, yes, yes, yes."

She jumped from the bench as I was standing up and threw herself into my arms. I hadn't fully gotten to my feet yet and lost by balance falling backwards into the cold water with Kris falling on top of me.

"Are you okay?" Kris asked with a little giggle.

I smiled, wrapped my wet arms around her, and pulled us closer for a kiss. We embraced as the Lake Michigan waves broke over our bodies.

On March first of the following year we exchanged vows in a quaint, little Illinois village church just north of the city. Our wedding was straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting with family and friends paying tribute to the two happiest people on earth.

After honeymooning in the Virgin Islands, we settled in and started making a life for ourselves. Because Kris' apartment was so much bigger than my pad in the city, I moved in with her and became a suburbanite. Adjusting to married life was no problem at all. Her friends became mine, my friends became hers. Life was good and getting even better.

Every year the Illinois Press Photographers Association has its awards show and banquet. Press photographers from all over the state compete by submitting their finest work to be judged.

I had been competing for years but never won much; this was my year, however. Maybe my work was better because I was in love. I don't know, but I won first place in three categories, second place in another, and third in still another. I missed, 'Photographer of the year,' by only two points. Even so, later that year, winning so many awards was enough to get me a sizable raise from the newspaper. I was going to take Kris out to dinner to celebrate, but she had other ideas.

That night she met me at the door with her usual welcome home greeting. Kris put her lovely arms around my neck and kissed me, long and hard. "Ummmm," she said, "you kiss pretty good for an old married man."

"I'll show you how old this married man is," I fired back. "I plan to celebrate my raise by driving you into orgasmic bliss tonight."

She laughed; little did I know she had the same thing in mind, only with a twist.

"Sounds good to me," she said with a big grin. "But before that, I made a little something special for dinner."

"Oh honey, I thought I'd take you out tonight; someplace nice and romantic before ravishing your body."

"No need honey, I have everything right here," she said looking into my eyes.

It was then that I noticed the glow from the candles. I looked around at the romantic atmosphere; she had put a lot of work into making this a special evening. I wondered to myself, what did I ever do to deserve such a fantastic wife?

"Are you sure dinner can't wait?" I asked with an evil grin.

Kris playfully punched my arm. "Are you kidding, after I've been slaving over a hot stove all day, absolutely not. Go make yourself a drink and relax. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"I will admit," I said, "something smells awful good."

It was good too. Trout Almoundine, just the way I liked it. After a romantic, candle lit dinner, Kris brought out some after-dinner wine and we retired to the couch for a little R & R. "So," started Kris, "you want to get frisky tonight, huh?"

"Honey, I can't think of a better way to celebrate anything than to make love to my gorgeous wife. Honestly, I was going to take you out to dinner first, but that trout was as good as anything we could get at a restaurant. Thank you so much for that wonderful dinner. Now...you want to fuck?"

"You do know how to woo a girl don't you," Kris said with a smile. "Yes, I want to fuck, but there is something I want to ask you first."

I looked into her eyes. It was getting so I could just about read her thoughts from those beautifully expressive green eyes, this looked serious. "Of course honey, is something wrong?"

"No honey, not at all. I want to make love to you, but first I want to know if you want me to take my pill? I haven't taken one today and I would like to stop them all together."

I must have looked confused.

"Honey, I want to have your baby. I want to get pregnant. What do you think?"

There was no way to misconstrue my reaction. My eyes immediately teared up with joy. I almost spilled her wine as I took her in my arms and smothered her with kisses. "God how I love you," I told her. "No one has ever loved anyone more than I love you."

She kissed me back with just as much passion as I had kissed her. "I love you too my darling. Shall we get horizontal and start making a baby?"

I picked her up in my arms, something I hadn't done since our honeymoon, and carried her into the bedroom. I laid her down gently, reached behind her neck and undid the string that held up the small cocktail dress that so amply emphasized every delicious curve of her body. As I slowly and sensually slipped the dress off I found my suspicions of the night confirmed, she was wearing nothing under it. Her magnificent breasts and perfectly smooth mound slowly came into view.

She looked up with excited anticipation as I removed my own clothes and slid into bed beside her. We turned toward each other and kissed.

To me, making love was always so special. It was the ultimate expression of my devotion. It was an intimacy shared only between two life partners; to me it embodied my vows to love, honor, and cherish her for the rest of my life. That night I could feel my heart bursting with pride as well. I already felt like a father as I planted my seed in hopes it would grow.

As it turned out, it would be almost three months before Kris went to the doctors.

Before the age of cell phones the best way to contact someone on the road, like a newspaper photographer, was with a beeper. When mine went off and I looked down and saw our doctor's number I immediately pulled over and called using a pay phone. The office girl answered, then I heard her call my wife's name and tell her, her husband was on the phone.

"Honey," Kris said all excited, "you're going to be a father!"

My heart almost jumped from my chest. I couldn't even talk. I just stood there with the phone up to me ear.

"Honey; are you there? Did you hear me? You're going to be a daddy!"

"Ye...Yeah honey, I heard you, I...I just can't talk, I'm too, ah, I...I can't believe it. I'm really going to be a dad. You're a mom, we're going to be a family, honey. Oh my God!" By now I had tears in my eyes. "Honey, I love you so much." I was completely choked up and starting to sniffle. Kris could hear it through the phone.

"I love you too honey," she said. "You're going to be as great a dad as you are a husband."

"Honey, listen, I have two more assignments and then I'm done for the day. I'm going to see if they'll let me go a little early. How about a nice romantic dinner out tonight? I still owe you one. You pick the place, anywhere you want to go, honey, anywhere."

"My darling you read my mind," she said; "how about that little Italian place on Sheridan road overlooking the lake?"

"I'll make the reservations as soon as I get back to office," I said. We said our happy goodbyes and I immediately stopped off for some cigars.

Later that night, we ate Italian cuisine with our forks in our right hand while we held hands across the candle lit table with our lefts. A little later we enjoyed an after dinner wine and watched as a big yellow moon seamed to rise from edge of Lake Michigan. Our waiter asked if we were newlyweds. I said no but I couldn't help burst with pride as I told him we just got word we were going to be parents for the first time. He congratulated us then surprised us a few minutes later with flaming Cherries Jubilee on the house.

Nine months later, after nervously walking the waiting room floor for more than four hours, a nurse came in and announced the birth of my daughter. She led me into the recovery room to see Kris and the newest member of our happy family.

Kris' hair was matted against her head from the sweat. I could see she was absolutely exhausted. She had on no makeup and was dressed only in a hospital gown, but she never looked lovelier. She lay with our child in her arms and the biggest smile I ever saw across her face.

"Hi honey," she managed to say. "We did good."

"Yes honey, we did good. She's beautiful, just like her mother."

"Would you like to hold your daughter?" asked the nurse with a kind smile.

"May I?" I asked.

The nurse reached down and picked up little Brea and gently laid her in my arms. My chest swelled, my eyes clouded with tears of happiness. I had never felt anything like the joy I was feeling at that moment. I guess it was catching because as I looked, both the nurse and my lovely wife had the same tears of joy.

Our apartment was plenty big enough for the three of us so there were no pressing plans for buying a house until a year and a half later, when Brea's sister was born. We were a family of four and I was truly a blessed man. Space; however, was getting cramped.

It was a couple of months after Catherine, our second child, was born when we started looking for a home. As soon as we started our search we realized it wasn't going to be easy finding one big enough to support our growing family, while at the same time, was in our price range.

I was coming in from a day of assignments wondering if we were ever going to find a place we could afford when I walked into the photography office and smack dab into a blinding flash of light. I stopped in my tracks and blinked my eyes not knowing what had just happened. I heard a voice say, "Now you know how people on the other side of the camera feel." The spots in front of my eyes cleared to see a gang of the people I worked with.

"Surprise," I heard someone say from the group. I looked around hoping to find someone who would tell me what the hell was happening.

"Personnel clued us in my friend," said Terry a companion photographer. "Today marks your tenth anniversary here."

"Happy anniversary;" everyone yelled as Jenny, the office girl, approached with a cake supporting ten candles.

It looked like we were going to have a party so I thought I'd better call Kris and let her know I'd be home late. When I talked to her she asked how late I would be. When I told her about an hour she said okay but try not to make it much later because George was at the house and wanted to talk to me about something.

I did enjoy myself at the party and walked into the house in a good mood. Company or no company, Kris greeted me in her usual, passionate way.

"I held off dinner until you got home honey. George is going to eat with us if that's okay. Oh, and one more thing," she said squeezing me a little tighter around the neck and giving me a second long, passionate kiss. "Happy anniversary honey, I wished I'd known."

"Hell honey," I said, "I didn't know myself until the party."

I walked into the living room. "Hi George, how the hell are ya?"

"Fine as frog's hair," he responded. "Hey, I understand congratulations are in order. Has it really been ten years? Damn; time flies when you're having fun, huh old buddy?"

Just then Kris called us to dinner. As usual, she fed Catherine and I fed Brea. George fed himself. After dinner Kris took the girls to get their bath and get them ready for bed. George wanted to talk to me about something so I got us a couple drinks and sat down on the couch.

"Brent, do you know Don Del Notto? He has a little commercial photography studio just off of Ohio Street."

"Ah, I know I've driven by the studio but I don't know him personally, no; Why?"

"Because he's selling his studio and I think you should buy it."

"What;" I couldn't believe George thought I should buy a studio. I was a press photographer.

"Listen to me a minute, Brent. We farm out some of our small product photography to this place. Hell, I'll bet we give him almost a hundred grand a year for shooting the stuff we don't have time for."

I didn't know the first thing about running a studio but the hundred grand a year caught my attention.

George continued, "Del Notto has a brother in Vegas who is very sick. Don wants to sell the studio and go out there to take care of him. I was talking to him the other day and you could buy that place for a song. Don just wants to get out and he's willing to sell the whole business for the value of the equipment."

"George, I doubt that I could afford it. How much is the equipment worth?"

"Forty thousand dollars," he replied.

"George, we're trying to buy a house right now. There is no way I could come up with that kind of money."

"Brent the house could wait another year. I'm telling you, if you let this slip through your fingers you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Just then Kris came out from putting the girls to bed. She had a small grin on her face. "So what do you think, honey?" she asked.

"Think, about what?"

"Ah, well," George stammered, "maybe I shouldn't have, but I just couldn't help telling Kris about the studio. Brent I'm telling you, you just can't let this go."

"And what do you think?" I asked looking at Kris.

"I think it's your decision to make honey, but I heard something about the house as I was walking out of the bedroom. If you're worried about buying the house, don't be. This apartment has been just fine for us so far and it will continue to be fine. You have to do what you feel is right. You have to listen to your heart, your head, and your gut; know this though, whatever decision you make, I will back you one hundred percent. I believe in you my love. I believe you can do anything you set your mind to doing, so whatever you decide, you will have the love and support of this family behind you all the way."

Wow, I thought as I sat there almost in shock from Kris' speech, would this really be possible. I had to admit, after ten years of constantly driving around the city at all hours of the day and night; sometimes having to go into dangerous areas in the wee hours of the morning to shoot a fire or some police action, it would be nice to work regular hours and from one location for a change.

I looked at George who was staring at me with a big grin. I looked back at Kris who, by now had sat down next me and put her arm around my shoulder. I thought how quickly life can change. I was twenty-eight years old. Press photography was the only work I'd ever known and now I was seriously considering jumping into another career. It was scary, but with George's help and the staunch support of my wife, I didn't see how I could fail.

"George," I said looking back in his direction, "I'm not jumping into anything yet but I would like to talk to this guy. I'd have to make sure whatever lease agreement he has would stand and for how long. I'd also have to make sure he's not going to leave me with a bunch of debt. All outstanding bills would have to be paid before I would accept the keys."

"Brent my friend," George said while laying his hand on my knee and giving himself a slight boost as he stood up, "I will get a meeting set up with you and Don. He's really a nice guy. I've worked with him for years. I don't think you will have any problems coming to an agreement and you'll find him as honest as the day is long. I'll call you Monday or Tuesday. I'm sure you can meet right at the studio and look around while you're there."

Kris and I said our goodbyes to George then relaxed on the couch holding each other in our arms. Kris knew I had a million different thoughts whirling around in my head. "You know what you need," she said.

"I know what I'd like to do," I replied with a grin. I didn't have to say another word. Kris knew exactly what I meant. I wanted to ravish her body.

"First," she said, "you need a nice warm bath...along with your own private concubine, that's me of course, to bathe you. After the bath you're going to stretch out on the bed and I'm going to give you a massage. I'm going to work on every one of those tight, worried muscles of yours until they're loose and relaxed. Then I will be the one doing the ravishing tonight. I am going to suck your cock until it's so hard it hurts. Then I'm going to ride you until all the worries and negative thoughts are a thing of the past. I am going to drain every drop of precious cum and every ounce of strength from your body and when it's all over, the only thing on your mind will be pure, unadulterated euphoric bliss. How does that sound?"

"Talk, talk, talk," I said with a big smile. "When do we begin?"

"Right now," she said standing up and pulling me toward the bedroom by my hand.

Kris did everything she said she would and more. Sometime around two in the morning, she finally cuddled up into my arms with a very satisfied look. A few minutes later we both drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

If Kris' night of sexual bliss was designed to put me into an adventurous mood, it worked. By the time George set up the meeting between Don and me, I had pretty well decided to go for it. As long as there were no surprises and everything looked good, and as long as I could get a business loan, Del Notto's photo studio would have a new sign out front.

And so; 'Brent's Commercial Photography,' was born.

Not once since turning the key in the new lock to the front door, was I ever sorry. For the first few weeks George would send me work during the day, then stop over after hours and show me how to light and shoot it. It wasn't long though, before I was shooting without George's help. I studied hard and even surprised George with more creative lighting techniques I had learned on my own.

One by one I sent the older cameras into the factory to have them updated and reconditioned. In the first year I made a little over a hundred and twenty-five thousand in total receipts. By the end of my second year I was up to two hundred grand and at the end of my third year I was doing over a quarter of Million.

It got so I couldn't handle everything alone anymore so I first hired an office girl to schedule appointments, keep the books, and just help out in general.

By now my landlord was feeling sorry that he hadn't raised the rent when I first took over. Del Notto wasn't doing all that well so he kept the rent low to help him out. Now; however, he realized he left a lot of money on the table. The space was easily worth another three to four hundred a month but I reminded him I still had another two years to go before the end of my lease.

Then I saw an opportunity for both of us and said I would make him a deal. There were three rooms in the back of my studio that he was just using as storage. I told him, if he would clean them out I would rent them for an extra four hundred a month. He was more than eager to take my offer. He got his rent increase and I got the room to expand my business.

Next I had to hire another photographer. He was a young kid straight out of college after receiving his master's degree in photography. He still had a lot to learn but he was a quick study. I had no doubt that he would learn everything I could teach him, then someday go out on his own and take some of my clients with him; it seemed to be the nature of the business.

Over the next few years, things seemed to calm down. The business pretty well hit a plateau but we were in a very comfortable position financially and I had no intentions of expanding anymore, at least not just yet.

My personal life was also cooling off a little. About a year after buying the studio we found our dream house, a four bedroom, three bath Victorian on a three quarter acre lot. The moment Kris and I saw it we knew it was where we would raise our family.

I spent an average of ten hours a day in the studio while Kris was doing a fantastic job of raising our children. Both Brea and Catherine were now in school and I guess the empty house syndrome was taking its toll on Kris. We had always made love at a fever pitch, but lately it had gone from a hundred and three degrees to about ninety-eight point seven. I supposed, after nine years of marriage and two kids, one should expect something like that.

In five months it would be our tenth anniversary and I had a plan that would, hopefully, bring our love making right back up to that high fever. Every year we tried to take a little vacation but always with the kids of course. We always had a great time but I was really looking for a nice, romantic get-away with just the two of us.

Yes, I could see the Virgin Islands in our future. When we were there for our honeymoon we rented a little cottage behind the hotel that owned the property. It had a living room, a bedroom, a little kitchenette and it was only steps from the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Of course that was almost ten years ago. The hotel had changed hands twice since then and I didn't even know if the little hut was still standing. It took me a couple hours and several long distance phone calls before learning the new name of the hotel and the fact that the little hut was indeed still there, and was still being rented out. I immediately reserved it for the week of March first the following year. Now all I had to do was figure out what to do with the kids for that week.

I wasn't about to leave them with my folks. In his old age my dad had lost what little patience he ever had. He would be yelling at them from the time they got there till the time they left. No, my folks were out of the question.

That left Kris' mom and stepfather, but they lived in Colorado. I wondered how they would feel about staying in Chicago for a week. I called and first made them promise not to mention anything to Kris before asking if they would be interested in babysitting. Since they lived so far away they didn't get a chance to see their grandkids that often and jumped at the chance. My plan was coming together.

I really wanted to surprise Kris at the last minute with our second honeymoon so I was on pins and needles for the next several months worrying about her parents making a slip, especially around Christmas. They flew out and spent three days with us, but thank God, never said a word to spoil my plans.

I was hoping the holidays would brighten Kris' spirits some but as soon as they were over she went right back into her slump. Our sex life was suffering even more than before and I was literally counting the days till March.

On February twenty-seventh operation 'little grass hut,' was launched. I had arranged for a limo to pick Kris' parents up at O'Hare and bring them straight to our house. A little after seven in the evening our doorbell rang. The look on Kris' face was absolutely priceless as she looked at her mother and step-dad standing on our porch with suitcases in hand.

"Hi honey," said Greg, the man she had known as her father since childhood. "We were just in the neighborhood and thought we'd drop in for a visit."

Kris screamed with delight and hugged them both. "Ah honey," I spoke up. "Shouldn't we invite them in?"

"Yes, yes of course," she responded. "I'm just so surprised to see you guys. Come in, please. Gad," said Kris still getting and giving hugs, "it's so good to see you."

The kids, who were upstairs in their rooms, heard the commotion and came down to see what was going on. When they saw grandma and grandpa they welcomed them with excitement. It took several minutes for things to calm down. I could see Kris was just full of questions but we still hadn't quite gotten over the greeting stage yet.

Once the initial shock was over I brought refreshments out for everyone. "How did you get here from the airport?" asked Kris. I could tell she had a ton of questions.

"Brent sent a limo for us," said Audrey, Kris' mother.

"Brent did?" Kris looked at me with a question mark in her eyes. "You knew they were coming and you didn't tell me?"

"Honey, if I had said something it would have ruined the surprise," I said.

Kris smiled at her folks. "Oh, of course, you're here for our anniversary." Kris got up from the couch, put her arms around my neck, and planted a big sloppy kiss on my lips. I heard the kids groan.

"Well yes honey." I said after getting my lips back. I looked into her eyes and smiled. "They'll be here for our anniversary but we won't be."

For a second I thought I saw terror in her eyes but I knew it must have been more questions. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the airline tickets.

"Happy anniversary," I said handing them to her.

She looked at them and gasped putting her hand to her mouth. "Honey; oh my God, we're going back to the Virgin Islands? Really?" she had tears in her eyes when she looked back up at me.

"Yes darling," I said almost tearing up myself. "Your folks are going to baby sit for us while you and I are lounging on the beach in St. Thomas right in front of the same little hut we had for our honeymoon."

At that point I think Kris forgot about her parents and the kids. She jumped on me, put her arms around my neck and hung on while wrapping her legs around my waist. Then she smothered me with a deluge of kisses. That was exactly what I was hoping for, I had my Kris back!

St. Thomas was even better this time than it was ten years ago; for one thing we had more money to spend. Even though the hotel had a new owner it hadn't changed much. We ate our dinners at the same outdoor restaurant and fed the iguanas from table scraps. During the day we shopped the many specialty stores scattered all over town. We went hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, and took pictures of all the historical sights.

One that Kris loved in particular was a beautiful old tree, ancient enough to witness Sir Francis Drake himself as he stood on the high bluff overlooking the bay, just waiting for an unsuspecting galleon loaded with pieces of eight.

The evenings we spent at the outdoor bar we enjoyed last time; located right on the beach, it allowed us to drink our Pina Coladas as the warm tropical waters kissed our toes at high tide.

Of course we did all this in between our love making sessions. I think we probably screwed more than on our honeymoon. Kris was insatiable and I was so happy to have my wife back that I was up for just about anything.

We never even got to sleep on our last night. After a Mai Tai or two, we were back inside our hut. Before removing my own clothes, I slowly and sensuously undressed Kris, meticulously undoing one button, one zipper, one clasp at a time.

After getting horizontal, as my wife would say, we lay facing one another and gazed into each other's eyes. For a brief moment I thought I saw an unfamiliar look, almost guilt, but I knew I was wrong. What would Kris have to feel guilty about?

She closed her eyes as I rained kisses down in all those little areas that drove her wild. I knew I wouldn't be able to talk the next day but I didn't care as I brought Kris from one orgasmic episode to another using my highly honed oral skills.

Several times during the night the skin around my cock was stretched so tightly it was painful, only for a little while though, Kris saw to that.

We were like kids again. We just couldn't get enough of each other. We cared not of the hour, but of our passion for one another. Finally spent we lay cuddled in each other's arms and kissed goodnight. A few minutes later we both started to laugh as streaks of sunlight broke through the bedroom window. It was time get up.

Kris squeezed my hand as she watch the island getting smaller from her window seat. A lonely tear fell to her cheek.

"We'll be back," I told her trying to cheer her up. "And it won't take us another ten years, either."

I guess it's true about traveling. No matter how great the trip, it's always good to be home. Such was the case when we pulled into our drive. The kids were the first to realize our presence and came running out to the car with hugs and kisses for both of us. The grandparents waited just inside the door with big smiles. Just judging by everyone's mood, I guessed everyone had a good week.

Once inside we did a replay of all the welcome home hugs and kisses; of course we had presents for everyone. Both Catherine and Brea were ecstatic with their seashell jewelry. Kris adorned her mother's neck with a beautiful, precious stone necklace, and I gave Greg an expensive gold watch. I won't even tell you how much I spent on Kris down there; after all, it was our anniversary.

The next day we took Kris' parents to the airport and sent them back home with our profound thanks. After that things pretty much returned back to normal, everything except our love making that is, it continued to be as passionate as it had ever been on the island.

For the last five years the neighborhood Fourth of July party was our responsibility. We had a great grill and a good sized back yard so we didn't mind a bit. Kris really got into sending out the invitations, always coming up with some clever gimmick.

I remember the day in late April when I came home a little early. Kris was busy cooking with her back to the door and didn't even hear me come in. Her laptop was open on the kitchen table with the list of the people she was going to invite to the party. Silently I was browsing the names.

"You forgot Rita and Jerry," I said. Poor Kris jumped a foot in the air. "I'm sorry honey," I said with a slight chuckle. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Kris was gasping for breath with her hand on her chest. "You scared me half to death, Brent. Don't ever sneak up on me like that."

"I'm sorry honey," I said, "really."

Kris walked over, now grinning after the initial shock, and gave me my usual welcome home hug and kiss. On the way back to the stove she casually lowered the screen of her laptop.

"You forgot Jerry and Rita Anderson," I said. "You can't forget Jerry, he's always the life of the party."

I seemed to detect a hint of nervousness in Kris' voice. "They can't make it this year," she said. "They're going out of town that weekend."

I was legitimately sorry to hear that. Jerry was Kris' friend before I met him, but he was also a longtime friend of mine and was always the comedian.

"Oh that's too bad," I replied, "Jerry's always good for a dozen laughs. Remember the Christmas party a couple years ago? He walked around all night with mistletoe hanging from his belt buckle."

I didn't think anything more about it until the following month. I was on the golf course with the three guys I usually play with. We had all known each other for years.

"Hey did you hear about Rita and Jerry Anderson?" asked Gary. "They up and moved to Phoenix or someplace out there."

"What?" I asked. I knew he had to be mistaken. Jerry worked at the airport, had for over twenty years. He loved his job, there was no way he would move. "No, come on, Jerry would never quit his job and just move. You must have heard wrong. Hell Kris has known Jerry for fifteen years, there's no way he'd leave without saying goodbye to her."

"I'm telling you," said Gary adamantly, "they're gone. I heard they were having problems. I think Jerry was seeing someone else but I'm not sure about that."

"Okay," I said. "Now I know you must be wrong, Jerry fucking around on Rita; no way!"

"All I know Brent is that they're gone. I heard Jerry took early retirement, the house is already sold...the whole ball of wax."

I still couldn't believe it. Then I thought of Kris telling me they would be out of town for our party. "When did they move?" I asked

"About mid-March," said Gary. Mid-March, it was almost the end of April when Kris and I were discussing the guest list for our Bar-B-Que. She must have known that they had moved by that time. I wondered why she didn't just tell me instead of saying they would be out of town for our party.

Something didn't feel right; was Kris hiding something from me? As far as I knew Kris had never lied to me or had she ever given me cause to doubt or suspect her of anything. I'm probably making too much of this, I thought as I stepped up to the third tee and let fly with one right down the middle.

I hadn't thought anymore about it until the day of the party. Between friends, relatives, neighbors, and all the kids, we must have had sixty people all milling around the house and back yard. As usual, I got stuck with grill duty while Kris floated around being the perfect hostess.

I was quickly running out of hamburger buns and had to run into the house to get some more. I opened the kitchen cabinet door and was looking for more buns when I heard my wife from the other side of the wall talking with Jan, one of her best friends.

"So, what did Rita say to you?" I heard Jan ask.

"Shhhh," my wife shushed her friend then lowered her own voice so I could barely make out what she was saying. "She told me she would scratch my eyes out if she ever saw me again."

What; did I just hear her correctly, I wondered? Rita and Kris were friends; why would Rita want to scratch her eyes out? This didn't make sense. I was no detective but it didn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out something wasn't right. I quietly took the buns and left. I had to think. As Holmes would say, 'The game's a-foot.' I had to figure this out.

It didn't take me long; by the time I got back to the grill I could only come up with one explanation, and I didn't like it. First, Kris evidently lied when she said they would be out of town. She had to know by that time that they had actually moved. Then Gary heard Jerry was fucking around on Rita and now Kris says Rita wants to scratch her eyes out. It was elementary my dear Watson...Kris and Jerry had an affair!

Suddenly my stomach was tied in knots. I almost threw up on the burgers. I called out for anyone, the closest human to the grill, to please watch it while I went in the house for a little while. I walked right past Kris and Jan who were still talking in the dining room.

I must have looked sick when I passed because Kris asked if I was okay. I just mumbled and headed straight for the bathroom. Kris came to the door and heard me vomiting. "Brent, are you sick? Are you okay? What's the matter, honey?"

"I'll be okay," I yelled through the door. "I just got a sudden upset stomach. I'll be alright in a few minutes."

I could hear her concern but told her to go out and take care of our guests. I assured her I would be fine in a few minutes.

Between throwing-up and quietly crying, I had no idea how long I had been in there. Finally I washed my face and tried to look presentable again. When I came out Kris was waiting outside the door. Just as she approached Jan was coming over as well. "Is he okay?" Jan asked.

"I don't know," Kris replied looking into my face. With true concern she asked me, "Honey are you alright, is it your stomach?"

I guess I was a little short with her. "I said I'll be fine, go out and take care of our guests," I said with an edge to my voice.

Kris and Jan looked at each other. You could just hear the wheels turning wondering if I knew something.

"Okay honey," Kris said anxiously. She and Jan went back out to the party through the kitchen. I just wasn't able to face people yet so I went up to our bedroom to think. I sat on the edge of the bed and buried my face in my hands.

I had to be wrong, I thought. Like I said, I'm not Sherlock Holmes. I'm sure I'm jumping to the wrong conclusion. There is just no way at all that Kris would cheat on me, and certainly not with Jerry. He was funny; almost clown like, but sure as hell no Don Juan. No, this had to be all a big mistake. Tonight, after everyone is gone and the kids are asleep I'll talk to Kris. I'm sure she'll be able to straighten all this out.

After convincing myself I had to be wrong, I actually felt a little better and returned to the party. As soon as Kris saw me she walked over and put her arm around me. "Are you sure you're okay, honey," she asked again while reaching up and kissing my cheek.

"I'll be fine," I told her again, this time in a more pleasant tone of voice.

The party lasted well into the night with the last of the hard-core revelers making their exodus around ten-thirty. After a very full day, Catherine and Brea were both asleep as fast as their heads hit the pillow. I suggested we also get a good night's sleep since we had a lot of cleaning up to do the next day.

I knew it wasn't my imagination, Kris was nervous. I could see it as I followed her into our bedroom. She knew something was bothering me, even if she wasn't sure what it was. I stood behind her and watched as she sat at her dressing table taking her ear rings off.

"Why would Rita Anderson want to scratch your eyes out?" I asked bluntly.

I saw her freeze. She looked at my image in the mirror. She seemed to be at a loss for words. Then I saw tears welling up in her eyes and I knew then it was true.

"There is only one reason I can think of why one woman would want to scratch out the eyes of another," I said in an accusatory tone. "A couple months ago you told me they couldn't make it to our party because they had another engagement. Then I learned that they moved. Gary tells me Jerry was screwing around with another woman and today I heard you tell Jan that Rita wanted to scratch your eyes out. Please Kris-please tell me the other woman wasn't you."

Kris burst out in tears. All of a sudden I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I half fell and half sat down on the edge of the bed. I just stared at my hysterical wife. This can't be happening, I thought. My whole world just came crashing down on me.

I guess I was the first to recover. "I'm not sleeping with you tonight," I said angrily while taking a spare pillow from the closet. "I'll sleep on the couch. I don't know how this is going to play out, Kris. I really don't think I can handle this. I've never been hurt so bad by anyone in my entire life and especially not by someone who claims to love me."

"I do love you," Kris managed to say between sobs.

"Yeah, right," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't bother coming down stairs, I don't want to see you tonight." With that I vehemently marched out of the room and down stairs.

Try as I did, after tossing and turning half the night there was just no way I was going to get any sleep. I finally went for a walk. I don't know how long I was gone, a couple hours probably, but when I got back Kris was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee.

"I was watching from the bedroom window when you left," she said. "I thought I'd make some coffee for when you came back."

I looked down at the floor and just shook my head. "I don't believe it. You hear about this kind of thing happening to others but not you...not us."

"Honey it d..."

"Don't tell me it didn't mean anything, don't you dare say that. It means everything. It means our marriage is destroyed. It means our happy home is gone. It means the woman who promised to love, honor, and cherish me thought those vows meant nothing. Don't you dare say it didn't mean anything."

Kris put her head in her hands and started to cry all over again. I just couldn't take it. Under normal circumstances my heart would be broken watching Kris cry like that, but at least for right now, it had turned to stone.

I went back up stairs and quickly packed a bag. I didn't even look in her direction as I hit the bottom stair and headed for the door. "I'm going to stay at the studio for a while. I have no idea for how long. You can clean this fuck'n place up by yourself tomorrow. I don't give a flying fuck!"

I didn't hear from anyone for three days, then the business phone in the studio rang. It doesn't have caller ID.

"Brent's Commercial Photography," I announced as I picked it up. There was a short pause.

"Brent, it's Greg," it was Kris' step-dad and it sounded as if he'd been crying.

"Hello Greg," I greeted sadly.

"Son, I...I'm so sorry. I just don't know what to say except that I'm so very sorry." He was starting to break down again.

"Kris told you then?"

"She told us the whole story son. She said she had an affair and you found out. Thi...this hurts us too son, I...I just can't get over it."

I could hear Kris' mother crying in the background. I wondered if Kris had any idea how much pain she caused the people that loved her most.

Just then I heard a familiar voice that sounded like it came from in the room. "Greg where are you?" I asked.

"We're at the house son. We just couldn't leave Kris alone at a time like this. Ah, don't get the wrong idea, Brent, we're not condoning Kris' behavior in any way, but she is our daughter and I thought it would be better for the kids as well."

"How are they doing Greg?"

"Well, I won't lie to you, they're taking it pretty hard. Kris took all the responsibility and told the kids this was all her fault, but...well, they still keep asking when daddy is coming home."

Hearing about my kids was ripping out my heart.

"Brent," continued Greg. "Kris wants to know if you would consider marriage counseling? I...ah, I'm begging you myself, son. Please, at least give it a chance. I can only imagine how much you must be hurting, but if there's a chance in hell of repairing your marriage, I pray you'll take it.

"Why didn't Kris ask?"

"She didn't think you would talk to her," replied Greg.

"Tell her to set it up and call me herself with the where and when and I'll be there."

"Oh God, Brent, thank you. You don't know what this means to all of us. Thank you so much son. I'll let her know and have her call you with the details."

"Okay Greg. I've got to go now, I have work to do."

We said our goodbyes and ended the call. After several days of trying to sort things through I was no closer than the night I walked out. I did not want to end our marriage but I just couldn't see how I could not. I prayed a marriage counselor could show me the way.

Less than two hours Greg called, Kris called back with a schedule. Her voice was so weak I almost didn't recognize it. The first session was the following Monday at seven in the evening, four more days away.

When I walked into the counselor's office Kris was already there. I never saw her look so bad. Her normally luxurious hair was sticking out at the ends. Her eyes were red and had dark circles under them. She was holding a hanky and her hands were shaking. I should feel sorry for her I thought, but I didn't.

I sat down two chairs over from where she was sitting. Our counselor introduced herself. She was a nice looking elderly lady by the name of Betty. She wanted us to use first names, she said, to help keep everything friendly. She wanted Kris to explain how the affair got started and to explain what significance it had in her life.

Kris said it started innocently. When he was working nights, Jerry would come over for coffee during the day and they would joke around and flirt with each other. One day he slapped her butt. She turned around, but instead of slapping his face and telling him to get out, like she should have done, she playfully grabbed his balls.

Kris told the counselor Jerry was always so silly it didn't even feel like she was cheating. It was more like two kids playing house. There were never any emotional ties between them; one never mentioned love or having any feelings for the other. Jerry acted the part of a clown. He would stand up on the bed after fucking her, beat his chest and do a Tarzan yell.

I listened to as much as I could. This was a bad idea, I thought. Hearing Kris talking about fucking another man was just making me more infuriated. About a half hour into the session I stood up.

"Stop," I yelled, "stop, please stop! I can't listen to any more of this." I looked directly at Kris when I spoke. "It's not going to work. As much as I love you there is just no way for us to get back together. Every time I looked at you, held you, kissed you, I'd think of that bastard Jerry. Darling you couldn't have hurt me more if you had slowly stabbed me in the heart and twisted the knife."

Kris looked into my face. Her voice trembled. "I'm so sorry Brent. God I'm so very, very sorry."

"I know you are Kris, and I know you love me. It's not even a matter of trust. I doubt very much you'd ever do this again. It's the hurt. I will never get past the hurt."

"Honey," her voice was hoarse from the stress. "My dad said he could get Jerry to apologize to you. Would that help honey? Dad said he would work at contacting him for me and get him to call you."

"Jerry!" I could feel my face getting even more red. "If you ever talk to that mother fuck'n son-of-bitch again, you tell him for me he better never cross my path because if he does, they'll take him away in a stretcher."

I could see the shock on Kris' face. She'd never heard me talk about anyone like that before, never even heard me use that kind of language before.

I continued, "I have never hated a man in my life until now. He robbed me of my marriage, my happiness, my life, and my very soul. If I thought for two minutes I could get away with it, I'd put a bullet right between his fucking eyes and never give it another thought."

By the look in Kris' face, I think she realized the consequences of her, non-emotional affair. I was a different man. I turned and walked out. As I started down the hall I heard the therapist say, "I'm sorry Kris, there's nothing I can do, he's too deeply hurt."

***

My body convulsed as another bolt of excruciating torture shot through my chest. I was losing ground and I knew it. My only hope was to get my phone in the house. I could feel the cold breezes getting stronger as daylight was slipping away. My left side was numb. I used all the strength I could conjure up to twist my body onto my stomach. I looked forward, the ten feet between me and the steps to the back porch looked like a mile. I reached out using my fingers as a claw, digging into the frozen ground, and trying to pull myself toward the house.

I could feel myself drifting in and out of consciousness. "Ooh, look how beautiful." I heard Sandy, my wife. I could hear her voice. "God has his paintbrush out again, and I have the pleasure of watching with the man I love."

Chapter three; "Sandy"

Blocking out the pain, my mind drifter back to that early spring morning so many years ago. The sun hadn't been up for very long but already the birds sang with glee knowing the day ahead would be filled with magic and wonderment.

Funny, after divorcing Kris, somehow I thought time would stop, but it didn't. Year by year the girls grew up into beautiful, intelligent young ladies. With our children as the common link, Kris and I were never far apart. I bought a condo just two miles from the house and for many years the girls would stay with me on the week-ends. Sometimes Kris would ask me over to help Brea or Catherine with their homework, or to assist with some household project, and I always obliged.

Three times over the last nine years Kris asked if there wasn't some way we could be together again, but that would never happen. I still loved Kris and knew I always would, but the pain of her betrayal was still there as well. It was as if both the love and the hurt lived side by side with-in my heart, one never being able to cancel the other out.

On this particular Sunday morning, however, all I was thinking about was beating my three buddies in eighteen holes of golf. I was on my way to join them at our seven a.m. tee time when I absentmindedly made a wrong turn. I didn't know it at the time, but that wrong turn would change my entire life.

My new convertible was only a month old and it was the first day I was able to drive with the top down. With the wind in my hair and the first tee waiting, I was enjoying my leisurely drive and didn't realize my error in navigation until I was a couple miles down the wrong road.

Dang it, I said to myself, get your head out of the clouds and watch what you're doing, Brent. I turned left into the first driveway I came to so I could back out and go back the way I came. As I pulled in I noticed the cutest little Cape Cod style house in front of me.

A quick scan of the shabby looking yard told me the place was probably empty. What a shame, I thought. I put the car in reverse and tuned my head to start backing out of the drive. That's when I saw it, a for sale sign. I'm not quite sure what came over me. I had a perfectly nice condo that had been my home for many years. I did not need a house, yet it was like some powerful, mystic force that made me grab a pen and paper and write down the agents name and number.

As soon as I met my friends at the course all I could talk about was the darling little house I saw on the way there. One guy in our foursome, just before sinking a twelve foot putt, reminded me of the added maintenance I would have with a house. I agreed. There was no reason in the world why I needed to buy a house. We stopped at the clubhouse after the front nine for a cold beer before finishing our round.

Once again that strange, almost supernatural force pulled me to the pay phone in the hall and I found myself dialing the number I took from the sign.

"Hello," answered the female agent. "Sandy speaking."

"Ah, hi Sandy," I said just remembering it was Sunday. "I'm sorry, I was calling about the little house for sale on Herlitz drive, but I should probably call you during the week."

"No, I don't mind." She said. "Are you interested in the house?"

"Well to tell you the truth, I wasn't even looking for a house. I just happened to see the place by accident this morning and, ah, well thought maybe I'd just like to take a look at the place."

"Sir, may I...

"Oh I'm sorry," I apologized, "please, call me Brent."

"Okay Brent, thank you. I was going to ask the size of your family, the house isn't very large you know, although you could finish the basement for more living space."

"Ah, well I really don't have a family," I said; "well, at least not living with me. I'm divorced and my two daughters live with their mother. I live in a three bedroom condo right now, and from what saw, I'm sure it's bigger inside than that."

"Okay, when would it be convenient for you to meet me at the house? I'd be happy to give you a tour. Out of all the houses we have listed, that little place is my favorite," she told me. "I just love it, if I could I'd buy it myself."

Normally I would take that as a sales pitch but she sounded so sincere when she said it. "Ah, yeah, actually getting together might be a problem. What hours do you work? I work in the city and, with the traffic and everything, I usually don't get home till past seven. Do you work on the week-ends or no?" I asked.

"Yes of course I do. What are you doing right now Brent?"

"I'm at the golf course," I answered. "I couldn't leave here until we're done playing."

"Well, would you be able to stop off on your way home?"

Not only did I want to see the house, but now I wanted to see the woman behind the voice, so I agreed to meet her at the house on my way home. As I pulled into the drive for the second time that day, I saw a little Honda Civic up by the house so I pulled up behind it. I took one look at Sandy as she got out of her car and my heart skipped a beat.

Since the divorce I really hadn't dated very much. I did have one six month relationship but there was really nothing between us so I broke it off. I guess I just kept comparing every woman I met to Kris and there wasn't one that came anywhere close to her in any category.

Kris was even worse. She hadn't had a single date since we broke up. Between our neighbors, mutual friends, and the girls, I knew that as a fact. I told her I didn't expect that and she should go out and have some fun but she remained hopeful that we would someday be together again and would not do anything to jeopardize the possibility. In the meantime, she would devote herself to raising our daughters.

Sandy extended her hand to greet me. The first words that popped into my head were, 'what a woman!' She was elegant, almost regal in appearance, yet extremely friendly in her demeanor. A guy could easily get lost in those deep blue eyes and she had a smile that would warm a naked Eskimo. It took me a few nonchalant glances but I finally saw there was no wedding ring. My heart fluttered just a little more.

As she took me through the house I could see that her statement about loving the place was not just a line, she really did. Her face just beamed as she took me from room to room pointing out all the things that made the house special.

I thought I had seen everything there was to see but Sandy kept the best for last. "So what do you think so far?" she asked with that radiant smile.

"I love it, I really do. When I saw it this morning there was just something about the place that was drawing me to it."

"Good. I was hoping you would like it. I don't really know you but I have the feeling you would be very happy here. But wait," she said taking my hand and starting toward the back door, "you haven't seen the best part yet."

Sandy led me out to the back porch. It was a pretty large wooden porch but the best part was, to the left of the door was a wonderful two person swing strung with four chains from the overhang. "Come on," said Sandy with excitement. 'Come and sit on the swing with me for a minute."

You couldn't tell from the front, but the house actually sat on a hill. As you looked out over the back yard you could see a grove of trees in the distance and just to the right of them was a small lake.

"I come over here by myself sometimes and just enjoy sitting in this swing and watching the beautiful sunsets over the lake," said Sandy. "It's so quiet and peaceful; the only thing that could make it better would be the enchanting music from a wind chime hanging right over there."

I already knew I was in love with the house and was going to buy it, but now I found myself developing feelings for the woman sitting next to me. "Well," I said coyly, "you can come over and sit on my swing any time you want."

She turned her head, looked deeply into my eyes, and gave me a small smile. "I knew it," she said. "I knew it as soon as I saw you. This house and you are the perfect fit."

"So, what do I do with my condo?" I asked.

"Where is it?"

"About twenty minutes south of here," I told her.

"Well, if you still have some time, I could take a look at it, take some notes and list it for you."

"Don't you have a significant other you have to get home to?" I was fishing.

"No," she said. "I'm divorced as well, have been for many years. I do have a son but he's in college right now so my time is my own."

"In that case I'll make a deal with you." She gave me a questioning look. "When you're done going through my place and taking all your notes, you let me take you out to dinner." She hesitated but not for too long.

"Alright, you have a deal."

While Sandy looked around my condo and took notes, I grabbed a quick shower and changed clothes. I really wanted to take her some place really romantic but we had known each other for all of three hours. I didn't really think that would be appropriate but I hoped I would get that chance at a later date.

We wound up at a nice little Italian place that Sandy recommended. The food was good but it was the conversation I found fascinating. Neither of us talked about our former spouses but we did talk about our kids. I, of course, pushed out my chest when I talked about Brea, my oldest, who was already sixteen and would be a senior in high school next year. Catherine, my fourteen year old, was also in high school and already starting to talk about boys.

Sandy told me she had one son, Ron. He was a sophomore in college and was studying for an engineering degree. I don't think there was anyone around our table that couldn't tell we were both very proud of our kids.

The conversation finally got around to ourselves. Sandy asked what I did for a living and seemed to be impressed when I told her I had my own photography studio.

"Really, wow my son would like to meet you. Photography is his hobby. It's been a passion of his since he was a small boy. He just loves it. If we get a chance this summer, maybe I could drive him down town and you could give him a tour of your studio?" she asked. "It would make his whole summer."

"Absolutely," I said. "Just give me a heads up so I know you're coming and I'll have the red carpet down for both of you."

"Actually," she said a little hesitantly, "please don't take this the wrong way, but it surprises me a little. I would think you must have a lot of artistic talent to be successful in that field, yet your condo is decorated rather sparsely and with very basic furnishings."

"Yeah, I know," I said a little embarrassed. "Both of my daughters are always after me to spruce the place up. You're right, I'm extremely creative in my work but I guess I'm just a pretty simple guy when it comes to my living quarters."

"Well," said Sandy, "I took some classes for interior design in college. Not enough to make a living at it, but I do have a good eye for what works. You know how I love that house so if you'd like a few tips from time to time, just let me know. I'd be happy to help out."

Wow, I thought. I know an opportunity when I hear one. "How much would you charge?" I inquired.

"Oh I wouldn't charge you anything Brent, don't be silly."

"No, I don't mean for a few tips, I want you to be my interior decorator. You can do the whole house, everything including finishing the basement. What do you say?"

She looked stunned. "Brent, that's a great offer but I've never done a whole house before. I'm not sure I'd know where to start. No thanks. Like I said, it's a great offer but I'm just not that good."

"Sandy I saw the look in your eyes when you took me on that tour. You love that place as much as I do. You have experience, training, I can't think of anyone I would rather have. Maybe we could even work on it together. Please, at least think about it. It could be fun for both of us."

Sandy promised to think about. We talked just a little while longer but it was getting late and we both had work the next day. We had taken two cars so I walked Sandy to hers then reached my hand out to shake. She took my hand but stepped in closer and gave me a peck on the cheek. It surprised me, but the bigger surprise was the erection growing in my pants. I wondered if she could see me blush under the parking lot lights. She smiled then drove away.

There were only two people in my life that ever gave me a hard-on that quickly and that easily, Tanya, my highs school sweetheart, and Kris. All the way home I wondered, was it just that it's been so long since getting laid, or did it mean more? Did it mean this was someone special?

For the next week I talked to my banker and got my finances all lined up. I wasn't going to tell anyone about the house until I closed on it. Sandy and I got together a couple times for paper work but she always seemed to be all business and I was beginning to think I misread any signals I thought I saw that night at dinner.

Everything went smooth as silk and thirty days after I had been sitting in the swing with Sandy the house was mine...well, mine and the banks. I picked up the phone and called my daughter. Brea picked it up and sounded so mature as she said hello.

"Hi honey, how's my girl?"

"Hi Dad, I'm just fine. I got an 'A' in my history test today," she said all excited. History was one of my favorite subjects and she knew that would please me.

"Fantastic honey, I am so proud of you." We talked a little more about school then I broke the news. "I was wondering what you guys are doing over the week-end? If you're not doing anything important would you want to help me move?"

"Move? Dad, where are you moving to?"

"I bought a house, honey. It's not far, it's only about twenty minutes away."

I heard Brea yelling to her sister and Kris, "Hey, dad bought a house." Through the phone I could hear everyone's shock. Between her sister and her mom, Brea was trying to answer a dozen questions.

"Honey," I tried to get her attention back. "Honey, tell Catherine and your mother, if they want to see the house, they have to first come over to the condo Saturday morning at seven and help me move some things over."

Brea repeated what I said and I heard Kris say, "Tell him we'll be there," which Brea relayed back to me again.

After saying our good-byes, I had just set the phone down when it rang again. I answered with my usual business greeting.

"Hi," I recognized the voice as Sandy's right away.

"Hi, how are you?" I inquired.

"Okay, I just wondered when you were going to be moving?"

"Saturday morning," I answered. "I have a small truck rented and my kids and a couple of friends are going to help me."

"Oh I see. Well I was going to offer to help but it sounds like you have it covered."

I was really getting mixed signals from this woman. First she seemed like she might have been interested but when we sat down to sign the papers she was all business, almost cold. Now she's offering to help me move? I don't get it. All I knew was that I liked her a lot and I wasn't going to turn down spending time with her.

"Hey, I can always use more help," I said trying to sound as inviting as possible.

"Okay, I'd love to," once again her voice sounding very friendly. "I have something for you anyway. I forgot to give you the spare set of keys."

"Well I'll tell you what. I know you live up there. No sense in coming all the way down here just to go all the back up there. I figure we should be there about nine o'clock. Why don't you just let yourself in and wait for us there."

Sandy agreed and I had everything all set for the move. By the time Saturday morning rolled around I had everything packed and sitting by the door. Between the six of us we had the truck packed in a little more than an hour. I thought we would beat Sandy there but as soon as I pulled in the drive I saw her car up by the house. As we walked in we all smelled the aroma of fresh coffee.

What a great surprise. Sandy already had the java brewing. When we all followed our nose to the kitchen we found she had pastries already sitting out on the table for everyone. I had only seen Sandy in her business clothes and was very impressed with the cute ass I saw covered in blue jeans.

Sandy turned around when she heard us approaching. "Good morning everyone," was her delightful greeting complimented with a big smile. "I thought you might be hungry so I stopped at the bakery on the way over for some goodies. Everybody dig in."

Before everyone sat down I introduced Sandy as my real estate agent. She joined us for breakfast and fit right in like she'd known everyone for years.

As soon as everything was in the house my two buddies took off which left Kris, the kids, Sandy, and me. The girls were busy running around having fun rearranging all the furniture every five minutes while the three of us talked. Finally Kris told the girls it was time to go.

"This is a darling home Brent," Kris said as I walked her to the door. While we were still waiting on the girls, Kris lowered her voice, "I didn't realize you were seeing someone," she said a little sadly.

I saw just the slightest evidence of moisture dulling the color of those beautiful green eyes. "We're not really seeing each other Kris. I do like her, but so far all we've done is had dinner together."

"Ah huh, that'll change, take my word for it. I saw the way she looked at you. She cares for you...a lot. We women just know these things. She is very nice and I'm sure you guys will be very happy together." Kris, trying to keep me from seeing, tuned her head away as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

Just then Brea and Catherine came running up. Both Sandy and Kris were very cordial saying good bye. Of course the girls were their usual bundle of energy all the way out the door.

Sandy and I were finally alone. I wondered if Kris was right. This is the first time I'd felt like this about a woman since my divorce, but could I really open my heart again, or would I chicken out, afraid of being hurt for the third time.

"Sandy, thank you so much for all your help today. Fresh coffee and breakfast was sure a great surprise. How much do I owe you for all that stuff?" I asked.

Sandy playfully hit my arm. "Will you stop. You don't owe me for anything. I should be thanking you for the commission I just made on this place."

"Okay, well let me take you out for dinner again then."

"Not like this," Sandy said indicating her working clothes.

"Yeah, actually I should shower and change as well. Okay, give me your address and I'll pick you up in an hour."

She looked up at me. I could tell she didn't know if she wanted to do that or not. Finally she spoke up, "Okay, do you have a pen and paper? I'll write down my address."

For the first time in a very long time, I sang to myself in the shower; something I usually only did when I had a woman in my life. I drove over to the address and found it was a town home. A quad I believe they call them where every unit had a corner lot.

Again, every time I had seen her before Sandy had been dressed for business, including her make-up. When she opened the door and invited me in I was taken aback. Her soft, shiny blond hair framed her face perfectly as it cascaded over her shoulders. The small cocktail dress she wore hugged every curve of her slim body. She wore just a hint of make-up bringing even more depth to those deep blue eyes.

"Wow," I exclaimed. "Sandy you look incredible."

"Thank you," she said sounding a little surprised. "I'll take that as high praise, in deed, from a man who works with models all day."

Once seated in the restaurant we pretty much picked up the conversation where we left off before.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Sandy asked.

"Of course."

"A blind man could see how much Kris still loves you. Why are you two divorced?"

I really wasn't ready for that question. I didn't talk about it because the subject always brought tears to my eyes. "Ah, well it's actually kind of hard to talk about, Sandy, even after all these years."

"Ah, infidelity rears its ugly head again," she said. "I thought that might be it. I won't ask any more. The same thing happened with my husband. He was a sales manager for a fastener company. Five years he worked there and never had to work on a week-end. Then all of a sudden he had to work every week-end. Sometimes it would just be Saturdays, but other times Saturday and Sunday. I got suspicious and borrowed my neighbor's car one day to follow him. I saw him walk into an apartment so I just camped outside the door. About three hours later he opened it to leave while still kissing his girlfriend, a young redhead. When he saw me waiting for him, he just closed the door and didn't bother coming home again. Ron, my son, was only eight years old at the time."

"I'm sorry," I said sympathetically.

She looked at me as if studying a road map on my face. "I'm going to be honest with you, Brent. I still remember the hurt from that, as I'm sure you do from your break up. I have not found a man in all these years that was worth risking that kind of hurt again. I like you, Brent. I like you a lot, but before I'd be willing to go any further I have to know about your relationship with Kris. As I said, she is still in love with you and I think you still love her. Is there any chance of you two getting back together?"

"Sandy, we've been divorced now for over nine years. Three times in that period she has asked me if I would come back. You're right, I do still love her, but I can not, nor will I ever get over the pain in my heart. She knows that and I know that. No, we will never be together again."

I took a sip of coffee and continued. "Sandy, from the first time I laid eyes on you I thought you were someone very special. You're the first woman in all these years that I have had feelings for. I think you put it best when you talked about finding someone worth taking another risk, I found that person and I'm hoping she feels the same way."

Sandy reached across the table and put her hand on mine. She moved her head toward me and lowered her voice almost to a whisper. "Am I the first woman to give you a hard-on with just a little kiss?" she asked with a sweet, demure smile.

I must have turned ten shades of red. She said that purposely to embarrass me and she sure succeeded. "You caught that?" I asked.

"Of course, us ladies on the prowl don't miss much," she replied slyly. "If you're done with your coffee why don't we go back to your house and see if you remember what to do with that thing."

To say I was worried on the drive home was an understatement; intense fear was more like it. I hadn't made love to a woman in years.

Try as I did to act casual and confident, my efforts fell well short.

"Are you nervous?" asked Sandy.

"Ah, yeah, I guess I am a little. How about you?"

"Yeah, a little. How long has it been?"

"Years," I answered honestly. "But you know what they say, it's just like falling off a bike."

I wasn't sure why Sandy was laughing. "Don't you mean it's like riding a bike?" she said with a chuckle.

"Oh, yeah, I guess that is what I meant," I said really feeling stupid. Then, in an attempt to redeem myself I added, "Do me a favor though, if I do fall off, will you put me back on?"

"You got it cowboy," she responded with a laugh.

Wow, this was beyond fantastic, I thought. Here I am spending the first night in my brand new home and I'm spending it with the first woman I've had feelings for in years. As we entered the house a strange calm came over me. I just knew everything would be okay.

Once inside the door Sandy and I faced each other. I took her in my arms and softly pressed my lips to hers. I felt no anxiety, no reservations. I felt only affection, a warmth I had honestly thought I would never feel again.

Those feelings became even stronger once we were in the bedroom. I unzipped the back of her dress and caressed her neck as I slipped the top of the dress off her shoulders and let it fall to her feet. I reached around her soft body and pulled her close. I could feel her passion as it invaded my own body. She turned, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me hard. She opened her mouth and our tongues met, each teasing the other like an ancient fertility ritual. I undid the clasp of her bra and slid it down her arms. I gently felt her breasts as I knelt in front of her. I tenderly lowered my hands down the side of her hips and hooked my thumbs in each side of her silk panties. I could feel her whole body quiver as I lowered them ever so slowly.

There, only inches from my face was the trimmed mound of the woman with whom I was falling in love. I lightly slipped my hands up the back of her legs till I reached that fine little ass I admired earlier in the day. I leaned in and planted a kiss on the pussy I knew I would cherish.

Sandy's body tensed as she gave out a small sigh. I felt her hands on the back of my head and I started to explore every crease and crevice of her love center.

"Oh God, oh God," she said with a breathy voice. "It's been so long, so long. Yes, yes my love, please make love to me, please."

I picked her up in my arms and laid her on the bed. I undressed and knelt on the bed with one knee, then lowered my lips to hers. I kissed her neck as she swooned with lust. "I want you inside me baby," she whispered. "Please, I need you inside me now."

The years had been kind to both of us in that department. My cock was like a bar of steel and when I reached down to feel if Sandy was ready, I was amazed at how wet she was for me. She spread her legs and I pulled mine together positioning myself. Sandy reached down and guided my throbbing shaft into her warm velvety soft canal. She gasped in anticipation as I easily slid inside her.

It had been so long since I had experienced the intimate feelings that only comes from making love to someone you deeply care for. With each loving thrust I felt Sandy's body as it lost control to the rapture of the moment. She closed her eyes and arched her back. She twisted around in a euphoric explosion of excitement as she locked her legs around me and held me deep with-in the confines of her hot pussy. Together our intensity built into a crescendo of fiery passions, culminating in our joint screams of ecstasy and we climaxed in unison.

I collapsed my sweaty and spent body next to hers. Neither of us said a word as we allowed our breathing to return to normal. Sandy was the first to break the silence.

"Wow."

"Yeah, I'll see your wow and raise you a, 'Holy Cripe.'" She giggled. "How do you feel?" I asked.

"Ha, ha. Well, I feel scared I guess."

"Scared...still?"

"Yeah still; even more so right now," she admitted. "I hadn't realized until we made love, just how strong my feelings were for you. I'm scared I'm allowing myself to become involved too quickly. When I thought about pursuing this relationship I told myself I would go very slowly, very cautiously. Instead I allowed myself to jump in with both feet. Yeah, I'm scared."

I took a minute and thought about her words. I guess I felt somewhat the same way. I turned my head toward hers and kissed her. "My darling, my feelings for you are real and they run deep into my soul. I can't believe I am lucky enough to find love again, but now that I have, I am not about to let it go."

I was hoping for conformation of her love as well, but it did not come. She kissed me and smiled. "Let's get some rest, honey. Tomorrow we can do some shopping for your new home. Oh, did I tell you, I've decided to take you up on your offer. I'm going to help you decorate."

I told her how happy that made me. We kissed and slipped into dreamland, although mine was fraught with disappointment that the disclosure of my feelings was not returned.

The next morning, still half asleep, I reached for Sandy but came up empty. My stomach started to twist in knots thinking she had left. Just then I smelled coffee. I smiled to myself and decided I wasn't going to pout about not getting Sandy to say she loved me last night. I was just glad she was still there.

We spent all day down town shopping for things for the house. Mostly smaller items. I needed some new living room furniture as well, but that would have to wait for another day. By the time we got home we were both beat. Sandy jumped at my suggestion of ordering a pizza for dinner.

While savoring a Chicago style deep dish we continued to talk about what more we needed for the house, but as was the case all day, we also laughed and joked around with one another. I couldn't remember when I'd had more fun or enjoyed someone's company as much.

As the day came to an end, Sandy took me by the hand and walked me out to the porch. "Come on," she said. "Let's sit on the swing and watch the sunset."

As we sat and watched, the sky started to change. The dark blue of night hung like a curtain over an ever varying array of colors. As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, hues of red, orange, purple, pink, and turquoise magically stretched from one end of eternity to the other.

"When I was a little girl I used to sit with my grandma on her porch in Indiana and watch the sunsets," Sandy said. "She used to say we were watching God with his paint brush." She looked into my eyes and kissed me very tenderly. ""Ooh, look how beautiful," she said looking back to the flaming sky; "God has his paintbrush out again and I have the pleasure of watching him with the man I love."

I smiled and put me arm around her. She cuddled into me and laid her head on my shoulder. Not another word was spoken until all the colors had melted into night.

"Can you spend the night again?" I asked.

"I'm sorry honey, I can't tonight. I have to get home. I have an early appointment tomorrow and Ron is coming home later this week for summer vacation. I hope you get a chance to meet him. I know he'll have a million questions about photography for you."

"Why wouldn't I get a chance to meet him if he's going to be here all summer?"

"Well he'll be working most the summer. He has to make all he can during the summer to help pay for his room and board next year. He was lucky last year, he found two jobs. He worked in a gas station and he worked as a stock boy in a supermarket. I didn't get to see much of him, but he was able to help out with a lot of his expenses."

"When is he coming home?" I inquired.

"He'll be home sometime Wednesday night."

"Okay, let's see, so if he started work on Monday would that give you two some quality time together?"

"Oh of course, but there's no assurance that he'll find a job that quickly; it's tough out there for college kids, they all get out at the same time."

Sandy didn't know me that well yet or she would have known I was leading up to something. I had a plan. I asked, "Does Ron have a car?"

Sandy giggled a little, "Well not much of one, I'm afraid. It's on its last legs. I just hope he can keep it going for another year."

"Well if he wanted to leave the car at home he'd have a five block walk to the El," I said wondering when she was going to catch on.

"What?" she asked looking at me now. "What El, what are you talking about?"

"I'll tell you what, until he knows his way around a little he can ride with me. Tell him to be ready Monday morning at seven o'clock and I'll pick him up."

Sandy just stared at me. "Would you like to let me in on whatever is going on in that brain of yours."

"Sure, I just hired Ron to work in my studio this summer as a photographer's assistant. That way we kill two birds with the one stone. I get to meet Ron and he gets a job."

"Oh Brent! Brent you're not joking are you? You can do that, just hire him like that?"

"Of course, it's my studio, I can hire whoever I want."

"Oh my God wait till I tell him. He's going to flip. Oh honey you are my hero." We kissed and cuddled for a little longer but she had to go home. That night I was aware of my empty bed for the first time in ages. I missed her already.

Between Sandy's job and getting ready for Ron's return, Tuesday night was the only time we were able to get together. I was hoping we would spend a whole lot more time than that once things started to settle down.

Bright and early the following Monday morning I pulled up outside of Sandy's quad and knocked on the door. A sleepy looking Sandy, dressed in her robe asked me in, gave me a big kiss, then offered me a quick cup of coffee. She told me Ron was so excited he was running around like a chicken with his head cut off but he would be right down.

Excited wasn't the word. The tall, dark haired kid of twenty was grinning from ear to ear when he took my hand and almost shook it off while expressing his gratitude about a dozen times and telling me how much it meant to him.

Sandy, watching all this while taking a sip from her coffee cup, just smiled.

Ron finally let go of my hand and started toward the door anxious to start his first day. I could see the appreciation in Sandy's eyes as she tenderly kissed my lips. "Thank you again for this," she said quietly, while rubbing my arm.

It didn't take me long to realize what a wonderful job Sandy had done raising Ron. He was respectful, polite, intelligent, and appreciative. Audrey, my office manager, and Terry, the other photographer, both of whom had been with me for years, made him feel like one of the family right away.

I came by to pick up Sandy for a date that Wednesday night. She looked beautiful, as always, when she opened the door and invited me in. "Where's your cape?" she asked.

"Ah, I'm sorry, my cape?" I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Yeah, you should be wearing a red cape. According to my son, you're Superman. You also know everything there is to know about photography or for that matter, you know everything there is to know about everything," she said with smile.

"Well," I answered modestly, "there maybe one or two things I'm not really sure of."

Sandy smiled as she put both hands on each side of my cheeks and pulled my lips to meet hers. "Mwah!" She emphasized the end of the kiss. "My Superman," she said. "Let's go, I can't wait to get fucked later tonight by the man of steel."

And fuck we did, but not only that night; for the next two weeks Sandy and I worked on decorating the house, after which, we made love well into the night. If she had an early appointment the next morning she would go home afterward, otherwise she would stay over.

"What does Ron think about you spending the night here?" I asked her one morning.

"He was a little surprised at first. I very seldom dated when he was growing up so he wasn't used to me staying out, but he's a big boy now. He's a sophomore in college so I doubt he's a virgin, and he's certainly wise enough to know I'm not one."

"He's a great kid Sandy. You really did a fantastic job of raising him," I told her.

"You want to know what he said about you?"

"I already know, I'm superman," I said with a chuckle.

"When I told him you were the man I had been spending my nights with, he said he had fantasized about you being his father and he wondered if there was any chance his fantasy would come true."

"Wow," I said a little embarrassed. "I don't think I've ever been given a bigger compliment. What did you say?"

"I told him it's still too early to tell," she said as she gazed into my eyes and kissed me.

By the following week-end, with the exception of the basement, we were done with the house. Finishing the downstairs would have to wait until my condo sold. Sandy's decorating talents turned out to be much better than I had anticipated. I could see from her work she knew me better than I thought, every room reflected my personality as well as my taste.

"Honey this place is perfect," I said; "much too perfect to keep it to ourselves. I want to show it off, how about a housewarming party?"

Sandy thought it was a great idea. We'd invite some of her friends, some of my friends, and I could use the new grill in the back yard..

Later, after making some preliminary plans for the party, we both indulged in our favorite past-time. We sat in the swing on the back porch and watched the sun going down.

As we sat I thought about how the woman next to me had enriched my life in just the past few months. I remember thinking back at how irritated I was at myself for making that wrong turn and where it brought me. I couldn't help but think that some strange force in the universe was at work; that I could actually be happy again, and in the process make Sandy happy as well. I felt her lay her head on my shoulder and I wondered if she felt the same way.

The following week the invitations went out. 'No gifts necessary,' they said. 'I have everything I need. Just bring yourself, a date or significant other, and a good attitude.' Sandy and I originally intended to have a small gathering. Of course, by the time we were done we sent out almost forty invites and most of them were bringing someone. Even my oldest daughter, I later found out, was bringing a date.

The night before the party Sandy stayed overnight but had to leave Saturday morning for an open house. "It's over at three o'clock honey," she told me before she left. "I'll be back in plenty of time for the party." Sure enough, she was back by four.

I sat on the side of the bed and watched my lady get undressed. She smiled while doing a little strip tease before getting into the shower. It mattered not that I already had my shower, I quickly stripped off my clothes and joined her. I put some of her great smelling shampoo on my hands and gently massaged her scalp as I wash her hair. I lathered my hands with her body wash and lovingly caressed every inch of her soft flesh.

She started to slither her soapy body against me sending waves of passion through my soul and igniting my penis with lust. With the hot water cascading down on us, she stroked my hard cock. "Uuummmm, you know where I want this," she said closing her eyes.

I anchored my wet feet on the slip proof shower mat and hoisted Sandy onto my hips. She reached for my cock and guided it right where she wanted it. We kissed as she worked her hips up and down on my love meat. For some reason, maybe it was the eroticism of the water pouring over us, but it didn't take long for either of us to explode into a glorious climax.

We both got dressed and went into the kitchen to finish preparing the food. It's difficult to express the feelings I had at that particular time. I was getting ready to share my new home with good friends, family, and the woman I'd grown to love with all my heart. I guess overwhelmed with joy would be about as close as I could come.

At seven o'clock the doorbell rang; a half hour after that the party was in full swing. Sandy introduced me to her friends and visa-versa. My ex was there with my two daughters. Brea was introducing me to her boyfriend when I caught a glimpse of Kris. She was watching me with a little smile. After so many years, she and I could read each other's thoughts; I knew she was telling me my little girls were growing up... accept it.

As the party continued I took my age old place in front of my brand new, two decker grill. Ron, who came stag, pitched right in helping his mother and me make sure everyone was having a good time. The surprise of the night came whenever I looked around for my lovely co-host, and would find her with my ex. It seemed she and Kris were developing quite a friendship. I wasn't too sure how I felt about that. I wasn't sure why, but it did make me nervous.

It had been one of the most enjoyable evenings I could remember in many, many years. After a while I even warmed up to Brea's boyfriend, although I knew he was no match for her and was sure he would be history in no time.

Slowly the gang dwindled and sometime around one in the morning, except for Ron who was helping clean up, Sandy and I found ourselves alone.

"Honey," Sandy said to Ron who was wiping off one of the folding tables. "That stuff can wait until tomorrow. I'm going to spend the night here. Why don't you go home and get a good night's sleep."

Ron thanked us both and told us what a great time he had, then excused himself and took off.

I was putting a few of the perishables in the fridge. When I turned to say something to Sandy she was gone. Before I had a chance to look for her though she came back in the front door with a package she had been hiding in her car.

"I know we told everyone no gifts, but...well, I'm not everyone," she said with a smile as she handed me the wrapped present. I was so excited, except for the ties my daughters bought me for Christmas and my birthdays, it had been a long time since anyone bought me a present. I opened and package to find the most beautiful looking , delicate set of crystal wind chimes I'd ever seen.

"Oh honey, they're absolutely gorgeous."

"I'm glad you like them. It took me almost a month to find the right ones," she said proudly.

I went downstairs and got a hammer and nail. Together we walked out to the back porch and tried several places before agreeing on the precise spot to hang them. Sandy said it was the one place where they would catch the gentlest of winds from any direction; with-in minutes we were listening to the most beautiful music ever played by a gentle breeze.

We sat and cuddled in the swing enjoying the warm summer winds and the concert they conducted. I also had a present for Sandy. I bought it three weeks prior at a down town jewelry store. As always, I was going to plan the most romantic evening I could come up with to set the stage for my proposal, but as Sandy nestled into me even more, I realized I wasn't going to top the romance of that very moment.

I reached into my pocket and hid the ring in my hand. "Honey."

"Yes?" she softly spoke enjoying the serenity.

"I know you and I have only known one another for a short time and I realize, because we have both been hurt by former relationships, we said we would take our time and not rush things. I also know that every minute we're not together is a minute out of my life wasted and lonely. Honey I know you told Ron we have to wait, but I can't wait any longer. When you're not with me my whole body yearns for your company."

I took her left hand in mine and slipped the ring around her finger. "I never thought I would ever say this again, but I love you and want you to be my wife," I said with a tear running down my cheek.

She looked at me. She also had tears in her eyes, even more than me.

"What the hell took you so long," she blurted out with her tears now flowing freely. We put our arms around each other and spent most of the night just hugging a kissing on the swing. Somewhere around dawn we went to bed but not to sleep. We made love until neither of us could hardly move anymore. I put my arms around her as she cuddled into my chest and we finally drifted to sleep.

Over the next couple of weeks nothing really changed much. We were making plans for our marriage of course but we hadn't told anyone but Ron so far. He couldn't have been happier.

Sandy had pretty much moved in with me so Ron had the quad to himself. At first Sandy felt a little guilty, but he convinced her he was enjoying the privacy.

My concern was Kris and the kids. I knew the news of my nuptials was going to hurt Kris, badly. I thought when the kids see that, maybe they'll turn against me. I was really worried. As much as I tried to hide it, I don't think I was doing a very good job. One night, while on the swing Sandy turned to me and looked into my eye. "You're worried about Kris, aren't you?" she asked.

"I'm sorry babe. As deep as the wounds go, I never wanted to hurt her and this is going to kill her, I just know it. I don't even know if we should invite her to the wedding. It would be like rubbing salt in her wounds, but how can I invite my daughters without inviting her? She might be hurt even worse. I just don't know what to do honey."

"I think Kris will be fine, honey. We're having lunch together tomorrow, I have been debating on telling her myself. I don't know if it would be easier coming from me or you."

I was shocked to hear they were having lunch together. I guess Sandy saw it on my face.

"Kris and I have actually become good friends. I got to know her at the party."

"Yes I noticed you two seemed to be hitting it off."

"When you didn't want to talk about what happened between you and her at the restaurant, I knew she must have hurt you very deeply and that hurt was still there. I thought at first, what a horrid woman she must be, but she's not is she? She's a very good person who made a horrible mistake and she paid for that mistake by losing the man she loves."

Sandy gently kissed me then went on. "Kris doesn't feel that's enough punishment though. Not only has she lost you but she has deprived herself of allowing any other love into her life, as well. I think I can release Kris from her self-imposed exile from love and I believe our marriage will help."

I sat and listened. I was still nervous about Kris and Sandy having lunch. I loved Sandy and wanted to put my trust and faith into her. "Honey, there's two problems here. One, I don't want to hurt Kris, and two, I don't want to alienate my kids."

"I know honey," she said. "And if you want me to back off I will. I can call and postpone our lunch until after you talk to her, but I do understand her, Brent, and I honestly believe I can help her."

I looked into Sandy's eyes. They were sympathetic. "Won't Kris think I'm wimping out letting you break the news instead of doing it myself?" I asked.

"No, I'll make sure of that. Honey she already knows. She knew from the first time we met."

"Yeah, I think you're right. I remember she said something when she helped during the move in. As she left she said she hoped we'd be very happy together."

"Please honey." Sandy lightly ran her fingers through my hair as she looked deep into my eyes. "Let me talk to her."

I was still a little apprehensive but I agreed to let Sandy break the news of our wedding to Kris the following day at lunch.

The next day I was like a cat on a hot tin roof. Everyone kept asking me if there was a problem. I assured them there was not but I don't know how convincing I was. I looked at my watch around noon and wondered if they were talking yet. I looked again about one o'clock and wondered if Sandy had told Kris about our wedding plans. Every minute I expected to get a call from a crying Kris or from my kids saying they never wanted to see me again.

By three o'clock I wondered why Sandy hadn't called yet to tell me how she took it. By three-thirty I was a basket case. A few minutes later the studio phone rang. Audrey grabbed it before I got there. "Brent, it's Sandy," she said.

"Hi, how did things go?" I asked. "Jeez, I've been on pins and needles, what took you so long to call?"

"Take it easy," she said with a small giggle. "We're girls remember, we just left each other. Kris and I had a long talk. I really do like her, Brent. I wish I could have met her years ago, I think I could have helped."

"Well...did you tell her? How did she take it?"

"Honey," Sandy said calmingly. "Please, everything is alright. You're going to have a heart attack if you don't settle down. I told you before, she already knew. When I told her, she took it in stride. She's going to explain everything to the kids tonight. I'm sure they'll call you and tell you how happy they are for you."

I couldn't believe it. I was so worried. As Sandy spoke It felt like a big boulder had been taken off my shoulders. I expelled the breath I had been holding for hours with an audible sigh.

Sure enough, later that evening the girls called me. "It's about time you found someone dad," Brea said. "Sandy is really nice. I like her a lot. So does mom. Catherine wants to know if you can still come over and..., oh alright," I heard Brea and Catherine starting to argue. "Just a minute dad, Catherine wants to ask you something. Here she is."

"Hi daddy."

"Hi pumpkin," I said.

"Daddy, will you still be able to come over and help us with our homework?"

"Of course I will honey," I told her. "I'm still as much your dad as I ever was."

"Good," said Catherine sounding a little relieved. "Then I'm happy for you too, daddy. I really like Sandy, she's nice."

Brea got on the extension and we all talked some more together. The girls sounded genuinely happy but as we all hung up it occurred to me, Kris never got on the phone. I wondered if maybe she didn't take the news as good as Sandy thought she did.

It was still on my mind the next day when I got a shock just before noon. "Hi daddy," I heard from the front of the studio. I looked around the corner and there was Kris with the girls.

"Well," I said while hugging everyone. "This is a surprise."

"We were down town doing some shopping and I wondered if you wanted to buy lunch for a wayward group of ladies?" asked Kris.

"I would be honored," I said.

Ron heard the voices and came out to say hi. We all exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes then I took my lovelies out for a nice meal.

"Hey dad," Brea said between bites of chicken. "Does Ron have a girlfriend?"

"Never mind there Pumpkin, he's too old for you. Beside what happened to what's his name, the guy you brought to the party?"

"Oh Mark? He's too immature. We broke up right after the party."

I knew he wasn't going to last long. We finished up and we all walked back to the studio. The girls went in the back for a few minutes to flirt with Ron which left Kris and I alone.

"Brent, I just wanted to tell you how truly happy I am for you. Sandy is a warm, affectionate, loving person; just the kind of woman you deserve. We had lunch together yesterday and...well, she convinced me that maybe I should open up to the possibility of finding someone as well. I will always love you my darling Brent, and I will never forgive myself for what I did to you. Yesterday Sandy told me I can live with the regret, but I don't have to go on punishing myself. I will never get you back, I know that. I think I always have. If I had to lose you to someone, I'm glad it was Sandy." She stepped closer and brought her lips close to mine. "Just one for old time sake?" she asked. I took her in my arms the way I used to, and kissed her, long and passionately. As we broke apart we both knew it would be the last time we ever kissed like that. She gave me a small smile before calling the girls and being on their way.

Sandy and I didn't have a lot of time to plan for a wedding. Ron would be going back to school in less than two months and I was planning on asking him to be my best man. Sandy said, since her son was going to be my best man, she wanted my daughters in her bridal party. Just like the party, what started out to be a small affair, grew into a full scale wedding. I didn't care. The more the merrier as far as I was concerned. I would share this day with the whole world if possible.

The wedding couldn't have been scripted any better by the best writers in Hollywood. It took place in an outdoor garden. Ron looked dashing as my best man and both Brea and Catherine looked like beautiful young adults in their formal bride's maid gowns. Sandy was a vision in her dress and I wore my favorite tie with my best suit. The tie was a two hundred dollar Italian silk tie; it was the last present Kris had given me before the divorce.

Later at the reception, I thought the day couldn't possibly be more perfect. I was standing with my new bride by my side when Kris walked up. She pulled my head down a little and kissed me on the cheek. "Congratulations you guys," she said to both of us. Then, to my surprise, she reached over to a gentleman I didn't recognize and pulled him in front of us. "I'd like you meet Allen," she said with big smile. "He's my date."

I immediately stuck out my hand. "Hi Allen, nice to meet you."

"And Brent," Kris said. "I think he has a lower handicap than you do."

"What? No way," I said jokingly. "What's your handicap?"

"Seven," he said a little bashfully.

"That's mine. As soon as we get back from our honeymoon you and I are going to have to hit the links."

With that he seemed to warm up some and really turned out to be a nice guy. I couldn't believe my lovely wife did it again. She was right, it took a woman's touch to bring Kris around. It was right after that I had my next humbling experience. As soon as the chance presented itself, Ron pulled me to a corner.

"This is going to sound really out there, Brent, but I never really got to know my dad very well. Well, now that you and mom are married...ah, you're going to think I'm nuts," he said.

"Ron, there is nothing you can't ask, tell, or talk to me about, please what is it?"

"Would you mind if I called you dad?" he asked. I was almost knocked off my feet. I had already regarded him as a son, but I wasn't expecting this.

"Son, I would be honored," I told him.

"Thanks," he said gratefully. "Listen, since you're in such a great mood, there is one more thing." I waited for the bomb to drop. "Can you talk to mom for me. I know she's not going to be too keen on the idea, but I'm going to change my major when I get back to school. I checked and with the credits I have, I can do it. I'm going to major in photography," he said.

If ever there was a night for surprises, this was it. Wait till I tell Sandy about this, I thought. I agreed to tell his mother and since he would be back in school by the time we got back, we hugged and said our goodbyes. When Sandy saw us she came over and they did the same. Sandy had tears in her eyes but Ron promised he would be back for Christmas. I thought to myself, great, I only have between now and Christmas to tell Sandy her son's not going to be an engineer like they both planned, but a photographer...great, just great. Then I couldn't help but smile to myself.

A little while later Sandy and I were headed for two glorious weeks in Maui where we both spent the most wonderful time of our lives. Before leaving I thought to myself, if there is a heaven, it's going to have to go some to beat this.

As we landed back in Chicago the trip may had been over but the honeymoon never ended. Life with Sandy was like living each day in a fairytale. Every day we grew closer, became even more compatible, and fell deeper and deeper in love.

To quote an old cliché, 'time marches on.' It sure does and at a very rapid pace, too rapid if you ask me. Ron changed his major to photography and, of course had a job waiting for him after graduation. I had waited until after our honeymoon to tell Sandy. When I did tell her, she was overjoyed with the change. She knew all along photography was his passion just as it was mine. Knowing he would learn the trade from me and probably take over the studio someday was a thrill for both of us.

Brea graduated and went into teaching. Yup, high school history; she met a great guy, got married, and I had two grandchildren.

Catherine surprised me by taking journalism in college, and maybe with a little influence from her old man, got a job right out of college with my alma mater, The Times. She also met someone and was married. No children yet, but as much in love as they were, I doubted that will take too long.

Kris married Allen. They too were a very happy couple. The more I was around Allen the more I liked him. The four of us developed a fantastic friendship. Sandy and I double dated with Kris and Allen a lot, not to mention Al and I were always on one course or another almost every week-end. One year the four of us even went on a cruise together.

Yup, Walt Disney couldn't have written a better life for Sandy and me.

Of course if we were home, almost every day would end with Sandy and I cuddling together on the back porch swing watching God with his paintbrush and listening to the wind serenade us, using only our chimes. Sandy said it sounded like a gentle rain hitting the wings of angels. Life simply couldn't be more perfect, Sandy and I couldn't have been happier.

I was sitting at the kitchen table when Sandy walked in and poured herself a cup of morning coffee. To me she looked worried, a look I wasn't used to at all. "What's the matter honey?" I was concerned. It just wasn't like her not to be smiling.

She sat next to me, took a sip from her cup and looked at me with a tear in her eye. I knew something was definitely wrong and I queried again. "Honey, what is it? Please tell me, what's wrong?"

"As I was getting dressed I found a lump in my breasts," she said quietly.

I wanted to go into panic mode but I couldn't. I had to remain calm and supportive for Sandy's sake. I reached for her hand. "Honey," I said trying to use a soothing voice. "Try not to worry. I'm not about to let anything happen to you. You know yourself most of these things turn out to be nothing at all."

I gave her hand a reassuring little shake. "We'll get you in for a checkup as soon as possible. You drink your coffee, I'm going to call the doctor right now and get it scheduled."

On the outside I was cool and in control. On the inside I was an absolute basket case. I called Sandy's doctor and scheduled an office visit first, maybe a biopsy wasn't even needed. Then I called Ron and told him I was going to take a few days off and for him to run the studio. He asked me if something was wrong but I didn't want to worry him so I just said Sandy and I were simply going to enjoy a few days to ourselves.

Later that afternoon I sat in the outer office while her doctor examined Sandy. After the exam I was called in and sat with my precious wife waiting to hear what the next step would be. The doctor confirmed a biopsy would be necessary and scheduled out-patient surgery at the hospital for later in the week. While we sat there he did try to comfort us by saying most likely it's nothing but he wanted to be on the safe side. We both agreed and I took Sandy out for a nice lunch after we left.

Of course I couldn't show it but I was so worried that trying to stay optimistic for Sandy's sake was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life. I drove her to the hospital and filled out all the forms while they prepped her. They let me see her just before taking her into the O.R. I kissed her, told her not to worry, and I would be waiting for her when she came out.

About an hour later my beeper went off signaling Sandy was out of surgery. I was by her side holding her hand as she awoke from the anesthetic. I took her home, called in her prescription for pain medication and had it delivered. For the rest of the day and night I waited on her hand and foot. By the following morning she was well enough to meet me at the breakfast table. Now it was just a waiting game.

Two days later the doctor called. He would not say what they found but only that he wanted to see us both in his office. I didn't say anything to Sandy, but I figured he would have given us good news right over the phone. I started silently praying to stay strong because all I wanted to do was break down and bawl like a baby.

Again we sat side by side holding hands opposite the doctor as he delivered the news. Sandy had a very progressive form of breast cancer and would need to have both breasts completely removed. Hearing the news Sandy collapsed in my arms. My first thought was why, with all the bad people in this world, why does something like this happen to someone like Sandy?

Still trying to stay brave I held her and comforted her as much as I could. The doctor wanted to get the surgery scheduled as soon as possible and said it would be followed up with Chemotherapy and Radiation to kill any leftover cells. He said after that they can do breast reconstruction surgery.

The doctor gave me something to help her rest so I put her to bed when we got home. It was time to start making phone calls. I was not looking forward it. How was I expected to talk about it without falling to pieces?

I managed to get through my conversations with Ron and Kris but asked them to call everyone else. I just couldn't talk about it anymore.

On the day of her surgery the entire family was there. I stayed with Sandy as long as I could, but after the nurse wheeled her into the operating room, I disappeared. I guess everyone was searching the entire hospital for me but no one thought to look in the chapel. It was Kris who figured out where I'd be. When she quietly entered she found me on my knees making every bargain, every promise, and even offering a swap of my life for hers to the man upstairs.

The surgery took several hours, but for me, it was an eternity. I was the only one they would allow in the recovery room with her so after hearing she made it through the surgery okay, the rest of the family went home for the night.

For the next five days, while she remained in the hospital, the only time I left Sandy's side was when Ron would relieve me so I could go home, shower, and change clothes. When I was finally able to bring her home the entire family and several friends were there to welcome her. It was so great to see her actually smile again as so many worked so hard to cheer her up.

Over the next few weeks we tried to live as normal a life as we could but it was hard. The Chemo and radiation treatments were taking their toll. Even with medication to lesson her nausea, Sandy was finding it difficult to eat and was throwing up. As a result she was losing weight, her complexion was losing color, and she was becoming more frail every day.

I was nervous when I had to bring her in for her next checkup. I had been contributing her condition to the treatments, but in my heart I was afraid.

After the exam her doctor readmitted her to the hospital. I was on my way to her room when I saw him walking toward me in the hall.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Why is she back in the hospital?"

He looked into my eyes and I could tell from his expression he was about to deliver more bad news. "I'm sorry, Brent," he said softly. "The cancer is not responding to the treatments like we'd hoped. It is spreading throughout her body. At this point," he paused. "I'm sorry, there's just nothing more we can do."

My grief turned to rage. What the hell do you mean there's nothing more you can do, I thought. I reached out and grabbed the lapels of his white coat and pulled him with-in inches of my angry face. "Now you listen to me, as far as you're concerned that woman in there is the president of the United States, you hear me. She's the fucking president and you're going to save her."

Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see Allen and Kris standing next to me. "We're so sorry, Brent," Allen told me. "But it won't do any good to threaten the doctors; it's out of their hands now."

I let go of the doctor who was still sympathetic and held no grudge for my outburst. "I'm so sorry," he said. He held my shoulder in a comforting way, then walked on.

They stopped the treatments and let Sandy rest in the hospital. I could see her getting weaker and losing ground every day but continued to be the staunch optimist telling her she was going to get better.

On the sixth day I sat next to Sandy's bed holding her hand when she looked into my eyes and asked me to take her home. I called Ron to let him know and arranged for Hospice. By four o'clock that afternoon I had Sandy comfortably lying in her own bed. Ron moved into the spare bedroom. He still ran the studio during the day but was there with me every night to help with her every need.

One late afternoon, only a few days after bringing her home, Sandy asked me to take her out to the swing. She said God had told her he was going paint a wonderful sunset just for her. I picked her up tenderly in my arms and carried her to our favorite spot. I wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and sat down next to her. I put my arm around her and held her tightly as she cuddled even closer into my side.

I don't know how she knew; most of the day had been dull and grey, but that night we watched the horizon light up with the most spectacular sunset I think I had ever seen. I remember thinking that God must have gotten a new set of paints. As I held my love we watched the sun's crown sink into the fading colors. Sandy raised her head, and with a smile, kissed my cheek.

"I love you so much," she said; then laid her head on my chest.

"I love you too my darling," I said reaching around with my other hand and gently stroking the side of her face. Just then a small breeze played a beautiful tune on the chimes. As the heavenly composition fell silent Sandy took her last breath.

We were still sitting together when Ron came home and found us on the swing. My tear stained face told him the news.

A week after my dearest Sandy's funeral I returned to her gravesite. With me I had a long iron rod with a sharp point on one end and a hook on the other. I drove the pointed end into the ground as far as I could next to her headstone until only about eighteen inches was left. Next I hung the beautiful crystal wind chimes from the hook.

"For you my dearest," I said out loud; "so you may hear the gentle rain forever hitting the wings of angels and you will always be reminded of the love and happiness we shared."

For about a month the family decided to put me on suicide watch. Oh, they never said that's what they were doing, but it was pretty obvious. I had someone staying with me twenty-four-seven. Even Kris and Allen stayed for a couple days.

I've heard time heals all wounds...not so, it only allows you to live with the pain a little easier.

Someone once said, 'the circle of life will not be broken.' I guess that's true. Later that year Catherine and her husband Peter gave me another grandson. Not long after that, Ron found the girl of his dreams and took on the title of loving husband.

For a few years I still made an appearance at the studio every day but my heart was no longer in it, so I made Ron an offer to buy it and just pay me from the profits. Of course he jumped at it.

Over the last couple of years my kids had been after me to sell the house and move into an apartment where I didn't have all the maintenance and yard work, but I'd never sell our home...never.

____________________________________________

I found myself still on my stomach as I, once again, slowly became conscious of my situation. I felt my body starting to shake violently as yet another agonizing bolt of pain seized my chest. The odds of me making it were stacked against me. I had no body heat left and I could feel the cold down to my bones. I made another attempt to get closer to the house by reaching up and trying to claw my way another couple of inches but I had no strength left.

Maybe if I took one more short rest, I thought. I closed my eyes and laid my cheek on the icy grass.

Suddenly it felt as if the pain was being lifted from my body; not just the pain in my chest but all the aches and soreness's brought on by age as well. The cold in my bones gave way to an inner warmth. It was as if I had just gone back thirty years in time. I felt a peaceful calm that seemed to take over my very existence.

That's when I heard them, the clear delicate tones of our crystal wind chimes. My whole body felt light as a feather as I rose from the frozen turf.

"Hi honey, I've been waiting for you."

My heart pounded as I looked to my right. My darling Sandy sat on the swing reaching her hand out in my direction. She was whole again. There was no sign of the insidious disease that tortured her last months of life. Her beautiful hair shown like spun gold, her crystal blue eyes sparkled like the stars, and a radiant glow surrounded her entire body. I rushed to her side and smothered her with kisses. I wrapped my arms around her and was determined to never let her go again.

I couldn't begin to describe my feelings at that moment. "My darling I've missed you so very, very much," I told her.

Sandy's smile seemed to melt my soul even more than it used to. "I know," she said softly. "But we'll never have to miss each other again honey...never again. We have all of eternity together my love."

I heard the chimes ring out again as Sandy looked into my eyes and tenderly kissed my lips. "Look," she said as we turned toward the horizon.

You could almost see his hand as God started painting the sky again. It was like a waterfall of brilliant colors cascading into a sea of clouds. There was every shade of red and yellow, pink and turquoise, blue and gold; more colors than I've ever seen before. Every one was lit up from behind making them glow with a richness impossible to explain. It was almost as if we were watching from behind the sunset.

"Ooh, look how beautiful," Sandy said. "And I have the pleasure of watching with the man I love."

Just then, once again, the chimes sang joyously like I'd never heard them before. Sandy looked into my eyes. "Listen," she said. "The last chimes of fall." She stroked my cheek and gently kissed my lips. "It's time to go home my darling."

I felt a joy I had never felt. I was free of guilt, free of all pain and sorrow. My heart was free to love unconditionally. I looked at Sandy with a smile. "Let's go home," I repeated, and returned her kiss.

A cold wind whipped in from the east but there were no chimes to announce its arrival, only the creaking sounds of the empty swing swaying in the breeze.

END