There isn't much hope for a girl born on the wrong side of the river. Even less hope if she happens to be plain of looks and wide of hips. She either ends up at the local bar or cleaning houses on the right side of the river. That isn't the path this tale takes.
She was born in the cold dawn of a November day. Her mother prayed a prayer mothers have prayed since the first babe was born. "Let her grow up good. Let her grow up strong." It was a prayer that was granted.
She grew up good. Followed all the commandments and laws. Never even got a detention in school. She grew up strong. Working in the small family store she often lifted the heavy boxes her ailing grandfather couldn't.
She grew up strong of spirit too. Burying both her mother and beloved grandfather before she was ever really full grown. She made sure her little sister was set up with a well off husband, whose family adored her. Then made sure her baby brother was set off on a promisingly military career.
At the old young age of 23 she was good and strong, but lonely and unsure. As good and strong as she was she held an uncertainty. That uncertainty made her as fragile as glass. Seeing all she had seen on the wrong side of the river she still an unearthly innocence that was child like and rare.
What happens when you're full of contradictions? You become prey for the wolves or the prize for the hunter. To be prey or prize?
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She was slinging whiskey at a local dive bar when he walked in. He was class; right side of the river clearly, but he had a glint in his eye that said he spent time on the wrong side.
She looked up from the beer tap as he made his way. She tried not to notice him, but was like trying not to notice the sun had risen.
His voice was smooth and deep as he ordered, "Whiskey sour and a vodka chaser." She sat his order before him. He caught her wrist as she was turning and pulled her closer.
Her breath stopped and her heart skipped as he smiled, "What's your name?"
His voice was a velvet glove caressing her. "Grace." Her answer shy and soft.
He echoed back, "Grace." That was how the spell was cast. The chase was on. Grace would see him enter and before he was seated have his drink ready and waiting. This amused him. He smiled at her a twinkle in his eyes thanking her.
It took a month for her to build up the nerve to ask his name.
He studied her. She tried looking confident, but he could tell she was uncertain and nervous as she wiped the bar top.
"Perhaps one day my Grace I will tell you my name, but I like how sir sounds as it falls from your lovely lips."
She blushed and had the urge to say "sir" just to watch him watch her. "Oh." Was all she could muster.
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So, the chase went on. It was more than petty flirtation between the pair. Grace swore the heat she felt was like nothing she'd ever known. He would find small reasons to touch her.
Sometimes he would come in nightly. Then days would pass without him patronage the dive. She grew anxious when he didn't come in. She day dreamed about him coming to sweep her off her aching feet.
Sadly she sigh. She wasn't built for that Hollywood fantasy. She plumper than she should have been. Broad shoulders and wide hips. She curved, but didn't have a defined butt. She had a decent bust line and could have showed it off, but was too shy.
After all she was just a nobody. She heard it often enough from her ex boyfriend before he left her. She still day dreamed.
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It had been four months since he had been coming to see her. That's what told her once when she asked why he came in. "Too see you my Grace."
His tone teasing he asked, "So, tell me my sweet Grace is there one of these...men that catches your fancy?"
She shrugged and smiled, "Yes, but I doubt he'd fancy me."
"Inconceivable! Impossible!" He knocked on the bar top, "Point him out."
She giggled and decided to tell him. Shy, yet bold she leaned in motioning him too, "It's you sir."
Her smile was angelic. His smile was devilish. "Me?" His voice teased. She nodded filing a drink order. "Why sweet Grace I am beyond flattered." He gave her a short bow.
Coyly she asked him, "Sooo, is there a girl in here that catches your eye?" She felt her face flush as she hoped it was her.
"As it happens there is." He answered catching her wrist as she reached for an empty bottle. His fingers from enough to feel her pulse jump as he said, "my Grace."
He waited for her in the parking lot as the bar closed. She said good bye to her coworkers. Turning she saw him posed effortlessly on the hood of his car. "May I offer you a ride?"
