Authors Note: May be a bit on the long side, might have been two chapters, oh well! Next chapter is short and sweet...
My nerves are shot, catastrophic problems in my office, Alex spoke of them on the evening news. Twice this week Ray was late from work, wouldn't tell me why. Piece of scrap iron fell from a truck, broke my windshield and destroyed a tire. Seeing Bo and Jason helped my spirits somewhat, proudly pregnant, "Look at these!" Boobs had grown with the hormonal changes.
She knows my fucking phone number, letter mom wrote forbids me from calling her, we have hardly spoken since the university sex scandal. Lawyers were contrite, both parents passing away before the trust can be executed, dad's doctors are expressly forbidden to discuss my dad's health.
"Road trip!" Eight hours drive time to the closest town, then forty five minutes to the farm house. City slickers tax for the motel reservation, Ray says we will get there before midnight. Love watching him drive, traffic seems to part ways for him, he says radar detector is not a guarantee. Safest I've felt all week, the road and almost no words. "I've got half a tank of gas, look under your seat." Emergency bottle. Plain. Honest. The facts of life. Single minded determination on the destination, my bladder can wait.
Again! What does this man do to me? Hour and a half earlier than expected, uncomfortable bed, industrial sheets, thankfully clean. On our sides facing each my leg over his hip, kisses sweet and tender. Injecting me with his strength, confidence, firmness of purpose, rising on the stairway, one step after the other. Fog clears as we rest on a bed of clouds, stars and the moon, melt around him as his love bursts within our coupling. Close my eyes, sleep doesn't come, dream continues rejuvenating my body, stamina to face destiny..
*****
Four quick steps entering the barn, one hand...pushed the disaster away. My father scrambles from underneath his oldest John Deere tractor, watches as the uneven blocks teeter, machinery crushing the ground inches from obliterating his legs, "Who are you?" Looking up from the ground, Ray towering over him, mom and I appearing in the dust cloud. Veneer slipped for a moment, life replayed, compassion same as the ancient wedding photo hanging in the hallway, mom took my hand, had to escape...
Cringe at the untuned condition of the piano, heavenly to my mother. She spoke as I played, subjects that she wouldn't even confess to the pastor. Bitterness and resentment that father would never have a son..years of pesticides giving an end to her imprisonment, six months to a year. Never struck her, wishes he had. Chugging from the old farm tractor in the yard, Ray at the screen door, greasy hands and face, "Play a waltz for me." a mothers request.
Dancing lessons for my man's three left feet, my mothers sublime smile that I had never seen. First dance for my mother since the wedding picture, "Supper's not on the table.." Tirade that my mother let loose, humiliating my father in front of a stranger, Ray who had probably saved his life that is not worth saving, who helped get the antique tractor rolling.
"Thank you God, Jesus Christ, and the holy spirit for bringing me this day. My prayers have been answered. Please be with Lisa and Ray as they journey through this life, In your service Jesus Christ, Amen...." Mother was holding all our hands together, "Leave now..Lead your lives as you see fit..seeing you one last time has made my life complete."
"Daddy! You rot in hell!" Standing in the entrance to the barn, he was sleeping there tonight. "Drive Ray! Fast as you can! Get me away from this fuckhole.."
Why did we leave our change of clothes and toiletries at the motel, paid for the night, "Drive, don't stop till we can sleep in your bed..." Some time during the night remember the service station, snacks I refused, jerky, cheese sticks and mountain dew, we hadn't eaten all day.
Stubbornly refused to leave his car, only for the old cleaning cloths he made me sit on. Oncoming headlights going towards the place I needed to leave far behind. Bottle of water after my tears ran out so I could cry some more. His silence, not even the radio, mechanical thrum powering me away from my mothers life that she hates..
Carrying me up the stairs in the dark of night, they should fix the entry lights. Standing me in the bathroom, stripping me of my clothes, the shower cleaning my piss and shit...tucking me in his bed, his baby, alone as I wiped my mind of the place I was born..."Make love to me.."
Ray on his couch watching Sunday news shows, pre-tapped segment on cars that accelerate for no reason, Alex with her red hair, green eyes, luscious lips spewing what she calls a smear piece. "Your father is a hard sad son of a bitch, I'll never mention him again.."
*****
Ambushed Ray at his office, how could either of them refuse? Dropped both our overnight bags at his cubicle marching to his bosses office door proclaiming loudly, "Gonna fuck him so he can't walk or talk, is that sick or what!" Even the parts delivery girl was laughing.
"Don't be late on Tuesday and I'm giving you the first sick day since you started here," turned the three day holiday to a four day trip, Alex was expecting us.
Straight to the airport valet parking, Vip lounge perks of my frequent flyer miles, even co-ordinated with our favorite stewardess, mile high club rather he likes it or not! Still had my office pencil skirt and silk blouse, left the bra in his car. Has been a tough week with the meeting in Chicago, hell I just flew back today!
"Whew! Haven't had a drink since you left." Gin and tonics, Ray had his ornery grin, starting on our second. Dropped my not so sexy panties in the rest room, trash can for the soggy cotton. Calling us for first class seating, last to board walking down the passageway, he looks out the window, still in work mode, "Tefc.." something, string of numbers, "We just started stocking those."
"Get on the plane dummy!" Tugging his hand little boy grin lusting after a new shiny toy.
"Oh Shit!"
"Welcome aboard sir!"
Recognizes Trina who's fanning her uniform jacket showing him how excited she is, "The friendly sky's!" Smiling for the stew checking his boarding pass, unconsciously spinning her wedding ring. Last to board doors are swinging shut. Front row seats, all I need to worry about are the gentleman across the isle.
Flurry of activity, doors bumping and clunking, surge as the plane started backing away, "Where are the restrooms?" Ray's gentle touch on the married attendants sleeve, Trina fighting not to laugh out loud.
Love this man! Does he even know how he's flirting? Fiddling with the seat belt, it's not a newfound gadget whose mysteries need to be solved! "Ornery bastard!" Trina said to me under her breath tightening the belt much too much. Jet engines roar, pressed into our seats, smoothness as the plane rotates, our whirlwind is getting started.
Drinks were plentiful, Trina being extra attentive, few snickers with her crew mate, "Let me get your empties, Oh my! May need a blanket also.."
"Ma'am, may we get a blanket also?" older man well dressed, young man in casual clothes, head on his shoulder.
"Look where his hand is Lisa!" Ray kinda raised his limp wrist, low chuckle. They were not paying any attention to us.
"When the dinner cart gets near the back go to the last rest room." Trina leaning over Ray instructing me.
"Lisa!" Quick flash of the blanket, Trina had a birds eye view of my hand on his bare cock. Down the isle I waddled in desperate need of the loo, mildly disgruntled steward asking me to crowd in over a younger man. Slight turbulence, needed to catch my balance gave him a nice down blouse view, steward rolling the dinner cart past so I could get thru. Even dragged a nip across his shoulder rushing to the back, he didn't mind at all..
