Waiting for the Light
Chapter Six
Reflection and a New Adventure
A heavy sigh emanated from Rachael, and I looked her way. "What?"
She blew out a stream of smoke, and snuffed out her cigarette, before answering. Turning sideways on the porch loveseat, she gripped my hand.
"Seems like it was all... a crazy dream, you know? I mean the excitement, the sex, and that crazy, whatever the hell it was, my God, Rick... I guess, I'm just bummed that it's over."
"Yeah, I get what you're saying."
It was at that point, I recalled Ben's 'slim to none' comment.
"Ben told me once, that's how these things go, babe. As he put it, here one day, gone the next."
Her next sigh was one of admission, as she turned to look out over the dark field.
~
The weather, in late August, was turning early. The "dog days" were clearly behind us, judging by the cold, pelting, rain on the bay window panes. The forecast included a chance of snow, no matter how brief, was another sign. Rachael had left earlier in the day, for a long-awaited shopping trip, but I stayed, choosing not to be a part of her girl's day out.
Going from autumn to winter was always depressing, and the thought sent a chill through me, as I moved to the fireplace. Feeling certain a warm fire, and a glass of wine, would alter my melancholy outlook, I turned on the gas, lighting the fire.
As I had done so often, I stood, rubbing my hands together, in front of the fireplace, grateful for the increasing warmth. With the heat from the fireplace permeating the living room, I moved to the kitchen, for that glass of wine.
Waiting for the wine to breathe, I turned my attention to the bay window. I could just make out the blurred, erratic movement of tree branches, off in the distance. A short time later, I headed for the bay window seat, with my glass of wine in tow.
What happened next wasn't a conscious decision. Easing down on the padded window seat, the thought of a comment made to Ben crossed my mind... when I told him Rachael and I were childhood sweethearts.
It wasn't exactly true - more like a small, white lie. After a sip of wine, I chuckled to myself, knowing the real, unspoken, truth. Closing my eyes, my mind drifted twenty years into the past...
Walking slowly, bumping shoulders as we did so, Rachael and I were headed for the park. At some point, well out of sight of our home, Rachael clasped my hand, and held it, interlocking her fingers with mine. Her touch, that afternoon, sent a quivering feeling through me. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. The warmth and softness of her hand was exhilarating, and denying her wasn't possible. With blocks yet to go, Rachael came to a stop, and in turn, stopped me.
"Michael... do you want to kiss me?"
The question, coming unexpectedly as it did, shocked me. My stomach felt like it flipped, and my heart suddenly started to race, as if I'd been caught in some unspeakable act.
"What!? Kiss you? No, no, God you're my sister," I managed to get out.
Rachael's green eyes glinted in the bright sunlight, as she looked at me, weighing my comment.
"You're lying, Michael," she said, in a matter-of-fact sort of way.
After a deep, shuddering breath, I turned my head side to side, in denial.
"No, I swear, I'm not."
"You are... I know you want to; I've seen the look on your face, every time you look at me, Michael."
The hand she held turned sweaty, and although I didn't want to, I released her hand, feeling embarrassed. She had me. Looking off to the right, I gathered what strength I could, thinking about a response.
"Rachael, I..."
As I turned to face her, she stopped what I was about to say, with two fingers on my lips.
"We aren't related, Michael, I mean blood-wise, understand?"
She seemed so calm, so... understanding. Her hand moved from my lips to my cheek, in a soft caress.
"Are you... are you saying you'd let me?" I questioned, in a whisper.
The response I got was a warm smile, and a nod of her head, before we restarted our walk to the park. With hands reunited, we walked along in silence.
At the park, Rachael stepped on a picnic table seat, turned, and sat down on the tabletop, still holding my hand. For whatever reason, it seemed natural for me to step up between her legs. After a casual glance around the park, she turned her attention to me.
"Now, about that kiss we both want," she said, in a hushed tone.
I was no stranger to kissing, but Rachael, being a female, certainly seemed more mature in her actions that day. Without hesitation, she took the lead, licking her red lips. Locking eyes with me, she gently tilted her head and leaned towards me. Knowing what was coming, it surprised me when she grabbed the waistband of my shorts, gently pulling me towards her, with eyes closed. I offered no resistance to her assertiveness.
