As she walked down the quiet dirt road, her mind wandered back over the years. This place was so peaceful, so comforting. It seemed that nothing had ever changed. The smells, the sounds, the textures and the colors were just as vivid as they were in her childhood, just as intoxicating as they were when she last visited ten years ago.
She felt a dusty film sticking to her bare legs as she strolled along, but somehow it did not annoy her the way it seemed that it normally would have. She was inundated by shrill sounds surrounding her on both sides - screeches, chirps, flutters, cries, yowls, peeps, twitters, buzzes, squawks, rustles, and melodic hums and songs. Oddly, the wildly varied noises seemed to meld together so that despite the occasional raucous cry and shrill demand, the lively chorus did not fray her nerves. Instead, she felt a sense of quiet calm.
She looked to one side and then the other as she walked, peering intently into the dark green foliage. She is still amazed by how many shades of green exist. She is amazed by the shapes and sizes and of the bushes and the trees, from the tiny saplings just peaking from the ground to the towering pines shading her way. She notices how some grow straight and strong alone, while others wrap themselves around each other and actually connect.
As she wanders around the side of the old tobacco barn, she is suddenly keenly aware of a presence, and stops in her tracks. She realizes fearfully that there is a man standing inches from her, and her mind races through a series of pointless accusations about what an idiotic idea it was for her to wander several miles down a deserted country road alone. Her heart beats furiously and her eyes dart frantically as she seeks a weapon or an escape route.
"You sure scared me" It took a moment for her to recognize that he was speaking. He had a broad smile and warm eyes she realized with relief. "Sorry," she murmured, "you scared me too." He stared at her intently, and she felt a distinct twinge of arousal as he moved his gaze from her eyes down her body slowly and then back again. "You are pretty," he said flatly, and continued to stare.
She looked back at him. He appeared to be about twenty six, maybe six two, with very dark black skin, a shaved head, and a clean shaven face. He had on a loose fitting shirt with the sleeves cut out, unbuttoned, and cut off sweats. She saw that he had a taut, athletic body. He had a well-defined washboard stomach beneath a broad muscular chest. He was either an athlete, or did some sort of demanding physical labor on a regular basis, she thought.
"Thank you," she responded to his statement, then, seeing no one else around, she asked, "What are you doing out here?"
"Home on leave," he said, "trying to stay in shape while I'm on vacation, so decided to take a run. It's beautiful out here, serene and peaceful...makes me feel grounded and helps put the world back in perspective. I was in Iraq for over a year, and just got back last week. It's hard to believe that this place is on the same planet."
She nodded her understanding. "I know what you mean. I used to come here as a child. Moved to the city years ago, and it seems like this place is frozen in time. It seems like nothing has moved or changed. It's oddly reassuring. That's why I came for a walk. I feel so free here. No stress, no deadlines, no jangling noises, no demands, no interruptions." He smiled at her. "Gorgeous dimples and perfect teeth," she thought to herself.
"Paradise," he said cheerfully, "the only thing that would make it better would be some really hot sex."
Her mouth dropped as she realized what he had actually said. He stared at her. She realized to her astonishment that he was waiting for a response. She looked around, almost expecting someone to walk out from the old barn or the woods. When no one did, she shook her head and replayed his words in her mind. She looked at his face and into his eyes expecting amusement, but found none.
Instead, she saw sincerity, sensuality, and raw lust. He was serious, she realized. He wanted sex and he wanted it now. She saw the glint in his eye and realized that he had just issued her a challenge.
The possibility was suddenly real in her mind. Her mind was a whirlwind of images and scenes and locations and people. She looked around at the vibrant colors and felt the breeze in her hair. "You know, you're absolutely right," she shot back at him.