It all started out of despair. I moved from my place of birth because of distress that I do not wish to mention. But my life had changed and not for the good. I picked up, packed up, and moved to the out back of Australia, to a small community that was known as Billabong forty miles from the closest civilization. Being a mechanical engineer I had no trouble finding work. The money from insurance I had recently came into would have kept me for years, but if I didn't keep busy my mind wandered and this was not something I wished for at this point in time. I opened a small shop repairing just about anything machine oriented and was accepted by the people even though I was an outsider. The entire place consisted of a post office, petrol station, my small shop and a large bar. Once a month the supply-train, a portable store rolled through the town and this was where most of the residents got their supplies. Perfect for a man trying to leave the world behind.
Being the only repair shop for miles meant that business would have been brisk even if I didn't know as much as I did. I managed to repair equipment that had been broken for years. There were enough pieces laying around that the art of scavenging parts was an interesting part of the job and took me to many locations. I had to wait on the supply train to get new parts for equipment and the shipping costs were prohibitive to most of the people that lived here. So making do was part of life. After less than 4 months I never paid for anything again. Repairing equipment with a limited amount of funds was just something to keep busy so I charged very little, but while the people around me knew something was wrong they respected my privacy and were just happy I was here.
After about my second month of business, anytime I was out of my workshop I would return to find a large number of notes tacked, nailed and taped to the door. I would spend more time answering these messages and the phone that it quickly reached a point where less and less time was spent on repairing equipment. Even though I was not looking for a new career it seemed that I had found one. It was at this point in time, I decided to hire a girl to work the office part of the business, so that I could keep my mind and hands busy.
I asked around and a girl showed up at the door one day asking if
"The position had been filled?"
I informed her it was open and asked if she thought she could handle the developing workload. She informed me she could. She knew how to type, file and had done it for her father's cattle ranch until his death. And most importantly she knew all those in the area and most of their phone numbers. This was important being as there was no directory or listing in the entire area and to get a phone number you called around to those you knew until someone knew the person you wanted to talk to and told you how to reach them.
She was a nice looking woman of around 34 years old and while not a raving beauty she was pleasant to look at, her voice was soft and melodious and sounded good after this time alone. She smelled of soap and water with just the hint of flowers. A nice distraction from the sweaty farmers I spent most of my time with. Her name was Andrea.
Andrea slipped into the job as if she had been there since the start. I had the time I needed for my work and she did what I considered the drudgework with relish. Six months flew past. I was happy puttering around my shop, stopping only to handle what work Andrea thought must be done and visiting the outer areas as a general maintenance helper. I was learning as much as I was helping. This is what I had always wanted.
As the anniversary of my despair approached I made arrangements to spend it as I had came to consider a ritual. I informed everyone that I would be indisposed for two days. I gave Andrea those days off and disconnected the phone. The supply train had brought me three bottles of very good scotch, I disconnected the phone and put a padlock on the door. I then climbed in the window to make it look as if I were gone and set about sinking into my own pit of darkness.
The first bottle was dead and the second was not far behind. This numbed the pain for a while and helped me make it through the three days that had change my life forever. setting there dirty, drunk, and feeling sorry for my self was all I cared about. Two days had passed and the numbing effects of the Scotch was slipping I placed the bottle against my lips and drew some of the biting amber liquid into my mouth. The sweet burning slid down my throat and I felt it re-enforce the steady blur I was trying to maintain. A few more deep swigs and the darkness of booze induced stupor called me from this life. I dropped into a heavy sleep.
I was drawn out of this peaceful escape by the sound of pounding on the front door. In the muddled state of my mind I could hear someone calling but was incapable of distinguishing what he or she was saying. In a slurred speech I yelled at the door.
"PISS OFF!" And fell back into the darkness. After time that passed with out notice a sharp noise once again brought me back into the light. Through eyes encrusted with unknown matter I looked towards the door. Standing there holding a large wrecking bar was a local man named "Jocko". He was a brute of a man standing well over six feet tall, well muscled but not the brightest of lads. He was strong and dependable mostly a good Joe just trying to get by, and doing her best to push him out the door was Andrea. I could see her mouth moving but my mind was beyond hearing the words. Jocko was pushed out the door under protest and I saw Andrea bolt the door and at last darkness returned.
Through the darkness came a sense of movement. Someone was dragging me along. I forced open my eyes to the best of my ability and caught a glimpse of Andrea, holding my shoulders pulling me along the floor, then again darkness.
Pain, an all-consuming pain that was felt in every part of my body. It forced its way into the darkness and dragged me from the peace of the near death like state. Back to the realm of unfairness and despair. I opened my eyes with great difficulty and saw the smiling face of Andrea. I closed my eyes again and it started to seep into my alcohol filled brain that I was in the shower and it was damn cold. I tried to force myself to my feet and failed miserably. I was slow on my fall by firm but delicate arms. They slowed my fall back to the shower floor so I did not injure my self. I looked over and was greeted by her big blue eyes with very concerned look. It was then that I noticed that she was wearing just her bra and jeans. The ever-present work styled shirt was missing. The water had turned her bra translucent. Like a thin layer of cellophane covering her ample breast. Her large aureole and protruding nipple were beautiful. I slowly reached out and cupped one if my shaking hand. The firmness was wonderful. It had been 2 years since I had touched a woman's breast. She clasped my hand to her breast and then slowly removed it. Through the din of the shower I heard her say,
