Thanks again to my patient editor Kenji Sato.
(Fiona's story)
Returning to the farmhouse, I took stock of what I had experienced on the farm. A deep infatuation with an older woman who would NEVER be my lover; an initial supernatural experience (what else could you call it) involving an ancient incestuous relationship, and finally the 'time travel' into the sexual history of Lucinda's husband, Darryl.
The 'ghosts' visiting me were a part of the old family lore... seeing Darryl lose his cherry; was that another level of... this damn vision? Has Meg been training me in some fashion? I did intuitively diagnose some of Darryl's health issues; but how am I getting these visions? Maybe they are place related. Nothing interesting happened in the woods of Vermont.
Meg said I needed patience; maybe the meaning of these 'visions' will come to me in time. Although, that last one was damn entertaining. I just think it is mighty odd that a lesbian like me, would blank out on the young lady like Agnes, and focus on Darryl's body.
The rest of the day was blessedly uneventful. I had had my fill of erotic stimulation, thank you very much; so I played games on my phone (oh yes... that is a story unto itself) and sipped some tea that I brewed for myself in the farmhouse kitchen.
Both Darryl and Lucinda were very tired when we met again at supper time. Lucinda brought home take out food from a restaurant in Northampton. Normally, she would have cooked; but her meeting on campus took longer than she expected, and she had no time to prepare anything.
The news of my departure the next day was greeted with some protestations by Lucinda, as Darryl remained silent; but, I sensed it was 'pro forma' and she was just as happy to see me leave. Lucinda was not the most empathetic of humans; but certainly, she sensed that something was amiss in our forming any sort of connection. The rest of the dinner was filled with news of the library staff changes and some new systems; which seemed to an outsider, to be pointless changes. Darryl made some mention of various cows that were having some small health issues that were affecting their milk production and that they needed rest and a different diet.
Afterward, Lucinda cleaned up, and Darryl did what dishes there were; mostly composting the paper plates and whatever food waste we left. He then excused himself to take his shower. Lucinda disappeared into their bedroom to read a chapter or two of a novel she was interested in. She had mentioned earlier that she liked Larry McMurtry, but I wasn't sure that was what she was reading now.
In negotiating for bathroom time, I discovered that Lucinda's long soaks were not an everyday thing; often, she made do with a quick wash from her bedroom sink. Thus informed, I planned on showering after Darryl had finished his shower, and the hot water heater had caught up with the demand. I passed by Darryl's and Lucinda's bedroom on the way to my shower, and overheard some cheerful husband and wife banter.
Ever the voyeur, I paused to see if the banter would lead to any cunt-wetting excitement, but the lights in their room were soon extinguished, and after some muted 'good nights', all was silent. If they were fooling around... they were very quiet. With a slightly disappointed sigh, I quietly padded off to my shower. Finally acknowledging winter and the nature of the farmhouse, I had borrowed a warm robe from Lucinda so I could negotiate the trip from my first floor room in some comfort and modesty.
I guess I followed Darryl too closely, or the hot water heater was not up to the challenge of back to back showers because MY shower was hurried due to the lukewarm to cold nature of the water. Brrrr. The snug robe was even more appreciated on the way back to my room.
Despite the cold shower, or perhaps because of it, I promptly fell asleep as soon as I pulled the Hudson's Bay blanket up over the sheets. Again, I was sleeping in one of Bill's cozy old t-shirts. It was a deep and dreamless sleep with no middle of the night visitors,
The next morning I was up late. Lucinda and Darryl had finished their breakfast and were about the farm doing chores. I scrambled some eggs for breakfast and that, along with toast and strong coffee, was to be fuel for getting my stuff together to greet Joe who was scheduled to pick me up at 9:00am.
Lucinda came into the farmhouse around 8:30am to change for her office job. She popped into my room to say goodbye and offer me one of the least intimate, and sincere, goodbye hugs I have ever received. A simple handshake would have served better and not disturbed me so much.
Despite everything, she still had the power to inflame my imagination, so much so I had to close my eyes and look away after the hug. This Lucinda took as a 'I am so sorry to leave you' look.
"Fi..." she presumed to call me, which both infuriated me and caused me to melt... "you will be fine with Gail; she is the best hostess I know, and she will take care of you." And then sotto voce even though there was no one around to overhear, "You will be good for her... she has been so lonely since Wolf died, and her kids are too far away to visit often."
Thankfully, Joe had arrived early, sparing me from further discomfort and embarrassment.
Lucinda noted Joe's arrival with a mix of disapproval and relief. I am sure she was perplexed, wondering just what the hell was going on, with this skinny girl young enough to be Joe's granddaughter, foisted off on random caretakers. She would not have guessed that this was part of my revenge trap; my training for my eventual defeat of Meg and her allies that had conspired my downfall...
As Kahn says, "Revenge is a dish best served cold." My corollary to that is... "And you will NEVER see it coming."