©2015 Dainii, all rights reserved
TLC with Erin (December)
Striding to my car, I was in a funk. On the one hand, I was elated at finally getting out from under MP and Mister Gabe. On the other hand, I was sad...very sad...about Jennifer, and the constantly mixed signals I was getting from her were tearing me up. I needed a break, a break from everything.
At the car I fished my Bluetooth headset from the glove compartment and fitted it to my ear before settling into the driver's seat. As I pulled away I called a number to ask some questions, and then another number, making some arrangements.
That all took time and before I knew it I was home. It was dark and silent as I let myself in – Sara wasn't home yet, and I recalled that 'C' had taken the kids to the hotel. I bounded up the stairs and stripped my suit away, changing into comfortable jeans and hoodie. Then I threw some needful things into an overnight bag and headed back down the stairs. I went into my office to ensure that everything was locked tight, and then wrote a quick note 'Sorry, I had to leave town quickly. Business trip. Promise to be home by Christmas. Dad.' I felt pressure to get out of the house so I trotted the note into the kitchen and folded it up and laid it on the kitchen table. I figured I could call 'C' later and fill her in on details, but in the meantime, I knew that she would look after Molly and Mike if Jennifer didn't. With that done, I ran out of the house, threw myself and the overnight bag into the car and took off.
It was late when I started, and it was a long drive. I was going to where Erin was spending Christmas with her boyfriend and his family. I thought I needed some time with her. I drove through the night and as I drove my sadness deepened. As I pulled into the town where Erin was I began having second thoughts. What was I doing? Erin was with her boyfriend – learning to love someone her own age. How could I just show up and demand her time. I stopped at a Denny's on the edge of town to get some breakfast and coffee. I sat there for a long time with my thoughts swirling. Jennifer – did I love her still? Did I want to continue fighting for her? Was she even interested? Why were we doing what we were doing? Erin – again, why was I here? What did I expect from Sara's best friend? Eventually, after a long while, I resolved to go to the hotel, get some sleep and then head somewhere else just to hole up for a while. I would leave Erin alone.
I got back in the car and drove to the hotel that I had had my travel agent book for me earlier that evening. I pulled up to the Best Western – the best that this little town could offer – and grabbing my overnight bag headed into the lobby.
My eyes were bleary, and I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings as I stepped up to the check-in counter. As I announced that I was checking in and handing over my credit card to the man behind the counter I felt arms steal around my waist and someone lean into my back. Before I could react I heard a low whisper, "oh, David. Thank you for coming...I've missed you sooooo much!"
I turned in the arms holding me to look down into Erin's face. She looked tired, and I could see tear tracks down her cheeks. "What...how...?"
"Shhh, it will be ok David. I'm here. Finish checking in," and she reached up to pull my head down into a soft and loving kiss. I stood there totally dumbfounded, not understanding how she could be there – exactly the person that I needed, at exactly the time that I needed her.
She looked into my eyes for a moment and then gently pulled my credit card from my fingers. Quickly, she completed the check-in process for me, and retrieved the room key. Then, grasping my hand firmly in hers, she pulled me to the elevator. We hugged quietly as it took us up to our floor, and then she led me down the hall to my room. Opening the door, she led me in and tossed my overnight bag to the floor. I started to speak again, but with a finger held to my lips she shushed me. Then she pulled my jacket off, my hoodie and t-shirt over my head and then deftly undid my belt and pulled the rest of my clothes from me. I stared down at her while she was kneeling, undoing and removing my boots. She pulled me naked over to the bed and after pulling the bedspread down, lowered me on to it.
She kissed me...again, a gentle one. She stood and smiled down at me and then proceeded to pull her own clothes off. The platonic kisses had started me worrying a bit, but as her perfect body was revealed to me that nascent concern faded away. Nude, she climbed up on the bed and settled her body down on top of mine – hips on hips, her breasts pressed into my abdomen, her legs entwining with mine, her head resting on my chest. And she held me.
I couldn't say exactly what it was...the depression that had been descending upon me since last night, longer than that if I was being honest, or my exhausted state, or simply because this lovely young woman was actually here...but I cried. Racking sobs that shook my body. And she held me.
Eventually I fell asleep wrapped in Erin's arms.
I awoke, and with my eyes closed I couldn't hear anything, so I opened them. The room was dark, and I was alone. Had I been dreaming?
At that moment the door opened, spilling some light from hallway inside. I saw Erin slip in, carrying something, and then stumble slightly in the darkness as the door shut behind her. "It's ok Erin, I'm awake." I reached over to the bedside table and turned on the lamp there.