Charlotte and Jessica
We all have a past and a future.
By Aoife
A/N - Welcome to the first chapter of my newest story and potential short series. I would like to introduce you to Charlotte Brennan. Charlotte is career focused and passionate about life, good whiskey and bourbon, and of course, great sex which is now exclusively Sapphic.
The beginning of this chapter is mostly character development. Hopefully, this first chapter will draw you in and have you become familiar with Charlotte and Jessica and bring you back for potential future chapters.
Your comments or constructive criticism, or any offers of help with the editing process are always welcomed.
I hope you all enjoy it.
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Sunday
I checked out of the hotel which I spent the last two nights in heading to the colosseum. I didn't want to be late for commencement. This was it, a culmination per se. It was finally over. I was sad that dad wasn't able to make it but I understood. He was here before. I understand it is a long trip from St. George to Lansing.
As expected, the commencement speeches, and ceremony were long, boring, and just as tiring as some of my finals and my thesis review. But we got through it and I drove off campus in my Sunrise yellow Chevy packed to the gills. Dad had warned me to try and offload some of this stuff before I headed south. I tried but as I looked over my meager belongings, there were too many things which meant too much to me.
The memories of Michigan State University, being a Spartan for seven years... No! Now stop it, it isn't what you are thinking. No, not seven years of undergrad, thank you, you smartass. I spent four years in my undergrad, three years of grad school. I went back to back; I was accepted into my Master's program immediately after my undergrad. I was a TA during my senior year and worked hard to get where I am today. My degrees are both in Marketing and Communications.
I was headed to Cincinnati, OH as I had landed a good job. My second real job, the first real job I had was right out of high school but that's another story. I wanted to get away from East Lansing as fast as possible, and never return.
Seriously, I was tired of seeing MSU 'green'. Fuck people have some variety in the color and style of clothing you wear!
I got as far as Dayton and was mentally beat. I saw a sign for a good hotel chain and pulled off. I parked in a handicap spot, turned off the car and sent my dad a text.
"Pulling over in Dayton for the night, I need sleep."
I grabbed my purse and threw my phone in it. I reached to the floor of the passenger seat and grabbed my over the shoulder backpack. I opened the door and after steadying myself, I made my way back to the trunk. I pulled out a small rolling suitcase, closed the trunk, locked the car and made my way inside. I smiled at the evening desk clerk explaining my situation and I could use a room for the night.
I was in luck, they weren't sold out. He asked for my
Bonvoy Number
as I pulled it, my credit card and driver's license from my wallet, my bluish in color military retiree ID card came out with it. I watched his eyes focus. I picked it up right away.
"Let me add a veteran's discount ma'am." He said softly.
"Thanks, I apologize I didn't mean to want something for free." I murmured. I truly didn't. It was accidental.
"The formal restaurant closes in an hour; the bar serves food until 9:00. There is a breakfast which opens at 6:00, Miss Brennan." He explained.
He was cute, I am guessing middle thirties, but not cute enough to do anything with. Men were sort of behind me now. I didn't need the hassle and the bullshit. I will briefly explain.
I am one hundred percent woman, pure one hundred percent feminine. I do not need a fixer. Both men I dated tried to be my fixers. I am not butch, I am not manly and I am all sweet and mostly soft. But each man I dated or tried to date me only saw the feeble girl needing help and solving. No, that's not me. So I turned them off.
I had issues when trying to date again, it wasn't physical, it was mental. I do not need that mess. I just want a loving partner, an equal, someone to love, hold, support and care for. Oh, and I know it was only two men but my luck in bed with them; well it was an absolute failure and single focus. On their own needs, so men are out, I would rather go without.
Yes, I will admit I am drawn to the beauty of a woman, to her softness, to her touch, and to her body. So yes, I love women.
I smiled, "Thanks. Can you set a wakeup call for 9:00 please?" He smiled and nodded. I turned and made my way to the elevator and sought out my room. Once inside the room, I pulled a pair of jeans, fresh panties, a bra and a top from the suitcase. I stripped, picked up my backpack and clothes then slowly walked towards the bathroom. I double checked the room door and then stepped into the bathroom.
I put my clothes on the vanity, hung my pack back on the door handle and unzipped it for quick access if needed. I turned on the water and let it warm to temperature. I turned away from the mirror not wanting to look into it. I knew the severe burn was still there, hell it had only been eight years since I was released from the hospital. I didn't need a mirror as a constant reminder. I felt it and lived with it every day.
I stepped in the shower and started arms up, soaking the skin on my left side, my front, my right side and then my back. Still facing away from the shower head, I bent my head back wetting my red, mid back length hair.
I shampooed, rinsed and shampooed again, my eyes always on the door. I washed my arms, sides, legs, ass, and then my face. I rinsed off quickly, never letting my eyes off my backpack and the door.
I shut off the water and grabbed a towel. I will groom myself tomorrow. I wasn't in the mood nor saw any need. I dried off and wrapped the towel around my body then opened the shower curtain and stepped from the tub onto the floor thankful that the mirror was fogged. I dropped the towel; I grabbed my bra, panties and jeans. I roughly ran the towel through my hair drying it as best as possible, then hung the towel.
I made my way out of the bathroom digging into my suitcase. I found the bottle of neutrogena moisturizer and smoothed some onto my skin. I started on my left side starting at the top of my panties upwards along my rib cage to the bottom of my bra, then across my torso, down, across my stomach and just to the edge of my right side then up stopping just below my bra.
I looked, I had to, and this fucking demon demanded that I did. The scar still showed significant discoloration and a roughness which had reduced a bit over the years but this was it, cheesecloth as skin. Four skin grafts were enough. The purple hue was slowly disappearing leaving it red and blotchy.
As the moisturizer soaked in and dried, I pulled on a t-shirt. Now, covered up, I made my way back to the bathroom where I combed out my hair and sighed. It didn't matter; I wasn't trying to impress anyone. Why would I? Half of my body was discolored and my skin felt like cheesecloth. Who would or could love that?
Thankfully most of the blisters and scarring from them healed. My breasts were almost unscathed from the fire. I joked previously with my burn nurse how lucky I was that I wore a good bra that day or my whole front and side as well as my tits would be cheesecloth.
Sarah, my nurse, was always good to be positive with me. I sighed again only the desperate would love me and then I would leave my shirt on for her.