"Good morning sleepy-heads! We're on our way to ninety-three so get out that suntan lotion."
It was not clear to Mattie what came first, the stray bright beam of light though the errant slat in the blind or the DJ's voice screaming once again what the weather would be. She knew she needed to find a new radio station. What she wished for more was a nice soft pair of lips to nibble down her neck in the mornings. She had almost given up finding such a delight.
Mattie laid still as she drifted out of her deep sleep and listened to 'A Beautiful Morning'. The DJ always seemed to play that song after the weather report on days like this one. She had always thought it was cruel to think of such a hot day as 'beautiful'. For her a high of seventy-five would be a much nicer day.
As her hand dragged across her mouth, the strong fragrance that filled her nostrils reminded her of what a nice time that she'd had with herself in the early morning not so many hours ago. The more she tried to remember the details, the more she became aware that it was not just once last night. Her fingers leisurely explored where they had been and the wet slurping sounds sent her off on another whirlwind adventure.
The world of romance had always been mean and spiteful to Mattie. Growing up in Round Rock, she had lusted after the other girls; something frowned upon. Once she made a pass at her best friend Suzy and their lips had even touched. What a mistake that was. Everyone talked about her for months. She had tried the boy thing a few times in high school and even though she would tell herself that it was just inexperience on both their parts, all that seemed to happen was a kiss, a grope, and after a few strokes she was covered with the results of his orgasm. She always asked herself, 'Where were the fireworks for her?'
At the university, she immersed herself in her studies and graduated with a 4.0 GPA and a 0.0 bedtime with anyone. Oh, there had been Kate for a night, but nothing much more than kissing happened. It was now the end of three years at law school and she already had four offers to work at the best law firms for far more money than she thought possible. Mattie was walking on cloud nine.
For the last year, Steve had been one of those friends she would confide in about problems and he would do the same. They had never dated, but would sometimes stop at a bar and have a drink after class or go on short drives together. One afternoon after the last law school exams, they parked at the lake. The weather was nice. Lips touched, hands caressed, and soon her naked bottom was resting on the supple tan leather upholstery of the Mercedes seat. It wasn't clear what was turning her on more - Steve's fat forefinger slopping around inside of her or the sight of her skirt wadded up on the floor along with her panties about to slide off the dashboard, but she could almost feel herself start to get involved with the action between her legs.
Steve began kissing his way down her body. She had read 'those stories' and the excitement of someone actually kissing her between the legs raced up and down her spine. The letdown of a few laps of his tongue and a brief suck on her clit was more than she could tolerate. "Eat shit!" she screamed as she stood outside the car and dressed. "What's wrong?" he yelled as she walked down the road and towards the bridge into town. The last she saw of Steve was when he flipped her the finger as he passed.
The red Ferrari crushed Mattie against the concrete bridge abutment. She consoled herself; at least a rich drunk guy in ONE of his Ferraris was driving. In the hospital, she stared at her left hip where her leg used to start as the attorney dropped off a check with more zeros than she had ever seen. The driver was on his mega-yacht in the harbor at Monaco recovering with a broken finger.
It had been a long few weeks since leaving the hospital and Mattie sat in the large richly appointed office of Mr. Sampson, managing partner of The Sampson Group. He was an imposing figure with a reputation for being a driven man - top of his class at Harvard Law School, clerked for an US Supreme Court justice, worked for a big law firm, and had been on the state appellate court for five years before starting his own firm. Mattie had considered not making this appointment and just sending a polite rejection letter, but she felt it was important to do this in person. She had tossed and turned for nights planning exactly what she would say.
"I hear that you may not be working with us. I am very disappointed," he said.
"The Sampson Group was at the top of my short list Mr. Sampson. The accident and then the generous settlement has opened up some new possibilities."
"I understand completely. Let me suggest something I have been considering. I would like to open a free law clinic and I need someone to work maybe two days a month, maybe more. I think you would be the right person. You'd have full control of your time and the cases you choose. When you need help, we'd be here as a resource. I have a few towns in mind for the clinic. I understand you don't need the money, but I'd be happy to make this worth your while."
"I still need to pass the bar."
"I am sure you already know all the material like the back of your hand. I have someone here that can help you prepare. Susan passed the bar last year and is sharp like you. Making sure you pass the bar would be part of the package I'm offering."
The stray beam of light that had awakened Mattie now was like the beam from a floodlight and filled the room. With a gentle tap on the alarm button, she silenced the song. She sat on the edge of the bed, stretched her arms, and let a long yawn flow from her mouth. At five-foot-eight and slim, most people would describe her as stunning. She combed her fingers through the curly light brown hair that draped casually over her shoulders. She rose and rubbed her hands over her firm breasts and across the tight muscles of her stomach. Balanced on her single foot, she lifted her hands over her head and did her usual morning touch-the-toes exercises.
She stood in the large tile shower with the warm water cascading across her body. Her hands chased the suds over her nicely tanned body. The thick fluffy washcloth slipped easily across her body leaving trails of soapy bubbles everywhere. The washcloth fell with a splat onto her toes as her fingers began to recreate the pleasures of the early morning. Her back arched and her head touched the wall as she stared into the water falling from the showerhead and a low moan echoed off the walls.
A tall freestanding mirror framed in a dark brown wood stood between the bed and widow. Dressed, she twisted back and forth in front of the mirror. The black high heal shoe accented her calf; the obvious gray seam of the white stocking was arrow straight; and the short brown leather skirt stopped just below the top of the stocking. She lifted the back of her skirt and straightened her panties letting the elastic snap against her hips with a soft pop. Her dark blood red blouse made it clear that there was nothing under it except Mattie. With a quick jiggle of her breasts to straighten them, she sighed a small mummer of approval.
Mattie strolled gracefully along Main Street past the trendy boutiques that sold things no one in their right mind would actually need. Somehow, the stores managed to stay in business because of all the tourists that came to Coffeeville to vacation by Lake Johnson. There were several bigger towns not far from away, but it was a nice town and all she needed on most days. The first months she lived there had been good, so far.
"Wonderful," the woman next to her exclaimed as they both waited for the traffic light to change.
Mattie did not know exactly what the woman was talking about or if she was somehow involved in the 'wonderful' event. When she realized there were no other people near them, she asked, "What?" Mattie looked puzzled while staring at the woman's face.
"I'm sorry. How rude of me. I was just taken by your beauty and how nicely you carry yourself."
"Oh. I try to not let myself come across as helpless."
"My name is Joann, everyone calls me Jo." Jo held out a hand with lovely fingers and neatly manicured nails that ended just over the end of the fingertips and painted an attractive shade of red.
"Well Jo, I'm Mattie. Call me Mat. Can I buy you a drink? I'm on my way to the Blue Parrot."
