Love Made Over

Love Made Over

Part 2

Cast of Characters:

Wendell Davis Anders

Gwendolyn Rene Jacobs

Marylinn (fellow waitress at the diner where Gwen works)

Life is full of twists and unexpected turns of events. Often, they are not welcomed or even wanted, but sometimes they are truly amazing... Such are second chances... An opportunity to set wrongs right, to make amends and to experience happiness and joy. For Wendell and Gwen, it might be life changing.

...

As promised, Wendell called Gwen later that evening. Gwen had gotten home from working at the diner and had just stepped out of the shower when her phone rang. Wrapped in only a towel, she sat on the edge of her bed and picked up the phone. She felt a long-forgotten thrill course through her body when she heard Wendell's voice greeting her on the other end of the phone.

"Gwen?" Wendell asked hoping he had not misdialed.

"Yes... Wendell?" She returned hesitantly.

"Yeah, it's me... Hi. I hope I'm not calling too late." Wendell spoke softly into the phone.

"No, not too late. I've just stepped out of the shower though." Gwen told him, not sure why she had told him that.

"Oh! I... I can call back in a few minutes if you want." Wendell offered.

"No, it's fine. I usually sleep with nothing on anyway." Gwen said... again wondering why she offered up that kind of information, even to a long-lost friend.

"Really?" There was a brief pause as Wendell digested that bit of information then he continued. "I mean... well... sometimes I do too. Especially if it's somewhere very hot." He added and then grimaced at the unintentional innuendo.

Gwen giggled a little, then lay back on her bed, the towel falling open and to her sides. The cooler air of her bedroom made her still shower warmed nipples stiffen. Or was it the myriads of thoughts that suddenly raced through her mind. She wasn't even aware that her free hand had found one of her breasts and was rolling the nipple gently between her thumb and forefinger.

"God! I remember some summers when we were kids, and it got so hot even at night that we left the windows open and kicked all the blankets and sheets off." Gwen said with a slight groan but with a smile on her face.

"I remember camping in my parent's back yard but even then, both of us kept our clothes on." Wendell said, also reminiscing years gone by. Happier times.

"Those were fun times, weren't they?" Gwen responded with a question.

"Some were. Especially the ones with you." Wendell confirmed then grew quiet for a moment.

"Yeah, good times. They're the ones I look back on when I'm feeling down and sad... or lonely." Gwen almost whispered, halfway drifting off on thoughts of better times as a kid.

"I never would have thought you'd be lonely." Wendell spoke softly, "How is that even possible?"

Gwen barked a short laugh that belied its sarcasm. "One can be lonely in a crowd of people." She admonished but in a sad sounding voice.

Wendell knew that there had to be reasons for her sadness and as desperately as he wanted to know, to help, he knew too that it was not the right time to dig deeper yet. Instead, he simply agreed with her because he knew as well that he too had been lonely over the years. Gwen didn't know that deep in his heart he still carried a torch for her, a hope, a dream. A dream that could possibly come true now that they had reconnected after all these years. He didn't want to blow it.

Instead, he talked about himself and the places he'd seen and the traveling that he'd done in the Army, moving from assignment to assignment, all over the world. They talked about the food, the different cultures and people. Wendell filled Gwen in on his brother and sister and their families, his parents and their move to Florida.

It was getting late by this time so even as the two of them wanted to just keep talking they agreed to continue talking the next day or whenever they could. Neither wanted to be the first to hang up, to end their connection even if only for the night.

"I'm sure you're tired now, Gwen. I should let you go and get some sleep. I should probably get some sleep too. I'm still on duty tomorrow and the next day early so..." Wendell began.

"Oh, I'm fine!" Gwen sighed into the phone, not wanting to say goodbye either.

"Still though... I'm not going to say goodbye, Gwen. I'm going to say goodnight. And I want to see you again... If that's okay?" Wendell asked hesitantly... feeling that same tight feeling in his stomach that he had so many years ago.

After a pause that caused Wendell to tense even more, Gwen spoke softly into the phone as if she were afraid to break the spell that had brought them back together. "I... I'd like that... very much Wendell."

Wendell exhaled, not even realizing that he'd been holding his breath. His heart began beating double time again and a feeling of euphoria swept over him as he smiled. They both said goodnight and finally hung up their phones. Wendell laying a forearm over his eyes while lying on his bunk in his quarters on base. Gwen was holding the phone tightly to her chest as if to be closer to her own heart. Her smile could well have lit the room if she'd had her eyes open, but they were closed as if seeing a dream inside, in her mind.

For the next two weeks Wendell was kept busy on base only getting away to go into town and see Gwen at the diner every few days. She always seemed to be working when he was able to get away from base but even seeing her for a few minutes on her break was worth the wait to him. Seeing her smile when she saw him come through the doors, hearing her voice and especially her laughter was priceless in his mind. Holding her hand and looking into her eyes melted his heart.

For Gwen, it was as if life had begun again. So many years of sorrow and loneliness... and pain... seemed to vanish whenever Wendell was with her. Since the first day that they had reunited, she longed for his company, she yearned for his touch and to be held by him. They hugged each time they met and before they parted. She would give everything she had to just be wrapped in his arms for the rest of her life. Could this be real? Could this be love? Had she ever really known love, she thought not, so she was unsure of herself with Wendell now... but... maybe it was.

During the final week of Wendell's hitch with the Army, he began moving what little personal items he had from his base quarters to his house in town. He of course had to have some things on the base for grooming and dressing until his last day. What didn't get turned back over to the quartermaster's office he could carry in a single duffel bag when he finally left the base for the last time.

At long last, the last day had arrived. Wendell packed the last of his things into that lone duffel bag. He looked around his quarters for the last time thinking how it looked like any other billet he had had throughout his service, different bases, different countries, but they all tended to look pretty much the same. He would not miss it, he decided. Dressed in uniform for perhaps the last time ever, he shouldered his bag and left the room and headed for the commanding officer's office.

"I see you're all packed and ready to leave... I'm sorry, but I've got some bad news for you son." His commanding officer said with a wry grin.

"Sir?" Wendell responded, still standing at attention and holding his salute.

"The parade, son." The CO said then broke out into a smile. "There won't be one. Seems that the Army didn't rate you as deserving for a big sendoff." The CO stood up behind his desk and saluted Wendell before saying "At ease soldier." He then walked around the desk and extended his hand to shake Wendell's.

"Just as well there's no parade, sir. I kind of like keeping a low profile anyway." Wendell said with a smile and shook the CO's hand.

"So, today is the last day we'll see your ugly mug here, is it?" The CO asked. Before turning and walking back behind his desk to have a seat.

"Well, sir, for a few weeks anyway. I will be on base from time-to-time consulting, as a civilian." Wendell said with a smile.

"Well Damn! I thought we'd be rid of you after today." The CO said with a smile and winked.

Wendell didn't say anything in response but nodded and smiled as well. They talked for a few minutes about what his consulting job would entail and how everything would still go through the CO's office for approval or appropriation. In the end, the CO was still smiling but shaking his head as he figured out that Wendell would be making far more money as a civilian consultant than while still in service.

The CO signed off on Wendell's final orders and stood once more to salute him before again shaking hands across the desk. Wendell did an about face and left the office, picking up his duffel on the way out. Shortly thereafter he was in his car and exiting the base through the main gates. He made one more stop before going to the house, his home now... he stopped at the diner.

Gwen had seen Wendell in fatigues before but she had never seen him in dress uniform until that afternoon. She gasped a little to herself as she saw him walk through the doors of the diner. She hurried over to meet him but paused an arm's length away from him. Unsure as whether to salute him or just jump into his arms for a hug.

Wendell smiled at her uncertainty then made that extra step forward and swept her up into his arms for a long hug that had her off her feet and twirling around in a circle. Everyone who saw it smiled. Gwen let out a little girlish yip and squealed in surprised delight. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her head cheek to cheek with Wendell's. When he stopped twirling her, he whispered into her ear.

"I'm now retired... I will have a lot of free time. I'm hoping I can spend a lot of that with you."

Gwen tensed in his arms as if she had been stung. Pulling back to arm's length she looked Wendell in the face, into his eyes. She saw the seriousness in his features and knew in her heart that he meant what he had said. Her eyes began to tear up and it felt as though her heart was going to explode with joy. She couldn't even speak, so she simply nodded enthusiastically. That brought a smile to Wendell's face, replacing the look of trepidation from Gwen's initial reaction to what he had whispered into her ear.

When Wendell smiled, it was if a switch had been thrown in Gwen's mind. She pulled herself back into him and locked her lips on his. It was their very first kiss. Both of them were lost in the moment and the rest of the world faded away into the background as they soaked up as much energy from the other that they could. That is, until they both heard the cat calls and whistles from a few diners witnessing their public display of affection.

Blushing, Gwen pulled back and Wendell grinned sheepishly as he released her back to her own two feet. Gwen bit her bottom lip that so many women seem to do when they are sexually or emotionally charged. Self-consciously, she brushed her blouse and apron back down as much to have something for her hands to do as putting herself back in order. Her gaze darting around the diner noticing all the smiling faces watching her and Wendell.

"Um... I... I would like that very much Wen." Gwen stammered and then drew her bottom lip back into her teeth again.

Wendell winked at her and told her he'd find a seat, and that she might want to check on her other customers. Gwen gave him a sidelong glance with one eyebrow raised nearly to her hairline, but sashayed off with a sway in her hips, glancing back over her shoulder to see him watching her move.

The dinner rush came and went that evening. Even with the other waitress helping out, both girls were busy up until customers began finishing up and filtering out of the diner. In the corner booth, near the door, Wendell still sat. He had ordered a meal and eaten it, now he was nursing the bottomless coffee that the diner offered to all patrons. During his wait, and meal, Wendell had loosened his necktie and set his dress uniform "lid" on the booth seat between him and the wall.

While he had waited, and watched, Wendell had pulled out a pen and an envelope that had held his final orders. He had scrawled several lines of words on the back of the envelope, saying them silently to himself, rehearsing. He had so many things he wanted to say and ask of Gwen but was uncertain as to how to go about it. In the past he had found that sounding out things and writing them down often helped him figure out how best to approach a problem or situation.

It wasn't helping this time though. For perhaps the seventh or eighth time he slowly drew a line through the words he had just written down, then clicked the pen closed and laid it down neatly atop the envelope and pushed it aside. He clasped his hands together in front of him on the table just past his half empty cup of coffee.

"You want me to top that up for you, sugar?" the other waitress said, pulling Wendell out of his thoughts. He looked up to see the girl smiling and holding a coffee carafe in each hand. "Leaded or unleaded?" she asked.

"No, thank you. No more for me. I won't sleep for a week if I drink anymore." Wendell said with a sheepish grin.

"Okay, sugar... Gwen told me to tell you that she'd be right out. She's clocking out and grabbing her things. You know... I don't think I've ever seen her smile as much as she has this evening as long as I've known her. I don't even know you, but I think I like you." The gal said with a sweet smile and moved off to the next table to tend to filling coffee cups.

Wendell sat up a little straighter and smiled to himself. That was perhaps an off-hand compliment, but it really felt good. Especially because it told him that Gwen was happy with him or about him or because of him... who knew, but he knew that it made him happy too.

"Hi..." Gwen said as she slid into the booth on the seat opposite of Wendell.

"Hi yourself." Wendell parroted back at her with a smile.

Both searched the others face and eyes, looking for... well... for what? Hesitancy, reluctance, uncertainty?... or confirmation for what they both felt. They both sat there quietly for what seemed like minutes even if it were only for a few seconds at most. Gwen noticed the envelope and the pen resting atop of it and glanced back at Wendell questioningly. He followed her gaze and nearly blanched as he reached out with one hand and picked it up, crushing it and sticking it in the pocket of his dress uniform jacket. Almost blushing now, he looked up to see the curious look in Gwen's eyes. He had to break the silence.

"So... you're off work now... Wanna go somewhere for a bite to eat?" He asked then did a mental face palm realizing what he had just asked.

Gwen laughed out loud and then covered her mouth as if she were embarrassed by the outburst. Her eyes still twinkling with mirth, she removed her hand and reached across the table to lay it on top of Wendell's hand.

"Actually, I was hoping you could give me a ride home. I usually walk, it's not too far, just a couple of blocks, but it's raining cats and dogs out there now." Gwen said, looking hopeful... again, drawing her bottom lip into her teeth.

Up until she had mentioned it, Wendell had not even noticed that the weather outside had changed. It was only cloudy a couple of hours ago when he first came into the diner, but indeed, it was now raining heavily. Looking back into Gwen's face, he felt a lump forming in his throat. It was not from fear, really, more it was from realizing that this was a big step, even if it were just a simple car ride for a couple of blocks. It told him that Gwen wanted him in her life, and that she trusted him.

Instead of speaking his agreement, he grabbed his lid from the seat beside him and stood up. He offered his arm to Gwen, who had stood up as well and graciously accepted his offering. She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm, and the two walked to the door.

"Wait!" came a shout halfway across the diner.

Both turned to see the other waitress, Marylinn, trotting up to them from around the counter. She was carrying an umbrella which she held out for one of them to take.

"Thought you might need this more than I will. It'll likely be stopped raining in the morning when I get off. Y'all be careful out there now." She said with that same knowing smile and practically skipped off back to the counter and around it.

Gwen looked at Wendell and both smiled. Wendell put his lid on his head and pushed the door open. Gwen unfurled and opened the umbrella on the stoop just outside the door. The rainwater was pouring off the awning in sheets.

"My Jeep is just over here." Wendell almost shouted over the drumming of the rain on the umbrella. Gwen had pulled herself as close to him as she possibly could and held the umbrella with her free hand trying to cover both of them as best she could.

Wendell led Gwen around to the passenger side of the Cherokee and unlocked the door and opened it for her. She climbed in and got turned around, handing off the umbrella to Wendell. He carefully closed the door then almost dashed around the front of the jeep to the driver's side. He opened the door and collapsed the umbrella before climbing in and closing the door. He put the umbrella over the back of the seat into the back of the car. As he started to turn back to face the front. He felt a soft hand touching the left side of his face.

Looking up, almost startled, he saw Gwen looking at him, studying him. There was a momentary flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but it vanished and was replaced with something else... surrender? Before he could even contemplate more, however, Gwen crushed her lips against his and literally took his breath away. Gwen moaned softly into the kiss. A kiss so full of tender longing and hesitance that heated up into a blazing roaring passionate lip play the likes that Wendell had only experienced a couple of other times in his life.

Like Gwen, Wendell surrendered to the moment. He lost himself in her embrace and her kiss. It was hard to tell what was louder, the beating of their hearts of the drumming of the heavy rain falling on the roof of the jeep. It was all just white noise to the both of them though. Background sounds that only served to accompany the musical gasps and moans each of them was making but didn't seem to realize it.

Eventually, they had to come up for air. They broke their kiss after a particularly close lightning flash and the accompanying thunder shook the jeep. The thunder rolling through the neighborhood seemed to go on and on. Much like the panting breaths they were both gasping at. Gwen lowered her head slightly and looked up through her eyelashes and bangs with wanton hungry look in her eyes.

"Wen... take me home."

Wendell looked at her and just knew that he would be spending the night with her. Not taking his eyes off of her, he mechanically reached for the ignition and turned the key to start the jeep. He did have to turn his head to look through the struggling wipers to see which way to steer as Gwen gave him directions to her place. She had scooted over next to him, almost in his lap as she held his right thigh with her left hand and his right arm with her right hand, her head on his shoulder.

It really was only a couple of blocks away from the diner, the little bungalow house that had been divided into two rental units. There was a short gravel driveway that was halfway overgrown with grass to the right of her side of the bungalow. After putting the jeep into park and turning off the ignition, Wendell started to turn to reach for the umbrella, but Gwen stopped him.

"It's only a few feet to my front door, let's just make a run for it." She said as she scooted back across the seat and opened the passenger side door and hopped out, grabbing her purse and fishing for the key as she ran around the front of the jeep. Wendell just shook his head and grinned before opening his own door and chasing after her only to catch her at the door.