The first chapter in this story was so well received I decided to continue the story. 'Thank you' to all the people who wrote, your encouragement and criticisms were all greatly apreciated and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
I awoke alone the morning after Cindy and I became lovers. She had already left the house by the time I arose. Still, I felt better than I had in years. Some how the sun seemed brighter, the air smelled sweeter. Yeah, itâs corny but thatâs how I felt. Gee, all it takes for a 45 year old man to rediscover the zest in life is to make love to a beautiful, passionate 18 year old. I donât know why everyone doesnât try it. I couldnât wait to see her again later that night.
At work everyone could see the difference in me. âSomebody got some last night!â was the joke of the day. I didnât care. Even my most obnoxious clients couldnât get under my skin. I couldnât wait to get home.
I didnât see Cindy that night. I was disappointed but I understood. With school and 2 jobs she often got home late and left early. I wasnât about to become possessive of someone who had struggled so hard to make something of her life. I would see her tomorrow.
But I didnât. Again she left early and came home after I was asleep. The same thing happened the next day. It was obvious she was avoiding me. I have to admit that I was a little hurt by this. That night meant a lot to me but I was afraid that Cindy might have been embarrassed by it. I had to speak to her.
The next day I left work early, hoping to catch Cindy at home. She had moved into my house when my daughter went away to college to escape a bad home life but now I might have made her feel uncomfortable in her new home. That was the last thing I wanted.
When I came through the front door I could hear her in her room. I knocked softly on the door and asked if I could enter. âIs everything okay?â I asked.
âYeah, sure. Everythingâs great.â Cindyâs voice was strained and she couldnât bring herself to look at me. âUm, I just want to tell you Iâm moving out. Iâm moving back home.â
I was stunned. âHome? Look, if this is about what we did the other nightâŠâ
As soon as I said that Cindyâs eyes welled up with tears. Her eyes were riveted on the floor and her posture screamed defeat.
âGod, this is such a joke.â she sobbed. âSchool, jobs, dreams. Bullshit. All I am is a fucking slut. Just like my step-father says I am.â
Thatâs what this was all about. Cindyâs stepfather was notorious in our neighborhood. A loudmouthed, drunken waste product who abused his wife and terrorized Cindy. He was an unapologetic misogynist who believed all women are nothing but whores and he beat that belief into Cindyâs brain through years of repetition. Despite all sheâd accomplished in her short years Cindy still harbored that belief in the depths of her soul. And my making love to her cemented that idea.
I crossed the room in a rush, taking Cindyâs face in my hands, forcing her to look in my eyes. âDonât you ever be afraid to look me in the eye, me or anyone else. Youâre only 18 and youâve already done more with yourself than most people will do with their whole lives. You are not my whore. Not mine or anyone elseâs! Donât ever run yourself down like that, not in front of me.â
When I finished my outburst I stepped back from Cindy. I was out of breath and shaking with the strength of my emotions. I suddenly felt clumsy and awkward and very, very stupid. We stood there for a moment wrapped in the uncomfortable silence. Then I turned and lurched out of the room. Somehow I found myself in the kitchen.
I was staring blankly out of the window above the sink, seeing nothing. I heard a soft sound behind me. It was Cindy. I opened my mouth to speak but she silenced me with a finger to my lips. She slipped into my arms and we held each other tight. Iâve heard it said that if a person is fortunate enough to go to heaven they will spend eternity suspended in the most perfect moment of joy theyâd ever experienced in life. This was my moment
Sometimes the heart knows what the head denies. I was in love with an 18 year old woman.
I have no idea how long we stood there like that, I only know it could never be long enough. I luxuriated in her presence, the smell of her skin and hair, the warmth of her body. She turned her face up to mine. Tears were in her eyes but this time they were tears of happiness. I brushed a tear from her cheek and she smiled. Our lips came together in a kiss, soft and tender, saying far more than words ever could. I could taste her strawberry lip gloss. Cindy moaned as I kissed her eyelids, her cheeks. My tongue traced the outline of her jawline and I nibbled her earlobe before our lips met again.