She looked out the glass doors at the gray overcast skies and felt a thrill. She always loved rainy days and today was just beautiful with no sun to blind her while driving to work. She loved the backyard -- so big and full of trees and a huge wisteria bush that had attached itself to one of the trees. There was also a big oak tree in the back part of the yard with so much shade. There was always something special about trees and flowers and then the rain that nourished them that she loved. Several squirrels and loads of birds frequented the backyard when she put seed out for them and it was such fun to watch them through the glass doors while sitting at the table.
She lived in the home that she had shared with her mother for some years until her mother had to be put in a nursing home. Now, it was her turn to make it "her" home instead of living in the clutter that her mother collected. She felt and wore her independence like a badge that she had earned. Her mother had been overbearing and controlling and now, her only contact was to visit her in the nursing home which she still did regularly. She lived under the close scrutiny of a self-centered and, for no better word, 'mean mother' who criticized her every move. Nothing was approved and she could do nothing right in the eyes of her mother especially regarding her weight. She had always had a problem with her weight and her mother never let her forget it even though her mother was probably the cause of it because of the Southern food that they grew up eating. Her level of self esteem was so low that she worried about everything -- what she said, what she wore, how her hair looked, what others thought of her, etc.
It's funny how things work out -- first Amber provided a nice home for her mother and, though she was treated with contempt most of the time, she did what her mother wanted without a "please" or even a "thank you." Now, her mother was being taken care of by professionals and Amber was free at last to have a life of her own. It was almost too good to be true but she enjoyed even the simplest things like watching the squirrels and birds in the yard.
Amber was always clean and neat even though she was carrying a few extra pounds and was a very attractive woman but she was not convinced of that fact. She had had boyfriends in the past but they only took what they wanted and then left so there was nothing that boosted her self esteem. Amber was so shy that it was difficult to meet new people so most of the time, she stayed to herself. When she would come home, she would watch TV or read a book and try to imagine how it would be to live the life of the ones she read about. She wasn't always lonely but sometimes, loneliness was overwhelming like a black cloud hovering over her head.
Because of her shyness, she didn't date much because the initial "chit chat" of a relationship was so hard for her. In her mind, she couldn't imagine any man who might want to date her anyway. Today was just perfect for her -- dark and cloudy -- similar to the way that she felt about her future.
Today, she felt good and looked forward to getting to work with her "special needs" adults. The overcast sky hiding the hot, blazing sun was exactly what she needed to start her day off just right. It just got too hot there in the summertime and so, that was another reason for her love of cloudy days. Amber was mesmerized by the formation of the clouds and was always enjoying the beauty that was spread across the sky. Her "kids" as she called them were the most loving people and even if she felt "down," they perked her right up with their unconditional love.
After a full work day, she decided to stop and get a salad and go home rather than try to fix a meal. She was tired and ready for some rest and relaxation at home -- alone. She would get a wine cooler and sit in front of the TV and just "veg" out.
She lived in a decent enough neighborhood but was constantly aware of the young boys who roamed the streets so she kept her windows and doors securely fastened and had even had a security system installed in the house. Amber entered her home and dropped her keys and purse and salad on the table and turned off the security alarm (not realizing that it was already off) and she began to take off her clothes while she walked toward her bedroom. Unaware of the figure watching from the spare room, she continued to remove her clothes. Amber turned on the shower so the water could get hot and removed her stockings and shoes. Now, she was completely naked and anxious to feel the hot water spilling over her head and body.
She stepped into the water and the beat of the shower just helped to relax her muscles from her head to her toes and she thought, 'this is the best feeling that I've had all day.' Before she could get that thought out of her mind, a hand slipped around her mouth and kept her from making a sound. Her eyes flew open in the terror that had consumed her body but he whispered in her ear, "Be good and you won't get hurt."
Somehow that statement was not very reassuring as she was trembling with fear. His other hand went around her waist and held her to his body that she now realized was naked. "If you promise not to scream, I'll remove my hand. Do you promise?"
Amber shook her head but her knees were weak from the panic that was flooding over her. He removed his hand from her mouth but kept his arm around her waist because he thought that she might fall and kept her from turning around. His voice was smooth and low and almost calming. He reached for the shampoo and with his one free hand, he started to shampoo her hair. As everyone knows, having your hair washed is one of the most calming things you can have done and she felt herself relaxing in his arms.
He couldn't help but kiss the hollow of her neck and immediately, she tensed up again. "No, no, relax, let me hold you. If you tense up, somebody might do something stupid and somebody might get hurt. Understand?"
Amber nodded but almost in a whisper asked, "What do you want with me?"
"Well, my love, I think you know the answer to that one, don't you?"
"But...........but, why me? I'm not pretty enough and I surely don't have a perfect figure. Why me?"
"My love, I have been watching you for sometime now and I think you're perfect. You're certainly the prettiest girl I've ever seen and I love every curve of your body."
"But..........you can't. I've always known that no man would want someone like me because I'm too fat. That's what my mother has told me for years."
"Nonsense. Give me your hand. I want to show you something." Amber followed his instruction and gave him her hand and he rubbed her body up and down. "What do you feel?"
"Nothing special -- just my body..........what are you meaning?"
"My love, you have the smoothest, silkiest skin I have ever felt and soft not hard like those athletic women who look like men. You look like a real woman with real, full breasts and a rounded belly and your ass is perfect. How could you believe anyone who said anything about that?"
"But.........again, why me?"
"I have watched you in the neighborhood for a while and you're exactly the kind of woman that I'm attracted to. I have wanted you from the first time that I saw you."
"I'm very confused because I have hardly dated and when the men want to get me in bed, once I'm naked, they make excuses and I never hear from them again."
"Idiots! All idiots!" He rinsed her hair and soaped as much of her body as he could reach with one hand and cupped her breast. Amber gasped at his touch of her breast and then grazing of her nipple. Her body was responding and she was alarmed because she wanted to just get away - she thought.........
"If you won't jump and run away, I'll let you go. Do you promise?"
