What happens when a son goes home to help his family? 

Everyone loves getting something for free and I'm bringing you a free read.  Not a partial story, a whole tale that you can read and enjoy.  I will ask that you are at least 18 years of age to read it.  No, it's not flaming hot, but it is written for a mature reader and the story is about love and openly expressing those feeling.

Now the real fun part is that I'm hoping to bring one of these free reads to you every so often.  They aren't and won't be available anyplace but here. Enjoy!

Rob Miller wasn’t used to being home with his parents around the clock. He sat at the desk he’d used all through high school and slept in the same twin bed. His high school pennant was on the wall along with his college pennant. It felt as if he were stuck in a time warp. He needed to get out even if it were just for an hour.

 “Mom, I need to stretch my legs. Do you need me to pick up anything from the grocery store?”

“Oh, Robbie, I do need several things. Let me make you a list,” Marion Miller said to her son. “I put your favorite cereal on here,” she said, handing him the list.

He looked at the name of the chocolate and marshmallow cereal and shook his head. He couldn’t believe they still made the sugar-laden puffs and that he once ate it. “Mom, are you going to eat this, because I don’t eat it anymore?”

“Well, son, if you want something else go right ahead and buy it. I want you to be happy while you’re here. Let me give you some money for this.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mom, I’ve got it covered.”

Kissing his mother on the cheek, he headed for his car. Rob wanted to tell her exactly what would make him happy, but there was no point, it would only upset her and she didn’t need more stress in her life. He just wanted to put death behind him.

His mother’s three solid meals a day were going to pack weight on him. Being a bachelor, he ate an occasional pizza, but he lived on fruit, salads, and vegetables at home. If he were really hungry for a full meal, he’d eat out. After pulling into the supermarket, he grabbed a cart and examined his mom’s list. He intended to do some serious shopping.

Sighing with satisfaction, he went through the produce section picking out just about one of every fruit and vegetable available before heading to the cereal aisle. He shook his head as he grabbed the box with the large K that his mother had listed and then turned his attention to top shelf where the whole grain cereals were lined up. He grabbed one and then smiled as reached for another that promised great taste. He read the list of ingredients. Squirrel food. Dropping the box into his cart he vowed he wasn’t going to eat another bologna sandwich loaded in mayonnaise.

Just as he turned to the next aisle, he caught a glimpse of a slender blonde about his age. She looks familiar, but I haven’t even attended a high school reunion, and the names of classmates are escaping me. T – T-T, it begins with a T.  It isn’t Tammy. Darn it! Why can’t I remember? Stop worrying about it, most of the women my age are married with kids. What am I going to say, anyway? ‘Hi, remember me? Remember Mrs. Fisch, wasn’t she the worst math teacher?’ He pushed the cart along at a steady clip looking for pasta. I’ve seen Dan, Bill, and Butt a few times over the years. Who would name their son Butler? Wouldn’t they know it would be shortened to Butt when he got to school? And where are they hiding whole grain pasta in this store? Rob was deep in thought when he almost plowed into the blonde.

“Robbie? Robbie Miller?” the blonde asked.

“Yes, and I’m very sorry, but I can’t remember your name.  It starts with a T?”

“Torrey Timberlake, well, it changed to Snyder, but I changed it back to Timberlake after the divorce. I’m sorry, I’m telling you way too much.” She blushed as she stared at him.

Torrey Timberlake? “No, not at all. I guess I haven’t seen you since graduation. You look wonderful.” Oh, has she changed!

“And how about you? Married? Ah, I don’t see any cereal with marshmallows so either you don’t have children, or you’re raising them on health foods.”

“Not married, and never have been; I’m doing a little grocery shopping for my mother.”

“Oh, that’s nice of you.”

“Um, Torrey, I don’t think standing here in the middle of the supermarket is the best place to catch up and I’d like to do that. Is there someplace we could grab a cup of coffee or something?” Please say yes.

“Oh, I don’t know.” She lowered her gaze to her own basket of groceries for a second before looking up at him.

He smiled at the very pretty blonde. “I’ve just moved back home. I’ll spare you all the details right now, but I’d love to at least buy you a drink.” That’s a lousy pickup line.

She looked at her watch. “I haven’t had dinner yet. I’ve been at a meeting at the school board office. There’s a restaurant across the street. We could meet there and I’ll buy my own meal.”

“Great! All I need is milk, orange juice, cheese, and whole grain pasta. Do you know where they are hiding the pasta?”

She grinned. “Just follow me.”

Twenty minutes later they were seated at the restaurant. He ordered an unsweetened iced tea and a tray of nachos figuring they could be shared. She ordered the special, a half sandwich with a cup of soup. He wondered if that was what she really wanted as it was the cheapest thing on the menu.

 “You’d better help me eat these because I’ve already had dinner,” he told her pushing the plate of nachos to the center of the table.

Her eyes lit up. “Thanks, they look good. So what brings you back here?” She took a chip, popped it into her mouth and grinned at him.

“Family matters. My dad has terminal cancer, so I came back to help my mom. I’m a software developer. I’m telecommuting while I’m here. I had some serious doubts about maintaining my job from such a distance, but it seems to be working out. It’s not too bad.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your dad.”

He instantly noted the sound of real concern in her voice. “It’s tough on my mom, her heart is broken. I’m the only one who could come home. My sister said she couldn’t come because of her kids being in school and my brother wouldn’t come. He claims he couldn’t handle it.” He played with the condensation on his glass of tea.

“You are lucky. I couldn’t afford to walk away from my job for any length of time.”

“What do you do?”

“I teach TAG.  That’s Talented And Gifted children.  Everyone thinks that’s a breeze, but it’s not.”

“If I remember, you were one of the nerds in school,” he said it and then wished he hadn’t.  She wasn’t just a nerd. She played in the band, wore braces forever, she had light brown hair that was kept in an ugly pageboy with bangs that were always too short, and she had the figure of a ten year old boy.

She grimaced. “I hated school. I hated the kids,” she said, and then gazed down at her lap. “Sorry, but I hated kids like you, because you were popular.”

He laughed out loud.  “Me? Popular? Because I hung out with a couple of guys that I’d known since I was four? They were the only friends I had.”

“And you dated the beautiful Carol Ann,” she reminded him.

“Oh, yeah, Carol Ann. I heard through the grapevine she got pregnant, married some sailor, and was never heard from again. She just wanted to date a jock, and I was that jock for a while. She was easy. I guess that makes a girl popular. But me…popular?” He shook his head. “I guess that’s why I eat most meals by myself and my idea of a hot night is renting a movie to watch while I fold my laundry.” He picked up a nacho and ate it before he continued. “I’m not saying I don’t date, but I’m not much for the bar scene, and most of the women I know are married.”

“You sound like me. I spend most nights on lesson plans and grading papers. Weekends I spend catching up on everything else.”

“I can’t help noticing that you’ve changed quite a bit since high school.”

She blushed. “Getting rid of the braces made a difference and getting away from my mother’s scissors.  She was forever cutting my hair.”

 “I think you’ve turned out to be very attractive. And I definitely like the long blonde hair.”

“Thank you.” A warm genuine smile spread across her face.

He reached in his wallet and pulled out a business card and wrote his cell phone number on it and his personal email address. “I don’t want to forget to give this to you,” he said handing her the card.

The waitress dropped the check on the table and he scooped it up before she could grab it.

“I’m not having you pay for my meal!”

“And a gentleman would never allow a beautiful woman to pick up the tab. So I’m paying.” He put his credit card in the folder and held it up for the waitress.

“Then may I pay you back? Would you consider dinner at my house tomorrow night?”

“I’d love that, but I can’t leave my parents until about six thirty in the evening. That makes it a little late for you,” he countered.

“Actually, no, it doesn’t. I often don’t get home until after five, and I’d like to make you something nice.”

“Please don’t make meatloaf,” he said with a grin.

Her eyebrows lifted as she asked, “Are you a vegetarian?”

“No, but I don’t eat much meat, not anymore. Maybe I should say that I don’t cook meat very often. If I want a steak, I’ll eat out.  My idea of fixing a meal for myself is usually vegetables over pasta or rice. If I make a mess in the kitchen then I have to clean it up because there is no one else to do it. To me supper is veggies steamed in the microwave. I’ll make a big pot of pasta once a week, then I’ll divide it into portions in zip bags, and drop them into the freezer. Then I nuke them with the vegetables.”

“I never thought about doing that. It makes sense and would save time. Do you eat seafood?” Torrey asked.

“I was only joking about the meatloaf. My mom made it this week so I’ve had it three times. I promise, I’ll eat anything,” he said with a smile. “Especially if I don’t have to cook it.”

She pulled out a pen and a scrap of paper from her purse, and wrote her phone number and street address on it. “From here you take Second Street all the way out to Midway. Go left on Midway and right on Culvert. You’ll see the sign for Camden Townhouses on your left. It’s not hard to find at all. Do you want me to write that down?”

“No, I’ve got it, left, right, left.”

They chatted for a few more minutes, and then she looked at her watch. “I hate to leave, but I have papers to grade tonight. Thank you so much for my meal.”

“My pleasure.” He stood and walked her to her car. “I’m glad I ran into you.”

“I’m glad you did, too.”

He opened her car door with one hand while he put his other on her arm. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss on her cheek.

Even in the lousy parking lot light he could see she blushed as she got into her car. He closed the door and watched her drive off. What the hell was wrong with me? You don’t just kiss a girl in this day and age without her permission. She is beautiful; it’s hard to believe she was that dorky nerd in high school. He walked to his own car remembering how she’d thrown a nasty uppercut followed by a groin shot on Butt when he said something pretty raunchy to her one time. Most of the guys left her alone after that. He knew that today such an incident would have had both of them expelled, but back then everybody just laughed and said Butt deserved what he got. It’s amazing that she is the same person. She’s not the Torrey I remember. 

Marion Miller looked at the colander on the kitchen table filled with fruit and shook her head. She found her pretty fruit bowl and transferred the fruit into it. It was only five in the morning when Robbie joined her in the kitchen. She was fixing Cream of Wheat for her husband’s breakfast while she ate a bowl of cold cereal.

“I must say I was shocked when I opened my refrigerator. You have so much bunny food in there that it will certainly go to waste. Son, why did you buy all that produce?”

Rob was still in a pair of pajama bottoms, but his mother was already dressed for the day. He greeted his mother by planting a kiss on her cheek, peeled a banana, and then stood at the counter eating a bowlful of cereal.

 “Don’t worry about it. I’ll eat it. Are you forgetting that I have fed myself for years?”

“Of course not, you’re a grown man, but you’ve bought too much.”

He smiled at his mom. “No, Mom, believe me, I’ll eat it.”

“Son, you need to get dressed. You shouldn’t walk around without a shirt on, and those pants hang too low on you. You need to wear a robe.”

He hitched his pajama pants up and retied the string on the waist. “Really, Mom, I’m not a female, I didn’t get hips to help keep my pants up.”

“I’m very aware that you’re not a female, you are my son, and a very handsome one.”

Shaking his head, he put his empty cereal bowl in the dishwasher, then grabbed another banana and ate it. “Do you think Dad might like a banana to go with his breakfast?  Seems it would be easy to swallow.”

“I don’t want to use your foods.”

“Mom, eat anything you want or feed it to Dad, if we run out I’ll buy more.”

“Well, I could try mashing a one for him. I don’t know if he’ll eat it.”

Rob left to take a quick shower and get dressed. What happened to my mother? I remember when I was fifteen and I had a tick attached to my scrotum. He remembered being so embarrassed and the lecture she had given him about her being his mother and not being the least bit concerned about his privates. Now she thinks my PJ’s hang too low? What happened to her in the last 20 years? What has happened to me? If I had that tick in some unreachable place today, I’d just ask her to remove it.

Ready for the day he wandered into his parents’ bedroom. Reaching for the morning paper as he sat in the chair near his father’s bed, Rob noticed that his dad had dribbled coffee. He’s made a mess of his pajamas and the top sheet. Rob frowned and then ran his fingertips across his knitted brow somewhat relieved that his dad was sleeping. I hate seeing him like this. Now the nurse would need to change the bedding and give his dad a bath. Rob thought maybe he could offer to take his father into the shower. That might help. Mom’s got a special seat in there so he wouldn’t have to stand. He guessed his mother had bought it before his dad had gotten so weak. Nodding, Rob made the decision to ask the nurse when she arrived.

His mom came into the room and laid out his father’s fresh pajamas. “I have some errands to run and I’ll be home by noon.”

Lowering the newspaper, he smiled at his mom. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”

He was glad to see her get out for a while. He looked at his dad and thought about the man he once knew. His father’s hair was gone and he was probably only a hundred pounds. A knock on the front door signaled the nurse’s arrival. Rob hopped up from his father’s side to greet her. The morning nurse was probably his mom’s age and she was a wonderfully sweet woman. Giving her a minute to hang up her coat, he approached her.  “Maxine, I wondered if it would help….  I thought … maybe I could take Dad into the shower.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”

Shedding his clothes and donning an old pair of sweatpants, he fetched his father. It took longer than Rob expected, but when he was done his father was cleaner and exhausted.

“If you can handle Dad, I’ll go straighten up the bathroom,” he said to Maxine.

“Thank you, Rob, maybe you could do that every few days.” Maxine answered

“As long as he’s up to it, I’m willing.” He flashed her a big grin.

He went back to his room where his computer and job were waiting for him. Now, he was late getting started. He felt like crying, not working, but he didn’t have that luxury. His company needed him. Looking over the fifteen instant messages that were waiting, he answered them in the order of importance.

His mind wandered back over the last few years. When another company he had worked for went belly up it left quite a few people looking for jobs. He and another buddy decided to start their own company, but they knew they needed a third person. It took them almost two weeks to track down the guy they wanted from the sales department. Ken was leery, as he had two small children and a wife to support, but jobs were hard to find. Ken knew that Alan and I were the best around. It didn’t take us long to grow into a thriving business. That first year was hard and the second wasn’t that much better, but the third year earnings shocked everyone. Now they had eighty-six full-time people working and another six that telecommute. Not bad for a little software company.

He heard his mom tap on his bedroom door and then open it.

“You took your dad into the shower?”

“Yes.  Did he tell you or Maxine?”

“Maxine told me first and then your dad did. I think he really appreciated it, but he feels bad about making so much work for everyone.”

“It wasn’t that difficult, but he seemed worn out afterwards. I need a pair of swim trunks to do it. I’m going to see if I can find a pair if I’m going to do this every couple of days.”

“I wondered how you managed and hoped you weren’t nude in front of Maxine.”

He rolled his eyes. Maxine saw his father nude every day. “No, Mom, I wore a pair of sweats. They’re in the dryer.”

“You walked through the bedroom in wet sweats?”

“No, once Maxine and I had Dad dried off, I shed the wet pants, pulled on my PJ bottoms, and then I just carried Dad back to bed.”

“You dropped your pants in front of Maxine?”

He shook his head. “Not exactly, I was still in the shower. I just asked Maxine to give me a second to switch pants. She didn’t see my weenie.”

“Robert Joseph Miller, it’s not a weenie; it’s a penis!”

He looked at his mom and burst out laughing. “Mom, stop worrying. I know what it’s called. I didn’t flash Maxine. She was very nice about the whole thing, and most importantly, Dad got a shower. Why don’t you rest? I’ll make a nice salad for lunch. What were you planning on feeding Dad? I’ll fix that too.”

“There’s some noodle soup in the refrigerator for him.”

Marion went on talking to him as he walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. She fixed the soup for her husband while she watched her son fix a salad and make a salad dressing for it.

Tasting the salad, her face brightened. “What a surprise! If I hadn’t watched you make it I would have sworn it was something from some expensive restaurant. I never taught you to cook. Where did you learn to fix something like this? I assumed you were living on fast foods, not preparing gourmet cuisine.”

“I didn’t do anything fancy.  It’s just something that I learned to do. If I want to make something special I can look up the recipe on the Internet.”

After lunch he returned to his desk. He was behind on his work. About four o’clock he stood, stretched, and went to the kitchen to find an apple. Then he stopped by his parent’s bedroom.

“Mom, I’m not going to be eating dinner with you tonight. I’ve got a dinner engagement.”

“What do you mean?”

“I ran into an old schoolmate and I was invited for dinner. I’ll leave after I get Dad into the kitchen.” 

He’d finished his work for the day and went to keep his dad company. This shift he didn’t mind as his dad was usually alert and talkative.

“Where are you going, tonight?” his dad asked.

“I ran into Torrey Timberlake and she’s invited me to dinner.”

“Timberlake’s?  That is one screwed up family. Her mother is in a mental hospital and her dad left town years ago. You were probably in college when that happened.”

“I had no idea.”  A mental hospital?  He tried not to act shocked.

“Most folks don’t talk about things like that.”

“Well, they say every family has a skeleton in the closet,” Rob said trying to act nonchalant.

“The mother is a real nut case. Timberlake kept to himself, but the stories that floated around about his wife were bad.”  

No wonder Torrey had such a rough time growing up. He remembered the kids were rotten to her, but she was weird back then. It wasn’t just what she wore and the way she looked - it was the way she acted. What am I getting myself into? He ran his fingertips over his furrowed brow. She seemed normal enough last night. Had I only seen the window dressing? The one with the long beautiful legs, who was immaculately dressed with bleached blonde hair and perfectly, manicured fingernails. He pondered the situation for a few minutes and then glanced at the clock.

“Time to take you to the kitchen,” Rob said as he gently scooped his father up and placed him in his wheel chair. “I’m not sure what Mom has made for dinner, but it smells good.”

He knew his dad’s evening nurse Clarence would stop by at six forty-five to get his father ready for bed and give him his medication. He found it hard to believe that Clarence, the local high school football hero, was a nurse. Maxine is a sweetheart, but I wish Dad had Clarence in the morning, too. Clarence had the strength to just pick up Rob’s father, but he did it with the gentleness of a mother cuddling a newborn.

“Mom, Dad, if you’ll excuse me I’d like to get ready for this evening.”

He decided on his pinwale corduroys, an oxford shirt, and a sweater. It was casual, but not too casual. Then he debated about bringing a bottle of wine or taking flowers. Flowers.

He kissed his mom and dad and headed to the florist. They had a pretty arrangement of tiny, white roses and three bluish-purple flowers with fuzzy yellow caterpillar-like things on them in a fancy vase. He liked those blue flowers; they were different. He hoped that she would like them, too.

Rob spotted Torrey’s car before he saw the number over the townhouse door. He was several minutes early, but figured it probably didn’t matter. He gathered up the decorative box that held the flower arrangement and rang the doorbell.

He smiled when she opened the door. She’s beautiful. She had her hair pulled into a ponytail, and was dressed in tan slacks and a pretty sweater. I wonder if that is what she wore to work, or has she changed?

“You’re early, come on in.” She smiled brightly.  

“I brought you flowers.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said taking the package. “These are beautiful! I wonder where they get irises this time of year? Thanks so much, but really, you didn’t need to buy me anything.”

He noted the excitement in her eyes. He instinctively knew she was elated with his purchase.  “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” He looked around. It was casual, slightly modern, and very cheery. “Nice place.”

“Well, I figured out a few years ago that rent was about equal to mortgage payments, but all I could afford was a small townhouse. Sometimes I wonder if it was a mistake. Every time something goes wrong, I have to hire someone to fix it.”

The ping-ping sound in the kitchen sink caught his attention. “Such as your dripping faucet?”

“I know. I need a plumber. The toilets either fail to flush or they flush all by themselves. I don’t have the money this month to do anything about them. I had to put new tires on the car for inspection. It’s always something.”

“I know.”

She turned on some soft music, and lit several candles in the living room and dining room. “I wanted everything to be perfect for you when you came.” She sat the flowers on the dining room table. “These are lovely. Again, thank you.”

“I see you still have your flute,” he said staring at the open a case sitting on an end table.  He lifted the mouthpiece from its velvet groove.

“That’s my good flute and please don’t mess with it.” There was an edge of panic in her voice.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He put the piece back and closed the case.

“I don’t mean to - I mean, oh dear.” She sighed. “It’s a precision instrument, and it’s very easy to damage it if you don’t know what you are doing. There’s another case out there with my cheap flute if you’d like to examine that one. I take the cheap one to school frequently and play for the kids as a treat. I’ve got a young student who plays violin, and often we’ll play duets. I like exposing the children to something other than rock and rap.”

“Would you play something for me this evening? I’d love to hear you.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “I wouldn’t have asked, if I didn’t mean it.”

“I’d be honored,” she said in amazement.

The timer on the oven buzzed. “May I help you with anything?”

“No thanks. If you’d like to wash up, the powder room is there, or you may use the kitchen sink. I think I’ve got everything under control.”

He washed his hands in the little powder room and noticed that it also had problems as the water flowed out of the handle at almost the same rate as it did the faucet. The sink was old, the finish was gone and it had a slow drain. She has plumbing problems all right, and it will cost her a fortune to pay someone to fix all of it.

When he emerged from the bathroom she was putting the food on the little dining room table. She had a bean mixture on a bed of greens, little dishes of scallops next to a scoop of something tan, along with some grilled yellow squash. It looked yummy, smelled delicious, and probably didn’t fit into her budget.

“Please sit.” She indicated for him to take the captain’s chair at the head of the table.

He grabbed her chair and seated her before seating himself.

 “It looks scrumptious.  What’s this?” he asked, pointing to the tan stuff on his plate.

“Couscous, I think it’s mid-Eastern, it’s a type of grain.”

He was willing to try anything once. “Oh, this is good. How do you make it?”

She giggled. “It comes in a box. It’s so easy.”

 “This isn’t from a box,” he said, taking a bite of the bean mixture.

“It’s also simple to make. I’ll give you the recipe if you want it.”

“I’d love it. I’m always looking for new and exciting things.”

“It makes enough for an army. I’ll be eating it into next week if you don’t take some home with you tonight.”

“Scallops?  You really went out of your way for dinner tonight.”

“Not really, seafood isn’t any worse than buying steaks. It’s versatile, easy to fix, and a nice change of pace.”

“Everything is delicious,” he said with a smile, and he meant it.

For dessert she brought out a bowl of fresh pineapple. “I was going to make fried bananas, but I decided I really didn’t have the time.”

“Oh, this is just perfect,” he said. “I love fresh fruit.”

“I gathered that last night when I saw what you had in your shopping cart.”

As soon as she stood to clear the table, he pitched in. “May I help you wash up?”

“No, but thanks anyway.  Everything goes into the dishwasher except for these, and I’ll wash them by hand. It’ll only take a second.”

He leaned against the counter while she stacked the dishwasher and hand washed the dishes in which she had broiled the scallops. She popped the grill plates off of a small electric grill and stuck them in the dishwasher.

“Do you have one of these?” she asked. “They are fabulous for meat and vegetables and you can see how easy they are to clean.”

“No, I’ve never seen one that little.”

He let his gaze roam freely over her figure as she wiped down the kitchen counters.  She was thin with slim hips and a tiny waist.  Although some may say she hadn’t grown into her woman’s body, he found her to be pretty as hell.  He stifled the intense urge to grab her, lean against the counter and kiss until they both panted.

“Thank you for the dinner.” Damn! Why not just ask her and do it? “Torrey,” he said touching her arm, the feel of her warm skin against his fingertips nearly bowled him over.  She turned to face him, completely unaware of his raging thoughts. “May I, um, I hate asking, um, there’s something I’d like to do”

She looked at him as if he was losing his mind. “What?”

“This.” He leaned down, letting his lips brush against hers.  Her warm palms pressed against his chest—and she pushed against him.

What?  He’d been sure when the heat of her hands touched him that she wanted him to kiss her.  She stepped back from him, her expression incredulous. Uh-oh…

 “I’m not Carol Ann.”  Pain passed through her eyes. 

“I know that, and I’m not a horny young buck looking for a quick lay,” he retorted. She looked doubtful.  He smiled at her, trying to ease her insecurities.  “I didn’t ask you out yesterday or come over here today because I wanted to get into your pants.  I’ve truly enjoyed my time with you.” 

Torrey bit her bottom lip, her eyes searching his.  “Really?”

“Yes, really.”  He took her hands in his.  “So can we try that again?”

“A kiss and just a kiss, right? You’re not going to do anything else.” He found her timidity somewhat endearing.

“No, just a kiss,”

He pulled her close, and lowered his mouth to his. This time she responded. It was soft and sweet, with the taste of pineapple lingering on her lips. He deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth over hers again and again.  He kissed her again and again. It felt good, all the way to his groin. Her soft sigh told him she probably was feeling the same way. He trailed kisses from her cheek down the length of her neck.  With her intake of breath, Rob realized her was doing more than he’d promised, and if he didn’t stop soon, he wasn’t sure he could.

“Will you play your flute for me?” he asked after forcing his lips off her tender skin.

She nodded, her face flushed from their kiss, and left the kitchen. She put the pieces of her solid silver flute together.  Then she pushed a button on a remote and turned off the music that had played in the background during dinner.

“Was there anything in particular that you wanted to hear?”

He shook his head and sat on the sofa. He was simply curious.

“Okay, you asked for it,” she said with a grin, and then started to play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” before going into something a little more difficult.

He was never into classical music, but sitting there listening to her was incredible. The sound emanating from the flute filled the air and gave him chills with its splendor.

“Oh, don’t stop,” he said in a whisper when the music ceased.

“You really don’t want to hear more. You’ve been exceedingly polite to listen this long.”

“No, I mean it. That was awesome, please keep playing.”

She opened a cabinet, pulled out some sheet music, and played several more pieces.

“Why are you not teaching music?” he asked when she stopped playing.

She shrugged. “There aren’t any openings for music teachers and my minor was in gifted children. So I got the job working with gifted children when it became available. I worked for four years teaching regular fourth grade, now I have second and third grade TAG students.”

She pulled her flute apart and carefully wiped it clean. He knew it was late and he should leave, but he didn’t want to go. He wanted to know more about her.

“You could almost use the kitchen sink for a metronome,” he said with a chuckle as he stood.

“Oh, don’t remind me. I hate hearing the water drip, especially at night.”

“Torrey, if you want I could stop by that super lumber place and pick up the things to fix it tomorrow while you’re in school. It wouldn’t take me very long and then you wouldn’t have to put up with it. I do know how to handle minor plumbing problems.”

“I really can’t afford to even pay for whatever it would take to fix them.”

“I’m not going to charge you. We’re talking about pennies. I can more than afford what it might cost. It’s nothing for to me to repair it, and I’m sure it would mean a lot to you. I’m not going to rob the place while you’re not here.”

She stared at him. “Are you sure it is only a few pennies?”

“No, it’ll probably be a couple of dollars. You really need all new faucets and that bathroom sink has some serious problems.”

“If you can do it for only a few dollars, well,” she grabbed her purse and started to rummage. “Here,” she said handing him a twenty. “It’s all I have.”

“I’m not taking your money.”

“Could you come on Saturday? I don’t have a spare key.”

He nodded yes. “I’ll be here mid-morning depending on how long it takes me to pick up the parts. Maybe I should double check a few things before I leave. May I see the upstairs bathroom too?”

She flipped the light on over the steps as he started up the steps. Her bedroom was as neat and tidy as the downstairs except for her unmade bed, but the bathroom was in worse shape then the downstairs powder room. He put his foot next to the toilet and felt it easily give under the cheap vinyl. These townhouses have been here for probably thirty years and the floor is gone. It will take more than an hour to redo it.  He came back downstairs and looked up at her kitchen ceiling. Just as he figured, there were water marks.

“I’m sorry about the condition of the bathroom, I promise, it’s clean.”

“It’s about to fall through into your kitchen. You’ve got serious problems up there,” he informed her.  “I can’t fix that in an hour. I’ll do the downstairs things first and then we’ll see about tackling the upstairs.”

“Robbie, please, I can’t afford to have you do everything for me. When the bathroom falls through then I guess I’ll have to have it fixed.”

He strolled over to her and said, “I’ll take care of it. I can afford it.” He planted a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m not paying you like that for what you’re doing.”

Inwardly he groaned.  He supposed since they really didn’t know each other that well, and he had been more than a little horny as a teenager, it was easy to see why she would have come to that conclusion.  How could he make her see he’d changed?

“I’m not asking for payment, and I’m not asking you to sleep with me. Your water bill must be astronomical and getting worse. That upstairs bathroom is dangerous considering your toilet is ready to fall through the ceiling. If it does, you chance being seriously hurt, not to mention it’s a health hazard. The longer you wait to fix it, the more it will cost. Please, as a friend, let me fix it for you. I’m not asking you for anything. Now, walk me to the door and kiss me goodnight.”

She did just that. “Thank you for your kindness.”

“Thank you for a wonderful dinner and all that beautiful music. Goodnight.”

He watched her wave to him from the door as he drove off. What a wonderful evening and she really is beautiful. Maybe I’ll know her better by the time I’m finished on Saturday.

He was going to tiptoe back into his parent’s house, but noticed there were too many lights on inside. He walked through the kitchen door alarmed that something had happened to his father while he was gone. His mother was sitting at the kitchen table.

“Is Dad okay?” he asked.

“Yes, he’s sleeping. Do you know what time it is?”

“Yes, it’s ten minutes to eleven,” he said and then asked, “What’s wrong, Mom?”

“I was worried about you being out this late. I couldn’t lock up and go to bed.”

“Mom, I have keys to the house and that includes the keys to the deadbolts. You didn’t have to wait up and I’m only a phone call away. Just pick up the phone and call me, I’ll answer. I’m not a little boy; I’m a grown man. Don’t worry about me, just go to bed. I have a feeling I’ll be out of the house many nights. You don’t need to wait up for me because you may find yourself waiting up an entire night.”

“Mary, have mercy on my son! You’re not going to sleep with her?”

“Mother! I’m not even going to discuss this!”

“Robert Joseph Miller, sit, and don’t you dare talk to me in that tone!”

He knew his mom was under stress, but he didn’t need this, not at his age. He pulled out a kitchen chair and sat.

“Mom, I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m a phone call away. I’m not a little kid, and how I spend my time away from this house is my business. You have enough stress without worrying about me. So please don’t.”

“Robbie, you don’t need to be involved with that Timberlake girl. Her mother is crazy, and that kind of thing runs in families. If you remember she beat up Butler when you boys were in high school. Are you going to hang around with her until she stabs you or something?”

“Oh, Mom, believe me when I say Butt got what he deserved considering what he said to her.”

“How can you say that about your friend? And don’t call him that, his name is Butler.”

“Mom, we’re discussing something that happened seventeen or eighteen years ago. If I heard him say that to a woman today - I’d punch him! She’s very nice and I had a wonderful evening.  That’s all that matters at the moment.”

“I don’t understand what has gotten into you.”

“Nothing, Mom, I’ve just grown up. Now, go to bed. I’ll lock up and turn the lights off.”

Knowing his mom was having her own mental issues, he secured the house before going to his room.  She was probably scared about living without his father. Maybe she had financial concerns. He needed to talk to talk to his father, and figure out a few things.

Had he been in his own home, he would have probably come home and fantasized about being with Torrey, but after what he’d just been through with his mom, and being in his time warped room, there was no way. He turned on his computer. I might as well get some work done.

When Rob’s alarm went off, he awoke confused. It took him a second to remember he was back in his childhood home and why he was there. Dragging himself out of bed, he took a shower before heading to the kitchen. He could tell his mom had made breakfast. He washed her egg pan and stacked her things into the dishwasher, while he waited for a fresh pot of coffee to brew. 

Leaning against the counter, he munched on a granola bar, thinking about the previous evening. Somehow last night no longer seemed real. It was all so bizarre. His mother’s attitude about sex and the way she treated him didn’t make any sense.

Shaking his head, he sauntered back to his parents’ bedroom and sat with his dad. His father was awake and drinking his coffee. As his mom picked up his dad’s tray to get it out of the way, he noticed his father’s entire breakfast was still on it.

“Dad, I got to thinking about something last night and I thought I’d better ask.  Have you discussed all the finances with Mom? Does she know where everything is and how to access it?”

“Robbie, you shouldn’t ask your father things like that.”

“Marion, he’s only trying to help. Yes, I have. I wrote everything down and put it in the top of the desk drawer. It’s all there in a folder.”

“Do you mind if I check on that, and check the financial situation? I’m concerned. I need to know if Mom has what she needs to survive on her own.”

“No, Rob, go right ahead.”

Rob got up and checked the desk in the den. In the drawer there was a fat folder that contained copies of just about everything. There was also another on the desk with his medical bills. One glace told him  the medical bills were going to wipe out most of his parents' savings.

“Don’t tell your father,” he heard his mother say in a whisper.

He put the folders down and turned to his mom. “Let me handle this for you. I think you need help, and if you need financial help later, I can do that too. Don’t worry about it, Mom.”

“Robbie, I’m going to be fine. Insurance is paying most of the bills. I’ve only got to pay a portion. We have money.”

“There’s not much money, Mom.  You’re not going to starve, but you won’t be able to afford a new roof if you need one a few years from now. I’ll go over this in depth later.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and went back to his dad.

He thought his dad was asleep, but when he walked into the room his father’s eyes opened.

“Did you find it?” his dad asked.

“Yes. It’s all there. You’ve done a good job. Mom’s going to be fine, and if she ever needs help, I’ll help her. My business is doing well.”

He wasn’t sure if his dad heard, as it appeared that his dad had drifted back off to sleep. Marion brought her son another cup of coffee and then laid out her husband’s clean pajamas for Maxine.

He heard his mother vacuuming at the far end of the house. Maybe I should get Mom a maid to do the housework or maybe vacuuming gives her something to do. He was relieved when he heard the doorbell. Maxine had arrived.

He checked in at work and then cleared his schedule so he could go shopping for the plumbing supplies. He found a nice faucet set for the kitchen on sale, which would be faster and easier than fiddling with an old one. He put that in his cart. He easily decided on a kitchen sink, a little more expensive than the cheapest one, but it was deeper so he pulled the warehouse tag for it.

Then he looked at bathroom sinks. He found one that would be perfect and the price was towards the low end of the scale. When he pulled that tag, he remembered he needed to go back to the bathroom faucets. He found something he thought would work and added it to his cart. It seemed that all the shopping was going much easier than he’d thought it would.  He hoped Torrey would like everything he’d picked out.

Rob eyed a can of plumber’s putty.  He knew his dad had plenty of tools in the garage, that wouldn’t be a problem, but he didn’t trust putty to still be useable. Better safe than sorry.

He headed for the help desk and talked to the man there about what he might be getting into if he dared to lift the upstairs toilet. The man was very accommodating and gave him several handouts on renovating a bathroom. It didn’t sound as difficult as he thought it might be, but he was sure it was going to be hard work.

He took his items and headed for the front of the store. On his way he passed the garden center and they had all sorts of houseplants in bloom. Torrey had a whole row of plants on the floor in front of her patio doors. She obviously loved plants as much as his mother. He picked out two pretty ones with blooms and then spotted a fancy wire rack for houseplants. Torrey will love it. He pulled the tag for that, too. He decided he’d better pay for what he had before he spent too much money. That upstairs bathroom was liable to be costly.

It took a few minutes for the tagged warehouse items to arrive at the front of the store. He loaded everything carefully into his vehicle and then headed home. 

He walked back into his parents’ house before noon holding the two houseplants. He couldn’t leave them in the car in January.

“Hi, Mom, pick one!”

His mom chose the smaller plant with tiny purple flowers.

“May I leave this other one on the counter until tomorrow?” he asked.

“Certainly.  Would you like a grilled cheese sandwich?” she asked.

“Sounds good. I’ll make a salad to go with it.”

That night he waited until about eight to call Torrey, but there was no answer, so he tried again a half hour later. He kept trying until ten and gave up. Maybe she was out on a date. Just because he’d seen her two days in a row did not mean he was the only person in her life. He’d see her in the morning.

***

When Rob arrived at Torrey’s Saturday morning, she instantly opened her front door and flashed him a big smile. He gathered up her the houseplant and the two boxes containing faucets from his front seat.

“Hi,” he said, and kissed her on her cheek. “This is for you,” handing her the plant, “I thought a plant would be more fun then faucets. I’m assuming you like plants.”

“Thanks for the Gloxinia, but you said parts, not new faucets.”

“I lied.” He winked. “Not really. I looked at the parts and decided it was easier and faster to just install new ones. I’ve got more in the car. I’ll be right back.”

He came back with the plant rack and parked it in front of the patio door. “I spotted this and thought you’d like it.”

She looked at him and said nothing. He went back out and brought in the kitchen sink and then the bathroom sink. She retreated to her living room, frowned, and sat on the ottoman pulling her feet up and wrapping her arms around her knees.

“It’s okay. You don’t owe me a thing. Just feed me lunch today. Is that a deal?”

She shook her head no.

He could see the pained look on her face. Confused and unsure as to the source of her discomfort he asked, “Are you upset because I’ve bought these things?”

“Yes. I can’t afford to pay you for them and I can’t accept such expensive gifts.”

“Why not? Do you have a jealous boyfriend?” he asked teasingly, but he really wasn’t. The fact that he hadn’t reached her on Friday night ran through his brain.

She shook her head.

“Any boyfriend?”

Again she shook her head.

“This is your place and you do own it, right?”

She nodded.

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem,” he said. He saw the same expression that he’d seen on that dorky little nerd twenty years ago. “I’m sorry. I should have picked you up this morning and taken you shopping with me. It was thoughtless of me. I should have allowed you to choose these things. I didn’t mean to do that to you.  Will you forgive me?”

She stared at him from her perch on the ottoman. He sauntered over to her. Kneeling on one knee in front of her, he took her hands in his.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I’ve bought this stuff and if you don’t like it, I’ll take it back and you can pick out something else.” He could see she was about to cry. “Torrey, please talk to me.”

She sighed and took a moment before answering. “I’ve been on my own for eight years. I’m not used to having anyone do things for me. I can’t repay you in any way, and I don’t know how to accept anything like this.”

“I already told you, just fix me lunch. Getting out of my parent’s house for a while is worth it to me. Sending me into that super store is like turning a kid loose in a toy store. Men like playing with tools. Let me have fun.”

She nodded. 

He watched her relax as a tiny smile curved her mouth. He smiled back. Completely drawn to her lips he couldn’t resist giving her a quick kiss. “I need to get some tools out of the car.”

When he returned she was puttering around in the kitchen.  “I figured I’d start in here.”

“I’ll leave so I'm not in your way.”

“There is no reason for you to leave. I like having you nearby.” He caught a glimpse of her smile as he partially climbed into the kitchen cabinet. He turned the water off under the sink. At least those valves work. It took him a while, but he got the old faucet and kitchen sink out, and had the new ones installed rather quickly.

She made lunch while he tackled the little bathroom sink. He was beginning to think that maybe he needed to be a left-handed, double-jointed, sumo wrestler to get that unit out. Someone had glued it down and when he tried to pry it up, the surrounding counter broke with a loud crack.

“Damn it!” he exclaimed.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, but we’re going to have to make a trip back to the store. The countertop didn’t survive.”

“Well, come eat lunch first.”

She fixed the same salad they had the other night along with toasted turkey sandwiches. When they finished lunch, he drove back to the store and they picked out a new piece of countertop. For a small fee the store cut it to length and cut the sink’s hole for him. Since they were there he told her to look at the tubs, bathroom sinks, and faucets. He also picked up the kits for the toilet tanks so they would flush properly.

“The tiling is bad, and if I pull the old tub out, I’m only going to make it worse.  I think you should consider the tubs with the surrounds. Just look for now and I can get it later.” He could tell she was apprehensive, but she finally chose one.

They went back to her place. He ran the plumbers snake through the drain line in the bathroom and poured a de-gunker through it. Then he installed the new countertop, sink, and faucet. He looked at his watch and called home. It was obvious he wasn’t going to make it for his dinner shift, but his mom assured him she was fine and so was Dad. He took care of both toilets and then carried the debris to the dumpster.

It was after six in the evening when he finished.

“Please, will you stay for dinner?”

The thought of having some quality time with her appealed to him. He knew she also wanted to feed him as her way of paying him back.

“I’d like that. I know I’ve been here all day, but we haven’t really had much time to talk.”

That night they did talk. She told him about her mom and growing up in a dysfunctional home. She told him about getting away and the difference college made in her life.  She also talked about her failed marriage. She’d been through quite a bit in her life, and admitted that she took anti-depressants.

“I don’t want to end up like my mother.”

He put his arms around her and pulled her across his lap. Not able to help himself, and wanting to take the sad expression from her face, he kissed her. Wide-eyed she pushed away from him and jumped off the sofa.

“Torrey, please, I’m not going to do anything to you. It was a kiss. I like kissing you.” He knew the friendship was recent, but they had known each other for a long time so he didn’t understand her fear.

“No.” Her eyes were riveted on him much like a wild animal caught in the blinding headlamps of a vehicle.

“Please, come here. There’s no reason to fear me. I’m not going to rape you. I only wanted to hold you in my arms.”

She stared at him and cautiously sat back down. He held his arms out to her and tentatively she allowed him to pull her into his lap and snuggle her to him.

“You feel good,” he told her. “It feels natural to hold you like this. You seem to fit perfectly against my body. To be honest, I haven’t had anyone in my life that I’ve ever really cared about to any extent. Maybe I’ve been too busy to bother. Maybe watching my father’s health fail has taught me to appreciate what I have and how short life is.”

They sat snuggled on the sofa for over an hour and slowly she began to voice her concerns. “I’m not used to much male attention and I’m certainly not used to having anyone doing so much for me. I can’t pay you back.”

“I’ve never asked you for payment. I like being here with you.” He pushed a strand of hair off her face with his finger. “Your presence and your delicious meals have made today very enjoyable.”

“I’m glad. I really do appreciate all that you’ve done for me.” She laid her hand on his chest.

The warmth of her hand traveled right to his heart. He watched her inhale as her eyes closed.

Realizing the time, he gave her a little squeeze. “I hate to leave, but I really must go home. I need to help my dad in the morning.”

She walked him to the door. He kissed her again, this time with a little passion, and she responded. Her body pressed against his as her tongue and lips seemed determined to hold his captive. He knew he had to end their kiss before his lust became apparent, but he didn’t want to let go of her. 

“Thank you, for all you’ve done for me today. Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Do you want to see me?” He hoped she did.  He couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

She nodded, her eyes showing hope.

“I’ll come in the morning.” His lips brushed hers one more time.

She stood at the door and waved as he drove away. He felt as if he were leaving a piece of his heart with her and he wasn’t sure why.

***

Rob quietly put the tools away and then opened the back door using both keys. Relief flooded him when he realized the house was quiet. He had a need tonight and his old bedroom wasn’t conducive to what he wanted.

Jumping into the shower, he let the warm water sluice over his body. Torrey was doing something to him and it wasn’t casual.

He ran the soap over his chest and remembered her hand on him. His shaft filled as he rinsed the bubbles off his body. The smell of her hair lingered in his nostrils; the shape and length of her long legs burned in his mind. He took his hardened rod in his hand and began to manipulate it. He wanted her and he didn’t know why. He wondered what she looked like naked.  How small are her breasts, how big are her nipples? He could see her long legs and imagined slipping his hand between them. Never once had he practiced unprotected sex, but right now he wanted to feel his naked shaft inside her. He imagined his fluids dripping across her tummy and over her tiny breasts. He could feel her hands around him, gripping him, and her wanting more of what he had to offer. He sensed the spasm deep inside of him and knew he was going to come.  The water beat down on the head of his shaft and he watched as his semen shot all over the tiled wall and dripped down.

What the hell am I doing? Is this what it’s like to fall in love or am I just lusting over a pretty female? He flipped the shower to the hand held sprayer, rinsed the wall and his chest off before getting out. What is happening to me and what is she doing to me? What is the attraction? He needed to get some sleep and not continue to feed the fantasy playing in his mind.

Sunday morning Rob realized his mother was going to church. He was glad to see her get out of the house.

He sat with his dad, but his father slept the entire time. There’s a change this morning. I can’t put a finger on what it is, but Dad seems and looks different.

Dora came on Sunday mornings instead of Maxine. She took one glance and motioned for Rob to step outside of his dad’s room.

“He looks terrible this morning,” Dora said. “When did that change take place?”

“I don’t know what it is that you are seeing, but I noticed this morning that Dad appears different. I just can’t say why,” he admitted.

Scribbling his cell phone number on the back of his business card, he handed it to Dora. “Mom went to church. Call me if you need me. I’m only going to be a few minutes away from the house.”

He wandered back into the bedroom and gazed at his dad. It was hard watching his father slowly waste away while the cancer ate him up. Downy tuffs of white hair sprang here and there from the man’s almost bald scalp. Pasty white skin and sunken eyes had replaced the robust friendly face.

Rob glanced over at the family portrait hanging on the bedroom wall and his chest constricted with a knife stab of sadness. Rob knew he was the mirror image of the handsome young man standing next to his family. His sister was nine and his brother was seven. He was the infant in his mom’s arms. I’m certain I was the uh-oh baby. There are thirty-four years between my dad and me.  I’m exactly half his age, I don’t even have a child, I’m not married, and Mom is treating me as if I’m still sixteen.

He put his hand into his father’s bony one, then leaned over and gave his dad a kiss on the cheek. Intense sorrow washed over Rob so he clenched his jaw to keep his emotions in check. I don’t want my life to end like yours.

He took a quick shower and shed a few tears while the water flowed over him. His father’s voice echoed in his head, “Crying doesn’t solve a thing.” I know guys aren’t supposed to cry. Damn, it’s hard sometimes.

***

Rob knocked on Torrey’s door. When he saw her face, his problems at home melted away. She was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved knit top. It was very obvious that she still had the little boy figure. He didn’t care; to him she was beautiful.

“No boxes or tools?” she asked.

“If I start today and I can’t finish it - there might be a problem. I thought maybe I would tackle it next weekend,” he said, and kissed her on her cheek.

“What did you want to do today?”

He gazed at her and smiled. I want to take you upstairs to your bedroom and savor you. “What would you like to do?” he asked instead.

“Nothing in particular, I have tests to grade since I didn’t do it yesterday.”

“May I help you with it? Would that get it out of the way?”

“I doubt it.”

“Okay, you grade the tests and I’ll torment you.”

She looked at him askance.

“I’m joking. I figured I could nibble at your neck the whole time. That’s all I meant,” he said apologetically.

“I’d started grading before you came. If I can finish them, I’ll feel better about goofing off today with you.”

He grinned. “You finish the tests and I’ll nibble.”

She rolled her eyes at him and giggled. There were test papers all over the coffee table.

“I made coffee. Help yourself. I have this beautiful new sink and pretty spigots that don’t drip.”

He walked into her kitchen and teased. “Damn, I think somebody must really love you to do a job like this.”

“I don’t know about the love part. I can tell you that he’s handsome,” she shot back at him.

“I’m jealous, I don’t want anyone else loving you, especially if he’s handsome.”

He poured his coffee and joined her on the sofa. “You know, this isn’t going to work, because I can’t nibble on your neck like this.”

He stood, pushed the coffee table away, and put the ottoman between the table and the sofa. “Now, if you sit on the ottoman, I can nibble.”

She slipped from her spot on the sofa to the ottoman and he slid in behind her. He put his hands on her waist and kissed her neck.

“This is good,” he said, and she only responded with a slight hum.

He looked around the room. The tags were gone from the shelf and she had stacked her plants on them. The vertical blinds were pulled to one side and sun streamed through the window and onto the plants. A wooden stockade fence enclosed her little outdoor space and it was barren except for a few brown leaves.

She was focusing on her work. Her hair had been pulled up into a big claw clip, but some of it had slipped out and hung over her neck. He reached up and undid the clip and let her hair fall. Gathering it up, he twisted it a few times and clipped it up, fully exposing her neck. He kissed it and slid his hands completely around her waist. She smelled wonderful, like cinnamon. He kissed her neck some more and nibbled at her ear. She was wearing tiny gold hoop earrings with little purple beads that matched her knit shirt. He toyed with one earring using his lips, kissed her ear some more, and touched his tongue to it.

Then he whispered, “How did you get so beautiful?”

“Shhh!” she admonished, “I’m trying to concentrate. You’re making it very difficult for me, especially when what you’re doing feels so good.”

Rob chuckled, but didn’t stop his gentle torment. He ran his hands over her tummy, around to her back, and up to her shoulders. He massaged her slender shoulders for a few minutes while she graded another paper.  It felt so good to touch her.  He thought he might just caress her body all morning. 

He slid his hands down her back and across her stomach again. His right hand was not far from her left breast, and he knew it. He let it rest there, wondering if she’d do something about it. He kissed the nape of her neck. Soft, so very soft. He could feel the stirrings of an erection. He wanted her and he knew that was not possible right now. He took his hands off her and reached for his coffee.

He finished his cup and stood. “May I get you more coffee?” he asked.

She shook her head and kept grading. He went to the kitchen, poured another cup, and turned the almost empty pot off. Looking up at the ceiling, he noted it would require special paint to keep the watermarks from bleeding through the new paint. The little kitchen was shabby in the daylight. The cabinets could be painted. The countertops had seen better days and the floor looked worn.

Thoughts of repair work weren’t impeding what was really on his mind.  He wanted her and he could feel his shaft swelling against his jeans. He put his forearm on the cabinet over the coffeepot and put his head against his arm. He needed to think of something else.

He felt her arms go around his waist and she rested her head on his back.

“Maybe you shouldn’t do that,” he said to her in a whisper.

“Why?” she inquired.

He took her hand and put it against his fly. “Does that answer your question?”

She sucked in her breath and pulled away from him, returning to her test papers. It took him a few minutes to compose himself before he dared go back to the living room. She didn’t even look at him when he sat  in the chair.  She had been grading papers for almost an hour and a half. He understood her need to finish a job. He was that way himself, if he had something important to do it would haunt him until he finished it.

“Done,” she pronounced. “I’m so very sorry to make you wait that long.” He watched her pack the papers into a brief case, as she spoke to him.

He stood and strode to her. “And I’m sorry about what happened in the kitchen. I can control myself. Please don’t be afraid of me.”

She turned and gazed at him. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m not afraid of sex, but I have no desire to be someone’s conquest, and I’m terrified of being involved with someone again.  I don’t think I can handle having someone ripping my heart out, especially you.”

“I’ve never given my heart to anyone, but since you’ve walked into my life, I …” He stood and turned away from her; he could feel his emotions rising to the surface.

She put her hand on his back. “Too many feelings; you’re very vulnerable right now. When this is over with your father, you’ll pack up and go home, wherever home is for you. You’ll go back to your life and I’ll be a passing memory. I’ll just be that kid you knew who grew up, a good screw for a while, but with too much emotional baggage and too unstable, certainly not someone with whom you want to have a long term relationship.”

“What the hell did you just say?” Flabbergasted, he turned around to her. “What was that part about a good screw?”

She grinned and shrugged.  “That’s what you want isn’t it? Just a good screw from me - a means of releasing a little pent-up energy.”

He grabbed her hand and dragged her over to the sofa. “Sit!” he commanded, and then he sat on the ottoman. “We need to talk. First of all don’t say things you don’t mean. Yes, you’re right about my emotional instability. It’s damned hard to watch the man you loved and looked up to all your life wither and slowly die. He’s lost about eighty pounds, and he’s eating less with each passing day.” He ran his fingertips over his brow before taking a deep breath. “Part of me is very vulnerable right now, that’s why I’m trying very hard to keep my emotions in check. And no, I don’t think of you as being some unstable chick because you’re on anti-depressants. Right now, I think my mom needs them. And yes, I’d like to screw you, but not for the reasons you think. I’m falling in love with you, and it’s damned hard for me to even admit it.”

“You got anything on you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Condoms.”

“No, I don’t walk around with them in my wallet. Hell, I don’t even own a box.”

“Not a problem. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be back.” 

He watched her grab her coat and walk out the door. What the hell is she doing? A little voice inside of him answered, “She’s going to the drug store.”

Am I insane? Touching her right now is completely nuts. I’m not in the right frame of mind to even distinguish between love and lust. I don’t need her to handle my lust. I can manage that without help.

He had his head in his hands when she walked back through the front door. He didn’t even look up. She came over to the sofa and dropped a condom in front of him.

“Whenever you’re ready. I’ll be upstairs,” she said.

He reached up and caught her arm. He picked up the condom, put it in her hand, and coiled her fingers around it.

“I’m a damn fool for saying this, but not now, not today. Not like this!”

He knew there were tears in his eyes and he couldn’t help it. He stood and touched her cheek.

“You mean you don’t want to have sex with me!” Her eyebrows arched and her eyes widened. Her expression was someplace between sorrow and confusion.

He squinted his eyes together in an attempt to control the moisture in them before answering. “Yes, I do, more than you can imagine, but not like this, not now. Yes, I want you. You’re a very beautiful woman.”

“It only takes a few minutes,” she said, reaching for his belt buckle.

Grabbing both her hands in his, he pulled her to him, kissing her ardently. Her tongue slid over his lips, the scent and taste of cinnamon, fueled a burning desire that he was trying to control. Then capturing her tongue with his lips, he sucked on it, before releasing it as he parted his mouth from hers. He took a deep breath hoping to steady his emotions, “Yes, I want you, but not like this.”

“Robbie Miller, listen to me. Do you remember the day Butt said all those horrible things to me, and everybody laughed except for you? You called him a dumb ass and told him to leave me alone. I fell in love with you back then. You just never paid any attention to me. I used to drop sticks of cinnamon gum through the little slots on the locker doors because I knew you liked cinnamon.”

“And the condoms, too?”

“Yes, and the condoms.” Tears began to flow down her cheeks.

He pulled her against him. “Cinnamon and condoms…. We’re not teenagers anymore. It’s not a kid’s game. I’m playing for keeps these days and there’s a lot at stake.” He took her head in his hands, tilted her face up to him, and kissed her softly on the lips.

Her lips parted and he touched his tongue to her. Cinnamon, she smells of cinnamon, all these years later and she remembers. He ran his hands down her back to her buttocks and pulled her tighter to him. He could feel his shaft swelling against her. He knew he shouldn’t touch her today. Oh, but he did want her with his entire being. He let go of her and stepped away. He needed to lock himself in the bathroom for a few minutes and relieve his aching shaft.

She stared at him for a second before pulling her shirt over her head. Her breasts were bare. He closed his eyes and turned his back to her.

“No, Torrey. Put your shirt back on.”  He blew air from his lungs. “Not now.”

He heard the rustle of clothing and when he turned around she was completely naked. “Damn it, Torrey. I said no. Please get dressed!” He started to walk past her toward the little bathroom.

“Please don’t ignore me, don’t turn away from me and pretend I’m not here,” she said putting her arms around his waist.

“How could I ever pretend you aren’t here? Not after what you just did. I’m trying very hard to do the right thing, and if you don’t let go of me I’m going to drench myself.”

She reached down, undid his zipper, and freed his shaft. He wanted to stop her, but he could no longer think coherently.

“No,” he moaned, but it was too late as she had her mouth around his shaft. He flexed his fingers. In the deep recesses of his mind he knew he shouldn’t allow her to continue, but the sensation was too great. He spilled his seed.

When he opened his eyes, she was standing in front of him smiling.  Reality hit him. He turned from her and went to the small bathroom. He uselessly tried to collect his thoughts. There was no rationality for what he had permitted to happen. When he opened the door to return to the living room he noticed her clothes were gone and so was she.

“Torrey?” he called. “Torrey, where are you?” For a few seconds his gut wrenched. He took the stairs to her room two at a time and found her sprawled across her bed crying. “Why are you crying? If it’s about my health, I know I’m clean.”

“No. That’s not it. Don’t you see? Even after all these years you still won’t have me.”

He stretched out next to her nude body. “Come here,” he said, but she didn’t move. “Yesterday you acted as if I was going to rape you. I really don’t understand.”

“Maybe I had time to think about it. You’re right.  We aren’t kids anymore, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does matter.” He spotted the condom on the bed and snatched it up. “Do you know what I used to do with these things? I’ll bet you thought I was using them every Friday night. I’ll show you what I did with them.”

He got up off the bed and she followed him with her gaze. He walked into her bathroom, partially filled it with warm water and tied the end closed. “Catch,” he said tossing it to her.

 It landed beside her on the bed. She picked it up and threw it back. He lobbed it back to her, and before long he had her laughing as she threw it back a little harder each time. He caught it the last time, but it popped sending water all over him, the floor, the walls and the furniture. Half wet he came to her, encased her in his arms, and pulled her naked body over onto him in the bed.

“I do want you, just not like this. Give us a chance, because I’m not going to screw you and leave you. Now, if I may borrow your hair dryer to dry my clothes, I’ll take you out for a late lunch,” he said and then covered her mouth with his.

She had started to pull her clothes back on when he came to her from behind and cupped his hands over her breasts.

She tugged at the waist of her jeans and zipped them. “I know I’m still president of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee.”

“Mmm, I’m not complaining.” He spun her around and kissed both nipples. “I happen to like them just the way they are. They look perfect on you. I meant what I said about playing for keeps, just remember that.” He kissed her gently on the mouth.

He observed her go in her bathroom, sprinkle something in the palms of her hands, then rub it on her body, and return the small container to the medicine cabinet. He came up behind, slid his hands over her tiny breasts, and sniffed her.

 He looked at her in the mirror. “Am I supposed to smell you or eat you? You just used straight cinnamon. Most women wear perfume and I found one who wears a spice.”

She gazed at him in the mirror, smiled, and handed him her hair dryer.

After sharing a sub at the local deli-style restaurant, Rob and Torrey headed for the local super lumber store on the far side of town.  The sexual tension was still there between them, but is had subsided considerably.

They both spotted a tub they liked better at this store and it was much cheaper.  Rob knew the quality was not there, but he didn’t expect her to live there much longer.  With any luck she’d move in with him. She also spotted a sink vanity that she really liked. He agreed hers was neither stylish nor in good shape. They looked at flooring and couldn’t decide. Sheet flooring was a little more difficult to put down, but in the end it might be worth it, as he thought it would be more waterproof.

To save time the following weekend, Rob decided to go ahead and buy the things they liked and just bring them back to her place. He could just rip out and start replacing. With any luck he wouldn’t run into too much damage under the flooring, but there was no way to know that until he got in there.  He took her to the lumber section and showed her the various sizes and how the different boards were sold by length. He showed her what sub-flooring was and what other pieces he might need. That way he could demolish while she picked up the needed items. He’d been concerned that she wouldn’t have an interest in what he was showing her, but she seemed to listen intently to everything he told her. The fact that she’d ask questions and appeared to be generally interested in the process bolstered his confidence in tackling such a large project. 

Together they loaded the tub onto his luggage rack and somehow got the vanity, sink, and faucets into his vehicle. When they returned to her place, they unloaded and carried the tub upstairs into her bedroom. The rest of the items they left in a stack downstairs.

He could tell she was very excited, but she had expressed some concern because she knew what he had just spent. Now, she had some idea of what he had spent to fix the kitchen and little bathroom.

“Robbie, I do want to repay you for what you are doing. If you keep the receipts and give me a total I’ll pay you back. It  might take me a couple of months.”

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t make enough to afford this. I do.”

“But--”

He planted a kiss on her mouth. “It’s not exactly pocket change to me, because what I make for the most part is just reinvested back into the company.”

“You buy stocks in the company where you work, like a retirement fund?”

He stared at her. She wasn’t after his money. She seemed to care as much about him as he did for her and maybe more. She’d find out eventually, so he might as well tell her. “Let’s sit.  I need to tell you a little more about me.”

He told her about how the company was started and why. He told her what he and his two buddies were doing, and told her what he took as income. She sat there shocked.

“I’m not trying to brag, because truthfully, we could go under in a heartbeat. My other problem is my mother. I think my father’s illness is going to wipe them out, at least of their savings. She’ll have enough to live and pay utilities, but she won’t be able to pay for anything beyond that. I know I’ll wind up helping her. It’s important that you know that.”

“Why? Why should it matter to me how you spend your money?” 

“Well, I don’t want you to be upset when I tell you we can’t afford it because I’ve had to do something for my mother. I think wives get very jealous of mother-in-laws sometimes.”

“What are you saying?” she asked him with a puzzled look on her face.

He leaned forward and pulled her to him. Gently, he circled her lips with his tongue. “I already told you I’m in this relationship for keeps.” He gazed into her golden brown eyes. She had little green and yellow flecks in them. Not enough to be green or hazel, just enough to make them golden brown. “I need to leave here in about forty-five minutes to go back home and help with my father. I’m afraid you might be walking into a viper pit, but come with me and meet my parents. I’ll only need to be there for about an hour and I’ll take you out for dinner afterwards. I’ll bring you back early so you can get some sleep. We both have to work tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t worry you that I might be manic depressive or schizophrenic one day?”

“Honestly, it’s crossed the electronic roads in my brain, but what if I’m carrying whatever it takes to have my father’s cancer? I think that is more alarming.” Stretching his legs under the coffee table, he rested his head back on the sofa. “You’re an intelligent woman. You already knew enough to seek help. You’ve been through hell, and you’re coping while under financial duress. I think over half the population is on anti-depressants. You’ve had no one at your side with no real support system. That’s got to be difficult.”

She massaged his shoulder with her fingertips and smiled at him. “There have been times that have been harder than others.”

He returned her smile. “I’m not worried that you’re not going to take your medicine. You’re probably more aware of the warning signs of mental illness then I ever will be, and I’m not worried that I’ll come home one night and find you in a pool of blood. I am going to worry about you just the same as if you were a diabetic.”

She threw her arms around him and hugged him. He put his arms around her and held her close, very much aware of the slight scent of cinnamon, the silkiness of her hair, and the warmth of her body. “You’re going to have to teach me more about mental illness, and I don’t think because you are on anti-depressants that you are mentally ill. I’m sure there is a fine line someplace, and if you cross that line I’ll make sure you get all the help you need.  I’m not going to let you sit at home in the dark and cry,” he reassured her.  “Are you ready to face my parents?”

She nodded.      

“I’m not certain what my parent’s reaction will be. I know they warned me about your family.”

 “I often run into that even from parents of my students who knew my mom or dad. I assure you, I can handle the situation.”

***

Rob brought Torrey into the house through the kitchen door. The only lights on were in his parent’s bedroom. He flipped the switch flooding the kitchen in light. “Have a seat while I check on Dad.”

Relief flowed through his system when he saw his mom looking at a magazine and his father was dozing while the TV was tuned to a talk show.

“Mom,” he whispered, “is Dad going to get up?”

His mother checked her watch. “Your Uncle Roger stopped by this afternoon and fouled up his nap schedule, that’s all.”

“Mom, would you please come to the kitchen for a minute. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Did you bring her here?”

“Yes, Mom, I did, and I think you’ll like her. Please, give her a chance.”

Torrey stood when Marion Miller walked into the kitchen. He introduced the two women and his mother was obviously impressed by Torrey’s beauty and poise. 

“I haven’t seen you since you were a young child,” his mother said. “I would have never recognized you.”

Rob interrupted their conversation to tell his mother he planned to take Torrey out for dinner.

“Oh, no, I’ve done a ham for dinner. Please stay, both of you, there’s more than enough.”

He looked at Torrey, and Torrey looked at Rob’s mother. “Thank you, that is so thoughtful of you to invite me to dinner. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve had ham.  It’s pointless to prepare it for one person. What a fortuitous means to become acquainted with you and Rob’s dad.”

“I guess you should get your father up.  I’ll stay here and finish the dinner,” Marion said.

“May I help you?” Torrey offered his mom.

“Would you mind setting the table for me?”

“Not at all. I’ll do whatever I can to help,” Rob heard Torrey say as he walked down the hall. He was glad his mom was receptive towards Torrey.

It took him several minutes to get his dad into the wheelchair.

“Dad, you’re about to meet Torrey Timberlake.”

“You brought her here?” his dad asked.

Rob introduced his father and Torrey was most amicable towards the man. With apparent effort his father smiled and tired to be socialable.

“Would you like a salad to go with this?” Rob offered.

“Go right ahead and make one, if you think you’ll eat it.” Marion said.

Rob looked at Torrey. She nodded so he made a tossed salad. Then he cut up some squash and an onion, and prepared it in the microwave while his mother toasted the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes. He rolled his eyes at Torrey and she graciously smiled. He knew his mom’s sweet potatoes would be probably be too sweet for Torrey as he had already figured out that he and Torrey shared similar eating habits.

He lifted the heavy roast from the oven and helped his mother take some of the hot juice to make her rum raisin gravy.  He sliced a little ham and put it in the mini food processor while his mom added some of the gravy, sans the raisins for her husband. A quick whirl, and his dad’s portion was ready. Rob sliced more ham placing it on a serving plate for the rest of them.

Torrey talked to Rob’s father while the meal was being prepared. Rob listened to the conversation and realized his father was stumbling. His father’s mind had been very clear up until now. In fact, he was always very alert this time of day, but not tonight. A couple of times during dinner Rob nudged his mother’s foot under the table and gave her a questioning look. She nodded making him aware she realized her husband wasn’t his usual self.

Rob attempted to help his mother feed his father, but when the meal was over, his father had not eaten anything. Rob’s mom mixed a canned protein drink into her husband’s coffee. The drink was supposed to replace a meal, but Rob’s father hated it so this was her way of sneaking it into him. With help he took a few sips of coffee and announced he was tired. Rob took him back to his room.

On his way his father asked “Are you sure she’s a girl? She ain’t got boobies.”

“Yes, Dad, she’s all female.”

“Did you try it yet?”

“Try what, Dad?”

“Her, and be careful, you don’t want her telling you she’s pregnant when she ain’t. That’s how your mom snagged me.”

That was a little more information then he wanted to know about his parents. But he was having a hard time trying to contain the laughter that was bubbling inside of him that came with the knowledge that his parents had indulged in pre-marital sex. “Dad, don’t worry about it, you taught me everything I needed to know.”

“You know, I can’t play no more, they got this tube in me.”

“Yes, Dad, that’s a catheter, so you can pee.”

“Yeah, I know what it is. It don’t work no more anyway. Your mom quit wanting it after you were born. But I had already found myself a little piece on the side. Tell her I miss her and I still love her.”

“Who? Mom?”

“Hell, no! Mary Grace Ober. But be careful ’cause she’s married to John Ober.”

“The Ober’s from church? My old catechism teacher?” Stunned Rob’s mind was reeling at his father’s revelation.

“Yes. You have to tell her for me. I can’t talk to her anymore.”

“Does Mom know any of this?”

“No, and don’t tell her. I’m trusting you, son, I’m trusting you.”

“I’ll tell Mrs. Ober, Dad. I’ll tell her what you said,” he answered with a very heavy heart.

 He made sure his father was comfortable. Looking at his watch, he realized the night nurse was due any second. Sitting in the chair next to his father’s bed, Rob ran his fingers across his forehead and then through his hair. He didn’t know whether to believe his father or not because his father had said several other odd things tonight. Is the cancer affecting his brain? How much longer does Dad have and how much longer can the family survive this? Mom loves Dad. What happened between them?  Is their any truth to anything Dad said? Feeling as if his world had shattered and he was glad to turn his father’s care over to the night nurse.

Stopping by the den, he found his mom’s phone book, looked up the Obers’ phone number, and carefully put the book back where he found it. By the time he reached the kitchen the two women had cleaned up.

His mother had sliced several pieces of ham and gave them to Torrey, along with some sweet potatoes. He was most anxious to get Torrey out of his parents’ house because he had to find the answer to a burning question. He kissed his mom goodbye.

 “I’ll be up,” his mom said.

He knew she wanted to talk to him, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to talk to his mom. Not tonight, not until he knew for certain. He quietly drove Torrey home.

“So what did you tell your Dad?” Torrey giggled.

“Oh, you heard that?” Rob laughed and shook his head. “I told him you were all female.”

“When do I get to see you again?” Rob asked, as they sat outside of Torrey’s townhouse in his car.

“Tomorrow night? Do you want dinner? I have lots of ham.” 

“Call me when you get off from work, I’ll let you know about dinner. My mother might make me eat ham with her.”

“Do you always do what your mother tells you?”

“That’s a trick question. I’d say no, but these last couple of weeks I’ve tried not to ignore her requests.”

“I was only teasing,” she said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Let me walk you to your door.” He jumped out, opened the car door for her, took her house keys, and unlocked the front door before he held her in his arms and kissed her. “I don’t want to leave you tonight.  I really don’t want to sleep alone.”

“You’re welcome to spend the night.”

Rob sighed, squeezing her tight. More than anything he wanted to stay the night.  “Not tonight, darling. Even though I want to, the timing is all wrong.”

She gave him a quick kiss and opened the door. “Then it’s a simple goodnight.”

How had he gotten so lucky?  Not many women would be as understanding. No pleading or whining, instead she smiled and gently touched his cheek. His soul warmed from her touch made him reach around her and drew her to him planting another kiss on her luscious lips.

“Goodnight, Torrey.”

He wondered how anything could feel so right when everything else was so wrong.

***

About a half mile from Torrey’s Rob pulled into a parking lot while he dialed the Ober’s number on his cell phone.

“Hello, Mrs. Ober, this is Rob Miller. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

He talked to the woman for a few seconds and then asked if it was possible to meet with her as it concerned his dad. There was a deadly silence on the other end of the phone, then she offered to meet with him in about a half hour at a little coffee shop in a strip mall near the church. Her silence and decision to meet with him away from her house told him the sordid truth. 

He was there first and recognized her instantly when she walked in. Her hair was grayer, but she still looked the same to him.

“I guess you know my father is dying,” he said in a hushed tone.

“Yes, I do.”

“I have a message from my father to you, but before I tell you I want some straight answers,” he said as if he were talking to a delinquent employee.

“What do you want to know?”

“Does my mother know, or has she ever given any indication that she might have suspected?”

Mary Grace Ober shook her head.

“For how many years did this affair go on and when was the last time you two were together?”

“Robbie, it started accidentally, before you were born. Your brother and sister were young. Your mother pretty much cut your father off because she didn’t want more children.” Mrs. Ober sighed, looking down at her folded hands. “Today everyone in the Catholic Church knows that birth control is a sin, but everyone, except for the very faithful, uses it. It wasn’t like that back then. Your mom cut him off completely after you were born and wouldn’t consider any form of birth control. We’ve been together for about thirty-eight years.”

He intently watched her every move and expression as she spoke. His gut twisted into a knot as he tried to understand the affair that had lasted for so many years.

“I know that sounds horrible and I know he still loves your mother. I love my husband – I’ve just managed to have two wonderful men in my life. We both know it is wrong, but we honestly love each other. The only thing I can say is that it’s different from what we feel for our spouses.”

He wanted answers, but the pain of knowing was almost unbearable. “When were you last together?”

“Right before he went into the hospital back in October.”

He saw her eyes fill with tears as she spoke. Taking a few deep breaths, she picked up the cup and sipped the decaf coffee he had ordered. He felt sorry for her and also betrayed. No man wants to discover that his father had a mistress, much less one he knew.

He reached out and took her hand. “My father wanted me to tell you that he misses you and loves you very much.”

Mary Grace Ober broke down in tears. With a heavy heart, he watched her try to compose herself after a minute or two.  She fished in her purse and retrieved a hankie.

“Give him a kiss from me and tell him I send my love,” she said.

His phone vibrated. He looked at the incoming call and took it.

“Robbie, this is your mom.”

“I know that.”

“It’s your dad, please come home.”

“I’m on my way.”

He threw a ten-dollar bill on the table. “I’ll give him your message.” He leaned over, gave Mrs. Ober a kiss on the cheek, and walked out of the coffee shop. He was home in less than five minutes.

He put the oxygen mask over his dad’s face and asked his mom if she would make a fresh pot of coffee. He knew his father was not asleep, but his eyes were not open. The yellow tinge to his skin suggested that his liver had probably already shut down. When his mom was out of the room he leaned over and gave his father a kiss on the cheek.

“That’s from Mary Grace Ober and she said to tell you she loves you, too. I saw her tonight and gave her your message.”

His father’s lips curved up in what might be construed as a smile. With each breath, his father’s chest barely moved. Rob sat quietly next to the bed, holding the man’s hand.

He was glad to take the cup of coffee his mother brought him. Then holding his hand up to his ear and mimicking a phone, he mouthed to his mother, “Did you call Ruth and Michael?”

His mom shook her head sadly.

He stood, walked to his room, dialed his sister, and then his brother. They were both going to leave immediately. He looked at his watch, called Torrey, and told her.

“Do you want me to come?” she offered.

“No, I’ll be fine. It’s late. You need your rest.”

He jotted a note to his mom telling her Ruth and Michael were on their way home, then sat down next to his dad and drank his coffee. When he finished the cup, he stopped by his bathroom on the way to the kitchen. It was going to be a very long night. The hospice people had given them literature on what happens at the end. His father could stay like this for quite a while. He picked up the house line and called the priest, but his mom had already done that, probably when she fixed him the pot of coffee. He hung up the phone and saw car lights in the driveway. Waiting only a few moments, there came a soft knock at the back door.

He was surprised and grateful to see Torrey standing there. He opened the door, drew her into his arms and told her she needed her sleep. “I didn’t want to ask you to come, but I’m so glad you did. I love you.”

“I love you, too and I knew you needed me. I could hear it in your voice.”

“This could go on for a long time.” 

She nodded. “I’m not leaving,” she said, “until I have to go to work.  I brought clothes with me. They’re in the car. I can leave from here if I must.”

“Let me get them and bring them inside. You may sleep in my room. I know I won’t be using it tonight.”

He got her things from the car and then helped her hang them on the back of his closet door.

“No wonder you hate this room,” she whispered.

“Mom can’t let go of the past.”

 She tiptoed into his parents’ bedroom behind Rob.

Marion looked up, obviously surprised at Torrey’s presence.  “How thoughtful of you to come. Did Robbie ask you?” she whispered.

Torrey shook her head. “I came to help and to be of support,” she whispered back.

 Torrey sat next to Rob and held his hand. It was midnight when he chased her off to bed.

He checked on Torrey when his brother arrived. She was sleeping on her side and her blonde hair spilled across his pillow. Rob leaned over and kissed her cheek. Her eyes flew open.

“I’m sorry, darling, go back to sleep.”

“Your dad?”

“No change.”

***

Ruth came about an hour later. They all sat and watched their father breathe. Rob couldn’t handle it.  He got up and walked out of the room. The priest followed him into the kitchen.

“Would you like some coffee or tea?” he asked the priest.

“What are you having?”

“Considering I’ve drank a pot of coffee I figured I’d have some orange juice. But I need to make another pot. The sun will be rising soon and I know of one other person in this house who will want coffee when she gets up.”

“Your friend is still here?” the priest asked.

“Yes, I sent her to bed in my room.”

“So you are sharing a bed?”

Rob chuckled.  “That’s one way to look at it, but I don’t think that’s what you mean. She has to go to work in the morning. I didn’t want her sitting up all night with me.  I told her to use my room because obviously I wasn’t going to be using it tonight.” He looked at the young priest.  They were probably about the same age.  “Ever fall in love?”

“No, not with another human. I think sometimes we have to clarify that. If I said female, someone would twist the meaning.”

“The Church has had its problems over the years. Coffee, tea, or orange juice?”

“Orange juice, thanks,” the priest answered. “Why did you want to know if I’ve ever fallen in love?”

“I don’t know. I think I have and it scares me. I guess I was just wondering if everyone feels this way.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“Myself. How do I know the difference between lust and love? Because right now they seem tangled together.”

“I think that’s normal. Lust doesn’t last, but love does.”

“I thought I knew the difference, then something happened yesterday that made me rethink everything.  Let’s just say a friend of mine is married and loves his wife, but he also loves his mistress. His mistress loves him, but she also loves her husband. I’m not talking about a quick affair I’m talking about a deep meaningful relationship.”

The priest stared at him, smiled, and then said. “Don’t make the same mistake. The people we look up to and admire often teach us more than they should sometimes. Don’t judge harshly, only those who are free of all sin should cast stones.”

“I’m not judging. I’m just trying to understand. I plan to marry Torrey, but I haven’t asked her yet. And please, don’t expect a church wedding.  We’ll probably go off, and quietly get married. I’m not much of a Catholic anymore.”

“I understand.”

Rob looked at his watch. “I need to get her up so she can go to work.”

He put the freshly brewed cup of coffee on his nightstand. “It’s time to wake up.”

Her eyes flew open and she stretched. She took a quick shower and dressed while he waited in the kitchen for her. He wanted to watch her dress and she probably would have let him, but he knew better. He offered her a granola bar, cereal, or a hot breakfast. She looked at the clock and took the granola bar.  She wrote the phone number down for the school and made him promise to call. He kissed her and watched her drive off.

I’ll call my office in a little while. Alan needs to know I won’t be available until this is over. He poured a cup of coffee and went back to join the family. His mother was exhausted. He took her by the shoulders and whispered for her to at least lie down on her bed. She didn’t want to leave her husband’s side, but Rob insisted. Ruth kicked her shoes off and stretched out next to her mother. Michael dozed in the easy chair. Rob walked into the den, opened the desk drawer, picked up his father’s papers along with the stack of bills and took them to his room. He hid the papers in a suitcase that Torrey had left there. He needed to go over everything carefully and he didn’t need his siblings interfering. He fixed another cup of coffee and went back into the room with his father.

At noon he made everyone sandwiches using slices from his mom’s ham. Why am I the one fixing meals for my family? Maybe it’s because I’m the one who came home.

It was almost four o’clock in the afternoon when he heard someone come through the back door. It was Torrey. She put her arms around him and her head on his chest. She felt so good to him. It wasn’t lust; he knew that. He truly loved her. He whispered in her ear, “I love you and I want you to marry me.”

She whispered back to him, “I love you too, and you know that I’ll marry you, but you need to get through this first. Then you can rethink what you just said. You can ask me again and I’ll give you the same answer.”

He leaned against his parents’ bedroom wall and held her tight against him. He watched his father smile and take his last breath. Rob said nothing to his mom or his siblings. His mom lowered her head to her husband’s chest and began to openly weep.  He looked at his watch, noted the time, lay his head on the top of Torrey’s, and let his own tears flow.

When Rob had composed himself he made the necessary phone calls and added a few things to Torrey’s suitcase including his razor and toothbrush. He had no intention of spending the night in the house.

Standing with his family who now gathered in the kitchen, he looked directly at his older sister.  “Ruth, you are the executrix of the will.  Can you handle the business end of death or do you want me to do it?”

“What do you mean? Daddy’s funeral is already paid.”

He rolled his eyes, “Don’t worry about it Ruth, I’ll handle it.”

He leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek. “You have Ruth and Michael. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

He grabbed his coat and Torrey’s off the hooks by the back door and whispered to Torrey, “Driving tonight is going to be like driving under the influence. I’m incredibility tired.”

Torrey was alarmed, but he swore he was going to make it.

***

Torrey opened her front door for Rob and took his car keys.  She brought in his laptop computer and her suitcase that was now loaded with his things, then locked his car. By the time she got everything into her place he was already upstairs. She was feeling hesitant, as he never had said a word about sleeping with her. If anything, he’d turned her down. Nervously, she walked upstairs to her own bedroom.

When she peeked into her room she could see he was already sound asleep on her bed. She smiled.  Silently, she picked up the clothes he had shed and folded them.  His light musky scent was on them and she inhaled it before putting them in a neat pile. Taking a towel from the linen closet, she put it in the bathroom for him. Then she proceeded to hang the clothes he had brought with him before putting his socks and boxers on her bureau. Never before had she felt such closeness to another person. Each little thing she did for this man she loved gave her a sense of well-being. He had two file folders of papers in her suitcase so she left them on the bureau, too. Lastly, tucked in a suitcase pocket she found his toiletries.

What do I wear to bed when the man of my dreams walks back into my life, loses his father, and is now asleep in my bed? Nothing, absolutely nothing.  Her clock said it was twenty minutes after eleven as she set the alarm for morning. Quietly, she got into bed and snuggled next to him.

When Torrey’s alarm went off, Rob only stirred. She knew he’d not slept the previous night, and knew he was exhausted physically and emotionally. She was in the shower when she heard his voice. He’d come in to use the toilet.

“Don’t flush!” she hollered over the sound of the rushing water.

By the time she got out and dried off he was sound asleep again. Trying not to disturb him, she dressed for work. She frowned as didn’t want to leave him. Seeing him asleep in her bed filled her with an odd protective warmth. Leaning over, she gently kissed his cheek inhaling his wonderful masculine scent. He didn’t even stir. She wrote a note and then left for school.

***

Rob didn’t wake up until early afternoon. He took a quick shower, pulled on jeans, and went downstairs in search of food and drink. Torrey had left the can of coffee and coffee pot out for him. It made him smile, as he knew she never made coffee on school mornings; instead, she’d stop on her way to work at a little mini drive-thru coffee house. She had said it was one of the few treats she allowed in her budget and she swore it saved her time. He poked through her cabinets and found some Blueberry Cluster Crunch, and poured it into a bowl.   After gobbling the cereal, Rob retrieved the folders Torrey had placed on the bureau for him. He had work to do.

His phone vibrated in his pocket.  Looking at it before answering, he saw his mom’s house number…he also saw they’d called sixteen times since that morning.  Must be important, he thought as he clicked the answer button.

When he got off the phone Rob shook his head. He wasn’t sure he was even related to his sister or brother as neither one had any lick of sense. He called the funeral home, double-checked everything, and then he called the church. Viewing would be tomorrow night, and the funeral the next day. He also called Mary Grace Ober and told her.

He’d spent hours on the phone. He knew he needed to make copies of everything he had in the folders and had made arrangements to send everything back to his financial advisor, as some of it was complicated. He was also sending it to his company lawyer for review.

When Torrey walked through the door he was ready for her. “We’ve got to get these papers copied and faxed.  Can you show me where to go?”  

She did an about face and took him to a local copy shop that did everything for him. The copy shop also dropped everything to a disk, and gave it to him. Satisfied, they went back to Torrey’s for dinner before going to his mom’s house.

***

“What did you do with Daddy’s papers?” Ruth demanded.

Rob handed her a photocopy of the will. It was obvious that his father’s desk had been ransacked and he really didn’t care.

“Well, while you were conveniently busy with your local screw. We’ve been trying to handle things here,” Michael said venomously.

It was all Rob could do to keep from punching his older brother. About the only thing that kept him from doing that was Torrey’s hand on his arm and the realization that they weren’t children anymore.

Rob turned his back to his brother and turned his attention to his mother. “Mom, I’ve paid your household bills.”

“But there’s not much money in the checking account. I don’t want anything bouncing.”

“It won’t, I didn’t touch your money. I used my own.  I don’t want you accessing the checking or the savings accounts for a few days. Here, this should tide you over.”  He handed his mother several hundred dollars in cash. “I’ve ordered the necessary death certificates and it will probably take a week for them to come in. When they do, you will need to make several changes to various accounts. I’ll go with you and help you with that. Do you need anything from the grocery store?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“If you give me the car keys, I’ll go fill the gas tank.”

When he brought the car back, he informed his sister to not get her hopes up for anything monetary. His father’s medical bills had to be paid first, then the taxes, and by the time it was over there wouldn’t be much there for mom. His sister glared at him. He didn’t care. He kissed his mother goodbye, and left with Torrey.

He’d gone straight to sleep last night, but tonight would be different. He was wide-awake and he felt the need to be with her. He had stopped on the way to Torrey’s townhouse and bought a bottle of liquor. He figured he just might need it.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa if you prefer. I should’ve never just gone to your bed last night,” he said when they reached her townhouse.

She wrapped her arms around him and smiled up at him. “Having you in my bed felt so wonderful last night. I know you didn’t know I was there, but I knew you were there. I want you in my bed every night.”

“That’s impossible. We both have jobs and we live two hours apart. It’s also impossible for me to sleep with you and not touch you.”

“Who said I didn’t want to be touched?” she asked. “I want you.”

A deep sigh escaped from someplace in his chest. “Maybe I need to explain. I told you I wasn’t going to screw you and leave you. I’ve got to go back to my home. I can’t stay here with you forever.” He saw what only could be described as panic in her expression. He took her face into his hands and stared deeply into her golden brown eyes. “Listen carefully. I love you. I want you, but are you still going to want me six months from now?”

“Yes, the question is not about me, it’s about you. Are you still going to want me once you return to your life?”

“Yes. I don’t want you thinking I’m going to use you and then walk away. I want you. I want you to be my wife.”

He could tell she was still upset and he knew he needed to find the right words. He ran a series of little kisses from her forehead, down her nose to her mouth before letting go of her.   

He poured two drinks and handed one to her. “You can drink on your meds, right?”

“A small amount is acceptable, if I’m not driving.”

“You’re not just a convenient screw, in spite of what my brother said. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my entire life.” He took a sip of his drink and then continued, I’m sorry you’ve had to watch me fall apart and cry like a baby. My father always said crying doesn’t solve a thing and it doesn’t. It doesn’t undo a damn thing.”

He told her about Mary Grace Ober, about his father, and about growing up as the youngest child. He also told her about his frustration with his siblings.

Slowly, she sipped her drink and watched him refill his. She listened attentively, but after a while he sat on the sofa and said nothing.  That was her cue that she could grade her student’s papers. It was getting late and she needed to do this as much as he had needed to talk. 

When he realized what she was doing, he went upstairs to shower and shave. The bathroom scared him every time he walked into it.  He weighed a lot more than she did and he didn’t want the floor falling through to the kitchen.  Mostly he thought about the distance between them. Knowing that she lived two hours away and that she’d have to finish the school year played on his mind.  Leaving in the middle of the year was not a good idea, and yet, he didn’t want to be without her even for a single night. Would she think that I am abandoning her if I went home? I have a company to run. I have to go home. He pulled on his pajama bottoms and went back downstairs.

She was still working and he nibbled on her neck.

“You slow me down doing that.”

“Sorry, I just love to do it to you.” Rob sat back and waited for her to finish.  He’d want the same courtesy if he were working on something. His mind was spinning with thoughts of family, work, and Torrey. He poured another drink knowing that he shouldn’t.  Gazing at her fondly, he paused for a moment before silently climbing the stairs to her room.

***

“You’re still awake,” Torrey said entering her room.

“Yes, very, I know it’s late and you need to go to work in the morning. I’m going to assume that leaves little time for anything sexual.” Rob replied.

She grinned. “I don’t mind a little lost sleep for a good cause.” She stood in front of him and started to undo her blouse.

“I’ve had too much to drink. I had hoped it would help, but it hasn’t done a thing that I’m aware.”

Slipping her blouse off and then her slacks, left her in a pretty pair of underpants and a camisole knit undershirt. He smiled at her. She probably doesn’t even own a bra; she has absolutely nothing to put into it. When she started to pull her camisole off, he stood and took over the task, slowly he slipped her underpants off of her, admiring her slender body.  She wouldn’t make it as a model for Victoria’s Secret with her figure, but she is beautiful to me.

Opening the drawer next to the bed, she exposed the box of condoms that had bought the other night. He acknowledged their presence and kissed her gently while pulling her to him. She slipped his pajama bottoms off his hips and let them fall to the floor. His erection was full and waiting for her. Gracefully, she got into bed and he followed. Immediately, he began kissing her mouth, her neck, and then slowly made his way down to her tiny nipples. She closed her eyes. He knew this was the moment she had dreamed about since she was a young teen and he was determined to make sure she enjoyed it.

Putting his hand between her legs, he parted her folds. She was wet and ready for him. He reached into the drawer, withdrew a condom and covered his throbbing shaft with it. He positioned himself over her and gently entered her. He could feel her vaginal walls clench him. She felt wonderful, but there was something wrong. He pulled up and locked his elbows.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

‘Yes.”

“You’re not moving.”

“What do you want me to do? I’ll do whatever satisfies you,” she said opening her eyes.

He kissed her gently on the mouth. “You’re not just an orifice to fill.  A little participation would be nice.”

“What do you want from me? Just tell me.”

“I did.”

She looked at him quizzically. He gazed down at her and then rolled over pulling her on top.

“Now, satisfy yourself and in doing so you’ll satisfy me,” he told her as her blonde mane fell around him.

He took her hips in his hands and urged her to move them. She gazed into his eyes and began to move ever so slightly while biting her lower lip. He touched her breasts with his fingertips and felt the spasm of her vaginal walls when he did. He grinned at her and touched them again. Her movement now was stronger and her rhythm was making it difficult for him to control the force brewing within him.

“I can’t hold it much longer,” he whispered.

“Tell me when.”

“Now,” he answered as his fluids flowed through his shaft. The problem was she stopped moving. He took her hips again and urged her to continue, but she stayed still. “Why did you quit?”

“You wanted me to continue?&