Promises to Keep (10 page)

Loud
voices outside drew Laura to her window. She pushed it up, drew the thin
curtain and looked out. Nothing.

A
van drove up the deserted street and turned at the light, but apart from that
the night was as empty as it ever was. She sighed and closed the window again.

She'd
kept the window locked ever since the incident with Jonah, a few weeks back.
Ron Phillips from 2C installed a second deadbolt for her, but she still didn't
feel entirely safe.

Laura
still had Ron's gun, of course. The kind old man refused to take it back, even
after he'd put the new lock in.

She
knew how to use it, in theory. Once, when she was a child, one of her mother's
drunk friends thought it'd be a hoot to watch a little girl try to shoot cans
off the back fence with a powerful revolver.

That
had been a .357 too, if she remembered correctly.

The
man said that it was so powerful it would shoot clear through an engine block.
Laura didn't believe him on that. Engine blocks were pretty damned big and
those bullets looked very small, but it had kicked enough.

Laura
hadn't let herself cry when the pistol slammed back and smacked her on the
nose. She knew if she cried, her mom and the man would even laugh harder at
her. So she braced herself better, aware of the gun's power, knuckled down and
shot it again.

Ready
for the kick that time, it didn't jump back, so she shot it again. By the time
the hammer clicked on an empty chamber, she'd shot three of the six bottles off
the top fence rail.

"A
natural," he'd called her as he mussed up her hair.

How
old had she been? Ten? Eleven? It was before her breasts began to develop and
her mom's "friends" still treated her like a kid. If she’d known how
different they would start to look at her in a few years, she would’ve figured
out a way to steal that gun and hide it in her bedroom.

As
it was, she had been just a little kid, and she’d only been angry at them
making fun of her for being a little kid.

Now,
she had a gun of her own—well, not
hers
technically, it was still a
loaner, but for the time being it was indeed hers. It sat on her end table, all
silver and shiny looking.

Laura
had checked it several times and she knew that it was loaded with six copper-jacketed
hollow point bullets. A girl couldn't grow up in the sticks without knowing
exactly what a hollow point did to a deer. She imagined it would tear up a man
just the same.

Laura
thought about what she might do if Jonah managed to get himself inside her
apartment. He'd been in a really nasty mood when he'd last confronted her in
the hall. Now she was afraid for her safety.

Sure,
he'd been rough in the past and he'd get all crazy when he was either jonesing
for a fix or in the middle of a high, but that last time he had been truly
messed up. She didn't doubt she could pull the trigger on him—well, she didn't
think
she would be afraid to anyway.

Right
then she wasn't so sure. She'd never killed anything before—except for wasps
and cockroaches, but they didn’t count. Could she kill someone?

Regardless,
she hoped she never would have to find out.

Shit.

It
was all getting a bit too much for her. Just when she thought she'd had a
chance for a normal life—a life that didn't involve looking over her shoulder
or having to pick up and leave out of a bad situation—things just fell apart.

Her
husband had been a sweet kid, even if he was a bit naive. He was one of those
guys who believed that people were all good inside. He thought that bad people,
like Jonah, were brought up wrong and just needed a little guidance and
patience.

It
could be true, she guessed.

Laura
thought his optimism very endearing, even if misguided. In her opinion, some
people seemed to be born “bad” or they gravitate toward badness as a natural
state.

She
knew first-hand, what drug addiction did to people.

Drugs
crushed any good within them, causing bad to grow and come to the forefront,
drowning out who they were. Drug addiction made people selfish, stupid, cruel
and evil. She'd seen it in her own mother, as well as in Jonah.

Now
look at her, cowering in her apartment, locked up and hiding with a gun.

She
wished Bob were around for her now. She might feel a bit safer knowing he was
there to protect her, although she'd probably be scared for his safety, as
well. Something about his sweet, wholesome innocence made him seem extra
vulnerable to evil.

I’d
probably be all worried and protective of Bob too, if he were here with me.

She
thought back to how things started with her husband.

Bob
came into Clancy's one night, fresh haircut and a silly grin, his face scrubbed
so hard that his skin was pink and shiny. He announced that he'd just graduated
from Corpsman School, “
that's a Navy medic, ma'am
,” and he was buying
his first legal drink.

Ma'am.
It
was embarrassing, sweet and amusing all at the same time. Coming from his
sincere, lovely innocence, it was endearing.

Sure,
she'd heard it a lot from the Marines and sailors that wandered in and out of
town. Yet the way Bob said it was just so full of damned optimism and happiness
and looking-forward-to-whatever-was-around-the-corner that Laura couldn't help
but buy that drink for him.

Bob
talked and talked and talked and filled Laura's ears with his travels, and his
excitement about his first real assignment.
All the way to California and
back—for free!

She should
have known by the way his eyes lit up every time she smiled at him, or laughed
at his jokes. Bob was getting in way over his head.

But
she had to admit, she’d enjoyed his company, too.

It
felt so good to have someone look at her with such genuine affection.
Occasionally, she could almost catch a glimpse of herself through his eyes. He
made her feel pretty, valued and even sweet. Bob made her feel hopeful about
the future.

It
was refreshing to have someone who wasn’t depressing or cynical around. Someone
who had nice things to say and who faced life with optimism and enthusiasm,
right from his heart.

The
next night she came into work to find him waiting for her, and the night after
that, and the night after that.

Laura
would open the back door, drop her things in the hall closet, and walk out into
the bar and there Bob would be, sitting on the last stool at the far end of the
bar, with his clean shaven and freshly scrubbed face beaming at her.

He’d
barely looked old enough to shave.

It
was obvious to Laura that the boy was falling for her, but she wasn't sure why.
At twenty-nine, she was at least eight years older than he was. Besides, she
wasn't exactly glamorous with hands chapped from washing glass after glass,
wearing thrift shop bargains and sporting a sore back from walking up and down
that bar for ten hours a day.

But
there he was, every night. He was so easy to read—always eager and excited to
see her.

If
it was slow, she'd talk to him. If it was busy, he seemed content to just sit
there, nursing his single beer of the night and watching her as she worked.

Bob
was fun and decent and trusting. His sincerity made Laura warm up to him—not
romantically, but more like a big sister to a little brother, who was likely to
run out into the street or get beat up if she didn't keep an eye on him.

Sometimes
it was all she could do to keep herself from tousling his hair.

One
night though, when he looked at her with his blue eyes full of love and longing,
Laura knew then that
she
was in over her head. It wasn't the look of a
crush or simple infatuation Bob gave her, it was the look of pure adoration.

It
was something she’d never had—that kind of pure and loving attention. Bob
wanted her, she was sure of that. He was an open book.

The
fact that he
needed her
made it better.

Bob
sat there until the last patron staggered out into the night and Laura locked
the door behind him. She pulled out a bottle, Scotch—the good stuff—and poured
them both a stiff drink.

Without
hesitation or doubt, Bob told her he loved her. Laura laughed out of
embarrassment and was instantly sorry she did.

The
poor boy looked hurt and ashamed, just like a kicked puppy. Feeling guilty for
such unintended cruelty, she instinctively leaned over the bar and kissed him,
lightly on the lips.

He
tasted of bubble gum and single malt.

Laura
knew at that moment, that she wanted to take him home with her.

Bob
was shy at first and Laura had to lead the way.

It
was adorable the way he fidgeted nervously as she unlocked and opened the door
to her apartment. It was as if he was afraid his mom would suddenly walk down
the hallway and drag him off by his ear.

Inside,
she sat him on the couch and she brought out some empty jelly jars to use as
glasses and together they polished off half a bottle of pilfered whiskey. Bob was
tipsy and slurring his words, but he took to the idea of retiring to the
bedroom easily enough.

Sure,
they both were drunk and so there was a lot of fumbling involved—sloppy kisses
and a lot of giggling from both parties.

Realizing
that he wasn't about to take the lead, Laura undressed him first, kissing every
bit of skin as she exposed it.

Then
she stood next to the bed, kicked off her shoes and shimmied out of her blouse
and skirt before rejoining him on the bed.

They
kissed again and he fumbled at her bra strap until she gently informed him that
it was the type that clasped in the front. Bob laughed and then started to fight
with the front clasp, as well.

It
was at that point that Laura was certain that he'd never done anything like
this before. She couldn't believe that such a cute, twenty-one year old man had
never been with a woman.

But everything
about him told her that this would be his first time.

Bob's
artless naivety shined through in everything he did. He had such a youthful
innocence—from his shyness as he watched her at work, to the way he blushed all
of the time, and how he struggled with her bra.

It was
nice to be his first. Special.

Given
that, Laura was determined to be patient and gentle with him. She'd never been
with a virgin before, but she remembered that her first time had been a
nervous, uncomfortable, and embarrassing mess.

There
was no rush. They had all the time in the world. She wanted his first time to
be a memorable and positive experience. She wanted him to be able to think back
and smile. Knowing Bob, he'd probably also blush.

As
Laura sat on her couch, her legs tucked under her, she remembered how she took
charge of Bob during their first time—not aggressively, but patiently, kindly.

She
ran her fingers across his chest and down his sides, caressing his warm skin
with affection and desire. When Bob squirmed and goose bumps rose wherever she
touched, she giggled.

He
blushed a deep red when she kissed his chest and nibbled on his nipples. Laura
thought that was cute too.

She
kissed her way down his taut belly—not an ounce of fat was on his gorgeous
body. He was all lean muscle and smooth skin. He was so responsive to her every
touch. She loved feeling, seeing and hearing him respond. She stiffened
slightly when she felt his hands on her head, but relaxed when he just
tentatively stroked her hair.

Laura
half expected him to push her head down onto his cock. She was used to the
rough and impatient hands of selfish men. Of course, Bob wouldn't do that type
of thing—not this sweet, young boy.

He
reacted and moved like a timid animal from the wild. He seemed as though he'd
be scared to come up to a person, even though he was hungry for the food that
was held out before him.

Bob
had been like that—desperately hungry and full of longing, but afraid of what
he wanted, all at the same time.

Laura
imagined that he'd gone to a Catholic school or something like that, where fear
and guilt were beaten into the kids until they were frightened of their own
bodies, needs and desires.

Laura
didn't find it silly, stupid or childish. She found this innocent quality in
Bob refreshing and endearing. Perhaps it was because he was so naive that she
found herself liking him more and more. It seemed to contribute to his
sweetness and sincerity.

He
was so different from the men she'd dealt with most of her life. He didn't play
head games, flirt or tease. He had no pretenses. With Bob, what you saw, was
what you got. He was easy to read, easy to believe, easy to trust and easy to
like.

“What
are you doing?” he’d asked when she directed her attention lower down his body.

She’d
smiled up at him and asked, “What do you think I’m doing?”

The
poor boy had been red-skinned embarrassed. “But… but you don’t have to do
that!”

“What
if I
want
to do it?”

Bewildered,
he thought about this for a bit. “I guess if you want to…”

The
instant she took him in her mouth he came. He spasmed and she tasted the salty
sweetness of him.

He
blushed even deeper and stammered out a breathless apology, “I’m sorry! I
mean—I’ve never—"

"Shhh,"
she said with a smile. "Don't worry. We're just getting started."

She
proceeded to kiss, lick and suck him back into a full erection.
My, these
young boys do recover quickly.
Then she crawled up his body and slid on top
of him until he was seated deeply inside of her.

Initially,
Bob lay on his back, stock still with his eyes closed tightly—as if he was
afraid if he'd open them, he'd find her gone.

Laura
moved on top of him slowly, but deliberately until she felt his body come to
life and move with her and in her.

What
his brain couldn't seem to grasp, his body responded to naturally, with the
instinct of a million years of evolution. Laura smiled to herself as she put
her hands on his chest and rode him in time with the rhythmic thrusts of his
pelvis.

Who
needs books, movies or lessons? Let bodies do what comes naturally, and it all
works out in the end.

As
they moved together, it was Laura's turn to turn red. Although, this wasn't the
flush of embarrassment, this was the flush of blood rushing delightfully to
where it always went when she got excited and aroused.

She
felt the warmth of it cross her cheeks and spread down over her neck to her
breasts. Her nipples tingled with an electric buzz as they became engorged and
erect in the night air. Then she felt the warm sensation spread down the small
of her back and down her thighs.

Panting,
they increased their speed, rocking in unison at a faster rhythm. Laura felt
the tingling rosy heat of their union come together at the junction of her
legs, where a beautiful tension began to build and build. Electric warmth pooled
there, where they were joined.

A
familiar ache settled in, heavy and coiling with need.

It
grew and grew, until it began to pulse within her. Then suddenly, in a burst of
pleasure, it let loose like a geyser, shooting up into her stomach and through
her chest. It kept going—up, up, up into her neck and throat.

Laura
let out a joyous shout as she tensed, convulsed, shivered and shuddered then
collapsed against him.

"Are
you OK?" he asked, with genuine concern etched across his face.

"I'm
better than OK," Laura replied. Her face was damp from the mist of male
scent that clung to his muscular chest. "Thank you, Bob. That was just
what I needed."

"So
you..."

"What?"

"You
know..." Bob blushed again, looking embarrassed. He couldn't quite meet
her gaze. "You know...did you...?"

Laura
smiled and kissed him right between his lovely, smooth pectorals. Those were
firm, too.
The Navy must've made this boy do a lot of pushups
.

"Yes,
I did, silly. What do you think that was all about?"

"I
thought so. Sorry, I just haven't done this very much."

"I
gathered." Laura tickled the nape of his neck. "So, since you asked,
did you… too?"

"Oh
yes, I did a little while ago." He looked at her amazed. "But you
were so—um—busy—I didn't want to bother you none."

Confused,
she squeezed her internal muscles slightly and stared at him. "You mean
that you already came? And you stayed—" Laura squeezed him again and
wiggled her hips slightly. There was no mistaking it; she could feel that Bob,
in fact, was still. “—hard?"

"Well,
yeah." Bob bit his lip, looking slightly upset—as if he feared that maybe
he was doing something wrong. "Is that OK?"

"
Is
that OK
?" Laura laughed. "That's better than OK!" She
started moving on him again. "Maybe I'll let you be on top this
time."

They
did it again that night, and the night after that, and the night after that.
For the first time, Laura found herself walking into work with a smile on her
face and a spring in her step.

She
wasn't sure if it was Bob's pent up youthful energy or some sort of vitamins
they fed him down at the base. Hell, maybe it was a combination of both, but
she was certain that he was beginning to make her happy.

It
had been a long, long time since she’d felt this way. Maybe since she was a
young child. She felt light-hearted, joyful and full of hope for the future.

Laura
was, in fact,
happy.
Irrepressibly, unreasonably, excessively happy,
from the instant she woke, to the moment she shut her eyes to sleep at night.

She
went on being happy, right until she discovered she was pregnant.