Barren. That’s all I think about was how barren it was. I would have thought that in the time that has passed they would have put something here, but nothing. All they have managed to do is bicker about what should go there. I don’t think anything they put there will ever really matter to me, it won’t change anything, it will always remain a reminder of the anger I felt, the devastation, and the hopelessness. I feel a warm hand squeeze mine and realize that it is time to go. I place the penny on the ground and turn around and walk away.
-9 years prior-
Out of the corner of his eye he watched as the gray metal door hit the frame and let out the tinny clang announcing that it had closed. He held his breath and watched as the willowy figure made her way across the hall toward him. He began to countdown in his head her imminent arrival. ‘5..4..3..2..’ “Hi Guy!”
‘Guy cringed inwardly as the rainbow’s and bubble gum voice hit his ear drum. “Oh hi Whitney.” He mumbled under his breath and looked straight ahead at his locker, deciding whether he should make up and excuse to try and escape or stand there and listen to her mindless dribble.
“So I missed you last night! I thought you were going to be at Sammy’s last night, but I didn’t see you. Where were you?” Whitney asked as she smacked her gum in Guy’s ear.
Guy thought back to what he was doing the night prior, he was at home watching his younger brother while his mom and dad attended a gala at the MET. “Yeah I was uh busy.” He replied as he grabbed a book out of his locker and shut it.
“Oh that’s like so bad. It was a really good party and like I would have had more fun if you were like there.” Whitney whined.
Guy was trying to remember why he hadn’t just closed his locker on his head while he had the chance. “Yeah, too bad.” He half-heartedly said.
“Yeah, well you’ll just have to come to the next party. Well anyway I need to go to Mr. Gunther’s class or else I’ll get like another tardy slip or something.”
“Well you better go then.”
“Okay, bye Guy.” Whitney said as she waved her fingers at him and bashed her eyes in an attempt to look ‘sexy’
“What are we going to do with you? I leave you alone for 5 seconds and hyenas move in?”
Guy looked down and saw Katie standing next to him with her hand on her hip and her I don’t give a shit attitude. He cracked a smile for the first time and that day. “ Katie, your timing is terrible, I swear you and I need to start dating just so that Whitney and her apes can leave me alone.”
“Aww well if you insist I guess I can be your girlfriend. Now carry my shit and tell me about your day.” The feisty little brunette demanded.
Guy saluted her in a drill sergeant manor and said, “Yes ma’am” as he took her black backpack and slung on his back in an effortless manor. “So besides Whitney bombarding me with her stupidity I had a fairly decent day, ran cross country this morning. I watched my little brother last night while my parents went to the Mayors election party at the Met last night.”
“Well you live quite the exciting life! We live in one of the most sought after cities in the world and that is all you did.”
“Geez! Sorry little miss, I can’t just leave my little brother home alone, and it was only a Sunday night! I suppose I need to hang out with you, Amanda, and Hailey more. Oh wait, then everyone will think I’m gay.”
“No one will think you gay, if Whitney still chases you.” Katie said as she gave Guy a wink. “Besides we go to a performing arts school, half the men here are gay!”
“Mhhm. So shall I meet you guys tonight at the same spot?” Guy asked.
“Hmm I think so, i’ll send you a text if we decided to change it up. Bye boyfriend.”
“I think we should break up!” Guy called after Katie.
“In your dreams!” Katie yelled back.
Guy grinned and turned around and took off in the opposite direction heading home.
-^V*V^-
There was a note on the counter when Guy got home telling him to pick up his little brother from school. Guy sighed and tossed his backpack onto the marble counter top, if his mother were home she would have yelled at him and chastised him from being lazy and not walking down the hall and putting his bag in his room. But she wasn’t here and he was thirsty. Guy meandered over to the fridge and found a can of coke. Propping himself up on the counter Guy drank the coke slowly savoring the crisp taste. Guy glanced around the apartment; it was a mix of modern concrete and southern charm. His mother was from the deep south of Louisiana while his dad was from the city.
Somewhere along the way the two of them had met and now here they were. His mother was a real-estate agent here in the city, she often dealt with celebrity clients and so she catered to their every need and met with them when it was ideal to them. His dad was the CEO of a major marketing firm and worked heavily with big companies.
Due to both of his parents career’s they lived in an expensive apartment that over looked the city and harbor. His mother would have preferred an apartment that overlooked central park, but his father worked in the financial district and so they chose to live closer to his work.
Guy glanced up at the clock on the microwave and realized that he was going to be late picking up his brother. “Shit!” Guy chugged the rest of the coke and then crushed the can and tossed it into the garbage can. Grabbing his keys he left the apartment and hopped in the elevator.
-^V*V^-
“Your late!” A little boy about 8 said as Guy approached.
“I’m sorry Charlie! I really am. I was daydreaming.” Guy said as he waved to one of Charlie’s teachers and they walked off.
“Well Guy your not as late as mom or dad would be, so I guess I can forgive, but just this once.” Charlie said with a wicked grin.
“Thanks little man, so how was school? Any cute girls?”
“Well today during art I sat next to Autumn, and I asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend.”
“Oh really? What did she say?”
“She said only if I would hold her hand and open doors for her.”
Guy looked down at his little brother and laughed. “Well done little man! Did you kiss her?”
“Yeah, I had to sneak it in at recess. She tastes like cherry. I think it was her chap-stick. Oh I gave her my penny that you gave me, I hope that’s okay.”
“Charlie, I will just have to give you another lucky penny then, I mean that one seems to have already brought you good luck with Autumn it seems.”
Charlie smiled and hugged his older brother.
“Alright! So are you excited about your field trip tomorrow?” Guy questioned?
“Mmm I guess. I’ve been there a load of times before you know with dad, but this time I get to go with Autumn!” Charlie said excitedly
Guy grinned and high fived his little brother.
“So mom and dad are working late do you want to come to the park with me and my friends tonight? We can grab a hot dog on the way.” Guy asked.
“Yeah! That sounds so cool!”
“Alright little man! Sounds good!”
-^V*V^-
“I’m impressed with how long he lasted.” Hailey said in her soft melodic tone
Guy looked down at his brother as he carried him in his arms home. “Yeah, me too. He loves coming with me. You guys are great to deal with him.” Guy whispered back.
Hailey smiled. “If we didn’t we wouldn’t ever see you outside of the florescent lights of our school.”
“Well I’m just glad he’s a good sport about it. In a couple of years he won’t be.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, your such a good brother to him. Honestly Guy, your going to be an amazing father.”
“Thanks, Hailey. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you next year when you go off to school in California and I stay here. I’ll be so lost.”
“Guy, stop being so overdramatic. I swear you’re like a girl sometimes. Now kiss me goodnight cause this is where I leave you.”
Guy bent down and gently placed a soft kiss on Hailey’s lips.
“We need to come out about our relationship, I can’t take anymore of Whitney.”
“I good time we will, but we can’t come out after our siblings just got together, what will the people think?”
“Alright miss, but I give these two a week and then were out. I’m going to yell it on the rooftops if I have to.”
“Oh Mr. Berryman you are so incorrigible, but that’s why I love you. Now goodnight.”
-^V*V^-
“So here is your lunch, I made it this morning so it’s only got the good stuff in it. Now I hope you have a good time on your field trip, it looks like it’s going to be a really nice day.” Guy said to Charlie as he was dropping him off for school.
“Thanks Guy! You’re the best.” Charlie said as he gave his brother a quick hug.
“I’ll pick you up after school again, I’ll try not to be late again.”
“Okay! Oh wait Guy! I need a new luck penny!” Charlie called out as Guy began to leave.
Guy paused and quickly thought, “I need to make one lucky for you, so today when I pick you I’ll have one for you then. Sound good?”
“Can I have your lucky penny?”
Guy reached in his pocket and felt the tiny round object and thought back to why it was lucky to him. He had just picked it up off the ground when he met Hailey. He didn’t want to give this penny away. “Charlie this one is special to me, I promise thought that when I pick you up today I will have a penny waiting for you, okay?” Guy called back to Charlie.
“Okay. Thanks Guy! I’ll see you later!” Charlie ran off into the school leaving Guy to walk off to his.
-^V*V^-
It’s been 9 years. 9 years since everything changed. 9 years since mom has smiled. 9 years since dad has really looked at me. 9 years since I have felt his warm body beating against mine. That was the last time I saw him. I regret everyday not giving him my penny. It might have been that penny that saved his life. I’m told that he saved his friends that day. His ‘girlfriend’ told me that he saw it happening and pushed them out of the way. I believe her that is the kind of thing Charlie would do. He was a selfless little boy, who didn’t deserve to die that day, he had so much left here on earth, but as my wife Hailey reminds me everyday the Lord need him more than we did. So Charlie every year on September 11th I place a good luck penny at the towers, and I hope that somehow you get that.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Peaches ( not finished)
The windows were all thrown wide open and a slight breeze was blowing through causing a slight airy movement in the sheer curtains. A golden haze was forming on the horizon and was slowly rising. The crackle of the radio could be heard and the soft sounds of a man singing along. Downstairs in the kitchen sat a young girl with strawberry blonde hair twisted into braids that went half way down her back was humming a sweet sound as she made herself a bowl of cereal.
Not too soon after the creak of the old stairs announced the arrival of the man from upstairs and the girl looked up and smiled. “I see we decided not to shave. Mum would threaten you with a kitchen knife if she saw you.”
“Well it’s a good thing that mum is half way across the Atlantic isn’t it Savannah?”
“Doesn’t mean she won’t find out.” Savannah teased as she flipped some Cheerios in her brother’s direction.
“So you want to go back to rainy wet England huh? You don’t like it here at Will’s warm beach house in Georgia?” Will taunted.
“You mean this run down shack?” Savannah questioned.
“Hey, this place has so much character, it lives up to the cities charm back in the day when trollies use to roll down the streets and people dressed up to go out. I like this ‘shack’ and I intend to fix it up and restore it to its original beauty one-day.” Will announced as he prepared some coffee.
“Well until that day occurs, it’s a shack. Anyway how long do you have to work today? Can I take your car and go to the city and go shopping?”
“I work all day like every day and no you can not take my car you little felon! You don’t have a license and don’t give me the ‘you let me drive your car back in England, I was young and naive back then’” Will exclaimed.
“Will that was three years ago, I don’t think you have matured that much.” Savannah said as she rolled her eyes.
“Oh hush you! Here you can have my bus pass.” Will said as he tossed her the flimsy card. “ That should get you into town to go do your dreadful deeds.”
“You spoil all the fun. Well have fun saving no one at the beach, I can’t believe you get paid to sit there and watch women tan all day. No one get’s in the water over here, it’s like they fear that if they touch it they will melt or ruin their plastic surgery nose.” Savannah called out as she left the kitchen.
Will just shook his head and gazed out the window admiring the unique patterns the clouds and the rising sun were making. He needed to go soon so that he could get the flags out before people started making their way to the beach. Will drank the last of the coffee and tossed the mug into the sink making a mental note to do the dishes when he came home.
Taking one last look around the kitchen to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything he needed he opened the door and swung his legs off the porch and landed on the ground. Leaning against the peeling wood of his home was his means of transportation, an old faded red Schwinn bike complete with basket and bell. With a grin plastered on his face Will swung his leg over and began to peddle down the road to the beach.
It always felt like an accomplishment to Will to arrive at the beach before anyone else, like he was the king and the waves were all bowing for him just because he was there. He also liked to jog along the shore and feel the wet sand squish between his toes and see his trail of footprints being left behind him. This was also the time when he would watch the waves and determine what kind they were so he would know what flags to put out. Most of the time the water off the coast of Georgia was tame and a green flag would be seen flying but on the occasion Will would have to fly a red or yellow flag.
The water was gently lapping the sand indicating it was a green flag day. Will smiled knowing he could relax just a hair today. Finishing his run he made it to the lifeguard stand and climbed the ladder and found his 5 greens flags. He tossed them down on to the sand and then he leapt from the stand right after them.
With the flags in place to ‘inform’ the public he decided to make his way back to his stand and start the oh so exciting day. He did enjoy his lifeguard stand, it reminded him of a tree house with legs. Inside was a first aid kit, a raft, a radio and binoculars. He would sit there with the radio turned on to some sixties music while he watched his area of the beach. Watching was pretty much the only thing he did, not much mouth-to-mouth was being needed, as it seemed to be the only section of the beach where the ‘older’ ladies came.
He knew why they came to his beach, because they were 55 and their husbands now had beer bellies and were balding. They came in groups and they would set their umbrellas and chairs out and face his stand. He was required that every hour he get down and patrol his beach and that’s when the ladies would swarm like a pack of hyenas.
They would follow behind him as he walked and would make comments to each other about his ‘cute’ butt and muscular physic. It always made Will chuckle and sadly he started to know the ladies by name.
“Good morning Eleanor and Florence.”
“Oh Good Morning William, wont you be a dear and help us put some sun tan lotion on? And talk to us some more in your lovely accent?” Eleanor asked as she ‘tried’ to seductively squeeze the sunscreen on to her legs.
Will cringed at the sight and tried to picture something else. No luck. “Uh sorry ladies I’ve got to get back to my stand and do some er lifeguarding duties.”
“Oh what bad luck, perhaps next time?” Florence said with a wink, or at least that’s what Will thought she was trying to do. Will gave them a wary smile and just walked off.
Chapter 2
Sweat was running down the back of Will’s neck as he repainted the back porch stairs. It was his free day and like most of his free days he spent it fixing up his southern belle as he called his home. The clicking of ice in a glass announced Savannahs arrival.
“I made you some sweat tea, cause it is just sticky out here. I thought the humidity was awful in England, but here it is just dreadful and the heat don’t help.”
“Thanks Savannah, What are your plans for the night?”
“Oh uh, not much. I was just going to make it a low key night.”
“Well how about after I finish this I take you with me to the farmers market and then we can grab a bite to eat on our way back?”
“I just don’t know, I’ll have to check my schedule.. looks like I have had a cancellation and I can pencil you in.”
“Tell your ‘Dear Diary toy’ that I know where the screw driver is.” Will said as he flung his paintbrush at his sister.
“Gah! WILL!!!! Alright, I better go get cute, cause there could be hot American boys there.” Savannah said with a giddy squeal and ran off inside.
Will just laughed and tossed some paint on his brush and continued on.
The little fan was blowing hot air around the tiny guard shack and the static on the radio was becoming over bearing. Will tensed his hand and swung hitting the radio, knocking it to the ground and sending pieces of it across the floor. “Shit.” Will sat still breathing deeply in and out through his nose trying to calm down. “Fuck this.” The muscular man reached his hands to the little opening in the stand and launched his body through the opening. A dull thud let anyone around now that he had landed on the sand.
Will looked up and noticed that on the horizon dark clouds were forming and that the air was becoming increasingly stale and eerily calm. A storm was on its way in, Will felt the power coursing through his veins. It was electrifying and cleansing at the same time. It had been a while since a good storm had come through here and he was excited. He wasn’t the only one who noticed it either, the beach was empty, and his usual following of old hags had gone home to their little blue pill popping husbands. It was an almost peaceful sight. Rolling waves and golden sand beaches lay before him and not a sole could be seen.
He quickly judged the ominous clouds and determined that their threat would not happen today, but maybe early tomorrow morning. The waves were beginning to grow, Will knew that tomorrow he would see a few crazies out to surf it, he just hopped that they were smart and were able to judge it, but most likely that wouldn’t happen. Deciding that there would be no other guests at the beach, Will decided to collect the flags and go home.
The wind was starting to pick up and was causing the shutters on the windows to bang the sides of the house creating an awful sound. Will cringed as he thought of the imminent damage that was occurring. He had underestimated this storm and it was quickly turning into a storm of hurricane proportions. Will walked into his kitchen to find his sister setting out a pot to catch the water droppings that were leaking from the ceiling.
“Right uh the roof needs to be replaced, but in due time eh?” Will said as he received a death glare from Savannah.
“Oh cheer up, at least it doesn’t rain all the time here. Anyway I’m going to make you a famous Georgia Peach Pie. That should make up for the constant shower.”
“Will you can actually bake?” Savannah questioned in a teasing manner.
“Mhhmm, and it includes a side of ultimate death!” Will said as he nodded his head.
“Well this I have to taste, better yet see.” Savannah replied as she sat down at one of the stools that sat by the kitchen counter.
Will let out a great bellow of laughter as he whisked around the kitchen gathering up supplies to create his pie. He was extra careful to accidently spill some flour on Savannahs head. But then the flour was returned in the form of a face full of egg. Before long Savannah and Will were having a battle in the kitchen. Finally after his kitchen was coated in a fine layer of white dust and runny yellow yoke, he decided to crack down and make his pie.
In a short hour Will had finished mixing, and whisking and had a pie to show for it. Savannah gave will a teasing round of clapping while Will bowed.
“And now it bakes.” Will announced with a grin.
“And now it gets neglected and burns!” Savannah shouted as she ran out of the room to avoid the towel that was tossed in her direction.
Will smiled and placed the pie into the oven and set to cleaning up his kitchen. When he was done he still had a good 30 min before the pie needed to be taken out. A quick glance out the window showed that the storm outside had lessened to a mild pitter patter of rain and Will decided to go for a walk in the rain along the beach. He let Savannah know, and told her when to take the pie out.
Upon stepping out side Will took a deep breath and let his lungs fill with the fresh air. The smell in the air was luxurious; it had the sweat scent that lingers after a heavy down pour mixed with the salt from the sea. Will set out at quick pace enjoying the feeling the rain left as it fell on his skin. The dark waters churned and left bubbles in their wake. When Will stood still and closed his eyes he could hear the bubbles pop and it sent chills of bliss down his spine. Everything about the rain and weather was making him giddy, like it was the first day of school when you’re six.
Will was glancing out at the waves when he noticed and dark figure out on the waves surfing. They were getting dangerously close to the outcropping of rocks. Will had seen many surfers get tangled up in choker wave and seen them get driven into the rocks. Most didn’t survive. Holding his breath he watched in what felt like slow motion a surprise wave come up from behind the lone surfer. One second they were on top of the wave and the next they were swallowed and thrown deep into the pounding cavern of the waves underbelly.
Will’s pulse speed up like stomping on the throttle of a car’s gas, he ran and dove into the menacing ocean trying desperately to fight his way out to the surfer. Wave after wave pounded on him, trying to thwart his efforts, but will persevered and kept swimming. Kick. Stroke. Kick. Stroke. Through salt burning eyes he could see a figure tossed onto the rocks and pieces of a surfboard scattered around. Will mustered up a great amount of stamina and propelled himself directly to the rocks.
Blood was rolling down the side of the head of the surfer. Will scooted his body right next to the surfer. He brushed the hair to the side that was strewn in the face of the surfer and looked into the face of the most stunning woman he had ever scene.
Chapter 3
“Who is she Will?” Savannah questioned as she pointed towards the worn old couch in the living room where the surfer girl lay unconscious.
“I don’t know, but I couldn’t just leave here there Savannah.” Will said.
“You know there happens to be this wonderful place that has quite recently become common in oh every country called a hospital! It’s a place where they help people and where people like her should be right now!”
“Hush. If she worsens I’ll take her there, but I just… there is something about her. I’m going to get her another blanket.”
“Will your still dripping wet and you smell like sea throw up. Go take a shower and I will get her another blanket. I doubt she is going to wake up soon anyway; she was bleeding crazy until you fixed her up.”
“Thanks Savannah. I wont take too long.”
Will sat in the chair across from the couch. Stuffing from the chair was oozing out from the sides, but Will just couldn’t get rid of his favorite chair. A small table sat next to him with a small reading lamp that was casting a warm glow around Will as he read a book and kept an eye on the girl.
Soon his head began to feel heavy and started to fall and would jolt Will awake for a bit longer. He would have eventually fallen asleep had he not heard her speak. It was quite and faint and a bit scratchy from the salt water, but Will heard her speak.
“It smells like peaches in here.”
Will blinked his eyes a few times then cracked a smile. Sat up across from him was the girl he had saved. Her rich coffee brown hair was encircling her face and her liquid green eyes sparkled in the dim light “That is because I made a peach pie a few hours ago.” Will said in a gentle teasing tone.
“Oh that sound lovely.”
“You have such a lovely voice. It is calming and full of warmth.”
“Thank you. Would you like a slice of pie?” Will asked
A low rumbled echoed from her stomach.
Will chuckled and stood up and motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen. While Will banged around the kitchen he introduced himself.
“My name is Will.. I am”
“Your not from around here? You sound like you are from somewhere exciting, where people are cultured and live vicariously.”
“Ha-ha, well I’m not sure it’s that exciting, but I’m from England.” Will exclaimed as her placed a piece of pie in front of her.
“England, I’ve always wanted to go there. When I was a little girl I had a big map of the world that hung in my room. One day I took a marker and I put stars next to all the countries that I wanted visit. I think I ended up marking just about every country on the map.”
“Well maybe you can go to England someday and perhaps the rest of the world. So what is your name?” Will asked.
“How rude of me! My name is….” She sat there for a while with a blank look. “My name is uh.. I can’t remember. Why can’t I remember? Where am I? How did I get here? Did you kidnap me? Did you rape me?”
“Whoa! Take it easy. You don’t remember what happened?”
“No.” she said in a small voice.
“Oh dear. Perhaps I should take you to the hospital.”
“NO! I don’t want to go to the hospital. You can’t make me go! I won’t!” She said angrily.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Will you tell me what happened?” she asked in a timid voice.
“Only if you eat that pie” Will said as he pointed at the little plate. ,”You look like skin and bones.”
She quickly picked up the fork and shoveled in a huge bite. “MMMMM, that is so good. It just melts in your mouth. I love peaches.”
“Excellent, that makes two of us, now story time.”
--- 20 Minutes----
“So do you think I have amnesia?”
“I’m not sure, I would presume if you can’t remember your name or the accident.”
“Do you think I will ever get it back?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure though. Well I’m sure your exhausted, you can sleep in my bed tonight, and perhaps you will wake up in the morning and you will be able to remember everything.”
“Oh that would be nice.”
“Yeah.. My room is upstairs, let me lead you there.”
“The bathroom is through that door, there are spare towels in the cabinet behind the door.”
“Thanks Will. I’m sure I will remember everything in the morning. You have been so kind.”
“Well that’s how we English men are.” Will said with a wink.
“Ha-ha Good night Will!”
“Good night… Peaches”
“Peaches?”
“Yeah, peaches, they remind me of you, and it was the first thing you said when come around.”
“I like it.”
“Sweet Dreams Peaches.” Will whispered.
Chapter 4
‘It’s incredible how the morning after a fierce storm like last night can be so beautiful’, Will thought to himself as he stood on the porch. The sun was rising over the ocean casting vibrant orange streaks across the water.
Upstairs Peaches was admiring not the morning sunrise, but the man that stood watching it, with just a pair of jeans that hung low and showed of his tan body. He had broad shoulders and a toned stomach. He was no model, but he had rugged looks that could kill. He was standing so strong and steady, never wavering. Peaches placed her hand on the window frame and traced his outline.
“He is even better up close you know.”
Peaches jumped and turned around to see a girl who was a carbon female copy of Will standing in the doorway holding some clothes in her arms.
“Sorry? I uh, who are you?” Peaches asked.
“I’m Savannah, Will’s sister. He said you were about my size and asked me to let you borrow some of my clothes, so here I am.” Savannah chimed.
Peaches glanced down at her clothes, she was still wearing her wetsuit, but it was torn, stained and had an awful smell rising from it. Blushing Peaches looked back up at Savannah and half smiled half grimaced. “Yeah.. Thanks. I look like such a mess.”
“You look like you just had a battle with the ocean, it’s alright. You just need a warm shower and then you will feel better. When your done Will and I will have breakfast ready and you can join us.”
Peaches nodded her head and graciously took the clothes from Savannah.
“I’m Peaches by the way.”
“Peaches? That’s really your name?”
“No, but that’s the name that Will gave me last night.”
“Oh.. Okay, well that’s new.” “By the way, you’re the first to have a nickname.” Savannah said with a wink and walked off.
Peaches soaked in the last phrase that Savannah had said as she took a shower. ‘I’m the first to have a nickname? I don’t even know what my real name is let alone, what does that girl mean?’
-Downstairs-
“So you and Peaches eh? You sly dog! You’ve only known her for about 7 hours and she already has a nickname?” Savannah said as she gave a playful punch to Will’s shoulder.
“Ouch, that hurt.” Will sarcastically said as he pretended to rub and care for his ‘hurt’ arm. “Well she kind of can’t remember her name, so I gave her a name.
“My my dear willy, you sure know how to pick them.” Savannah said with a wink.
“Oh shut it, she’s just.. she’s.. she’s the one.”
“The one? How can you know? It’s only been a few hours, you don’t even know her!”
“That’s the thing, I don’t need to know her, I feel like I already do. She has come into my life unexpectedly and is moving the earth all around me, and I just know it. She is my everything.”
There was a silence in the kitchen after Will had spoken, Savannah walked over to Will’s side and stood there next to him for awhile. They stood there and watched the sun coat every surface in its warm glow and then slowly returned back to the real world.
“Okay. Don’t lose her.”
“I won’t. I won’t. Now let’s get this breakfast together before she comes down.”
Chapter 5
-: 2 Months has passed since they met:-
“Come on a bike ride with me!” Will pleaded
“How do I know if I can even ride a bike? Peaches teased
“Hmm, if you can’t ride a bike then I suppose you just might have to ride on my handlebars.” Will said as he tossed Peaches on his shoulders with a grin and kicked open the screen door. He casually strolled over to his bike and gently set Peaches down upon the handlebar. Peaches give Will a dirty look, crossed her arms, and put on her best pouty face.
Will gave her a wink and quick peck on the lips and then swung his body onto the bike and began to peddle. For first little while there was no mingling between the two, just the steady beat of will peddling and the sound of will’s breathing. The silence was broken when Will decided to stretch his fingertips and tickle Peaches backside. Sweet sounds of laughter erupted and continued for sometime.
“William Champion, I am going to fall off if you don’t stop!” Peaches yelled between fits of giggles.
“My dear Peaches, I would never let you fall off, unless..”
“Will! Stop tickling me to death, I’m going to pee my pants from laughing so much!”
Will grinned and slowly stopped the amusing torture and continued peddling. They rode the bike out of the city into the charming rolling hills of the Georgia Countryside. Soon the hills turned into tree filled forests where exhilarating colors exploded in their faces and incredible plants blossomed.
Turning the bike off the path he rode a bit into the grass and then stopped. He offered his hand to Peaches and began to lead her through the waste high swaying grass and the knot encrusted willow trees. A walking for just a while longer, Will lead Peaches into a tiny clearing where a dreamy lake sat beside and the sun shone directly into the clearing like a beacon of hope.
Peaches cast her eyes around the peaceful hollow taking in its beauty. Sitting in the middle of the clearing was a red-checkered blanket with a picket basket sitting on top. A warm arm wrapped it’s way around her waist and guided her forward toward the blanket. Peaches sat next to Will and leaned into his strong body. She rested her head on his chest and took in his sweet aroma that seemed to radiate from him.
The two of them sat together and enjoyed each other’s company and the simple meal that was inside the basket. It wasn’t the sweet gesture that Will had done that made Peaches fall for Will, it was the feeling that she had while sitting there in his arms. For the first time in a long time she felt safe.
While Peaches was wrapped up in her comfort, Will got up and began walking toward the small lake. Ever so casually he began to take off his shirt and discard it on the ground. A smile began to form on his lips and he proceeded to take off his shorts. Peaches looked up and laughed.
“Hmm you seem to have misplaced your clothes my dear Will.”
Have I now? Hmm perhaps if I remove these boxers I will find my clothes?”
“Oh I think you stand a very good chance with that.”
‘Is that so? Let’s see.” Will slowly and tantalizingly stripped off his boxers.
“Hmm I don’t see your clothes anywhere!”
“Really? Damn… What am I to do now?”
“Ha ha, you tell me?”
Will grinned a cocky little smile and then turned a ran into the lake, causing a great deal of water to splash everywhere including upon Peaches.
“WILLIAM CHAMPION! Look what your gallivanting has done! I am soaked!”
“Oh darn, what a shame. Hmm Perhaps you should take your clothes off and let them dry?”
“And what am I to do while they are drying?”
Will smiled casually and pretended to think. “Well I guess I can let you come swim with me.”
Peaches laughed. “Alright, but turn around.”
“Hold up, I let you see all of me, I think It’s only fair.”
“Uh uh, you choose to give me that little show, I choose not to, not yet at least.”
“Fine fine, I’m turning around.” Will playfully splashed the water around while he waited until he felt hands on his shoulders.
“Hey there.”
Will turned around and stared into the vivid green eyes that stared right back at him.
“Incredible.”
“What’s incredible?” Peaches asked.
“It’s incredible that you can still look so stunningly beautiful with mud on your face!”
“What?”
Will smashed a fist full of mud on her face and tried to swim away. Peaches grabbed a handful of mud from the bottom and chucked it at the back of Will’s head. Will retaliated in pushing Peaches under and soon the two were covered in mud and laughing so hard they were crying. Will looked up and saw a spark in her eyes, she was so full of life, so exhilarating, so dynamic. Will knew he had found her and so he let his heart take control.
Weaving his fingers in hers he pulled her close, he brushed his lips against hers and felt her lips part. Tenderly he bit her lip, pulling her closer each time. He reached his hands up a placed them on the sides of her face. His lips formed to hers and they moved in synch together. No fireworks were shot, no electricity felt, it was better. They felt complete, like they were missing a puzzle piece to their hearts and it was finally found and put in place. They felt the fire within each other truly light.
Chapter 6
“Have a safe flight Savannah.” Will said as he gave his sister a kiss and a hug.
“Thanks, I’m so excited to be going back to the rain and cold. Why can’t I stay here? I could go to school and it would be great!”
“Uh no. Give mum my love.”
“Goodbye Savannah, thank you for being such a dear to me!” Peaches said.
“Of course! Behave you two! I know where to find you!” Savannah teased.
“Alright smartass, go get on that bird already!” Will said as he pushed Savannah towards security.
-*-
The candles flickered in a careless manor. The power had gone out a couple of hours ago, which left Will with only candles and matches. He and peaches were sprawled out on the old rug in the living room with the game of scrabble placed between them. It was getting overbearingly warm in the room, but with the windows and doors open the storm outside would leave the home in a drenched state, so they remained closed.
Will began to sweat and grow uncomfortable in his confining clothes. After laying down his word he casually took off his shirt revealing his muscular chest. Peaches eyes slowly looked up over her tile board and leveled on Will’s chest. A tingle shot through her body. ‘My God he is delicious.’ She thought to her self. Feeling the heat of the room herself peaches reaches up and pulled off her tank top revealing her black bra.
A small smirk appeared on the lips of Will as he laid down the tiles S E X on the board. Pecahes inwardly grinned and placed the tiles Y E S down. Will read the word and in flash shoved the game aside sending tiles scattered across the floor. Will grabbed Peaches and pushed her down to the rug. He began with fiery kisses from her stomach, one after another, slowly, tenderly, leading upward towards her lips. Peaches let out a low moan as his lips left torturous burns on her skin.
Her hands reached down and fumbled for the button at the top of his jeans, unclasping it she began to synch his jeans down, feeling his muscles all the way down. He did the same to her, but felt her womanly curves and delicate skin against his. Will pulled her closer to his body and wrapped his hands around her backside finding the clasp on her bra. Struggling Will grew desperate and tore the bra off and was quick to caress her freed bosom.
Peaches threw her head back and bit her lip at the sensation Will was stirring in her body, it was overwhelming and yet she craved more. Will was quick to sense the desire and slide one hand down and began to slide her panties down and then took off his boxers to reveal his throbbing membrane. Peaches felt the hard member next to her body and began to beg that Will enter her. “Fuck me Will, let me see the stars and feel you even closer to me. Give me some more!” Will slid into her and they began to move together in rhythm to their racing hearts. Peaches body tensed and she slid her hands through Wills hair and shouted his name. Will pumped back and forth and then stars collided, universes were shattered and both Will and Peaches moaned together in ecstasy. Chests heaving in pleasure the two kissed and interlocked their hands. Will sighed in content and pulled Peaches into his body and they spooned together until they fell asleep listening to each other’s hearts beating.
Chapter 7
Will awoke to sunlight streaming across his living room. He quickly turned around to find he was alone. Finding his jeans he got up and walked into the kitchen finding his shirt on a beautiful female who was straddling the kitchen stool with a cup of coffee in her hands. Will smiled and wrapped his arms around her giving her a kiss.
“Good Morning.” He whispered.
“Yes it is a Good Morning.” She replied.
“Mmm you know what would make it even better?”
“mmm What?”
“If we continued what happened last night here on the kitchen counter.”
“Ahh see now that would be lovely, but you have work.”
“Shit! What time is it?”
“Just after 7.”
“Fuck” Will shouted as he ran out of the kitchen and upstairs.
Peaches smiled and hopped off her stool and made him a cup of coffee and a lunch.
Will ran back into the kitchen and Peaches gave him what she had made and a quick kiss before she pushed him out the door. Giggling to herself Peaches set about getting ready for the day. She showered and cleaned up the living room. After looking around the kitchen she decided that she would go grocery shopping and make Will something nice for dinner.
-*-
Peaches leaned casually on the metal cart as she strolled up and down the isles of the market debating on what to purchase. A quick glance in her cart showed very little, a cartoon of milk and a box of cereal. Chuckling to herself Peaches debated upon serving Will cereal for dinner. Rounding the next isle Peaches was met with boxes of pasta and sauce and felt that making Will lasagna would be yummy treat for his long day at work. Grabbing a box of noodles she placed them in her cart. Humming a little tune she continued to meander placing more items need to make the dish in her cart. After she had all the main ingredients she found herself in the produce section debating upon what fruit to buy. She was picking out Gala apples when she heard someone calling out.
“Clemy!” “Oh my gosh Peter, it’s Clemy”
Peaches looked up to see a woman with similar features like her own dragging a bewildered man toward her. They looked so familiar the same eyes the same straying wisps of hair. She was almost certain that she knew them, yet she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
The woman had made her way to Peaches and threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly! Peaches just stood there in shock, unsure as to whether she should hug her back or not. The woman finally let go and turned toward the man named Peter instructing him to call the car. The man who had a ghostly expression on his face gave a small nod and took out his cell phone and began to dial a number.
“I can’t believe you’re alive, I thought that you had died, but yet here you are! My Clementine, my baby girl.” The woman said in a thick southern accent.
Peaches was in shock, this woman had just called her Clementine, as in that was her name. Who was this woman?
“We never should have let you go out surfing that night, but you looked so desperate and I knew you were feeling the jitters about getting married. Scott, was so crushed, but now, Oh my! We must have you call Scott to let him know you’re alive!”
“Uh excuse me.” Peaches timidly said. “But who are you? Who is that man and who is Scott, and how do you know me?”
“Clementine! My goodness girl, I’m your mother, and that man there is your father, and Scott is your fiancé! Sweet cakes, you must have lost your memory, we searched that beach up and down and all we found was that damn surfboard. You have been missing now for about 8 months.”
“Carolina, the car is here. Come now.” The man announced as he turned away from the two women and walked toward the store doors.
“Don’t you mind your father, he just got over loosing you and now here you are. Come now, we must get you home and.. ‘Carolina gave a quick look over at her daughter’ out of those commoners clothes. I shall him Mary go out and get you some new clothes. Come along.”
Peaches was beyond confused, one minuet she is shopping for dinner for Will and her and the next she is being told that her name is Clementine and that these people are her family. Peaches could not seem to move and just stood in place flabbergasted.
Carolina noted that her daughter did not seem to be moving so she took her hand and pulled her along leaving the full cart behind.
Waiting outside was a black Porsche SUV and a man holding the door open, Carolina thought nothing of it and walked straight up to the car and got in and tugged Peaches in with her. The door shut and the man holding it prior appeared in the drivers seat and took off.
“Peter, we are going to need to get Clemy some medical attention, she is a ghost of her former self and well dear she can’t seem to remember much of anything.”
‘Of course dear.” Peter responded and once again pulled out his blackberry and began to dial numbers.
Carolina turned to face her daughter, “ Now, where on god’s earth have you been?”
All peaches could think about was Will, his house, his sister, and how happy and at peace she felt when she was with them. She was so confused that all she could do was stare out the window. They were driving along a private drive with old oak trees lined along both sides and lush greenery all around. Eventually the drive lead out of the trees and into a clearing where a large white plantation home stood, complete with a wrap around porch and tall Roman pillars.
“Ah well it doesn’t matter, now we must get you well again, so that you and Scott can be married. Speaking of Scott, it appears that he received the message, his car is parked outside our house.” Carolina announced as she pointed out the window to the red Ferrari.
“Wonderful timing, now we must get you upstairs before Scott sees you like that. Ugh what have you been wearing, such trash, but no worries that can be fixed… but you hair.. well that will just have to do for now, until I can get you an appointment with Chad.” Before Peaches had the chance to speak she was being whisked out of the car and into the stunning plantation home.
(to be continued)
Not too soon after the creak of the old stairs announced the arrival of the man from upstairs and the girl looked up and smiled. “I see we decided not to shave. Mum would threaten you with a kitchen knife if she saw you.”
“Well it’s a good thing that mum is half way across the Atlantic isn’t it Savannah?”
“Doesn’t mean she won’t find out.” Savannah teased as she flipped some Cheerios in her brother’s direction.
“So you want to go back to rainy wet England huh? You don’t like it here at Will’s warm beach house in Georgia?” Will taunted.
“You mean this run down shack?” Savannah questioned.
“Hey, this place has so much character, it lives up to the cities charm back in the day when trollies use to roll down the streets and people dressed up to go out. I like this ‘shack’ and I intend to fix it up and restore it to its original beauty one-day.” Will announced as he prepared some coffee.
“Well until that day occurs, it’s a shack. Anyway how long do you have to work today? Can I take your car and go to the city and go shopping?”
“I work all day like every day and no you can not take my car you little felon! You don’t have a license and don’t give me the ‘you let me drive your car back in England, I was young and naive back then’” Will exclaimed.
“Will that was three years ago, I don’t think you have matured that much.” Savannah said as she rolled her eyes.
“Oh hush you! Here you can have my bus pass.” Will said as he tossed her the flimsy card. “ That should get you into town to go do your dreadful deeds.”
“You spoil all the fun. Well have fun saving no one at the beach, I can’t believe you get paid to sit there and watch women tan all day. No one get’s in the water over here, it’s like they fear that if they touch it they will melt or ruin their plastic surgery nose.” Savannah called out as she left the kitchen.
Will just shook his head and gazed out the window admiring the unique patterns the clouds and the rising sun were making. He needed to go soon so that he could get the flags out before people started making their way to the beach. Will drank the last of the coffee and tossed the mug into the sink making a mental note to do the dishes when he came home.
Taking one last look around the kitchen to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything he needed he opened the door and swung his legs off the porch and landed on the ground. Leaning against the peeling wood of his home was his means of transportation, an old faded red Schwinn bike complete with basket and bell. With a grin plastered on his face Will swung his leg over and began to peddle down the road to the beach.
It always felt like an accomplishment to Will to arrive at the beach before anyone else, like he was the king and the waves were all bowing for him just because he was there. He also liked to jog along the shore and feel the wet sand squish between his toes and see his trail of footprints being left behind him. This was also the time when he would watch the waves and determine what kind they were so he would know what flags to put out. Most of the time the water off the coast of Georgia was tame and a green flag would be seen flying but on the occasion Will would have to fly a red or yellow flag.
The water was gently lapping the sand indicating it was a green flag day. Will smiled knowing he could relax just a hair today. Finishing his run he made it to the lifeguard stand and climbed the ladder and found his 5 greens flags. He tossed them down on to the sand and then he leapt from the stand right after them.
With the flags in place to ‘inform’ the public he decided to make his way back to his stand and start the oh so exciting day. He did enjoy his lifeguard stand, it reminded him of a tree house with legs. Inside was a first aid kit, a raft, a radio and binoculars. He would sit there with the radio turned on to some sixties music while he watched his area of the beach. Watching was pretty much the only thing he did, not much mouth-to-mouth was being needed, as it seemed to be the only section of the beach where the ‘older’ ladies came.
He knew why they came to his beach, because they were 55 and their husbands now had beer bellies and were balding. They came in groups and they would set their umbrellas and chairs out and face his stand. He was required that every hour he get down and patrol his beach and that’s when the ladies would swarm like a pack of hyenas.
They would follow behind him as he walked and would make comments to each other about his ‘cute’ butt and muscular physic. It always made Will chuckle and sadly he started to know the ladies by name.
“Good morning Eleanor and Florence.”
“Oh Good Morning William, wont you be a dear and help us put some sun tan lotion on? And talk to us some more in your lovely accent?” Eleanor asked as she ‘tried’ to seductively squeeze the sunscreen on to her legs.
Will cringed at the sight and tried to picture something else. No luck. “Uh sorry ladies I’ve got to get back to my stand and do some er lifeguarding duties.”
“Oh what bad luck, perhaps next time?” Florence said with a wink, or at least that’s what Will thought she was trying to do. Will gave them a wary smile and just walked off.
Chapter 2
Sweat was running down the back of Will’s neck as he repainted the back porch stairs. It was his free day and like most of his free days he spent it fixing up his southern belle as he called his home. The clicking of ice in a glass announced Savannahs arrival.
“I made you some sweat tea, cause it is just sticky out here. I thought the humidity was awful in England, but here it is just dreadful and the heat don’t help.”
“Thanks Savannah, What are your plans for the night?”
“Oh uh, not much. I was just going to make it a low key night.”
“Well how about after I finish this I take you with me to the farmers market and then we can grab a bite to eat on our way back?”
“I just don’t know, I’ll have to check my schedule.. looks like I have had a cancellation and I can pencil you in.”
“Tell your ‘Dear Diary toy’ that I know where the screw driver is.” Will said as he flung his paintbrush at his sister.
“Gah! WILL!!!! Alright, I better go get cute, cause there could be hot American boys there.” Savannah said with a giddy squeal and ran off inside.
Will just laughed and tossed some paint on his brush and continued on.
The little fan was blowing hot air around the tiny guard shack and the static on the radio was becoming over bearing. Will tensed his hand and swung hitting the radio, knocking it to the ground and sending pieces of it across the floor. “Shit.” Will sat still breathing deeply in and out through his nose trying to calm down. “Fuck this.” The muscular man reached his hands to the little opening in the stand and launched his body through the opening. A dull thud let anyone around now that he had landed on the sand.
Will looked up and noticed that on the horizon dark clouds were forming and that the air was becoming increasingly stale and eerily calm. A storm was on its way in, Will felt the power coursing through his veins. It was electrifying and cleansing at the same time. It had been a while since a good storm had come through here and he was excited. He wasn’t the only one who noticed it either, the beach was empty, and his usual following of old hags had gone home to their little blue pill popping husbands. It was an almost peaceful sight. Rolling waves and golden sand beaches lay before him and not a sole could be seen.
He quickly judged the ominous clouds and determined that their threat would not happen today, but maybe early tomorrow morning. The waves were beginning to grow, Will knew that tomorrow he would see a few crazies out to surf it, he just hopped that they were smart and were able to judge it, but most likely that wouldn’t happen. Deciding that there would be no other guests at the beach, Will decided to collect the flags and go home.
The wind was starting to pick up and was causing the shutters on the windows to bang the sides of the house creating an awful sound. Will cringed as he thought of the imminent damage that was occurring. He had underestimated this storm and it was quickly turning into a storm of hurricane proportions. Will walked into his kitchen to find his sister setting out a pot to catch the water droppings that were leaking from the ceiling.
“Right uh the roof needs to be replaced, but in due time eh?” Will said as he received a death glare from Savannah.
“Oh cheer up, at least it doesn’t rain all the time here. Anyway I’m going to make you a famous Georgia Peach Pie. That should make up for the constant shower.”
“Will you can actually bake?” Savannah questioned in a teasing manner.
“Mhhmm, and it includes a side of ultimate death!” Will said as he nodded his head.
“Well this I have to taste, better yet see.” Savannah replied as she sat down at one of the stools that sat by the kitchen counter.
Will let out a great bellow of laughter as he whisked around the kitchen gathering up supplies to create his pie. He was extra careful to accidently spill some flour on Savannahs head. But then the flour was returned in the form of a face full of egg. Before long Savannah and Will were having a battle in the kitchen. Finally after his kitchen was coated in a fine layer of white dust and runny yellow yoke, he decided to crack down and make his pie.
In a short hour Will had finished mixing, and whisking and had a pie to show for it. Savannah gave will a teasing round of clapping while Will bowed.
“And now it bakes.” Will announced with a grin.
“And now it gets neglected and burns!” Savannah shouted as she ran out of the room to avoid the towel that was tossed in her direction.
Will smiled and placed the pie into the oven and set to cleaning up his kitchen. When he was done he still had a good 30 min before the pie needed to be taken out. A quick glance out the window showed that the storm outside had lessened to a mild pitter patter of rain and Will decided to go for a walk in the rain along the beach. He let Savannah know, and told her when to take the pie out.
Upon stepping out side Will took a deep breath and let his lungs fill with the fresh air. The smell in the air was luxurious; it had the sweat scent that lingers after a heavy down pour mixed with the salt from the sea. Will set out at quick pace enjoying the feeling the rain left as it fell on his skin. The dark waters churned and left bubbles in their wake. When Will stood still and closed his eyes he could hear the bubbles pop and it sent chills of bliss down his spine. Everything about the rain and weather was making him giddy, like it was the first day of school when you’re six.
Will was glancing out at the waves when he noticed and dark figure out on the waves surfing. They were getting dangerously close to the outcropping of rocks. Will had seen many surfers get tangled up in choker wave and seen them get driven into the rocks. Most didn’t survive. Holding his breath he watched in what felt like slow motion a surprise wave come up from behind the lone surfer. One second they were on top of the wave and the next they were swallowed and thrown deep into the pounding cavern of the waves underbelly.
Will’s pulse speed up like stomping on the throttle of a car’s gas, he ran and dove into the menacing ocean trying desperately to fight his way out to the surfer. Wave after wave pounded on him, trying to thwart his efforts, but will persevered and kept swimming. Kick. Stroke. Kick. Stroke. Through salt burning eyes he could see a figure tossed onto the rocks and pieces of a surfboard scattered around. Will mustered up a great amount of stamina and propelled himself directly to the rocks.
Blood was rolling down the side of the head of the surfer. Will scooted his body right next to the surfer. He brushed the hair to the side that was strewn in the face of the surfer and looked into the face of the most stunning woman he had ever scene.
Chapter 3
“Who is she Will?” Savannah questioned as she pointed towards the worn old couch in the living room where the surfer girl lay unconscious.
“I don’t know, but I couldn’t just leave here there Savannah.” Will said.
“You know there happens to be this wonderful place that has quite recently become common in oh every country called a hospital! It’s a place where they help people and where people like her should be right now!”
“Hush. If she worsens I’ll take her there, but I just… there is something about her. I’m going to get her another blanket.”
“Will your still dripping wet and you smell like sea throw up. Go take a shower and I will get her another blanket. I doubt she is going to wake up soon anyway; she was bleeding crazy until you fixed her up.”
“Thanks Savannah. I wont take too long.”
Will sat in the chair across from the couch. Stuffing from the chair was oozing out from the sides, but Will just couldn’t get rid of his favorite chair. A small table sat next to him with a small reading lamp that was casting a warm glow around Will as he read a book and kept an eye on the girl.
Soon his head began to feel heavy and started to fall and would jolt Will awake for a bit longer. He would have eventually fallen asleep had he not heard her speak. It was quite and faint and a bit scratchy from the salt water, but Will heard her speak.
“It smells like peaches in here.”
Will blinked his eyes a few times then cracked a smile. Sat up across from him was the girl he had saved. Her rich coffee brown hair was encircling her face and her liquid green eyes sparkled in the dim light “That is because I made a peach pie a few hours ago.” Will said in a gentle teasing tone.
“Oh that sound lovely.”
“You have such a lovely voice. It is calming and full of warmth.”
“Thank you. Would you like a slice of pie?” Will asked
A low rumbled echoed from her stomach.
Will chuckled and stood up and motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen. While Will banged around the kitchen he introduced himself.
“My name is Will.. I am”
“Your not from around here? You sound like you are from somewhere exciting, where people are cultured and live vicariously.”
“Ha-ha, well I’m not sure it’s that exciting, but I’m from England.” Will exclaimed as her placed a piece of pie in front of her.
“England, I’ve always wanted to go there. When I was a little girl I had a big map of the world that hung in my room. One day I took a marker and I put stars next to all the countries that I wanted visit. I think I ended up marking just about every country on the map.”
“Well maybe you can go to England someday and perhaps the rest of the world. So what is your name?” Will asked.
“How rude of me! My name is….” She sat there for a while with a blank look. “My name is uh.. I can’t remember. Why can’t I remember? Where am I? How did I get here? Did you kidnap me? Did you rape me?”
“Whoa! Take it easy. You don’t remember what happened?”
“No.” she said in a small voice.
“Oh dear. Perhaps I should take you to the hospital.”
“NO! I don’t want to go to the hospital. You can’t make me go! I won’t!” She said angrily.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Will you tell me what happened?” she asked in a timid voice.
“Only if you eat that pie” Will said as he pointed at the little plate. ,”You look like skin and bones.”
She quickly picked up the fork and shoveled in a huge bite. “MMMMM, that is so good. It just melts in your mouth. I love peaches.”
“Excellent, that makes two of us, now story time.”
--- 20 Minutes----
“So do you think I have amnesia?”
“I’m not sure, I would presume if you can’t remember your name or the accident.”
“Do you think I will ever get it back?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure though. Well I’m sure your exhausted, you can sleep in my bed tonight, and perhaps you will wake up in the morning and you will be able to remember everything.”
“Oh that would be nice.”
“Yeah.. My room is upstairs, let me lead you there.”
“The bathroom is through that door, there are spare towels in the cabinet behind the door.”
“Thanks Will. I’m sure I will remember everything in the morning. You have been so kind.”
“Well that’s how we English men are.” Will said with a wink.
“Ha-ha Good night Will!”
“Good night… Peaches”
“Peaches?”
“Yeah, peaches, they remind me of you, and it was the first thing you said when come around.”
“I like it.”
“Sweet Dreams Peaches.” Will whispered.
Chapter 4
‘It’s incredible how the morning after a fierce storm like last night can be so beautiful’, Will thought to himself as he stood on the porch. The sun was rising over the ocean casting vibrant orange streaks across the water.
Upstairs Peaches was admiring not the morning sunrise, but the man that stood watching it, with just a pair of jeans that hung low and showed of his tan body. He had broad shoulders and a toned stomach. He was no model, but he had rugged looks that could kill. He was standing so strong and steady, never wavering. Peaches placed her hand on the window frame and traced his outline.
“He is even better up close you know.”
Peaches jumped and turned around to see a girl who was a carbon female copy of Will standing in the doorway holding some clothes in her arms.
“Sorry? I uh, who are you?” Peaches asked.
“I’m Savannah, Will’s sister. He said you were about my size and asked me to let you borrow some of my clothes, so here I am.” Savannah chimed.
Peaches glanced down at her clothes, she was still wearing her wetsuit, but it was torn, stained and had an awful smell rising from it. Blushing Peaches looked back up at Savannah and half smiled half grimaced. “Yeah.. Thanks. I look like such a mess.”
“You look like you just had a battle with the ocean, it’s alright. You just need a warm shower and then you will feel better. When your done Will and I will have breakfast ready and you can join us.”
Peaches nodded her head and graciously took the clothes from Savannah.
“I’m Peaches by the way.”
“Peaches? That’s really your name?”
“No, but that’s the name that Will gave me last night.”
“Oh.. Okay, well that’s new.” “By the way, you’re the first to have a nickname.” Savannah said with a wink and walked off.
Peaches soaked in the last phrase that Savannah had said as she took a shower. ‘I’m the first to have a nickname? I don’t even know what my real name is let alone, what does that girl mean?’
-Downstairs-
“So you and Peaches eh? You sly dog! You’ve only known her for about 7 hours and she already has a nickname?” Savannah said as she gave a playful punch to Will’s shoulder.
“Ouch, that hurt.” Will sarcastically said as he pretended to rub and care for his ‘hurt’ arm. “Well she kind of can’t remember her name, so I gave her a name.
“My my dear willy, you sure know how to pick them.” Savannah said with a wink.
“Oh shut it, she’s just.. she’s.. she’s the one.”
“The one? How can you know? It’s only been a few hours, you don’t even know her!”
“That’s the thing, I don’t need to know her, I feel like I already do. She has come into my life unexpectedly and is moving the earth all around me, and I just know it. She is my everything.”
There was a silence in the kitchen after Will had spoken, Savannah walked over to Will’s side and stood there next to him for awhile. They stood there and watched the sun coat every surface in its warm glow and then slowly returned back to the real world.
“Okay. Don’t lose her.”
“I won’t. I won’t. Now let’s get this breakfast together before she comes down.”
Chapter 5
-: 2 Months has passed since they met:-
“Come on a bike ride with me!” Will pleaded
“How do I know if I can even ride a bike? Peaches teased
“Hmm, if you can’t ride a bike then I suppose you just might have to ride on my handlebars.” Will said as he tossed Peaches on his shoulders with a grin and kicked open the screen door. He casually strolled over to his bike and gently set Peaches down upon the handlebar. Peaches give Will a dirty look, crossed her arms, and put on her best pouty face.
Will gave her a wink and quick peck on the lips and then swung his body onto the bike and began to peddle. For first little while there was no mingling between the two, just the steady beat of will peddling and the sound of will’s breathing. The silence was broken when Will decided to stretch his fingertips and tickle Peaches backside. Sweet sounds of laughter erupted and continued for sometime.
“William Champion, I am going to fall off if you don’t stop!” Peaches yelled between fits of giggles.
“My dear Peaches, I would never let you fall off, unless..”
“Will! Stop tickling me to death, I’m going to pee my pants from laughing so much!”
Will grinned and slowly stopped the amusing torture and continued peddling. They rode the bike out of the city into the charming rolling hills of the Georgia Countryside. Soon the hills turned into tree filled forests where exhilarating colors exploded in their faces and incredible plants blossomed.
Turning the bike off the path he rode a bit into the grass and then stopped. He offered his hand to Peaches and began to lead her through the waste high swaying grass and the knot encrusted willow trees. A walking for just a while longer, Will lead Peaches into a tiny clearing where a dreamy lake sat beside and the sun shone directly into the clearing like a beacon of hope.
Peaches cast her eyes around the peaceful hollow taking in its beauty. Sitting in the middle of the clearing was a red-checkered blanket with a picket basket sitting on top. A warm arm wrapped it’s way around her waist and guided her forward toward the blanket. Peaches sat next to Will and leaned into his strong body. She rested her head on his chest and took in his sweet aroma that seemed to radiate from him.
The two of them sat together and enjoyed each other’s company and the simple meal that was inside the basket. It wasn’t the sweet gesture that Will had done that made Peaches fall for Will, it was the feeling that she had while sitting there in his arms. For the first time in a long time she felt safe.
While Peaches was wrapped up in her comfort, Will got up and began walking toward the small lake. Ever so casually he began to take off his shirt and discard it on the ground. A smile began to form on his lips and he proceeded to take off his shorts. Peaches looked up and laughed.
“Hmm you seem to have misplaced your clothes my dear Will.”
Have I now? Hmm perhaps if I remove these boxers I will find my clothes?”
“Oh I think you stand a very good chance with that.”
‘Is that so? Let’s see.” Will slowly and tantalizingly stripped off his boxers.
“Hmm I don’t see your clothes anywhere!”
“Really? Damn… What am I to do now?”
“Ha ha, you tell me?”
Will grinned a cocky little smile and then turned a ran into the lake, causing a great deal of water to splash everywhere including upon Peaches.
“WILLIAM CHAMPION! Look what your gallivanting has done! I am soaked!”
“Oh darn, what a shame. Hmm Perhaps you should take your clothes off and let them dry?”
“And what am I to do while they are drying?”
Will smiled casually and pretended to think. “Well I guess I can let you come swim with me.”
Peaches laughed. “Alright, but turn around.”
“Hold up, I let you see all of me, I think It’s only fair.”
“Uh uh, you choose to give me that little show, I choose not to, not yet at least.”
“Fine fine, I’m turning around.” Will playfully splashed the water around while he waited until he felt hands on his shoulders.
“Hey there.”
Will turned around and stared into the vivid green eyes that stared right back at him.
“Incredible.”
“What’s incredible?” Peaches asked.
“It’s incredible that you can still look so stunningly beautiful with mud on your face!”
“What?”
Will smashed a fist full of mud on her face and tried to swim away. Peaches grabbed a handful of mud from the bottom and chucked it at the back of Will’s head. Will retaliated in pushing Peaches under and soon the two were covered in mud and laughing so hard they were crying. Will looked up and saw a spark in her eyes, she was so full of life, so exhilarating, so dynamic. Will knew he had found her and so he let his heart take control.
Weaving his fingers in hers he pulled her close, he brushed his lips against hers and felt her lips part. Tenderly he bit her lip, pulling her closer each time. He reached his hands up a placed them on the sides of her face. His lips formed to hers and they moved in synch together. No fireworks were shot, no electricity felt, it was better. They felt complete, like they were missing a puzzle piece to their hearts and it was finally found and put in place. They felt the fire within each other truly light.
Chapter 6
“Have a safe flight Savannah.” Will said as he gave his sister a kiss and a hug.
“Thanks, I’m so excited to be going back to the rain and cold. Why can’t I stay here? I could go to school and it would be great!”
“Uh no. Give mum my love.”
“Goodbye Savannah, thank you for being such a dear to me!” Peaches said.
“Of course! Behave you two! I know where to find you!” Savannah teased.
“Alright smartass, go get on that bird already!” Will said as he pushed Savannah towards security.
-*-
The candles flickered in a careless manor. The power had gone out a couple of hours ago, which left Will with only candles and matches. He and peaches were sprawled out on the old rug in the living room with the game of scrabble placed between them. It was getting overbearingly warm in the room, but with the windows and doors open the storm outside would leave the home in a drenched state, so they remained closed.
Will began to sweat and grow uncomfortable in his confining clothes. After laying down his word he casually took off his shirt revealing his muscular chest. Peaches eyes slowly looked up over her tile board and leveled on Will’s chest. A tingle shot through her body. ‘My God he is delicious.’ She thought to her self. Feeling the heat of the room herself peaches reaches up and pulled off her tank top revealing her black bra.
A small smirk appeared on the lips of Will as he laid down the tiles S E X on the board. Pecahes inwardly grinned and placed the tiles Y E S down. Will read the word and in flash shoved the game aside sending tiles scattered across the floor. Will grabbed Peaches and pushed her down to the rug. He began with fiery kisses from her stomach, one after another, slowly, tenderly, leading upward towards her lips. Peaches let out a low moan as his lips left torturous burns on her skin.
Her hands reached down and fumbled for the button at the top of his jeans, unclasping it she began to synch his jeans down, feeling his muscles all the way down. He did the same to her, but felt her womanly curves and delicate skin against his. Will pulled her closer to his body and wrapped his hands around her backside finding the clasp on her bra. Struggling Will grew desperate and tore the bra off and was quick to caress her freed bosom.
Peaches threw her head back and bit her lip at the sensation Will was stirring in her body, it was overwhelming and yet she craved more. Will was quick to sense the desire and slide one hand down and began to slide her panties down and then took off his boxers to reveal his throbbing membrane. Peaches felt the hard member next to her body and began to beg that Will enter her. “Fuck me Will, let me see the stars and feel you even closer to me. Give me some more!” Will slid into her and they began to move together in rhythm to their racing hearts. Peaches body tensed and she slid her hands through Wills hair and shouted his name. Will pumped back and forth and then stars collided, universes were shattered and both Will and Peaches moaned together in ecstasy. Chests heaving in pleasure the two kissed and interlocked their hands. Will sighed in content and pulled Peaches into his body and they spooned together until they fell asleep listening to each other’s hearts beating.
Chapter 7
Will awoke to sunlight streaming across his living room. He quickly turned around to find he was alone. Finding his jeans he got up and walked into the kitchen finding his shirt on a beautiful female who was straddling the kitchen stool with a cup of coffee in her hands. Will smiled and wrapped his arms around her giving her a kiss.
“Good Morning.” He whispered.
“Yes it is a Good Morning.” She replied.
“Mmm you know what would make it even better?”
“mmm What?”
“If we continued what happened last night here on the kitchen counter.”
“Ahh see now that would be lovely, but you have work.”
“Shit! What time is it?”
“Just after 7.”
“Fuck” Will shouted as he ran out of the kitchen and upstairs.
Peaches smiled and hopped off her stool and made him a cup of coffee and a lunch.
Will ran back into the kitchen and Peaches gave him what she had made and a quick kiss before she pushed him out the door. Giggling to herself Peaches set about getting ready for the day. She showered and cleaned up the living room. After looking around the kitchen she decided that she would go grocery shopping and make Will something nice for dinner.
-*-
Peaches leaned casually on the metal cart as she strolled up and down the isles of the market debating on what to purchase. A quick glance in her cart showed very little, a cartoon of milk and a box of cereal. Chuckling to herself Peaches debated upon serving Will cereal for dinner. Rounding the next isle Peaches was met with boxes of pasta and sauce and felt that making Will lasagna would be yummy treat for his long day at work. Grabbing a box of noodles she placed them in her cart. Humming a little tune she continued to meander placing more items need to make the dish in her cart. After she had all the main ingredients she found herself in the produce section debating upon what fruit to buy. She was picking out Gala apples when she heard someone calling out.
“Clemy!” “Oh my gosh Peter, it’s Clemy”
Peaches looked up to see a woman with similar features like her own dragging a bewildered man toward her. They looked so familiar the same eyes the same straying wisps of hair. She was almost certain that she knew them, yet she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
The woman had made her way to Peaches and threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly! Peaches just stood there in shock, unsure as to whether she should hug her back or not. The woman finally let go and turned toward the man named Peter instructing him to call the car. The man who had a ghostly expression on his face gave a small nod and took out his cell phone and began to dial a number.
“I can’t believe you’re alive, I thought that you had died, but yet here you are! My Clementine, my baby girl.” The woman said in a thick southern accent.
Peaches was in shock, this woman had just called her Clementine, as in that was her name. Who was this woman?
“We never should have let you go out surfing that night, but you looked so desperate and I knew you were feeling the jitters about getting married. Scott, was so crushed, but now, Oh my! We must have you call Scott to let him know you’re alive!”
“Uh excuse me.” Peaches timidly said. “But who are you? Who is that man and who is Scott, and how do you know me?”
“Clementine! My goodness girl, I’m your mother, and that man there is your father, and Scott is your fiancé! Sweet cakes, you must have lost your memory, we searched that beach up and down and all we found was that damn surfboard. You have been missing now for about 8 months.”
“Carolina, the car is here. Come now.” The man announced as he turned away from the two women and walked toward the store doors.
“Don’t you mind your father, he just got over loosing you and now here you are. Come now, we must get you home and.. ‘Carolina gave a quick look over at her daughter’ out of those commoners clothes. I shall him Mary go out and get you some new clothes. Come along.”
Peaches was beyond confused, one minuet she is shopping for dinner for Will and her and the next she is being told that her name is Clementine and that these people are her family. Peaches could not seem to move and just stood in place flabbergasted.
Carolina noted that her daughter did not seem to be moving so she took her hand and pulled her along leaving the full cart behind.
Waiting outside was a black Porsche SUV and a man holding the door open, Carolina thought nothing of it and walked straight up to the car and got in and tugged Peaches in with her. The door shut and the man holding it prior appeared in the drivers seat and took off.
“Peter, we are going to need to get Clemy some medical attention, she is a ghost of her former self and well dear she can’t seem to remember much of anything.”
‘Of course dear.” Peter responded and once again pulled out his blackberry and began to dial numbers.
Carolina turned to face her daughter, “ Now, where on god’s earth have you been?”
All peaches could think about was Will, his house, his sister, and how happy and at peace she felt when she was with them. She was so confused that all she could do was stare out the window. They were driving along a private drive with old oak trees lined along both sides and lush greenery all around. Eventually the drive lead out of the trees and into a clearing where a large white plantation home stood, complete with a wrap around porch and tall Roman pillars.
“Ah well it doesn’t matter, now we must get you well again, so that you and Scott can be married. Speaking of Scott, it appears that he received the message, his car is parked outside our house.” Carolina announced as she pointed out the window to the red Ferrari.
“Wonderful timing, now we must get you upstairs before Scott sees you like that. Ugh what have you been wearing, such trash, but no worries that can be fixed… but you hair.. well that will just have to do for now, until I can get you an appointment with Chad.” Before Peaches had the chance to speak she was being whisked out of the car and into the stunning plantation home.
(to be continued)
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