Blythe watched with mixed emotions. She was so happy for her brother and best friend, but part of her was jealous of what they had. Another part of her felt terrible that they had never wanted to show this side of themselves to her. Why had they hidden their love? Was it really that they were embarrassed? It seemed so strange. She was so proud of her relationship with Alec, and equally proud of the budding romance with Elam. Could she have hidden her true feelings from everyone? No, she knew she couldn't have. She wanted that feeling back, that the sun rose and set in the man she loved.
Elam touched her hand, drawing her focus to him. "You okay, babe?"
Blythe managed a tear tinged smile. "Yeah. It's been an emotional day—in a good way, mostly. I feel so sorry for Mrs. Garafolo. To lose one son and have the other only half alive. It must be horrible."
"We'll figure this out, babe. I promise. Somehow, we'll find a way to help Malachi. No one should be trapped inside himself."
The ride home was pleasant. Lori and Jason necked in the back seat most of the way. Blythe and Elam used the time to get to know one another better. They talked about foods they liked, music they enjoyed, or hated. They shared a love for the same books, and liked the same movies. Blythe had lost track of how much he and Alec had in common, focusing instead on how they were different. In many ways, she and Elam had more in common than she and Alec had.
"So, besides reading, swimming and biking, what do you do for fun," Blythe asked.
Elam glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Really? You're serious with that question?"
"Yeah, so?" She frowned, not catching on.
"Yo, Jason," he called.
"Hm?" Her brother sounded bleary.
"Blythe wants to know what I do—for fun."
Jason burst out laughing. "Really?" He whooped, smacking his sister's arm. "We might watch sports, exercise, fish, hunt—but there's only one thing that keeps us constantly amused. If I actually have to spell it for you, I might have to slap you silly."
Blythe blushed, ducking her head. "Thanks, Jason. Nice images you've put in my mind."
"Can I see?" Elam asked. He'd stopped for a light on SR 44. He leaned toward her, eyes wide. "Oops, there it is! Reverse cowgirl? Why, you kinky darling."
"Oh, my God! You guys are such pervs!"
"Me? I did nothing," Jason protested. "But that sounds like a good idea. Honey?"
Lori smacked him. "We'll talk about that later. He's going to be uncontrollable now."
"But you still love me," Jason said, pulling her close.
"Yes, for some reason, I do."
They kissed the rest of the way home.
Elam stopped at the Donovan home. Jason and Lori got in their car, taking off without going inside. Blythe couldn't blame them. All the kissing she and Elam had done, on the way up to Ocala, had made her remember what she'd had with Alec. Their lovemaking was sporadic over the last few years, while he'd been in the military, but at least they'd had sex every few months. It had been well over a year now, and her body ached for the touch of a man. She found herself staring at his profile, cast in highlight and shadow by the lights of the house.
"It was a good trip," Elam said.
"Thank you for taking me. I hoped we'd get more from it, but it was important to get up there. Do you think he heard us?"
"I think so. Someone interviewed people who had woken from comas. One guy described it like being in a soundproof booth above his bed. He could see everyone, and he tried to respond, but there were no controls in the booth, and no door. He heard and understood everything, but couldn't talk to anyone. I think Malachi is stuck in that booth. Maybe we're the people who can help bring him back."
"Poor Malachi. That would be horrible."
Elam's hand sat on the gear shift between the seats. Blythe touched his fingers.
"Would you like to come in?"
"I'd rather find a quiet spot and kiss you," he said. "Kinda awkward with a stick shift between us."
Blythe opened her door. "Come with me. I know just the spot."
She took his hand, leading him to the side porch of the rambling Victorian. The wide, deep porch ran around three-quarters of the house. One of her favorite hangouts with Alec, had been the padded swing on the side porch. There were trees between them and their neighbors, making it the perfect spot to cuddle and kiss.
Inside, the lights of the den dimly illuminated this side of the house. The TV blared loudly. Despite what her father liked to tell people, his hearing was going. He listened to his favorite shows with the sound turned way up. They could have dropped a bomb outside and he might hear it. Right now, he was watching a movie—Clint Eastwood's Outlaw Josie Wales, based on what Blythe heard.
"Will this do?" She sat on the swing.
"I deem it acceptable," Elam said, sitting down next to her.
Without another word, they moved closer, their lips meeting with another spark. Both of them stopped, rubbing their lips with their fingertips.
"Ouch!" Blythe whispered, even though her father hadn't a prayer of hearing them.
"That was some kiss, babe."
"Yeah, kind of painful. I know what will make it all better." She teased his mouth with hers, brushing her lips lightly across his, as her fingers stroked his cheeks and earlobes.
©2022 Dellani Oakes
No comments:
Post a Comment