Two dear friends from childhood reconnect and are given a second chance at happiness and love.
Love Made Over
Part 2
Cast of Characters:
Wendell Davis Anders
Gwendolyn Rene Jacobs
Marylinn (fellow waitress at the diner where Gwen works)
Life is full of twists and unexpected turns of events. Often, they are not welcomed or even wanted, but sometimes they are truly amazing… Such are second chances… An opportunity to set wrongs right, to make amends and to experience happiness and joy. For Wendell and Gwen, it might be life changing.
…
As promised, Wendell called Gwen later that evening. Gwen had gotten home from working at the diner and had just stepped out of the shower when her phone rang. Wrapped in only a towel, she sat on the edge of her bed and picked up the phone. She felt a long-forgotten thrill course through her body when she heard Wendell’s voice greeting her on the other end of the phone.
“Gwen?” Wendell asked hoping he had not misdialed.
“Yes… Wendell?” She returned hesitantly.
“Yeah, it’s me… Hi. I hope I’m not calling too late.” Wendell spoke softly into the phone.
“No, not too late. I’ve just stepped out of the shower though.” Gwen told him, not sure why she had told him that.
“Oh! I… I can call back in a few minutes if you want.” Wendell offered.
“No, it’s fine. I usually sleep with nothing on anyway.” Gwen said… again wondering why she offered up that kind of information, even to a long-lost friend.
“Really?” There was a brief pause as Wendell digested that bit of information then he continued. “I mean… well… sometimes I do too. Especially if it’s somewhere very hot.” He added and then grimaced at the unintentional innuendo.
Gwen giggled a little, then lay back on her bed, the towel falling open and to her sides. The cooler air of her bedroom made her still shower warmed nipples stiffen. Or was it the myriads of thoughts that suddenly raced through her mind. She wasn’t even aware that her free hand had found one of her breasts and was rolling the nipple gently between her thumb and forefinger.
“God! I remember some summers when we were kids, and it got so hot even at night that we left the windows open and kicked all the blankets and sheets off.” Gwen said with a slight groan but with a smile on her face.
“I remember camping in my parent’s back yard but even then, both of us kept our clothes on.” Wendell said, also reminiscing years gone by. Happier times.
“Those were fun times, weren’t they?” Gwen responded with a question.
“Some were. Especially the ones with you.” Wendell confirmed then grew quiet for a moment.
“Yeah, good times. They’re the ones I look back on when I’m feeling down and sad… or lonely.” Gwen almost whispered, halfway drifting off on thoughts of better times as a kid.
“I never would have thought you’d be lonely.” Wendell spoke softly, “How is that even possible?”
Gwen barked a short laugh that belied its sarcasm. “One can be lonely in a crowd of people.” She admonished but in a sad sounding voice.
Wendell knew that there had to be reasons for her sadness and as desperately as he wanted to know, to help, he knew too that it was not the right time to dig deeper yet. Instead, he simply agreed with her because he knew as well that he too had been lonely over the years. Gwen didn’t know that deep in his heart he still carried a torch for her, a hope, a dream. A dream that could possibly come true now that they had reconnected after all these years. He didn’t want to blow it.
Instead, he talked about himself and the places he’d seen and the traveling that he’d done in the Army, moving from assignment to assignment, all over the world. They talked about the food, the different cultures and people. Wendell filled Gwen in on his brother and sister and their families, his parents and their move to Florida.
It was getting late by this time so even as the two of them wanted to just keep talking they agreed to continue talking the next day or whenever they could. Neither wanted to be the first to hang up, to end their connection even if only for the night.
“I’m sure you’re tired now, Gwen. I should let you go and get some sleep. I should probably get some sleep too. I’m still on duty tomorrow and the next day early so…” Wendell began.
“Oh, I’m fine!” Gwen sighed into the phone, not wanting to say goodbye either.
“Still though… I’m not going to say goodbye, Gwen. I’m going to say goodnight. And I want to see you again… If that’s okay?” Wendell asked hesitantly… feeling that same tight feeling in his stomach that he had so many years ago.
After a pause that caused Wendell to tense even more, Gwen spoke softly into the phone as if she were afraid to break the spell that had brought them back together. “I… I’d like that… very much Wendell.”
Wendell exhaled, not even realizing that he’d been holding his breath. His heart began beating double time again and a feeling of euphoria swept over him as he smiled. They both said goodnight and finally hung up their phones. Wendell laying a forearm over his eyes while lying on his bunk in his quarters on base. Gwen was holding the phone tightly to her chest as if to be closer to her own heart. Her smile could well have lit the room if she’d had her eyes open, but they were closed as if seeing a dream inside, in her mind.
For the next two weeks Wendell was kept busy on base only getting away to go into town and see Gwen at the diner every few days. She always seemed to be working when he was able to get away from base but even seeing her for a few minutes on her break was worth the wait to him. Seeing her smile when she saw him come through the doors, hearing her voice and especially her laughter was priceless in his mind. Holding her hand and looking into her eyes melted his heart.
For Gwen, it was as if life had begun again. So many years of sorrow and loneliness… and pain… seemed to vanish whenever Wendell was with her. Since the first day that they had reunited, she longed for his company, she yearned for his touch and to be held by him. They hugged each time they met and before they parted. She would give everything she had to just be wrapped in his arms for the rest of her life. Could this be real? Could this be love? Had she ever really known love, she thought not, so she was unsure of herself with Wendell now… but… maybe it was.
During the final week of Wendell’s hitch with the Army, he began moving what little personal items he had from his base quarters to his house in town. He of course had to have some things on the base for grooming and dressing until his last day. What didn’t get turned back over to the quartermaster’s office he could carry in a single duffel bag when he finally left the base for the last time.
At long last, the last day had arrived. Wendell packed the last of his things into that lone duffel bag. He looked around his quarters for the last time thinking how it looked like any other billet he had had throughout his service, different bases, different countries, but they all tended to look pretty much the same. He would not miss it, he decided. Dressed in uniform for perhaps the last time ever, he shouldered his bag and left the room and headed for the commanding officer’s office.
“I see you’re all packed and ready to leave… I’m sorry, but I’ve got some bad news for you son.” His commanding officer said with a wry grin.
“Sir?” Wendell responded, still standing at attention and holding his salute.
“The parade, son.” The CO said then broke out into a smile. “There won’t be one. Seems that the Army didn’t rate you as deserving for a big sendoff.” The CO stood up behind his desk and saluted Wendell before saying “At ease soldier.” He then walked around the desk and extended his hand to shake Wendell’s.
“Just as well there’s no parade, sir. I kind of like keeping a low profile anyway.” Wendell said with a smile and shook the CO’s hand.
“So, today is the last day we’ll see your ugly mug here, is it?” The CO asked. Before turning and walking back behind his desk to have a seat.
“Well, sir, for a few weeks anyway. I will be on base from time-to-time consulting, as a civilian.” Wendell said with a smile.
“Well Damn! I thought we’d be rid of you after today.” The CO said with a smile and winked.
Wendell didn’t say anything in response but nodded and smiled as well. They talked for a few minutes about what his consulting job would entail and how everything would still go through the CO’s office for approval or appropriation. In the end, the CO was still smiling but shaking his head as he figured out that Wendell would be making far more money as a civilian consultant than while still in service.
The CO signed off on Wendell’s final orders and stood once more to salute him before again shaking hands across the desk. Wendell did an about face and left the office, picking up his duffel on the way out. Shortly thereafter he was in his car and exiting the base through the main gates. He made one more stop before going to the house, his home now… he stopped at the diner.
Gwen had seen Wendell in fatigues before but she had never seen him in dress uniform until that afternoon. She gasped a little to herself as she saw him walk through the doors of the diner. She hurried over to meet him but paused an arm’s length away from him. Unsure as whether to salute him or just jump into his arms for a hug.
Wendell smiled at her uncertainty then made that extra step forward and swept her up into his arms for a long hug that had her off her feet and twirling around in a circle. Everyone who saw it smiled. Gwen let out a little girlish yip and squealed in surprised delight. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her head cheek to cheek with Wendell’s. When he stopped twirling her, he whispered into her ear.
“I’m now retired… I will have a lot of free time. I’m hoping I can spend a lot of that with you.”
Gwen tensed in his arms as if she had been stung. Pulling back to arm’s length she looked Wendell in the face, into his eyes. She saw the seriousness in his features and knew in her heart that he meant what he had said. Her eyes began to tear up and it felt as though her heart was going to explode with joy. She couldn’t even speak, so she simply nodded enthusiastically. That brought a smile to Wendell’s face, replacing the look of trepidation from Gwen’s initial reaction to what he had whispered into her ear.
When Wendell smiled, it was if a switch had been thrown in Gwen’s mind. She pulled herself back into him and locked her lips on his. It was their very first kiss. Both of them were lost in the moment and the rest of the world faded away into the background as they soaked up as much energy from the other that they could. That is, until they both heard the cat calls and whistles from a few diners witnessing their public display of affection.
Blushing, Gwen pulled back and Wendell grinned sheepishly as he released her back to her own two feet. Gwen bit her bottom lip that so many women seem to do when they are sexually or emotionally charged. Self-consciously, she brushed her blouse and apron back down as much to have something for her hands to do as putting herself back in order. Her gaze darting around the diner noticing all the smiling faces watching her and Wendell.
“Um… I… I would like that very much Wen.” Gwen stammered and then drew her bottom lip back into her teeth again.
Wendell winked at her and told her he’d find a seat, and that she might want to check on her other customers. Gwen gave him a sidelong glance with one eyebrow raised nearly to her hairline, but sashayed off with a sway in her hips, glancing back over her shoulder to see him watching her move.
The dinner rush came and went that evening. Even with the other waitress helping out, both girls were busy up until customers began finishing up and filtering out of the diner. In the corner booth, near the door, Wendell still sat. He had ordered a meal and eaten it, now he was nursing the bottomless coffee that the diner offered to all patrons. During his wait, and meal, Wendell had loosened his necktie and set his dress uniform “lid” on the booth seat between him and the wall.
While he had waited, and watched, Wendell had pulled out a pen and an envelope that had held his final orders. He had scrawled several lines of words on the back of the envelope, saying them silently to himself, rehearsing. He had so many things he wanted to say and ask of Gwen but was uncertain as to how to go about it. In the past he had found that sounding out things and writing them down often helped him figure out how best to approach a problem or situation.
It wasn’t helping this time though. For perhaps the seventh or eighth time he slowly drew a line through the words he had just written down, then clicked the pen closed and laid it down neatly atop the envelope and pushed it aside. He clasped his hands together in front of him on the table just past his half empty cup of coffee.
“You want me to top that up for you, sugar?” the other waitress said, pulling Wendell out of his thoughts. He looked up to see the girl smiling and holding a coffee carafe in each hand. “Leaded or unleaded?” she asked.
“No, thank you. No more for me. I won’t sleep for a week if I drink anymore.” Wendell said with a sheepish grin.
“Okay, sugar… Gwen told me to tell you that she’d be right out. She’s clocking out and grabbing her things. You know… I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile as much as she has this evening as long as I’ve known her. I don’t even know you, but I think I like you.” The gal said with a sweet smile and moved off to the next table to tend to filling coffee cups.
Wendell sat up a little straighter and smiled to himself. That was perhaps an off-hand compliment, but it really felt good. Especially because it told him that Gwen was happy with him or about him or because of him… who knew, but he knew that it made him happy too.
“Hi…” Gwen said as she slid into the booth on the seat opposite of Wendell.
“Hi yourself.” Wendell parroted back at her with a smile.
Both searched the others face and eyes, looking for… well… for what? Hesitancy, reluctance, uncertainty?... or confirmation for what they both felt. They both sat there quietly for what seemed like minutes even if it were only for a few seconds at most. Gwen noticed the envelope and the pen resting atop of it and glanced back at Wendell questioningly. He followed her gaze and nearly blanched as he reached out with one hand and picked it up, crushing it and sticking it in the pocket of his dress uniform jacket. Almost blushing now, he looked up to see the curious look in Gwen’s eyes. He had to break the silence.
“So… you’re off work now… Wanna go somewhere for a bite to eat?” He asked then did a mental face palm realizing what he had just asked.
Gwen laughed out loud and then covered her mouth as if she were embarrassed by the outburst. Her eyes still twinkling with mirth, she removed her hand and reached across the table to lay it on top of Wendell’s hand.
“Actually, I was hoping you could give me a ride home. I usually walk, it’s not too far, just a couple of blocks, but it’s raining cats and dogs out there now.” Gwen said, looking hopeful… again, drawing her bottom lip into her teeth.
Up until she had mentioned it, Wendell had not even noticed that the weather outside had changed. It was only cloudy a couple of hours ago when he first came into the diner, but indeed, it was now raining heavily. Looking back into Gwen’s face, he felt a lump forming in his throat. It was not from fear, really, more it was from realizing that this was a big step, even if it were just a simple car ride for a couple of blocks. It told him that Gwen wanted him in her life, and that she trusted him.
Instead of speaking his agreement, he grabbed his lid from the seat beside him and stood up. He offered his arm to Gwen, who had stood up as well and graciously accepted his offering. She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm, and the two walked to the door.
“Wait!” came a shout halfway across the diner.
Both turned to see the other waitress, Marylinn, trotting up to them from around the counter. She was carrying an umbrella which she held out for one of them to take.
“Thought you might need this more than I will. It’ll likely be stopped raining in the morning when I get off. Y’all be careful out there now.” She said with that same knowing smile and practically skipped off back to the counter and around it.
Gwen looked at Wendell and both smiled. Wendell put his lid on his head and pushed the door open. Gwen unfurled and opened the umbrella on the stoop just outside the door. The rainwater was pouring off the awning in sheets.
“My Jeep is just over here.” Wendell almost shouted over the drumming of the rain on the umbrella. Gwen had pulled herself as close to him as she possibly could and held the umbrella with her free hand trying to cover both of them as best she could.
Wendell led Gwen around to the passenger side of the Cherokee and unlocked the door and opened it for her. She climbed in and got turned around, handing off the umbrella to Wendell. He carefully closed the door then almost dashed around the front of the jeep to the driver’s side. He opened the door and collapsed the umbrella before climbing in and closing the door. He put the umbrella over the back of the seat into the back of the car. As he started to turn back to face the front. He felt a soft hand touching the left side of his face.
Looking up, almost startled, he saw Gwen looking at him, studying him. There was a momentary flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but it vanished and was replaced with something else… surrender? Before he could even contemplate more, however, Gwen crushed her lips against his and literally took his breath away. Gwen moaned softly into the kiss. A kiss so full of tender longing and hesitance that heated up into a blazing roaring passionate lip play the likes that Wendell had only experienced a couple of other times in his life.
Like Gwen, Wendell surrendered to the moment. He lost himself in her embrace and her kiss. It was hard to tell what was louder, the beating of their hearts of the drumming of the heavy rain falling on the roof of the jeep. It was all just white noise to the both of them though. Background sounds that only served to accompany the musical gasps and moans each of them was making but didn’t seem to realize it.
Eventually, they had to come up for air. They broke their kiss after a particularly close lightning flash and the accompanying thunder shook the jeep. The thunder rolling through the neighborhood seemed to go on and on. Much like the panting beaths they were both gasping at. Gwen lowered her head slightly and looked up through her eyelashes and bangs with wanton hungry look in her eyes.
“Wen… take me home.”
Wendell looked at her and just knew that he would be spending the night with her. Not taking his eyes off of her, he mechanically reached for the ignition and turned the key to start the jeep. He did have to turn his head to look through the struggling wipers to see which way to steer as Gwen gave him directions to her place. She had scooted over next to him, almost in his lap as she held his right thigh with her left hand and his right arm with her right hand, her head on his shoulder.
It really was only a couple of blocks away from the diner, the little bungalow house that had been divided into two rental units. There was a short gravel driveway that was halfway overgrown with grass to the right of her side of the bungalow. After putting the jeep into park and turning off the ignition, Wendell started to turn to reach for the umbrella, but Gwen stopped him.
“It’s only a few feet to my front door, let’s just make a run for it.” She said as she scooted back across the seat and opened the passenger side door and hopped out, grabbing her purse and fishing for the key as she ran around the front of the jeep. Wendell just shook his head and grinned before opening his own door and chasing after her only to catch her at the door.
The single weak light bulb over her door barely gave off enough light to allow Gwen to see the keyhole to put the key in to unlock her door. Wendell crowded her, pressing up against her back as if to shelter her a bit from the torrential rain that was still falling. With a click and an exasperated huff, Gwen turned the nob and opened her door rushing in. Wendell practically fell in through the doorway behind her. Laughing, Gwen turned and closed the door behind him, then turned with her back to the door and leaned back against it.
Wendell didn’t even hesitate as he pressed against her and they locked lips once more. The passion and fire growing hotter with each subtle movement of their lips and tongues. Gwen’s hands began to frantically assault Wendell’s uniform… unbuttoning his jacket, pulling at his tie trying to get to the buttons of his shirt. It took a moment or two, but Wendell finally caught on to the urgency and began helping her undress himself. His uniform falling to the floor one article at a time. He also began assisting her with her clothes. All of them, his and hers, were sodden, soaking wet.
Dressed in only her skirt and bra, Wendell in just his pants, Gwen began walking backwards down the short hallway dragging Wendell along with her still frantically tugging at his belt. It wasn’t far down the hallway before she nudged her bedroom door open with her foot, still leading Wendell. They had to stop finally beside the bed, that last bits of clothing falling to the floor before Wendell picked Gwen up, enveloping her in his arms and smothering her lips with his once more.
He turned and sat on the edge of the bed, still holding Gwen in a lover’s embrace, then he lay back on the bed. Gwen was now on top of Wendell, in his arms and he in hers, not for a single moment had they broken their kiss. The temperature of the room had risen with each passing moment. The damp hair and skin had heated, and the rainwater had evaporated, leaving them both flushed and hot to the touch. And touching was something both were doing whether they were consciously aware of it or not.
Wendell’s hands, no longer supporting Gwen’s weight, were free to roam. They traveled up and down her silky skin on her back. One hand eventually found its way to her round and inviting rump. A perfect ass in Wendell’s mind. His hand gripping one cheek firmly and pulling Gwen that much tighter towards his own body. A soft but excited moan escaped their kiss as Gwen shivered in delight. Partly from Wendell’s pawing and groping and partly from the sensation of his stiffening manhood that was trapped between their bodies.
Hearing as much as feeling Gwen moan as they continued to kiss as if it were the very air they breathed, Wendell nearly moaned himself. The feel of her silky warm skin, the eagerness and hunger in her touch and her kiss…the feel of her moderate but firm breasts pressing into his own chest was driving him mad with desire. A desire that he had harbored perhaps from the very first time he had ever laid eyes on her all those years ago, but never once had given himself leave to pursue. And now, this very moment she was in his arms, giving herself to him in every way imaginable. It was almost too much to think about, so, he was just letting himself feel everything in this moment.
If only Wendell had known that the same thoughts were going through Gwen’s mind at that moment as well. She was overwhelmed by the feelings that were boiling up from her heart and soul. This had to be a dream, she thought. At long last, so many years in the making, so many long nights and dreary days of wondering what might have been. The sadness and longing for what they could have had if she had only seen it for herself all those years ago. Maybe… maybe she wouldn’t have made that horrible mistake that ruined her life. That one thought clenched her heart and nearly choked her with a wave of sadness. She gasped out loud and shuddered as her mind and will fought to push that sadness aside at this moment. To be IN this moment… to be with Wendell and be all that she had long imagined it would be.
“Wen… I want you… I… NEED you…” Gwen gasped before returning her lips to his with a renewed hunger. Her hands grasping and gripping him as if he were her lifeline and she were drowning in her desire.
“Are you… are you sure Gwen?” Wendell asked breathlessly, taking his lips from hers long enough to utter that one question, surprising even himself at voicing such a thing. He knew in his heart that this was all that he had ever wanted or dreamed of. She was the only woman that he had ever loved. Yes, loved. He finally, in this moment admitted it even to himself. He had been in love with this woman since the first day he saw that mousy little girl across the cafeteria in middle school. Perhaps it was love at first sight, but he was just too dense or unsure of himself to even see it at the time. Now, however, it was simply obvious. His life would simply never be complete without her. He would never let her go from this moment on, he vowed to himself.
Gwen, for her part, was so tense and excited that no more words were possible. She simply nodded her head in affirmation to his question, and resumed their desperate lip lock, frantically trying to inhale him, tasting his lips, dueling with his tongue. She was his and she knew it, and what was better than that was, he was hers!
With an ease that belied both of their arousal and excitement, Wendell rolled them over on the bed. Gwen ending up on her back and Wendell hovering over her bearing most of his weight on his elbows and knees as they continued to kiss as if consuming each other’s very souls. Instinctively Gwen parted her legs and wrapped her arms around Wendell’s neck. Her hips rising in invitation and urging him on.
Wendell’s primal instincts, too, began to assert control over his own body. His achingly hard erect manhood swaying and virtually throbbing with his pulse dipped and bobbed between them. It brushed against Gwen’s pubic mound and all that soft moist hair as her hips rose to press herself against him. Then he felt one of her hands snake between them and grasp his cock in a firm and heated grip to guide the head to where she wanted, needed it, to be. The feeling of his most sensitive tip rubbing against her swollen and wet lips was almost too much for Wendell, he shuddered slightly, his own hips moving of their own accord.
In that moment they broke their kiss… pulling back to look into one another’s eyes as they finally joined to become as one. Wendell pressed his hips forward slowly easing the head of his cock through those wet velvety folds of Gwen’s outer lips. She rocked her hips a little further easing the way. Wendell had to stop…just the head inside of that furnace of desire was almost too much for him. His breathing stopped and he felt his body shudder from the overwhelming sensations.
Gwen, too, stopped breathing at that moment… her mouth agape in a silent moan, her eyes first widened in surprise then went half lidded and intense as if a smoldering fire were about to burst alight. Wendell looked into her eyes and felt as if he were falling into them. His heart in his throat as Gwen simply nodded ever so slightly and her lips tightened into a trembling smile of anticipation. He pushed a little deeper, feeling her velvety lips surround and caress the shaft of his cock as the head delved deeper into that wanton welcoming sheath. It felt… it felt like… home.
Slowly, little by little, almost as if time was standing still… they merged their two bodies. Wendell’s cock deep inside of Gwen. Deeper and deeper… until there was no more to give, no more to take… they were one. Groin to groin, body to body, soul to soul. They both let out a breath that they were holding and gasped in unison as they inhaled the first breath of the rest of their lives. Gwen’s legs came off the bed and went around Wendell’s waist to lock her ankles behind him. Her arms once more encircled his neck and head, drawing him back down to her ready and waiting lips… They kissed again… slow, sensual and loving. Neither moving their lower bodies as they simply relished the joining at the moment and wanted to savor it for all it was worth.
For Gwen, it was the first time she’d given herself to a man in many years… it had taken so many years after… after that night of their senior prom… before she could even have sex with anyone at all. And even when she finally did, she was so scared and traumatized that it just wasn’t good. Eventually she had simply given up on anything even approaching sex… save for the occasional masturbation just to take the edge off. But… being with a man… one that she cared for or loved… it just hadn’t happened. Until… now.
Wendell had not been monk. He had dated around and had sex with quite a few women over the years. None ever really touched his heart though, they couldn’t have if they had tried. He didn’t even realize all those times that he was still carrying a torch for this woman, for Gwen. It was obvious now when he looked back… but that was now. Now his eyes were wide open. And his heart was flying.
It was Gwen that finally broke the spell or at least moved it to the next level. She started rocking her hips, gyrating and grinding herself on Wendell’s manhood. Impaled as she was, she reveled in the feeling of this hard but pliant shaft with all its veins and the head of his cock seemingly swelling even bigger within her. The sweet, lubricated friction of their most delicate and sensitive flesh rubbing against each other. The delicious sensations caused her to moan deeply into their passionate kissing.
Wendell’s body again took over for his conscious mind… moving of its own accord in those age-old instinctive ways. His hips pulled back slightly, slowly, then pushed back in. The sensations Gwen was feeling were his as well, that delicate heated wet flesh sending signals to his body and mind that more was needed, more was wanted… more, more, more. Without thinking about it the two began to fall into sync with each other, pulling their hips apart and then back together… faster and faster, more urgently with each thrust and parry.
Again, their kissing had to stop as neither was able to breathe more than ragged rapid gasps. Hearts racing, the tension building oh so rapidly, they both felt as if their bodies were tightly coiled springs that were about to break. It would have been hard to guess who climaxed first. So close was each of their blissful orgasmic peaking that it may as well have been one and the same. Gwen’s body stiffened into the rigidity of a living statue. Every muscle in her body was taught and straining. Wendell was none better, or worse. His body, too, went rigid for a moment or two, he felt as though he was exploding. And then, he did.
Their first shared orgasm was mind blowing for them both. Gwen’s body did something that she had never experienced before in her life…she squirted. She flooded Wendell’s cock in a rush of orgasmic juices that soaked them both. Wendell flooded Gwen’s waterfall of a pussy too. His seminal fluid and seed, his cum, blasting out of his cock deep within Gwen was just more liquid fire that joined that flood that washed out of her and onto both of them. For Wendell, it seemed if half his body had exited through the end of his cock. When he finally felt the last spasm and waves cease, all he could do was collapse.
Gwen lay there on the bed, Wendell’s full body weight on top of her, her legs still shaking but still locked around his waist and clutching him for dear life. She did not feel uncomfortable at all, just the opposite actually. Gwen felt as though she were in heaven, so complete, so… happy…. She wept.
Breathing hard, gasping and his head spinning with an unfamiliar high, Wendell’s head and face were buried in the crook of Gwen’s neck and shoulder. Her own breath was roaring in his ears… and… a whimper. It was then that he realized that Gwen was shuddering… shaking under him with almost silent sobbing. He was immediately alarmed and pressed himself up on his knees and elbows to look into Gwen’s face. Had he hurt her? Oh God!
The visage he saw was confusing at first. That teary-eyed grimace could have been mistaken for pain and anguish but when Gwen forced a smile between sobs it only served to confuse him more.
“Gwen… oh Gwen… I’m so sorry… I never meant to hurt you… God I’m so sorry…” He began in a panic.
“Wha… What?” Gwen asked in return, her face distorting into confusion of her own.
“Y… You’re crying… Did I hurt you?” Wendell pleaded still gob smacked… fearing that he had harmed her in some way.
Gwen’s convulsions doubled yet again… her chest was heaving beneath him. She closed her eyes tightly and grimaced… no… not grimaced… she’s smiling… Smiling? Gwen took a long deep gasping breath and then after a moment burst out laughing almost maniacally. She was laughing so hard that she still had tears in her eyes, and they were streaming down her cheeks. Cheeks that were split with the biggest happiest smile that she had had in years… if ever. Opening her eyes again, she locked hers on Wendell’s worried and indeed frightened eyes.
“Oh Wen… you did not hurt me… you… you made me the happiest woman in the world. Now I know what love should feel like. What Sex should feel like… between two people who care about each other, who… who love… each other…” She spoke, the last hesitantly as if trying it out for the first time. She knew in her heart that it was real, but did Wendell feel the same way?
“Do you?... really? Do you love… me?” Wendell almost whispered the question. His heart pounding in his chest, even faster now than when they were engaged in lovemaking a few moments earlier.
Gwen nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving Wendell’s. Her quivering smile reaffirming her statement. Wendell gasped, feeling his chest expand, his heart swell.
“I think I’ve always loved you, Wen. From the first day we met when you saved me from those bullies… but I was… I was so afraid to lose your friendship that I never let myself think about it. I loved you too much to give up our friendship…. Then… then I got stupid. I tried to find that love in others. So Stupid!” Gwen said with sadness and an edge of bitterness in her quiet voice as she averted her gaze as if looking back inside of her mind and memories.
“Gwen… I am guilty of the same thing. I think I’ve loved you from that first day as well. But I was the stupid one for not ever pursuing anything with us. I was afraid of losing you as my friend if I did. I never EVER wanted to hurt you.” Wendell confessed with resignation.
They both lay there lost in their own minds for a moment. That moment broke however when nature and their bodies took over. After their amazing climaxes both began to relax and as is oft to happen with most men, Wendell’s cock lost its fullness as he deflated, and it slipped out of Gwen’s well stretched and thoroughly flushed pussy… with a wet sticky plop onto Gwen’s also soaked ass cheeks.
Gwen couldn’t help but to let loose a small giggle. That set off Wendell who also gave a short snort of amusement, followed by a groan. Gwen sighed. In an unspoken agreement, Wendell rolled to one side of Gwen and she rolled over to face him, her legs still wrapped around his waist as if clutching him, holding onto him so he would never leave. They looked into each other’s eyes again and then they were kissing again… slow at first, testing, sensing… then the passion flared once more, and they were sucking each other’s souls through their lips. Groping and clutching one another.
After a while, they slowed down again and while still pecking little kisses back and forth they were holding each other dearly and stroking soft hands with delicate touches of endearment. Searching each other’s eyes, savoring the moment.
“I wish I had known how you felt.” Wendell said softly, not being accusatory or plaintive, just stating a fact… a sad fact.
“I wish I had known how you felt too.” Gwen countered, kissing the end of Wendell’s nose delicately, and running the fingers of one hand down the side of his face.
“Did you… did you ever love anyone else?” Gwen asked hesitantly, almost holding her breath waiting on Wendell’s reply.
“No. Never… I met a few girls that I liked, but it just never seemed to work out. Besides, being in the service and moving about so much, there was just never time to really get to know someone…” Wendell said quietly.
“But you… you had sex, of course… right? Lots of girls I’d bet.” Gwen said with a bit of a teasing lilt and a soft smile.
“There were… a few… sure. But no one that really meant anything with.” Wendell confessed a little sheepishly and shrugged.
“What about you? Surely there were guys who were head over heels in love with you…” Wendell posed in return.
“No…. no one.” Gwen said a little more quietly, as if holding something back. Something she was reluctant to talk about, even now.
“No as in in love… but sex?” Wendell pressed gently wondering if he was asking too much too soon.
Gwen looked away from him, her smile fading away. He could feel her tense beside him, it must have been something bad, he thought. Taking one of her hands in his he held and squeezed it gently. With the other hand, he brushed his fingers on her cheek turning her head back to face him. Her eyes opened and looked into his. He saw a deep-rooted sadness in hers, and she saw a loving acceptance and reassurance in his. Wendell leaned in a little closer and kissed Gwen softly on her lips before speaking again.
“Gwen… I don’t know what it is, but… I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. If you will have me, I’ll be here forever for you. Never again will I leave you.
Gwen’s eyes welled up with tears that were about to spill over…her faltering smile with trembling lips only served to accentuate the trembling of her entire body as she lay in Wendell’s arms. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder and sniffed quietly. Wendell, though puzzled and curious as to what could possibly be the reason… merely held her tighter and reinforced the words he had spoken to her. He was here for her now, and forever more… if she would have him.
Wendell wasn’t sure how long they had been holding each other like this as the storm outside continued to vent his fury, the bedroom window occasionally lighting up with the flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder afterwards only served to lull them both. He realized at some point that Gwen had indeed fallen asleep in his arms. Her trembling had faded away and was replaced with her gentle and relaxed breathing of slumber. It made his heart swell. This was what it should be like every night he thought. He soon fell asleep himself with a smile on his face, and the woman of his dreams in his arms.
“Good morning sleepy head.” Said the voice of an angel. The smell of freshly brewed coffee tickling his nose as Wendell cracked one eye open.
Wendell frowned for a moment before it all came rushing back to him in a flash. Stopping at the diner last night, giving Gwen a ride home through the storm… the… events that followed. He opened his other eye to gaze up at the woman from his dream, truly, an angel. He smiled.
“Good morning to you, too.” Wendell spoke as he smiled and searched her eyes before sitting up in Gwen’s bed. He wondered what time it was, but didn’t think to even look at his wristwatch.
“God! That smells good!” He said then licked his lips, his eyes darting between hers and the coffee mug she was holding with both hands.
“I hope you mean the coffee.” Gwen said with a smirk, but an amused twinkle in her eyes.
“And if I said it was something else?” Wendell asked with a matching smirk and letting one eyebrow rise playfully.
“Then you might we wearing this coffee instead of drinking it.” Gwen said with a cute little laugh, as she extended the mug towards him to take from her hands.
Wendell reached out to accept the mug but held on to her hands and pulled her close to him. There was a moment of hesitation, a fleeting look of question in Gwen’s eyes, but only a moment. She leaned in closer, and their lips met tenderly as if they had been kissing like this all their lives. Drawing back and studying his face intently, she smiled, and he released her hands to bring the coffee to his lips. First a long inhale through his nose to smell the brew… then a tentative sip of the hot liquid.
The coffee was almost as good as the kiss had been, almost. Wendell closed his eyes for a moment to savor the flavor and the sensation of the hot liquid going down his throat. He was smiling even before he reopened his eyes to look at Gwen again. He saw happiness there, but still a shadow of sadness that he vowed to get to the bottom of and eliminate if there were any way possible to do so. Holding the mug in his left hand, Wendell raised his right arm in invitation for Gwen to snuggle up close once again. She smiled and slid back under the covers and into his side. Wendell wrapped his right arm around her holding her warmly to his side, her head on his shoulder.
After a few more sips of the coffee, Wendell realized that he was monopolizing the brew and offered the mug to Gwen. She smiled and took the mug from his hand and took a sip. This freed up Wendell’s left hand and he used it to gently brush a few stray strands of hair from Gwen’s face back over one ear. He let the backs of his fingers linger along her cheek causing her to look up into his face, those eyes locking onto his once more.
The smile she gave him melted Wendell’s heart all that much more. So sweet and innocent and…happy. He couldn’t resist leaning closer and kissing her once more. Again, a slow sweet tender bussing of the lips, but it turned into more. First a pause as if both were unsure how to proceed, but their own hunger and desire winning out they collided again with more heat and passion. Somehow or another the coffee mug got placed on the nightstand beside the bed and they were entwined and writhing in each other’s arms as the heated kissing and groping gave way to far more than just kissing and making out.
Once more, that early morning, just as they had the night before, they let their desires and urgency take the reins. They wrecked the bed, sheets and blankets all on the floor, the pillows too, well save for one. The one pillow remaining on the bed was eventually occupied by both of their heads and they once more ended up cuddling closely, wrapped in each other’s arms as they wound down in the afterglow. Their breathing returning to normal as they softly kissed and caressed one another.
“Thank you.” Wendell said softly while looking deeply into Gwen’s eyes.
Wendell felt Gwen’s body give a little lurch in his arms and her smile trembled slightly as her eyes glistened, but they shown with joy and happiness. Still with a hint of sorrow though. It was killing Wendell to think that something haunted her this much. He had to know.
“I should be thanking you.” Gwen spoke softly, closing her eyes for a moment. Her smile faltered for a heartbeat or two then spread once more, warmly and inviting.
“Gwen… I know it’s been a long time. Too long, honestly… But I have to be honest about something.” Wendell began softly, trying to put his feelings and thoughts into words.
“I think I’ve been in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you.” He said solemnly, looking her in the eyes as he said it.
“You mean when you got back into town and saw me at the diner?” Gwen asked, though more of a statement than a question.
“No, I mean when we first met… all those years ago, in school.” He intoned, still watching her eyes.
“The day… the day you saved me from Steve and Randy… in the lunchroom?” Gwen offered hesitantly.
“Yes. I didn’t know it then. I didn’t know it after we became friends and would hang out almost every day after that either. I don’t think I even knew it when we were in high school. I didn’t realize how jealous I was of other guys who were trying so hard for your attention and time. No. I don’t think I realized it till many years later.” Wendell admitted, averting his gaze as he reflected on the many times and faces over the years that she had crossed his mind.
He explained to Gwen that he had thought of her, every time he had been with someone else over the years, inevitably she would pop into his mind. He understood now that it was his heart. He loved her and only her. Everyone else was just a substitute or a temporary stand in for what his heart truly wanted and needed. His friend… the girl he was in love with but didn’t even realize it. Her.
Sheepishly, Wendell returned his gaze to Gwen to see what she thought of his confession. He was shocked to see her in tears. The look of anguish on her face cut him to the heart. Then she started sobbing and buried her face into his neck and shoulder. The wail of sorrow that erupted from her body nearly made him cry out in pain too. He soon felt his own tears tracking down his cheeks as he held Gwen tightly, wishing the pain and anguish away from her heart.
Eventually, Gwen cried herself out. The sobbing faded away to sniffles and slight panting and sighing exhales. The trembling of her body lessened as well, but he could still feel her stiffness as if she were still afraid of something and was still on guard. Feeling her right hand on his chest, he intertwined the fingers of his left hand in hers and clasped her firmly and reassuringly and kissed her forehead softly.
Gwen took a long deep breath and exhaled slowly as if releasing the tension. She had come to a decision, made up her mind. With one last sniff and a nuzzle to his neck, Gwen steeled herself and began talking about her past.
“If we’re going to be completely honest with one another, Wen, I think I knew that first day we met that I was in love with you. I didn’t know what love was then, but I knew that I liked you. No. More than liked. I wanted to be with you as much as I could. I felt safe with you. You were kind and friendly and funny and so smart, and so… brave. You know that I didn’t have many friends at that time, and mom… well… we struggled to get by. But with you, and around your family, I felt loved. I felt normal… I felt… special. I guess it showed too, as others began to notice and wanted to be friends with me. I had never had that before. But I was always happiest when I was around you.” Gwen confessed in a soft, almost timid voice. A voice that was still on the edge of breaking so Wendell knew there must be more that she wanted to say but was still struggling with it.
For a long few minutes Wendell remained silent and just held Gwen in his arms, kissing her gently on her forehead now and then. He was about to ask when Gwen started speaking again, this time in even more of a strained and timid voice.
“Wen… I’m so sorry. Sorry for so many things, but most of all for letting you get away…” Gwen all but whispered. “I was a fool…”
The sniff Gwen made, followed by the silent wracking sobs, made it clear to Wendell that Gwen was reliving or thinking about something from her past that truly hurt her. He wasn’t sure what that was, but he determined in his own mind that he would find out and try to make it right for her. For now, though, just holding her tight and comforting her seemed the best thing to do. To give her space and time.
A few minutes later, or so Wendell guessed anyway, Gwen again cleared her throat before speaking softly. Her words and her voice were tight with emotion and soft, almost timid. What she had to tell Wendell, however, nearly broke his heart.
“Our senior year… The Prom…” Gwen began, but emotions made her throat so tight that she had to pause before going on.
“Our senior year, other guys began flirting with me, being nice… I liked it. I liked it a lot. I felt… I felt like I was normal, that I was one of the cool kids finally, that I was accepted. And when Randy… Asked me to the prom… I should have said no. But I was stupid. Naïve and Stupid…” Gwen almost hissed the last part. Wendell could feel her tensing up in his arms, she was almost vibrating.
“Did you know that I was going to ask you to the prom?” Wendell asked in a solemn quiet almost whispering voice.
What he did not expect was to feel Gwen all but freeze in his arms as she registered his question. She shuddered ever so slightly as something passed through her.
“Why didn’t you ask me?” Gwen asked in a barely audible voice.
“The day I was going to ask, I went to the diner where you were working after school. When I got there, I saw you talking with Randy at the counter. When you got excited and nodded to him, I knew I was too late. I didn’t want to make a scene… So, I just went home and forgot about it. I didn’t even go to the prom.” Wendell confessed quietly.
Gwen could sense his sadness in his words as well as the gentle way he was holding her. Her insides wrenched yet again, this time for knowing that she had hurt him, her best friend, even if she didn’t realize it at the time. Steeling herself, she began to tell Wendell about her prom night, what she could remember of it anyway.
She told Wendell of her excitement about prom. The dress, going out to dinner, then the dance itself. But also, how none of those things quite turned out how she had envisioned them happening. How her dream turned out to be more of a nightmare. Her night and her world spun out of control. She told Wendell about being encouraged to drink more punch at the dance and how it had made her feel funny. How later in life she knew that she was getting drunk that night… or being made to get drunk or even drugged maybe.
Gwen recounted her waking up in the locker room, disoriented and half naked. She knew she had been violated, raped, but not by who. Maybe it was Randy, but she didn’t know for sure. Others say that She was sick or something and Randy and some of his friends left the dance to take her to his car to take her home. She knew that wasn’t true, because of where she woke up. But what could she say or do to prove otherwise?
Wendell was told how she stumbled out into the gym to find that the lights were out, and everyone had gone home. How she had walked as best she could through the rain and thunder and lightning that early morning home to her mother’s house. And, later, how her mother took her to the hospital. She had missed school after that, partly to recover and partly out of shame and fear. She closed herself off to everyone… worst of all… to him, Wendell, her best and truest friend.
They lay there in bed, Gwen wrapped in Wendell’s arms as she wept, her sobs were muffled by her face pressing into Wendell’s chest. Wendell could only stroke Gwen’s back lovingly as his own throat was too tight to even speak. The sorrow and pain he felt for her was competing with the growing rage that made his blood boil. He may not have known for a fact that it was Randy and possibly Steve who had done that to her… but he knew in his heart that it was them, and possibly others. It didn’t matter to him that it had happened over twenty years ago, there was simply no excusing it.
At some point Gwen had cried herself to sleep. Her breathing had become steady and gentle, perhaps because she felt safe in his arms. Wendell, on the other hand, had not been able to sleep a wink after Gwen’s revelation of their last months in high school. He had always wondered why she had distanced herself from him back then. Now he knew. He almost wished he didn’t know, to be honest. The dark thoughts that came to his mind were not pleasant and could lead to nothing but trouble if he pursued them.
Hours later, the storm had passed, and the dawn was breaking on a new day. Gwen awoke, still cradled in Wendell’s embrace and she thought she was truly dreaming. The hair on his chest was tickling her nose and she was afraid that if she moved, she would sneeze, and this spell would be broken. But somehow Wendell must have sensed that she was awake. He raised his head up so that he could gently kiss the top of her head and then stroked a big warm hand across her shoulder and down her back. This elicited a sigh from Gwen, and she raised her head enough to turn and face him. In the dim early morning light of the sun shining through the part in the curtains on her bedroom window, his face seemed to glow. It made her pause and even gasp slightly, he almost appeared angelic to her.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Wendell said softly with a warm smile on his face.
“Good morning to you too.” Gwen half mumbled but with a matching soft warm smile on her face as well.
“I would kill for another cup of coffee right about now… how about you?” Wendell asked.
“If you don’t mind the instant kind, I think I can manage a couple more cups for us.” Gwen replied, still smiling.
“Ugh! Well… to be honest, I’ve had worse. The army isn’t noted for its fine dining or good coffee. You have to take what you can get most days.” Wendell admitted with a grin.
“Tell you what… I’ll go put on the kettle to make coffee and you can clean up in the bathroom.” Gwen said playfully.
“Clean up? Do I smell that bad?” Wendell teased and pretended to check his arm pits for body odor.
Laughing, Gwen swatted him on the chest with the flat of her hand and pressed herself up so that she was looking down at his reclining body. Her smile softened and almost threatened to disappear as she flashed back to the previous night and all that she had revealed to Wendell. She didn’t regret sharing with him, it went a long way to beginning to make amends for how she had treated him so long ago. But… there was still something that she had held back, she wasn’t sure if it was the right time to share everything or even if there ever would be a right time. That deep dark secret that ate at her very soul day in and day out. No, she would wait for the right time if it ever came to share that.
She slid her legs off the side of the bed and pressed up to stand, still looking down at Wendell. She almost felt self-conscious as she saw him gazing at her naked form, but the look of total adoration and… love… in his eyes made her nearly swoon instead. She winked at him and turned away to go to the door where she grabbed a robe from the hook on the back of the door. She shrugged it on and tied the belt in the front, glancing back to see that Wendell had watched every move and still had that look on his face. Gwen blushed a little and then scampered out the door to go down the hall to the kitchen.
Wendell let his head fall back into the pillow as he stared at the ceiling… he wasn’t seeing the ceiling however, he was replaying the past few moments and every move that gorgeous creature, Gwen, had made. He sighed but smiled knowing that he was just as smitten now as he had been so many years ago. This time… this time, he vowed silently to himself, he would NOT let her get away. If she would have him, he would be with her forever more. He heard water running into a kettle and then the kettle being set on the stove to heat, so he pressed himself up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed to rise. A trip to the bathroom might just be a good thing. To freshen up a bit.
After morning ablutions and washing his face and rinsing his mouth, Wendell came back to the bedroom and dressed in the same clothes he had on the night before. He left the dress uniform jacket off for now, but otherwise he was presentable in uniform again. Looking at himself in the full-length mirror on Gwen’s closet door, he shook his head… knowing this would be the very last time he’d be in this uniform. His last day of active duty was the day before. Today he was once again a civilian and retired at that. What would he do with all that time now on his hands.
The smell of coffee, and something else, drew his thoughts towards the kitchen and Gwen… yes… he thought to himself, “I can think of one thing to do with all my free time now.” He smiled and went to join Gwen in the kitchen.
“Coffee is ready.” Gwen said as she handed Wendell a chipped mug of steaming brew.
“Coffee would have been fine… you didn’t need to cook anything for me.” Wendell said as he held the mug in both hands savoring the smell as he watched Gwen slide two fried eggs onto a plate that had some toast and some orange segments on it already. She slid a remaining egg onto a plate for herself as well. She set the frying pan back on the stove and sat down on one side of the tiny table in the kitchen and motioned for Wendell to have the other seat across from her.
“I was a little hungry, so I figured you might be as well. And it’s not that much trouble, a couple of pieces of toast and some fruit… and eggs… no bother.” Gwen said as she sipped at her own mug of coffee, peering over the rim watching him.
“Well thank you, all the same.” Wendell smiled as he set his mug on the table and reached for his fork.
Breakfast was quiet and relaxed. Both watching the other as they ate, timid but warm smiles as they both thought about the night before and the possibilities for the day ahead. When the food had all been eaten and they were on the last dregs of their mugs of coffee, Gwen asked.
“Do you want some more coffee, it’s no bother…”
“No, but thank you, Gwen.” Wendell said with a smile.
“So, what do you do now? You said yesterday was your last day in the Army…. What are you going to do now?” Gwen asked.
“Oh, I’ve got plans. I’ve set up a consulting business to kind of continue what I’ve been doing for the Army, but I’ll be a civilian contractor now. But that’s a couple of months away from kicking off just yet. For now, I’m just going to relax and settle into the house. And…” Wendell told her before trailing off.
“And?” Gwen asked…
“And… maybe finding a warm-hearted sweetheart to keep me company and make my life a brighter, better version of anything so far before now…” Wendell said a bit cryptically and with a half grin while looking Gwen in her eyes.
“Anyone particular in mind?” Gwen said haltingly… hoping against hope… holding her breath.
“I do… funny, those two little words can be…so… meaningful.” Wendell said with a bit of a blush, but he shook it off and continued.
“I was kind of hoping to reconnect with you, Gwen. If you have time for me that is. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your life or complicate it in anyway.” Wendell offered and then he held his breath.
Gwen just looked at Wendell, trying to decide if he was kidding with her or if there was something more that he was saying or not saying. That look was in his eyes, and it almost scared her with its intensity. She had never seen that look in anyone else’s eyes looking at her. It made her heart skip a beat and her breath catch in her throat. All she wanted to do at that moment was throw herself into his arms and die a happy woman. Instead, she batted her eyes and feigned indifference.
“Oh, I don’t know. I am awfully busy what with all my regular customers at the diner and all. I’m not sure if I would have much time to be… Oh FUCK! THE TIME!” Gwen bolted up and looked at the clock on the back of the stove.
“I’m going to be late! I need to get cleaned up and dressed…” She said in a frazzled voice before darting out of the kitchen down the hall to the bathroom.
Wendell heard the faucet in the bathroom turn on as Gwen began cleaning herself with a soapy washcloth and cursing quietly to herself for not paying attention to the time. He stood, shaking his head in amusement as he gathered their dirty dishes and took them to the sink to begin washing them and placing them in the dish rack to drain and dry.
Wendell had just sat back down at the table when Gwen came rushing into the kitchen again, still flustered as she fought to tie a ribbon in her hair to tame it into a makeshift ponytail. She had on the same waitress uniform from the previous night, at least it was clean. Wendell stood up and took the ends of the ribbon into his own hands and wrapped it and tied it in a bow. Then he placed his hands on her hips and pulled Gwen into a warm embrace and kissed her. Her frenetic movements all ceased when their lips met…and she melted into him.
“Oh God… I wish I didn’t have to go to work today. I’m so sorry Wen…” she finally said as they broke the kiss and pulled back enough to look one another in the face.
“It’s okay, really… and you won’t be late. I can drive you back to the diner.” Wendell said reassuringly.
“Really? That would be… great.” Gwen said smiling in appreciation and… more.
Wendell grabbed his jacket on the way through the living room to the front door… which he opened for Gwen and then waited as she locked it behind her. He offered his arm to her to walk to his Jeep parked in her driveway. He opened her door and let her climb in before going around and getting in himself to start the engine.
When he went to put the gearshift into reverse, Gwen put her hand atop of his and gave it a gentle squeeze. They smiled at one another for a moment then Wendell turned to back out of the driveway and turned around on the street for the short drive to the diner. They didn’t speak for the rest of the short drive.
After Wendell had pulled into the parking lot and shut the engine off, he turned to Gwen and paused. She was looking at him with such intensity that it nearly took his breath away. He swallowed and then asked her.
“What time do you get off today?”
“Unless someone calls in sick or it’s really busy, I should get off around three this afternoon. Why?” Gwen asked in return.
“I was wondering if I could… take you to dinner tonight? Maybe come by and check out the renovations on the old house… but if you’re busy, maybe another time.” Wendell suggested, mentally crossing his fingers.
“I’d love to. Want to pick me up at my place?” Gwen said almost too enthusiastically, her heart racing.
“I could pick you up here and save you the walk…” Wendell offered.
Gwen smiled and tilted her head to one side a bit and nodded. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
“So, I’ll come back here around three.” Wendell said smiling, his own heart racing too.
Gwen was fumbling her hands together as if not knowing what to do with them and then she leaned in close to Wendell and kissed him… he was momentarily surprised but soon got over it as he melted into the unexpected kiss. Savoring her lips and her sweet breath. They eventually parted again, and both smiled sheepishly at the other. Then Gwen opened her door and got out.
As she walked around the front of the Jeep, she kept looking at Wendell and smiling. Wendell suddenly remembered the borrowed umbrella from the night before and waved to get Gwen’s attention. He reached over the back of the front seats and grabbed the umbrella and held it up for her to see. She smiled brightly in recognition and came to his diver side window as he passed it out to her. With one more quick pecking kiss, she turned and scampered across the parking lot to the front door of the diner, and inside. Wendell sighed and smiled to himself. For the first time in far too long he felt as if his future was bright indeed. He restarted his jeep and put it into gear, and drove off to his new home, the old house from his childhood.