Knight Vision

by Johanna Bock

  Caught in her appreciation of him, she quickly said, “I was admiring the view of the Valley from here.“

  He turned to see it for himself. “That is nothing. To really appreciate the city view, we need to go to South Mountain Park,“ he offered.

  “South Mountain! Wow, that just brought back memories. I haven’t been there since my junior year in high school,“ she exclaimed.

  “You grew up in the Valley?“ he asked, returning his eyes to the road.

  “Oh, yeah. I have lived here almost my entire life. My parents moved to Phoenix when I was two,“ she informed him.

  “It is strange we never met before now,“ he mused. “I would have liked to know you then.“

  “I don’t think so. I was different. I was too . . . .“ she stopped.

  “Too what?“ he said, looking at her.

  “Too prissy, too focused, too much of a doctor’s daughter,“ she lied, not offering the real reason. She was just too fat.

  “I think I would have seen through all that,“ he said, bringing their joined hands up to his lips and kissing the back of her hand.

  “Maybe,“ she said, thinking of something to change the subject. “Maybe, we could go to South Mountain tomorrow. It is Sunday.“

  “I have to work.“

  “It’s okay. I understand,“ she said disappointedly.

  “We could go tomorrow night,“ he countered.

  “Yes, let’s.“

  He lowered their joined hands to his lap and pulled over to the side of the farm road. Disengaging their hands, he guided her hand to the front of his pants. She knew what he wanted. She was not that inexperienced. After he turned off the motor and the headlights, he rotated in the seat and pulled her to him so that her back was against the steering wheel, and then kissed her deeply.

  Their tight quarters made her giggle, recalling her previous mention of high school. “Jeff, this is not good,“ she said. “I feel we are back in high school.“

  “Who cares?“ he whispered, sliding them over to the middle of the bench seat. “This better?“ he asked.

  “Yes, and no. I don’t feel wedged, but there is no room for my legs,“ she advised him.

  “Easily solved,“ he said, righting her. “Straddle me.“

  “What?“

  “You heard me,“ he said, teasingly.

  “This will be interesting,“ she remarked, rotating to her hands and knees while kicking off her shoes. “I can’t believe I am doing this.“ Placing her hands on either side of him on the back of the bench seat, she stretched her right leg over his legs. “Like this?“ she asked, laughing at the scene she was actively involved in.

  “Yes,“ he said, as he pulled her down on his lap. His hands immediately started undoing the snaps of her top. “I have been wanting to unsnap them since I first set eyes on you tonight.“ She stopped laughing and looked into his eyes. His expression told her he meant it.

  With her hands still braced on the top of the bench, her rational mind screamed at her. ’What are you doing? Are you out of your mind’? “I must be,“ she said aloud, throwing caution to the wind as he pulled the shirttails out of her skirt waistband and opened it wide. Go away thoughts. I just want to feel, she reasoned with herself, for all she cared about at that moment was Jeff. She was twenty-three and a grown woman with desires, and this man was her desire.

  His goal completed, he reached out and encircled Annie’s body in his arms and brought her body to his mouth. As he kissed her, he felt her melt against him and shiver. Not knowing whether it was from the chill in the air or what he was doing to her, he reached out to start the motor to turn on the heater. Unable to see the dashboard, he had to make several attempts to locate the switch. When he finally found the right place, not only did the engine kick over, but also the radio came on. The car filled with music. He smiled as he heard Annie softly cry his name. It was not just any song; it was their song, ’Lady.’ He had forgotten. It was his other surprise for her. He had purchased the cassette, and had worked for some time to get the tape just to the beginning of the song to play it for her when they got in the car. This was better timing, he thought. This was the right moment for it. The outside world stopped for them as they rediscovered each other in their cramped surroundings. The cassette continued to play.

  With their needs fulfilled for the moment, Annie became aware that the music had stopped. She reached out and touched Jeff’s face. “The knight knows how to please the lady,“ she whispered.

  “Should I do it again?“ he asked playfully.

  “Again? Please let me catch my breath,“ she requested.

  “No, my lady. I mean play the tape again,“ he said, shaking his head under her hand.

  “Oh,“ she replied, blushing. “Yes.“

  As he reached around her for the stereo, he felt her start to laugh softly. Peering into her face as he pressed the play button, he saw the faraway look in her eyes. “What is it?“ he asked.

  “I was just thinking,“ she said quietly, focusing on him.

  “We are in trouble,“ he joked. Feeling her tense, he quickly continued, “Kidding. What were you thinking? Please share.“

  She leaned down and kissed his lips softly. “That I much prefer this music to the Star Wars’ soundtrack,“ she shared.

  “What?“ he laughed.

  Shaking her head, she laughed and started to move off his lap. “You asked,“ she replied.

  “No, you don’t,“ he said, pulling her back down. “You have to explain.“

  “Jeff, let me go. My legs are beginning to cramp. I need to stretch them out,“ she insisted.

  “Oh,“ he replied, releasing her.

  Seated, she adjusted her clothes and felt him reaching out for her legs and bringing them up across his lap, turning her back to the passenger side door. “Continue. Star Wars’ soundtrack?“

  Noticing the fogged up windows, she stated, “Looks like we need to lower a window.“ Absently reaching out for the roses on the dashboard, she continued, “We have wilted them.“

  Jeff looked around the car at the windows. “Yes, you’re right,“ he confirmed, reaching and lowering the driver’s side window. “Give them to me,“ he requested, holding his hand out. She passed him the sad-looking, drooping roses. She watched as he leaned over and stuck his upper arm out the open window. “The cold air should bring them back.“

  “What did you do?“ she asked as she saw his hand reappear, empty.

  “I placed them on the roof.“

  “Let’s not forget them,“ she whispered.

  “I won’t,“ he promised, beginning to rub her leg muscles. “Now?“

  “Now, what?“ she asked sheepishly.

  “The story. Thought I had forgotten?“

  “No, just wished you had,“ she said softly. Closing her eyes, she traveled back in her memories. “Are you sure you really want to hear this story?“ she asked, not opening her eyes. “It involved my last relationship.“

  “Yes, Annie. I do. It has made you into what you are right now. I am truly interested in every part of you,“ he enlightened her as the pressure of his hands on her legs lightened into a caress.

  This man is beyond belief. If he asked me to jump off a bridge right now, I would do it, she thought. “Okay. Remember you asked for it,“ she said, laughing softly. “It was my last year of college. You could say we had a standing ’night class’ every Tuesday. It was not in the class listings, not a course for which you receive class credits, and not a required course for my degree. It was not graded; at least, I don’t think it was. It is not on my transcripts, but I attended it faithfully. What he taught me was not in the books!“ she laughed at the recall. “Anyway, getting to the music. Without fail, each and every encounter, it was played. It got to the point where I knew it by heart. When the semester ended, so did the class. Don’t get me wrong; I did learn. In the beginning, I thought I loved him, but at the end, I knew differently. It was a hard lesson for me, but I eventually learned the di
fference between ’using’ and ’loving’,“ she finished, opening her eyes.

  “It is a sad story, Annie. No wonder you broke down last night,“ he said softly.

  At his mention of her emotional meltdown, she blushed. “I am truly sorry for doing that to you,“ she whispered.

  “I’m not,“ he replied. “It provided me with insight into you.“

  Unable to lean forward due to her current position, she reached for his hand and brought it to her lips and kissed his palm. “Thank you, Jeff, for understanding.“

  “Speaking of last night. . . how did you sleep?“ he asked her.

  Interlacing her fingers with his as she brought them down to her lap, she felt the contact of his ring. She had subconsciously captured his left hand. Staring at the ring, she replied with sadness in her voice, “On my side, in the fetal position.“

  Bewildered by her tone, he saw her gazing at their joined hands. “Here,“ he said, withdrawing his hand from hers and removing the ring. “It is yours.“

  Annie looked at the offering and shook her head. “I do not want it,“ she said softly.

  “Nor do I,“ he said, tossing it carelessly onto the dashboard and intertwining their fingers again. “I, for one, could not sleep last night. It is your fault. Every time I moved, your scent would consume me. I had to finally get up and toss my comforter into the wash,“ he continued, laughing. Seeing her not join his laughter, he rushed on. “It is not that I wanted to get rid of you, but I needed to sleep. And, with the constant reminder of you, I knew it would not happen. By the way, what perfume do you use?“

  “Envision,“ she answered. “Why?“

  “It is perfect for you,“ he explained. “Not too much, not too little. Just right!“

  “You should write an ad for them, Words Man. I can see it now. Escape her Envision. Toss it in the wash,“ she laughed.

  “No, I am a poet, remember? The last words should rhyme,“ he informed her seriously.

  “Okay, give me something that rhymes with ’Envision’,“ she asked.

  “Hold on a second,“ he requested as she saw his eyes glaze over.

  “I am kidding,“ she said, tugging on his hand.

  “I got it,“ he said, looking at her deeply.

  “It was not his mission,

  To escape her Envision.

  The water couldn’t drown,

  The love that he found.“

  “Oh, Jeff,“ she moaned, pulling her legs back and rotating her body so she could lay across him, facing him. Once positioned, she placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him.

  “Wait,“ he said, pushing her back gently. “I am still working on the song, but I wrote a poem for you while I waited for the machine to cycle. It is a very serious poem.“

  “You wrote me another poem?“ she questioned. At his nod, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a folded piece of paper. Flabbergasted at the very thought of one poem, she was floored by the news of two. She hesitated to take it as he handed it to her.

  “Take it,“ he directed, reaching over to turn on the dome light with his other hand. She stared at the paper as curiosity washed over her. “Read it,“ he said. She saw his eyes twinkle in the dim light of the dome.

  “Okay,“ she responded still mystified, unfolding the now-precious paper carefully and read to herself.

  ’When you and I are far apart,

  Can sorrow break our tender hearts?

  I really want to see you, yes I do.

  Sleep is sweet when I dream of you.

  All you are is a blooming rose.

  Night is here, so I must close.

  With care, read the first word in each line

  You will there a question find!!!

  ?’

  “Well?“ Jeff asked.

  She raised her eyes to him. “I don’t know what to say,“ she said softly. “It is lovely.“

  “Read it again. Did you see my question?“ he asked, confused.

  “What question?“

  “Try again,“ he directed.

  She lowered eyes to the poem again and reread it, slowly this time. Comprehension dawned on her. She found the question. ’When Can I Sleep All Night With You?’

  She looked back into his eyes and saw his merriment. “Found it, didn’t you?“ he asked.

  “Yes,“ she smiled. “I can’t answer that question.“

  “I figured,“ he said, looking lost. “But, I had to ask.“

  “It’s complicated,“ she found herself saying. “Someday, I promise.“

  “I know,“ he assured her, pulling her into his embrace and hugging her. “I will hold you to that promise.“

  Giggling, she whispered into his ear. “Again?“

  His deep throaty laugh echoed in the car as he shifted his position and pulled her down on top of him. “I am all yours, my lady“ he responded.

  ***

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next morning, Annie awoke to find herself refreshed. She felt wonderful, and knew she was in love. With her eyes still closed, her mind replayed the ending to the night before. On the drive to her house, Jeff had insisted she sit next to him on the bench seat. This position had allowed his hand easy access to prolong their contact. She had not argued or resisted. Upon their arrival at her house, Jeff had placed the car in park, but had not cut the motor. He had reached for her and pulled her to him, so she was once again between him and the steering wheel and then, he had kissed her.

  “Honey,“ he had whispered. “Forgive me for not walking you to the door.“

  “Forgive you?“ she had asked, pushing away from him as far as the steering wheel at her back had allowed.

  “Yes,“ he had chuckled lightly, looking down between them. “I am in no condition to exit the car.“

  Annie’s eyes had followed his eyes down to his lap. “Oh, I see,“ she had whispered. “Sorry, but you will need to wait until tomorrow.“

  Still hearing his responding groan echo in her mind, she smiled at the memory, while bringing her hand up to her nose and inhaling deeply. She had deliberately avoided washing when she had finally broken their contact and entered her home. She had wanted to keep him with her as long as possible. If she couldn’t wake to find him next to her, she would still have the animal scent of him with her. Opening her eyes, she stretched out like a kitten and purred. There was no residual soreness today. She laughed, thinking she might not be sore, but she was sure she had new bruises on her from their activities. Recalling their rather rough ’playing’ in the car the night before, she was reminded of her thoughts of acting like teenagers. It suddenly dawned on her that was exactly what they were doing. Her loveless high school years did not give her these experiences and his early marriage probably deterred his opportunities. Married? she thought. So what? He was with her and that was all that mattered.

  She rolled over and spotted the roses on her nightstand. “Need to get water for you,“ she said to the drooping roses. Roses, she thought. I should send him roses. The idea pleased her. Tossing the covers aside, she scrambled out of bed. Did they deliver flowers on Sunday? She had to find out. Grabbing her robe, she wrapped it around her. Retrieving clean clothes from her dresser, she turned and ran to the bathroom.

  She emerged a short time later, dressed and ready to fulfill her quest for flowers. Grabbing her purse, she breezed through the house and froze when she heard her mother’s voice call to her from the kitchen. “Annie, where are you going?“ her mother asked.

  “Out,“ Annie said, not turning towards her mother.

  “Come here a second,“ her mother requested.

  Rolling her eyes, she almost replied ’Later’, but knew if she did, she would regret it. Turning and walking into the kitchen, she pondered what she would say. “Yeah, Mom.“

  “How was your evening?“ her mother asked.

  “Good.“

  “Where did you go?“ her mother pushed.

  “For a drive,“ she answered truthfully.

/>   “And?“

  “Yes, I asked him. Yes, he is married, but separated,“ she confirmed, eyeing her mother.

  “The ring?“

  “He said he didn’t realize that he was still wearing it,“ Annie said softly. “Please Mom, let it go. He took it off last night.“

  “I don’t know, Annie. Separated is not divorced,“ her mother stated the obvious.

  “Yes, I understand that. He told me he hadn’t been with her in over a year. Let it go, please,“ Annie pleaded.

  “Okay, just be careful,“ her mother said, coming up to her and giving her a hug. Returning the hug, Annie could only nod.

  When they separated, she turned to leave the house. “I will be back later,“ she said.

  In her car and on the way to the nearby florist shop, Annie thoughts turned to Jeff’s wife. She recalled he said that she was quite a bit older than him. She wondered at the age difference. How much older was she? ’You’re being silly, Annie’, her inner voice said. ’Why do you even care? All that matters is he is here with you now.’ Swallowing her thoughts, she had to agree. “Screw her,“ she said aloud, smiling. “You let him go; he is mine now.“

  ***

  Standing at the counter of the florist, she asked, “You can do a delivery today?“

  “Yes,“ the clerk said.

  “Great! I want a dozen red roses.“

  “Okay. Where do you want them delivered?“

  Oh crap, she thought. She did not have his home address. Now what was she going to do? Thinking quickly, she reached into her purse and pulled out his business card. She would send them to him at work; that would make his day. “Here,“ she said, passing the card to the clerk.

  The clerk took the card and added the address to the invoice. “Do you want to enclose a card?“ the clerk asked.

  Whoa, she thought. Did she? Oh, what the hell. “Why not?“ she said.

  The clerk pointed to the carousal of cards. “Pick one,“ he directed.

  Spinning the carousal, she spotted one with two, long-stem, red roses imprinted on the top. Grabbing the card, she placed it in front of her. What to write? she thought. Keep it simple. Don’t say too much. She bent over the counter and wrote, ’Words Man, I love you, BE.’