Return to Corbin's Bend

by Corinne Alexander

  “I have cash,” Carol said hopefully. The paper trail to this little expedition was just getting longer and more complicated by the second.

  “We don’t take cash here, I’m sorry, Carol.”

  Carol nodded. “We’ll just head on over to cubicle four then,” she said.

  Carol sat in the chair in front of the old-fashioned monitor and scrolled through the list that was already on the screen. On the left there was a list of linked numbers and on the right columns of criteria. “Race- Caucasian?”

  “Is that what you want?” Jen asked.

  “I don’t know,” Carol said. “I hadn’t thought about it. I think I’d like the baby to have some of both our characteristics.”

  “Then I’d start with Caucasian. How about ethnic origin?” Jen suggested.

  Carol ran down the list, amazed at the exotic backgrounds of some of these men. “Oooh, mixed European, German, French. That sounds good.”

  “You do know that babies don’t cook?” Sienna giggled.

  “Or speak with an accent,” Erin added.

  “I know smart asses. The green eyes sound nice.” Carol couldn’t explain why, but she was pulled to this one.

  “Yeah they do. Click that one see what else it has to say,” Jen said.

  Carol did. “It doesn’t tell you anything else. You have to pay for more information. For a longer family history the cost is fifteen dollars.” She stared at the screen wanting more information.

  “It is only fifteen dollars.”

  “They don’t take cash. We can’t risk using a card,” Carol said. They continued down the list some more but found the same frustration. “I need to know more. Anyone want to take the cash and let me use their card?”

  “Sorry, hon, I don’t have any cards,” Erin said. “They’ve all been confiscated. I only deal with cash.”

  “Mine’s at home,” Sienna said. “I swear I would forget my head if it wasn’t switched on.”

  “Go crazy,” Jen said, passing her a debit card. “And by that, I mean pay the fifteen dollars, just think carefully about which one you want to look at because we can’t pay for all of them.”

  “Agreed.”

  “How do you feel?” Jen asked.

  Carol shrugged. They’d just pulled up outside her house where they’d left their cars. “Tired, excited, a little guilty.”

  “Yeah. I know how that is,” Jen said. She ran her fingers through her hair to fluff it up a bit.

  “You better put your face on or your kiddies won’t recognize you,” Carol teased.

  “Was it worth it?” Jen asked.

  “Yeah it was. It feels a bit more real but I can’t put my finger on it. Something doesn’t feel right.”

  “That could be because the other half of your whole is missing.”

  “Maybe. Thanks for today though girls. It was above and beyond.”

  “It was fun,” Erin said.

  “It was,” Sienna said. “Now we better go and pick up the kiddos before they send out a search party for us.”

  The bell rang and the kids came out accompanied by the usual afternoon din of mixed screaming and laughing. Carol winced. “What is it about freedom that makes kids scream?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe their voice boxes go into some kind of cramp and have to stretch out.”

  Sienna frowned. “Where are my boys?” she asked.

  Carol looked where Bri was messing around with Charity and Jack. There was no sign of Dean and Deacon. “Bri, have you seen the twins?” she called.

  “No,” she called back, continuing her game.

  “I’ll just go and see where they got to,” Sienna said. “Probably helping the teacher again. Funny how they’ll do anything to help the teacher clean on my time but won’t pick up a single toy at home.”

  “Can we go now, Mommy?” Bri asked when their game was over.

  “Let’s just wait a few minutes and see if the twins are all right.” Her eyes widened a little when Sienna appeared without her kids. She was frazzled. “What’s happened?”

  “The boys both threw up. They tried to contact me but my phone was dead. Toby left work and came to get them.”

  “Uh oh,” Carol said. “I hope I haven’t gotten you in trouble.”

  “I don’t get in trouble silly. I feel terrible that my boys needed me though. I need to get home.”

  “Damn,” Carol said to Jen after their friend jogged away, shoes in hand, red hair flying.

  “It wasn’t your fault!” Sienna called back.

  “Oh well, back to reality,” Jen said. “We better go home and get stuck into the homework and dinner. Don’t mess up my clean kitchen!”

  “Don’t worry, I think we’ll eat over the sink.”

  “I bet you would too.”

  Chapter 6

  Carol had to admit there was something nice about walking into a clean house. “Home sweet home,” she said to her daughter.

  “Man, Mommy, what did you do?” Brianna asked. “It smells good in here and everything’s kind of shiny.”

  “It does, doesn’t it? We’re going to try and keep it that way too. You’ll help won’t you?”

  Brianna nodded. “It’s better. I like it like this.”

  “You can start by getting out your homework and then putting your back pack away in your closet.”

  “Can I eat a snack first?”

  “Do what I asked you to do first, and I’ll get you something to eat for when you get back. Change your uniform and hang that up as well.”

  Carol was pouring milk when the phone rang. She could hardly hear the person on the other end. “Hello? Is there anyone there?”

  “It’s me, Sienna.”

  “Sienna? Why’re you whispering?”

  “Toby’s in the shower. Dean vomited on him. I have to talk quick. We have a problem.”

  Carol’s tummy dropped. “What kind of a problem.”

  “They sent a fax confirming Carol Harcourt as a patient.”

  “Shit!”

  “Mommy! You swore.”

  Carol realized her daughter was back. She looked from her to the phone in her hand. “Hang on.” She finished pouring the milk and passed Bri some cookies. “How about you take these outside and sit at the patio table. I’ll come out and join you in a minute.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Nope, nothing at all,” Carol said, wishing she could find out if that was true. “Take your snack outside please, hon.”

  “Carol?” Sienna hissed into the phone.

  “Sorry, Bri was here. What did you tell him?”

  “I was caught on one foot. I told him it was a joke, but I don’t know if he believed me. Dean thankfully threw up on him and bought me some time.”

  “Even if he doesn’t believe you, he doesn’t really mix with Crystal so we should be safe.”

  “Yeah. I hope so. I just thought I better let you know.”

  “Thanks. If it does come out, I’ll stick to the joke story.”

  “Hopefully it’ll just blow over.”

  “Yeah, thanks for the heads up.” Should be fine. Carol went about making dinner for Bri and herself, grateful that they had until the next day before Crystal was home. She missed her but hopefully any fax leaks would be well forgotten by then.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Crystal said the next day. It wasn’t the first time she’d said it since she got home but she couldn’t help it. Although she’d laid down the law to Carol she had never expected the turn around that her girlfriend had accomplished. The house was clean, neat and the most surprising thing was that it was organized.

  “I’m trying,” Carol said, her face flushing.

  “You’re more than trying. This is amazing. It’s better than I could do, almost like a professional team has been in here doing their thing.”

  “Nope. No professionals,” Carol said, eager to change the subject. “I thought we might grill tonight.”

  “I have an even better idea,” Crystal said
. “Such good behavior deserves a reward.” She wrapped her arms around her girl and hugged her tight. In fact, we don’t have to get Brianna for a couple of hours. I think you deserve some good girl pampering.”

  “Ooh nice,” Carol said. “I guess I might deserve it.”

  “Then we’ll go and eat out tonight? If I’m not messing up your barbecue plans.”

  “No, no. I’m pretty sure it won’t damage me if I don’t have to cook.”

  Crystal took Carol’s hand. “Now for the pampering.”

  “Let me guess which part of me you’re going to start with,” Carol said with a giggle.

  “I’ll get there eventually,” she said. “First though, I think you deserve a massage. Particularly after all your cleaning.”

  “I’m okay, really,” Carol said. “You’ve worked too. Harder than me, I could give you a massage.”

  “Let me do this for you, you deserve it.” She led Carol into their bedroom. “Take off your clothes and lay down on your tummy.”

  “But I...”

  “No buts!” Crystal said, slapping Carol’s bottom. She was a little confused by Carol’s attitude. While she did as she was told, and she could see she was trying to appear pleased, but her heart didn’t seem completely into it which was unusual to say the least. There was nothing Carol liked more than a relaxing massage and having her undivided attention. Maybe she’d asked too much, the poor little thing had obviously worn herself out trying to please her. “Come on, you’re going to like this, I promise.”

  “A massage would be nice,” Carol said.

  “Of course, that’s more like it.” Crystal admired the naked body that was spread out in front of her. Her Carol was cute at any angle but this one was special. It set her insides to tingling just looking at that round bottom burgeoning from her tiny waist. Carol’s head rested on her arms with her hair spread around one shoulder and there was a peak of a small breast from the side.

  “Am I getting this massage slow coach or what?” Carol chuckled. “Ow! Hey!”

  “I see you’re back.” Crystal smoothed her hand over the pink stain that her hand had left on Carol’s white skin, bending to kiss it better.

  “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

  Crystal stripped off her clothes and stepped up on to the bed, and then settled herself on Carol’s round globes. It was all she could do to remember what she was supposed to be doing. With her legs spread, there was nothing between her and her girl’s soft bottom. The body underneath her wriggled with impatience.

  “Am I the one getting a happy ending here or are you?” Her brat giggled.

  “Both of us actually.” Crystal squeezed her knees into her girlfriend’s hips and started kneading. “You’re tense.”

  “Not as much now,” Carol almost hummed. “That feels so good.”

  “Not feeling too bad from my end either.”

  “Uh huh. Nice.”

  After slowly working her hands down her lover’s back, Crystal slipped herself down a bit so she was sitting on Carol’s firm thighs. “Relax,” she said as Carol tensed the muscles in her cheeks. “You’re not in trouble.”

  “I’m trying.”

  Crystal patted the bottom in front of her gently. Small pats that barely left a mark. She loved being in this position; with both hands free to cover every inch of this delectable butt over and over. She also loved the close up view. As she quickened her pace and the strength of the taps, the color started to rise to the surface, the pink skin rippling under her touch. “Such a pretty behind,” she said, bending to kiss the creamy shoulder that now was completely relaxed. “You like this, don’t you?”

  “I love these kind of baby spankings.” She turned her head and grinned. “Apparently so do you.”

  Crystal was well aware that she was dripping all over. “That’s the effect you have on me, missy.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Her hands started their drumming spanks again only this time she stepped up, a little happy to feel the warmth beneath her fingers as the color became a uniform deep pink. Crystal couldn’t help herself anymore; she had to delve between those legs. She wrapped her legs around one thigh and Carol immediately spread her legs giving her access to the shining pearl that had been hidden until now. It was swollen and begging for attention, twitching under her fingers as she swirled it around.

  “Oh yes, there.” Carol’s knuckles were almost white, she clutched the pillow so hard and she thrust her pink bottom towards her. “Fuck me,” she whimpered.

  “Gladly.” Crystal thrust two fingers deep inside her while her thumb continued to work her nub.

  “Ah!” Carol moaned. “That’s it, that’s it.”

  It didn’t take many thrusts at all before every muscle in her girl’s body tensed. She flicked at her own clit; she was so ready that it didn’t take long at all to bring herself to orgasm. She slumped happily next to Carol, taking the warm body in her arms.

  Crystal was being so sweet and nice. She’d left her to have a leisurely bath while she went to pick up their daughter from school. Carol felt a little guilty. Secrets weren’t great. Well they could be, but keeping secrets from your loved one wasn’t great; not unless the loved one was going to benefit someday. That was more like a surprise wasn’t it?

  “Mommy!” Bri shouted.

  “Hey,” Carol said.

  “You weren’t listening to me. Momma said we’re going out to eat!”

  “I know.”

  “To Endele’s!”

  “You don’t mind do you?” Crystal asked.

  “No, Endele’s is great,” Carol said with a smile.

  “Can I have a cocktail like last time?” Bri asked.

  “A mocktail,” Crystal said. “You can’t go telling people we let you drink a cocktail.”

  “People don’t let their kids drink the real thing, Momma!” Bri said.

  “Of course not,” Crystal agreed. “Now go have a shower and we’ll brush the knots out of that hair.”

  “Yes, Momma,” Bri said.

  “Are you not happy about Endele’s?” Crystal asked Carol when they were alone.

  “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”

  “You’re a little quiet, that’s all.”

  “I’m fine, really and I love Endele’s, you know that.”

  “Good. I probably should have checked with you before I said yes to Bri.”

  “It’s fine. We don’t need to talk to each other before we make every single little decision.” She wasn’t looking for an out on her guilt, really she wasn’t.

  “Not with little things. It would have been polite though.” She pressed a kiss on Carol’s forehead. “I saw Jen and Sienna at school.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, they were acting a little weird.”

  “In what way?” Carol’s heart thumped heavily in her chest.

  “I don’t know. They were talking and they stopped when I came over. It was almost like they were talking about me. They looked worried.”

  “I’m sure it had nothing to do with you directly.” Oh shit, that doesn’t sound good; maybe more trouble with the fax. Why the hell had they put anything on paper, they must have been insane.

  “Probably not,” Crystal agreed.

  “They might have wondered where I was.”

  “Yeah, that’s more than likely it but I don’t know why they wouldn’t just ask.”

  Carol shrugged. “Me either. We better get ready if we’re going to go out. You check out Bri and I’ll finish off the laundry and put it away.”

  “You are being a good girl,” Crystal said with a smile.

  “Thanks, I try.” Carol practically ran to the laundry room and shut the door behind her. She grabbed her phone out of her pocket and messaged Jen.

  Everything okay?

  She waited for a full five minutes, folding the towels quickly as she listened for the tell-tale ding of a return message. She tried again.

  Getting worried, Jen, everything oka
y?

  After another twenty minutes, there was still no answer to her texts and she was pretty sure something was wrong. The worst thing was that she had no idea what. She looked at the neat piles of clothes she needed to put away and sighed. It would have to be put in the too hard basket for now. There was a part of her that wished it was two days ago and she was sitting in the middle of her mess, before she started this other mess.

  “You about done?” Crystal called through the door.

  “I think so,” Carol called back. Almost. “I just have to put away these piles of laundry.”

  Crystal opened the door. “Here, give me some, I’ll help you.”

  “Thanks,” Carol said. “I love you Crys, you know that right?”

  “I love you too,” Crystal said with a grin.

  Carol picked up the piles that were left and followed Crystal from the laundry room, not even hearing the buzz of her phone that was sitting on the washer.

  Bernie was as gracious a host as ever. “Hello there girls,” she said. “Nice to see you here. Someone’s birthday?”

  “No, just thought we all deserved a treat,” Crystal said with a smile.

  “I see you didn’t go through with the new hair do,” Bernie said.

  Carol’s heart stopped beating. “Um, no. Jen’s a great cook and all but I’d need to see some good proof before I let her do my hair.”

  “You’re right there. Especially a perm; those things can go awfully wrong if you don’t do them right.”

  “Let me get this straight,” Crystal said. “You were going to let Jen perm your hair?”

  Carol grinned. “We were only discussing it really.”

  “They made a shopping list.”

  “Really,” Crystal said.

  “What’s a perm?” Brianna said.

  “Curls,” Carol said, trying to keep bright. “Lots of them.”

  “Do you think we could have a table by the window please, Bernie?” Crystal asked.

  “Sure thing.”

  Carol followed behind Crystal and Bri, trying to regulate her breathing as she did so but by the time they were seated, it seemed like what could have been a storm had blown over. “What are we all eating?” she asked as she buried her head in the menu.