“I’m not sure how that works, I’d have to ask the attorney, but it seems like that would work. But again I know you swear she will do it, but I don’t believe her. You didn’t see her that night, or when she was putting on the show for everyone. I got jumped a few times by some of the guys from school. Thankfully, I’ve been studying martial arts and could protect myself. Unfortunately it didn’t help me much because I would get in trouble for fighting. Thus I must be violent.” Johnny explained.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this at first?” She asked.
“Why? What good would it do for you to hear it? It wouldn’t make anything go away.” Johnny commented.
“I know but at least I would have known what you went through while I was gone.” She stated.
“I don’t want to drag you through it all. I can just tell you it was a living hell; I really thought I hated you for a while. But my love for you is far too strong for it to just disappear. I guess that night with Mary proved it to her, but to me as well. Honestly, before that night I would swear that I was over you. I know Mary thinks I lied to her the whole time, but I really didn’t. You messed me up bad when you left to go to Paris.” Johnny explained.
“I’m so sorry Johnny. I wish I would have realized how I felt before I stepped on that plane too. It would have solved a lot of problems, or at least changed this situation, and a few others. I wish we could go back to that day when we were in the woods. I would have said something else to you, would have talked about how it made me feel. I was nervous; I was shocked that we had just had sex. I mean how many years did I put you off? Suddenly I’m feeling all these emotions for you that simply make no sense to me.” Sally admitted.
“That wasn’t my problem. It was when you told me you were leaving in 3 days. I knew how I felt for you, and I had hoped it changed your mind. I know they say that a relationship shouldn’t be built on sex. But I don’t think I would change that happening that day. I would change what you told me right after though.” Johnny said.
“I would too Johnny. I wouldn’t have left. I missed you so much when I was gone. When you told me you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, I just died a bit inside.” Sally said.
“Imagine how I felt when you said you were going to Paris right after we had sex the first time?” He commented.
“No I can get it. Really Johnny, I’m so sorry.” She stated.
“Well now it’s in the past. If Mary does what you think she will, I don’t even know what I will do. I don’t know if people will believe the girls even after they change their stories. What I’m saying is that we may have to move someday. Otherwise I won’t be able to get a job, and you’ll have to support us.” Johnny said.
“How would you feel about going to New York or maybe LA? I could intern with one of the fashion designers there, and maybe still be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” She asked.
“We’ll compare the options and see what looks like the best choice. But I haven’t given up hope on staying here either. Both of those cities are so dangerous, I don’t know if I want to take a chance of you getting hurt.” He commented.
“I’ll be careful no matter where we go.” Sally stated.
“We have to get past this whole thing first. You would think that if Mary did what she said I would have gotten a call by now.” Johnny said looking at his watch.
“It hasn’t been that long since I left her, maybe 10 to 15 minutes now.” Sally tried to cheer him up.
“I just have this horrible feeling that it won’t go that way. That she won’t call, and the attorney won’t be able to plea bargain and I’ll be in jail for years. You’ll be out
here by yourself and will get tired of waiting for me. Eventually, you’ll leave me for another man.” Johnny commented.
“Is that why you asked me to marry you, because you thought I would stick around longer?” She asked.
“It might have a little bit to do with it. But it is mostly because you told me I needed to decide what I wanted from you. So today I went to Grand Island and went ring shopping. I couldn’t buy anything in town, they wouldn’t sell to me. Can you believe that? Don’t answer it.” Johnny told her.
“I can believe it honestly.” She began.
He put up his hand. “I told you not to answer it. I know you’ve seen it.” He stated.
“I’ve unfortunately found out just how judgmental people are in our little town since I’ve been back. The lady in the mall wasn’t the only one. I meet a couple of other guys we went to school with before that, and they were the same way. Mr. Samuels wouldn’t even hire me because he had heard a rumor about us.” Sally said.
“Well that isn’t shocking to me.” Johnny said.
His phone rang and he answered it. “Yes sure Mr. Wallace.”
Sally watched as Johnny listened and talked to his attorney. She kept her fingers crossed and watched his face to try and figure out what he was hearing.
“Okay, yes sir. I understand sir. Alright, I’ll come down there in an hour. Sure, I appreciate it.” She heard Johnny say.
As soon as he hung up she asked. “Well, what happened?” She asked.
“She did call and rescind her story. The charges from her are going to be dropped. The DA is dealing with the other girls right now as well. In an hour I’m supposed to go to my attorney’s office and I’ll find out what happened with them.” Johnny stated.
“I told you she would call.” Sally said.
“Okay so you were right about that. But I am telling you we need to decide what to do now. I don’t think anyone will hire me here. So what place would you like to move too?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t care; either of the bigger cities would work. I’ll look up to see if there are any more in different cities as well. Maybe Chicago that might be a good place too.” Sally suggested.
“Look them up when I go to see Mr. Wallace. Do you want to get married before we go, or after we get to where we are going?” He asked.
“Well I would like my parents to come, but so many people in town have really made me upset. They judged you for a rumor, based on lies. We have to move because of those lies too. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t many people I would even want to come now.” She stated.
“Where ever we go we can fly them out. I don’t mind that, are they going to be okay with you marrying me though? You’re mom stopped talking to me after she found out about the charges, I don’t think she likes me very much.” He said.
“She will change her mind once she finds out that Mary was lying.” Sally said.
“No don’t believe it. I’m telling you Sally; people will still talk and think I’m guilty. But your parents can come if they want. I agree with you there are too many people who I wouldn’t want to see at the wedding. Look up the places and let me know where you want to move when I get back though. It may be a quick move though; I want to start our new life together on an up note.” He stated.
“Alright sweetie, I’m going to go home and talk to my mom and do some research. Let me know when you get back okay.” She kissed him and walked out the door.
Sally went inside and called for her mom. “Mom, are you home?” She yelled out.
“Yeah sweetie, I’ll be right down.” She heard her mom call from upstairs.
A few minutes later her mom was downstairs. “Hey honey, how was your day today?” Her mom asked.
“It was very nice actually. See what I got?” She showed her mom the ring.
“Oh it’s beautiful. Oh wait, is that from him?” Her mom’s eyes closed a bit.
“Yes it is mom. It’s from Johnny and I said yes. By the way so you know I also talked to Mary today, and she lied. Sit down and let me tell you the story.” Sally said.
Her mom sat and listened intently as Sally explained what Mary had a little earlier in the day to her. She left out details about sex and all that, but gave her mom enough of the story so she could understand Johnny was not guilty.
“Well I guess
you were right to begin with.” Her mom said once Sally had stopped talking.
“I also need to tell you that we will be moving as well. Johnny will always have people looking at him like he’s guilty.” Sally said.
“What? Where will you move? When are you going? I just got you back from half way around the world.” Her mom cried out.
“Mom, its okay, maybe we’ll go to Chicago. It’s not that far away really, and you and dad can come out for the ceremony. We aren’t going to get married in town.” She explained.
“Oh my little girl, she’s all grown up now. I’m so happy for you. You’re sure though that he’s not going to hurt you. Even though he didn’t rape those girls he was always in trouble for beating people up. They even said that old man Denton was in the hospital for a few months after he was done beating him up.” Her mom commented.
“Mom I talked to a guy today who told me a month. Then when I began asking him questions he admitted that old man Denton wasn’t even in overnight. People are over
exaggerating things when they talk about Johnny. It was all a case of just making him look worse than what he is. Yes he did beat him up, and he knows he was wrong. But mom really I caused a lot of that anger in him when I left.” Sally explained.
“Well he did always love you so much. I guess you leaving would make him upset. But really he seemed to change right after you left so much.” Her mom said.
“Mom he was mad at me for leaving. We had gotten a bit closer a few days before I left and well something happened. We, well, had sex. I know mom, I know, I shouldn’t have sex before I’m married.” Sally said.
Her mom held up her hand. “I never said that, but I would think waiting would have been a good idea. But I know kids of your generation don’t look at marriage the same as us old folks do. But go ahead, so before you left you two had sex.” Her mom said.
“Yes and right after I told him I was leaving to go to Paris. He was hurt and upset. I was confused because I didn’t know why I found him so attractive. I got over to Paris and found out about him and Mary. It hurt me a lot, and made me realize just how much I cared about him. Now that I’m back I’ve already seen his attitude change.” Sally stated.
“My little girl, you did hurt him. Well I guess I owe him an apology too. I can understand why he was angry. It puts a whole new perspective on it.
***
Sally looked out the window of their little house in a Chicago suburb. Her belly was rounded and she was 9 months pregnant with their first child. She waited for her husband to come home from work.
“Hey honey I’m home.” Johnny said walking in the door. “How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?” He asked.
“I’m great. The baby has been really active today. I think he’s ready to come out soon!” Sally commented.
“Good, come on slugger, we can’t wait to see you.” Johnny kissed her belly and felt the baby kick.
THE END
ENSLAVED BY ALIEN LORD
Chapter 1
“I have no idea why you continue to play the field, Scarlet. You do know that you are close to the age of choice and that your days of casual dalliances are almost over. Don’t tell me that you haven’t noticed the way that the guys have suddenly gotten a little bit more anxious around us lately. We are all ready to take that plunge, but I’m not sure that you can say the same thing. I know that having fun is one thing, but it’s time to grow up and become what you have been destined for.” Scandal was Scarlet’s best friend, but she was the only one that could accept that she was mutated. Scandal’s skin had a tinge of blue, not unlike prince Niles Starr. He was the one that everyone was waiting for and also terrified that they would be chosen.
Standing at the window in a flowing white gown, Scarlet looks down on the town and knows that eventually her time of freedom will be over. She thought that there was plenty of time, but the age of choice was not something that she could deny. “If it’s all the same to you, Scandal, I would really like not to talk about this anymore. It gives me a cold chill down my spine to think that I’ll have to spend my life with one man.” She saw the many suitors with some that had tails and others that had glowing green eyes. This was a melting pot of alien entities. Her herself had one strange feature and that was a string of purple hair that looked out of place on her almost platinum blond locks.
“You can’t stick your head in the sand forever. Two days from now, we are to stand and to choose our mates. I’ve already given my hand to Justus. He’s very kind and I do hope that his family approves.” “I don’t see why she is, so worried. She has the pedigree and Justus’s family should feel honored that she is going to stand with them. I on the other hand have no idea what I’m going to do. There are so many eligible bachelors and so little time. I’ve been sowing my wild oats and I have to say that I’ve enjoyed the variety.”
Scandal moved her hand through her very short shorn hair that had the kind of spikes that you would find on some wild animal on earth. They knew of its existence, but this was the river planet. It was named accordingly. This world was entwined by many rivers and that one person that held the power of passage didn’t exactly do it out of the goodness of their hearts. She knew that the royal family with the name of Starr held those rights with grim death.
“You’re lucky that you have chosen already. I’m sure that others have already done that as well, but I just don’t feel that flutter of nervousness in my stomach. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy exploring their bodies and finding the differences. You know that one and he will remain nameless has the kind of anatomy that actually comes out like a turtle?” She remembered seeing it and touching it and thinking that it was not much to look at. It was only when it sprung out of its shell that she realized that it had a mind of its own. “I’ve come here from the distant planet of Delta. I was given the right to come to this planet, as an emissary to my family and their way of life.”
Scarlet turned from the window, disgusted by her behavior, but secretly delighting in the feel of those bodies that had come to her in the middle of the night. She welcomed them with open arms and found that sense of freedom something hard to give up. “I don’t want to have only one lover and that seems cruel and unusual punishment. So what that I’m a little promiscuous and I like to share the wealth of my body.”
“You are the most incorrigible woman that I have ever met in my life.” Scandal had come from her own planet and this melting pot of entities was here by the bequest of each of their leaders. They were here to make sure that the best interest of the planet that they served was met with favorable results. “I don’t know how you plan to get out of this and I really don’t need to know. The less I know the better, as far as I’m concerned. I’m afraid that I can’t take this journey with you. I implore you to rethink your decision and going against the age of choice is not something that you should do lightly. Besides, it has never been done before and you have no idea what the punishment for that kind of thing is. Between you and me, I really don’t want to find out and I don’t think that you do either.” Scandal was wearing a red dress that had strategic cuts all around, so when she turned it floated around her like it was a part of her.
“I hold the hopes and dreams of some man out there in the palm of my hand. They have no idea that I can be stubborn and stuck in my ways. I don’t want to be a part of this tradition. I’m going to do everything in my power to find a way out of this. There is nothing in the rules that state that I can’t remain an island onto myself. Let them do their damnedest. They can court me all they want, but I don’t think that there’s anyone alive that will make me feel anything, but mild curiosity.” Coming here was the best thing that she could ever have done. Back on her own planet, she was cloistered and pretty much told by her parents what to do on any given day.
Without them around, she was able to break free and there was no way that she was in any hurry to put those bonds of matrimony around her wrist. Those bracelets were meant to signify a unity between
the trust of two people that had found each other. To her, it was prison. She had no desire to walk down that path anytime soon. It didn’t matter to her that her parents had requested that she find a way into the prince’s good graces. She had seen him in passing in the last five years that she had been on the river planet. She did notice that he was looking at her from time to time, but she tried her best to dissuade his interest. Frankly she was hot for his form.
“I know that I came here for my parents, but what I found was a haven from their tyrannical ways. You have no idea what I had to put up with. I was anxious to spread my wings and they were just, as anxious to clip them. I tried to rebel, but my father was adamant that I keep my opinions to myself. He had made it virtually impossible for me to find a suitable mate. He claimed that I was better than that.”
The door had a resounding knock. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the hills. At the first contact of sunlight, they began to stretch and turn different colors. They fed off the fuel of the two suns and off the emotions of the person that they were given to. “The prince has requested that you come to him for the bicentennial dinner. This is quite the honor. The one thing that you cannot do is refuse. This is part of the courting tradition and one that you must abide by.” Sousa was the man that the prince respected enough to do his bidding. He was a squirrelly fella, but he had always found a way to do what was needed to be done.
Scarlet was about to say something in argument, but Sousa turned around and walked away before she had the chance. She looked at the flowers and she knew that she was obligated to at the very least sit down and discuss things in private with the prince.
“I’m not sure that I should call you lucky or cursed. It’s the highest honor to be chosen for the bicentennial dinner by the prince himself. It’s also the one thing that all of us girls have been trying to avoid from the moment that we got here.” Scandal knew that five years planting the seeds of their own planets best interest was a tedious task to say the least. There were many functions that required them to dance to the tune of the prince and his royal family. Five years and in all that time, she noticed that Scarlet was not exactly shy about her affections. It kind of sickened her, but she was secretly envious of the way that she was able to make the best out of a bad situation.
ROMANCE: HIGHLANDER ROMANCE: Seduced by highlander (Historical Mail Order Bride Time Travel Romance) (Military Fantasy Romance Short Stories) Page 105