June looked at her son, her eyes glistening.
“But Emmet, if you move out…I’ll be here all alone,” she said.
“Mom, Agnes lives alone and she does fine. Her kids moved out years ago and she’s a widow. You see how much she enjoys her freedom,” Emmet said reasonably. His anger was dissipating.
“I’m not Agnes!” June snapped at him. “I like having you here, Emmet. It makes me feel secure.”
Emmet sighed.
“Mom, I can’t be your security for the rest of my life. And as far as being alone, you can get a pet for company or even rent out my room to someone,” he said.
“What? Have a stranger live in my house? I won’t do that,” June said firmly.
“You’re going to have to do something, mom. I’ve made my decision. I’ll be moving out tomorrow,” Emmet said, just as firmly.
June blinked at him, and finally the tears began to fall.
“I can’t believe you’re abandoning me for her,” June said, sobbing.
Emmet felt his chest constrict a little with guilt.
“Mom, I can’t abandon you…you’re my mother. I’ll always love you. No one can take the place of a mother,” he said gently, “It’s just that I need to do this…for a number of reasons. If you think about it, mom…you’ll see I’m right. I’ve been here too long. I’m not a little boy anymore. I have a life to live.”
“What about money, Emmet? With you gone…I’ll have to pay all the bills myself,” she sniffed.”
”The house is paid for. Plus, with me gone, the utility bills will be a little lower, and if you need help paying them all you have to do is let me know, mom. You know I wouldn’t let you go under,” Emmet said soothingly
June had more than enough money to pay her bills. She could even get a little job to help her out more and have something to do. Still, Emmet had been very generous money-wise…June had a nice little nest egg in her savings account.
“But I’m still going to miss you, Emmet,” she said. And she was.
“I know mom, but you’ll get used to it,” he said.
“First your father, and now you,” June said, pouring on the guilt.
Emmet looked at her.
“Mom, don’t do this. Don’t make me feel guilty for doing what I need to do. I have a right to be happy,” he said, “and Anita makes me happy.”
“Yes…with sex!” June said viciously.
Emmet blinked at her.
“Yes…but there’s more mom. Anita liked me from the very beginning. She was the only woman where I worked that had more than two words to say to me. She helped me change my image so I could go out on interviews myself. She believed in me, mom. No one’s ever believed in me…not even you,” he said softly. “You controlled every aspect of my life because you thought you knew what was best for me. You cut my hair, laid out my clothes, made my lunch…like I was still thirteen. I’m not thirteen, mom. I’m a man, and Anita treats me like one. I need that. I need to feel like a man. Up to this point, I’ve only been the son of June Barrows. I’m more than that.”
June looked at Emmet. God, he looked and sounded so much like his father. His father had always been strong, though he was good to her. Emmet was strong too. Funny she never realized that before. He had to be strong to deal with her all these years. Maybe she had been too controlling…too selfish.
June sighed inwardly. She knew there was no doubt about it…she had done all she could to keep Emmet from “growing up.” She had manipulated him, browbeat him, made him second-guess all his decisions until he came around to her way of thinking and took advantage of his good nature. And Emmet knew it but still loved her.
She looked at him. It was time to let her son go, but she wasn’t happy about it. Emmet and his mother sat in silence for about fifteen minutes, then June looked up at him, her blue eyes hard.
“Go ahead and move out then,” June said angrily. “Go ahead! I’ll survive.”
She stood up, collected her sandwich and coke, then walked into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Well, that had gone better than expected. Still, Emmet stared after June, his heart a bit heavy. He loved his mother and hated making her feel this way. He realized that he was glad he didn’t tell her the move would be temporary. When Anita was able to live on her own, he would find his own place. He wouldn’t move back here. He’d have to move forward. His life had changed irrevocably after meeting Anita Bowen. She had opened doors for him in many ways, doors that were always cracked but never approached until now. He was grateful for it.
He looked down at the crumbs on the coffee table left behind by his mother…then he realized something.
Anita didn’t have any food. They hadn’t bought anything to eat.
Emmet stood up and walked down the hall to his mother’s room and knocked.
“Mom, I have to go out,” he said through the door.
There was silence, then…”Go where you want to go, Emmet. It’s not like you owe me anything.”
Emmet frowned at the door. His mother was still trying to pile on the guilt. It wasn’t going to work.
“I’ll see you in a little while, mom,” Emmet said.
He walked up the hall and out the front door. He’d pick up some things at the supermarket, drop them off at the apartment, then return home.
*
John Bowen walked through the parking lot of the Short Stay motel, eyeing all the people hanging about the parking lot. It was easy to tell what kind of place this was. Hookers strolled through, leaning into cars and drug dealers stood in the shadows, counting their money. Here and there bic lighters flared up, their owners tapping the flame to glass pipes.
“Anita stays here? Shit. She’s got to do better,” John Bowen muttered.
No one accosted him except a few suggestive hookers, but he was pretty well sated and told them maybe later. John had the bearing of someone who knew the ropes…he wasn’t a ‘victim’ so was left alone by the others.
He pushed open the door of the office and walked up to the counter. Al was there and gave him a smile as John put his duffel bag down and leaned on the counter.
“Welcome to the Short Stay motel. My name is Al and I am the owner. How can I help you tonight sir? Short stay or overnight?” he asked John.
“I’m looking for someone. Anita Bowen…is she staying here?” John asked.
Al remembered Anita, simply because she stood out so much when she stayed at the motel. She didn’t belong there. But he wasn’t about to give out any information about her to this stranger. He didn’t know who he was. He frowned at John.
“Sir, we cannot give out information about our guests. We become liable if something unfortunate happens,” Al said curtly.
John pulled his wallet out of his pocket and showed Al his identification.
“I’m her father. She left town without telling anyone where she was going, and I’m worried about her,” John said.
Al took John’s wallet and looked at his ID closely, then at him. Yes, he had the same eyes as his daughter.
“She was here, but left about a month ago to stay someplace…with less atmosphere. A very nice young woman,” Al said.
“Do you know where she went?” John asked him.
Al shook his head.
John sighed. He wasn’t going to find her tonight or tomorrow either. He would have to wait until Monday and go down to her job. He’d find out where she was staying then and move in with her.
“How much is it for a room a night?” John asked him.
Al frowned. The rates were posted in big fluorescent lights on the sign outside, but everyone came in and asked him the same thing. Were they all blind?
“Twenty-nine dollars a night,” Al said.
“Give me two nights,” John said, pulling some bills out of his pocket and sliding them across to Al, who checked what was available. He had two rooms left.
Al rang him up and gave him a key.
“Room 104,” Al said.
“Thanks,” John replied
Al nodded and watched him go. He looked up at the security monitor and watched John navigate through the people standing outside motel rooms, a few of the women speaking to him and John smiling but waving them away. Obviously, he knew how to handle an area like this. John let himself in the room and closed the door behind him. Al watched as one of the women tried the door. It was locked. Yes, John Bowen knew how to survive all right.
Al began to wipe down his counter.
Anita should be very happy her father turned up. It was good to have family who cared.
Chapter 33 ~ Surprise
Emmet picked up some bread, ham, breast of chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, a gallon of milk, some eggs and bacon, butter, a box of Captain Crunch and thought that was enough for tonight and tomorrow morning. He would take Anita food shopping tomorrow.
Carrying two bags of groceries, Emmet headed to his car, put them in the back seat, got in and drove off.
In the apartment, Anita put half of the things away, then brought her radio, the silk bedding and bedspread into the bedroom. She plugged in the radio and turned it on to an easy-listening station and proceeded to make up the bed. She was tired.
When she finished, she rummaged through her luggage and found her white nightie, then grabbed the bag full of personal items, some towels and washcloths, and brought them into the bathroom. She hurriedly put them on the counter, stripped down and took a nice shower, washing her hair as well. She got out, dried off, put on some lotion and deodorant, slipped on her nightie, brushed her teeth and wrapped her hair in a towel because it was still damp and she didn’t feel like digging for her blow dryer.
She climbed into the bed with a sigh. Emmet was right…the silk sheets felt wonderful. A love song came on she liked and she turned up the volume. The walls of the apartment were thick and well-made. Sound didn’t carry so the noise wouldn’t disturb her neighbors.
As she lay in the bed, she thought about Emmet, and how passionate he was about her. The last time they fucked, it was really wonderful. They were face to face, Emmet on top of her, kissing her over and over, telling her how beautiful and special she was. It wasn’t pillow talk. Emmet didn’t know anything about that yet. He meant what he said to her, and it made her feel wonderful.
She sighed as she remembered his eyes…how soft they were, but how hot and appreciative. He didn’t take them off her face once, staring at her as if she were some kind of…goddess or something.
Anita giggled at the thought. If Emmet had thought of that word, he probably would have used it. Not that he was doing much thinking. And oh, his voice…he was so vocal and would absolutely whimper when it got good to him.
Anita felt her nipples harden as she inadvertently aroused herself thinking of Emmet. It would have been nice if he had stayed. More than likely they would have tangled up the sheets for most of the night, Anita showing him more positions. He was so willing to learn…and he lasted a full twenty minutes the last time. Promising, very, very promising.
Anita squirmed a little as she thought of Emmet’s cock. Dear God, what a monster he had hidden in his pants. It was big enough to be damn good by itself, but attached to Emmet…it was something special.
Anita suddenly felt very horny, and since Emmet wasn’t there…maybe a substitute would do. She rolled out of the bed and walked back into the living room where her small overnight bag rested. She knew exactly what she was looking for and where it was. Anita unzipped the bag and took out an oblong object wrapped in a small, thin towel. She unwrapped it with a rather crooked smile, caressing the flesh colored plastic.
It was her “special friend.” Her dildo. For those nights she needed something “extra.” She walked back into her bedroom with it, turning it on to make sure the batteries worked.
They did.
*
Emmet saw the lights in the bedroom and living room on as he pulled up. He cut off the car, got out the apartment keys, then grabbed the two bags of groceries, closing the door with his hip and heading up the stairs.
The front door was locked and he fumbled with the keys until he managed to get the right one in the lock, then entered, closing the door back and locking it. Then he walked down the hall, set one of the packages down this time, unlocked the apartment, grabbed the bag and walked in. He closed the door and looked around.
He didn’t see Anita, but he heard loud music coming from the bedroom. There was still quite a bit of stuff left to put away. She must have gotten tired.
Emmet walked into the kitchen and proceeded to put away the groceries. After he had folded the brown bags and put them in the lower drawer of the cabinet, he turned and walked to the bedroom to tell her he brought some food and say good night.
“Anita,” he called softly as he approached.
Emmet stopped in the doorway, his eyes bulging and mouth dropping open as he saw Anita in the bed…and what she was doing. Now only did he see what she was doing, but heard what she was saying.
His name. Over and over.
Anita was writhing in the bed, her eyes closed and nightie hiked up around her waist, pushing a dildo back and forth between her spread thighs, and hissing Emmet’s name.
“Oh yes, Emmet…do it baby! Do it…harder, harder! Slam me with your big cock!” she cried, burying the humming device between her legs over and over. Emmet could see creaminess on it and felt himself hardening. Shit. Anita.
Emmet felt his legs moving, bringing him closer until he was standing at the end of the bed, looking down on her. Anita’s face was bright red, her forehead wrinkled, and she was straining…saying dirtier things than she said the night before, then brought her other hand to her core and began manipulating her clit with her fingers while continuing to stroke herself with the dildo.
Emmet stared down at her, fascinated. So this was what women did when they were horny. It was the hottest thing he ever saw, other than when his own cock was buried deep inside Anita’s pussy. The pulsing outline of his thick organ was plainly visible through his pants as he watched Anita pleasuring herself and thinking of him.
Suddenly Anita shuddered and let his name out with what sounded like a squawk rather than a shriek as she came, her head twisting from side to side as her pelvis rolled in delicious little circles.
“Oh yes…yes,” Anita breathed after a full minute, relaxing, her eyes still closed as she licked her lips, Emmet watching the tip of her tongue move across them, making them wet. He was panting himself, and rather loudly…but Anita couldn’t hear him over the radio.
Her eyes opened and she looked up at the ceiling at first…then her gaze slowly shifted down to the end of the bed where Emmet was standing. Her mouth formed an “o” of surprise and she quickly sat up, trying to find someplace to hide the dildo, but there really was no place to put it, so she hid it behind her back. Her face was a deeper red than when she was fucking herself. Anita leaned toward the nightstand, reached out and turned down the radio, then straightened, looking at Emmet, embarrassed.
“Emmet, how long have you been here?” she asked him, her voice cracking. She pulled her nightie down as best she could.
Emmet looked at her for a moment before he answered.
“You really wanted me to stay, didn’t you Anita?” he asked her, his voice a bit raw.
“Yes, I did,” she said, still red and embarrassed.
“If you told me how much…I would have stayed,” he said, blinking at her, the image of her coming still in his mind. He could smell her scent strongly, and he felt his mouth watering a bit. Emmet swallowed.
“You…you had to talk to your mother, Emmet. Did you?” she asked him.
He nodded.
“You said you were staying home tonight. Why did you come back?” she asked.
“I realized we didn’t buy any food and I thought you might be hungry,” he replied.
She had been hungry all right…but not for food.
He and Anita stared at each other
a moment, then Emmet asked her, “Does that do it for you, Anita?”
He was curious about how good a dildo felt compared to him.
“It’s…well…it’s a poor substitute for the real thing,” she replied haltingly. “Nothing is as good as the real thing.”
“You were pretending it was me,” Emmet replied, “You were saying my name over and over.”
Anita turned a little purple now. No one had ever seen her masturbate before. She was relatively uninhibited…but this…God.
“A lot of women use dildos, Emmet…” she began.
“I don’t think anything is wrong with it,” Emmet said, “You looked…damn Anita. Watching you made me rock hard.”
Anita’s eyes drifted down Emmet’s lean body until they rested on his loins. The outline of his cock was visible and enormous under his khakis. Her brown eyes went immediately hot as she met his. She saw Emmet’s Adam’s apple work up and down reflexively.
“So, are you all right now?” he asked her, a note in his voice he had never heard before.
“What if I wasn’t, Emmet?” she asked him back.
“I’m more than willing to make you feel all right,” he replied.
“But, don’t you have to get back to your mother?” Anita asked him.
Emmet thought of his mother locked in her room.
“No. I don’t Anita. Not if you want me to stay,” he said, then added with a crack in his voice, “Please tell me you want me to stay.”
His brown eyes were pleading behind his glasses as he looked at her.
Anita’s embarrassment melted away at the look in Emmet’s eyes. He wanted her so badly.
“Oh Emmet, of course I want you to stay,” Anita said softly.
Her eyebrows rose as Emmet suddenly started tearing at his clothes in his haste to get out of them.
It's All a Matter of Choice Page 28