Saving Georgia

by Kristin Flynn

  “Georgia Marie Ashton, I’m hopelessly in love with you.” Shane’s lips parted my own; his tongue dove into my mouth with no abandon. I let a soft moan escape my lips. I wanted him, I needed him – but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t wait until I said ‘I do’.

  We spent the afternoon eating grapes and cheese, sipping on ginger ale. This man knows all of my vices. If we weren’t singing, we were kissing; if we weren’t kissing we were eating. It was the best afternoon of my life! We called Misty a little after school would have let out and she said she would meet us under the willow tree. Shane went and got my guitar. We were singing “You and Tequila” by Kenny Chesney when Misty showed up. She just watched us, not saying a word and put her hair up into a bun on the top of her head.

  “Did y’all just….” Misty banged her fist together to finish her questions.

  “Gosh no!” My eyes popped open and my voice was more like a shrill than a gasp. Shane laughed and tossed his arm around me.

  “I wouldn’t disrespect her like that Misty. You know better than that.”

  “Hmm. OK. Y’all got more chemistry than normal though, that’s for sure. Now from the top, let’s do it.”

  We practiced for hours, way past the sun going down. I called the Hyde’s and told Mrs. Hyde I’d get my own dinner and be home shortly after that. Before I left we did the cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

  Finally before we all went our separate ways, Shane had said a beautiful prayer for the three of us.

  “Lord- we may falter, and in many ways we will fail. We are made in your image but we are not you, God. You are the perfection in this imperfect world. I hope to strive to do the work you will allow for me to carry through. The only thing I may ask of you – if you see it fit for your plan is bigger than our own is to keep our loved ones safe, healthy and happy. I pray you bless us with our performance for graduation and that our walks with future endeavors are fruitful and sprinkled generously with your Grace and love, Lord. Lead us to your light, and if you will- please lead us into love, dear Lord; for that’s the one thing beside yourself that’s worth the breath in our lungs. I hope you are pleased with us Father, and I hope you see that we’re trying to be as good as a man or woman can be. Our forefathers in human form are Adam and Eve, and I know that we will never be as pure as the Garden of Eden was, but Lord please see that we are trying to be a good as can be. Let us learn from mistakes. It’s in your name that we pray, Jesus. amen.” Shane kept his head in bow a little longer, saying his own silent prayer.

  I packed up my belongings and was shooting the breeze with Misty, while heading to get Elsie, my faithful car.

  While I loaded everything in my car, Shane unloaded his truck bed back into the garage. Once everything was set to go, and unloaded Shane grabbed my hand and headed for his house. Mrs. Dalton left some dinner out on the kitchen table. The kitchen was a decent size for an older home like theirs. It was decorated with roosters all over the place. The bright red and mustardy yellow were the prominent colors that stuck out.

  Set on the table were plates with corn on the cob, fried chicken and mac n’ cheese. There were two mason jars filled with ice and sweet tea. Lord, help me! This is exactly what I want. I’m going to need a severe case of fat pants. Shane and I sat in silence, shoving every delicious morsel there is. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Barbeque has the best fried chicken there is, especially here in Johnston County. Mrs. Dalton doesn’t skimp for the cheap stuff. Homemade mac ‘n cheese is the way to go for the side though.

  Once we were done, we found an apple pie on the counter. We both made a mad dash for more plates and serving ware. We each got a huge helping and some whipped cream on top. We scoffed it down and both leaned back with a sated look. I closed my eyes in thought, wondering if this is what married life would be with Shane? Good music, good food and easy peacefulness. We got up and cleaned the kitchen together. I was doing the dishes while he packed everything away. I was still elbows deep in dishwater, when suddenly I felt his arms around me, his lips lightly brushing against my neck. My knees about buckled out from under me. His forearms supporting my weight, his hands found mine under the dishwater and he started to help me scrub away. I had a huge throbbing between my legs, and the temptation seems to just be getting greater. The ache, the need, the desperation, the desire… It’s overflowing inside of me.

  On one hand I knew that I could trust Shane and nothing bad would happen to me as long as he was around. The other, I knew could lead to potential disaster, and I am wondering if I can trust myself around him. He would never let me do anything I didn’t want to do, of that I am sure. But would I do something I would regret later? Would I shatter his heart? Would he shatter mine, like a lollipop out in the cold falling a great distance to the ground below? I don’t know – and I know I will never know unless I try, but if I give this a good honest go, what is to be made of Jason? What if I make things happen with him instead of Shane what would happen to Shane? That outcome is almost harder to bear, to even think…. Maybe I need to reconsider what love is. I’ll figure that out after Prom and graduation.

  Succumbing to the suds and seduction, his lips are skillfully tracing every part of my exposed skin, I turn around and his mouth meets mine, and I let out a tiny moan that seemed to set him into overdrive. He pulls the apron off that I put on to do dishes and artfully he tosses it aside. He lifts me up to the edge of the sink and my legs wrap around his waist. My hands are fisted into his beautiful mess of hair. I am the Psyche to his Eros. His hands drifted up the back of my shirt, splayed on the small of my back, reaching higher and higher up my spine. My hips are bucking against his chest, aching for some friction. His hands creep around my sides and I lean back, letting my shirt lift up. Can I do this, here in his parent’s kitchen? I pushed that thought quickly out my head. His lips start to suckle on my supple flesh on my stomach. His left arm is still clasped on my back, holding me up from the water below. His fingers on his right hand and splayed against my breast plate between my now hardened mounds.

  “Please Shane,” I beg him.

  “Georgia,” Shane moans.

  “Shane I need you, I need more.” I panted.

  “I’ll give you your more.” Shane lifted me back up quickly and his hands buried themselves in my long, blonde curls. His lips suckling on my neck, moving over to my earlobe and I was quietly whimpering. Slowly his right hand trickles his index finger deliciously down my neck, to my shoulder and then down my side and then I feel the pad of his thumb on my hardened nipple.

  I gasp and tilt my head back in the throes of simple passion. I bit my lower lip, and turn my face to his, taking his warm tongue in my mouth. I grab his shirt and pull him to me, feeling the muscular build below the soft cotton turned me on. I want this, I want him.

  “I need you.” I whispered in his ear.

  “I need you too. I love you, so much Georgia.”

  “Shane, I love you too. Please, touch me.” I beg him, pressing every inch of my being against him.

  His hands instantly responded to my plea and cupped me tightly, with his lips dancing with my own.

  Quickly my hands danced along the edge of his abdomen, tracing the perfectly cut v in his hips. I inched my little fingers lower, trying to remove his belt when he stopped me.

  “What are you doing?” He narrows his eyes, leaning his forehead against mine.

  “What?” I pant.

  “Don’t. Not here, not now.” He pants back.

  “But I thought…” I started, blinking away tears. He doesn’t want me, not like that. I misunderstood him. “I thought we were… and that you wanted… was I wrong thinking that? I want to.”

  “No Georgia. I want to; more than anything I want to. Just not like this. And you’d regret it, and regret me for taking advantage of the situation. I’m not going to mess this up, not for myself and certainly not for you. You want to wait for your wedding day. You will wait for your wedding day.”

  “No, I want you no
w. It feels right, I want to.” I plead him, holding him close to me by pulling on his t-shirt.

  “Then there is only one thing we need to do to fix this.” Shane smiles against my neck. “Marry me.”

  My eyes shot open.

  What did he just say?

  Chapter 14

  I quickly let myself out, looking back a few times to a panting Shane Dalton. He knew we needed as much of a break as I did. Now my argument with Jenn seems a bit hypocritical since I was willing to throw it all away two minutes ago.

  Marry me? Really?

  I got into my car and headed back home. I rushed my way back home. On the way my cell phone was chirping like crazy. Seventeen text messages, really? I’ll look at those later. I tossed my cell back into my passenger seat.

  Once I got up to my house, I grabbed just my backpack and cell phone. My guitar can stay in the car. I ran up the stairs and got in the house with a quickness. Thank goodness everyone is in their rooms or distracted. The house is quiet and it’s just the way I need it now. I ran upstairs and flung my book bag on my bed. I tossed my cell onto my night stand. I made my way into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Jenn’s bedroom door is closed, so I think I’m safe from an intrusion.

  The water was warm and relaxing, just what I needed. I need to wrap my head around everything that just happened. I had a wonderful day, and in some accounts an even better evening. Marry me? What was he thinking? But goodness, his touch felt… amazing. I can’t believe I almost threw my virtue out the window. Thank goodness Shane has a better head on his shoulders than I do! I wanted him so badly, and I’ve never felt like that before. The way his hands explored my body, it was exhilarating! The ache between my thighs is back, and my nipples are responding to the memory of Shane’s caress. Slowly I started to rub the scented loofa, everywhere. It feels so good. I never done this before, but I know there’s only one way to get rid of this need. I suds my chest up, letting the bubbles slink off my natural curves, tracing the outline of my taut nipples, giving them a gentle tug every now and again. Oh that feels so good. I let my fingers start walking across my abdomen, my lower belly sinking and burning with heat. With tons of hesitation and embarrassment I let my fingers plunge into the center of my thighs. Stroking them back and forth, the burning ache is recognizing it’s trying to be sated. I can feel a buildup, what is that? My breath is quickening very rapidly and the buildup is getting more and more intense. My fingers keep doing their little up and down magic, almost like there are on autopilot. My nipples feel hard as diamonds and are begging to be touched, to be entertained. The buildup is growing fast, like the Hoover Dam. My whole body is tense, and I feel like an electrical wire needing to be grounded. I grabbed the handicap handle in the shower, and then the dam burst and I hissed between my teeth. The ache finally is gratified. My skin feels like a million pins and needles. In my mind, I’ve been with Shane and Shane alone. If anyone just witnessed that I would be mortified. I wonder if it’s much better with another person. I’m sure it is. Either way, I feel insanely guilty and I have no plans on doing that again.

  I finished the rest of my shower with a smile on my face. Could I marry Shane? Aren’t we too young? What else would change besides where we would live, and the fact that we could… you know. But he doesn’t have any plans for college and I have ECU. Quickly I threw on my bathrobe and made my way to my bedroom. Something caught my eye on my bed. A piece of paper in Jenn’s perfect penmanship donned the words ‘I’m sorry. I love you.’ I smiled and scribbled down ‘I love you too,’ and shoved the note under Jenn’s door.

  And what good is marriage anyways? Granted the Hyde’s and Shane’s parents are exceptions to the rule, but my mom married that monster. Jason’s dad is a jerk. What good can come from that? Besides, marriage at this age means ‘hey I got knocked up’. No, I can’t get married. Not yet. I need to see the world by myself first… right?

  I threw on some purple cotton shorts and a pink spaghetti strap top and got into bed. Thank goodness Jenn and I are still off tomorrow to get ready for Prom. I’ve been missing a lot of class, I need to make sure I finish the year out.

  ***

  The next morning, I woke up being covered in kisses from Muffin. I love that damn cat. As I looked around my room, something seems different but I can’t put my finger on it. Then, suddenly I heard it. My radio is on and I can hear Jenn singing and dancing.

  “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” Jenn sings.

  “It’s much too early for Aaliyah.” I pout, rubbing Muffin’s head.

  “Don’t be a crabby patty, Georgy. Get up, it’s Prom day!” Jenn pouts, then jumps on my bed and tilts her head back and starts singing into a hairbrush. She is wearing a button down top and underwear. That’s some weird bedroom attire.

  “Jenn…” I raise an eyebrow and then put Muffin down on the floor. “Why are you wearing a button up shirt?”

  “It’s Nicks. And no I didn’t do Shakespeare’s metaphorical ‘beast with two backs.’ So chillax, and let’s just not talk about it, and just keep it at that? I don’t like fighting with my sister.” Jenn pouts and jumps down to her knees. She pulls me up to her by my hands and wraps her arms around me. “Now we have a long day and an even better night ahead of us. Your dress is hanging in your closet.”

  “Thank you.” Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I turn to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. I left Jenn in my room and made my way into the kitchen. Mama Hyde was in there making some fruit cups and yogurt. I waited patiently at the island and got myself a cup of coffee.

  “Mornin’ sweetie. How you feelin’? I aint seen you in a few days.” Mama Hyde said, eyeing me up.

  “I’m good, still trying to wrap my head around some things.” I furrowed my brows, and looked up at this wonderful lady, smiling at me.

  “Sounds like that can be a good problem to have. Just remember to put God first; the rest will fall into place.” She put the fruit in front of me, and gave me a wink.

  “But it’s still a hard decision to make. I can’t stay in limbo forever.” I pout, digging my spoon into the berries below me.

  “Baby, you have to worry about your heart first, the rest will sort itself out. Making someone else happy while you’re not happy – won’t make anyone happy. You follow? And no matter how hard it rains, there is always a special place in your heart that the sun just keeps on shinin’.” Mrs. Hyde runs her hands in my hair. Her touch is always so comforting. She left me alone in the kitchen, to go tend to her garden.

  I finished my fruit in silence and enjoyed the country peace for a few minutes. I sat on the front porch in a rocking chair, with my cup of coffee – looking at the sun as it sparkles in the dew on the horizon. It looks like glitter on the grass. I could hear the horses neigh and the chickens cluck. I love North Carolina.

  I got up and made my way back in the house. I know that Jenn and I have tons of places to go, and none of them involve staying in Benson. We have to get our hair done, our nails done and all those other girly necessities for Prom. I have a feeling I’m not going to like half of this. I trudged up the stairs, and sauntered slowly into my bedroom, and Jenn is still dancing away in my room. Muffin is sitting on the bed, looking like she is being greatly disturbed. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

  I tossed on some shorts and looked around the room for a top. I really need to clean up this room, everything is everywhere. I moved my backpack and underneath was a shirt I recognized; it was Shane’s. I remember he left it here when he spent the night after I fainted when I heard about Cecil’s parole hearing. Oh gosh, that is coming up. I need to make sure I put that on my calendar officially. I’m dreading going to that, and if I stand a chance of enjoying myself tonight I need to put that on the back burner. I inhaled Shane’s shirt and it smelled just like him, just like yesterday napping in his truck. That was a lovely day, one of my favorite memories that I’ve ever made.

  I tossed my hair up in a ponytail a
nd shoved my hip into Jenn’s. She laughed and shoved me back.

  “Ready to go get this day going?” I looked at her, trying to get her to get a move on it. Goodness she really is a master at procrastination.

  “Yep! Give me two shakes and a jiffy!” Jenn starts hopping up and down, then shimmies out the door.

  I grabbed my keys, and made my way back downstairs. I headed out to the car when I realized I forgot my cell phone. Where has my head been lately? Goodness me. I ran into Jenn on my way back in the house and she handed me my cell.

  “Forget somethin’?” She winks at me.

  “How’d you know?” I laughed at her.

  “It rang, I answered it but they hung up.” She shrugs.

  “Well, if it’s important I am sure they will call back. Where to first” ,I motion back to the car.

  “We can do everything at Crabtree. Nails, makeup and hair!” She squeals.

  “OK. Crabtree Valley Mall it is then!” I walk over to the car, hoping Jenn follows suit behind me. I turned the radio on, and of course Jenn changes the channel. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” comes on and she’s all hoping in the car. We made the long commute in decent time, considering morning traffic and all once we got into Raleigh city limits.

  Once we were in the mall, I turned to Jenn for her to call the shots on where we go next.

  We walked across the goliath proportions of the mall, and we found ourselves in front of the same hair salon that we got our hair done for Harper Kelly’s party. The same guy was there and he sashayed right on up to us.

  “My gorgeous ladies, what can I help you with?” Ronaldo asks.

  “Prom!” Jenn sings, dancing into his arms. I looked behind him and she was here.

  “Ronaldo can fix you up. Give me a minute to finish up with my other client real quick and I’ll be right back.”

  “Harper is here.” I poke Jenn in the ribs to make sure I got her attention.