by L A Moore
“No, I was an orphan, so it’s just me.” Poppy replied. “I was given up shortly after birth by my birth mother and father. All they did for me was to name me. I met them after I was older, but we’re not close.” She explained, and waited for the inevitable pity party to ensue. It was part of the reason she had not told anyone close to her, but Ari was different, and so she decided to let him in.
“Wow, so you just raised yourself pretty much?” Ari asked, stunned.
“Yeah, I mean, I had the state orphanage. The workers were nice and watched over us and fed us and I did a few stints in foster care, but mostly I raised myself.” Poppy said.
“That is incredibly sad.” Ari said and hugged her.
It was a sweet gesture, but she was a big girl and it didn’t bother her so much anymore. It was mostly just super uncomfortable, which is why she hadn’t let anyone close before. Not to say she didn’t want a family, she did, very much so. But not having one at the moment didn’t tear her up inside. Having met her birth parents had cured her of a lot of angst and pain she had about the whole ordeal, and she had been glad they had not raised her. They were not stable, and what kept them together, she had little idea, but she knew that when she married, she wanted a good man and a stable family for their kids. “Don’t be sad. One day I’ll have a family of my own.” Poppy said and rubbed his head lovingly. She didn’t say maybe even with you, but she thought it.
“What happened to your Dad, where is he?” Poppy asked curiously.
“My Dad was shot by hunters when I was a teenager. They mistook him for an animal and he died.” Ari explained. What he didn’t say was his Father was shot when the hunters saw him in his true form and thought to cash in big but, unbeknownst to them, when a big foot dies it reverts to its human form, what they called the final form. It is why to date no big foot have been found dead.
“I see. I’m so sorry. That must have been terrible for you and your Mother.” Poppy said sadly.
“It was at the time but, as they say, time heals all wounds.” Ari replied, as if it no longer bothered him. For the most part it didn’t, but there were times when it still hurt and he would wish for his Father back.
“What happened to the hunter’s?” Poppy asked.
“They were sent to jail for manslaughter.” Ari replied, and took the sponge up to gently wash her clean. He started with her neck and shoulders first, washing her with the sponge and then gently massaging her, then moved down her body to her arms, and then down her back. Then he moved to her torso, and lower then to her legs and feet and finally, he washed her glorious hair and rinsed it, using a pitcher he kept by the tub just for those purposes.
It was sweet, and at the same time erotic to be washed by your boyfriend, but she was too sore and tired to do much about the state he had literally washed her into.
Ari helped her out of the tub and carefully dried her off, and helped her to dress in joggers and a t shirt. He could see that she was exhausted, and had figured the whole ordeal of the fall and head injury would catch up to her sooner rather than later. He helped her to his bed and covered her up, tucking her in and left her alone to nap.
Chapter 23
“How did Dad tell you what he was?” Ari asked Avianna, sitting in her dining room with the front door open for a breeze. It was small, but serviceable, seating only four people, but the antique table and chairs had been in the family for generations, and his Mother had insisted on keeping them when the houses were built. He had offered to buy her new furniture, but she had gracefully declined. Where his home was decorated in deep colors, hers was decorated in light colors in nearly every shade of the rainbow, bringing the sunshine in was how his Mother had always described it. There were pale yellow chair cushions with pale pink placemats and pale turquoise napkins with little pink and yellow rosettes on them. While the kitchen was decorated in pale purple and green with grapes and the living room sported pale pink and turquoise with yellow accented furniture which she had allowed him to buy for her. He argued that none of it really matched, but his Mother had insisted it was her house, and would match if she said it did.
“Well, as I recall, he took me up into the woods just after he had bought this property and, before he asked me to marry him, he said ‘Avianna, I have something to tell you, but I don’t know how, so I’m just going to show you instead’ and then he proceeded to transform before my eyes, first as a sasquatch, then into other animals and plants and, when he was done, he looked at me and asked ‘So do you still want to marry me?’ and that was that! I found out and got engaged all in one night. Of course, I had many questions, but he explained each answer to me so that I understood and, by the time the sun came up, I understood enough to sooth my curiosity. And the rest you know.” Avianna said, explaining matter of factly.
“Dad always did have a way with words.” Ari said, laughing. “I can’t believe he just changed in front of you like that, but I guess there’s really no good way of telling the love of your life that you’re…”
“Hey! Poppy! Look who it is, come to visit! Why, don’t you look better?” Avianna said, interrupting her son.
“I’m sorry, did I interrupt? I could come back later. I was just looking for Ari.” Poppy rushed to explain and turned to go.
“No, no, no you weren’t interrupting a thing dear. Stay, have a cup of coffee with me and Ari here. How do you take it?” Avianna asked graciously.
“Alright then, I like mine with cream and sugar please.” Poppy said, coming to sit by Ari at the table. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go?” she asked Ari.
“I thought you were sleeping! If I’d known you were going to get up on your own and walk all the way over here, I wouldn’t have left you. I’m sorry.” Ari said, deflecting her question.
“Well, I slept for a while, but when I got up you weren’t around, so I came to find you. And when I couldn’t find you in the house, I thought I’d try at your Moms.” Poppy explained.
“You have a beautiful house, Avianna.” Poppy said, taking the cup of coffee.
“Well, thank you, dear!” Avianna replied.
“Mmm, the coffee is heavenly.” Poppy luxuriated over the steaming cup.
“Would you care for a muffin? They are home made.” Avianna offered.
“Oh no, I couldn’t, we just ate.” Poppy replied, smiling.
They sat and had coffee and talked some more, with Avianna asking Poppy about her photography and if, one day, she might consider taking some pictures for her of Ari and herself. Poppy agreed, and at lunch time, Ari and Poppy said their goodbyes and left, saying Poppy needed her rest.
Ari helped her back to the house and set her up on his couch while he made them sandwiches and chips for lunch.
Chapter 24
Poppy sat on the couch and thought about all she had overheard while she watched Ari make her lunch. She had only caught the last bit that Ari had said before she had been spotted by Avianna. She had been embarrassed to be caught eaves dropping, but the woman didn’t say a word about it to Ari, which she had been grateful for. Still she had been so close to finding out Ari’s secret! If only she could have gone undetected for a moment longer! She thought to herself. And then it occurred to her that he had said “the love of your life” and she melted a little inside. He hadn’t said that to her, but it was good to know she wasn’t the only one with feelings bearing on the side of love. “Thank you, it looks tasty. I’ll have to cook for you and your Mom one day soon.” Poppy offered, pulled from her thoughts.
“I’m sure we would like that very much.” Ari said, and smiled at her. “I’m going to go do some work while you eat; if you need anything just let me know.” He added, and took his lunch with him to his office.
“Ok, thanks.” Poppy said as he walked away down the hall and past the down stairs bathroom to his study.
Ari closed the door behind him and sighed a big heavy sigh. There was no doubt she had overheard at least part of the conversation he and his Mother were having
earlier, and no doubt she would be as curious as a cat until she knew the truth. He knew she had at least heard his last sentence about telling the love of your life something. He knew he was going to have to tell her, and soon, much sooner than he had planned, now that she had heard that much. He thought about the way his Father had told his Mother, and how Poppy might respond to finding out in a similar fashion, and visions of her running screaming from the snake came to his mind. He didn’t want to scare her off, and he didn’t want her to go telling everyone his business either. It was a damnable situation to be in, but he couldn’t very well ask her to marry him, or even just to be with him without her knowing. He had missed his walks in the woods since she had fallen, and his body was feeling it. It wasn’t good for him to go but for so long without changing. Quietly as he could, he locked the door, shed his clothes, and transformed into a squirrel running all about his office as quietly as he could manage, while trying to get out his energy. Then, before he could draw too much attention from Poppy, ran to the center of the room and transformed into his human self again and redressed. Stretching, Ari sighed a sigh of relief and smiled to himself. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it was better than going without. Soon, he would have to have his Mom distract her so he could go for a walk alone in the woods.
Chapter 25
The next morning he awoke to find a letter from his mother taped to his refrigerator door.
Ari,
I’ve gone to my quilting seminar. Be back in a couple of days. Tell her!
Love,
Mom
Ari read it, and read it again. He couldn’t believe his rotten luck. Now how was he going to get his walk in? He wondered to himself.
“Good morning!” Poppy said, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around him.
Ari quickly balled up the letter and tossed it in the trash before him.
“What was that?” Poppy asked.
“Oh, just a letter from my Mom; she’s gone to a quilting seminar and won’t be back for a day or two.” Ari said, and kissed her good morning. “Can I get you some coffee?” he asked her.
“Why don’t you sit down and let me get us both some coffee. You have been so sweet to me the last couple of days, but I’m feeling better now, and I’d like to do something for you.” Poppy said, guiding him to a kitchen table chair. “Now, tell me how you like your coffee.” She instructed.
“Black, with sugar. I’m glad to see you feeling better, but I still think you should take it easy. You got dizzy just yesterday, and I know, no matter how much you pretend otherwise, that you’re sore as hell from your fall. I see if every time you move; you wince and you’re not walking as fast either.” Ari stated.
“You’re right, I do feel the fall. But I also know moving around is only going to help; besides I’ve been taking the pills the doctor gave me, and he did say to move about as long as I felt like it, to loosen up my muscles.” Poppy pointed out.
“That may be true, but I don’t want you up and about unless I’m around. The last thing we need is for you to fall again.” Ari said, and took the steaming cup of coffee from Poppy.
“Alright, I won’t be up and about unless you’re around, but since you’re, up I’m going to make crepes! I have a hankering for them and you’re going to love them! Do you mind going out to the garden and picking some of those blueberries for me? A small bowl full should do nicely.” Poppy asked him sweetly.
“Sure, but you have to sit down while I’m gone.” Ari said, as Poppy sat promptly down and he grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and left out the back door to get the blueberries for Poppy.
As soon as Ari had shut the door, Poppy made sure he was busy and made a bee line for the trash, pulling out the letter from his Mom and quickly reading it before crumpling it back up and throwing it back in the trash. And returned to her seat just as Ari was finished picking the berries and headed back into the house.
“Got your berries!” Ari called as he came into the house.
“Great! I’ll get started making the crepes, you just sit down and relax and I’ll take care of everything.” Poppy said, smiling and opening cupboards and drawers, gathering the supplies needed.
“This has got to be the most sinful pancake I’ve ever eaten.” Ari said, licking his fork.
“I told you you would love them. Food is a bit of a passion of mine, but with it just me to cook for, I don’t bother cooking fancy meals.” Poppy explained, and took another bite of the blueberry and cream crepe dusted in powdered sugar.
“Well, if this is any indication, you are welcome to cook for me anytime!” Ari said and took another crepe from the plate Poppy had made.
“Duly noted.” Poppy replied. “I was thinking, since I’m doing so much better, that I might go home tomorrow.” She added nonchalantly.
“WHAT? Are you insane? Poppy, you just fell hundreds of feet down a mountain, hit your head, and landed precariously around a tree. The last thing you need to do is leave me and go home alone.” Ari stated, shocked and angry.
“I’m not crazy, I feel fine. And if I need you, I could call you. Besides, I seem to be in your way and I know I am keeping you from working. Which, by the way, I need to go over those shots to see if there’s anything to salvage and, if not, we need to set a day to go back to get more.” Poppy rambled.
“You are NOT going anywhere until you see the doctor and he clears you to go home and that is final; as for my work, that’s for me to worry about. And as for getting more pictures, you can put that out of your head until you’re better.” Ari said determinedly, still angry.
“Ok! Jeez! I’ll stay, don’t have a heart attack! But I’m still going to see if any of the shots I got were good enough for you to use.” Poppy said, and held her arms up in surrender.
They ate in silence for the rest of the time, until Poppy got up and began to clean up the breakfast mess.
“You realize we just had our first fight.” Poppy said, and grinned coyly at Ari. “Aren’t we supposed to be having mad make up sex about now?” she asked, and wriggled her eye brows at him.
“Ok, now I know you’re mad!” Ari replied. “I’m not touching you, with you all hurt and sore. I don’t want to make it worse.” He added.
“Hmm, well, I guess you will just have to make love to me instead then.” Poppy said and opened her robe and dropped it, revealing she was stark naked beneath it.
Ari looked her up and down. Even bruised and scraped up, she looked beautiful, and he could not deny that he wanted her. He stood up and walked over to her. Taking the plate from her hand and picking her up, he carried her gently to his bedroom and laid her down on his bed.
They made love slowly, sweetly, saying things with their bodies their mouths couldn’t manage. He took her and made love to her, worshiping her body like a devout follower before a goddesses shrine. He kissed her and caressed her just for her pleasure, taking nothing and giving everything. When she cried out, it was only in pleasure and then, and only then, did he find his own sweet release.
Ari and Poppy shared a shower and dressed, with him helping her the whole time, insisting she shouldn’t overdo it. Then he went to work while she began going over the pictures one by one, scrutinizing as she went and emailing him the ones she liked. This way, he could print the ones he wanted. She was surprised so many came out so well, but the one she loved the most was the beginning to her malady. It was a gorgeously perfect series of pictures of the bobcat in mid jump. She sent those with asterisk to indicate those were her favorite. Then she took a nap while Ari worked.
Chapter 26
Ari completed his article and attached one of the pictures of the bobcat in midair to the document and sent it in. There were no guarantees that they would use the picture, but it was worth a shot. He had gone through each of them, and found the one of the bobcat directly over Poppy and used it, after cutting his arm out of the shot. It was just before he knocked the bobcat sideways and thwarted its attack. Thankfully, Poppy had not gotten any of th
ose shots. He got up and checked on her to find her fast asleep on the couch, so he decided it was now or never and went out the back door, heading for the woods. He promised himself he wouldn’t go too far in case Poppy woke up and needed him, but he needed to change and burn off his energy and move about. His kind weren’t meant to stay in one form but for just so long; it’s why they could turn into any living creature. It afforded them the ability to take almost any form and go undetected. Striding over behind the garden shed, he took off his clothes and stashed them there, then transformed into his deer form and ran about the field in wild abandon leaping and jumping and grazing and walking about. Then he went back behind the shed and transformed into a beautiful crab apple tree and soaked up the sun, meditating as the wind blew him back and forth. After a few minutes, he transformed back into a human and redressed, feeling much relieved.
“You should have been here - it was amazing! There was a deer in the field just going crazy! Jumping and leaping and running - it was fantastic, truly!” Poppy said excitedly as Ari reentered his home. “I was tempted to get pictures of it but, by the time I got my camera all set up, he had stopped and was grazing. Then he disappeared behind the shed. Did you see him?” Poppy asked.
“Um, no I must have missed him. I went for a walk to get out of the house some, but I am glad you got to see him and got so much enjoyment out it.” Ari admitted.
“Oh, he was just so incredible! I wish you had seen him.” Poppy said again, a smile on her face.
Secretly, it pleased Ari too, to know that she had enjoyed seeing him in his animal form, even though she didn’t know it was him. That was two forms she enjoyed, and he wondered how much she might enjoy his other forms as well.
“How about a card game?” Ari asked.