The Rain Began to Fall

by A. K. Hartline

  Leigh’s cell rang as she was coming downstairs and preparing to bolt out the door. Before she looked at the caller I.D., she had the thought it might be Gene, ringing to tell her he was done and wanted to get together. She found herself hoping it wasn’t. When she looked at the phone’s screen she saw “Mindy” flashing, and she was relieved.

  “Hey girl!" she answered.

  “Hey!” Mindy responded. “What are you doing?”

  “Not much, what’s up with you?”

  “I just got off the phone with Jim,” Mindy replied. “Another stimulating, positive conversation, you know?”

  She had been having serious problems lately with her boyfriend, Jim Seales, a sales rep for Stenco parts. They had met six months ago, and in the beginning, Mindy was sure she had found Mr. Right. She had gushed about him, but when they went out on a double date with their respective beaus, Leigh was not impressed. He struck her as self absorbed. She kept her opinion to herself until a couple of months ago, when Mindy had informed her that all was not right in Pleasantville. She told Leigh he didn’t seem to care about what she wanted to do, and she was suspicious that he was still seeing his ex-girlfriend. Since then she had been urging Cindy to drop the creep, and it appeared promising lately that she might be headed in that direction. “I told him what a jerk he was.”

  “Did you mean it?”

  “With all of my heart!” she stated emphatically. “He hung up mad, but I don’t care, really I don’t. I‘m through with him.”

  “Well it’s about time! But really do it, okay?” Leigh pressed. “You’re gorgeous Mindy! You’ve got your pick of men! Just give one of them a chance and Jim will be history.”

  Mindy was a pretty, blue eyed brunette who kept her body in great shape by working out religiously. On her down time, she enjoyed hiking and rock climbing, a passion Leigh didn’t share given her aversion to heights. Although Leigh joined her in the gym three times a week, the one time she had ventured out to watch Mindy scale the face of a steep cliff she had gotten dizzy just watching her. Shopping was more Leigh’s speed. Mindy had hired on a year ago at Falstead, within a week of Leigh, and they had become fast friends.

  “So when are we going to make the final selection on your wedding dress?” Mindy asked. “How about tomorrow? You’ve got to get moving on this thing!”

  “Sounds good,” Leigh responded. “I think we can do that. “

  ”Great! What time?”

  “Say noon-ish? I want to sleep in!”

  “I hear that! Me too! We can.....”

  “Hey, listen, I hate to cut this short but I’ve got somewhere I need to be,” Leigh interrupted. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “No problem. So where are you heading?”

  “To the races. Gotta go!” They hung up and she darted toward the front door. Cheryl was standing in the side doorway of the living room, a towel between her hands.

  “Heading out?” she asked, as Leigh’s hand fell on the doorknob.

  “For a little while,” she responded. She went over to her mother and hugged her.

  “Thanks for talking with me,” she said sincerely.

  “I hope it did some good,” Cheryl responded. “Just remember, anytime you need me, I’m here.”

  “Thanks mom. I’ll see you later.”

  She went out the door, looking sexy in her short skirt and tight sweater, her long blond hair brushed and flowing. Cheryl smiled as she walked back toward the kitchen, thinking of Chris, the young man’s heart she had broken so many years ago, and wondering if her daughter had found herself a sailor.

  CHAPTER 6

  After hanging up with Leigh, Kyle went through some final checks on his car: the oil level, tightening the spark plugs, and using the pressure gauge to check each tire. When he was satisfied all was in good working order he climbed in behind the wheel, started the engine and revved it up. She sounded good and ready to run.

  Now he was on the road he normally took to Fastead each morning. A couple of blocks down he would turn right and head south of the city to Summerville road, on the outskirts of town. ZZ top blared out of the car’s speakers ...Gimme all your lovin', all your hugs and kisses too... He sang along, thrilled that Leigh was coming out. She had been surprised that he’d called, no doubt; but it was a chance he had to take. He was sure she was confused after he backed off from kissing her earlier, and he felt he needed to reestablish himself, overcome whatever scorn she may have felt as a result. And he knew that every opportunity he got to spend some time with her increased his odds. He had not held out much hope that she would be home on Friday night, figuring her fiancé would be getting in his time. It’s his mistake if he chooses to leave such a beautiful woman alone, he thought. He was more than happy to fill the void. He slowed to around twenty mph and then punched the gas pedal hard. The rear tires barked on the pavement in response as he whipped into the parking lot of a convenience store he frequented. He pulled up to the pumps, and the female clerk inside, hearing the familiar sound of his engine, looked outside with anticipation. Lisa worked part-time at Seven Eleven and attended a cosmology school three nights a week, where she studied hard with plans to open her own salon in Charlotte one day. She had briefly considered dancing (not ballet) to make money, and with red hair that spilled down to her waist, the body of a playmate, and gray/ blue eyes, she would have raked in truck loads of cash. It was a tempting proposition - the owner of a local night spot had offered her the moon to perform - but she had turned him down, displaying rare moral fortitude.

  Kyle climbed from the car, removed the cap and began pumping ninety-three high-octane fuel into his tank, as he did before every race. He set the lock on the pump handle, and then walked to the end of the island to locate the windshield washer. He began the chore, and as he maneuvered around the front window, Lisa gazed lustfully at him from inside the store. She observed the snug fit of his jeans that so complimented his well-shaped rear. I’ve got plans for you baby, she thought, and then she heard someone clear their throat loudly. She turned around and saw a short, balding male customer with a Yahoo and a Little Debbie snack cake on the counter.

  “I’d like to get waited on sometime this century,” he said sarcastically, “if you don’t mind.” She rang up the impatient man, and as he went out the door, Kyle came in.

  “Hi there!” she chirped, favoring him with her brightest smile. Since the first day he had come into the store, she had flirted with him blatantly. Subtlety was not her strong point.

  “Hey,” he replied, waving. “How’s it going?” He walked to the back aisle and picked up a bottle of octane booster. As he approached the counter, she put on her sexiest smile, her cheeks flushed rosy red. He returned her smile, placing the bottle on the counter.

  “So does this stuff really give your car more power?” she asked, picking up the bottle.

  “Yeah,” he answered. “And I’ll need it tonight.” He had taken out his wallet and was holding it open, prepared to pay, but she was extending their visit as long as possible.

  “What for?” she quizzed, as she leaned further over the counter. This motion flared open the low cut v- neck of her sweater and provided him with a better view of her 38 D’s. He did his part, his eyes automatically wandering to her boobs, then back to her face. She was definitely top heavy.

  “Let’s just say I’m going to be driving fast,” he answered. Driving fast with him sounded like fun to her. Then putting it in park somewhere. Her eyes opened wider and she grinned.

  “You’re going to race down on Summerville road aren’t ya?” she guessed.

  “So you know about it, huh?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been out there a couple of times,” she said. “It’s fun! I’d love to watch you race tonight! But I don’t get off until late.” She continued staring at him with a measured, suggestive gleam in her eyes. “Eleven O’clock, to be exact.”

  He didn’t miss her animated cue, but he didn’t respond. She continued staring at him, and the momen
t of silence stretched out. He cleared his throat.

  “I’ll be closing the store with you and miss it all if you don’t ring me up soon,” he said finally.

  “Oh, sorry,” she replied, and hurriedly rang up his purchase. He paid her, and she started to sack the octane booster. He waved it off.

  “Don’t bother,” he said. “I’m about to dump it and junk it.”

  “Why don’t you stop back by and let me know how you did?” she asked as he went toward the door.

  “I might just do that,” he responded. “See ya.”

  He went to his car, screwed off the gas cap and poured the booster in. After tossing the empty in the trash can, he climbed into his car, fired it up and peeled out, waving behind his head as he left the parking lot. He knew the red head would be watching.

  # # #

  He found Summerville road without a hitch. The long, straight stretch of asphalt was dimly lit, and on either side, tobacco farm land stretched for miles. It reminded him of Sheldon road back in Tennessee, and he immediately felt at home. He rounded a curve and saw a lot of cars parked on both sides, a few in the middle of the road facing each other in a circle, idling mean. A motley group of guys were gathered in the circle, illuminated by the headlights of the vehicles. He recognized Wade and Billy, and a couple of others from Falstead. He pulled up close and put it in park, but didn’t kill the engine. He got out, and noted a ’72 Cuda, a Charger and a Camaro, all mirror shined, looking tough and built to fly.

  “Hey, you did show up!” Wade hollered over the noise of the engines. He approached with Billy, of course, in tow.

  “Oh ye of little faith,” Kyle responded.

  “Whut?” Wade inquired, with that quizzical, frustrated expression only the delusional illiterate can sincerely produce. He looked ready to fight over a possible insult.

  “I said,” Kyle hollered over the noise, “this must be the place!” Wade’s face relaxed, and his expression morphed into one of mental superiority.

  “Whatever gave you that idea, Sherlock?” he responded, elbowing Billy. Billy yuk -yukked at his hero’s wit. Kyle watched this with great amusement.

  “You got me!” he responded, pointing a finger at him and grinning. Wade eyed him suspiciously.

  “So, you ready to put it to the test?” he asked. The entire group now noticed his arrival and turned to look at him, the new kid in town. A few wandered over to inspect his Nova.

  “Yeah. What are we running?” Kyle asked, while bending down to feel the pavement. Good surface he thought, for a remote area.

  “Quarter mile,” Wade answered. “We draw names to see who races who.” He produced a slip of paper and a pen. “Write your name and throw it in the hat. Eight cars here ready to roll.”

  Kyle scribbled his name and tossed it in. As Wade shuffled the hat and began passing it around, Kyle looked at the large crowd, groups of guys and girls all eagerly anticipating the races. He saw coolers on the tailgates of a couple of trucks, and cans of beer being turned up. When the hat made it to him, he drew and unfolded the piece of paper.

  “Who you got?” Wade asked.

  “Scary Gary.”

  “You’re a real funny guy, huh?”

  “I have my moments,” Kyle replied, as a tall, skinny guy with a pimply face stepped up.

  “I’m Gary,” he said. “Looks like we do it first, man. What do you have under the hood?”

  “Four-twenty seven, big block,” Kyle answered. “Four-forty six pack for you, right?”

  “Damn straight,” Gary replied, with a broad, semi toothless smile. His smile said that he was pretty confident he would stop Kyle before he got started tonight. Kyle had other plans. He walked away from Gary, got into his car, and drove down the quarter mile stretch. At the end of the stretch, he saw the guy holding the flashlight who would signal the winner. Kyle cruised back to the starting line, and with his window rolled down, he peaked up at the sky. It was a clear, beautiful spring night, a million diamonds twinkling in the heavens.

  Gary was already sitting in the starting position, idling and revving his engine. Kyle pulled alongside and revved his own engine loudly. He looked over at the Charger, and saw the body of the vehicle vibrating from the power under the hood. He was familiar with that particular model, and knew it was one fast pony. “But not as fast as you baby,” he said, patting the dashboard. He felt the excitement that always came to him when he was about to race; besides the moments when he was in a creative groove, writing a story, there was nothing that lit his fuse more. He loved the competition, the smells of oil and gasoline, the speed.

  A guy walked up and stood between them on the centerline of the road, flashlight raised above his head. Kyle heard the Charger rev up high and hold, engine screaming. He put his right hand on the Mickey shifter and revved his own engine to the max. The noise was deafening as the Chevy 427 and Charger 440 split the night air open, and then the light came down. Kyle got the jump off the starting line, half a car length, and he held it all the way. The Charger tried mightily to catch him, but it wasn’t enough as Kyle crossed the finish line first. He cruised down the road a bit, letting his Nova wind down from the exertion of the race, then braked and turned around. A couple of cute, scantily dressed girls gave him thumbs up and cheered as he cruised back. Everybody loves a winner, he thought. At least for awhile. He saw that the next two cars to race were already at the starting line; the ’70 Boss Mustang 351 and Camaro Z-28, a 396 under the hood. He was rolling slowly along when he saw a familiar red Porsche parked on the side of the road. Sitting on the hood with her arms folded against her, like a perfect ornament, was a girl he wanted to get to know very well. He pulled up and climbed out.

  “Glad you could make it,” he said, smiling and ruffling his hair.

  “I said I would come, didn’t I?” She rubbed her hands together, both because of nerves and the slight coolness of the evening. He looked her all over; her short skirt, sexy legs for miles, and firm breasts underneath her tight sweater. His blood was hot from the race, and seeing her now made it boil. She slid down off the hood, and the action caused her skirt to hike up, exposing her high inner thighs. She smoothed her skirt, and leaned back against the hood, placing both hands behind her. The pose pushed her chest out, for dramatic effect. It worked; Kyle wanted to pounce on her.

  “So how did you do?” she asked. “I just got here.”

  “Took him by a length,” he responded, his eyes dancing and sparkling.

  “I don’t suppose you’re surprised.”

  “Well, you never know, but I was pretty confident,” he responded with a grin.

  “Now that’s an understatement, isn’t it?” she replied, laughing.

  Her soft lips, sparkling with gloss, beckoned him as she spoke, and the urge to kiss her right now, to hell with timing, was very strong. His vivid imagination played the scene of how he would run his hands through her long blonde hair, while kissing her, and then lift her up onto the hood, placing his hands on her perfect thighs…

  The Mustang and Camaro roared off the starting line, the noise momentarily diverting his attention. She studied his profile while his head was turned to watch the race. How devastatingly handsome he was! She was so undeniably attracted to him, but it was human nature to appreciate beauty, and be curious of the unknown, wasn’t it? On the drive over, she had spent some serious mental energy evaluating her situation; thinking about her mother’s story, Kyle, and her engagement. Her tale had been a remarkable comparison, but she knew one could find ways to justify and support almost anything. Yes, Kyle was sexy and exciting, “brash and bold”, in the vein of her father in the story, but she couldn’t give the same weight to her mother’s Chris as she did to her Gene. She and her fiancé had been through much more, and the world they lived in was much more complicated than those simpler times of her mother’s day. All things considered, she determined Kyle was an infatuation, and nothing more. And though the hottest and brightest of flames, they were short lived and soon b
urned out. Yes, she was engaged and would marry Gene Sykes, her lifelong companion and friend. This, with Kyle, was dancing around that flame, and she was at least honest enough to admit that to herself. And, she had successfully reasoned, there was nothing wrong with some minor, harmless flirting before she settled into her future.

  After determining the winner, he turned his attention back to her, shifting closer, and as he did the lapel of his leather jacket brushed the tip of her breast. When she felt the contact, the physical reaction within was immediate and intense. He moved up against her, his face was now very close to hers, and as he stared longingly and deeply into her eyes, he felt desire for her like nothing he had ever experienced before. Leigh’s heart hammered away, feeling his chest against hers, and her face burned hot with her own surging want. As he smiled slightly, knowingly, her eyes drifted helplessly down to his lips. With her eyes focused like a laser beam on his mouth, she jerked ever so slightly toward him, her lips, like a magnet, drawn to his. A voice of protest was sounding somewhere inside, but it was faint, and she suppressed it. It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s harmless, just fun.

  “Leigh,” he whispered heavily. His cool plan of restraint was entirely forgotten in the heat of the moment. He reached up and gently cupped the side of her face, staring into her eyes. She felt a tingling sensation up and down her back as he leaned forward, his lips now barely an inch away from her own, and closing. He’s going to kiss me! she thought, breathing faster, and a lightning fast thought, the kind of which we are always amazed later that we had time to think, flashed through her mind: What will this mean? What will it change? But her unstoppable desire for him in the moment was stronger than any other concern in her life. She closed her eyes, ready.....