The Rain Began to Fall

by A. K. Hartline

  “That’s fair enough,” she responded, her hands opening and closing on her knees.

  She was suddenly aware of the now, this moment in time; that she was standing at a major crossroads, and the choice she made today would have ramifications that would last the rest of her life. She had asked him to meet her for this, and though she now began to feel hesitance about her mission, she went on.

  “First of all, I want to apologize for being so mean to you that day at the mall,” she said. “I implied things that simply weren’t true. It was the easy way out for me, and I was wrong to treat you that way. You deserved better than that.”

  He glanced at her briefly and smiled, then looked ahead again.

  “And that’s why I’m here today, to do it right.” She took a deep breath and continued. “I’ll be honest. You’re an extremely handsome man,” she confessed, “and you would be a catch for any woman.”

  “There’s only one I’m concerned with,” he responded evenly. She sighed, feeling a tug at her heart, but she continued.

  “You’re a great guy. I could tell from your book. You have admirable views.” She paused for a moment and stared at him, reflecting on her words.

  “Thank you,” he replied, his voice low. The winds blew stronger now; winds of change.

  “But you have to understand,” she pleaded, rubbing her hands together, summoning her past. “I’m engaged and about to be married to a man I have known all of my life! Gene and I grew up together!” She looked at him for some reaction, but he remained quiet and still, his head bowed.

  “We’ve known each other so long.” Emboldened by that statement, she plowed ahead.

  “Kyle, you and I. . .we barely know each other! It just doesn’t make sense!” she cried out. “I’m sorry, but I got confused somehow, along the way. I was trying to experience something that I…. I…. only dream….never mind,” she stumbled. Her heart and mind were in great turmoil, and she was finding it terribly hard to come out and say what she had rehearsed; the lines, on stage, now so difficult to repeat. She turned sideways, leaning on one hand to face him. “Kyle, I am so attracted to you. I can’t deny that.... I won’t deny that,” she blurted honestly. As she stared at him, she felt something changing inside of her; something old crumbling, something new rising.

  “You have become more to me…I don’t understand…I don’t know what it means!” He still wouldn’t look at her, and his face was expressionless; but he was thrilled inside. He wasn’t sure what to expect coming out here. He was prepared to give it his all if she was resolute. He was not going to go without a great effort to win her over, but he knew now it would be unnecessary. She was struggling, and he understood perfectly. She was in love with him, heart and soul, and their time had come.

  Leigh felt real panic coursing through her. Why couldn’t she tell him the truth? And come again on what that truth is, Leigh? that annoying, indomitable voice inquired. Shut up!

  “You’re just a…a fantasy!” she screamed in her frustration, wanting so badly to believe it; but it was an empty declaration of faith in a lost religion. “Don’t you know this?”

  He still said nothing, allowing her to work it out and cycle through it all. She was breathing hard after her explosion, looking at him for some reaction, but he remained calm and stoic. It was maddening. She cleared her throat, staring at his handsome face as the sun peeked briefly from behind a dark cloud, bathing them in light. The wind suddenly died, and all was quiet. The frustration fell off her face.

  “But when I’m with you, when I look into your eyes, something feels… so right,” she said softly, her eyes wide and filled with wonder at her own words; at the emotions she seemingly could not control, despite her intentions today.

  He lay back on the grass, and placed a hand behind his head. She leaned over him, and he saw dark, rain filled clouds in the sky moving behind her agonized, beautiful face.

  “And I think you know why, Leigh,” he said finally, smiling. Looking down at him, locked into his gaze, her eyes opened wide in a moment of clear understanding as hard truth suddenly slammed into her heart and shook her to her core. She closed her eyes tight and stood abruptly, walking quickly away from him to the far west edge of the clearing, folding her arms against herself. The wind had a slight chill to it, but it was the feeling of a force she couldn’t stop that made her tremble. You’re in trouble here Leigh, she thought weakly.

  And she was sure of one thing, if nothing else: It had been a grave mistake coming out here to meet him, at least if she wished to stay with Gene and her planned life. But that’s what this was about, wasn’t it? Proof? No more running? She knew now that for some reason she wasn’t strong enough to end it with Kyle, wasn’t strong enough to tell him he was nothing but a fantasy. And that’s because he’s not just a fantasy. He’s real…and I am in love with him.

  No! she screamed in her mind, fighting the idea to the bitter end. I am going to be married! I can’t allow this! I can’t just throw away so many years! But those arguments now rang hollow, lacking conviction. What on earth was she going to do? She bit her bottom lip and tightened her arms against herself, shaking her head violently against destiny, against the inevitable. Enough!

  She summoned all the willpower she could find to turn and face him, tell him in no uncertain terms that she was going to go through with her marriage, and that they could go no further. She was just caught up in the moment again, allowing herself to get carried away. It would all be clearer when she got away from him. She was going to say all of it from a safe distance, and then run back to her car and forever out of his life. She would quit Falstead on Monday; wouldn’t even work a notice, removing herself from any further temptation. She took a deep breath and gathered herself. She could do it, and would do it, because she must.

  She spun around, full of resolve to say her piece, and ran into him. She gasped aloud, startled, and her heart leapt in her chest. As she had been in thought, Kyle had gotten up and walked over, standing directly behind her, certain she was preparing to run. But he would not allow it. She would not get away from him this time.

  He now reached out and pulled her forcefully into his strong arms. She trembled as she looked up into his face, her body tight and shaking. But as she stared into his deep, passionate eyes, she finally saw the truth; a truth that could no longer be denied. She sighed and relaxed in his embrace, in total surrender, the last of her resistance fading away.

  The rain began to fall.

  CHAPTER 25

  There was a small voice of protest still trying to sound in Leigh’s mind as Kyle looked into her eyes and held her close in his arms. It spoke of her father and Gene, a link to the past she had clung to, but now it was a pitiful, meaningless voice in the face of such powerful love and desire as she felt for the man holding her. Her resolve of only moments before to tell Kyle there was no future for them now drifted away like smoke; replaced by an urgency to tell him not to stop, not this time, finish it. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me...

  She stared lovingly into his eyes, dropping her hands to the crook of his elbows, and the clouds finally let loose. The rain fell steadily, smacking the leaves on the trees above them, which provided scant covering; but they were oblivious to the weather. At this moment in time the entire world, the entire universe, was in and between them.

  Kyle stared deeply into the beautiful blue eyes of the woman he loved, seeing her heart, for him, at last. He locked his hands firmly around the small of her back and pulled her tightly to him, and she in turn responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. The rain was falling harder now, as if increasing with the intensity of their desire, and confirming the truth of their love for each other. Water cascaded down their faces, dripping off their noses and chins, and then, at last, his lips met hers.

  She immediately felt a sensation that swept over her body like a wind- blown fire. He cupped her face in his hands and slid his tongue into her mouth, the rainwater combining with the wetness of their kiss. She squeez
ed his neck tightly in her arms and responded hungrily to his kiss, pushing her own tongue into his mouth, tasting him, and oh how delicious he was! She felt him growing against her stomach as his hands slid down to her hips. She suddenly pulled back from him and took his face in her hands, staring into his blazing green eyes, so alive and so full of desire for her. The rain was now coming in torrents, and he stared at her through the wet strands of his hair.

  “I love you, Kyle!” she exclaimed with great exhilaration, finally at liberty to say it.

  “And I love you, Leigh!” he responded sincerely.

  He grabbed her face and kissed her again, sucking her bottom lip, his right hand moving from the small of her back and finding the front of her jeans. He deftly unbuttoned and unzipped them, then spun her around forcefully, pulling her back against him. He stroked her long wet hair aside and with a moan escaping her lips, she laid her head back on his shoulder. He began kissing her slender neck, then circled his left hand around her waist and slid it down inside her panties, touching her, feeling her wetness for him. She was breathing hard and fast now, panting and moaning as she reached both hands up behind her, encircling his neck. She pressed against him, grinding, feeling his hardness.

  Leigh had no reservations at all about giving herself to him completely, to make love to him. Nothing in her life had ever felt more right to her than this moment; she had arrived at the place she was supposed to be, with the man she was meant to love.

  She removed her arms from his neck and felt for him, squeezing his rock hard erection through his jeans. His hands were all over her body; inside her panties, between her legs, under her shirt. Now he peeled her shirt up and over her head, casting it aside on the ground. He snapped her bra, and tossed it off as well. Still behind her, he cupped her firm, beautiful breasts in his hands, rubbing them, squeezing her nipples as he continued to kiss her neck. Her jeans were beginning to slide down her hips when she spun back around suddenly and kissed him fiercely, her hands roaming all over his face, into his hair. He pulled her up against him, as her fingers went to his shirt, fumbling with the buttons in her excitement.

  The rain continued coming down hard, drenching them. He saw her struggling, and in his delirious need to have her, he grabbed the front of his shirt, tearing it open. The buttons popped off in a spray, and she pressed her lips and face against his broad chest. He pushed her jeans down off her hips, as she tore at the button and zipper of his, both ravenously seeking each other’s sex. Her jeans and panties were now at her feet; she stepped out of them, yanked his jeans open, and pulled him with her to the ground.

  She lay back on the wet, soft grass, and as he mounted her, she watched his every move with great concentration; his handsome face, the ripple of his chest and arm muscles, everything distinct, in such perfect detail.

  She spread her legs, inviting him in, and as he lowered his face to hers and smothered her mouth with kisses, he slid into her. It took her breath and she gasped, moaning loudly, wrapping her long legs around his back and pulling him in deeper. He bit her neck softly, his breathing hot and heavy, and she dug her long fingernails into his back. Her legs locked around him like a vice as he thrust into her repeatedly, and she cried out in ecstasy and pleasure when she came. And he came with her.

  The rain slacked, and she held him tightly against her breast, her eyes closed, as he kissed her neck softly. Her breathing, and his, gradually evened out, and their bodies began to relax. As his mouth lay against her neck, he tasted something salty. He rose up, bracing himself on his arms, looking down at her. She opened her eyes, and he saw that she was crying.

  She reached up, tenderly touching his face, cheeks and lips. “I’ve never been as happy as I am now, Kyle.” She squeezed his muscular arms and touched his chest.

  “That’s all I want, Leigh,” he whispered, lowering his face down to hers, and kissing her lips softly, “your happiness, always.”

  The sun came out, the rain returned, but they didn’t notice. He made love to her again and again as the evening grew later, and she returned his love in the clearing in the woods.

  CHAPTER 26

  On Sunday afternoon, before Leigh left for her lunch date with Mindy, Cheryl Thompson noticed a change in her daughter’s demeanor. There was a quiet radiance about her, a sense of contentment and ease that had been absent for a very long time. Although Cheryl had wondered what had been going on in her daughter’s life since the night of their talk about love and marriage, Leigh had not approached her again, and Cheryl had not pressed the issue.

  Cheryl had watched as Leigh continued with her wedding plans after that evening, putting on a happy face for everyone else; but Cheryl had not been convinced that all was well. She had noticed subtle undertones of uncertainty and apprehension about her daughter, differences only a mother could recognize. But today, she seemed different, as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

  Leigh met Mindy at Steak ‘n Shake for lunch. Over patty melts and chocolate shakes, she told her friend about the prior evening.

  “…and then we kissed,” she related, “and it was…amazing, and then it started raining, and we…well… you know.”

  “Oh my god! Oh my god!” Mindy screamed, clapping her hands together loudly. She had been listening to Leigh’s story in total silence for the last ten minutes, her mouth gradually falling open to a wide “O” as she sat mesmerized by her friend’s tale.

  “Mindy! Shhhh!” Leigh implored, noticing customers looking at them. A man in the booth behind them choked briefly on his cheeseburger. Mindy jumped up and slid into the booth beside Leigh.

  “Oh girl!” she exclaimed, bear hugging Leigh’s neck. “I knew it! I knew it! I am so happy for you two!” She pulled back suddenly and grabbed Leigh’s shoulders. “What about Gene?”

  “I’m going to tell him tonight,” she responded.

  “Good luck,” Mindy said. She then smiled broadly. “I so knew you were in love with Kyle.”

  “Yeah?” Leigh replied, looking at her friend and grinning. “So did I.”

  # # #

  Later that evening, Leigh was at home in her room, having been there for the past hour. Cheryl walked by her door and listened. All was quiet. She decided to check on her, and knocked.

  “May I come in?” she asked.

  “Sure, Mom,” Leigh answered on the other side.

  She found Leigh lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She walked over and sat on the end of the bed.

  “Is everything alright honey?” she asked. Leigh continued staring blankly upwards.

  “Well…yes and no,” she answered after a moment. She rose up on her elbow and looked at her mother with troubled eyes.

  “What is it, Leigh?” she asked gingerly. “I hope you know I’m here for you.”

  “I know,” Leigh responded, smiling, “and you were. More than you could know.” She took a deep breath. “Things have changed, mom. I can’t go into it right now, but I’ll explain it all to you later.”

  Cheryl smiled and took her daughter’s hand, looking at her with great love.

  “I just want you to be happy, as always,” she said. “That’s all that matters to me.” Leigh looked at her, a tear brimming in her eye. “Come here.”

  Cheryl folded Leigh in her arms, and hugged her tightly, stroking her hair. Leigh wept softly as her mother gently rocked her.

  “Shh, it’s alright,” she whispered; and then softly into Leigh’s ear: “You’re father would approve.” Leigh pulled back and stared into her mother’s eyes with wonderment. “And so do I.”

  Before Leigh could respond, the doorbell sounded its ring through the house. She knew who it was, and although she could never really be ready for this, it had to be done.

  “Well, I suppose that’s Gene,” Leigh said, wiping her eyes and sighing. She got up off of the bed, and her mother stood with her.

  Cheryl gave her daughter a reassuring smile.

  “Go do what you must,” she said.

&n
bsp; “Thanks, mom,” she replied, hugging her mother’s neck and kissing her on the cheek. “Thanks for everything.”

  Leigh went to the front door and opened it.

  “Hi, Gene,” she greeted. He started toward her, but she quickly went past him to her car. He followed her, perplexed.

  “No kiss?” he asked. “What’s going on?” She turned around, but didn’t look into his eyes.

  “I’m taking my car,” she said. “Will you follow me?”

  He looked at her not looking at him, on his face a puzzled expression.

  “What’s this about, Leigh?”

  “I’ll tell you. Just follow me, okay?”

  “Alright,” he agreed, shrugging. “Mysterious.”

  As he followed behind his mind was racing. What is this? he thought. His worry had started yesterday when she’d called and asked him to come over as soon as he got in so they could talk in person. She had been evasive when he’d asked her to come out with it, telling him she didn’t want to talk about it over the phone. Now, after she had put off his attempt at a kiss, his worry was turning into panic. But he fought that emotion off. No sense borrowing trouble. He was sure he would find out soon enough.

  She drove out to the park by the lake. The sun was sinking as they walked out on a pier, which happened to be the place they had come on their first real date, Leigh recalled. It seemed as though it were a thousand years ago. As Gene walked beside her he stole glances at her face, but she was expressionless. Something’s wrong here, he thought. She faced straight ahead until they stopped at the end, and she looked out over the calm waters. The western sky was now a pinkish orange, and a comfortable breeze blew off the water. She leaned on the pier’s rail, and he leaned beside her. And though he dreaded the response, he asked:

  “So what gives, Leigh? What’s on your mind?”

  She finally looked over at him for a moment, studying his eyes, his face, unblinking. His eyebrows rose inquisitively. She tried to feel something about the memories of their times together; some tenderness, some sense of loss. And though she could think fondly of her past with Gene, and would always have feelings for him, her newfound love for Kyle was now everything to her, her future. She had wondered how she would feel after seeing Gene, and now she was certain.