A Change of Heart

by Nancy Frederick

  "He's solid and reliable, right hon?" Shep nodded at each question put to him by his wife. "Decent, honest, a good man. Right?"

  "Baseball fan," added Shep who couldn't understand why the two women looked puzzled at this bit of information rather than pleased.

  "Just don't get upset with me that I'm not really interested. There's someone else, I told you, and I'm pretty sure that…" Before she could complete the thought, the bell rang and Becky went to answer the door. She returned in an instant, Doug Hawkins behind her.

  Shep stood and reached his hand toward Doug, who in surprise said, "Annabeth! I wondered why your car was here."

  "Doug," she said, smiling, and walked into his arms for a hug.

  "You two know each other," said Shep and Becky at once.

  "It was a nice evening, wasn't it," said Doug as he and Annabeth entered her house after the dinner was over.

  "Yes, wonderful. I'm so glad I met Becky. And Shep is a great guy."

  "Yes they're a nice couple, and determined to fix you up," said Doug, scrutinizing Annabeth carefully.

  She blushed. "I only went because Becky insisted. I told her there was someone else, that I was deciding…"

  Doug waited silently, wondering if she would go on. He saw the hesitation in her eyes, the fear, the insecurity, and he said, "Oh, I see. You still need time."

  "Deciding," she said, "That I love you."

  He wrapped his arms around her then and said, "Oh! I love you too. And I always will."

  Hugging Doug as tightly as she could for a moment, Annabeth moved from his arms briefly, chained the front door shut and reached her hand to him.

  In an instant they were upstairs in her bedroom, standing at the foot of the bed, embracing tenderly, kissing slowly, holding each other with the promise of a love that would last a lifetime. His lips on hers were so soft, so gentle, yet so taunting, and Annabeth felt her head start to swirl. Pressing her hands against Doug's shoulders, she pushed him down to the bed, where he sat looking at her with love in his eyes. She stood closely, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, pressing his head to her chest, holding him to her heart, where he would stay forever.

  "Oh," she sighed sweetly, "Oh."

  His eyes flooded with tenderness, Doug pulled her even more tightly to him, moving his face gently against her breast and kissing her through the fabric of her bodice.

  Annabeth, grown bold in love, stepped back half a pace, and slowly unbuttoned the dress, revealing the sheer lace bra she wore beneath it, then she shrugged her shoulders and the dress fell at her feet. She gazed first into Doug's eyes and then blushed briefly, looking down and away from him in sudden shyness. He reached to pull her close, wanting to kiss her again, and she knew that he would want to kiss her every moment of the rest of his life, but first she knelt down in front of him, and wrapped her arms around him.

  Her hands slid up his back, and she leaned in, kissing his neck, losing herself again and again in the taste of his skin. Her hands, alive with the sensation of a man, his strength, his skin, searched along his back, riding up and down the angles and curves, tugged at his shirt and slid beneath it. She sighed when she was calm enough, gasped otherwise, having waited so long, yearned so long. Sliding her hands outside the shirt toward his chest, Annabeth slowly unbuttoned it, one button at a time, kissing the skin that was revealed as the shirt opened.

  Doug, his breath grown raspy, reached down and pulled her up to him, kissing her, this time with greater urgency, his lips grazing across her own in soft kisses, hard kisses, tiny nibbles, and sweet sucking motions. He reached down then, and kissed her neck, as she had done to him, causing her to moan with pleasure. His hands, knowing and sure, yet slow and sensual, explored her soft skin. With a smile and a confident twist of strong fingers, Doug broke the band on her pantyhose and tore them off her body.

  "Oh, my!" she exclaimed, her heart pounding.

  He stood then, and pressed Annabeth's back tightly to his front, his hands gently roaming over the front of her body.

  "Oh, my!" she said again, this time almost unable to speak. She pressed herself against his body, feeling him hard and strong against her. Wanting nothing between them, she twisted swiftly in his arms, reaching for his belt and the waistband of his slacks, which she undid as he watched, his hands stroking her hair. Feeling impatient, Annabeth tugged at the slacks, but they wouldn't move. "Oh!" she said in frustration, until his hand guided hers to the zipper which she lowered smoothly and watched as slacks and boxers dropped to the floor.

  Doug stepped smoothly out of them, and stood quietly for a moment, letting her look at him. Then he reached for her once more and removed the lace bra and panties. Together they fell onto the bed, kissing for a long time, losing themselves in each other, already knowing that they could flow out of themselves and into each other, that even in a kiss they could merge as one. Uncounted moments passed, yet still they kissed, urgent in their passion, but unhurried to complete it. Doug lifted his lips from Annabeth's for a bit and lay back against the pillow, looking at her, letting his fingers graze over all the sensitive places on her body, watching as her head twisted on her neck, her desire almost unbearable.

  She sighed, and moaned, and sighed, and moaned, wondering would she survive, would she still be able to draw breath should he continue touching her like that. If he doesn't stop I'll die. I could die…I would die…it would be worth it….

  Doug smiled, watching Annabeth, and then slid closer and began doing with his mouth all the things he'd done with his fingers. "So beautiful, so soft, you woman, oh you woman." He pressed her so tightly to him, and hearing her moan in pleasure, he pressed her more tightly yet.

  "Now, now," she whispered, unable to speak properly, "Now." She wanted him desperately, had wanted him so long already, had waited so long.

  "Not yet," he said, and flipped her to her stomach. First he lay still on top of her, feeling her pressing up toward him, feeling the need and yearning she didn't trouble to hide. Then he slid down slowly, kissing her back in a thousand places, dragging his tongue along her backbone, teasing her with his lips.

  "Oh!" she said, her vocabulary reduced to one syllable, "Oh!" Just as she had so many times with him before, Annabeth struggled to gain control of her passions, and when she had done so, she twisted away and onto her side, pressing Doug flat against the bed. "I want to kiss you too," she said, taking a hasty, irregular breath between each word.

  First she slid her cheek along his chest, then turning her face slightly, she began kissing him, exploring all the places that interested her, listening as his breathing became ragged, feeling his heart pounding against his chest. Every night and every morning. She would want him. Every day and every year. Her hands, both of them, working together like soft swans on an unruffled lake, explored, and she was filled with the yearning to keep touching, stroking, squeezing, until the memory of all those secret male places that had so long been denied her had once again been etched deeply in her consciousness.

  She knew he could stand no more, yet wanting to continue forever, Doug struggled to control himself, and when the moment was right he was once more on top, his mouth on Annabeth's, their bodies intertwined and merging in a holy fire of passion and transcendence. They moved together seamlessly, dancers perfectly matched, changing position now and then, slowing their motions and speeding them up again, then changing again until their every desire was satisfied.

  Her eyes tightly closed, Annabeth felt herself rolling on a wave, lost control and gave herself over to it, the intensity so great she feared for a moment it would never stop, that she would never again be the mistress of her own body. She clung to Doug then, clung tightly, sensing that he was all there was left on earth, only Doug and herself there together in her bed, there joined forever, lost in the rising and falling waves together. Feeling Annabeth begin to quicken beneath him, feeling her quiver around him, Doug let go his restraint and moved to please himself, pleasing her as well, and together they ground alon
g, heated, intense, yet tender, and soon the release they sought arrived, each clutching the other tightly, rocking softly, wanting not to let down, afraid to push too hard, both fragile and spent.

  They lay for a long time, bodies molded together, each panting and trying to breathe. Eventually Doug rolled onto his back then pulled Annabeth to him, cradling her head on his shoulder. His arm held her firmly and she felt safe and warm. Her hand reached up and lay tenderly against his cheek for a moment until he enfolded it in his, kissing her fingers briefly, then holding her hand tightly to his chest.

  At the same moment they said, "I love you." Then they smiled into each other's eyes.

  "You're so beautiful," he said simply, with devotion. "Everything I've ever wanted. And more."

  "What you do to me. I thought I was going to die. Oh Doug. I almost fainted."

  He kissed her forehead.

  A tear formed in her eye, then rolled down Annabeth's cheek. "This is the first time you know." He waited for her to complete the thought. "The first time I've ever really been in love." She relaxed then against his shoulder and stroked his chest.

  Doug laughed for a moment then said, "I thought you were going to say it was the first time you had great sex."

  She nodded, "Yes, and the first time I ever really made love."

  19

  Annabeth sat across from Herb Midwood in his office. "You were right," he said. "Look at this." Herb handed Annabeth a manila folder, which she opened. Inside were copies of loan papers, tax documents, and many photographs of R.J.'s vending machines, some containing shots of R.J. himself.

  "You followed him?"

  Midwood laughed. "I am a detective! Now, according to this, your mother-in-law claimed to be a partner in your husband's vending machine business."

  "Yes, she loaned him the money for his first machines and I guess he still gives her a certain percentage now."

  "So I got copies of her taxes with the loan form she filed when she borrowed money a few years back--house needed repair or something. Apparently she filed taxes claiming the business makes a great deal more than it does according to your husband's financial statement. And these pictures tend to back up her version, not his."

  "So we've been filing fraudulent income taxes for years? I could get in trouble?"

  "It's not impossible, but since you had no knowledge of the number of vending machines he owns, it's unlikely. You're an injured party."

  Annabeth looked at the documents before her. Her voice grew quiet, "R.J. earns this much?"

  "Probably more now."

  "You did a wonderful job. Thank you so much." Annabeth gathered up the folder and offered Midwood her hand.

  On the day of the final hearing, Annabeth dressed and applied makeup carefully, then scrutinized her image in the mirror. Instead of the skirts she usually wore, today she was dressed in a chic black pantsuit. She looked very businesslike, very no-nonsense. Her hair, gathered back from her face with a tortoise clasp, was simple and sophisticated. She looked like someone who was in charge of her own life. The makeup was subtle, very different from the Glamour Poses colors, but still it brought out the vividness of her eyes, the angles of her cheekbones, the fullness of her lips. Gazing at her reflection, Annabeth saw not a soft matron, but a woman in the prime of her life and she nodded, pleased with what she saw.

  In a few moments, she stood in front of the courthouse, ready to confront her husband, the folder in her hand. She could do this. And it was about time. When Quentin Asprey arrived, she greeted the attorney with a pleasant smile.

  "Ms. Welner, good to see you. All ready for today?"

  Annabeth nodded, "Oh yes. But you go on in without me. I'll be along in a bit."

  She spotted R.J., who arrived without his lawyer and didn't even notice her as he climbed the courthouse stairs until she spoke his name.

  "Annabeth? You look different." His eyes opened wide as he observed her. He was puzzled and clearly at a loss for words, and she was sure he was a little dazzled too when he stammered, "Pretty, you look very pretty."

  She smiled. "Thanks. I want to talk."

  "Look, is this about the wedding? I done the best I could."

  Annabeth paused for a moment to open the folder and offer her husband the contents. "I have some important documents here and I want you to look at them."

  R.J. reached for the papers, a scowl on his face. When he saw what they contained, his jaw dropped. "Pictures? You had me followed?"

  Annabeth nodded, then spoke calmly. "This is what I want. I want my house. You're going to walk into that court and sign off on the house. Then you're going to go to your daughter and tell her you'd be happy to pay for her wedding. And you're going to give her the money, just so she knows her dad cares. As for the maintenance, I don't want a cent from you. Understand?"

  R.J. reached out to take Annabeth by the arm, but before he could touch her, she took a pace back. "Now, honey, be reasonable," he said.

  "Reasonable?" Annabeth looked R.J. in the eye. "Reasonable? Reasonable would be me asking for maintenance for years. Reasonable would be me taking a piece of your business. I never even thought of that. Maybe I should be more reasonable. Let's see--I'm entitled to half your business, well, no you're partners with your mother aren't you--so I guess I'm entitled to half of your half. Just how much would that be?"

  R.J. blanched as he looked at Annabeth. She met his gaze and didn't waver.

  Glancing at her watch, Annabeth said, "There's a one-minute time limit on this offer. Otherwise I walk into that courtroom and hand these papers to the judge."

  "You wouldn't do that to me."

  "Look at me, R.J. Can you see me?" Annabeth paused a moment then shook her head and turned to walk into the courtroom, R.J. scurrying along behind her.

  "Wait, don't."

  Taking her place beside Asprey, Annabeth waited and soon enough the judge called her case.

  "This is the final hearing in the matter of Welner vs. Welner."

  As Annabeth leaned toward Asprey to tell him what information she possessed, R.J. stood, "Your honor, I've decided to give my wife the house. And she's agreed to no maintenance."

  "All other assets divided as previously noted?" asked the judge.

  "Your honor, I ask a moment to confer with my client," interrupted Kyle Sennet.

  "No need," said R.J. miserably, "Done been decided."

  "Mrs. Welner, you've agreed to this--the house but no maintenance?" asked Judge Henson.

  "Yes, thank you."

  "All right then, so ordered. Mrs. Welner receives the house, no maintenance, and she resumes her maiden name. All other assets divided as agreed. Divorce granted. Good luck to you both."

  Quentin Asprey turned to Annabeth. "How did that happen?"

  "Change of heart."

  Annabeth drove home calmly, walked through the door of her house and looked around. It had been a lot more than just a house for a long time. All her memories were there, but now she could turn around and move away and be just fine. She was a lot stronger and could be happy anywhere. Still, she was glad the house was still hers. Annabeth walked slowly through the downstairs rooms, which were empty as usual. The cat, feeling affectionate, wound around her feet until she scooped him up and carried him. No echoes arose from any corner; they'd all been played out in her mind and Annabeth was at peace with her memories and her past. "What's left now is the future," she said to the cat, who regarded her with wide eyes, "And your dinner, of course."

  The following day, Sally called her. "Only two weeks! I'm going crazy."

  "No, you're doing fine. I think we're right on track. The flowers are ordered, caterer ready, clothes ready. Oops another call, just a sec." Annabeth clicked the hook and said "Hello?"

  "Hi, it's Ginger. Can you come over today and pin up some hems for me?"

  Without even a moment's thought, Annabeth replied, "No, sorry I can't. The cleaner's downtown has a tailor. Why not take them in there? I'm awfully busy lately with work and t
he wedding so I don't think I can do any more hems."

  "What!"

  "I have Sally on the other line. Talk to you another time, all right?"

  "Okay, bye."

  "Sorry, hon it was Ginger wanting hems."

  "Dad came by this morning. I couldn't believe it. Gave me a bunch of money for the wedding. Guess his deal came through."

  "I'm glad. Gosh, another call. Think it's Ginger again?" Once again Annabeth lowered and raised the switchhook of the phone, "Hello?"

  "Annabeth Welner, please."

  "Speaking."

  "This is Esta Pollock at BK Publishing in New York."

  "Hello!"

  "We've reviewed your sketches and we love them. We want to use them in a calendar."

  "That's wonderful!" Annabeth listened carefully as Ms. Pollock explained the terms of the offer, and although it wasn't a huge amount of money, it was fair, and a good beginning.

  "I'll send you all the information in the mail. If they sell well, we could make a better deal next year."

  "Yes, that's great. Thank you so much!" Annabeth clicked off once again and was back with Sally. "Guess what! I just sold a calendar! I'm going to have a calendar with my sketches in it."

  "Mom! That's fantastic!"

  "Yes! I'm just thrilled. Now what can I do to help you with the wedding?"

  The morning of the wedding, Doug awakened and moved over close to Annabeth as he had every morning since the first night they spent together. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her neck. "Happy Valentine's Day," he said.

  Annabeth wriggled tightly against Doug, her back to his front, her hand on his arm as he held her close. "The wedding!"

  "Plenty of time!" Doug reached under his pillow and retrieved a small velvet box, then handed it to Annabeth, who opened it carefully.

  "Oh Doug! Diamond earrings to match my necklace. Oh thank you, they're beautiful." She turned in the bed to face him, then wrapped her arms tightly around him. "You're wonderful." After a long hug, she reached inside her nightstand table and handed him a small box.

  "A heart shaped key ring, with your keys on it." He smiled and kissed her softly. "Thank you."