The Solitarian: Part 1 of The Amaranth Series

by Amadore, Chalyn

  “Let’s see them.” He goes into the room and rummages through his things. When he returns he has a sack the size of a large brown paper grocery bag. It is weighed down with jewels. I start to search through for anything of value. When I open the bag I see a multitude of fine diamonds and other stones. His parents’ were jewelers so that means we have a gold mine of things to sell.

  “We can take a few things to the pawn shop. Come on.” We head out again and go straight to the best pawn shop in Myrtle Beach. I wanted to go somewhere upscale so that we don’t get swindled. When we enter and I look around the shop. There are some delicate pieces throughout the shop. Not only does he have jewelry, he has anything that is worth something.

  “Hello may I help you?” A man behind the counter asks.

  “Yes sir. We were in Paris over the summer and found some rare jewelry. I believe it is from the early to late 1800’s.”

  “Let’s see what you have there.” The first thing that I hand him is a ring with diamonds and rubies in it. It is large in size and is about 24 karat gold. He takes it from me and grabs a trinket to go over his eye. He starts to inspect it. Then he opens his laptop and searches for something. When he is finished he makes a call.

  “Where did you say you got this piece?”

  “Palasca.”

  “Well, if I’m correct this ring is worth around seven thousand dollars. I just have to make sure that it’s authentic.”

  “It’s definitely authentic sir. It was…” Keyan pauses. He is about to give himself away. “It was stashed away in a cave that hasn’t been entered for years. No one has been in that cave since the early 1900’s.”

  “Okay I’m sending an antique jeweler the picture you’ll have to wait a few moments. While we wait give me some of the other things that you have. So I can send them as well.”

  I hand him three more pieces. He is astounded by the sight of such fine, luxury items. I can hear the excitement in his voice as he talks to his colleague. Keyan stands beside me as he admires his parents’ jewels. The man on the phone is speaking loudly. After he is done the owner of the pawn shop turns to speak with us.

  “My partner wants to know how much of these items you actually have. What else did you find out there?”

  “I have a sack full of jewels. And I have book and some paintings, but they are not due to arrive until next week.” Keyan answers.

  “Well I’m going to go on and let you know that you will be a very wealthy man. Some of the things that you have today are virtually priceless. They can be sold in an auction for a heck of a lot of money. So if you need cash today, I can give you an advance to hold the items. Once we have them authenticated you can bring the rest of the things that you would like to sell. You two are going to be quite rich if you have what we think you have. My colleague works out of Las Vegas. He is also a Jewelry historian. I will send the items out to him and when he is done appraising them I will call you. What would you like to take home today for the four pieces?”

  “We only came in to raise about ten thousand. We can get whatever the difference is for the items later when we return.”

  “Okay I will write up a pawn receipt for ten thousand. I’m positive that you will receive well above that for the jewels and you will be able to live very well off of what you make on the whole sack once he authenticates them.”

  “Thank you sir, we appreciate this.”

  “No thank you. If these items is as unique as I think they are I’m going to be very satisfied as well. He believes that they are jewels from a family jewelry store located in La Havre during the late 1800’s. It burned down, but a lot of their pieces was sold at auction a few years ago. They have a carving in each piece. The carving is McG for McGrath.” Keyan is stunned that his parents’ legacy has made it back to America. He counts out the cash and hands it over to Keyan. He looks at it for a moment mowing over the fact that our paper money is different from France and how it has changed over the years. But his game face is solid. We exit the shop and get into the car.

  Chapter 11

  After a long day of running around, I order a pizza. I call my dad because I haven’t heard from him all day. He tells me that he and my mom are out of town again. He also informs me that his guy found the cave and is sending everything that he found to my dad’s warehouse tomorrow. Tomorrow is Sunday August 25, 2013 and I have nothing planned so maybe I can introduce my clique to Keyan as someone that I met in France while shopping and we ran into one another when I returned. I hope that Rylan isn’t too jealous. He really has no reason to be…does he?

  Keyan is looking as delicious as this pepperoni pizza that I just ordered. I don’t think that I could be attracted to a one hundred and thirty year old man…can I? No of course not. I look over at his beautifully lined facial hair, neatly cropped hair on his head, and my stomach flutters. I’m in trouble. I may have to help him get a job an apartment soon.

  “So Keyan… I ordered pizza. I’m starving what about you?”

  “Yes I am completely famished.” He flops beside me onto my bed. I nervously slide away and he notices. “Is there something wrong?”

  “No, why would you say that?” I giggle.

  “No reason. Let’s eat.”

  I pull a slice of pizza from the round pie and the cheese stretches. Keyan smiles and I melt. Dammit! I knew that his smile was bright, but this is so intoxicating. I take in a big gulp of air and bite into the slice. I flip on the television and we sit there eating while watching TV.

  The time passes and my eyes start to get heavy. I lay back and Keyan watches. He smiles as if he is watching a baby fall asleep. His smile is sweet and innocent. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it with all of the wool on his head and face. But wow…some girl is going to be very lucky.

  “Are you tired McKenna? I could turn off the tube and leave your room.”

  “No you go ahead and watch it. I know that it can help with bringing you up to speed with how things have changed and life in America. I’m going to change though. I have night clothes for you as well.” He nods and his attention goes back onto the screen. I go in the bathroom and wash my face. I quickly change into my pj’s. I hurry back to the bed and his eyes are glued. He doesn’t even notice that I have slid beneath the covers. I gaze at the back of his head trying to control the urge to run my fingers through it. I remember washing his over grown locks and his tight bottom as he cannon balled into the air and landed into the springs in Palasca.~

  *****

  I focus my eyes onto the one that I love more than anything else in this world. My heart thumps at the sound of his voice. He whispers I love you into my ear, plants kisses on my neck, and down my collar bone reaching the dip between my breasts. He licks his tongue out and playfully teases my skin with it. Between my thighs are on fire. I feel the moistness building as he cups my breast. His gentle touch is as delicate as I am. He barely touches my skin as his hands move down and rubs my belly. I quiver beneath him. He works the skin beneath his fingers as if he is kneading dough. My hips are twisting with want. Inside my head I’m begging for him to take me. We’ve waited long enough. The tension is too high. I need him now. I want to look into his eyes and tell him to ‘make love to me. I’m yours.’ I slide my hands into his hair and grip it tightly. I lift his head so that our eyes meet. I want Rylan to know that I’m ready. When our eyes meet they are not the green eyes that I expect. They are the bluest blue. Bluer than I have ever seen, they draw me in. “I want you Keyan. Please be gentle. I belong to you forever. Make me new.” I breathe the words without regret. He doesn’t speak. He just follows my instructions. His lips are magnetic against my skin. The electric jolts send my mind whirling. I can’t stop the emotions that I’m feeling. And even though I’m willing in my mind to change this person into Rylan, I am glad that it’s not him. He asks permission to remove my pants in the most polite tone and I beg him to. I kick them off and when I am completely nude he joins me by stripping down as well. We lie there naked, wait
ing for the cue to proceed. My body twists with desire. All of my inhibitions leave and I beg him to enter. I reach down between us to feel what he has to offer. And for some reason the gods have been good to this amaranth. I help as he steers toward a cave he has never explored before…

  *****

  I jump up from my dream drenched with sweat. My chest rises and falls as I clutch it. The cute little pink laced panties that I wore to bed are now soaked with my lust. I quickly search the room with my eyes when I notice that Keyan is no longer with me. The TV is still playing but the sound is turned down. I focus on the screen and it is on a cable channel that plays late night flicks. The couple is totally going at it. No wonder I was dreaming about sex. They are having way too much of it. And boy are they getting it in. I hear the shower running and I stand to go and see if Keyan left it on. As I approach the door I hear sensual sounds coming from the bathroom. I make my way across my room and over to it. He left the door slightly ajar. That is surely something that we will have to discuss.

  I reach out to close the door and my curiosity forces me to peek inside. I press my face against the crack and the first thing that I see is his firm bottom tightly clenched. He has one hand on the wall and one hidden down in front of him. I swallow hard as I see his head fall back. I can’t believe that a man could be this attractive. Everything inside of me is saying ‘run.’ But I am frozen in place. I see his body jerking and the moans that escape causes a burning desire deep inside of me. I feel the tension build as he gets a tad bit louder. The sounds plays like beautiful music. I should be running in terror but I’m nowhere near terrified. I want to join him and help him reach his level of gratification. I want him right now more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.

  When he finishes he washes his delicious body and I can’t move. I need to look away but my legs are not connected to my brain. He turns to face me and his eyes are closed. I get a glimpse of what he has to offer and I like what I see. I want to slap myself for being such a perv. I’m watching this man pleasure himself and shower. I’m the biggest creeper in the world. When he reaches forward and turns the knob, I snap out of it. I hurry back to my bed and quickly pretend to still be asleep.

  He enters the room. I hear it open. The creak of the door causes my heart to beat like a ceremonial drum. He calls out to me. “McKenna?” he whispers. “Are you awake?”

  I toss and turn attempting to deceive him into believing that I’ve been sleep. I yawn and turn to face him. “I wasn’t, but I am now thanks to you calling my name.” My falseness kills me. When my eyes rest on him he is wearing a towel only. I turn away.

  “I can’t imagine that you have suddenly become shy. You’ve seen me nude in Palasca, remember?” He teases.

  “It’s different now. Then I thought that you were a forty something year old man. Like an uncle or something.” He walks over toward the bed and sits at the foot.

  “So what has changed?”

  “You’re a hot teenager like me. I think that we have to set some ground rules.”

  “Why? I would never intrude on you Kenna. You are my family now.”

  Family? Family does not have the dreams that I’ve had, nor the feelings. “Family…okay. Still, you are not the gross hairy old man that I found in Palasca. So from now on shower when you are positive that I am sleeping.” My cheeks turn bright red and I give myself away.

  “I thought that you were asleep. Did you come into the bathroom?”

  “Umm, let’s just agree to lock the door.” I clear my throat.

  “Alright? By the way television has changed tremendously. I’ve learned a lot tonight.” He smiles.

  “Goodnight Keyan.”

  “Goodnight…sweet, sweet cousin.” He jokes. I wave my hand and he goes into the room behind mine for the night.

  ***********

  The next morning I beat Keyan down the stairs. With my mom and dad out of town I don’t have to hide him. When they return I will try to get them to rent the pool house to him. They have rented it out before, but it was to an arrogant pool boy that hit on me all summer. He was about 20 and I was 16. When my dad found out he kicked his ass out and fired him. I have to make sure that he doesn’t think that way of Keyan. I pour a bowl of my favorite cereal and sit at the table. As soon as I dig in my phone rings. I scramble over to answer.

  “Hey there babe! I thought that you were going to call me as soon as you got home. It’s Sunday and you got in Friday, from what I hear. What gives, Kenna?”

  “I’m sorry Rylan. I came home and unpacked. Then I started to gather my things for school. I hope that you’re not angry.”

  “I’m not. I’m just a little confused, because Jimmy said that he saw you at the mall yesterday. He said that you were in a men’s store shopping with some pretty boy. Is that true?”

  “Uh, yes. But I can explain. I met this nice guy in Palasca. He said that he was coming here to attend Greenwich University. What are the odds? Anyway when I got back we ran into one another. I was shopping for some things to take with me. I decided to help him out. He is here and he had to stay in a hotel until that straightened out his dorm situation. I’m going to ask dad if it would be cheaper to rent out the pool house.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me McKenna? What did your dad say?”

  “He is out of town again. He had some important things to take care of when we arrived. You don’t have anything to worry about Rylan. He is just a friend.”

  “You’re dammed right. I don’t have anything to worry about. Tell his fucking parents to help him.”

  “They’re dead Rylan. He doesn’t have anyone else.”

  “How do you know that he’s not just playing you? You are too fucking nice sometimes.”

  “He’s not. I promise. And let’s not argue. I leave in exactly fifteen days, let’s enjoy them okay?”

  “I was calling because Gravel is having a big party at his new place. He and Adami got a sweet condo five minutes from campus. They say that we are welcome to stay as often as possible. So that means I don’t have to drive an hour sometimes. Do you want to go with me?”

  “That would be awesome. Can I bring my friend? Maybe he can get acquainted with some of the Greenwich students. He is going to be such an outcast and I’m worried that he won’t adapt if school starts and he doesn’t know anyone.”

  “McKenna?”

  “Come on Rylan. He will meet some cute girl and we can party together, okay?”

  “I guess. But if I suspect that this guy is a douche or that he is trying to use you, I will pound his ass.”

  “He’s not. You guys will like him.”

  “I love you Kenna. See you at 6:30. By the way… do you think that we could at least ride in together?”

  “Of course we can and I love you too Rylan. You are the best boyfriend a girl could have.” We end our call and I breathe easy. I hear the sound of footsteps and I look behind me. Keyan has joined me for breakfast.

  “Grab a bowl you can eat cereal for the first time.” I laugh.

  As we eat I remember my dream. “Keyan I dreamed of you again. This time it was different. It was…” I pause. I can’t believe that I am really going to reveal this to him. But before I can tell him he speaks.

  “It was sexual. I know. I felt it. I could feel the desire draining from you as you slept. That’s why I got up from your bed and showered. I was watching some very naughty things on TV. It must have been radiating from me. I’ve never heard of this before, but I think that we are connecting. Envisages are getting stronger between the two of us. We are feeling one another’s desires and soon we will be feeling each other’s emotions, sadness, happiness and so on.”

  “How?”

  “I can only assume that it is because you are the only human that I have been around for a very long time. We are developing a psychic connection and I don’t know why. I need to find a mate soon.” He says in a worried tone. We eat slowly and the tension is thick. I decide to tell him about the party.
<
br />   “Rylan invited us to a party tonight. Maybe you will meet a lovely girl there. It will be a great icebreaker for you. Gravel, which is Callie’s boyfriend Greg is hosting it at his new condo near campus. That way when we go to enroll you tomorrow you will have made some friends.”

  “I guess so.” He hesitates. “I’m worried Kenna. What if I don’t find someone that is willing to be with me? What will happen?”

  “I don’t know. But hopefully when I go to California you’ll figure it out.” After I finish my meal, I wash the dishes and he watches. He sits on a stool behind me.

  “Thank you for everything McKenna. You have been so kind. I know that all of this is very awkward for you. The dreams will probably subside once we distance ourselves.”

  “Yea. You’re probably right.”

  “Are you excited about leaving?”

  “Not really. All of my friends including Rylan will be here and I’m going to be half way across the country. It’s not fair.”

  “Don’t go then. If it’s not what you want just don’t do it.”

  “Easier said than done. I have been screaming about University Of California Berkeley for the last four years.”

  “I completely understand. But what about the one that you love?”

  “He will be here when I get back. I’m sure of it.”

  He shrugs. I complete the task of cleaning the kitchen so we head back up to my room. I flop across the bed and turn on some music. Keyan walks around the room looking for things to learn. I close my eyes and let the beat that is pressing through the speaker take me over. The rhythm is so smooth, so sultry, that I rock to the melody. When I open my eyes Keyan is staring at me. I laugh out loud because he startles me. He sits beside me. And sighs.

  “I have learned quite a bit since we have met. The moment that I saw you in the mountains hiking with your parents I knew that I felt a certain way about you. I didn’t realize that you would change my life. You are such a beautiful young woman McKenna. And Rylan is a very lucky gentleman. Good thing that we are family or I wouldn’t look any further for my mate. You understood my complicated story and helped me. I think that I will love you for that forever. I don’t care how long I live. I will tell my children and wife about the beautiful red head young lady that stumbled across my dwelling.”