Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 

   My Second Life





   It had been four years.  Laura had been gone that long and it still
seemed like yesterday to me.  I am Bill.  I was married to Laura for twelve
years.  Twelve wonderful and happy years.  Then in one terrible blow it had
ended.  Laura had been taken from me by a stupid accident.

   She had gone to the convenience store for a few things to finish off
dinner.  She would just be gone a few minutes.  The next thing I knew a
policeman was knocking at our door with our local minister.  There had been
an accident.  Laura was gone.  I can't remember much after that.  She had
pulled out in front of a semi-truck.  He couldn't stop in time.  Killed
instantly they said.

   Numbness gripped me for over a year.  Friends tried to get me out and
about.  I just sat at home and brooded.  Insurance money sat unspent in an
account.  I went to work still...each day quietly hoping that I was having
a bad nightmare.  One day I woke up and realized that Laura was gone.  She
was not coming back.

   It was a Friday, I called into work and took a sick day.  I sat around
and cried, suffering a rude awakening.  I had been angry and lost for so
long it seemed.  I determined that from that day on I would live.  Live as
best I could because life was too short.

   Still the emptiness in me haunted and tormented as I went forth living.
Two years later, I had dated a few women.  Nothing.  I felt nothing and
acted like I felt.  Cold and alone.  I could see it was me, not them.  I
wasn't going to find anyone else to replace my Laura.  I guess deep inside
I couldn't let go of her at all.

   One day, I just gave up trying to find someone else.  It wasn't working
out and I hated making others feel miserable on our `dates'.  I spent more
and more time just walking around the city.  I would visit the museums, the
parks, libraries, anything to occupy my time.

   I noticed that I had been pushing my walks to go on the fringes of
`safe' and gone to the parts of town that most people would not travel on
foot by themselves.  Nobody bothered me.  Nobody came near me or threatened
me.  I was left alone.

   On one walk I noticed a young girl in cut-off jeans and a very skimpy
top hanging around the stairs to a rundown tenement building.  She just
looked like she didn't belong there.  White skinned, blonde hair, nice body
with a very nice chest.  A large black man came out and started to talk to
her.  She looked afraid of him, yet she stood close to him.  Handing him
some cash he gave her a small packet and turned and left.

   She glanced at me with the look of a ghost afraid of it's own shadow. 
Putting the packet in her pocket she started to walk near me as I went on
my way.  Just behind me and to one side I could catch sight of her from
time to time.  We got to the park and she kept close to me.  There were
some bad apples hanging around there, so I knew why she was closer to me. I
was her protection of sorts.

   We walked around the park and on the other side she caught up to me.

   "Hey mister.  Would you like some company?  Uh...Your not a cop or
anything are you?" I was a bit taken aback for a second.  At first I wasn't
sure she was talking to me.  Then as

   realization dawned on her `offer' I was a bit speechless.

   "I'm not sure I know what you want."

   "Well mister, I think I know what you would like.  I am worth it too.  I
can show you a real good

   time...if you know what I mean."

   "Young lady, you should be in school not out here...propositioning
strangers."

   "Hey, you aren't my dad.  I just offered to help make you feel good for
a bit not be lectured about

   how I live."

   She turned away and left me standing there.  I had just been
propositioned by a girl young enough to have been my daughter, if I had
one. Did I look so alone that she could see something in me that I couldn't
see myself?  Or had I just looked like some easy money for her to score?

   That encounter stuck in my mind all that weekend.  I was a bit stunned
that someone as young as her would be turning tricks for a pimp.  I found
myself wondering about her and her past.  What had made her go this way? 
What had caused her to begin selling her body for cash?  Drugs?

   The following week I became engrossed with work and getting some
contracts signed.  After each work day I would go home and work on the
details, then go to bed.  I didn't walk around at all being so busy trying
to get everything done.  That weekend the contracts were signed.  I took
the clients out for dinner.  We went to a nice restaurant and as we ate I
saw her.  She walked by on the street, dressed in a very tight, short
skirt, low-cut skin tight top with no bra.  She looked like a cheap hooker
on the prowl.

   She was only in my sight for a short time.  After dinner and a few
drinks I saw my clients to their hotel and then I headed home.  On my drive
I went out of my way a bit and drove down the street where I had first seen
her with her pimp.  There she was, standing on the street corner, looking
like a little girl trying to look like an adult.

   I pulled over, a reflexive action on my part.  I didn't know what to
say, what I was doing.  I was lost as she looked.  She came over to the
passenger window.  I rolled it down as she leaned in.

   "What'cha looking for mister...Oh, it's you.  What do you want man?"

   "Um...I don't know.  Talk?  Can you talk to me?"

   "Hafta charge ya, ya know mister?  I charge by the hour...or half hour.
Fifty will getcha half an

   hour."

   "Never mind.  Sorry to have bothered you."

   "What the fuck's you're problem man?  Fuck off fucker!"

   She stood up and angrily walked away from the car.  I was stunned at her
speech and her reaction.  Then I remembered that she was a hooker, and to
her time was money.

   I rolled up my window and drove away.  I was troubled with my actions.
Why had I felt a need to pull over to talk to her?  What was I trying to
do? I went home and sat around wondering if I had become so desperate that
I was about to resort to hookers for my sexual pleasure.  Searching deep
inside myself I realized that was not why.

   I slept the troubled sleep of old the next few nights.  I couldn't get
her out of my mind.  One day at work as I opened my desk drawer it hit me.
She looked an awful lot like Laura had at that age.  Same hair, same
breasts, same body.  How had I been so blind to have not realized this
right away?

   I didn't see her around after that for quite some time.  Then, one night
as I took a walk I came across a huddled mass in the park sitting on a
bench.  Cuts and bruises all over her face and shoulders.  Crying into
dirty clothing and looking like hell.

   I sat next to her, not touching, but close.  She looked at me with a
mixture of fear and suspicion.  I didn't say a word.  Sitting there I began
to feel like a fool.  What was I doing?  I didn't know.  She continued
crying and then sobbing a bit she began to get up.  I held out my hand,
offering her my hanky.

   "WHAT?"

   "You look hurt.  Can I take you to the hospital?"

   "FUCK YOU!  I can take care of myself.  Go away.  Leave me alone."

   "I was just trying to help."

   "Yeah, sure, just like Alphonse.  I'll help you little girl, then next
thing you know here I am a

   whore on drugs getting beat up for fun by my johns."

   "That's not what I meant.  I want to help you.  What can I do for you?"

   "Just leave me alone.  You are all alike.  Men use women like me and
give us nothing but pain.

   Go away and leave me alone!"

   "Look, you're hurt and obviously without a roof over your head.  I have
some money...not a lot with me, but take it.  At least get a motel room and
something to eat."

   Grabbing the money out of my hand she looked at me, then turned and ran
into the night.  I sat there for a bit thinking.  I questioned my motives
and then my actions.  I was lost in thought when a shadow fell over me. 
Looking up I saw a large man standing in front of me.

   "Hey man...you seen a sweet young thing around here?  Blonde, short
skirt, nice tits?"

   "No I haven't.  Is she someone important to you?"

   "Ha hah hah...no man, not important.  She's just one'o my whores ya
know? Alphonse has the

   best white whores in town."

   "So, you're her pimp then?"

   "Yeah, that's what I am.  Lil bitch ran out on me earlier tonight.  I
needs to teach her some

   manners.  Can't be leaving the johns ya know what I mean?"

   "Perhaps she doesn't want to work for you anymore...Alphonse."

   "Oh, you don't get it do ya?  She has to work for me or she ain't
working at all.  That's the rule ya

   know?  My turf, my girls, my whores.  Them's the rules."

   He left me sitting there.  I was sure that if he found her she would get
hurt even more.  I had to find her before Alphonse did.  I got up and
headed off in the direction I had seen her running to.  I walked for an
hour, never seeing her at all.  Giving up I turned and started to head
home. I decided to take a short cut and go down a street I had never been
on.  As I walked along in the darkness I heard something in the shadows
near a dumpster.  Listening I realized it was someone

   crying.  A girl.

   I went over and in the dim light I saw it was her.  Crouched on her
knees in the corner of the building.  I reached down and took her by an
arm.

   "You are coming with me.  To my place.  You need a bath and some sleep
in a nice warm bed."

   "Why are you doing this?  Don't you know what I am?  What do you want
from me?  What, are

   you some kind of kinky bastard?"

   "Look, even I don't know why I am offering to help you.  Lord knows you
haven't been very friendly to me.  I just can't leave you on the street for
Alphonse to find later.  Come on.  In the morning you can think about what
you want.  Right now you need a bath and some rest.  Also something on
those bruises."

   I pulled her along with me.  She followed reluctantly, but docile
enough. As we neared my block

   she began to pull back.

   "I can't.  I can't go with you.  You live in a nice hood.  I can't be
here.  Your neighbors, they will not like me."

   "Hey, I could care less what my neighbors think.  Come on...you've made
it this far.  I may have some clothes that will fit you.  My late wife's,
but I think you two were the same size."

   I got her to my house with a bit more arguing, and in the bathtub.  I
left here alone and went to the closet.  My wife's things were still
hanging there.  I hadn't been able to remove them as of yet.  I liked the
smell of her in those clothes.  I found a pair of jeans, and a blouse. 
Looking around in a drawer or two I found a bra and panties too.

   I dropped the clothes off at the bathroom door and then went to the
kitchen to make up a late dinner for two.  Just as I finished, she came in
and sat at the table.  Clean and fresh, even with the cuts and bruises here
and there, she still looked quite beautiful.  Her hair in a large ponytail
hanging down her back.  I noticed that she had not worn the bra.

   "So, was your bath soothing for you?"

   "Yeah.  Why did you bring me to your home?  You're not going to be a
kinky bastard now are

   you?"

   "No, I'm not a `kinky bastard' as you say.  I just wanted to try to help
you in some way.  You seem...that is to say...look, I just wanted to help
you because you looked like someone I...  who needed it.  That's all. 
Besides, if I were a kinky bastard like you are thinking, do you think I'd
tell you that?"

   "Yeah?  Well, most people don't help like you do.  The other day...you
stopped by in your car...what was up with that?"

   "I honestly don't know.  I guess I wanted to talk to you.  Maybe I am
curious why you are doing...why you...look, I'll show you to your room.  If
you need anything during the night just feel free to get what you want."

   I showed her to the spare bedroom.  While she was looking around, I got
some more of my wife's clothes out and took them to her.

   "Your wife was just my size.  Where is she?  Did she leave you for
someone else or something?"

   "No.  She um...passed away a few years ago."

   "You still have her things in your room?  Man, that's fucked up.  You
should have gotten rid of that stuff as quickly as you could.  Not good to
have things like that hanging around to remind you."

   "Well, thank you for your advice Dr..  I'll be sure to take that to
heart tomorrow.  Good night.  I'll make breakfast in the morning if you
want."

   Her flippant diagnosis of my problem irritated me and I spoke sharply to
her.

   "Hey, look, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to be so...well...mean. 
Um...thanks too.  For everything."

   "Yeah.  Good night."

   "Night...what's your name anyway?  I mean, you have been helping me so
well here, We should at least know each other's name.  Mine's Shannon."

   "Well Shannon, I'm Russell.  Sleep well."

   I went to bed that night with a mixed heart.  Part of me was angry at
her snippy little commentary on my having not gotten rid of my wife's
things.  Like I could just throw her things out just like that and not have
it bother me.  Her things were my only connection with her now and I still

   missed her so much still.

   The other thing that was bothering me was why I had reached out to help
a young woman who was probably a druggie and definitely a hooker.  Could I
sleep safely tonight at all?

   I slept roughly and several times I got up and walked by the spare room
checking on her.  From what I could tell, she slept very well all night. 
Just at daybreak I slept a bit then got upd started breakfast.

   Shannon came into the kitchen just as I was about halfway finished
making our morning meal.  I had made bacon, eggs, pancakes, and cut up some
fresh fruit.  She looked around as I set the table and finally started
talking to me.

   "Good morning Russell.  Or would you prefer Russ?"

   "You may call me either.  Laura, my late wife, used to call me Russ.  It
works."

   "Do you miss her?  Your late wife I mean.  She's been gone for how
long?"

   "Three years now.  So, are you hungry?  Breakfast is served."

   I cut the conversation since it was uncomfortable for me.  She was way
too much interested in my past and I was not interested in explaining
anything to her about my keeping Laura's things like I had.

   As she ate she looked around at the kitchen.  I could see an interest in
her eyes.  I could tell that she liked the way everything looked.

   "You keep a pretty clean house for a guy."

   "Thanks.  Not a much of anything else for me to do when I'm not
working."

   "So...you seeing anyone?  You know, dating?"

   "I dated a bit...gave it up."

   "You must have loved her a lot."

   "Yeah.  You want some more pancakes or bacon?"

   "No.  Why do you change the subject every time I mention your wife?"

   "I don't."

   "Yes you do.  Too painful yet?  You must have been a close couple.  Not
like my mom and dad.

   I'll bet it would have been great to be your daughter."

   "We didn't have any children.  Laura had a physical problem that made it
so she couldn't get

   pregnant."

   "Oh.  That's too bad.  I can't have kids either.  A john beat me pretty
bad one night put me in the hospital.  I was bleeding pretty bad down
there, found out that he had messed me up enough that I will never have
kids."

   "Why?  Why do you do what you do when it causes you so much pain?"

   "Hey, gotta live ya know?  Alphonse used to take pretty good care of me
but he has some new girls now so I am down on his list.  I don't bring in
as much as I used to.  Getting too old or maybe to used up."

   I was stunned at how matter of fact she was talking about her life of
prostitution.  She acted like it was no big deal, that people in her line
of work got used up fast.  She couldn't have been much past seventeen if
that old.

   "Do you want out?  Would you like to go back to school and get a degree
or learn a skill other

   than...um..."

   "Hooking?  Fucking for money?  I have a good skill.  I can fuck and suck
with the best of them.

   It's what I do."

   "You don't want to find something else a little...shall I say...safer?"

   "Once I wanted to be an engineer.  My dad laughed at me.  Said women
were only good for one

   thing only and that was having babies."

   "I'm sorry to hear that.  I think you would have made a great engineer."

   "How would you know that?  You've only seen me as what I am...a hooker.
How could you think that I would have made a great engineer anyway?"

   "I don't know.  My wife, Laura...she was an engineer.  Mechanical
engineer.  A damn good one too.  You remind me of her."

   "Yeah...I saw her picture in the living room.  Is that why you want to
help me?  I look like your wife?  You want me to pretend to be her?  Take
you to bed and hug you close...kissing...touching you...just like she did?"

   "NO.  You can't...she was...I'm not looking for a replacement for my
wife.  You may look like her in some strange way, but I do not want to be
intimate with you like that."

   This young girl was upsetting me greatly.  I did not fully understand
why I had reached out to help her at first, and even now I was wondering
why.  Shannon had a way of directly asking questions that seemed to drive
to the heart of me.

   "Oh...afraid you'll catch some disease?  I am STD free...well as far as
I know anyway.  Look, I

   need to repay you for the clothes and taking care of me."

   She stood up and began to strip her clothes off.  I turned away and left
the kitchen wanting to be away as far as I could get from her.  Deep inside
I wanted to...have her.  She reminded me so much of Laura that I couldn't
help myself.  I knew that she wasn't Laura though, and that she was far too
young too.

   I went into my bedroom and waited for a bit.  I heard her go into the
living room and turn on the TV.  Thinking that she had given up trying to
`pay me back' I walked out only to see that she was stark naked laying on
the couch spread legged.  Her hands were in her crotch, playing with
herself.

   Her pussy was shaved, and I could see that she was very wet there as
well.  She looked up into my eyes and then lifted her hands up and out
towards me.  Her breasts were heaving, nipples hard as she sat there
showing me everything she had to offer.

   "Come over here and help a girl out will ya?"

   "No...you have the wrong idea.  I just wanted to help you.  You were
hurt.  You just needed someone to help you out.  I don't want
to...to...have you that way."

   "Oh really?  Then why are your pants tented out so far?  Pickle in your
pocket?  I can see that you need a woman.  Come on...I won't bite. 
Hell...I won't even charge you."

   She jumped up and began to stalk towards me.  I backed up.  I felt the
bedroom door at my back and I knew that was the last place I should be
headed to.  I turned and walked quickly into the kitchen, going right to
the sink.  I busied myself with the dishes, putting them in the dishwasher.

   I was shaking.  I had wanted her.  I had wanted to take her in my arms,
hold her close to me.  Lay her down on the bed and...I shook my head.  My
mind was mixed up now.  Why had I decided to offer to help her anyway?

   She stood in the door to the kitchen, naked.  Her face smiling at my
discomfort.  She was holding her breasts up and out, licking her lips.  She
had no shame at all.

   "Look.  You misunderstand why I helped you.  I just wanted to..."

   "You wanted to be close to someone that reminded you of your
wife...Laura.  You wanted to have your wife with you again.  I can be her
for you if you want.  I won't mind.  I'd even like it.  I think you would
take care of me and not hurt me.  So why don't you come on over here and
have me?  I'm willing."

   "No.  I can't.  That's not why I helped you.  Yes you reminded me of my
late wife.  I just

   can't...you are not...please...don't."

   She gave up then.  She sighed and turned to walk into the guest bedroom.
Later she showed up dressed in Laura's jeans and an old white shirt.  She
looked quite beautiful and even a bit happy under that facade of toughness.

   "Thanks for the clothes.  They fit me pretty good.  Your wife must have
been exactly my size.

   So...you miss her quite a bit yet huh?"

   "Yes.  I miss her quite a bit."

   "Why don't you move on?  Find someone else?  There's a lot of fish in
that sea you know."

   "Tried...just didn't feel right.  How about you?  Why are you `living'
as you put it, like you are?  Why not go home to your parents and..."

   "Look, my mom is a drunk.  My dad used to beat me and when mom was too
out of it to provide him with some...'fun' he would come and use me.  From
the time I was eleven.  I ran away and never looked back."

   "Oh.  I'm sorry.  I didn't know..."

   "Yeah...well don't worry about it.  I can take care of myself pretty
good.  I've done alright this long anyway."

   "So...how old are you?  Really I mean."

   "Nineteen.  Almost twenty.  Two months."

   "You look a bit younger."

   "Yeah, that's why I was so popular with Alphonse's customers.  I look
younger than I actually am.  Most of his `clients' like very young girls.
With my pussy shaved clean and my hair in pigtails I look about twelve or
so."

   "That's sick."

   "That's life pal.  Most men are dogs.  They want sweet young virgins to
have their rocks off in and to use in anyway they feel.  Then they want to
dump them in the gutter afterwards."

   "Some men maybe, certainly not all men.  Nor most men either."

   "Yeah, well I see men acting and doing things you probably don't even
want to know about.  My experience has shown me that any man will do or try
to do a young girl.  It's only natural.  We are softer, better shape to our
bodies yet, haven't had a lot of kids or gotten stretch marks...more
desirable.  Youth and beauty you know?"

   "That may be for some men.  How about when you get older?  What happens
then?"

   "Mister, girls in my line of work don't get too much older."

   "So, why not change your line of work?"

   "How?"

   "Go to school, get a degree in something that interests you."

   "Takes money.  Lots of money.  I can't do that and live too.  Gotta earn
a living somehow.  Gotta eat you know?"

   My heart was pounding.  My thoughts were running faster than I should
have let them.  What I was about to do...my wife would have kicked my ass
for even thinking of offering.  Yet...deep inside I felt...maybe not.  I
plunged ahead with my thoughts in any case.

   "Look, I have some money.  You could stay here and go to school.  I'll
put you through college...any college you want.  You can get a degree,
become what you want to be.  I'll pay your way full."

   "Are you nuts?  You want to pay my way through school?  You don't even
know me.  Why would you want to help me like that...knowing what I am?"

   "What you are is a young lady that has had a tough time so far.  I am
offering a way out for you.  I have it.  Let me help you.  No obligations,
no hooks, no strings, no rules.  I put you through school, you get a degree
in something that you want to do."

   She looked at me like I was crazy.  I probably was.  I know my
co-workers would have been shocked and even questioning my sanity for this.
All I knew was I felt I had to help this girl out.

   "I can't.  I can't take your money like that."

   "Yes you can.  It's not my money anyway.  It's my wife's insurance
money. From when she died.  It's just been sitting there, unused.  I don't
need it and quite frankly, don't want it either.  If it can help someone
out...such as you, then it will have gone to good use.  Let me help you."

   "Alphonse.  He'd kill me.  He will be hunting me down as it is anyway.
He'd never let me go to school."

   "Look, you don't have to go to school here.  You can go anywhere you
want to go.  I'll set you up in an apartment or on campus.  On me.  I will
pay for everything.  You just have to learn and get good grades.  Get that
degree and be free of Alphonse forever."

   "I don't know.  It isn't right.  It's your wife's money that was
intended for you, not me."

   "It's my money.  It is right.  What could possibly be wrong with using
that money to do some good for someone?  I'll tell you what, nothing.  If
you don't use it, that money will just sit there, never being used."

   "You're one crazy motherfucker you know that?  I was just bullshitting
you anyway, I don't want to go to college, I just want to...I like..."

   "So, you just tell me what you think I want to hear then?  Is that it?
I'm just a John you are trying to please?  Look, I think that you can be a
whole lot better for yourself.  I'm offering you a way out.  Take it. 
People don't get breaks like this very often in life."

   "Yeah?  And end up being in a classroom and seeing an old John in the
same class, or maybe even the professor having been a John of mine?  Then
what?  I can't go to school.  It's too late for me."

   "Shannon, it's never too late.  What would you love to do if your past
or problems at the present didn't matter?  You must have some kind of dream
you look forward to."

   "Why do you care so much?  I'm just trash, poor white trash.  A whore.
For the right price you can have me anyway you want.  A prostitute. 
Nothing."

   "You are a person.  A human being.  A beautiful and intelligent human
being."

   "I'm a whore.  Paid for sex.  That and I have a little...problem
with...drugs.  I kind of like my crack you know.  Right now I would fuck a
football team for enough to get a baggie from Alphonse.  Starting to bug me
a bit.  I need a fix, know what I mean?"

   "You need to quit the drugs."

   "Oh yeah...tell me something I don't know.  Look, I'm hooked on this
shit.  I have no real choice

   in the matter anymore.  I gotta have that fix and soon."

   "How about I take you to the hospital and get you some help?"

   "Yeah...right."

   "No, really.  I really do just want to help you.  Shannon, you deserve a
better life.  A nice home, a good person to share with.  Let me help you to
find that life.  I want to help you.  Please?"

   "Well, it's your money and life.  I can tell you that it won't be a
whole lotta fun.  I've seen people come down from crack before.  It isn't
pretty.  I do want off this shit though."

   "Then you'll do it?  Let me take you to the hospital?"

   "Yeah...ok.  Lets go before I change my mind though."

   I took Shannon to the hospital.  There, an ER doctor looked her over and
first treated her cuts and bruises.  As he did he kept giving me dirty
looks.  At that point I didn't think much about it, until the cops showed
up that is.

   "Excuse me sir.  Did you bring in that young lady over there?"

   He was polite, but firm.  His dark blue uniform and hat seemed to make
him larger than life.  His height was somewhat more than my own six feet,
so I was a bit intimidated.  I was confused for a minute, until I realized
that he had been called by the doctor most likely.

   "Um...is there a problem officer?"

   "She has been roughed up a bit hasn't she?"

   "Yeah, her pimp."

   "So...you're her pimp then?"

   "NO.  I'm just helping her out."

   "Let me get this straight.  You're helping out a hooker?  Haven't you
`helped' her out enough already?"

   Suddenly I knew that they all thought I had beat her.  I could see
trouble in the near future.  I hoped that if Shannon told the truth, they
would believe her.  I had doubts about that now too.

   "Look, I found her on the street and..."

   "That's usually where one finds hookers pal."

   "I was walking, she was laying in by a dumpster crying.  I took her home
and cleaned her up, gave her a place to sleep, then brought her here for
treatment of her..."

   "So, she wasn't quite as tough as you figured then huh?"

   "What?  No.  I mean it's not like that at all.  Look, I was trying to
help her.  Her john beat her up, she is strung out on crack.  I'm just
trying to help her out.  A person can still care can't they?  Or is that
illegal now too?"

   I was beginning to get angry.  Who did this clown think I was anyway?  I
had done nothing wrong and he was more or less accusing me of beating a
hooker up in some kind of sick way for pleasure.

   The thought of hitting Shannon repulsed me.  She was just a girl.  A
young, beautiful creature that needed help.  The cop was looking at my ID
as he listened to me, then he called in.  A bit later his partner came up
and whispered in his ear.

   "Hey, look.  I'm sorry.  We were lead to believe that you brought in
this girl because you beat her.  The doctor called us.  Well...his nurse
did.  It's what they do nowadays you know?  You check out.  Um...by the
way, sorry about your wife.  I was there that night."

   "Yeah.  Thanks.  Are you done then?"

   I was fuming and then his mention of my wife caused a roll of pain to
shoot through me.  Dammit I still hurt.  And he had been there that night.

   "Wait...one thing officer...Watson?"

   "Yeah?"

   "That night...when you..."

   "Look...we were first on the scene.  She was already gone.  She probably
never knew what hit her."

   "Thank you for that.  I have wondered...morbid I know, but it has
bothered me."

   "You'd be surprised, or maybe not.  Quite a few people wonder about
things like that."

   They left and the doctor came up.  His first words to me were the start
of an apology to me.

   "Um...I'm sorry, I have to report any suspicious things like her marks.
So much abuse these days."

   "I understand.  You could have asked her first maybe."

   "Well, in situations like this we usually let the cops ask.  Works out
better in the long run.  She has a drug addiction too you know.  Are you
her father then?"

   "No.  I'll take care of the bills though.  Here's my credit card..."

   "Oh, you'll have to take that to the billings office.  They will be more
than glad to take your

   money.  I need someone to sign for her treatment though."

   "Isn't she of age?  She told me she was almost twenty."

   "Hmm.  I'll have to check out her story then.  Can I ask you one thing
though?"

   "Why am I helping her when I know what she has done, what she has been?"



   "Uh...yeah.  You have to admit it is kind of strange."

   I could see he thought I was some kind of pervert yet.  I just shrugged
and looked into the room where Shannon sat.

   "She reminds me of someone I cared very much for once.  I'm trying to
pay back a debt to that person."

   "Oh I see."

   I could see that he in fact didn't see, but I didn't care.

   Shannon ended up staying in the hospital for the night.  In the morning
when I got there I half expected to see that she had left to go back to
Alphonse.  I was mildly surprised to find her waiting

   for me in her room.



   "Good morning."

   "Hey.  Bet you thought I ran out on you last night didn't you?  Didn't
expect to find me here yet

   did you?"

   "Honest?  Yes.  I had a thought that you just might have gone back to
Alphonse."

   "Nope.  You're stuck with me now.  You're gonna regret it too.  I have
to talk to a shrink this

   afternoon.  For the drug rehab."

   "Ok.  Here?"



   "Yeah."



   "Where would you like to go in the mean time?"

   "Oh, they want me to stick around.  Guess the doctor thinks I'll run out
or something."

   "Okay then.  What would you like to do in the mean while?  Magazines? 
TV?  Anything I can get

   you?"

   "I still don't know why you are being so damned nice to me.  Why are you
so set on helping me

   out like this anyway?"



   "Because I want to.  That's all."

   "You're about the weirdest man I have ever been around.  You're...nice.
That's it...you are too nice.  Most men would either buy me or just ignore
me.  You...you're trying to help me.  That's a

   first for this girl."

   "Like I told you before, not all men are mean.  Matter of fact, most
would probably lend you a

   hand if you needed it."

   "Yeah, right, and get a piece of me in return afterwards too.  I'd even
bet money that they'd get

   their piece of me beforehand."

   "Well, I'm not.  I genuinely want to help you out.  You have a hard time
ahead what with your addiction and all.  I will be here to help you each
step of the way."



   "What are you getting out of it?"

   "Lets just say...satisfaction.  I'm going to get satisfaction of knowing
that I was able to help a

   beautiful young lady become something better."



   "Lots of other deserving ladies out there Russ."



   "Well, I found you first."

   Shannon spent the next four months at the hospital.  I went to see her
each day and hold her when she had shakes, bring her magazines and soda's.
I was becoming quite close to her by the time she

   had finished her treatment and was ready to be cut loose.

   During this time I began to have feelings of love for this young lady. I
would go to see her, visit as long as I could, and then go home and think
about her all night.  Once in a while I would be visiting her and something
she would do or say would cause my cock to get hard.  I successfully

   hid that from her each time.



   The day I brought her to my home from the hospital she looked like a
normal and beautiful young teenager that was coming home with her father.
You could not have been able to tell that just a few short months ago she
had been a streetwalking hooker with a drug addiction.

   The first night home, I set her up in the spare bedroom and even got her
some personal things at the store on the way.  She was quiet and laid down
for a bit as I made dinner.  When I went to get

   her to eat I listened before knocking at her door.

   I could hear what sounded like crying.  Knocking softly I waited.



   "Y-yes?"

   "Uh...dinners ready if you are hungry.  It isn't much special, but I
think that it's going to taste

   good.  Ummm...are you alright?"

   "Yes...yes.  I'll be right out Russ.  I just need to go to the bathroom
first."

   When she came into the kitchen I could see from her red-rimmed eyes that
she had been crying.  We didn't speak much as we ate and then Shannon
helped me clean up the dishes afterwards.  I kept debating whether or not I
should mention her red eyes but she took that away from me right

   as we finished the cleaning.

   "I really want you to know that you have helped me far more than any man
has ever helped me before Russ.  You are the first person to do things for
me and not ask for anything in return.  I...I don't know how to repay you,
but I will somehow someway.  Thank you."

   As she spoke to me tears fell down her cheeks.  Not being able to help
myself I put my arms around her and hugged her close to me.  I could feel
her tense up as I did, and realizing why, I

   released her quickly.

   "Sorry.  I was just...I thought that you...I am proud of you Shannon. 
You have come a long ways

   from when we first met."

   Shannon looked into my eyes without speaking.  Then she suddenly reached
out and put her arms around me, hugging me.  I was careful to not do the
same as I did not want her to tense up again.

   I felt bad about that.

   "I'm sorry Russ.  I should have known that you of all people wouldn't
have wanted something from me a minute ago when you hugged me.  Bad
memories I guess."

   Reassured, I carefully put my arms around her and hugged her lightly. 
Shannon buried her head into my chest and held me close.  I could smell the
fruity essence of shampoo fragrance in her hair as I held her.  My heart
began to beat faster, and embarrassed, I released her, afraid that she
would know.

   She looked up at me and smiled.  A mischievous and knowing smile.  Her
arms were still around

   me and her lower body was tight against me yet too.



   "Hmmm...why did you stop hugging me Russ?"



   "I...uh...well...you..."



   "Got a bit turned on didn't you?"



   "No...well...yes.  But I didn't want you to think that I..."

   "Russ, you are the first man to ever treat me decently.  You have given
me so much and I have

   given you nothing in return.  It's alright if you want to..."

   "NO.  Look Shannon, you are a bright and beautiful young lady.  I'm
older by far and truthfully, I

   just want to help you.  That's all."

   "Hmmm, well, you should remind your cock then Russ.  It's got a mind of
it's own it seems.  I

   didn't know that you were so well endowed either."

   I pushed her away.  She had begun to grind her crotch into mine, and my
erection, which had sprung up while hugging her, had given me away.  I was
shaken.  My mind was racing, looking for answers to questions that I hadn't
even thought to ask of it yet.

   "You have an effect on me Shannon.  It isn't good.  I'm too old for you
and..."

   "Russ, Russ, Russ.  I've had far older than you.  I `ve had older,
younger, meaner, nastier, and even more dangerous men than you.  But never
once a man so nice and thoughtful as you.  I think that you and I having it
off in bed together would be fun...even great.  After all, I do owe you

   still."

   "You don't owe me anything.  Look, I want to help you with no strings
attached.  Can't you just

   leave it at that?  We can't have...we can't do..."

   "Oh really?  I have what you need Russ.  A nice warm pussy, shaved, wet,
ready for you.  Your cock is nice sized, and very hard.  I'm an adult, so
are you.  You are free and so am I.  Look, I want...no...I need you Russ. I
need you to fuck me hard...all night long.  I want you to make love to me
too.  I want you to be the first man to actually make love to me.  Please?
Make love to

   me?"



   "Oh God...Shannon...I...I...just can't."

   "Give me a chance.  Give yourself a break Russ.  You need a woman.  You
need a woman's touch.  I want to be that woman.  I want to be your woman.
Let me be your lover.  You know that you want to deep down inside.  I have
seen you look at me.  I have seen your hard-ons at different

   times, I know you want me."

   "It's not what I wanted.  I just wanted to help you Shannon.  I didn't
have any ulterior motive.

   I'm not trying to trap you into fu...having sex with me."

   "God Russ...I know that.  You have been so nice and good.  Getting me
help, offering to send me to college, everything you have done for me.  In
that time in the hospital I...I came to love you Russ.  I love you.  Is it
because of my past?  Is that it?  I'm STD free you know.  They checked me
several times."

   "No, it's not the STD's.  You love me?  Like a father perhaps.  I'm so
old compared to you.  I

   love you too Shannon.  But...I...  you..."

   "You really need to let loose and tell me what's on your mind Russ.  You
love me, I love you.  Lovers should fuck.  Pretty simple.  We need to try
each other out a bit in the ol' sack.  I'm dying for a good fuck and I know
that you have been for a longer time than I have too."

   Saying that Shannon began to strip off her clothes.  I was shocked, then
mesmerized as I watched her body come into view.  I didn't stop her, I
never even tried to stop her.  I just watched as she took off all of her
clothes and then stood before me naked.

   Her breasts were jutting out, firm and ripe for plucking.  I could see
her clean-shaven pussy, wet with her desire.  Her body was open and her
obvious comfort with showing herself to me made it

   very hard for me to breathe.

   I stood there like a statue and she began to undress me after a bit. 
Again, I did nothing to stop her, letting my clothes be removed from my
body as she undid them.  My cock was throbbing as she pulled my underwear
and pants down my legs and her face was just inches away from it.

   I could feel her hot breath as her hands caressed my legs starting from
my ankles.  Suddenly, her tongue shot out and licked the head of my cock in
a long swiping motion.  I moaned, holding still, loving the feeling of that
tongue, yet afraid of who was giving that feeling to me.

   "Mmmm...Little Russ, meet my tongue and lips.  They have been wanting to
get to know you for

   quite some time now."

   Her voice cut through the thickened air in a warm and sensual way,
causing my cock to throb and bounce in front of her.  The next thing I felt
was her lips encircling my shaft, and tightly holding it as she pressed her
head down, down, down.  She didn't stop until her lips were grinding
against

   my pubic hairs at the base of my cock.

   She slowly moved back up and I opened my eyes to see her eyes on me. 
Looking into each others eyes, I could see a smile of sorts as her lips
pulled off my cock, then before I could do anything, she pressed those
lovely lips around my shaft and took me fully into her throat again,
watching me

   as she did.

   Her eyes never left mine as she began to shove my shaft back and forth,
sucking my cock with an experience and knowledge that no woman had ever
shown to me before.  Shannon wasn't doing this out of duty or because she
had to.  She was doing this because she wanted to.  She was making love to
me with her mouth and throat.  I could see that in her eyes and in the way
she

   worked me over.

   I wiped a tear away from my right eye.  Embarrassed, I broke eye contact
and looked around the room, then closed my eyes, enjoying the feelings and
touch of a lover's tongue and lips.  I knew at that moment that I had loved
her for quite some time.  I finally admitted it to myself.  I loved her.

   My emotions were running all over the place.  I kicked myself mentally.
I was a man, not supposed to cry over stuff like this.  I just couldn't
help myself.  All this time since Laura had died, and now I finally find
someone to love.  I was torn because of the wonderful blow-job I was
getting, the feelings of love and need deep inside me coming out full
force, and of course the age

   of my lover.

   I put my thoughts behind me, wanting to enjoy this sexual encounter to
it's fullest.  For the first time in years I felt alive and I wanted to
keep this feeling forever.  I placed my hands gently on Shannon's head,
feeling her hair as she began to bob up and down on my hardened shaft.

   She brought me right up to the edge of my orgasm, then backed off,
holding me close but not letting me go over.  She was a master at this and
I had no choice but to let her do her work.  After a bit, she pulled off my
cock and moved to hold me close.  I picked her up, since we were still

   standing in the kitchen, and carried her into my bedroom.

   Her bottom cheeks ground against my hardness as I carried her, her arms
around my shoulders.  She was kissing me all over my neck and cheeks,
almost causing me walk into some furniture on the way.

   Laying her on the bed I moved up between her legs on my knees.  I began
to kiss her thighs, licking and sucking gently as I worked my way up,
moving to her now dripping wet slit.  I could smell her

   need, and my need was pushing me too.

   When my tongue first ran along her pussy lips, she moaned loudly, and
grabbed my head in her hands.  I let her guide me, but I kept control of my
tongue, holding it close in until she let up a bit on my head.  I began to
give her long slow licks around and up through her pussy, tasting her need,

   loving that taste.

   She was shaking, moaning, and soon, crying.  I kept up a steady rhythm,
licking and sucking her pussy as lovingly as I could.  I worked her up and
over into her first orgasm.  Her hands held me tightly to her spasming
pussy as she came hard, then relaxed a bit shortly afterwards.

   I moved my tongue to the sides and around her lips, being careful to not
touch her now very sensitive clit.  I licked and sucked a bit more, until
she began to squirm around, getting worked up

   again.

   As she got close to cumming again, I backed off and moved up between her
legs, letting my cock rub her wet pussy lips and clit for a bit.  Our lips
met and our tongues tangled in a heated and

   passionate duel to explore each other's mouth.

   She moved her hips down a bit and suddenly her hand wrapped around my
shaft and guided it to the mouth of her hot and wet opening.  Holding me
firmly, she rubbed the head of my cock around her

   hole until neither of us could stand it anymore.

   "God I want your cock in me.  It's so big and hard.  I've waited so long
for this moment too."

   Releasing me, she rolled her hips up and took me fully into her very
tight and wet pussy as I froze with the intensity of the moment.  It felt
so wonderful, so hot...so wet...so...my mind was in overdrive with the
feelings and emotions of the moment that I just couldn't think at all.  It
had been

   so long since I had done anything close to this.

   Shannon bit my lip pretty hard, bringing me back to reality.  I began to
thrust in and out of her clasping tightness, loving each little bit of
movement along the way.  Soon I was driving hard in and out, grinding on my
thrusts forward.  Shannon was moaning and screaming as we fucked.  I
actually

   worked up a sweat, as we joined like two animals in the wild.

   "Umm...baby, fuck me.  Give me your hard cock.  Yessss...Ohhhhh...fuck
me Russ.  Harder!"

   My orgasm washed over me just as I felt Shannon's hit her.  I became
lost in the spaces of mindbending pleasures and shot my copious load deeply
inside her.  I could feel Shannon's pussy

   muscles working my shaft over, milking me dry.

   I rolled off of her body and pulled her in close to me, hugging her
tightly.  Together we laid there not speaking, just enjoying each other's
presence.  After a bit, Shannon moved to roll up on top of

   me and began to kiss me all over.

   I held my arms around her as she showered me with kisses.  Our tongues
met and fought a bit, then we were kissing as lovers.  Her hands on my
cheeks as she drove her tongue in and around my

   mouth, seeking out to touch me in places she hadn't yet.

   She began to move down, licking my nipples, and then my belly button a
bit, before taking my soft cock, wet with our juices, into her mouth. 
Soon, she skillfully had me hard as steel again.  This time she kept
sucking on me for quite some time, and as I got close to cumming, she
looked into

   my eyes.  She pulled off me long enough to say:

   "Fill my mouth.  I want to taste your cum Russ.  Fill my mouth with your
cum."

   This would be a first ever for me.  Even Laura had never taken a load of
my cum into her mouth at any time.  Shannon looked into my eyes and kept
sucking and licking, begging in between for me to

   cum in her mouth.

   Soon I was close and sensing that, Shannon took me fully into her mouth
and down her throat, watching me.  I felt the stirrings and then began to
orgasm.  Shannon never let up, keeping me buried in her throat as I shot
off my second load.  Afterward, as I came back down, she licked and

   sucked me all clean.

   Moving back up into my arms, she snuggled in close and held me.

   "I love you Russ.  This is the first time I have ever had sex with
someone I loved like I love you.  I wanted to give myself to you.  Thank
you for accepting me Russ."

   "Oh Shannon, I love you too.  I am so happy that...well, we found each
other.  I needed to love you

   I think.  And I do...I really love you."

   "Yeah?  You needed to love me huh?  Hmmm.  More like you needed to get
your rocks off.  You

   shot a huge load in me both times too."



   Embarrassed at her twist of my words, I looked into her eyes.

   "Shannon, I do love you.  I'm not sure when nor even why, but I do love
you."

   "Yeah, I know.  Look, I'm in love with you, you're in love with me, but
we need to go slow with any relationship thingy okay?  Someday my past will
come up and you will have problems with it."

   "Don't you think I have beat myself up over this very thinking already?
I just want to accept you into my life Shannon.  I need you, and you need
me, well you needed me.  Now, you can do whatever you choose.  Your life
ahead is open to what you may want to do for yourself.  If our relationship
is in that picture, then I'll be a very happy man.  Regardless of your
past. I know I love you.

   Several weeks passed and we made love constantly.  I'd come home from
work and Shannon would have dinner ready, the house cleaned, and anxiously
wait for me to eat so she could begin to strip me naked.  I found that she
was sexually a very aggressive and horny young lady.  I had my hands

   full trying to keep up with her.

   "You know...you'll put me into an early grave what with all this sex
we've been having.  I never even had this much sex with my late wife. 
You're wearing me out Shannon."



   Looking into my eyes seriously, she thought for a moment.

   "Russ, if you want me to back off I will.  I'm just so happy at the
moment.  I've never been happier.  I have you, I'm in love, and I'm living
better than I ever have before in my life.  You make me so happy and I know
you love me so much, I can't help but wanting to fuck your eyeballs out
every day."

   "Well, I love that too.  I'm just saying that someday I will slow down.
Wether by my own choice or nature taking over for me.  But I do love you in
either event.  That I want you to know for sure.  I've been thinking
too...about you...me...everything."

   "Uh-oh.  You've been thinking huh?  About us?  What about us?"

   "Well, where do you want to go to school at?  What do you want to be? 
Where do you see us in the future?  A month, a year, ten years?  I'm
curious what you are thinking about us."

   "Oh.  Well, I've thought that we would talk about it sooner or later. 
I'd like to go to school yes.  I'm not sure where or when.  I'd like to try
to get a degree in mechanical engineering if I can.  I'd also...that is to
say...you and I could...well...what are your thoughts Russ?"



   "About us?"



   "Yes."

   "I know you want to take it slow.  I'm so much older than you and..."



   "Age doesn't matter to me Russ, you know that."

   "Ok...I know.  But...well, I'd like to ummm...you know...I'd like for us
to

   have...some...permanence in our...relationship."



   "Permanence?  Like married?"

   "Uh...yeah.  I'd be very happy if you would marry me Shannon.  I'd
really like that a lot."



   "My past."

   "I don't care.  I love you.  I want you.  I don't care what others may
think of it all.  I mean...how many times have you been called my daughter
now...four or five that I know of?" "Yeah.  Five times.  It doesn't bother
me, but I am afraid of what you think when that happens?  I would love
nothing better than to be your wife.  To be your best friend, lover and all
that goes with it doesn't require us to be married though.  I don't want
you to feel obligated to ask me to marry you because we have been having
sex Russ.  Or because you feel you owe it to me.  After all, my

   past hasn't reared it's ugly head yet."

   "Shannon, right now you are my best friend my lover and my companion.  I
think we should get married.  I want you to wear a wedding band that I give
you, put on your finger.  Just as I want to wear one from you that you put
there for me too.  I know we haven't been together very long and all.  I
know that I'm quite a bit older than you too.  The one thing I know above
all else...is...I love

   you.  I truly do love you."

   "Can we wait a few months before we decide Russ?  I mean, trouble may
still come up and you may change your mind.  Or I may change my mind.  If
we get married, I want it to be forever.  That's what I always wanted as
little girl growing up.  Be married and in love with my husband.  But I
want to be very sure before I go there.  Mostly for you than me.  After
all, my past as a hooker and drug addict are not the best qualifications
for a spouse are they?"

   We decided to put any talk of marriage on hold for six months.  Marked
on the calendar in bold red marker that date we would talk about marriage
again.  I fixed my sights on that date and lived each

   moment for the day we would be married.

   One day, three months after our talk, I got a phone call at work.  It
was Shannon and she sounded upset.  I picked up her message off the
answering machine and left for home immediately, worried about her. 
Arriving home there was nobody there.  I noted the open back door and a
broken glass on the kitchen floor.  Looking around for a bit I could find
no sign of her.  I got in my car and drove around, looking for any sign of
my love.  Nothing.  It was as if she had been swallowed

   whole by some unseen force.

   Then, after some thinking I drove past where I had first seen her. 
Looking around as I sat in my car, parked on that street I scanned the
buildings.  One window was open above the stoop where I had first seen her
giving Alphonse the money for the drugs she was buying.  For just brief
instant

   she was silhouetted there, then the curtains were drawn.

   I grabbed the tire iron out of the trunk of my car and ran up the stairs
to that floor.  I walked down the hallway, listening at each door until I
finally heard a loud argument behind one.  I could hear

   Shannon yelling something and that was all it took.

   I put my shoulder against the door and it fell open.  It hadn't been
locked.  There was Shannon and Alphonse arguing in the living room.  As I
approached Alphonse Shannon was staring at me with

   relief and fear.



   "Yo...what the fuck you doing in my crib sucker?"





   "Lets go Shannon.  Time to leave." "Yo...the slut ain't going anywhere's
with you.  You just get the fuck outta here before you gets

   hurt honkey."

   He had moved to face me and I swung the tire iron that I had held behind
my back during my entrance.  Hitting him alongside the head he went down
hard and while not out cold, he was quite

   disoriented.

   I took Shannon by the hand and we ran down to the car and raced out of
there.  She was against me all the way home and crying.  Clinging to me as
we walked inside the house she started to calm

   down.

   "He just walked in.  Drug me out the back door to his car. 
He...h...h...he was parked in the alley.  He forced me inside and then took
me to his place.  He was mad.  Very mad.  I think he would have killed me
Russ.  I really do.  I've ever seen him so angry.  He was yelling that no
wh...wh...whore of

   his ever ran out on him...ever."

   "It's all right Shannon.  Your safe with me now.  I'm going to call the
cops.  He kidnaped you and that is against the law.  He's in for some
serious trouble now."

   "They won't do anything.  It will all come out Russ.  The cops will find
out I used to be one of his

   girls and that will be the end of it."

   "Not if I have any say it won't.  He is about to find out that you are
not one of his girls anymore and that I will protect you as best I can too.
I know just who to call too.  Officer...Watson.  He kinda knows me.  I
think he will press hard on this.  He's an upright kind of man."

   "But...what about afterwards.  They won't keep him very long.  He has
good lawyers working for

   him.  They'll get him off."

   "Let me take care of it all Shannon.  It will be all right.  Trust me."

   I called the cops and officer Watson was who they sent over at my
request.  We talked about what had happened since that day in the hospital
and he looked around the house.  He seemed to believe

   what I told him and I held nothing back from him.

   "Well Russ...I'll make sure that Alphonse goes down for this. 
Kidnapping is something that he has done in the past but there were no
witnesses to the event and he got off.  Never found the body or the person
that he kidnapped either.  His record will take him down."

   Arrested that afternoon Alphonse made the evening news.  His bail was
refused and he was remanded over for trial.  A few weeks after that Shannon
and I were sitting at breakfast when the

   phone rang.



   "Hello?"



   "Russ?  Officer Watson here."

   "Oh, hi.  What's up?"

   "Thought you would want to know.  Alphonse died last night in jail."



   "What?  What happened?"

   "He picked a fight with the wrong guy.  Something about a bad deal a
long time back came up in it too.  He won't be standing trial now.  But he
got that jailhouse justice it seems."

   I told Shannon and she wept.  Not for Alphonse, but in relief.  That
evening I took her in my arms and hugged her.  Then, not letting her go, I
asked her the question that had been on my mind for so

   long now.



   "Shannon...will you please marry me?"



   She said nothing keeping her head buried in my shoulder.

   "Shannon?  Please?  Marry me?  I can't go on like this.  I love you so
much.  I know you have

   feelings for me too.  Please...lets just get married.

   I felt her shoulders shaking then.  Her hot tears on my neck and her
breathing jumpy she pushed

   back from me.

   "Yes.  Yes.  Yes I'll marry you Russ.  I've wanted nothing more than
that ever since that day you saved me in that place of Al...Alphonse's.  I
wasn't sure you still felt that way about me...it hadn't

   come up.  But yes...I will marry you."

   As she said that last bit she attacked me.  Shannon had my shirt and
pants off in seconds and was working on my shoes as I struggled to keep
standing.  Then she pushed me backwards until I fell

   onto the couch.

   Sprawled out there she reached down and grabbing my pants, jerked them
off my legs and threw herself onto my body.  Rubbing and touching me all
over she proceeded to kiss me, then kissing me down...down...down until my
hard cock was receiving all her attention.

   Looking into my eyes, her's still full of tears, she began to suck on my
cock.  Never losing eye contact with me, she worked me over until I began
to cum.  I shot off in her mouth and she

   swallowed all I gave her.

   Still staying there, she sucked and kissed and licked me until I was
hard once again.  Then she moved up and straddling my lap, took my hard
shaft into her tight pussy.  Rocking around and up and down, she fucked me
for a long time.  Her arms around me, our lips together, tongues

   exploring.

   My orgasm was a long and very strong one.  For whatever reason, it
seemed so much better now that she had said yes to marrying me.  Mind over
matter?  I didn't care...I was in love and loving

   every second of my soon to be wife's loving.

   It was a warm spring day as we stood on the green grass at the cemetery.
Shannon placed the vase

   of flowers on Laura's headstone as I stood by.

   "I think you'd love her Laura.  She just graduated with her B.S.  in
Mechanical Engineering.  I know

   I love her, as much as I loved you."



   "What'd you say Russ?  I couldn't hear you."



   "Oh...I was just mumbling to myself."



   "Oh really?  I've never heard you mumble to yourself before."

   "Okay...I was just telling Laura about you.  How much I loved you, how
you just graduated and

   everything."



   "Oh.  That's a good thing...right Russ?"

   "Oh yes...a very good thing.  You know...I think that Laura would have
loved you too."

   "Maybe.  But if she hadn't died and things gone the way they did, we
would have probably never met.  Besides, I was a hooker then, and most
wives are...lets just say they don't care for hookers.  Like me...I know
you had never bring a hooker home or matter of fact, have anything to do
with a

   hooker as long as I'm around buster."



   "Yes dear."



   "Don't you yes dear me bucko."

   She was smiling as we walked away.  In my heart, I know that marrying
Shannon was the right

   thing to do and I also know that Laura was ok with that too.