Pulling Up Stakes_The End

Hot, hot hot.  That seems to be the topic of conversation everywhere you go.  That, and the political stuff going on here in the good ole USA.  Last week it was the Republicans extolling their virtues and the virtues of their candidate and this week we get the Democratic version.  I can't wait.  Do you detect a bit of cynicism?

Here is the conclusion of Pulling Up Stakes.  It was hard going and I'm sure it's a disappointment, but time ran out and it is what it is.

PULLING UP STAKES

In the end, she didn’t call.   Well, she didn’t call him directly.  She called the sheriff’s department and learned he was off for a few days.  Not sure what she should do about this development, decided to wait to let things take a natural course. The more time went on, the more this didn’t seem like the course of action she would normally take.  The fact he hadn’t mentioned being off, or even going away for a few days, made her think he was trying to get away from her.  If that was the case, she didn’t need to be shown the door – she could take a hint.

The problem was she really liked Marcus Ware.  He was the exact opposite of many of her former love interests.  Former was the definitive word here.  They were all very nice guys and would be and were perfect for someone else.  What she said she wanted and what she really wanted were two different things.  She was a dichotomy as so many women are today.  Smart, strong, independent were characteristics she had been raised on – men weren't any smarter, better or stronger than her, and she certainly didn’t need anyone telling her how to live her life.  All of that was true, but in her heart of hearts, she wanted a man who would stand up to her and not put up with all of her bullshit.  She wanted his respect, but she also wanted to respect him. 

The following morning Mary Beth had an epiphany.  Marcus Ware felt the same about her as she did about him – scared to death that this relationship might be the one that ended life as they knew it.  Commitment to one person, a life sentence, so to speak, had her off and running in a different direction – that’s what Marcus was doing.  His sudden disappearance had all the earmarkings of a man running scared. 

Her plan of attack was to continue as before – neighbors and friends. As a neighbor, she had certain advantages and planned on making full use of them.  She’d kill him with (neighborly)kindness – casseroles, baked goods, pick up his newspaper, water his flowers – all things a good neighbor would do.  Every time he turned around, there would be a reminder of Mary Beth.  She would start as soon as he returned home. 

She knew he was due back at work on Tuesday, so Monday night, Mary Beth stood watch at her bedroom window.  When he pulled into the driveway, she watched him unload his gear.  From what she could gather, it had been a fishing trip and from the looks of him, it had been a solitary few days.  His clothes appeared wrinkled and well-worn, a three-day growth of beard graced his face, and he wore a big smile and a great tan.  In other words, sexy as hell – she’d have to keep herself in check.

Mary Beth gave him thirty minutes of alone time before she knocked at the door with a. dish of Baked Ziti in her hand.  He didn’t answer, so she knocked a little harder this time.  Marcus looked out the window and saw Mary Beth.  He wasn’t sure he was quite ready to face her just yet, but he knew, he had to face her eventually.  Wrapping a towel around his middle, he ran downstairs to answer the door.

“Well, hello there.” She said to him as the little voice in her head said: ‘Control yourself, gal, - you’re a neighbor, nothing more -remember the game,’

“Hello to you too.  What do you have there?”

“Since you’ve been gone and probably don’t have anything in the house, thought maybe you might want some dinner.  It’s baked ziti, and there’s plenty to share.  It’s hard making baked ziti for one.”

“Sounds good, thank you. I’d invite you in, but as you can see, I was in the middle of taking a shower.”  He noted the streak of mischief in her eye and expected some of her razor sharp wit to make a comment about his state of undress.  Instead, all she said was welcome home, and he could return the casserole dish at his leisure.  With that, she turned around and walked back to her house.  Knowing he was still at the door watching her depart, she added a little extra wiggle to her walk.

Watching her wiggle her ass in those tight jean shorts gave him a hard on. His only saving grace was that she was turned away from him because the towel didn’t cover the erection caused by that ass.  Damn, he had to tread carefully, Mary Beth had invaded his thoughts the whole fishing trip. He knew she was already in his head and head, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d be inviting her to share his life.

Mary Beth and Marcus continued avoiding the attraction they felt for each other, mostly by avoiding each other.  Mary Beth continued acting the “good neighbor” but from distance and Marcus spent as much time away from home as possible. 

She invited him to Thanksgiving Dinner.  Every year, it was her tradition to host a Thanksgiving Dinner for friends who had no family around.  She provided the turkey and trimmings, and everybody else brought the rest.  Most everyone was already there when Marcus arrived.  By now, he knew everyone, so it was easy to fit in and still avoid any one on one with Mary Beth.  Until the game. 

While waiting for the turkey to finish, someone thought it a good idea to play Never Have I Ever. Each player, in turn, would make a statement, and anyone who didn’t agree with the statement had to raise their hand and take a drink of their beer, wine or whatever.  As the game progressed and the amount of alcohol consumed, the statements became more and more risque. 

One of the gals said that Never Had She Ever Been Spanked As a Grown Woman. No one raised their hand.  Mary Beth tried to get up and leave the room with the pretense of checking on the turkey, but Marcus called out to her.

“Hey, Mary Beth, did you hear the question?”  She tried to look perplexed so he repeated the question for her.  He watched her squirm.  All eyes were now focused on her, none more malicious than Marcus’s. He was daring her not to raise her hand and at that moment she wanted to pound him and kiss him into delirium all at once.

She shot Marcus a murderous look as she raised her hand and the room erupted in hoots and hollers. Everyone there knew exactly who was the spanker and spankee.  Deciding she could either act the martyr or take charge of the situation, she chose the latter.

“Yeah, I was spanked as a grown woman by that man over there,” and she pointed to Marcus.  “And you know, I loved every minute of it, and when I wanted to jump his bones afterward, he turned me down flat. Do you know of any other red-blooded man who would do that other than a man that might not be all that crazy about girls.”  Marcus never missed a beat.

“Did it ever occur to you, that it had nothing to do with girls in general, but you in particular?”

She’d lashed out and got a reaction, one that deeply hurt her feelings. Mary Beth glimpsed into his eyes, she saw his discomfort and knew he was only lashing out too, but nonetheless, let him squirm. The room suddenly went quiet. Everyone knew the game was over.  Mary Beth continued into the kitchen and others followed asking if they could help.

Dinner was over, the leftovers packaged, the dishes done and everyone had gone home. Everyone except Marcus.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s not an apology any red-blooded girl would accept. Prove it.”

He picked her up, threw her over his shoulder, firemen’s style, and carried her up the stairs.  He spent the rest of the night apologizing and proving just how sorry he was.

Mary Beth had the bruises to prove it.

See your later for more Aimless Ramblings.