A Bets a Bet

Rodes nodded as he sighed, "Ok, I won't."

His mother looked at him, "Don't send her away. I want you to ask her to spend the day with you, you know it's a special one. If nothing else, the cheery mood will be a nice break."

"Mom, she won't. She won't be away from her work for that long, I'm surprised she even came here-"

"Junior, all I want you to do is ask, ask her to spend time with you. But don't tell her to leave."

Morso gulped down fear as she stood outside the room, waiting for his response.

"...Ok, Mom."

......

The next day came with sunshine mixed with clouds, a warm breeze carried the smell of salt as everyone in town seemed to be happy for the new day.

Rodes walked down the sidewalk towards the pharmacy, glancing at Morso as she matched his pace. "I'm surprised you wanted to stay."

Morso smiled, "It's a nice town, and I guess I haven't had any time off recently. I hope I'm not bothering you."

Rodes shook his head, "No, just didn't figure you could be away from the office for so long."

Morso felt a stab of pain from the statement, but doing her best to brush it off she began to notice the signs on the street. Seeing silhouettes of fish and bright letters that read, 'Fishes Thanks!'. She could see blue and gold streamers tied to poles and windows, now looking more closely she noticed most people were wearing some ensemble of blue and gold. "Rodes, what's Fishes Thanks?"

Rodes looked at the signs, "It's a festival the town holds every year, it's in thanks to the sea that supports the fishing industry. This is a fishing town, a lot of families make their living from it." He pushed open the door to the pharmacy, walking in and smiling at the pharmacist. He watched the mans eyes shoot upwards, no doubt looking at Morso as she entered behind him.

"Do you plan on fishing as a job, for a form of income?" Morso asked.

Rodes shook his head, "Nope, I was able to get a remote job, basically doing what I was doing for the company, but I did have to take a pay cut."

"Will it be enough?" She asked with worry.

Rodes smiled, "Morso, cost of living here is a third of what it was in the city, the house is paid off and so is my families truck. We grow our own food, but it's more out of enjoying the fruits of our labor instead of necessity."

Morso didn't feel much relief from the statement. She remembered the sound of his mothers wet cough, how the frail woman gasped for air in the brief pauses during her fits. "But your mother, is she- um- are the medications expensive?"

"Not terribly." Rodes said dryly, "We're just making her comfortable at this point."

The pharmacist gave him a nod in acknowledgement, handing him a small paper bag before the two headed for the door.

Morso followed him as he exited, seeing he was heading across and down the street. She was trying to keep up, but found she would have to pause and dodge kids that were running around her. She wondered why the parents would let them play near a busy street, but looking down the path and back. She realized there was no traffic on the sleepy road, save for the few bikes, the clatter of trucks and cars was absent from the stony street.

"You ok?"

Turning around she saw Rodes looking at her with curiosity, she was used to seeing him in his dress pants and collared shirt. It was odd seeing him wearing shorts that stopped at mid-thigh, a flowy t-shirt clinging to him with the slight sweat he was sure to have worked up. His hair was free and blowing loosely as the sun made its appearance from behind the slight clouds.

Morso thought he was glowing for a moment.

A devious image flashed through her mind, trying to push it out but some little voice laughed as the thought had such control over her.

Did he always look like this?

She swallowed the drool that seemed to be forming in her mouth, her eyes tracing up the lines of his legs. Pausing at his rear, studying his chest, memorizing his neck, did he look like this when he had her blindfolded.

Did he look like this when he was on his knees?

Did he look like this when he took the time to taste her?

Did he look like this when his tongue went around every crease and vein?

Did he look like this when he gleefully throated her cock?

Thinking how his craft was so well, one would bet he was a trained artisan of worshiping skin. How it caused her knees to give and send her to the floor, taking the chance to pick her over air. Pick her throbbing cock instead of gasping for breath. She remembered how he took her to the root, how his tongue that was used to fashion his gentle and heartwarming speech had shown its true ability. Had coyly licked her sack while he gagged on her, as if to prove she would find no one better at the act of debauchery, to prove how he L-////-D her-

Her brain tripped over itself, refusing to even think the word as it struck her with pain.

Pain she had never felt. Nothing like it before, not with hate or malice. Pain as she felt she didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve that word. It wasn't for her.

'Being mad at her for not feeling the same way.' The voice of a far more wiser woman spoke in her mind. The memories of an old soul that had lived a full and rich life, giving guidance to those who may be lost.

How could he not be mad at her, how could he not look at her with such distain that it would stomp out any self-worth she may have tried to cling to. Another clouds shadow came to cover him, to have him in darkness as he wasted his time on her. Standing on the sidewalk and waiting.

In that moment on the sleepy road of a hidden ocean town. In the time it took the clouds to part and grace her vision with the angelic visage of a man who was kind and passionate. She swelled with lust, stricken down to pain, twisted with remorse. Jaded with fear, something inside hoping.

"Morso, are you alright?"

She blinked, trying to rein herself in, "Um- yes, yea I'm fine, just a little- confused, small town life."

Rodes nodded, "Ok, well lets get some bread while we're here." He continued to give her a concerned look as she stepped towards him, seeing her eyes were down and watching the sidewalk. Beginning to walk he made it to the small bakery that he had always loved.

Well, loved the food. The other part, he could live without. He pushed the door open as he braced himself.

"Well if my eyes don't deceive me, is that Rodes Arbithy Junior?"

"Hello Ms. Gwen, how are you today?" Rodes said, looking around the small shop.

Morso walked in behind him, seeing a woman behind the counter smiling ear to ear as she looked at Rodes. Not even caring to turn and look her way as she entered.

"Well I'm a lot better now, what're you in the mood for today?"

Morso heard the question, but noting the tone sounded somewhat odd, she looked at Rodes and then the woman. She watched as the lady behind the counter wasn't bashful about taking her time looking over Rodes.

"What have you got fresh?" Rodes asked, already used to the sultry tone Ms. Gwen seemed to always speak to him with.

"We've got pumpernickel, sourdough, rye, I'm about to pull a fresh batch of donuts, blueberry and banana nut muffins. Of course if those don't do it for you, just say the word and you can put a bun in my oven and we'll have you whatever you need?"

Morso felt another feeling rising in her, like boiling tar as it formed a small pool in her being. Taking a deep breath and stepping towards the counter; "Hello, I'm with Rodes."

Ms. Gwen looked at Morso, uninterested and unphased, "With?" she said flatly.

"She was my coworker." Rodes said as he looked at the cupcakes in the display case.

Morso felt the tar like feeling rising up, frothing and churning as it grew in her, watching how Ms. Gwen seemed to smirk as she matched her gaze. She could tell this feeling was angry with some kind of need, unable to ascertain why it was here. But the way the mature woman seemed to ooze satisfaction out of the statement made Morso unconsciously clench her fist. Her knuckles cracking as she felt her jaw clench.

Ms. Gwen made her way from around the counter, going next to Rodes and leaning close, "So the festivals tonight."

Rodes nodded, sidestepping away and looking at the bread, "It is, you coming?"

"I haven't in awhile." She said in a tone dripping want.

Morso heard her response, the hair on the back of her neck standing up as she wondered if she was misinterpreting the meaning. But watching Ms. Gwen step closer, her breasts grazing Rodes's arm, she knew the woman said it on purpose.

"You know what they say about the festival, maybe we could see each-"

"I'll be there with him." Morso said.

Rodes couldn't help but glance at Morso, hearing anger in her voice and making him curious. But now seeing her eyes he could read it, Morsos angered red stare glaring down on the woman.

Rodes almost thought he could read jealousy on Morsos face.

The baker chuckled, "Oh but just as friends, I'm talking you and I can go on a date." Ms. Gwen said with a reassuring smile.

Rodes shook his head, smiling back, "That would be rude of me, I can't abandon my guest, she's not going to be here for long and I'm not even sure we're really going."

Ms. Gwen pouted, "The most magical night of the year, and you're not going to spend it with me? You know what they say about tonight."

"I'm sure Morso and I will have a great time if we do go, but I appreciate your concern. I'll take a sourdough loaf and a dozen cupcakes though." Rodes said as he tried not to get his hopes up, he could see Morsos jealousy, but it was probably due to the woman feeling left out.

......

Morso felt out of place as the Arbithy house buzzed, siblings going from room to room and talking about the Fishes Thanks festival. She had come to learn that Rodes had six sibling, two brothers, and four sisters. She was slightly worried when they found out her and Rodes were just coworkers, nodding their acceptance as they thought something more was there. She wanted to ask, but all of them were bouncing around the home, talking about the games the festival offered. The rides that would be there, some of the shows and music. Then she noticed that they weren't just running around, they were cleaning!

Before she knew it, she ended up in the living room, standing close to the front door the thought to wait outside crossed her mind.

"It's a little hectic this evening."

Morso heard the old voice that seemed to be happy and content, looking to the couch she saw the oldest of the family. Mrs. Arbithy smiling back at her, she gave a nervous grin as she stepped closer, "Yes, they all seem to be in a hurry."

Mrs. Arbithy snorted a laugh, "Yes dear, old traditions make strong foundations."

Morso sat down, looking at the mother, "What's the tradition?"

Mrs. Arbithy leaned closer, "Well hun, on the day of the Fishes Thanks, you clean the entire house. Really get it ready for the new family that'll be coming in."

"New family?" Morso asked. Then seeing a wry smile cross the old womans face.

"Well yes dear, in nine months, there'll be whole lot more mouths to feed in the town."

Morso didn't connect the dots for the moment, wondering what she was talking about and if new people would be moving in.

"Hell, that's how we had so many, we were plenty thankful and we made sure to show it every year."

"MOM!" one of the daughters said in shock as she crossed the room, "I'm sure she doesn't want to hear how you and Dad knocked boots!"

"Knocked boots?" Morso repeated under her breath, severely confused but feeling she may not want to know.

"God that man could plow a field and plow a-"

"MOTHER!"

"MOM!"

"MOTHER!"

Morso almost jumped out of the chair as she heard three separate voices cry out, pleading for her to stop. She looked at Mrs. Arbithy who was laughing without a care in the world, feeling nothing but respect for the woman as she wasn't afraid to speak what was on her mind. Even if it did put a horrible image into everyone else's.

"Anyways, every year you give thanks for the fish and your catch." She said.

Morso furrowed her brow, "Your catch, like what you can sell?"

Mrs. Arbithy gave a smile, "Oh girl-" her sentence fell short as the wet cough returned, curling forward as she covered her mouth.

Morso leaned forward, unsure what to do, resting her hand on the mothers back and watching intently. She could see the coughing was painful, her weathered face grimacing as she gave Morso small glimpses of her complexion. Taking precious moments to gasp for air, before coughing it back out, wet and nauseating, Morso looked for a glass of water.

"Here you go Mom!" Rodes said as he quickly knelt beside her, giving her a small cup of ruby red liquid.

Morso watched the woman contain the fit for the moment, enough to get down the small drink, followed by two pills. "Um, is she going to be ok?" Morso asked.

Rodes didn't answer, only looking at his mother with worry and patting her leg.

"I'll be fine dear-" Mrs. Arbithy coughed out, gaining control of her breathing and lying back in her seat with exhaustion. "It's getting late and the festivals not gonna go all night, you two get on out and go enjoy yourself, I'm not going anywhere."

"Mom, I'll stay in for the night, this is only the first day of the festival anyways." Rodes said.

Morso watched the mother take her sons wrist, speaking to him quietly, "I'm not leaving yet. You just go on, have fun at the festival." Letting go of Rodes's wrist she patted Morsos arm, "Keep this boy out of trouble, have to beat girls off with a stick if you leave him be too long."

......

The ride to town was silent for Morso, sitting in the back of the truck bed with the other siblings that didn't fit in the cab. Chatting away as they talked about what they would eat and the rides that should be set up. She looked at Rodes sitting next to her, his back against the trucks tailgate with his arm propped up on the side. Looking out at the setting sun and trying his best to hide his worry.

Morso wasn't sure why, but the other hand that laid in his lap grabbed her attention. Seeing it empty, she felt the urge to hold it.

But the thought was soon taken away as she felt the truck swerve to turn into a gravel parking lot, Morso braced herself as she leaned into Rodes. "Sorry-" she said curtly as she tried to right herself, seeing Rodes nod and give a small understanding smile as the truck came to park.

Morso found the once quiet streets of the town were now alive with music and smiling faces. Observing children laughing and riding the ferris wheel, there were all sorts of spinning contraptions that had been set up in the street. She couldn't help but wonder if they were safe, seeing the stabilizing feet on a few shake a little more than she was comfortable with.

"Do you wanna ride one?" Rodes asked.

Morso looked at him like he was mad, "One of these death traps?" she said as she pointed a thumb at one.

He rolled his eyes with a smile, "They aren't death traps, their maintained by the town and brought out for major events. Come on, lets go get in line for the ones by the pier, it's already pretty late so they're going to start shutting down the big ones soon." He said, waving his arm in a follow me gesture as he started stepping down the street.

Morso began to follow but was almost instantly cut off by a gang of teenagers, hearing them bicker about what to eat next. She looked down at them for a moment as she tried to shuffle around them, looking back up she could barely see him now. "Rodes!" she yelled, happy to see him stop and look back.

Rodes waited for her to make it to him, telling himself to patiently stand there and not run to her. It was only one night, but he wouldn't let his feelings win. "Hey keep up, you'll get left behind if you don't stay on your toes."

Morso was about to tell him about the kids getting in the way, but before she could he was off again, stepping through the street without a care in the world. She did better this time, sticking close to his back as the swaths of people laughed and cheered. Some dancing in the street lights, some falling, alcohol in the air as a few ladies seemed to give Rodes a grin filled with ulterior motive.

She found herself hovering over him as she stuck close by him, following him as he made his way to a larger area. Seeing even bigger rides that had crowds of people around them, she could see they were right next to the ocean. Its lazy tide lapping at the shore, the salty air on her nose as she tried to loosen up and enjoy the night.

She saw one woman grip Rodes's elbow, leaning in and saying something about how she was happy he was back in town. Another resting a hand on his shoulder and telling him she wanted to get a drink with him later. She noticed women going out of their way to seemingly bump into him by chance, that tar like feeling boiling inside of her as she watched him smile and nod to them.

Morso began to wonder if she should have brought her own stick to beat these girls with.

The pain in her chest ached, seeing him being fawned over by the locals as he spent his night with her. Biting her cheek and thinking how he was with her as a tour guide, not with her like a L-///-R.

The mental stumbling began again as she thought of it. 'Not with me like he would want to be. Or like he used to want?'

She felt twisted up inside, confused over her own feelings and wondering what she was supposed to feel here and now.

"Here, sit down in this!"

She heard Rodes give her the instruction, her mind unable to be in the present. Wondering what she wanted, what her future might look like. She began to wonder if she should just come out and ask it, he was never one that was too direct. Was he worried she would reject him? Why would she-

Memories of her work came back, focused on gaining success and taking on responsibilities as she made her way up the corporate chain.

The belt sinching tight around her waist brought her back to reality. Feeling shoulder straps pulled over her she looked at a mans trained hands buckling them into the belt latch that had just been fixed to her waist. Looking up she flinched slightly, seeing a surly older man giving her a grin that was missing a few teeth. "Rodes?" she said with worry, looking to her right and seeing the bars of a cage, then turning her head to the left.

She saw him smiling as he sat patiently in the seat next to her, "What is this, what's going to happen?!" she asked frantically. Looking around she could see they were sitting in some kind of cage shaped like a ball, then she noticed two lines attached to it. One on either side of the cage, following them up she could see they were attached to two large towers on either side of them.

The towers had to be at least sixty feet tall, lights ran up them and seemed to flash in rhythm with some music playing. Looking down she read the base that was under neath them, her stomach sinking and ass puckering as the words struck her.

'SLING SHOT' emblazoned in big letters, the design of two pillars with a small ball shooting above them made her realize what was about to happen.

Snapping her head to him, "Rodes, wait-"

Rodes couldn't help it, the fear in her eyes, the pleading. He knew it wasn't right, but it made him feel...vindicated?

"Oh don't worry, girly. This things tried and true and'll stay together!" The surly man said with a smile, hiding a hand behind his back he dropped a large bolt from his grip. Letting it slam into the metal deck with a loud bang that was sure to grab the attention of any fearful rider.

Morso looked at him, "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?"

The man tried not to laugh as the all to common and easy prank was about to claim another victim. Reaching down he picked up the completely useless bolt, "Oh no, this things falling apart! You can't go now you'll be launched into the ocean!"