Beccah

This story was written as a contest entry for another venue. All the participants used the same beginning paragraph. I hope you enjoy Beccah's story.

*

The light fog added a moisture to the air. The coolness of the night wrapped around her like a wet towel, sending a shiver up her spine. She was lucky she knew the area so well, or she could have easily become lost. She looked through the trees at the house where he lived, slightly smiling at the one electric candle burning in the kitchen window.

It was just as he had said seven years earlier, "I'll leave a light on while you're gone, so you can find your way back home. When you find yourself, come back to me."

It had taken a lot for him to say those words, after a long night of arguing, pleading, tears, screaming, and love-making. "You can't mean this! What do you mean you're not happy? We're supposed to be getting married!"

"What do you want from me? Do you want me to look you in the eyes and lie to you? Do you want me to tell you everything will be all right?" She cupped his sweet face in her hands and pleaded with him, "I can't do this. Do you understand? I'm dying here. I don't recognize the woman in the mirror anymore. I need to go and look for whatever it is I'm missing. I need to see the world for myself."

She stared into his bright blue eyes, now shining with unshed tears. "God, Richie, I love you, but if I stay here I'll end up hating you, hating us, and hating our life together." She gently kissed him and said, "I love you too much to let that happen. You need to let me go, baby. Please...."

Richie held her tightly, as she continued to kiss him, desperately returning her kisses, thinking his love could change her mind. He trailed kisses down her throat, along her collar bone and then up the side of her neck to her ear. He felt her hands tighten as she dropped them to his shoulders. He knew exactly where to kiss her and where to touch her. He should after all these years.

She trembled at his touch and felt her body responding to his. Damn him, for knowing her so well. Her nipples hardened and strained against the thin tank top she was wearing. The tingling between her legs was maddening and she pushed herself into him, feeling him grow hard against her body. Richie's desperation was contagious as she pulled at his shirt, trying to get it off of him.

It was hot and it was urgent. The lovers stripped each other of their nightclothes and fell onto the bed. Richie could never get enough of her. She was like a drug to him. He pushed her flat on her back and took control. He caught a whiff of her excitement, mixed with the scent of baby powder and field flowers. She had a golden tan and there were white triangles surrounding her areolas, evidence of the black bikini that was her weekend uniform.

He devoured her breasts, switching from one to the other. He kissed, nipped and suckled, hungrily. Her hands were holding his blond head tightly, not wanting him to move, but he did. He moved downwards.

Richie moved down her taut belly, heading for her baby-soft, hairless valley. He moved her legs apart and opened her flower. She was pink and wet with arousal, and her hard pearl called to him. When his mouth captured the throbbing nub, her back arched and a low moan escaped her. He sucked on her clit and then ran his tongue all around. He loved her taste and his cock became even harder, in anticipation of entering her hot hole. He wasn't going to wait.

He growled her name as he rose up and spread her legs wider. Without warning, he plunged into her, "Beccah...."

He thrust into her as if trying to drive straight through her body. There was no evidence of tenderness. It was if he thought he could own her, and his power would convince her to stay. His heart needed her to belong to him, but in his mind he knew. He had seen it coming, he had seen the look in her eyes, but never wanted to admit it. That thought drove him to push harder.

She met his thrusts with her own. Her legs were tightly wrapped around him as he pounded her. Her fingernails dug into his back as her pleasure mounted. He held on to her shoulders and pushed in again and again, his balls tightening almost painfully, before releasing his hot seed. Beccah's nails cut into his skin, her cries mixing with his, just as her juices did. They lay, panting in each other's arms, each afraid to let go because they knew this was the last time. He whispered and promised he would be there, waiting for her.

When Richie woke the next morning, Beccah was already gone. She had left him a note telling him she loved him, and promised to let him know how to reach her, when she got to where she was going. That never happened. Oh, he had heard she had gone back to college, but she never contacted him. Still, he left the light on, waiting for her to come home.

Beccah thought back to the morning she left. She sobbed all the way to the interstate. She wanted to turn around and go back to the security of their home and the safety of their life, but she just kept driving. It was a long while before she felt free. And it wasn't that she didn't want to contact him. She was afraid to hear his voice, and that he would beg her to come back home. After a while, it was just easier not to think about her past.

Now, standing out here in the dark, a part of her felt like she was still in that little house, on the outskirts of town. It was all she could do not to walk through his door, and tell him she was home. No, she was cold and wet, and she really wanted to look her best when she saw him. Her sweet man -- he waited for her, and she was finally home.

Beccah chose a pale pink sundress to wear to church. Her dark brown hair hung in soft waves, halfway down her back. She applied a little mascara to the already indecently long eyelashes that framed her brown eyes, and then slipped on a pair of white heels. She looked in the full-length mirror in the hotel room, and was pleased with the image before her. Gone was the girl who fled this small town so many years ago. In her place stood a confident woman who was back to claim her man.

It had been dumb luck that caused her to find the ad for the Director of Social Work position at the local hospital, here. When she left Richie, she had a two year degree, began accelerated courses at the University of Michigan, achieved her Bachelor's, and then her Master's degree. The internship at University Hospital, and her volunteer work at two city clinics, earned her the reputation of being a hard worker, and a fighter for patients' rights. Whether it was fighting for a patient's right to their own information, their choice of treatment, or their right to choose how they wanted to end their days, she fought for them. She didn't buck the system, but worked with it, or worked to change it. She was tireless in striving for changes that benefited both patients and facilities. She had the respect of medical professionals, clergy and patients. She was a rare breed.

When Fulton County Hospital advertised for the directorship, Beccah couldn't believe her luck. She would be able to go home and show Richie how successful she had become; they could be married and have the life they had always wanted. The interview process had taken a couple of months, but finally she got the offer. As hard as it was to leave her clients and their families, it was time to get her life back.

She knew she was arriving at the church a little late. She slipped into the back pew and looked at the faces from her past. Everyone was older, but they were the same, sitting in their same places in church. The pastor was new, but that was about all that had changed. She strained to see if Richie was sitting in the same pew, and he was. She felt her heart leap in her chest. He was still blond, still gorgeous, but gone was the boy she loved; in his place was a man.

She tried to concentrate on the words being spoken and on the hymns being sung, but all she could do was imagine the reunion she would have with Richie. When the service was over, she quickly left the building and waited for him to come out.

Beccah stood under the sugar maple tree with its new spring green leaves, trying to be inconspicuous. A few of the members noticed her, but never approached her. They seemed to gather on the other side of the sidewalk, waiting and watching.

When Richie came out of the church, Beccah began to walk towards him, and then stopped in her tracks. Clinging to his arm was Jenny Griffith. She was looking at him with complete adoration, and he kept her close, as if to protect her. With their blond hair and blue eyes, they made a cute couple. Oh my God, thought Beccah; they were a couple.

She had just decided to turn and leave when she heard him call to her.

"Beccah? Beccah Russell?" Richie ran over to her, and threw his arms around her in a big, friendly hug. "How are you? When did you get back? Geez, look at you!"

Richie spun her around and then pulled her back into his arms. "You look wonderful, Beccah," he said, breathlessly.

Beccah pulled back a little, but stayed in his arms. "Oh Richie, I'm home. I've come back to..."

"You're back for a visit? Wow, that's great," Richie said excitedly, letting her go and turning to Jenny. "Hey Jen, come here. Look who came back?"

Jenny looked uncomfortable as she approached the pair. Richie's arm immediately went around Jenny's shoulders, and pulled her close. "Beccah, I'm sure you remember Jenny. She was a couple years behind us in school."

It took Beccah a minute to find her voice, "Hello Jenny, it's been a long time."

All Jenny did was nod, because Richie kept talking. "Damn, Beccah you look great, doesn't she Jen? How long are you here for? Where've you been? Christ, I never heard from you after you left. Aw, what the hell. Water under the bridge, you know?"

Beccah wanted to scream at him to shut up. She wanted to escape this scene and find a place to hide, but no, he kept talking.

"You're going to have to come out to the house for dinner some night, right Jen? Jenny makes the best brisket in the county. She spoils the hell out of me, and I love her for it."

Richie leaned down and kissed Jenny's cheek, and then looked Beccah dead in the eye. His voice dropped and it had an edge to it, "Did you know we were married? We are, and we're happy. I've got a woman who loves me and who I love more than life; someone who will never hurt me."

His eyes were no longer friendly. "Well, maybe dinner would be a bad idea. I don't expect to see much of you. Come on, Jenny. Try to have a nice life, Beccah."

The couple turned and walked away. The eyes of the gathered crowd were on Beccah. She choked back her tears, put her chin up, turned and slowly walked away. She wanted to run, in the worst way, but she held on to what little dignity she had left. No one heard what he said, except Jenny, but Beccah knew it was only a matter of time before the entire town would be talking about the encounter.

It was noon, but Beccah didn't feel like eating. She knew the church crowd would be out and decided to wait until a little later to get something to eat. Back in her hotel, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She threw her purse at her reflection and fell on the bed, crying. This wasn't how it was supposed to turn out. Richie was supposed to welcome her back. He had kept the light burning for her. Exhausted by her tears, she fell into a deep sleep.

It was around two o'clock when Beccah finally woke. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since the night before. She took off her crumpled dress and tossed it in the corner. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a white tank top and grabbed her khaki jacket. She walked down the main boulevard to the USA Diner.

You didn't wait to be seated here; you grabbed a menu off the rack and found yourself a table or booth. Beccah walked to the back of the room, found a spot in the last booth, and sat down with her back to the door. She smiled at the menu. It was exactly the same as it was when she was a little girl. She was looking over the Sunday specials, when she heard a deep voice that brought goose bumps to her skin.

"Bex...so the rumors are true. You're back."

Beccah knew who it was without turning around. He was the only one who had ever called her Bex, and he did it because it annoyed the hell out of her. Beccah turned her head and looked into the hazel eyes of Drew Morrison.

Richie's brother had been four years ahead of them in school. Whenever Richie and Beccah were together, which was just about always, from the time they were ten years old, he found a reason to bother and tease them. Beccah's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the man looking down on her. He was easily over six feet tall, with coppery brown hair that was maybe a little too long. His face had nicely chiseled features and his muscled arms were tan. He had grown into a very handsome man with a body that was all shoulders and chest, no waist, no hips, no ass.

"Don't call me Bex. My name is Beccah and I would appreciate it if you'd call me that," she said with as much sophistication as she could muster.

Drew dropped into the booth, opposite her, and hit her with a lazy smile.

"Don't get all high and mighty with me, Bex. I may be the only one in town that'll talk to you after what you did. Nice scene in front of the church, by the way."

"What I did? Why, because I left and went back to school? Because I wanted more than to be married at the age of twenty? Fine, crucify me. If I'm such a low-life, why don't you get the hell away from me? We wouldn't want the town talking, now would we? Jesus, Drew, I was engaged at eighteen! I wasn't ready!" Beccah's voice started to sound shrill.

"Calm down, Bex, it's me. I don't blame you for going out and trying for more. I blame you for devastating my brother. Christ, you left him a real mess, for a few years. Thank God for Jenny; she made him believe in love again. She dotes on every word he says. You can be damn sure their baby is going to be spoiled all to hell."

Beccah gulped, "She's pregnant? Oh God, she's got my life. She has him, our home, and now she's going to have their baby." She turned her head in an effort to hide her tears.

Drew reached over and put his big hand over her slender one. He wasn't being mean, he was being factual. "She has nothing that belongs to you; she has what's rightfully hers. She worked damn hard to bring him back and get him to care about someone else. You walked away Bex - hell, you ran away. And you were right to do that."

When he felt a tear drop onto his hand, he raised it to wipe her cheek dry. "Come on, don't do this. You're going to see that everything worked out the way it should."

Beccah raised her head and pushed her chin out in a determined fashion, inhaled sharply and asked, "So, are the chili-cheese fries still the best in the county?"

Their conversation started cautiously, as they ate their burgers and fries. Drew and Beccah had never been real friends. He was simply her boyfriend's annoying older brother, and she had been the cute kid that grew into a beautiful woman, not that he would tell her that. Drew had gone to an agricultural college and owned a landscaping business. That explained his rugged, outdoorsy look.

The conversation moved to their families. Drew asked about her parents, who had retired to Clearwater, Florida, and Beccah asked him about his father. Donald Morrison still lived in his home, a widower for the past fifteen years. He was still young, and was known to be quite a ladies' man at the Senior Center. Beccah smiled at the look of pride that swept over Drew's face as he spoke of his father.

He listened and seemed truly interested in her life away from Richie. When she spoke of her work with patients' rights and end-of-life education, he asked questions pertinent to his own life, someday anticipating his father's passing.

"Why did you choose to come to County Hospital, Bex? You probably could have gone anywhere. What did you expect to find? You didn't really think Richie would wait seven years, did you? Or did you come here to get him back, one way or another?"

"You make me sound horrid, like I had this master plan. Drew, he told me he would wait, and I came back to see if he did. I wanted him to be proud of what I made of my life. I still love him. There's never been anyone but Richie. I wanted to come back to him, a strong, successful woman."

Drew frowned as she spoke. "Okay, but he's married now, and he's going to be a father. Tell me you understand what that means and that you're going to leave him and Jen alone."

Beccah's eyes widened in disbelief and her voice cracked, "You can't possibly believe that I would do anything to hurt him, do you? Jesus, what the hell do you think I am? I am not evil, Drew. I would never do that."

Beccah was visibly upset, and Drew knew he had crossed the line with his interrogation. He reached for her hand once more and apologized.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, but you have no idea what a mess you left him in. I guess I'm being a little over-protective, but I spent a lot of nights trying to sober him up, or keep him out of fights at the bar. Bex, I never thought of you as evil. I'm sorry."

Beccah looked into his eyes, and saw honesty and kindness there. She could tell he was proud of all she had been able to accomplish in very few years. A smile started, and Beccah finally began to feel like things may work out.

Beccah began her position at the hospital without any problems. She was replacing a very "old-school" director, who never accepted the changes society was demanding. Many of the staff was around her own age; some were older. All seemed to be interested in this home-town girl, who returned after being out in the big world.

She started looking for permanent housing, and decided that an apartment might best suit her needs. Beccah also found herself eating at the diner each evening, until she found a place of her own. Often she would run into Drew and they would sit together and discuss their days.

Beccah had settled into the last booth one Friday night, half looking forward to seeing Drew. When he came into the diner, he wasn't alone. By his side was a pretty young blonde, with bouncing curls and voluptuous curves that screamed "Pageant Queen". When Drew caught Beccah looking his way, he almost seemed embarrassed. He gave her a quick nod, and steered his date to the other side of the diner. Beccah felt something, but couldn't put her finger on it. After all, why should what Drew did with his private life have any effect on her?

Beccah was walking down Main Street the next morning, when Drew's pick-up truck pulled up next to her. He leaned over towards the passenger window and called to her.

"Hey Bex, where ya goin'?" shooting her a toothy grin.

"I'm just taking a walk. Are you up early or just going home from your date?"

Drew frowned at the brunette, but before he could reply she said, "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I had no business saying that, or inquiring about your personal life, at all."

"Hell Bex, I'm an open book. Cyndie is one of the teachers at the elementary school. We were sort of set up by Richie and Jen. Ever since he found wedded bliss, he thinks I need to find me a woman. I've never had a problem finding a woman, but he thinks I need to settle down and start a family. Christ, sometimes he acts like my father, not my brother," Drew said, running his hand through his hair. "So come on, get in."

Now it was Beccah's turn to frown. "Get in? And go where?"

"Just get in, squirt. I'll take you some place special."

Drew opened the passenger door from inside the truck. Beccah tossed her purse onto the seat, and climbed up into the cab. Drew smiled appreciatively, as she crossed her long legs. Her khaki shorts rode well up her thighs, causing his mouth to go a little dry. Damn, he thought, her legs should be illegal.