Love in the Garden

I didn't have a lot of time, as I needed to go home and change for my seminar, but Jim prepared a light yet delicious breakfast. We couldn't seem to take our eyes off of each other. After we finished, Jim walked me out to my car.

"Jim, never have I even imagined people could make love so deliciously while fully clothed. You are opening my eyes to so many new things, feelings, and experiences. I feel so at peace with you, and, at the same time, so lost in total desire. Even if things never improve between us, what we already have is greater than just about any other person has ever experienced. I feel so grateful to have someone as special as you, who feels I am special to him. Thank you for everything." With that, we kissed, I got in my car and departed.

* * * *

That week, I went to see my doctor and had my STD panel run. Unfortunately, the VA kept postponing Jim's appointment. We were both frustrated and disappointed, yet Jim's patience allowed him to turn any frustration into a positive experience. He kept focusing on how much better it would be after having the time to let our emotions grow.

* * * *

Several weeks later, I retrieved my mail from my school mailbox before I walked to my classroom. I brought the stack of papers and envelopes to my classroom and sat down at my desk. As I was going through the stack, the familiar handwriting on a particular envelope stood out to me. Quickly, I ripped it open. In it was Jim's lab report. Along with it was a confirmation letter. I didn't recognize the letterhead, but started reading the letter.

"This is to confirm your reservation for two for this weekend at our lovely and secluded Nature's Garden Bed and Breakfast. We look forward to your arrival and wish you a pleasant and enjoyable stay...."

There was more, but my eyes shot down to a handwritten note at the bottom. "Care to join me?"

I could feel my heart pounding out of my body. My smile was ear to ear. I jumped up to the blackboard and wrote in very large block letters, "YES."

I felt very light on my feet as my students entered the classroom. Everyone was buzzing with the same question, "What does YES mean?" When everyone was seated, I calmly stated that it appeared there was a question running around the classroom.

"'Yes' is our word for today. I want you all to know and to believe that when you trust and believe in yourself, you will conquer your biggest fears, accomplish your greatest goals and experience your ultimate happiness. 'Yes I can' is all you need to say to yourself. Yes, believe in yourself. Yes, trust yourself. Yes, be true to yourself. And yes, love yourself."

Just then, Jim walked into the classroom. Totally unplanned and unexpected, my students all looked over at him and, in unison, yelled, "Yes!" I'm sure I turned beet red, but I didn't care. Jim got the message.

* * * *

The drive to the bed and breakfast was beautiful. I sat next to Jim, enjoying the lush scenery, though I was also enjoying the fact we couldn't seem to keep our hands off of each other. I was careful, as I didn't want to distract him while he was driving the windy road through the forest, but I could tell he was aware of my presence.

We finally arrived, and the destination was perfect. It was the most beautiful and secluded little hideaway. We were greeted by the innkeepers, and they guided us to our lovely room which was filled with subtle sensual delights. The male innkeeper told Jim that, as requested, he confirmed a reservation for dinner at the special restaurant up the road. We had just enough time to settle in and freshen up before it was time to leave for dinner.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were led to a private room. It was filled with plants, and a waterfall stood in the corner. Off in another corner, a man was softly playing the most delicate music on his acoustic guitar. The meal was delicious and the attention superb. We took our time to savor every moment, every morsel and every loving glance we shared with each other. Though we hated to see it end, we knew what special dessert lay ahead.

We returned to our private room at the inn.

"Jim, let me take my shower first, and then you can shower while I dry my hair."

"Just don't use up all the hot water," he laughed. "Well, come to think of it, maybe a cold shower wouldn't hurt at this moment. We don't want to be arrested on arson charges after we've spontaneously ignited as a result of the heat I feel within."

Jayne gave me a funny little look before she shut the bathroom door and started the water running in the shower. I listened to the sound of the shower and pictured my beautiful Jayne standing there with the water tickling every part of her body. How I'd love to be one of those droplets. Though we've heard stories of women taking forever to get ready, I was surprised at the reasonable amount of time passing before Jayne emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and she was wearing a thick terrycloth robe, but she looked radiant to me.

Into the shower I went. I kept thinking that Jayne was just in here, totally nude, totally exposed. I could almost feel her in here with me. I savored the sensation. After I showered, I shaved; making sure there would be no chance of whisker burn tonight. Exiting the bathroom, I relinquished the space to Jayne. I now sat on the bed and waited... and waited... and waited. I'm sure not much time had passed, but it seemed like forever.

Finally, the door opened and Jayne slowly emerged. Wow, I was expecting my beautiful Jayne, but an angel was standing before me. Standing there with a shy look on her face, Jayne was wearing a loose fitting white satin negligee that couldn't extend more than 1" below her crotch, and I could almost see right through it. The shy little girl slowly approached me. As she walked past the lamp, I saw a flash of light glistening off the moist streak that ran down the inner thigh of her long slender leg, betraying her true desire.

I stood up and walked to her. She shyly looked down and to the side, with her hands lying over her pubic area. Standing in front of her, I lifted her chin with my hand and looked deep into her eyes.

"Jayne, your angelic beauty intoxicates me. Tonight we consummate the love that burns deep within both of us. You are my light. You are my love. You are my life. I have never felt more alive and fulfilled than when I am with you. I love our compatibility. I love our playfulness. And I am enthralled by your beautiful, expressive face and your gorgeous body you present so erotically at this moment. I am so grateful to know you feel just as I feel. We build on each other's emotions, deepening our bond with each sharing. Jayne, I love you totally, from the deepest essence of my being."

Though her smile told me all I needed to know, the tears running down her cheeks showed me the depth of her emotion. Words were failing us. They were no longer needed. I kissed her forehead. I kissed her eyes. I kissed her tears. I kissed her lips. Taking her by the hand, I pulled back the sheets and invited my precious Jayne to our bed.

* * * *

Fast-forward 52 years

Jayne was seated in a stuffed chair, looking blankly out into nothingness. The staff had all wished her a happy 100th birthday, but she didn't seem to be getting into a celebratory mood. A young woman entered the room with her hand on the back of a young girl. The girl was very carefully carrying a beautiful potted plant. They walked right up to Jayne.

"Happy birthday Miss Nelson," the young woman said.

"Miss Nelson... I haven't heard anyone call me Miss Nelson in ages. Do I know you?"

"Actually, we have never met, but I feel like I've known you all my life. My name is Jayne."

"How do you like that! My name is Jayne, too."

"I know. I was named after you. You knew my mom as Susie Shepherd."

"Susie... little Susie... I remember her. She was an angel. How is little Susie?"

"I'm sorry to be the one to bring you the sad news, but my mom died 3 years ago, just before I gave birth to my daughter. A drunk driver hit her car."

"I am so sorry to hear that. You must miss her."

"I miss her dearly, yet I am so happy for all the wonderful years we did share together. As far back as I can remember, she used to tell me about you and how you made such a positive impact on her life. She told me you taught her to believe in herself, and with that belief anything was possible. She saw great happiness in you and longed to experience that same happiness. She did, with my father and me. She taught me the value of a person is totally determined by how deeply they impact others, for in those people will we live forever. You impacted my mom. My mom impacted me. I hope to be able to impact my daughter. So your caring, kind and wise essence passed to my mom, who passed it to me and now my little angel will receive the beauty that came from you. My mom always treasured this picture that was taken by my grandmother on the day she graduated from your class, before entering middle school. This picture rightly belongs to you now."

"Could you help me with my glasses, please? Oh, yes, I remember this. There is little Susie, standing between my Jim and me in our class garden. He sure was handsome, wasn't he?"

"Yes, though you were quite the looker, also?"

"Yes, you are right. I never realized it till my Jim entered my life. He was the most loving person. I never felt so loved, in all my life. He passed away in his sleep on his 100th birthday. I miss him so much."

"I'm sorry he is no longer in your life. I can imagine how much he meant to you. Do you see the plant my mom in holding in the picture?"

"Why yes, I remember that. It came from a cutting of one of the plants in our garden."

"That plant was very special to my mom. It represented her link to you, and to Jim. Everyone who was special in my mom's life received a plant grown from a cutting of that original plant. Jaymie and I want to continue that tradition, and also bring the plant back full circle, by giving you an offspring of that original plant."

Placing the plant on the table next to Jayne, Jaymie said, "Happy birthday, Miss Nelson."

"Thank you Jaymie. What a pretty plant. What a pretty little girl. What a pretty name."

"I was named after Jim. He was a very special person."

"That's right, Jaymie, he was a very special person, and always remember you are a very special person, too."

An attendant approached and said, "I'm sorry, but it is time for Jayne's lunch."

"That's all right. We have errands to run, but we wanted to stop by on this special day. Miss Nelson, thank you for all the joy you have brought to my life. The seeds you planted will live forever. You will always hold a special place in my heart."

"Thank you for stopping by, and for the picture and the plant. You have brought back such wonderful memories."

Jayne took Jaymie's hand and they started to walk out of the room. As they got to the door, Jaymie looked back and said, "Bye Bye. Happy Birthday."

The attendant helped Jayne to her feet and saw the broad smile on her face. "It's good to see the birthday girl so happy," she said.

"Yes, it is," Jayne said, with strength and confidence in her voice.

* * * *

After lunch, Jayne asked to be taken to the garden. The remainder of the day, she sat out there with a big smile on her face.

* * * *

The next morning, as the attendant came in to help Jayne up, she discovered Jayne has passed away in her sleep, a smile frozen on her face and still clutching to her heart the picture she was just given.

* * * *

Later, as the attendants cleaned her room, one looked on her nightstand and said, "What a lovely plant. It would make a perfect addition to our garden."