The Only Constant is Change Ch. 10B

Author's Note:

This is the conclusion to what, in my mind, I think of as chapter 10. It's much shorter than the first part. As I alluded at the end of the first part, I believe that this has a very different feel. It takes a turn into a much darker place than anything I've written in this series so far. I believe that there are people who, to all outward appearances, fall somewhere on the spectrum of "normal." But those same people, given the right opportunities or under certain circumstances, reveal a hidden ugliness that would be unimaginable for most people. And if such a person were to push the wrong person too far...there could be horrible consequences.

This looks at the ugly side of humanity, describes some despicable and/or violent actions, and I in no way condone anything that is depicted.

- MB

As always, any sexual activity takes place between adults.

*****

It was nearly three weeks after Jeremy and Taylor had their date when Ava and Taylor went out to lunch again, accompanied by Simone. They were sitting at an outdoor café, having salads and tea. The Brazilian beauty had not forgotten the conversation they'd had about sharing Jeremy. She was in a bit of a dry spell and decided to press Ava to see if it had just been the alcohol talking, or it she'd been serious about letting her friends sleep with Jeremy.

Midway through the meal, she laid her fork down and fixed her gaze on Ava. "So," she said.

"So?" Ava replied.

"So, what's the deal? It's been over a month. What's the status of my application?" she asked. "Were you serious, or just playing? 'Cause I'm in a dry spell like the Sahara Desert."

Taylor cut in with, "Oh, she wasn't playing," looking like the cat that ate the canary.

Simone just stared at her in shock. She whispered urgently, "What did you say?"

Taylor wiped her mouth with her napkin, then looked around and quietly replied, "I said, Jeremy fucked the shit out of me and it was the best sex I've ever had in my life. He was better than the story Ava told."

Simone from Taylor to Ava with a stunned expression on her face. "Is she telling the truth?"

Ava smiled and said, "Well, I can't tell you whether he was her best ever, but they did have sex. It was one of the hottest things I've ever seen."

"You were there?" asked Simone, intrigued and clearly having forgotten many of the details of the conversation that had taken place.

Ava shrugged. "She wanted me there, remember? I'm glad she did, too. It was sexy and beautiful...absolutely amazing. And," she leaned forward, "Jeremy has been all over me since it happened. I might have to bring someone else in to take the strain off my, what's the word in Portuguese, boceta?"

As could be imagined, Simone had all sorts of questions about what had happened. When Ava began telling Simone about the night in question, Taylor happened to glance across the street. There was a man sitting on the bench at the bus stop. He appeared to be staring at the women. Something about him seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"Taylor?"

Her attention snapped back to the conversation at hand. "Hmm?"

Ava looked at her and asked, "You okay? You're awfully quiet."

"What? Oh, yeah. That guy over there..." she said, turning to point out the man who'd been staring at them. But he wasn't there. She glanced up and down the block but saw no sign of him. Something about the man was ringing an alarm bell, faintly, but she still didn't know if she recognized him. "Huh. I guess he got on a bus. There was this guy sitting on the bench over there, and I swear he was staring at us. He seemed familiar, but I can't place him."

Simone and Ava both glanced over to where she pointed, but there was no one to see. Simone said, "Well, if he was there, he's gone now. Never mind that, I want to hear more about the night you spent with Jeremy."

Taylor couldn't shake the feeling that she knew the guy, but she'd been dying to tell someone about the amazing night of passion she'd experienced with Ava's husband and forgot about the man as she got lost in her story.

"Like Ava said, it started out like a regular date. He was so sweet, he even brought me some flowers. Before he got there, I was more anxious than I'd been for a date since my senior prom. I must have tried on half a dozen outfits, and I couldn't decide what to do with my hair; I was a mess.

"But I must have done something right, because the look on his face when I opened the door? I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world."

"Stunning, I think, is the word he used, right?" pressed Ava.

Slightly embarrassed, Taylor nodded in agreement. "Of course, he looked good enough to eat himself," she blurted. "But I think we both felt that awkwardness that comes from a first date. It really was very sweet.

"He held my hand and escorted me to his car. Ava sat in the back seat like an over-protective mother chaperoning a teenager," she said in mock accusation.

Ava held her hands up in surrender. "I believe that someone requested my presence. I didn't interfere, did I?"

"No, you didn't," conceded Taylor.

Simone had been silent to this point. She couldn't help but think that this must be some elaborate practical joke. Surely Ava didn't really allow her husband to sleep with this beautiful redhead, she thought. She cleared her throat and asked, "What'd you do on your 'date?'"

"Jeremy took us to a dinner theater," answered Taylor.

"It was a lot of fun," added Ava. "Of course," she continued with a twinkle in her eye, "the best parts of the show, for me, weren't on stage."

Taylor just looked at her, stunned. She wasn't about to tell Simone about the kiss they'd shared, or the fact that Ava had teased her clit with her fingers, was she?

Of course, Simone took the bait, as intended. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well," Ava began, nonchalantly, "let's just say that it's a good thing that we were sitting in the back row with a long table cloth. Hands were wandering."

She probably assumed that those hands had belonged to Jeremy or Taylor, when Simone said, "Nice. I've secretly wanted to do something like that in public, but never had the courage to carry it out. What happened after dinner, then?"

Ava smirked. "We were supposed to go dancing afterwards, but between the drinks at dinner, the show at our table, and the anticipation leading up to the night, we were all a little worked up. So, I decided to play chauffeur to give them some time alone in the back seat. I never would have imagined how difficult it is to navigate a vehicle safely while trying to watch your husband get a blow job in the back seat."

Simone's eyes were as big as saucers. "Say that again?"

"I barely got the car on the road and Taylor was all over my husband. He tried to take it slow, but the next thing I knew she was begging him to fuck her face." Lowering her voice, she leaned over to Taylor and whispered in her ear, "Don't think I didn't pick up on you calling him 'sir.' I think we've got some things to talk about, don't we?"

Taylor blushed profusely, but only nodded her head in reply.

With a knowing look in her face, Simone jokingly chided Taylor, "You dirty girl!"

Taylor glanced around them and murmured, "Ava wasn't joking about how thick he was. I've never tried to put anything that big around in my mouth. He was testing my limits, for sure. I could barely fit him, but I couldn't stop myself from trying. I got used to it by the time he came, though, which was like a flood in my mouth, by the way." Looking at Ava, she said, "I know you said it was normal, but was that like a few days' worth or what?"

Ava grinned and said, "I blew him that morning, so it was maybe 8 hours' worth."

"Holy fuck," Taylor said in awe.

Simone glanced at her watch and exclaimed, "Crap, we're late!" Looking at her companions, she said, "We are definitely continuing this conversation later." To Ava she said, "I especially want to talk to you. Can we go for coffee after work?"

Ava had a feeling that she knew what that conversation would be like. She smiled to herself and said, "For you sweetie? Anything."

*****

About the time that Taylor began describing her date night with Jeremy, Rudy Martino motioned to the bartender for another beer. He was trying to wash the taste out of his mouth from seeing her. The bitch looked right at him and didn't recognize him. Funny how a little hair coloring, a little facial hair, and a little time could combine to create such as effective disguise. Not that he was really trying to hide. He wanted her to know he was there. It had taken some time to track her down, but it was almost time for her to pay. All the bitches would pay, and she was the last one. But it was important to Rudy that the timing be just right. After all, his torture had lasted for months. And just like he'd been at the beginning, Taylor Sims didn't know that her torture had just begun.

*****

Ava was beginning to get impatient with her friend. She'd agreed to meet Simone for coffee after work, fully expecting the Brazilian beauty to make an overture for a night with Jeremy. They'd been sitting in this booth for more than half an hour, though, calmly sipping iced mocha lattes and chatting about a variety of topics, none of which had anything to do with her husband.

Still, she could see an uncharacteristic tension in her friend's face. It was unusual enough that she was able to tamp down her impatience in recognition of that fact. Clearly, even in the midst of discussing other topics, there was something on Simone's mind that she hadn't quite worked up the nerve to voice.

Finally, Simone seemed to arrive at a decision and quietly said, "I'm afraid." Ava was startled at this revelation. Simone was one of the most self-assured women she knew. What could she possibly be afraid of?

"Of what?" she asked.

For a moment, Simone fiddled with the order sticker on her cup, not making eye contact with Ava. With a sigh, she finally said, "I don't think I've ever wanted to be with a man more than I want your Jeremy right now." She looked at Ava and pleaded, "Please don't hate me. Ever since that night, I've been replaying that story you told in my mind. I've even tried to meet some guys at the clubs who might be able to do what you described. But I noticed that the guys I'm talking to look like your husband; when I'm talking to them, I'm imagining that it's Jeremy. So far, none of them has fit the fantasy that's now in my head." She grabbed Ava's hand and said, "I'm so sorry. I can't help it. And now, with what Taylor said...I'm afraid that I can't stop fantasizing about your husband. What if I can't be happy until I experience what she did? What if we do get together and I don't want to stop? I'm terrified of making a mistake, or pushing you too far, and losing you as a friend." With that, a tear leaked from her eye.

"I don't know what to do," she finished.

Ava had to ponder her response. When Andrea had brought up the possibility that sharing Jeremy might cause issues between the friends, she'd been dismissive. After all, it wasn't like they were going to start dating her husband. They were just going to have a little bit of fun, weren't they? But, here was someone who hadn't even been alone with Jeremy who was expressing an emotional response to the situation. Maybe there was more to Andrea's concern than she'd given credence.

"Let me ask you this," Ava said. "When you think about Jeremy, do you think about moving in with him? Marrying him? Having his baby?"

Simone was aghast. "Of course not! I would never do anything to try and come between you."

Ava nodded. "Okay. Are you picturing yourself only seeing Jeremy? Or are you going to continue to see other guys?"

"I'll still see other guys. I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to get married and have children. Obviously, that's not going to happen with Jeremy."

"I see," said Ava. "It sounds like to me, you just have an infatuation with the stories you've heard, and that you're just wanting to see if reality measures up the fantasy. Is that about right?"

"I think that sounds right," agreed Simone.

"Then I think you should go for it," Ava said with a shrug. "It could be fun, and the only way to get peace is to go through with it. I can help set it up, if you want..."

"Can I seduce him?" Simone interrupted.

Ava looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

Even with her dark caramel complexion, a hint of blush showed in Simone's cheeks. "In my fantasy, I pick him up at a club. We dance and flirt for a while, and then he's so taken with me that we go to his place and he ravishes me."

The imagery had certainly piqued Ava's curiosity. "Two things. First, I think that's a great idea, but I want to be in the club to watch. I've never seen him in person when a girl's coming on to him; I'm curious. And second, you take him to your place. That way, you'll be in control of the situation, and it won't feel like you're intruding in the home that Jeremy and I share. Other than that, you have my blessing to attempt to pick up my husband in a club and take him home for the night. I just want to hear a full report afterwards, okay?"

Standing up, the two exchanged hugs before departing. As Ava watched her friend go, she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement imagining what was to come. She wondered how Jeremy would respond. Making her way out of the shop, she couldn't decide whether to tell him ahead of time or not.

*****

Taylor was returning to the nurses' station from making her rounds. As she turned the corner, she saw a delivery man speaking with Bethany as he dropped off a bouquet of flowers. From a distance, she didn't have a great look at the man. Of course, the uniform and ball cap were pretty standard, and he wouldn't have been distinguishable anyway. Still, there was something about the way he stood. When he looked up, there was a tightening of his posture, visible even from a distance. As she made her way down the hall, the man said something to Bethany, and then with a quick glance back towards Taylor, he turned and walked quickly to the stairs and disappeared.

Bethany answered a phone call just as Taylor arrived, but she nodded towards the flowers and, with the mouthpiece tucked against her shoulder, whispered "For you."

Surprised, Taylor stepped over to examine the flowers. It was a small bouquet of long-stemmed pink and red roses with a spray of baby's breath. As she collected them to look for a card, she pricked her finger on one of the thorns. That's odd, she thought, most shops trim down the thorns before sending them out. Seeing a droplet of blood beginning to form, she stuck her finger in her mouth and pulled out the card. It read:

You're even more beautiful than I remember. I can't wait to see you again.

Your Secret Admirer

"They're beautiful. Who're they from?" asked Bethany.

Taylor blushed. "I don't know. The card says they're from my 'Secret Admirer.'"

The girls giggled and began speculating on possible identities. Could it be one of the young doctors or med students they came in contact with each day? What about one of the specialists in the hospital? Could it even be a patient? Taylor didn't say anything to her friend, but she secretly hoped that the surprise was from Jeremy.

Regardless, duty called and the matter soon moved to the back of her mind.

*****

Rudy was angry with himself that she'd seen him again. This stage of his plan didn't include face-to-face contact; she was supposed to be lured into the trap, just like he'd been. Still, she hadn't appeared to recognize him, so little was lost. And, he'd been able to confirm her shift. That would help with his planning down the road.

*****

The phone calls started two weeks later. Unlisted numbers calling Taylor's cell phone, the voicemail recording nothing but ominous silence, punctuated by the sound of someone breathing. Someone was calling, but they never said anything.

The next week, a text appeared on Taylor's phone. You're just as pretty as you ever were. I'll be seeing you around. When she'd texted back, asking who it was, she received no reply.

It was easy to dismiss things, right up until she found the black rose and note under the wiper on her car as she left the hospital one night. With trembling hands, she opened the note.

I haven't forgotten what you and your friends did to me. I'll see you soon.

In a panic, she looked around and saw the man from the bus stop illuminated under a distant parking lot light. She was sure it was him. Just as before, she was sure that he was staring at her. Unnerved, she looked down into her purse to find her cell phone, intending to call the police. When she looked up, though, he was gone. She scrambled into her car and locked the doors. Rereading the note, she burst into tears. It couldn't be him, could it?

She didn't feel safe going home alone, so she called Ava.

"Hello?"

"Ava, it's Taylor. I need your help."

"Of course, anything. What do you need?"

"I need to borrow Jeremy for a little while."

Ava obviously misunderstood, because she laughed. "You want to 'borrow' my husband for just a little while, do you?" she teased.

Embarrassed and upset, Taylor broke down. "No, you don't understand. I'm in trouble. I don't know if it's safe to go home."

Instantly, Ava sobered up. "Where are you? Are you still at the hospital?" When Taylor said she was in her car outside the facility, Ava ordered her back inside. "Listen to me. You go sit right next to the security guard if you have to. We will be there soon. We'll take you home to pack a bag and you come stay with us. Then you can tell us what's going on."

Taylor was relieved. "I'll be waiting. Please hurry."

When Ava hung up the phone, she was worried for her friend. "Jeremy?" she called. "We've got to go. Taylor's in trouble."

Jeremy came in from the living room where he'd been studying. "What's going on?"

Ava chewed her lip. "I don't know. She just called and said she's not sure it's safe to go home. I told her we'd come get her and take her to get some things, then she can stay with us for a while. I hope that's okay."

He wrapped his arms around his wife. "Of course, it's okay. Whatever she needs."

The trip to her town home and back to their house was uneventful. Once they got her settled in, Ava brought her a cup of tea and asked her to tell them what was going on.

Taylor began by explaining the random sightings of the strange man who seemed so familiar. Then she relayed how she'd been getting calls from an unknown number, the text message, and finally the rose and note. She remembered the bouquet from her secret admirer. "Jeremy? Did you happen to send me some flowers a while back from my 'secret admirer?'"

The confused looked on Jeremy's face confirmed her fear. The strange man must have sent them. Now that she thought about it, he might even have delivered them.

Ava had a worried look on her face. "Sweetie, do you know what's going on? This sounds dangerous. Have you spoken with the police?"

"No, I haven't called the police. Until today, it just seemed like a someone either playing a practical joke, or playing coy. You know, like a real secret admirer. Now, I...I think it might be this guy from back home. His name was Rudy Martino. We were in school together. He was only there the last two years of high school."

"Why do you think it's this Martino guy?" asked Jeremy.

"Rudy was a loner, kept to himself. He wasn't very big, didn't play sports or participate in any clubs. He was just there. No one really knew that much about him. He always wore dark colors, underneath this black trench coat. It was all kind of creepy, but he didn't seem to bother anyone. Personally, I never paid him a whole lot of attention.