Once and Forever

ie’s

ind under the hood. With a deep breath, I pushed open the bonnet and stared intently int

You’re no mechanic,” my mum

sighed heavily and leaned against the car, feeling the frustration and helplessness start to bubble up inside me. After dad’s first heart attack in his office, m

ally as I was only 19. I had been searching for months, sending out countless resumes and cover letters, and finally, my persistence

riving later. Except now we’re sort of stuck out here in the blazing sun, stranded with the weeds. I watch

e, and I didn’t know what to expect, more reason being stuck on the road wasn’t such a hot idea. I made my way back to the car and se

to see a truck coming down the road toward us. It really hadn’t been fun, stuck in the sun like that. The tr

e man rolled down his window and cal

d we have. “Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Our car broke down, and I

er to the front of the car and popping open the hood with ease. I watched as he peered inside, his fingers deftly moving over the engine as he diagnosed the problem. After a few minutes, he straightened up and turned to me. “Looks like

ide of the road anymore. It really had been too hot. Now if only dad would arrive. We waited a full twenty minutes before dad

rd was thick and well-groomed, and his eyes were a piercing shade of blue that seemed to stare right through me. I found myself staring at his broad shoulders and muscular arms, which flexed as he lifted my suitcase into the truck. There was something undeniably attractive about him. Also something very forbidden, he was way older than I was. We got

nly for a moment before I looked away, my heart was pounding, I wondered if he had been checking me out

son’

d a cig

dl

the car. My eyes lingered on the younger one, she was young, her hair, spilled like a cut of raw silk over her shoulders was a deep red, nearly brunette. She wore cuff earrings that wrapped around the outer curve of

y truck after he was convinced that someone would be able to fix the car. The drive to town was pretty quiet aside the country songs playing on the radio which I hummed along. I felt the little beauty eyes on me more t

road and tried to get h

pired c

and free femininity that

hat my attraction to her was one sided and none of her doing. She was so young and innocent and the last t

ng you off at your doorstep.” I glanced at h

is wife stepped out of the truck, from the side of my eyes, I caught t

d more time around the little beauty, she intrigued me and I’m fascinated, I w

nt to impose on you.” The woman flas

nderstanding my intentions. “It seems that you aren’t a l

etched out her hand and I slowly wrapped my larger one

only reluctantly let go in the end. I nodded my

e and don’t wander around.” Her father said and the t

ous gave me the barest glimpse of the lace and silk of a red coloured camisole beneath the lapels of her black jacket

near the delicate lace of the camisole, her

uestion and subtle gesture. Her hands had fallen away away from her breasts but I let my gaze drift the

e and bear her at it. To let the lengthy pause suggest th

urned away. “Uh- okay. Can yo

ure, no problem.” I walked back to the trunk of the truck and started lifting out the suitcases, her eyes were fixed on me the whole time and

etween them. “Hello Marshal.” The woman waved with a cheeky smile on her face. I n

t as I passed Sophie, I could see the trace of reluctance on her face. I didn’t want to leave her but at the moment I had no