Prometheus Unbound

[soliloquy]

OOC: This is a closed thread between Afternooner and myself. Please read along with us! Italics in the story will indicate flashbacks.

IC: Julie Mann

Julie tossed and turned as little as she could manage as she lay in Adam's arms. Her 5'6" stature was rather petite in comparison to his own frame. She enjoyed being in this young man's arms--perhaps too much. She felt the even rhythm of his heart beneath her cheek. But she was unable to sleep. Again, at the oddest of hours, she felt the need to paint. Slipping his arm from around her, Julie carefully crept out of bed and to the bathroom. She grabbed the green robe off of the hook on the back of the door and donned it. She went to the mirror and turned the light on.

The garish light did nothing for her features. At this time of night, with no makeup and the glare of the lights, she looked every bit of her 45 years. Her black hair was tousled, which in her earlier days might have looked sexy, but she now considered a mess. She took a band out of the drawer and put as much of her hair in a ponytail as she could. Drawing her fingers over the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her forehead, she sighed. Turning the faucet on, she splashed her face with water, patted it dry, and applied a bit of moisturizer to it.

She made her way to the apartment across the hall which she used as a studio. She discarded her robe and put on a smock of sorts. She stared at the canvas, finally beginning to fill with color and form. She smiled inwardly. To think that just months ago she wasn't sure that her brush would ever touch that canvas; that the canvas would become nothing, only remain a void of nothingness.

And then she met Adam.

Julie had explored all of Atlanta to find inspiration, but was unable to put brush to canvas. She had many mediocre sketches in her book, but nothing that inspired creation. She had shut herself up in her apartment for days, frustrated with where her life was going. She was an artist who sold, but just enough to have her paying her bills and fed and clothed. She needed a great piece of art, and an even greater buyer. But there was nothing.

After being at home for days, inspiration finally struck. She remembered a garden that her mother had taken her to when she was little. It was outside of Atlanta somewhere. The only thing she remembered was that the man who built the gardens was one of the men that Mitchell had based the character Rhett Butler on in 'Gone with The Wind'. Julie hopped on the internet and began browsing until she hit her mark. Barnsley's Gardens. She read the history of the Englishman who married a southern woman and built the estate. She went to sleep that night, and in the morning, she was off like a shot.

Upon arriving in the picturesque gardens, she knew she had found her inspiration. She found a place to set up, and did so with great enthusiasm. Two hours and three locations later, however, she had not even completed a decent sketch. She grew frustrated and threw her sketchbook down.

Sitting in the lush grass, she began to look around her as a person rather than an artist. The flowers were so beautiful, she could hardly believe such a place existed on earth. She heard some noise from behind her and turned towards it. There was a young man planting something. He was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a ballcap. Sweat poured from his forehead, and down his chest, she was sure. He bent down, and she found herself foolishly ogling his backside.

"I must be having a midlife crisis," she thought to herself. After all, this man...no, boy...couldn't be more than, what? Twenty? No, younger, surely. Less than half her age. But she was still drawn to this prime specimen of strength and vitality. He stood with his back to her, leaning against the shovel in his right hand as he took a breather. Suddenly, the sketchbook was in her hands as she began to sketch his form and the foliage which surrounded him.

Before she was ready for him to move, he stooped down on the ground.

"Excuse me, young man. I hate to ask this of you as I see you are working, but could you stand as you were for just five more minutes?" His black eyes were hypnotic as he looked at her with an air of confusion.

"I...um...I just...well, I was drawing you."

She had no idea what an impact this young man would end up making in her life. Nor could she have ever imagined what their relationship would lead them to in the end.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

The bed springs groaned in protest as Adam rolled over and sat upright. He ran his hand through his black wavy hair and scratched the back of his neck. He shook his head as if trying to shake sometihng loose, a feeling, a premonition.

He had, had that dream again that dream of hearing a voice from the sky telling him to leave the garden. What did it mean? was something bad going to happen here? But Adam wasn't the kind of guy to ponder long or worry about premonitions he had a garden to tend to and he loved it more even than he thought he could love a woman. A woman, he'd never loved one or at least never thought he had.


Looking down at his morning erection he absent mindedly scratched at the scar just to the left of it. Grinning he put his hand around his shaft and gave it a couple of strokes. He knew how to take care of this condition, but not today, in fact he hadn't wanted to do that for the last week that he had been sleeping with Julie.

Sleeping was the extent of it he mused he didn't seem to know how to aproach the sex issue with her and she didn't seem to want to show him how. Oh, he knew how all right, he'd read the books seen the pictures, knew all the positions and all about foreplay.


Julie, he remembered the day they met. he'd been doing some planting in his garden, or rather the garden, it didn't belong to him of course he'd never be able to own a garden quite like the Barnsley's gardens. he was happy just to be working here. Yet he liked to think of them as his gardens.

Her voice had startled him not expecting anyone around. he thought of the voice in his dream and was fearful for a moment but then realized it was a womans voice pleasant and somewhat appoligetic but at the same time comanding. Recovering he smilled back at her, seeing she was older and stylishly dressed sort of a motherly look about her.

"I was drawing you she had said so he obliged and stood back up and leaned on his shovel again. not knowing if he should smile like he was having his picture taken or look pensively into the distance. he chose the later and knew that was what she wanted as he heard her sketcing tools begin to ernestly scratch. From there after she'd finsihed she invited him to her appartment, excited by her progress and wanting him to continue as she worked out the details. That was days ago and he was still there, when he wasn't at the garden, glad to have a place to stay and someone to fuss over him the sleeping arrangements were discussed the first night. she decided they would sleep together as there wasa only one small bed, but sleeping would be the extent of it.
Adam complied as he had been sleeping in the gardners hut with no comforts whatsover. Adam insisted he sleep naked however,as was his fashion and surprisingly she didn't object in fact she had proposed that she do a nude painting of him when she had finished this one. they both were happy with this arrangenment and Adam smiled as it seemed each night they moved a little closer to each other until she was sleeping in his arms. He had no idea where this was going and really didn't think too much about it after all his only love was his garden

 

[soliloquy]

Julie set out her palette and began to confidently apply brush and paint to canvas. She had put the Gypsy Kings on in the background and was humming to it.

She stopped a moment to admire the form she had recreated. Adam was so handsome. And so young, she reminded herself. She had no doubts that he would sleep with her if she wanted, but she was a bit cautious to enter that arena just yet.

She heard the soft knock on the door, and knew it would be Adam. His timidity was such a turn on for her. She remembered having him model for her in the apartment. His shy modesty...

He stood before her as she sketched. Her pencil strokes were like a lover's caress on the paper. His face juxtaposed strength with vulnerability, knowledge with innocence. She had chuckled at his attempts to "model" for her. Eventually, she had posed him as she had seen him at the park. Back to her, leaning against something, wiping his brow. He, of course, looked more natural when he wasn't aware she was dissecting him.

"Just relax, Adam. Could I put some music on for you?"

And in that moment, he surprised her. "Do you have some Chopin?" An eighteen year old boy who liked Chopin. She hesitated. And then, she smiled.

"Yes, I think we could manage that." He was perhaps wiser than his years.

The notes filled the room, and Julie found that it helped her as well. The music, her drawing, and her natural response to Adam created an intensity she wasn't prepared for.

She opened the door and Adam stood there, only in his boxers, grinning at her. "Can't sleep?"

"Just had the itch to paint."

She thought of another itch she had, but...

 

[afternooner]

Adam

"I'm Hungry".

he stepped causiously around her toward the kitchen table with a bowl of fruit on top of it. he saw a big red apple and sccoped it up looking over his shoulder at Julie, who was busy painting. He knew it was a stil life she was working on but felt mischevious and rubbed it on his boxers making it shine. She wasn't even looking so he cleared his throat and just a she looked he tossed the apple up. It spiraled almost to the ceiling and then as it plumeted down he turned around and deftly caught it behind his back. He raised it to his mouth as if to take a bite and saw her scowling her dark eyes flashed sending a chill through his body and he carefully replaced it in the bowl, making sure it was exactly as it was before .

Her eyes, thunder and lightning in them. He had seen them that way before. Most of the time they were warm and soft but every once in a while she had that look, like if she wanted she could knock him over with the thunder and the lightning.

The second day that they had been together he had complained there wasn't any thing to eat. He should have known better, he caught her at a moment when she was struggling with a choice of color.

"Go buy some grceries then," she said, throwing some money on the table. so he had bought enough food for a week and actually enjoyed cooking for her. When he prepared the first meal they had together she smilled and her eyes softenened again She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. In her eyes he saw the sunlight and the fluffy clouds again. He sighed and tried even harder to please her but when the storm came in her eyes he shuddered afraid of something, he didn't know quite what.

He had the urge to tease some more and went behind her. Sometimes it was a way to bring back the sunshine. She liked it when he touched her. He waited untill she put down her brush and then reached out and playfully tugged at her little pony tail. Her hair was so short there was hardly enough to gather together but he liked the way it felt in his hands and he began to stroke, instead of pulling, feeling the fine hairs thread through his fingers.

"thats nice"

Her eyes were closed enjoying his touch

"Nice for me too"

His hands went to her shoulders kneading out the hard spots.

"mmmmm"

"Lower"?

"yessss"

His hands went lower and encircled her stomach just barely touching at first and then making small circles over its surface.

"Oohh thats good but I'm not needing it there,

"how about here?
"

He raised his hands til they just cupped her breasts, feeling their softness beneath the thin fabric of her shirt.

mmmmm,...but Adam I've got to finsh this today"

He relaxed his hold and returned his hands to her back.

"Perhaps another time?"

"Perhaps".

Finish today Adams heart fell, seven days. She had told him seven days to complete the painting today was the seventh day. did this mean he had to go. He had gotten so used to being with her but he needed to spend more time in the garden too. he hadn't realized his seven days were up

"Maybe you should rest"

He said it evenly and purposfully though he didn't really know why.

 

[soliloquy]

His hands felt so good on her skin, and better on her breasts. But she had to remain focused. As he had discovered, when she was in this mode, eating, sleeping, and affection were of little importance to her.

She was so close to finishing her painting. The garden bloomed out of Adam. Adam, the creator, the caretaker. She smiled at the progress she had made. Only a few adjustments, and she would be done.

She grazed the pictures with a sheen of silver, giving it an ethereal quality, without being the predominant aspect.

After what must have been an hour, she looked over to see him sitting on the couch, watching her. She smiled at him and returned to her work.

There was nothing quite like spending time with Adam, and she didn't want their time to end together. He gave to her in a way she couldn't explain to him, and he wouldn't be able to comprehend.

After a few days of their arrangement, Julie had taken some time to get to know him. He told her how he loved Barnsley Gardens, and saw them as his own. She admired his innocence and naivete. She wished that she could view the world with his level of optimism and cast her cynicism aside. But the world had dealt her a bad hand over the years, and cynicism seemed to seep through her veins.

They had talked late into the night, until they had fallen asleep, mid-sentence, in each other's arms. When she awoke, he was pressed against her back, a hand draped casually over her breast. His breathing against her neck had aroused her. This was exactly what she had feared.

Debating the pros and cons of developing this relationship into a Mrs. Robinsonesque affair, she thought better of it.

Slipping into the bathroom, she drew a bath and slid into the waters luxuriously. Candles flickered around the tub, and the scent of magnolias permeated the air. Sliding her hands down her shoulders to cup her breasts, Julie emitted a sigh of frustration and need.

Her hands gently caressed her breasts and abdomen as she imagined Adam would. Her nipples, erect and sensitive, carried the tingling arousal throughout her body. One hand trailed down her stomach as she draped a leg over the edge of the bathtub. As a finger grazed her clitoris, she gasped, inhaling the perfumed air. It was not long before her hands were driving her body over the desired peak. With a whimper and a gasp, she surrendered to the need, surrendered to the want, and dove into the waters of ecstacy.

Hours later, the painting was a vision to her. Earthtones kissed with silver and bronze, depicted a surreal image of life and birth. She smiled. Turning to have Adam take a look, she realized he was not there.

"Adam?" He must have returned to the other apartment.

She strode in and walked towards the bedroom. "Adam?"

"In here, Julie." He was packing his bag. Zipping it up, in fact.

"What are you doing, Adam?" A protective shield turned the previous serenity in her face to a harsher visage. Was he leaving her? It couldn't be....could it?

 

[afternooner]

Adam

Adam turned to face Julie.

"Seven days, you said seven days, Julie." She looked at him like she didn't understand.

"Seven days, no it can't be". Her voice caught in her throat.

"Today, it's the seventh day you finished the painting so I must go" He turned so that she couldn't see the tears in his eyes.

He couldn't believe it was seven days either. It seemed like only yesterday that they had met in the garden. In seven days his life had taken on a new meaning.Before Julie his life had centered around his garden, the garden and his trips to the library to read. Books were his second love, his mother had taught him about books, how he could travel anywhere, do anything, be anybody by reading books. And the piano. His mother had taught him how to play the piano they played chopsticks together, her slim strong fingers gliding over the keys. His short stubby ones pounding excitedly. she played hymns too and Chopin. Chopin was her favorite and Adams favorite too. He went to sleep when she played Chopin. His father was only there to tell him what not to do it seemed, but his mother just smiled and played Chopin.

Adam remembered each day like it was yesterday he knew it was seven days, he just didn't want to believe it was over. That he had to go. But he had his garden and the library and Chopin. He remembered the third day he had dragged Julie away from her painting long enough to lead her to the library, where he played piano for her. She had smilled and brought Chopin home for him the next day. Adam felt so close to her then, he picked her up and whirled her around kissing her profusly as they circled out of breath. He let her down and pulled her into his arms wanting to share his closeness with her .She had looked at him expectantly and Adam held her tighter he felt his arousal begin and he held it back , not wanting to burden her with his feelings.his desires.

He finished packing and moved toward the door. Perhaps he was a burden he thought. Now that the painting was finished he was no longer usefull. He met her gaze. one last look at her face so he would remember it. One last look.

"I......" He wanted to say 'I love you' but he wasn't even sure himself. and besides now it didn't matter.

 

[soliloquy]

Seven days...and gone so quickly. She glanced at the painting, and then at Adam. She pushed down the words she wanted to say, and set her face firmly towards a different resolve. Seven days she had said, seven days it had been. There was no denying that.

"Seven days. Wow, that went quickly. I will give you a ride back."

"Julie, no. I can get back on my own."

She snapped back at him, perhaps a bit too sharply. "I brought you here, and I will return you to your home."

He turned away from her and began to pack. She took a second to admire his form before turning to get dressed. "I'll be in the bedroom getting ready, Adam."

She threw on Jeans and a tank top, and donned a baseball cap with no affilliation. She ran her fingers over her face. She felt so old. So used up and spent. But while Adam had been here, she hadn't felt any of those things. While she hadn't necessarily felt young, she certainly didn't feel old. And he hadn't used her, hadn't taken the opportunity to get what he wanted out of her before leaving. He simply gave to her. She marveled at this fact. How could he have stayed with her, in her bed--and naked no less--and only given?

Men had always taken from her. She gave and gave to them, and they took and ran. And here was this young man, who didn't have to stay for the week, but he did, and with no complaints about the sleeping arrangements, the lack of food...about anything.

Summer, 1987.Julie had just turned 30, and had planned a special dinner for Ted. She waited for him to return from work, busying herself with the task of making different dishes and finding ways to keep them warm.

Four hours later, the candles on the table were burnt down a bit, her plate was covered with half uneaten food. Her head lolled on her neck as she dirifted in and out of sleep. The door clicked open and he walked in, his suit rumpled and askew. He had either gone on a drinking binge and ended up in a brawl, or he had gone on a different kind of binge.

But she didn't say anything. Julie never said anything to Ted. She only pretended not to notice. "I am so glad you're home! Are you all right? Here, have some dinner."

She heated up his plate and chattered as he ate in silence. She was always the one to fill the void. When he was done, he sat on the couch and turned on the news. She had straddled his lap, she remembered it so vividly.

"I have news for you..." He actually peered around her at the television, and that was the last straw for Julie. She snatched the remote from his hands, grabbed his face, and kisssed him soundly on the mouth. He began to grope her ass, which had not been her intention.

Breaking the kiss, she stared in his eyes. "I'm pregnant..."

"Julie?" Adam broke her reverie. She snapped her gaze to meet him. Damn, he looked sexy in his jeans and tshirt.

"Okay, Mann transport services is ready and at your...well, service." They laughed, though it was strained.

Before she knew it, they were on the interstate and headed for the end of what they had.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

"I'll be in the bedroom getting ready"


Part of him wanted to rush behind her, beg her to let him stay. Why would she tell him where she was going to be if that wasn't what she wanted him to do, to get past this terrible time and continue being together.

But somewhere deep inside he felt the need to return to the garden where he was safe where he knew what to expect from day to day.

The last seven days with Julie had been exciting watching her create, feeling a part of the process but there had been an uncertainty also, it seemed like there was a wall between them that neither could break down he knew that sex was part of the wall. that kept them from being close. He wanted to break through this wall but he was afraid, afraid of the unknown. Had he always had this fear had he clung to the garden as a way to deal with this fear.


Where is mom? no one answered, they just stood there towering above him adults in their own adult world involved in their own grief caught up in their own sorrow. they didn't even see him tugging on pants legs asking for his mother. then there was silence and his father cold and impasssive standing over his bed he wasnt crying like the rest but he was more solumn than usual "you'll have to learn to get along without your mother son, shes gone" he wanted to ask where? he wanted to ask why? He wanted to have his father pick him up and hug him but he knew, even at five, he knew there was no answers, no hugs nothing that he needed now or would there ever be. His father left and he cried himself to sleep

the silence in the next room as the music stopped brought Adam back to the present. Chopin she had turned Chopin off.

Adam grabbed his bag stuffing the remainder of his clothes inside as he headed out the door. He glared at Julie as he pulled the tape player from the shelf. "At least give me this!" he shouted. He looked at the painting wanting to grab it and tear it to shreds but regaining control quietly walked to the door.

The trip back to the garden was shrouded in silence, neither one of them looking at the other. At the entrance Adam got out. he couldnt even tell her goodby. He got out and walked away.

Who needs her, he thought she'll only go away like my mother did. Everyone I get close to goes away.
Once inside and out of sight he found a bench. sitting down he put his head between his hands and wept.

 

[soliloquy]

Adam's hands were on her breasts as his erection pressed into her buttocks. Julie sagged against him and moaned a plea. She turned to face him as his voice reached through the fog of desire and hit it's mark. "Teach me, Julie..." And as she leaned in to kiss him, to guide his hands to her heated body, he began to move away from her, riding a cloud into the distance. She cried out, "NOOOOOOOOO", as her body closed up.
Her lips dried.
Then, in front of a mirror, she saw her face, wrinkled and cragged.
And then faces appeared in the mirror around her.
First Adam, his angry scowl as he snatched the recorder.
Then Ted as he handed her the card for the clinic.
Then the nurse, "Do you have anyone to drive you home, Mrs. Mann?"
"Miss..." Julie whimpered.
Then the face of her father as he bent her over his knee.
"NOOOOOOOOO" she screamed and wailed.

"NOOOOOO..." She heard the familiar voice screaming her into consciousness. It was her voice. She sat up amidst the rumpled, sweat stained sheets and wrapped her arms around her body. Tears mixed with perspiration on her face. Her hair was damp and wild.

Checking the clock, she groaned at the hour. Four in the morning. Rising, she stumbled over something on the floor. It was a tape. Chopin. She smiled at the memories before tossing it away from her as if it had suddenly been contaminated.

This young man had seeped into her life, her thoughts, her dreams...

Fixing some coffee, Julie sighed. She glanced at the painting which she had moved into her apartment. There was a buyer, and she would have to relinquish the painting by noon. The woman had been as taken with the painting as Julie had been with Adam.

The loss of the painting was like losing Adam all over again.

By five, she was feeling no better. The biggest question in her mind lingered, and would not leave her. "Why?"

"Why?" Ted had asked. "Why would you want to keep it?" He tossed her off of his lap and looked at her as if she had just told him that she had contracted HIV.

"Because it is ours...because you don't just rid yourself of a life. Because I thought we loved each other.

"Look, Julie, It's been fun, but I did not sign up for diaper duty."

She stared at him, amazed. Then, all the words that had failed her over the past two years fell off her tongue.

"Fun? Two years of fun? Fun for YOU, you mean! You go whoring around, and I say nothing. You stink of alcohol and cheap perfume, and I say NOTHING. YOU are the one who insists on not using protection. YOU are the one who can't have sex with a condom because you don't like the way it feels. And now you make ME feel like I planned this?"

He only stared at her. Then, he picked his jacket up, and was out the door.

"Why?" Julie muttered the monosyllabic word as she drove. Why had Adam stayed with her for the week? What did he get out of it? No one did anything without a reason, a motive.

Barnsley Gardens appeared before her. Seven A.M. They were just opening the gates. She drove a little too quickly and the guard shouted at her to slow down.

Making her way from parking to the gardener's hut was a bit of a hike. She paused, halfway there to realize she hadn't even dressed. She simply pulled her hair up into a disheveled ponytail, and tossed a jacket on over her filmy nightgown. She had come this far, and she had to know.

Zipping the jacket up to hide her nearly translucent gown, she made her way to the door of the hut. Was he working already? She paused for what seemed like a second, but must have been minutes. And then she knocked.

Nothing.

She knocked again.

Nothing.

And then she heard footsteps. And the door was opening. And Adam stood before her, squinting sleepily into the sunlight. His shirt was off, and he had managaed to throw on a pair of flannel pants. His hair was adorably rumpled, and he had a bit of stubble.

"Julie?"

She leapt before looking. "Why? Adam? Why did you stay with me? What was in it for you?"

She heard her tone. She had intended to be tender, vulnerable. But it had come out hard, and angry. She bit her lip.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

It was dark when Adam got up from the bench and went to the hut. He set the tape player on the table and turned it on. He undressed and poured a basin full of water. Looking in the mirror he saw his tear stained face. Why? He wondered,why all these tears. She was only a woman why was he so upset over her rejection? Or maybe she hadn't maybe he had rejected her. This new thought echoed through his mind as he started to wash his face. his confused reflection looked back at him from the cloudy mirror, The shadows from the back of the darkening room crept into the mirror he shook his head thinking he'd seen a face behind him. He dared not turn around, he just stared back. The face seeemed to come and go with the shadows. Was it Julie's face, he couldn't tell. Certainly it was an older woman but no ... He heard the piano in the background playing on the tape machine. Chopin.

oh god Adam thought, his mother, was this his mother nooo he couldn't know. he didn't know his mothers face he didn't remember.

There, his father had said thats the last of them. he tossed the torn pictures in the fireplace . Adam had stood there petrified unable to move. His father had looked at him sternly, now just forget her, we must go on with our lives, you must stop thinking about her, moping and crying gathering those picture together and taking them into bed with you. It's time you grew up!

Adam was only six but he understood. His father was right it was time for him to be a man, he looked into the fireplace holding back his tears as the last of the pictures burned. No more pictures, no more mother. He crept up to his bed and pulled his body into a fetal position, but he didnt cry and he forgot his mother. Sometimes he wondered if he even had had one, he couldnt see her face he had no proof, his father never talked about her maybe his mother was only in his mind

The room had darkened there was no mother there was no Julie just him standing naked in front of the mirror. he looked down at his manhood surprised that it was half erect. He scratched the scar just above to the side wondering how it had gotten there. Appendix, he remembered the word but it had no meaning to him only this scar and the tension he felt in his groin.

He crawled into his bed and his hand went unconsiously to down to find and hold his shaft. To stroke it slowly back and forth feel the tension as it hardened and lenghtened, rubing the head. It felt so good he was in no hurry leting the tension build slowly and then relaxing, so good it felt. Tomorrow would be another day he thought there was much to do, he had neglected his garden. He had spent too much time with Julie. He smiled. Julie, he thought. Would she stroke him like this slow and easy.
"Julie,?" he saw her looking at his questioning eyes from across the room. He couldn't say the words but as he lay naked in the bed, the covers thrown back, he pointed to his hard shaft. She smiled and came to him her strong firm hand reached out and stroked him slowly, easily, back and forth , she looked down at him her eyes caring, showing her desire to pleasure him in this way, slowly easily, the tension built, Chopin in the background .

The silence woke him the tape rewinding to play again. His hand still on his shaft stroked, his breath came in gasps as he found the crest and then oh god.... the release came and Julie's name was on his lips... Julie!!!!

Chopin began again and Adam fell asleep. A quiet dreamless sleep, a deep and healing sleep.

In the morning even before the sunrose Adam was up and bathed in the cool water of the nearby stream. Returning to the hut before dressing he sat down, got his drawings out to make a plan for the day. somehow he just couldn't get started he threw his paper in the corner and started over. Nothing happened no plan no ideas nothing.

He got up and put Chopin on and crawled back into bed. he fell back to sleep until he heard the knock

he waited who could that be no one ever came here.

the knock again.

Adam got up and hastily pulled a pair of sweat pants on.

He opened the door

"Julie?"

She was the last person he expected.

"Why did you stay with me? What was in if for you?She asked. Adam shrugged his shoulders trying to figure out what she meant . he looked at her and then said evenly Nothing, Julie absolutely nothing I just felt your excitement. Your need to create to make something grow just like I make things grow here in the garden. You make things grow on your canvas, feelings, ideas, pictures of how people loook inside. If I wanted any thing it was to share this with you. But the picture is finsihed, the sharing is over. If you want to paint more, do it in the garden I need to create too this is where I do it best. You can come here but I wont leave.

 

[soliloquy]

Julie saw the uncertainty in his eyes. While his words were adamant, and he would not leave this place easily, she knew that he could be hers if she played her cards right. His words sparked a fire inside her that made her decide in a solitary moment that she wanted him. Not just sexually, but she wanted him totally. And she wasn't about to push that selfish desire to the side.

Stepping into the doorway, she closed the door behind her. Folding herself against his chest, she felt his heart beat begin to accelerate. She smiled and kissed his bare chest. Wrapping her arms around him, she murmurred, "I've missed you, Adam."

Not like she had missed the others. Ted leaving had been more of a relief than she could have hoped. In fact, that was when she began painting like a woman possessed. In her newfound strength, she had found inspiration. She painted for herself. She even painted self portraits that she still kept locked away. Since Ted, there had been a montage of lovers. Mostly short affairs that had never meant to lead anywhere but to the bedroom. But Adam was unique. Something about him made her long for sweet walks in the garden, and other romantic cliches that she had discarded so many years before.

Looking up at him, and stepping away, she unzipped her jacket to reveal her nearly transparent nightie. Her nipples tightened against the material, and his eyes locked there.

She softly purred. "Touch them, Adam. Taste them. I want you to..."

 

[afternooner]

Adam

"Touch them,Adam, taste them ,I want you to"

Adam couldn't believe his ears and his eyes. Seeing her breasts through the thin fabric hearing her voice seductive ,wanting him, asking him she'd never done that before said those words looked at him with lust in her eyes. His hands went up to her breasts to touch her his mouth moved towards her to taste them. His body went rigid his moind locked in the past.
"No! he heard the voice in the background as if it came from above and beyond him Do not be tempted, Adam, these things are evil they are not of the garden they are not for you."

Before him, his father appeared again, the fireplace, the burning papers, magazines, playboy, hustler. His father had found them in his room now he was burning them "watch them burn, Adam and forget them they are not for you."

Adam wanted to reach into the fire, take it away from his father, carry it deep into the garden where his father couldn't find it. But he stood immobile just the same as when his father had burned the pictures of his mother erasing her image forever from Adams mind .

His father left the room he rushed towards the fire taking the burning magaizines and ran out into the garden to the tool shed his refuge. On the ground he placed the papers and stood silently as they burn"S

ome day he said I will leave this garden there must be more to life than this garden and my father." Life that the magazines showed him, life that was exciting and sensual some where out there. He moved some logs piled by the shed and pulled a picture one from those that his father had burned before, of his mother> one picture had remained after the butrning, scorched but still intact he had put it there as a child and hadn't looked at it since, afraid of what he would see wanting to but afraid also. Now, he looked at it it forthe first time. It was of him as a baby his mother nursing him, her warm breast aagainst his tiny face, her smiling face looking down at him. Adams eyes blured with tears distorting the image he pressed tho photo against his lips tring to taste his mother.

He screamed, the cold paper reminding him of his loss. he huddled in a ball his thumb went to his mouth as he curled in to a fetal position.

Adam shook his head dispelling the images in his mind. Julie stood before him offering her breasts. ,asking him to taste her. Oh god he wanted to, but he couldn't. His arms hung uselessly by his sides his eyes filled with tears. His fathers words still echoing.

"Temptation, Adam, dont give in to temptation."

 

[soliloquy]

The bait hadn't been taken. Julie sighed in disappointment. Closing her jacket around her tightly, she hardened her gaze. She had pushed too hard. She had crossed a line that he had drawn.

Her steely gaze captured his, and she realized that there was moisture forming in the corners. Trying to not seem too eager, she laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Adam? Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?"

It was a question she had asked too often in her life. With Ted, it had been a constant question in her mind, and only in her bolder moments had she voiced the question.

With her father, however, it was like a recurring nightmare. Her mother had died shortly after she was born, and her father was a bitter deaf man who had no one in the world but her. She lived in a world of silence for many years. Sign language being her first language, she had struggled through elementary school. Her father resented her when she brought her hearing friends over, and he couldn't understand what they were saying. If he thought for a second that they were talking about him, or about any topic he deemed inappropriate, he would fix his eyes on her, and she would be bidding her friend farewell.

In the years that preceded her hasty retreat to college, Graham Mann had taken to drinking. And with the drinking came the abuse. She became very cautious of being perfect in his eyes. Did I do something wrong seemed to replace hello or how are you in their daily greetings. His hardened stares were usually followed by a harsher punishment. But he never would answer her question.

On the day he died, she had sat by his bedside for hours. He fixed his gaze on her, and gasped in pain. "Daddy, did I do something wrong?" The signs came easily to her, despite the fact that she had not talked to him in nearly six years. In response, he had simply softened his gaze, and moved his head slowly from one side to another, assuaging her fears. In her mind, in her heart, it was as if he were apologizing. Apologizing for the youth he had stolen from her, apologizing for the years of misery between them. And with a squeeze of her hand, she forgave him. Before he died, he had only two words for her. "Be bold," he signed to her, and then had fallen asleep. Two hours later, he passed away with an unburdened heart. And Julie had been at peace.

"Adam?" she pleaded him to respond, to let her in.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

He felt her hand on his shoulder and started to pull away.

"Adam? Are you alright? did I do something wrong?"

Something in her voice gave Adam permission to let her touch him. As he felt the warmth of her hand he relaxed, letting the feeling of her contact bring back thoughts and feelings that he had held back for so many years. He lowered his head and nestled it between her breasts, the breasts that she had offered to him just moments ago. Even through her jacket he could feel their warmth. He closed his eyes and remembered how they had looked. He shuddered as he saw them in his mind.



He was a child again no more than two,he had hurt his knee while climbing and had run to his mother, who had just stepped out of the shower. She scooped him up and held him kissing his tears away, rocking him gently in her arms holding him close to her naked breasts Adam had felt so close. Somewhere in his child mind he remembered nusing on those soft warm breasts, drawing milk from her hardened nipples. He looked up pleading with his eyes and took one of her nipples in his mouth. It felt so good to surround the hard tip with his mouth, to taste her, to breath in her warm woman scent. He suckled for a while and then looked up into his mothers eyes.

His mother looked back down at him and smiled, her eyes glazed in a passion Adam didn't understand but felt as that same passion flowed from her body to his. Hhe lowered his head to feast on the other breast as his mother cupped it with her hand and offered it to him.

No Julie, Adam cried out you didn't do any thing wrong it's me, I .... I'm afraid.....Just hold me he put his arms around her and held her forcefully against him, pulling her down onto the matress on the floor. Don't go away, Julie, please don't leave me.

Adma startled by the slamming door and his fathers footsteps looked up to see him standing above them. He said nothing as his hand came down and clutched Adam by the throat, pulling him away from his mothers breast. The next thing he knew he had been flung across the room into a corner His mother naked cowered beneath his fathers threatening gaze crying, I'm sorry, did I do something wrong? His father pointed towards the door and shouted "Go you slut, you're nothing but an animal get out of my sight"

"Don't go Adam whimpered his body covering hers on the mattress. Don't go.."

 

[soliloquy]

His body covered hers as he whimpered against the fabric of her jacket. Julie brought her hands to his face and brushed a tear away. "Shhh, Adam. I'm not going anywhere." She coddled him like she would have a toddler.

"It's okay, Adam." He was resting on her now, the weight of his body on hers pinning her to the bed. It was wonderful to be under a man like this. The pulsing in her loins grew stronger and she inadvertantly pressed her groin up against his body.

God, she needed him. She needed the strength he didn't know he had. She needed his strong arms around her, and his got kisses tantalizing her and loving her.

She ran a hand through his hair and cooed to him softly. His breathing slowed, and she could feel that he was calming down some. He tried to move off of her, but she stopped him. "No, stay right here, Adam."

His face pressed between her breasts, he relaxed and just enjoyed the feeling of being in her arms. She kissed the top of his head softly and began to hum a soft tune.

She could tell the moment he slipped into slumber, and she joined him shortly thereafter.


OOC: I thought that this was fine without a flashback...hope it was okay.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

" No, stay right here"

Those words were like a soothing balm to Adams tortured mind. Acceptance that he had not felt since his mother had left. Acceptance of his innocence and vulnerablilty. He felt the warmth of her breasts through the fabric of her jacket and nuzzled contentedly.

He heard her voice like an angel singing to him, singing him to sleep.

Soon he was lost in dreams,
Dreams not of the past but of the future living in the garden with Julie beside him laughing running playing like two innocent children. Sharing forever the beauty of the flowers. Julie painting and Adam making the garden grow His dream told him this could be so that he could have the garden and Julie too. That she would teach him of love as he taught her about the garden.

Adam stirred feeling Julie move beneath him, her body close and warm. He felt a fire burning inside of her just as the fire was burning in him. He pushed himself up on his hands his arms outstretched and looked into her dark eyes as she opened them he saw her desire burning there and felt his own.

Teach me, Julie, he pleaded Teach me how to love.please....now...

 

[soliloquy]

"Kiss me" she whispered raggedly.

His mouth descended hungrily on hers as if she were a morsel of food. She molded his face in her hands and explored his mouth with her tongue, letting him follow her actions. As her tongue flittered against his, she thrust her hips upward to drag her mound against the ridge of his erection.

She felt him gasp at the contact. "Adam, sweetie..." she cooed softly as he looked into his eyes. "Let's get out of these clothes." Adam blinked, as if unbelieving. Once the idea registered, he was on his feet, shedding his shorts as Julie shed the jacket, and then her nightgown.

They had seen each other naked before, but with the knowledge of what was to come, there came a new perspective. She skimmed her eyes over his form greedily thinking of his body hotly pressed against her own. His eyes seemed to bulge out as his stare burned into her breasts, causing her nipples to tighten almost painfully.

She took his hand in her own, and placed it on her breast. He sighed at the softness, and cupped it tenderly. His thumb brushed over her nipple, causing her to shiver. As if he had been burned, Adam snatched his hand away. She simply smiled and brought him back to her. She pressed her breast into his palm and moaned loudly, letting him know that it was exactly what she wanted.

It had been a long time since she had felt so wanton. She couldn't remember the lover's name, but she remembered the deep thrusts of his penis inside her as her pussy spasmed almost violently. He had ridden her to five orgasms, at which point, he had climaxed and fell limply onto her heaving chest.

The thought made her loins burn with desire, as she felt a trail of her juices make its way down her thighs. She needed him desperately, but she had to take it slowly for Adam's sake. Her hand trailed over his erection lightly. His other hand was resting on her hip, and she moved it around to cup a cheek of her ass as she curled her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Her tongue plunged into his mouth as her lips ground into his. His hands squeezed at her ass and breast and she moaned lustily into his mouth.

She broke the kiss only momentarily to bite at his lower lip and whisper to him, "It's instinct, Adam. Do what your body tells you..."

And she was tumbling onto the bed with Adam pressed gloriously against her fevered skin.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

Adam heard her encouraging words, He looked in her eyes and saw desire burning. He felt her body urging him on, feeding the fire that burned within him. His body was heavy on hers his hands and arms his mouth, pushing ,pulling, demanding oh god he wanted her, wanted to be inside her to satisfy this uncompromising need that grew with every contact his bodies made,. on her mouth, on her breasts. He felt her heated portal begging for his swollen shaft. his instinct was to plunge to drive to ravage. to fill he up, to send his seed deep inside her. he raised his body up away from her He trembled anticpating his first move.

“mmmmm”

He heard her moan and looking at her face saw her eyes were closed in aquiescent surrender. He started to plunge down watching her hands move quickly to spread herself open for his entry. He closed his eyes.

“mmmmmmnnnooooo” the pleasure in his voice changed to anguish as he hesitated his body suspended above her his breath coming in ragged gasps.nooo ooooo!

Her eys flew open and with one hand grabbed his shaft pulling at it urging him to come inside. She felt him strain against her guiding hand and reaching out beyond her need for him her voice filled with compassion whispering.” It’s all right Adam just come inside and hold me. We need to do this thing. Adam ! ,her voice was louder now and husky with desire,no longer asking but demanding, Adam, I need you inside of me pleaseeeee! now! She arched her back, her hips rising in their own demanding gesture.

He looked in her eyes and felt himself being drawn into them just as his shaft was being drawn into the liquid velvet of her sheath. His body followed as he lowered himself again.

“mmmmmmmmnnnnggg” both their voices murmured out the completeness of this union the sounds receeding as they melded together.

 

[soliloquy]

Julie was afraid that his reluctance would soon turn solid and he would leave her, wanting more. She had to take control of the situation if she were to be assured his acquiescence.

Using all the strength she had in her, she surged upwards, pushing him sideways until he was on his back and she was scrambling for the dominant position.

His eyes were wide with surprise as she settled her pulsing sex against his pelvis, his erection trapped within her folds.

She cooed reassuringly and drew her fingers over his chest. "Let me love you, Adam." He only gasped as her wet lips rubbed against his sensitive skin. And then he nodded, the awe of youth masking his face.

Drawing her fingernails down over his shoulders and down the lenths of his arms, she took his hands in hers and raised them to her body. She placed one on her aching breast, and one on her hip and thigh.

Adam squeezed her breast and pain mixed with pleasure shot through her, making her vagina contract just slightly around his hardness. He gasped and his eyes closed, his hands tightening on her body.

She jumped, and thus began the ride. She began slowly, caressing his length with the wet flesh of her core. She could feel him tentatively rocking his hips, and she let out a long, soft, "yessssssss". So encouraged, he increased his rocking beneath her as she began to pick up the pace.

His hand on her breast fell to her other thigh, and she resumed the caressing of her nipples with her own hands. "Open your eyes, Adam." He obeyed. She sent a searing glance deep into his eyes as she tweaked her nipples and began to bounce on his cock eagerly.

He was having trouble maintaining a rhythm, but his innocence and inexperience only made their joining hotter for Julie.

 

[afternooner]

Adam

With his eyes closed Adam swore that the earth had suddenly jerked ahead in time and space and moved beneath them as he felt Julie move above him.

“ Open your eyes, Adam.”
Now, captured within the silky smooth folds he strained to fill her, to guide his shaft ever upward reaching for the deepness of this wondrous portal growing ever harder with each pass along the silken folds and ever upward into her.

His mind was straining too, into the depths of her soul reaching for the very essence of her being. His eyes now open watched her, her fingers moving urgently across her nipples her eyes begging for total consummation. His hips rose rocking with her as she rose above and then plummeted down his length. He found her rhythm and met her grinding need with one of his own. The need to consume her and be consumed by her to match her fire with a fire of his own a fire that raged beyond control in both of them. They plunged onward oblivious of any existence outside of this one they shared together.

 

[soliloquy]

Despite the urgency, heat, and frenzied pace they had taken, Julie could almost believe that they were moving slowly, luxuriating in the sensation of her wet heat sliding along the hard shaft of his erection. Her clit seemed to graze his skin in slow motion, intensifying the pleasure.

She cried out, and his eyes widened, as if he feared she was in pain. Before he could speak, she assuaged his fears. "God this feels good, Adam...should have done...this...long...ago." And she meant it. The ache inside her was gone, replaced with a wonderful passionate ache. She drove herself furiously on his cock, now thinking only of herself as she felt the spiral coiling up inside her. She was on the verge of exploding, and wanted him to feel the impact around his cock. Wanted him to love every second. Wanted him.

As she came, epiphany struck. Somewhere in their tangled web, Julie had come to want him, want all of him. She wanted to claim him, somehow. Keep him. Love him, and never let him go.

As her orgasm spasmed around his cock, she let the tears fall as her raspy cry died off in the soft breeze coming through the window.