Love Beyond The Rite

Chapter 11

Ember

It is Sunday, the day of the Lord, which means the roads will be filled with buggies and Amish people walking. Yesterday's warmth melted a lot of the fresh snow, and today is gray and rainy. I glance out the window, noticing the gloomy weather.

My phone pings, and I grab it from the nightstand. I glance at the message.

*Becky Miller*- Hey, girl! Sorry life's been busy. Want to meet for brunch today?

I sigh and turn over, feeling a mix of emotions. I forgot how much people out here relied on food for socializing. In Florida, I could avoid it by grabbing boba tea or heading to the beach. Maybe gaining a few pounds would make people stop asking if I'm ill.

What harm could one brunch do?

I responded back telling her I’ll meet her at the diner for 11.

I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom to shower. I prefer scalding hot water, and as the steam fills the bathroom, I remove the bandage from my shoulder. Inspecting the wound, I realize it might leave a scar. A wave of anger and sadness washes over me. How could he be so cruel?

Tears well up in my eyes as self-doubt clouds my mind. No man will ever love me, not the girl with scars from another man's brutality. Have I been punished for my past mistakes? Is this God's retribution? Does God even exist? Why would He allow this to happen to me?

I shake the emotions from my mind and step into the shower. The heat from the water felt like a welcoming personal hell.

I winced as the water hit my shoulder watching the red ringed water run down the drain.

I look around realizing I never brought my shower products from home with me. I glance over at what is already in the shower, strawberry and cream scented body wash and Pantene shampoo and conditioner that had to be 8 years old.

Well hopefully it’ll work for today.

The scents brought me back to my highschool years. A younger Elijah replayed in my head tucking a stand of hair behind my ear. “You smell like strawberry pie” he smiled at me. I remember what that smile did to the inside of me. How I longed for him to be in my pie.

My cheeks flushed and I felt a pressure building in my stomach.

I turned the water to a cooler temperature and grabbed the shower head. I really need to make a mental note to get a vibrator soon if I’m going to keep having naughty thoughts about my amish neighbor.

I replayed my memory of Elijah licking and sucking on my bean. His soft warm tongue pulsating and intensifying my pleasure. A little moan slips out as the water is beating down on my pressure building. I needed his touch, his breath on my skin. My pressure released and I bit my knuckle to stifle my moans.

I quickly finished my shower and got out to get ready for my brunch date with Becky.

I decided to loosely braid my hair for the rainy day, knowing it would make for a pretty hairstyle tomorrow. I slipped into an oversized gray t-shirt, cropped above my belly button, and paired it with athletic leggings that hugged my body. Adding mascara and lip gloss, I didn’t bother with putting foundation on my face as the bruises were less noticeable today so I just put bronzer on my face and neck to blend it out. Grabbing my coat, I greeted Agnes with a smile.

"I'm heading out to brunch with an old friend," I said. "I'll be back later to sit with Mom."

Agnes's warm smile put me at ease. "Have a great time, dear," she said.

Her kindness and warmth always made me feel comforted.