Chapter 3: Ben's Attitude Adjustment

October 7
Taylorville, South Carolina

Kelly had only managed to eat a couple of bites of her breakfast, Sara hadn't eaten any breakfast at all, and Joshua was feeling weak and hungry after his self-inflicted ordeal. Joshua invited the two girls to share the huge lunch Ms. Flowers had packed. For several minutes, they sat and ate without a word. Kelly and Sara took warm comfort in Joshua's recovery and closeness, and Joshua worked to mentally digest the fragments of racial memory he had unlocked as he worked to physically digest his ham sandwich.

Sara watched the other two as they ate. They would steal covert glances at one another, careful to avoid being caught. It was cute, and charming, and sweet, and frustrating. She realized after a while that Joshua and Kelly had never slept together. They're not even holding hands! Sara decided that a catalyst might get the reaction going.

"Are you two feeling okay?" Sara asked. "You've both had traumatic experiences lately."

"I'm a little weak, but otherwise fine. Thank you for asking," Joshua said with calmness that he really didn't feel.

"I'm a little shaky," Kelly said. "I wish I could handle stress and danger as well as you, Joshua. You rushed right in and saved me yesterday, and you almost died today, and you're never nervous or flustered."

Joshua was about to admit that he wasn't as calm as he seemed, and ask Kelly how she knew that he had nearly died. He hadn't told anyone, and the paramedics were none the wiser. Sara saw the opening she needed.

"Well, I wouldn't say that nothing makes Joshua nervous," Sara laughed. "I mean, he's never been able to work up the courage to ask you out on a date, even though he's had a crush on you since the sixth grade." Joshua sputtered, but managed to avoid choking on a sip of Coke.

"You have a crush on me?" Kelly asked, her clear blue eyes lighting up in the most endearing way.

"You better believe it," Sara said while Joshua was recovering from his soft drink accident. "He's even written a notebook full of poems for you." Joshua shot his stepsister a glare that was far too helpless to be threatening.

"You wrote poems for me? Oh, that's so sweet! Where are they? May I see them?"

"They're not very good..." Joshua temporized.

"Please!?" Kelly asked excitedly. Joshua was nervous about how she might react to his writings, but he couldn't bring himself to deny Kelly's request.

"Okay," he said resignedly. Joshua set what was left of his sandwich on his paper plate, took the napkin out of his lap and stood.

"Wait until you finish your lunch," Kelly suggested quickly.

"No, if I put this off, I may come to my senses," Joshua said. "I can eat while you read." Joshua went to his bedroom. He knelt next to the bed and reached under the nightstand. There was a padded envelope secured there. Joshua took the notebook it contained.

"It's not nice to go snooping in someone else's property," Joshua said before standing. Sara looked surprised when her stepbrother rose into view.

"How did you-" she began.

"I heard you walk in," Joshua interrupted. "What do you want?"

"I need to use the bathroom," Sara said blushing. "I'm sorry that I used to sneak into your room when you weren't there, but I'm not sorry for telling Kelly. It's so obvious that the two of you like each other." Sara remembered her stupid jealousy and how it had hurt her precious Joshua. "I was wrong when I thought you two were together already. You should be together." Sara looked back toward the kitchenette. "Go back to Kelly. I'm gonna powder my nose, and straighten things up in here. That should give you two a few minutes to talk without me in the way."

Joshua took the notebook into the kitchen. Kelly was still seated at the card table, her face alight with hopeful joy. Joshua hoped desperately not to disappoint her. He handed Kelly the notebook and sat down facing her.

Despite what he had said, Joshua was too nervous to eat while Kelly read. There were more than twenty poems in the notebook, some of them quite long. Kelly read them all while Joshua sat, barely breathing for fear of disturbing her.

Kelly was touched by Joshua's poems. They were sweet and tender, and very flattering. In his writings, she became princess, heroine, saint, and even goddess. Some of the references were unfamiliar to Kelly, but one was well known to her. After what seemed seconds to Kelly, but hours to Joshua, she closed the book and looked up.

"You compare me to Brighid, the Irish goddess of fire." Her voice held a sort of guarded excitement. "Why?"

"Well, like fire, you bring light and warmth into my life," Joshua answered blushing. Then he rushed on. "Besides, you look like an Irish goddess." It was Kelly's turn to blush.

"You're very sweet, Joshua," she said.

"Well, I'm heading back to the main house to call a friend," Sara said as she emerged from Joshua's room. "Come and get me when you're ready to go home, Kelly." The stepsister smiled devilishly. "There's no hurry. Y'all have a nice little visit." With that, Sara was gone.

"Why have you never asked me out?" Kelly asked. Joshua was quiet a moment. She didn't try to rush him, letting him proceed at his own pace. His onyx eyes showed endearing uncertainty.

"You are so popular and outgoing and beautiful. I know that all of the popular boys want to date you. I didn't think you'd settle for me when you had so many other choices."

"You are, bar none, the most interesting boy I've ever met," Kelly announced. "I already knew that you were polite and smart, and those are not such common traits as you may think. Those 'popular' boys are loud, arrogant and shallow. I've always known you had depth. Now your artistic ability proves it. There is far more to you than meets the eye, Joshua Hawkins, but while we're on the subject of appearance, you are the most handsome boy in school as well."

Kelly set her hand on Joshua's. He looked down in amazement. Then, he looked back into Kelly's eyes.

"Uh... have you been to the new restaurant down by the beach?" he spoke quietly.

"No, I haven't."

"Would you like to go Saturday, for lunch?"

"Are you asking me out, Joshua?" Kelly leaned closer as she spoke."

"Yes," he whispered, then with determination "Yes, I am."

"Good," Kelly said. They now sat nose to nose. "Here's my answer." She tilted her head slightly and kissed Joshua on the cheek.

"I'll be at your door at eleven Saturday, if that is acceptable?"

"That will be fine," Kelly said, smiling at the cautious expression on Joshua's face.

"Um... Kelly? Can I give that a try?"

"Of course," she answered. Kelly offered her cheek. When Joshua moved to kiss it, she turned her head, and their lips met. Kelly wasn't sure why she had done it, but she didn't regret the impulsive action.

At first, Joshua was surprised, but he overcame his shock, and kissed back, careful of her injured nose. His kiss was gentle, but electric. The light, tender caress of his lips was full of stimulating passion. Kelly felt her body react. She was amazed by the pleasant heat that spread through her, especially her groin. We're not even frenching, and he's making me hot! Kelly thought. Joshua had associated her with Brighid, and she had long associated him with a god. Now, the poem that she had written, but never showed a soul, seemed prophetic. He really is Eros, god of physical love! Kelly thought as desire flooded her.

Kelly could have truly been Brighid, for her kiss set Joshua on fire. The delightful heat spread through Joshua's body and he felt his manhood react. He wanted to embrace her and burn in her arms. Joshua wanted to give all that he was to Kelly. But he needed to know what she wanted. Joshua broke the kiss.

"Why did you stop?" Kelly asked, her voice breathless and hoarse. Joshua put his hands on Kelly's shoulders. Even that contact was nearly more than he could stand.

"Kissing you feels so good. If I don't stop now, I won't be able to later," Joshua answered, his voice and spirit heavy with desire. "How far do you want this to go?"

Kelly looked into the bottomless black pools of Joshua's eyes. She felt the welcoming pull of their unsounded depths. She could see and feel Joshua's carnal desire there. But more than that, she saw the love that he felt for her. It was as if she was looking into his very soul. Kelly knew in that moment that Joshua desperately wanted to make love to her. She knew also that he would deny himself if she chose to stop. After the terror of the previous day, the choice Joshua offered, and the certainty that he would honor her decision, was the most precious gift she could have been given.

Kelly got out of her seat, and Joshua stood as well. She walked around the table and wrapped her arms around Joshua. She could feel his muscular body, and state of arousal, from their close embrace.

"I want to go all the way with, you," Kelly whispered. Then, she kissed Joshua. This time Kelly's tongue probed Joshua's lips, and he parted them for her. Their tongues swirled, danced and caressed as they explored one another's mouth.

Kelly opened Joshua's shirt so that her hands could gain access to his magnificent chest. Joshua slipped his hands under Kelly's t-shirt. The teens parted long enough to remove each other's shirt. They immediately began to kiss again. Kelly's bra quickly joined the shirts on the floor, and Joshua's hands found her wondrous firm breasts and erect nipples. As Kelly's fiery hands sent waves of pleasure through Joshua's torso, he began to gently stroke her hard red nipples. Kelly began to moan into Joshua's mouth. Finally, she had to break the kiss. She was light-headed and a little disoriented by her state of physical excitement.

"Where's your bed?" Kelly whispered. In lieu of a spoken answer, Joshua swept the young woman off of her feet. Kelly threw her arms around his neck and resumed the passionate kissing as Joshua carried her into his bedroom. Sara had been true to her word. The bed was made with fresh linens and there was no sign of the earlier 'activity'.

Joshua gently set his darling Kelly on his bed. The boy removed her shoes and socks. Then he removed his footwear. Kelly unbuttoned her jeans and lifted her bottom when Joshua took hold of them.

"Get the panties too!" Kelly said urgently. Joshua obediently peeled away Kelly's last vestments and, for the first time, feasted his eyes on the entirely nude body of his goddess. Her alabaster form was even more beautiful than he had dreamed. Her bosom was firm, her belly smooth, her hips amply wide and her legs invitingly open. Her delightful nether lips were glistening with her need, as were the fiery-copper curls that guarded them. Only the bruises and abrasions she had suffered in her attack marred her perfection. Joshua's fierce protectiveness was brought to the fore. Kelly looked into Joshua's face and correctly interpreted the pain and anger she saw there.

"They can't hurt me anymore, Joshua," she said gently. "You saved me. I love you and you love me. They can't take that from us." Kelly sat up and took Joshua's hand to draw him into the bed. She lay back, drawing him in on top of her. Their lips met and they kissed deeply. Kelly's hands ran down Joshua's bare back and on to his athletic buttocks. They moved to the front and began to open Joshua's trousers.

No, Joshua thought. It's too soon. He wasn't going to let impatience spoil this precious experience for Kelly. Joshua moved down so that his lower body was out of the reach of Kelly's hands and her breasts were in the reach of his mouth. He began to kiss and lick her left breast, giving special attention to her sensitive nipple. His left hand went to her right breast, so that it could get equal attention. Kelly cried out as her lover's ministrations brought her to orgasm. Joshua switched breasts and drove his dear Kelly to the verge of another climax. The boy began to move down Kelly's body, exciting her with the sweet caresses of his hands and mouth. He reached her lower belly, just above her patch of pubic hair, and detoured around Kelly's most sensitive area. His fingers and tongue played along her inner thighs for several moments, drawing near but never touching Kelly's burning need.

"Please, Joshua!" she gasped finally. "Please, I can't wait any longer!"

Joshua acquiesced and lightly brushed Kelly's outer lips with his tongue. Kelly stiffened as another orgasm blasted through her. Joshua had never tasted a woman's love juice before. He found it a flavor he could get used to easily. When Kelly came down from her second climax, Joshua renewed his gentle exploration of her honey pot. He carefully pressed his index finger into her tight, hot opening. Kelly gasped and moaned from the delight her lover was giving her. He found her clitoris and Joshua's tongue began to dance about it. Kelly's hips began to thrash about, trying to get Joshua's darting tongue into contact with the sensitive little bud. Joshua continued to move his finger inside Kelly and his agile tongue began to flick the clitoris.

Joshua became aware of a connection between Kelly and him. It wasn't a mental connection exactly, as he couldn't read her thoughts. It was more of an emotional connection. Joshua could sense how his efforts were affecting his lover. Gauging the effect he was having by his newfound sense and the sounds of pleasure Kelly was making, Joshua began to quicken the movements of his finger and slightly increase his attention to Kelly's delicate love button. Kelly grew more and more excited by Joshua's tender service. When he judged the moment right, Joshua lightly sucked Kelly's clitoris. Her back arched, driving her groin into his face as a third physical explosion overcame her. Joshua held on for dear life, using his hand and mouth to prolong Kelly's orgasm as long as possible.

Kelly finally collapsed and Joshua pulled away. He stood long enough to finish removing his pants. Then, wearing only his briefs, Joshua got back into bed and snuggled close to his paramour. After a moment, Kelly opened her eyes and looked into Joshua's face. The young woman smiled contentedly at her beloved. She put her arm around him and drew him closer still to her warm, naked body. Kelly kissed Joshua long and deeply. Joshua was surprised that she kissed him, considering where his mouth had just been, but he didn't argue. As they kissed, Kelly's hands wandered down Joshua's body. When she reached his underwear, she broke the kiss.

"That's got to go," she said grinning. Kelly helped Joshua remove the offending garment. Then her hand went to his crotch, finding that Joshua was ready for action. Kelly took hold of his hard cock with one hand and his hip with the other. She drew the boy over so that he was above her. "Come on, Joshua," Kelly whispered. "Come into me."

Joshua lowered his male member toward Kelly's welcoming love tunnel. When his cock head came into contact with her wet opening, he began to slowly increase the pressure. Joshua's cock slid slowly into his precious Kelly. The sensation of her fire-hot treasure box gripping his manhood was beyond anything he had felt with Sara. Kelly felt complete with Joshua's manhood deep inside her.

Joshua kept pushing until his entire length was buried within Kelly's body. When their groins touched, the boy paused to kiss his lover once more. Then, he slowly withdrew until only his tip remained within Kelly. Joshua began to thrust slowly, setting a pace that was delightful torture for both young lovers. They continued to couple in this way for some time.

Through their empathic link, Joshua knew how to alter the angle, depth, power, and rhythm of his thrusts to give Kelly the utmost gratification. When he sensed that she was ready, Joshua began to speed up. At the critical moment, Joshua sucked Kelly's left nipple, lightly drawing his teeth across it. The previous three climaxes were but drops of rain before the monsoon. Physical ecstasy beyond her dreams wracked Kelly's body. Her body began its assault on Joshua's dick, bringing him to climax. The mutual orgasm continued well past the point where neither teen had breath left to give voice to their joyous experience. When the moment finally passed, the lovers collapsed together. Joshua had enough strength left to roll them onto their sides, carefully keeping his shrinking manhood buried deep within Kelly. Joshua held his beloved to him, her head resting against his chest, and she fell asleep in his arms.

Savannah, Georgia

The Howell Enterprises Gulfstream II landed ten minutes late. This increased Ellen Donnelly's anxiety. Christopher Howell attempted to calm his friend, but she would not be mollified. There was nothing Chris could do for Ellen. He hated failing a friend in need.

His wealth and power were unable to get the airport traffic pattern to move faster, but it got them rapidly through customs once they were on the ground. Chris had arranged to be met by an unremarkable sedan, instead of a limo, and driver at the airport. Chris had no driver's license and he had guessed correctly that Ellen wouldn't be in any shape to drive.

Ellen gave the driver directions to Taylorville, and Chris explained that speed would be rewarded. Once the baggage was loaded, with the exception of Chris's hurley stick and ball, the car left with as much speed as the driver dared. As they crossed the Georgia/South Carolina border, Ellen saw that the car's clock said it was only 1:30 PM. It had been twelve o'clock when she left Dublin six hours and thirty minutes before. She was a little glad that she was too nervous to be overcome by jet lag.

William Drake was furious. He had rushed his flight plan through Lear's Cove Regional Airport control with a simple bribe and a couple of threats. He had his pilot push his Rockwell Sabreliner to the limit. Drake's father picked the plane because of its incredible speed. Drake arrived over Savannah International in record time, with engines on the verge of overheat, but there were planes in the traffic pattern ahead of him.

Despite Drake's efforts, the Savannah air controllers wouldn't move him to the front of the line. Indeed, after he made a veiled threat, another executive jet was moved ahead of him. When his plane was finally allowed to land, it was nearly two o'clock.

Drake stormed through the airport, accompanied by his bodyguard. William had planned to have another person along on this trip, but April Larson had disappeared. The office had tried to call her at home, but there was no answer.

It did nothing to improve Drake's mood to think that his pet strumpet had gone AWOL. It occurred to William that April might have had an accident and been killed. He hoped so. That at least would be an acceptable excuse. Just to be on the safe side, Drake had arranged to blacklist April Larson from the insurance business, and any business in Maine for that matter. No one defied the power of William Morgan Drake III without feeling his wrath.

William bought a photo postcard of the airport in the gift shop while his bodyguard picked up the rental car. A sky cap helped them load Drake's substantial luggage in the back of the car. When they were done, Drake took a twenty out of a special compartment in his wallet and gave it to the young man.

"Thank you, sir!" the college student said when he saw the generosity of the tip. He saw that the bill had been defaced with weird letters written around the margin, but figured that a twenty was a twenty.

"You're very welcome," Drake said, smiling. The boy had been courteous and helpful, so Drake gave him a better tip than he suspected. The symbols on the bill activated a spirit ward around the person who accepted it. When William took his revenge on the airport, the polite skycap would be protected from harm.

Once they were clear of the airport, Drake had his bodyguard find a secluded place to pull over. The sorcerer retrieved his portable ritual gear from his luggage and set up beside the car. Using the postcard as a representation of the airport, Drake called upon the spirit servants of Loki to assail the airport. Drake smiled when the ritual was complete. His plane was protected by powerful runic defenses, but no other aircraft in the airport would be safe. Feeling a little better, Drake reloaded his equipment and continued on, toward Taylorville, South Carolina.

Taylorville, South Carolina

It had been an easy matter for Benjamin Ward to arrange bail for his son. He simply argued that Blake was in no condition to flee the law. This was nothing more than the truth. Blake would be in the hospital at least a couple of weeks, recovering from surgery and the wounds that made it necessary.

Paul Knight's father wasn't a lawyer, nor was he wealthy enough to hire a good one. In addition, Paul's injury -while crippling- wasn't going to confine him to a hospital bed. As a result, Paul had already been taken to jail and bail set at a level his parents couldn't afford.

Then there was Joey Garner. His neck was badly fractured and a portion of the occipital bone had been driven inward. The membranes that surrounded the brain were swollen and the extent of damage to the occipital lobe was not yet known. The boy was still in a coma, but when, or if, he awoke, he would very likely suffer some degree of paralysis, and visual impairment.

Ben felt sorry for the Garner boy, but his first concern was to save his own son. Mr. Ward had spoken with Mr. Knight, and they agreed to let Joey Garner take the fullest possible blame for the attack. After all, he was the only one to actually penetrate the girl. There was no proof that Blake and Paul were going to follow suit. An argument could be made that they had meant to frighten Kelly Wilkes and their leader, Joey, had taken things to the extreme without Blake's and Paul's knowledge or consent. It could even be argued that when Blake shouted 'There's three of us! We can take him!' he was saying that he, Paul and Joshua could subdue and restrain Joey.

Of course, there was still the problem of Joshua. Joshua had nearly killed Blake and gotten him arrested. Joshua would testify that his stepbrother lunged at him with the knife. Joshua's very existence threatened Blake's future and Ben's marriage to Julie. Ben Ward knew that if the bloodstained bastard was out of the way, his family could survive intact. He also knew that he couldn't act against the boy directly without alienating Julie. Ben had to think of a way to get rid of Joshua while keeping his own hands clean.

The car carrying Ellen Donnelly and her friend Chris Howell arrived at the Wilkes house at about half past two. They stayed just long enough to find out where Kelly was and get Deirdre to come with them to give directions to the Davis mansion. They all piled into the car Chris had hired and hurried on their way.

The reporters were still packed around the gate when Benjamin Ward returned home, though the lawyer noticed that the camera truck was gone and there was debris scattered about. Ben grinned hatefully at the thought of the news vultures being the victims of a traffic accident.

The reporters descended on Ben as he stopped at the intercom box.

"Mr. Ward, why is Kelly Wilkes visiting your home?" one reporter asked.

"Mr. Ward, what happened at the school yesterday?" another shouted.

"Is Kelly Wilkes going to withdraw the rape charge against your son?" the first continued, elbowing a journalist from a competing paper out of the way.

"WHAT!?" Ben shouted in surprise and rage. He certainly hadn't expected the Wilkes slut to be visiting his home, but he instantly knew who she was here to see. "Let me pass!" Ward shouted uselessly at the pack of jackals. "LET ME PASS!"

Mr. Verne rushed forward, ready to resume his role as guardian of the gate, with his fearsome gardening fork in hand. The reporters had tried to have Walter Verne arrested for assault, but the police told them that since the Ward property extended twenty feet beyond the gate, and since Mr. Verne had given them fair warning to move and cease trespassing, they had no complaint coming.