Chapter 1

I was working through college on her grandfather's farm. My plans to take the summer off were crushed when my parents informed me that they couldn't afford to pay my share of the rent and wanted me to return home dullsville. For me that wasn't an option. The past few semesters I saw a steady decline in support and entering my junior year was going to be really tough. I needed some quick cash but it wouldn't come soon enough to pay rent and I would have to move out.

It was my roommate, Eric, who actually noticed the ad in the paper seeking a farm hand for the summer. He mentioned it as a joke and he and Tony got a good laugh out of it. Curious, I read the ad smiling as seemed to be just what I needed. It offered room and board plus a hundred dollars a week for twelve weeks. That lined up perfectly with my schedule and without many alternatives, I made the call. Eric informed me that he and Tony were looking for a third roommate and I needed to be out by the end of May. That gave me three days to pack my shit and head out to the middle of nowhere to start my new job as a farm worker.

I was the forth hand hired that summer and as soon as the old man saw me he was very adamant that I not be there. He kept calling me a "city slicker" and said he didn't feel comfortable with 'someone like me' working on his farm. Immediately he took a dislike to me and treated me like an outsider. In a way, I guess I was. It was his wife, Rebecca, who insisted he hire me, something in my eyes she said, and the old man finally relented, mumbling under his breath as he walked away. That seemed to make his attitude toward me even more hostile.

The physical labor involved in farming and the back-breaking work was much harder than I anticipated. Many times I considered throwing in the towel and leaving but where would I go? The thought of being slave labor in my family's business for the summer wasn't that appealing but it sure beat working in the heat. About a week on the farm I got news from my mother that the business wasn't doing very well and they were trying to sell it. If they find a buyer, they'll be able to pay my way through college but if they didn't they may not be able to pay tuition in the fall.

"There's a nice community college here," she reminded me. I had no desire to return to that little hick town and rot there for the rest of my life. I loved St. Louis and planned on living there once I graduated so the news hit me hard. There would be no way I'd be able to pay for an apartment, books, gas, and living expenses without working full time. That would leave very little time for my studies and I could just see my GPA dropping like a ton of bricks. The timing was bad and the situation was dire.

"Just take a semester or two off that will allow us to sell the shop, pay off our debts and you can finish your education after that."

"I don't know, Mom, I'll have to think about that."

"If you don't move back home, Honey, I'm afraid we can't pay your expenses."

"I understand," I said before hanging up. I was really depressed for the rest of the night.

I first took notice of Annabel as she sat across from me at the breakfast table that following morning after my conversation with my mother. She kept stealing glances and shyly turned away when I looked back. She was just a scrawny little kid and I hadn't really paid any attention to her but right then I realized how pretty she was. Even with no makeup, her hair pulled back into a pony tail and ragged clothing she had on, she looked radiant, and her eyes were brighter than a cloudless day. I smiled at her and she blushed. How cute was that? At seven-thirty, the old man and the four of us headed outside to the fields to begin our twelve-hour day.

Two hundred and fifty acres is a lot to handle for us especially since there was a lot of repair work to be done. Jimbo was the blackest man I'd ever set eyes on and stood about four inches taller than my six-foot-two frame. He was ten years older than me, easily outweighed me by sixty pounds and was as strong as an ox. The other black guy was Reginald and was about twice my age, about my height and like myself, weighed around two hundred pounds. Juan, the quiet Mexican, was in his early forties, short and stocky and a damn good worker. He was happy when I was hired on as he always got the shitty jobs and now I got them.

We mostly kept to ourselves, not interacting much with the family but I did see Annabel from time to time over the next few days as she made her way to the barn or out to the fields s to feed the animals. I had been there almost two weeks when I noticed her sitting alone under a shade tree slowly fanning herself. I figured that she didn't see many boys her age around here as it was as rural as hell and not another farm for as far as the eye could see. She smiled in my direction so I went to sit with her in the shade.

"I'm Jake," I said extending my hand as I sat next to her.

"Yea, I know," she replied turning her eyes downward before smoothing out her tattered skirt.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced so I wanted to come over and say 'hi'." She nervously began fumbling with her hands on her lap. "So Annabel, do you have a boyfriend?" I asked trying to break the ice.

She quickly turned to me with a stare as if I had just called her mother a whore and blurted out "I'm only twelve, I can't have a boyfriend!"

"Excuse me," I said leaning away from her with a smile. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I ain't, I just don't got no boyfriend, that's all!"

"Okay, calm down, it's not like there's a lot to pick from around here anyway," I added reaching for a joint. Dealing with this isolation required plenty of pot. She watched as I fired it up and blew a cloud of smoke in her direction. She turned away coughing. "Sorry," I mumbled insincerely.

"I don't like cigarettes," she stated.

Leaning closer I smiled. "It's not really a cigarette," I informed her with a wink and chuckled at her confusion. "So, Annabel, do you like living out here? Out with no other kids your age?"

"They got kids my age 'round here. Travis and Teddy live just across the river," she said pointing over my shoulder. The river was about a half a mile away and was more like a stream than a river. "And Adam and Alyssa live past the woods," she added pointing beyond the small building the hired hands slept in.

"They're your age?"

"Yep, Travis is thirteen and Teddy is fifteen. Adam is fifteen too and Alyssa will be eleven next month, like me."

"You'll be eleven next month?"

"No silly, my birthday is next month. In two weeks. I'll be thirteen!"

"Oh, okay. We'll have to do something special for your birthday. Becoming a teenager is your first step to becoming a woman you know. You won't be a little kid any more, you know that right?"

"Of course I know that."

"ANNABEL!" her grandfather bellowed from about thirty feet away. "GET AWAY FROM HIM THIS INSTANT!" Scurrying away like a roach in a dark room when the lights are turned on, she bolted from under the tree and into the house, her flowing skirt billowing behind her like hanging laundry on a windy day. The old man just stared at me for a full minute before approaching aggressively. "Stay away from her!" he warned shaking his crooked finger at me before turning to leave, kicking the ground hard as he left.

I watched until he climbed on the tractor and headed out to the fields.

"Best be keepin' yo distance from her," a deep voice warned from behind me. "The old man don't take kindly to no one talkin' to 'er. He done took his shotgun after that Cramer boy a few months ago for puttin' his hands on her."

"The Cramer boy?"

"A boy 'bout your age lives on the farm behind this one," he said motioning his head toward our quarters.

"I thought his name was Adam."

"Naw, that's his kid brother. His name's Abe and he ain't allowed back over here."

"What's the old man's story? He's kind of possessive of her isn't he? Is he trying to keep her all for himself or something?" Jimbo didn't see the humor in my last statement.

"His daughter, Linda, Annabel's mamma, runned off with some guy she met from the city and the prick kicked her out once she got pregnant. She came crawlin' back home all swolled up with a baby and stayed 'bout two months after she was borned befo' she runned off 'gain. She calls sometimes, but they ain't seen 'er in ten years."

"I guess that would explain his reaction to me. He thinks I'm trying to steal his little girl away from him again."

"Yep, so you bess be keepin' yo distance, you hear?"

"Yea, thanks for the advice," I said standing and brushing off the dust from my clothes. "I'm tired; I'm going to lie down for a while."

"LAY DOWN?!? There's too much work to be done fo' you to just rest when yo wanna!"

"Look, just cover for me for a while, I'll owe you, okay?" He grimaced before turning to leave, mumbling something under his breath. I made my way to the small building which we call home.

It was the eighth summer Jimbo worked for the old man and Reginald has been here for the past six. Like me Juan was new here as this was only his second stint. All three live within ten miles of the farm and are considered locals. That made me feel more out of place and I hated the living arrangement in the small shack.

It was built many years ago for storage and was converted into sleeping quarters for the workers about twenty years ago and was showing signs of neglect. It was about fifteen by twenty with a dirt floor and two sets of bunk beds along the back walls. Being the last one hired, I was left the worst bed with the thinnest mattress on a wobbly frame. Jimbo got the full-sized mattress under my bed and Reginald got the other lower bed. Even Juan's top bunk was much better than mine and no matter how much I begged; none would switch.

After my encounter with her granddaughter under the tree, Melvin began treating me even worse and started keeping a closer eye on me, watching for any signs of trouble. It was pissing me off being scrutinized like that and more out of spite than anything, I began to get very friendly with Annabel. I knew she liked me as she displayed all the classic "puppy-love" signs. I was her first crush and felt flattered but wanted to really push the envelope, just to tick the old man off.

I brought her daisies late one night to her bedroom window where we quietly talked just outside for an hour. I went slowly with her, saying all the right things, doing things to make her smile and doled out compliments until she blushed. Living in seclusion and not having any real social skills, she ate it up like candy. Before long we were playing footie's under the table and I even persuaded her to walk down to the river with me where I kissed her for the first time. Nothing dramatic, just a simple kiss but she thought it was the greatest thing in the world.

"You're my girlfriend now," I informed her after the first kiss.

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed loudly.

"You're my girlfriend. Don't you want to be my girlfriend?" She was taken aback by question. "Annabel?" I asked after a moment of silence. I could tell she was considering the ramifications of our relationship.

"I dunno, I ain't never had no boyfriend before."

"Well you've got one now! I liked you a lot from the first time I met you and I know you liked me too, right?" She slowly nodded. "Now I can say that I love you 'cause you're my girl," I added leaning over to kiss her again. She moved backward a bit, but I caught her, pulling her closer and kissed her passionately, tongue and all.

She struggled for about thirty seconds before relenting, allowing me to kiss her untested mouth. I would have to teach her the proper way to kiss later, but for now, I just wanted to enjoy her soft, sweet lips for a moment. She was the first girl in months I'd been with and I didn't want to ruin the moment by correcting her amateurish technique. Stage one was completed and now it was time to drive a wedge between her and the old man.

"Listen, I know it's your birthday in two days and I want to do something really special for you. I have a celebration planned so I need for you to meet me here, in "our place" tomorrow around eleven. I know your grandparents go to bed at ten so it shouldn't be a problem." She stared at me with concern for a while.

"I dunno, Jake, it don't feel right to keep sneakin' out like that."

"Baby Doll, you know I love you and want to spend as much time as I can with you, but your grandfather won't let me anywhere near you. This is the only way we can be together. You like being with me, right?" She nodded. "See, that wasn't so hard. I want to give you a very special gift but you have to meet me here tomorrow night. Promise?" Slowly she nodded again.

I kissed her, putting my arm around her as she was shaking. It wasn't cold out she was just nervous about being with an older, more mature man and trying to come to terms with her budding sexuality. I'm sure no one ever sat down and explained to her the birds and the bees or what to expect as her body goes through 'the change' so all the new emotions and hormones coursing through her was very confusing at the very least.

What started out as some twisted plan to get even with her grandfather for treating me like shit, quickly became more as I got to know Annabel. Getting this close to her I discovered how truly naïve and innocent she really was. She was "in love" with me, as far as a girl of that age could be even though I knew she didn't fully understand what love was all about. I played into that. Without any competition from any boys her age, I didn't have to worry about losing her.

The next morning Melvin sent Jimbo into town for a few supplies so I tagged along. I needed a few things for our special night and managed to buy them without him seeing. All bagged up, my plan was in place to turn young, innocent Annabel into a woman.

She was late and I was beginning to wonder if she'd show up. It was 11:32 when she finally broke through the clearing by the river meekly approaching. I got up to meet her putting my arm around her waist as I guided her to the set up. An old army blanket was spread out with a large candle for mood. She was wearing a different dress, much newer than usual and her long brown hair was curled and cascading down around her back. The only time I ever saw her dressed up like this was on Sundays when they went to church.

"You look beautiful!" I exclaimed noticing how her bright blue eyes glimmered in the moon light. Pulling her closer I gave her a hug, followed quickly with a kiss as I eased her onto the blanket. "Thank you for coming, I was getting worried."

"I wanted to get gussied up a little."

"Well you sure did, Annabel, I don't think I've ever seen you look more beautiful than tonight!" She turned away slightly and even though I couldn't see it, I was sure she was blushing. I kissed her.

"I have your present," I said pulling out the small, square box.

"But it ain't my birthday yet."

"It will be in twenty minutes and I just can't wait to give it to you!" I replied extending my hand farther. She took it, examining it as it if a snake would jump out at any moment. I don't think anyone ever gave her a present like this before.

"What is it?"

"Open it and you'll see." Slowly the top was removed and the silver-plated, cubic zirconia ring glistened in the dim light.

"OH MY GOD, JAKE!" she exclaimed loudly as her hands began to shake. "It's a ring!"

"I know that, silly," I said leaning over to kiss her again, slipping her my tongue. "This is to show my love for you. Do you like it?"

"I love it!" she cried out hugging my neck. I sat quietly for several seconds as she rocked my head back and forth grasping it in a tight bear hug. Finally she backed away, her hands shaking as she examined it closer. The band was the smallest size they had but was still too big for her. I suggested she put some tape on the band to keep it on.

"I can't wear this," she said disappointedly. "Paw Paw won't let me keep somethin' like this."

"I know so it will have to be our secret, okay? Next time I'm in town I'll buy you a necklace so you can wear it around your neck, under your dress. That way he'll never see it," I added leaning over to kiss her passionately. She didn't resist and I attacked her mouth, shoving my tongue fully inside of her mouth and twisting our heads for better contact.

"I have something else for you," I said reaching for the small bucket next to me before pulling out the frosted bottle. Puzzled she stared at it. "It's, Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill, the best money can buy. Have you tasted it before?"

"Is it alcohol? I can't drink alcohol."

"Sure you can, just a little won't hurt you. Lots of girls your age in other countries drink wine all the time so it's no big deal."

"I better not; Paw-Paw will get mad."

"Not if he doesn't know. It will be our secret, just like the ring," I said watching as her eyes glanced downward to the box. "Just a little to celebrate your birthday, okay?" She nodded and I smiled, unscrewing the cap. The only glasses I had I'd taken from her grandmother's kitchen and was large mugs. This worked better as it hid the Ecstasy I had crushed into the bottom of her cup.

She was nervous as I poured her drink and she quickly gulped it down. I poured her another cup full before making some for myself. It wasn't long before the second one was gone as well. I tipped the bottle toward her cup but she pulled it away.

"No more."

"Come on, Annabel, just one more. I didn't get a chance to drink with you or to make a toast." Hesitantly she extended her cup and I poured her another cup full. I made a toast to us and to her birthday and watched a she slowly gulped the sweet wine. I had only taken a sip of mine and over half of the bottle was gone. Being only five foot one and weighing no more than eighty pounds, the alcohol was quick to affect her. I figured in fifteen or twenty minutes the E would kick in and she'd be putty in my hands. I lit a joint watching as her eyes became glossy from the wine.

"Here, take a hit," I suggested extending the cigarette to her. I could tell she didn't want to and under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have, but with the wine and a little encouragement, she took it from me and brought it to her lips. Seconds later she was coughing her head off. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I know a better way to smoke," I said taking it from her. Inhaling deeply, I filled my mouth with the smoke before placing my mouth over hers. Her throat and lungs were quickly filled as I exhaled hard into her mouth. As I backed away, I stared into her relaxed face for a while to make sure she was okay. I don't think she took a breath for almost a full minute but when she did, most of the smoke I had blown into her mouth was gone.

Blinking hard a few times to clear her vision, she stared blankly at me, trying to focus but looking as if she was seeing through me. I moved closer, putting my arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. Her skin was sticky and cool to the touch. I kissed her ear and she hardly moved.

"I want to make you a woman tonight," I whispered, sliding my tongue around her neck. She didn't flinch or respond. My hand crept along her arm until it reached the top of her dress. Without any words, I began touching her breasts. She recoiled but couldn't move with my arm still holding her tightly.

"Jake, I don't feel so good," she groaned.

"Shhhhh, it's okay, it's just all the excitement from tonight," I assured her, as I unbuttoned the top two buttons. Her hand went to mine.

"Jake, please don't."

"It's okay, Annabel, you're my girl, remember?"

"I, um, it don't feel right to do that."

"Annabel, I'm your boyfriend aren't I?" I asked. She slowly nodded. "And you want to make me happy, right?" Again she nodded. "It will make me very happy to touch you like this, okay?" She didn't move and struggled to keep her eyes opened and process what I said. I took that as a 'yes' and unbuttoned the next one, slipping my hand into her top.

God did she have soft breasts. They felt larger than I imagined as I'd only seen her in heavy dresses. Surprisingly, she wasn't wearing a bra. Was that for my benefit? I squeezed and fondled her breasts, feeling her left nipple growing firm as it extended from the breast meat. Like a ball of play dough, I gently pinched and squeezed the small bud and smiled as I heard her gasp. The Ecstasy was starting to kick in, overwhelming her senses.