Taken - Before her very Eyes (32 page)

“So what do you think it means,
Lori?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it means
that I’m looking for happiness—friendship—something?”

“But you’ve found both of those
things. I’m your best friend and obviously you’re mine. And how can you say
you’re not happy with your life? You’re beautiful. You live in a nice house and
your mother’s a nurse who makes lots of money. Oh yeah and the best thing is—if
I haven’t already mentioned it—you have me.” With that, Jessica sat up and
wrapped her arms around Lori.

Lori continued hugging her knees.
Her eyes burned with fresh hot tears. She felt the warmth from Jessica’s body
and her arms felt strong and supportive holding her tight, but there was still
a chill racing down her spine at the memory of the nightmares. She feared that
no matter how far away she ran, there would always be a tiny chance that the
wolf would someday return and finish the job it started four years ago.

“I know it’s been hard, Lori, but
it’s all behind you now. From here on in it’s you and me, okay? You just let me
know what will make you happy and we’ll do it.”

Sometimes Jessica could be such a
pain in the ass, but at times like this, she made up for it tenfold. Lori
smiled and was only able to nod in agreement as a few more tears overflowed,
following the trails down her cheeks.

Jessica released her hug and sat
back smiling. “Now, if you could do anything you wanted to today, what would it
be?”

“Why don’t we just sit here?”
Lori said. She knew that Jessica would rather head to the mall or even to the
schoolyard to see if the boys were playing a game of football today, but she
didn’t think she could stand either place right now. Her mind felt all mixed up
and the best place for her to think things through and sort out her feelings
was right here, listening to the water lapping at the wooden pillars under her
feet. There was something calming about the water. Maybe it was the rhythmic
sound it created or maybe it was the fact that life survived both above and
below the water’s glassy surface.

“I guess I could work on evening
out my tan lines.” Jessica dropped back, lying down on the pier then removed
her bikini top.

“I don’t know how you can do
that.” Lori wiped the tears from her cheeks and settled down beside Jessica.
“Aren’t you embarrassed that someone will see you?”

“What’s wrong? They’re only tits.
Hell, you’ve got the same thing under there, too. Besides half the old men have
bigger man-boobs than both of us. Who cares if it gets them worked up? Hell,
it’s half the fun trying to get them to walk around with a boner in their swimsuits.”

“I don’t know, Jessica, I don’t
think I could ever do that.”

Jessica turned her head and
shaded her eyes, meeting Lori’s gaze. “From what you told me you’ve already
shown the whole package in your window.”

“That’s different. I don’t have—”

“I’m just kidding.” Jessica
rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry about it. You’re beautiful. Don’t be afraid to
show it off.”

“Yeah, beautiful,” Lori scoffed.
“Beautiful girls don’t have to have someone find a date for them.”

Wampus Springs is available at:
www.amazon.com/dp/B007DZSZX4