The Shores of Folly
by
R.K. DeBerry
The Shores of Folly:
Copyright © 2010 by R.K. DeBerry, All rights reserved.
Cover design by R.K. DeBerry
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, groups, organizations, or events is not intended and is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the Author.
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DISCLAIMER
The events in this book which take place on James Island and Folly Beach, South Carolina are entirely Fictional. Some of the businesses in these towns are real and were still operating at the time of printing. Character names are mostly Fiction, with a few exceptions. Some of the characters whom are real, chose to use their actual names. Others chose to change their names to protect their identity. Some of the outdoor scenes are actual locations on or close to James Island and Folly Beach.
If any Fictional place or character portrayed in this book resembles an actual one, it is purely a common coincidence.
PROLOGUE
At the age of Twenty-One, Kyle Marshall was accepted into the Charleston, SC. division of the FBI. He was living downtown at the time but always wanted to live on Folly Beach. Six months after he went to work for them he rented an apartment one block from the shore. It was an exciting job for him. Drug busts gave him a good feeling.
One summer morning he and four other Agents drove to a small town north of the city for a routine drug bust. This was his eighth month as an Agent. Something went seriously wrong, the men inside the house opened fire as Kyle approached the side door. He returned fire, striking one of them in the head. Kyle could feel a burning in his chest. He took cover behind an old station wagon which was parked in the driveway. When it was over and the smoke cleared, two of the men inside the house were dead.
Kyle was in the hospital for three weeks. The next six weeks he spent at home recovering from the forty-five caliber hole in his upper chest. Late one afternoon, Kyle was sitting in the yard watching the tide come in when the Landlord pulled up with a young girl to look at the empty apartment next door to his.
She smiled at him as she walked past. Kyle must have looked like an idiot to her. He just sat there and stared at her with lust. The Landlord told the young girl who he was and what had happened to him three weeks ago. She moved in two days later. Kyle tried to help her but she would not let him do anything. He could not figure out why she was treating him like a child. Kyle was not aware the Landlord had told Michelle all about him. Kyle drove to his favorite bar the next night. He could not believe his eyes when he walked in. The beautiful young girl was sitting at the far end of the bar. He pulled up a stool and sat right next to her and introduced himself but she already knew. That was the beginning of their life together.
This is his story.....
CHAPTER ONE
It was a beautiful spring morning on Folly Beach, just outside Charleston, South Carolina. Birds were singing in the front lawn of the home of Kyle and Michelle Marshall. Kyle was forty-four years old and his wife was thirty nine with forty just around the corner. They were both very active in the community. The Marshall's home set on a large wooded lot directly on the beach. He and Michelle purchased the home two years after they were married.
Michelle was in the kitchen making breakfast when she heard Kyle coming down the stairs. The smell of coffee and bacon was making his mouth water. With a chipper tone in her voice, she turned to him as she poured his coffee. "Good morning Dear."
"Morning." He grumbled. "Where's the damn paper?"
Today was no different from any other. She had already retrieved the paper off the porch before she started breakfast because she knew he would be in a bad mood when he came down the stairs.
Kyle was a tall husky man. Six feet tall and almost two hundred pounds. His hair was turning gray and was always neatly combed. He sports a mustache that he's had since he was eighteen. He was rarely seen in public in anything but a suit and tie until a couple years ago. Now it's blue jeans and sneakers. He owns several houses and two business locations on the island and along the beach. He acquired the properties when his father died and left most of his Estate to him ten years ago. His Stepbrother Bill only started speaking to him a few years ago because he was angry over the inheritance. His father married Bill's mother two years after Kyle's mother died. He was twelve when he acquired his new brother.
He met his wife Michelle when she moved to the island and rented an apartment next door to his. He knew right then that she was the one for him. She was a beautiful young woman of seventeen and had a small frame that was built just right.
Kyle was twenty-one at the time. They started dating a week after she moved in. They did everything together and they were both very happy. They were married only six months after they met. The first ten years of their marriage was as good as it gets but she constantly worried if he would come back home at night. The couple had two children, both girls, which disappointed Kyle a little but he loved them very much. Both of his daughters are married now and live out of state.
Tammy, the oldest daughter of twenty-two and is now a Police Officer in Memphis. She married a Lawyer from Memphis whom she met when he came to the beach for vacation. Toni, age twenty is an elementary school Secretary. She married her high school sweetheart Randy West.
Randy is a computer specialist who works for a large computer company in Atlanta. Kyle is very proud of both of his sons-in-law but gets along better with Randy. Kyle was interested in computers so he bought one for his home about a year ago. He kept everything in it, including a database with all of his tenants so he could better keep up with the rent payments and expenses. He set up a recipe program for Michelle, it was the only thing she could do in it because she knew nothing about computers and did not want to learn. She would go into the study and try to watch what Kyle was doing but he would always find a way to get her out. He had a password on everything except the program for Michelle that she rarely used. He was working on a project in his study when Michelle came in. She was trying to read the pages as they shot out of the printer but it was too fast. She usually did not disturb him but she wanted to know what he was doing so she decided to ask. "Whatcha printing, Dear?"
He quickly grabbed the papers off the printer and headed for the door.
"I need to go out for a while, don't wait up!" She was furious he has been sneaking around for over two months and it was making her crazy with jealousy. She was convinced he was having an affair.
It was around six-thirty in the evening. The band had just started playing at the Crab Cage Lounge when Kyle walked in. He sat at the bar next to a short man in a dark blue business suit sipping on some kind of tropical drink with a cute little umbrella.
"Hi Kyle, have a seat. We'll have a drink first."
"Sure why not?"
"Whatcha have?" The bartender asked.
She was a nice looking girl in her mid twenties with a great body. She had long curly red hair that she usually had in a bun. She had a childish look and a beautiful smile. There was a large sign on the wall which read --
LOST DOG!
3 legged, blind in one eye
Missing left ear, broken
tail, recently castrated,
Answers to,
"LUCKY"
"Black Velvet and coke." He answered.
The two men sat at the bar and listened to the band play old Country songs. The man Kyle was talking to was Ronald Baldwin, a System Analyst for a large firm downtown. Kyle finished his drink so Ronald suggested they get a table. Ronald asked the bartender to bring another round to the table in the corner. The restaurant was not busy at the time so it was a good time to get business out of the way.
Ronald wasted no time in getting down to business. Just before the waitress arrived, he asked. "Did you get it?"
The Waitress was also a young woman in her mid twenties. She had medium length brown hair that was styled beautifully. She too had a great body and was always chirpy when Kyle saw her on other occasions. He always sat at the bar so he hadn't met her before.
He was still staring in her eyes when she asked. "Can I get you gentlemen anything else?"
"No thank you Dear!"
He was not paying any attention to Ronald. He was too busy watching this woman wiggle back to the bar, who obviously wanted to talk to him too.
"Damn!"
Ronald was getting disgusted with him at this point and had a sour look on his face. "I asked you if you have it!"
"Yes! - It's in my briefcase." He bent down and picked up the burgundy Alligator case that he was holding tightly between his feet. He opened it to reveal several papers and folders, mostly printouts from his personal computer.
"Here, hope this is what you want."
"Perfect! This is exactly what I need."
The shapely waitress was just rounding the corner. He stole a long look at her before he called to her. "Miss, how bout another round?"
"My name is Wendy, be right back."
"You old fart, Looks like she has the hots for you."
"Well, she is pretty. Hell, I might hit on her just to see what happens."
"You're old enough to be her father. I'm going back to the hotel. I'll call you tomorrow after I go over the figures."
"I just ordered another round, you can't leave now."
"Let the waitress drink it, I've gotta run. Stay outta trouble!"
Ronald put the papers in his briefcase and headed for the door.
"Goodnight. What an asshole!" He mumbled to himself over the lack of response from Ronald.
"Who?" Wendy Asked.
"Never mind."
She was still standing next to him in short shorts and a low cut top. Kyle couldn't take his eyes off her. "I get off at nine, will you still be here?"
"Hell yeah, I'm not going anywhere."
It was now eight o'clock so he did not have long to wait till the waitress was off work. He was thinking how much he wanted to get her in bed but he had never cheated on his wife in over twenty years of marriage. Their marriage was not as good since she had surgery for breast Cancer five years ago. She did not want to have sex much anymore. He picked up his briefcase and headed back to the bar to get a better view of the waitress.
His glass was empty so he put it on the edge of the bar so the bartender would see it and get him another drink.
"Hi, glad to have you back at the bar, not too many people worth talking to here tonight."
"What's your name Darlin?"
"I'm Pepper, what's yours?"
"Mine is Kyle, how did you get that name?"
"My Daddy, he said I used to make him sneeze when I was a baby. It was some kinda medicine I had to take when I was very young then the name stuck with me so there ya have it. What do you do Kyle?"
"Little as possible. I have a few properties that I rent out. I retired from the City Police so now I spend my time at the beach and local bars."
"Must be nice ,I work behind this damn bar six nights a week. I guess I can't complain, I have met a lot of nice people like yourself."
"Well thank you dear. You’re a sweetie too."
Before either of them could say another word, Wendy pulled out a bar stool and sat right next to Kyle.
"I'm off work now, whatcha wanna do?"
"Like a drink?"
She reached over and kissed him on the cheek. "I would love one!"
Pepper was still standing in front of them. She had a surprised look on her face from what she just seen Wendy do. "She is only twenty-three, She thought to herself. He must be forty-five or fifty."
"Excuse me for a minute dear."
Kyle headed off to the men's room. This gave Pepper a chance to talk to Wendy alone. "Wendy! What the hell are you doing with that old guy, do you know him?" "I just met him tonight. He is a gentleman and they're hard to find these days, besides he has money and is good looking, don't you think so?"
"Yeah, that he is. I hope you know what you're doing. Is he married?"
"I think so but I don't care if he don't. It's not like we're gonna get engaged or anything."
Kyle returned to the bar and quickly finished his drink.
"Do you wanna get outta here?"
"I would love to!"
The pair left the bar. Kyle got into his car and Wendy in hers. Pepper was worried about what Wendy had told her earlier. "Seems like such as nice Guy!" She thought to herself.
They drove to a bar on James Island where he had only been a few times and that was for business. He danced almost every song with her until the bar closed.
The last thing she remembered was climbing into the passenger side of Wendy's car.
CHAPTER TWO
His head was pounding and his mouth felt like his tongue was wearing a dirty sock when the alarm went off at seven-thirty. Michelle was in a foul mood and looked like she could rip his head off.
"Good morning, have a good time last night? Or should I say this morning!"
"Don't start on me!" He tried to shout at her but the pain in his head would not allow it."I need a cup of coffee! You go back to sleep, I'll get it myself."
Kyle slowly removed his hung over self from the bed and went straight to the bathroom to take shower. "The coffee can wait a few minutes." He thought to himself. The water made a loud roar as it came out of the showerhead, everything was louder this morning. It had been a few years since he had gotten hammered like that. He could not remember much after he left the bar with that woman. He put on blue jeans and a white shirt and went downstairs to make a pot of coffee. He could not wait for it to brew so he put his cup under the stream to fill it, then went to sit on the back deck.
He could not get last night out of his mind. The woman he was with was so beautiful and young.
"Could she really be interested in me?" He asked himself.
Michelle walked out the back door with a cup of coffee in her hand and sat at the table next to him.
"Hung over, Huh?"
"Not bad." He replied in a clear voice, as if nothing was wrong. "I had a few drinks too many last night while I was talking to some friends. We lost track of time." I just want to set quietly for a while and watch the tide come in."
Their Home was a two-story dream house which set on top of eight-foot stilts surrounded by large trees and flowers that Michelle was so proud of. The house was rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo completely destroyed it in September, nineteen eighty-nine.
To the right of the house was an attached three-car garage which housed his six-month-old Crown Victoria, Michelle's two-week-old Taurus and a fully restored fifty-seven Thunderbird convertible which was his pride and joy. Although he did not drive it much except for parades and such. It was now around eight-thirty and Kyle felt the strangest urge.
"Michelle! - I'm gonna take the T-Bird to the other end of the beach for a while, wanna go?"
"I can't today, I am going down town with friends at noon and I still have a few other things to do. You go and have a good time, hope you feel better dear."
She kissed him on the forehead and went inside. He raised the door in front of the T-bird. It was still shining from the cleanup job he did to her last week. It was a bright shade of red with a white top and interior and had a continental kit on the back. He climbed behind the wheel and fired his baby up. It purred like a kitten as he played with the radio till he found an oldies' station that was appropriate for the car. He put it in gear and slowly pulled out of the garage to the edge of the driveway.
As he waited for the other cars to clear, he could see people looking and pointing at his baby. He pulled into the street, gave it a little gas and it roared down the road.
When he arrived at his favorite spot on the beach, he could see it was not crowded yet but it was still early. He turned into a sandy public access area and parked in the far corner so other cars could not get close to his car. He hadn't shut it down yet when a couple walked up to and the man ran his hand across the back fender.
"Cherry, man!"
"Thanks. This is my baby!"
The couple walked along with Kyle to the beach, then went their own way. A giant pile of rocks was to his right so he climbed to the top to watch the waves and his baby. The sun was bright and the air was cool, a perfect day for the beach.
"Nice day isn't it?"
Kyle looked down to see a lady in a bikini with long blonde hair and a body that should be illegal.
"Yeah, it's great!"
"Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"That would be wonderful!"
She had a thermos and two beach chairs as if she had this meeting planned. There were no houses that close for her to just pop up like that.
"I wonder where she came from." He thought to himself.
Live on the beach?" He asked.
"Yes I do, there!" She Pointed to a large house with a deck that spanned almost completely around it. "I live there with three other girls"
"Are they all as pretty as you?"
"You're sweet! My name is Lisa Horton."
"I'm Kyle Marshall. Do this much?"
"Nope, first time. I was on the deck when you pulled in with that gorgeous car. I just wanted to meet you, hope that's OK?"
"Sure is. Glad you did, what do you do Lisa, Student?" He asked, knowing better by her age.
"Student," She said smiling. "I wish I was that young. I'm a nurse."
"You could work on me anytime. I never had Nurse's who looked like you anytime I was in the Hospital."
"How bout you," She asked, with her hand on his leg.
"Nothing, I'm retired."
"No! you don't look old enough to retire."
"Forty-four, I retired after twenty years when I took a bullet."
"Where did you get shot?"
"In my upper chest, I had been shot before but that one put me outta business."
"So, what do ya do with yourself now, beach-bum?"
"I wish, I may start doing this more often. It's very relaxing and the company is great."
"Would you like to go for a ride?" He asked, pointing to the Bird.
She stood up to reveal the body of a goddess with very little of it covered up. She was rubbing the back of her legs because of striped chair marks that were just to the bottom of her bikini. Her butt shook perfectly with each stroke of her hand. It was making him crazy and she knew it.
"I would love to. Will you help me take these things to the house?"
"Sure!"
They walked down the beach together kicking shells and drinking coffee. When they arrived at her house, she told him. "Just put them anywhere, let's go for that ride now!"
They climbed in Kyle's baby and headed down the road along the beach. Her hair was blowing in the wind and he could tell she was having a great time. There was a crowd just ahead in the sand.
"Stop!" She said, turning the radio down. "There's my roommates."
He turned into a sandy parking lot of an old bar. Three very pretty girls approached the car before it stopped rolling.
"Lisa!" One of them yelled.
"Hi Ladies." He said, before Lisa got a chance to speak.
They were all on Lisa's side of the car leaning over to talk to her. Their breasts were hanging out of their skimpy suits, begging to be held. He felt like reaching out and jiggling all of them but decided he had better behave himself. He was surrounded by four of the most beautiful girls he'd ever seen, one of them in his car. One of the girls asked Lisa if she and Kyle would like to go inside for a Bloody Mary. She looked at him for an answer.
"Why not, could be fun. Go on in Lisa, "I'll find a place to park, be right there."
Lisa exited the car and walked up the steps to the bar with her friends. Kyle could not take his eyes off all of them. He was going to be in a bar drinking early in the morning with four Babe's. He found a safe place for his car and proceeded to the bar to join his new friends. He had a feeling that Lisa only wanted to be with him because of the T-Bird but that was alright with him. When he entered the bar, he saw the girls at a table with one extra chair.
"Over here Kyle." Lisa shouted.
The bartender was passing out the Bloody Marys just as he reached their table. This was a first for him, drinking so early in the morning. He already had a hangover but he almost forgot about it with all these ladies around.
He and his new friends sat at the table until almost noon. He asked Lisa if she wanted to stay here with the girls or go back to the house.
"I am staying a little longer but I want to give you something."
She went to the bar and got a piece of paper and a pen. She returned to the table and gave the paper to Kyle. He looked at it in a puzzled gaze.
"My phone number, call me this evening if you can."
"I sure will, around seven OK?"
"Perfect! I'll be waiting."
Driving off the beach to his house, Kyle was thinking of Lisa and how they met. What's going on? Last night it was Wendy, a waitress in a bar and today, Lisa on the beach. "Why is it that young girls are suddenly starting to flirt with me?" The thought of him being a stud at his age was silly. It's got to be either money or the car. His thoughts raced about as fast as the car was going. He looked down at the speedometer, "Damn!" He yelled. Fifty-five MPH in a thirty MPH zone." He quickly slowed the classic down before the Folly Beach police pulled him over.
"What am I going to tell Michelle?" Thinking to himself.
"Where have I been? She wouldn't believe I was on the beach for over four hours."
He had about a half mile to go before he reached his home. He had to think quickly. It was not like Kyle to act like this. Drinking, chasing young girls and now driving this old car around. It felt good riding around in a classic convertible in blue jeans. For years it had been suits and a four-door sedan. As he rounded the last corner to his house, he realized what was happening to him.
"I think there is a name for this, it's called Middle Aged Crazy."
As He pulled into his driveway he remembered Michelle was going to town around noon. He climbed out of the T-Bird to look in the garage for her car. The car was gone so he now had time to come up with a story of his whereabouts.
He was stretched out on the front porch swing sipping on a tall glass of iced tea. He had decided to tell Michelle that he was setting on a rock pile on the beach for a while. When the sun got brighter, he decided to go have a cool drink and talk to some friends. This way he would not be lying too much, most of it was true. He would just leave out a few points. The phone began to ring. He reached over and picked up the cordless on a little table next to the swing.
"Hello!" He answered in a chipper tone.
"Hi Honey. I'll be home in a few hours. We are just now having lunch."
She sounded as if she was no longer mad.
"That's fine dear, I'm just relaxing on the porch."
"The girls called not long after you left. I left the house around ten o'clock. Have you been home long?"
"An hour or so, I am going to wash the T-Bird before I put it away. Have fun and take your time. You don't get out that much anymore so enjoy it."
"Thanks Honey, love you!"
"I love you too! Bye."
He hung up the phone and gave a big sigh of relief. He was starting to feel bad now, she had not told him she loves him in a long time. "What's up with her now?" He thought to himself.
The last five years their marriage they were more like roommates. They were never mean to each other but there was no more love and affection. The first time in his life he cheats on her and the next day she says she loves him.
"Think Kyle!" Talking to himself out loud.
He decided to wait and find out what happens when Michelle gets home. "No point in worrying about it now." He thought to himself. Just as he started to doze off, the phone rang again.
"Hello!"
"Hi Kyle! How ya doing? This is Wendy, remember me?"
"Yeah, how'd you get this number?"
"You told me your last name so I looked it up in the phone book, very simple. You don't mind do you?"
He paused a minute and started to worry about her having this number. What if Michelle was here, how would he explain it?
"No, it’s just luck that my wife isn't home."
"Luck has nothing to do with it!" She said with a giggle. "I was across the street when she left."
"Are you watching my home?" He asked in a sharp tone.
"Not really, I just wanted to see where you lived in the daylight. She pulled out of the garage as I drove by. You told me that she bought a new car and the cars you have. Don’t you remember?"
"No, I don't remember much after we left the bar. I must have been OK to drive. My car was in the garage when I got up this morning."
"You were wasted Kyle. A friend and I drove you to your house and put the car in the garage around three this morning. Would you like to see me again?"
"Give me your phone number OK! I am going to be tied up tonight but I will call you tomorrow."
She gave Kyle her number and they said good-bye. Kyle went to the garage and got the stuff to wash the T-Bird. He put the top up and went at it. After the car was washed, he put everything away and got the chamois cloth to dry it off before parking it back inside. Just as he began to dry his baby, a car came up the driveway. It was Michael and Brenda Leeds, old friends who he hasn't seen in quite some time.
"Hi Kyle." Brenda said, walking over to look at his car.
"Damn this is pretty!"
"Hi Guys! Cat got your tongue Michael?"
"Nah!" Michael replied in a painful tone.
"He's hung over." Brenda said with a big grin.
He could tell this was not going to be a nice visit with them fighting. He thought to himself that it was better Michael than him.
"We were just passing by Kyle, I better take him home so he can go to bed."
"Yeah, he looks like he's in pain. Come back sometime when you feel better."
"Will you be at the Boardwalk later?" Brenda asked.
"Sure will! I try to go every day unless something comes up."
"Alright, see ya there."
Kyle finished cleaning his car and returned it to the garage, until he got the urge to take it out and get it dirty again. It was now close to two o'clock, his eyes were getting very heavy. The ole boy is not one for late nights. He decided to go inside and take a nap on the couch until Michelle got home, thinking she would wake him up.
He woke up to the sound of people talking. He opened his eyes, looked across the room to see Michelle watching television.
"Well! Good evening sleepy head!"
"It's seven-thirty. Why did you let me sleep this long?"
"You didn't get much sleep last night so I thought you could use it. Don't get mad Honey."
"You know I was going to the Boardwalk"
"It's still early, freshen up a little and go."
He went upstairs to clean up. “A fresh shirt and a shave should do it. Besides, it's not like I'm going to any place fancy." He thought to himself.
The Boardwalk is located a few blocks from the beach. It is a great place to unwind after a day of swimming and surfing.. There is a room off to the left with pool tables and pinball machines.
The bartender is a sweet middle-aged petite woman. The bar is long and curves around almost in a circle. One wall behind the bar has a few cartoons and funny lyrics. Kyle would laugh every time he read some of them. One says:
"IF ASSHOLES COULD FLY, THIS PLACE WOULD BE AN AIRPORT"
Another one reads:
"COWS MAY COME AND COWS MAY GO but THE BULL IN THIS PLACE GOES ON FOREVER."
Most of the people that go in there are local beach dwellers. There is a big table as you walk in where many of them gather to shoot the bull, read the paper or watch women walk by.
Arriving at the Boardwalk, he parked in front of the door, along the curb on the main road. Walking up to the door, he could see it was crowded.
"Hi Brenda."
"Didn't think you were going to make it."
"I fell asleep on the couch after you left."
One of the regulars was leaving just as Kyle approached the bar. There was now an empty seat between Brenda and a woman named Barb She was a short middle aged Comedian with long hair and a pretty face. She always had a good joke or something to make Kyle laugh. It didn't matter what time of day Kyle stopped in she was there, sort of a permanent fixture.
Kyle was sitting at the bar sipping on a cold beer thinking about his wife and how she suddenly started acting towards him. He felt something against his foot. He looked down and saw Michael and Brenda's dog, Savannah. A black shorthaired lab wannabe.
"Hi girl, give me five!"
The dog took her paw and put it against Kyle's palm. She is a smart dog and very obedient. She loves to run on the beach and chase birds.
"Kyle!" Michael yelled from two stools down. "Gotta minute?"
"Yeah Michael, what's up?"
The Leeds's were opening their own bar on the beach just down the street from the Boardwalk. It has been around for years so when it came on the market for sale, they jumped on it.
"Are you going to come to our Grand opening?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, did you remodel any of it?"
"Not a bit, it's been the same way for years. People must like it that way, no point in screwing with a good thing."
"Makes sense, I'm looking forward to going to your new place. Hell, maybe Michelle will come with me!"
"How is she doing?" Brenda asked.
"Strange! You know we haven't done much together in the past few years. She has started to be the sweetheart I married all of a sudden, something's up!"
Kyle was really starting to feel guilty about being out tonight. He was still in love with Michelle even with things the way they were over the past years.
"Hey guys!" Kyle said softly. "I need to get home and talk to Miki. Damn! It's been years since I've called her that."
"I remember." Brenda said, ordering another round. "You never called her anything else."
"No more for me, I'll see ya later!"
"Where ya off too?" Brenda asked, swinging around in the barstool.
"Home. See ya later."
He hurriedly walked out to the shiny green Crown Vic and headed for home. Only living a few blocks away, did not give him much time to think about what he was going to say to her. He pulled into the drive and didn't bother to put the car in the garage. He went into the living room where she was asleep on the couch with a book lying on her chest. He picked up the book and placed it on the end table.
"Miki." He said softly. "Wake up Honey."
She opened her eyes to see Kyle kneeling on the floor beside her. "Hi, what time is it?"
"Nine o'clock, sit up Honey. I want to talk to you."
"Did I hear you call me Miki?"
"Yes Honey. I know things between us haven’t been good for a few years but I still love you very much. I want our old life back."
"Kyle, I love you too, more than I have let on."
She took a brush from her purse and handed it to Kyle.
"Will you brush my hair for me?"
"Anything babe, why are you crying?"
"I thought I was losing you. I know you haven't been happy."
He put the brush on the table, took her in his arms and planted a kiss on her as if they were school kids. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her again.
She was dressed in a bathrobe with only panties under it. He began to unbutton her robe and placed his hand on her left breast. He then turned around and turned off the light. She stood up and removed the robe and sat down in his lap. He was happy to have his love back and so was Michelle.
He wondered what went wrong in the first place. She is a very pretty lady, five-six, one hundred and twenty-five pounds, with short blonde hair feathered to the back on one side. He told her again how much he loved her, picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom.
CHAPTER THREE
The alarm clock next to the bed was loud, Toni reached over to kill the alarm and tune in a station.
"Good morning Atlanta!" The Disc Jockey said. "Take a little extra time going to work today, the rain is pouring down at this hour!"
"Randy, wake up Honey."
He came to life and grabbed her up in his arms for a little morning delight. It was after seven when they both climbed out of bed and into the shower.
"I'm getting out Randy, going to make breakfast."
"OK Baby, I'll be right down."
The couple sat at the kitchen table for eggs, toast and coffee. Their house was a two-story ranch style with stone half way up and white siding on the top. An oval shaped in-ground swimming pool enhanced the back yard. A two-car garage housed her nineteen-ninety-five Neon and his new Mustang convertible. With Randy, being a Computer Analyst and Toni a grade school secretary, they were able to afford all the niceties.
"I think I'll call Daddy, OK?"
"Tell the ole boy I said hello!"
She picked up the phone on the end of the counter top and began dialing. There was no answer. "Where could they be at this hour?" She wondered to herself.
"Hello!" A weak voice said on the other end.
"Daddy is that you?"
"Yeah Honey, your mother and I were up late last night."
"Where is she now?"
"She is still sleeping."
"I'm sorry I woke you!"
"That's OK, you can call here anytime you know that Sweetie."
"So how is everything in the big city?"
"Fine Daddy, couldn't be better. Randy says hello."
"Tell him I said hi and to bring my daughter here to see her ole man!"
Kyle did not want to tell Toni that her mom and him were rekindling their marriage. He wanted Michelle to tell her. She was aware of the past few years and was very scared about it but would never bring it up. The oldest daughter Tammy, has not spoken to him in over a year, she blamed him for her mothers' unhappiness.
"OK Daddy, go back to sleep. I will call back later in the week to talk to mom. Take care and tell her we said hello and we love her."
"OK Honey. I love you both, talk to ya soon, bye."
"That was strange!" Toni said in a puzzled tone.
"What's that Babe?"
"They were asleep! They are always up by this time.
Daddy said they were up late last night. I wonder what they were doing?"
"Maybe they were, you know."
Toni looked at Randy for a few seconds and thought to herself.
"Could it be after all these years?"
Randy got up from the table, kissed Toni and went upstairs to get dressed. Toni was going shopping with one of the teachers from her school today, so she still had a couple hours until she had to leave. He came downstairs in his best three piece suit. He had a meeting with an investor in a project he was working on. He was trying to start his own company without Toni finding out. He wanted it to be a surprise because it would be located in South Carolina, close to both of their families.
"Bye Honey." Toni said. "Have a nice day!"
"You too sweetheart. I wish I could stay here with you and make love all day. I will try to come home early."
Randy opened the door in the kitchen which led to the garage and pushed the button to open the large double door. The rain was still coming down but it was very warm. He got into his car and backed out. He pushed the button on the sun visor to close the door. It was only a few blocks to the main highway that led to his office in a thirty-story glass building in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The phone that was mounted on the floor and twisted up over the console began to ring.
"Hello!"
"Hi...I just wanted to say I love you again."
"That was sweet. This traffic is a son-of-a-bitch, be careful Babe."
"I will, bye!"
"Bye Babe, I love you too."
He began thinking how lucky he was to have such a loving and beautiful wife. Long black hair, slender and very sexy. She has often brought up the issue of children but he wanted to get his company going and have a few more years alone with the woman he loved.
He arrived at the giant building and entered his code into the parking garage terminal. It was still early, so finding a good spot this morning was quick and right beside the elevator. Some of the higher ranking employees had their own parking spots on the next level. He was to get his when the promotion went through in three more months but he did not plan to be there that long. If the meeting went well today, he could start his own company.
CHAPTER FOUR
Back on the Island, Kyle was in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading the morning paper. It was after nine and Michelle was still in bed. He walked very quietly up to the bedroom. He stood beside the bed to look at the woman he had almost forgotten he had. She looked so beautiful lying there half uncovered and nude. Her hair that looked so good last night was hanging over her forehead, almost in her eyes. He gently set on the edge of the bed beside her. He took his fingers and moved the hair that was in such a mess. He bent down and kissed her on her lips and she began to move. Her eyes opened slowly and when she saw Kyle next to her, a big smile came over her face.
"Good morning Sweetheart!" He said.
She sat up and put her arms around him and squeezed tight like she had never done before. Kyle held her just as tight, hoping the moment would never end.
"Last night was wonderful, all week has been great!" She said with a small tear in her eye.
"Yes it was, we can have nights like that from now on Honey. This is only the beginning, we almost threw away our marriage."
She released the tight hold she had on him and looked him in the eyes. She leaned forward and gave him a very passionate kiss and asked him to get into bed with her. It didn't take him long to strip off his clothes and lie down with his bride. They made love like teen-agers for over an hour. Their love for each other was growing stronger by the second.
"Miki, let's go away for a while, maybe a second Honeymoon."
"I'd love too."
"Toni called earlier, she said hello and sends her love."
"Where did you tell her I was?"
"Beside me asleep, I want the girls to know we have changed our life but I want you to be the one to tell them. I think it would be better coming from their mother."
"That well be great, I will call both the girls tonight if you want me to."
"Sure do. The sooner the better. I have coffee on, I'll go down and get us a cup, you wait here OK?"
"Ah Yeah." She said with a look of surprise.
"We're making love like kids, kissing, holding, and now he is going to serve me coffee in bed, maybe this is all a dream. I have wanted it for such a long time." She thought to herself.
Kyle came in with a large tray. It had a pot of coffee, orange juice, eggs, the way she likes them, bacon, toast and a red rose in a tall glass vase. She felt like a queen, breakfast in bed and the best part is in the nude. "Could it get any better?" She asked herself.
Kyle set the tray on the bed, removed his robe and got into bed with his nude wife. They sat facing each other while they ate looking deep into one another's eyes.
"Kyle, I can't believe it, you didn't do this when we were first married."
"I know Honey." He said with sorrow. "There's a lot of things I have never done for you. I am gonna do them now, I want to spoil you. Let's get dressed and take the T-Bird to the other end of the beach. We haven't done that in years. How bout it?"
"That will be fun!"
The loving couple got in the classic car and pulled out into the driveway. He stopped to lower the top for the cruise to the beach. They were having a ball, driving around the beach while friends wondered what they were doing together.
"Feel like you're being watched Honey?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah. Let em' look, I love it. It will give them something to talk about."
"It sure will, it wasn't a secret about our life ya know. I hope they will be as happy about it as I am."
"What about your friends Kyle? Are you still going to go out every night to be with them?"
"Not a chance! If I go out, I want you to be with me. Show off the woman I love."
"I would love to but you still need some time with your friends without me.. once in a while!"
"We'll talk about that later, I just want to be with you now."
They pulled off the road into a public access parking area and walked across the wooden bridge. Holding hands like they did years ago. It was around ten o'clock now and the sun was shining bright.
They walked the shoreline for what seemed to be five miles each way. Talking and making plans for the future. She wanted so much to ask him what he did in his computer. She decided that will come in time. This was too good and she didn't want to rush anything. She was sure he would no longer keep secrets from her.
As they were walking back towards the car, a voice behind them yelled out. "Kyle! is that you?"
They turned around to see a tall husky man. It was Sheriff Dave Stenger. He had been jogging on the beach before going to his office.
"Yep, how ya doing Dave? You remember Michelle?"
"Yes. Hello dear. You're looking good."
"Thank you Sheriff."
It had been a few years since she had talked to the Sheriff. The last time she saw him was at Kyle's retirement party. She was sure he was wondering what we were doing on the beach, together. The Sheriff told us to have a nice day and then jogged away.
"We need to be going Kyle, remember you're going to the Desperado tonight."
"Yes we are."
It was around ten o'clock as they climbed back into the T-bird. When Kyle got to the red light by the Pier, he decided to turn right. Michelle looked over at him but said nothing. When he turned the old car into the parking lot of Tommi’s Lounge, she spoke up.
"Kyle dear, it’s ten in the morning. Little early for a beer don't ya think?"
"How long's it been since you've had an early morning beer Honey?" Kyle asked with a grin.
"I don't remember ever drinking this early. What the hell!, let's go."
"Good morning Kerri" Kyle said, pulling out a stool for Michelle. "Remember this stranger?"
"Yeah!, hi Michelle. It's been a long time.
"Give us a couple Bud light's please, she needs to watch her figure." Kyle said smiling at his wife.
"Have you read that sign?" Michelle asked Kyle.
"Which one hon?"
"The one that says,
I'm lost-
I've gone to look for myself
If I should return before I
get back, please ask me to wait
"No, I've never seen that one, cute isn't it?"
"Yes it is, where do they come up with all this stuff?"
"Going to the opening tonight Kyle?" Kerri asked, setting the two long necks in front of them.
"Wouldn't miss it, we'll be there around seven."
"Barb and I are going too. Guess they won't be hanging out here much anymore." Kerri said, as she answered the phone. "Yeah, they're here, hang on please. It's for you Kyle."
"Who knows we're here?" Michelle asked.
"Hello!"
"Kyle!" Brenda said on the other end." My damn car won't start. Would you mind picking me up? I need to get to the bar. Michael is already there."
"Be there in a few."
"She needs to get rid of that car, it's always breaking down." Kerri told the Marshall's.
Kyle and Michelle went to Brenda's house and rang the doorbell. Brenda came to the door with a strange look on her face from seeing them together but didn't say anything. Another strange look appeared on her face as she saw what they were driving.
"Glad we don't have far to go, it's gonna be a little cramped."
"Bitch and moan...Bitch and moan!" Kyle told her.
They dropped Brenda off at the bar and told her they would see them tonight. Driving past the Crab Cage, Kyle suggested stopping in for a drink. Michelle did not agree this time, so they went home.
"Grass is getting a bit high isn't Kyle?" Michelle asked with a slight grin.
"Give's the place character!" Kyle said laughing.
"No more morning beer for you. How bout making the character a little shorter OK?"
"Yes Dear, whatever you say."
He went to the garage and rode out on his lawn tractor. He decided to play around with Michelle first. She was working in her flowerbed when she heard it getting closer. She turned around and saw Kyle looking as if he was going to run her down. She stood up and pointed to the yard with a big grin on her face. Kyle smiled and put the tractor in reverse.
"Have fun Darling!" She yelled.
After all the yard was done, Kyle parked the tractor in the driveway to clean it up before putting it away. He decided to wash the T-bird as well. Michelle was bent over digging in her flowerbed. Kyle could not resist spraying her with the hose.
He took careful aim and squirted her on her bottom. She stood up and walked over to him. They looked like little kids wrestling of the water hose. Both of them were soaked. After the water battle was over, Michelle wrapped her arms around his wet body and kissed him. They finished washing the T-Bird and her Taurus together.
Evening had arrived, the Marshall's were getting ready to go to their friend's bar opening. Michelle wore a two-piece tan dress suit with a large belt and diamond earrings. Kyle was wearing a tan three-piece suit, white shirt and maroon tie. They looked as if they were going ballroom dancing.
They climbed into the Crown Vic and headed to the bar. Kyle was very surprised when he entered the bar. Michael had done a great job. There was a long bar as you walked in and new carpet on the dining room side. The bandstand and dance floor caught Michelle's eye. There were several people already there. Kyle and Michelle sat at the far end of the bar close to the dance floor. Michael came out of the kitchen with Brenda behind him.
"Glad you two could make it! What will it be?"
"Two Black Velvet's and coke!"
"No!" Michelle said, looking behind the bar. "I would like to have a White Russian."
"Fire water, you're both nuts." Brenda said.
"White Russian! the last time you drank those, Go on, Baby drink away!" Kyle said with a big grin.
The band began play oldies. Kyle went over to the stage and requested a song. The lady in the band announced that the next song was for Michelle. Kyle went back to the bar and took Michelle's hand, leading her to the dance floor. They were the only couple on the floor as they slow danced to their favorite song. Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton. They returned to the bar as the crowd applauded their show. They were the first couple on the dance floor of the new establishment.
Before anyone else could get on the floor, Kyle grabbed Brenda's hand and led her on the dance floor. Michelle sat at the bar talking to Michael and ordered another White Russian. Kyle came back to join his wife who was now on her third drink.
"Put 'em down baby!"
"Kyle!" Michael whispered. "Come here a minute."
"Be right back honey."
Kyle walked to the back where Michael was waiting to ask him a question.
"What's with the White Russians?"
"If she finds out I told you, I'll be cut off for a month!"
"Won't be the first time." Michael said, putting his hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"White Russians make her frisky!"
"What's wrong with that?"
"Not a damn thing!!"
Kyle went back to Michelle and asked her if she was hungry. Michael took them to a cozy table in the back of the dining room. They both ordered T-bone Steaks and baked potatoes. After their meal, they headed for the dance floor to do a little boot scooten. It had been several years since the couple had done this. They didn't forget a thing. They looked like pros on the floor. Kyle couldn't get over how good his wife looked in that suit with her dress revealing a little leg with each twirl.
It was getting late, Michelle was feeling no pain at this point. This was the first time in years Kyle had seen his bride intoxicated, he was loving it. Michelle got up to go to the ladies room as Brenda walked over to Kyle.
"Looks like she's having a good time."
"She sure is! a bit too much to drink but that's OK. I've done it a time or two."
"A time or two!" Brenda giggled.
"At least once or twice!"
Michelle returned from the ladies room with a strange look on her face.
"You OK honey?" Kyle asked with a grin.
"It's been too long since I've done this. I got sick in the ladies room." She whispered to him. "But I feel a lot better now."
"Want another drink?" He asked with sarcasm.
"Yes, I do. Is that alright?"
"You're a big girl. I'll carry you to the car if you can't walk."
"I think I can walk, so far."
They finished their last drink and said good night to the Leeds's.
Kyle waved to the band on his way out. Michelle was walking slowly. He helped her in the car and drove off. He could see Michelle was having a hard time trying to light a cigarette. He could not help from laughing. When they arrived at home, she dropped herself on the couch in the living room. Kyle sat down beside her and she put her head on his shoulder. Kyle picked up the remote and turned on the stereo. He laid her gently down on the couch and turned off the lights. The White Russians were starting to take effect on her. He was surprised when she interrupted the long passionate kiss.
"Kyle, I'm really tired, do you mind if I go to bed?"
"No honey, I know it's been a tiring day for you but a good one I hope!."
"This has been one of the best days of my life!" She said, caressing his face.
"It's only ten o'clock, I think I'll go to Tommi's for a while. I'll be home early, maybe even wake you up when I get back." He said with a big smirk on his face.
"I hope you do! Have a good time, good-night!"
Michelle kissed him and went upstairs to bed. He opened the garage door that housed the Crown Vic and headed for Tommi's on James Island about five miles away. When he pulled into the parking lot, he could see the place was hopping. There was a spot right in front of the door.
"How convenient!" He thought to himself. He walked up to the end of the bar closest to the door to watch the pool game that was being played behind him. It was Jody, a young pool shark that he had a hard time beating.
"Hi Kyle!" The bartender said. "What will it be sweetie?"
This woman was gorgeous. He has had a crush on her for a long time but never would say anything. She was a short blonde with a body to kill for and one of the sweetest women he had ever met.
"Black Velvet and coke!"
Even though she was a knock out, he was not going to do anything to screw up his relationship with his wife. He loved her too much to lose her again. He watched her as she poured his drink and walked to his end of the bar.
"Haven't seen ya in a while." She said, setting his drink down and scooping up his ten-dollar bill.
"I have been busy, my wife and I have started our relationship over again. It’s wonderful, Denise."
"Good for you! I always knew you loved her."
Kyle pulled up one of the wooden bar stools and looked around the bar. He had been going to Tommi's since the day they opened. He knew almost everyone there. It's a great place, with four pool tables, a foosball table, one pinball machine and a dart machine with racecars painted on the far right wall. Tables line the center of the room with one in each corner. Five video poker machine stretch along the long wall just left of the painted racecars.
He could see one of his old friends, Tom Anderson on the poker machine. He started to walk over to say hello when he was stopped by a man at the bar.
"What's up Kyle?"
He was a Tommi's regular, named Roger. He almost always sat in the same place and rarely moved except to go to the men's room.
"Not much Roger, just stopped in for a few drinks before I call it a night!"
"Denise, give Roger a beer please!"