five-year old then I’ll pack my stuff right now and go back to school. I’m trying really hard to get along with you and to change our relationship but you’re not helping any.” “Samantha…” “The choice is yours now, Mother—stay off my ass or I’m leaving for good.” She stomped out of the kitchen. The door slammed behind her as she ran across the yard.
* * * *
Where was Noah? She glanced down the field to the barn, but no sounds greeted her except for the normal animal noises. She ran inside the barn to make sure he wasn’t in there. Culata neighed at her. “I’ll visit you later,” she called out. The next stop was through the woods. She would check if he was at home. He had to be. The woods were always a welcoming place to her. The sense of being alone made her love nature. She’d always had a very adult-filled life so this was where she had gone when she needed time to herself. There was no way anyone could miss the trailer. It stood out against the lushness of the land. A small patch of grass had been mowed at some point but the rest of the field was filled with tall grass. Wildflowers poked up along the make-shift road her dad must have had put in for Noah. Even though the trailer seemed out of place, it was a welcome sight. But his truck wasn’t there. “Shit.” Had he left for town or was he actually parked at the house somewhere and she hadn’t noticed? His trailer was close enough for him to walk home if he wanted to get a bite to eat or had to use the bathroom. With the way her mother treated Noah, it was rare to see him anywhere near the family house. He was always welcome according to Dad, but Mom did everything she could to keep him away. Maybe she should see if he was home. As she got closer to the trailer, she watched for any signs that he was there but received none. The curtains were closed and no movement was visible as she got closer. She walked up the two steps and gently knocked on the flimsy door. Getting no response, she turned the knob gently. What would she actually say if he was inside? What if she caught him at a private moment? The doorknob turned in her hand. She let the door swing all the way open. Curiosity took over and she stepped inside. The trailer slightly swayed with her weight inside. The living room was small, as expected. Blue sat in a cage on the counter. Noah had a television in the corner with a loveseat. A small table and bookshelf filled the remaining space. Nothing matched. Definitely a bachelor pad. She walked through the living room and into the kitchen, but there was no clear distinction between the two rooms. Another small table, a tiny refrigerator and bare counters. No family pictures. Noah had been telling the truth. “Noah?” A small pile of books were stacked on the table in the living room. She slid her fingers over the cover of the top one. She’d heard of the author and knew there were some graphic sex scenes in the book. Did Noah get turned on while he read those parts? A small tingle of feeling fluttered between her thighs. A quick peek into the bathroom brought on more fantasies. Noah. Soapy. Wet. Naked. She imagined him in the shower, turning around, and showing off his rock-hard erection. She fanned her face as she walked down the hallway past the bathroom, but glanced over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t inside. Or maybe she wanted him to come in. Having him catch her in there might be exciting. She didn’t know what she wanted yet. Something excited her about being in his living area. She could feel his presence without him being there. His scent filled the trailer, making her grow warm in intimate parts of her body. She remembered his lips on hers that day at the river. His touch had been so gentle as he teased her nipples or stroked the insides of her thighs. She pushed the thoughts aside, but couldn’t shake the intense heat building up in her intimate areas. Almost to the bedroom. What would it be like? Big bed? Small?