Chapter 3: Lauryn

I wake up refreshed and can't help but wonder if it was all a dream.  Getting out of bed, I slip on my slippers and let Fluffy in.  I noticed this morning that she wasn't in bed with me and figured that she must have gone out when the stranger was here.  She doesn't like strangers, especially strange men.  

The Humane Society had informed me that she had been abused by her previous owners and the man was particularly cruel to her.  Often hitting and kicking her whenever she got in the way.  Fluffy my 8 year old Samoyed, is my best friend in the world.  Sure, I have human friends, but she could never be replaced.  

Getting me through the roughest time in my life when my parents died two years ago, she was always there right by my side.  My friend Samantha tried to help, but there is something to say for an animal who has empathy.  When she passes away, I don't know how I will be able to deal with it.  Hopefully, by that time I will have someone in my life to rely on.

I look at my phone and realize that today is my birthday.  Not wanting to think of how old I am, I quickly try to put it out of my mind.  After all, who wants to turn 30.  It means you're an adult and should have a good job or married with kids in tow.

Maybe, just maybe, Samantha will go out with me tonight to the bar and we can have some fun.  Show everyone that 30 doesn't have to be the end of the world.  Besides, I can't get that guy out of my head. 

What's the matter with me?  Jeez, I don't know.  He was just the best I have ever had.  It's pretty bad when fifteen minutes with a stranger is the best you have ever had or ever will.  

I get the feeling that if he would have stayed, I would be tied up right now or begging for him to not leave.  He seems like the type of guy who gets everything and anything he wants.  Actually, I don't know if I am even his type.  I'm not sophisticated at all and don't really like city life.

Not to mention, I'm hardly beautiful.  Sure, I got the curves.  Men love big boobs and a round ass and I have that, but I certainly am not a beauty queen.  Hell, when I was in school no one ever looked my direction.  I wore baggy sweatshirts and jeans most of the time, trying to discourage wolf calls and ogling teenage boys. 

For the most part it worked, except for my stepdad.  One day he walked in on me intentionally while I was changing my clothes and he grabbed me.  He ripped my bra off and pushed me down on the bed.  What happened after that, I don't ever think about anymore.  I just know that my mom kicked him out of the house the next day and filed for a divorce.  

After about a year, she met John and married him four months later.  He was a very good man, quiet and kind.  They loved each other so much that when he got cancer after 11 years of marriage and died, she couldn't take the heart break and died two days later in her sleep.  The coroner stated on the death certificate, cause of death unknown.  We all know that it was heart break though.

I hope that someday I find someone that I will love that much.  It's what dreams are made of, but in this little town I won't ever find someone like that.  Everyone knows everyone else and honestly, it's not all that it is cracked up to be.  When you can't even date the neighbor without everyone knowing, it's too much.

Unfortunately, I may have to move if I don't find a job quick.  My parent's house is too much for me to keep up and pay the mortgage on.  Till two years ago, my mom and John were able to pay for everything and I lived here over the garage. 

I helped them out with chores and always tried to do my part, but I know deep down it wasn't enough.  Specially in the end, when John found out he had cancer.  That is when the mortgage started to fall behind, but mom contacted the mortgage company and they put it on hold till after his death. 

To tell you the truth, I knew this was coming.  I should have got off my ass sooner, but the small jobs around here didn't pay for everything.  Working at the coffee shop barely paid for food let alone the bills and then there was the bar. 

Stripping occassionally paid a few bills, but it wasn't like the big city.  No large checks and definitely not any big tips.  We are talking about a small town here.  Even if all the hikers and tourists that come through stopped at the bar, they weren't interested in girls.  They just want a cold drink on their way out of town.

So here I am, stuck.  Fluffy rubs up against my leg, while I'm trying to pour a cup of cold coffee and I start to spill it on the counter.  "Damn it." 

 "Fluffy,you have to stop doing that.  Momma needs her coffee in the morning, or I won't be good for anything."  Yes, I know.  Talking to a dog is a little absurd, but I have heard that alot of people do it.  I talk to her like she is a human.  

Starting to hum a song I heard the other day, I sit down on the chair and pet Fluffy.  Her head rests on my thigh and with her big brown eyes, she watches every move I make.  "What do you think I should do today?"  

Raising her head, she barks and looks at the door.  I hear a knock and briefly wonder if it's the stranger coming back for more, but realize that it's just my wishful thinking when I hear Samantha's voice.  "Let me in.  I know you are awake Lauryn.  A little bird called me up this morning and told me it's your birthday."

I get up and walk over to the door to open it, but I hesitate.  Wanting to mess with her, I wait a few minutes quietly.  I hear her pound on the door and I feel the wood shake under the pressure.  "Come on.  Let me in already."

Laughing, I unlock the door and open it.  Samantha pushes her way in and gives me a big hug.  "Happy Birthday.  So, what to do for your birthday?"  

She makes her way to the couch and slumps down onto it.  Samantha, a 110 pound soaking wet, brunette with freckles and green eyes has always caught the boys' attention.  For some reason, I have found that there are two types of guys.  The ones who like the skinny little women and those who want women with meat on them. 

"Well, I think we should go to the bar and have a couple drinks."  I raise my eye brows and act tipsy before sitting on the couch next to her.

"No, I have a better idea.  I'm going to get a hotel room for the night in the city and we are going to party like we have never partied before.  I think we need to get you laid, big time.  It's been a long time for you, since Nevin right."

"Actually, I want to talk to you about that.  Last night, or I should say early this morning, a man showed up at my door needing to use the phone.  Something happened and the next thing I know he is eating me out and fingering me."

"Woo hoo, girl.  Hot damn.  Was it anyone I know?"  She looks truly shocked and excited at the same time.

"No, it was some guy from the city and he looked like he walked out of GQ magazine.  Fancy suit and all."

"So what's the story?  Did he just come in and after using the phone, decide to thank you by getting you off?"

"I don't know exactly what started it.  It was very strange.  All I know, is we both felt this surge of electricity flow through us when we accidently touched.  I handed him the phone and it happened, then he started kissing me.  One thing led to another and there he was between my legs.  When he was done, he called the tow truck and left.  I don't even know his name."

"Wow.  You have to be kidding me.  He just picked up the phone and called the tow truck after eating you out?"  I could tell she was waiting for me to tell her more, because she looked like she didn't believe me.

"O.K., so it wasn't completely all of it.  After I got off, he told me that he wouldn't have minded having his way with me, but he didn't have a condom.  He had used it earlier at his friend's house, even though he didn't even get to have sex with her.  Then he called the tow truck.  Are you happy now?"

"Damn, talk about Prince Charming." The sarcasm dripping off that statement was enough to drown me. 

"When he called the tow truck he found out that it was going to be there in a few minutes, so he handed me the phone, kissed me and left.  Slamming the door behind him."  I get up off the couch and head towards my bedroom to get dressed.  "I will be back in a minute.  I need to get a quick shower and dress." 

"Sure, I will be out here processing all this."