Task Number 8(2)

"I started drinking in college."

Beverly and James sat together at a small table in a sheltered alcove of the dining room. Both had visited the breakfast buffet and had plates loaded with fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage and James had opted to splurge for pecan waffles. In addition, a waiter brought them a carafe each of orange and grapefruit juices and a hot tea for Beverly. She was stirring sugar into her Earl Grey when he began to speak.

"At first, it was just at the typical college parties. A couple of beers became a six pack. A six pack became a twelve pack. A twelve pack became a case ... " James got an almost wistful look in his eyes. "Then I joined the fraternity and discovered whiskey. That was the worst year of my life. I can't tell you anything that happened that entire year. It was all a drunken blur." He lifted a chunk of cantaloupe to his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "That year, I spent New Year's Eve in rehab in Florida. I finished college and started working and was doing pretty well until I met Anna."

"Anna?"

"My wife." Seeing the look on Beverly's face, James quickly added, "Myex-wife. I met Anna when I worked in Tallahassee. She was the morning anchor and almost ten years older than I was. And I was in love. Head-over-heels in love. Well, once we started dating, we were attending social functions for the station and I started drinking again."

"Why?"

"All the heavy-hitters drank. The station owner always had a decanter of Jameson Irish Whiskey on his side desk and he always expected you to have a jolt with him when he had one. I couldn't say no. At least not to him." James took a long drink of his unsweetened grapefruit juice, then continued. "I got sloshed at the wedding but then, so did everyone else, so I didn't feel bad. I found out days later that I had fucked the owner's wife in the broom closet during the reception but Anna never complained. I think I wasn't ready to get married because my drinking got worse. I was juggling the stress of work, the stress of working with my wife and fucking every warm body that came my way. Grace was just coming through then and we were peas in a pod. I quit fucking everyone else and fucked only her and my wife."

"Oh, James."

"I know, I know." He shook his head in agreement. "I cheated. I was a rotten, alcoholic bastard. And I lost Anna because of that and my drinking. I came home one night and found her dead in the bathtub. She'd committed suicide."

Beverly gasped. "Oh, James!"

"And I found out several days later that she had been pregnant with our first child." James had to stop at the point. His chest ached with the effort needed to keep his tears at bay. Beverly's soft hand on his helped to calm him and he covered it gratefully. "I drank non-stop for the next ten years. I don't know how I managed it, but I moved up the ladder. I was a functioning alcoholic. I was always able to do my job and even did interviews, completely under the influence."

"What made you quit?"

"I went to one of those psychology camps. You know, the ones that offer help with addictive behaviors?"

"Yeah. I went to one of those once. Didn't work."

"Well, it helped me. I still drink but not as much and not as often." He smiled sadly. "But I still think about Anna, about the daughter I could have had, about the life I could have had. I guess that's why I think about having that life again."

Beverly gave him a gentle smile. "There's nothing wrong with that, James. We all have dreams and desires."

"It just seems like I'm never able to make my dreams come true."

She was quiet for a long moment. "What's standing in your way?"

James thought for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers. "I don't know." Tears welled and fell, quickly caught by his linen napkin. "I just don't know."

"Excuse me." Nathan's words were soft and Beverly looked at him, still holding James' hand as the older man cried silently. "These are for you."

"Thank you, Nathan." He touched his fingers to his hat, walking away and Beverly returned her attention to James.

"I'm sorry. I never cry."

"Don't be sorry, honey. Seems it was a long time coming." She touched his cheek gently, both in care and concern for him and in wonderment at the feelings that were coursing through her. "Now come on. Let's finish our breakfast and do some horseback riding. I have ridden a horse since I was a kid."

"Neither have I." James' eyes began to brighten. "The first time I rode one, the horse bucked me off and I landed in a huge pile of dung!"

When he threw his head back in laughter, Beverly knew that the worst had passed. James would be all right.

* * * * *

Ashley sat down on the bed, watching Shane retrieve the camcorder and a large box from the table in the main room and bring it to where they were sitting. Ashley took the camcorder and set it up, aiming the viewfinder towards them and pressing the RECORD button.

"What's in the box?"

"I don't know. Let's find out." Shane lifted the lid and both peered inside. "Wow!"

Inside the box was a large assortment of vibrators and dildos, in various colors, sizes and lengths. Shane pulled out a huge black one, his jaw hanging open.

"Holy shit! This is definitely a roto-rooter!" His laughter was cut short by Ashley's answering silence. "Ash, what's wrong?"

Ashley was remembering again. One of Matthew's favorite items to use during sex were dildos. She recalled being assaulted over and over with one on a particular night. "I don't like those things."

The words,why not?, were on the tip of his tongue but Shane bit them back. "Here. Let me try something." He reached into the box and removed a bright pink vibrator. It was about seven inches in length and about an inch thick. He pushed the box aside, turned the knob on the dildo and turned to Ashley. "Close your eyes and give me your arm."

"Shane ... "

"Come on, Ash. Trust me."

She shivered in fear but closed her eyes, acknowledging her trust in him. She felt Shane's warm hand under her forearm, supporting her arm and then ... Ashley gasped at the sensation of the vibrator on the sensitive inside of her elbow. She felt the supple plastic crown move down her forearm toward her hand and she trembled. The feeling was exquisite.

"Lie back." Ashley's eyes flew open in fear but she saw Shane, remembered that she was safe and did as he asked.

Shane pushed her long hair away from her face and put the tip of the vibrator at the juncture of her ear and neck, slowly moving it down over her neck and pausing for the slightest moment over her pulsing veins before moving across her windpipe and over to the other ear. She let out an almost inaudible gasp but he heard it. He slid the head around the outline of her hair, across her cheek and onto her lips.

At first, she kept her lips clamped shut. He gently moved the plastic cock around the outside of her lips and slowly, she opened her mouth. He teased the soft pink insides of her lips and heard her soft moan. He moved the device down her chin now, following the line of her neck, then slid over her clothed left nipple. Ashley shouted at the sensation.

"Keep your eyes closed and take your top off, Ash."

Ashley sat up and pulled the thin sweater over her head, tossing it on the floor along with her bra. She felt the vibrator's rounded tip circle her nipple, its electrical buzzing making her skin tingle and her pussy moist. The tips moved across to her other nipple and she fought the urge to shout in delight. A deep tremble started low in her stomach and she squeezed her thighs together as an orgasm ripped through her.

Shane smiled at her response and set the vibrator down to unbutton and slide her jeans down. He saw the marks on her legs and ignored them, knowing how important it was to keep her in the moment. He left her thong on and laid the humming tip directly against her hidden clit, adding a little pressure. She screamed in release, her hands clutching the sheets as he stroked again and again. He pushed the underwear down, grinning at the wetness and slipped the head of the vibrator into her slit.

Ashley whimpered, every nerve ending on fire. She wanted that thick chunk of vibrating plastic deep inside her and Shane was teasing her. She gasped, whimpered and moaned as he maneuvered the vibrator around the lips of her pussy, over her throbbing clit and tormented her dripping hole. "Shane, fuck me!"

"Not yet. Be patient."

"I don't want to be patient!"

Shane snickered as he reached in the box and took out two more items. He handed her a small dildo. "Want something to do? Lick this." He watched as she took it and ran its tiny head along her lips, then began to tongue it. Meanwhile, Shane put some lube on another vibrator, this one smaller that the other and turned it on. "Put your legs on my shoulders." He waited until she did it and plunged both vibrators into her pussy and asshole.

Ashley came so hard that no sound came out of her mouth, her clasping pussy tried to push the vibrator out but Shane held it tightly, pumping both and causing her to cum again and again. She lost count of how many times she orgasmed but she knew one thing. She intended to repay the favor.

Shane pulled the vibrators out of her grasping holes and laid next to her, wearing a big smile. "Now, aren't you glad I told you to be patient?"

Ashley sighed, her body still pulsing with pleasure. "Shane, that was so good. You must have girls chasing you all over the place."

"Well, I do, but I don't really care." He put his hand on her stomach, gently massaging. "I'm gay."