The dusty wood shelf in the town grocery store always bothered me. Staring at it, I couldn't help but wonder when the last time someone might have cleaned it, if ever.
I blinked and awoke from my daze, having no clear idea how long I'd been standing in the aisle, staring at bags of flour on that dull, unchanging shelf.
Every Friday, I walked into town to get things my Mother needed for the coming week. I guess I didn't mind too much, since it gave me a break from being in the field, picking vegetables out of the dirt all day.
"Is that everything, Miss?" the grocer asked, from behind his ancient mustache.
"Hmm?" I croaked, jolted from another daydream.
"Need anything else?" he offered.
I thought about asking for a different life.
"No, that's it, thanks," I responded, meekly, grabbing the groceries off the counter.
I watched the cars and trucks pass through town as I walked home. Where were they all going? Sometimes, I wondered what they thought of this lost place in the middle of nowhere; where nothing ever happened.
My summer dress was drabber than the sidewalk. It bounced and swayed above my ankles. Despite my lazy, meandering pace, I eventually arrived home and helped my Mother make dinner.
~
"Thank you Lord, for this meal on our table," my Father muttered, neck bent at the head of the table.
In all twenty years of my life, I don't think he's ever thanked me, nor my Mother for making dinner.
"We offer thanks and gratitude for this house and this family. And know we are blessed to have you watching over us. Amen."
I picked up my fork, finally able to eat, but the lukewarm pile of grey and beige on my plate, slowed my urge.
~
Cleaned the kitchen and dishes. Fed the cows. Checked the hens. Showered.
~
Climbing into bed, I pulled the covers right up to my chin and felt the familiar pangs of loneliness ache in my chest. The empty, almost painful hole inside me, begged for some special, loving person to fill it. What would they look like? How would their smile make me feel? How would they smell? How good would it feel to touch them?
A hot twinge of arousal pulsed between my thighs. I rolled onto my stomach and pressed my hips down into my firm mattress. The small blip of pleasure it granted me only made the aching want grow between my young legs.
Becoming moist with desire, I felt tormented and lonely. I wished I could make someone happy. I thought about sliding my fingers down there and touching myself, like I had done once before. But, I worried it would just make me feel lonelier.
Why would someone special like me? That question always haunted me and tainted my arousal with sadness.
~
"Make sure to get some flour, Sarah." Mother didn't need to remind me. I was more than familiar with the shopping list she painstakingly prepared for me every week.
I slid a headband over my tired-looking hair and set off into town. Away from my parents and the old house, I was sometimes able to trick myself into feeling free.
~
Staring at the old, stained wood shelves of the grocery store, I decided I knew what purgatory felt like.
The ungreased sound of brakes caught my attention outside the store window. An old pickup, painted yellow to cover the rust, squeaked to a halt.
Out of the passenger side, jumped a pair of legs, unlike any I'd ever seen. They were long, golden and feminine. My mouth dried up as I watched her wave goodbye to the truck. Gorgeous, copper hair blew wildly in the wind, as the woman looked around, almost puzzled.
I knew I would never look like that. That girl could probably do anything she wanted. What the hell was she doing in this town?
The mysterious woman crossed the street and I lost sight of her.
~
I lugged my groceries out the door and turned the corner to head home.
"Hey, hon!" an alluring voice called, from behind me. I stopped, frozen. "You have any idea where I might find a motel or something around here?"
Before I turned around, I knew it was the girl from the truck. No one who lived here talked like that.
As I faced her, my nerves overtook me. My lip trembled and my chest tightened. My drab dress was stained with flour and brown dust from the walk into town. My face grew hot and my mouth was cotton as I tried to speak.
"Huh? Me?" I managed, immediately regretting my choice of words.
The effortlessly beautiful lady giggled. Her charming face scrunched cutely as she looked at me. "Sorry," she said, restarting. "Apparently, I am stopping over here and am looking for a place to spend the night."
I probably should have been focusing on formulating a response, but was too distracted by the candy-pink nail polish adorning her perfect toes.
"Hi, umm, sorry," I stumbled. "There is umm, well, we don't really have any hotels or anything here."
"Oh, I see," she said, pulling some hair behind her ear. "Well, thanks anyways."
I don't know what came over me, but I piped back in without thinking. "You could stay with me. I mean, at my family's house."
She looked at me and smiled in a way I've never been smiled at before. "Oh, yeah?" she giggled.
"We have a spare room where people, umm, like you could stay for the night. For like, really cheap. I'm sure if you help with dinner and stuff, I mean, it would be basically free."
What the hell was I doing?
The girl chuckled, amused. Leaning her wide hips against the store wall, she appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. "Alright, then. You make a convincing pitch. I'm sold."
She picked up a small suitcase and introduced herself. "I'm Carlie, by the way."
"Oh, hi," I stumbled. "It's, umm, I'm Sarah."
Carlie pressed her chest into mine, gently hugging me.
"It's great to meet you, Sarah," she said, softly.
The sweet fragrance of her hair and skin caused my arms to go limp. The bag of flour dropped to the earth with a thud.
"I'm sorry! Let me get that for you," she offered, leaving the hug and grabbing the flour. "Lead the way!"
I swallowed hard. What did I get myself into?
~
Carlie dropped her suitcase on the bed.
"I'm sorry my parents are charging you for the room," I said, apologetically.
"It's okay. It's not much at all, it's fine."
"I think, it's just, maybe you caught them off guard. They're not really used to someone, dressed like, well..." I trailed off, at a loss for words as I analyzed Carlie's extremely feminine body.
"Maybe you're right," she chuckled, running her hands up the inside of her thighs. "This isn't exactly family friendly is it? I'll tell you though, it sure makes hitchhiking easier."
I took a deep breath. Why was I so flustered and panicked? What was I so nervous about? I couldn't take my eyes off her. Unfortunately, she noticed.
"See something you like?" Carlie arched her eyebrow, almost deviously.
My face became hot and flushed. I averted my eyes, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, hon," she soothed, inspecting the clothes in her suitcase. "I'm just teasing you. Sorry, I couldn't resist."
"Hmm," Carlie pondered, quietly. "I'm not sure I have anything more... suitable."
"Oh," I mumbled, bringing my gaze back to her. I felt a desperate urge to get closer to her. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure whatever you have is fine."
Carlie pulled out a tight, red skirt and held it up for me. She smirked at my reaction.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," she scoffed, throwing the sexy garment back inside. "Hey, you got anything I could borrow?"
"W-what?" I stammered, wide eyed.
Carlie hopped up past me and into the hallway. I couldn't escape the pull her beautiful, giddy energy had on me. I wanted to experience more of her.
"This is your room. Right, hon?" Carlie asked, peeking her head around the doorframe.
"Uhh, yes," I stated, hesitant. "But I don't think any of my stuff will–"
Carlie danced right into my closet and started perusing outfits.
"This one is kind of cute," she said, holding it up against her body. "What do you think?"
None of my clothes ever looked like that on me. God, she was captivating. Was I attracted to her? Maybe this was how everyone felt around a woman like her.
"I think it'll do nicely," Carlie decided, removing her top.
Her immaculate, lightly tanned breasts sat plump in her sexy bra. When I realized what was happening, I quickly turned away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her jean shorts fall to the floor. Carlie's little, painted toes wiggled as she fit herself into the dress. I felt dizzy.
"I'll be right back," I trembled, escaping to the bathroom.
I didn't know what I was feeling. My nipples were stiff and all I could think about was Carlie's body and her soft, pink lips. What was I supposed to do?
~
"Pass the butter, Sarah," my father commanded. I quickly followed orders.
I could feel the odd tension in the room as my parents tried to figure out the girl dining with us.
I watched Carlie adjust herself on the wooden chair. It was odd seeing someone so beautiful inside my clothing. My mind started to wander and I imagined what she looked like underneath.
"This is a wonderful dinner, thank you," Carlie offered, more charming than ever.
My father grunted and nodded.
"Your welcome," my mother added, somewhat pleased. "Are you in town long?"
"No, no. I am just passing through, really," Carlie explained, cutting her carrots into small bites. "I've managed to cross half the country in just a few weeks. Thanks to the help of a lot of kind people, much like yourselves."
My father grunted again, mouth full.
"I see," my mother said, navigating unfamiliar waters. "I like your outfit, dear. I think Sarah has something very similar."
My eyes widened. What would my parents think about her wearing my clothes? Was that weird? Would they think something was going on between us? Was there?
"Oh yeah?" Carlie asked, casually. "Your daughter must have excellent fashion sense then."
My mother smiled plainly and brought her attention back to her food.
Carlie looked over at me and winked. I couldn't help but giggle to myself; she excited me.
~
Carlie and I finished the dishes. The whole time we just talked about the house and the farm. She seemed to really get a kick out of my boring life.
Afterwards, she took a long shower and I ironed some clothes and read my book.
Eventually, I headed off to my bedroom. I unbuttoned by dress and looked for my nightie when I heard a knock on my door.
"Hello?" I called, a little startled.
"Hey, it's Carlie. Can I come in?"
"Umm, sure," I said, pulling my dress back into place and fixing my hair.
Carlie stepped inside and shut the door behind her. She smiled as she sat on my bed.
I felt more nervous than ever before. I had no idea what she was thinking, or what she thought I was thinking. I knew I had to relax, but I couldn't.
"Umm," I coughed, trying to settle my voice. "Did you have a nice shower?"
"Awe, yes. Very nice," Carlie purred. She reclined onto my covers, still wearing the dress she'd borrowed. Her long, smooth legs made mine feel weak.
"So, what are we doing tonight?" she asked, watching me closely.
"I was, umm," I stumbled. "What did you want to do?"
"You need to loosen up a little," Carlie encouraged, warmly tapping her hand on my bare leg. Electric excitement spread from her fingertips to every inch of my body. My skin became clammy and sensitive. Did she know what she was doing to me?
"I– I do?" I stammered, trying to act surprised.
Carlie smiled, stripping me of my defenses. Her soft lips curled as she slid her fingers off my leg.
"I've got an idea," she squeaked, popping up off the bed. Her perfect, pedicured feet skipped her out of the room.
"Come on," Carlie called from the guestroom. She waved at me as I slowly entered. "Shut the door behind you."
I followed her instructions. I would have done anything she asked me to.
She sat on the bed, wearing my nightie. Her little toes wiggled as she arranged herself into a cross-legged position. She patted the covers in front of her, inviting me to sit.
"Let's get to know each other a little better," Carlie suggested, leaning over the bed and pulling a small bottle of whiskey from her suitcase. She took a sip and handed it to me as I got settled next to her. "Ask me something fun. Anything."
"Do, umm, you have a boyfriend?" I asked, bravely.
She giggled. "If I did, he probably wouldn't like the fact that I'm hitchhiking across the country all by myself."
I nodded. That made sense.
"What about you?" she countered. "A boyfriend?
"No," I said, making it seem ridiculous for her to have asked.
"A girlfriend, then?"
"What?" I choked, pulling the bottle from my mouth.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" She repeated, slowly. She studied me closely as I planned a response.
"No," I admitted, defensively.
"It was just a question," Carlie explained, calmly. "I'm sorry, hon. I didn't mean to imply–"
"No, no. Don't be," I interrupted, unsure of the hole I was digging myself. "I'm sorry. I'm just weird."
"What do you mean?" She asked, repositioning herself a little closer to me. Her soft skin rubbed against mine. It was all I could think about.
"I like the way you are. It's nice," she noted, softly.
Warm happiness spread through me. I tried to thank her, but didn't know what to say.
Carlie leaned forward and gave me a long, close hug. I became hyper aware of the thin material separating our breasts. My nipples stiffened and my stomach bounced anxiously as we embraced.
I wanted Carlie to push me over and press her body against mine. I wanted to feel her, all over me. I wanted to smell and taste her.
She slowly let go of me and fiddled with her gown.
Was she trying to tell me something? I wanted to take a chance, but had no idea what to do.