Free Who We Are by Samantha Marsh Page B

briefly why Johnny’s image had come to her when it did, but savoring her secret pleasure and feeling completely exhausted, she didn’t explore these thoughts too much.
                  She stepped out of the tub to dry and dress for bed. This time she didn’t started bleeding and didn’t pass out on the floor. She smiled to herself on the inside. She crawled into her bed and fell right to sleep.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    She was running through the forest in her nightgown, her long red locks flowing and loose down her back. Her nightgown was very delicate; all silk and lace It was short too barely reaching her mid- thigh. She felt glorious and sultry as she ran to greet him. He stood beside the creek wearing nothing but a pair of old denim jeans. When Johnny turned and saw her, he smiled and extended his arms out to her. She ran toward his bronzed, firm body and couldn’t bare the anticipation of melting into his arms. The thought of his kiss and gentle caresses created a thirst in her groin she hoped would soon be quenched.
                  She landed in his arms with a slight air of desperation. He smelled heavenly. She wanted to escape in his embrace and never return. She felt aroused, loved and safe. She desperately wanted to become one with him for eternity. The sun peeked in between tall trees and blinded her. She stepped back and rubbed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she screamed. Johnny was gone and instead, standing before her with a long leather belt in his hand, was Papa. “You are a very. very wicked girl, Desire.”
                  She bolted up in her bed in a cold sweat. Shaking and still scared, she realized  it was just a dream.
    What was going on in my mind? Was I straying as the Minister warned us when we sin? Was the devil teasing me.
     
    Despite some lingering fear, she did not really believe that she was being tempted by the devil. She lay back on her pillow and set about recalling her dream.
    Why did I dream about Johnny like that?
    There was no clear answer to that question, but the yearning lingered in her mind as she closed her eyes. There was something about Johnny she couldn’t explain. She felt a connection to him and it seemed to get stronger every day. She couldn’t explain it—not to herself, nor to anyone. All she knew was that there was some primal attraction to him, and that deep down she felt like she was meant to be with him.
    Desire had so many emotions running through her mind she knew that trying to get back to sleep was fruitless. She walked to her bedroom window and watched the thin haze of day begin to break through the night sky.
    She tucked away thoughts of Johnny and her dream and thought about the day ahead.
    Today is the big day at church and I can’t wait. Perhaps I can surprise Mama and Papa and have a beautiful stack of pancakes and a fresh pot of coffee all made for them before they even wake up.
    She slipped on her robe and blue knitted slippers that Mama made for her and tiptoed very quietly down the stairs so that she could surprise them.
    About halfway down the stairs, she halted. She could hear a voice in the kitchen. It was Papa!
     
    Who on earth was he talking to at this time of the day?
    She peeked her head around the corner and saw him sitting at the table so straight it looked unnatural. He was alone. After listening for a minute or two, she realized he was  reciting something to himself. Unable to decipher what he was saying, she decided to enter the kitchen loudly enough for him to hear. He didn’t respond to her presence, but continued with his mumblings.
    “Papa, why are you up so early?”
    His head jerked when she said this and he turned around to look at her. He stared at her for a moment and it seemed as though he didn’t recognize her. Almost half a minute went by before he snapped out of whatever was going through his head.
    “Good morning, Desire. What on earth are you doing