Free LETHAL OBSESSION by Carey Regenold Page B

would make.  Shaking her head she banished the thought.  It
was way too soon to be thinking along those lines.  Gene said he loved her and
Ellen felt this to be true.  But how long would he be willing to wait for the
reward of sex?  She was never in this situation before. 
          Ellen
did not date in college although she had many opportunities.  Her studies were
top priority but the real truth was she never felt comfortable with the
opposite sex.     Perhaps her parents' violent relationship instilled a fear of
getting romantically involved.  Whatever it was, Mark was blessed with a virgin
bride.
          Now
Ellen was getting those old feelings back again.  She knew it was too soon to
get into a serious relationship with Gene.  But at the same time, she wanted him
to make love to her.  After today their relationship would be forever changed. 
Gene was no longer a platonic friend.  Ellen examined how she felt about that
but the glow was there and the anticipation felt fantastic. 
          Mark
would not have wanted her to stay alone forever.  They had even spoken about it
once.  He told her that if anything ever happened to him he wanted her to find
another love as soon as possible.  She was a beautiful, loving woman and
deserved to have a life with a good man.  It was so like Mark but the
conversation had been upsetting to her. She was angry that he would even bring
up such a topic for discussion.  They were going to grow old together and get
on each other's nerves as crotchety octogenarians, end of story.
          When
she stormed out of the room he let her stew. Then in his own special way, with
gentleness and love, Mark brought her back to reality. He was not planning on
going any time soon, but if the worst happened, she was not to grieve on and on.
If she did he promised to come down and haunt her.    Thinking about it made
her smile.  She looked around her breakfast nook.  "So, where are you,
Mark?  Come on down here and haunt me like you said." 
          The
following morning Ellen heard nothing from Gene.  That was disconcerting
considering the intimacy and love talk from yesterday.  Maybe he'd had a change
of heart when the sex wasn't forthcoming.  Perhaps that's the way men thought
about it these days.  She had no idea but not hearing from him stung,
especially after his declaration of love.
          Taking
a sip of her morning coffee, Ellen gazed out the picturesque window taking in
the breathtaking view surrounding her. Fall leaves had turned the mountains
into a fantasy world of scarlet and gold.  There was a crispness in the air now
reminding her of cozy popcorn evenings cuddled with Mark in front of the
crackling fire. That familiar aching loneliness was creeping up on her again,
trying to invade her senses and drag her down.  No, she would not allow it this
time.  Ellen didn't want to go into that dark pit again.  Get over it now, she
told herself.
          Ellen
glanced at the morning newspaper for distraction.  She looked at her watch. Damn,
why hasn't he called her?  After hearing from him every day this was just
weird.  She thought for sure Gene would stop by this morning like he usually
did.  Ah well.  He must be busy.                                
          Something
in the paper caught her eye. Ellen picked up the section and scanned the
column.  The Greenland county fair was on. She loved fairs.  Some years when
her parents were in their happy moods, they would drive to Memphis if the car
was running.  The Mid South Fair was so much fun. There was funnel cake and
cotton candy which always gave her a belly ache but it sure tasted good.
    Ellen
wondered if Gene might be busy at the fair. That's probably why he hadn't
called.  The article also said that the Cedar Grove Jaycees were planning a
bake sale at the Shriner's Pavilion. Proceeds would go to the Cripple
Children's Hospital in