Phantom Scars (18 page)

Chapter 36 - Best Way to Shrink Swelling

I woke up to my hand on Emma's breast and me pressing myself into her back. I knew sleeping in minimal clothing would be a bad idea. I heard her moan, like she was going to wake up, and I sprang across the bed, so she wouldn't know I had been touching her like that. Of course, my sudden movement woke her up even more, and she rolled onto her tummy and looked at me confused.

"Devin, what are you doing all the way over there?" she asked.

"Nothing," was my ingenious response, yup, totally innocent over here. I hadn’t just been groping her. I was so going to hell…

The fact that she crawled over to me on her hands and knees didn't help the situation in my shorts. She snuggled back down into my side with a little whiny grunting noise. "This bed is too big if you can move that far away."

I was thinking the bed was not big enough. Maybe I should move into the guestroom. Yeah, that would be good, the guestroom, with two doors, a wall, and my blankets separating my lower half from hers. I needed to settle down. I didn't know what had gotten into me this morning, but I was feeling extra, extra, extra…what, I didn't know, but I knew I really wanted my wife.

I cleared my throat. "Honey?"

"Hmm?" she hummed, snuggling into my side more. Her hand brushed across my nipple, and my eyes widened, when I felt a little jolt of pleasure. That was completely unexpected.

I hadn't realized I’d forgotten to speak. Honestly, I’d forgotten what the heck I was saying when she touched me.

"Devin?" she asked, wondering what I wanted.

I choked as I answered. "Huh?" I tried to discreetly move my lower half away from her, but she wasn't having it. Next thing I knew, she had thrown her leg over me and brushed right up against my morning wood. I closed my eyes, afraid of the panic that might unfold.

What happened next was totally unexpected. She moved over me, straddling my hips, and my eyes popped open, when she pressed down against me. She was smiling at me, as she began to move. I couldn't help the grunts and groans of pleasure that left my mouth. This was not how I had expected her to react, but I was definitely thankful for it.

This was so much more intimate than the first time. The only barrier between us was her thin cotton panties and my light cotton boxers. The friction was amazing, but I quickly began to notice a problem. It was starting to feel really good, and then I felt cool air on my tip. CRAP! My cock had slipped through the fly on my boxers. I didn't want to scare her with that thing!

I grabbed her hips, slowing her movement, and I cringed silently, willing myself to have the strength to do this. "Emma," I gasped, but I didn't have to say another word.

She looked down and made a little squeaking noise. "You're oozing, Devin! Oh no, am I hurting you?"

What?

I looked down, and sure enough, I was dripping, but it really didn't hurt. It was too late, though. She had jumped off of me and ran out of the room. I covered my face with the pillow, completely embarrassed. I heard her come back in, but I left the pillow in place. I couldn't face her. Bad move.

Suddenly, I was screaming in pain. I didn't know what she had done, but my balls ran a freaking retreat faster than the British had during the Revolution. I sat up wide-eyed and looked down at myself. She had gotten me an ice pack.

Thankfully, she had moved it when I screamed. Unfortunately, she was sitting on the edge of the bed whimpering. Oh, my poor girl. I was sure I had scared her half to death with my screaming.

She finally burst into tears. "I'm so sorry, Devin, I didn't mean to break you!" she sobbed, and I did my best not to laugh. This was just a horribly mixed-up, innocent girl. I pulled her over to me after I covered myself with the blanket. I wanted to keep myself safe for the moment. She was still holding the ice pack after all.

She was sobbing so hard, I couldn't help but feel bad, when I finally burst out laughing. She looked up at me confused. "You didn't hurt me, honey. Well, not until you put the ice pack on me. I guess I won't need a cold shower now."

She looked down at our laps. She was sitting on top of me. "It's okay? I didn't squish it?"

I chuckled and shook my head no. "I stopped you, because I was slipping out of my shorts, and I didn't want to scare you when you saw it."

"It doesn't scare me," she said.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

She blushed lightly. "I know it's safe, and it won't come and get me or anything," she muttered, twisting her fingers nervously.

"No, it'll never come get you, I can promise you that, but feel free to come and get it. Okay?" I said and kissed her forehead.

"Even after what I did this morning?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, just please, no ice packs, or anything cold for that matter," I begged. A warm, moist compress in the form of her body surrounding me would feel pretty awesome, though. Yeah, I was so going to hell.

She nodded solemnly, oblivious to my perverted thoughts.

"Emma, can I ask you something?" I asked, and she nodded yes. "What made you get the ice pack?"

She shrugged. "When you smash a finger or a toe, you put ice on it to shrink the swelling. I just figured…"

I laughed and kissed her softly. "You’re too sweet, my beautiful girl."

"Devin," she said sadly.

"Yes?" I asked worried.

"I'm really sorry I messed up this morning."

"Hey, we're learning together. I'm sure when you're ready for me to start touching you I'll mess up, too. Just don't worry about it. We're figuring this out together," I said kissing her softly. I still loved that I could do that.

She smiled against my lips, and I knew she would be okay.

When we made it down to the restaurant, my momma was looking at us a little worried. I knew Dr. Greyson hadn't talked to her about our sessions, but I also knew he had told her to take it easy on us, because Emma was working through something difficult.

Emma made her way to the office and got to work. She seemed to be flying through her classes. At least that was what I imagined, because she worked nonstop in there nearly twelve hours a day, six days a week. I felt bad, when I realized she wouldn't even have a graduation ceremony or a cap and gown like a normal high school graduate to celebrate, when she was done with all her hard work.

"Why the sad face, sugar?" my momma asked.

"Emma isn't going to be able to walk the stage when she graduates. She'll just get a piece of paper in the mail," I said with a pout.

"Oh, honey, don't you worry about that," she said with a wink. "I already have something planned to celebrate her graduation. I'm just waiting for the day for her to say she's done."

I hugged my momma. She had a way of making everything better and knowing just what was needed. Our happy hug was interrupted by a skanky voice reminiscent of nails on a chalkboard. "Oh, Devin, aren't you just the sweetest momma's boy. I don't know how your little wife can stand it," Vivien spoke giving me a backhanded compliment.

"Luckily for me, Emma is just as much of a momma's girl when it comes to my momma."

"I can see that, she's just a baby, Devin. What were you thinking when you married her?" she asked, and my momma stepped in, before I could do something other than act like a gentleman. In other words, my momma knew I wanted to hit that girl.

"Emma is a sweet, innocent angel, and she's blessed our lives. Devin was thinking he was a lucky man when he married her," she said a little too sweetly then turned to me. "Devin, why don't you fetch Clayton to help with the dairy shipment, and then you can take a break with your wife for a while."

I leaned over, kissing my momma's cheek. "Thanks, Momma," I said letting her know I really appreciated not having to stay in Vivien's presence.

I quickly retrieved Clayton like requested, and I smirked when Jen glared at Vivien. "That one’s mine," she pointed at Clayton and growled, making Clayton grin like the Cheshire cat. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, ignoring the scowl she was giving Vivien.

"That's right, baby, only yours," he said roughly and grabbed her backside.

Vivien rolled her eyes in a huff and stomped out to the truck. I noticed they had a new driver, and I waved at him, despite the eerie vibe I got off him. He just glared at me, and then I watched as he eyed Vivien like a piece of meat. I guess he was jealous. I wanted to tell him he had nothing to be jealous about, but I decided I really didn't want to talk him. He seriously gave me the creeps.

I carried a crate in, but then snuck off to the office, letting Clayton finish the unloading. I found Emma sitting quietly, looking out the window. "Emma, honey, are you alright?" I asked.

She gave me a sad smile. "Devin, I don't know my address."

"What?" I asked and picked up a business card. "This is your address, but you put a 'B' next to it, so they know to look upstairs."

She gave me a soft smile and nodded okay, and then she started typing.

"So, um, what did you need it for?" I asked.

She blushed and then started to fidget. I moved over by her, so I could see the computer screen. It was a request for a grant for college.

"You're applying for a grant?"

She nodded yes.

"That's great, honey, I know you wanted to go to college. You'll probably need some of my information, since I'm your husband and the breadwinner," I said with a cheesy pose and a little flex of my arms.

She giggled, and that was just what I wanted. I didn't want her to think that I wouldn't completely support her in whatever she wanted to do. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You let me know if you need anything, alright, honey."

She smiled and nodded yes.

"So, when do you think you'll finish up your schoolwork and get your diploma?" I asked.

She blushed a little. "I, um, already did."

"What?" I asked in shock. "Really, and you didn't tell me?"

She looked a little worried.

"Don't be scared. I'm not upset. I'm just surprised and excited I guess. When did you finish it?"

"Yesterday, actually, I've been trying to find a school to get my degree in accounting and find the money for it. It's all so expensive, especially since I want to stay here," she said timidly.

"Hey, we'll figure it out. You and me, babe, I'll make sure you get through school, Emma."

"Devin, I realized when I started filling out the forms, there’s so much I don't know about you. I mean, we've been married for months, and I don't know your income or your birthday, or how long you've been at your job or exactly what the heck your job is," she said a little frustrated. I guess they asked a lot of questions on those forms.

I pulled her up out of the seat into my lap. "I'm a first officer shipman on a textile ship and have been for the past three years. I make about fifty thousand dollars a year and work for six months of the year. I have the other six off, because the weather on our shipping route is less than friendly otherwise."

"The storm that came up?"

"Yes, that was an early storm. We do our best to miss those. So yes, that was why we were on our last run for the season. You were lucky to catch us when you did," I said kissing her head lightly. I just held her tightly for a moment. I didn't want to think about what would have happened if she had missed my ship.

"Your birthday?" she asked.

"May 20
th
, I usually celebrate earlier with my family, because shipping season starts in February, so I'm usually gone."

I felt her stiffen in my arms. "You're leaving?" she whimpered.

"No, I don't think so. I know you need me here. I was thinking I would take a season off. I just need to talk to Captain Towers about it, so he can pick a new first officer."

She looked at me sadly. "He's not going to be happy with us."

"Oh, Emma, I'll talk to him. I'm sure he'll understand. He knows I love you. I'm sure once I explain everything he'll be fine with it."

"Could I come with you?" she asked innocently. If she only knew what slime balls men could be when isolated on a ship and deprived of women for a few weeks, she wouldn't ask. No, there was no way she could go. It wouldn't be safe for her.

"No, baby, it's alright. I'll just sit out a couple of years, and maybe when you're doing better, I'll make a few runs. I think I have enough in savings to hold us over for a while, if we live conservatively. Besides, there's always Lottie."

She looked at me confused.

"I find a little tush shaking ups my tip considerably," I teased, getting her to laugh. That was just what I was going for. I didn't want her to worry about the money. I would find it somehow, somewhere. I would take care of my wife.

She was now my top priority above all else.

Chapter 37 - Delivering the Goods

Emma was pried out of the office by my momma, once I let the news out that she was done with her high school courses. Momma also let us know we were not to plan anything this weekend, because she had something planned for us. I was excited, but I knew Emma was nervous. She hadn't really expanded her safe zone past our home and the restaurant. I hoped momma kept that in mind.

I looked at her search on the computer for financial assistance and thought I had better get to work looking for money for my girl. I wouldn't let money stand in her way of reaching her dreams. I pulled up a site to apply for a government subsidized student loan and started filling out the forms. After it was all filled out, it asked for a copy of my last tax statement and then said I needed to print out the forms and mail it all in. I dug out my tax stuff and made copies, and then I printed the forms I had filled out. I tucked it all into an envelope, but I couldn't find any stamps.

The mailman had already come by today, so I was going to have to wait until tomorrow. I folded the envelope up, put it in my pocket and headed out to the kitchen. I found my momma and Emma leaning over a saucepan. Momma had been passing all of her recipes on to Emma. I just stood back and watched the smiling women for a moment.

"Oh, Devin, come smell this. Your wife had the best idea, and I'm in complete agreement."

"Smell, am I not allowed to taste?" I asked with a fake pout.

"Dinner will be served in a few minutes, and then you can taste it," Emma said with a smile.

She turned to go set the little table in the back of the kitchen.

"You're out of stamps, Momma," I said.

"Oh, yes, I forgot. Merle was out the last two times I caught him," she shook her head. "I think he's specifically trying to sneak around town not selling them, so he doesn't have as much mail to deliver. It’d be just like him," she complained, and I had to laugh and agree.

She checked the clock. "It's only four thirty, Devin. Dinner won't be ready for another thirty minutes or so. Could you be a dear and go grab some stamps at the post office?"

"Fine," I conceded. This way I could send off the loan application as well. I walked over to my wife, wrapping her in my arms and kissing her neck. I loved that I could do this to her. She leaned back into me and smiled up at me. I bent down and kissed her lips. "Momma needs me to run a quick errand. Will you be alright for a few minutes? I'll be back in time for dinner."

"That's fine. Where are you going?" she asked sweetly.

"To the post office, she's out of stamps, and she's sure the postman is hiding from her, so she can't buy them off of him."

She let out a giggle. "Okay, go get some and get some for me, too. I'm sure I'll need some for a few of the grant applications and the school ones as well."

"Alright, baby," I said stealing another kiss.

My momma whacked me with a dishtowel. "Move it! At this pace, I'll have a grandbaby before you have dinner."

My girl blushed, and I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'm going, Momma."

The post office was just two buildings down and across the street. I ran up to the door and opened it, looking for Jessup, the town’s only postal clerk. He was the only person who manned the office. He was probably the one they’d had in mind when they had come up with the saying “going postal.”  He wasn’t a bad or odd-looking guy, and he was only a year or two older than I was, but he just wasn’t all there.

The bell chimed, letting him know I had come in, but he didn't move. There was no one else here, which was not uncommon. Our little town was not a bustling metropolis, and most postal transactions were handled by Merle, the just-as-crazy postal carrier.

I walked up to the counter and waited for Jessup to acknowledge my presence, but he continued to stare at the back wall. I knocked on the counter, but he just shifted in his chair. I looked at the wanted posters that were hanging up next to where I was standing. It wasn't all that uncommon to see them up, but I thought I would take a look at the newest ones, while Jessup's brain caught up with him. One of the guys looked particularly evil, and I wondered if this guy had anything to do with the people who had taken my girl. He seemed to look familiar, but I couldn't place him.

"Gotcha!" Jessup yelled at me. "You thought you could sneak up on me, but I'm sharp as a tack!" he said actually picking up a tack and poking it in my direction.

I took a step back and put my hands up. "You got me, Jessup. You're a sharp one," I said nodding to his tack. I found it best to just go along with crazy people.

"Well, you can't have my tack, if that's what you want. It's mine!" he shouted.

I stepped back further, my hands still up. "No, never, I was actually looking for some stamps."

"Stamps, why do you want stamps?"

Yes, Jessup was as sharp as that tack in his hand and shared the same IQ. "I have a letter to mail," I said pulling out my envelope.

"Oh, well, you don't need stamps then," he leaned over, motioning me to get closer. "They have tracking devices in them, you know."

"Oh, I didn't know that." I was pretty sure they didn't, and I really didn't care if they did.

"Yeah, yeah, it's a good thing you came in to mail the letter. I told Merle about the stamps, and I think he got rid of them. You aren't the first to come in for some. I'll take care of that letter for you, though."

I nervously handed him the letter, hoping he wouldn't destroy it. If I was going to stay home with Emma, we were really going to need that student loan. To my relief, he weighed it and printed out a sticker stamp for it.

"So, that doesn't have a tracking device?" I asked.

"No, I bought these labels myself; they're safe. I can't be using any supplies the government sends us." He was leaning over the counter when he said it, and then he looked around to see if anyone else had heard what he'd said. When his eyes landed on the picture of the wanted man I'd been looking at, he practically jumped out of his skin. "Who are you!" he yelled at it.

"Let me get him out of here for you," I said and grabbed the picture, before he went off on another tangent. You didn't ever want to upset crazy people. I would have to tell my momma that Jessup and Merle were no longer selling stamps. Maybe she could order them through the mail online. Then again, I didn't know if they would deliver or accept mail with the normal stamps on it. Oh heavens, why must I live in a town with crazy people?

I found my momma in the kitchen with Emma. She was getting the plates for an order and lit up when she saw me. "So, did you get the stamps?" my momma asked.

"No, apparently they have tracking devices in them, so Merle and Jessup aren't handling government-issued stamps anymore."

"Well, that explains why he keeps avoiding me."

"Yes, well, I can take in any mail you need sent off tomorrow. Jessup is okay with printing out the postage using the labels he bought. Apparently, they're 'safe.' Is there anything urgent you needed mailed off?" I asked.

"No, tomorrow is fine. Go have dinner with your wife. I think we have a new special," my momma said excitedly, as she passed the plates she had filled to Jennifer.

I helped Emma fill our plates and sat down with her. "This smells really good."

"You're not the only one who can cook," my wife said with a smile.

I had no idea what she had stuffed into the ravioli she had made, but it was incredibly good, and the sauce was amazing. My eyes actually rolled back in my head as I moaned.

"Oh, it's the food. I thought Devin was finally getting lucky," Clayton teased.

"I am lucky. I have Emma, and she can cook," I said shoving a bite in his mouth.

"Dang, girl, that’s amazing!" he said trying to steal my plate, but I was able to hold him off long enough for my momma to intervene.

"Clayton, come get your own plate and leave Devin and Emma alone. How am I supposed to get grandbabies if you keep interrupting them?"

"Momma, please, can we not discuss this, ever?" I asked.

I looked back over at Emma and saw she was pouting. "Sorry, honey, I wish I could get my family to shut up about sex already. I don't want you feeling pressured by anyone."

She gave me a weak smile and continued to eat. I would have to talk to her about this later tonight.

After dinner, I walked her upstairs and waited for Dr. Greyson to arrive for her session. I kissed her goodbye and went back down to the restaurant. I knew he would walk my girl down to me when they were done.

"Devin, oh good, it seems we're short a crate of whipping cream, and I don't think we're going to be able to wait for the delivery tomorrow. Would you be a dear and go to the dairy to fetch it?"

"Momma," I whined. “You know what’ll happen...”

"Dear, at least you have a wedding ring to hold her off. She’d outright attack Clayton, and you know it."

She had a point, dang it!