Chapter Eight

 

Guilt formed a brick of the cheese sandwich in Meredith’s stomach when Joyce stepped onto the deck. Sheena, Richard and Ash all greeted her casually, like nothing was wrong. How could they be so insensitive? It was impolite to laugh and talk about silly things like penises around an ill person. Meredith ran to the Joyce’s side, fussing and asking her how she was feeling.

“I’m not an invalid,” Joyce scolded. “When I need your help, I’ll ask for it.”

Where did that come from? Meredith only wanted to be of service. Why would she be admonished for caring? The tears welling in her eyes obstructed her view of the face before her. Was Joyce still angry?

Allowing her head to fall forward, Meredith released a sob. “I’m sorry. I don’t know…what did I do?”

When Joyce put her arms around Meredith, she breathed a heavy-hearted sigh into the velvet dress and freed her tears against a bony shoulder.

“Look kiddo, I’m sorry for snapping at you. I just get so sick of people pitying me all the time. All the sacrifices you could make wouldn’t cure me, and making them would just leave you feeling drained and resentful.”

“But I want you to feel better,” Meredith sniffled. Grasping Joyce’s thin velvet waist, she tried very hard to ignore the sensual feel of that fabric against her still-naked skin.

Loosening Meredith’s grasp, Joyce pulled away, but kept hold of her hands. “Okay, I tell you what: as much as I enjoy my fishing and all that, my favorite hobby is spending time with friends, old and new. I love opening my house to Sheena and Ash and Richard and others like them. It’s a lot like…you know when you take your kids to the park and instead of fighting with the other kids or each other, they just get along and play? No scraps, no scrapes, just fun. You know how that makes you feel happy and proud, like your heart is going to explode? That’s the kind of pleasure I get, watching you young people amuse yourselves. If you really want to help, you can spend more of your time here with me and my dears. I love having friends around, especially when those friends are beautiful, young and naked.”

“I certainly will visit you,” Meredith laughed, picturing herself and Jeff showing up on Joyce’s doorstep like Adam and Eve, Jeff with a fig leaf hovering against his groin. Who would have guessed this kind of gathering was going on in sleepy Sheridan?

Sheena came over and stood in back of Meredith as Joyce took her seat, the one with the odd corded ball on the armrest. The roundness of Sheena’s body provided comfort. Those expert hands around her waist sent waves of warmth across her skin, making Meredith happy to be naked. Deep breaths. Sheena still smelled of roses, even after they were gone.

“Close your eyes,” whispered the wise woman. “There is much you can learn from Joyce.”

Sheena spoke slowly, allowing each word its worthy weight.

“To serve those around you, you must first feel happy and fulfilled in yourself.”

The warm breeze of Sheena’s breath excited the sensitive hairs deep inside her ear canal.

“When you are satisfied in life, when you are at peace, when you are fearless, other people want to be near you. You become a beacon.”

The invisible hairs surrounding Meredith’s mouth tickled as Sheena’s fingertips brushed her lips.

“When you defy your fears, that is when your family, your friends, even strangers, respond to you with admiration.”

Fingertips wandered down her neck, along her chest, around the curve of her breast. Meredith released a pleasured, “Oh.” Her skin danced under that touch.

“Your joy rubs off on those around you, and they become joyful also.”

Meredith nearly leapt out of her body when Sheena petted the golden hairs along her abdomen. One of those unexpected too-good sensations…

“But it all starts with you, beautiful Meredith, golden woman, finding pleasure in life.”

There was some version of heaven in Sheena’s touch. Her fingers brushed gently through the dark honey hair below Meredith’s navel. Too gently. And too high. Oh, please, touch lower…