To Walk a Mile

Chapter 1

Ed liked his new truck. It was shiny and big and had a heater that worked. It had lots of other toys too but he hadn't played with them yet. He'd discovered the air conditioner though.

The truck was a present from some of the ladies he loved. When his previous F-150 was destroyed in an accident he'd insisted that he could take the bus to work but they wouldn't have it. Rachel, Angie, and Zoe had all pitched in to buy him a brand new Ford F-150 XLT. It was black with chrome accents in a sports package look, whatever that was. All he knew was that it drove well and he liked it.While the heater worked and he'd made good use of it over the winter months, he certainly didn't need it these days. Spring had arrived early and it seemed like summer was in an even bigger hurry. Even though in two days it would only be the first of May the temperatures were higher than normal and he'd been able to go without a jacket for the past week. His work coverall was plenty warm enough on its own.He rolled his shoulders, enjoying the lack of tightness the new coverall he'd just been given this morning now afforded him. Over the winter months, he'd gotten back into his workout routine and discovered he'd increased his muscle mass to the point where his already form-fitting coverall had become constrictive. Gwyneth was the new office's dispatch/receptionist / human resources officer at Drakos Heating and Cooling. She'd ordered the new coverall to give his new larger, harder muscles some space to breathe.While Gwyneth was a bubbly, smart, and plump bundle of energy who was fun to talk to, he missed Lydia. After a whirlwind romance, she'd married a lawyer named Julian and no longer worked for her Dad. Ed had attended the wedding and Julian seemed like a nice guy. Ed wished them both a long and happy marriage.Ed pulled his mind back to the task at hand. Gwyneth had dispatched him to a job in his neighborhood. Zoe's new construction. Her new house was coming along nicely. It was unlike any house Ed had ever seen before and had some rather challenging heating and cooling requirements. Ed enjoyed the challenge and offered some innovative solutions for the unique build. Zoe had sworn him to secrecy so he couldn't reveal any of the details to his family and friends. She wanted it to be a surprise when it was ready for 'the big reveal' as Zoe called it.He pulled up to the gate and pressed the buzzer."Hi Ed, come on in!"That was Zoe's voice so she must be in the construction office trailer. The gate opened and Ed drove in and parked next to it. He walked inside and she rushed over to get a hug and a kiss.At 5' 3", Zoe Sandoval may have been petite in stature but her curves were breathtaking. More the result of medical science than nature perhaps but eye-catching in the extreme. Her breasts were large and round, larger than her small frame normally supported. She was diligent with her exercises to maintain the muscles required to prevent excess strain on her back so her core was hard and tight. He'd experienced first-hand how strong the petite powerhouse was.Her ass was also plump and round though Ed was sure that was more natural than anything else. With her caramel skin, the abundance of gold bangles, earrings, and necklaces, some of which were disappearing into her deep cleavage, she was pure sexiness in a compact package. It was all Ed could do to keep his hands out of her long ebony locks and off those curves as he greeted her with a kiss on her sensual mouth.She purred as she pulled her lips back from his and took in his new coverall. "Dios! You're looking good in that new uniform! I could eat you up!" Ed's face blushed as they weren't alone."Isn't that sexual harassment?" came a voice from behind them.Ed looked over Zoe's head at the grinning man leaning back in his chair. Clint Masterson was the site foreman and had been difficult for Ed to deal with since day one. "I don't think so. She's my girlfriend so I think it's... legal," Ed replied with a note of concern in his voice. Clint's grin got wider seeing Ed's worry.Zoe spun to glare at the man. "That's right! He's mine so I can say all kinds of nice things about him!" she growled. She didn't like how the man was always picking on Ed's naiveté. Ed was innocent and didn't understand when someone was just teasing or being sarcastic or worse, lying.She looked back at Ed. "Why are you here today?""Final inspections of the systems we installed," Ed replied."Well, get to it boy! Don't waste my time standing around here all day swapping spit with your girlfriend!" Clint barked.Ed jumped and quickly made his way out of the trailer. He heard Zoe's raised voice as the door closed behind him. He put on his hard hat as he entered the construction zone and got to it as Clint had requested.Several hours later Ed exited the site. His new coverall was now covered in drywall dust, sawdust, and mud, and he had a few grease smears on a sleeve from accidentally brushing it against... something, he couldn't recall specifically when it happened. He'd been all over the building from the roof to the cellar and everything had passed his inspection with flying colors. Considering how meticulous he was during the installation and how critical he was of the work done during his inspections he was pleased with the result. He took a deep breath and entered the trailer one last time.He was surprised to see Mr. Drakos leaning across Clint's desk barking at the man. Clint did not look happy."Oh, sorry! Should I wait outside?" Ed said with a surprised expression."No Ed, why don't you stay and see what crying to your boss resulted in," Clint growled."Clint, you're an idiot. Do you know that? He didn't call in the complaint." Mr. Drakos growled and turned. "Ed, what did you come in here to say?""Uh... I came in to say I finished the inspection. It took a long time as it's such a complex installation but everything passed. I- I came in to do the sign-off." Ed said blinking at the two men. He had no idea why they were so angry with each other.Drakos locked his eyes on Clint's. "Ed was working since he arrived today because he's a professional. He does his work and it's second to none. Ed doesn't call in complaints. The client did."Clint stood facing Mr. Drakos with a clenched jaw.Mr. Drakos looked at the foreman and sighed. He'd never hire or recommend the man again. He was a bully and had a cruel streak. Ed wasn't the only one Clint had given a hard time. "Sign the paperwork Ed. Then you're done here."Ed moved forward and Clint stiffly slid the paperwork across the desk at him. Ed added his signature to the appropriate places and stood back. Clint picked up the document and added it to the docket."Bye Mr. Masterson," Ed said with a cautious nod. The man nodded stiffly in return and turned away.Mr. Drakos followed Ed out of the trailer. "Sorry you had to deal with that jerk," the older man said.Ed shrugged. "He wasn't too bad. I know some of the other guys didn't like him but I didn't have to like him to work with him. I just ignored the other stuff."Drakos smiled self-consciously. "I guess I've just become a little overprotective of you."Ed smiled at the man. "Then I should thank you for looking out for me.""You going back to the office now?" the older man asked.Ed looked at the time. "I should check on Victoria's place while I'm here, then I'll head back.""You're still doing that?" the man asked."Yes. She's still away. I'm still not sure when she'll be back. Or if she'll be back at all," Ed replied with a little shrug but his face looked sad.Mr. Drakos just patted his shoulder and made his way to his car to drive back to the office.Ed drove his truck up the hill to the top, not much of a distance from Zoe's really, and let himself into the mansion with the key Victoria left him with. The large house was silent, accentuating its museum-like ambiance. Ed made his way through his routine of inspecting the home for any sign of damage from water damage to broken glass. Once he was done he was in the master bedroom and his mind returned to the last time he'd been with the woman. He remembered her lovely blonde hair spread out over the mattress under her, the flush in her cheeks from their love ma- he struggled to push the memories away as he began to stiffen in his tight clothes. The coverall could use just a little more room in the groin region he realized.Victoria Rutledge was the widow of Judge Nelson Rutledge, who Ed discovered was an evil little troll of a man. While Victoria was tall, svelte, and with her allure and class reminded Ed of a Hollywood actress of the 1940s like Veronica Lake, the judge was small in stature and low in character. He was both physically and mentally abusive, controlling, and deeply corrupt. He'd killed a man Victoria had had an affair with and was going to kill Ed when he believed she'd bedded him as well. Ultimately Victoria had killed the judge with his gun and spent some time in prison before her lawyer found evidence to prove her battered wife syndrome.Now she was in England with her parents but more importantly with her two girls, reunited after their tumultuously emotional separation. Victoria was getting the psychiatric treatment she needed from years of abuse from her husband. The girls were seeing a counselor. They were learning the truth about their family and how much they needed each other after the ordeal.Ed recalled how desperate Victoria had been when he came to visit her two weeks after the Christmas Party. His leg had taken longer to heal than expected and she was upset that he'd postponed the previous week's appointment. She'd had some harsh words for him."Is that the kind of man you are? Lead a woman on and leave her hanging?" she gasped, tears beginning to pool in her thick lashes."What? No! My leg hadn't healed and I was restricted to office work. I did try calling you but you didn't answer."I was angry!"Ed blinked at her. He wasn't following this conversation at all. "I'm sorry. How could I know if you wouldn't speak with me?"Suddenly she was crushed up against his chest, clinging to him with all her strength. Her hair was under his nose and the scent of melon and something tropical tickled his sense of smell. He felt her trembling so he wrapped his arms around her. He felt her relaxing within his embrace."I'm sorry," she whispered."For what?" he asked.She pressed her face against his neck under his chin, taking comfort from his solidity. "For being so emotional. So... needy. The others... they don't behave this way, do they?"Ed tilted his head back and she looked up at him timidly."One of the things you can depend on me to be is discreet. This means I won't tell anyone about our time together. That also means I won't speak about theirs with you," he said gently.She searched his eyes but saw only honesty. She nodded and smiled faintly.Ed was delighted she'd relaxed her need to have her make-up airbrushed on to perfection. She was beautiful but now she looked human, not like a perfect porcelain doll. Lovely hazel eyes, a strong but slim nose above eminently kissable lips with her trademark bold red lipstick. Her yellow-gold hair fell in relaxed waves around her face and over her shoulders. He couldn't resist the impulse to finally slide his fingers into her hair. Victoria's eyes closed in happiness at the feel of his touch and her gently smiling lips parted. Ed found his mouth on hers and he was kissing her deeply and sensually. She gasped and clung tighter as her tongue plunged into his mouth. He sucked on her tongue aggressively and moved one of his hands down her back to her ass as the other gripped her hair.Victoria was gasping for breath as Ed's hands and kiss made her so excited. She hadn't felt this way since she'd taken a secret lover. Miguel. A pain went through her heart as she remembered how Nelson had him killed and disposed of. Then Ed's hand squeezed her ass and she forgot all about Miguel and Nelson.She pushed at Ed's chest to break the kiss and he blinked at her in a lustful daze. She smiled at his need for her. "Could- could we go upstairs?" she asked. He was only able to nod. She took his hand and led him up the long curved staircase to the second floor and down the hall to the master bedroom. The huge bed, cold every night now that she was alone, stood waiting for them. She walked them over to the end of the bed and turned to face him.Ed caressed her lips with his and she felt tingles rush down her spine. When his large hands slid under her sweater over her stomach she gasped aloud and her eyes flew open. He smiled at her as he gently moved his fingertips over her blouse from front to back gradually working her sweater up to her torso. When his fingers passed over her breasts she moaned with need and looked deeply into his eyes. Before she could surge forward he lifted her sweater and pulled her arms above her head.He got the sweater off but held her wrists together above her head with one hand while his other hand explored her breasts through her blouse and bra. She squirmed, cooed, and panted as his touch triggered wave after wave of pleasure to course through her body. She felt helpless in his grip yet safe as well for he was only doing what she'd wanted him to do all along.Ed's clever fingers found the buttons on her blouse and quickly popped them open one at a time from the top. She was seriously aching for his touch against her bare skin. Once he had the top open his hand slid inside and caressed her stomach, her side, and moved around to her back. Her breath was coming in gulps now and she pressed her knees together to calm the maddening tingle between her thighs as her juices ran down the tender skin there.A quick flick of his fingers and the clasp on her bra parted. She squeaked in surprise then cooed as his large hand slid under the lace to cup a breast."Oh my god! Oooohh!" she breathed as his fingers found her stiff nipple and gently squeezed and tugged on it. Her knees wobbled and she might have fallen except for Ed's undeniable grip on her wrists. His hand left her breast and moved to the zipper on her slacks. His fingers were just too nimble as he had the pants sliding down her legs in seconds and his hand sliding over the thin panties on her ass before she was aware he had her undressed.Ed released her wrists and used both hands to push her blouse back over her shoulders. Before she could work her arms free he laid her back on the bed, effectively trapping her arms at her sides. He moved over her and kissed her hard. She mewled into his mouth as she couldn't get enough of his kiss. While she was distracted he pushed her loose bra upwards and took her tits in his hands. He gave them both a firm squeeze."MMMMMmmmnnn!" she gasped into his kiss.He moved his mouth to her neck and ran his lips down the creamy skin of her throat."Edward! Oh yes!"When his lips met her nipples she cried out in bliss. He circled the stiff peak with the tip of his tongue making her arch her back then he sucked it into his mouth and strummed it with his tongue. He repeated the treatment to her other nipple and she cried out with the intensity of the pleasure.Ed continued to kiss and caress his way down her torso and he felt her stomach muscles jump and twitch as he passed her belly button. He dipped his tongue into the small indent and she burst into giggles. He smiled up at her as she raised her head to look down her body at him.When the tip of his tongue left her belly to draw a straight line downwards her eyes grew large as she realized what he was about to do. No one had ever done this for her, not her Latin lover Miguel and certainly, Nelson hadn't. But Ed was looking up at her with hunger in his eyes and her body shook with the surprise of her realization of what was about to happen. That's when she noticed he'd tugged her slacks the rest of the way off her legs and was now sliding her panties past her knees. How? She'd been so dazed she hadn't noticed his hands at work.Victoria took a sudden deep breath as she'd been holding it. Ed began to press his lips against the tender flesh of her lower abdomen in slow sensual kisses."Oh, Edward! Oh! Oh! Oh my god! I've never- OH!"Ed ran his tongue over her glistening pussy lips and her body went into convulsions. She dropped her head back on the bed and made cute little mewling sounds as her body went through a gentle orgasm as he licked and sucked at her tender flesh.She became too sensitive to touch so he stood up at the end of the bed and began to take his coverall off. He was stepping out of it when Victoria's eyes focused once more. She looked down the bed towards him and watched him slowly lifting his white undershirt and his hard, muscular torso. As the muscles were exposed to her eyes she bit her lip and felt a throbbing begin between her legs. The shirt lifted up and over his head and she sighed as she saw his powerful pectoral muscles and thick arms hanging from his broad shoulders. Miguel had been slim and graceful as a heron. Nelson was thick and short like a fireplug. She pushed herself up on her elbows to be able to see him better and tugged herself free of the blouse and bra.To Victoria, Ed was built like a god from Olympus!She watched him run his hands down over his tight stomach muscles to hook his thumbs into the waistband of his boxers. The black silky material hid his dimensions from her eyes but she never looked away as he slowly worked the underwear down his hips. She realized he was teasing her and growled in frustration making him smile.Ed wasn't delaying just to tease her. He was genuinely nervous about her reaction to seeing him naked. He took a deep breath and pushed his boxers down as he watched her cautiously. He hoped she wouldn't scream.Victoria's eyes got bigger and bigger as she watched Ed's thick and long cock emerge from his boxers. When it finally bounced free from its confinement she sucked in her breath. She'd never seen one so... dauntingly big! She looked up at Ed with an expression that warred between nervous and awestruck.He relaxed a little when she didn't shriek in fear but he noticed she wasn't looking exactly pleased with the result of his unveiling."Should- should I get dressed again?" he asked carefully."NO! I- I mean, no. I'm just... surprised. I wasn't expecting... so much... of you," Victoria stumbled through her words.Ed smiled. "Yeah. I've heard that before and I've certainly heard worse.""Worse?" Victoria asked looking at him curiously.Ed nodded and a pained look passed over his face. "I've been called monstrous. A freak. Mutant... and some other bad words.""No... how could they say that about you?!? They didn't know you!" she gasped in shock as she looked into his eyes with compassion in hers. As if drawn there her eyes moved back to the thick appendage hanging down between his legs. She realized it wasn't erect yet and her eyes widened once more with the shock."May- may I touch it?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the gently swaying flesh."Yes."Victoria pushed herself up onto her knees and made her way to the end of the bed. She sat on the end of the mattress and felt a tingle shoot through her pussy which was still coming down from her previous fun.She was closer to Ed's cock now and it looked even more intimidating. She reached out slowly and touched it with the fingertips of her right hand. She couldn't stop herself from moaning as she felt the hot skin's silky smooth texture. For just a second her mind flashed to an image of a powerful, dangerous snake and shivers ran down her spine. She wrapped her graceful fingers around his girth and was shocked to discover her fingers barely met. She felt him throbbing in her hand and soon she realized she couldn't close her hand around it."Oh god, Edward! You're so big! How? How could this possibly fit?" she said breathlessly as she brought her left hand into play and stroked his length. She was mesmerized by what she was holding and fondling in her hands."Victoria, that feels very nice!" he sighed.She looked up at his face in surprise and saw he seemed to be enjoying her touch. Emboldened by his obvious approval she stroked him from the head to his heavy balls which she cupped in the fingers of her left hand."Oh, that's good!" Ed groaned.Victoria was beginning to tingle in her special place once more and feeling his heavy cock in her hands was making her feel so very wicked! She'd never handled a man like this before! She suddenly needed to have him inside her, but his size!"Edward... I- I want you to make love to me... but I'm afraid.""We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We can stop at any time," Ed assured her. She nodded. "Do you have any personal lube?" he asked.From the shocked look on her face, Ed saw the answer was no."What- why would I need that?" she gasped then looked once more at what she was still holding. "Oh!""We'll take it slow. You can say stop at any time and I will," he said gently and she smiled at him. He took her hands which released his member reluctantly and he pulled her to her feet.They were standing before each other, naked. Ed pulled Victoria's body against his and his cock slid between her thighs, pressing hard against her wet pussy. He felt her heat against him and from her grasp, she felt his. He kneaded her ass in his hands and she moaned as she clung to him and shivered from the sparks shooting through her.Ed moved his mouth to hers and she kissed him hungrily, her arms wrapping around his neck as she rubbed her pussy up and down his hard shaft.Victoria's mind felt like it was whirling away as she acted on instinct. She'd never been so bold before but Edward's strength and calm freed her from her inhibitions. His hunger for her matched hers and she knew she had to have him, he would be hers and hers alone! She knew it would be difficult to separate him from the other women but she couldn't share him! She needed him to be hers. She would find a way!Passions overwhelmed her, she thrust her tongue into his mouth and he sucked on it strongly.He suddenly pulled back and laid her back against the mattress and knelt on the bed to pull her further up. Then he pushed her knees up to her chest which raised her ass off of the bed. She gasped as he ran his hot flesh up and down across her wetness."Oh! Oh! Edward! Yes! Take me! Oh yes!" she gasped.Then she felt it.The thick head pushed into her body and she stopped breathing. He was- he was so- big. He seemed to be waiting then he pushed in another inch. The breath she'd been holding rushed out and the intruder slid in another two. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. She was coming apart. She was turning inside out. She wanted to scream and push him away as he'd promised to take it slow. Then she needed him deep now as he was going too slow!When he pulled his fat cock from her body she could no longer contain her cries."NO! NO! IN! DON'T TAKE IT OUT!" she wailed and wrapped her legs around him to pull him deeper.She was able to get half of his cock buried inside her before he managed to grab her hips to stop himself from driving in deeper. Her legs tugged but his strength would not be denied. She shook and trembled under him as he struggled to keep from crushing her under his large body.Ed gasped for breath as he balanced on his head and knees arching his body over hers. When Victoria had yanked him deeper with her legs he felt himself going too deep too fast and knew she'd be hurt so he had to quickly move his hands from bracing himself against the mattress to her hips to stop his descent. This meant balancing on his head next to her neck.He pulled his hips back against her straining legs and she began to whine with need. He eased his pushing against her hips and his cock sunk an inch further inside. He stopped her once more."Edward! So big! You're splitting me apart! Too full!" she muttered even as she tried to pull him deeper.He pushed and drew himself out to the head."NO! NO! FUCK ME!" Victoria howled as she strained to pull him deeper. He drove forward once more and went an additional two inches deep as she wiggled her hips roughly and one of his hands slipped.Victoria's eyes flew wide as the sensation of fullness and the ache of him spreading her walls wide overwhelmed her. She knew she still didn't have it all yet but she was sure she would tear in two if she tried to take more. She was panting shallowly as that seemed to ease the deep ache she was beginning to feel.How did the other women take him? It wasn't fair! She wanted him! She needed him! She would have all of him! She felt him bracing his hands on her hips to push himself free once more and she relaxed her legs to let him do it. God! The emptiness of her body when he pulled himself out made her want to cry but she bit her tongue to distract herself.Once he was out to the head once more she trembled as it felt like such a tease. The vacuum he'd left behind needed to be filled and this time he was going all the way inside. She slid her hands down his powerful arms and caressed his hands. The skin on her hips was slick with a thin layer of perspiration. She waited until he relaxed then she tugged his hands outwards as she squeezed her heels against his ass with all her might.Ed was caught off guard by her move and his pelvis dropped to slam against her rising one."AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIEEEEEEE!" Victoria screamed and clung to Ed to keep him from moving. It was too much! She was in heaven! His body was rocking against her clit as the head of his cock was pushing against her cervix. That wasn't the most comfortable of sensations but her clit was doing its screams of joy. She felt her body flush with heat and tremors began rushing through her. Something was building very rapidly and it was all she could do to hold still as her hips automatically began to roll and rock against Ed's body, grinding her clit against him.Ed was surprised by her move but there was little he could do as she held on to him so tight. He moved his hands up to lift himself a bit to reduce the pressure on her chest. She clung tighter and rubbed her tits against his chest as her pelvis ground against his. Ed was getting close and the velvety smooth heat gripping his entire cock felt too good! Her gyrations were adding to his pleasure and he took her mouth in a fierce kiss."MMMMMmmmfffff!" she moaned into his mouth as her pleasure spiked.His hips began to rock as well and soon he had a shallow thrust happening with a bump against her clit with every downstroke."Uhhh! Oh! Uhhh! Fahhh! Oh! Guth!" She blurted sounds with every impact and her trembling grew stronger.Ed's hips sped up as his release reached the apex and the sound of wet skin slapping together filled the room."There! I'm there! Oh! EEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD!!!" Victoria squealed as her body spasmed and shook through an almost violent orgasm.Ed slammed his hips home one final time and he fired his cum deep inside in surge after surge.The heat filling her up made her eyes roll back as her body was wracked with too much sensation.The waves of bliss washed over her for what seemed like an eternity. When Victoria's mind drifted back to her body she felt such a glow of inner peace tears came to her eyes and rolled slowly down her cheeks. A large finger gently caught one of the tears."Hey? Why are you crying? Did I make you unhappy? Did I hurt you?" Ed asked with concern.She turned her face to look at him. Her beautiful yellow hair spread out in a halo around her head and her cheeks were pink with a flush. She smiled and shook her head."No Edward. I'm... so very happy! I can't contain it so it leaks out. You've made me so happy," she sighed and a smile came to his face. This was quickly replaced with another concerned look."You went too quickly. I'm too big to take that fast. You need to work your way up slowly. I didn't want to hurt you!"Beneath the incredible tingles she was floating in she noticed a deep, deep ache and realized this would probably be very uncomfortable later. So be it. She wouldn't have changed anything. "I know. It was my fault, Edward. I was too impatient to have it all. It was... amazing!""It was pretty amazing for me too!" he said, his smile returning. "I-"The phone next to the bed began to ring. Ed looked at the surprised look on Victoria's blissed-out face. He reached over and picked up the handset for her and she moved it to her ear. Ed was too close not to hear both sides of the conversation."Hello?""Victoria?" It was a man's voice with a British accent."Daddy?" she gasped in surprise, reverting to her childhood responses instantly."Yes, darling. We- we spoke with your barrister today. She informed us of what that man did to you. Is it- is it true?"A sob leaked out and Victoria held her hand over her mouth. When she could she spoke again. "Yes."There was a muffled gasp at the other end as emotions overflowed. Ed picked up the sound of a woman crying in the background. He was embarrassed to be listening in on this very personal call so he made to leave. Victoria quickly reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him."Daddy?"The man's voice came back but it was deeper now and trembling. "Darling, I'm booking a flight for you. It leaves at 9 PM your time tonight. Pack your things and be on that flight. You're coming home. We'll take care of this. We'll take care of you. Your daughters need their mother. We're so sorry we treated you that way. We were bloody idiots! Please forgive us and come home!"Victoria burst into tears and clung to Ed as her emotions imploded. It was all too much. She dropped the handset."Hello? Victoria dear?" came from the speaker.Ed picked up the phone and held it to his ear as he looked at the weeping woman. She nodded to him and put her hands over her face as she cried."Hello?" he said."Who is this?" was the terse reply."My name is Ed Walters, sir. I'm a friend of Victoria's. She's crying too hard to speak right now but I'll make sure she's on that plane tonight.""You were listening?" the voice sounded indignant."Yes, I'm sorry for my intrusion but Victoria went through some pretty awful treatment from Judge Rutledge. He hurt her pretty bad. She needs her mom and dad and she needs her daughters so I'll get her packed and on that plane.""You- you know what that man did to her?" the voice was calmer now but shaky."Not the details, but I saw some pictures and I can see how hurt she is inside. It must have been awful for her," Ed replied and Victoria clung to him tighter as her gasps got louder."Thank you for looking out for her. I- we were under the impression that she was alone," the man said, his voice continuing to wobble."Yes, everyone she knew here abandoned her but the ladies in this neighborhood and I welcomed her into our family. Victoria's good people. She didn't deserve that," Ed said with a frown.He heard a choking sound from the other end of the phone and the sound was muffled. Ed looked at Victoria whose tears were finally slowing.The speaker cleared and a woman's voice came on. "Hello?""Hello. Is this Victoria's mom?""Yes, who are you?" she returned."Ed Walters. A friend of Victoria."Thank you for being there for our little girl. You will send her home to us?""Yes, ma'am."Victoria desperately pulled the phone from Ed's hand and held it to her ear. "Mommy?"The two women burst into tears again and tried to speak but it was no good. Ed heard her father get back on the phone. "Edward?"He took the phone from Victoria's limp fingers. "Yes, sir."Flight BA #356 departing at 9 PM. Please make sure she's on that flight."I will, sir."Good lad. Goodbye."Goodbye."Ed's cell buzzed, yanking him back from his memories of that day. He glanced at the screen and saw a text from Gwyneth asking him to get back to the office ASAP. He frowned. It was Friday afternoon. He was worried that she might tell him he had a big job to do which would threaten his weekend off. He tapped out he was on his way.Ed looked at the tidy room. Like all of the other rooms in the house, it was too neat. You'd never know someone lived in the house. But then, these days no one did.Once he'd taken Victoria to the airport that night she'd left him with a key to her house and he promised to watch over the place until her return. That had been months ago and when last they'd spoken on the phone she'd told him that she was seeing a psychiatrist to get over her trauma. The family was knitting back together and she was healing. She had no idea when she would return but at least she sounded happy. The tension and desperation in her voice were fading.Ed locked up the house and made his way back to the office. He sighed. Life goes on it seems.