Peaches

The Serpent

It had been more than two weeks since she'd seen James. When he walked away, she assumed that he would be back. She'd waited for him by their tree for what seemed like days, but he never showed. For the first time, he didn't show up to church. Jean felt so awkward, sitting there under the eyes of god, listening to all the satisfied whispers. Everyone seemed so smug, watching Mrs. Montgomery and Roger walk in without him, as if it confirmed whatever suspicions they had. Even George Thomas was snickering, and Jean knew that he had never spoken to the Montgomery's once. In fact, she was sure that none of them knew them at all.

The second week was much worse. She kept expecting him to show up out of nowhere, but he never did. It was driving her insane. She had to watch the road constantly in case he drove by in his car. She'd hate herself if she missed him. A part of her wanted to ask his wife were he went, but she knew better. Asking would ruin everything.

It was then that she was beginning to think that it was her fault. Did he want her to follow him? To somehow be there even after his wife called back into the house? She could've snuck through a window, she could've begged him to stay, she could've she could've she could've—-

Jean heard the car stop in front of the house on an early Wednesday morning. It was almost twilight, the sun just barely beginning to peek out from the horizon. Nobody was awake. Jean got up from her bed immediately, running to the window. It was him. James was sitting in the car, watching, as he'd done so many times before. She was only in her nightgown, neglecting to even wear underwear, but in one bold movement, she pulled back the curtain, revealing herself to him. He was so far away, and it was barely light out, but she could still see that his eyes, heated and wanting.

When the car pulled away, Jean's heart stopped. He couldn't leave now, not when he just came back. Then, Jean realized that she had to follow him. She needed him now. Jean tiptoed away from her room, trying to avoid every creaky floorboard, her feet barely touching the ground. She closed every door behind her as quiet as she could, not allowing them to slam and wake everyone up. By the time she was outside, the car was already gone.

Jean ran out into the road, following him. She could see the lights from the back of the car just barely in the fine morning mist. Her adrenaline was racing so hard she could barely feel the rocks goring her feet. It was only a moment, and then she was at his house. He had just pulled into the driveway, and Jean stopped, only a few paces away. He was exiting the car, not noticing her for a moment but then he turned, eyes wide.

Without a word, Jean raced away from the house. She didn't look back, only heard the sound of the car door being slammed shut. She knew for certain he was following.

She continued on, not really knowing why, the only thing lighting her path the faint light of the stars. She knew she was close to their tree, and she stopped, not turning to look behind her. Everything that Jean had ever known was behind her. James was behind her. Jean remembered then, that her mother always told her never to run off, that the summer was the most dangerous season of the year. She was right.

A second later, he was behind her. He stood there, not touching or speaking to Jean. She craned her neck, rubbing the back of it with her hand.

"Jean?" He called, a whisper, and she turned, finding that he was farther away then he felt. He didn't ask why she was awake, or why she followed him. He already knew. Jean found that he already knew everything about her.

She closed the space between them with her mouth. His kiss was rough, uncontrolled and so wanting that it made Jean's toes tingle. He hugged his arms around her body, almost constricting, but Jean didn't feel smothered at all. She felt happier than she had ever felt in her life. Mindless of the consequences, he pushed her down into the grass, not caring about the stains that would cling to their clothes.  As he pushed her back into the earth, Jean giddily wrapped her legs around him. Even though he was on top of her, his touch was a light as a feather.