Jopper // Light at the End of the Tunnel - A Love Story (Completed)

One Night

"So," Jim said awkwardly, tapping his thighs with his fingers, "it's just you and me." 

"Looks like it." Joyce said, laughing. 

"I'd like a beer, please." Jim anounced, smiling at Joyce. 

Joyce looked stupefied. 

"I... I was just going to ask you that!" 

He winked. 

"How did you know?" she asked, suspiciously. 

He shrugged his shoulders. 

She gave him a strange look and went to get him a beer and a glass of wine for herself. 

"Here you go." she said, handing him a can of beer. 

"Thanks." he mumbled, opening the can. 

She took a sip of red wine before she said: "Hop, how is it that you know me so well?"

He chuckled. 

"We've known each other for a long time, Joyce."

She sighed heavily. 

"I know, but this is different. It feels different." 

She just sat there on the couch, staring into space. 

He took her hand in his, caressing her skin with his rough fingers. 

"Everything is different, Joyce." he said softly, looking deep into her brown eyes. 

"Is something going on, Hop? You know you can talk to me." she said, studying him carefully. 

They were still holding hands. It feels great, Joyce thought. It had been so long since she had experienced that kind of affection from a man. She thoughroughly enjoyed it. 

"I'm not on drugs." Jim said, chuckling. 

Surprised, Joyce exclaimed: "Why would you say that?!"

"You were thinking it..."

Joyce started to protest, but Jim cut her off. 

"Yes, you were. Just for the briefest of moments, the thought struck you, but you didn't dare say anything. I promise you, Joyce, I'm not taking drugs." 

"How could you know?" Joyce whispered, having trouble getting the words out. 

Jim's eyes grew dark. 

"I have a secret." 

"What secret? Jim, please, tell me." Joyce pleaded. 

She touched his cheek with her hands, caressing him. 

He closed his eyes and sighed. 

"I can read minds." 

Joyce didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. He had opened up to her, and she didn't know what to say. 

He continued. 

"Ever since I came back from... where I went to... I've been able to read people's minds. Some people are harder to read than others... Murray, for example. Now, he's hard to read. It's like it's all mumbled up inside him... but you. It's like you're an open book to me." 

She flinched and sat back, removing her hand from his cheek. 

"And there's something else," he said, his voice almost a whisper, "sometimes, I can see into the future. I see these glimpses of things that will happen." 

"Have you told anyone else?" Joyce finally asked, her voice grave. 

"No." Jim admitted. 

"I don't know what to say." Joyce said quietly. 

"You don't have to say anything. Just promise me you won't tell anyone, not even the kids. I don't want them to worry." 

She nodded. 

"I promise." 

"Thank you." 

Joyce believed him. Of course she believed him. She had seen so many strange things these past few years, so reading minds and seeing into the future wasn't that high on the list. What was next? she wondered, but stopped herself. That feeling in her stomach was suddenly there again. That warm, fuzzy feeling that rose up and swelled. It overwhelmed her. 

They sat there, looking into each other's eyes. Joyce suddenly leaned in, and before they knew it, their lips met each other. Joyce lips parted, making way for Jim's tongue to find hers. Their kisses grew wilder and bolder, and Jim planted his hands in Joyce's dark hair. 

Her hands slid wildly down his muscular arms, and in under his shirt, caressing his chest and stomach. He slid his hands under her shirt, finding her bra. They went to the bedroom, hunger and desire burning their hearts. Joyce lay down on the bed, while Jim climbed on top of her. They basically ripped each other's clothes off. They moaned and breathed heavily, the night and the darkness silent and still around them. It was special, making love to someone who could read your mind. It was like Jim knew all of the secret places she longed to be touched.

Joyce at last fell asleep, her head resting on Jim's chest.