The other day I posted a story called "Spring Storm." this one has the same title, but it's a very different piece:

Spring Storm


They both got home early that evening, when it was still light. He suggested that they go for a walk before it got dark.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It looks kind of rainy.”

“We’ll be all right,” he assured her. “We won’t be out for long.”

They walked out into the back yard and down the little trail that led into the woods. It wound around through what had a few decades ago been open pasture. Now it was overgrown with medium-sized timber and thickets. The trail led them past an old fence row. This marked the limit of their property. They pushed on, knowing that the owners of the neighboring land would not worry too much if they strayed over the line a bit.

Soon they came to a small stream. They stood side by side on its bank. He took her hand. They stood there for a moment, holding hands and gazing at the stream’s quiet waters. She remembered doing this before. It had been a while since they had taken the trail back here—months, really. Too long!

“It’s certainly quiet out this evening,” he observed. “I can hardly even hear any birds.”

The wind rustled through the treetops. Suddenly she felt worried. She looked up apprehensively.

“Oh, it sounds like the wind is getting up! We’d better head back.”

She glanced back down at the creek. A little ripple appeared suddenly, spreading out in concentric circles. Another appeared right beside it. The ripple patterns collided and turned to chaos. She heard a pattering here and there among the leaves.

“It’s already starting. We’ve definitely got to get back!”

“I won’t argue with you there! Let’s go.”

He turned toward the trail and stood aside to let her pass in front. As she passed he gently took her shoulder and guided her by as she started. Of course she knew where she was going anyway. She still enjoyed the contact. It made her feel reassured.

The pattering came faster. They moved up the trail briskly, now and then feeling cold little drops that made it past the canopy of leaves and late-spring buds above. The light dimmed. She was beginning to have trouble seeing in the woods.

Then they burst from the trees and back into the yard. She spread her arms and ran in her girly way to the back door. Out of the trees she could feel a real rain starting to fall. By the time she passed through the door into the kitchen she felt a bit damp. The pattering of the rain grew faster.

“We made it just in time before the heavy stuff hit,” he said. “Sorry I almost got us caught out in that.”

“It’s okay. No harm done. It was actually kind of fun.”

“Come on, let’s go out to the front porch and watch it from there.”
He led her through the house to the front porch. The stood under its roof and saw the watery curtain pouring down across their yard. The pattering on the roof had risen to a regular drumming. He stood beside her and put his arm around her waist and let his hand slip down to her hip. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“It’s a pretty evening out,” she said. “In its own way.”

He turned to face her. She closed her eyes and felt their lips come together. His hands ran down past her back and caressed her bottom. He pulled her lower body against his. She felt a firmness beneath his clothing.

A deep kiss passed, and then they pulled apart slightly. She opened her eyes. His green eyes looked deep into hers. She read a question in them. Her own eyes passed over an affirmative answer.

He led her by the hand into the house and closed the front door behind them. They passed into their room. She turned back the bedspread and swiftly undressed. She undid her hair and let it fall around her waist. She took one of the special towels they kept in the room and spread it in the center of the bed. Then she lay down with her lower body on the towel. She looked up at him, smiling. He smiled back, and joined her.

He kissed her lips, and her neck, and shoulders, and other places on her body. His right hand cradled her head, while the left began to touch her intimately. Her pulse raced, her breathing quickened. She said his name out loud, and said it again.

He felt his hairy thighs against he smoothly shaven ones. With her hand she took his flesh. Her fingertips felt his pulse. She guided him into place, and then gasped.

They moved quickly and rhythmically together. She cried out again and again; he made no sound except to pant with exertion. In the distance she heard thunder. Oh, it was ridiculously romantic!

Then he began to cry out, and she cried louder, and in a few moments it was over. She looked up at him. He looked down at her, face soft and smiling broadly.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Soon they lay spooned together. She could feel that his body was now at rest. His hand covered her breast, her hand covered his. She felt his face buried in her hair.

“You are so sweet to me,” she murmured.

“Did you ever imagine we’d be this much in love?”

“No. I thought I was in love when we married. Now I realize I had no idea just what that meant.”

They listened to the drops falling on the roof and dripping from the eaves. “Sounds like it has slowed down some,” he observed. “I don’t think it’s going to stop soon, though.”

“No reason why it should.”

“It’s still pretty early. Want to go out and get something to eat? It’ll save you cooking.”

“I’m always up for that!” She started to sit up. “Okay, let me get myself cleaned up and get dressed.”

Soon they were ready to go. Before they stepped outside, he caught her in an embrace and kissed her.

“Mmmmm, you’re in a great mood tonight,” she said.

“Of course I am. I’m about to go out with one of the finest-looking women around.”

“You’re a nut!”

He took her hand and unlocked the front door, and led her outside.

The hidden meaning in this story revolves around the "special towel."

I have to say, this story has gained more views in less time than any other one I've done! I'm rather surprised.

Librarians are hot. That's your answer right there.

All you had to do was add the "parental advisory" tag.

I had to read it to make sure my kids would be safe.

Yeah, I guessed that was what did it. I didn't think it would have that kind of effect, though.

So, any comments on the actual work (or any of my work, really) and not just the title?

Sure -- I thought it was written well, had a nice feel to it, and overall was a very pleasant, sensual story. And I like spring storms, so there's that.

Well written, D.L. You evoked the whole experience - the mood, the setting, the entire evening itself - and did so really well.

There's an upcoming retcon, in which the towel is revealed to have been a Skrull since day one!

Thanks. In hindsight, though, it's very painful to read, and I wish I had never written it. It was inspired by a chapter in my life that really wasn't what I thought it was, and which is now closed.

It is beautiful, even if the truth that inspired it was ugly. I am glad the bump lead me to it. It is probably my favorite of yours.