Chapter 1
Andy sat at his desk in the Mayberry police department, or wherever he worked. He worked there daily with Barney, and some others. Maybe Gomer Pyle, who knows. He got started on his work, looking over citations, looking after other things he did, he just looked things over. He couldn't seem to focus on his work this particular afternoon, although. He was distracted by the evening he'd had with the new woman in his life. Esmeralda. She was lovely, gentle, genuine, sweet, and humble. She was attractive with blonde, golden hair always put up in a curl, lips that were painted cherry red, thin lips, and pure white, beige skin that was always put up with makeup.
She always wore diamonds, and pearls around her neck, and a long, flowy dress. She was rich, although she was gentle, and caring. She was a bit ditzy, although she loved Andy tremendously, and wanted to care for him, be there for her man whenever he needed her. She wanted to spoil him.
They had been dating for two years, and they had spent many evenings together, having wonderful, luscious sex. Andy found comfort in Esmeralda and found an element of love when the only element of comfort found was that of his 6 year old boy, Opie. His pride and joy, his son.
Andy before was widowed. He lost his wife, and Opie's mother to brain cancer. He loved his wife, Gail, tremendously, and found her to have a zest for life, and a childlike, loving element to her. She was an amazing wife, and a tremendous mother to Opie. Thinking about her, made Andy sniffle a bit, and become silent. He was a gentle man, that generally showed emotion when appropriate. Right now was one of those times.
Andy wondered to himself, as a widow, was it sinful to have another woman, a caring, attractive woman in his bed right in the place where his late wife used to lay her head? Was it bad to have a sexual relationship with another woman besides his wife? Was it wrong to move on? These were the questions that befell a widow when he was considering moving on. Andy felt conflicted. Yet, he could not deny his feelings for Esmeralda and felt as if moving on was right to him. Andy felt distracted by the activities in the bedroom he partook in with Esmeralda.
The ones where she was in her lacy bra, and panties, that were silky, and lacy all at the same time. Andy was in his boxers, and was shirtless. Then when Esmeralda took off her panties, and bra, and revealed her plump, smooth, breasts, with her nipples. Andy felt an attraction to their sex. Of course, he was a man so he had kind of an eye, and an affluence for sex.
Andy was looking over some paperwork when his partner, and fellow officer, as well as his cousin, Barney Fife came in. "Hey, there, Andy". He said, with the same amount of eccentricity he always seemed to bestow. "Oh, hello, Barney". Andy said, with calm gentleness. "I think Aunt Bee should be bringing us lunch, soon". "I did put in a request for tuna salad". "Maybe, I'll put some of that Tapatio stuff on it". Barney said. "Oh, I'm not sure if you heard, but Aunt Bee is out of town for some time visiting her male persuasion". Andy said. "I might have lunch with Esmeralda at the restaurant she is part proprietor of". "It is one of the fanciest restaurants there is". "You and Thelma are welcome to join us".
"Thelma isn't doing much as of right now". Barney said. "I may ask her to join if she wishes". "By the way, how was your evening with Esmeralda?". "Did you enjoy it?".
"It was wonderful". Andy said, a bit poised, but still with some dreaminess of love. "I did see the majority of her in her purity". "She is an amazing woman". "How is she with Opie?". Barney asked. Andy looked down for a moment. "She is a wonderful woman to Opie". Andy said. "She often spoils him, in requisite to my means of having discipline". "She'll always let him have a later bedtime, she'll sneak him chocolate, and cocoa when she reads him a bedtime story". "She'll make a wonderful mother to Opie, I believe". "But I do miss Gail". "I don't want to replace Gail with Esmeralda but, I'm just not sure". "I love this woman, dearly".
"The important thing to keep in mind is that Opie needs a mother". Barney said, assuringly. "The mother is the most important thing to a young child, and Opie is still young, he needs someone to lead him to his best". "Motherless children are the saddest".
"I'm not sure about that statement, unless they're orphaned from a young age". Andy said. "Therinto, Esmeralda would make a great mother". Barney said. "If you really love this woman, make her yours, for good".
"I may look into that". Andy said. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost lunchtime. Time to meet Esmeralda at La Boheme. One of the fanciest restaurants in Mayberry. That to which Esmeralda was part proprietor of. Andy put aside his paperwork, preparing to take his amazing lunch break.
Opie was readying himself for lunch with the other kids, and snacktime, when a messenger came to the classroom, putting a pass on his desk. "You have an early dismissal today". The messenger said. "Early dismissal?". Opie asked. "Why I never get those, not ever". Opie looked up at his teacher, seeing what she thought. "Go on ahead, Opie". The teacher said, gently. Opie gathered his backpack, walking down to the main office. Esmeralda sat in the main office, applying lipstick as she waited for Opie. "Hello, dear". Esmeralda said, gently. "Are you ready for our special afternoon?". "I am". Opie said. "You and I will go to your favorite candy store, then we'll go to lunch with your father, and Barney". Esmeralda said, gently. "I can't wait to have some lemon drops". She chuckled, excitedly. "Wouldn't it make more sense to have candy after lunch?". Opie asked. "Sometimes, dessert before lunch is just as spectacular". Esmeralda said, happily. "We'll have lemon drops, Simmon's chocolate, Tab cola, we'll have as much soda as we can get our hands on". She was excited. "There are no rules for today". "Only candy". She said, gently, playing with Opie's hair. "That sounds good". Opie said. "Never worry about how much it'll cost". "I'll cover it". Esmeralda said, gently. She kissed Opie's forehead. "Oh, you're the best, Ms. Esmeralda". Opie said. "Please, call me Esmeralda". "Or Essy". Esmeralda said, gently. "Ok". Opie said. "Mm, I love you, my sweet boy". Esmeralda said, kindly. Esmeralda checked out of the school through the office, as they went outside. Esmeralda lit a cigarette, sitting, smoking. "Maybe after we have lunch, we'll have ice cream at your favorite emporium". Esmeralda said, gently. "I know their dutch chocolate is nice to have". "So is their French Vanilla". Opie said. "Me and my Pa always get neapolitan, triple fudge chocolate". "Ooh, that sounds amazing". "I may have to try that". Esmeralda said, gently, smiling, mesmerized. "I like neapolitan as well". "When I was growing up, I always liked strawberry flavor". "Perhaps because it was pink, but, maybe for other reasons".
"Because it tastes good?". Opie asked. "Yy..yes, of course". Esmeralda said, knowing she kind of had help discovering that answer. "In any measure, I got you a little something when I went by your favorite toy store". Esmeralda said, kindly. "Here you are, sweet boy". She gave Opie a gift box. Opie opened it, finding a toy firetruck in there. It was red, and silver, with little toy firemen. "Wow, this is splendid!". Opie said, looking at the firetruck. "Thank you, Ezzy". He said, laughing and giggling. "Of course, sweetheart". "Anything for my amazing, best friend". Esmeralda said, gently. She hugged Opie, kissing him on the cheek. "Let's get some candy". She walked with Opie, as her heels clicked. Opie looked up at Esmeralda. She always dressed nice. Opie missed his mom, Gail, however.
He remembered when she died on her hospital bed. The last words she said to him, and Andy. sure, Opie thought about death sometimes, and yes, he often felt cold and clammy at intervals. Luckily, Esmeralda calmed him whenever he had these spells. Opie also had a sister he lost to cancer as well. She meant everything to him. Opie often felt cold, clammy, and fearful of death when he thought about her as well. Sometimes, he would have panic attacks, or be scared. Sometimes, he would cry, or feel as if he was going to die. He hated being afraid. He cried, and sometimes his body shook when he felt this way.
Opie sniffled a little bit, as Esmeralda rubbed his back. "Are you ok, my sweet boy?". Esmeralda asked, gently. "I am". Opie said, sniffling. "Shh, it's ok". Esmeralda soothed. "We'll get some candy, anything we like, and we'll have some lunch, maybe go to the park". "It'll be alright, my sweet best friend". She kissed Opie's cheek. "I love you beyond words". She hugged him, tightly, giving him some weight, relieving him of the lightness, and pressure his body felt. "Thank you". Opie said. He and Esmeralda walked to her car, as she drove over to the candy store. Her car smelled of cigarettes, and perfume. It was ok, although. It was her car, so it was a comforting regiment. Opie saw lipstick, and some makeup on the right side in the console of her car. His mother, Gail, never wore lipstick often. There was a lipstick stain on Opie's right cheek from Esmeralda's kiss.
The candy store was a big store, full of almost everything anyone would've wanted. "This is spectacular". Opie said. "It sure is". Esmeralda said. "I know this is the store you and your father come to". "It is". Opie said. "I like some of the candy and soda they've accumulated". Esmeralda said, gently. "Oftentimes I come in here to have a quick treat". She chuckled a bit. "Let's see what they have". "They have chocolate bars". Opie said. "Ooh, those sound nice". Esmeralda said, gently. "I like their Godiva bars". "Those are pretty luscious in themselves". "Hmm, they have taffy, nonpareils, ooh, dark chocolate with sea salt". "Those sound yummy". "Yes". Opie said. They looked in some of the displays. There was chocolate, marshmallow fluff, and some other things. "Yum, they have pink marshmallow fluff, and peanut butter between two bread halves". "Why don't we try that?". Esmeralda said, gently. "Ok". Opie said.
They ate some lemon drops, drank tab cola, and had some marshmallow fluff and peanut butter. "Yum!". They both said, grinning. Opie drank and ate, as Esmeralda ate until she felt full. She let out a huge burp. Opie laughed. Esmeralda laughed along with him. "You're funny". Opie said, laughing. "Thank you". Esmeralda burped. They both were laughing at this rate. "Perhaps, we'll keep this a secret from your father". Esmeralda said, winking. "I know the candy store is only for when you've done something truly special, however everything you do is special". "I decided to treat you to such". She drank some tab cola.
"What are we going to do when it comes time for lunch?". Opie asked. "Well, I'll just order something light, hmm, perhaps we can split a meal, such as a sandwich, or something of that aspect". Esmeralda said, gently. "That will be nice to do, that way we don't need to eat our own big meals". "This candy was a big meal in itself". "Yes". Opie said. "Come, let's go meet your father, then we'll split something, you and I". Esmeralda said, gently. They both let out a big burp, as they paid for the candy. They went out to the car, driving down the road to La Boheme. "Is this a fancy joint?". Opie asked. "Most would say it is". Esmeralda said, gently. "I tend to think of it as a nice place to sit for a meal". "What we'll do is have some pizza, or a sandwich, then we'll order something nice to bring home for later, such as cherry pie". "Ok". Opie said. Esmeralda focused on her driving.
"How was your school today?". "Did you learn anything interesting?". Esmeralda asked, gently. "Today, I learned how to add numbers". Opie said. "Arithmetic". "That sounds lovely, sweetie". Esmeralda said, gently. "I was pretty swell with arithmetic". "Perhaps when you live a poignant lifestyle, you learn all of the important things". "My Pa says Arithmetic is very important". Opie said. "Yes, it very much is". Esmeralda said, gently. "Very nice job using that word". "You are very bright". "Thank you". Opie said. Esmeralda smiled a gentle smile. Opie drank some of his cola. "Is everything alright, sweetie?". Esmeralda asked, gently. "Yes, thank you". Opie said. Opie looked down at his mother's picture, he had in his pocket. He began sniffling a little bit. The cold, clammy feeling came over him again, as fear surrounded him. He was afraid of death, yet the thought always befell him. He sometimes wondered where his sister and mother went. He often thought he might like to follow them there. He felt scared now, as he clutched his teddy bear, squeezing it tightly. He tried not to cry, as he swallowed his tears, feeling the light, fearful feeling, and the consideration of death follow him. He knew he didn't want to die, but the feeling followed him. He just felt the pain in his heart begin to swallow him whole, as he swallowed his tears.
Sometimes, he felt this feeling, sometimes, he had nightmares. Sometimes, he got scared, and had panic attacks, but the feeling came and went. He often kept this feeling a secret from his father, Andy. he felt the feeling of fear, of death come over him, trying to steal him away from the comfort, and peace he often felt. It was a feeling that lay hidden in the bowels, and the more it convinced him, the more scared he would feel as he was suckered in. Opie sighed, feeling this pain. He kept his tears to himself.
They got to the restaurant, getting out of the car, going over to the waiting area where Andy, Barney, and Thelma caught up to them. "Hello". Thelma said, in a friendly manner, giving Esmeralda a kiss on the cheek. "Yes, hello". Esmeralda said, kissing Thelma as well. "Hey there, good afternoon". Barney said, hugging Esmeralda. "Hello". Esmeralda said, gently. "Hello, love". She said, greeting Andy, giving him a kiss on the lips. "Hello, petunia". Andy said, gently. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought Opie along". "I understand he should be in school, but I figured he deserves a bit of a break as well". Esmeralda said, gently. "No, he's quite alright". Andy said, passively. "Come, let us go sit down somewhere". They all took their seats near the window, at a fine, checkered, table clothed table.
"I understand Aunt Bee's away for the week, so there is no one to really look after Opie". Esmeralda said, gently. "No, no, that's quite alright". Andy said, passively. "Opie has been doing well in school". "So far, he's the best reader in the school's reading circle". "Oh, that's wonderful, sweetie". Esmeralda said, gently. "Yes, neat job, Opie". Barney said. "Very impressive". Thelma said. "Oh, thank you". Opie said. "I can read big words, little words, and words in between". "He used a big word today when we spoke, didn't you, sweetie?". Esmeralda said, gently. "Yes, I used the word, "important". Opie said. "Very swell, son". Andy said, gently. "You use quite a lot of big words when we're together". "You could say I use a plethora". Opie said. "Oooo!". Everyone said, impressed. "Well, you're a bright young man". Barney said, smiling. "Just like my Pa". Opie said. "Very neat". Barney said.
It came time for everyone to order their food. Andy ordered a sandwich, Barney ordered a meatball hoagie, with a side of tuna salad, Thelma ordered a salad. "Yes, Opie and I will split pasta marinara". Esmeralda said, ordering. "Very well, then". The waiter said. "Oh, are you both sizing up together?". Andy asked. "Perhaps". Esmeralda said, hiding the fact that she and Opie visited the candy store. "I've decided spaghetti is my favorite thing as well". "I love it".
"Very well, then". Andy said, gently.
"So how were things at the precinct, honey?". Esmeralda asked, sipping her tea. "They were fine". Andy said. "There was a lot to do today". He sighed a bit. "Just, a lot to do". He looked out the window, sighing, feeling a sadness, and a bit of emotional exhaustion come over him. "I know it was hard to come by, today". Esmeralda said, gently. "Perhaps later on, we could mend it a ways". She whispered, suggestively. "Perhaps". Andy said, feeling the sadness. He acted as if everything was ok, however. "Sorry, I just, it's been quite a day". Andy said, sighing. "It's fine, honey". Esmeralda said, gently. "Perhaps later, I'll make that pot roast you like, we'll sit in front of a roaring fire, we'll go to our bedroom, and, make things even more worthwhile". She winked, seductively. "That would be nice". Andy said. Esmeralda patted Andy's hand. "Everything will be just fine". She said, gently. "We'll have a real nice time". She put her hand overtop of Andy's, kissing it. "I love you, doodle bop". She said, kissing Andy on the lips. "I love you too, Petunia". Andy said, feeling the deep feeling of sadness go away for one second, and was replaced with love.
They got their lunch, as they talked. Esmeralda and Opie ate their spaghetti, as Esmeralda hoped she wouldn;t throw up with how full she had gotten. All in all, it was a great afternoon had by all.