Present
It was the next morning, and Milly knew Eric was a little upset with her. He tried to show it, but she could easily read his facial expressions when she told him how Geneva had gotten them the appointment with Dr. Weaver. At first he sighed, and signed to her if she thought this was a really good idea? Milly knew they had talked about therapy, something she had stopped as a teenager when Dr. Granada relocated to a different hospital. She knew the nightmares had gotten worse, and she was probably like Eric said suffering from massive trauma from everything that had happened. First, with losing her father, then the accident resulting in the loss of their first child, the falling out with her mother, the other miscarriages, and now the stress of releasing her latest book. Eric was completely right, this had been piling up, but the thought of actually being able to start a family with Eric truly made her believe that maybe all of this would go away, and she could live a happy peaceful life with her husband, and the child they so desperately wanted. Still, Eric came with her for the drive into the city. Milly drove, while Eric used her blackberry to type, and use the speaker to have the phone speak for him. It wasn't ideal since the phone's robotic voice was comical, and signing was much faster, but whenever they drove and Eric was a passenger, he would use it to talk with her. The traffic hadn't been too bad going in, and Milly felt extremely nervous, playing the radio softly as they continued driving in. She knew Eric was worried, and more than a little upset. Yesterday when she told him, he ended up going to work, and afterwards claimed he had a ton of work to do in the garage.
At dinner, when Milly asked if he thought she should cancel? Eric simply shrugged as he drove into his plain spaghetti (one of his favorites from Milly's) and shook his head before putting his dork down and signing...
"I'll go with you Milly. Trust me...I want a baby too, but I'm not risking my wife's life over this. I can't watch you go through the heartbreak again. This is going to sound terrible..."
He then sighed and dropped his hands, shaking his head before picking up his fork again. Milly, who was more than a little annoyed, shook her head.
"No, go on."
Eric sighed for a second before signing...
"If God forbid there was a chance...that say you were carrying the baby IF you got pregnant and that's a big IF and were able to carry it to term...and there was some complication delivering it and I had to pick between you and the baby...I wouldn't even think twice and pick you."
Milly's jaw dropped, as Eric stared at her ashamed, before picking up his fork again and eating. Milly shook her head.
"You don't mean that Eric. Please God tell me you don't mean it."
Eric looked up at her in silence, and that was all she needed. She was about to say more when the phone rang. It was Jim, her agent, who had a few questions about the latest slides she was sending in. She spent the remainder of the meal on her phone as Eric ate in silence. Afterwards, Eric did the dishes, and went out to the garage. By the time he came in to shower, Milly was already in bed, working on her laptop with the nightly news playing. He came in afterwards, dressed in a T-shirt and sweats for bed, before climbing in beside her. Milly was furious, but hated to admit that he was absolutely right. They were co-dependent on each other. If there was an issue between her picking, she knew deep down inside as much as it ashamed her...she would always pick Eric. He simply just had the guts to tell her. She finally sighed, shut her laptop, and slid it under her bed before looking over at him watching the news.
Sighing, she reached over and took his hand. He glanced over, before she took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry you're right. I'll cancel the first thing tomorrow."
Eric shook his head and signed...
"No, this is important. We'll see what she has to say but I don't want anything to happen to you. You're my whole life. I just don't want you to forget that."
Sadly smiling, Milly nodded.
"Let's just see what she has to say. I am going to make an appointment to start seeing a therapist. I promise."
He nodded before he signed...
"I told the guys I won't be in tomorrow. I'll go with you. We'll see what she has to say."
Eric sadly smiled, before he leaned in, kissed her cheek, before turning, shutting his light off, and turning his back to her. She knew he was still upset, but at least he agreed to go with her. Sighing, she clicked the TV off, shut her light off, and turned over, pressing her back against his. Shutting her eyes, she took a deep breath, and tried to push away the thousands of worries that were bubbling up in her mind. Luckily she didn't have any nightmares that night. The next day, they got ready early, got in the car, and headed for the city. Milly finally had enough of the silent treatment, and motioned to Eric.
"You okay?"
Eric sighed, picked up her blackberry and began to type. Eric himself hates cell phones, and was still yet to own one. It usually took him a while to type on hers. Finally, he pressed the button and the phone's voice said...
"Fine. You okay?"
Milly shrugged as she took the proper ramp.
"I guess it's a mixture between excitement...and pure terror."
That's when suddenly all of her nervousness went away. Eric put the phone down, and reached over taking her hand. He brought it over, and kissed it, before holding it tight. Glancing over, she could tell he was absolutely terrified, but was doing this for her.
April 1987
Milly and Eric were at the park. It was slowly warming up, but they still had to wear light jackets. It was a Saturday, and the two had gone out to try the newest kite the two bought earlier at the Mall. Milly's mother had to buy Luis some new clothes, and had offered Milly and Eric a ride to come with her while she shopped around. Milly knew her mother was very hot and cold about how much time she spent with Eric, but days like this when she offered something like this, Milly didn't have to be asked twice. The entire ride over, Milly kept glancing in the rearview mirror and smiling at Eric who sat completely content looking out the windows. Her mother even glanced back a few times, before casually saying...
"You said you were bringing him down the street to Ms. Winchester's to get his haircut?"
"Yeah later on. We're going to go to the park first. Uncle Hugo needs to go to the market, so I offered to take him. Besides, maybe she can do something with this..."
Milly motioned to her curly wild hair that was constantly getting her frustrated. Her mother laughed, and patted her shoulder before pulling into a space. "Just don't chop it all off, you're lucky to have beautiful hair." She then put the car in park before glancing back at Eric who continued staring out the window. Smiling, she nodded.
"He would look handsome with slightly longer hair. Shame he wouldn't keep up with it."
Milly didn't know what that comment rubbed her slightly the wrong way, but she shrugged, trying not to show her defense.
"He would. Uncle Hugo says he's still having a hard time with showers because of the noise, but he takes baths basically every night, and brushes his own hair and teeth..."
Her mother gave a pity filled face, before smiling softly, grabbing her purse and climbing out first. Milly knew exactly what her mother meant from this. It meant that she looked at Eric as this helpless, mentaly ill person, who was almost like a child and couldn't take care of himself. She had picked up on the looks her mother gave every once and awhile and it drove her absolutely crazy. Taking a second, she shook her head before turning slightly and smiling back at him.
"Come on Eric."
Together they walked hand in hand while her mother shopped at Sears, and told them to meet her in an hour by the main entrance. That's when they went by the hobby shop and Milly saw Eric's eyes pick up on the colorful display of kites hanging in the window. She smiled, standing beside her.
"Let's get one."
Eric raised an eyebrow, before Milly smiled, pulling at his hand inside the store.
"Yeah, why not. Our red one is all tangled up and I need to restring it. Let's get a new one for the spring and summer!"
Eric smiled before she brought him to the kite section. She leaned against him, still holding his hand.
"Okay pick one."
Eric looked surprised that she was letting him make such a decision. He carefully looked up at the photos of what each kite looked like, which were packaged up in plastic. His big brown eyes looked up and down, before finally he reached out with his free hand and pointed. Milly saw the one he was pointing at. It was blue, and had Snoopy the dog dancing on it. Milly smiled, taking one of the packages, and turning it over, looking at it.
"I love him. I used to watch Peanuts all the time, what about you?"
Eric nodded, and Milly smiled, never feeling so good about buying something in her life. If this made Eric smile like this, then whatever nonsense her mother was saying. After buying the kite, they walked around and window shopped some more, before Milly bought them an Orange Julius, and both took turns sipping from it, before they met back with her mother who was just a few minutes late with four bags in her hands. She looked exhausted. Milly laughed.
"Man mom! Did you buy out the whole store?"
Her mother rolled her eyes.
"There was a sale, and you know your brother, he rips, and ruins everything he gets. I should save half of it and give it to his birthday but knowing my luck he'll have grown out of these by then!"
Milly laughed holding her drink when Eric surprised them all when he walked forward, and silently took the bags from her mother, and began walking towards the car. Instantly her mother's jaw dropped as she watched him. Looking at Milly, she raised her eyebrow confused.
"What is he doing?"
Milly smiled watching him as she sipped her drink. She shrugged.
"He's helping you."
Her mother blinked, and followed Eric who was already waiting by the car. Milly followed, never wanting to laugh more in her life. Afterwards, Milly's mother dropped them off at the park, as they climbed out and Milly and Eric walked to the same exact spot where they had first flown their very first kite. It was windy, so she had Eric hold the kite down as he watched her carefully. Once it was strung up, Milly grinned at Eric.
"This is perfect weather for this, watch."
She had him hold onto him, and explained the directions better than last time about dropping the kite so he wouldn't fall. Lucky for her, they had flown their old kite a few more times since then, so Eric now knew what to do. Milly had put her hair into a ponytail and laughed as she ran with it, and instantly felt the string pull, before it whipped up into the sky, Careful not to tangle it, she held onto it, unwinding, and pulling at the slack, before Eric joined her smiling as he looked up at the kite in wonder. Milly smiled, staring at him, before handing it over. She had done this before on a day with even more wind than today. She reminded him on how to hold it, and Eric took over, holding it tight, and giving it enough slack whenever it fought against the wind. Both kept looking at each other and smiling, and before Milly knew it an hour had passed. She knew they had to get to Ms. Winchester's, and as disappointed as Eric looked when she told him they had to do, he nodded and began bringing in the slack, and winding it back up. Finally, the kite was back down, and they collapsed it, before sticking it back in the bag, careful that the string was tightly clapped close, and unable to tangle. Milly smiled, and offered her hand. Together the two walked up the grassy hill, past a woman jogging with her stroller, and a couple of kids Luis' age tossing a baseball around. Milly glanced at Eric who walked with her, wearing his blue windbreaker, and smiled.
"You know, I think my mom is right, you would look cute with sorta longer hair."
Eric smirked, blushing a little as they continued walking. That's when it came out of nowhere. Milly thought she saw a couple of people standing by the trees. She thought she saw one throw something, but thought maybe they were playing catch.
That's when Eric did exactly what he did months ago with the baseball when they first flew their first kite.
This time it was a football, flying straight at Milly's face. Milly's eyes widened, completely surprised before Eric's hand shot out again with lighting speed, and somehow caught the football before it went smashing into Milly's face, and probably broke her nose or jaw.
Milly jumped, before she blinked, and the people who threw the football came forward. Larry and Keith. She didn't recognize them since they weren't in their regular letterman jackets. Both came charging over, hands in their pockets and smiling.
"Look at that arm! Man Gibb you could probably play for the team! Shame you're a fucking idiot!"
Eric blinked, before dropping the football. Both circled them. Milly nervously tried to see if anyone was close. The boys playing the ball were too far away. Frowning, she turned, as both stood right in front of Eric, looming over him. Eric was tall, but they towered over him. Ever since Valentine's Day they had avoided them as much as they could, besides a few dirty looks in the hallway. Eric looked forward, straight ahead, not making eye contact. Milly glared at them.
"Leave us alone or I'll scream."
Keith eyed her and laughed, before looking back down at Eric.
"Didn't want your girl's mousy little face smashed in? How about I smash you in the nuts?"
Just then, Larry with all his might brought his knee up between Eric's legs. Eric's eyes widened in pain, and he let out a soft moan, before his knees buckled, and he fell hard onto the grass. Milly jumped.
"Eric!"
She went to go down to him, but Keith grabbed her, holding her tight. Milly struggled against him, when Larry laughed and knelt down.
"I think this makes us even..."
He then got up, before looking as if he was thinking twice.
"On second thought..."
He then brought his leg back, and kicked Eric right in the face. Milly cried out, as Eric groaned, and turned over, burying his face into the grass. Milly then saw two large men, holding a basketball walking up the hill and towards them. Milly struggled.
"Help! Please help!"
Keith let go of Milly, who sprawled down onto the grass. Larry and Keith then turned, and ran, as the two men hurried over. Milly knelt down by Eric and saw that his lip was split, but he was still holding himself, his face flushed.
"Eric?!"
"Those guys do this?!" One of the guys asked. Milly on the verge of tears nodded, before one of them got up and started running in the direction that Keith and Larry went. The other stayed with them. Milly honestly never felt so much panic in her life. She held onto Eric, trying to bring him into her lap, as he snapped his eyes shut and breathed heavily. The other guy ran back out of breath and shook his head.
"Sorry, I couldn't catch them. Do you know them? Do they go to your school?"
Milly sniffled and nodded.
"Um yeah."
The two guys knelt down by Eric, who had his eyes open now, but was still holding himself.
"You want us to call the sheriff?"
Milly thought for a second, and somehow a tiny part of her worried that if the police got involved, that might make a problem for Eric since the hospital was keeping a close eye on Uncle Hugo, and how well he could take care of Eric. His drinking had only slowed down a little, but Milly had made sure that the downstairs was kept somewhat neat. Uncle Hugo paid her twenty bucks a week whenever she did her chores, she could cross over and vacuum and mop up for him. She never minded doing it, even bringing in laundry, since this was a chance to show Eric how to do daily chores and tasks. She always made sure she did this when her mother was working late so she wouldn't be judged. Here she was beginning to teach Eric how to do laundry, sweep, and of course take care of Blizzard. It was taking a while for him to get the hang of things, and the laundry machine still made him jump, but he was getting better at it, and now Milly watched him every night take out the trash. She was proud at how far he had come, and she knew even one weekend stay at the hospital would set him back. So instead, even though she wanted more than ever to rat out Larry and Keith, but she had to think of Eric, and figured she could talk to Mrs. Sherman.
"No, it's okay. It was just a stupid fight."
"You want to use the payphone down the way to call your mom?"
"No, we're okay. He just needs a second."
One of them looked and grinned.
"Is he your brother or boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend."
One of the guys snapped his fingers.
"Yeah, this is Hugo Gibb's nephew. He can't talk, he has something wrong with him..."
"Autism."
Milly said, trying not to sound annoyed. The man nodded, before laughing and shaking his head.
"Well honey, your boyfriend I think might have gotten his first kick between the legs. It's really painful for the guy. Get him some ice and he'll be fine."
Milly nodded, before both men stood up.
"We walked here or we would have offered you a ride. Do you live close?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine."
"Just give him a couple of minutes. He'll be sore for a while, just ice for...down there and his lip."
"Thank you."
One of the men patted Milly's shoulder, before gently patting Eric's arm.
"Ice those puppies kid, trust me."
With that they laughed, picked up their basketball, and walked down the hill. Milly sighed, before looking down at Eric. He looked a little pale, and was still holding himself, but was looking up at her. Seeing him hurt like this was probably the worst feeling in the world.
Later...
Milly used the payphone to call Ms. Winchester and ask if they could come by tomorrow to get Eric's hair cut. She sounded relieved since her boyfriend called, and wanted to see if she wanted to head to the city for the day. She said no problem, and Milly hung up, before looking at Eric who looked miserable sitting on the park bench near her. She sighed, hanging up, before walking out, holding the bag which had the kite in it.
"You okay to walk back?"
Eric looked up and nodded, before Milly offered her hand, and he slowly stood up. She could tell he was still in pain, and decided to walk slowly. It took them awhile, and Milly hated that she kept looking over her shoulder to check to see if Larry and Keith were following them. They reached the house, and went inside, only to see a note from Uncle Hugo, telling Eric that there was stuff in the fridge to eat, and that he was at his friend Neil's daughter's wedding and wouldn't be home until late. Milly sighed, putting the note down, hating that Uncle Hugo hadn't mentioned anything. Sighing, she knew she could go across and tell her mother, but that might open up a whole new can of worms. Sighing, she turned to Eric who stood in the dimness of the living room, and stepped forward, very gently looking at his split lip.
"Let me get ice for that..."
She then nervously glanced down, feeling her cheeks burn.
"And that...go sit down Eric."
She went straight to the kitchen, and loaded up two ice packs, she figured Uncle Hugo used whenever his hangovers got real bad. She worked quietly, filling them up, before returning to the living room.
"Tomorrow I'll take you to get your haircut, I'll just tell my mom Ms. Winchester had to cancel. Your uncle probably won't notice. I'll call Mrs. Sherman early tomorrow and let her know what happened. I know Larry and Keith are star football players and the principle won't do anything, but it's worth a try. At least we can get them to stay away from us."
She then handed him the first ice pack. Eric looked at it confused, before Milly nervously bit her lip.
"You put it...down there."
She motioned to his lap, and Eric got the hint. Very carefully he placed it down, before his lips puckered as if it stung. Milly stood back, feeling awful. It took Eric a few minutes, before finally he sighed, and looked relieved. Milly then carefully pressed the other lip up against his lip. Eric hissed, before Milly frowned.
"Sorry. If your Uncle asks about this, tell him to call me. I'll just say you fell. Do you want an aspirin or anything?"
Eric shook his head before Milly sighed, helping him hold the ice pack against his lip. Leaning in close, she gently kissed his cheek, before laying her head on his shoulder.
"I swear to God, if they never bother you again I'll kill them."
Eric then stirred, causing Milly to pull back. He lowered the ice pack, before very carefully signing...
"I'm. Okay...Milly."
Milly's eyes widened. The sign language was a little shaky, but he got his point across. Instantly, Milly's eyes widened.
"Eric! You did it!"
Eric smiled, before Milly leaned over kissing him straight on the lips, causing him to hiss out. Milly pulled back laughing while shaking her head.
"Sorry Eric!"
June 1988
It was two weeks until Milly's 16th birthday.
Eric and her sat together in the backseat of Alex's car, watching the movie Alligator, which was playing as a double feature with the film Piranha. Alex had picked it, and currently him and Geneva were going hot and heavy, both basically laying on the passenger seat, moaning, and twisting around. For Milly and Eric, this wasn't anything new. They had been doubling with them for the past two years, and both had absolutely no problem going completely crazy on each other in front of them. Both Eric and Milly had simply learned how to ignore and tune it out. School had just let out three days ago, and Milly was truly looking forward to a whole "somewhat" carefree summer with Eric. A lot had changed in the last two years. Garry was now living with them, and had proposed to her mother. She was thrilled for her. Her mother was doing great at work, and actually seemed happy and a little more relaxed. Luis bonded with Garry perfectly, and seemed to be exactly what he needed. He wasn't strict with him, but the firm male figure he had been missing. Milly had been given more freedom, which she enjoyed. Sure she still had a ton of chores to do, and while Garry and her mother were at work she had to make sure Luis did his homework, and wouldn't get into trouble. She had gotten a part time job for Mrs. Sherman. Part of it was doing her bookkeeping, and helping her correct papers, the other half was to go to her house twice a week to vacuum, mop, and dust. The money was actually pretty decent, and she had been saving as much as she could. She felt lucky that she didn't have to get a job at the mall, or scooping ice cream.
This summer, she wanted to spend time with Eric, who was making wonderful process. He was learning more sign language, even though he got frustrated pretty easily. Mrs. Sherman had explained to Milly that even though Eric was a little bit older than her, he would be graduating the same time as her. She was hard at work, researching local schools that Uncle Hugo could afford with possibly a grant for autism. Mrs. Sherman knew he would thrive in a school like that, and the new councilors that were at school, were working hard with Eric on communicating, his writing, which was always messy, but he would break a sweat by trying so hard, and of course ways to soothe himself. They had all learned that Milly was his girlfriend, and agreed she was his main source of comfort. One morning when there was a fire drill, Eric refused to get up from his seat. His hands clapped over his ears, rocking back and forth, crying. The counselor who was working with him, Mr. Allen tried everything to get him to move, but he wouldn't. As Milly was moving through the crowded hallways to leave the school and stand in the parking-lot and wait for the all clear, one of the students ran over and got her, explaining what was happening. Milly hurried down to the classroom, where she went straight to Eric and knelt down beside him.
"Eric? Eric? Look at me."
The loud bell of the fire drill was making her own head pound, so she knew Eric was on the verge of absolutely losing it. Finally he looked at her, tears running down his cheeks, when she smiled, and helped him up. Together, they walked out and into the parking-lot where Eric still kept his hands clapped over his ears. Milly finally got him to calm down, and explained to him she perfectly understood that a noise like that was scary, but that it was very dangerous, there could have been a real fire. The next day she brought in Eric's ear plugs and told Eric and Mr. Allen that next time the fire alarm went off, he would pop in his ear plugs and leave the building with whatever teacher he had. Keith and Larry had laid off after Mrs. Sherman got involved The following Monday after what happened in the park that day the two of them were taken to the principal's office and sternly warned to stop bothering Eric and Milly or the police would be involved next. Besides a few call outs in the hallways, and dirty looks, they basically stayed away. Still, school had been good, and watching Eric work so hard made her heart swell. Still, the countdown had begun, and she knew she would be sixteen soon. She had plans that this summer would be it. She would finally go all the way with Eric. She suspected that her mother might have noticed maybe some of the hickeys on her neck she tried so hard to cover with makeup. One day she finally sat Milly down and told her she wanted her to go on the pill, and see her gynecologist. At first Milly was horrified, but her mother claimed it was for her skin, and to keep her period regular, and make her cramps not as bad, since several times in the last year she had to miss school since they got so bad. Every morning, as soon as she woke up, she took one of the tiny pills, and soon it became a habit. Geneva said this was great since that meant whenever she did decide to go all the way with Eric meants he wouldn't have to worry about getting knocked up. Just this statement made her ears burn, but she figured it was better to be safe than sorry. Geneva said she should still make Eric wear a condom since accidents did happen, but she might have to show him how to put it on. Milly had flashbacks to the embarassing sex-ed class, which involved condoms and bananas.
She seriously thought she would die of embarrassment, but wanted to make her first time special. She would have to sit down with Eric and see what he thought, even though it might be hard to explain. She was fully prepared for him to not be ready, which she would respect, but this past year she had been discovering her body slightly better, and was becoming more and more curious about Eric's. Their makeout sessions were becoming more intense, and she couldn't explain why her hands kept traveling to lift Eric's shirts up whenever they got going, or how flushed and hot she felt whenever his shirt lifted up a little, and she caught sight of his stomach. Eric was now seventeen, and she was beginning to take note of the changes that were happening with him. He only spoke a small handful of words, but his voice sounded deeper. Uncle Hugo remarked he now had to shave three times a week, and his arms seemed to be filling out slightly with what Uncle Hugo called good old fashion muscle. He had been doing most of the chores around the house now. Some of the girls in her class had giggled, remarking to Milly they never thought Eric was going to grow out of that awkward stage, but he was really turning into a cutie. As always Milly would feel embarrassed, but felt a small sense of pride whenever she held his hand in the hallways, and saw people like Erin checking him out. Instead of wearing cord pants, he wore jeans, and T-shirts. He was working hard on his sign language, and his hair had gotten a little longer. Tonight, Milly watched horrified as an alligator ate a child who jumped in a swimming pool on the big screen. Shutting her eyes, she turned into Eric, and buried her face against his chest.
"Oh that's awful!"
Eric gently stroked her back. Somehow horror movies didn't seem to bother him. He didn't like the really loud pop outs, but just stared fassinated with wide eyes whenever they went to the drive-in and these kinds of movies played. Milly meanwhile would chicken out and turn and hide her face against Eric, which as of lately she really didn't seem to mind. She could feel his chest through his T-shirt, and could smell his deodorant and soap he used. That's when suddenly she heard Geneva.
"This movie is boring. Let's head to the pond!"
Milly lifted her head confused, and saw that Alex and Geneva had taken a break from their heavy makeout session. Their faces were red, and both were pretty sweaty. Geneva smiled.
"We all brought our suits."
"Yeah but it's dark out now."
"So, that means nobody will be there! We can do whatever we want!"
Milly rolled her eyes, before checking her watch.
"I only have another hour left before curfew..."
"You'll make it. We'll just take a quick dip. Come on!"
Milly sighed, before she shrugged.
"Okay, but...I gotta get home before 11:30."
"No sweat. Come on Alex. Step on it."
Grinning, Alex unhooked the speaker to the car, before backing up, and speeding out of the lot as a giant 37 foot alligator hissed across the giant screen.
Later...
Milly wasn't so sure about this. The park was creepy at night, and Coy's pond looked so strange at night with nobody around. There was a small raft sitting in the middle of the pond, which was set up only for the summers. It was also where the fireworks for the 4th of July were launched. Geneva and Alex were giggling like a couple of school girls, making out with each other as they undressed near the car. Milly, holding Eric and her suits, rolled her eyes embarrassed, before mentioning they would change behind the bushes. She led Eric to the bushes before handing him his swimming trunks.
"Here Eric, just put your clothes over here. I'll be over here."
Eric shook his swimming trunks and went behind one of the bushes. Milly nervously looked around, before changing quickly. She peeled off her jeans, panties, bra, and blouse. Slipping into her red one piece, she still sighed at how small her breasts seemed. Redoing her hair into a tighter ponytail, she glanced over and froze. She could see Eric changing through the bushes. He didn't seem to notice that she could see him, and had peeled off his gray T-shirt. He stood in just his jeans for a second, and Milly's eyes looked over his smooth chest and stomach and felt goosebumps break out over her arms. She knew she shouldn't be looking, but she couldn't seem to look away. She stared at him, before she saw him unbutton and unzip his jeans. She watched as he pulled them off along with his socks, and stood in just his boxers for just a second, before pulling them down as well. Milly's eyes widened, as she looked down for just a second, before looking back up, unable to stop. She saw the mass of hair, and then his penis. Looking at it, even from this distance, made her blush, and feel warm all over. She looked down again, before glancing up again. She watched as he stepped into his swim trunks, and looked around, searching for her. Milly cleared her throat, before stepping forward.
"Um, I'm right here Eric."
Eric smiled spotting her, and instantly Milly felt guilty for spying on him, even though the image of him naked both fascinated, and terrified her. Blushing, she walked over, head bowed, before taking his much larger smooth warm hand in hers. She smiled, before walking out to the shore area that served at the tiny beach for the pond. Geneva and Alex were already horsing around, splashing each other, and laughing, as they started out into the water. Eric wasn't the biggest fan of going over his head. Last summer Milly had spent countless days here with him, slowly coaxing him into the water. At first Eric was absolutely terrified, shaking his head and shivering. It took day after day, and week after week, but finally in August he allowed himself to sit in the water, and only stand up to his stomach. To Milly it was a huge success, and she wondered if maybe they could try swimming lessons at the local YMCA. Uncle Hugo said that wasn't a half bad idea, since a boy Eric's age should know how to swim better, but mentioned that Milly would most likely have to go in with him. Milly of course didn't mind, and said that was something they could try this Fall. Milly usually had to make sure the pond wasn't too crowded so Eric wouldn't get too scared. She usually just sat on the shallow end with him, cooling off, and smiling as he watched the little ones further down the beach playing. So far with school they had only been able to head up to the pond a few times so far. Tonight, she hated to admit it, but seemed perfect since there was nobody else around. Geneva and Alex were swimming out to the raft together. Shaking her head, Milly laughed before she dipped a toe in, and giggled.
"It's actually not that cold. Probably because it's still really hot out. Come on."
She led him into the water slowly, and both eased themselves into the water and sat down. The water lapped around them, as Milly smiled, watching Eric as he stared up at the millions of stars that seemed to be out tonight. She secretly planned on the night when they finally went all the way, she wanted to go flying. Lost in her thoughts, suddenly she snapped out of them when Geneva yelled out to her.
"Milly! Swim out!" Milly and Eric looked out and saw Geneva in her swimsuit standing on the raft with Alex, dripping wet, and laughing. Milly made a face and waved them away.
"We're fine!"
"Come on! Swim out real quick and jump off the raft!"
"Eric won't come! I'll stay with him!" "It will take two seconds! Come on!"
Milly sat there and debated it for a second, before shrugging and figuring it couldn't hurt. Looking at Eric she smiled.
"Stay right here Eric. I'm gonna swim out to the raft and jump real quick. I'll be just a minute."
She went to turn to start swimming, when Eric gently took her arm. Milly saw the same worried expression he had on the day she fell from the bridge. Smiling, she shook her head.
"No, it's okay Eric. I'll be okay. Just give me a minute."
Eric sighed, letting go, before Milly started to swim. Soon, she could no longer feel the bottom. She swam in long strokes, feeling the cool water lap against her, as she continued closer, and closer towards the raft. Going under for a second, she went to come back up when something pulled at her leg. She couldn't see underneath the dark water, but it felt like seaweed, or something tangled from the bottom. She yanked again, but couldn't break free. Instantly the panic filled urge for air overtook her, before she struggled, and kept fighting to break the surface that seemed less than an inch away.
Struggling, her eyes widened...before everything went dark.