Chapter 12
54321
December 31, 2015
An excerpt from Megan's diary
It's five in the morning and Hunter should be coming downstairs. My lovely Mother (I'd rather the feminazi be holed up at the Day's Inn rather than here) ruined our evening.
(I'll talk about that later.)
Hunter hid the Walgreen's bag in his coat pocket. We were coming right in the house for God's sake. He was in the process of wheeling me to my room like a gentleman would. I have to talk to Dad later, but after I get done writing this, I'm going to wash my face, brush my teeth, and put on my cinnamon lip-gloss. I don't have any more perfume left, but I refused my Mother's Christmas gifts. So, what can I do? I'm not going to write much today as Hunter leaves to go back home tomorrow. I want to spend all the time that I can with him, without too much parental (i.e. Donna) interference.
M.F.
Hunter stretched his arms in bed and looked at the clock on the end table. It read, four thirty. He promised Megan he'd be there after five. He quietly got out of the bed and grabbed his toothbrush, then thought, if someone hears the water running, he'd get in trouble. Although, there was NO LAW about waking up at four thirty in the morning to brush ones teeth. He put his toothbrush down and opened up a pack of gum that was on his dresser. He knew he could get dressed quietly. He also wanted to give Megan time to get up and ready. He took the plastic bag off the floor, hating the crackling sound the bag made; he was using that as a hamper. He put it on the bed and proceeded to get dressed in the bedroom, rather than risk making too much noise in the bathroom. To make things interesting for Megan he chose his black button down shirt with the white mini spiral pattern, Jackie found that at a yard sale for him, and his favorite 'flared just right, without needing alterations' blue jeans. He made sure to put on his black Adidas Spezials with the white stripes and rubber souls. In his excitement he forgot to put on his deodorant so he did the typical guy thing and sprayed it over his shirt. He had to deal with another crackling plastic bag, he should have taken it out last night, but didn't think of it, bottle of goodness from their trip to Walgreen's. He threw it on the bed and decided to put on his black Adidas hoodie from Megan over his shirt, then he grabbed the forbidden (like everything else apparently was) bottle and put it in the pocket. He softly opened the door and listened for wake up noises. He made a quick stop in the bathroom before heading down the basement to see Megan. His Mother and Father would definitely still be asleep. Then his brain thought of Donna. 'S***! Sgt. Donna sleeps on the sofa now! How am I---?'
Hunter remained calm and thought he could take the back ramp that was the route Megan took whenever she had to come upstairs. He was afraid Donna would hear him walk down the ramp from that direction and know exactly who was upstairs (Him) and where he was going (To make out with Megan in her room.) He figured it would be better to just take the main staircase, that way once he got to the kitchen he could go down the ramp the normal way to her room and if Donna heard anything she would just assume it was Megan. 'Too bad the old drill sergeant doesn't wear a hearing aid' Hunter thought. What luck! He smiled, Donna was snoring! It must have taken a lot out of her to WAIT up for them, flash the light on and off, and then when they thought they could kiss more by the basement entrance—Donna actually had the audacity (that's when Megan whispered the morning's plan to him) to go down the ramp, turn on the light in Megan's room, and open the door. Hunter had to go upstairs to bed, with his tail between his legs and Megan had to deal with facing Donna and resenting her more and more. It was after five when Hunter finally made it to the sanctuary known as Megan's room. He went up to her bathroom door and did the corny secret knock that you see in hundreds of TV shows and movies hoping that she had her hearing aid in.
"It's open." He heard Megan say
"Good morning, Megan." He closed the door and locked it before sitting on her lap.
"Now it is, Hunter." She put her arms around him and kissed him.
"Hmm, Megan—" He always had the habit of pausing.
"Isn't it funny how I'm the one in the wheelchair, yet you're the one who always gets uncomfortable?"
She felt something in his sweatshirt pocket and knew it had to be the bottle. She pulled it out and started to unscrew the top.
"Shouldn't you read the directions first?"
She smirked as she turned the bottle around, "Put on hands, play with d***."
"Maybe, we shouldn't---"
"Oh no you don't, Hunter Hyde. Unbuckle your belt!"
Didn't he realize by now that he didn't need to be nervous, bashful, and bumbling around her, when they were being intimate? Megan thought he was adorable, but that wasn't going to stop her from having naughty bad fun with her Soulmate.
Caught
They knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. Hunter heard someone in Megan's room, he wasn't sure if it was Donna or not, then he heard the sounds of a muffled voice and the person went back the ramp.
"Sh**!" Hunter seemed to jump off Megan trying to pull his pants back up and buckle his belt.
'Damn you, MOM!'
"Hurry, Hunter! I don't want you or me to get into trouble, I left the back door open, just go for a walk around the block and come through the front."
He quickly washed his hands in the sink, kissed Megan on the lips, quietly opened the bathroom door, and ran to the door as she too washed her hands, put the cap back on the magical bottle and shoved it in the back of the toilet paper drawer. That was a close call and a narrow escape for Hunter.
She thought she'd flush the toilet that way her stupid Mother would think she was actually using the bathroom. She wheeled herself back into her room, counting the moments until her and Hunter could be alone again. They were always getting interrupted and she couldn't stand the lack of privacy in this house.
Hunter wasn't paying attention when he ran out the door and he bumped square into his Father when he went around to the front of the Forman house.
"Oh, it's you, Dad—I'm sorry."
"Whoa, slow down. What's your hurry?" Hyde looked at his watch, "You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep and went out for a walk."
"The way you plowed into me, I would say you were running away from something."
Hunter decided to change the subject, "Are you back from one of your hypocritical walks?"
He asked in such a matter of fact tone that Hyde couldn't get angry with him for having a smart mouth, because he was always full of natural curiosity. That he wasn't meaning it in the wiseacre way as Hunter was like this since he was a little kid.
"That's neither here nor there. Hunter, is there something that you need to talk to me about?"
Hunter looked at the snow-covered ground. "N-no—I don't know."
"Come on, let's go for a walk to the water tower." That's where he just came from, but he didn't need to mention that to his son.
"Dad! I can't! I'm YOUR son!"
Hyde smirked, "To TALK."
"Oh, to talk—Okay."
Megan looked at the clock and wondered where Hunter was? Her Mother was probably the one who came downstairs but something prevented her from getting to the bathroom door. She smelled the morning fragrance of coffee. Megan slowly wheeled herself up the ramp; she would try to be on her best behavior for her Father's sake. She hoped she would have an opportunity to speak to him privately before the day was through. Jackie was making a small party platter, no doubt for tonight's New Year's Eve party. Her Mother was not in the kitchen to which Megan let out a happy sigh.
"Good morning, Megan."
"Morning, Jackie." Megan went to pour herself a glass of orange juice.
"I sent your Mom to the 24 hour grocery, I hope she's not getting the generic brand of pie filling, it'll ruin the pastry puffs. What would you like for breakfast today?"
"I can make my own bowl of cereal, thanks."
Jackie smiled, Donna and Eric did a great job of raising their daughter, no wonder Hunter loved her so.
There was a big uncovered snow patch under the water tower and Hunter wondered as he looked at the ground if it was like that or did SOMEONE clear a space so they could sit down and self medicate?
"What's wrong, son?"
"Nothing's WRONG, Dad. I'm s-scared."
"Look at me," Hyde too sat on the uncovered snow patch and lifted his son's chin up, "What is it, Hunter?"
"I love Megan."
Full stop. He wanted to say more, but that's all that could come out of his mouth. Megan was the ONLY one he could converse with, except on this subject. (or so he thought)
"And?"
"I-um-am afraid of—BEING with her. I've done research, Dad. I'm not ashamed of Megan, you have to believe me—"
"Take a deep breath, Hunter. I BELIEVE you."
"I'm NOT grossed out, but it's a different kind of sex. i don't know if i can make her happy—sexually."
"Did you TRY making love?"
Hyde respected his son's privacy, because he had such a high value for his own, but his son was in turmoil over this and he wanted to help him out if he could.
"No. I mean we'd joke around about doing it, but the closet we got was that time everyone caught us on the sofa---"
The foreplay wasn't what worried Hunter, yeah he got easily embarrassed when Megan would talk about it, but he quite enjoyed their make out sessions, it was the act of sexual intercourse that frightened the Hell out of him.
"I can see that you two make each other happy. As far as having sex goes, you just keep on respecting Megan, when she's ready, she'll tell you. I wish I had better advice for you son, but I never had a relationship with anyone in a wheelchair, but it's been my experience that people are the same in their wants and needs."
"I'm scared that I WON'T be good enough for her."
"That's an insecurity that comes from up here," he softly tapped Hunter's head, "Just take it slow, I know you kids don't want to hear that, but for the sex, take it slow, and let it progress naturally. Can I ask what this research is that you said you've done?"
"I read about it." Hunter was NOT about to go into the details of what he read.
"Read some more, and you don't have to worry about me telling your Mother, we'll keep this as a Father-son discussion."
"THANKS," he let out a sigh, "Shouldn't we be heading back now?"
He squeezed his son's shoulders. "You're welcome, Hunter. Anytime, you want to speak to me, I'll be here for you. Yeah, I can just hear your Mom pestering me to take my medicine before breakfast."
"Tell her you already did." He smiled
"You're going to get it, son," Hyde smiled, he knew like before his son meant it in a jestful way, "I bet your Mother prepared another big breakfast."
"And I bet you're starving, too!" He let out a small laugh, to which Hyde raised a playful eyebrow.
They walked back to Eric and Donna's house, as Hunter felt a little bit better since he was able to confide in his Father. BUT despite his immense love for Megan he still was unsure of his role as the "normal" person their relationship.
Talk in the Crunchy Snow
After breakfast Hunter took Megan out for a stroll because he didn't know if they'd be able to go out later as Jackie was in full plan party mode.
"Stop here," Megan said, "You were quiet at the breakfast table this morning. Is there anything wrong, Hunter?"
"No." He brushed the snow off the park bench before sitting down on it.
"You're lying."
He stood up nervously and walked behind her to place his hands on the bars of her wheelchair.
"I—"
"What is it?"
"I love you, Megan," he kissed her neck, "Just remember that."
"Hunter, two things—one, I want you to face me and two, what are you rambling about?"
He walked around to face her, but he still couldn't help looking at the ground for a moment or two. "I'm scared that I won't be good enough for YOU-sexually."
"WHAT?! Come here, sit on my lap."
"I've read the books, looked at the pictures, HOW can I give you---?"
"You don't think I'm scared, too? I constantly wish I wasn't the handicapped one, not that I want you to be—but I know I love you and that's enough, isn't it?"
"I love you, too—but am I enough? How do I know I'm going to be ANY good?"
"You're enough. I know it's difficult with our parents constantly interrupting our flow and with you going back home tomorrow and I don't know how long it's going to be until our next visit—let's NOT even think about this." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"I promise I'll do my best to make you feel complete." He whispered
"Ditto."
They held each other for twenty minutes before heading back to the house.
7PM
"Thanks, Hunter."
Tiffany said when she came back into his room. She asked for his help in gift-wrapping a present for their Mother. She saw it on their after Christmas shopping trip, but didn't want to give it to Jackie until New Year's.
"You're welcome."
"Oh," she went to the door to make sure no one was lurking around before she closed it, "I have something for you."
She went into the top pocket of her emerald green silk blouse and pulled out a thank you card sized envelope.
"Thanks," he replied shyly, "You didn't have to." He was about to put the envelope in his pocket.
"Open it, silly."
"All right," Hunter opened up the envelope carefully and into his hands slid a gold key, "What door does this open?"
She kissed him on the head, "Think about it. Thanks again for wrapping Mom's gift. See you downstairs."
She smiled and left his room. He closed the door so he could change into his tan colored button down shirt, wondering why did Tiffany give him a key?
Jackie gave Megan a French manicure and used a hair dryer to speed dry her nails since she didn't bring her nail drying kit with her. Megan was happy that apart from the three meal breaks she didn't have to interact with her Mother much. She still didn't get talk to Eric in private because her Dad was under the impression that his marriage was worth saving and he and Donna went to talk in private on at least two occasions Megan noticed.
"Thanks, Jackie."
"I just—remembered—wait a second, sweetie," she opened up her purse, the one she's had forever, but never had the heart to tell Steven that it cost ten thousand dollars, "Crystal decals! You put them in the center of the nail, makes your fingers all sparkly."
"Awesome, I'm sure Hunter will notice."
"My baby has an artists eye."
Megan had to change the subject she didn't want to get into a too deep conversation about Hunter with his Mother, no matter how nice Jackie was, that was still embarrassing.
"Do you have any perfume in that bag?"
"Tons! But your Mother said you have to watch the kinds you wear?"
"That's when I was younger, but the softer the better."
"I have just the thing," she pulled out a semi used fragrance stick, "It smells like fresh rain." She handed the wand to Megan
Megan opened it and twisted it up to smell the fragrance, "This is nice, I like it." She put it on her pulse points.
"You can keep that."
"Thanks, Jackie."
She helped her fix her hair, did her make up, and zipped up her sweater in the back. She remembered fighting with her Mother in the mall over the green sweater with the zipper in the back. No, Megan could not reach it, but neither could ANY woman, unless they undid a hangar—all Donna saw was an inconvenience for her handicapped daughter and NOT a pretty sweater. Jackie saw the sweater in her closet and said it would look stunning on her. She wore a slight over the knee black skirt and of course leave it Jackie to have this stuff called liquid nylons that put a stocking colored tint on your legs so she wouldn't have to fuss with pantyhose, knee highs or otherwise, and the shoes she wore to the Thanksgiving day dance. She couldn't wait for Hunter to see her.
"You're welcome. You look very beautiful. Are you ready to go upstairs?"
"Yep." Megan gave herself one last look in the mirror, how her Christmas earrings from Hunter matched her whole outfit. She felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
11:58PM
The TV was on and the never aging announcer kept talking about the diamond ball and how it was moving down ever so closer to the countdown clock. What would the year 2016 bring? Hyde had his arm around Jackie as they claimed the sofa, much to Megan's chagrin Donna and Eric were sitting on the bottom of the stairs, Tiffany was on her second glass of wine, hoping that Hunter figured out the mystery of the key, and Hannah had her back against the accordion style laundry room door and she just wanted to be in her room but her parents wouldn't let her, she might have been punished, but it was still going to be New Year's in 5-4-3-2-1 as Auld Lang Syne played in the background.
"Happy New Year, Megan." Hunter said as they shared a kiss, and it was one of those moments when he didn't care what the folks saw
He knew his Father was on his side and that meant a lot. His Mother and although he loved her was still going to be the "worried Mom" and would put her emotions in the way, Eric was okay and the perfect balance to old Sgt. Donna.
"Happy New Year, Hunter, kiss me again."
*
"You kissed me, Donna," Eric said, surprised, "What's the catch?"
"There's no catch, Eric. I do want to work things out with you."
"I hope that's not the wine talking."
"It's not, Happy New Year, Eric." She kissed him again to prove her point that it was NOT the wine.
*
"I always wait 365 days for that first kiss of the New Year." Hyde said softly into Jackie's shoulder.
"Is it worth it, Steven?" she asked
"Yes." He replied, simply. He loved her more and more with each passing year. His only regret was that they should have been together and stayed together from the moment they fell in love as adolescents.
*
Megan rested her head on Hunter's shoulder. She was surprised that no one freaked out and said he couldn't sit on her lap.
"I know what door the key is for." He whispered, but all of the adults were immersed in their own conversations that they wouldn't have heard them if they made plans to rob the Point Place Savings and Loan.
"What key?" Megan asked
"I'll tell you later, Megan. Happy New Year to the most beautiful person in this room."
He kissed her again.
We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne