JJ Meets an Angel

It was a warm, sunny summer day. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, and at the moment, hardly a breath of wind. JJ was on his own, enjoying his local park. After a while, he began to be affected by the heat and the intensity of the sunlight. He managed to find a vacant park bench in a shady spot. As was usual with him, random thoughts were galloping through his mind. One of the purposes of his stroll around the park was to try to quell this restless maelstrom of ideas. He did find that sitting down in a cool, restful place did begin to calm his troubled mind. Although he was alone, he did not feel lonely as, being a slight outcast, he had found a way of enjoying his own company, although he was still disturbed by the continuous train of thoughts rattling through his mind. The one thing he felt was lacking in his life was female company. With his Asperger's Syndrome, he was beginning to feel that this was something he would never experience. In any case, his psychiatrist had advised him to avoid female company. In addition, he had recently lost his only two close friends in quick succession. Freddie had been murdered by Effy's psychiatrist, and Cook was on the run after killing the doctor, now possibly facing a murder charge.

Another reason for his stroll round the park was to try to prepare himself for Freddie's funeral, expected in about a fortnight. After a few minutes of meditation on the bench, just as JJ was beginning to feel calmer, he was joined by an exceptionally beautiful girl. She was dressed for the sunny weather in a very short bright yellow hipster miniskirt and a red strapless crop top. Her shoulders, midriff and legs were bare. Her perfectly symmetrical face was framed by cascades of wavy golden hair. Her conspicuous, expressive, lively brown eyes were crowned by beautifully angled eyebrows. Her mouth was slightly open, giving the quite endearing, impression that she was about to break into a radiant smile.

"Do you mind if I share this bench with you?" said the girl.

JJ was enchanted by her light airy voice and her friendly, smiling face.

"Go ahead." said JJ, "There's plenty of room, and it's cooler here in the shade."

The girl sat on JJ's right.

JJ could sense that that this was not just any girl. To him it seemed that there was something undefinably special about her. It wasn't just because she was scantily dressed, but that she seemed to have an aura of gentle calmness about her. Her very presence began to quell JJ's racing thoughts. Once he had seen her, he couldn't take his eyes off her. She noticed.

"You seem to like looking at me." said the girl.

"I'll look away then." said JJ, a bit crestfallen.

"I didn't mean it that way." said the girl, smiling, "I was just making a comment. I really don't mind if you look at me, but why? I'm not even pretty."

"What!?" exclaimed an astonished JJ, "You're just about the loveliest girl I think I've ever seen in pictures, or in real life."

"You're just saying that." said the girl.

"No, I'm not." said JJ, "You are beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful. Your face is perfect, and your shoulders are exquisite. The more I hear your gentle voice, the more I'm enchanted by the sound of it. It sounds so reassuring and calming."

"Wow!" said the girl, "You're very forward with your comments, but thank you, anyway."

"Oh, dear!" said a somewhat worried JJ, "Have I said too much? I do tend to say what I think a lot of the time. It just comes out. Sorry!"

"Don't be concerned about it." said the girl, "There's no need to apologise. I like people who can't help being honest about their feelings. Incidentally, what's your name?"

"I'm Jeremiah Jones," said JJ, "But most people call me JJ."

"And I'm Cassandra Ainsworth." said the girl, "But most people call me Cassie."

"I guess you were named after the daughter of Priam and Hecuba in Greek mythology." said JJ, "The prophetess who spurned Apollo, and was cursed never to be believed."

"Something like that." said Cassie, "That was such a surprising piece of knowledge for you to come out with. Have you ever played 'Trivial Pursuit'?"

"Yes, I have," said JJ, "But I had an unfortunate habit of winning."

"That figures." said Cassie.

All the time they were talking, JJ was falling under the spell of Cassie's gentle voice. He was also appreciating the graceful lines of her slender bare shoulders. He was sorely tempted to put his arm across them, but had the thought that 'you can look, but you must never touch'. However, he was experiencing powerful, unfamiliar feelings which he wasn't expecting. The torrent of random thoughts rushing through his brain had all but stopped and his mind, for a change, was calm. One thing he could not ignore was the feeling of excitement in his groin. He wriggled a bit to make himself more comfortable.

Cassie noticed.

"It seems you find me exciting." said Cassie, with a smirk.

"I – er, I – er." was all that a blushing JJ could say.

It took a few seconds for JJ to regain his composure. By this time cassie had a friendly grin lighting up her face.

"You – you've had quite an effect on me." said JJ, as he recovered, "It's both calming and unfamiliar. It's worrying me."

"Don't be worried." said Cassie, "It's only natural for you to feel excited. Haven't you ever seen so much of a girl's body before?"

"I can't say I have, not in real life, anyway." said JJ, "My doctors said that it wasn't good for me to associate with girls, so I should avoid them."

"Your doctors?" queried Cassie.

"You may not have heard of it," said JJ, "But I'm told I've got something called Asperger's Syndrome. It's a form of autism. It makes me very awkward and shy around people, particularly girls. Also, I frequently have an uncontrollable, continuous flow of random ideas rushing through my brain."

"You're haven't been all that shy with me." observed Cassie, "In fact, you seem quite normal to me."

"That's because you're different." Said JJ.

"In what way?" asked Cassie

"For a start," said JJ, "when I saw your smile and heard your sweet voice, I felt really calm. The rush of random ideas seemed to stop, and I felt real peace for the first time. Also, unlike other girls, I find you easy to talk with. Also, apart from this strange feeling around my middle, I feel relaxed with you next to me. You seem to have this aura of deep tranquillity about you."

"Wow!" exclaimed Cassie, with a radiant smile, "I didn't think I could have such an effect on anybody. You must have lived a very sheltered life."

"I have." said JJ.

"What is it about me that has had such an effect?" asked Cassie, smiling.

"Where to begin!" said JJ, "Firstly, your completely bare shoulders. No straps over them, and nothing round your pretty neck to spoil the effect. I feel I'm seeing the real, genuine, beautiful, tender Cassie Ainsworth, and I really like what I see. Secondly, your gentle voice and the way you've spoken to me is delightful and, thirdly, your face is so lovely, apparently without any makeup. You must be naturally beautiful. You've given me the impression that you're a very special person."

"Wow again!" said Cassie, "That was quite a list. What is it about my bare shoulders that you like?"

"Pretty well everything." said JJ, blushing, "Your perfectly angled collar bones, your elegant shoulder blades, your petite neck and your perfect skin. Need I go on. Where is this leading?"

"Would you like to see even more of me?" asked Cassie with a mischievous smirk, while tenderly stroking JJ's shoulder through his shirt.

By this time, JJ was blushing scarlet. He was experiencing a strange, bizarre and unfamiliar combination of sexual excitement and acute embarrassment. He wasn't sure whether she was being serious, but here was the loveliest girl he had ever seen apparently offering to strip off her crop top for him. He was seriously beginning to wonder what kind of dream world he had entered when she sat next to him on the bench. His only sexual experience to date had been a brief and somewhat awkward encounter in bed with a gay girl called Emily Fitch, who had taken pity on him.

"Are you serious?" said JJ, still blushing, "You've got such a beautiful body that I guess it would be a bit unnatural if I didn't, but I don't think you should show all of yourself to me out here."

"Don't worry." said Cassie, "I'm not going to embarrass you here and now. Somewhere else, perhaps. Incidentally, you can touch my shoulders if you want to. I know you're tempted from the way you've been looking at them."

"I just had the thought that 'you can look, but you must never touch' In my mind." said JJ.

"Well, you can put that thought right out of your mind." said Cassie, "I'd welcome it if you were more tactile."

JJ didn't need any further invitation. He had been sorely tempted ever since Cassie had sat down next to him. As she snuggled closer to him, he put his right arm across her shoulders and gently caressed her right upper arm and shoulder. If anything, this increased JJ's feelings of excitement even further. His tactile attention earned him some indications of pleasure from Cassie.

"Aaaah! That feels so lovely." sighed Cassie, "Are you enjoying this?"

Of course!" said JJ, "You feel even just as beautiful than you look."

Not surprisingly, JJ was feeling only too natural urges, which he felt he ought to resist. As he sat and talked with Cassie about various random subjects, his right hand was exploring more of her inviting bare skin. At one point, feeling a bit guilty about what he was doing, he withdrew his hand.

"Don't stop." said Cassie, "I was really loving that. You're so gentle for someone who has never done anything like this before."

JJ resumed his gentle exploration of Cassie's upper back and shoulders. What Cassie did next surprised JJ. She snuggled closer to him and started to caress JJ's back under his shirt. It was JJ's turn to sigh with pleasure.

"What are you doing to me?" said JJ, "This is so wrong, but it feels so good. No-one's ever done anything like that before."

"What's wrong about it?" asked Cassie, "I'm giving you what should be something to remember with pleasure. You shouldn't feel guilty about it. I think I'm doing you some good."

"I suppose you are," said JJ, "Doing me some good, that is. Apart from the physical effect you're having on me, I feel completely calm for the first time I can remember."

While they were talking, a gentle cooling breeze had sprung up. The air felt less oppressive.

"Since there's a light breeze now, I've got a suggestion." said Cassie

"What's that?" asked JJ.

"I'd love to do a bit of sunbathing." said Cassie, "And it would be nice if you joined me."

"What will that involve?" asked JJ.

"We'll go to a secluded area of the park and lay down in the sun." said Cassie, "Haven't you sunbathed before?"

"I don't think I have." said JJ, "I've been persuaded that exposure to sunlight can be dangerous."

"Not if you take precautions." said Cassie, "Like applying some high factor sunblock cream. Would you like to try it anyway?"

"Oh well!" said JJ "In for a penny, in for a pound. I'll come with you."

With this, the couple got up from their shady park bench and walked to a less frequented part of the park, well away from the busy areas and any footpaths. On the way there, JJ felt impelled to hold Cassie's hand. She appreciated this gesture and smiled. Once she had found what she felt was a suitable place, Cassie produced a travel rug and a large tube of sunblock cream from her shoulder bag. She spread the rug, laid down on it and invited JJ to lay with her. What she did next surprised, embarrassed and delighted JJ in equal measure. She removed both her miniskirt and her crop top, revealing her neat breasts and most of her bum. All she was now wearing was a miniscule thong.

"Wow!" exclaimed JJ, "I wasn't expecting that, You're amazing, so perfect."

"I did say that I might show you more of me 'somewhere else'." said Cassie, "Well, we're now 'somewhere else'."

She then suggested that JJ might like to take off his shirt. This, he did, albeit rather reluctantly, as he felt that his physique wasn't all that manly. As he unbuttoned it, Cassie gasped with pleasure, looked at him and smiled.

"Your body looks really nice without a shirt." said Cassie, "I'm seeing the real Jeremiah Jones, and I like what I see. Incidentally, what are you wearing under those jeans?"

"Blue briefs. Why?" said JJ, slightly worried.

"It would be nice if you let the sun see your legs." said Cassie.

Reluctantly, JJ removed his jeans and laid down with the almost naked Cassie for about fifteen minutes. Cassie had suggested this, as it allowed their skin to generate some vitamin 'D'. After this time, Cassie picked up the sunblock and applied it to every part of her own body she could reach and suggested that JJ should do the same. When he had done this, Cassie invited him to apply the cream to her back. This he did, earning some ecstatic sighs from Cassie.

"I'm loving this." said Cassie, "Your fingertips feel so soft and gentle. This is so relaxing. You're so good. Are you quite sure you've never done this before?"

"No! Never." said JJ, "Today is the first time I've even dared to touch anyone."

"Wow!" exclaimed Cassie, "You have been cut off from the real world."

Once JJ had applied the cream to Cassie's elegant back, it was now his turn to sigh with pleasure as Cassie applied the cream to his back.

"That feels so nice!" sighed JJ, "Keep on doing it for a bit."

Cassie continued applying the cream to JJ's back until every square inch was covered. She gave him one final caress, before laying down on her back and resuming her sunbathing. JJ also laid down to enjoy the sun. Usually, when he laid down with nothing much else to do, the continuous torrent of disturbing thoughts would start up and threaten to overwhelm him. However, on this occasion, merely looking across at the beautiful lady lying next to him and breathing peacefully served to quell them. It occurred to Cassie to try to establish what made JJ the way he was.

"Earlier, you said that you hadn't 'dared' to touch anyone until you met me today." said Cassie, "Why? You must have been so isolated."

"I suppose, with the restrictions on my potential social life imposed on me by my psychiatrist," began JJ, "I took to heart the sentiments expressed in an old Simon and Garfunkel song, as I felt that I was destined to live by them."

"Which one was that?" asked Cassie.

"The song was 'I am a rock'." said JJ, "The conclusion was '…a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries'. An earlier line in the song said 'I touch no one and no one touches me'."

"That's so sad." said Cassie, "You must have felt so lonely."

"I did." Said JJ, "At times, I was beginning to wonder if life had anything good left to give me. Apart from Freddie and Cook, I had no friends at all, and I was constantly being advised to avoid girls, and almost to regard them as aliens. Yes, I felt desperately lonely. There were times when I seriously thought about killing myself. When I confessed my suicidal feelings to my doctors, all they did was to add a couple more drugs to those I was already taking."

"How many were you prescribed?" asked Cassie.

"At the peak, I was taking about twenty different pills every day?" said JJ.

"Wow!" said Cassie, "Were they doing you any good?"

"I'm not altogether sure." Said JJ, "About the time I started at Roundview, my folks asked for me to be changed to a different psychiatrist. The new one looked at my medication said that several of the drugs were cancelling each other out, and gradually reduced the number of different items. Nowadays, I'm only taking one tablet each day. It was at about that time I discovered the Simon and Garfunkel song I mentioned earlier. The lyrics really touched my soul. They appeared to outline a philosophy which allowed me to be alone without succumbing to loneliness."

"Did they help you?" asked Cassie.

"They did, at first." said JJ, "I began to accept that there could be a tolerable existence without succumbing to my emotions or having any social contact. I shut out all feelings, whether positive or negative and lost myself in my books. However, after a while I came to realise that there was something missing from my life. I started to feel depressed again."

"I do know that song." said Cassie, "Nowadays, it makes me feel rather sad when I think that anyone could live like that."

"What do you mean by 'nowadays'?" said JJ.

"A few years ago," said Cassie, "I used to think that way, especially the Line 'I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain'. I now think that's the saddest line in the whole song. Since then, one or two things have happened that have changed my feelings about my life and my future. Anyway, today, you're more open to being touched. What's changed."

"Meeting you, I suppose." said JJ, "Over the space of an hour or so, just being with you has changed my whole attitude to life. I don't know how you do it, but just by being you, you seem to have calmed my overactive mind and allowed me to experience true human contact. I don't know what it is about you, but you're the first person I've ever felt able to trust. Incidentally, what made you choose me this afternoon?"

"I hope you don't mind," said Cassie, "But I had been observing you for a while before you sat on that bench under the trees. I got the impression that there was something rather special about you. You also struck me as being a gentle soul who might be feeling lonely."

"Do you often do that to random people?" asked JJ, "That seems to be a somewhat dangerous thing for a lovely girl like you to do."

"No, I've never done anything like this before." said Cassie, "You're the first. I was feeling at a bit of a loose end, so I came out to the park to enjoy the sun. Then I saw you seeming to take an intense interest in everything around you. I was curious, so when you sat down, I approached you."

"Are you glad you did?" asked JJ.

"Of course!" said Cassie, "I've just met someone very interesting, who is in need of company. Do you think I've helped you?"

"Yes, you have." said JJ, "I don't know how you've done it, but you've got me to tell you things about myself that I would normally keep secret from anybody, even my doctor."

"You shouldn't keep that kind of secret." said Cassie, "It's clear to me that it was eating into your soul and gradually destroying you. When you've got troubles, it's always better to share them with someone you trust, and it's clear you trust me. Isn't that so?"

"I suppose it comes back to something I mentioned earlier about bare shoulders." said JJ, "With your gentle face and your shoulders and neck completely uncovered, I felt I had been approached by someone wonderful who I could trust completely."

"Now you've shared your secret with me," said Cassie, "Do you think your attitude to life might change?"

"Having met and being deeply affected by you," said JJ, "I think I'll be looking on girls in a somewhat different way. You certainly don't strike me as an alien being. In fact, I feel you're intensely human."

"Thank you!" said Cassie, "You certainly seem to think I look human. Other than when I was applying the sunscreen to you, you haven't taken your eyes off me since I stripped and lay down. You must like the way I look."

"I do, Cassie. I do." said JJ, "I'm not speaking from a wealth of experience, but I think your body is really beautiful. I'm so tempted to caress your rib cage and your belly, but I'm worried about what your reaction would be if I did."

"Don't be such a worrier." said Cassie, "If I didn't like where your hand was going, I'd just move it. I guess you're still thinking that you can look, but can't touch. In fact, I'd welcome it if you felt able to touch my skin."

To underline her comment, Cassie reached across and used her fingertips to stroke JJ's shoulder and chest, paying particular attention to his breastbone and rib cage. She also 'accidentally' caressed one of JJ's nipples, producing the expected reaction of making it stand up.

"What are you doing to me?" said JJ, "I'm tingling all over. It feels so lovely! Don't stop."

"I'm Just doing to you what you were doubtful about doing to me." said Cassie, smiling sweetly, "It's good that you haven't got a tangled forest growing on your chest. It's lovely and smooth. I like that."

At this point, Cassie moved across towards JJ, leaned over him, and gently kissed the centre of his chest between his now erect nipples. As she altered her position, she looked around to check whether there was anyone else in the immediate vicinity. She satisfied herself that there was no-one else near them.

"Do you like what I'm doing?" she continued, smiling broadly.

"Er – yes," said JJ, "It feels very strange, but so lovely, having someone so beautiful gently stroking and kissing me. Nobody's ever done anything like that before."

"I guess that having to avoid social contacts probably had a lot to do with that." said Cassie, "I'd really love it if you found the courage to do the same to me. I do know you're sorely tempted."

Cassie returned to her side of the rug, and turned over onto her back. She looked towards JJ, and smiled invitingly.

"I don't think I would be any good at it." said JJ, playing for time.

"You were okay exploring my shoulders and putting the cream on my back." said Cassie, "I know you're tempted, so go ahead and explore me. You can even touch my tits, but don't feel you have to."

This last comment from Cassie was almost carte Blanche for JJ to cover the whole of her body with his caresses. JJ turned towards Cassie and started gently caressing her gloriously flat belly and her conspicuous rib cage. This action earned him some gentle sighs of pleasure from Cassie.

After a while, JJ gained the confidence to go a little further. He cupped each of Cassie's breasts in turn in his hand, and explored her nipples with his fingertips. They hardened and stood up.

"Aaaaah! Oh wow!" sighed Cassie, "That feels so good. You're so gentle. Are you sure you've never done this before."

"Quite sure." said JJ, "I'm being gentle because I don't want to hurt you."

After exciting Cassie's nipples, JJ leant over and kissed each of Cassie's breasts before resuming his gentle tactile exploration of her belly. At one point, his fingertips strayed a short way inside her thong, but didn't quite reach her slit.

"I think I can trust you not to go too far," said Cassie, "But before you explore any further down there, I think we should check that we're still in an empty part of the park."

Cassie, once again checked that there was no-one around before making what seemed to JJ a startling suggestion.

"JJ," began Cassie, "How would you like it if I removed my thong?"

"Are you serious?" asked a rather surprised JJ.

"Of course." said Cassie, "There's so much of me on show, that it wouldn't make much difference."

Cassie, rechecked that the immediate vicinity was still deserted, got up into a kneeling position and, much to JJ's surprise, removed her last item of clothing. Revealing a neat smooth hairless fanny. JJ gasped. Never before in his life had JJ seen a totally naked girl in the flesh. He was speechless for a few moments.

"Wow!" exclaimed JJ, "Isn't there anything about you that's less than beautiful."

After this she resumed her supine position and encouraged JJ to resume his tender caresses. This, he did, in the belief that no part of Cassie's body was 'out of bounds'. Before they resumed their 'serious' sunbathing, JJ tenderly kissed her navel then used his fingertips to trace a line from Cassie's pretty neck right down the centre of her chest and belly. When he reached her pussy, he caressed it, and then ran a finger down her slit. Cassie gave a little shiver of pleasure.

"That was a bit cheeky of you." said Cassie, "I liked it, but I don't think you should go any further."

"I won't." said JJ, "That is, unless you want me to. I enjoyed doing that, but haven't you got a boyfriend?"

What gives you that impression?" asked Cassie.

"I don't know why," said JJ, "But I just get the impression that you're not completely alone nowadays. Earlier, you did say that one or two things have happened that changed your attitude to your life and your future. You didn't enlarge on what those 'one or two things' were, because you rapidly turned the discussion back to my newly found acceptance of being touched and caressed by another human being."

"One hundred percent for memory!" commented Cassie, "Yes, I was a lost soul until I was introduced to Sid. Tony, that's Effy's older brother introduced him to me so that he could cease to be a virgin. To give him his due, he didn't do what Tony had expected, but took steps to get to know me as a person. To date, our relationship has been, to say the least, a little bumpy, but I do now regard Sid as my boyfriend."

"I suppose I'll have to accept that." said JJ, "I did wonder, at one point, whether this afternoon might, just might, be the beginning of something positive. However, it's going to end when we part company like all my other brief encounters."

"Don't be too disappointed." said Cassie, "Judging by what you've told me this afternoon, I think I've made a very deep impression on you, and I believe that this time, the change might stick."

The two of them spent the last hour of their session in the sun alternating between prone and supine positions, so the sun would reach both front and back. Cassie's totally naked state prompted a discussion as to what constituted indecency. At one point, JJ mentioned that he felt that there was nothing indecent about Cassie's beautiful body. They also discussed the somewhat more liberal Scandinavian attitude to nudity. JJ also mentioned that in ancient Greece, gymnastics were performed in the nude, the words 'gymnastics' and 'gymnasium' being derived from 'gymnos', which means naked.

The discussion then ranged over a wide variety of other topics, including JJ's cultural interests and his thoughts about his future, with or without any serious social life. Cassie reassured him that he would have bouts of depression, but that he would meet someone perfect for him.

All too soon, it was approaching the time for JJ and Cassie to make their way back to their homes. Cassie, looked around to check whether there was still no-one in sight. Having ascertained that the coast was clear, she stood up. JJ also got to his feet. As they stood facing each other, Cassie embraced JJ and kissed him warmly on the lips. JJ was somewhat startled by this development.

"Wha - what was that for?" asked a still slightly shocked JJ.

"To thank you for being an interesting and charming companion on a hot afternoon." said Cassie.

"It's me who should be thanking you." said JJ, "After today, I think my whole attitude to my life is changing. I hope I don't relapse into the state I was in earlier, but I'll try to remember the effect you had on me this afternoon when my mind starts rushing around. I didn't realise that spending time with a girl could be so enjoyable. I'm beginning to realise that it was a big mistake to take my doctor's advice about avoiding relationships with girls so literally. You've just given me the most pleasant few hours of my life to date."

"What a torrent of words." said Cassie, "I guess that me being completely naked for much of the time contributed to that. I did notice that you couldn't take your eyes off me for nearly all of the time."

"There was that." Said JJ, "You're an exceptionally beautiful young woman. I would suggest that you're even more beautiful when you're naked than when you're wearing clothes. There's nothing 'indecent', whatever that means, about your pretty body."

"That was such a lovely thing to say about me." said Cassie, "I think you've changed the way I think about myself. You're even starting to persuade me that I'm pretty."

"You're more than pretty." Said JJ, "You're really beautiful. Sid's such a lucky fellow to have you as a girlfriend."

After this exchange, Cassie retrieved her thong, miniskirt and crop top and put them on. JJ also dressed before the pair started to head towards the park exit.

"Do you fancy a coffee?" asked JJ.

"I'd love one." said Cassie, "Where shall we go?"

"There's a nice café in this park." said JJ, "Let's go there."

JJ and Cassie walked hand-in-hand to the café and ordered large lattes, together with some jammy biscuits.

"I hope that my encounter with you this afternoon has been good for you." said Cassie.

"It has." said JJ, "Being with you has made me more confident about the Next time I'm in mixed company. I might even find the confidence to open a conversation."

"When is that likely to be?" asked Cassie.

"I've been invited to Freddie's funeral and the wake in a couple of weeks." said JJ, "I don't know whether I'm likely to meet anyone there other than the five other surviving members of our little group of friends."

"You never know." said Cassie, "An attractive girl will probably approach you at the wake, and you'll find the confidence to sustain a conversation, with her, and you might even gain a new friend. Stranger things have happened, so don't lose hope."

"That will only happen if the 'Cassie effect' is still strong on the day of the funeral." said JJ, "It's still a whole two weeks away."

"I've got a suggestion." said Cassie, "Every night before you go to sleep, think about the effect I've had on you, and try to get yourself into the relaxed, confident frame of mind you're in now. Oh, and when your runaway train of thoughts starts running down the track, try to imagine me looking at you and smiling."

"That sounds like sensible advice." said JJ, "I hope it works and I can follow it, at least until Freddie's funeral, and hopefully afterwards."

"Well," said Cassie, "Do you think this afternoon has been worthwhile, because I do?"

"I think you've given me an experience that I will remember for a very long time." said JJ, "I hope you've changed my outlook on life and shown me a way ahead. I hope I won't slip back into my ways of thinking before you shattered them. In some ways, the memories will be bittersweet, because you are an utterly beautiful person. What can I possibly have done for you?"

"You've made me feel better about myself." said Cassie, "You have also begun to persuade me that I do look pretty.

"As I've already said," interjected JJ, "You're more than pretty, you're really beautiful, inside and out."

"You've also presented yourself to me as a very pleasant and interesting young man." said Cassie, "If I wasn't with my Sid, I really feel that we could have become a couple. We've both got our problems, but together, I feel that we could have overcome them. You've told me things about yourself that I don't think you've confessed to anyone, even your psychiatrists. How did you feel after you told me your dark secrets?"

"Relieved and tranquil." said JJ, "An enormous load was taken from my mind."

"Well," said Cassie, "I did once say to one of my friends that 'All the worries feel lighter when you've got someone you can tell everything to'. I think you've just discovered that. What persuaded you to open up to me, when you've been keeping these things secret for so long?"

"As I've said, you gave the impression that you were the very first person I could really trust." said JJ, "You're very persuasive, and I feel that you haven't got a hidden agenda. You've been completely open and honest with me. I'm afraid that, in the past, I haven't been able to trust anyone who already knows me."

"That's so sad." said Cassie, "I've realised that I do have to trust people, even those that know about me. I really think your life would be better if you found it in yourself to trust people, even those who know you."

"Wow!" exclaimed JJ, "You've not only made me feel a lot better about myself, but given me a lot to think about. There's a really wise head on those pretty shoulders. I think I've met a particularly lovely angel this afternoon, and she's shown me a way out of my closed in world."

"I really don't think I'm an angel," said Cassie, "But I do sense I really have helped you this afternoon."

"You have." said JJ, "As I said, you've given me a lot to think about. I'll try to trust people and have more confidence when I talk with people."

"Well," said Cassie, "You didn't have any problems talking to me, so keep that frame of mind when you encounter other people."

"I'll try to." said JJ.

Once JJ and Cassie had finished their coffees, it was time to make their ways to their homes. They walked slowly, hand-in-hand, exchanging smiles and glances until they had to go in different directions.

"Well," said Cassie, "This is goodbye, I think I'll remember this afternoon for a long time. We've had a wonderful few hours, and we've helped each other in lots of ways."

"That's true." said JJ, "I think I'm going to remember today as well. I really believe it will be a turning point in my life. Anyway, goodbye, my sweet angel. I feel that there's just a faint possibility I might see you again, so I don't look upon this as 'Adieu'."

"My home is a bus ride away," said Cassie, "And here comes my bus, so farewell and have a good life."

"You too." Said JJ, as Cassie boarded the bus.

So, JJ and Cassie parted company after a memorable afternoon spent talking to each other in the park and sunbathing. JJ felt an intensity of euphoria that he had never experienced before. He had spent a few hours confidently talking to a particularly beautiful young lady without having any of his usual inhibitions. During the next fortnight, the effects of the afternoon did wear off. On the surface, it appeared that hat he had reverted to the state of mind he was in before he had encountered Cassie. He was feeling particularly gloomy on the day of Freddie's funeral. This was understandable as he was saying a final goodbye to his long-time best friend. At the wake, his mood did not lighten until he was approached by someone else rather special, Freddie's sister, Karen. When they met, she began to revive the feelings he had when he was with Cassie. Because of this, Karen managed to pull him out of his deepening depression relatively quickly. Since, unlike Cassie, she was unattached he was able to initiate a relationship with her. Unfortunately, she had been spotted by a record producer and moved away to London after a few months. After a somewhat longer flirtation with Katie Fitch, Emily's twin sister, he finally met his lifetime partner, Grace Blood, on a cruise ship headed for St Petersburg. Had he not met the angelic Cassie Ainsworth in the park, that sunny day, and allowed her to affect him at a very deep level, he would not have had the confidence to talk with Karen, Katie or Grace.