Eli somehow managed to wake up early the next morning to go to work, and returned exhausted after his shift that afternoon to find the house almost empty. Shrugging it off, he collapsed onto the couch and was about to turn on the television when Lillian Collins rushed in from the other room and sat as close beside him as she could without actually sitting on him.

"Oh, hi Lillian," he said, very uncomfortably. "Where is everyone?"

"Gone, all of them," she said with such a perverse joy in her tone Eli almost wondered if she had murdered his family. "Your parents went grocery shopping, Jacob's out jogging, James went to the library and your youngest brothers mentioned something about meeting some girls. We're all, all alone." At this she stared intently into his eyes and curled her lips up, blinking much more than necessary.

"Yeah…" said Eli, trying not to make eye contact with her.

"At long last," she whispered. She crept her stubby little fingers gently over Eli's hand, and leaned in closer.

"Huh?"

"I know you've felt it too. I could see it in your eyes from the moment I first saw you. I've been waiting for this moment."

"Lillian, I really don't – "

"Eli, I know it's wrong, but I can't control it. The passion, the longing, the base sexual desire burning deep within us…"

Eli hardly knew whether to gasp or to burst out laughing at thi, so instead kept quiet.

"I love you Eli. And God, I want you. Take me, Eli!"

And before he could react, Lillian had sunk her long, red finger nails into his chest, pushing him back on the couch, as she pressed herself on him, pressing her lips firmly against him. In her lust, Eli was hardly about to pull away. She clawed away at his chest as she wildly smacked her lips against his, licking his lips as she hoped to get her tongue to meet his. She raised her head back only to cry out, "Oh, Eli!"

Eli, repulsed and horrified, struggled out of her grasp, pushing her chest apart from his, and gasped, "Stop! Stop it!"

Lillian did not take the hint, and continued to lay on top of him, though she stayed still now. "What's the matter sweetheart?"

"Don't call me that!" said Eli, but then decided he should be gentler. "Please, please get off me."

"But why darling? What is it?"

"I'm not your darling. Look, Lillian, I'm flattered, but I am really not interested."

"Did I come on too strongly? Should I have let you make the first move? I'm sorry, but my emotions carried me away."

"No, you're not understanding me Lillian. I would never have made a move on you."

"I know, you're so shy. It's adorable. Really."

"Lillian, I don't want to hurt you. But I am not interested in you. I never have been. I never will be. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she said. "But what do you mean?"

"I don't like you," said Eli, and then quickly added, "in this way. I think we should just be friends."

"You do?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I don't want this with you – at all."

"You don't? Oh God, you don't like me? I've been so stupid! Why?" she screeched out, and suddenly sat up and started sobbing hysterically, burying her face in her hands. "I thought you loved me like I do you!"

"Lillian, look, don't be upset. You're a very special woman – in a way." He patted her hand, and Lillian peeked out from her palms and said,

"I knew you cared!" Then she flung her arms around Eli, pulling her face towards him and against locking him in a one-sided passionate kiss. Eli pushed her away from him as gently as he could.

"NO! Do you get it? You are making this much harder on both of us than it has to be. Look, I'msure there's a man out there waiting that's just right for you, but I'm definitely not him. Don't kid yourself Lillian. You could never make me happy. And I couldn't possibly make you happy."

"I see then," said Lillian very slowly. She turned her head away, and talked without looking at him. "I guess this was a mistake. I guess it's for the best if I leave. While I still have some dignity." With that, she pulled up her shirt to hide the bra strap that had got exposed during the ruckus, and walked away.

Eli lay back on the couch and caught his breath. He was relieved, at least, that it was over. He had hoped when she said it was best she left, that she meant leaving all together. But she really only meant leave the house for a few hours. She soon came back, and stayed the rest of the vacation as she had planned.