| WELCOME |
| "STORY" |
| I was nearly 19 when a mysterious man came into my life. I hate to recall all of it, but I must, one more time; so, I will put myself through hell to try to help others not go there. It all started one day when I decided to take a walk in the woods near my house. I had done this many times, and knew the woods well. It was fall and the sky was gray. There was a cool breeze blowing and felt nice against my face. The leaves and twigs crunched beneath my feet as I walked. I came upon the pond where I had sat many times to daydream of my future. This day was different, as I sat down on a large rock to think. I had the strange feeling that I was not alone. I glanced around, but saw no one. Before I had a chance to really study my surroundings it started to rain. I knew I must head for home quickly, before I was soaked to the bone. The rain had become very heavy as I ran home. Then all at once I tripped over something on the ground. When I pulled myself up, I looked around and did not recognize any thing. I realized at that point that I was lost. I tried to get my bearings; it was no use in this downpour. I looked around for some kind of shelter so I could get out of the rain. I happened to see a ledge hanging down, which would give me shelter from the rain. As I reached it, I sat down to rest and wait for the rain to let up. Then all at once, out from no where a figure came running out of the rain, to where I was sitting. A man in his early 20's, dark brown hair, gores blue eyes was standing in front of me. He introduced himself to me as Adam Smith. I told him my name and ask him what he was doing in the woods. Adam told me he had just moved here and was taking a break from unpacking. I ask him if he had been following me. He admitted he had. Adam said I was so pretty, he had been afraid to approach me. With that statement, I could not help but blush with embarrassment. To my surprise, Adam was the grandson of Lily. Lily was the little old lady that lived right across the street from me. She had pasted on several weeks earlier. Lily had left the house and a great sum of money to Adam. Now that Adam had moved from Canada to live in the house, he was going to work on his writing. He had written several books that I had already read. I had fallen asleep to many of his romance, mystery, and murder novels. I felt so honored to have Adam as a neighbor. As I thought to myself, I need to have him sign my copies of his books. We sat there in the rain talking and getting to know each other. Then the rain let up; I looked around and recognized where we were. Therefore, we walked slowly back to our homes. I welcomed him to the neighborhood. I told him I would bring super over later. He welcomed the company, and that it would be wonderful to have a hot meal with a beautiful woman. I could feel my face getting red again. He assured me that there was no need for me to feel embarrassed about the truth. With that, we parted company for awhile. With excitement, I entered my house. Taking a shower and putting my robe on I headed for the kitchen. I fried chicken, with mashed potatoes and gravy. I also fixed corn on the cob, with rolls. For desert a fancy pudding. Now it was time for me to do my make-up and put my blue silk dress on. Before I could get my shoes on the bell rang. It was Adam, with a rose in his hand. He thought it would be easier on me for him to come over, than for me to carry all the food over there. I agreed and showed him in. He made the remark that I looked even more beautiful dry than wet. With that, I blushed again. I thanked him for the rose. I told him to have a seat while I put on my shoes. We sat eating and talking. He told me all about himself. In addition, I told him all about me. I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach all night. The more we talked the more I liked this man. Adam had never been married, engaged, or anything. He had put his whole life into his books. He had no time for any one to be in his life. In addition, he felt like life had passed him by. After we ate we went for a long walk, and to stop at his place afterwards for coffee. Adam helped me with my coat. I had never known such a gentleman in my life. The boys I had dated in high school where so immature and self-centered. Most of them were after one thing only and there was no way they were getting it from me. The night was cool and crisp. It would be snowing soon I thought to myself. There was nothing better than sitting in front of a fire with a cup of hot coffee and a good book. Maybe this winter was going to be different with Adam in the picture. You never know what life has in store for you. I was letting my mind wonder as we walked and talked some more. There was no doubt in my mind that he was enjoying my company as much as I enjoyed his. We went to his house. I had been in it before when Lily lived there. However, Adam was changing the place. He told me he was remodeling the whole house. Making it more modern. He loved his grandma very much. They always kept in touched. He would send her a copy of all his books and signed each one specially for her. She had read each every one his books and cherished each one dearly. By the end of the evening Adam held me in his arms and gave me a long and unforgettable kiss. An embrace I would feel all night long. Weeks and months went quickly by. Seeing each other, every day had come to be expected. He shared with me his new book he was writing. It was about us in many ways. Then, one fall evening as we walked through the woods that we had both come to enjoy, Adam held my hand and led me to a rock by the pond. My heart leaped as he held and kissed me. Adam told me how much he had come to love me. I also was deeply in love with him. There was no denying it; we wanted to be together all the time. It started raining then, we ran through the woods. Finding the ledge where we had first met, Adam reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a small box. My heart was pounding so fast I thought I would faint. Opening it, he then asks me to marry him. We then realized that it had been a year since we had met in the rain. Our wedding was small but pretty. We honeymooned in Canada where I met all his family. Adam kept writing wonderful books and became a very popular writer. We kept walking in the woods as often as we could. On one of our walks, a woman screaming at the top of her lungs startled us. Adam told me to stay where I was while he went to check it out. When he came back, he looked very pale. He was in shock; he grabbed my arm and told me to hurry. We went home almost running. When we got inside he locked the door and looked carefully out the window. A police car went slowly by. Then Adam told me what he had seen in the woods. Our neighbor Damon, a police officer had been married for over 20 years. Well, Damon had taken a lover on the side. That is what they were doing in the woods. For some reason, Damon had killed his lover. Adam saw, Damon hitting on her. Then he pulled a knife out and slit her throat. Adam was not sure, but he thought Damon had seen him standing there. Hiding in our house together, we realized that we could not go to the police about this. What were we to do? Night after night, we watched as the police car went by slowly in front of our house. One night as we were lying in bed a noise came from downstairs. Some one was trying to break into our house. Adam told me to stay still; he picked up a gun and went downstairs. The next thing I heard was the gun going off. With fear in my heart, I slowly got out of bed. Quietly I went down the stairs. To my shock I seen Adam lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. Then a loud scream came out of me as I ran to Adam. Adam was unconscious but still alive. I looked up to see Damon standing there, gun in hand. He told me he was going to arrest me for the murder of my husband. Everyone would believe him, that I killed Adam for his money. Then there would be no eyewitnesses to the murder he had committed. Damon told me how his lover had demanded he tell his wife and divorce her. For she was going to have his baby. Well there was no way Damon's wife would ever let him go. So they fought and he killed her and buried her under the leaves to rot. Rage rose in me. No way was I going to let this devil take my husband's life and put me away for good. I saw a vase to my right; I reached quickly for it. With all my might, I threw it at his face. It hit the mark, cutting his face wide open. I big piece striking the main artery in his neck. I watched him lay there and bleed to death. Then I knew it was safe. I must go and get help for Adam, I thought to myself. Adam was in the hospital for a week, but returned home safe and sound. The police had known about Damon and his lover for a long time. They knew Damon had beat up the lover many times. They were not surprised to hear my story. They found the body in the woods. The case was closed. Murder in self-defense was the verdict Our lives got back to normal. Adam was writing a book about our experience and the murder. In addition, it had a successful conclusion with us surviving it and bringing a new life into the world as two lives went out BUFFIE LYNN |
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