Adventures With Tim & Teresa
Not Just Yet
The autumn morning aged crisp and clear. And although
the northern California coast did not see the explosive color
changes of the mid-west and eastern seaboard, some of the trees
held an amber glow akin to that of a golden summer sunrise. The air
was fresh and sweet as Teresa hiked her way along the Simean Hills
Trail that snaked gently through a whispering woodland.
She stood at five feet seven inches tall, with the tapered
sinewy legs of a long-trail hiker. Her hair was the color of fired
amber, not unlike the colored trees that surrounded her, her eyes as
green as an emeralded gem. Her lips were full and naturally
rubied, her cheek bones high and keen like those of an indian
princess, her complexion fair and flawless. Her eyebrows were
generous and gently arched, and there was the sexiest little mole
on her right cheek. Her nose cut the slightest upward curve.
She was the physical perfection of that quintessential California
Girl every woman envied and every man wished he could possess.
As the trail narrowed and the woodland grew steadily
thinner she approached the destination she sought. Minutes later
she broke free of the hugging trail and out onto an open atrium that
reached up into the crystal blue skies above.
Two cabins stood silently in the foreground and she strolled
slowly toward them. It was eerily quiet, only the kissing rush of a
cool morning breeze could be heard, its trace utterly invisible.
Her eyes narrowed and she smiled, finally sighting the
long, lean outline of Tim sprawled across the top four steps of the
rustic cabin porch. As she neared the small building she marvelled
at the roughed figure of the man she loved.
Tim stood six feet one inch tall, with long muscled legs,
broad sinewy shoulders, and a washboard stomach that Teresa
adored. Her lips curled into a warm loving smile as she reached
the stoop, staring for a moment longer, her green eyes fixing on his
blue gaze, which contrasted irresistibly with his dark black hair
and rich deep tan, his face chizelled by the hand of god.
“Morning Tera,” he greeted, his even white teeth showing
into a most appealing smile. He was the only one who ever called
her Tera. It always managed to send a delightful shiver up her
elegant spine.
“Good morning Timmy,” she responded, chuckling quietly
as she sat down on the ground step, knowing full well that he hated
‘Timmy’ as much as she adored ‘Tera’. “I mean Tim,” she smiled
coyly.
“That’s better,” he laughed. “Now get up here and give me
a kiss. That cute little smile is just not enough to warm me
properly.”
Teresa obliged as she snuggled into his warm, strong arms,
kissing him lightly, their lips melting into a long passionate
entanglement of moist appreciation.
It was Teresa who finally broke the steaming embrace.
“We need to talk,” she announced, licking her lips and
tasting him upon her tongue.
Tim narrowed his eyes. “It’s not conversation that I want
right now,” he smiled.
“I know sweetheart. But this is very important,” she
assured him, her emerald gaze starined but beautiful.
“Talk is cheap!” he brooded. “I’d prefer to get naked and
make love while we still have this place to ourselves.” He folded
his arms across his chest and sat up straight, his handsome face
fixed on the far edge of the forest.
“Don’t be angry,” Teresa smiled gently. “We can make
love later. But right now we need to talk.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Go ahead and talk if you
must.”
“Okay, I will,” she nodded, moving up two steps and
looking up at him. “My parents are dead set against us getting
married,” she offered, falling silent as she waited for a response.
His expression tensed only slightly, his blue eyes
narrowing. “We don’t need their permission,” he proclaimed.
“I’m twenty-three and you are twenty-two. We can do as we
please.”
Teresa looked down, unable to hold his gaze.
“I don’t know if I disagree with them,” she offered softly.
“What!?” Tim probed, his voice echoing across the
otherwise silent atrium.
She took a deep breath. “I love you Tim,” she began. “But
I don’t think I’m ready for marriage yet. There is so much I still
want to do.”
Tim bolted upright and leapt past all six stairs to the grass
covered turf below.
“That is a bunch of crap!” he exploded. “We’ve discussed
this Tera. We love each other and we are getting married. End of
discussion.”
She watched him stump away into the crisp, sunny
morning, stopping only when he reached a small green picnic
table. She stood as he sat himself heavily. It bothered her that his
reaction could be so harsh, and his attitude one of indignation.
Weren’t they two seperate people? Each with an equal stake in the
relationship?
She tried to calm herself as she marched toward the small
wooden table. How dare he think that he could end a conversation
like that without so much as listening to her side. As she neared
the table the bothersome twinge grew into anger. She was
prepared to give as good as she had gotten.
“Tim!” she announced forcefully. “Don’t you ever dictate
to me again,” she warned. “This relationship is an equal endeavor
or it’s nothing at all!” It was her turn to cross her arms over her
chest, her green eyes tapering slowly. “Did you hear me?’ she
scowled.
The glint of sunlight off his cheek told her he was crying.
She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Tears were not going
to stop her from taking a strong stand right here and now. She sat
herself across from him, staring into his perfect countenance,
tear-trails evident as he refused to wipe his face. Her expression
softened.
“I’ve never seen you cry before,” she uttered.
“I never had a reason before,” he answered softly, the fury
obviously gone.
“Is it because of what I said?” she asked. He nodded. “I’m
sorry Tim,” she offered. “But I had to express how I felt. And I
feel as if I am too young to get married.”
“I think you’ve let your parents convince you of that,” he
countered.
“Not true!” she snapped, a bit too defensively. She took
another deep breath. “Have you ever known me to let my parents
convince me of anything?” She leaned across the table as much as
she could, the silky strands of her amber hair falling slowly about
her beautiful face. “Have you?” she pressed.
He blinked slowly and turned his face away. “No,” he
answered, still unable to reconcile the hurt. “But there is a first
time for everything,” he added.
“I love you Tim,” she offered, smiling at him, his face still
turned away.
“But just not enough to marry me huh?” he insisted.
“Enough to do for you anything you asked my love.” She
reached across the table and took his hand. “And I’d do it because
I love you.”
He turned slowly toward her gaze, the emerald glow of her
eyes sweeping past his face into his soul.
“Even if it were something you didn’t want to do?” he
posed.
Her fingers tightened gently around his hand. “Even if it
were something I didn’t want to do,” she assured him.
“Because you love me?” he questioned.
She nodded her head slowly. “Because I love you as I’ve
never loved before.”
He broke their embrace and stood up. “Walk with me
Tera,” he urged, waiting for her to respond.
She stood and walked around the table, taking his hand
again as they moved toward the forest’s edge.
“I think that perhaps we should wait a while before we
think of marriage,” he announced, his words soft and meaningful.
“I think you are a very wise young man,” Teresa smiled.
“Now why didn’t I think of that?” She scrunched up her nose and
pouted her lips. She was strikingly adorable. A fact that did not
elude Tim. He shook his head and smiled.
“You sure do know how to manipulate me, don’t ya?” he
winked.
“Uh huh,” she giggled, squeezing his hand gently. “But
this time it was for the best,” she added.
He looked down at her as they neared the forestline. “I
love you Tera. And someday, I hope to be your husband.”
“And I your wife,” she smiled lovingly. “Someday...”
The End
Unpublished Works © 1998 GJB
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