29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 6, 2020 0:59:00 GMT
"It was. Not many four year olds become a mother...but I did." She cleared her throat, sniffled, then said, "I like autobiographies best. I like getting into other people's worlds and lives, remembering that I'm not the only one who has been through what I've been through. Others had it worse.
"Penn, do you believe in God?"
|
|
|
Post by The Producers on May 6, 2020 1:14:28 GMT
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 6, 2020 1:19:29 GMT
Soon Gem's voice rang loud and clear and he moved over to where he heard her voice, his footsteps easily heard so as not to surprise her. "Yes, I do. Why do you ask?" He asked softly, his foot accidentally nudged hers and he realized she was sitting. He blindly, and a bit clumsily sat down beside her in the dark.
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 6, 2020 1:22:19 GMT
Gem raised her head off of her knees when she heard Penn's foosteps.
"I'm here!" She called, and then he reached her. She reached out a hand, setting the back of it against his arm. If he touched her skin he would find that it was soft.
"I ask because..." her voice was flustered and a little breathy, "...because I don't know what I believe. And that matters, doesn't it?"
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 6, 2020 1:34:16 GMT
He reached for her hand and softly grasped it if she let him, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. "Yes." He answered her. "At least I think so, what someone believes can change not only how they view life but how they behave in it." He explained briefly.
"You've hinted a lot about your past, Gem, but never really said much. I'm here to listen if you want to talk about it." He assured her gently, his thumb still moving gently across her hand.
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 6, 2020 1:38:58 GMT
Her body shuddered, though he likely wouldn't feel it since he only held her hand.
"My father is an unemployed alcoholic. My mother has always loved him in a way I'll never understand. She is only ever thankful, only ever kind. She worked three jobs and was never home. My father only took care of his excessive pets and his appetite. I was my mother's helper. I raised my brothers. I started working before it was legal. I don't pity myself now...but I pity the child that had to grow up too soon." She paused.
"Can...I touch your face?"
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 6, 2020 2:02:56 GMT
"That must have been really hard for you and your siblings." He said sympathetically. "I can't imagine the kind of responsibility that would have put on your shoulders."
As her request he smiled and squeezed her hand. "Of course you can." he helped her by taking the hand he was holding and guiding it to his cheek. She might not realize his real height while they were sitting but he was tall at 6'2. On his face she'd feel that he was mostly clean shaven with just a hint of some of the days new stubble growth and she'd be able to tell he was smiling.
His hand slid from hers on his cheek and down her arm to her shoulder, his fingers tips moving softly into her hair.
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 7, 2020 17:21:14 GMT
Penn would find Gem's hair to be soft and smooth, and if he tested its length--long, reaching just past her chest. She laughed nervously.
"This is so...strange." Clearly, from her tone, it wasn't a bad strange.
Gem moved her hands from his face, down his neck and to his chest and arms, trying to see with touch.
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 8, 2020 0:20:06 GMT
Penn drew his hand down to the ends of her hair, it was very soft and felt nice to the touch. As Gem would explore she might his feel his hair, almost shoulder length and not quite straight, there was definitely a bit of a flip to the ends of it. He had wide shoulders and a relatively fit build, especially in his arms, but he was not bulky. He was average in size, not quite thin and lanky, but not overweight either.
He chuckled as she spoke. "It is." He agreed. "I've never had to touch someone to 'see' them until today. At least not for the first time seeing someone in person."
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 8, 2020 0:24:15 GMT
After touching his arms she withdrew her hands, placing them in her lap.
"Well...here we are. What now?"
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 8, 2020 0:31:01 GMT
Penn sat thoughtfully beside her, feeling a little unsure of himself. "Well..." he trailed off, the sound of him scratching the back of his neck in the dark next to her. "I actually wanted to tell you, that things really advanced with someone else today. More than I had expected. I've already hurt someone today and I really don't want to hurt you, at least not more than I have too." He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I felt like you at least deserved to hear it from me in person, rather than just me sending you a cheap note or something. I think you're a really great girl, Gem. You deserve all the love in the world. I mean it...but, I can't be the one to give it to you."
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 8, 2020 0:33:51 GMT
Gem sat quietly for a long moment after Penn's words. No sound came from her. Then,
"Okay." Softly. "I understand." Sadly. "Thank you for telling me." She rose, and he'd surely hear it. She hesitated, and then put her hand to the wall and started to walk away.
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 8, 2020 0:37:26 GMT
Penn cringed at her words and her tone. Why did this have to be so hard? He hated every second of this. He stood as he heard do so and as she started a way, he reached out a hand which grazed her back, or at least he thought it did.
"Gem, I'm really really sorry." He told her.
|
|
29Age
129Posts
Accountant
|
Post by Gemini Matteson on May 8, 2020 0:40:02 GMT
His hand did brush her back, but she didn't stop. She didn't hesitate again. She didn't answer back.
|
|
34Age
311Posts
Software Developer
|
Post by Hugh Pennington on May 8, 2020 0:44:33 GMT
Penn cringed again at her response. Or lack of it. But all he could do was blindly try to get out of the maze.
[EXIT PENN]
|
|
o
c
i
a
l
h
u
b