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| A DIFFICULT POSITION TO BE IN by Melody Rachel heaved a knowing sigh and ambled over to her friend Karina. Tapping her gently on the shoulder Rachel indicated for her friend to follow her. They went outside, Rachel lighting a cigarette for each of them. “Why have you brought me out here?” asked Karina, shivering madly. “To talk some sense into you,” laughed Rachel, stomping her high heeled feet on the floor to keep warm. “Hah! That’s just great coming from the woman who has dragged me out into the snow when I’m in a flimsy party frock!” Rachel tittered and took another drag of her cigarette. “It’s too loud in there. That’s the trouble with good parties, they get noisy.” “Let me back in to join the fun and frivolity.” “In a minute Karina. Why haven’t you said anything to Richey?” “I have. We spent a long time chatting. Didn’t you see us dancing?” “Nice try but you know full well what I mean. You told me that you would…” “I know, I know. I said that to get you off my back.” Karina watched the smoke from her cigarette swirl in the cold night air. “It’s too soon. He’s only been back a year.” “He thinks the world of you.” “So you said before. Many, many times.” “He does. He’s too shy to make a move though. He needs a little help. How many times do I have to say this?” “Rache he’s just got his friendship with the guys back on track, give him time. Have you seen how they are? They’re watching him like a hawk, no doubt worried that some woman will take advantage of him.” “You don’t think he’s ready.” “No I don’t. After eleven years away it must take a lot of time to feel comfortable again. For all of you, not just Rich. There are still so many unanswered questions.” “I don’t care about that. All that concerns me is that my brother made the choice to come back and that he’s healthy, and happy.” “But your parents don’t see it that way.” Karina threw the rest of her cigarette on the floor. “I know they’re concerned but he’ll tell them when he’s ready. Pressurising him will make him stay quiet about it for longer.” Rachel moaned and shook her long brown hair to rid it of some of the snow. “Is that why he hasn’t been visiting them regularly? Why couldn’t he tell me?” “He didn’t want you getting involved. He is worried though that coming back has made things worse and not better.” “How do you know so much?” “Can we go in I’m bloody freezing.” “Ok, we’ll go to my bedroom.” Rachel didn’t catch the winks that Richey and Karina exchanged. The two women sat on the bed slowly sipping at the large whiskies that Rachel had poured them in the kitchen. “So what made my brother open up to you tonight?” “He erm, he didn’t.” Karina squirmed. “He’s been round to see me a few times and I’ve been to his place. We’ve become close. Good friends.” “Oh,” Rachel was stunned by the news and more than a little hurt. “You ought to have told me instead of letting me make an idiot of myself.” “Oh Rachel you haven’t. I wanted to tell you but everytime I mentioned Richey’s name you kept going on about me being good girlfriend material. I didn’t know how to tell you that I couldn’t be his girlfriend.” “Ignore me. I’m hurt and jealous that my brother talked to you but not me.” “Because I’m not personally involved. I didn’t know him before so I don’t make comparisons.” “You knew of him though. You went to enough of their early gigs.” “True, but I never met him.” “The fact remains that you aren’t impartial. You know his history.” “And I know what a wonderful human being he is. Not only from what you and your parents have told me but also from camcorder footage that you all have. Nicky invited me round, oh years ago now, and showed me loads of the stuff he has with Richey in. Your brother is beautiful and I don’t just mean physically. I mean spiritually, emotionally and mentally. His former illness takes nothing away from that. I guess it helped that I had different opinions to take heed of. When I met him I took him at face value.” “He obviously trusts you. I’m pleased that at least he’s talking to someone. What has he told you about his coming back?” “Let me tell you something first. Remember the Halloween party you did?” Karina glanced at Rachel who nodded. “He approached me and asked me why I’d never asked him about his disappearance or why he came back. I told him, quite simply, that it was nothing to do with me. He said that I must have wondered.” “Didn’t you ever? Wonder that is.” “I said that the only thing I really wanted to know was if it was to come back. He said it was and that was it. Discussion closed.” “What, he’s never talked about it?” “At times he has but no more than he’s told you. Like I said, when he’s ready he’ll confide in you all.” Rachel remained quiet, digesting the information that her friend had imparted. Drinking the last of her whisky in one gulp she stood up and smiled to Karina. “Come on. I’ve been away from my guests for too long.” “You’re not mad at me?” “No, I’m not mad at you or Richey, although I don’t agree that you can’t be his girlfriend. You adore and love him like he does you. You also have a lot of respect for each other. Don’t dismiss it completely, see how it goes.” “You don’t give up do you?” said Karina playfully. “Not when I’m right.” Richey and Karina were enjoying their second slow dance when Rachel interrupted them. “Your taxi is here.” “Is it 2am already?” shrieked Richey in disbelief. He continued to hold Karina close. “We’d better say goodbye to everyone,” Karina suggested. Reluctantly Richey agreed. With a hand on the small of her back Richey sauntered over to say goodbye to his friends. Finally they collected their coats and bade goodnight to Rachel. “We’ve had a great night sis, thanks.” “You both seemed to enjoy it.” Rachel hugged them both warmly. “Go on, the taxi driver will be getting impatient.” “Thanks again Rache,” smiled Karina holding Richey’s hand when he offered it. “I’ll call you soon.” “You’d better! Don’t let him have you waiting on him hand and foot either.” “I’m always a very good houseguest,” said Richey walking out the door. “See ya sis.” “Do you want anything to drink?” Richey asked hanging both of their coats in the closet. Karina kicked her high heels off. “I’ll get something when I get down. I need to get this make up off and have a shower. Want me to leave it running so that you can get in after me?” “Hmm please. I’ll go and fix a drink while I wait.” Karina shouted of him when she left the bathroom to go into her bedroom to get dried and put her night-shirt on. Richey turned at the top of the landing, looking at the door to her room, it was ajar. Inside Karina was naked, finishing drying her body. With a shy grin on his face, Richey hurried to his room, took off his trousers and shirt, grabbed his pyjamas and then headed for the bathroom. With a whoosh of steam trailing him, Richey, clad in his pyjamas, left the bathroom. He noticed a dim light coming from Karina’s room, the door still ajar. When he got to the door he could see Karina propped up in bed with an open book on her lap. She appeared to be asleep. Quietly Richey crept inside and walked over to the bed. Carefully he took the book and placed it on the nightstand. Tentatively he perched on the edge of the bed and guided Karina forward enough for him to remove the V-shaped support pillow. Instinctively Richey knew that Karina wouldn’t be comfortable if he didn’t move her further down the bed. “Karina. Karina. I need you to shuffle down the bed or you’ll have a horribly stiff neck when you wake up.” Drowsily she whimpered, her hands sliding over his shoulders, her head resting in the curve of his neck. Richey let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes, breathing in the newly showered freshness of her. “Don’t do this to me,” he urged in a whisper. He glanced down and saw the erection forming beneath his pyjama bottoms. She was his friend and it would be wrong of him to expect anything more from her. He needed to put his own emotions on the back burner before he ruined everything. “Karina I need to move you a little.” “Hmm.” Sleepily she kissed his neck just above the soft collar of his cotton of his pyjama jacket. “Night Rich.” She snuggled closer to him. “Hey sleepy. I’m gonna move you ok?” As steadily as he could he shifted first his body, and then Karina’s until he was confident she could lie down comfortably. Finally she was settled but the duvet was all-askew. He tugged and smoothed it into position, catching a glimpse of her bare stomach and naked groin. When he had moved her he had caused her night-shirt to rise up. He placed the quilt back down, kissed her forehead, turned off the light and went to finish his drink. Richey had lovely dreams when he eventually drifted into sleep. He had erotic dreams of Karina, the woman he loved. “Hey you’re up early,” Karina said brightly joining Richey in the kitchen. “Hmm.” “Did you help me last night? I was sure I was reading a book when I got into bed but I don’t recall putting it down or putting that pillow out of the way.” “It was nothing. You’d fallen asleep.” “Rich what’s up?” Karina knew Richey was never great in the mornings but even for him he was incredibly reticent. She ignored the whistling kettle and sat at the table with Richey who was clearly uncomfortable about something. “Last night,” he began hesitantly. “When helping you get settled I erm, well, I got a bit embarrassed that’s all.” “Oh shit! Oh I’m sorry. I don’t usually flash at my guests.” “I know.” “I must have been more tired than I thought or consumed more alcohol than I realised.” “Don’t worry.” “But I am. I offended you without knowing it.” “You didn’t offend me.” Karina’s brow furrowed with her confusion. “What then? I don’t…” “I can’t recall when I last blushed so much.” “For why? I don’t get it Rich.” “I’ve talked to Rachel about my feelings for you. Seeing you last night, well, it erm, stirred things.” “Oh I see.” “We are still ok as friends aren’t we?” Karina stared at him, saying nothing for quite a time. “I don’t know.” “Oh.” “See I’ve been talking with Rachel as well. Our friendship, yours and mine that is, stopped me from acting on my emotions. I was scared I’d frighten you off. Being your confidante is important to me. I didn’t want to put our friendship at risk.” “Me neither. We could try and forget about last night.” “I’m not sure that I want that Rich. For once we’re both being honest. If it’s what we both want why don’t we try?” Richey smiled brightly, his eyes glinting with happiness. “Are you sure?” “More importantly are you?” “Yes, yes I am.” Karina moved from her chair and sat on Richey’s knees. Putting her arms around his neck she kissed the tip of his nose. “Your sister will be unbearable after this gets out.” “I know,” he winked. Moaning softly he pressed his lips against hers for the first of many kisses. <<< Melody's stories |