Shes a Tiger Lily-Company of - Tiffany Carby(ang.)

SHE’S A TIGER LILY

TIFFANY CARBY

Copyright © 2017 Tiffany Carby All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at: [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/authortiffanycarby This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental Cover Design: QDesign. Interior Formatting: Under Cover Designs

To my biggest fan in heaven. Love and miss you, Momma.

CO NTENTS

1.

Raleigh & Dafne

2.

Wil

3.

Lily

4.

Raleigh & Dafne

5.

Wil

6.

Lily

7.

Lily

8.

Wil

9.

Wil

10. Lily 11. Wil 12. Wil Epilogue Coming soon from the Happy Endings Resort Acknowledgments Also by Tiffany Carby About the Author

1985 “It’s not a strip club, so stop thinking that’s what it’s gonna be,” Dafne reassured her worked up husband. Tilting his head ever so slightly toward his bride, Raleigh said, “It sure sounds like a strip club,” in the sexy bass voice that generally caused heads to turn. A giggle escaped her red-stained lips and Dafne knew she was going to have to fight to win this one. “If anything,” Dafne pleaded with him, “it’s more like those sports bars where the ladies wear less than appropriate clothing selections and t-shirts that show off how well-endowed they are underneath. Only, our situation will certainly not involve ladies.” “Oh, well, that’s better then,” Raleigh teased her, unconvinced that her crazy idea would actually come to fruition.

“Here’s how it’s gonna work, okay?” she pleaded. “Just go with me on this for a second. We can try it for a little while and see if business improves, and if it doesn’t, we’ll just go back to the way things were.” “Honey, I’m just afraid you’ll drive people off — no pun intended,” Raleigh sighed. Griffin Gas Stations had been around since Raleigh’s Pop opened his first station in 1950. Nearly 25 years later, his Pop passed the business on to Raleigh and his new wife when their marriage began in 1975. Business for the last 10 years was steady, but nothing seemed to push them forward. The family business had always been what one might expect from a gas station: fuel fill-ups and a garage that housed a mechanic shop. Since they had taken over, the “full service” business model had started switching over to a “self-service” model, and customers wanted a faster fill-up with less hassle. Dafne planned to take that simple idea and put it on steroids. “I don’t want half naked men walking around my businesses,” Raleigh told her, eyebrows perched. “You’re missing the point, dear,” she squeezed his hand, “This is meant to attract a different crowd and improve business. And besides, you walking around the garage half naked is what gave me the

idea in the first place.” She left a peck of a kiss on his cheek and went to tell her employees about their new business model. After all, Raleigh had put her in charge of their staff and the company’s marketing efforts, and she was hell bound to run with that.

10 Y EARS L ATER Wil: 1995 Popular rock music streamed from the speakers at the gas station as Wil and his co-workers took care of the customers as they drove up. When Wil was only 8 years old, Dafne launched a new way of serving patrons at Griffin Gas Stations. And it more than stuck. People loved it. Griffin Gas offered a fast, full-service experience upon the screech of your tires. Each customer would receive an oil check, fluid top off, tires inflated and a windshield wash with no extra charge than the cost of the gasoline. But what made it interesting was that these services were not only delivered as quick as their patron’s fuel fill, they were generally provided by a smiling, tan, shirtless gentleman that the ladies who pulled up didn’t mind

eye fucking right from the comfort of their very own driver’s seat. And boy did they like the show. Heck, dudes might not have liked the show, but they could talk cars with knowledgeable staff members and take advantage of the extra perks that you couldn’t get at just any gasoline station. Why the perks? Because it worked. The customers came in droves. They kept competitive gas prices and didn’t charge extra for the extras. As a little kid, Wil followed his Pop around his shop, often sans shirt with a little red rag sticking out of the back pocket of his overalls. He was rarely noticed at the station, or anywhere else for that matter. Wil seemed to stay under the radar. But when he turned 16 and could be put on the payroll, the boss’s kid had more than hit puberty, and he officially started working with the crew outside his father’s business. The other employees aptly referred to Dafne as “Mrs. G,” and she had told the crew that Wil wouldn’t be treated any differently than anyone else: he was just another employee and was expected to earn his keep like the rest of them. Thanks, Ma, for drawing even more attention to me. They all know that Mrs. G was the brainchild of the “half naked fill-up” as Mr. G had aptly named their little business model. She even told the crew

members that the idea struck her when Raleigh was bent over an engine one hot summer day. “Why shouldn’t other ladies get to enjoy the view like me?” She told the guys this was what convinced Raleigh to let her idea loose and see what it would do. The rest is apparently history. The half-naked fill-up had been a thing for a decade now and had no end in sight. The model for the new business worked; and business was good, really good. Students from Wil’s class began noticing him and talking to him more since he started working at the station. Girls would swing by after school and wait in line just to say hi to him. It was different for the boy that used to lay low. Really different. Dafne noticed that her son didn’t like the attention at first, but then after a suggestion or two from good ole Ma, he realized he could use it to his advantage. Tips were good. And by 18 years old, Wil was doing very well for himself working parttime after school and on weekends. He spent his study breaks and free periods at the gym or the pool swimming and working on his tan. And he soon realized it felt good to turn heads, especially when the ladies stuck a few bills in his back pocket on their way out. Mrs. G had enough reigns on her son to keep him from becoming a cocky little bastard, but she wanted him to learn how to do well and provide for

himself. The Griffins were certainly not opposed to using sex appeal in their favor.

Senior Year: 1995 It wasn’t until one day when Rosemary drove up to the station and asked Wil to service her Honda that his cockiness changed. It was a fall day, early in his senior year of high school and the weather was beautiful. Wil had figured out how to work the system. He knew what to do to make the ladies swoon, tip well and come back again. He always had been prone to exercise and enjoyed running on the track team in his early teens, but after realizing a tan torso and pumped up biceps could work to his advantage, he made sure his body was in tiptop shape. And he got a little cocky. In the passenger seat of Rosemary’s glittery green Civic sat Lily, another girl from their school, and one Wil had never really noticed before. Until today, at least. Both girls were in Wil’s senior class and though he knew of them, he never really talked to them. Rosemary had become a regular in his line since she got her own car and spent her afternoons cruising with friends. Wil had wondered if she

cruised around just to burn gas so she could frequent the place more often. Whatever her motives, he didn’t mind. But this day — the day Rosemary brought her friend riding shotgun — he suddenly started to notice Lily Collins. “Hi Wil,” Rosemary said as she rolled down her window. “I parked under a shade tree at school today and there are berry stains all over my windshield, do you mind?” “Sure thing, Rosie,” he said. He had heard others call her Rosie so he just assumed it was fine. She never protested and she always gave him a few extra bucks. As we know, Wil wasn’t above swooning. Today wasn’t the day he wanted to pay attention to Rosie though. Wil just assumed Lily stayed under the radar so no one really noticed her, teachers and classmates alike. But today, sitting in the passenger seat, Wil definitely noticed Lily. She was wearing what Mrs. G referred to as a peasant top. But Lily was looking far from anything like a peasant. The light pink garment was wrapped around her, exposing the tops of her shoulders, hugging her curves just right, but wasn’t long enough to fully cover her stomach. Wil noticed she kept tugging at her top trying to stretch it past her bellybutton, which inevitably showed off more of her curves on top and made him stare harder.

Most customers rolled their car windows down when the weather permitted and the crew could talk to them while they serviced their automobiles. Today was no exception. Rosie rolled the car windows down so they could talk to Wil while he washed the berry stains off of her car. Wil could see the girls seemed to be enjoying the show. “Have you finished the assignment that’s due in English tomorrow, Lily?” Wil asked her trying to start up a conversation. “Oh, um, yeah, I did…” she spoke softly and seemed nervous that he was actually talking to her, “Have you finished yours?” “Uh, well, that Sir Green guy isn’t the most exciting fella,” he told her while stretching to wash all the way over to the driver’s side of the windshield from her side. His abs were visible through the windshield and neither girl seemed too shy to stare. Normally, Wil would have turned on the charm, flexed a few muscles and worked for the tip. But today was a different day. Today he really wanted to talk to Lily. “Wil, you gotta do your homework! Do you need any help?” She asked as if she was offering her tutoring services, but as Wil saw her cheeks brighten, they both knew she realized what she had said and Wil hoped she hadn’t regretted it. “I sure wouldn’t mind the company while I finish up the project,” Wil told her as he finished

the fill-up and replaced the gas pump. He walked over to the passenger side and leaned his forearms on the open window so they were face to face. “I’m done in an hour, I could grab us a pizza? Are you free tonight?” he asked. “Well the assignment is due tomorrow, Wil, so you better finish it tonight,” Lily said with a chuckle. “Rosie and I will be done shopping soon and no, I’m not busy tonight.” “I can drop her off here in an hour if that works, Wil?” Rosie said leaning over Lily for Wil’s attention. “Can you give her a ride home when you’re done?” “Works for me if it works for you, Lily?” Wil said resting his chin on his forearm. She nodded and Wil smiled back at her. “Fill-up will be $15.25 today, Rosie,” Wil said not breaking eye contact with Lily. Rosie reached over her again to hand Wil a $20 bill and told him to keep the change, as usual. “We’ll see you soon, then,” Lily said turning her head back to Rosemary. Wil paused before moving away from the car; he was obviously in her personal space, and for some reason they both noticed the electricity between them. It’s like magnetic poles between us had been turned on and I couldn’t get close enough to her. Rosie and Lily drove off and Wil helped a few more customers before heading into the shop to talk

to his mom. “Ma, I have an assignment due tomorrow that I’m going to work on with a friend when I get done with my shift at 5,” he told her as she sat behind the large wooden desk that had obviously been placed in the office when Raleigh’s Pop originally opened the store. “Would you care to order us a pizza in a little while and we can go up and work on the project upstairs? I need to shower anyway.” “That’s fine honey, I don’t mind a bit,” she said laying down the parts catalog and looking Wil in the eye. “You know I want your studies to come first, so if you need off, you just have to tell me. You know because I’ve drilled it in your head, but I have to remind you that college is in your future before you plan on taking up residence as a permanent employee at Griffin Gas.” “I know Ma, I just kind of forgot about this assignment being a group thing and a friend from school just reminded me,” a little white lie to his mother was never something he enjoyed doing, but he was not in the mood to explain a girl coming over, or that he appeared he was slacking on his homework. “They’re gonna meet me here in about 45 minutes and we’ll head upstairs.” “You’re very mature, my son,” she said leaning over the desk and wiping an oil smudge off of his collarbone. “And you definitely need a shower!” “Hey, don’t wipe off my dirt smudges, Ma, the

ladies love those!” Both laughing, Wil headed back outside to finish working his shift while his Ma called and ordered her son and friend a pizza before closing up the office as usual at 4:30. Wil and his Ma usually worked at the original location, and Raleigh travelled around and visited his other franchises during the week. The main station housed a small store, with a large office in the back for Dafne, an adjoining garage for repairs. Above the establishment sat a two bedroom apartment that Dafne and Raleigh occupied for a few years after they got married. Business surged after Dafne’s genius idea and franchise locations popped in several spots in their small town. Once those proved successful, Raleigh spread the idea to larger cities in Kentucky and they started showing up all over the southeast United States. The Griffins had become the Joneses in their little town of Spring City, Kentucky. Manny, Wil’s younger brother, was only 15, so Dafne tried to lock up the office at a decent time each day to go home and make supper for the family. Manny never really took an interest in the family business and was rarely at the station, but he was usually home for dinner, as was Raleigh. Lately, Wil spent his evenings working. The stations weren’t staffed outside 24 hours a day, but a couple cashiers worked inside after dark for the late self-service customers.

At about 10 minutes before 5 o’clock, a pizza delivery guy stopped by with the pizza Dafne had ordered for Wil and his classmate. Wil grabbed it, went inside and punched his time card, grabbed a couple chilled drinks, a bag of chocolate chip cookies and went upstairs to the apartment. It was still furnished and could easily be livable if someone needed a place to stay. He glanced out the window long enough to see that Rosie hadn’t yet arrived with Lily, so he decided to go ahead and take a quick shower. His mom kept the apartment clean and stocked with toiletries in case anyone needed the place, and lately Wil had been staying more on his own there, just because it was close and easy. He had planned on asking his parents if he could have the apartment when he started college, since it was paid for and he planned to commute to the University in Lexington. Today was the first day he had ever invited anyone over and he suddenly became nervous. Knowing Lily would arrive at any time, he washed himself from head to toe as quickly as possible, taking care to scrub off all of the purposely placed oil smudges. Hopping out of the shower, he wrapped in a towel, brushed his teeth and noticed his watch only showed 5:02. Quickest shower ever. He headed out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped around his waist to go look out the living

room window hoping to see if Lily had arrived. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” Lily said covering her eyes with her hands sitting on the couch. “The clerk downstairs said you were up here, I didn’t mean to … .” Wil cut her off in mid-sentence laughing at her embarrassment. “No worries, Lily! It could be worse right? We might both have red cheeks if I was walking around naked when you got here!” Wil sighed and shrugged his shoulders. He noticed Lily hadn’t taken her eyes off of him after she finally peeled her hands away from her face. “Sooo, I’mma go put on some basketball shorts and I’ll be right back.” He pointed toward the bedroom. “There’s a pizza in the oven; I just popped it in there literally 10 minutes ago so it should still be hot if you want to get it out for us?” “Okay, yeah, sure,” Lily said as she got up off of the couch and headed toward the kitchen. The pizza was still warm and she took the box over to the small high top table. She glanced in the fridge only to find a case of bottled waters and two drinks that he had obviously prepared from the convenience store downstairs. She sat the drinks on the table and fiddled around the kitchen for a couple paper plates and napkins. “Oh, you set the table!” Wil said a little too enthusiastically for his company and she looked up

at him and chuckled nervously. “Yep, I did,” Lily said, “So you want to eat first and then work on your project or work while we eat?” “Right to the point, huh?” Wil said pulling a chair out so Lily could sit down. “Oh, but you forgot something!” Wil went back to the kitchen and grabbed the large bag of chocolate chip cookies off of the counter and brought them to the table. “Can’t forget the cookies!” he said as he sat down next to her at the square table. His hair was still wet and looked like he’d just messily ran his fingers through it. He also smelled of Irish Spring soap and some kind of sport deodorant that piqued Lily’s interest. “You’re going to eat cookies with your pizza?” Lily’s eyebrows scrunched and her face looked puzzled. “Like as a side dish?” “Duh, appetizer… why not anyway? I love cookies…” he told her as he opened the bag and put two of the small cookies on each of their plates, prior to the pizza box even being opened. “You’re something, Wil Griffin,” Lily told him as she took a bite of the treat. “And you smell really good.” “It’s true, I really am something,” Wil winked at her and then realized what she said, “Wait, I do? I smell good?”

A giggle escaped from Lily’s lips, but she popped a cookie in her mouth and smiled at him, refusing to confirm her statement. Damn, this girl is cute. Wil’s cheeks almost flushed, but he held back his own blushing redirecting the conversation elsewhere, “Before this goes any farther, I have to tell you something… a confession I suppose.” The puzzlement returned to Lily’s expression and she gave Wil her undivided attention. “I just wanted to tell you that I lied today.” If that doesn’t sound f ’ing dramatic. “About what?” she asked. “I finished my project for English class last week. And I’m not really sure why I lied about it, but I did… I’m actually pretty smart and get my homework done as quickly as possible so I can work longer hours during the week without having to worry about it. I guess I just wanted to hang out with you and that excuse seemed like the best way to get you away from Rosie,” Wil’s honesty took both of them by surprise. He was sincere and appeared to mean what he said to Lily. “Soooo, what am I doing here then?” Lily said taking a big bite of her pizza this time. “Eating pizza, duh, and cookies!” they laughed and bantered for a little while before Lily brought the conversation back to Wil’s confessional. “Why didn’t you just ask me out on a date?”

she said to him. “Nerves, I guess? This is not something I normally do, you know?” Wil paused, “But I’m really glad you’re here.” “Why not normal? I’m sure the girls flock to you,” she said very openly. “Oh the girls flock to me here at the station, but they just want to look and go on with their day,” he told her. Well, don’t I sound like a cocky bastard? “That didn’t come out like I had intended it to, I just mean that the ladies like to tip, but I rarely go out on dates with anyone.” “Well maybe you should go out more, I hear dating is fun,” she said shoving the rest of her pizza in her mouth hoping he didn’t catch her own little confession. “You hear, eh?” he laughed at her. “You hear dating is fun?” “Yeahhh, well I don’t date much either… too busy for all that.” We’re a lot more alike than I realized. Lily broke eye contact with Wil, looking down at her hands. “Why haven’t we hung out before now?” Wil said trying to get her attention back as he finished his slice of pepperoni pizza. “We both seem to be loners, in our own way,” she paused, “So why would we have hung out before now?”

The evening continued with their playful conversation. Finishing up the pizza and cookies, they headed over to the couch to watch TV until it was time for Wil to take Lily home. Inching closer to one another on the cushions, the sitcom was receiving little attention and the magnetism between the pair kept pulling them closer together. “Let’s play truth or dare before you have to take me home in 20 minutes,” Lily said leaning her head over to his shoulder. Taking her cue he put his arm around her and she nestled into his side, “Oh your shoulders are cold, I’m sorry,” he rubbed her arms to warm her up and reached to the back of the couch and pulled a light quilt over them. “So truth or dare, eh?” “Yep! Truth or dare, Griffin, which is it gonna be?” she smirked with her head against his chest knowing he couldn’t see her face. “Why do I have to go first?” He said in protest. “My idea, so you want a truth or a dare?” “Dare! I ain't scared of you!” they both laughed. Lily sat up on the couch and said, “Okay, show me where you put the oil smudges so the ladies think you’re sexy!” Wil couldn’t hold back his laughter. “What do you mean, show you where I put them?” “Oh come on, I’ve seen you and you always have grease spots on you, like a baseball player

would put under their eyes. I know it’s on purpose!” She was riled up and on her knees at this point. “You think I do it on purpose, eh?” Wil said standing up. “Maybe my job just happens to get me dirty, did you ever think about that?” “Yes and I don’t think it does get you that dirty!” she laughed at him as he squirmed a little standing there before her. “Fine, but this is two for one — it’s a truth and a dare all in one, so I get two from you when this is over!” he said as he pulled his t-shirt over his head exposing his naked torso. Shirtless, he walked over to Lily and pulled her to her feet standing up in front of him. “I will tell you the truth, my new friend, but I trust that you will not share this secret…” he reached down and grabbed her hand pulling it to his chest. “It is true that I may place smudges on purpose because it makes me look dirty and sexier, but I have not had the first complaint.” Yet anyway. “Show me where?” she said with a timid whisper. He guided her hand ever so slowly up to his left bicep and drew a line with her nail, “Here…” The trail continued as he pulled her hand up to his neck and drew a line with her finger between the crease of his neckline and his collarbone, “Here…” he said and didn’t stop.

“Another spot here,” he said as he pulled her hand down to his obvious six-pack and across his tight stomach. She interrupted, “And here,” she said tracing an invisible smudge across his cheekbone. “Yes, there,” he said, “You noticed.” “I did notice earlier today, yes,” she confessed. “Any other smudges just happen naturally as I work,” he told her. They stood still in each other’s arms for what felt like a lifetime. Lily admired his body laid out before her and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. I want to kiss her, but I don’t want to screw this up. “My turn,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I get a truth and a dare. Which one first?” “Dare please, and go easy on me!” she told him, still holding onto his arms. “Nah… Truth first,” he said giggling and going back to her ear. “Will you let me kiss you right now?” His question caught her a little off guard despite the buildup over the evening they had spent together. “Yes, I will,” she whispered back. Soft lips slowly pressed against hers and gently explored her pouty mouth. Wil’s mouth tasted sweet, like the chocolate chip cookies he devoured earlier. She’s wearing lip gloss. She pulled back slightly and Wil assumed he was doing something wrong so he let her go and

looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry, was that bad? I don’t even know if I’m a good kisser!” His nervousness showed and she smiled, grabbing his neck and pulling him back to her. “Kiss me like that again,” she said gripping tightly to him. “Kiss me like that forever.” Wil spared no hesitation and pulled her closer to him making out like he’d never kissed anyone before. After a few hot and heavy minutes, Lily realized it was time to get home before she missed her curfew. “I’ll have to take a raincheck on that dare…” she said softly. “What was it going to be anyway?” Wil pulled her close to him and enjoyed hugging tightly to this new person in his life. “Oh I was going to dare you to go into the bathroom and come out wearing only a towel, so I could get the same show you got when you arrived,” he said and they both chuckled. “But you said raincheck, so I’m gonna hold you to that.” They cleaned up the apartment a little bit before heading out to Wil’s truck so he could take her home. His pickup was a few years old, but well-kept and clean on the inside. Lily figured it was probably his dad’s that he handed down to Wil when he was old enough to drive. Regardless it was anything nicer than Lily’s family had to drive, Wil just didn’t know that yet.

“So where to ma’am?” Wil asked her. “I actually don’t live too far from here. My place is on the backside of the library and there’s a short trail if you want to drop me off there?” Wil just assumed that she hadn’t told her parents about this evening’s study session either. This was likely an easy drop off so she wouldn’t be questioned. “I study at the library a lot when I’m not at home, so that’s where they think I am anyway.” Wil backed the truck out of the spot and they headed a few blocks down the street to the parking lot of the library. He reached over and grabbed Lily’s hand without even thinking about it and then gave it a little squeeze when she didn’t let go. They rode hand in hand the few blocks they had to travel. “Thanks for not helping me with my project tonight, Lily.” Where did these nerves come from all of a sudden? “You’re welcome,” she said quietly, “Thank you for dinner and for the nice company tonight.” A smile suddenly stretched from ear to ear and Wil knew he wasn’t done with this one yet. Behind the library sat a woody area that stretched in between the property the library occupied and a small subdivision. There was a cleared path with a little bridge that went off into the trees. It even had lamp posts so it was lit at night time. “I didn’t know this was back here,” he said.

“Yep, this is my little place. It’s a short walk, but I can let my mind wander and pretend I’m headed to Terabithia,” Lily told him. “Can I park and walk you a little ways?” he offered, squeezing their sweaty palms together once more. She must be nervous too. “Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I really am just on the other side of this little bridge,” Lily pointed. “If I give you my number, will you call me?” he asked. “Yep,” she smirked the sweet smirk that kept Wil writing more. He reached over and wrote his phone number inside the notebook she was carrying as she started to get out of the truck. “Wait! Let me,” he said as he rushed around to the passenger side to open her door and help her out of the truck. Lily was a small girl and climbing in and out of a big truck might not be her thing. And this would be one more excuse to hold her again. She slid out of the truck safely in Wil’s arms as he kissed her once more before they parted. She didn’t protest and the newness of this possible relationship left them both with shivers. “So you’ll call me about 9?” he said as he shut the passenger door and leaned back against his truck. “9:30 be okay? My siblings will be in bed by then.”

“Talk to you tonight then,” Wil said and she walked down the little path toward her house. “I won’t forget about that rain check…” he shouted off in the distance. Though she didn’t turn her head, he heard, “Me neither” from the sweet little thing he’d suddenly hoped would be his girlfriend.

Every summer, Raleigh’s business put on a car wash with their employees and donated the money to a local charity. They’d sell Griffin Gas Station tshirts and in addition to their full-service fill-ups, patrons could drive through and get a free car wash too. Most donated of course, but it wasn’t required. The car washes were always a hit with the ladies since Raleigh’s male employees were the ones washing the cars in traditional Griffin Gas uniform, or lack thereof. While Wil kept his head down and was rather shy in school, he actually participated in this yearly event, shirtless of course, just like any other day at the office. The familiar green Civic picked Lily up to hang out for the day, in hopes of swinging by the station to see the goods. The girls waited until after lunchtime when the crowd died down a bit and they could have a bit of personal attention. She drove over to the line of cars awaiting their turn to be washed and as she put the car in parked, she noticed Lily had goosebumps. She left the keys in

the car as instructed by the gentleman worker and she and Lily went over to a stand under several umbrellas. Rosie purchased both she and Lily a tshirt with her disposable allowance and they waited their turn. “Nerves much?” Rosie said to Lily. “Why, do I look nervous?” Lily turned to her friend. Cause I’m definitely nervous. “Maybe a little,” Rosie chuckled, “What the heck happened the other night during your ‘study session’ anyway?” Rosie’s air quotes provoked Lily to give her a dirty look. “Oh you know, just worked on his project for class,” Lily could hardly keep from blushing at the thought of Wil wearing that towel around his waist; That thought that hadn’t left her mind in the two days since they had been together. A few of Raleigh’s employees were classmates of Lily, Rosie and Wil, who as Rosie said “was particularly nice to look at that hot summer day.” This day, Wil wore his dark work pants and washing cars made it even more obvious he spent time in the sun without a shirt. No tan lines were apparent and Lily appreciated the grooves and ridges along his stomach, wondering how much heavy lifting he actually did on a daily basis. Oh, to touch that washboard stomach again. Marcus, another classmate, walked over to Rosie with a donations bucket and said her car was

next in line. She put in a few dollar bills and the change she received from the t-shirt sales and thanked him quietly as he went over and pulled her car up to the front of the line. “Anything special, ma’am?” Marcus asked. Shaking her head not knowing what in the world might be considered special at a car wash fundraiser, Rosie and Lily enjoyed the show before them. Wet, sudsy boys covered in way too many muscles were indeed a nice view. Wil caught Lily’s eye as he reached up to wash the top of the emerald green car. His black aviator sunglasses made him look even sexier in the sun, but running his wet hand through his hair spiking it up messily all over his head made Lily’s stomach fill with butterflies. And reminded her again of how sexy he looked fresh out of the shower. The bowling alley was right across the street and where they planned to head after the car wash. Despite all the butterflies, Lily managed the courage to tell Wil they were heading over to Happy Lanes Bowling Alley if he and Marcus wanted to join them after they were through working. He was more than thrilled to accept her invitation and after showering, they met the girls within the hour. Neither Lily nor Wil had gotten much sleep the last two nights, since they spent hours talking to

each other on the phone after everyone else had went on to bed. They hadn’t discussed being more than friends, but the anticipation was killing them both. Maybe he’ll ask tonight. Marcus was a strong guy and he figured out quickly that he could haul a bowling ball down the lane with the best of them. “Why have I never bowled before?” The group laughed at him and wondered where he’d been all his life. They played for a while, then went and ordered burgers at the restaurant inside, where Lily’s mom worked. Thankfully she was off for the day or Lily would likely have been home helping with her siblings. Ms. Cora was working and knew Lily well. She made Lily her favorite cherry cordial milkshake and brought over two straws so she could share with Wil. At the end of the evening, Wil was able to get Lily by herself since Marcus and Rosie had been inseparable since they decided to share their own milkshake at dinner. “Tomorrow? Just me and you?” Wil said as he put his arm around Lily’s back and pulled her to his chest. “I’d love to,” she said and let him tug her closer. “My dad will be at our uncle’s house watching games on TV and mom is off to keep my siblings. Pick me up at the bridge?” “Pick you up at noon, dress comfortably,” he

said and reached down and softly kissed her lips. Every time Wil kissed Lily, she reached up and leaned into him. She was fierce and noticed she took what she wanted. Even sweet kisses. “Call me later so I can hear your voice before I go to sleep.” “Can’t wait.” Lily said as Wil escorted her back to Rosie’s car. He opened the passenger door for Lily and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek once she was buckled inside. As the girls drove off, they both seemed rather smitten. And neither one of them wanted to stop thinking about their new love interests to talk to each other on the ride home.

Several months later, almost graduation. . . “You’re too young, William,” Dafne said to her eldest son. “Don’t you want to live a little; go out on your own? Go to college and explore the world?” “I want all those things, Ma,” Wil told his mother, “But I want all those things with her.” “You know this business is your inheritance, son,” Raleigh interrupted, “I’ve worked for many years so I could pass it onto you and Manny like my Pop did, I just want you to have a clear head when that happens.” And not do anything stupid. The term pre-nuptial agreement had already been brought up in the conversation and Wil’s rising blood pressure had caused his cheeks to flush. “I like Lily and she seems like a great girl,” Raleigh said, “But your mother and I have built a multi-million dollar franchise over the past 20

years. Griffin Gas Stations are in practically every city in America. Look son, I know you like this girl, but why are you rushing into marrying her? Is she pressuring you? I can’t help but think this is a plea to get her family out of the hell hole they’re living in.” “No Dad, it was all my idea,” he told them. “I know she doesn’t come from money and they live in a run-down neighborhood. And honestly, I can’t say that the thought hasn’t crossed my mind to help out her parents a time or two, but she’s no gold digger.” “If this is what you really want, honey,” his mother sighed and looked toward her husband. He’s our son. “If this is what you want,” Raleigh repeated, “Make her sign a prenup, and I’ll give you my blessing.” “And if I don’t?” he demanded. “Then you’re on your own, kid,” his father said loudly and started to walk out of the room. “Dad?” he said, stopping Raleigh at the doorway. “She’s having your grandchild.”

Lily

The whirlwind of eight weeks flew by faster than a spring wind. Lillian wore a simple white dress the day she married William and the newlyweds had just over a week to enjoy their honeymoon before heading back to the reality of Wil’s future at Griffin Gas. “I’m sorry I’m not taking you on a grander honeymoon,” Wil told his bride as they pulled into Happy Endings Resort in Endings, South Carolina. “I’m not sorry, I’m just happy to be with you wherever we end up,” Lily returned the sentiment. “We used to vacation here practically every summer until I got to high school,” he told her. “I’ve wanted to come back to this place for years, but we always seemed to be too busy with the business during summer break.” “I checked out the brochure that your mom had,” she said, “It looks like a great place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.” It looks like a nice place to hide too. They drove through the gated entrance and checked into their cabin. An open grassy area was all that separated them from the large lake that was surrounded by the resort. Boats and kayaks were out on the water. Swimmers splashed in the roped off swimming area in a little inlet near their cabin. Lily noted other amenities of the resort included an indoor swimming pool, an activities center and a game room. They weren’t far from town where

they could do some grocery shopping, eat at the diner or drive a short distance to the beach. Wil gathered their suitcases and other belongings then carried them into the cabin. Dafne had packed a large picnic basket full of food for their trip, most of which they hadn’t even touched, and also a large cooler with drinks and perishable items. It took him three trips to carry everything inside, specifically ordering Lily not to lift a finger. Despite having to stop several times for lunch and restroom breaks, they had made excellent time on their nine-hour trip from Spring City to Endings. The cabin’s furnishings were tasteful and had been decorated in traditional Home Interiors decor: artificial flowers, wall sconces, brass mirrors and candles that were all the rage. Mauves and pinks covered every room in the cabin, except the kitchen which was decorated in sunflower wall art, with a matching border along the walls and accessories all over the space. It was a hot day in late June and even though the breeze outside felt nice, Lily was still warm from the long car ride and turned on the window air unit. The frosty air immediately cooled down the living room area. A small television sat on a wooden bookshelf that had a few books and magazines sitting on the shelves below, in addition to a couple of board games. Wil found the remote and handed it to his bride.

“I know we didn’t come here to watch TV, but it certainly won’t hurt you to put up your feet and relax a little,” he told her. “How are you feeling by the way? The morning sickness seemed to hold off better today than it has lately?” “I feel fine at the moment,” she said flipping on the TV set. “Leaving as early as we did this morning and you driving while I slept for the first few hours really helped… thank you for that.” “Anytime, sweetheart,” Wil came over and sat on the couch beside Lily. “We’re in this for the long haul, you know.” “I know. It’s all been such a whirlwind over the last couple of months, we haven’t really had a chance to talk about this crazy ride we’ve been on,” Lily said as she continued to flip channels and keep her eyes on the television screen. “We’ve just been riding from one wave to the next.” “No, we haven’t discussed much, have we?” Wil said hesitantly, not really wanting to pursue the conversation any further unless prompted. “Do you realize we’re coming up on the year anniversary of our first date?” she said, “It was just after school had started last year that I offered to help with your English project — that you had already finished of course — and then we got to talking, and we talked some more, and then we talked some more and ...” “Ah yes, I will let you in on a little secret dear

wife,” Wil said reaching over and lacing Lily’s fingers with his own, “I stink at remembering dates, but I don’t easily forget days as happy as that one.” He pulled Lily’s hand up to his lips and lightly kissed each of her knuckles sending shivers across her body. “And the rest is history,” Lily said, reaching over and kissing Wil on the cheek. “That night, I knew your kisses were meant to last a lifetime.” “Kiss me like that again; kiss me like that forever,” he whispered remembering her words out loud. Lily turned his head toward hers for a kiss. “Come on, let’s go,” Wil said pulling Lily to her feet. “Where are we going?” Lily asked trying to get her shoes on. “Don’t need those, just come on.” Wil said still tugging on her hand. Out the door of the cabin they both went, barefoot and without keys. “Don’t worry, we’re not going far,” he said. They walked a short distance toward a big tree that obstructed a bit of their view of the lake from the front porch of their cabin. A wooden swing hung from the tree and Wil gestured toward the seat for Lily to sit down. She did as instructed and hopped up on the wooden slat. “Now that’s a view,” Lily said as she looked across the panoramic view of the lake. “I thought you’d like that,” Wil said, “Now,

what would you first like to do at Happy Endings, Mrs. Griffin?” “Ha! Um, maybe not refer to me as Mrs. Griffin just yet,” she said with a nervous chuckle. “It immediately made me think of your dad, and I don’t think he’s too fond of me at the moment.” “Oh don’t you worry about Pop,” Wil tried to reassure her. “He’ll come around; he always does.” “I’m not so sure, Wil. I know he thinks I’m out to get you and that I got pregnant on purpose.” Lily hung her head. “You and me, we’re great together, and I’m not going to say it was a mistake... No, we didn’t plan on having a child right after high school, but I won't call this baby a mistake, it’s gotta have a purpose.” “Of course, it has a purpose, we’re going to love it and watch it grow,” Wil said pulling her closer to him and cradling her head to his chest. “This baby isn’t a mistake. And you're right — no, while we didn’t plan this right for this very minute, life happens sometimes and we’re going to make it work. I, for one, can’t wait to meet him.” “Him?” Lily raised her head to look Wil in the eyes. “Yep, I can already tell, he’s a boy,” Wil’s toothy grin made his eyes half close because he was smiling so hard. “And what if he’s a she?” Lily inquired. “Then she’s going to be the cutest little tom-boy

around!” Wil said and they both laughed. “That little baby is going to run around in blue jean overalls with a little red oil rag sticking out of her back pocket, just like her daddy.” Wil reached down and put his free hand on Lily’s protruding belly. The tiny bikinis she packed weren’t going to hide what was underneath her tshirt. When Wil first told his parents about the pregnancy, Lily was nearly eight weeks along. They went to prom the following weekend, and then two weeks later graduated from high school. And now after a whirlwind wedding, they were married and he was patting the bump that sat under Lily’s black Griffin Gas Station t-shirt. “What do you want to do tonight?” Wil asked her. “Let’s go do a little exploring, see if you remember where everything is,” she said. “Sounds good to me,” he said. “We’ll have to ride by and see Bess and Herbert tomorrow.” “Ah yes, is that the couple that your parents are friends with?” Lily asked. “Yep, they live here at the Resort. As long as we have been vacationing here, Bess and Herbert have been here too. Pops and Ma drove out to the coast one summer while I was working a couple years ago and met up with them, but lately we’ve just traded Christmas and birthday cards throughout the years,” Wil told her. “Let’s go for a drive, I’m

getting hungry.” Lily’s tummy rumbled. They hopped in the truck and drove slowly down Outer Lake Road as Wil pointed out landmarks to Lily along their way. They passed an outdoor pool, basketball courts and an activities center before entering another residential area. Cabins, trailers and tent spaces were purposefully organized throughout the Resort. They continued to drive around the lake which, since they left their cabin, was barely peeking through the trees and Lily became frustrated she couldn’t get a good view… until she saw the boat ramp. They passed the turn off for the boat ramp and curved around a pavilion where the landscape opened up to her. The sun reflected off the blue lake as if diamond shards had been scattered all over the surface of the water. People were wading and playing in a roped off swimming zone on the opposite side of the lake from their cabin. Men were fishing off a nearby dock. A boat was being launched into the water. In the distance, speed boats jetted across the water creating small waves that made the water look white. Lily practically hung out the window like a puppy dog, both arms propped on the side of her door taking in the scene. They drove up and down each of the curvy streets of the three main sections of the resort: the tent camping area; the trailer hook-ups; and the

cabins. Wil pointed out certain residents and told her a little about each of them. “Well how bout that. That’s Bess and Herbert,” he told her pointing to an old bench overlooking the lake, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they … .” Bess was practically off the bench and had cut off Wil in mid-sentence yelling toward the truck. “William Griffin! Don’t think you can drive on by and not say hello!” she said waving her handkerchief in her left hand as she walked to the pickup. Herbert wasn’t far behind his nosy wife. Wil put the truck in park and told Lily to sit tight and let them come to the truck or they might never get to continue their journey around the Resort. “Howdy, Aunt Bess,” Wil said loudly speaking across Lily’s lap while nodding his head at Herbert, “And Uncle Herbert, how are you folks doing today?” “Oh honey, we’re fine, just fine. We’re so glad you’re here, I talked to your parents yesterday on the phone, Dafne told me about your condition, honey,” Bess said leaning her arm on the door of the truck and brushing Lily’s belly with the palm of her hand. Lily chose silence as the best response to this woman she had just met. She obviously meant well, but it didn’t make Lily feel very comfortable. “Wil, we’d love to have you kids over for dinner one night while you’re here,” Herbert

interrupted. “Yes, we’d love that, how about Wednesday?” Wil suggested hoping their conversation would end and they could continue on to town. “That’ll be just fine!” Bess said still patting Lily’s stomach. “Good to see you, William, and nice to meet you too, sweet girl!” They all waved goodbye as Wil drove off heading into town. “So…” Lily said with a pause. You weren’t kidding they were nosy. “Bess is a little kooky… and nosy,” Wil said driving down the two-lane road passing the sign that read Endings Business District. “She and my mom always got along well and Pop always liked Herbert. I spent the majority of my time here either swimming in or life guarding the lake. Pop would take us out on the boat and we really only saw Bess and Herbert when we had shared dinners.” “When she reached over to touch my belly, my instant reaction was to squirm away,” Lily said softly, “But then a calm sort of washed over me, like I knew that I could trust her.” A few minutes of silence passed as Wil and Lily held hands driving through the small town to the diner. “You know, I guess I never thought to mention it to you, but my grandma and grandpa own this diner,” Wil told Lily.

“Wait, what?” Lily was immediately confused. “Your Grandma and Grandpa Griffin own a diner out here?” “Yep,” Wil chuckled. “Before I was born, Grandpop passed along the first Griffin Gas Station to my Pop and he and Ma really grew it into what it is today. So after grandpop and grandma were retired for a little while, they got bored and decided to get away for a while and came out to the east coast. They liked the ocean, they liked Happy Endings and they bought some property. Just recently Grandpop realized he wanted a place to eat that he knew he’d enjoy, so the Happy Days Cafe was born. It’s not been open long and neither of them really have much to do with it, but it’s now a part of all the Griffin craziness.” “So will your grandparents be there? Are they here in town?” Lily asked. “Nope, I think they went back to their place they purchased near Edisto Island after the wedding,” Wil said. “Are they friends with Bess and Herbert too?” Lily asked. “No offense to either of them but Bess and Herbert sounded like older people when you talked about them… I was expecting senior citizens.” “Ha, yes they don’t have the youngest sounding names, do they?” Wil laughed, “Bess makes it a point to know everybody and I believe they all

catch up when they are in town.” The newlyweds pulled up to the Happy Days Cafe and were anxious to check out the new establishment. The young waitress introduced herself as Kelly and seemed nervous to take their orders. “It’s my first day here, I hope I’m doing okay,” she confessed. “We won’t be too tough on you,” Wil said and smiled. He ordered a double-Griffin-burger off the menu and Lily requested a club sandwich. “Whoa, I just noticed your t-shirt,” Kelly said as she was clearing off their table. “Oh yeah, Grandpop asked if dad would ship some shirts out here to sell since there weren’t any stations close by… I wonder if he’s still planning to do that,” Wil said talking to Lily. “Does your dad own this place or something?” Kelly asked. “My grandfather does,” he said and her face flushed. “Oh now I really hope I did okay today!” Kelly said and began to walk away. “You did great,” Wil told her, “But if I could trouble you for one more thing… my sweet little wife has been eyeing the ‘Griffin Gas Station Sundae’ pictured on this little menu right here. Could you bring her one?” “Absolutely sir!” Kelly left their table on a

mission. An oversized sundae arrived covered in caramel, hot fudge and candied pecans. “I brought you two spoons, just in case,” Kelly said, “And I sure do appreciate you being so nice, especially on my first day.” She left them to finish their dessert and Wil left a large tip on the table with a note on the back of their receipt. “She reminds me a little of myself a couple years ago,” Lily said patting her baby bump, “Prior to all this of course.” “I want a bite of that sundae, Mrs. Griffin,” Wil said scooping up a big spoonful of ice cream and toppings. “I’d give you my cherry, but it’s already yours,” Lily said with a wink to her husband, popping the red fruit in her mouth.

“Good morning, my beautiful bride,” Wil said as he softly kissed a snoring Lily on the cheek the following morning. “Hmmm…” Lily grunted. “Not. Done. Sleeping. Yet.” Wil laughed, “No worries, my love, you can stay in bed as long as you’d like. I just wondered if you wanted to continue to sleep or if you wanted to go with me to the store this morning to get some groceries?” “You have fun,” Lily whispered and then yawned, “I’ll be right here when you get back.” I certainly hope so, this is a beautiful view. “I’m leaving a glass of water and some saltines on the table right here in case you need them.” “Love you,” Lily said and turned over on her other side. Her tummy bulge prevented her from sleeping on her stomach, which was where she was most comfortable. Wil had noticed that she tossed and turned a lot during the nights. Wil was off to purchase groceries for their week-long stay at the resort. They’d go out to

dinner a few times, but there wasn’t much around specifically for breakfasts or lunches and he really wanted to spend as much time relaxing as possible. On their way out to South Carolina, Wil stopped twice for gas and managed to find a Griffin Gas Station for both pit stops. His Pop would be pleased to hear they received good service and the restrooms were clean. He took note that there were no Griffin Gas Stations in the town or on the outskirts of Endings. An observation his grandfather also had made. Inside the mom-and-pop grocery store in Endings proper, Wil filled his cart with lots of fruit, meat to toss on the grill at the cabin, ingredients to make s'mores, and plenty of drinks. He remembered that Lily hadn’t been drinking caffeine so he grabbed some decaffeinated green tea, which he knew she liked with honey. He also added a watermelon to the cart, a jar of pickles and a tub of cookies and cream ice cream. Gotta be prepared for unexpected cravings. When he arrived back at the cabin, he noticed the bed was empty and he could hear the shower running. He unloaded the grocery bags from the truck and tossed the perishable items in the fridge. His beautiful bride walked into the kitchen wearing only a towel, her hair dripping down her shoulders. “My goodness you’re gorgeous,” Wil said as he grabbed a bowl from the cabinet to put the fruit in.

“And you’re wearing my favorite outfit.” “I told you once you had a rain check… I just didn’t know at the time you’d be able to cash it in anytime you wanted,” Lily smiled and eyeballed the groceries Wil has spread out on the counter. “Ohhhh, apples, these look great.” “I thought so too, I know how much you like fresh fruit,” he said, realizing that he only knew that from lunch periods at school when she’d usually only eat an apple or an orange. “Favorite foods are one of the things a husband oughta know about his wife, and I’m still learning.” Wil smiled back at Lily as she took a big bite of apple. With all they had been through since he told his family about the pregnancy, Wil had developed a sense of protection for Lily. He had already proved to be a papa bear to his unborn child when people had asked why they just didn’t get an abortion, but he also felt the need to protect and care for his new wife, which was unfamiliar territory for the 19year-old. “Thank you for letting me sleep in this morning,” Lily said to Wil as they both finished putting away the groceries. “Any time sweetheart, I have full intentions on you sleeping in and doing whatever you want at least until this baby is born,” he said reaching for Lily, “Then I’m sure the little one growing inside of you will have other plans for our day-to-day

activities.” “Speaking of activities, what would you like to do today?” Lily asked. “The first thing I want to do is peel this towel off of you and enjoy the pretty girl standing before me,” Wil said as he unfolded the towel draped around Lily. Her cheeks flushed and she clutched the cloth that was being drawn away from her. Wil came closer and pulled her against his chest. “You remember that time we took the truck out around Christmas…” Wil asked, nuzzling his scruffy cheekbone against Lily’s neck as she nodded her head. “Well, I don’t remember the exact date, but there was this one time, last winter when we took the truck out to grandpop’s property…” “Mmm hmm…” Lily said, suddenly smiling really big. “That might have been the best night of my life,” she whispered.

One mild winter night during Christmas break, Wil filled his truck bed with an air mattress, lots of covers, an electric blanket, snacks and a large thermos of hot cocoa. Not knowing what he had planned, Lily told her family she was staying at a

friend’s house for the night. She had five siblings, so it wasn’t like she would be missed anyway, other than when her parents needed her to babysit… and in her words that evening to Wil that was just “tough shit.” Wil picked up Lily in his truck and she was dressed warmly as instructed. He drove out to the far side of his grandfather’s land where they wouldn’t be bothered. Kentucky winters meant it could be freezing and snowing one day and sandal weather the next. Some Christmas mornings were white, while others were mild and muddy. The sun had set and it was still in the upper 40s this particular night, so Wil had confidence his plan was going to work. He stopped the truck on a flat piece of land overlooking a cow pond with a clear view of the night sky. Brown cattails stuck up along the sides of the pond and the darkness of the night made the trees in the distance appear as if they were surrounded by black shadows. “I’ll never forget what you said that night,” Lily told Wil as he kissed up and down her neck. “You said…” Wil interrupted her, “I said, ‘The stars in the night sky could never be more beautiful than their twinkling reflections left in your eyes.’” “Yes,” Lily whispered, “That’s exactly what you said.”

“The statement is still true and I would like to enjoy our evenings here looking at the lake and the stars from the cabin’s deck or hot tub like we did from the back of my truck at Christmastime.” “I would like that too,” Lily said throwing her arms around Wil’s neck and bringing his head toward hers, “But we’ll have to stick to stargazing, unborn babies aren’t too fond of hot tubs.” Wil made Lily stay in the truck that winter night with the engine running and the heater on until he was finished setting up his plan. He pulled out his Pop’s generator and secured it next to the truck. He blew up the air mattress and sat it in the bed of the truck, covering it with blankets and pillows. He added an electric blanket on top and plugged it in covering it with a large quilt to keep the heat in. He pulled the covers back enough so that they could get in and snuggle together. Wil didn’t forget the large thermos of hot cocoa and bag of snacks he had brought. Along with the snacks he purchased, he picked up a box of condoms too, just in case. Wil had hopes for the night, but didn’t plan to push it if Lily wasn’t ready. He turned on a battery powered camping lamp and went around to the passenger side to help Lily out of the truck and into the back. They were too far out on the farm for street lights to be visible. Wil and Lily both stood on the hatch and removed

their shoes and coats before getting under the covers on the air mattress. Lily noticed that Wil had thought of everything, as he usually did. That was the first night of many they made love under the stars. Just a few days shy of Christmas, Wil held her in his arms under the warm blankets staring into the night sky and he knew without a doubt from that moment on he wanted to spend his forever with Lily. And their dreams were coming true. The unexpected pregnancy had sped up their future plans, but nevertheless, they were spending their forever together. “Mrs. WILLIAM Griffin,” he said emphasizing his own first name, “I would like to take you into the bedroom and make you feel all kinds of wonderful…” Lily took Wil’s hand and finally let the bath towel fall completely to the floor. She led him into the master bedroom of the cabin, where she laid down on the messy covers fully naked and open for play time. “I’m not entirely sure how I got so lucky,” Wil said pulling his t-shirt over his head. “Because you’re probably the most decent man on the planet, Mr. Griffin,” Lily said propping herself up on her elbows, “And you’re damn fine to look at too.” “There are some things we need to talk about

and figure out while we’re here on vacation away from civilization,” Lily said bringing the conversation back home again. “It’s hard to take you seriously when your chestnut hair is spilling over your shoulders like that,” Wil said, “And also because you’re naked and that makes me a little happy and nervous all at the same time.” “I am serious,” she said with a chuckle reaching for the blanket to cover herself. “Oh no you don’t ma’am, I’ll be the one keeping you warm for the next little bit,” Wil pulled the blanket away as he continued to remove his clothes and provided a nice little striptease for Lily. Wil kneeled on the bed and scooted himself closer to Lily. “There’s plenty of time to talk about the future, my darling misses, but right now I’d rather use my tongue in other ways that people wouldn’t necessarily talk about in mixed company,” he said as he leaned down and slowly kissed her breasts working his way down the small mound poking out of what once was a tiny stomach. “Halfway along, eh?” he asked. “Almost,” Lily said breathlessly, rubbing the sides of her swollen belly. “This kid might just get in the way pretty soon and cause us to hafta be creative,” Wil said as he pulled her legs apart, burying his face in a place

that made them both happy. “Alright, alright,” she said breathlessly, “We can talk later…”

Outside their cabin was a large tree that overlooked the lake. A wooden swing hung from one of the high branches and Wil found Lily swinging the next morning instead of lying in bed next to him. He threw on some clothes and headed out the door when a patch of orange tiger lilies caught his eye 20 yards away. He knew it would be tacky to pick them, but he did it anyway arriving at the wooden swing with a handful of blooms for his new bride. “Good morning, beautiful!” he said offering the flowers. Good morning, indeed. “You’re rotten, you know that.” She said as Wil’s smile stretched from ear to ear. “Renting a pontoon sounds like a fun way to get out on the lake and still be lazy too,” Wil told Lily. “Are you up for it?” “Sure! I’ve actually never been out on a boat, so I’m up for it!” Lily said. “Really?” Wil wondered if this was a good idea since his new wife was pretty daggone pregnant. “You sure? You don’t think you’ll get seasick?” “Well, it’s a lake and not the sea,” Lily laughed,

“And pontoons don’t go too fast, do they?” “Nah, not too fast,” Wil said, “We’ll take it easy.” “Great, then I’ll pack up the cooler and we can head over to pick up a rental!” “I’ll grab some sunscreen and towels, then put on my trunks!” Wil said as he and his bride headed back inside the cabin. In the kitchen, Lily filled the cooler with bottles of water and soda. She hadn’t mentioned to Wil how much she appreciated the groceries he picked up just for her. Earlier, Lily had brewed some green tea and put it in the fridge to pour over ice later in the day. He was such a thoughtful man, one she didn’t feel she deserved, but was certainly grateful for. They took the pickup truck around the lake to the boat rental. A portly gentleman in a dirty white tank top and cargo shorts, came out of the dock store and greeted them. He told Wil his name was Teddy and that they had some pontoons left to rent for the day, Wil just had to choose which one he wanted. “There are three available, Sir. Would you rather take out The Play Buoy, The Filthy Oar or A Piece of Ship?” “Well aren’t those clever boat names, Teddy,” he said looking back at Lily who was trying not to laugh.

“Named ‘em myself!” Teddy scratched his head and the newlyweds weren’t sure if he was proud of his punny boat names or if he was just enjoying the joke alongside of them. Lily pointed at The Play Buoy primarily because it was black and pink. Wil just laughed and went with her decision. They were all the same kind of boats, just different colors. After a few minutes of direction from the manager, Wil was set to take her out on the water. He got Lily comfortable and went back to the truck to bring down the cooler and other items they had packed for the day. “I wish you’d let me help you, you know I can carry things that are light and it doesn’t hurt me one bit to walk,” she said to him as he exited the ramp toward their truck. “No ma’am, don’t you remember the part about obeying from the other day?” she shooed him away as he told her to “sit and stay” as if she were a puppy dog. They got out on the lake and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. Lily laid back in the front of the boat with her feet propped up, flipflops kicked to the side, a white floppy hat keeping the sun off her face, and a teal sundress covering her bathing suit. She pulled the canvas tote closer to her so she could reach the bottle of sunscreen. She lathered up covering every inch of her body,

waiting until they were farther out on the lake to completely remove the sundress. Prior to the pregnancy, Lily wasn’t a bit shy in a swimsuit. She had always been skinny and never self-conscious. Wil could tell as her stomach grew that she became more and more aware, even trying to hide herself from him. What could he say though? They were still teenagers and she had a right to be shy about her body. Wil assumed that even couples who had been married for years and years, like his parents, were still not completely comfortable around one another all of the time. Or at least it made him feel better to think so. Lily took off her hat and her hair got caught in the breeze covering her face with the chestnut strands. She slid her Jackie O’ sunglasses back on her face and pulled her hair out of her eyes. “I have married myself a movie star,” Wil said soft enough that his bride could barely hear. “She’s a freaking goddess and she has me completely and utterly bewitched.” He continued to steer the boat into the open water away from any others out on the lake that day. The sun peeked out right behind Lily and when he looked up her silhouette appeared so clear. The outline of her perfect body showed her perky breasts practically spilling out of the black bikini top which probably fit better a few months prior to today and her slender body protruded a small

pooch at her midsection making it obvious she was pregnant. The pink bikini bottoms still tied at her waist and fit her perfectly. It just occurred to him that she matched the boat. Wil let out a chuckle that got Lily’s attention. “What are you giggling at back there?” she said raising the brim of her hat so she could see him. “I see why you picked this boat now,” he said pointing at her swimsuit. “What?” she looked down at herself, “Pink is my favorite color! And this boat has the stupidest name!” The both laughed again and Wil anchored the boat so they could float for a little while out in the open and then went over to sit by Lily. He slipped his tank top over his head and Lily grabbed the bottle of sunscreen. “I know you hate it, but you have to have some too,” she told him getting ready to slather him from head to toe. “Yes I do hate it and I won’t burn, but I’m not in the mood to argue with a beautiful woman,” he said raising his arms so she could cover him in lotion. “Some of us aren’t lucky enough to tan as easily as you do,” she said running her hands up and down his arms and then around to his back. His shoulder muscles flexed as he leaned toward her so she could reach all of him. “But we gotta protect

this skin of yours, cause I really like looking at it.” Working at the station certainly kept Wil in good shape. He’d help every time heavy parts needed to be moved or unloaded and even helped heave an engine out of a car a time or two. Not to mention the work out he’d get just servicing cars in the fueling line: bending and shifting, airing up tires and checking and refilling oil and other fluids. Lily circled around him to his front. “I need a kiss before you slather that goo all over my face,” he said reaching down for her mouth. Biting her blushing pink lips, she reached up to meet his and sweetly kissed her husband. “I love you darling,” he told her, “So please don’t get that sunscreen in my eyes.” She swatted him and gently rubbed the SPF 30 on his face, being careful not to get it in his eyes or on his lips. “I have ChapStick for those,” she said rubbing his bottom lip with her thumb. Working her way south, she made sure to get the lotion rubbed in everywhere. It was a nice excuse to explore the toned abs and ‘V’ muscles that traced into his swim trunks. “As much as I’m enjoying this, I think you’ve got me covered,” he said sitting down on the seat and propping his own feet up. She tossed his pair of black Ray Bans toward him and he put them on leaning his head back to

continue soaking in the rays. “We need to talk about what we want to do when we go back to reality,” he said to Lily. She got them both drinks and snacks out of the cooler and put them on the small table before sitting down. It was clear that bringing up this conversation had struck a chord. She started avoiding eye contact with Wil and instead staying seated on the bench beside him to eat their snacks, she immediately got up and stood at the edge of the boat looking out onto the water. “What do you mean exactly? What we want to do?” she asked taking a bite of a carrot stick and deflected the conversation she had tried to initiate with him before. “Well as much as I’m enjoying this, we have to start being adults when we get home,” he said letting out a little chuckle. “We can’t even talk about it without laughing, Wil, come on,” she knew what he meant, but they both were young and reality was not something either of them wanted to face. “You know the original station is in Spring City,” he said reaching over and taking her feet in his hands. “Mom graciously offered the apartment over the garage for us to use for as long as we need to.” “I will live anywhere, I just want to be with you,” she said, knowing full well that the apartment

above the station was far better than any home she’s ever known. “My parents have also agreed that I’d stay on payroll and move up to a manager of that location, provided I start college on time in August, now come back over here so I can rub your swollen feet” he said. Lily sighed and went back to sit by her husband. Wil massaged the bottom of her feet, squeezing and squishing each of her toes with his fingers. “I know that this all seems quick, and I’ll be in school during the day and working at night, while you’ll be at home with the baby, but I know they want what is best for us. They want to make sure I have a future, despite the non-traditional road we have chosen.” “I want that too,” Lily said really enjoying the foot rub Wil was providing, “It just sounds like a whole lot of not seeing you.” “If it’s what you want us to do, I will only take the minimum number of hours to be a full-time student the first semester, and I promise to devote as much time as I can for both you and the baby,” he said the words as if she needed convincing. Lily didn’t have a dog in this fight. Wil’s family was taking care of this situation much better than anyone could. If he’d have left her, she’d be a single mother and still living with her parents and their own mess. She needed a fresh start and though it wasn’t ideal, this was it.

“Mom also wants to throw us some sort of housewarming, baby shower thingy when we get back since that didn’t happen before the wedding,” Wil said, trying to prepare Lily for what was to come. “I feel like your mom is supportive and I’ll do whatever she wants,” Lily told him. “This is her grandchild too, I want him to have his grandparents in his life.” “Him?” Wil said ignoring the rest of what Lily had just said. “It’s just a guess, I took a quiz online and it said boy, so I’m referring to the baby as a him for now. And if it’s a she, I’ll apologize to her later,” she said rubbing the sides of her stomach. “I’ve also read about the stretch marks that are about to happen — and already happening — and how much bigger I’m going to get…” Lily laid flat on her back against the warm seat on the boat, but continued to let Wil rub her feet. He had moved up to her calves now and squishing those leg muscles felt fabulous. It was nice to have a lazy day together. Wil often let Lily take it easy: pretty much every day since the day they found out she was pregnant, she had been taking it easy. His papa bear instincts had kicked in immediately and he was the protector of his wife and unborn child. “So I guess I’ll call Ma this evening and tell her to go ahead with her plans for redoing the

apartment and planning her party,” Wil said, secretly thankful that Lily was fine to go along with what his mother suggested. “What does your dad say about all this?” Lily asked. “Oh you know Pop, he doesn’t say much of anything until he absolutely has to…” “But he’s okay with us moving in there? He’s okay with you managing that location? He’s okay with,” Wil sat up and cut her off. “Honey, calm down,” Wil said, “Where is all of this coming from?” “I know he hates me, I just know it,” Lily was obviously getting frustrated, “And he has good reason to, trailer trash coming in and messing up the plans for his first-born son, if he knew everything he’d have kicked me to the curb a long time ago, despite your wishes…” Lily put her head in her hands and tears ran down her cheeks. “Wait, what do you mean if he knew everything?” Wil scooted to the side of the seat so he could look her in the face. He reached down and pulled her chin up. “Talk to me, where is all this coming from?” “After I found out I was pregnant, it was just a whirlwind, so much was happening so fast with school and the wedding and now we’re here, and I just, I should have told you before now.”

Several months earlier…

On weekends and extended breaks during their senior year, Wil spent long hours working at the station and Lily was in charge of watching her siblings who were also out of school. Daisy and Jasmine were old enough to entertain themselves, but Poppy and Butch were 6 and 5 and needed plenty of attention. Her mother had a part-time job working at the bowling alley restaurant and was able to pick up extra hours on occasion. Lord knows they needed the money. Lily tried to get an after school job once to help support the family, but was called away too many times to take care of her sisters and brother that the owner told her she wasn’t working out since she missed too much. That particular day was just like any other. She was cleaning the kitchen after their macaroni and cheese lunch, while Poppy and Butch had been put

down for their afternoon nap. Daisy and Jasmine were in their room playing Barbie’s and the house was quiet. Unfortunately, her father’s friends thought the door was revolving and just came and went as they pleased. She heard the metal door squeak as it opened and whoever entered had let it slam as they all did on a regular basis. Lily dried her hands off with a dish towel and walked around the kitchen island to see who was in the living room. “Ricky, what are you doing here, it’s midafternoon?” Lily asked the dirty, scruffy man sitting in her father’s recliner. The friends her father kept were often not the most desirable of sorts. Ricky couldn’t keep a job and came around when he needed money or food or to beg for Lily’s father to try to help him get him a job. They worked on construction sites together doing grunt labor, but he wasn’t reliable. “Would you be a peach and get me a cold one, Lily?” he asked with a sly smile. Fucker. “Um no, I wouldn’t. You know for a fact that Dad knows exactly how many beers are in the fridge and I’m not dealing with the conversation later that one of them has disappeared,” she stood her ground. “There’s some macaroni and cheese left on the stove if you want that, but regardless, get your dirty butt out of Dad’s recliner.” “You’ve got your sassy pants on today, Missy!”

Ricky said to Lily as he got out of the chair. She reached behind him and flicked the dirt off the foot stool of the recliner. “It’s not even 2 o’clock, why aren’t you at work?” she asked trying to figure out a way to make him leave. Just go away. “Got kicked off the job today, apparently, I wasn’t working fast enough,” he said walking into the kitchen. Ricky was one of those you wanted to feel sorry for: no real friends, no family close by. But he couldn’t stop running his mouth; he stayed drunk too often; and he wasn’t reliable. She knew why her dad never went to bat for him. He was a piece of shit. Lily walked back into the kitchen and Ricky sat down at the table. At the sink, she poured a glass of water and handed it to him. “Poppy and Butch are asleep, please don’t wake them,” Lily said walking out of the kitchen and into the laundry room. “I have stuff to do, so eat what’s left of the kid’s lunch if you want it and then hit the road.” Ricky got up and grabbed a fork from the dish drainer. He ate what was left of the macaroni and cheese right out of the pan, not even bothering to get a plate. Well, at least I don’t have another dish to wash. “You turned 18 yet?” Ricky said as he leaned against the yellow countertop eating the noodles.

“Yeah, my birthday was in November,” Lily said continuing to fold the clothes. “Then why don’t you let me take you out one night since you’re of age now.” “Ricky, that’s ridiculous, you’re twice my age and I have a boyfriend,” she left out the part that he stunk and he was certainly not the type of person she’d ever consider dating. “So, what’s that got to do with anything?” he said putting the pan into the sink with the other dishes. He appeared in the doorway of the laundry room and slyly leaned up against the molding until she looked up and saw him. “Geezus, are you trying to startle me?” Lily said practically throwing the laundry basket full of folded clothes at him. “Come on, whaddaya say? Go out with me Lily!” Like hell I will. He was pushing her buttons and making her feel uncomfortable. “Give it up Ricky, I told you, you’re too old for me and I have a boyfriend,” both of those statements should have hurt his feelings and she hoped after that he would go away. “Speaking of Wil, I need to call him to discuss our date later this evening.” “So this Willie, he’s your boyfriend?” Lily’s skin crawled listening to him refer to Wil. “That’s right, he’s my boyfriend; do you need

something else? I only have a little time before the kids wake up and I have things I need to do.” “You sound all grown up like you’re a mom or something,” he said continuing to follow her around the house as she put the laundry away. “A hot mom, at least,” he said under his breath loud enough for her to hear him. “Ricky, you’re bugging me, please go away, dad won’t be home for a while and I’ve got shit to do without you bothering me!” She was getting tired of him being there and was more than starting to feel uncomfortable. Please go away. She added the last of the towels to the linen closet and as she shut the door, Ricky grabbed the white basket out of her hand and tossed it on the floor. He threw his hand across her mouth and held her tightly against his chest. “Shhh girl, just cooperate with me and this will all be over before you know it,” he said shuffling her into her bedroom. Ricky pushed her against the bed causing her to fall flat on the mattress. “Ricky, this is inappropriate,” she said as he locked her bedroom door behind him. “Go get whatever you want out of the fridge, I could care less, just leave me alone.” If he took her up on that, Lily was already formulating a plan to get the kids out of the house and to the neighbors. He had acted inappropriately before, but this was beyond

ridiculous. “Baby girl, this is going to happen with or without your cooperation, so you might as well just lay back and enjoy yourself,” he said as he started unbuckling his belt. “Oh hell no it’s not going to happen,” Lily yelled getting up off of the bed and charging at him with all her might. He took the shove as an invitation that she liked it rough and grabbed a pair of socks off her dresser and shoved them in her mouth. “It is going to happen baby girl, and it can either happen with you being cooperative or I can bring in each of your baby sisters one by one and have them join in on the fun,” he said holding her hands behind her back tightly and pushing her down on the bed again. She tried desperately to push the socks out of her mouth, but with no luck. At the thought of her baby sisters, she relaxed a little hoping he might rethink what he was about to do. If he thought she was cooperating, maybe she could get free or knock him over the head with something. Unfortunately for Lily, she was not that lucky. Ricky pulled his pants down and ripped her leggings off her body, shredding her pink cotton panties in the process. He shoved himself into her so hard she immediately started bleeding and silent tears poured down her cheeks. She couldn’t look at

him, she couldn’t look at anyone. She kept seeing the faces of Daisy, Jasmine and Poppy in her mind and hoped he would be done soon enough. Every time he thrusted into her another tear ran down her cheek, but through all the pain she remained silent. Socks still stuffed down her throat. When he was done, he told her if she didn’t have such a sassy mouth he wouldn’t have been forced to do such a thing. Lily didn’t believe a word he said. He left her on the blood stained sheets, pulled his pants back up and buckled his belt. Lily started thinking about how dirty he was and wondered if he had given her some sort of disease. “So as far as we’re concerned this never happened, capiche?” he said looking down at her as she laid on the bed, her head turned away from him and her arms still pinned behind her back. She pulled her arms out and removed the socks that had been shoved in her mouth. She rolled over on her side and waited for him to leave. “I’d hate to have to come back one afternoon and see if Daisy is a better lay than her big sister,” he said as he left her bedroom. Lily laid there until she heard the front door open and close and the metal screen door slam. She held back the urge to cry uncontrollably and managed to get off the bed and put on her

bathrobe that hung on the closet door. She wrapped herself up in the soft terrycloth and went into the hallway hoping the little ones were still napping. Poppy and Butch were thankfully still sleeping and Daisy and Jasmine were in their room plotting a treasure map so they could bury a tin full of trinkets to find later. Daisy was 11 and very mature for her age. She got along well with Jasmine, who was just a couple of years younger, and they enjoyed each other’s company. “Dais, do you mind listening for Poppy and Butch to wake up from their naps for me? I need to go take a shower,” Lily asked only barely opening the bedroom door so they wouldn’t see her face. “Sure, Lil, I will listen for them,” she said continuing to draw on the construction paper. Lily went back into her room and removed her bedding, taking it straight to the washing machine. She filled the load with extra detergent and turned the water temperature to hot. Her mother told her many times it cost more to wash with hot water, but the thoughts of anything left on those sheets made her nauseous. The wash would be done by the time she got out of the bath and she could have her sheets dried and back on her bed before her father came home. She took her small hand held radio into the bathroom and turned it on enough so that Daisy couldn’t hear her sobs. Once the water turned on,

the tears started flowing again and didn’t stop for what felt like an hour. She sat in the bathtub with her knees pulled up to her chest and buried her head. She needed Wil. He was the only one who paid any attention to her and he was the only one that made her feel like she was loved. Of course her parents loved her, but they made her feel more like a worker than a daughter. Lily had lied to Ricky earlier when she said she needed to call Wil to confirm their date for the evening. He was working late and she had to stay home with the kids anyway. But she needed him. She needed his reassurance. She pulled herself together and put on fresh clothes. She dried her hair and put on a little makeup to make herself feel better. She took two ibuprofen and prayed whatever damage he had done to her would heal in a couple days’ time. “I have to stop thinking about it,” she said aloud looking at her puffy eyes in the mirror. “It’s over. I can’t do anything about it. I have to stop thinking about it.” Lily’s thoughts went from Daisy to Wil back to Ricky and how dirty he felt as he rubbed up against her. Then she thought about how upset Wil would be if she told him. She tossed around the idea of going to the cops but knew nothing would come of it being her word against his. He’d just skip town anyway. And any evidence had already been

washed down the drain. She went back through the house and Daisy was in Poppy and Butch’s room playing with them after their nap. “How about some milk and animal crackers, you two!” Lily said in the doorway relieving Daisy from her duties. “Thanks, sis,” she said to her. “Any chance you might be able to help Dad with the kiddos after he gets home and we have dinner? I forgot about a paper I have to write and need to swing by the library.” “Okay, I don’t mind,” Daisy told Lily. “I owe you one,” Lily said as she ran her fingers through Daisy’s ponytail. “No you don’t sis, you spend more time with us than both mom and dad combined, and I know when you graduate in a few months things are going to change and we’ll probably see you less,” Daisy said, “And I’m going to miss you.” “Hey now, when did my little sis get so wise? And you don’t need to worry about missing me, I’ll be around, I promise,” she pulled her against her chest and hugged her tightly before going back to the laundry room. Sheets changed. A family size TV dinner of Salisbury steaks was in the oven and Daisy knew how to make the instant potatoes. Her father had just come in and went straight to the shower. She

caught him before he closed the door and told him she had some homework to do at the library. “Mom should be home soon and Daisy is watching the kids until you get out,” Lily tried to hurry and didn’t want him to notice she had been crying. The puffy eyes were starting to go away, and she wanted to see Wil and get back home before the bruises on her arms turned a deeper shade of purple. “Okay hun, you have a project or something to do at the library?” he said through the closed bathroom door. “Yep, I’ve got an assignment that is due sooner than I originally thought, gotta get to it,” she headed out the front door throwing on her heavy zip-up sweatshirt and carrying her side shoulder bag of school books. She wasn’t going to the library, but she needed to look like she was. It was only a short walk down the familiar path to the library and then a couple blocks down the main road to Wil. She headed toward Griffin Gas with one intention. She needed her person. She needed his reassurance. And she needed to feel him against her to know she was going to be okay. He was working the full service line when she walked up and she waited until he finished with his last customer before heading over to say hello. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, whatcha doin’ here sweetheart?” Wil asked Lily as he wiped

the grease from his hands. They went toward the office and he motioned for Marcus to take his place while he talked with Lily. “Marcus, I’m due a break, can you cover me for a little while?” Wil asked. “Be happy to, take your time Wil,” Marcus said jogging out to help the next car that pulled up. “Let me clean up a bit so I don’t get you dirty,” he told Lily. They got inside the office which was normally inhabited by Mrs. Griffin, but she only worked until late afternoon most days. Wil shut the door behind them and Lily didn’t let him finish cleaning his hands before throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing into his work shirt. “Whoa baby, what is all this? Has something happened?” Wil said, not trying to push her away, but still get a good look at the face that was suddenly buried in his chest. “I just needed some reassurance from the one person who I know loves me,” Lily said choking back the sobs. “Honey, whatever you need you know I’ve got it, but you know there are so many people that love you,” she cut him off. “Not like you do, not like what we have together, promise me you’ll never leave me,” Lily said holding tight to Wil. “I certainly have no intentions of leaving you, you beautiful girl,” Wil reassured her, “I’m smitten

and there’s nothing anybody can do about that.” Lily’s breathing regulated and she got the tears under control. “I guess it’s just hormones and the fact that we’re graduating soon and I’m having a bad day,” she told him. Hella bad. “We all have bad days, sweetheart, are you sure that’s it?” Wil asked again. “Yes, I’m sure,” she wiped her nose on a clean red rag that was sticking out of his pocket. “Can I keep this?” Wil laughed, “You sure can now!” And just like that he made her chuckle. He held onto his girl for a little longer before going back outside. “I know I haven’t been making as much time for us as I should. We don’t get to see each other very much at school anyway. I’ll start scheduling myself some more time off.” Lily appreciated what Wil was trying to do and told him she was okay, she just needed to see him. His break ended and she sat in the office for a little while before going home. She got herself together and decided what had happened was in the past and that’s where it needed to stay. And for the love of God, she hoped she’d never have to see Ricky again. She was going to make sure that Daisy was instructed to always keep the door locked and a chair wedged against it when she was home alone. She’d also make sure Daisy knew

how bad of a guy Ricky was in case he ever came around again and Lily wasn’t home. She could only protect her siblings for so long, but she could certainly make sure they were prepared and informed. Weeks went by and Lily decided to make an appointment with a gynecologist for a physical and to get tested for any possible STDs that Ricky may have passed on to her. Thankfully, Wil had been too busy lately for them to find time to sneak off together and the one time they had, she said she wasn’t feeling well. He didn’t question her and assumed it was her time of the month. The female doctor came in and talked to Lily about precautions, ran some tests and did an exam. She told her she would come back in to talk to her once the results from the urine test came in, which she was glad about because she wanted to ask her about getting on The Pill, and find out if she could afford the prescription on her own. The doctor came in carrying a brown gift bag that looked like it contained, at first glance, a ton of information and even a couple of books. She sat on the stool and the words that came out of her mouth Lily will never forget, “Lily, I’m assuming that this is going to be a shock to you since you’re inquiring about birth control and STDs… you’re pregnant, about a month along, best I can tell.”

Lily was right, the doctor had carried in plenty of information for her. She put it in her backpack and went on home.

Wil needed to forget for the night and sitting at a cabin at the Happy Endings Resort was making him a little bit crazy. His thoughts were combating whether to be pissed, hurt, scared for his new bride, or just plain angry at the entire situation. He wanted to punch something, but he compromised and decided to put it out of his mind. Forgetting all about it, that’s what he needed to do. At least for the night. Lily hadn’t given Wil any gory details while they were floating out on the lake, and in some ways he was fine with that, but his damn imagination was getting the best of him. They hadn’t talked much since she told him what happened that day she came to the station and sobbed into his chest. Had he known at that very moment, he probably would have gone and killed the guy. But after all this, he at least understood the shame she thought it would bring to her family and how scared she was for her sisters, though he certainly didn’t agree with keeping the secret. “Can we just pretend that this isn’t happening

right now?” Wil asked Lily as he went to the fridge in the cabin and grabbed a bottle of soda. “Yes, honey, we can do that.” Lily said leaning against the bar suddenly realizing she was cold. The blood had drained from her face and she felt empty. And nervous about Wil’s reaction once he had a clear head. He took a long swig of the carbonated beverage as they stood there for a moment in silence. The refrigerator door was open and leaning against his hip as he stared at the food inside. “What do you want for dinner? You’ve hardly eaten today,” he asked. Dinner was the last thing on Lily’s mind. She regretted telling him the moment he realized what she had been hiding. But there was still a bit of relief knowing she was not carrying the burden of this alone. Not anymore. Practically shivering, she went into autopilot mode. “Let me make us something, just some sandwiches or something,” Lily said walking over toward the fridge and starting to gather lunch meat from the shelf. Grabbing her hand, she let go of the cheese she had picked up and turned toward him. He pulled her close to him and just held her against the door of the Frigidaire. They embraced for a long time and Lily didn’t plan on letting go until Wil did. This

close to him, he could feel her shaking. He reached down behind her and laced his fingers in hers, taking hold of her hands and guiding her toward the bedroom. “You’re shaking,” he whispered as they walked into the other room. “Are you cold or scared?” “We can eat dinner in a little while, for now will you just let me love on you?” Lily asked. “Let me show you how much I love you?” Wil buried his face in his hands covering his tired eyes, “Despite all the emotions going on in my head right now, I think that’s exactly what I need.” Lily slid off her the jean shorts covering her pink bikini bottoms, untying those in the process. She had thrown on a lace, cream tank top on the boat and had immediately removed her uncomfortable bikini top. Wil knew she left the tank top on to cover her belly. He reached over to slide it off over her head, but she wanted to hide. At least for the moment. Left wearing only the lacy tank and the wedding rings on her left hand, she laid down on the bed and pulled her fully clothed husband toward her. The roughness of his jeans rubbed against the insides of her legs and his t-shirt tickled her body. Wasting no time, Wil took control and found a sweet spot in between her thighs, causing her to let out a growl.

“Does that feel good?” he asked as the stubble on his cheeks tickled her thighs. “Yes, again please…” Wil liked her to ask for what she wanted. She let out a moan this time and it made his tongue work faster. All this pleasuring made him realize his own clothes were still on and the zipper on his jeans was straining to stay closed. Over his head went the cotton t-shirt and his jeans quickly followed to the floor. “At least we don’t have to worry about using protection for a while,” he said as he slid back in between her legs. “Nope, already pregnant, can’t get pregnant again,” she said as she sat up on her knees. “You lay down for a minute before we get to the main event,” Lily said pushing him back against the pillows. Her lacy tank top rubbed the insides of his legs this time and the soft fabric sent a shiver all over his body. “Relax baby, and don’t think for a little while, just enjoy what I’m about to do to you.” Without hesitation, she leaned down and put his entire length into her mouth, slowly moving up and down. She kept going until Wil started making the moaning sounds she was waiting to hear, and then proceeded to move harder and faster. “I need you, Lily,” he whispered, “I need you now and I need you forever.” Lily sat up and lifted one leg over top of him

straddling his lap. Wil could just look at her and she’d have to change her panties; having him in her mouth made her so wet they almost had to change the sheets every time they had sex. He slid up and down as she straddled his lap. He couldn’t handle the separation between them any longer and he reached behind her and pulled the tank top over her head. “I’m sorry it gets in the way,” she said putting her hand across her belly. “We shouldn’t have issues in our sex life so early in a marriage.” “This isn’t an issue honey, don’t think of it as such,” Wil pulled her neck down to his face and smashed his mouth against hers. Even just kissing, he was so passionate. It was like he was making love to her mouth. “Get on your knees,” he instructed, as he kneeled on the bed and took her from behind. A gasp from Lily assured Wil that she enjoyed this new position. He could reach around her and pull her against him without her feeling like her protruding belly was in the way. “I love to feel your hands on me,” she said as he pulled her to him. She sat up enough so that he could continue thrusting and also could pull her neck toward him and kiss along her cheekbone and back down her neck. “You’re too good for me, Wil Griffin, too good.” The continued repetition made her come

quickly which in turn made Wil follow. They laid in each other’s arms, with the elephant still in the room despite ignoring it for the last half hour. “I am full of so many emotions right now, Lily,” Wil said hoping she would just let him talk and not respond. “I don’t know whether to be mad at you for not telling me, sad and scared for you that you had to go through this whole situation completely alone because you couldn’t tell anybody, mad that this bastard is probably going to get away with what he has done and will probably do it again…I just don’t know what I should be feeling at the moment…” he paused for a minute before continuing. “But you know what I cannot get out of my head and this is me being completely selfish?” He sat up to look her in the eyes after the last comment. “Do you know what has got me so tore up over all of this?” he waited for a response which wasn’t going to come. “After all of this, Pop was right,” he put his head in his hands and scrunched his blonde hair in between his fingers. “Even though it was unintentional, at least I think it was, and hope to God it was unintentional, you used me. You fucking used me!” Wil got out of the bed and put his jeans back on and headed to the door disregarding his shirt. “I gotta take a walk, Lil,” he said continuing for

the door without any intentions of making eye contact. “I’ll be back in a little while, please eat some dinner.” Shirtless and barefoot, the man that made all of her dreams come true walked right out the front door of the cabin and kept walking until his feet hit the sand at the edge of the lake. Lily thought it best to just let him have some time. Today was a day that had potentially changed their future, and that wasn’t to be taken lightly. Wil sat down and stared at the water for a good hour before realizing the sun had set and he was starting to get cold. Swimming was allowed from sun up to sun down and the swimmers that were still there into the late evening had already made their way back to shore and left for the night. He continued to watch the water, and ponder, doing absolutely no good sitting there with his feet buried in the sand. “Nineteen fucking years old, got a girl pregnant, maybe, maybe I got a girl pregnant, I have a wife, my future has changed dramatically and I have no clue what I’m supposed to do now,” he said to himself, resting his chin on his forearm. “Care for a little company, young sir?” Wil turned around to see Herbert had walked up behind him and started to sit on the nearby bench. He wiped his eyes on his arm before Herbert got close enough to see his face.

“Of course Uncle Herb, of course,” Wil said, getting up from the sand and moving back to sit on the bench next to him. “I remember when you were just a youngin,’ you’d come here with your parents and you’d have all the kids following you around… swimming, boating, water skiing. Then as you got older, the girls started to notice you, I’d say you’ve had lots of girlfriends.” “None I really liked until Lily,” Wil told him. “And now she’s my wife…” His voice trailed off and Herbert could sense he was troubled. “You know what I’ve learned in all my years?” Wil looked over at him and awaited his wisdom. “I’ve learned that life happens. We get thrown different troubles, different sorrows and hopefully a few happy times along the way. It’s all about how we react.” “What if I don’t know how to react?” Wil said softly, still shirtless and barefoot in his jeans, sitting on the bench by the lake. “Well son, that right there tells me your initial reaction was to think it over, whatever it was, and I’d say that’s a good first step,” Herbert told him, patting him on his knee and getting up from the bench. “Looking forward to dinner with you and your little misses’ tomorrow night. We can chat more then if you’d like.” Wil and Herbert had never had a real

conversation before, at least not one that didn’t revolve around sports or things to do at the resort, and that may have been why his words seemed to stick with him that night. He gave into the cool evening and walked back up the hill toward their cabin, his feet gliding through the already damp grass. He opened the door to find Lily sitting at the bar with a turkey sandwich laid out before her but untouched. A magazine sat on the counter, but had obviously not been read. Lily sat with her feet tucked under her, with her head buried in her arms. “I was hoping you’d be eating,” Wil said, startling her as he came in and closed the door behind him. He went over to the couch and grabbed the t-shirt that he stripped out of earlier and threw it on over his head. “I made you a sandwich,” Lily said starting to get up from the barstool. Neither of them made any sudden movements or raised their voices. “I’ll make my own, you eat that one, I really don’t mind,” he said, “But first I want to cut up this watermelon.” Wil took the large fruit out of the fridge and sat it on the counter. He sliced it every which way filling a bowl with the dripping red fruit and tossing green rinds in the trash. Wil pushed the bowl across the counter so she could reach it. “You like watermelon, right?” “Oh yeah, I pretty much like all fruits,” Lily

told him, grabbing a large piece out of the bowl and devouring it in one bite. “Thought so,” he said with a wink, a little proud of himself that he got her to eat, and went over to the sink to wash his hands. “I just want you to know that at some point I want to talk about what happened.” He continued to wash his hands without making eye contact with Lily. “I just cannot talk about it right now and keep my head on straight. I don’t want my reaction to what you told me earlier to be one that is not thought out or exactly as I mean for it to be, so I’m just going to say this…” Lily had stopped chewing and was listening to every word he had to say. “I meant the vows that I recited to you a few days ago, I still mean them, and I just want you to know that,” Wil dried his hands off on the dish towel and went over and sat beside her. He began arranging the turkey on a slice of bread, she slid the cheese closer to him and sliced off a thick piece of tomato for his sandwich. “So until I can talk about it, I’d really like to move forward and just continue on because at the end of the day our circumstances have not changed.” He turned to look at her, “You’re still my wife, carrying my baby and we’ll get through this together.” “That sounds good sweetheart,” Lily said leaning her head over on his shoulder. “We can talk

about it whenever you’re ready, and until then, we’ll just be us.” He slathered some mayo on one side of his sandwich before folding it over and taking a big bite. Lily reached the bag of chips and placed it down in front of him, trading them for the bowl of watermelon. “And that’s the first order of business, Mrs. Griffin,” Wil said clearing his throat, “Over the events that have come to light, something I realized in my time sitting on the sand and watching the water is that we need to get to know each other better. If I’m gonna be your husband, I need to know things about you and you need to know things about me too.” And that’s what they did. The teenagers forgot for an evening that they were newly married with a baby on the way, unsure of the past and what was in store for the future. They got to know each other a little better that night and strengthened their new marriage by talking to each other.

“It was nice to meet Bess and Herbert,” Lily told Wil in the truck on their way home to Spring City at the end of their honeymoon. “They are a kooky couple and I can see why your family has loved them all these years.” “Yeah, Bess was already talking about coming to Spring City when the baby was born because she knew we wouldn’t get back out to Happy Endings for a while,” Wil said. “When I talked to your mom last night she said to stop by the house and pick up the apartment keys before we headed to the station,” Lily said. “Yeah, she wants an excuse to see us outside of work,” he said knowing he’d be seeing her on a daily basis until his classes started. “We’ll need to pack up your things at some point too… have you talked to your mom and dad about the apartment yet?” “No I haven’t, but they just assumed I’d be moving in with you after the wedding, just not sure where or when that would be,” Lily said rubbing her stomach. “I need to get some cocoa butter

lotion. Bess said that would help with the itching and the stretchmarks.” “Ha,” Wil chuckled, “Did you ever think we’d be discussing lotion for stretch marks?” Lily also laughed and reached over and grabbed Wil’s hand that was resting on the gear shift. “I never thought we’d do a lot of things, but we’ve sure made some memories in the short time we’ve been together.” “Hey Lil?” “Hey Wil?” “I need to know if something ever happens like that again, God forbid it does, but if something ever happens, I need to know that you’ll come to me,” Wil said squeezing Lily’s hand. “I promise, Wil,” Lily said squeezing back, “I hope you know that I didn’t tell you because I thought I was protecting my sisters and I see now that was wrong.” “I also feel like you are at a greater risk now,” Wil said waiting for Lily to respond. “Why would I be at a greater risk now?” Lily asked scrunching her nose. “You haven’t even thought about it have you? How your life is different now that we’re married?” Wil continued to hold onto Lily’s hand as he drove down the interstate. “Honey, I know I don’t talk about it much and I come off pretty humble for the most part, but

you’ve married into the Griffin family. I’m an heir to the Griffin Gas Company. You’re never going to have to work a day in your life, unless you want to. And that kind of money comes with some issues sometimes,” Wil stopped for a second and took a breath. “I guess I never realized you were that rich… no wonder your father thinks I’m a gold digger,” Lily said softly. “I want you to stop worrying about him and that comment. He really is looking out for all our best interests all of the time, despite how the words come out sometimes. But you’re not a gold digger and I don’t want to discuss that anymore. When people have the kind of money we do, there’s always something lurking, someone who’ll try and break in our cars or get past the gate at the estate and try to get in the house, or hit up my dad for a loan. There’s always something. Like the reason Mom wanted to know about the apartment so she could get the security system updated…” They continued their drive home and Wil took advantage of his captive audience, who was extremely quiet after the revelation she had just heard. “I’m not trying to preach to you Lil, I just want you to know how people are,” he said reaching over and petting her cheek. “Let’s stop for lunch, I want to talk with you about something else before

we get home.” A darling little town near the Keeneland racetrack was just on their way to Spring City and Wil wanted to take her to a greasy spoon just off the interstate. The place was known for its quirky owners and pie to die for. They also had some pretty tasty sweet tea, which Wil was happy to sample, but pregnant Lily turned down reluctantly because of the caffeine and sugar content. “This is a cute little cafe,” Lily said to Wil as they sat down at a booth. “I’m starved.” “Me too, I worked up an appetite doing all that talking,” Wil said with a chuckle. “And as soon as we order, I’ve got a little more talking to do and then I promise that I’ll shut up for a while!” The waitress came by, took their orders and off she went to the kitchen. They had arrived after lunch and before dinner, so Wil was pleased they had a little privacy. “You never mentioned his name or anything about him,” Wil said making eye contact with Lily. “No I didn’t,” she said twiddling her thumbs as she rested her arms on the table, “I wasn’t sure you wanted those details.” “Well no, I don’t want those details, but I feel like I need to know… what if he shows up one day and I have no idea who he is?” “I understand,” Lily said and proceeded to tell him Ricky’s name and what he looked like.

“I also want to take a few more precautions,” Wil continued and reached over and linked his fingers with hers. “As far as we’re all concerned, we need to bury this secret. If there’s any chance anyone could find out that this baby is potentially not mine, it puts you both at risk. It could ruin our reputations and cause bad business for Pop. When the baby is born, there will be no paternity test and you’ll put my name on the birth certificate as the father, no questions.” “You don’t want to…” Wil cut her off. “It doesn’t matter. That child growing inside of you is my child, my son or daughter, and we won’t question that,” Wil felt like a grown up since this whole issue had entered his life. He was talking and acting like an adult. He thought of Herbert and hoped he was making the right decision. “First thing when we get home, we need to get you a cell phone on my plan. I need to know that you can reach me at any point in time. And,” he shook his head and smiled, “I know this is going to sound kooky, like something Bess might come up with, but we need a code word. I need to know if you call or text me with a specific word that something is wrong and you need me.” “We had a code word when I was growing up, so if my parents sent one of their friends to pick us up from school or something, they had to know the word,” Lily said.

“Yep, that’s exactly it,” Wil said as their food was delivered to their table. “This looks fantastic, thank you,” he told the waitress. “What about Keeneland?” Lily asked stuffing a bite of the extra-large club sandwich in her mouth. “What about it?” Wil wasn’t following her. “Keeneland can be our code word. Anytime we say anything about it, we refer to it as ‘the track’ so it could be our code word. It’s not anything weird or out of the ordinary and can be used in a plain sentence.” “Works for me,” Wil said, “Keeneland it is.” They finished their meal off by splitting a big slice of chocolate chip pecan pie before hitting the road back to Spring City. They were less than an hour away and had plenty of time to get Lily a cell phone before heading to Wil’s house. “Will it be weird for you staying in my bedroom tonight? After all, we are married, you know,” Wil and Lily both liked the sound of that. Married. “It sounds just fine to me. Do you care if I call my parents and let them know we will be swinging by to grab some of my things? I really want to get my stuff out as soon as possible so Daisy can have her own room.” “Of course honey, we’ve got plenty of room in the truck and we can take anything you need,” Wil reassured her. “No furniture or anything of course, just some

clothes and stuff out of my desk,” she said and used Wil’s cell phone to call her parents. Her mom was home with the kids and her dad was still on a job site. By the time they got there, he was due home too. Lily told her mom about their trip to Endings and all about moving into the apartment over the station. She was glad her daughter would still be so close to home as their pregnancy announcement and then quick marriage had been somewhat of a shock to all of them. They ran their errands then stopped by Lily’s parents’ home. Wil helped Lily do the heavy lifting, of course, which didn’t amount to much because she didn’t have a whole lot to move out. She intentionally left some things that Daisy could use knowing full well that Wil could replace anything she could possibly need. She had no intentions of taking advantage, but she had to get used to the idea of having money for a change. “You know you can’t be a stranger around here,” Lily’s mom said to her as Wil packed up the truck, “You’re still my baby girl and I expect to be part of your life and spoil this little grandbaby.” She rubbed Lily’s stomach and kissed her on the cheek. Her dad was coming in as Wil took out the last bag and Lily saw them shaking hands in the driveway. She was secretly glad they got along as well as they did, hoping they’d see more of each

other in the days ahead. “Hi honey,” Lily’s dad said to her as he came inside the house. He was dirty and didn’t want to touch her for fear of ruining her clothes. “Hi Daddy, it’s good to see you,” she said reaching over and kissing him on the cheek. “You eat a watermelon seed or something?” He said with a huge grin across his face. “I guess so, this belly just keeps growing!” She smiled back at him and Wil appeared on the porch. “Did we get it all?” he said through the screen door. “Yep, that’s it, I’ll be there in just a minute,” she said waving Wil off to the truck. “I was telling the guys at the job site that my baby had gotten married and was gonna have my first grandbaby,” Lily’s father said beaming as they stood there in the living room. “Your daddy might be a little excited to meet that little watermelon that you’re growing,” her mother said. “Oh yes, aren’t we all, this little watermelon is stretching me like a rubber band!” “Mrs. Suzanne, the foreman’s wife wanted to know when you were gonna have a get-together, I think she wanted to make you a baby blanket or something,” her dad continued. “I think Wil’s mom is planning something, if that’s okay, Mom?” She looked to her mother for

approval. “Sounds good to me, tell her I’m happy to help any way I can.” “The guys were all teasing me about being a grandpa so young,” he chuckled, “Ricky specifically asked about you and when the baby was due.” The color immediately drained from Lily’s face and it was everything she could do to keep it together and leave her parent’s home. “Haven’t seen him in a while,” Lily said and excused herself to the porch, “We gotta get going Ma, Daddy, I love you all.” Wil saw the look on her face and got out of the truck to help her into the passenger side. “Are you gonna be sick, sweetheart? You look like you’re gonna puke,” he asked as he reached for a towel behind the seat. “It’s very possible, I need you to get me outta here, like now…” Wil hopped in the truck and drove a minute or two down the road to the Dairy Freeze, a local drive-in ice cream shop. He parked just so he could get a good look at her. “Is it like morning sickness, or lunch not agreeing with you?” Wil asked, “Want me to run up to the window and get you a Sprite or Ale-8? I think they have Ale-8 here…” “Yeah, yeah, I would like that, but just call it in on the speaker, don’t go up to the window, I don’t

want you to leave me right this minute,” she told him and sunk down in her seat burying her head in her hands. Wil called on the speaker ordering her an Ale-8 and getting himself a Coke. Once the order was complete, he rolled the window back up and cranked up the A/C to try to ease her nausea. “Daddy was just beaming when he was telling me about how all the guys at his job site teased him about being a grandpa so young… he even said the foreman’s wife was making us a baby blanket,” the nausea was creeping back up as she told Wil the story. “Yeah, yeah, and Daddy said Ricky asked how far along I was and when I was due…” “Oh for fuck’s sake,” Wil beat his hand against the steering wheel. “He disappeared after… after it happened; Daddy even said something one day about him flaking out on their construction job and taking off without telling anyone,” Lily was fighting back sobs, “I just assumed he had skipped town because he figured I’d blab…” The car hop came out carrying their two drinks and Wil paid her in cash telling her to keep the change. Even to the finest detail of putting a straw in her cup, he made sure to attend to her every need. Except now he was at a loss. “I just don’t know what to do now,” he told her taking a long sip of his own beverage. “No, that’s not true, I know exactly what I need to do, I just

don’t want to…”

Wil and Lily sat on the expensive leather couches in the living room of the Griffin’s home drinking lemonade and tea, while waiting for Wil’s father to get home from the office. His mother was there force feeding them snacks before dinner and making small talk with Lily about the shower she was planning. Wil’s brother Manny wasn’t around to interrupt their conversation. “Since you got married so quickly, there wasn’t time for a household shower, so I think it’s a good idea to combine both into one,” Dafne told Lily, “You are good kids and you deserve it! Plus, Wil has tons of cousins you haven’t yet had the chance to meet…” Dafne went on and on with Lily about apartment plans, at one point they were discussing curtains and rugs, and of course meeting all the extended family. Lily started to worry how her family might react being intermixed with Wil’s family and Dafne saw the look on her face and changed the subject back to her. “You mentioned your mama said she was

willing to help?” Dafne asked. “Yep, she said just to let her know what you need,” Lily said, trying desperately to think of something her mother could do that would be helpful and not embarrassing. “Well I’m planning on having all the food catered, just to make it simpler, but if your mama wanted to make some punch to have on the cake table, that would be lovely!” Lily beamed. “Yes, she could definitely do that!” And she immediately made a mental note to find a recipe for her mother that she could live with, also known as nothing containing Hawaiian Punch… Raleigh came through the front door and saw they were all sitting in the living room. “Hey kids, didn’t know you’d be back so soon!” Wil was thankful for the greeting and hopefully good mood from his Pop. He and his father were practically carbon copies of one another, which was why it was often hard for them to see eye to eye. They were too much alike for their own good. “Let me go change my shoes and I’ll be down to sit with you awhile before dinner.” “Sure thing, Pop,” Wil said as his father went up the stairs. He switched out of his nicer work clothes into a pair of jeans and one of the famous Griffin Gas Company t-shirts that had their large circle logo across the front. At the stations, they marketed

them as retro t’s, since the company had been using the same logo since 1950. He often let kids sell them for fundraisers, giving the profit to a good cause, and providing a nice little tax break for the company. And of course they could be purchased at any Griffin Gas location. Raleigh also poured himself a taste of his favorite Kentucky bourbon before sitting down to chat with his family. “Well, how was the resort? Did you guys get to see Herb and Bess?” he asked Wil and Lily. “We had a really nice time, Sir,” Lily said softly, leaning her back against the side of the couch and stretching her leg against Wil. She might as well be comfortable for what was about to go down. “Pop, I need some advice,” he got right to the point knowing there was little sense wasting time, “Actually, I guess I need your help. You’re the only one who might know what to do in this situation.” “What’s wrong, Son?” his eyebrows scrunched and he took a sip of the amber drink in his hand. Dafne looked over at Raleigh and confirmed she didn’t know what their son was about to say either. “Please don’t be angry with me as we should have told you this sooner, but we didn’t know how and we didn’t want to hurt anybody in the process,” Wil cleared his throat and took hold of Lily’s hand. She wasn’t sure if the gesture was for

his own courage or to reassure her, but the conversation had already started off differently than she had imagined. Raleigh didn’t respond. He just waited for the rest of his son’s words. “Over spring break, Lily was raped by one of the construction workers on her dad’s job site,” Wil raised his head to look his father in the eyes and continued, “He threatened Lily that if she told anyone at all, he would come back and do the same or worse to her younger sisters.” Lily squeezed his hand, thankful that her husband was fearless enough to take this burden on as if it were his own and not telling his parents that she had kept the secret from him as well. “So we thought it would just go away. The guy had skipped town and hadn’t been back, until this week,” Wil looked to Lily. “We just got back from my parent’s house,” Lily said, “I wanted to get a few things from before we headed here. My dad was so excited to tell me that all his friends were teasing him about being a grandpa so young… He mentioned that he saw him and he asked how far along I was.” “Is paternity an issue here?” Raleigh calmly broke into the conversation for the first time. “I don’t know, Sir,” Lily said, “I wish I did, but doing the math the due date aligns around the time of the rape, and Wil and I were together before that

too.” Dafne went over to the couch and sat next to Lily, putting her arm around her shoulder. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this, sweetheart,” Dafne said to Lily, kissing her temple and squeezing her while Wil still held her hand. “Me too,” Lily whispered. Raleigh looked at Wil and they both knew what the other was thinking in the silence of their stare. “Regardless of what happened,” Wil told his father, “This is my child she is carrying, there will be no paternity tests, there will be no question whatsoever, she’s carrying my son.” “A boy?” Dafne looked down at Lily for confirmation. “We’re not sure yet, we both just feel like he’s a boy,” Lily said rubbing her stomach, “I go for an ultrasound next week and we can find out then if we want to.” Raleigh brought the conversation back to a more serious topic very quickly, “That’s a big decision, Son, and I’m willing to support you both, but we need to prepare for a few things.” Wil was thanking the heavens his father was being so easy to deal with, knowing his own hotheaded temper would get the best of him if he were in the same situation with his own son. “Lily, have you or Wil told anybody else about this?” Raleigh asked.

“No Sir, I had only told Wil until this evening when we shared this with you all,” Lily said continuing to hold both Wil’s and Dafne’s hands. “I was afraid this might be an embarrassment to your family, and I didn’t want to put my sister’s at risk.” A tear fell down her cheek as she tried to hold it together in front of Wil’s parents. “Sweetheart, something like this is never an embarrassment,” Dafne said to her softly, looking at Raleigh. “I can just see the headlines, that the heir to the Griffin Gas Empire got swindled into marrying some trailer trash girl who had been raped…” Those words caused more tears to fall down Lily’s cheeks. Raleigh went over and knelt down before her. “Lily, my sweet girl, I’m sorry if you ever thought that I was being too careful with Wil before you were married. I want you to know that those things you said are plum awful and that’s not how this is going to go down.” Raleigh lifted his daughter-inlaw’s chin so he could see her puffy eyes. “You, my darling, are a Griffin now, and that means you’ll be taken care of. You're my family and I take care of my family. And you better start calling me Dad or Pop like this crazy kid next to you does...” They all chuckled at Raleigh. “Okay, Dad,” she said. Raleigh reached up and kissed her on the cheek.

He stood and went back over to the living room’s bar cabinet and poured some more bourbon in his glass, then pouring a sip into another glass which he turned around and handed to Wil. “I think you could use this, kid,” Raleigh said and they both chuckled. “Lily, do you mind if Dafne accompanies you to your appointment next week? She can help you talk with the doctor and find out a more precise due date and conception date, then we can go from there.” “Sure, I wouldn’t mind the company at all,” Lily said. “Talk with Dafne and the doctor about when this happened to you. We need to pinpoint the time frame that would be 9 months out from the incident and, regardless of when that ends up being, we need to avoid a public due date close to it so inquiring minds can rest assured that the baby is Wil’s,” Raleigh stayed completely calm through the rest of the evening, making plans to take care of his children and future of his grandchild. “And Dafe, please call Officer Hillsman with Spring City PD, he’s a buddy of mine, and ask him to make a house call here in an unmarked car and wearing casual dress. Lily needs to go to the police with this so they can be on the lookout for the suspect. He’ll be discrete and it won’t make the news unless they catch him, and we’ll deal with that if and when it happens.”

Dafne walked over and squeezed her husband's shoulder before she and Lily went to the kitchen to finish preparing supper while the boys stayed in the living room. “So…” Raleigh said to Wil once they were alone, “You like bourbon?” “Ha, it has a bit of a kick to it, but it’s pretty smooth, surprisingly,” Wil told his dad. “Oh I could have given you something that would have lit you up, but I gave you the good stuff,” Raleigh laughed, “And now you’ll be a snob like me and only want the good stuff.” Wil took note of how nice it was being able to enjoy time with his father without the added stress. “I’m not mad at you, William,” Raleigh said to him as he swirled the large ball of ice around his glass. “I was worried you would be,” he said. “I figured as much when you started out the conversation by saying, ‘please don’t be mad at me,’” he smiled, “I need you to know I’m always going to be here for you. When bad things happen and good things, I need you to know you can come to me.” The words out of his father’s mouth sounded much like the words he had said to Lily earlier in the week. “I know Pop, that’s why we’re here,” Wil reached over and offered a fist bump, which his

father reciprocated. “Raleigh, Wil? Dinner is on the table,” Dafne said from the kitchen. She made a large beef roast, with vegetables, homemade rolls and a fresh salad. “Well it was certainly obvious the kids were coming for supper tonight,” Raleigh said as he sat down at the table and looked over the spread she had prepared. “Oh, you hush!” Dafne said swatting him with a dish towel. “I’d like to invite you both over for supper more often if this is how she’s gonna feed us!” Raleigh had a way of lightening the mood. They passed the food around the table and filled their plates and salad bowls. “Thanks, Ma,” Wil said, “Your home cooking is a nice treat.” “Yeah, she could teach Bess a thing or two!” Lily said as she stuffed her face and they all laughed out loud. “Oh gosh, did I say that out loud?” “You sure did, honey,” Raleigh said, “But that’s nothing we didn’t already know!” Bess had served a chicken and rice casserole to Wil and Lily earlier in the week and Lily didn’t really like casseroles, but it was better than the tuna fish casserole she offered her the recipe for to make for Wil at a later date. “What kind of casserole did she make you,

dear?” Dafne asked. Lily immediately looked to Wil wondering how she knew and they laughed some more. “You know, I just had a thought that might provide a solution to this little predicament we have here…” Raleigh told the table. “What’s that dear?” Dafne inquired further. “What did you think of Happy Endings Resort, Lily? I know Wil always liked it there as a kid,” he asked. “I liked it a lot actually,” Lily said, “I had never been anywhere like it before. And Wil took me out on a boat for the first time, it was really nice.” “Well, I hope this doesn’t come off sounding like I’m trying to get rid of you because I’m certainly not, but what if the two of you moved to Endings for a little while? There’s a little place in South Carolina that I’ve been doing some market research on and I’m thinking about setting up a new Griffin Gas location.” They all looked dumbfounded. “The place I’m checking into is only 30 minutes or so from the Resort. We could get you a permanent cabin and you’d be near Bess and Herbert if you needed anything. Dafne and I would be out there all the time in the beginning helping set up shop and Wil could actually run the place.” “You’d trust me to do that, Pop?” Wil asked. “Of course I would, you practically run the

original station here anyway,” Raleigh said and took a big bite of roast, while his family members continued to stare at him with wide eyes. “Lily, we could send your parents out, once the baby is born or whenever they wanted to go… we could help with that.” The tears were starting to well up in Lily’s eyes again. “Oh honey, just forget it if it’s going to make you cry,” Raleigh said handing her his handkerchief, “It was just an idea!” “No, no, that’s not it,” Lily said wiping her tears and starting to chuckle. “These pregnancy hormones are the worst! I love the idea, Wil?” She looked at her husband for approval and then over to Dafne. “Wil would have to postpone college plans for a while, but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work?” Dafne said to Raleigh. “Wil?” Raleigh looked over for his son’s approval. “Sounds like we’re moving to Endings!”

Lily and Dafne met with Officer Hillsman of Spring City PD as Raleigh requested. He was very discrete with the situation and made sure to thoroughly document what had happened. Unfortunately, because the rape wasn’t reported immediately and there were no witnesses, they had no concrete evidence other than Lily’s word against her attacker. However, Officer Hillsman told her that he had hopes that since they live in a small town, if there was another victim that was out there, they might also come forward. Later that day, Lily and Dafne went to Lily’s OB/GYN appointment for a checkup and ultrasound. Thrilled to see the baby on the monitor, both women smiled from ear to ear and embraced once the technician left the room. “Our secret, Ma?” Lily said. “Our secret,” Dafne replied kissing her daughter-in-law on the forehead. They finished their appointment with the doctor and found out a more concrete conception date and due date after telling the doctor the situation. She was upset with

Lily that she had not told her about the rape when they met the first time, but understood how tough of a situation she must have went through. “You’re a brave one, Lily Griffin,” the doctor told her, “And I can already tell you’re going to be a great mom.” They thanked the doctor for all her support and asked if they could get a copy of her records to take to her new doctor once she moved and got settled. “I’m sad to see you go, Lily,” she told her as she wrote instructions for copies to be made. “Where are you moving?” Lily glanced over at Dafne not knowing how to answer and was thankful when she spoke up for her. “These crazy kids are moving to Florida!” Dafne said, “I told them that the baby won’t be able to enjoy Disney World for a few more years at least, but they insist on getting closer to the beach.” “I’m jealous and I completely understand!” They laughed together for a few more moments before the doctor left and Lily got dressed. “Thank you for that, and for coming with me today,” Lily told Dafne, “You are one heck of a woman.” “Why thank you dear, and you’re my daughter now,” Dafne huffed as if she had seen a revelation, “I’ve never had a daughter before!”

Lily enjoyed Dafne’s company. “So what do you want to do now, Ma?” She said the word intentionally, knowing she’d get a rile out of her mother-in-law. “Well, as your Ma, I think I deserve to spoil you a little,” she told her, linking their arms together as they walked out to the waiting room. “How about we go get you some new maternity clothes so you can stop wearing Wil’s t-shirts? That belly is only gonna get bigger!” “I think that sounds like an excellent plan!” Lily kissed her on the cheek grateful for her love and generosity. “Do you have plans for dinner tonight?” “I had something started in the crock pot, why? What did you have in mind?” Dafne asked. “How about a special dessert?” Lily smiled a Cheshire cat-sized grin and the two ladies went on to enjoy their afternoon. They found Lily some cool summer dresses that would grow with her, some nice tops and pants, a couple pair of maternity jeans, a dressy outfit in case she needed to go somewhere that required nice attire, and most importantly some maternity tees and capris. Lily didn’t look at the receipt and Dafne didn’t bat an eye buying the new clothes for her either. “Nice clothes just make you feel better,” Dafne said to Lily. “Both of my pregnancies consisted of

the same kind of stretch marks you’re already experiencing, irregular morning sickness and just an overall feeling of being tired. I’m pretty sure I stayed tired for all 18 months that I was pregnant with Wil and Manny.” The pair stopped by the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for Lily’s dessert and then headed home to make it before the boys arrived for dinner. “We’ve got a good hour before Raleigh and Wil make it home this evening,” Dafne said to Lily as they were cleaning up the kitchen. “Why don’t you go on upstairs to my bathroom, the one with the big claw foot tub, and take a nice warm bath before dinner. You can put on one of your new outfits and come back down whenever you’re ready.” “Really?” Lily said as she wiped a little confectioner’s sugar off the countertop that had spilled. “At least let me finish cleaning up in here before I go.” “Nope, if you learn anything, it’s that you do as you're told in this house, little momma!” Dafne shooed her out of the kitchen knowing she’d never leave on her own simply because she was too helpful. Lily went into Wil’s room to gather her makeup bag and pull out some of the new clothes Dafne had just bought her. She decided on a cotton sundress since it was so hot outside anyway and she thought it would be nice to dress up a little bit for a change.

Her wedding dress also was a simple halter that flowed to the floor and was extremely forgiving. She knew Dafne had good taste because she had picked out that dress and bought it for her, too. She had never really looked into the master bathroom before, never having a reason to, but when she opened the door the entire room just glowed. The sun was setting outside and only a little light gleamed in through the windows. The wall switch had a dimmer and Lily opted to only turn it half on. She filled the tub with warm water and added in a few bath salts. The lavender smell was very relaxing and the bath was just what she needed. A little light makeup, some pink glossy lip gloss and a brand new black and white polka dotted dress were just what the doctor ordered. Or rather the mother-in-law ordered. Lily laughed at the thought. She headed downstairs to hear that Raleigh and Wil were home and already in the kitchen bugging Dafne. They had in fact just gotten home and Wil was heading up to his room to change clothes and take a quick shower when he saw his bride coming downstairs. “Good Lord woman!” he said as she caught his eye and they met each other at the middle step. “How did this sexy lady get to be my bride?” Wil asked and put his arms around her waist leaning in

to kiss her shiny lips. “Hey, I just put on that lip gloss!” she said. “And I just took it off, sweetheart,” Wil kissed her again and said she tasted like honey. “The color is actually called ‘Skimpy Lingerie,’” she said smiling. “And I can only hope that’s a forecast for later, darling,” Wil said swatting her behind. “I’m going to go take a quick shower and come back down for dinner. BUT… I plan on revisiting this tasty lip gloss later and finding out what’s under this sexy little dress of yours.” Raleigh also noticed how pretty Lily looked and told her so. After the boys cleaned up they all sat down for dinner together as they had every night since they were home. She was getting used to Dafne spoiling her. “How did today go?” Raleigh asked, inquiring about the visit from Officer Hillsman. Dafne said, “Just as expected, he was a gentleman and very professional. Lily had a nice visit at the doctor also and we have her records ready to take to South Carolina. We also know a better timeline of conception and potential due date.” “And that might be?” “Well it’s the window we hoped to avoid unfortunately, but she could go earlier or later since this is her first pregnancy,” Dafne told them.

Wil reached over and grabbed hold of Lily’s hand, winking to reassure her. “We also received some good news today,” Dafne said looking over at Lily hoping she’d take over the conversation. “Yep, we sure did. The baby and I are both healthy and doing just fine.” she said pausing and looking over at Dafne, “We also found out the gender today.” “What?” Wil said, “Well tell me!” “It’s a surprise!” Lily said as Dafne giggled to herself. “You can’t keep it a secret!” Wil was suddenly much less mature than he had been all week. “You have to tell me!” “Son, I’d say these two have something in store for us based on the looks they keep flashing back and forth,” Raleigh interrupted Wil’s protests. “All in due time, honey,” Dafne told her son, “This is Lily’s news to tell and she’ll reveal it when she’s ready.” They made a little small talk as Wil sat there and sulked. “Anybody want some cake?” Dafne asked the crowd. Raleigh started to say he’d have some later and Dafne’s stern look convinced him to eat cake with them around the table. “I made your favorite kind, Wil,” Lily said to

him. “It’s vanilla with chocolate icing!” Dafne sat the cake in front of Wil with a few small dessert plates and then handed him a cake knife. “It looks delicious Lil, why don’t you cut it? I suck at this stuff,” Wil said as he acted like he had no idea what to do with the knife in his hand. “I have faith in you honey,” Dafne said, “Just cut the damn cake.” They all laughed at her abruptness and he sliced into the double layer cake, taking care to make an even slice before dishing it out on the top plate beside him. A bright blue cake shined as he lifted the piece onto the plate. “Thought you said vanilla?” Wil said and then practically dropped the piece and plate in his hand to get up and go over to Lily. “Is it a boy? Is it really a boy?” he said as he kneeled down in front of her. “He showed himself proudly on the ultrasound today,” Lily said as Raleigh held his fist in the air. “That’s a Griffin for you!” said the proud grandpa. Wil hugged her belly tightly and whispered softly to his unborn child. “Come on kids, let’s eat this brightly colored cake!” Dafne said as she finished cutting the cake and handed a piece to each of them.

A couple weeks went by as Lily and Wil prepared for their move to Endings. Everyone, except Lily’s parents, were told they’d be moving to Florida. She explained that Wil’s father was making a business deal and it was super secret, so they couldn’t tell anyone where they’d be going. Dafne’s shower for Lily and Wil was a hit. Both families enjoyed meeting one another and playing silly shower games. Dafne had enlightened most of the Griffin family that they would be moving very soon and asked them for gift cards or cash instead of large shower gifts. She received a few handmade items and her father dug out the cradle he made for Lily and her siblings and cleaned it up. He restained it and presented them with it at the shower. It was certainly the most sentimental gift there. Two days later, they packed both Wil’s pickup and Raleigh’s SUV full of their things for the move to Endings. Dafne assured Lily if anything had been forgotten, she’d bring it on her next trip. They’d be visiting a lot with the new franchise they were building and, of course, the baby coming later in

the year. Wil and Lily headed out first and Raleigh and Dafne followed behind them. They agreed Lily would be in charge of stops, since she was the one with a tiny human sitting on her bladder, and they’d take their time. Upon arrival to Endings, they first met up with Bess and Herbert for a casserole dinner, as promised. It was already dark by the time they got there and they had opted to stay in one of the pre-furnished rental cabins for the night. They left the unpacking to do for the next morning. Raleigh and Wil went out with Herbert on his nightly walk around the grounds, while the ladies stayed back with Bess. “There are several long-term rental properties available,” Herbert told Raleigh, “I told the office to hold the best four that I looked at until you got here so you could decide which one you wanted for the kids.” “I really appreciate your help with all this, Herb,” Raleigh said. “I think we’ll probably go ahead and take one unfurnished for Wil and Lily and a furnished one so Dafne and I have a place to stay at least until after the baby arrives.” He wanted to add in how cheap the cabins were, but didn’t want to make Herbert feel bad. Things at Happy Endings Resort were the same as they were every other visit over the years, even the rental prices hadn’t changed.

“I think Mom has visions of interior decorating in her head,” Wil chimed in. “She most certainly does!” Raleigh said as they all chuckled. Wil told his dad and Herb about the names of the rental boats and they all had a good laugh as they walked by the dock. They made their way around the resort and Raleigh and Wil reacquainted themselves with their old stomping grounds. Herbert pointed out the new indoor pool facility and that they had recently updated the activity center. They made their way back to pick up the girls to go settle in their own cabins for the night. Wil stopped his dad for just a moment to say thank you. “I think we’re gonna be just fine here, Pop,” Wil said reaching over to give his dad a hug. “I know you will,” Raleigh said embracing his son. The next morning, they stopped by the office to check out the other rentals and quickly decided on an unfurnished cabin for Wil and Lily and a furnished cabin for Dafne and Raleigh that they planned to keep for the rest of the year. After emptying the two vehicles into Wil’s new cabin, they all climbed in Raleigh’s SUV and headed for the coast. Dafne and Lily dropped off the boys at the construction site and headed onto the city to do some shopping.

Dafne and Lily were planning to “set up house” as Raleigh had said during their casserole dinner the night before. Bess insisted on cooking again, but Raleigh was able to convince everyone to go to his Pop’s new diner instead. They enjoyed each other’s company and especially the fresh pie that the entire table devoured at the end of their meal. And Lily once again ordered the Griffin Gas Station sundae. Wil and Raleigh went back out to the job site early the next morning and came back to Endings after lunch. Dafne had arranged for a few pieces of furniture to be delivered to the cabin prior to leaving Spring City and those were set to arrive. Dafne and Lily picked out a few larger pieces on their shopping trip, but those wouldn’t be delivered until the next week. “Now honey, I want you to save all those gift cards you got at your shower until I’m not here. When you find you need something for the house or the baby that we missed, you won’t have to worry about the money, you can just go get it,” Dafne had told her. Setting up her first home was exciting for Lily, but she also was really tired. Dafne insisted she not overdo and did all the heavy lifting and climbing on stools herself. “The boys will be back in a little bit,” Dafne said, “And the delivery truck should be here about the same time. So I’m hoping they can get the

furniture delivered, and the boys can put together whatever comes in pieces, while me and you put our feet up on your new couch!” “That sounds wonderful!” Lily said reaching over and giving her mom-in-law a high five. The delivery was made on time and only took about an hour to get parked and unloaded. They brought in a bed frame, mattress, a few end tables for the bedroom and living room, a couch and loveseat and a small table and for the dining room area. Once the delivery driver had left, Dafne put Raleigh and Wil to work, calling in some pizzas to be delivered. It only took a few hours to put everything together and by mid-evening, the sun was still up and Dafne had made their bed and even threw a tablecloth on the dining room table. “Starting to feel like home yet?” she asked Lily and Wil. “It definitely is,” Lily said giving her a big hug. “Well, there will be a few more things next week and Lily knows what’s coming in case I’m not here for some reason,” she said. “And if it’s alright with you guys,” Raleigh interrupted, “I have a surprise for my daughter-inlaw!” “A surprise?” Lily said, a bit shocked at Raleigh’s thoughtfulness. “Yep, a surprise! Come on,” he said gesturing

her to the door of the cabin. “You don’t mind a short walk, do you?” “Not at all,” Lily said staying right beside an excited Raleigh as he walked her around the cabin. Dafne and Wil followed along, already knowing the surprise he had in store for her. Raleigh asked Wil’s permission before buying such a gift, though Wil would hardly tell his Pop no. They walked out onto a different dock than they had before to rent the pontoon. This dock definitely had nicer boats and no rental shack. All the boats here appeared to be privately owned. “Are we going for a ride or something?” Lily asked Raleigh curious to what in the world he was doing bringing her out on the dock. “Something like that, just a little farther,” he said continuing to guide her down the dock to the end. She noticed that many of the slips were filled with boats already, only a few were empty. They got to the very end of the dock and stopped. Lily enjoyed the nice view of the water, without anything obstructing the large lake. “Well, we’re here!” Raleigh said to a still confused Lily. Dafne and Wil standing beside them smiling from ear to ear. Wil knew full well she had no idea what they were doing. “Yay, we’re here,” Lily said waiting for someone to tell her what was going on. “Honey,” Wil said and took her arm to guide

her sights to the left slip. “Look at the name of this boat.” “Tiger Lily” was written along the side of the vessel. “Aww, someone has a boat named Tiger Lily!” Lily said, “And it’s spelled like my name!” “It would have been here yesterday, but I wanted the name painted on before you saw it,” Raleigh said to her. “That’s really cool you guys named your boat after me!” Lily said to Raleigh and Dafne. “Sweetheart,” Raleigh said chuckling, walking over and whispering in her ear, “She’s yours.” “Huh? Are you crazy?” Lily said making them all laugh. “I’ve been called worse,” Raleigh said to her and chuckled, “I knew you guys were going to be here for a while and that you seemed really interested in the boat ride you and Wil took on your honeymoon. So I got her for you. I’ll teach you both everything there is to know about this little boat and you can take her out anytime you want. She’s yours.” Raleigh reached the boat keys out to her and Lily looked at him unsure whether to cry or take the keys. “Uh oh, I don’t know how to interpret your pregnancy hormones, tell me you like it?” Raleigh said scrunching his eyebrows. “I. Love. It.” Lily put her arms around his neck

and squeezed him tight, “Thank you so much!” “Well, we have just a little time before the sun is going to set if you want to cruise around in this fierce girl?” Raleigh spoke to the crowd. Not a single protest was made and they went out onto the lake in Lily’s surprise. A week or so went by and Lily really got to know her cabin cruiser. In fact, she was probably a better captain than Wil. They installed a tracker app on her phone to find her location and Lily made sure to never go out on the lake without someone knowing where she was. Dafne, Raleigh and Wil had all went out to the construction site one morning and left Lily to sleep in and relax. Their cabin had a nice garden tub and she took full advantage of it. She even planned to get some relaxing bath salts like Dafne had in her master bathroom for the cabin. Lily spent the morning sleeping in and being lazy, just as she had planned. She got up and was full of energy, deciding she would make a nice picnic dinner they could all enjoy while taking a little boat ride on the lake. She took Wil’s truck to the grocery store in town and purchased what she needed for dinner. Lily got back to the cabin and prepared individual bento boxes for each of them and made a big bowl of fruit salad for dessert. She decided to go on down to the boat and do a little cleaning before they returned for dinner. Lily

added a few supplies to her knapsack and headed down to the cruiser. She planned on getting a little sun while she was at the dock and wore one of her maternity dresses over her swim suit. It was a nice day and Lily enjoyed the slow stroll to the dock. She arrived at her slip, undid the cover on the boat and climbed aboard. She went straight to work and wiped down the surfaces with cleaning wipes and emptied all the trash into a black garbage bag to take back up to the cabin. She was wiping down the helm when she heard a familiar voice in the distance. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” The hairs stood up on Lily’s neck and she turned a pale white, despite the sunshine causing her cheeks to be rosier than normal. “You’re not welcome here, Ricky,” Lily said trying to stand her ground and project a stern voice, “Wil is on his way down here right now and you don’t want to be anywhere near this resort when he gets here.” “I gotta know, Lil,” he stumbled across the boat, obviously drunk already despite it only being the middle part of the day. “Is that baby in your belly mine?” Ricky sat down on the bench seat, getting his filthy self all over the white leather interior, and Lily stood like a statue at the steering wheel. “The baby in my belly is mine, it’s not yours,

Ricky,” she said very calmly though trying to fight off the nausea brought by his presence and stench. She kept her hand on the steering wheel, even though they were still sitting in the slip at the dock, but slowly reached down into her dress pocket for her phone. She had never been more pleased to have pockets on a dress until now. “No, you know what I mean…” his words were slurry and she knew if she could get off the boat and onto the dock, she could probably outrun him. “I know what you mean, Ricky, but the baby isn’t yours,” she said still fidgeting and trying her best to hide her torso so she could bring up a text message on her pink Razor flip phone. “The baby is Wil’s. I’ve checked the due date and figured out I was already pregnant when you raped me.” Just saying the word out loud made her feel like she was finally moving on from the horrible experience. She knew she was and Wil’s family was helping make her stronger. Keeping her phone at her side, she pulled up the messaging app and found Wil at the top of the list. “Oh honey, it’s not rape when you practically begged me to fuck you,” Ricky said and started to get up and walk towards her. Very quickly she typed “Keeneland” and hit send, sliding the phone back in her pocket before he got close enough to see she had it. “Please just leave me alone,” Lily said less

stern this time and more scared. “Well now that I’m here, I think we should hang out a little bit, maybe take this expensive boat out on the lake away from people who might want to bother us.” “That’s not a good idea Ricky, you’re obviously drunk and I’m not the best driver yet,” she lied knowing she could easily handle the boat by herself. Trying to change the subject she asked, “How did you know I was here anyway?” The phone in her pocket buzzed telling her she had a received a text, but she was too afraid to get her phone out. “Oh no you don’t, little miss,” he said to her, “You don’t lie to me, I’ve watched you drive this boat, just fine on your own.” “You’ve been watching me?” Her pocket buzzed again and she wished it would stop. “I followed you out here all the way from Spring City, I’m surprised you all didn’t catch on with all the stops you made on the way here,” he said walking over to the helm. “Where are the keys to this vessel?” “I didn’t bring them, I was only coming here to do a little cleaning,” she said hoping he didn’t see right through her lies again. She had no intentions on moving the boat, but she did bring the keys. “Man, your daddy would sure be disappointed in all that lying you’re doing,” he said as he went

over to the knapsack she had sitting on the seat. He dug around and thankfully didn’t find what he was looking for, which made him even madder. He hadn’t noticed the pockets on her dress yet or he’d have thought to check for keys actually on Lily and then he’d also find her phone. “Alright, alright,” she said and he turned toward her again, “I did lie, I did bring the keys.” “Well, where are they? You’re trying my patience!” Ricky had turned into a mean drunk and Lily knew she didn’t have much time left before he was going to hurt her. “I sat them on the bench seat when I got onboard, you probably sat on them and got them stuck in the cushion,” she said pointing behind him. He turned around and started digging around for the keys that were not there to be found. Lily reached over to the compartment right beside her, thankful Raleigh had shown her every inch of the boat. She pulled out a small orange container, opened it, and quickly loaded a flare into the gun. She held it up to Ricky’s backside and told him to get off the boat. “Oh honey, that little thing ain’t gonna kill me!” he said and casually leaning against the back of the boat. “Nope, it probably won’t kill you, but if you’ve been watching me, you know that I know how to use it and it’s sure gonna hurt,” she tried to keep

her hands steady as she held the plastic weapon in front of her. “You can’t shoot me, you don’t have it in you,” he said, his voice grew louder and Lily hoped someone might hear him, “Just like when I fucked you, you didn’t put up a fight at all, you just laid there and now that I’ve come back for more, I’m not going quietly.” “I don’t know what you want from me!” Lily said screaming at him, hoping to garner some attention from a boat nearby. Ricky charged at her and Lily fired the flare gun. Taken off guard so quickly her aim sent the flare over his shoulder and up into the sky. He grabbed ahold of her and covered her mouth with his dirty hands. Lily tried biting him and writhing out of his arms but his grip was too tight. “You want to know what I want little missy? I want your new husband’s money!” he said keeping a tight hold on her. He stood at the side of the boat and started to walk her over toward the steering wheel hoping the keys would be close by. She wasn’t going to let this end the same way this time. Lily knew his intentions and he could seriously harm her and the baby if he continued being so forceful. She made herself dead weight so he could barely pull her across the boat. Scooping her up under her arms after realizing she was going to be such a pain in the ass, he

decided dragging her by the hair would be a better alternative. Oh no he didn’t. Lily suddenly had an out of body experience, feeling as though she was watching this scene unfold before her eyes. Not the hair. In movies and TV shows, it always seems like the perp goes for the hair and Lily’s ponytail provided the handlebar Ricky needed to reign her to the ground, in doing so, he felt some metal scratch his leg through Lily’s dress. The keys. “You little bitch, you lied again,” he reached down and pulled the keys from her dress pocket, still commandeering her head of hair in his hand. Every struggle Lily made, he pulled tighter. Lily ignored the pain and kept guard of her stomach, not knowing what his next move might be. Come on, Wil. Lily knew if Ricky managed to get the boat out into the water, the chances of her survival went way down. He was drunk enough that he could kill them both, but she had a feeling his plan was to turn this into a ransom plea. “Oh no you don’t,” he said stepping on Lily’s fingers as she tried to reach for anything loose on the side of the boat that she might use to hit him and break free. “Ouuchhh!” she cried out as his booted foot smashed her small hand. Her other hand tried to

free his tight grip on her hair, but he just pulled tighter. Lily’s sobs and cries were for nothing. There wasn’t enough time for Wil to get to her before he launched the boat into the open lake. In the midst of the struggles and Ricky’s already drunken self, he dropped the keys that he pulled from her pocket and they slid to the side of the boat by the dock. If I can just slip out of his grip, I can run. I can run faster than he can. I can save myself. Continuing to drag Lily’s limp body around the boat, he reached down and picked up the keys, standing with his back blocking the threshold of the boat. “That baby in your belly is mine and it’s going to take a lot of green to keep me quiet,” Ricky said when suddenly out of nowhere a metal shovel whapped him across the temple. He fell to the ground and blood started pouring out of his ear. Lily fell from his grip and quickly crawled away from him looking up to see Herbert and Teddy, the store manager, standing on the dock. “Looks to me like it only took a little silver across the head to keep him quiet,” Teddy said to Herbert. “I don’t think he’ll be needing any green in his condition.” “Uncle Herbert! How on earth did you find me?” “Wil called the house, honey,” Herbert reached

a hand to help her off the boat and into his arms. “I just happened to be down at the dock store talking to Teddy when Wil called Bess and said you were in trouble. She knew where I was and called Teddy. We headed up to the cabin, but I heard a holler down this way and thought we should check Tiger Lily first. Then we saw your flare.” “Thank you Teddy,” Lily told him as he stood there with his shovel like a blue ribbon winner. “Anytime you need anything, Mrs. Lily, you just let me know,” he said and winked at her, “This is the most excitement I’ve had all summer!” Wil arrived the same time the police got there and Raleigh and Dafne were only moments behind them. Finding a shook up Lily in Herbert’s arms, everyone was relieved. After all the business was taken care of with the police and EMTs gave Lily the okay to go on back to the cabin, the family devoured the picnic supper Lily had prepared earlier that day. They planned on saving a boat ride for another time. “You are so brave, my darling girl,” Wil said to her reaching his hand out to hers across the table. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” “I am a little jittery and my hand is going to bruise, but I’m fine,” she told him taking his hand in hers. “Actually, a little relieved that I won’t have to worry about him anymore and he can’t hurt anyone else now either.”

Her smile was of pure relief. She looked down and rubbed her stomach, obviously thankful the day’s events were over and Ricky was out of the picture. “This may not be the best time to ask this question, but I’m gonna anyway,” Raleigh said interrupting their meal, “The reason we moved you out here was for your safety and after tonight the threat has seemed to, well, be escorted away in a police car. So … .” “I think your father is trying to see if you want to stay here or go back home to Spring City?” Dafne said. Wil and Lily looked over at each other and around their newly furnished cabin. “I don’t think this was the last resort after all,” Lily said squeezing Wil’s hand. “I like it here too,” Wil said, “And I don’t think you and Mom need anything else to decorate…” They all laughed. “That’s good, cause I need my new manager ready for business!” Raleigh said patting his son on the back. “And Bess would just kill me if I took you back home!” Dafne giggled. “Besides, I know you’ll be fed here! Casseroles once a week at least!” The laughter lightened the mood and they all slept soundly that night for the first time in a very long time.

The next morning Dafne and Lily dropped the boys off at the construction site before heading into the city. They went to meet her new doctor and get checked out after the events from the day before. A new ultrasound confirmed once again a baby boy was growing in Lily’s belly and both she and the baby were doing just fine. Raleigh had certainly done his homework on a little place called Edisto Island, South Carolina. The folks were nice and the tourists even nicer. They had a good population and not a single fueling station there with the courtesies of Griffin Gas. The land he had purchased had an easy traffic pattern and plenty of space for people to drive in and out. It was so close to the beach too; he made sure the plans for the building included some space for a small restaurant area. He knew they may not be able to add that into the first round of construction, but it was something he knew he could expand to later once he saw some numbers come in. “This place is great, Pop,” Wil said to him as they stood there with their yellow hard hats on watching the structure of the building come up. “How long do you think it’ll take?” “Well, I’ve watched eight of these franchise buildings be built with this particular layout, minus the add on over here,” he said pointing to the blueprints Wil was holding, “And this construction company has been the company I’ve used for all

eight because they are very tight and like to get a job done before deadline.” “And when’s the deadline?” “Two weeks.” Raleigh said pulling his pocket watch out and reaching it out toward Wil. “You mean to tell me this place will be up and running in two weeks?” Wil asked, shocked at the quick turnaround. He turned and saw his father holding out his most cherished possession: the pocket watch his mother gave him on their wedding day. “Well, no, it will be built in two weeks,” Raleigh pumped the brakes, “But we’ll still have to wait for the tanks to receive their initial fill, the inside store to be stocked, the bays to be constructed and parts to come in… so I’d say we’ll have a grand opening in a month or so provided no setbacks.” Raleigh paused for a second while Wil gripped tightly onto his father’s timepiece. “A man needs a good watch,” Raleigh said as they strolled along the site. “I’m just amazed,” Wil said to his father holding back a tear, “You gotta teach me the business, Pop.” “All in good time, my son, that’s been the plan all along.”

2014 “Mason Griffin, you are not too big for me to bend over my knee and give a good spanking!” Lily said to her only son as he stuck his finger in the icing on his high school graduation cake. Mason was a smart kid: sweet like his Mama and the spitting image of his Pop. He just had no aspirations of going to college. In addition to his mother’s insistence, he had been lectured by both sets of grandparents and practically everyone in his family except his father. He wanted to follow in his footsteps and get into the family business. “It’ll happen, Son,” his dad told him when he came to him discouraged about not wanting to continue his education, “In this day and age, you need a degree to be more successful. Hell, a couple degrees wouldn’t hurt, while you’re at it. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.” Repeating the words his mother once said to him, Wil wanted a different life for his boy than the path he once took. He wouldn’t change him and

Lily getting married at such a young age and becoming parents so soon, but he sure missed out on a few things. College being one of them. Edisto Island Preparatory School graduated only 75 to 100 seniors a year since it was a small private school on the island. Mason had a close-knit group of friends and most were going to Ivy League schools up north. He had waited too long to apply, dead set on not going to college, that his only option was staying close to home. “College will be a breeze for you, kid,” Wil told him, “You’re smart and the University of South Carolina isn’t too far from home. You’ve got memories to make and plenty of girls to meet. Our business will be waiting for you when you graduate and then we can pay you more because you’ll have a degree.” His dad laughed. Mason knew his mother was his dad’s only serious girlfriend and he assumed they were probably both virgins when they married each other, so he knew where his Pop was going with that statement. Live a little for me too, kid, is what he imagined he meant. The whole family was coming together for Mason’s graduation: Both sets of grandparents, Mason’s aunts, uncles and cousins, in addition to his Great-Grandpa Griffin. Thankfully Wil and Lily had a large house, but not one that would hold that large of a crowd. They had rented chalets on the beach for each of the families to have a mini

vacation in addition to celebrating Mason’s accomplishments. The graduation ceremony was in his school’s gymnasium and was pleasantly short. They had a small reception in the school’s garden area after the diplomas were given out and then they all went back to Wil and Lily’s house for a barbeque. Lily’s younger siblings had just recently graduated from college themselves and started families. He enjoyed spending time with Scotty, Poppy’s husband. They played Frisbee on the beach together while the girl’s sunbathed. Daisy also was married and had a five year old daughter who also was enjoying the beach with her aunts and uncles. Lily could look out from her kitchen window and see the group of them gathered on the beach directly behind their property. She was pleased to see her family having such a nice, relaxing time on the sand. “Hey Scotty, go long,” Mason said backing up on the beach to fling the Frisbee at him. As soon as he let go of the disc, he heard a thrashing in the water and a scream before a silence. “Poppy!” Scotty yelled taking off toward the water. “Scotty no,” Mason said getting his attention, “You don’t swim well, stay on the beach, I’ll get her.” Mason huffed across the water and dove in once he hit a deeper section. He swam to Poppy in

seconds, holding her head above water. She was breathing, but was covered in jellyfish. “You’re gonna be okay, Poppy,” he said as he pulled her to toward the shore. “Got a few jellyfish on ya, but we’re gonna take care of that and you’re gonna be just fine.” Scotty met them where the water was only waist deep and tried to help Mason carry her to shore, but he refused his help. “Buddy, she’s been stung in at least 6 spots by jellyfish and a couple are still hanging on, so don’t touch her so you don’t get stung too,” Mason said calmly. He laid Poppy down on the sand away from the water and quickly divvied out orders. “Butch, go get my dad and tell him we need the first aid kit,” Mason hollered, “Aunt Daisy, if you could go tell my mom what’s going on and have her to get the car ready, I don’t think we’re gonna need 911, but we’re gonna need to take her to the ER in mom’s SUV pretty quickly.” Still remaining calm, he told Scotty to sit with her, but not to touch her near any of the stings. Grabbing one of the kid’s sand pails, he quickly filled the bucket with ocean water and began flushing the stings to remove the remaining tentacles from Poppy’s skin. His father arrived with the first aid kit and they drowned the stung areas of Poppy’s body with vinegar which provided Poppy with instant relief.

“Thought you were supposed to pee on jellyfish stings,” one of Mason’s cousins said behind him. “Pee is better than freshwater, but not the first course of action with a jelly sting,” Mason said while continuing to aid Poppy. “Quick thinking, son,” Wil said to Mason. “All those summers lifeguarding at Happy Endings did you some good.” “I may have learned a thing or two about first aid,” he said with a smile. “Thank you, Mason,” Poppy said perking up a bit, “You really saved me, I couldn’t move my legs to swim back to shore.” “I’m just happy I was here to help,” he said and handed her off to Lily for a quick trip to the ER. Mason told everyone it was just a precaution, but they didn’t know if she had an allergy to jellyfish stings and didn’t want to chance a reaction. “Hey Pop,” Mason said to Wil as the others started walking back to the house, “Hang on a sec.” “Proud of you, Mason,” Wil said catching back up to his son. “Thanks Dad, but uh, I need some of that,” pointing to the vinegar bottle in his hand. “One of the jellyfish was still hung on her leg when I picked her up and it got my side pretty good while I was carrying her.” “Whoa kid, it sure did, you really do have a sense of calm about you,” Wil said walking Mason

back into the water. He and his dad waded in far enough that he could lean down and Wil could splash the water on his side to remove any remaining tentacles. He doused him in vinegar and he too felt some instant relief. “Those little fuckers sting,” Mason said making his dad laugh loudly. “Please don’t say that in front of your mother, okay?” Wil said throwing his arm around his boy. “You know, Dad, maybe this college thing isn’t such a bad idea after all…” “No?” Wil asked genuinely curious. “What’s changed your mind?” “Maybe I’ll major in Pre-Med?”

This isn’t the last you’ll see of the Griffin Family or their love for the Happy Endings Resort. Mason’s story continues in book two!

Coming soon from the Happy Endings Resort: All Roads Lead to Home Copyright © 2017 Michele Shriver Chapter One Molly Prentiss stared into the open hood, silently willing the car to fix itself. She knew when she left Savannah that it was a longshot for a twenty-yearold Camry with 250,000 miles on it to get them all the way to Chesapeake without incident, but Molly left on a wing and a prayer. There wasn’t much else she could do. She had to get away. She could only hope that Dustin would be looking out for them from above, wanting to protect herself and Timmy. Except if that was the case, how did she explain

J.D? No, sadly, Molly couldn’t count on Dustin looking out for her, or their son, anymore. “What’s wrong with the car, Mommy?” Molly hadn’t even realized that Timmy had gotten out of the car and was standing beside her. “I’m not sure, honey. Maybe a pump or a belt or something.” She knew nothing about cars. That was always Dustin’s domain. All Molly knew was that the old Camry was nearing the end of its life, or perhaps was already there, and that’s why they were now stranded on the highway along the coast of South Carolina, God only knew how many miles from their destination. “Get over here on the other side of me,” she cautioned her son. “There are other cars passing by.” Maybe they could hitch a ride somewhere. On second thought, no. The mere thought of it made Molly shudder. She still suffered nightmares from watching that movie about the psycho hitchhiker who tortured the poor driver who offered him a ride. Okay, in this case, she’d be the one doing the hitching, but who was to say the driver who offered the ride wouldn’t be psycho? No. There would be no hitchhiking. Molly looked around, and that’s when she spotted the sign. ‘Happy Endings Resort, 1 mile.’ She’d never heard of it before, but she liked the name, and hey, at least it was close. If nothing else,

maybe they could stay there for a night, maybe two, until she could get the car fixed and make it the rest of the way to Dustin’s parents’ house in Chesapeake. “C’mon, kiddo. Grab your backpack from the car. We’re going for a little walk.” “Where to?” “To the Happy Endings Resort.” Molly got her purse from the car, Dustin’s old army pitch tent, and the small duffle bag that contained a change of clothes for each of them, along with a toothbrush. It would have to do for now. She couldn’t lug a suitcase with a broken wheel along the unpaved road all the way to the resort. She reached for Timmy’s hand. “Let’s go. It’ll be a new adventure.” What was that saying about being the first day of the rest of your life? That was exactly how Molly felt. She might be a long way from Chesapeake, and with a broken-down car, but she was free of J.D. And there was no way he could find her in some out of the way campsite off the South Carolina coast, right? They trudged along the gravel packed road for what seemed to be far longer than a mile, until they found the campground. The Happy Endings Resort. Was it an accurate name, Molly wondered? Did people find their happy ending here? She wouldn’t object to a happy ending, but at the moment, an escape and a fresh start were foremost on Molly’s

mind. Besides, what if she already got her chance at a happy ending with Dustin? She thought she had, but it was cut short. Did that mean there was another one waiting for her, or was there a limit on the number of happy endings one got in a lifetime? Had she already used up hers up? What a depressing thought. They passed cabins, tents and trailers—some luxurious and others ramshackle—before locating the rental office. Molly heard a chime as she pulled the door open, and even though she didn’t see anyone working behind the counter right away, it was only a matter of seconds before a young girl with purple and blue tinted hair emerged from behind a curtain. “Hiya,” she greeted, chomping on gum. “Welcome to the Happy Endings Resort. I’m Summer. Can I help you?” Molly stared at the wood floor before meeting Summer’s eyes. “I hope so. My car broke down out on the main highway, and I figure it’s too late for a tow, so I was hoping maybe I could stay here for a night or two,” Molly said. Or longer. If the car repairs were expensive, she might be stuck here for a while. She’d either have to get a job and make some money, or ask Dustin’s parents to send her some, and she didn’t want to do that. The past year and a half had been rough, but she still had some pride and self-respect. J.D. hadn’t ripped

everything from her. “Sure thing. We’ve got cabin rentals starting at $54.95 a night. Trailers are a little more. Or if you’re interested in roughing it, you can pitch a tent for $19.95,” Summer said. “That includes access to the pool, tennis courts, and of course, showers and toilets.” “A pool?” Molly could see Timmy’s eyes light up. “Can I go swimming?” “Maybe tomorrow,” she told him, before turning back to Summer. “It just so happens I have a tent with me, and with the car situation, I’d like to save some money if I can. I think I’ll rent a space for a tent, if that’s okay?” Summer nodded. “Absolutely. Just one night, or do you want to do the three-night special, which takes the cost down to 17.95 per night?” After a moment’s hesitation, Molly said, “Let’s do the three.” She could get her bearings and figure out what to do with the car. If nothing else, they’d have an obscure place to hide for a few days. She reached into her purse and fished her wallet out. “I’ll pay cash, if that’s okay?” It would just about clean her out, but she didn’t want to risk the credit card. Besides, it was almost maxed out, anyway. Summer shrugged her narrow shoulders. “Works for me. I’ll just need you to fill out this rental information card for me.” She slid it across the counter, along with a pen.

Molly picked up the pen and glanced at the card. She could use Dustin’s parents’ address in Chesapeake, but she knew if J.D. were looking, he’d start under her married name of Prentiss, or her maiden name of Jacobs. No. That wouldn’t do, but she couldn’t be hesitant about her name, either. That was sure to arouse suspicion. Deciding quickly, she scribbled in Marshall, which had been Dustin’s middle name. Molly Marshall. It had a decent enough ring to it. She signed the card with her new, sort-of made up name, and passed it back to Summer along with three twenty dollar bills. Summer counted out the change. “Okay, you’re all set. I’m putting you in tent slot number nine, and here’s a map to show you where to go.” Lucky number nine. That’s what Dustin had always said, since his birthday had been September 9, 1989. “Thanks. I just put up my tent and I’m good to go, then?” “Yep. Or if you need help, you can always ask the mysterious author in the cabin next door,” Summer said. “He’s pretty sexy, but kind of reclusive and weird, too.” Weird. Just what she needed. On the other hand, people thought J.D. was a dream come true, and he turned out to be a nightmare. A reclusive, antisocial writer for a neighbor didn’t sound too bad.

For more from this story, visit: Michele Shriver Amazon’s Page

My sister, Maylyn Carby, you’re not only a sounding board, but you put up with my nonsense. You’re my person. Faith Clark, you probably don’t even realize this, but you rekindled my writing fire and helped feed the flames when I needed it most. I will always cherish my short time spent working with you. Anne Conley, you have been such an entertainer to me with all of your stories (that I read over and over again) and I’m so glad I have connected with you. You’ve been a sounding board and an amazing help and support. Cheers with the good bourbon! Rosemary Willhide, you have never hesitated to answer a question and you’re always willing to help me. Plus, I just adore you! Kathleen Brooks, reading your words made me realize I could make this a reality. Thank you for being an inspiration. I love everything you write and I hope you never stop. My alpha and beta readers: Hayley, Jacki,

Kristen, Maylyn, Megan, Nikki, Patty and Tbird. I couldn’t ask for a better group of “solitaires” -- I set each of you loose in my story and you all came back with suggestions to make it better. Tiffany solitaires, are of course, set with the best diamonds. A special shout out must be made to my “tech guy,” Christopher Butcher, for making my web life a lot easier. The editor (he’s not just mine), David Stone… I can’t thank you enough for letting me bounce ideas off of you, reciprocation of brainstorms, and for cleaning up my work. Thanks for sticking with me, pal. My hubby… thanks for understanding that this business isn’t your cup of tea, but letting me brew it anyway. AND for not narrating this book out loud over my shoulder, because that just drives me crazy. Thank you to my fellow Happy Endings Resort authors for allowing me to be in the company of such an amazing slice of the Indie world. My family, work family, friends and contacts I’ve made via social media that have supported these crazy writing efforts, I can’t thank you enough.

Recarpeting A short, non-fiction narrative She’s a Tiger Lily Company of Griffins, book 1 Coming Soon… Becoming His Haven Company of Griffins, book 2 (with a special visit to the Happy Endings Resort) He’s so Charming Company of Griffins, book 3 For more, visit my Amazon page

Author photo by Nikki Blevins Author Tiffany Carby is a Kentucky native skilled in the art of storytelling. A journalist, columnist and blogger who now works in communications at a major public university, she has a knack for narrative that keeps her story flowing. Not all of her storytelling skills came from the classroom. Being born in Louisville and spending time in central and southeastern areas of the commonwealth, Carby developed a sharp ear for dialogue and an appreciation for the tales spun by friends and family from the South and Appalachia. As a Southerner, yes, she says “y’all,” drinks sweet tea and shares a love of college basketball with most of her fellow residents of the Bluegrass state. Writing wasn’t just a goal, it was a destiny for Carby. She wrote her first book while in the fifth grade — a story about an alien with a one-of-a-kind name, Orangepeachrumple. Though it didn’t circulate farther than her parents, she was hooked. Though publishing many non-fiction works over the years, "She's a Tiger Lily" will be the debut of her fiction work and beginning of a series. Carby resides near Lexington with her husband, curly-headed daughter, and two cats.

Find Tiffany at: https://authortiffanycarby.wixsite.com/tiffanycarby