Cutler 04 - Midnight Whispers

Gavin.
    "Don't be too late, honey. You're a lot more tired than you think," she cautioned.
    "I won't." I hugged her tightly. "Thank you for a wonderful party."
    "You're welcome, honey," she said.
    Gavin's eyes locked with mine as I approached him. He excused himself and stepped toward me.
    "I'm too excited yet to go to sleep," I said. "Do you want to go for a little walk?"
    "Sure."
    We slipped away from the lingering guests and I led Gavin through the rear of the lobby and outside to the rear of the hotel. The sky had almost completely cleared and the stars themselves looked like the twinkling tips of so many birthday cake candles. I took Gavin's hand in mine and turned down the walkway toward the gazebo, but a shrill peal of laughter coming from .the pool cabana caught our attention. We stopped walking and looked. A second cry of laughter confirmed our suspicions.
    "It's Fern," Gavin whispered. We heard a male voice. He sounded and looked like one of our newest bellhops. Unable to put a lid on our curiosity, we walked toward the pool and saw Aunt Fern on a lounge, the bellhop lying beside her. Her all too sheer blouse was unbuttoned most of the way. Gavin and I paused, neither of us speaking, both hardly breathing. The bellhop was kissing her shoulders and lowering his face to her breasts. But Aunt Fern suddenly lifted a small bottle and brought it to her lips.
    "You've had enough," the bellhop said.
    "I never have enough," she replied and laughed again, only this time, her laugh turned into a cough, the cough into the sound of choking.
    "Hey," her lover cried as she began to heave. He spun himself off the lounge just in time. Aunt Fern began to vomit hard and loudly, the grotesque sound carrying through the night. When it was over, she moaned and clutched her stomach.
    "Oh, I feel like I'm dying," she wailed. "And it's all over me."
    "You had better get to a bathroom," the bellhop declared. All she could do was moan a reply. He helped her up and led her away, keeping her at arm's length as they stumbled down the pathway toward the hotel. Gavin and I remained in the shadows until they were gone.
    "I'm glad," Gavin said angrily. "She got what she deserved."
    "It's not the first time I've caught her out here with someone," I said. "The first time I ever saw her out here, I got so frightened at what she was doing, I ran all the way home and up into my room."
    "And the next time?" Gavin asked.
    "I watched for a while," I confessed.
    "You never put that in any of your letters."
    "I was too ashamed," I said. We headed for the gazebo again.
    "Despite her, you had the greatest party," Gavin said when we sat down.
    "I know. I can never thank my parents enough." A cool ocean breeze made me shiver.
    "You're cold," Gavin declared.
    "No, it's all right," I replied, afraid he would say we should go back in; but he had his jacket of and quickly put it over my shoulders.
    "Now you'll be cold," I said.
    "I'm all right," he replied bravely. "You danced with a lot of guys tonight," he remarked, trying to sound casual about it.
    "Not with you though, and I wanted to very much, Gavin," I declared. He nodded, sadly. Then, he smiled.
    "Well, it's not too late," he suddenly decided. Although the music still coming from the hotel was very subdued, we could hear it. Gavin stood up and held out his hand. "May I have this dance, madame? Or is your dance card full?"
    "No, I have a spot for one more," I said, laughing, and stood up. He put his aunt around my waist and slowly drew me to him. We giggled at first, but as we danced on the gazebo, looking into each other's eyes, we moved closer and closer together until my cheek was touching his. I was sure he could feel my heart pounding.
    Suddenly, as if we both had sensed the need at the same time, I lifted my head and my lips met his, the kiss starting very softly, tentatively, full of uncertainty, and then, as the warmth and excitement grew, turning harder, firmer, both of us surrendering to the warmth. I laid my head on his shoulder and we continued to dance, both of us afraid to speak.
    "I wish I didn't have to go right home tomorrow," he finally said. "But Daddy's got to get back to work."
    "I know. I wish you could stay longer, too. Did you talk to your father and mother about working here this summer?"
    "Yes. It's all right with them."
    "Oh Gavin, even though it's only a few more weeks, I can't wait. We'll have such a good time. We'll go boating and swimming and . . ."
    "Hey, I'm supposed