Soulshine by J W Rocque Read Free Book Online

especially since he and Michelle never married.
    “You"re a freak!”
“Yes… yes. I guess you could say that. Here I sit in this bed… my right leg gone and the rest of me in serious doubt for survival. Rather freakish, I"d agree.”
“Freakish bastard! And somehow you made a freak out of my little girl! So that"s why you never called… never told us where you were… never wanted to see us. Look at you! You"re just like her. Or rather she"s just like you! You don"t look a day older than when I first laid eyes on you. And Michelle hasn"t aged a day since… since… who knows when? Since shewas twelve?”
“Thirteen.” Evan tried to sound contrite but knew it was futile to appease Mary.
“Thirteen? Like you know the exact time of her disease… which you obviously have something to do with! You"re a devil… a demon!”
“I liked „freak" much better.” The attempt at humor rang hollow in Mary"s ears. “Mary… I think I can explain.”
“You think ?”
“Okay, I know . If it makes you feel any better, Michelle knows what happened too.”
“No, that does not make me feel better. The only thing I care about is getting my little girl back to normal. Listen to what I"m saying. I"m calling her my little girl. She"s twenty-nine, for crying out loud! She"s supposed to be my adult daughter!”
“She is , Mrs. Fleming. She is a beautiful adult daughter. And I love her just as she is… always have.”
Mary was ready to explode at Evan"s glibness when Nurse Croshere entered the room. “What"s all the commotion about?” asked the nurse. “This patient is not up to confrontational visitors, and only immediate family is allowed.”
“It"s all right,” said Evan. “This… is my mother-inlaw… Mrs. Fleming.”
Mary wanted to yell at the top of her lungs „I am not his mother-in-law. He never married my daughter." But she did not want to leave until she said her piece to Evan and got some explanations.
“Please, nurse,” said Evan. “Give us time alone, would you? She is understandably upset because we have not talked in many years. This is a… good thing. I promise that there will be no more outbursts… right… Mom?”
Now Mary wanted to take a swing at him. “Yes… I"m sorry if I created a disturbance, nurse.”
“Alright, Mrs. Fleming,” said Nurse Croshere. “But if you raise your voice again, I will have to ask you to leave.”
“No worries,” replied Mary as she gave a stern look toward Evan.
September, 1970
    It was getting increasingly tougher for Evan to keep his promise to himself. No sexual relations with Michelle until (a) she is eighteen, and (b) both he and Michelle are aware of the possibilities of what could happen if they produce an offspring unlike themselves. Sweet sixteen was such a fitting phrase for someone as adorable as Michelle Fleming. Her trusting green eyes… her tiny freckles of innocence sprinkled on her cheeks… her girlish smile… everything added up to perfection as far as Evan was concerned. As he held her in his arms, he wanted so much to touch her all over her body. She was perfect for him, and he for her. And Michelle had to now be well acquainted with boygirl relationships just from associating with other high school girls who were dating. On one hand, there was great risk in making any move. On the other hand, he did not want Michelle to ever feel not special. She deserved the best in a relationship.
    They were alone behind the Shore Dinner Hall at Crescent Park that abutted the inlet of Narragansett Bay. It was long after the neighborhood amusement park, their favorite haunt, had closed. The sun was going down on a lovely late summer evening. As their lips locked, Evan effortlessly unbuttoned Michelle"s pink blouse and felt her breasts for the first time. They were the same size they were three years earlier on their first official date . Evan could not understand how any man could obsess over physical features. It was superficial to him. Evan loved Michelle