Message-ID: <32192asstr$998741401@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: "Serene Cherry" <serenecherry@hotmail.com>
Subject: {ASSM} Dreams Hereafter by Serene Cherry (FF, rom)
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 08:10:01 -0400
Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail
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Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d

I would like to post my story to ASSM.  It is called "Dreams Hereafter" and
can best be tagged as (FF, rom).  I would love any comments at my e-mail
address: serenecherry@hotmail.com

   Thanks so much.  *smiles*

   -Serene Cherry

   _________________________________________________________________ Get
your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

   <1st attachment, "dreamshereafter.txt" begin>

   DREAMS HEREAFTER

   by Serene Cherry serenecherry@hotmail.com

   This story contains details of explicit sexuality between females

   CHAPTER I

   The morning had always been my favorite time of day.  It happened to be
a very clear summer morning in my new home when I decided to take a nice
walk outside and take a look at what was going to be my new neighborhood. I
quietly left the entrance of my new apartment and made a calm stroll down
my block and into a vast park which I had noticed near my apartment days
earlier.  The morning air was fresh and soothing as always, a tender
reminder of why I loved taking long walks alone with my thoughts.  The sun
still sat on the horizon, rising more with each minute and changing the
night's grayness into a cheerful bright blue.

   I wore the same shade of blue over my shoulders as I paced along the
sidewalk in my warm jacket.  My feet were still sensitive to the hard
concrete in my rather worn out shoes and I looked towards the grass of the
park entrance to ease the fatigue of getting up early.

   Upon reaching the entrance to the park which stood with a small roadside
sign which read 'Tranquil Gardens', I brushed my tawny hair away from my
face and put my hands in my pockets.  For a park so large it didn't appear
as if many people were inside, most likely due to my early rising.  I
passed into the boundaries of the park and took in a deep breath as my feet
met with the soft grass.  The air seemed almost fresher inside the park, as
if I had left the boundaries of the city streets and entered an untouched
area of wilderness.  I smiled to myself, happy to find a place so wonderful
already.  It seemed almost like something out of a fairytale.

   "I think I'm going to like it here," I said to myself, softly.

   The path led deeper into a wooded area, still lit by the odd lamp post
but gradually growing brighter as if the light were in tune with my stride.
A faint breeze rustled the branches of the full and green trees, whispering
quiet morning sounds along with the crickets who were still chirping in the
distance.

   I almost felt like closing my eyes and imagining that it was indeed an
area of my dreams, as it felt more inviting than I imagined.  With that
thought in mind, I made my way to a small brook near the center of the park
and took a seat on what appeared to be the only wooden bench which rested
partially under the tallest tree in the park.

   The brook's stream was about ankle deep with small stones lining the
bottom.

   Along the edges of the water were various flowers which had seemingly
grown in naturally though they were obviously planted by someone.  The
colors reflected the warmth of the dawning summer season.  I listened to
the sounds of the brook for a few minutes, letting my eyes rest closed. 
After a short time passed I heard a small thump a short distance away but
didn't bother looking.  I just continued to rest and breathe silently to
myself.

   With my feet together, I waited for the sun to find it's place in the
sky and bring heat to the quiet morning.  Just as I thought I might doze
off from the soothing voice of the brook, I was met with a soft voice in my
ear.

   "You're sitting in my spot you know."

   I almost leapt from the seat out of fright, turning my head to see a
thin figure standing just off to my side.  Her hands were holding a number
of thick books and I couldn't make out her expression.  I quickly jumped
from my seat and stood on the other side of the bench, throwing my hair
back into my face clumsily.

   "I'm so sorry, I didn't know, I'll go, I'll..."

   "No, it's not your fault, I was just teasing," she giggled.

   I finally brought my hand to my face and parted my hair to find a young
woman standing near me, her hands clutching what appeared to be
schoolbooks. The sun rose just above her head, casting a bright aura around
her as I squinted to make out her expression.  She was wearing a pair of
half-glasses which were definitely bifocals, and a white cardigan which had
a little dirt on it near her waist.

   "I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your spot."

   "It's all right, It isn't actually," she said in a soft voice similar to
mine.  "I do sit in it often when I'm reading though.  What's your name?"

   "Holly," I answered.

   "My name is Grace.  How are you?"

   I paused.

   "I'm okay I guess, you just startled me is all."

   She smiled brightly, holding her books with one hand now.

   "That's a first, usually it's the other way around for me," she giggled.
"So you're new here, Holly?"

   I hesitated for a moment.

   "Yes, I just moved in yesterday."

   She stepped closer, not making a sound in the green grass.

   "So you're new to this park then too?" she asked.  I nodded.  "Well,
you've found one of the best spots in it for sure.  There are not many
people are out here this early in the morning."

   "Would you like to sit here?  I will leave if you want me to," I said.

   She giggled to herself and rubbed a smudge from her bi-focals.

   "No, no, I would love some company for a change.  Would you like to sit
down on the bench with me this morning, Holly?"

   I shifted slightly, letting my first smile come to my lips.

   "Okay...I guess."

   Grace stepped over and quietly sat on the bench, her books resting
comfortably in her lap.

   "Sit down here and let's talk then," she exclaimed, smiling.

   I moved back beside her and sat down, putting my hands in my lap
nervously.  Grace had her books to attend to but I was empty-handed, I
hadn't even brought my purse out for the walk.

   "I...don't really know what to say."

   "Well...where do you live, Holly?" she began, soft with her voice so as
to calm my tenseness.  I thought to point where I lived but I remembered
how far into the gardens I had travelled and lost my direction.

   "Just up a few blocks, on Walnut Street," I said, softly.

   "That's a nice neighborhood.  Do you live in an apartment?" I nodded
again, this time turning to face her on the bench.  "Do you live by
yourself?"

   "Yes," I answered.  "I haven't even really unpacked yet."

   "No friends here in town to help you?" Grace inquired, tapping on her
books now as if she were beginning to be nervous.

   "No, I don't know anyone here personally."

   "Oh," she said, smiling still.  I started twiddling with my thumbs.  "So
what do you like to do, Holly?"

   "Well, I would like to get a job here soon.  I've got a few writing
skills."

   "Are you a good writer?  I'll bet you are." she said, happily.

   "I...well, I'm okay."

   I began to blush, looking at the flowers which closely mimicked the
flesh tone of my cheeks.

   "So how old are you, Holly?"

   "I'm nineteen.  How old are you, Grace?"

   "Same," she replied.

   She lifted her hands to her glasses and rearranged them again.  Grace
had bright green eyes which were nearly doubled in size through her
bifocals, a perfect match to her tied back chestnut colored hair which
looked so elegant and shiny compared to my messy, greasy look.  Grace's
eyes didn't seem to mind at all somehow.  Her gaze was one of quiet
happiness, of caring and compassion.  I looked into them calmly, and she
did the same with mine as if we were in a silent communication.  We both
paid attention to the sound of the brook as it lulled us both away from the
nervousness of introduction.

   "I know, I know.  I tripped back there as I noticed you on the bench.  A
clumsy, four eyed bookworm, not worth sitting next to a pretty girl like
you, aren't I?"

   I tried to hide my blushing, but at the same time thought oddly of her
own perception of herself.  I believed she was definitely more attractive
than I was for sure.

   "Of course not, Grace, that isn't what I was thinking at all."

   "What were you thinking, Holly?"

   "I was thinking how nice and pretty you are yourself."

   Grace let out a small cough, but quickly calmed herself and gripped her
books.

   "Thank you, Holly, thank you so much.  You are so nice to me, not sorry
or anything."

   "Why would I be sorry?" I asked.

   She didn't answer.

   "Ummm...I have classes today but I would love to see you again sometime.
Can I give you a call?" Grace asked, smiling again.

   "I haven't got my phone connected yet," I replied, looking embarrassed.

   "Oh...I suppose I could come here early again.  I do pretty much
everyday anyway.  It's so easy to fall in love with Tranquil Gardens after
visiting a few times."

   "It certainly is wonderful the first time," I added.

   Grace rose from the bench, sniffling for a second and holding in a
second cough.

   "Goodbye, Holly.  I hope to see you again soon."

   "Goodbye," I answered, pushing my hair out of my face and waving a bit.

   Grace made her way around the bench and back onto the small dirt path
which she had fallen on earlier.  She looked back several times, smiling a
little happier with each one as she watched me gaze at her.  After a
moment, she faded into the surrounding trees and I was left alone again,
now with the sun high in the sky as a sign of the new dawn.  I hummed to
myself for a minute or two and lied down on the length of the bench,
allowing myself to doze off into a peaceful, dreamless rest before
returning home.

   CHAPTER II

   I lied my head down against my couch armrest for a moment, smiling to
myself.  After a few minutes I looked up at my new apartment, my very messy
apartment.  A few items of clothing were hanging out from some of the boxes
I had opened and they nearly blocked off my view of the window.  I stood
from the couch and held my diary in my arms with both hands after just
having written an entire page about meeting Grace.  I then made my way to
the bathroom for what should have been my morning shower though it was
turning out to be more of a noon shower.

   I set my diary by the sink and kicked off my ugly shoes, then my socks.
After slipping out of my jeans and shirt I gazed at myself in the mirror
wearing only my underwear.  I made a few faces, some of them smiles, and
thought about Grace's smile.  She had said I was pretty, that was more than
enough to brighten me up for the remainder of the day, I thought.  With
that I slipped off my bra and panties and stepped into the shower, thinking
about Grace.

   ...

   The next day I was even more excited about seeing Grace than I had been
before I hesitantly doze off in my bed.  I jumped up as soon as my 6:30
alarm went off and darted to my shower to get ready for the day.

   I wore a clean pair of black jeans and the same jacket with, a nice
collared shirt underneath and, of course, my favorite earrings.  They were
as close to diamonds as I could afford but they had a nice pink hue,
surrounded by silver.  They dangled each time I took a step.  As a final
touch to my outfit I attempted to curl my hair a bit in the front, though
it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped.  With that, I rushed out the
door and headed towards the park in hopes of meeting Grace again for the
morning.

   When I entered the park, that same feeling of quiet and happiness filled
my spirit.  It was the perfect place to see Grace, and I quickly walked
along the grass and then the small dirt path until I found our bench once
more.  I had hoped she would have already been there waiting for me but she
hadn't arrived yet.  The bench wood was still a bit cool from the night air
as I sat down, waiting, hoping.  Sure enough, after about ten minutes,
Grace came from the trees again, the sun at her back upon her arrival as
before.

   "Am I late?" she asked, holding a different set of schoolbooks.

   "Of course not," I replied, moving over to give her room.

   "Good morning," she said, sitting down beside me.  I returned her
salutation, smiling for her and keeping my hands at my sides instead of
fidgeting nervously.  "Oh, you're all dressed up today.  Is this for me?"

   I began to blush again, looking at my outfit compared to hers.  She wore
a similar cardigan but this time more of an oatmeal color.  She had also
cleaned her bifocals of all the smudges they had a day earlier.

   "Oh, well...sort of...yes."

   "That's sweet of you," she answered.  "I love your earrings too, I have
a pair just like them."

   I shook my head a bit and let them dangle.  We both giggled.

   "Ummm...so, why did you come talk with me yesterday?" I asked, hoping
not to sound rude.

   She looked at me.  "Well, I've just been feeling a little...no," she cut
herself off.  "I noticed how pretty you were and thought that it would be
nice to have a little company for once."

   "For once?" I asked.

   "Well, I guess I could get a lot of company if I really wanted to.  I
just don't want...that kind.  I want someone who I can talk to and laugh
with right now."

   "I can talk and even laugh sometimes too if I try," I added.  We both
giggled again.

   "I can see that."

   I moved a little closer to her for once.  My heart began to race and I
struggled to calm myself.

   "So what are you studying?" I asked, looking at her books.

   "Everything pretty much," she answered.  "I don't want to close any
doors on my future so I'm taking everything I like."

   "Isn't it hard?  I could never do that, I would eventually give up."

   She looked down at her books, I thought I had upset her for a moment. 
She looked as if she were sad somehow.  A single tear formed near her eye.

   "Don't ever give up hope, Holly, ever.  It will always be there for
you."

   Her head remained lowered as she spoke.  Her words were sincere, perhaps
more memorable than any action.

   "Okay," I whispered almost.

   She raised her head up, her eyes a bit watery though she was smiling.

   "Besides, look how beautiful it is this morning.  We should have some
fun."

   My eyes brightened.

   "Like what?" I asked.

   "You know, fun," she answered.  "Like we always used to.  Stand up." She
set her books aside and rose before I did.  I stared up at her for a
second, her eyes seemed so caring.  As I continued to gaze she slid her
hands under my arms.  "Up, Holly."

   I stood from the bench and blushed a bit more, not sure what to say. 
Grace took in a deep breath, as if she were preparing to jump off the
highest diving board at a pool.

   "Okay..." I said, waiting for her to continue.

   "Come over here by the stream, and take your shoes off."

   "What?" I asked, dumfounded.

   "Your shoes," she said again.  "I'll do it too, come on."

   We both proceeded to take our shoes off.  Grace had a nice pair of
expensive looking black heeled shoes compared to my ugly runners.  She
didn't seem to care at all that they looked as if a dog had chewed on them.
Once our footwear was off we both stood in our socks on the grass, mine
black and Grace's white.

   "Now what?"

   "Now, off with the socks too," she returned, smiling happily.

   She quickly got out of hers and tossed them near her shoes, turning to
me as I still stood there, confused and even a bit embarrassed.

   "I don't know, Grace, I..."

   She stepped towards me.  "Oh come on, scaredy cat, get a little dirty."

   Upon her words she did a quick lunge for me and, with lightning speed,
swept my feet out from under me with her own foot.

   "Grace!" I yelled.

   With tender care I was caught in her outstretched arms and set on the
soft grass, a huge smile on her face.

   "Walnut street Karate class, yellow belt," she declared, grinning.

   She reached for my feet and proceeded to take my socks off herself.  I
began to giggle uncontrollably, tickled profusely by her actions.  I began
to kick my feet quickly, trying to stop her as I began to laugh along with
her.  After the first one came off I thought I couldn't breathe, I was
laughing so hard.

   "Stop, stop!" I giggled, my eyes closed.

   Finally after about twenty seconds Grace was able to get both of my
socks off.  She tossed them near my shoes and brought herself up to her
feet, holding her hand out for me.

   "Now you can get up and come in with me," she said, smiling.

   "Come in where?"

   As I spoke, Grace turned and stepped into the brook's water with soft
steps, sighing for a second as the cold stream flowed between her feet and
ankles.  She raised her arms as if she were balancing herself on a high
wire and made her way to the center of the calm stream.

   "Come in with me, Holly," she giggled.  "It's a little cold but you get
used to it."

   Without speaking, I looked at the water and then back at Grace.  She
looked at me, smiling and tilting her head to the side a bit.  I just
couldn't resist.  After looking down and up one more time, I made a tiny
hop from the edge of the brook and landed right beside her in the stream,
making a small splash that mostly got me wet.

   We both laughed.

   "That's more like it," she said.  "But I'm not sure how I'm going to
explain my clothes to my professor."

   "Oh, I'm sorry," I replied, now feeling a little guilty.

   "Don't be, Holly.  I'm glad you jumped in, I couldn't have done it like
that without finding my face in the water at the same time." Grace bent
down and picked up a rock.  She showed it to me as if it were a piece of
jewelry in her palm and then whipped it downstream, skipping it three
times. "You try it now."

   I bent over and grabbed a rock.  I tossed it as closely to Grace as I
could but it didn't skip once, instead plopping in the water with a small
splash.

   "Oh fffudge," I said, refraining from profanity.

   "No, Holly, do it with a disc shaped one, kind of like a frisbee I
suppose." She bent over again and grabbed one like she had described,
wiping it off a bit.  "Toss away."

   I tried once more, this time with a little more power.  It still didn't
skip.  I felt a little disappointed.

   "I'm no good I guess, Grace."

   She smiled, putting her arm around my waist slowly.

   "You just need a little practice, Holly, that's all."

   I looked in her eyes.  This was the closest to each other we had ever
been.  I could practically hear my heartbeat from my chest.

   "I didn't know you went to Karate classes, Grace."

   "I started about a month ago.  I'm going for black belt one day I hope."

   "That would take a long time I think."

   There was a pause, then she lowered her eyes for a moment.  After a
second or two I looked down as well, thinking that she was staring at
something by her feet.

   "But one day it could happen, Holly, don't you think?  One day?"

   I felt a lump growing in my heart, Grace was making me want to cry
somehow.  She seemed so sincere, so determined, I couldn't bring myself to
say anything but what she wanted.

   "I guess so...yes, you could do it.  Of course you could."

   "I'm sorry, Holly.  Thank you.  You make me feel so happy just by
talking to me."

   "And you do that for me too," I whispered, not sure really what to say.

   I managed a small smile and after a moment she returned one as well,
quickly reverting to her cheerful self again.

   She took in a deep breath.  "Well, that was refreshing, don't you
think?"

   "Very," I said, a bit cheerful again.

   "What are you doing later today, Holly," she asked.  "I was...wondering
if maybe we could have some lunch together or something."

   Grace sounded as nervous as I would have been had I asked the same
question.

   She took off her glasses and started cleaning the little drops of water
from my big splash.

   "Lunch sounds wonderful, Grace, I would love to come.  Where?"

   She put her glasses back on, blinking to focus.

   "Hmmm...you live on Walnut street, right?  I think I know a good little
place on the way here to the park, you've probably seen it."

   "Oh ya, okay.  There?" I asked.

   "Yep.  Let's say noonish, that's my lunch break."

   "I'll be there," I said, smiling.

   "Wonderful.  Now, let's get out of this stream before I freeze my toes
off," she giggled.

   Grace stepped out ahead of me and held out her hand to assist me.

   "Thank you," I said, taking it and stepping out beside her.

   As I knelt over by my ragged runners, Grace knelt to her knees and took
her shoes into her lap before me.

   "Holly," she said, softly.  "I want you to have my shoes, as a sort of
first gift for our friendship."

   My eyes widened.

   "Oh, no, I can't, Grace, I just can't accept these.  They're your shoes
and they look so nice on you and..."

   She smiled, tenderly.  "I know we're the same size, I checked while I
was grabbing for your socks.  Please, I want you to have them, I've always
wanted to give a gift to my best friend."

   I felt my emotions pouring to the surface again.

   "Best friend?" I asked, in a whisper.

   She nodded.  "Yes, my best friend.  You, Holly."

   She reached forward with her beautiful black shoes, setting them in my
lap.  A tear came to my eye and ran down my cheek, and then a warm smile.

   "Thank you so much, Grace.  You are the best friend I've ever met."

   She leaned forward and gave me a large hug as I held my fisted hands
against my chest.  She stayed there for a moment, looking over my shoulder
and holding me tight.  More tears came to my face and I waited for a chance
to reach up and brush them away.  Grace was so warm against me, so warm and
full of life, I thought.  Her heart beat against the back of my hands,
steady and soft just as her breath by my ear.  I closed my eyes, trembling
for a moment, struggling with the words I thought to say.  Grace made a
sniffle, she was teared up a bit too.

   As she gently released me I opened my mouth, the words so close to being
spoken.  I could find it in myself to say them, I just couldn't.  I quickly
rubbed away my few tears and looked up again.

   "Holly...I..." she began.  There was a pause that seemed to last
forever. "Why don't you try them on for me."

   I took the shoes from my lap.

   "Okay," I whispered.

   I slipped my black socks back on and loosened the laces a bit on her
shoes before I slid them both on.  Grace was right, they did fit, better
than my runners had even.  For so small a gift it meant more to me than I
could have imagined.

   "They look beautiful on you, Holly, I'm so glad."

   As Grace remained seated, putting on what had been my runners, I walked
back over to the bench and picked up her schoolbooks.  A small flower lied
between two of them, it's pedals sticking out from the top.  I brought my
nose to the flower and took in the sweet fragrance.  It reminded me so much
of Grace, I thought to myself.  It's color was a soft green, almost
identical to her beautiful eyes.  I stared at it for a moment, lost in it's
familiarities as Grace tied her laces.  She kept a small cough inward, and
then rose fully.

   "Your books," I said softly, reaching my arms out for her to take them.

   "Thank you, Holly," she said, taking them from my hands with care.  "I
probably would have forgot them there actually." I looked down at her feet.
I could see a bit of her white sock through one of the shoes.  Grace
reached for my chin and lifted my face back up to hers.  "It's okay, Holly.
You already make me happy, you don't have to worry for me too."

   "No, I...I guess I don't.  But I can worry About you, right?"

   She smiled.

   "I suppose you can.  But if you're going to, Holly, I don't want that to
ever make you sad or anything, that is very important for me."

   She kept her hand under my chin for a second then released it.

   "Okay..." I said, softly.

   "Promise?" she asked, looking at me through her bifocals tenderly.

   There was a pause.

   "I promise."

   "Goodbye, Holly," she said.

   "I'll see you at lunch, Grace."

   We came close to each other again, this time both trembling a bit.  A
final hug against her warm body was enough to calm my raised emotions.  I
felt her caring, her tenderness, and her strength all at once with her
soothing touch.  The flower which protruded from her books lightly brushed
up against my neck as she held her books at my back.  Grace took in a deep
breath as we both listened to the sound of our hearts beating so close to
each other.  She held on much tighter than I did, breathing very quietly in
our embrace, almost as if she didn't want to let go ever.  Never letting
go, never giving up hope.

   CHAPTER III

   I set my pen down on the open page of my diary, tapping against it
lightly, my pinky nail in my mouth.  Grace's words still stuck in my head
as clearly as if they had just been spoken seconds earlier, 'Don't ever
give up hope'.  I began to wonder what Grace thought about, if she thought
about our seeing each other, if she even really meant everything she said.
She appeared to have a very busy life ahead of her, I wondered how big a
part I played in it.  After closing my diary I fixed up my hair and makeup
a bit before beginning a little maintenance on my new place.

   ...

   The nervous feeling of anticipation which I had been feeling a lot
lately was not in any less excess when I closed the door to my apartment
and left down the stairs towards our meeting place for lunch.  I actually
didn't feel hungry, my stomach seemed full of butterflies or other crawly
things that made me want to shiver with anxiety and excitement at the same
time.

   I walked down Walnut street with quick strides, staring at my new shoes
as they trudged along the sidewalk.  They reminded me so much of Grace, her
sensitivity, her sense of fashion.  I smiled to myself and thought to skip
along the sidewalk instead of walk, but I didn't want to do it alone so I
restrained myself until I got to the corner of the small cafe where we were
to meet.

   When I stepped in the door, I noticed that the cafe was nearly deserted.
One or two elderly people sat on benches at the counter and a husband and
wife with their two rather noisy children sat in a booth in the corner
enjoying a family meal.  I sat in a booth by myself near the door, next to
a window where I could see outside.  As I took my seat, a waitress in plain
clothing came up to me.

   "Can I get you something, young lady?"

   "Oh, I'm actually waiting for someone but I...could I get a lemonade
maybe?"

   "Sure, I'll be right back, you just wait here," she said, kindly.

   After about a minute she returned with my lemonade.

   "Thank you," I said, reaching for my purse, which I had remembered to
bring this time.

   "Don't worry, it's on the house," she smiled.  "You know, you look very
familiar to me."

   My eyes widened for a moment as I took a sip from my straw.

   "Really?"

   "Ya, don't you have a funny looking pair of magnifying glasses that you
sometimes wear?" she asked, grinning a bit.

   "Oh, sorry, no.  I'm actually new to this neighborhood," I answered.

   "Well, I must be mistaking then.  There's someone who looks almost just
like you who comes in here sometimes, always has books, always orders a
lemonade like you just did."

   She gave me a kind wink and proceeded towards the booth with the family,
carrying a coloring book for the kids who sat restless, asking when their
food was coming.  I took another sip from my straw and smiled with the
mother as I made contact with her eyes for a second.

   The door to the cafe had a small set of bells near the top which sounded
every time someone walked in.  Even though I thought I was paying
attention, I was snuck up on yet again.

   "Hi Holly."

   I looked up from my straw and saw Grace standing over me, this time
without her books and her hands behind her back.

   "Hi," I pronounced softly.

   Grace motioned for me to scoot over on the seat, which I did though I
was a bit surprised; the entire other side of the booth was empty.  She
took a seat and looked down at my lemonade first, and then back up at me,
backing her head up as people with glasses tend to do when in close
quarters with others.

   "I was just about to ask for the same thing, Holly.  You have good
taste."

   "For drinks anyway," I answered, looking down at my outfit for a moment.

   We both smiled.  I looked up across the room towards the waitress who
now noticed Grace sitting beside me.  She covered her mouth as if she were
silently giggling and then walked back over.

   "What can I get you two lovely ladies?"

   "I'll have a lemonade too, please," Grace said, looking up at her.

   "Of course, I should have remembered," she returned, giving me an inside
smirk and turning towards the counter again.

   Grace turned back to me, tilting her glasses down onto her nose a bit.

   "So, did you have fun today in the park?" she asked.

   "Oh, yes, I did, thank you for suggesting it.  How did your professor
react to the uhh..."

   "He didn't seem to mind, but a lot of people noticed in the hallways
when I came in."

   "I'm sorry, again."

   She smiled.  "Don't worry, Holly, I was fine.  And besides I wore this
oatmeal colored shirt just in case I happened to fall over again, see?"

   We both made a small laugh, the two kids in the family booth heard us
over their bickering and looked up at as from across the room.

   "I...didn't really get to tell you but I wanted to say that you look
very nice today," I said, looking down at my glass.

   The waitress returned with Grace's lemonade and then went on with her
duties.

   "I suppose I didn't really notice seeing as how your smile seems to make
me feel just as nice."

   I blushed.

   "You're so flattering, Grace," I mused.

   "Well, this whole thing isn't very normal for me.  People don't talk
with me very much is all."

   "I can't imagine why," I replied.

   She took a sip from her lemonade and then folded her arms on the table,
setting her chin down on them.

   "I guess that not very many people in my life have ever wanted to just
sit down and talk sometimes.  They were always waiting for it to end so
that they could get whatever they wanted.  Sometimes it's just important
to...talk to others.  It makes me feel like I'm not alone in life.  I want
to be able to say one day that I lived knowing that I was more than just an
object or someone to be sorry for.  I want to live, Holly..."

   I looked up at her, our eyes met, this time unhindered by the lenses of
her glasses.

   "I...don't really know what to say, Grace."

   She perked up again, smiling.

   "You don't have to say anything, Holly, it's nice to just listen
sometimes."

   "Mmm hmm," I nodded.

   We stared at each other for the longest time, locked in silent
communication.  The gentleness of Grace's eyes enveloped my consciousness
and I smiled softly for her, gradually letting go of my anxiety to express
my feelings.  Grace reached up with her hand, placing it tenderly against
my cheek.  I closed my eyes, letting her fingers soothe my skin without
moving, almost as if a feather were embracing me.

   "Holly...Holly?"

   She let go of my face, smiling.

   "Having a little daydream are we?" she asked.

   "Oh...I...guess so," I managed to get out.

   She closed her eyes as she said, "What do you dream about, Holly?"

   I looked to my sides for a second, feeling the nervousness start to
knock at my door again.  Grace kept her eyes closed and waited, as though
she were listening to a soft serenade.

   "I...don't dream very often."

   Grace opened her eyes, a little sullied but still cheerful by her
expression.

   "You don't dream?" she asked.  I nodded hesitantly.  "Well I love to
dream.  I've always thought of them as glimpses of a better life, of the
next world even.  A place where everyone is happy and there is no pain or
misery, but only love and caring.  Dreams are something to strive for, to
live for, don't you think, Holly?"

   I paused, keeping my smile on still.  What could someone say to that, I
thought.  Instead of uttering a respectable reply to her lively words I let
out only a whisper, signifying that I was listening at least but uncertain
of what to say.

   "Uh huh..."

   Grace giggled to herself.

   "It feels like I'm talking to a zombie here," she stated.

   I shook my head quickly, livening up.

   "I'm sorry, Grace, it's just that I was so in tune with what you said."

   Grace took my hand into hers gently.

   "Oh Holly, I wish we could just sit like this and talk for hours," she
pronounced, happily.  I prepared to make my obvious answer which would have
been 'why can't we', but instead Grace gently gripped my hand and took in a
calm breath.  "You know what I like to do when I'm in public everyday?"

   "What?" I asked.

   I immediately thought she was going to mention something very strange on
unethical, something to make her seem like a complete stranger again, but
instead she said something that was more true and life-changing than most
people can possibly imagine.

   "Everyday of my life I try to do something that I've never done before,
or something that I would normally never consider because of fear.  You
know that one special person you met while you were out by yourself but you
never had the guts to go talk with him, or someone who you thought was so
beautiful that they would never, in their right mind, want to be with you?"

   "You do something like that everyday?"

   "Yes," she replied.  "Today mine was hoping you would step into the
stream with me in the park."

   I focused on the last part of her previous sentence; seeing someone so
beautiful that you felt so nervous about approaching...

   "And yesterday's?" I asked, looking at her softly now.

   Grace paused, looked down at herself and then back up at me.

   "Yesterday's..." she said, slowly.  "Yesterday's was having the courage
to walk up to you in the park."

   Her words felt like a wave of happiness against my body, so open and
truthful.  Grace held my hand tightly and then let go, unsure of whether
her words were about to scare me off.  I reached up and gently placed my
hand on top of hers, returning the smile that was so much like my own.  At
once, the Grace who I saw as above me and so much more secure was revealed
as the caring and vulnerable woman she truly was.  I felt a great weight
lift from my heart as I looked into her eyes.

   "I felt exactly the same way, Grace.  I was so nervous then, I even am
now a bit," I said, letting my shakiness show just a bit.

   "Really?" she asked, attentively.  I felt her warm hand beneath my own
as I nodded.

   I had never imagined it but the feeling of realizing that another person
cares for you just as much as you do for them was almost euphoric.  That
feeling, the one of total communication and understanding...of love even. I
wanted to collapse into Grace's arms with happiness, but instead I held
back.

   "This almost feels like a dream even," I whispered to her.

   "I hope it isn't," Grace said.  "Because it's one of the best that I've
ever had."

   We both smiled to each other, a loving smile, the smile of two friends
who shared the same feelings of happiness in one another.  Grace turned her
hand over underneath mine and allowed our fingers to lock together.  For
the first time in my life I felt open, complete, just as Grace did.  I
immediately thought of her words, her vow to do something that she would
normally never do each day.  The words came out as if they were spoken by
another person, I was so frightened.

   "Would...would you like to come to my apartment to...today, Grace?"

   She looked at me for a second, her smile still soft, her eyes still big
and cheerful.  She seemed to know that I was beginning the same daily vow
she had taken.

   "I would love to, Holly," she said, softly.  I felt as if I was going to
faint.  Nearly doing so, I dropped my head against her shoulder, wearily.
Grace giggled.  "Was that today's little risk for you?"

   "It was," I managed to let out, only in a whisper.

   Grace gently lifted my head with her hand, bringing my eyes back to
hers. A small tear rested behind her bifocals.  She smiled and stood from
the table.

   "Let's go then, Holly."

   "Yes, Grace," I answered, just above my breath.

   Grace reached out her hand and I took it, rising beside her.  We were
almost exactly the same height.  Before we left, Grace left more than
enough change on the table to cover our two unfinished lemonades and even
tip the waitress who had called her 'the girl with magnifying glasses'
behind her back.  She would never forget her from then on, and neither
would I.

   CHAPTER IV

   It hadn't been much of a lunch, but as I walked with Grace towards my
house I thought of it as one of the best lunch dates I had ever been to. 
We both walked down the sidewalk together, looking at some of the places
Grace knew.  She pointed them out and gave them each a little description
as we passed.

   Without her books to hold, Grace kept her hands wrapped together near
her stomach, as if to keep herself warm though the weather was still warm
for the early afternoon.  I set my hands behind my back and looked down,
letting my new shoes avoid the cracks in the sidewalk playfully.  Within a
few moments Grace realized what I was doing and joined in with me.

   We both giggled.

   "You do this too?" I asked.

   "All of the time," she replied, trying not to screw up.

   Another pedestrian up ahead noticed the two of us walking all over the
sidewalk with large erratic steps and crossed over to the other side.  The
next one wasn't as passive though, he walked right between us, making Grace
almost trip to avoid a crack.  Instead she stepped down hard and allowed
herself to lose our little game.

   "I win," I said, happily.

   "Hmmphh, that wasn't my fault," she replied.

   I looked up from the sidewalk.

   "My apartment is right up there, the white building."

   I pointed to my building for Grace.  She looked at it and nodded.

   "Okay, which room though?"

   "I'm in 308 I think."

   Grace stopped walking, so did I.  She reached out her hands and took
mine in both, looking at them.

   "Holly, I actually have to go to class again today, but I promise I'll
come over after I'm done.  Is that okay?"

   "Okay, Grace," I answered.

   She released my hands and started to turn.

   "Oh and don't worry if you haven't unpacked yet, I don't mind messy
apartments at all."

   She took the thought right out of my head, I was so worried she was
going to despise the conditions in my home, I felt very relieved.

   "Okay."

   Grace turned around again, and then turned back a second time.

   "Hug?" she asked.

   "Yes," I replied, beginning to blush a bit.

   She walked back towards me and reached out her arms as we embraced with
a gentle hug.  I felt Grace's quiet heartbeat against my chest and sighed.
Something as simple as a hug seemed enough to make her content.  She held
her breath the entire time, waiting for a long pause before releasing her
grip.

   "Bye, Holly."

   With that she turned and walked off quickly, starting up another attempt
at missing the sidewalk cracks.

   ...

   After reaching my apartment I opened the door and stepped in,
immediately noticing the horrid conditions that Grace was about to enter
soon.  Caught up in excitement, I threw off my shoes and jacket as I ran
over to the stack of boxes to begin unpacking as fast as I could.

   I pulled out my phone from one of the boxes but couldn't find the cord
which plugged into the wall.  Then I pulled out what little silverware I
was able to buy before moving and placed it in the kitchen drawers.  After
what seemed like sixty minutes of work I looked at the clock and noticed it
was already five.

   I rushed into my room and put on a clean pair of jeans, just in time to
hear a quiet knock at my door from the hallway.  After nearly falling over
while slipping on my last pant leg I jogged to the door and opened it. 
Grace stood there holding a small pot full of the same light green flower
which I had found between her books.  She held it out, politely.

   "House warming gift for you, Holly, I hope you like them."

   I took them from her hands, lowering them so that I could see her fully.

   "Oh, I love them, Grace, thanks so much."

   "I actually picked them from Tranquil Gardens, but I'm sure no one will
mind."

   "I think so too," I said.  "Come in, come in."

   Grace stepped passed me and peered around a bit as I closed the door. 
We walked into the kitchen area and I set the flowers down on the already
cluttered table.

   "A very nice place you've got here, it's bigger than mine I think."

   "But no where near as clean," I added.

   "Well maybe we could fix that, Holly.  Would you like me to help tidy
up?"

   I pondered her offer for a moment, wondering if it would seem rude to
accept, but decided to say yes anyway.

   "Okay."

   ...

   It didn't take us very long to unpack all of my things, but when it was
finally over we were both a little exhausted.  I felt particularly warm
after I had dropped one of the boxes, spilling out some of my underwear
right at Grace's feet.  She giggled and helped me pick them up though.

   Grace sat down on the couch and stretched her arms above her head,
breathing heavily.

   "There, all settled in now."

   I sat down beside her and stretched my legs out for a moment.  Then we
just looked at each other.  Almost a blank stare, without words but with
great thought.  Grace's green eyes seemed to glimmer from beneath her
glasses which reflected the light from the window slightly.

   Her soft features seemed more elegant than usual and her smile more
soothing.  Both of us were very warm and the perspiration from our
foreheads showed through as a result.

   "Grace," I said.  "Have you ever...had a boyfr...someone special in your
life?"

   She looked into her lap, then straightened her glasses.

   "No...not really.  I've never met anyone who was particularly interested
in my life, instead of just my body."

   "Oh," I answered, quietly.

   "That's why I like being with you, Holly, because you are interested in
what I have to say.  You enjoy being with me on more than just the physical
level."

   Grace looked back up into my eyes.

   "Yes, I guess you're right."

   "And that's why I love what we have together," Grace said, softly.

   I felt the room temperature seemingly double.  I turned red at my
cheeks.

   "It's...it's very hot in here," I said, stuttering very noticeably.  I
stood from the couch and turned towards the kitchen.  "Would you like
some...something to drink, I'll get some drinks, I'll be right back."

   Grace lowered her head.

   "Yes, I'd love..."

   Before she could finish I stepped out of the room and opened the
refrigerator, feeling the first rush of cool air against my face.  I took a
deep breath, wondering if I had really heard Grace right or had simply
imagined it out of exhaustion.  I felt my heart pounding against my chest
as I picked out two cans of Pepsi and walked back into the living room.

   Grace sat with her legs up on the seat and her head tucked into her
arms. I heard a faint sob from beneath her curled up body.  She looked up,
her glasses down to her nose, tears in her eyes.

   "I'm...I'm sorry, Holly, I didn't mean to scare you like that.  Maybe I
should go."

   I felt my knees begin to shake.

   "No, please don't go, Grace...I..."

   "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable like that.  I know you
don't love me that way and..."

   Love?  She loved me?  Out of all the people I had met and cared for in
my life I never would have guessed Grace to express her feelings first. 
Possibly because I had never been with another girl but also because I felt
the same way she did about holding the importance of another's life before
their physical features and had never met someone else who did as well.  I
dropped one of the Pepsi cans as I stood in front of her, trembling and
ready to collapse.

   "You...love me?" I asked, in a whisper.

   Grace looked up at me.  Her glasses fell off of her face and onto her
arms.  She grew a very emotional smile beneath her tears and nodded.

   "Yes, I do."

   I felt as if I were going to pass out.  The heat became almost
overwhelming as I fell to my knees in front of her, gripping the cold soda
can as the only source of cold in the room.

   "I love you too, Grace."

   She widened her eyes, just as I had the first time I had been called her
best friend.  Yet again the progression of our feelings had caught up to us
both unexpectedly.  Grace set her legs back down on the carpet and opened
her arms up.  I fell into them and she hugged me more tightly than ever
before, sniffling as I just began to tear up.  A tiny cough near my ear and
then her breathing steadied.

   "I've always loved you, Holly, I just couldn't bring myself to tell you.
I didn't ever think that you would feel the same way.  I'm...I'm happy."

   I raised my head, our faces now directly in front of each other.

   "Kiss me, Grace...please."

   Like the first moment we had hugged, when our lips met the feeling was a
thousand times greater.  It was like nothing I had ever experienced before,
or had ever guessed I would do.  Her touch against my lips was more soft
than I had ever imagined, so warm and soothing.  I felt the room grow a
slight bit cooler but at the same time my vision became very bright, as if
the sun began to shine twice as bright.  Our tears poured over our lips
slowly as they finally halted, but our first kiss would not end for nearly
another minute.  My first kiss, I thought, though it actually wasn't. 
There was no other description for it as it felt more angelic than any of
my previous ones put together.  It wasn't a kiss of lust or pleasure, but
one of love; the kind two feel when they finally realize they were meant to
be together.  I dropped the other soda can abruptly when we finally parted.

   "Wow..." Grace said.

   "Wow..." I said at nearly the same time.

   "Can we do it again?" Grace asked, softly.

   "Yes."

   Our second kiss was nearly the same, but even more emotional if that was
possible.  I felt the heat seemingly eating away at me and I also felt a
warm itch between my legs at the same time.  The light shined on Grace as
it would an angel.  Her hair became damp, as did mine and it stuck to our
faces with perspiration when we parted again.

   "That was...incredible, Holly.  How do you feel?"

   My head began to sway back and forth.

   "I feel, I feel...warm..."

   As I finished speaking, my head flopped into Grace's lap, too weak to
pull itself up.  I passed out from the heat immediately.

   ...

   When I awoke I was lying on the couch, the two Pepsi cans resting on my
stomach, and Grace standing over me as she bit her nails nervously.

   "You're all right," she said, letting out a huge sigh.  "I was going to
call an ambulance but your phone..."

   "...Isn't hooked up, I know."

   I reached for the soda cans on my stomach.

   "That's the best I could think of," Grace said, smiling timidly.

   "I think it worked," I answered.  "Now I'm feeling a little cold."

   Grace sat down beside me.

   "I love you, Holly."

   I smiled with her, soothed by the soft words which I knew could never be
worn out.

   "I love you, Grace."

   "Whenever I even say that to you it feels so weird, it tingles even."

   "It does for me too," I added.

   Grace looked into her lap.

   "Maybe it's because we're not supposed to love each other like that,"
she said, quietly.

   I sat up and answered, "What do you mean."

   "I mean...I don't think I'm ready to run out and tell everyone that..."

   "That we're gay?" I asked.

   Grace nodded.

   "Actually, I'm a little surprised myself...when you put it that way."

   "I don't think you just wake up and realize it.  Maybe this is how it is
for everyone, I don't know."

   I picked up one of the soda cans and proceeded to open it.

   "It feels nice to share it with someone though, not be alone," Grace
said, softly.

   As she spoke, I popped open the can, spraying fizz onto my face and
remembering that I had dropped both cans earlier.  Apparently none of my
clumsiness had changed, I thought to myself.

   Grace giggled to herself and just stared at me.  After a few seconds I
was able to open my eyes and stare back.  The sun was at her back yet
again, as if it followed her somehow.  I watched as she slowly slid across
the couch and brought her face close to mine, causing the hairs on my arms
to stand on end.  Her lips came to my forehead and kissed it softly, taking
in the majority of the pop fizz which had splashed onto my face.  I took in
a deep breath, letting Grace's subtle perfume tickle my senses.  It was a
sort of fruity fragrance, the kind younger kids wore when they couldn't
afford the designer trends.  Still, it suited her more than any expensive
perfume did, I thought.

   "I tried to bring you to your bed after you passed out, but I'm not
exactly...I couldn't lift you," Grace said, pulling away.

   "I've never preferred the tough, strapping type, Grace, I love you just
as you are."

   I was truthful with my words.  Grace seemed like an angel in my arms,
just as gentle if not more than I was, and more beautiful than words could
accurately describe in my eyes.  I reached my arm around her and brought
her close, smiling as the glare from the light from the window clouded my
vision.  Grace coughed out loud before speaking.

   "That feels nice, Holly."

   I rested my hand on her back.

   "What does?"

   "Your touch..."

   The same tingling feeling which I had felt earlier returned as Grace
whispered her words in my ear.  We both began to move against each other,
softly.  A soft grinding as we repositioned ourselves.  I pulled my legs up
onto the couch and lied across the full length of the cushions and Grace
sat upon my thighs, leaning over and tucking herself between me and the
back cushions.  Our hair intertwined a bit as we breathed quietly together.

   Grace reached out her free hand, the other tucked under her body, and
took hold of my own.  She brought it close to her and gave my hand a small
kiss on the backside.

   "I've never...been touched like this before, Holly," she whispered.

   "Neither have I."

   "I love you, Holly, and I trust you..."

   With the gentleness of a feather, I set my hand on Grace's shoulder and
ran my fingers up and down her bare arm.  In return, Grace set her head
down just above my chest and closed her eyes, resting her own hand around
my waist.  With each soothing stroke she took deeper, more comforting
breaths, sighing as if it were the first time she had felt another's touch.
Across the room, the blinds of my apartment windows swayed back and forth
in the calm breeze, cutting the sunlight into long shards which stretched
out over the room and the couch.  I was reminded of the same peacefulness
which we had both encountered in Tranquil Gardens.  The warmth of Grace's
body against mine seemed like a caring blanket, the first real indication
of companionship I had felt in my life.

   I let my hand move upwards towards her neck, resting my fingers upon the
back of her head under her chestnut hair.  Grace's pulse was steady and
calm, full of a life so giving and compassionate for having ever even
talked to me in the first place.  I stared down at her feet, clad in a pair
of white socks which showed recent dirt stains.  I wondered if the pair of
shoes she had given me were her only pair, I hadn't noticed what she had
worn when I answered the door.

   Grace turned her head to the side and rested it on my chest, making only
the slightest sound with her breathing as I ran my hand through the hair at
her neck.  Between my legs the feeling of warmth seemed to vibrate softly.
My fingers ran through her hair, pushing it out of her face and away from
her forehead.

   "I love you too," I whispered.

   Grace's hand lied limp in my palm as I gently reached down and grasped
it.  She had fallen asleep in my arms.  I rested it back at my side and let
my head rest on the arm of the couch, covered by my sleeping companion. 
Without a sound or movement, I let myself close my eyes and drift away into
a dreamless sleep, hoping that my future dreams would one day replay the
moment we had first met and the experiences we were sure to share together
in our new life.

   CHAPTER V

   I awoke with Grace's warm body still huddled up between mine and the
couch, almost silent with her breathing.  The light from the windows was
faint, the sun hadn't risen yet, and the room felt cool from the open
windows which calmly swept in the morning air.  I looked down to see Grace,
her glasses hanging off her nose from subtle movements during the night. 
Her hair had fallen into her face and her one leg rested between my thighs
where it was still slightly warm.

   Grace yawned inwardly and cuddled in closer, oblivious to the fact that
I couldn't move with her on top of me.  I reached out and took her hand,
rubbing it gently.

   "Hey...Good morning, sleepy head," I whispered.

   Grace pushed her back against the couch in a stretch and looked up at me
through her hair.

   "Holly...is that you?"

   Her eyes couldn't seem to focus on mine, instead looking at the whole as
she couldn't focus without her glasses.  I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

   "Yes, it's me.  It's morning now, Grace."

   "Morning?" she replied, a little confused.  "Did we..."

   "We fell asleep on each other, yes," I quickly returned, not answering
what she might have intended to say.

   "I can't feel my arm," she said, quietly.

   I quickly moved myself away from the back cushions of the couch and let
Grace free her arm.

   "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

   "It's okay, Holly, it's always okay.  What time is it?"

   I looked around for a clock but couldn't find one.

   "The sun hasn't risen yet," I answered.

   "I'm sorry I dozed off like that, I just get tired sometimes.  You were
so gentle and..."

   "I've never had someone spend the night before, it was wonderful."

   She finally gathered the strength to lift herself up from my chest,
dropping her glasses from her face onto my neck.

   "Did you dream, Holly?"

   I thought of what to say, knowing in the end that our love was built on
trust, on honesty.

   "No," I said, sounding a little discouraged.

   "You will, Holly, one day, and it will be wonderful."

   "As long as I have you, Grace, I don't need to dream."

   Grace lowered her head and stood from the couch.  She straighted her
wrinkled clothes out and turned towards the window where the sun still sat
on the horizon.

   "As long as you have me..." she whispered, her back to me.  "I guess
some dreams aren't that far off after all."

   I pondered her words for a moment, thinking to myself what they might
have meant.  As she always would, Grace was able to brighten up instantly
as if her emotions flowed from a hot and cold running tap.  I reached for
her glasses at my neck and put them on, playfully.  I couldn't see anything
at all in them, but I clearly heard Grace's giggle when she turned to find
them on me.

   "I guess I should get cleaned up," I said.

   There was a pause.

   "Holly?"

   "Yes?"

   "Would you like to walk with me to the park this morning?"

   "Of course I would," I replied.  "Was that you're risk for today?"

   "No," she answered.  "I'm still thinking about that one."

   "I can't go out like this," I noted, looking down at our clothes.  They
were indeed wrinkled from our night together on the couch.

   "I don't have anything else to wear," Grace said.

   I removed her glasses and handed them back to her, looking towards my
room.

   "Come with me."

   ...

   After searching my newly decorated closets for a few minutes we were
finally able to pick out two nice outfits for the both of us.  I handed
Grace a clean pair of black jeans and one of my loose white t-shirts. 
Grace set them on the bed as I pulled out a similar outfit, only with a
tank instead of a t-shirt.

   "I guess I should leave while you change," I said, quietly.

   Grace didn't reply but gave a passive nod and watched me step out of the
room.  I leaned against the wall on the other side of the door and waited,
listening to Grace's quiet movements.  After a few moments the sounds
stopped.

   "I'm done now."

   I turned and walked back in, getting my first look of Grace wearing one
of my outfits.  It fit her perfectly, though the jeans seemed just a little
loose at the waist without a belt.  Grace tucked in the t-shirt and quickly
appeared flawless again.

   "It fits," I said.

   "Very well, thank you." Grace walked towards the door slowly.  "I'll let
you be alone to change."

   As she passed my arm I reached out my hand and gently took hers.

   "You...can stay if you'd like, I won't mind."

   "I...I...okay," she replied, looking back and forth between me and the
living room.

   Just as with all of the other rushes and anxieties I had felt during my
time with Grace, a new one became apparent, the thought of actually
changing in front of another person.  I knew that to some, such a thing was
trivial and almost stupid to dwell upon, but I wasn't exactly the type who
flashed others on a daily basis or even wore skirts often.  I wondered if
what I had said was my risk for the day, or just something that I wished
for Grace to see.

   She stood with her hands behind her back in the door frame as I walked
over to the bed and pulled off one of many tarnished shirts that I would
often wear under my jacket each day.  I kept my back to Grace as I
unclasped my bra and set it down on the bed, reaching for one from my
dresser.  The floor before the door frame gently creaked, an indication
that Grace was trembling a bit.  I giggled to myself, wondering if she felt
even more nervous than I did.

   "I don't do this often," I said, stopping for a moment.

   "What?" Grace asked, quietly, desperately restraining her eyes.

   "Change in front of other people, not even at swimming pools whenever I
can."

   I let my hands come to my sides as I turned back towards her.  Grace
looked up at the ceiling, nervously.

   "Neither do I...but I usually try to avoid situations like that
altogether..." She finally built up the courage to look down at my body. 
Her eyes remained mostly on my face though.  "...You're beautiful,
Holly...I."

   "I guess that's what companions are for, to remind each other that," I
said, trying to sound calm.  "I think you're just as beautiful as I am,
Grace."

   She blinked rapidly for a moment, and her legs became noticeably shaky.

   "I love you, Holly, I really do."

   "Will you hold me, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   With a calm, deep breath, Grace stepped forward and came towards me,
taking me into her arms.  My bare skin met with the material of her
t-shirt. She lowered her head and rested it on my shoulder as we turned in
very slow circles almost like a dance.  I closed my eyes.

   "I've always lived in a rush, Holly, rushed into things that I don't
think I was ready for.  I was always told that it was the best for me, and
that when I was old enough I would be thankful," Grace said.  Her voice
became softer with each passing word, as if the memory of such a past were
painful or sad.  I felt her tears begin to run down my chest.  "You're the
only person in my life who has taken things slowly, the way they are meant
to be taken with people.  I always want to be with you, Holly, forever."

   Forever, perhaps one of the most powerful words when it comes to love. I
held Grace tightly and knew that it was something possible for us.  A
promise that we would both keep for the rest of our lives and long after
that.

   I returned Grace's tender embrace and felt her tears upon my body more
than ever before.

   "Forever, Grace..."

   Her words were less than whispers now, and she spoke without looking
into my eyes.

   "Even when we one day part..."

   I lowered my head to try to see her eyes though they were still hidden.

   "What do you mean, Grace?"

   "I want to go to the park now," she pronounced, directly before holding
in a cough.

   CHAPTER VI

   The morning seemed quiet, peaceful, soothing.  Across the horizon, Grace
and I viewed the calm aurora which rose over the entrance to Tranquil
Gardens as we both entered.  It was well before seven and the cool air of
the night had not yet left the interior of the park.  I held Grace close to
me to stay warm, she never once took her eyes away from mine until we
reached our bench and the sounds of the serene brook.  We both sat down,
not having said a word between us since we had left the apartment.  Grace
finally found it in herself to slide right over beside me and hold me as
she had before.

   "What did you mean before, about one day..." I asked, quietly.

   Grace peered across the brook at a patch of the flowers which I thought
reminded me of her.

   "Do you believe in Heaven, Holly, of angels and life hereafter?"

   "I've...never really thought about it, why?"

   "Do you believe in a place where there is no pain or suffering, where
two lovers can live on, forever?"

   "I already live that life with you," I stated.

   "But we won't live forever," Grace returned.

   "We may not, but hope will, love will."

   Grace looked up at me.

   "Hope," she whispered.  "Hope will always be there."

   "You taught me that, Grace, and I believed you."

   "I do too...now," she replied.

   I took Grace's hand into my own and looked into her green eyes as they
shimmered with tears yet to be shed.

   "Why are you telling me all of this?"

   There was a long pause, and yet Grace couldn't find it in herself to
turn away this time as she spoke.  The honesty, the trust of our love
couldn't stop her from hiding what few knew.

   "I'm sick, Holly..."

   The words struck me as if the world had only one minute left to live.  A
sharp pierce into my heart which drew forth tears of bewilderment and fear.
Grace continued to hold my hand tight as she sensed the great pain.

   "Sick?  I...don't understand."

   "It's been like this for a long time now.  To only dream of what a life
is like that's normal...  to live every day as if it were your last. 
But...when I met you I finally felt as if I were truly alive.  You've
taught me what it is to be loved by another, and to love, and you have
given me what I could never have by myself.  Hope."

   The tears burst forth from my eyes, and the same from Grace.  She took
off her glasses and tossed them onto the grass at our feet, taking me with
both arms.  The warmth...the life inside her, I couldn't accept her words
as the truth.

   "But you can't be...your life, your school..."

   "I never wanted to give up hope, ever.  I've always tried to live my
life as if nothing were wrong, as if I would live to see my life lived out
at my own pace.  I always believed that one day I would be happy...and then
I met you."

   Grace now openly cried in my arms, taking quick, heavy breaths and
gasping for air.

   "I don't...want to lose you, Grace.  I love you."

   "We will always be together, Holly, that was my promise."

   "You won't die, Grace, I know you won't.  You're stronger than I ever
could be, you've lived a happier life than I ever could.  I only hope that
things will always be that way for us."

   Grace reached her hand under my chin, exactly as she had done once
before.  To live with the knowledge that you would one day die had been one
of my greatest fears.  For those who lived it, they could only pass on what
little they could, to tell those of us who question our lifestyle how truly
lucky we are.

   "As long as your hope is alive, I can never truly die, Holly.  I'll
always be with you, in your heart, in your dreams..."

   "...And in my life, I swear it.  Good people don't die."

   The wind gently picked up as we held each other, crying for what seemed
like hours though only minutes passed.  The sun rose for us both, bringing
the promise of a new and loving day which we would spend together.  It cast
a bright beam upon us both, illuminating the hope that we both held as if
it were something tangible.  Across the brook, the flowers I adored swayed
back and forth in the growing wind, some strong, some less so.  I opened my
eyes to see the smallest flower in the patch bend against the breeze,
finally snapping from it's bed and flailing into the stream.  When it
finally left my sight I could still remember it's beauty as vividly as if
it still bloomed.

   Grace held me in her arms, feeling the cold now blowing against her own
body as it drew near us.  Our tears met the wind together.

   CHAPTER VII

   We held each other for nearly an hour, not speaking, but looking at the
calm waters of the brook instead.  Grace kept her eyes closed for the
majority of the time, compensating for her glasses which she hadn't yet
picked up from the grass.  Her warm touch against my skin was more than
enough to bear the cool breeze which seemed to have circled us for the
first time of any day we had met together in the park.  The sun continued
to shine through the trees, persistent and full of a hope all of it's own
somehow.

   Grace opened her eyes every so often to look at me, her tears finally
dried.

   I let my hand run up and down her arm as I had before.

   "Is this the end of our relationship, or a new beginning?" I asked.

   "I think it's a beginning for us, Holly.  I can't keep anything from
you, you deserve to know, because I love you."

   "Are you ever afraid, Grace?  Of dying someday?"

   She looked out over the brook again, managing a smile through what I
would have thought to be misery.

   "I think about it sometimes, not very often though.  I've never believed
that life should be about waiting to die, but living the time you have as
best you can."

   "And are you?" I asked.

   She looked back up at me, gazing into my eyes, softly.

   "Of course I am."

   A smile came to my face, after what seemed like so long.  Grace was calm
and quiet, not frightened or miserable.  She looked upon life as a gift,
and knew that some of life's most precious things could never end, even in
death.  I found it in myself to function under that same lifestyle.  Grace
had once said that she didn't want me to worry for her, so I decided to be
happy for her instead.

   "So, where do you live, Grace?" I asked, brightening up a bit.

   "Hmm...about four blocks away from you, near the university."

   "Is it a nice neighborhood?"

   "I like it," she replied.  "Though it is a little smoky near my
apartment."

   "You mean smog?"

   Grace made a quiet giggle through her dried tears.

   "No, cigarette smoke, silly.  All of the smokers like to use the benches
near my home."

   "You don't like smokers?" I asked.

   "Well, I don't like what they do, but I don't dislike them as people.  I
understand how hard it is to quit though."

   "I think it would be a lot easier if they didn't start at all," I added.
"Maybe we should stop glamorizing it the way we do, in books, on TV."

   Grace and I smiled.

   "I suppose it has to start somewhere."

   Grace leaned over and retrieved her glasses, putting them back on and
standing from the bench to stretch.  Her hair blew in the calm breeze and
the sun reflected off her bifocals yet again.  She continued to stretch,
moving into more complicated ones eventually.

   "I've never seen that stretch before," I said, smiling.

   "Oh, I like to do yoga every so often," Grace replied.  "I actually had
a class for this too, but I bought a book on it instead so I could do it at
home."

   Grace stretched her legs out behind her and spread them far apart,
leaning towards the ground with her outstretched hands.

   "It looks hard," I said.

   "Would you like me to show you some, Holly?" she asked.

   "We might be seen."

   Grace giggled, straining a bit from her maneuver.

   "It's not like we're naked or anything.  I guess it could be today's
risk for you."

   "Okay...I guess."

   Grace stood fully once more.

   "Come stand beside me then, Holly," she said.  "You don't usually do
yoga in jeans, but we won't try any really hard positions, okay?"

   "Right."

   I stood next to Grace and watched her position.  She stood with her feet
balanced, and her hands together in sort of a prayer position.  I quickly
mimicked it.

   "Let's try...the sun salutation, that's a nice one," she said, smiling.
"Stand like me...okay now take in a deep breath...good.  Raise your hands
above your head, kind of like reaching for the sun or something, I'm not
sure how that goes."

   We both giggled.

   "I take it you don't know a lot about the spiritual side of yoga," I
said, grinning.

   "Well, there's only so much in the book I've got," she replied.  "Okay,
now keep your arms up and bend them back behind you, get those hips
forward..."

   Grace was doing the positions twice as well as I was, but I was doing
okay for my first try.  It felt so nice to exercise with Grace in the park,
she was quick to cheer herself up and I admired that.  The cold that had
touched our bodies as we sat together was quickly fading in favor of a
warm, burning in our limbs.

   "...Now start to breath out and bring your arms forward and touch the
ground," Grace said, watching me out of the corner of her eye.

   "Like this?"

   "No, no...do it without bending your knees, Holly, like I am."

   I grunted as I attempted to do it correctly, I wasn't exact the most
flexible person in the world.

   "Easy for you to say," I managed to say, in a breath.

   "Well, it all takes practice, Holly, you'll get it someday."

   We continued our yoga until we got into some even more compromising
positions for the two of us seeing as how we both wore jeans.  At one point
we were both down on our hands and knees in a position that Grace called
the cobra; we couldn't help but giggle at each other for how it might have
looked to anyone watching.  When we finally finished, Grace came back into
the starting position with her hands together in a prayer.  We did it two
more times before she finally noticed me struggling with each position.

   "Shall we do it again?" she asked, looking over to see me sitting down
on the grass heaving.

   "Ohhh...sure...that was easy."

   I slumped my back down to the grass and stared up at the sky and the
branches of the nearby tree.  Grace gave me a scolding look but then
smiled.

   "You should try this stuff more often, Holly, it's a great energizer."

   I continued to breath heavily.

   "Ya, maybe after you regain your strength lost from trying this stuff so
early in the morning."

   Grace bent down to her knees near my legs and sat with her hands in her
lap.

   "I'm glad you tried it with me though, Holly.  Thank you."

   "It was great, we should try it again sometime...next year," I said,
between breaths.

   Grace smiled softly, and then lied down on the grass beside me, directly
in line with my eyes.  She put her arm around my waist, as she had when we
had spent the night together.

   "How can I repay you?" she asked, softly.

   "Just...be with me." I whispered.

   She smiled her soft smile.

   "For as long as I can, Holly."

   I paused for a brief moment, looking into her eyes and admiring her soft
features.  Grace let her bifocals come down to her nose to see me clearly.
She coughed inwardly.  I took a deep breath.

   "Will you die, Grace?"

   "One day," she whispered, looking away for a moment.  "But it's not our
choice to decide when.  I'm here now though, Holly, and I'm living the way
I want to.  If I do look forward to anything it is our life together, not
the day I will die."

   "Don't ever leave me," I whispered.

   She looked down at herself once more, closing her eyes.

   "I have to go now, Holly.  I'm...late for class."

   "Please stay, Grace...please."

   "I wish I could just stay here with you, forever," she said, softly. 
"I'll stay...for as long as I can."

   "Okay..."

   She sat back up and waited for me to stand first.  I stood over her and
just looked down at her silently.  Grace looked down at the brook off to
her side, a bright glint in her eyes.

   "I remember when I first came to this park, Holly.  It was with my
mother when I was only twelve.  We sat together under this tree, the bench
wasn't here back then, and neither were the flowers.  I loved it here so
much, I remember.  It was the day before I found out...  And ever since
then I've always come back here to try and relive that same happiness I
felt when I was a child, but through all of the amenities they added over
the years it never felt the same until I found you sleeping so quietly on
the bench.  I wondered if I was dreaming, if our meeting was real."

   "And what do you feel when you come here to the park now?" I asked.

   "When I'm with you, Holly, it's almost as if I'm reliving that day, but
not only here in the park but...everywhere."

   "I love you so much, Grace, and I hope we'll always be together."

   There was a pause.

   "Don't ever lose that hope, Holly.  If we should ever part, or not be
together for any time."

   "Don't say that, Grace," I said, reaching for her hand.

   She lowered her head and allowed me to take her hand.  It trembled
slightly.

   "I'm...not afraid anymore, Holly."

   "Afraid?" I asked, softly.

   "Afraid of being alone, afraid of not living the way I wanted to, afraid
that I would never find love in the time I have."

   "You don't ever have to be afraid again," I whispered.

   Grace wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her face close to
mine. Her tears broke through the barrier she had put up to restrain them,
but I could not cry with her.  I knew that she didn't want me to be sad for
her anyway.  We kissed each other openly, a kiss of love, as was our every
embrace.  My heart pleaded the words that I almost couldn't say out of a
fear that my answer would not be met.  Our lips parted, Grace let go.

   "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Grace, I love you.  Will
you stay with me?"

   The pause lasted for an eternity, our hands held on together.  Grace
cried still, I could not.

   "I will, Holly...I will." I felt her hair with my fingers, hit by her
words with a surge of joy.  "But...I have to go now."

   "Don't leave, Grace."

   "I will always be with you, Holly," she said.  "As long as you don't
give up that hope."

   Grace rose to leave, I held her hand to prevent her from leaving.

   "I'll be here tomorrow, I promise," I said, not wanting to tear up.

   She peered down at my hand.

   "Okay."

   "Grace," I said, watching her green eyes flutter with tears.  "What if
you don't come?"

   Her gaze remained soft, loving, and full of hope.

   "If I don't come," she said.  "One may always dream..."

   I didn't ever want to let go, but gradually I let her fingers slip away.
For the first time in our relationship I felt apart from her feelings, her
life.  Grace stepped back as I stared into her eyes, once filled with a
hope that I felt now only to be present in myself.  I opened my mouth to
speak, but could not breath life into the words which I wanted to say.  I
looked towards the brook where the flowers watched on silently.  When I
looked back, Grace was gone.

   CHAPTER VIII

   The sun became covered with clouds for the first time since I had
visited the park as I walked down the path of Tranquil Gardens to return
home.  The warmth still beat down on the trees and flowers, but I felt an
emptiness without Grace by my side.  I found myself continually looking
back, hoping that she would come running up the path to be with me, but
soon I reached the end of the path and she did not come.

   "I'll see her tomorrow," I said to myself.  "Tomorrow."

   I let myself walk slowly on the sidewalk, staring down at my shoes,
Grace's shoes, remembering the day she had given them to me.  I managed a
smile for the first time since I had left the park.

   When I reached my home I stared up at my building, noticing the blue sky
above it, and the clouds which slowly gathered.  I sat at home for hours,
alone with my thoughts, my desires.  I wondered how Grace truly felt about
our love.  A love which, to some, would never be accepted or understood.  I
imagined Grace, alone somewhere, scolded by those who had caused her the
pain I felt when I held her, the pain which seemed to vanish whenever she
merely spent time with me throwing rocks in streams or lying together in my
home.

   I managed to fall asleep for a short time.  It was a sleep without
dreams, as all of my nights had been.  My rest was a pleasant relief from
being away from the one I loved, but it could not distance my thoughts from
her.  I woke many times, hoping to see her in my arms as she had been the
night we had slept together.

   After only a short period of time I stood from my couch.  I walked into
my room and picked up Grace's old clothes which she had left from our
evening together and pressed them hard against my cheek.

   I'll see you again, Grace..."

   The clothes faintly smelled of her, not the smell of any fancy perfume,
but her hair or rather her shampoo undoubtedly.  Even without her face
before me, I could see her features in my head as clearly she was standing
before me.  I cried for her until the sun no longer shone in the sky. 
Before I turned away from the window, I whispered the words that had become
more important in my life than I had ever thought possible.

   "I hope..."

   That night, I fell asleep on the couch again instead of my bed.

   ...

   The next day seemed to arrive sluggishly, I awoke to find myself
shivering from the open window.  I rose and made haste to get ready for our
next meeting, throwing on some clean clothes and brushing my hair straight
as best I could.  Before leaving my home I grabbed Grace's clothes and put
them into a bag which I carried out the door on the way out.

   Outside, the air was still chilled and only a few cars lined the usually
busy traffic lanes.  It was early morning, my favorite time of day.  I
entered the park, hoping to find Grace sitting on the bench before me for
perhaps the first time.  The bench was empty, as was the rest of the park
seemingly.  I walked over to the bench and sat down, setting Grace's
clothes down beside me.

   Minutes passed, the sun rose higher, and Grace did not come.  I looked
behind myself every so often, hoping to see Grace come skipping down the
path with her loving smile.  My hand rested on the bag of clean clothes,
gradually tightening my grip as the minutes continued to pass.  Soon the
sun found it's place high in the sky, the first time it had reached it's
highest point in the sky without Grace with me to see it.

   I closed my eyes, a tear came to one side, as I felt myself trembling.

   "Don't leave me, don't leave me," I repeated to myself under my breath.

   I lied down across the bench, hoping...crying.  The feeling of fear and
anxiety pressed against my heart, lost in the worry that she wouldn't ever
show up, that she was truly gone.  I waited on the bench until the sun left
the sky.  I was alone...

   CHAPTER IX

   I returned to the park every day, and every day I sat alone on the bench
for as long as I could before leaving.  My love for Grace gave me the
strength to return, the strength to keep the hope that one day we would
walk together again.  Her memory beat deep within my heart, willing me
onward each day, reminding me of the love we shared and the memories we
created through our experiences together.

   A great time had passed.  I had a job, I studied many subjects in
university, and I practiced yoga nearly every day.  I often slept on my
couch, crying at night and waiting for the day I would see Grace again.  My
happiness for life itself pushed me forward, and our vow to try something
new each day had lived on for the time we had been separated.  I had never
held anyone closer to my heart than Grace, though many others had entered
and left my life as a result of the emotions I could not hide.  I wore
glasses, and I cried often.  I lived the same pain that Grace once had, but
with the strength of hope and undying love to guide me each day.  Something
that she had never had, but gave to me as what I still refused to call her
final gift.

   In the time that had passed, I had kept my promise to return to the park
every day, to keep the hope that Grace was alive and that she would be
there for me, to love and to hold as we once had.  I knew that no length of
time could distinguish one's love for another.  I knew Grace and I were
meant to be together, and her words stayed with me through all of the days
gone by and through all of the tears I had shed.

   It was that day that I waited for a short period of time at home before
leaving for the park, Grace's clothes in hand.  It felt as if a lifetime
had gone by, time enough to truly test the bounds of my hope for Grace, the
hope which guided me forward.

   I left my apartment, taking in a breath of fresh air, and passing the
old diner where we had once met.  I skipped along the path, smiling to
myself softly as I avoided the cracks in the sidewalk, watching Grace's
shoes move effortlessly.  My glasses slid down my nose and rose back up
with each stride, shining in the sun's light after passing each
intersection between the buildings.  The streets were lined with cars,
leaving for work as they had each day.

   I entered Tranquil Gardens, our park, hoping to see Grace there already
as a result of my lateness.  She was not near our bench.  The branches of
the trees waved back and forth in the light wind along with my hair which I
allowed to come into my face as I approached the bench.  The golden leaves
fell gently from the large tree overhead to the browned grass, carried by
the quiet wind.  I held onto Grace's clothing with both hands, wrapping my
arms around them as she had once done with her schoolbooks when we had
first met.  I embraced the memory tightly, knowing that I would never
forget that day, and wishing that Grace with me so that we could walk
together once more.

   The water of the brook was cold as I came to my knee and let my fingers
dip into it.  I thought of myself in bare feet, laughing with Grace and
tossing rocks, playfully; just living...living the way we both wanted to
even though I hadn't realized it at the time.  I remembered our laughing,
our giggling, and our crying together, cherishing the memories which were
now more important than ever.  I often wondered when I cried if my tears
were of sadness, or of happiness.  I believed them to be tears of life, of
one's hope and desire, and dreams.

   A voice rose above the brook.

   "Is everything all right?"

   I spun around, hoping to see Grace again, smiling happily and looking at
me with her beautiful green eyes.  It wasn't Grace but a middle aged woman
with black hair, the first person I had seen in Tranquil Gardens besides
Grace.  She had not made a sound and yet she was directly beside me as I
continued to cry.

   "No...I'm waiting for someone," I managed to say.

   "Why are you crying, child?" the soft voice asked.

   "I...I don't know..."

   The woman wore a white garment that seemed to be bright even in it's
shadowed areas.  Her eyes showed a similar gentleness to Grace's, the look
of love and compassion.  Her voice was just as soft as her appearance.

   "Who do you weep for, child?"

   "Grace," I said, softly.

   "Do you care for her?" she asked.

   I looked up at her, surprised.

   "Yes, do you know where she is?"

   "I'm sorry, I do not," she answered, quietly.  "Why do you wait for
her?"

   I looked down, the tears running down my cheeks and onto my clothes.

   "I...I care for her, with all of my heart."

   The woman's smile was soft, she looked upon me, the sun seemed to blind
my vision slightly.

   "How long have you waited here for her?" she asked.

   "Six years..."

   "Will you continue to wait for her should she not come?"

   I paused, looking down at myself, my shoes.

   "I will always wait...for as long as I live."

   "Why, child?" she asked, quietly.

   "Because I...love her."

   She smiled, and reached out her hand slowly.  I took it.  Instantly my
hate, my pain, and my sorrow were taken away.  Her touch held a gentleness
I could not describe.  My tears came to an end.

   "I do hope that you one day see the one you love again, my child.  For
two lovers, a life is sometimes a long time to wait, but it will never let
them ever be apart if they truly love each other.  You will see Grace
again. But until then..."

   "Until then?" I asked.

   Her smile remained as she released my hand and turned towards the path.
Her footsteps were silent as she found the path and vanished into the
trees. I looked down.  In my hand she had left a small gold pendant which
glimmered in the morning light.  I opened it slowly.  Inside was a ticking
clock and the inscription 'One May Always Dream'.  I held it tight in my
hand for a moment, looking back to where I had last saw the woman, filling
my eyes with tears.  The pendant rested around my neck as I left the park,
holding Grace's clothing tightly, hoping...wishing.

   CHAPTER X

   The morning had always been my favorite time of day, always.  It was a
cool autumn day when I arose and found myself on my couch.  The sun sat on
the horizon, as it had nearly every day for years, waiting to fully find
it's way into the sky very soon.  It was that day I decided to visit
Tranquil Gardens for the last time.

   I left my home wearing my jacket, the one which I had kept for six
years, and the one that I had first hugged Grace in.  Outside the air was
fresh, quiet and peaceful.  The sun sat on the horizon, as if to wait for
my arrival into the park.  The streets were empty, no one walked along the
sidewalk, and the sound of my feet skipping along the path echoed through
the vast buildings which lined Walnut street.  I avoided the cracks without
effort, and I was able to travel faster than I ever had before as I skipped
along.  Grace's shoes clicked against the concrete with each stride,
sounding far off in the distance as I approached the entrance to Tranquil
Gardens.

   The sign at the entrance gleamed in the morning light and I pushed my
tawny hair out of my face to see it fully.  I passed into the boundaries of
the park, embracing the same feeling which I had once felt on my first
arrival, taking in the air which seemed endlessly more fresh and inviting.
It still felt like a place created in a fairytale.

   "I was right," I whispered to myself, remembering the first words I had
ever uttered upon my entrance into the park.

   The full and golden trees along the path rustled quietly in the faint
breeze, dropping their leaves as slowly as the tears of my memories,
leaving the dirt path clear for my feet to walk.  I closed my eyes, but was
able to guide myself along the path as easily as if they were open.  Soon,
I approached the sound of the gentle brook, and the rustle of the tree
which sheltered our bench.

   My eyes remained closed, I passed the trunk of the tree and reached out
my hands for the bench.  It came into my hands and I came to a stop,
opening my eyes slowly amidst the near blinding light of the still rising
sun.

   Grace lied on the bench, huddled up, silent in a gentle sleep.  The sun
shone down on her as it would an angel, the light stayed with her through
every slight movement she made.  She was there, she was with me, she came
back...

   My tears would not end, though my eyes felt filled with the happiness of
our love to once again gaze upon the most beautiful, caring person I had
ever met.  I felt my knees tremble, my heart race, just as they had the
first time we met.  I reached out my hand, almost unable to see through the
tears of absolute joy.  My arm cast no shadow on her as I whispered more
softly than anyone would be able to hear, but she did.

   "Grace..."

   She curled up tighter, making her first sound above the brook's quiet
flow.  Her arms stretched out and finally came to her face, filling with
life as she awoke to my gentle call.

   "Holly..."

   I fell to my knees in front of her, the sun behind me but still
perfectly shining upon her.  Grace opened her eyes, her beautiful green
eyes.  The tears coursed down my cheeks as I took her hand into mine and
felt the warmth of life within her.

   "Hi..." I whispered, smiling with joy.

   She looked upon me, her eyes able to perfectly focus though her glasses
sat on her nose.  She could see, perfectly.

   "Why are you crying, Holly?" she asked.

   "I...thought I would never see you again.  I thought that you had left
me."

   "I didn't leave you, Holly, I've always been here, waiting for you ever
since that day.  I never gave up hope, I never stopped loving you."

   "I...I've been waiting to, Grace, and I've never stopped loving you," I
said.

   Grace sat up slowly, pushing her chestnut hair out of her face.  Her
features glowed in the undying light which surrounded her, and she looked
just as she had the first day we had met, she had not aged.

   "I must have dozed off," she said, softly.  "I'm sorry."

   I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the same loving person I had felt
the first time we had embraced each other.

   "You don't ever have to be sorry, Grace.  You taught me that."

   We parted, our eyes still locked together.  Grace looked around for a
moment, seeing clearly for the first time.  She took her glasses from the
tip of her nose and held them in front of her.

   "I can see, Holly.  I don't need..."

   "And what do you see, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   She set her glasses down.

   "I see the girl I love, the one that I always want to be with. 
Forever."

   "Forever," I whispered.

   Grace leaned forward, we kissed.  It lasted for longer than any of our
others, and it was filled with the happiness that I had waited for after so
long.  There were no more troubles anymore.  There was no pain, no
suffering, no fears, only the love that we had waited for so long to live
again.  Our lips parted, we stared at each other, wrapped in a joy that
coursed through us both.

   "Can we...make love, Holly?" Grace asked, softer than ever before.

   My heart jumped within my chest.  We both smiled.

   "Was that your risk for today?" I asked.

   "It's my risk for all of the time that we've spent apart, for every day
that you waited, and kept hope."

   "Yes, Grace, yes..."

   We both continued to smile, just staring at each other and not really
sure what to say or do.  Grace finally built up the courage to lean forward
and rub her hand up against my cheek and hair, breathing softly and
trembling at the same time.

   "I love you, Holly.  I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever
met."

   "Grace..." I whispered.

   I reached out my arms and assisted Grace up from the bench.  We held
each other in our arms and walked near the edge of the brook, finding a
soft place on the grass.  Grace lied her back down and looked up at me with
her big green eyes, smiling and trembling just as I was.

   "Do you remember the night we spent together, Holly?  The way you
touched me?"

   "Yes."

   "Do it again," she whispered.

   Grace lifted her arms above her head and closed her eyes.  Her soft,
beautiful body lied before me, trembling in anticipation.  I let my hands
rest on her stomach, caressing her skin through the material of her shirt,
my shirt, the same one she had worn the last time we had seen each other.
Grace took in a deep breath with each pass of my fingers across her navel,
and we both giggled out loud.

   "I love you...I trust you, Holly."

   My fingers unfastened the button on Grace's jeans, and then slowly
pulled down the zipper.  I began to feel warm, and the wonderful feeling
between my own legs returned just as it had the first time.  We both
quickened our breathing, Grace's eyes remained closed.  She wore a pair of
light blue panties, and at there base a small patch of her excitement could
be seen through the material.  My arms shook with nervousness as I pulled
her jeans slowly down her legs.  Grace let out a quiet whimper and brought
her hands to her chest.

   "Grace, you are wonderful," I whispered, listening to her breathing
which calmly mixed with the soothing flow of the brook nearby.

   Her jeans reached her knees, and then her ankles.  Grace jerked her legs
and kicked them off, giggling in-between her heavy breaths.  Her chest
heaved up and down, anxiously.  I let my fingers run up and down her
thighs, feeling her silky skin and the warmth of her body in the bright
sunlight.  Grace moaned for the first time, tensing up as my fingers passed
near her beautiful vagina.  She began to writhe slowly, moving her legs and
tensing her toes in anticipation.  The first touch of my lips against her
soft skin sent jolts through both of our bodies.

   "Ohhhh Holly...yes..." she whimpered.

   I began to kiss her thigh, running up then back down again.  Grace's
soft fragrance became apparent with every gentle pass, and the wet area of
her panties grew larger.  She began to caress her own breasts through her
shirt, moaning quietly and keeping her eyes closed as the leaves gently
fell to the ground around us.

   The moment I had never believed would happen in my life finally came
true.  With one final pass up Grace's warm thigh, I rested my lips upon her
underwear and began to kiss her vagina softly, through the wet material. 
Her moaning increased and she began to writhe swiftly, heaving with each
breath from my touch.  It was the most erotic moment of my life.  And
between my legs, I felt the same wetness press against my own underwear and
grow.  The heat surged through us both, willing us forward and building our
passion to heights I never knew were possible.

   "Holly..."

   Around us the leaves continued to fall, creating subtle breaks in the
rays of the sun upon us.  The waters of the brook trickled a gentle sound
in our ears, mixed with our breathing.  Grace was so soft, gentle.  She was
at peace, we both were, and the sensations we were beginning to feel had
drowned us both in a tranquil bliss, one without lust but devotion and
caring.

   Grace moaned louder, opening her eyes to a gentle squint.  I lifted my
lips from her warm vagina and saw her gentle gaze, the endearment of her
eyes more clearly than ever.

   "Are you happy, Grace?" I asked, softly.

   With that she sat up and smiled softly, coming to her knees along with
me.

   "I've never been more happy in my entire life," she whispered.

   Grace leaned forward and kissed me, I closed my eyes.  Her hands gently
became rested on my shoulders, then ran down my arms until she reached my
hips.  I kept my eyes closed and slowly slid my arms out of my jacket,
letting it fall behind me just as Grace began to mimic what I had just done
with her jeans.  She undid the button and began to blush profusely.

   "What is it?" I asked.

   "I've never done this before, Holly...I..."

   "Let your instincts guide you," I whispered.  "And don't be afraid,
Grace."

   "Okay..." she answered, quietly.

   With that, I took her hands into my own and guided them to the base of
my t-shirt.  For one last fleeting moment, Grace peered at my body, fully
clothed and waiting to feel her soft embrace, the embrace of an angel.

   Grace took control of her own hands and pulled my t-shirt over my head,
revealing my last item of clothing above my waist.  I peered down at my own
breasts and watched as Grace gently let her hands run across my bra in a
caress that felt truly calm and serene.  I let out a quiet moan and Grace
looked back up into my eyes momentarily.

   "Did I hurt you?" she asked, softly, frightened even.

   I softened my expression and sighed.

   "No, Grace, you are incredible."

   She looked back down at my bra and smiled, a tear came to her eye.  We
were both still trembling, unable to abandon the anxiety of making love to
each other for the first time, filled with an excitement that we could
hardly express with our actions.  Grace's care for me showed through in her
actions.  The gentleness, the love, and the admiration, all of which I held
for her as well.

   The leaves continued to fall around us, creating a circle in which they
would not enter, as if a storm had circled us but left us both in peace in
the calm center.  Grace reached under my arms and unclasped my bra, gently
writhing her legs beneath her in excitement as we both sat on our knees. 
She held onto the straps and slowly let my bra fall to my lap, pulling her
hands away and staring at my breasts for the first time as she hadn't
really focused on them the day I changed in front of her.

   "May I...touch them?" she asked, slowly.

   "Of course, Grace," I whispered, smiling with her.

   She reached her hands out once more, this time taking my bare skin into
her hands just above my stomach, then reaching upwards and cupping my
breasts gently.  I let out a more prominent moan, Grace continued to blush.
Her touch against my bare flesh was a soft as a feather, warm and caring
but a little ticklish at the same time.  Grace let her fingers run over
each mound, and held her breath, smiling and narrowing her eyes to the
gentle delight.  After a moment, she jerked one of her hands away and set
it between her legs as if to hold something in.  I peered down to see the
small wet spot on her panties pulsing with the vibrant energy of her
beautiful body.

   "Ohhhhh, Holly, I feel so...excited."

   She looked down at herself, and finally let her other hand return to her
knee as she looked back up at me, flushed and red.

   "So do I, Grace, so do I."

   With my continued words of support, Grace seemed to calm slightly,
allowing her trembling to slow and her breath to become paced again for the
time being.  I watched her slowly lean her head forward and lower it
towards my chest, kissing my breast as she removed her hand.  I immediately
let out a quick, but piercing moan that was the loudest of any of our
voices since we had begun.  It felt as if I had reached a small peak of
excitement, but it quickly subsided.  Grace kissed each area of my breast,
in circles around my nipple, at the base, and finally let herself take my
nipple into her mouth.

   "Grace...Ohhhhhh, yes, yes," I moaned.

   The entire park seemed to grow brighter, more hazy, with our heightened
excitement.  The rhythmic sound of the brook mixed with Grace's lip
movements as she gently sucked my nipple and then moved to the next.  I
reached my hand down between her legs and met with the heat over her own
wet sex.  Grace spread her knees further apart and let out a whimper in
between her kissing.  She began to lose control of her actions as I let my
fingers further excite her through her panties.  Grace pulled away from my
breast and moaned loudly, looking up into the sky and letting the light
shine on her soft face.

   "Holly...that's too...mmmmmm."

   I released my hand from in between her legs and smiled.

   "Too what?"

   She returned my smile and lowered her head back down.

   "Too fast," she whispered, a tear running down her cheek.  "I want to go
slowly."

   Grace leaned forward and hugged me tightly.

   "Okay," I answered.

   With that, we released each other and Grace reached for the bottom of
her own shirt, pulling it off slowly, passionately.  It fell to the grass
beside us as we both looked down at Grace's perfect breasts and her light
blue bra.

   "Do I look okay?" she asked, peering at herself.

   "You are perfect, Grace, and I love you."

   She giggled quietly and another tear ran down her cheek.  Grace pushed
her hair out of her face.

   "I've never had anyone to..tell me that before, Holly.  Thank you," she
said, softly.

   I felt tears begin to run down my own cheek, a cry of love and
happiness, of experiencing such a wonderful thing with the one I cared for.
Our eyes became watered but neither of us wanted to truly cry, we were too
happy.

   "I never dreamed this could happen between us," I whispered.

   "Some dreams are worth waiting for," Grace replied.

   I didn't answer but instead I reached out my hands and set them on her
shoulders, gently pulling the straps of her bra down her arms.  Grace
looked down at herself and smiled, still blushing as she sighed quietly. 
She reached behind herself and unclasped her bra, it fell into her lap.  I
stared at her beautiful breasts as they lied bare before me, almost
identical to my own but just as unique as she was.

   "They're so beautiful, Grace," I said, quietly.

   She looked up at me.

   "I've never had someone...touch them before."

   I looked up into the sky, the brightness of the light, and then back
down at Grace.  The same light shone on her as she sat before me with a
single garment of clothing left on, and tears of happiness in her eyes.  I
had once said she looked similar to an angel, but she wasn't at all
similar, she was even more beautiful.  I blinked my eyes and my tears ran
down my cheeks as I let my hands embrace her breasts for the first time. 
Like I had felt with my own, Grace sighed and began to whimper rather than
moan, remaining slightly more quiet than I had been, but cherishing every
second of my touch as much as she cherished my presence at her side.

   Grace let out a gentle coo as my fingers ran across her nipples, causing
them to gradually become erect.  She looked down at herself and then back
up at the sky repeatedly, whimpering and smiling as my soft caress excited
her further and further.  I felt a true passion between us whenever we
touched, not something truly lustful, but pure and loving, the kind of
relationship I had always wished for.

   "Oh, Grace..."

   She finally looked directly at me, then down at the epicenter of my own
excitement.

   "Do you feel the same way I do, Holly?"

   "Yes," I whispered.

   She reached inside my unbuttoned jeans.

   "When I touch you like this?"

   I sucked in a heavy breath, letting out a quiet yelp at her touch. 
Another peak of excitement.  I felt the moisture of my vagina surround
Grace's fingers as she rubbed them against my panties, causing my lower
body to writhe and jerk in unicen with her movements.  I let go of her
breasts and fell backwards, gently resting my back on the soft grass. 
Grace removed her hand and took a hold of my jeans, beginning to slide them
down my thighs gently.  I kept my legs together and moaned out loud as they
came down to my knees and stopped.  Grace set her legs out behind her and
lied down on her stomach, resting her stomach on my jeans which still sat
at my knees.

   "Grace...Ohhhh...please..."

   Without speaking, Grace slid her fingers inside my panties and pulled
them down, stopping just at my lower thighs and revealing my bare vagina to
her.  She peered at it and smiled softly, silently lowering her head and
kissing my sensitive flesh just above my clitoris.  The moisture continued
to flow, running between my legs and covering the skin around my vaginal
lips quickly.  The brightness exploded into a white light that remained
even when I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

   Grace let her tongue pass between my lips slowly, soaking in more of my
discharge onto her tongue and giggling to herself as she heard my moans
reach peak volumes.

   "Did I make you orgasm yet, Holly?" she asked, looking up at me for a
moment.

   "Ohhhhhhhhh, Grace, I...I'm close..."

   "I feel so excited...just doing this to you."

   "Don't stop, please..."

   "I won't, Holly," she whispered, returning her lips to the warm flesh of
my vulva.

   I let my hips writhe back and forth, scratching my backside into the
soft grass and tickling myself a bit at the same time.  The excitement I
felt grew to tremendous levels, and I moaned as loud as I could, crying at
the same time without being able to hold back.  Another explosion of light,
another jolt of pleasure as Grace kissed my clitoris and finally took it
into her mouth, flicking it with her tongue inside.

   "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh..."

   I thrust my hips forward, driving my vagina deep onto Grace's face as
the reflex caused a wonderful orgasm deep within my body.  My legs wrestled
against my jeans to spread further, bucking and pushing against Grace who
lifted her face away from my sex to see my climax wash over me.  I yelled,
and I moaned, unable to control the tears of my emotions and excitement. 
It was the most incredible feeling I had ever experienced, and I relished
every second of it as it seemed to last forever.  My warm juices poured
between my legs and onto the grass below me as Grace watched, amazed and
overjoyed at what we had accomplished together.  It was the happiest and
most special moment of my life, and I was glad to have shared it with
Grace.

   She brought herself up just above my face, smiling softly and blushing
still.  The sound of the brook came back into our ears as my moaning
lessened.

   "How did it...feel?" she asked, quietly.

   I smiled, and narrowed my eyes in the blinding light which covered her
body.

   "It was heavenly, Grace," I whispered.

   She lifted herself up and came beside me before lying down once more. 
Our eyes were parallel, full of tears and happiness.  Our love seemed so
alive now, so great, that I felt more than complete.  It was the first time
I truly accepted my life with Grace and how wonderful it was, we were both
living the way we had always wanted.  Our care for each other beat in our
hearts as we stared at each other, lying on the grass near the quiet brook.
Nearly every leaf from the tree overhead had fallen, and yet none had
touched us somehow.  The sun's rays seemingly created a barrier around us,
sheltering us both with it's light and soothing heat.  The wind rustled our
hair into our faces every few seconds, but we still continued to look at
each other, into the love which could be seen in both of our gazes, as
clear as the waters of the brook.

   "I love you, Holly.  I wish there were more to say for what I feel when
I'm with you."

   "You don't have to say anything," I replied.  "I love you just as much,
Grace."

   With that, Grace looked down at herself, and I did too.  We didn't have
to speak, but removed the last garments of clothes we were wearing and
stood up together, naked but more comfortable with each other than ever
before.  Grace took my hand and held it tight, not wanting to let go.  We
made our way to the bench, our bench, and sat down.

   ...

   We held each other for the longest time, not sure what to say but
knowing that our love would never die even though we could never truly be
together.

   "Why did you leave me, Grace?" I asked, letting the tears run down my
cheeks slowly.

   She ran her fingers through my hair, and smiled softly, her touch
lighter than a feather's.

   "I said I'd always be with you, Holly, and I will."

   "I don't want this day to ever end," I said, quietly.

   Grace wiped away the tears from my cheek, and looked out across the
waters where the flowers stood strong in the gentle breeze, full of life
and untouched by the autumn weather.

   "It doesn't have to, Holly.  As long as you don't forget me, we can
always come back."

   I looked up and let my hand come to Grace's chin, pulling it towards
mine gently.

   "I'll never forget you, Grace...I love you..."

   Our kiss was the most passionate of all our embraces.  A final
consummation of my affection for Grace, and the last time we ever had to
affirm our love for each other.  Her angelic body remained close to mine,
forever lit by the warm rays of the sun, and forever happy as I wished her
to be.  We made love on the bench until our tears finally came to an end,
but it was a new beginning for us both I believed.

   Our love was special, our love was forever.  I held Grace in my arms,
her memory the last gift I would receive from her, and the desire to be
with her for always.  When we were together there was no pain, no
suffering, no death, just the love of two women who had cared for each
other more than they ever thought possible.  She taught me to live.  She
taught me to have hope.  Hope enough to push forward with her love as a
light to guide me through the darkness.

   We both held each other, forever, until we fell asleep in each others'
arms.

   When I awoke, the love and affection of the one I loved remained with me
as I found myself alone on the bench.  The sun sat in the sky and shined
down upon me, reminding me of the life I still had to live, and how happy
it was going to be.

   I peered down at my pendant, and then looked up to the sky one final
time to see a single light green flower fall from the trees and land in my
lap.  It was Grace's flower, her reminder, her promise that we would see
each other again.  In it's pedals glowed the color of Grace's caring eyes,
so full of life and hope.  I took the beautiful flower into my hand and set
it in my hair, standing fully and walking towards the brook, full of an
endless happiness.  I stood in the center of the stream in Grace's shoes
and bent over to take a final stone in my hand.  Looking down at it, I
opened the pendant and smiled softly, whispering the words that a loving
girl had once said before tossing the stone as hard as I could and skipping
it for the first time.

   "One may always dream..."

   ...

   Grace died of cancer eight days after we met.  It spread to her lungs
shortly after her nineteenth birthday, but she lived on long enough to have
lived a happy life in my arms.  Her wish to live her life without fear, the
way she wanted, came true for the short time we were together.  Her memory
would always be with me, and so would her love, forever.  I knew from that
day forth that she would never be truly dead, she would live on in my
dreams, just as she promised and I always hoped.  Love can exist between
two women, and my love for Grace would live on, for always.  Until the day
we would hold each other, and walk together once more...

   END

   For my girlfriend, the one I care for and will always love for as long
as I live...  "Don't ever give up hope, it will always be there for you."

   http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/serenecherry/www

   I would love any comments at serenecherry@hotmail.com

   <1st attachment end>

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