The Ghost of Thanksgiving

THE GHOST OF THANKSGIVING
The house looked neat and tidy. So far so good.

“Beggars can’t be choosers,” I told myself. I was lucky to get anywhere to stay over thanksgiving. The lady at the information centre had made a call.

There’d been a bit of discussion, the lady looking my way a few times and I sensed she was describing me. I moved closer.

“He works for old Mister Saunders and he’s stuck in town,” I’d heard. “I think you’ll be safe Audrey.” She’d laughed at Audrey’s reply then hung up.

It was all good and now here I was at the door of the 1930s house, armed with the knowledge of her name and that she was a widow who rented out a couple of rooms, most permanent.

I rang the bell and the door opened. I’d been told that she’d lost her husband in the Vietnam war so I was expecting someone who looked a bit like my grandmother. There were no similarities except maybe their age. My grandmother was “homely” I think you say it. Audrey looked like she’d just got back from the gym.

“You must be Roger.”

I confirmed I was and she stepped back, inviting me inside.

“I’m sorry I look such a mess, I’ve been cleaning all day. My tenants have all gone home for thanksgiving. Why aren’t you home?”

“Mr. Saunders has a big project he wants finished. He offered me extra days at Christmas.”

“Make sure you get them then, he’s cunning. I’ve known him since we went to school together. I called him and checked after Beth rang me, you come highly recommended. He says your bright and Beth says you’re cute.”

We laughed. I was sort of glad she’d checked me out. It relaxed me, I didn’t feel like a stranger.

Her three tenant’s rooms were at one end of the house and she led me to the other end.

“This is my end. I have a guest room that’s easier for us both. I would’ve had to pack away the tenant’s things otherwise. Just use the shower and bathroom at the other end, you don’t want to have to fight your way through all my things.”

Following her I passed a door marked private. It was ajar slightly and I caught a glimpse of a portrait on the wall and the corner of a settee.

“Here we are.” She opened the door, revealing a double bed in a room surprisingly very masculine in its decor. On the dresser was a picture of a handsome young man in uniform.

I walked over and picked up the picture. Audrey followed, standing close, putting her hand on the frame.

“Your late husband?” I asked.

“Yes. Kurt and I were married a year and he never came back. I hope you don’t mind his picture here, but this was his parents house and his bedroom growing up. His parents still owned the house then and we spent our last thanksgiving here.”

“I don’t mind at all, Audrey,” I told her. “He’s very handsome, you must have been quite a couple.”

“Oh, we were,” she smiled, taking the picture from me, looking wistfully at the young soldier. I saw a tear run across her cheek and rested my hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” I asked, and she put the picture down and turned to me, trying hard to smile.

“Sorry Roger, I’m normally stronger. Our bond was so strong, I still feel him here. You go and get your things and I’ll get dinner started.”

I went to the car and retrieved my small suitcase. Poking my head into the kitchen, I told Audrey I’d have a quick shower before dinner. She paused what she was doing to show me where the towels and other bathroom were. Walking past I noticed the door to the small room was now closed.

Returning to the kitchen all refreshed, I was assailed by the delightful smells of a home cooked meal. Hearing sounds from a side door I walked through, finding Audrey setting the table. She’d changed as well, gone the tracksuit, replaced by a lovely black dress, her silver hair no longer tied back but free and resting on her shoulders.

“Something smells delicious,” I told her and she smiled.

“Are you talking about my perfume or cooking?”

“You mean there’s cooking?” I teased, pleased to see the smile return to her eyes. “I feel decidedly underdressed, should I go change?”

“Not at all,” she brushed past me on her way back to the kitchen. “I don’t get to entertain muc, the tenants are all boring professionals.”

She told me where the wine was and as we ate explained her tenants were mainly contract workers at the local hospital. Working all sorts of hours, they liked Audrey’s as she was prepared to cook for them at anytime.

“So much better for them than a hotel, and it keeps me busy. They pay a little extra and I’m happy to fit in with them.”

After a few wines, I got braver and broached a subject I’d been wondering about.

“You were, and still are a beautiful lady, and I don’t mean just looks. Surely there must have been other opportunities since Kurt.”

“There were a few, initially, but none seemed right. When his parents died and I moved back here and bought their house, I didn’t really know many people.” She touched her finger. “I still wear his ring. I’ve never felt closer to him.”

We fell silent, both sipping our wine, then I changed the subject, asking about her garden.

“It looks so neat and organized. Do you have a gardener?”

“That’s all me. Without my garden I’d be lost.” Audrey paused, and I could see she was thinking about her next words. “Do you know how to dance Roger?”

“I do.” It wasn’t what I was expecting. “My mother made sure we all learned to dance.”

Audrey stood and walked over to an old record player. Turning it on she lifted the arm, placing the needle on the waiting vinyl. As the opening strains of “unchained melody” began she held her hand out to me.

“Shall we?”

I stood, taking her in my arms, her body pressed to mine as we effortlessly glided around the room in silence. I know I’d told her I could dance but I’d never moved so smoothly. Audrey’s face pressed in below my chin, I could feel her lips against my neck and my hand moved up her back until they became lost in her hair.

The music stopped and suddenly it was like the seal was broken and we moved apart.

“Thank you, Roger, it’s been so long.” Her face was flushed, her lips parted, as if waiting to be kissed. I bent down but she offered her cheek instead. “It’s late. I’ll clean up in the morning. Breakfast will be at eight.”

“I’m sorry, Audrey,” I started to apologize but she stopped me.

“No need to be Roger, you were perfect. We’re so pleased you found us.” This time her lips touched mine. “Now go to bed. It will be nice to have someone to share thanksgiving with.”

Returning to my room I undressed, putting on the robe hanging from the door and walked to the bathroom. All the lights were off and after cleaning my teeth I started back to my room. I heard a door open and stopped in the darkness. Audrey was in a pink dressing gown as she moved towards the small room and disappeared through the door.

I waited for a moment before moving past. I could hear her talking, wondering for a moment until I thought it’s probably her study. At thanksgiving there was always someone to catch up with online.

Settling into bed, memories of the dance came back to me. I’d never had such a sensual experience and I drifted off to sleep, thoughts of a younger Audrey filling my mind.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been asleep when the click of the door woke me. It opened and in the glow I saw the pink of Audrey’s gown and a flash of long blonde hair.

“Are you ready darling?” Her voice a whisper. What was going on? I tried to answer but couldn’t.

“Yes baby, so ready. It’s been so long.” This voice came from me yet it wasn’t mine. I watched, unable to move, as Audrey slipped the gown off and pulled back the covers. Her breasts were young and full, and I watched as she bent closer, kissing my lips, her hand reaching down and gripping my erect cock.

“He’s perfect Kurt darling.” As she spoke, she slipped into bed beside me, my arms wrapping around her, now able to move but I wasn’t in control.

“Baby, you smell so damn sexy,” my voice again. It was the same perfume I’d smelt earlier.

“Your favourite I know,” Audrey replied, before her lips were on mine, kissing me with a passion I’d never experienced, amazing me how I responded.

“How long have we got?” she asked, breathless as she broke the kiss.

“I’m not sure babe,” my body rolled her, positioning itself above her, and she wrapped herself around me.

“We don’t have to worry about waking your Mom and Dad,” she giggled, lifting herself, her wetness touching the tip of my cock.

My head lowered, kissing her as I moved, slowly entering, her loud moan echoing in my ears.

“Oh god, Audrey baby, I’ve missed you.” I was feeling everything, just had no control, the velvet like walls driving me crazy, “oohh yessssss.”

Her kisses were getting wilder, and she was pushing up meeting every hard thrust. I was starting to feel different and suddenly my voice was urgent.

“Cum babe, quick, it’s going!” My speed picked up and suddenly Audrey let out a howl, jerking on my cock, nails digging into my back as her orgasm hit.

“Kurt baby, hang on darling,” she was begging, crying.

I lost consciousness, her last words ringing in my ears, unsure of the time. My head was throbbing and as I moved in the bed, I felt the stickiness.

Bugger, I hadn’t had a wet dream since I was a teenager.

Thinking I better go to the bathroom and clean up I went to roll out of bed, as my nose passed the pillow I smelt an unmistakeable perfume.

It felt so real, I didn’t know what to think.

Leaving my bedroom, I stopped at the small room. The door was open and I looked in. A huge portrait of Kurt faced the settee. I started to back out and heard a noise from the settee.

Looking over I gasped. Audrey was naked, her gown on the floor, silver hair dishevelled. She opened her eyes at my sound, and looked at me, stunned like I was.

“Come on, Audrey,” I found my voice, then lifted her in my arms, “let me get you to bed.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and as I lowered her to the bed her lips touched mine.

“Will you stay?” she whispered.