\u201cI think the jeans are back there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michelle looked up from the rack of dresses she was riffling through, saw her mother giving her a curious look. Belatedly, Michelle realized she had been doing something out of character, and her mother had noticed. She really wasn’t a dress kind of girl, only wore them on special occasions like weddings or funerals. Since she wasn’t going to either, it had to seem odd to her mother that she was looking at a rack of summer dresses.<\/p>\n
Hell, it seemed odd to Michelle, too. Jeans and a t-shirt was more her style, but, for some reason, she had been pulled to toward this rack of brightly colored dresses. She must have subconsciously been thinking about dressing up for Samantha. That was the only reason she could come up with.<\/p>\n
Not liking how guilty she sounded, Michelle said, \u201cUm, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you want a dress?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t know… Maybe,\u201d Michelle said, blushing, \u201cit’s just… I’ve been wearing the same pair of jeans for a month. I guess I wanted something different.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’ve worn the same three pairs of jeans to school all year long, Michelle,\u201d her mother said, still giving her that funny look.<\/p>\n
It was the truth. Michelle had three pairs of jeans she really liked and wore all the time. Her mother had offered to buy her some new clothes on numerous occasions, but she had declined. She loved those jeans, loved how they fit and looked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Michelle said, squirming. She couldn’t help but feel like a criminal in an interrogation room, and her mother was the detective trying to crack her. She wondered if her mom could see her sweating.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh,\u201d her mother said, finally shrugging.<\/p>\n
Michelle couldn’t decide if it would seem more suspicious to walk away from the rack now that her mother had pointed out her odd behavior or to continue to look through them like it wasn’t weird at all. A few too many ticks of the clock went by without her doing either one. In the end, she decided the most suspicious thing she could do was standing around like an idiot trying to figure out what she should do. She was calling attention to herself with her indecision.<\/p>\n
Finally, she just started looking through the rack, again. She didn’t know if it was the right thing to do or not, but at least it was something.<\/p>\n
For some reason, she thought about Samantha having to hide who she was from her friends, about how she always had to be on guard else her secret be discovered popped into Michelle’s head. She hadn’t fully appreciated that until now. Michelle has been pretending less than a day, and already she was messing up.<\/p>\n
I see why she’s ready to give up the ruse<\/em>, Michelle thought, trying to ignore the glances she kept getting from her mother, this is stressful<\/em>.<\/p>\n Now that she had acknowledged why she had been looking through the dresses, she kind of wanted to dress up for Samantha. With an inward smile, she thought the girl inspired her to do a lot of things she wouldn’t necessarily do of her own volition. Then again, she figured that was part of having a girlfriend.<\/p>\n She made it about halfway around the rack when she saw a pale blue summer dress. She was pulling it off the rack before she realized she meant to. Holding it up, she looked at it. About mid-thigh in length, with spaghetti straps, it was kind of preppy. Not something she would usually wear, at all. Yet, she wasn’t hanging it back up.<\/p>\n Seeing her holding it up, Michelle’s mother said, \u201cThat’s a good color for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d Michelle said, still looking at it.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to buy it?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Michelle said, blinking when she realized she did sort of want to buy it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could try it on,\u201d her mother said, nodding at the changing booths, \u201csee if you like it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Michelle said, a little surprised to find herself walking toward one of the changing stalls.<\/p>\n Inside, she pulled the curtain closed. Holding the dress up in front of her, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn’t sure she could wear something like this. Not that she didn’t think she had the body for it. It was a mental thing. Even holding the dress up in front of herself, she was having problems imagining herself wearing it.<\/p>\n Shaking her head, she hung the dress on the hook next to the door and started getting undressed. She slipped the dress over her head, smoothing it into place. The pale blue material almost glowed on her deeply tanned skin. Falling to mid-thigh and showing off a bit of cleavage, it fit her perfectly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow does it fit?\u201d Her mother asked through the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Michelle said, which was kind of an understatement.<\/p>\n \u201cTry these on,\u201d her mother said, slipping something under the door.<\/p>\n Michelle looked down at the pale blue wedges and laughed, \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you can’t wear a dress like that with your tennis shoes,\u201d her mother said.<\/p>\n Rolling her eyes, Michelle stepped out of her shoes and into the ones her mother had picked out. Suddenly a couple of inches taller, Michelle looked down at the shoes on her feet. Again, they weren’t something she’d usually buy, but she had to admit they made more sense with the dress than her old, battered sneakers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess they are better,\u201d Michelle admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cStep out. Let me see,\u201d her mother said.<\/p>\n Michelle opened the door, rolling her eyes when her mother oohed. Over her mother’s shoulder, Michelle saw Samantha looking at her. The girl favored Michelle with an amused grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew that would be a good color for you,\u201d her mother said, fiddling with one of the straps.<\/p>\n \u201cMom,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d her mother said, smiling at her, \u201care you going to buy it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to make a big deal about it if I do?\u201d Michelle asked, already knowing the answer.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably,\u201d her mother confirmed.<\/p>\n Shaking her head, Michelle said, \u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t be like that. I don’t get to see my little girl dressed up anymore,\u201d her mother said.<\/p>\n \u201cI wore a dress to Aunt Ellen’s wedding,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was two years ago,\u201d her mother said, giving her a sour look, \u201cand I had to bribe you to get you to wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Michelle laughed. Sobering up some, she looked down at herself, asked, \u201cDo I look weird to you? I feel weird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou look great,\u201d Samantha said, coming up next to Michelle’s mother, \u201cI never seen you wear a dress before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMom had to bribe me last time I wore one,\u201d Michelle said, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you buying it or not?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm,\u201d Michelle said, looking down at herself, again, \u201cYeah. Let me change out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo need,\u201d her mother said, reaching out and pulling the tag off the dress, \u201cI asked the cashier if you could wear it out of the store. She said it would be fine as long as we have the receipt. Grab your old clothes. We’ll see if she can give us a bag to stuff them in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head. She was already starting to regret saying yes.<\/p>\n With the tag from Michelle’s dress and the box the shoes came in, her mother went to the cashier to pay for the purchases. When she was out of earshot, Samantha leaned in and said, \u201cWhose the preppy one, now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that what you were grinning about over there?\u201dMichelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really never wear dresses, huh?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a shame,\u201d Samantha said, with a playful smile, \u201cyou look great in them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI might let you talk me into one,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m more interested in talking you out of it,\u201d Samantha teased.<\/p>\n Smiling, Michelle thought maybe buying the dress wouldn’t be so bad if it got Samantha thinking like that. Looking at her reflection, she still thought it seemed out of place on her, but she couldn’t deny that she wore it well. Weeks on a lean find it to eat it diet had burned off any extra weight she might have been carrying, giving her a lean, sexy physique.<\/p>\n All things considered, she had come through her ordeal better than to be expected.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you find anything to buy?\u201d Michelle asked, changing the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cI was looking at jeans,\u201d Samantha said, smiling at her, \u201cbut I need to rethink my choice now.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle smiled as the girl wandered off to continue shopping. She watched as Samantha weaved through the clothing racks, wondering what she would come up with.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s that smile about?\u201d<\/p>\n Twitching in surprise, Michelle turned and saw her mother holding out a bag for her old clothes. Her heart skipping a beat, then taking off racing, Michelle wondered if she had been caught. Her mother was giving her that funny look, again, which wasn’t a good sign.<\/p>\n Her mother just looked at her for a moment, then glanced at Samantha. Turning back to meet Michelle’s eyes, she said, \u201cYou and Samantha seem to be getting along better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Michelle said, trying not to squirm. Something about that statement made her nervous, which loosened her tongue. She found herself adding, \u201cwe had time to get to know each other better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s good,\u201d her mother said, sounding amused, \u201cshe’s a very pretty girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI- what?\u201d Michelle stammered, caught off guard.<\/p>\n Smiling at Michelle, her mother said, \u201cI’m assuming this dress is meant for her.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle looked at her mother for a long moment, then nodded. It seemed she wasn’t going to make it until tomorrow to tell her parents. She could see in her mother’s eyes that she wasn’t fooling anyone, anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter what happened with Tara, your dad and I wondered if there would be another girl,\u201d her mother said, meeting Michelle’s eyes.<\/p>\n Laughing nervously, Michelle said, \u201cI wasn’t expecting to be standing in the middle of a clothing store in a dress when I did this, but… I’m gay.\u201d<\/p>\n Her mother pulled her into her arms, gave her a big squeeze, and said, \u201cYour dad and I love you, Kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n A little embarrassed, Michelle looked around the store. No one seemed to be paying attention, so she let herself be hugged. She had to smile at the peculiar way she had come out to her mother. Of all the ways she had thought it would happen, this wouldn’t have made the list.<\/p>\n Pulling back from the hug, her mother gave her a sheepish smile and said, \u201cSorry. I’m glad you told me, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are?\u201d Michelle said, a little surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell us anything,\u201d her mother said, looking like she was about to hug her, again.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Michelle said, stepping aside before she could.<\/p>\n Laughing, her mother said, \u201cI’m not going to hug you again. I’ve embarrassed you enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s okay,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, this dress,\u201d her mother said, changing the subject, \u201care you fishing or is Samantha already on the hook?\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle thought about lying, then said, instead, \u201cShe’s on the hook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought so,\u201d her mother said, then laughed, \u201cafter all the things you said about her, you end up together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt kind of surprised us, too,\u201d Michelle admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren’t going to punch her in the eye, are you?\u201d her mother asked.<\/p>\n That line caught Michelle off guard, and she started laughing, \u201cNot this time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo just how well<\/em> did you two get to know each other?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJesus, Mom,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head and laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cDo we need to have the talk?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe already did,\u201d Michelle said, rolling her eyes, \u201cafter the Tara incident, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeed a refresher?\u201d her mother teased.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Laughing, her mother said, \u201cGo help your girlfriend pick out something cute. I’m going to need pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Michelle said, thinking how strange it sounded to hear her mother call Samantha her girlfriend. Having her sexual orientation out in the open with her parents was going to take a while to get used to. Her mother seemed more comfortable with it than she did.<\/p>\n Walking over to Samantha, she asked, \u201cAny luck?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome,\u201d Samantha said, then nodded at Michelle’s mother, \u201cwhat were you two talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUs,\u201d Michelle said, with a nervous laugh. Meeting her girlfriend’s eyes, she said, \u201cShe kind of guessed what this dress was for.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means she knows you’re my girlfriend,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Samantha said, glancing at Michelle’s mother, \u201cum, how did she take it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe wants pictures, which is a good sign,\u201d Michelle said, then with an apologetic smile, \u201cI kind of blew it, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s okay,\u201d Samantha said, laughing, \u201cwe were going to tell them tomorrow, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI might have ruined our chances for one more night,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cI already told you I was sneaking into your room if I have to,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat might not work if my parents sleep in separate rooms to split us up,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’ll figure it out later if it comes to that,\u201d Samantha said, smiling, \u201cnow help me pick something out. I’m officially meeting my girlfriend’s parents, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n —————————————<\/p>\n The car smelled like hamburgers and fries, and Michelle’s stomach was talking to her long before they made it back to the motel. They had stopped on the road for lunch, but that had been hours ago. She was starving, and the aromas coming from the greasy bag in the front seat had her almost drooling on herself.<\/p>\n Trying to distract herself, Michelle glance at Samantha sitting in the backseat next to her. Like Michelle, the girl was wearing the clothes she had bought, the ones she had worn on their trek through the Canadian wilds in a shopping bag in the back compartment. In a pale yellow summer dress similar to her own, Samantha was more than enough of a distraction to take Michelle’s mind off the food.<\/p>\n She reached out and took Samantha’s hand. Feeling eyes on her, Michelle glance up and saw her mother smiling at her in the rearview mirror. It was one of the smiles only a parent could pull off when they were proud of some minor accomplishment their kids managed to achieve.<\/p>\n With an inward groan, Michelle thought, I guess your daughter’s first girlfriend counts as an achievement.<\/em><\/p>\n The drive back to the hotel seemed to take forever. Finally, her mother pulled the rental car into a spot in front of their rooms. Hoping out, Michelle grabbed the food and ran up to her parent’s room, then had to wait on her mother with the room key.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s the rush?\u201d her mother asked, fishing it out of her purse.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m starving,\u201d Michelle said, holding up the bag, \u201cand these smell so good.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, her mother said, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, the magnetic card was slipped into the reader, and the light turned green. Michelle turned the handle, then held the door for everyone. Her dad was sitting on the bed, his laptop on his lap. Blue had moved a foot and a half to one side, following the movement of the sun.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you find…\u201d her dad said, trailing off when he saw his daughter in a sundress, \u201canything? A dress?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I didn’t even have to bribe her,\u201d Michelle’s mother said, taking the bag of food from Michelle.<\/p>\n \u201cYou bought this on your own?\u201d Her dad asked, raising his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, laughing at his reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cWas it the only thing in your size?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Michelle said, rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m missing something here,\u201d he said, looking at his wife for an explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you are missing is twenty bucks,\u201d she said, digging a burger out of the bag and handing it to him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d he said, then what she meant sank in, \u201creally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAsk her,\u201d she said, fishing out another burger and handing it to Samantha.<\/p>\n Her dad looked at her for a moment, then laughed and shook his head. Digging out his wallet, he said, \u201cI don’t have to ask. I can only think of one reason why Michelle would wear a dress.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you two talking about?\u201d Michelle asked, accepting a burger from her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet him twenty bucks you two were going out,\u201d her mother said, popping a couple of fries into her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cSeriously?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can’t bet on your kids, who can you bet on?\u201d Her dad said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head. She wished she was surprised. This wasn’t the first time she has been the inspiration of a wager between her parents. She just wasn’t sure when they had made it. During one of there pit stops, maybe.<\/p>\n \u201cOur daughter came out to me,\u201d her mother said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen? At the mall?\u201d he asked, giving Michelle a look.<\/p>\n Laughing self-consciously, Michelle said, \u201cIt’s not where I intended to do it. It just sort of… happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I’m proud of you, even if you did botch it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBotch it?\u201d Michelle parroted, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn’t there supposed to be a party when you come out? A cake, at least?\u201d He teased.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think that’s how it works,\u201d Michelle said, laughing. She loved him even more that he was okay enough with her being a lesbian to make jokes at her expense. She knew him well enough to know his good-natured ribbing was a sign of his acceptance.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m just saying some cake would have been nice,\u201d he said, with a fake sigh.<\/p>\n Pointing at his laptop, Michelle’s mother asked, \u201cWhat did you find out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI called the embassy,\u201d he said, closing his computer, \u201creally didn’t expect to get a hold of anyone, but it turns out they have an after-hours emergency number. I explained our situation, and the lady assured me getting Samantha a temporary passport back to the States wouldn’t be a problem. We have an appointment at eight A.M., tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going home?\u201d Samantha asked, her tone somewhere between excited and nervous.<\/p>\n \u201cI called your parents,\u201d he said, nodding, \u201cthey are driving all night, going to meet us on the other side of the border.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue came over to where everyone was gathered, sniffing the air. Smiling, Michelle’s mother fished a burger out of the bag, unwrapped it and set it atop the wrapper on the floor for the wolf. Blue sniffed it, then inhaled it in about two bites. She even licked the smear of mustard off the wrapper. Michelle thought she was going to eat the wrapper, too. Instead, she sniffed it until she was satisfied there was nothing left to eat.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you even taste it?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Blue gave her a look that said, Again with the judgment on how I eat? Do I make fun of you? No.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI asked the lady at the embassy about Blue, too. We are going to have to take Blue to a vet, get her checked out… Proof of shots, a clean bill of health, that sort of thing before we can take her across the border,\u201d her dad said, then held up a pad of paper, \u201cI found some local veterinarians. I figure either your mom or I can stay with Samantha, while the other takes you and Blue to get her paperwork squared away.\u201d<\/p>\n Nodding, Michelle said, \u201cYou were busy while we were gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Blue wasn’t much company, so…\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Hearing her name, Blue glanced at him, then walked over to be petted.<\/p>\n Laughing, he scratched her behind the ears and said, \u201cNow you want to be sociable.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle smiled at how comfortable Blue was becoming with her parents. The wolf had adopted her mom and dad, too.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s hard to believe she is a wild animal,\u201d Michelle’s mother said.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, the vet agrees with you,\u201d he said. Taking a bite of his burger, he gave Samantha a curious look. Swallowing, he asked, \u201cWhat’s your intentions with my daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod, don’t start that,\u201d Michelle’s mother said, laughing.<\/p>\n ———————————————<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t believe your parents didn’t separate us.\u201d<\/p>\n With an embarrassed smile, Michelle said, \u201cI think Mom suspects that we’ve fooled around. At the mall, she asked if we need to have the talk, again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she still let us share a room?\u201d Samantha asked, incredulously.<\/p>\n Shrugging, Michelle said, \u201cIt might be different when we get back home, but I think we are getting… special treatment after all we’ve been through.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Samantha said, blinking, \u201cdid you say, ‘again’?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got the talk after the Tara incident,\u201d Michelle said, blushing, \u201cI guess you can’t fool around with a girl without it concerning your parents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are probably going to get the talk when you tell your parents about us,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, rubbing her arm nervously.<\/p>\n Taking her hand, Michelle said, \u201cYou looked a little freaked out when Dad said we’d be going home tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still don’t know what I’m going to say to my parents,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could buy them a coming out cake,\u201d Michelle said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI see where you get your sense of humor from,\u201d Samantha said, shaking her head and laughing. Sobering up some, she smiled at Michelle and said, \u201cYour parents seem pretty cool… About us and in general.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle agreed, meaning it. She figured she had lucked out in the parent department.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope my parents are as cool about it as yours,\u201d Samantha said, playing with the hem of her dress.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think they will be?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we’ll find out tomorrow,\u201d Samantha said, then met Michelle’s eyes, \u201ceven if they aren’t cool with it, I’m still going to find a way to be with you. They won’t be able to stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n Leaning in, Michelle gave Samantha a tender kiss, said, \u201cMe, either.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled at her, said, \u201cI doubt it’ll come to that, though. I’m pretty sure Mom and Dad will be cool, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling back at her, Michelle said, \u201cGood. Being a forbidden lover seems like a headache. All that sneaking around…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of sneaking around,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her, \u201cyou know what tonight is, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur last chance?\u201d Samantha guessed, her eyes flashing.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe our last, last chance,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe better make the most of it, then,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her deeply.<\/p>\n When it finally ended, Michelle husked, \u201cWe need a little privacy, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n The wolf looked up from her resting place, her ears pricked at the sound of her name. When Michelle inclined her head toward the bathroom, the wolf got to her feet and padded out of the room. Michelle couldn’t see her, but she assumed the wolf went back to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Blue,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cShe’s probably used to it by now,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her. As the heat behind the kiss began to rise, Michelle forgot all about feeling bad about running Blue out of the room.<\/p>\n Then Samantha’s hand was on her breast, and Michelle came to her senses long enough to say, \u201cWe need to take our dresses off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like where your head is at,\u201d Samantha smiled at her playfully.<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle kissed her and said, \u201cI meant so we don’t mess them up. We need to wear them again tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStill,\u201d Samantha said, stealing one more kiss before standing up.<\/p>\n Michelle watched the girl pull the dress up and over her head, tossing it on the other bed. She got distracted by Samantha half-naked body, almost forgot she had to take hers off, too. Getting to her feet, Michelle slipped her own dress over her head, and it joined Samantha’s. For a second, she thought about folding it up and setting it on the dresser, then decided it was a waste of time. The second bed wouldn’t see any use tonight, so the dresses were fine where they were.<\/p>\n Samantha moved against Michelle, putting her arms around Michelle’s neck and kissing her. The brief interlude as they removed their summer dresses hadn’t dampened the desire that had been building between them, and this new kiss only ramped it up. They were pulling and tugging at what little clothing they wore, their lips never parting. Somehow, they managed to get each other out of their panties and bras, kicking their shoes off even as they fell back on the bed in a tangle.<\/p>\n For some reason, an inane thought popped into her head, Samantha is going to have to take a picture of this bed.<\/em><\/p>\n She started laughing, not sure why it was so funny. Pulling back from the kiss, Samantha gave her a curious look, which only made her laugh harder. The girl was looking at her for an explanation, but all she could manage was, \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s so funny?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s just… I was thinking you will need to take a picture of this bed before we leave,\u201d Michelle said, blushing when Samantha rolled her eyes, \u201cI don’t know why that cracked me up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy that count, I’ll need to take a picture of the shower,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her. Breaking it, she inclined her head at the chair in the corner, \u201cmaybe that chair.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking at the chair, Michelle asked, \u201cYou want to do it in the chair?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever tried it before,\u201d Samantha said, shrugging. She started smiled, then said, \u201cOr on a sink… Table… dresser…\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle kissed her, said, \u201cWell, we have all night. Maybe we can check a couple of those off the list.\u201d<\/p>\n They started kissing, again. Without further giggling fits to interrupt them, their desire quickly got the better of them. When Samantha nudged Michelle’s legs open and moved between them, Michelle knew what the girl wanted. Their bodies came together very intimately, fitting together like there were never supposed to be apart. Without breaking the kiss, they were making love, the slow roll of their hips grinding their bodies together in perfect time. Soft moans and sighs punctuated their kisses.<\/p>\n The slow pace gave them time to explore each other, and Michelle intended to make good of that time. The feel of Samantha’s skin under her fingertips was thrilling, and she couldn’t get enough of the girl’s lovely body. She wasn’t the only one, either. Samantha’s hands were just as eager as they explored Michelle’s body.<\/p>\n They fed off the attention they were giving each other, and the languish pace of their lovemaking couldn’t last. As their excitement grew, so their pace quickened. Faster and faster, until they had the bed rocking on its frame. Luckily the headboard was attached to the wall and not the frame, else it would have been knocking against the wall like crazy.<\/p>\n Those soft sounds of enjoyment were replaced by sharper cries they had to bite back. With Michelle’s parents in the room next door, they had to try to be quiet. They really didn’t succeed. In the end, Michelle only hoped the walls of this motel were thicker than the other ones she’s stayed in.<\/p>\n Every time their bodies came together, it sent shock waves of pleasure coursing through Michelle’s body. Instead of diminishing, these waves build upon each other, each successive ripple hitting her harder until she could barely breathe it felt so good.<\/p>\n Samantha had her knees dug into the bed and was holding herself up off of Michelle so she could really grind their bodies together. Her effort had broken her out in a sweat, and it glistened on her skin as she pushed her hips forward again and again. She was breathing heavy, but she showed no sign of slowing. Not even when her fingers suddenly tightened on the sheets, her usually graceful body starting to falter.<\/p>\n She’s coming<\/em>, Michelle thought, grabbing her hips to help her finish.<\/p>\n Her own body was reaching its breaking point, the pleasure too much to withstand. Michelle’s eyes widened as she felt herself start to come, felt her muscles tightening in anticipation of that explosion of pleasure. Atop of her, Samantha suddenly stiffened, then trembled with her orgasm. Michelle was only a heartbeat behind her, her own climax rocking her. Samantha collapsed atop of her, and Michelle held her as the feel-good juices started to flow.<\/p>\n After a moment, Samantha rolled off of her and stretched out on her back. She was still breathing heavy, her hair damp with sweat. She looked beautiful to Michelle.<\/p>\n Feeling her looking, Samantha said, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are so beautiful,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m a mess,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cBeautiful,\u201d Michelle insisted, propping up on her elbow to give her a kiss.<\/p>\n There was still plenty of heat behind it. As intense as their pair of orgasm had been, they had barely put a dent in their desire. Samantha only needed a moment to catch her breath before they were at it again. This time, it was Michelle on top, straddling one of Samantha’s thighs. Again, their bodies came together like pieces of the same puzzle. Neither one of them had fully recovered from their orgasm, and the delicious friction of their bodies rubbing together was a sweet torture.<\/p>\n It was Michelle’s turn to be gasping for breath, the frantic pace of their lovemaking the best cardio workout she has ever had. Even the cool blast of air from the air conditioner couldn’t keep her from breaking out in a sweat. Still, the roll of her hips didn’t let up even for a second. She had them rocketing toward another climax at breakneck speeds.<\/p>\n Luckily it was a sprint, not a marathon to the finish. With their nerve ending still singing from their last orgasms, it didn’t take long for their bodies to reach the point of no return. Samantha was a little behind in the race, but Michelle managed to hold off long enough to let the girl catch up. Only when she felt the girl come beneath her, did Michelle lose herself to her own ecstasy. Sitting astride Samantha’s hip, she shook with it, gasping for air.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly shit,\u201d she laughed, breathlessly.<\/p>\n Samantha just nodded, looking a little dazed.<\/p>\n Michelle flopped onto her back beside the girl, still trying to catch her breath. She shivered as the air conditioning found her sweat-slick skin, and she was glad when Samantha snuggled against her side. She hugged the girl closer to ward off the chill.<\/p>\n As her breathing returned to something close to normal, and her heart stopped racing in her breast, Michelle kissed Samantha. It was a tender, loving kiss, but she wasn’t surprised when it started to get away from them, again.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain?\u201d Michelle asked, breaking the kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cLast chance, remember,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her, again.<\/p>\n \u201cI need a drink, then,\u201d Michelle said, laughing, \u201cneed to stay hydrated.\u201d<\/p>\n She rolled out of bed and walked on wobbly legs to the sink. Unwrapping one of the disposable cups, she drew some water. She had just raised it to her lips when Samantha pressed her body against Michelle back. Meeting the girl’s eyes in the mirror, she said, \u201cI was coming right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s okay,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her shoulder, \u201cwe can do it right here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Michelle asked, her heart beating a little faster.<\/p>\n \u201cBetter hurry up and finish your water,\u201d Samantha said, her hand slipping down Michelle’s stomach and between her thighs.<\/p>\n Michelle finished the cup in two gulps, almost choking on the last one as she tried to moan and swallow at the same time. She was still thirsty, but she didn’t trust herself to drink any more while Samantha was doing this to her. The girl’s very capable fingers forced another moan from her, then another.<\/p>\n In the mirror, Michelle could see what Samantha was doing to her, and it was kind of strange to see in third person. The pleasure Samantha’s fingers where awakening in her body and the reflection of the same act in the mirror seemed disconnected. It almost seemed like it was someone else.<\/p>\n Her eyes moved away from her reflection, and she met Samantha’s eyes in the mirror. Her heart started beating faster at the look in the girl’s eyes, at the sexy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. It was definitely a bedroom smile, full of naughty promises.<\/p>\n Samantha whispered in her ear, \u201cStay right here.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle was a little disappointed when the hand between her thighs was removed, but it was short-lived as she saw Samantha going to her backpack. In the mirror, she saw the girl pull the improvised strap-on out and step into it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to decide what we are going to do with that before tomorrow,\u201d Michelle said, as Samantha walked back over to the sink.<\/p>\n \u201cI can remove the handle,\u201d Samantha said, moving behind Michelle, \u201cit’ll just be a handle and bikini bottom in my bag.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’d work,\u201d Michelle said, then added, \u201cthat way if your idea doesn’t work, we can always put it back on.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling at her in the mirror, Samantha said, \u201cYou mean the dildo I’m going to make?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s going to work,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her shoulder, \u201cmaybe you can use those leather making skills of yours and make us a harness… A real harness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah… I think I could,\u201d Michelle said, even though she didn’t have a clue what a ‘real’ strap-on harness looked like.<\/p>\n Samantha pressed the cool tip of the handle against the hot opening of Michelle vagina, easing it inside. Michelle moaned thickly as it slipped deep, but she was more than ready for it. Then Samantha’s hands were on her hips, and it was moving slowly in and out of her. The handle was rubbing inside, hitting just the right spot. Michelle’s fingers tightened on the lip of the sink, nearly digging into the fake marble.<\/p>\n One of the hands on her hips slid up her flank to cup her breast, and the other slipped around and between her thighs. Too many wonderful things were happening to her young body for her nerve endings to keep it all separate. The sweet ache of her nipple as Samantha teased it and the lovely pressure on her bud from Samantha’s swirling fingers blended together with the handle moving inside of her, became one mind-melting sensation.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Michelle said, as Samantha started thrusting faster. It felt so good she was getting weak in the knees.<\/p>\n When they almost buckled, Samantha said, \u201cWhy don’t you hop up on the counter?\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle eased off the handle, turning on wobbly legs and sitting on the counter. Samantha moved between her legs and gave her a lingering kiss. Michelle reached down and guided the handle back inside of her. She moaned into Samantha’s mouth as it slipped deep. Without breaking the kiss, Samantha started thrusting again. Michelle kissed her as long as she could, but eventually she just couldn’t focus on it anymore. The pleasure washing through her young body was just too intense. She could only put her arms around Samantha’s neck and hold on for dear life.<\/p>\n Something that felt that good couldn’t last and Michelle’s fingers dug into Samantha’s shoulders as she started to come. One thrust, two, then Samantha buried the handle deep, setting off an explosion of pleasure inside of Michelle that stole her breath away in mid cry. The climax shook her, and she jerked like she was being shocked. She leaned back against the mirror, suddenly boneless now that the tension had fled her body.<\/p>\n Samantha smiled at her, said, \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking her head, Michelle laughed, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat good, huh?\u201d Samantha asked, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cBabe,\u201d Michelle said, managing to sit up and kiss her.<\/p>\n Michelle eased off of the counter and into Samantha’s arms, without breaking the kiss. She hooked her fingers in the bikini bottom, pushed it down Samantha’s thighs until gravity took it the rest of the way to her ankles. Bending over, Michelle helped the girl step out of the strap-on harness. She slipped her own legs into the openings, pulling the bottom up as she straightened up.<\/p>\n As she smoothed it into place, she smiled at Samantha and asked, \u201cChair or table?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre your legs still wobbly?\u201d Samantha asked, grinning.<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle admitted, \u201cA little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe chair, then,\u201d Samantha said, taking her hand.<\/p>\n Michelle followed the girl over to the simple armchair, then tugged the girl’s hand until she turned around. Giving her a kiss, Michelle sank to her knees in front of Samantha. The girl sighed as Michelle place a series of kisses along the inside of her thighs, each one higher than the last. With the flat of her tongue, she teased Samantha’s bud, not letting up until her hips were moving with a mind of their own and her little noises of enjoyment were filling the hotel room.<\/p>\n When she thought Samantha was ready, she sat on the chair, slouching forward, so her hips cleared the arms of the chair. She smiled up at the girl as Samantha straddled her hips, lowering down onto the handle. With it buried deep inside, Samantha leaned forward to give Michelle a deep, lingering kiss. When their lips finally parted, Samantha started moving up and down. Each time she pushed back down on the improvised dildo, it forced a moan from her slack mouth.<\/p>\n Samantha’s lithe and lean body was squeezing every ounce of enjoyment she could out of their toy. Michelle couldn’t take her eyes off the flex of her hips, the way her stomach tightened in anticipation of the toy pushing deep inside, the way her small breasts heaved with each thrust. Michelle thought the girl looked incredibly sexy, very sensual.<\/p>\n Michelle ran her hands over Samantha’s thighs, up her taut stomach to cup her jiggling breasts. Since Samantha was doing most of the work, she was free to explore the girl’s lovely body. While her touch seemed to excite the girl, Michelle had to admit her motivations were selfish. She just couldn’t keep her hands off of her.<\/p>\n With her hand on the back of the chair, Samantha really went to town on the dildo. It was a pace Michelle knew the girl couldn’t keep up. Her hands slipped onto her hips, helping her bound up and down on the toy. She knew Samantha had to be getting close. There was no way she couldn’t be.<\/p>\n A moment later, all the grace left Samantha’s hips. She lost her rhythm as she started to come, but Michelle was there to finish her off. Samantha cried out as she climaxed, stiffening astride Michelle’s hips.<\/p>\n Sitting very still, Samantha brushed the hair out of her eyes and gave Michelle a dazed smile. Out of breath, she still managed to say, \u201cChair… Check.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cWhat’s that leave? The table and the dresser?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we are going to have to save those for another day,\u201d Samantha said, still trying to catch her breath. She eased off of the dildo, then sat in Michelle’s lap sideways. Putting her arm around Michelle’s neck, she kissed her, then said, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, too,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we took advantage of our ‘last chance’,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle agreed, laughing, \u201cand then some.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe something a little different, then?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne last bath?\u201d Samantha said, glancing at the half-closed door to the bathroom.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil I can figure out how to make us one,\u201d Michelle said, making the girl smile.<\/p>\n Samantha hopped off Michelle’s lap, swaying on her rubbery legs. She had to put a hand on the arm of the chair to steady herself.<\/p>\n Seeing it, Michelle asked, \u201cWhose wobbly now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have no idea,\u201d Samantha said, laughing.<\/p>\n Michelle stood up and slipped out of the bikini bottom, tossing it on the bed. Putting her arm around the girl’s waist, she said, \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue looked up at them as they stepped into the bathroom. The wolf seemed to understand she was being evicted from the room, again. Yawning, she got to her feet and padded into the main room.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Blue,\u201d Samantha called after her.<\/p>\n Pushing the shower curtain all the way back, Michelle started the water going. They had a little time before the water was deep enough to get in and they spent it kissing. They almost forgot about the water, catching it just before it spilled over the side of the tub. Laughing, Michelle opened the drain to let some of it out.<\/p>\n When Michelle sat down at the rear of the tub, Samantha sat between her legs. Michelle smiled as the girl snuggled back into her arms. The water was the perfect temperature, felt amazing on her naked body. Almost as nice as Samantha did, but not quite.<\/p>\n \u201cMm… This is nice,\u201d Samantha said, running her hands up and down Michelle’s legs.<\/p>\n \u201cVery relaxing,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cI need a little relaxing after that,\u201d Samantha said, laughing, \u201cI’m going to be sore in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe, too,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her shoulder tenderly.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not complaining, though,\u201d Samantha said, craning her neck to smile at Michelle, \u201cI can’t even promise I won’t want you again, in an hour or two, either.\u201d<\/p>\n Kissing her, Michelle said, \u201cAll you need to do is ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Samantha said, turning back around.<\/p>\n ——————————————-<\/p>\n At the embassy, Samantha and Michelle’s mother got out of the car, and Michelle jumped in the front seat. As they pulled away, Blue turned to watch them out the back window. The wolf made a low mewling sound in the back of her throat.<\/p>\n Smiling at her, Michelle said, \u201cShe’ll be back in a few hours, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue glanced at Michelle, then back at Samantha and Michelle’s mother as they disappeared inside.<\/p>\n Michelle reached back and petted Blue’s head, said, \u201cShe’s going to miss you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n They followed the directions to the veterinarian’s office they had found online. Pulling up to the unassuming building with the simple wooden sign in the front, her dad turned off the car. Michelle got out, then opened the door for Blue.<\/p>\n Squatting down to Blue’s level, Michelle said, \u201cWe need to let the vet check you over, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue looked at Michelle, her head tilted to one side.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s probably not going to be much fun for you,\u201d Michelle said, stroking her head, \u201cbut it has to be done if you want to come with us. If you behave yourself, it’ll be over before you know it. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n As Michelle straightened up, she wondered how Blue was going to react to the doctor’s office, with all the other animals and their owners- not to mention the needles and the vet himself. A lot of new experiences for the wolf and none of them particularly pleasant.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Blue. Let’s get this over with,\u201d Michelle said, walking toward the front door. She was glad that Blue fell in at her side. Michelle opened the door, and Blue hesitated, looking up at her expectantly. Michelle smiled and said, \u201cIt’s okay. Go on in.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue walked slowly into the reception area, her ears pricked and her nose going a mile a minute. Only two other owners were sitting on the hard plastic chairs- one with a gray cat and another with beagle with a cast on its back paw. Neither animal seemed thrilled to see Blue, their eyes never leaving her as she stood at Michelle’s side.<\/p>\n Her dad went to the window, spoke to the receptionist. The woman gave him a clipboard with some papers to fill out and told him the doctor would be with them shortly. As her dad started the paperwork, Michelle sat with Blue, stroking her head to keep her calm. The wolf seemed nervous.<\/p>\n Michelle wondered if the animal felt the same way she did when she had to go to the doctor’s office. She wasn’t a germophobe, but being around other sick people skeeved her out. She felt like she needed to wash her hands just thinking about it. Even being here, in a vet’s office, was making her itchy.<\/p>\n They had to wait about fifteen minutes before the vet came out to get them. He offered his hand to Michelle’s father, introduced himself as Dr. Harrison. He shook Michelle’s hand, too, which she kind of appreciated. As a kid, she was sometimes overlooked, so it was always nice when a professional took the time to notice her.<\/p>\n Dr. Harrison blinked twice when he turned his attention to Blue sitting by Michelle’s knee, then he met Michelle’s eyes and said, \u201cYou know that’s a wolf, right? Don’t let the black coat fool you.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cWe know.\u201d<\/p>\n He held Michelle’s eyes a moment longer, then shrugged, \u201cUm, bring her back, then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Michelle said to Blue. The wolf padded at her side as they followed the vet down the hall to a door marked ‘Examination Room’.<\/p>\n Opening the door to the examination room, he asked, \u201cWhat’s her name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlue,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you… Oh, I see,\u201d he said, his eyes widening, \u201ca blue-eyed black wolf… Odd.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s Blue, alright,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Blue chuffed indignantly in the back of her throat, as if she understood she was being slighted.<\/p>\n \u201cThe receptionist said you all trying to take her back to the States with you,\u201d he said, as Blue walked into the room. He watched as Blue circled the room, sniffing everything.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s right. We need a clean bill of health, her shots… that sort of thing,\u201d her dad said.<\/p>\n Nodding, the vet said, \u201cOf course. I can give her a basic exam and give her the first round of vaccines. That should be enough for you to get her across the border. When you get where you are headed, you can find a local veterinarian to finish the rest of her shots.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerfect,\u201d her dad said.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel I need to advise you against it, though,\u201d Dr. Harrison said, meeting Michelle’s eyes, \u201cwild animals don’t make the best pets. They can be… unpredictable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlue’s not my pet,\u201d Michelle said, then feeling a little foolish, \u201cshe’s my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust the same,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Michelle’s dad spoke up, \u201cWe are aware of the risks, doctor. Blue is a special case.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe saved my life a couple of times,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe did?\u201d The vet asked, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, I was in a plane crash and-\u201d Michelle said, but the doctor’s expression cut her off. As shocked recognition registered on his face, Michelle trailed off.<\/p>\n \u201cUp north? The group of middle school kids on the way to give a presentation?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n Wondering how he knew about it, Michelle said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw the report on the news,\u201d he said, shaking his head sadly, \u201cit’s a tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n Feeling a knot in her throat, Michelle nodded. She swallowed hard, then tried to speak. Couldn’t. In the woods, there had been plenty to keep her mind off of the loss of her classmates. All those emotions she hasn’t taken the time to deal with sneaked up on her and tears stung her eyes. She had to turn away from the sympathy in the veterinarian’s eyes, took a couple of deep breaths to keep from crying.<\/p>\n Her dad saw her struggling, spoke up, \u201cBlue means a lot to my daughter… So, if she is healthy enough to travel…\u201d<\/p>\n Nodding, the vet said, \u201cRight… Just let me look at her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop up on the table, Blue,\u201d her dad said.<\/p>\n Blue looked up at Michelle, who nodded. Gracefully, she hopped up on the table, sat back on her haunches. Her blue eyes followed the vet around the office as he opened her folder and put on a pair of disposable gloves. It was very clear in her body language that she didn’t trust him.<\/p>\n Michelle stroked her head, managed to say in a soothing voice, \u201cIt’s okay, Blue. He’s not going to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n The vet paused to look at them, said, \u201cUm… How friendly is she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe’ll behave,\u201d Michelle said, using the same reassuring tone on him, \u201cwon’t you, Blue?\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle stayed at Blue’s side as the vet began his examination, but her thoughts wandered far away. During the car ride out of the woods, her parents had told her about the recovery of the plane. Her dad had called the local authorities, gave them the GPS coordinates Michelle had saved. Her classmates were going to beat her home. There would be individual funerals for the families and a special memorial service at the school.<\/p>\n Michelle hadn’t been sure they’d make it back in time for the memorial service, but if all went well with Samantha and Blue today, they probably would. She wasn’t sure if she’d want to go. The guilt of surviving when so many didn’t was a heavy burden, and she didn’t think she was ready to see the looks on her classmates’ faces.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d the vet said, saving Michelle from her own thoughts, \u201cI’m not an expert in wolves, but I’d say she’s a healthy two-to-three-year-old. No obvious signs of illness. Her coat is glossy, and her eyes are bright… Respiration and heart rate are congruent of a dog her size… I don’t see any reason the border agents would turn her away. Well, other than the obvious one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat she’s a wolf?\u201d Michelle guessed.<\/p>\n \u201cA husky, you mean,\u201d the vet said, smiling conspiratorially, \u201cat least, that’s what I’m putting on the paperwork. You might have to fib a little, tell them Blue was the oddball of the litter. Her brothers and sisters are all gray and white.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d she said, hugging him. She offered him a sheepish smile when she stepped back. He let her off the hook by returning it.<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d he said, patting his folder, \u201cI’ll have my receptionist start the paperwork, then I’ll be back to give Blue her shot.\u201d<\/p>\n When the vet was out of the room, her dad asked, \u201cYou alright, Kiddo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Michelle said, then sighed, \u201cI wasn’t ready for him to recognize my story.\u201d<\/p>\n Putting his arm around her shoulder, her dad said, \u201cThings are going to be tough for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle managed a smile for him, nodded. Such a simple statement from anyone else would have seemed an inadequate sentiment, but again she knew him well enough to know those eight words carried a whole lot of understanding. As a soldier who had lost friends in combat, he knew just how ‘tough’ it could be.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ll be there if you ever need to talk,\u201d he said, giving her shoulders a squeeze, \u201cdoesn’t matter what it’s about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d she said, swallowing hard, again. Her emotions were still raw, and sympathy was like salt in the wound.<\/p>\n Blue nuzzled Michelle’s arm, getting her attention. Smiling at the wolf, Michelle stroked her head. Just petting her made Michelle feel better. Her smile widened because she thought Blue knew that, knew she needed a little fuzzy therapy.<\/p>\n A few minutes later, the doctor returned with a syringe sealed in plastic and a vial of clear liquid. His hands were shaking a little as he prepared the needle. He kept glancing warily at Blue.<\/p>\n Seeing it, too, Michelle’s dad asked, \u201cAre you okay, Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever given a vaccination to a wild animal before. Are you sure she’ll behave?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe will,\u201d Michelle said, then to Blue, \u201cthis is the part I was telling you about, Blue. It’s going to hurt a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle stroked Blue’s head, as the vet pinched the ruff of Blue’s neck and slipped the needle in. Blue twitched, but that was her only reaction to the injection. No growling or gnashing of teeth, much to the peace of mind of the vet. Dr. Harrison seemed glad it was over as he tossed the needle into a hazmat container on the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cThat should be it,\u201d he said, stripping off his disposable gloves, \u201cshe’ll need a second set of shots when you get home to prevent distemper and rabies. My receptionist should have your paperwork ready in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Michelle’s father said, offering his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are welcome,\u201d he said, then smiled at Michelle, \u201cI was worried about Blue being a wild animal, but seeing you two interact… I feel better about you taking her home with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t need to worry,\u201d Michelle assured him, then to Blue, \u201chop down, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue hopped to the floor, falling in beside Michelle.<\/p>\n \u201cShe’s well trained,\u201d the vet said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe isn’t trained,\u201d Michelle said, smiling, \u201cshe’s just really, really smart.\u201d<\/p>\n The vet looked at her for a long moment, then shrugged. He opened the door for them, ushering them out into the hallway.<\/p>\n They collected the paperwork from the receptionist on their way out the door. In the car, her dad checked the phone he had borrowed from Michelle’s mother. He still couldn’t get reception on his own. When Samantha and Michelle’s mother were finished getting her temporary passport, they were going to call to be picked up. Last night, they had figured it was going to take Samantha longer to get her paperwork, than Blue. Since the phone hasn’t rung, yet, they must have assumed correctly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe might have some time to kill,\u201d her dad said, glancing sideways at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cLet’s get some breakfast,\u201d he said, putting the car in gear.<\/p>\n They found a McDonald’s, went inside to order. With their food, they found a table. They were about halfway through their meal when the phone rang.<\/p>\n \u201cHello?\u201d Her father said, answering it, \u201cOh, hi Helena… You what… Wait, let me put you on speaker so Michelle can hear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Michelle,\u201d Helena said, her voice tinny through the phone speaker.<\/p>\n \u201cHi,\u201d Michelle said, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter you left, I decided to head into town instead of going home. I dropped the assault rifle you took from the goons off at the police station. With firepower like that, they didn’t waste any time running fingerprints.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did they find?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThey found fingerprints all over the bullets in the magazine belonging to a Thomas Kingsley,\u201d Helena said.<\/p>\n \u201cTommy,\u201d Michelle said, then saw her dad giving her a funny look, \u201cthe guy who Blue took down was named Tommy. It fits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told the police about Blue attacking him, so they started looking into hospitals. No one reported a man with wounds like you described.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Michelle said, disappointed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe police don’t miss a trick around here, though. There’s a doctor a town over that had his license revoked for selling pain medication out of his office. It’s no secret that he still treats those trying to avoid the law. They found Tommy doped up out of his gourd on morphine, all bandaged up and an antibiotic IV in his arm,\u201d Helena said, laughing, \u201che was so high, he snitched on himself and his whole operation without realizing it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Michelle said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe police are arresting the other two as we speak, getting search warrants for a half dozen meth houses here, talking with the D.E.A. about the ones in the U.S….The whole organization is going down, thanks to you and Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s… that’s crazy,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for the call, Helena. Michelle’s mother and I were worried about those men maybe trying to find her, but it sounds like they have their hands full,\u201d her dad said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem. Take care,\u201d Helena said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou, too,\u201d Michelle said, ending the call.<\/p>\n Her dad was smiling at her, so said, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour story is getting crazier and crazier,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Laughing, she said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n ————————————————–<\/p>\n Glancing over her shoulder at the border checkpoint they had just cleared, Michelle sighed with relief. She was back in the United States, if still far from home. Now, the only thing between her and her own bed was a lot of pavement, not bureaucracy.<\/p>\n They had been held up when the border agent saw Samantha’s temporary passport, but they were waved through without further delay once he called in to verify her information. No luggage check, no eye batted at the black wolf in the backseat, not even a question about fruit or vegetables. After all the troubles Michelle had envisioned, making it through the checkpoint so easily was very anti-climatic, almost disappointing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was easy,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at Samantha.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn’t have to fill out all of the forms,\u201d Samantha said, stroking Blue’s head where it laid in her lap.<\/p>\n \u201cThat bad?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we killed a couple of trees,\u201d her mother said from the front seat.<\/p>\n Looking at the wolf soaking up the attention from her girlfriend, Michelle said, \u201cShe missed you as soon as you got out of the car.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI missed her, too,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we get home, you are going to have to come by every day,\u201d Michelle said, her smile playful, \u201cyou know… For Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor Blue, huh?\u201d Samantha teased.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah,\u201d Michelle said, her smile widening, \u201cI mean- since you’d already be there, if you’d want to hang out with me, too…\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle noticed her dad shaking his head, saw him smiling in the rearview mirror. Blushing, she realized he was amused by her attempts at flirting. She said, \u201cCan you turn the radio up?\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, he said, \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on a minute,\u201d her mother said, turning it back down, \u201c’let me call Liz and let her know we made it through the checkpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle’s mother pulled out her phone and called Samantha’s parents. When the line was picked up, she said, \u201cHey Liz. Just calling to let you know we made it through… You are where? Oh. You really did drive all night, then… No, that sounds perfect. It’s halfway between us and you, about two hours either way… We could grab a late lunch… Great. See you then.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking away from the road, Michelle’s dad asked, \u201cThey are only four hours out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey must have been hauling ass all night long,\u201d Michelle’s mother said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cMom and Dad have a lead foot,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like it,\u201d Michelle’s dad said, glancing at his wife, \u201cwell, Navigator… Where’s a good place for us to meet them?\u201d<\/p>\n ———————————————————–<\/p>\n \u201cYour parents drive a maroon Chrysler, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, looking out the windshield, \u201cthat’s them.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle’s dad pulled into the space next to them, killing the engine. Everyone started filing out of both cars. Seeing Samantha’s mother and father standing there, Michelle had to blot her hands on her dress. She hadn’t been nervous before, but the adrenaline was flowing now. She glanced at Samantha, saw the girl looked about as anxious as she felt. Michelle wasn’t sure either one of them was ready for this.<\/p>\n Ready or not, she forced herself to open her car door and get out. On legs like rubber bands, she circled the car to where Samantha was hugging her mom and dad. She stood awkwardly to one side as they took turns almost squeezing the life out of their daughter. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, waiting to be noticed.<\/p>\n Pulling back from her mother, Samantha said, \u201cUm, Mom and Dad, this is Michelle… My girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n That bombshell was delivered without preamble, and Samantha’s parents just blinked at her for a few seconds. It was kind of comical, but Michelle didn’t think it was wise to laugh. Part of her wondered if this was what Samantha had come up with last night when she was worried about what she’d say to her parents. She didn’t think so. Just introducing Michelle as her girlfriend seemed like a spur of the moment decision.<\/p>\n \u201cYour… girlfriend?\u201d Her dad said, his eyes wide.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, taking Michelle’s hand.<\/p>\n For a long, pregnant moment, Samantha’s parents just stared at them holding hands in surprised silence. That moment seemed to stretch on way too long for Michelle. Her nerves were shot, and their silence shook her confidence. She expected them to start yelling, condemning their daughter’s sexuality and ultimately her choice of Michelle.<\/p>\n Then Samantha’s mother said, \u201cI thought you two didn’t like each other?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, we didn’t,\u201d Samantha admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess you got over it, then,\u201d her dad said.<\/p>\n With a startled laugh, Michelle said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis wasn’t a spur of the moment thing, was it?\u201d Her mother asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Samantha said, meeting her eyes, \u201cI’ve known for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Nodding, her mother hugged her and said, \u201cAs long as you are happy, Sweetie. You know you have our support.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Mom,\u201d Samantha said, the relief thick in her voice.<\/p>\n Michelle blinked in surprise when Samantha’s mother hugged her in turn. The woman gave her a squeeze, then said, \u201cThank you for bringing my little girl back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Pulling back, the woman gave Michelle a stern look, said, \u201cBut Samantha isn’t allowed to date until she fifteen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Mom,\u201d Samantha groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew that,\u201d her mother said.<\/p>\n \u201cHoney,\u201d Samantha’s father said, putting his hand on his wife’s shoulder, \u201cI think they’ve proven themselves mature enough to date a little early.\u201d<\/p>\n Giving her daughter a dubious look, her mother said, \u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d her mother said, her smile finally breaking through her poker face. She had just been messing with her daughter.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s not funny,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really weren’t going to let you date until you were fifteen,\u201d her mother said, smiling, \u201cbut like your father said, you two have proven yourself to be very mature. We’ll have to have a talk with Michelle’s parents, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike over lunch?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n Laughing, her mother said, \u201cI guess now’s as good a time as any.\u201d<\/p>\n They all headed into the restaurant, found a table that could accommodate all of them, and ordered their food. As they waited for it to arrive, Michelle and Samantha told them about their trek through the woods, about how their general animosity became a reluctant partnership, then friendship and finally bloomed into young love. Of course, this was a much tamer, PG version of the story. While they admitted they had kissed, that was as much as either one of them was willing for their parents to know.<\/p>\n Again, Michelle thought their parents suspected more than kissing might have gone on in the Canadian wilds. Luckily, neither set of parental units seemed to want to chase that white rabbit down the hole. Not now, anyway. Michelle thought it was going to come up eventually, but not now.<\/p>\n When their food came, the conversation didn’t dry up. They had a lot of getting to know each other to do, now that their two families were essentially joined at Michelle’s and Samantha’s hip. Michelle smiled at how easy the conversation flowed, nothing forced about it. All of her nervousness about meeting Samantha’s parents was wash out of her as she answered their questions and found acceptance.<\/p>\n Even when the plates were cleared from the table, and the check paid, they were reluctant to part ways. Only the long drives ahead of them finally got them to push away from the table. Out in the parking lot, they huddled up, again.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, I guess I’ll see you when we get home,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, sighing. Samantha was riding back with her parents, and she was riding back with hers. For the first time in almost a month, they were going to be apart.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you,\u201d Samantha said, suddenly hugging her.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, too,\u201d Michelle said, squeezing her tightly. Michelle risked a kiss, knowing it would be the last one until they traded the Canadian woods for the suburban wilds.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the jeans are back there.\u201d Michelle looked up from the rack of dresses she was riffling through, saw her mother giving her a curious look. Belatedly, Michelle realized she had been doing something out of character, and her … Continue reading