Story Orgy Monday - A Tabled Affair part 8

Happy Spooky Story Orgy Monday to all my friends...and Happy Halloween!! I hope all the goodies and ghastly declarations treat you well today.

In case you missed it, you can click on over to Dr. Dick's Sex Therapy site to listen to Hank's two-part podcast interview with Dr. Dick. He answers questions and reads excerpts from his novels Plus Ones and Bounty. Follow the link to check it out and listen to one of Story Orgy's best writing gurus.

Did you see the first of five round-robin question and answers on Havan's blog site Friday? No one gropes a group better than Story Orgy's very own Havan Fellows. That's fer sure!

Additionally, Story Orgy's Em Woods is a guest on Michael Mandrake's blog today! Butterflies anyone?

Oh yeah, don't forget to click on over to Em Woods's blog to read a different round-robin set of questions from the Story Orgy group. This week, Story Orgy answers questions about writing; so, feel free to check it out and see what we all think about writing.

Ooh! Did you hear about Lee Brazil's newest book? Loving Jacob is soon to be available from Breathless Press. Breathless Press will have it available on their website Friday. Be sure to stop by and grab your copy on November 4th!

Yee Haw! Now, with all that said, it's time for Story Orgy's Halloween posting! The picture accompanying today's story was selected by my muse, Story Orgy's very own Goddess, Em Woods.

A Tabled Affair part 8

Mauricio gently stroked Sugar's soft white fur and listened to Damian's vivid narration of recent events. The shadows of passing buildings and trees only deepened the mysterious ambiance in Damian's car. Maybe it was Mauricio's affection or obvious commitment to following Damian where he led; but, unlike most cats, Sugar seemed content with the travel. Despite the rumbling road beneath, and the passing streetlights overhead; the fluffy ball of fur nestled cozily in Mauricio's lap.

"Yes, such a sweetie you are." Mauricio smoothed a finger over Sugar's brow and lightly scratched the tender spot under his ear.

Purr.

Damian's voice trailed off as he turned onto a narrow side road. Mauricio rested his free hand on Damian's thigh and gave an earnest squeeze. "I'm with you, babe."

Meow.

Mauricio couldn't help but smile. "See? Sugar is too."

Damian pulled off to the side of the road. "Here we are."

"I thought you wanted me to meet somebody, sweetie. This is a...ohh." Mauricio felt as though he was the Incredible Shrinking Man, with his foot buried in his mouth heel deep.

The back of Damian's hand softly brushed Mauricio's cheek and he smiled without any resistance. "It's okay, handsome. So, you ready?"

Mauricio scooped Sugar up with his left arm and put his hand on the door handle. "I'm ready if you are." He climbed out, walked around the car and met his lover on the other side, and stopped to drop a slow kiss fully on Damian's lips.

Meow.

Mauricio released a low chuckle and raised Sugar to his lips and kissed him on the top of his head. "I know, I know."

Mauricio wrapped an arm around Damian and drew him closer. "Let's do this. If you have someone you want me to meet, then it's my pleasure to meet them."

Damian smiled a modest smile and crooked his finger into the darkness of nightfall. "C'mon. She's just a little ways over this way."

As Damian led Mauricio into the first steps of their short hike, the wind kicked up and swirled around them.

Meow.

Damian's head rested on Mauricio's shoulder. "Sugar sure is a talkative kitty."

Mauricio followed Damian's lead as he meandered through the gravesites and headstones. "He is quite the loquacious one tonight, huh?"  

"I wonder if he can hear the voice inside my head." Damian sounded disturbed and hopeful all wrapped up in one. His question was carried away by the wind as quickly as it was delivered.

Not sure what to say, Mauricio kissed the top of Damian's head and remained silent.

Damian stopped and turned to Mauricio.

Unable to make out the inscription on the tombstone, Mauricio turned to meet Damian's troubled gaze. Deeply, soulfully searching for the right words.

Damian waved his hand between Mauricio and the grave in a formal introduction. "Mauricio, meet my mother. Mother, this is Mauricio."

Meow. Sugar rose to a crouching position and resituated himself in the cradle of Mauricio's elbow. If Sugar still had claws, they would have been digging into his skin.

Mauricio loosened his grip as Damian freed himself from his protected hold. He silently watched as Damian stood over the grave, staring at the tombstone.

Once again, Mauricio found himself at a complete loss of words. But he did manage to muster up a strong, "It's very nice to meet you, ma'am."

No sooner than Mauricio's words left his lips the wind wooshed around them, carrying one of the most loving voices Mauricio had ever heard.

It's very nice to meet you too, Mauricio.

The love in the voice was no respite to Mauricio's unexpected onset of fright. And Sugar wasn't too 

keen on it either. Sugar's back arched and he hissed into the night air.

An apparition slowly materialized next to Damian, causing the hair on Mauricio's neck to stand on end. It was his neighbor. Sugar calmed, settling back into Mauricio's side.  

"Umm...D...D...Damian." Mauricio wanted to point, but couldn't move. "Why are your voices speaking to me? And why is my neighbor standing n...n...next to you?"

Damian's bewilderment reflected in his eyes. "Ms. Feagley? Why are you–"

Damian, my son. It's me. Your mother.

"But you're..." Damian's pause was not soothing to Mauricio in the least. Damian studied the spirit, shifting his eyes from the spirit to Mauricio and back again.

I only borrowed Ms. Feagley's body, Dami Baby. I had to see you. 

"Why? After all these years, Momma?" Tears welled up in Damian's eyes, glimmering in the glow of his mother's spirit.

Mauricio's stomach knotted at the mother/son reunion. The overwhelming emotion caused him to clutch Sugar tightly against his chest.

Meow.

Mauricio blinked then blinked again. Trying to figure out what was going on. Another image came into view several feet away. It was his receptionist. "Danny? What the hell are you doing here? And why are you wearing that getup?"

Damian's bewilderment took on an upbeat tone. His realization rang in his voice. "That was you? I saw you wearing that in a dream."

At first, Danny didn't say a word. He only stared at Damian's mother, his arms crossed and nearly nude. He wore nothing but a bronze Krieger-style helmet, bracers, and a stylized loin cloth. He looked like a futuristic Celtic warrior or something.

Damian, Danny is an angel. He's here to take me back to the afterlife. All I wanted was for you to be happy. I saw the path you were taking with your life and didn't want you to mess it up. You are meant to be with Mauricio. Both of your happiness depends on it, my son.

Danny stepped forward, giving Mauricio and Damian each a nod. He turned to Damian's mother. "Why are you still here? The agreement was that you had one week on Earth. I'm sure Ms. Feagley would like her body back."

"Will you always be there to watch over me, Momma?" Damian reached out for his mother, only to touch air.

She smiled at him, a bit of sweetness and a lot of sadness. I'll always be here. She motioned to Damian's heart. But I have to go back now. You have Mauricio to help you through the hard times now.

Damian nodded. "I- I understand. I love you."

I love you, Dami. She turned to look at Mauricio, and he took a half-step back before catching himself. You take care of my son. He's your now.

Mauricio cleared his throat, "Yes, ma'am."

Danny sighed. "Time's up." And with that, both Danny and Damian's mother disappeared like they never were.

A hard sob wracked Damian's body and he curled over to land on his knees. Mauricio rushed forward to catch him. "Damian!"

"Again. She's gone again."

Mauricio wiped the tears from Damian's cheeks. "But I'm here. And I love you too." Pulling Damian close, Mauricio felt hot tears burn against his skin as Damian cried it out. Mauricio rocked him, cuddling Sugar between them, the steady purr a soothing hum.

As the wind died down and the full moon lit the world around them, Damian pulled away to stare into Mauricio's eyes. "Let's go home."  

~ The End~

I have been working on this story for weeks. I must admit that I have lots of tweaking to do in order for it to be just right. However, the process is where the fun comes in, right? Right! *grin* Now, I truly hope you enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the story. It's not exactly my forte, but my muse coached me through. Much thanks to Em Woods! And, if you have any feedback, I would love to hear it. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

With that said, let's move on and see what the other orgiasts have for the paranormal play Story Orgy has going on. I'm stoked! C'mon, follow me. I'll show you the way. Don't worry. I won't take you down any of those long hallways where hands reach out and grab you. *Pffftt* Nooooo! I won't lead you down any haunted streets either *ahem*.

Em Woods - http://authoremwoods.com/

Hank Edwards - http://hankedwardsbooks.com/blog/

Havan Fellows - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

  Lee Brazil - http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Jade Basier (SO Photographer) - http://jadebaiser.blogspot.com/