STOLEN CHANCES - PART THREE

PREVIOUSLY

*"Hello, Todd. I thought I'd never see you again." And then it was clear to him. The stranger standing in front of him was no stranger at all.It was Michelle.*

****************************************************************************************************** A few years made a big difference in Michelle's life. She had grown from a skinny little tomboy who used to climb trees with Todd into a beautiful, poised, sophisticated young woman. Todd could not believe his eyes. He could not believe that this was the same little girl who, until a few years ago before she went to boarding school, he used to have sleep overs with every weekend. Todd and Michelle used to be the best of friends, but now it appeared that they had to get to know each other again.

And that's how they spent the summer. They had a lot of catching up to do. They spent nearly every minute together. It was the happiest Todd had been since his mother left. Not only did he recapture the magic of a lost friendship, he also knew the joy of living in a real family for a while. While Todd's father was away on business that summer, Todd stayed with Sam and his family. He never knew what it was like to live in a normal household.

Todd and Michelle spent many hours together reliving old childhood memories, while also creating new, more mature ones. There wasn't a day that went by that they weren't together. They enjoyed going to the movies and to plays together. Long, late night walks in the park. Or just some quiet time at home talking or watching reruns on TV. They both enjoyed old western movies, so there were times when they would rent movies and just sit close and enjoy each other's company.

One particular night, they were watching a movie and Todd noticed that Michelle was sitting a little closer than usual. But he didn't feel crowded or uncomfortable. He liked the feeling of her body next to his. He felt like things were just as they should be. At that moment, Todd finally realized just how much he truly loved Michelle. It may have had something to do with a scene in the movie that they were watching. Or it could have been how being that close to Michelle made him feel safe, loved and truly happy. It let him see that despite his cruel and abusive past, he [was] human and capable of really loving someone. And that someone was Michelle. He couldn't help but sit there and stare at her while thinking about how beautiful she was. So different, but so beautiful. He imagined what it would be like for his young, strong cream-colored hands to stroke every inch of her flawlessly smooth brown skin.

This went on for a bit before Michelle noticed that it wasn't the movie that Todd was watching . . . it was her. As she turned around to get a better look at him, she noticed the look that Todd had in his eyes. It was a soft, gentle look that Michelle had never seen before, and she asked him. "A penny for your thoughts?" He responded by saying how much he has enjoyed being with her this summer and how he has always appreciated her being in his corner despite all the trouble that he used to get into, and for supporting him when he was having trouble with his father.

She sat up and gazed into those calm brown eyes and said, "I will always be here for you no matter what happens." After Michelle said this to Todd, he looked at her and felt like he was staring into her soul. No words were said out loud, but they gave each other a look that spoke a thousand words. He finally brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen into her face, lifted her chin to his face level and said, "I love you, Michelle. Deep down I think I always have loved you, and I know I always will." Michelle looked at Todd and said, "I love you too," and they fell into a kiss. It was a long, passionate, love-filled kiss that turned into a long, passionate night of continuous lovemaking.

TO BE CONTINUED