'Fall' ing Into Place

19 December

This had to prove how out of touch with reality I was. I'd gotten into a car with someone who had no earthly clue where he was going. Or if he did, how to get there. Every time he'd been to Texas he was in a cab or a limo or a hired car or with me. Oh right, there was the one time he'd driven to ACL Fest, but it was a straight shot to his hotel. Then again, hadn't I been the one to navigate back to it and then to my house? I've no idea how he made it back to the hotel from there. Though one could hardly get lost doing so. He'd been to California untold times in his life and I could assume he had driven some of those times, but the thought of all this was scaring the hell out of me. I knew he really didn't know his way around and I had seen him drive in Europe. Having to see him attempt to negotiate the 'other side' was not my idea of something to look forward to. It was a new car he'd rented and I prayed there was a global positioning device on board. Then again, how did one set one of those if one had no clue where to set it for? Is that how they worked? Christ, I didn't even know that much. So as he made his way to the interstate and I watched my life flash before my eyes, I kept them covered and I was losing it, in a calm and collected manner; he wasn't giving up anything. Just a concentrated eyebrow lowering stare ahead. Nothing else.

"Two-ninety........ two-ninety west."

"Two-ninety!!! Are you nuts?"

There is nothing on two-ninety west past Austin except, well.... nothing. Then again, it didn't mean we were leaving Austin either. There just wasn't much on that highway, anywhere. It was, more or less, freeway now in Austin since they'd finished the construction; but once you were beyond that it was four lane winding, curving, hilly spans of cactus fields and cattle ranches. Not my idea of fun sightseeing.

"What the hell are you doing? What the hell are you thinking? Where the hell are we going?"

"Calm down. It won't be long."

"What? My demise at your hands?"

"Oh ye of little faith."

"In this instance, yes... even less."

"I'm having a hard time understanding your concerns here. You've ridden with me at the helm before. Many times."

"When I figured you knew where you were going and besides...."

"It hasn't always been London. There was Paris and.."

"LA? People don't drive in LA, they run a grand prix."

"So you see then? I'm wholly prepared."

"No you're not. You've no idea where we are or where we're going."

"I believe we've just left Austin. And I know exactly where we're headed. I tried out the route on Saturday."

"Yea, well so do I... Johnson City or worse, Fredericksburg. If you wanted peaches we could have just gone to Whole Foods."

I turned and stared at him with a squished face.

"Saturday? You spent a whole day plotting this kidnapping?"

"Actually I was just out for a ride, but after Hilly let slip where you'd be today, well, there was just no other choice."

"Not in the mood for peaches."

"I hadn't said.... you did."

"Colin, we just left behind the last vestiges of civilization and neither of us is dressed to be traipsing around LBJ Ranch or the Nimitz Museum."

"Though a river, perhaps?"

"A river? What river? And no, neither one of us is. Being in a business suit is not what I wear to walk in downtown Austin, let alone a river bank. And you. Look at you. You look like Mark Darcy or someone going to a funeral. Mine is whose I'm envisioning right now."

I sat back as we wound our way and I started to try and get a map of where I was in my head and to quell the pangs of hunger now starting to invade my stomach. I thought of Hilly sitting back there at Little City explaining why there was no longer a need for the two salads; one of which I'd really wanted. They had one of the best Cesar's I'd ever eaten in my life. God only knew when I'd see food again.

"River...where am I in conjunction to a river?"

"Pardon?"

"Hmm?"

"You were, oh, talking to yourself?"

"Thinking actually."

We'd passed Drippings Springs but hadn't reached Henly yet. Still, no rivers came to mind except the Pedernales that ran through LBJ Ranch; and we were still a good distance from there. It was a wonderful day trip; if you left early in the morning and dressed for it. Neither of which we had done. And I had been there three times during my tenure in Texas. I really wasn't up for a fourth. There were minute creeks, mostly bone dry this time of year, so I just sat back and decided to wait out the trip. There was still, I estimated, a good twenty miles.

"Damn Colin. You pulled me away from lunch. I'm about to starve here. And my mouth is almost bone dry."

I grasped the sides of my seat as he let go the steering wheel with one hand and reached behind my seat, alternately looking back there and checking the road.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Here."

He handed me a small bag of miniature Chips Ahoy, then did it again.

"Will this do?"

And a bottle of water. When he redirected his attentions to the road I took the time to peer around my seat. He had a personal sized igloo sitting on the floor back there. I wanted to explore what else it contained but was mildly shocked back to watching our progress by a sharp right turn, onto another road.

"Sorry about that. Almost missed it."

"Oh no. No Colin."

"Impressed?"

"I can't say I am. Pedernales Falls? Do I look like I'm dressed for this in any way? Christ, I'm in heels."

"Thought on that also."

He had really planned. He reached back again, thankfully the speed limit was lower now, and pulled forward a box I hadn't seen yet.

"Try these. They're generic and I believe I got the size right."

Oh they were generic all right, and ugly as sin. Fuchsia and lime green with matching laces. I wished they were at least Keds or something, but they weren't. A brand I'd never heard of; nor could I fathom a guess as to where they'd been purchased. Goodwill would have been my first choice though.

As I undid the laces to make the attempt to place my feet inside, I couldn't help but be impressed that he had found this place, that he hadn't forgotten the time we'd been here more than five years ago and that he wanted to take me anywhere, especially here. And especially since I'd kind of been treating him like dirt; though the reverse had not been true. The whole time, since Blackpool, since he had explained, he had been doing everything to win me over or win me back. I hadn't done much on the helpful side. I wasn't attempting to test him or see just how far he'd go or take it, I was just in a frozen state of mind, but I was convinced the ice was about to start melting.

"Colin, these are not exactly trainers. Why didn't you just buy me plimsolls, or better yet, wellies?"

"Very funny."

I put my left one on and let out a small groan. Even without tying them I knew.

"Did you, in fact, check the size?"

I looked inside the other one.

"Eight? You bought me size eight?"

"Is this a problem?"

"I wear a six and a half."

"Too big then?"

"A bit."

"I can't help it that you Americans have sizing's all fucked up."

"Did you happen to ask anyone? Say... a salesperson?"

"No time. I was in there and out rather quickly."

"Looks that way."

"Can you wear them at all?"

"Do I have to?"

"There's a distinct possibility."

I sat back as he paid the park fee and hoped to God no one on earth would be around when I got out of this car. Particularly because my three piece suit was black with pink pinstripes and a pink summer sweater. This was just swell. And then I would be escorted by a man in an Armani suit. Not exactly what you saw every day of the week in this place.

I was amazed, though, that he went to the same parking area we had before and pulled into a spot as close as he could to where I'd rested my car all those years ago. I didn't want to get out, not really. I wasn't up for hiking, and where to anyway? You wouldn't go where we had before in that suit. I sat in the car, but he got out and lifted the trunk. I just waited. Maybe he just wanted to have a sit and eat. Then he came back, in jeans!  Jeans, a tee shirt and... trainers! Oh no, we were going for a walk. I put my other oversized, whatever it was, on my right foot and, feeling like an idiot, got out of the car.

"Perhaps you might want to remove the tights so as not to ruin them."

"Do you think, at this moment, I care if I do or not?"

And there sat a picnic basket next to him that he picked up with one hand and extended his other to take one of mine. I had no qualms doing so as I let him lead. He hadn't forgotten one step of the way to the area we'd had a meal at before. I was mildly amazed and totally moved that he'd remembered everything. But had he? Did he know how to get back to the waterfall and its pool? The highlight of our previous sojourn? That remained to be seen. Yet, if he could get to this spot, I concluded it wouldn't be hard for him to summon up how to get to the other.

It was winter, but the trees were still in bloom. They always were around here. It wasn't as hot, but hot enough. He found the same spot for us to sit and have a meal, but there was no blanket this time. My feet were sore from the too large shoes and I was hot from the long sleeved jacket of my suit. He walked to me and put his arms around me from behind.

"Let's get you a bit cooler, shall we?"

He could have just removed it, but no. He slipped his arms around the front, inside and over my shoulders and slowly rolled it off my arms, lightly touching them all the way down off my hands until the jacket rested on two of his fingers and he released it to fall to the ground. The other hand remained settled on my waist and then he joined the other on the opposite side and ran those gently over my hips and as far as he could down my thighs without leaning over. I was just about ready for anything. Apparently he was just getting me started. He stopped and took his shoes off, then his shirt, rolled up the cuffs of his jeans and walked over to the water.

"I suppose this is a bit cooler than before?"

I closed my eyes, shook off the erotic as best I could and looked over at him.

"It's probably about the same. Being spring fed I don't think the temperature changes much."

"You going to join me?"

"No."

Then he turned his back to me and stripped off the jeans, leaving him in just trunks with the outline of that tight ass and his strong thigh muscles flexing as he leaned over and removed the last of his kit. My eyes were more than glued to the display. I also couldn't help but observe that the enchanted sword had been unsheathed and was ready to do battle. Though he was keeping it under control. This show was all for me, or to drive me nuts.

"You're sure you won't have a swim? Won't be long."

I stretched out and crossed my legs in front of me, placing my hands on the rocks behind for support.

"No, you go ahead. I'm thoroughly enjoying your striptease act here."

As he gingerly placed the front part of one foot into the water I turned my attentions to the picnic basket. Lifting the lid I found a KFC seven piece Colonel's deal. Thank God....... food. I found a breast and picked it up, grabbing a napkin ...

"Oh fuck! Bloody hell, I'd forgotten how bleeding cold this water is!"

I tried not to laugh as I stood up and smiled at him practically running out of the water.

"Did you bring a towel Colin?"

"What?"

"A towel, have we any?"

"Forgot."

"Great, well, I suggest you get the pants back on then. And I see the Lady of the Lake has reclaimed her goods."

"What are you going on about?"

"The retreat. You know, from spectacular to shriveled in about two seconds flat."

"That can be remedied quite easily, I assure you."

I glanced up at him as I pulled a piece of chicken off it's bone and headed it towards my mouth. "We'll have to see about that won't we?"

That was the last of that section of original recipe fare as he heaved it out of my hand and pushed me down on the rocks almost in one motion. He absorbed me with his eyes, but they were neither flirty nor staid as he took my hands in his and placed them over our heads.

"You're still a bit of fluff and you still get to me."

"And I never stopped wanting to be with you. You just left it so I had to change where my life was going."

His face changed. It was almost terribly sad as he ran his hand across my forehead and down my cheek.

"I can never go back and change what I did to you. I can only hope it's not all lost."

"No, I don't think it is. It's just different now."

He pulled our faces closer and laid his lips on mine easily, tenderly and let them sit there for a moment as if he were contemplating what I'd said. Perhaps it was the right thing to say. Perhaps it gave him the hope he needed to be assured of. Then he let go, full force, hard, passionate yet still warm and loving and exciting. I pushed my head back against the grating rock that was beneath it and caught a mutual glance we both understood.

"Not here. This isn't right."

He sat up and reached into the basket.

"I know where you refer and look....."

He pulled out two glasses and a bottle.

"Plastic. No need to worry about spillage this time."

He took my hand and pulled me up then got his shoes on.

"Come on then. I remember the way."

He took the bottle, I grabbed the glasses and we headed towards the rocks that would take us across the miniature falls as they had before.

"I'm in a skirt Colin. How....?"

"So, pull it up or take it off. I won't mind either way."

He started crossing, caught his balance and peeked back at me.

"You won't have any of it on for much longer, regardless, if I've anything to do with it."

I started to cross, but found the oversized Ronald McDonald shoes un-navigable. I stopped, took them off and threw them down the river.

"That's environmentally unsound."

"So arrest me."

"Handcuffs sound enticing, but for other reasons."

"Oh?"

The pantyhose went next, though I shoved those in my skirt pocket. They were already beyond salvageable and barefoot was just easier. He stopped again and motioned for me to catch up to him, but I wasn't having it. I wanted to stay behind him in case he slipped or tripped or killed himself. I wanted no part of major injury or death placed on my head. When he and I had both crossed over I did take his hand until we had maneuvered through the last thicket of low growing trees and reached the pool. Now I felt at home. Now I wanted to see what I had seen before. I sat down and dangled my feet in the water and recalled that sight from five years back. Him standing there, under the falls, in the buff, in muted sunlight and cascading waters; just daring me to have at him. He wasted less time now, than he had back at the picnic sight, removing his kit as he sat down next to me and ran his hand up and down my thigh.

"Colin, this water isn't any warmer than it was back there. Are we sure we want to get in?"

"What I would like right now is for that jumper and skirt to find their way to the side of you, rather than on you. And anything else that might be hiding underneath them."

"You're so romantic, how can I possibly resist?"

"I never claimed to be."

"That you haven't and I've no problems with it. Straightforward is good."

Okay, so I lied a little bit, so had he. He could be romantic when it hit him. I supposed he just never saw it that way. If he didn't know or realize it, though, I trust it's not a lie, is it? I stood up, or we did, in tandem and he politely assisted me in removing what I had left on. Alright, he practically ripped them off. At least they were still intact for the return home, whenever that happened to be. And before I could protest he wrapped me up and pulled us sideways into the pool.

We broke the surface laughing. I didn't find the water as cold as he had led me to believe, but he feigned a shiver and wrapped his arms around his chest as I swam over and climbed up on the rocks beneath the waterfall. The sun was at a good angle and I stood up staring back at him through the sheets of water plummeting around me. He let go the grip on himself and stared back. Then he put his hand up and whirled his finger around.

"Turn round."

I complied and peeked over my shoulder at him, as best I could.

"Like this?"

"No, all the way round."

I wasn't sure what he was doing. It couldn't be looking at me, examining Aphrodite or something. Fine, so I was only a hundred sixteen pounds and that was great for my age, but I have said, I'm no beauty and I wasn't exactly overly endowed, thank you. I moved back into the falls more towards the rock wall.

"Splendid."

He moved towards me extending a hand. I came forward to the edge of the fall and took it, then he lifted me off the rock face and back into the pool. He lifted me up so that I could wrap my legs around his back and rest on his hips. As I did he started nibbling at the nape of my neck. Whatever had been temporarily lost back at the river was now being reclaimed. I returned the love bites to him and grasped onto the hair on the back of his head and pulled his face down towards my chest as he moved his hands underneath me, lifting me up, then down onto him. I moved my arms to behind him, digging into his shoulder blades to keep the love lock secure. I had less to do in promoting and maintaining the position as he used a slow, steady rhythm, but he was able to loose one hand to allow his fingertips to roll gently up and down my spine in time with the ebbs and flows of our thrusts. It was a position we had found ourselves in many times before and was not uncommon or unknown to most couples. It was just always enhanced, the total hug, when we did so in fluid motion in an aqueous setting. The gushing and rushing, in and out, of the water bathing our nethers and allowing the moisture to be maintained not only inundated the senses with more than one could almost bear; when the explosion came you were more that saturated from the pool or the falls and you were completely spent.

Just before we reached that penultimate moment and climax he slowly set me down and moved towards the side of the pool.

"You have got to.... why... what are you doing?"

"I've been erudicating and memorizing."

"Oh?"

"If you think I have that program for laughs, you're wrong. And as you said, it's all different now. Let me attempt to take us in a diverse direction."

We waded, waist high, back to the flat rocks where our discarded clothing lay. He steadied me next to that spot and purposefully spread his jeans out then placed my sweater on top of it and smoothed it over.

"Lie down there, your front on the jumper."

I complied as I leaned forward to do so, half in the water, half out.

"Put your arms out, but hold yourself on your elbows."

He moved in closer behind me and took my thighs in his hands, raising my legs up and settling them on his hips. Again he pulled in tighter to me.

"Let your legs out, point your toes, don't wrap around me like before."

"Like this?"

"Yes."

He raised my legs to above his hips as I let them out as far as I could. He gently placed one hand on each of my hips as he reentered me.

"I want to take us beyond where we were before."

And he did.

I could have sat there, on those rocks, naked, him holding me, all night. I could have taken him on again and again. It had been a long time and somehow I knew this was the beginning of our way back. But he had to leave for Los Angeles in the morning and I had to let him go.