How strange it felt to be lying next to such a young
temptress, after years of lonely dejection. The waif
had entered my life unexpectedly, with loud attire and
greased hair that was strangely out of place for the
delicate features it crowned. Lost and lonely too, she
fronted an indifferent attitude and a vehement distaste
for authority. One third my age, her speech was filled
with colloquialisms I’d never heard of, while her
mannerisms reeked of immaturity.

Beneath her oppressive front, however, I could sense
her fear. Leaving the remnants of her tattered
relationships with her peers, she had determinedly set
out in search of herself, only to find a world of
coercion and ambivalence. I had found her alone at the
grease burger dive, having spent the last of her
worldly savings on caramel colored bubbles, fumbling
with some cheap jewelry that dangled from her dirty yet
delicate neck. There were tears still forming in her
eyes.

I sat across from her with my normal complement of the
morning rag and a pink bubbly concoction that vaguely
resembled the homemade lemonade on the menu. I glanced
at the forlorn figure from time to time in sympathy,
seeking the redeeming attributes in her behaviors with
futility. The sport page held far more allure once it
was encountered, and soon all of my attentions were
focused there. I never saw her slide in the booth next
to me, and was quite unaware of her presence until she
burped noisily. I glared at her, molested and somewhat
surprised.

“I need some money,” she blurted abruptly.

Ignoring the request to return to the latest scores,
she shook my arm pensively, and tried to capture my
gaze in her own desperate one.

“How much?”

“Hundred or so.”

Not knowing her desperation I retorted; “Go ask your
Mommy.” That hurt her and she began to withdraw.

“I’ll fuck you!” She was reaching.

“IRS beat you to it kid, excuse me.” I started to fold
the paper.

“I’ll scream rape.”

“Let me plug my ears.”

She muttered something that almost made me blush,
effectively dispensing the last vestiges of my
sympathy, and I stood as best I could to seek refuge at
the park just around the corner. Maybe my local
chatting companion Mabel would be there, and we could
share our wisdom whimsically as her wiener dog tried to
hump my leg unceremoniously.

“Look Mister; I’m hungry and tired, and I just need a
little help.”

“That’s better,” I breathed while still attempting to
get around her. “All I got is a five.” I took out my
wallet and emptied the bill that I had been saving for
a movie later in the week. “Get a bite and call
someone, OK?”

“I ain’t got nobody…” Her voice trailed.

“Good song – Santana, isn’t it?”

Her smile was genuine. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Despite dating myself while robbing my recreational
resources in less than a minute, I felt relieved as she
moved her legs and allowed me to escape.

Smiling at her briefly, I headed for the park bench
that was all too familiar, unaware that she was just a
few steps behind me. Mabel wasn’t there; probably had
to bake something for the church. Musing it was a good
thing since I was scantily clad in walking shorts and
her dogs’ claws were never trimmed.

Glancing towards the little house that I owned across
the noisy street from the park, I recalled I had
virtually raised my daughter alone there after my
betrothed left for a stud with a much higher bankroll.
There was comfort in its worn stucco and creaking
hardwood floors.

With a sigh, I crossed the busy street and walked
across the small yard to the comfort of the enclosed
porch where I had spend many an evening watching the
cars scurry past and the children playing on aging
swing set that was raised shortly after I set up
housekeeping. The little waif stood on the sidewalk
watching me; not unlike a lost puppy in search of a new
home.

After watching her for a few moments, I slid into my
favorite lounge chair and gestured for her to come on
up. There was enthusiasm in her steps. An offer for a
real soda and some home made cookies enticed her life
history with such fervor that I found myself at a loss
for words. She needed a refuge to rebuild her self-
esteem, and she needed discipline to cope with the many
personal defeats that had previously all but destroyed
her.

Not about to enter into forbidden territory, I coaxed
her parent’s phone number from her, and while she took
her first shower in days, I gave them a call. It was
brief, and the message was quite clear; dispelling any
doubts I had in her blatant honesty. Semi-educated, and
as stubborn as my great grandmother, Anna had literally
alienated herself from her family and was learning that
life was far more than trend setting attire and Hip Hop
musicians. I could feel her desperation as she came
from the shower wrapped only in a towel, and knew what
she sought even before she vented.

After watching Anna devour two man-sized TV dinners,
three large tumblers of milk, and the remnants of the
spaghetti I’d thrown together during the previous
weekend, I set her up as comfortably as I could in the
tiny bedroom that used to be my daughters, and stumbled
to the sofa with a glass of wine for my daily dose of
sensationalism compliments of the local news network.

Despite the clips designed to hold my attention through
the battery of commercials, I found my thoughts
straying towards an uncertain future with Anna, and the
lifestyle changes her co-occupancy would evoke. Barely
able to support myself on my meager retirement, the
only apparent resolution was for my young house guest
to accept her immediate initiation into the working
world and her share of household responsibilities. I
could offer her little outside of the security of a
caring environment which would probably be far too
little for a rebellious cast away.

The bed beckoned comfortably, and I slid between the
sheets with my mind in overdrive. As the reassuring
waves of rest overtook the remnants of my minds chaos,
the vision of angelic innocence appeared at the
doorway. Stray rays from the street light illuminated
the delicate creature wrapped only in a tattered white
sheet, stirring the sleep from my eyes and a nagging
warmth in my groin.

She slid beneath the covers wordlessly, and within
moments she was asleep with her armed wrapped around my
torso and her head tucked securely in my armpit. A kiss
to her forehead as my hand moved to her soft and
slender forearm, and I, too, forgot the world for one
more night.

When I awoke, Anna was gone, the sheet she wore still
crumpled beside my bed. The faint smell of ham and eggs
drifted through the air, as I rose and showered to
confront her with the financial dilemma her presence
evoked. The kitchen was empty; but there was a warm
breakfast with a small dandelion on the plate and a
scribbled note on a paper towel that stated simply: ‘C
U LATER.’

Perhaps Anna had figured out from her meager
surroundings and the lack of food in the refrigerator,
that there were much better places to be. It was one of
the best hand and egg omelets I’ve had in years, and
her bed was neatly made with a several dandelions
bunched on the middle, but the thought of her leaving
without a word saddened me.

She was young and pretty, and she’d do well I thought,
as I threw the laundry into the machine a brought out
some chicken to thaw from the freezer. It wasn’t until
I pulled the clothes out of the dryer that I recognized
her tattered skirt and blouse. Maybe there weren’t
better places to be.

The video store just down the street had been looking
for help for several weeks until I walked in and
offered my services. The work was easy and the pay a
notch above minimum wage but the owner was desperate
and so was I. Starting immediately, I tagged a note on
the door letting Anna know of my whereabouts and
struggled to absorb a multitude of terminologies and
new technologies. One of the perks was free movies to
view and the hours offered minimal conflicts with my
normal routines.

By eleven in the evening, I was relieved to go through
the lock down procedures and stagger home on feet that
had doubled in size. She was waiting on the porch in a
waitress outfit she had borrowed from one of her new
co-workers. A half eaten pizza lay in a box beside her
along with several bags of left-over entr’e’s she
rescued from their apparent demise in the dumpster.

Anna began to babble of her day and her dreams until I
stood her up and hugged her with all the love that
welled up within. As we withdrew, a silent tear graced
her cheek, and words were lost. Staggering into the
shower, I began to lather my aching limbs, unaware that
she had disrobed and snuck in to the steaming refuge
behind me. Her gentle hands began to lather the soap
residue on my back as gentle kisses followed down my
spine.

Turning to behold the firm, fragrant waif whose eyes
glowed with love, I found the strength that comes from
a thousand lonely nights filling my hands, as I
caressed her delicate lines and explored her intimate
recesses. She orgasmed almost immediately when my
trembling hands cupped her vulva; she was a virgin. I
hurriedly left the steamy stall ashamed and frightened.
Locking my bedroom door as I hurriedly entered, I slept
alone, chiding myself for violating the confidences I
was trying to create.

Sleep did not come easily that night, and the steady
rainfall that heralded the morning was a mere precursor
to one of the worst days of my life. Anna was gone, her
bed never slept in and a one word note on the kitchen
table that merely proclaimed ‘Sorry.’ I searched for
her everywhere but she was unheard of; a shadow that
had swept through my life like a spring breeze and left
without closure.

By the time I entered the video store, I was tired and
saturated but determined not to fail as I had so
recently in my own home. Another sleepless night
followed my labors, and the dawn found me searching the
local establishments with new fervor but to no avail.
By the time I stumbled onto my porch, I had accepted my
failure and vowed never to ride the “rescue” train
again. That was until I glanced across the street and
spied a huddled figure on my favorite park bench.

Fearing it was Mabel, I hurried across the wet
pavement, getting doused unmercifully by several cars
as they raced through the puddles. Approaching the
huddled figure, I paused when I noted the leg humper
was nowhere in site. That is when Anna turned to face
me with such overwhelming sadness written on her face
that me knees almost buckled. Recovering quickly, I ran
to her and swept her tiny figure into my lonely arms.
The attempt to carry her home in my arms failed
miserably within the first few slippery steps.
Undaunted, she grabbed my hand and we raced through the
park and onto the patio. Between tortured breaths we
kissed for an eternity, melting our fears with the warm
passion we shared.

I pulled her through the front door and into the
shower. As I detached the house key for her to use, she
fumbled through her pocket and thrust a handful of
wilted dandelions into my face. As we traded tokens,
she excitedly babbled of the loneliness she felt and
the significance of the wilted flowers that followed
her everywhere. For her, dandelions were beautiful,
rugged, and enduring; able to adapt to most any
environment and make the best out of it.

With a knowing smile at my response, I cranked on the
hot water and slowly began to uncover the beautiful
charms hidden beneath the dripping wet rags. She was
beautiful and sensitive despite what the cruel world
had thrown at her.

Exploring her tender beauty under the steamy spray, I
let my mouth descend first on to the hardened nipples,
once erect from the cold, but now engorged with
anticipation before descending down on to the sensual
lips that my hands had anxiously caressed several night
earlier. The sweet nectar of her youth flooded my mouth
with just the lightest caress of my tongue, and I
continued to suckle her intimate treasures until her
knees buckled from orgasmic overload.

From her kneeling position, she quickly recovered and
eagerly began exploring the intimacies of my unique
masculinity, probing and caressing new life into the
tired flesh that had long ago resigned itself to the
companionship of my hands. Her tiny breasts were a
delight to caress and her long sinewy legs were as
smooth as silk as they encircled my own. Touching and
teasing, she brought me precipitously close to my own
orgasm before I could withdraw and escort her to the
comforting confines of my bed.

I took her virginity that night with all the gentleness
and sensitivity my wisdom and experience could afford;
delighting in the forceful spasms of her sex heralding
the onset of her numerous orgasms. It was only after
exhaustion overcame her, that my seed erupted within
her with more force than I thought capable of
delivering. We slept soundly in each others embrace.

I stirred early, and disentangling myself from the
delicate spread eagle waif I had ravaged the night
before. The sheets were awash with our drying passions
and my muscles were alive with agony. I brought her
breakfast in bed, as it was her day off, and played
with her treasures until she could bear no more. Once
more entering her delicate essence, I watched as she
twisted beneath me in orgasmic torment, mewing and
gasping until she finally collapsed amidst a pool of
her delicious ejaculate. My shift arrived far too soon,
and the sadness in her eyes was painfully evident until
I reassured her that I’d “C U Later.”

That was some time ago; there were many challenges in
our way, but her gentle untiring love and my dedication
and experience brought us through. A cautious
friendship was soon established with her kin so that
when they passed away tragically, Anna was left with
more than enough to support her comfortably with her
thoughtful investments.

Mabel latched onto a retired trucker who didn’t seem to
mind the dog, and they joined us every Thursday for
dinner. Anna took my position in the video store and
within six months became the manager of a thriving
business that recently added two new locations
throughout the city.

I spend my time keeping Anna happy, and writing,
realizing that a new beginning was somehow forced into
my life and that I’ve somehow become the rescued rather
than the “rescuer.” We always have a bowl of dandelions
on the kitchen table.