Strawberry Fields Forever

When Matt looked into the fridge, he couldn’t help but curse out loud. Somehow, his little man must have managed to shut it off, again. That meant that the freezer wasn’t working anymore either. Damn, he thought, I wanted this to go smooth and easy. She’s gonna think I’m totally incapable. Maybe I am, but… she doesn't need to know right?

“Alright,” he said, trying his best to remain calm, “who of you little monsters unplugged the fridge?” Of course, River tried his best to look innocent, but Matt knew it must have been him. He was just tall enough to reach the knob, and he’d done two times before.

The first time he did it, Matt thought it was just due to a storm. River knew exactly they needed to eat the frozen food before it melted, which meant he was getting a lot of ice cream. Matt chuckled at the thought of how smart his bigger one was. Meanwhile, Amelie was sitting at a bar stool at the kitchen island with a soda. She grinned as she heard him rant.

“Sorry, Amelie, I wanted to cook fresh but I guess we’re gonna have to eat that spaghetti sauce, it's defrosted,” Matt said, pointing to a tupper box inside the freezer. “Ice cream?” he heard his son ask hopefully, but he knew better than to reward him. It was almost cute how innocent he could look. "The wayward son, right?" Amelie chuckled.

“Yeah, River, we're gonna eat that ice cream. Amelie and I are gonna have some. Cash is getting some, too, but you’re not. You need to stop unplugging the goddamned fridge,” he ranted. Oh damn, he thought, I said another swearword in front of them. Amelie just laughed. Once again, Matt was taken aback by that genuine, appealing laugh she had.

Helooked at her as she opened her ponytail, revealing a long blond mane. With her hair down, she looked even more beautiful, so natural and wild. Matt also liked the fact that she didn’t wear make-up. She was pretty without trying, something very rare among women.

Some minutes later, he’d managed to cook some noodles without overboiling the water, a task he wasn't exactly best at. He’d heated up the sauce in the microwave and in the meanwhile, Amelie had set the table. He prayed she wouldn’t notice that the sauce was just bought from a supermarket due to his lacking cooking skills.

“Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked her as they sat down at the table to eat. “Sure,” she smiled. Matt went to the attic and fetched a bottle of South African red wine, his favorite brand. He rarely drank these days, but when he did, it was with the guys and he usually got really drunk. They didn’t seem to know the difference between drinking and, well, drinking. In fact, Matt hadn’t enjoyed only one glass to a meal since Val wasn’t here anymore.

He forced himself to a smile as he returned to the table with two glasses of wine. They both took a sip. “I miss drinking,” Amelie grinned. “Oh right, I forgot you’re not legal here,” Matt said, feeling defeated. She was so young. Twenty. What was he getting himself into? His inner voice reminded him that it was a crime to give alcohol to minors.

Still, there was something about her that… He couldn’t describe it. He felt good in her company right from the beginning and he’d been looking forward to seeing her again. He had to bribe River with a chocolate bar so he would ask Amelie to come for dinner again. Things worked out all to his favor. And now he was not going to let his doubts about their age gap ruin their evening. After all, it was not a date, just people spending time together.

Matt was excited, knowing he’d be able to find out some more about his interesting guest. He was still surprised she actually said yes, and how easy it was to convince her. But then again, he was sure traveling around and working could get lonely after a while. After the main dish, Matt and Amelie had some ice cream.
Despite his protests, River didn’t get anything but one small scoop. Later, Matt proceeded to bring his sons to bed. When he returned, he was surprised to see that she’d already done the dishes.

He slowed down his movements as he walked down the stairs, thinking about a way to make her stay for some longer. After all, she’d come for his sons, right? When he reached her in the kitchen, where she was drying the last spoon, he hadn’t come up with a plan yet.

“Are they sleeping soundly?” she asked. Her accent was suddenly more prominent. He was close to her now, close enough to smell her peachy shampoo and a trace of perfume. “Care for another glass of wine?” he heard himself say. “If you take one, too,” she giggled.

An hour later, both of them were nursing their fourth glass of wine on his couch. They’d opened a second bottle and Matt had started to feel somewhat tipsy since he was not used to drinking anymore. They had kept a light and nice conversation up until now, but as their heads grew cloudier, their conversation got funnier and more personal. He loved how she laughed. It was a real laugh, the kind where you throw back your head. She never forced it.

“Alright alright,” she said, “there’s one thing I didn’t ask you so far. What do you do for a living?” He frowned for a second. He’d hoped she wouldn’t pose this question, though she had every right to know. But it also made him aware that she spent time with him for who he was, not for him being the rock star M Shadows.

“Music,” he said, hoping she’d assume he was just a writer or a producer, anything but the lead singer of a famous metal band. “That’s cool,” she replied, slurring her words slightly, “Man I wish I was musical, but I’m not. Not a bit. I wish I could sing. Can you sing?”

He couldn’t help but grin. She had absolutely no clue. “Yeah, well at least I think I’m okay.”
“I need to hear that someday,” she said. “Maybe you will,” he answered. The thought of giving a private concert for her was definitely something Matt liked. Although singing was his profession, he managed to enjoy it. He knew some singers hated it when friends or family asked them to sing something, but he loved it.

“Listen Matt, I think I’m gonna need to leave, it’s past midnight already,” she then said, standing up from the couch they’d sat in the whole evening. It became even more obvious that she’d had one or two drinks too much. “Are you okay?” he asked as she tripped over the carpet’s edge and almost fell. “Yeah yeah I’m alright, you good-looking man,” she murmured and then let out a giggle.

He inhaled sharply. Did she just…? After hearing her say that, he was overcome by a rush of joy. Still, he knew he couldn’t let her go home like that. “Are you sure?” She replied, “I might be a little drunk,” she admitted with a chuckle. “A little?” Matt grinned, “Do you want some water? I’m not letting you leave like that, sorry.” She nodded and lied down on the sofa.

A glass of water in his hand, he approached her only to see that her eyes were closed and her breath was steady. He sighed. She was fun when she was drunk. He might have enjoyed another talk. He set the water onto the table next to her full wine glass and thought about going to bed. But what if she woke up and needed something? Impromptu he decided to lie down on the second sofa, so he would be in the same room.

Amelie let out a grunt as she turned around. Her skirt slid up her thigh, revealing more skin and her panties. Matt had to practically force himself to look away. The truth was, he hadn’t been with a woman since Val’s death, but he loved the sight. That little revelation made his jeans feel tight. After those years, it didn't take much to turn him on.

Under other circumstances, he would have just gotten up and taken what he wanted, but the thought of her age made him decide against it. He just couldn't take advantage of her when she was drunk, that would not be an appropriate first time since Val's death. He needed to get her out of his head. In fact, he decided, they couldn’t become more than mere acquaintances. Matt couldn’t let that happen.

With that thought, he got up again and kneeled down next to the couch. What was he thinking letting her stay the night? It was wrong. Gently, he tugged at her arm. Her soft skin felt great under his touch, but he forced himself to shove away that thought. “Amelie,” he said, shaking her. Amelie’s arm jerked forward as she woke up. She shoved the full wine glass and emptied it all over Matt. He felt the t-shirt stick to his stomach.

“God, I’m so sorry,” she said, suddenly wide awake. God, what the hell was I thinking bringing an underage girl to my home and giving her so much alcohol, Matt thought. “It’s okay,” he lied. “Get up please. I’m calling you a cab.”

She got up and Matt took off his soaked shirt. He caught Amelie staring and although he enjoyed her attention, he managed to dial the number and bring her to the door. “I’m really sorry, Matt, I didn’t mean for this evening to end like that,” she said, looking up at him. For the first time, Matt noticed how tiny she was compared to him. “It’s fine,” he replied. A cold wind met his face as he opened the front door. The cab was already waiting.

“Good-bye Matt,” she said, biting her lip. He resisted the urge to kiss her. The situation was perfect, and somehow it looked like she was hoping for it. He wondered what those plump lips would feel like against his. He had been all evening. In another universe, he would just… Twenty. Twenty. FOURTEEN YEARS YOUNGER. He repeated that mantra inside his head. “Bye,” he said with a smile. This is it, he thought with a frown, I’m probably never gonna see her again.

“Alright.” She offered a hug. A hug didn’t hurt, right? Matt pulled her into his body, inhaling her addictive scent. He had to force himself to pull away, knowing he’d kiss her if he didn’t. The urge was strong, but he could resist. He was determined to let her go and never think about her again, but that hug...

“Wait a second,” he heard himself say against his better judgement. He then wrote his number onto a piece of paper. “Text me when you get home.”

As she left, he mentally cursed himself knowing this could not go on.

Notes

How do you think it's going to go on?

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Alright can I just say I AM OVERWHELMED with how much positive feedback I am receiving. You guys paint a smile on my face, honestly. Of all the stories I've written so far this is the most critically acclaimed - and that after only a few chapters. I've always gotten comments, one or two or sometimes four, but never as many as I did now.

I'M REALLY HAPPY you like my story so far. It's the first I want to really have a concept and that I've thought through in advance. And I really wanted the protagonists to take it as slow as they would in real life, and it makes me super proud that you guys seem to like it.

Love always,
seventhtrumpet