Picking Berries in the Rain Part 2 of 4 We went over to my couch, and I sat on the end. I thought she'd take the other end or a different chair, as there was plenty of room, but she put herself right up against me. Sulie said, "I'd like to play a little game. A question game. We can ask any one question, and the other must answer, truthfully, fully." "Kind of like truth or dare?" "Yep. But I'm too tired for dares. Not just a kid's game. You don't want to talk about your divorce, and I don't want to talk about my problems. Someone once told me that keeping things in is bad. 'Top of that, I'd like to know why you've decided to live your life all alone in the country." "Seems fair. I don't know how personal you want to get in such a thing." "Past. Nothing about right now, just what happened on the way to today. We won't see each other again, and I'd just like a chance to say some things, give away secrets, where it won't hurt anyone else." "That might work, then. I haven't talked about my divorce, my ex-wife, or sex things in any way, with anyone else, in a long time." "I'll start. Tell me about your divorce." "Not exactly a question. But I suppose, it'll do. It was bad. My ex-wife cheated on me, which was forgivable, even though she did it often. Stealing from me and my family, that I couldn't forgive. Trying to take our son, poisoning him with lies, and making it so I might never see him again, that was worse. Threatening to kill me, was just evil. Even with witnesses to her threat, and conversations overhead by friends in a local bar, it wasn't enough for the law. "We got married about eleven years ago. Lust was a big part of it; she played well in bed, did all kinds of things I wanted, and said that she loved me. Even after she cheated, she still did what I wanted in bed, being good to me that way. It was easy to forgive her, when she touched me like that. She'd tell me she loved me, again, and I'd melt. It didn't seem bad enough to lose her over, not a few flings. It was so confusing. Her actions said she hated me, and sometimes, she'd even say that. But I had promised to keep her, in my vows, and she could act so sweet. "About a year before the divorce, we moved here. This was her great- uncle's farm, and it got left to her, somehow, in the will. He had no living children of his own; she was the top name on the list after them. It was a working farm, and still is a neighbor of mine did it then and now. She wasn't happy here, not from the start, and wanted to sell it. I and our boy, though, loved it. It is peaceful, and beautiful here, away from the city. The will didn't allow an immediate sale; the terms are complicated, and not worth going into. Still, it wasn't long before my ex thought we should move away, borrow money against this place if we couldn't sell it, and move to the city again. We'd have a new house, and extra money on top of that." I took a break, breathed deeply, and poured some more wine. I was getting to the harder part. "Go on," Sulie requested. She looked so kind, caring about me, it made it easy to go on talking with her. "She didn't like living away from the city. Neighbors, parties, shopping and men. I didn't know just how much she cheated, then. I knew she was always horny, and flirted with any available man. I didn't let that bother me much, as I said. She'd make it up by getting me a gift, usually with my money, but it was still nice. Sweet loving blinded me too much. She never, even to the end, shirked that part of her marital responsibility." "It was hard for me to believe that such as sweet, loving woman could be so deceitful and manipulative. She found a man in town, a layabout with no steady job, but with looks, younger than she, and made a plan to divorce me. There are times when I imagine that something changed in her, but she told me, often, that I was a fool, that she never truly loved me." "Divorcing me alone wasn't enough for her. She wanted to take everything, this farm, our money, and our child, leaving me with nothing. She started telling lies about my abusing our son, cheating on her, beating her and more." "That might have worked, but our boy stayed with her parents during a time when we were fighting, more and more, about money, and her cheating. Her partner wasn't the only man she was with, and here in the country, it was harder to keep that kind of activity quiet - a neighbor had seen her with a stranger in town, kissing, and told me and most everyone else. I had tried to keep it from our son, but didn't manage it. I didn't want him hurt by her actions." "Her mother didn't know about her schemes. When my son told his grandmother what my ex told him to say, about my beating him, and . . . " "Was it that bad?" "The whole truth? It was horrible. Abusing him, sexually. I'd never do that. Grandma didn't believe it either, and after a bit more talking, found out that her daughter had told him what to say. She knew how bad my ex could be, lying and cheating, but this was far worse. The timing was very bad, for my ex. It didn't take long for her parents to call me up, and ask me what was going on." "Go on," Sulie said, when I paused, lost in thought. I went on for a while, telling how her parents recognized the changes in their daughter and took my side. But with the accusations of abuse and her actions, it was a very ugly situation, and I had a hard time not breaking out in tears over it. It felt good to tell this woman, almost a complete stranger, about these things which I'd kept inside me. Eventually, I reached the outcome of our divorce. "The judge didn't take her actions kindly, and gave her very little cash from our account, personal property, nothing else. But the court wouldn't give me custody of my son, even though I wasn't charged with any abuse, and they had only my wife and her lover's word. Her parents were watching him, and they got to keep him. They're good to him, true enough, so that's OK. Except for the distance, they live hundreds of miles away, in a big city, so he can't visit here often. I could try to get him back, now, but it's been two years, and he's got friends and a life there." "And since then?" Sulie asked. "Living in the country, time to think about life, and get over it, I suppose." "So, is that the story?" "Yep. I suppose I should ask what your story is, get it over with. So, tell me about your special friend, who's got you driving all the way across the country." "Well, that goes back to when?... I got together with him, Ted, at the college I was going to. He was nice, and we fell in love, after sleeping together a few times. It turned into a serious relationship, and I expected we would get married when we graduated. He was a year ahead of me, which shouldn't have been a problem. But instead of graduating, he transferred to another school for his last year. He thought that it would look better to graduate from a top school -- better jobs, things like that. But it was on the other side of the country. We promised to be faithful and all that, but it wasn't easy to manage a long-distance relationship. "With school, I was able to keep busy enough, and avoid thinking too much about other people, and sex. We'd talk on the phone sometimes, and that was good, phone sex stuff, you know. Email too, and we tried some voice chatting things, but they didn't work well for holding a quiet private conversation. He graduated, got a nice job, a good apartment, all that. I've been anticipating finally getting back with him, and yet, he's been a bit more distant, lately. I figured that once we were back together, moved in together, we'd make love a few times, everything would be good again. I'm not embarrassing you, talking about sex like this, am I?" "No, I know about sex and I'm not uptight about it. I just haven't talked to anyone lately. Go on," I told Sulie. Then added, "Wait, you've been away a while, but things sounded like they were sweet. Maybe, it'll work out?" "And maybe not. I've been ignoring it, but we're grown-ups now, not students. I've got used to going with him, and I've known him even longer. We met in high school, for God's sake, it seems like forever. I've been expecting him to just wait for me, but I keep imagining otherwise. He met some sexy girl out there, with big tits, I know he likes that. He always picked on mine, even suggested that I get them enlarged." "That's dangerous, I've heard. Besides, they look fine. They really do, and I never understood why some guys carried on about the size. Yours are simply lovely." I was embarrassed saying that, even though it was true. It felt like I was flirting with her, and all I wanted to do was reassure her that she was OK as she was, more than OK. "We haven't seen each other in person in months," she explained to me. "I've been busy, and he has, or else he's just made excuses. I've had lots of offers for company while he's been away, and I was able to resist. But I don't think that he has. I thought I could forgive that, when we were together it wouldn't matter anymore." Sulie looked so sad saying this, but she didn't cry. I let her sit quietly, just waiting. We talked some more, for quite a while. Our game of questions didn't get past this introduction to our big problems, but she went on about how she'd keep using her boyfriend to keep other guys away, like an excuse. They weren't even formally engaged, and yet, she was sure that he loved her, and wanted her forever until today. She leaned quite close to me during our talk, and I could feel her body warm against mine. Her white robe opened up, and I could see her legs, and the T-shirt which stopped halfway down her thighs. Such a long time with no woman around, and here I was, with a fresh, lovely one almost naked next to me. If I was sitting across the room, I could have seen under her shirt, and I knew that she was naked there, pussy exposed to the air with no panties to cover it. I didn't move to look, though, or try to touch her in any other way. We sat quietly together, close and comfortable, for a long time. Neither of us talked, and that might have made me worry in some other situations. Here, I just felt that we were both ready for some peace. It felt nice, having her around, especially when she brightened up after our talk. I showed her to the spare bedroom, which had been my boy's, but the bed was big enough, though the room was plain. Rainy nights make it easy for me to sleep, even with thunder crashing. There are far scarier things than that in life. I didn't hear anything during the night, not even crying. Morning was still rainy, but not a dark rain; I could see patches of sunlight showing through. I made breakfast before Sulie woke up. "Pancakes, sausages, eggs, whatever you might like, help yourself," I said, when she came into the kitchen. She had put her own clothes on, including her blouse sans bra as before. Her face looked cheerful, well rested. After breakfast, we checked again for email from her friend Ted, and tried to get a hold of a garage to fix her car. We had no luck with either. "It doesn't matter that much, I suppose," Sulie bemoaned. "There's no hurry to go, nowhere to go to." "Too bad it's raining, or we might find someplace around here to go and relax. There's lots of nice scenery, great outdoors and all that. I was going to pick some berries. I've got blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, boysenberries, etc. I've kept up a nice garden for that, and other things." "We'll get all wet, if we do that today." "I . . . Well, I usually don't mind that, myself. I just wear shorts, or sometimes less, if there is no one about. It's not like anyone is going to drop by out here, not in the rain. Even farmers don't go out on stormy days." "You've already seen what I look like wet under this," Sulie told me, pointing at her chest, pulling at her blouse. "I have a strange idea. A bit scary, maybe. I trust you, so I'll let you decide." "Hmm . . . " "What if we don't wear anything? There's no one around. I'm not asking for sex, or anything like that. I'm . . . oh, I just want to look at you, and let you look at me, no touching. You could tell me what you think, honestly, of how I look. Besides, it would be fun. I don't know when I'll ever have another chance to pick berries in the rain, naked." "Naked, that's interesting. Naked berry-picking in the rain with a girl. I can't promise not to seem a bit excited about that, but I can promise no advances, no unwanted touches, or whatever else things like that." It may seem overly restrained, but I really didn't plan to do anything with her. She was lovely to look at, and it would certainly be fun to be naked with her. Being used to being alone, I wasn't ready to try something which might break that monotony. Still, I was sure that it would have an effect, on both of us. "We might need a bit of private time to take care of ourselves after we come back in. You can go in your room, I in mine, and no peeking, OK?" "I can see where that might be a good idea. Sure, no problem." "Are you sure about this?" I asked. Even though she'd suggested it, and it sounded like fun, I was afraid it might lead to things neither of us were ready for. "Yes, it will be fun. Won't it?" she said, smiling at me. I couldn't resist, she seemed happy now, and I was glad to do something to ease her pain. *** Despite making this decision, the situation was still awkward. We were both fully dressed, and stood watching each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. I smiled, and was about to remove my shirt, when Sulie unbuttoned her blouse, pulling it off over her head, revealing her naked breasts to me in my kitchen. I'd like to say that I calmly removed my own flannel shirt, but though I tried, my heart was racing, my eyes glued to her body. Even though I'd seen her much like this the day before, this was different, no accidental exposure. I lowered my eyes, staring at my hands as they fumbled with my shirt buttons. I'm sure that Sulie noticed, but she said nothing. It seemed that she didn't mind, or wasn't shocked, by my attention. I don't know her reaction to my embarrassment, or shyness, or whatever it was I looked like when I tried to avoid looking at her. I wasn't willing to keep my eyes off her for long, and not looking seemed silly if we were going to be outside naked together. She had sat on a kitchen chair and was slipping her socks and shoes off when I looked back, and she wasn't looking at me. She pulled her shorts down, then stood up to pull them off, leaving her in just her black lacy panties. Stacking and folding everything neatly on the chair, she just smiled, still saying nothing. When finished, she stood there, not covering her chest, arms at her sides, giving me a good look at her. I could see flesh through her panties, and a dark area in front, but no details; they weren't transparent enough for that. I realized that I'd watched her get this far, standing there admiring her lovely body, without removing my own clothes past opening my shirt. Now, she was watching me, calm in her near nakedness, it seemed. I also had to sit to remove my footwear, then pulled my shirt off, jeans down, and finally my boxers. It seemed fair to let her admire me if she wanted. I was aroused by this, my hardness showing my excitement. When Sulie removed her panties, a patch of darkness and a hint of dampness suggested that she also was affected by our situation. Wearing shoes out in the garden might have been a good idea, but I didn't do it, and after Sulie had removed hers, I was too distracted by her nakedness to say anything. To say that I was excited would be an understatement. It had been years since I was with a naked woman, and I was nervous, uncertain of my own appearance, not wanting to look eager. Staying calm wasn't possible, but maybe I could look calm. We hadn't spoken at all while undressing, and for my part, I didn't want to make a sound, since anything I'd say would reveal my desire. Not my body's reaction I couldn't conceal that. Sulie was very attractive, likeable, friendly. If I were her age, and single, I might not have hesitated. She was no fantasy of mine, no old memory. I'd just met her, and I found myself feeling very comfortable with her, until now. A live, lovely, naked woman in front of me, with her loss fresh in her heart, though not on her face. I couldn't bring myself to impose, even slightly, on her, to take advantage of her situation. What she was thinking, getting naked with me, I hoped was merely . . . I wasn't sure a chance to explore freedom, to relax, to remind herself that she was attractive and desirable. I needed to try to think of it that was, just as innocent play. I couldn't help my desires, but I could try to control where they led me. Childhood and innocence filled my mind, my heart. Playing in the rain, usually with clothes on, but not always much, was just for fun. Alone, I'd have though little of the rain on my body, except as sensual, just relaxing pleasure. Not sexual, not that part of it. There were other things needed to bring that to mind. But nakedness in the rain was just a joyous celebration of life and nature, and the peace of my isolation. This didn't drown out my sexual arousal much, but I could keep my mind on picking berries and friendly conversation. Finally, I broke our silent observations of each other. I looked up to her eyes, and we stared at each other. I turned, saying "Grab one of those bowls, and a couple of baskets, over there, and let's pick some berries. Have you ever tasted fresh-picked berries?" "No, only store-bought ones. But I like berries." "They're even better fresh." I picked up a bowl, and put the baskets on my arm, and headed toward the door. "The raspberries and strawberries should be good for today, all ripe and juicy." We went out into the rain, water quickly covering us, wetting our hair. It was a nice warm rain, light and fresh, not heavy. Sulie moved ahead of me to the garden. She looked so beautiful that way, soaked, as she'd shown up at my door. I almost forgot about picking, but despite my obvious arousal, no way to conceal it, even with a basket, I went on, explaining how to find the ripe ones, and picking a few raspberries and strawberries on each side of us. I offered her a taste, putting a plump red raspberry to her mouth. "Mmm, those are good." We took a few bites, I giving her berries, she feeding me. I noticed that she was looking down, not into my eyes, staring at me, and I had a hard time keeping my eyes off her. That made it tricky to pick berries and not bump into bushes, and I did manage to find a sharp rock with my foot. It didn't hurt too much, and I warned Sulie about them, and we laughed. The raspberries were neat and sweet to eat, but we had drizzles of strawberry juice on our chins and chests. We managed to fill up our baskets, two of each kind, despite eating quite a few along the way. "I think that's just enough berries for today," I said. Sulie pouted. "I don't want to go in yet," she answered, shaking her head to get some water out of her hair, which made her breasts wiggle slightly, a lovely sight. "We could set the baskets just inside the door, and let the rain wash us down for a while, I suppose. Get the mud off, clean up naturally, like." After putting the berries inside, we ran around, chasing each other and laughing in the rain. Our feet and legs were already muddy, and were getting more so. We slipped on the grass, and got wet mud all over, not a lot of it like a mud wrestling show, but we weren't doing well for getting cleaned up. There was something wonderfully delightful in just running and splashing, naked, with no pressure about sex, or much touching. Before we went in, I wanted to rinse off for real. I went by the water spout, and moved the barrel out of the way, letting the water stream from the house fall over me. A natural shower, of sorts, more flow than the rain alone. I let it fall down my legs, getting the mud off, and across my whole body, lingering at my abdomen, when I was clean. I enjoyed the sensation on my cock, which was hardening again, and I leaned back, as I'd done when I was alone, to intensify the effect. Sulie said, "That looks like fun." "It is, you should try it. You need to get the mud rinsed off anyway," I teased. She did it, as I'd done, letting the water splash the mud off, cleaning her breasts, which hardened her nipples, and thoroughly rinsing her legs, ending the wash with the water streaming across her pussy. I moved behind her and supported her, saying, "Lean back, just let the water flow across you. Lying down might be better, but you'd get messy again." Just before we went in, after finishing our refreshing rinse, Sulie grabbed me and hugged me tightly to her, saying, "Thanks! This sure was a lot of fun." My own arousal had faded with the cool rain washing me down but came back again strong with her body pressed against mine, her hard nipples pressed against my chest, my cock against her pubic hair. Still, I simply held her in my arms, feeling her warmth against my naked body, and said nothing. We stood there for a while, before she let go and we went inside. Still dripping, of course, and I grabbed a small towel, inadequate to truly handle us, but enough to get some water. I dried her body, brushing her tits and belly, lightly passing over her pussy. It felt very good to do that, and to dry myself. I tried to avoid lingering on her, or suggesting that my arousal indicated a need to do something. One thing about sexual arousal is that it makes for a happy, relaxed mood as it fades. The tension was there, but for the moment I had it under control. We playfully separated the berries from leaves, twigs, rocks, and the occasional bug, dripping juices over each other. We sat side by side at a corner, which let us see each other's bodies while we worked. She picked her spot, and moved her chair closer to mine, which made me wonder what her intentions were. I felt she was definitely aware of my arousal, and my desire not to do anything about it with her. But she was making it hard not to think of this as just non-sexual playing, simple nudity. As I had imagined before we started, we'd need to do something to release the tension we were building. I most certainly would, as I no longer could relax enough to get fully soft, and the pressure within was becoming uncomfortable. Our efficiency was about as good as a young child's, dropping some berries on the floor, tossing them at each other, eating up more than a few, feeding each other. All too soon, we were done, no more to sort. It wasn't as much as I'd have collected if I'd picked alone, but I tend to save them for later, rather than eating them as I go.