#backwoods

Walter keeps his hand firmly on your lower back as he smiles proudly as your great aunt. Or maybe a third or fourth cousin twice removed? You’re too tired to keep track.

Your cheeks puff out as you repress a yawn. Walter slides his hand around your hip and pulls you closer.

“Pardon us, I think my wife is getting close to her limit,” he purrs.

“No, no, don’t let us keep you.” Ruth clasps your hand. “Congratulations, dear. We’re all so happy for you.” Her smile wilts. “And sorry to hear about your father.”

Despite many proclaiming this day to be the happiest of your life, you can’t agree. For every smile, there’s a looming frown. Your father was once the life of these things. He loved to drink and sing along to the outdated music. Now, he just sits there.

“Long day,” Walter intones as he leads you away. “Let’s say good night.”

“Okay,” you agree softly.

You hide another yawn in your hand. He brings you over to your mother as she wearily pets your father’s hand. He’s asleep in his chair.

“Oh, ma, you should take him to bed.” You say.

“I didn’t want to… miss anything,” she stands from the bench. “Oh, I am so happy for you. I remember our day. I slept like a log that night.”

You nod and force a smile. She hugs you.

“We’re just going to call it a night,” Walter says. “Think everyone’s ready to turn in.”

“I think you’re…. Right,” she fans herself as another yawn threatens to rise. “You two go. I’ll see everyone off.”

“Ma, you sure? It’s our wedding.” You grab onto her hand. Suddenly, you don’t want to go. Not with Walter.

“It’s your special day. Let me give you this gift.” She squeezes your hand. “Enjoy your night. Remember it. One day, you’ll want it back.”

Your heart plucks as her eyes glimmer glumly. You look at your dad as he snores. It’s nice to see him at peace.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Walter takes your hand and draws you away.

You’re stopped several times before you can escape. Your cousin Sandra says she’ll invite you to her wedding, whenever that comes. And your Aunt Ellie makes a bawdy comment about your wedding night. You try to hide behind Walter as he leads you past the stragglers.

His truck is parked behind the barn. You slow as you don’t recognise it at first. There are flowers and foliage framing the open bed and another cluster on top of the roof. It’s all dressed up like you and him.

“Wow… pretty,” you say.

“Wanted to make it special.” He shrugs as he brings you closer. “You just get in and rest your eyes, honey.”

He opens the door and helps you up into the truck. He snatches up the hem of your dress and tucks it between your ankles before he shuts you in. You shrink in the seat and stare out at the moonlight fanning over the dark fields.

His weight shifts the axle as he climbs in. He turns the engine and grips the steering wheel with one hand; his other finds yours. He clasps on as he drives around the bard and toward the long country road.

His hand is hot and heavy around yours. Sweat rises on your skin as heat simmers in your veins. This is it. The first night of the rest of your life.

Your head lolls and you watch out the window. He might let you sleep. You’re exhausted. Or maybe he’ll make it quick. You shiver and he squeezes your hand.

“You alright, sweetheart?” He asks.

“Mhmm,” you hum. “It’s late.”

“Yeah…” He drawls.

You squint through the dark as he takes a turn you don’t expect. He doesn’t head for his homestead, instead, he rolls up the large hill overlooking the forest. The outlook gives a view of half the village.

He lets you go and cranks the shifter as he stops. He gets out and you sit up. You can’t see through the dark. You hear him as he opens the back of the truck bed. You can feel him climb in and moving around.

You turn to watch floating lights appear around the vines and petals that trim the back of the truck. The axle bounces again and his footsteps crunch toward your door. He swings it open and offers his hand.

You let him help you out. You stumble in your heels and catch yourself against him. He quickly wraps you up in his thick arm and guides you around the back of the truck.

Small electric string lights glow against the foliage and light the soft cushions set within the truck bed. A mattress lines the bottom and petals litter the edges. You stare in disbelief.

“Like it?” He asks.

It’s beautiful. More than that, it shows care. It shows very deliberate planning. How much more did he plan than just this?

He moves around you and frames your hips with his large hands. He lifts you and you gasp in surprise. You catch yourself on the open door of the truck bed and crawl up onto the cushy mattress. He lets you go and hauls himself up after you.

You turn to sit and he falls down next to you. He stretches his arm behind your shoulders and sighs. You rub your elbow nervously as you look up at the sky.

“It’s nice up here…” he says.

“Yeah…” you agree weakly and squirm.

He leans in and his nose brushes your temple. He kisses your cheek. You tense.

“You’re so beautiful,” he purrs. “Especially right now.”

He dips his head down and kisses your shoulder. You shiver. He nuzzles your neck and pulls you to him. He turns you slightly in his embrace as he reclines.

He finds your mouth and you squeak. He rolls onto his side and cradles your head as he presses his lips firmly to yours. His tongue barges into your mouth as you brace his chest. Your own is thumping.