Chapter Two: Will Her Frog Become a Prince?
Written by Heather Hicks.

"Sometimes you got to kiss a frog before you find your prince." That's what Momma Rosie used to tell us girls before we all burst out laughing. Gary was Kimberly's frog and she could feel it. He was the green slimy one that had awakened her to
feelings of excitement and the needed confidence to put together what she had broken in her past. One touch could make her heart race faster. In the beginning, she despised him but somehow In the mist of her heartache Gary had the power to turn it all around. He came from a drunk man to a man struggling to overcome his past. Damn you, Gary, why did you have to kiss me like that? She felt tired of running as she awoke from her peaceful slumber on that cold October day.
It was almost freezing outside but she woke up to warmth and a feeling that somehow she belonged to that not so perfect man. The feelings inside her were so real she could no longer hide them. longing for his attention she teased him a time or two last week. Teasing him brought out the jealousy in him especially when the younger boys came around. In front of all their friends he announced that she had already gotten his attention. "Sexy is not what you wear it's how you feel and how you carry yourself." He told the Friday night crowd while staring into those deep brown eyes of hers.
Kimberly decided she could no longer stand not knowing how he felt. That killed her the most. All she knew was Gary was worth the fight. God knows that rough man isn't perfect, but he had a love for life like no other. He was worth the pain they had been through. We can do this. After all the gentle giant had been in her life years. He was her brother Harlin's best friend since they were five.
The struggle in him was real. The abuse he endured as a child had made him tough coming from being a mean bully to someone who made a difference to so many.
After a cool shower, Kimberly found courage to give the Blue Goose a well deserved visit. The Blue Goose was an awesome place to grab a bite to eat and to have a few drinks but what she loved best was the music and the crow. it felt like a second home to her.
Her hair was perfect and her make up accented those playful eyes of hers. The short green dress that he loved so much showed off those long legs of hers and those lady like curves.."Too short for church but easy on the eyes." Fishnet stockings and high heels baby, to drive the boys crazy. The Emerald necklace placed around her neck was a birthday gift from Gary draped perfectly and showed what lady she had become.
She anxiously waited a whole ten minutes before walking in. A nervous Kimberly walked through the swinging doors of the Blue Goose with her best smile on her face. She could feel her heart race faster as she spotted him from across the room. He barely took notice until she walked a little closer placing her cold hands on the back of his neck. Gary gently but firmly removed them and placed her soft hands in between his, to warm them. He had those sad puppy eyes. She could he had been drinking. "Kimberly, I thought I was giving you a safe, happy home. Somewhere to be proud of. I know I haven't given you a perfect life but..." Gary was lost for words pausing for a moment. "Let's just pretend like this has never been a problem, just for tonight girl. Let's just talk about me and you."He touched his half empty glass of beer. "Don't leave me because of this."
He took a long look at her and smiled. "Wow!! You sure do look pretty. Your eyes even sparkle." Caught up in the moment, not holding back the temptation of last night he picked her off the floor holding her firmly against his body fearing it would be his last his last chance. He eased up a little as he felt slight stiffness in her delicate body. Kimberly was amazed what nervous and safe felt like together and maybe deep down a little scared. Gary could sense that. At 23, he more a man than most. Gary really hadn't held her this close before. " I hope I didn't frighten you K D Harlin. My feelings got the best of me. I am sorry if I stepped out of the line last night. You would be honest with me if I scared you, wouldn't you." "You took me by surprise Gary. You make me weak in the knees, a little nervous." " I can respect nervous, girl. Just keep it honest and I will keep it real with you." " No pressures." "No Kimberly. Don't let other people make you feel pressured into doing anything your not ready for not even me, you hear?." "Gary you pushed me into what I have become today." "Nah, I just teach you about tough love. It would be a shame if I let you ruin your life over a few mistakes. Look at you no longer a broken little girl but a woman of dreams. I am going to push you until I cant push no more. That's my motto. Stick with me and I'll see you through. I promise. I can only hope you will do the same for me." "Always and Gary we have got to talk to see if we have a future together. " Kimberly said in a louder voice so he could hear over the crowd. People starting bumping into her at the bar. It was not the tone Kimberly had hope to come out of her mouth but it did. The seat beside just freed up but Kimberly didn't take notice with all that was going on. lGary took her by surprise as picked her up with his strong tattood arms placing her on the bar stool in front of him, safely tucking her away from the busy floor allowing him to hear better and guaranteeing he spoke first. "I am probably not much of a man right now. God only knows I try, girl. Life dealt me a hard hand to play but Kimberly I am tired of running. My mistakes girl...my mistakes in this world have caused so much pain. Every drop of liquor in the world can't fix what I have broken. Damn girl if I could I wouldn't be where I am at this moment about to lose you. Hell, I went to your sister's funeral drunk. I got a record and probation is killing me. I been drug free for years and my family still won't even look at me. I am supposed to be the tough one here but somehow how I am just...." Gary sat there for moment without saying a word. His silence said it all. Yea Gary's made a few mistakes in his life but deep inside she could see a whole lot of trying. That had to count for something, right? Gary buried his face in the sweetness of her perfume just getting lost in words of Bob Seger playing in the background. "I know your weary, I know your tired. I know your plans don't include me. Why don't you stay?" Why this song, why now he thought. The only thing being exchanged between the two was a slight movement of the two bodies. She could feel all of him. His emotions, his sweat. She could feel Gary's hot breath against her neck making her feel really alive for the first time. Gary was silently praying that she would say yes to his nest question. God, I know I am not deserving but I can't lose her. Not after all that we have been through. She came from a total pain in my ass to someone I really have feelings for. That never happened to me. He swallowed hard."K D Harlin will you stay with me till Graduation?" A long pause filled the space between them. Kimberly wanted more. That's only 7 months she thought. Is that all he wanted? He asked for honesty and she was going to give it to him. " No Gary. I want a little more." As in, more time she thought. He took it as he wasn't enough. " I will paint your room for you and put down that hideous purple carpet you want. I will get a second job. He really hated the idea of carpet but he would for her, for a yes. Anything for a yes. She didn't want those things. "No Gary I want more...."He cut her off mid sentence. "Will you stay at least through Christmas?" " Gary I wouldn't miss a Christmas with you for the world. But no. I don't want more,?Mr. Gary Boles." Gary was confused he didn't want to loose her. He knew if he could just convince her to stay a month, she would stay longer. Gary's hands weren't as steady now as he rubbed his fingers through that red tangled hair of hers. "What about a month girl? Will you give me a month?" He swallowed hard. " No, a month just wouldn't work." "Girl you are breaking my heart?" " Give me a week and I'll quit drinking. I will make it the best week of your life." "Gary I want more than that." She said with a smile. How could she smile at a time like this? She is crushing me, Gary thought. Trying hard to hold back the hurt he buried his face against her body. He played with the back of hair more intensely almost hurting her this time. He just didn't realize the strength of his hands. She could feel the hotness of his breath against her bare skin. He was sending chills down her spine. She could hear as he swallowed hard, the hurt. His voice was quivering. "Kimberly will you please just give me tonight? .Just let me hold you one last time while you fall asleep. Let me hear you dream those silly dream of yours and feel you breath in against my chest. Smell the sweetness of your hair for old times sake. Just one more night I at least deserve that." That was one Gary's most favorite pleasures in his life. Gary loved to smell things, her hair to him was like heaven . Kimberly had to make it what she wanted. Damn she was getting butterflies in her stomach. She could feel Gary's heart beat. "Gary. I don't want to stay a month, a week or even one more day." Gary gave her his sad puppy look. It took a lot to make him cry. Hell it might happen now she thought. She wasn't trying to he mean but she was just nervous. The words were hard to come as they were on the tip of her tongue. Her voice was shaky. "Gary, I want to stay as long as you...as you love me." Gary gave her a strong bear hug. "Will you be my forever cherry pie, KD Harlin? " "Gary Boles you know I will." Gary was so exited he about knocked the girl off the bar stool making her heart race. His hands were steady as he grabbed them both."I got you girl. I wanna be there every time you fall." " Gary I want to be there when you get the courage to stand firm, like a rock." Bod Segers music filled the air. Gary was relieved as he rested his head on the back of his hands. He could finally rest. He got his answer With those deep green eyes closed Gary was on the edge of sleep and happiness. Wow, Kimberly thought his mustache made him look so tough but his beard was nicely groomed. It felt weird as she rubbed the palms of her hands against the dark hairs on the side of his face. Amazing she thought, His beard was just just as soft as it was rough. Kind of like him. Her cute little frog just sat there pretending to be asleep but couldn't hold back that tiny smile. She realized she never kissed her frog yet. She wondered if he would become a prince. First she took a sweet innocent kiss. Then she kissed him on those warm lips of his. He tasted like beer but she didn't care. Gary would let her have her little moment he thought until he decided to show her how it's really done. There was no escaping his grip, his touch. Kimberly's face turned a billion shades of red but he didn't care. Everyone at the bar was cheering them on. "Kimberly I told you I ain't never kissed a woman that didn't kiss me back." Everyone clapped this time and chanted. "Looks like someone got his girl." Making Kimberly almost faint from the excitement of the moment. emerald green evening dress

How does this sound so far?