Dawn of the Knight Read online

  "I saw it earlier. You have a son named Terry?'"

  "No. No boys, only girls." Then a sad look immediately came into her eyes.

  "Your daughter Teri is not around?"

  "No. She's… studying… over in Europe."

  "Oh, I see. I might use the equipment if I have time. Thanks."

  Her eyes glanced at my tattoos. I quickly moved my arms to my side.

  "When will Mr. Muller be home?" I asked.

  "I'm… divorced," she softly replied while now looking down at the floor. Her response made me feel slightly embarrassed for having asked that question. After a moment, she noticed I was holding the bottle of perfume. I quickly put it back on the dresser.

  "AJ is waiting for you at the pool," she said. "I have to call to see how Mike Colson is doing." She handed me the pillows, turned, and then exited the room. I took the pillows and threw them on the bed. I spread my arms out and fell back onto the bed while landing square in the middle and I promptly cried out in surprise! Something thick, hard, and flat jabbed into my back from underneath the covers. After peeling them back, I discovered a book. Closer examination revealed it to be a diary.

  Hmm, this must belong to Shannon, I thought. It had a lock but to my surprise, it was unlocked.

  Should I examine it? I thought. No. A Diary is a person's personal journal and you have no business looking at it, reminded my conscience. But then my curiosity rose up in my defense. It compelled me to rationalize that it couldn't hurt to try to know just a little bit about the lovely creature who had smitten me. Plus, she would never even know what I had done. So, I opened it and I began to explore the secrets of her universe. Several entries had been headlined by a title with the first being dated from when she was 14 years old.

  As I began to peruse through the book, I immediately felt guilty because there was indeed, very personal information written in it. Embarrassing to her, but fascinating to me. I decided for lack of time, to quickly scan through the pages while stopping only to read a title that caught my interest.

  The first headline that did was titled, Wanted: A Real Man. In this entry she wrote about how in history class she had studied about the Crusades in the 11th century AD involving knights and about the Code of Chivalry. She also described a class of knight called a Paladin—a kind of elite knight who held to this code. Paladins embodied respect, self-control, honor, justice, and held to all that is good. They would respect women, defend the weak and innocent, avenge the wronged, exhibit courage in word and deed, destroy evil in all its monstrous forms, and die with valor and honor. She went on to write how she didn't believe there was a boy or man alive today who held to this code or who was characterized by these traits. But she wished for someone like that to come into her life to love and care for her while rescuing her and her family from the evil that terrorized them. She then quoted Edmund Burke when he wrote, 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.' But where are all the good men, the real men, the Paladins?

  She's right in thinking that she'll never be able to find a guy who embodies all those characteristics, I thought while chuckling. This girl's living in a fantasy world. But what did she mean by the statement; ‘the evil that terrorized them?’

  I continued to flip through pages and the next title that caught my attention read, Who Will Rescue Me? This entry had been dated from a little over a month ago and the page had tiny dried wet spots on it. I gazed at it while picturing her teardrops gently falling on the paper. She wrote about how this evening AJ and she had barely been able to get into the room in time before the stranger forced his way into their house. While AJ sat and stared at the floor, she sat and stared at her watch—counting the minutes. Instead of the usual 45 to 50, the man had stayed for over an hour. When their mother had finally come to let them out, she had welts on her face and was sobbing uncontrollably. Shannon wrote how deeply hurt and furious she was to see her mother being continuously physically abused. And if the police couldn't help them, who could? There is no one else to turn to, no one who can save us. Sometimes, I feel like I'm losing my mind. I'm in such despair. Isn't there anyone who can free us from those filthy, despicable pigs? I so hate my father, and wish he were dead. But what's the use. There is no hope. Please, God, please send someone who can rescue us.

  Whoa! I thought with concern. What could this be about? I felt deep compassion stirring within my heart as I pondered her predicament. I wanted to continue reading more entries but I heard AJ calling for me. I put the diary back in its place, changed into my bathing suit, and then went downstairs to join her.

  Chapter 6

  Stacy had decided to join us. She was sitting at a poolside table watching AJ who was already in the pool and who was shouting for me to jump in and join her.

  "I have to do something first," I answered back. "Mrs. Muller I have to call my mom and let her know what's going on. Is that okay?"

  "Certainly, Lance. Would you like to use our phone?"

  "No, I'll just use my smartphone."

  I told my mother that I would be temporarily staying with the Muller's. I also asked if she had any updates on Scott. She didn't, but she said she would call me if she did. After hanging up, I walked to the edge of the pool and then dove in.

  "AJ, I'm going to do some laps first. Is that okay?"

  "Sure," she replied.

  After swimming the length of the pool 10 times, I made my way over to where she was floating. While gazing at my muscular physique, she asked if I had come to the school to join the football team.

  "No. Not really."

  "Why did you come then?"

  "To get away; I needed a break from… different things."

  "Oh. Well, I'm glad you're here."

  The phone rang and Mrs. Muller went into the house to answer it. As AJ watched her leave she asked, "Are you really a lifeguard?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you ever saved anyone from drowning?"

  "One time I did."

  "Could you show me how you did it?"

  I stared at her. "Are you serious?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "I guess I could. Ah… swim over to the far side of the pool. Do you want to pretend to be a person who's drowning or unconscious?"

  "Unconscious."

  "Then swim over there and float on your back and I'll come rescue you."

  She moved to the other side of the pool and began floating on her back. I swam over to her and after putting my left arm discreetly around her chest, I began to swim us both to the edge of the pool. Suddenly, she turned and embraced me in a hug. Then while staring up into my face, she flashed her eyes seductively. Immediately, I felt a spike in my hormonal level! Startled by this behavior, I gently peeled her arms off from around my neck and said, "You're supposed to be unconscious, remember?"

  "Oh yeah, I forgot. Do you know CPR?"

  "Of course."

  "Can you teach it to me?"

  "I suppose I can."

  "Let's do it over there," she said while pointing to the area where her mother had been sitting.

  I followed her out of the water and watched her lay down on her back.

  "Okay, the first thing you should do," I advised, "Is two inch chest compressions—30 in a row while trying to maintain a speed of 100 per minute. Actually, the first thing you need to do is call 911 and have them send an ambulance," I corrected. "Next, see if the person is conscious and breathing and then start chest compressions."

  "Okay, do it."

  "Do what?"

  "Compress my chest, silly," she remarked while arching her back and sticking her chest out.

  "Uh… AJ… I really don't feel comfortable putting my hands… you know… there."

  "Then show me the next thing," she continued with an annoyed tone.

  "That would be mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Unfortunately, I don't have a CPR mask on me."

  "Do you really need one just to show me?"

  "Uh… I suppose not."

  I
went through the routine of unblocking her air passages and as I glanced down at her mouth, she slowly slid her tongue out and across her top lip while again flashing her eyes at me. This caused a surge in my hormonal level! My pulse quickened as I stared at her.

  "Go ahead," she cooed seductively. "My mouth is all yours."

  But I was now paralyzed with panic.

  "Lance, what are doing with my daughter?" Mrs. Muller challenged in a puzzled tone of voice as she walked up behind us.

  I jumped up startled and almost fell into the pool!

  "I wasn't doing anything, Mrs. Muller. I mean… I was just trying to show AJ… how to do… you know… mouth-to-mouth—that is, CPR."

  "Lance, I'm a nurse and my daughter already knows CPR." she remarked with a skeptical tone while scrutinizing me.

  "Oh… that's great," I replied sheepishly while glancing down at AJ who was now sporting an impish grin.

  "Let's, uh, all continue swimming," I suggested while quickly diving back into the pool.

  For the next 15 minutes I helped AJ do backward and forward flips which she performed effortlessly with athletic grace—all under the watchful eye of her mother.

  By now it was dark and so I glanced at my watch. It registered 9:45 PM. Stacy had turned on the poolside lights. I was feeling exhausted. The combination of the stress of the last 24 hours, the lack of sleep, jet lag, and the vigorous swim, had me completely spent. I was tired both mentally and physically. I swam over to the edge of the pool where Stacy was sitting and then exited it.

  "I hope my daughter didn't wear you out," she remarked.

  "AJ is a lot of fun. She's a nice girl. I'm really tired. If it's okay with you, Mrs. Muller, I'd like to go to bed." I yawned deeply as I said this.

  "That's fine, Lance. You can leave your wet bathing suit in the upstairs bathtub. I'll take care of it later. Goodnight."

  "Goodnight Mrs. Muller and thanks," I replied as I turned and left.

  ***

  I stood in front of the upstairs bathroom mirror now brushing my teeth. I was wearing my boxer shorts and a towel which was wrapped around my waist. My wet bathing suit was lying in a clump behind me in the tub. AJ, now wearing a pajama shorts outfit, was standing in the doorway staring at me with a strange look on her face like she wanted something. It was making me jittery and I was doing my best to ignore her as I rinsed my mouth out. Finally, I looked over at her and said, "Goodnight, AJ. I'll see you in the morning."

  She nodded her head and followed me as I made my way into Shannon's bedroom. Then she closed the door behind her. Near the bed I turned around and asked, "Why are you in here? It's time to go to bed."

  She held her arms open and replied, "But you haven't given me my goodnight hug."

  "Eh? You want me to give you a goodnight hug?"

  "Yes. Don't you hug your mom goodnight before you go to sleep?"

  "I use to when I was little, but that was a long time ago."

  "Well, goodnight hugs are a custom in our family and I'd like one before I go to bed."

  I stood there at the foot of the bed teetering from fatigue while staring at her mystified.

  "It's okay, silly," she remarked while grinning. "I just want a hug. I'm not going to bite you."

  "Okay," I conceded, too bushed to argue with her about it. I held my arms open and she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck. At the same time she jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist. Her weight and momentum forced me to fall back onto the bed where she quickly straddled me while giggling.

  "AJ!" I tried to cry out in protest, but no words were audible because before I had a chance to speak, her mouth was instantly on mine—kissing me passionately. Up to this point in my life I had never been kissed by a girl. There was a sudden, overwhelming feeling of euphoria as I held Amber-Joy in my arms—her lips fervent on mine. It had taken over my mind and body. My hormones were running wild and enjoying their new found freedom. I had a choice to try and corral them in or run with them. Running was easier, and I began returning her kisses as our passion increased in intensity. Just as it was progressing to the next level my conscience reprimanded me. Stop! What do you think you're doing? Do you want to get this girl pregnant? Are you trying to follow in your father's footsteps?

  No, I answered back in between kisses.

  Then stop. NOW!

  I knew I did not want to get AJ pregnant and as I gazed into her face, I saw someone whom I knew would make a great friend. Now forcing my body to submit, I stopped kissing her and I also restrained her from kissing me while telling her to stop. My angry hormones raged in protest and I was about to re-consider my decision when three loud raps on the bedroom door helped convince me of the gravity of my situation. In a panic, I threw AJ off of me toward the other side of the bed. The adrenaline enhanced force of my toss was too much however, and I saw with horror that she was going to land beyond the bed and onto the floor! I heard her exclaim, "Whoa…" and I watched in amazement as her gymnastics training kicked in. With cat-like reflexes and split-second timing, she rapidly spun her body in midair while reaching out to grab the edge of the bed sheets with her body slamming into the side of the mattress just as Mrs. Muller came striding into the room.

  Glaring at me and then at AJ, Stacy exclaimed, "Amber-Joy Ingrid Muller, you get into your room and into your bed, right now!"

  AJ scurried off to her room and as she was passing behind her mother she quickly turned and gave me one of those cute, feminine hand waves while flashing a big grin. Then she exited out the door. I could see from the expression on Mrs. Muller's face that she was furious!

  "You listen to me, young man," she admonished. "If you want to stay in my house then you'd better keep your hands, your mouth, and every other part of your body to yourself. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Ah, yes, ma'am, perfectly clear," I nervously and respectfully answered. "And I am truly sorry for what just happened here. I—" but she ignored me and strode off in the direction of AJ's room. I could hear muffled voices coming from through the door. I was still feeling completely exhausted but I was curious, too, and I was reaching that point where you get so tired you can't fall asleep. I walked over to my door and cracked it open.

  "What were you doing in there alone with him?" I heard Mrs. Muller interrogate AJ through her closed bedroom door.

  "We weren't doing anything but talking. Honest!"

  "AJ…"

  "Okay, mom, we were… kissing—but nothing else. I swear. I'm really telling you the truth now."

  "That's it. He's leaving tomorrow, no matter what. I'm not going to let some strange boy come in here and try and take advantage of my daughters."

  "No, mom, please don't. Don't make him leave. He's really a nice guy." After a slight pause she said, "It's my fault mom. I… I started it. Please don't blame him. It was entirely my fault and he even tried to stop me. He really did. I'm sorry, mom. I'm really, really sorry."

  After another pause Mrs. Muller asked, "How could you, AJ? After all the instruction I've given you and your sister about how to act around boys, this is how you behave when we have a guest staying with us? I don't want to see or hear that the two of you were alone behind closed doors ever again. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, mom, I understand," replied AJ, dejectedly. "But I am sorry, mom."

  I quickly shut my door. I slowly shook my head in bewilderment as I walked back to the bed while fingering the key on the chain around my neck. Next, I went over to the window shades and closed them tight. Then back to the bed where I crawled under the covers. Sleep was slow to come. I kept thinking about the day's events while repeatedly replaying them in my mind. I turned over on my side and finally dozed off—exhaustion finally running its course…

  Chapter 7

  I slept soundly for a long time. In my final dream I sensed a presence in the room standing near the bed. Then I felt a hand gently touch my right side as it moved around under the covers as if searching for something. I gradually opened my eyes. In the
semi-darkness I could perceive the outline of a form above and stretched over me. I panicked, and I immediately reached up and grabbed it—my hands coming around a waist. There was a loud gasp of surprise! I twisted and threw the body down underneath me while maneuvering to a position where I sat straddling it on top. I then reached over and turned on the nightstand light. My heart immediately began to have palpitations as I stared down into the face of Shannon! We gazed into each other’s eyes with my hands spanning her shoulders and resting on the bed while her hands gently pushed up against my chest.

  After a moment she calmly remarked, "You can get a better look if you get off of me and let me up."

  I smiled as I moved aside and said, "I'm sorry. You startled me." She sat upright and I noticed her left hand was still probing under the covers. Then it dawned on me what she was searching for.

  "Are you looking for this?" I asked as I dropped to the floor onto my knees. I reached under the bed and pulled out her diary. Before handing it to her, I fingered the lock closed. She took it and seeing that it was locked, stared first at it and then at me. I could tell by her facial expression that she was trying to remember if she had left it unlocked. I nervously wondered if she would ask me if I had read it. It would take boldness to confront a total stranger and guest about something like that and I was counting on her having the grace and tact not to. I didn't want to admit that I had read it, but I didn’t want to lie to her either.

  She got up off the bed and walked over to the desk near the window. After opening the top drawer, she put the diary inside of it. Then she removed a small key from inside a cup that was sitting on top of the desk. Next, she locked the drawer with the key and then put it in her pocket. I wanted to read more entries from her diary, but I had fallen asleep before I had the chance. Now I was going to have to pick a desk lock in order to be able to do that. For me however, that would pose no problem at all. Shannon opened the shades letting light flood into the room. All the while she was doing this, I was scrutinizing her. She was dressed in a white cotton halter top and a pair of white shorts and her figure, simply stated, was voluptuous.