Love in the Air

A cool, gentle breeze blows off the lake, sending the sweet smell of spring flowers through the bedroom window. Stretching out in the covers, Janet breathes in this magnificent scent as she relives last night's passionate events.

One kiss led to another. Hands began to roam. Before Janet knew it, she and Ben were naked on the lawn. I couldn't get him out of his clothes quick enough or him me. She giggles.

She remembers how wonderful his naked body felt against her, the euphoric feeling when he slowly slipped inside. He took her to dimensions far beyond what she knew existed.

"You make it feel so good, so right, unlike those monsters from my past." She says, cuddling against him.

Ben gently strokes her face. "That's how lovemaking is supposed to be."

Tears cloud Janet's eyes. "I've never felt this way before in my life. I feel so alive, so free like all of this is to be."

Ben dreamily gazes up at her. "I feel that way too."

Memories from the past two days suddenly come to mind. Janet springs up in bed. Why did I meet Ben now? Why? When my life is such a mess? Janet feels a tear slip down her face; she turns away.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Ben asks, cuddling against her. "Come on honey, talk to me; tell me what's wrong. Whatever it is, I'm sure we can work it out."

"I don't think anyone can fix this." She wipes moisture from her face.

"Don't you trust me?"

She turns to face him. "Of course, I do, with all my heart."

"Then tell me what it is so I can help. Please, Janet, please, I want to help."

Intoxicated from the wine and their passionate lovemaking moments ago, Janet takes a deep breath and says, "Someone is trying to frame me for a murder I didn't commit."

"What?" Ben yells, springing off the bed.

Ducking, Janet covers her head. "Please, don't hit me, Ben, please. I didn't want to lie to you. Honest, I didn't, but I didn't know what else to do."

Ben is taken aback by what she said. He then remembers the numerous bruises covering her body. Abuse is all she knows, he thinks. Sitting down beside her, Ben reaches for her hand. Janet pulls away. I deserve that for acting the way I did, he concludes. "I'll never hit you no matter what you say or do. I promise."

Janet slowly straightens up.

"You don't hate me?"

No, of course not."

"You believe me when I say I didn't kill Bill."

I wouldn't blame you if you did, he thinks. He takes Janet's hand and says," Tell me what happened, alright."

Janet tells him about that horrid night. "I didn't do it, Ben, I swear, I didn't. I was trying to save him when they came in. I even told our son to call 911. A killer wouldn't do those things, right?"

"So why are the cops after you if you're innocent like you claim."

"I had blood on my dress from trying to save him. Knowing his abusive history, they assumed it was me. You have to believe me. Please, Ben, please believe me." She takes his hand in hers. He pulls away. "Please don't be like this, please. I'm in serious trouble and need your help."

"You need a good lawyer to help you escape this mess."

"I know, Ben, I know. " She cries.

Ben's thoughts race through his head as he paces back and forth across the carpeted floor. He glances over at Janet, sobbing on the bed, and thinks, I need to stay calm and figure out what to do next.

Janet looks up to find Ben glaring at her and says, "If you don't want me around anymore, that's fine. I'll leave." Scooping up her clothes, she starts to get dressed.

"How will you survive with no money and nowhere to go?"

"I survived through years of abuse. I can get through this, too." Slipping on her shoes, Janet heads toward the door. She turns and says, "I'm sorry, Ben. I'm sorry for complicating your life and for not being who you wanted me to be." She opens the door.

"Janet, wait."

Wiping her tears away, Janet turns around.

"Let me help."

"You mean it, Ben?"

"I don't want you railroaded for something you didn't do."

"Thank you, Ben. Thank you. Running across the room, she hugs him tight.

Ben glances at the bedside clock. "It's still too early to call a lawyer. So you might as well get some rest while we wait."

"Will you be joining me?" Janet asks, running her fingers across his hairy chest.

"Neither of us will get any rest if I do." He chuckles and adds, "Besides, I have a few things to look into."

Janet covers herself in the sheets and soon falls into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Ben storms in a few minutes later and jerks the covers back. "Get your things. We're leaving in five."

Where are we going, Ben?"

"Where I should've taken you in the first place, the police station."

"No, Ben, please, don't do that."

"You lied to me, Janet. You lied." You're wanted for two murders, not one."

"The second was in self-defense."

"Ah, huh."

"The man tried to rape me at gunpoint, Ben."

"Well, I'm taking you to the police station, and they can decide what to do with you from there." Grabbing her arm, he leads her toward his truck.

"Stop, that hurts," Janet yells, pulling away.

"What do you think you did to me by toying with my heart? I thought you're different, special, Janet, and then I found out that you're playing me for a fool."

"It wasn't like that, Ben. Not at all. What we had was special beautiful beyond belief.

"How many other men have conned, huh? How many?"

"I'm not conning you, I swear."

"Yeah, I bet." He throws his cab door open.

She pulls away. "Ben, please stop, l. Listen to me for a minute."

"Why should I, huh, why?"

"Because you're a decent man who believes everyone deserves a fair shake."

"You have five seconds."

"I know how to prove I didn't kill Bill."

Ben rolls his eyes. "How?"

"My nanny cam. It'll show who the real killer is."

"Don't you think the police would've found it by now?"

"I doubt it since it's hidden in a picture frame."

"Why didn't you tell them about the cam the night it happened?"

"I forgot it was there. "Could you please take me back to my house to get it so I can prove it wasn't me?"

Conflicting thoughts race through his mind. Ben turns away. I don't want to help a fugitive, but what if she's telling the truth? Ben hears his mom's voice in his head.

"You have a big heart, Benny, too big sometimes. You have to be careful not to let it influence your decisions."

Am I letting my feelings cloud my judgment? Am I? What should I do, Mom? What should I do?

Janet grabs his arm to stop him. "Please help me, Ben. Please."

"Why don't you tell the police your story and have them retrieve it."

"They won't help me."

"Why not?"

"Because as far as they're concerned, it's an open and shut case."

His mom's voice echoes in his head. "Don't let your heart stop you from doing what's right, Benny boy."

I know, Mom. Shoving her in his truck, he climbs in.

"Please, Ben, please don't do this."

Pushing his emotions aside, Ben says," "You did this to yourself."

"Didn't you mean what you said about loving me?"

Of course, I did, and that's why this hurts so damn much, he thinks.

"Oh, I see. You only said that to get me in the sack."

That's not true at all, Ben thinks. "What about you, huh? "Putting on a show so I'd feel sorry for you and help. I guess the good acting comes from lots of practice, right?"

"It wasn't a show, Ben. I meant every word I said."

Sure you did. Ben glances over at her, sobbing in the seat. "Give it up already, will you." Please, you're breaking my heart, he thinks.

"So that's it, our discussion is over. I'm going to jail."

"Yep."

"You're no different than anyone else in my miserable life. No different at all," she says through her tears.

"That ain't fair, Janet, no fair at all."

"Life ain't fair, Ben. I wouldn't be in this mess if it were. I want you to know one thing before you take me to the cops."

"What's that?"

"My son will grow up not knowing a mother's love because you refused to help."