Roswell Fanatics

Stories by ken_r

I am dating my self in this post. Because Las Cruces is very near the Mexican border NMSU has always had trouble with students going to Mexico and getting in trouble. I do not know what they do now but this incident was repeated over and over when I was in college. Students going to a foreign country and forgetting laws are different there. I remember once a bunch of boys were across the border and they got drunk. One of them yelled, “Remember the Alamo.” They did.

The boys finally got out but they had some scary adventures before they were back at school. The incident of bringing booze across the border at that time was handled just as I describe it then. Everyone in the car was given a fine.

Some time ago it was mentioned that Kyle’s roommate didn’t get back from Juarez until long after school started. This happened to my son’s roommate.

I am sure Liz’s parents could have arranged to find the money but she would have to have stayed much longer and probably been put in jail until they got it. Plus I wanted Max to come to her rescue.

Chapter18

Max had to work that Saturday morning. Liz was just going to stay in the dorm and study. Katherine came by. “Liz, no Mr. Wonderful today?”

“No, Katherine, he is grading papers today,” Liz responded.

“Well, it is too nice a weekend to spend in your dorm. Saidra and I are going to Juarez for the day. Come with us, it will be a chance to see Mexico. With us so near, that is a must,” Katherine could be so convincing, especially since Liz really didn’t want to spend the day in the dorm anyway.

Liz, for some reason, didn’t tell Max that she was going. Maybe, it was some higher sense that told her this wasn’t a good idea. Or maybe, it was a spark of independence that if he was going to work the weekend away, there was no reason Liz should have to stay in. Max had always left their relationship open and he would probably want her to share this weekend with her friends.

Liz
Katherine was driving. Saidra was a friendly person, but she was daring in her conversation in what she expected to find. I wished I could be as free as Katherine and meet people without worry. Just think so close to home and it is a totally foreign country. The sights were something else. They were so flashy and out there in your face. The sounds were indescribable, the music, the shouting of the street hawkers, the people talking as they were walking by. Katherine parked her car at a lot and paid a little boy his Mordida (little bite) to watch the car. It was a little embarrassing to hear the street hawkers so blatantly advertising sex for sale. They were so explicit as to what they are offering. They acted as if their girls were just commodities to be chosen and picked over for anyone with the price. We went into a leather shop. The smell was slightly like a farmyard, but the leather was so beautiful. I bought a purse. I would like to return sometime and look at some of the shoes and other accessories. We looked at a jewelry store and we were impressed at the prices of the pieces. I looked at one bracelet and I saw that it was just cleverly disguised plastic. We went into a bar and I just ordered coke the other girls thrilled in the fact that they could order cocktails with complete freedom. We stopped in a small restaurant and had a delicious meal.

Story
Liz hadn’t noticed that from time to time Saibra would steal away and disappear for a few minutes. Liz was glad she took a chance and overcame some of her inhibitions and fears. This afternoon would long live in her memories. It was early afternoon when they decided to return. As Katherine approached the American checkpoint, a man in uniform directed her to get out of line and park under an overhanging shade. Liz noticed the other girls were getting nervous, but she had no idea what was going to happen.

The girls were told to get out of the car and they were ushered into a room. Liz began to get premonitions of something going very wrong. As they were getting out of the car, she saw the little boy Katherine had paid to watch the car leaving the building. From the barred window of the room, they saw men opening and going through their car. There was a uniformed man with a dog who was smelling everything. Other men in jump suits were checking the seats and trunk. Liz saw several bottles of tequila sitting on a bench near the car. After some time, a man came into their room and sat down.

“Girls this serious. Every year we get students from Las Cruces who try to buy liquor in Mexico and bring it back to the United States. You are in trouble in two ways. First, you are violating the law by not declaring what you have. Second, you are in trouble for possession of alcohol by a minor. We try to be tolerant of students, but there is a fine for anyone who tries to bring alcohol illegally into the country. You can each pay the two hundred dollar fine or you can be held to face charges in court,” said the man as he leaned back and looked at the girls.

It was Katherine who spoke first, “How do you want the fine paid?”

The officer smiled, “We require a cash bond or certified check. You can also get it wired by Western Union from anyone you know.”

Katherine and Saidra both immediately went to the room where the phone was located. Liz just sat crying. The officer came over to her and said, “Don’t you have anyone who could raise the fine?”

Liz shook her head. She knew that her parents could do it, but it would take them several days to get that sort of money. It didn’t sound like much, but when your small business is run that close to a margin, raising cash money would be difficult.

The officer sat with Liz. “Isn’t there anyone you could call to help you?” The officer was feeling a little sad. The other girls seemed to be quite at ease with raising their fines, but this one was clearly scared.

Liz looked at the officer through her tears. “Maybe, there is Max. He is my boyfriend, but will he still be after this is over?” she sobbed.

The officer looked sympatheticly at Liz, “I hope he would be a good enough boyfriend to come to your aid and then be forgiving enough afterward.”

Liz nodded her head. She didn’t have much choice. Liz called Max, “Max, I am in serious trouble. I am being detained, by the US authorities, at the Mexican border. I went with Katherine and her friend into Juarez and they were caught trying to bring alcohol into the country illegally. They are fining everyone in the car two hundred dollars. My parents can’t raise that much money that quickly. Can you help me.

Max could tell that Liz was crying. He asked to talk to someone in authority. The officer complied. They were on the phone, it seemed to Liz, for long time. However, it was only a few minutes. When he returned, he put his hand on her shoulder and said, “Your fiancé seems like a nice guy. He said he would be here in a little over an hour.”

Liz frowned a bit at the mention of fiancé, but she kept quiet. Katherine and Saidra were released after their telegrams were received. They were told to leave immediately and even under their protest about their friend, Liz, they had no choice. Liz was taken to a room. She was allowed to use the bathroom and allowed to buy a coke to drink while she was in the room. There was a smelly couch and a table with three chairs. Liz sat at the table with her head in her hands. She had no idea of how serious the repercussions of this escapade would be in her life.

Max took a deep breath. He had a hundred dollar bill hidden in his truck for emergencies. He had about fifty dollars in cash in his billfold, but he had to think about how he was going to raise the rest. He could call Kyle, Maria and Michael, but did he want to subject Liz to this sort of embarrassment. It was Saturday and banks and credit unions which max could turn to were closed. There was one other way. Max always bought his groceries at a market nearby. He went to the market and asked to see the manager. Max had stopped to pass the time with him several times since Max had moved to Las Cruces. Max asked for a favor. He showed all of his identity, his driver’s license and his student identity card. He explained that a fellow student had been stopped at the border and detained pending a two hundred fine and he had raised one hundred-fifty dollars of it. Could the manager cash a fifty dollar check?

This was an imposition for the store. It was only because of the fact that the manager liked Max and really believed he was trying to help someone, that he finally agreed. The manager took Max’s check and personally went to one of the cash registers to retrieve a fifty dollar bill. With this, Max drove to El Paso and then to the border as quickly and carefully as he could.

Liz believed she had been in the room forever. A uniformed lady had taken her to the restroom again and kindly asked if she was okay. Okay? What was Liz to say? My life, as I know it, will soon be over. My boyfriend will no longer look at me as an adult, but rather as a child to get into this fix. My parents will eventually learn, how one afternoon I lost my scholarship and also my dreams of an education. Liz only managed to squeak out a quick, “I think so.”

An officer came back to her room. He was a person she had not seen before. He called out, “Elizabeth Parker.”

Liz nodded her head and he led her to a desk. She sat down and Max was introduced into the room. Liz started to say something, but he held his finger up to his lips signifying silence. Another man in a suit whom Liz had never seen before came in and sat down. “Elizabeth Parker, student of New Mexico State University, you are charged with attempting to bring illegal liquor into the United States and also being a minor in possession of alcohol in the state of New Mexico. How do you plead?”

Liz looked at Max, he imperceptibly nodded and she in a weak voice said, “Guilty.”

The man in the suit nodded and handed her a paper to sign and indicated Max to pay the cashier at the door. Then, he glared at Liz, “Miss Parker, from what was said by officer Fredreckson, I do not think you were knowingly guilty. However, the law is quite clear. You were in a vehicle that was bringing contraband into the United States. Your fiancé has made it quite clear, also, that you are a student with good grades and have never been in trouble, so I am binding you into his care. Please promise both him and myself that you will not bring trouble like this upon us again.”

Liz could only nod and say weakly, “Yes sir.”

Max took her by the arm and led her out the door. He leaned over to her ear and whispered, “Do not say anything until we get out of here.”

Max finally got out of the El Paso traffic. It was when he was on his way to Las Cruces that he said anything to Liz who was sitting as far away against the door as she could. Max could tell that she was still crying. Max pulled off the road and reached through his cab window into the back. He brought forth a jug of water and gave Liz his clean handkerchief. Liz wet the cloth and wiped her eyes clear. She took the cup built into the jug, poured a little water into it and drank to soften her dry throat. She then looked at Max, “Am I going to loose everything because of this?”

Max sort of laughed, “No, they agreed that you were paying a fine for contraband and as far as they are concerned, they are through with you. They filed no criminal charges against you.”

“Max, what was that fiancé stuff about?” Liz inquired.

“That was whispered to me by the first officer I talked to. As your fiancé, I could assume responsibility without any questions,” Max replied.

Liz just sat and hung her head. There still was one more question she had and she was frightened to ask it. Finally, she looked at Max and said as steadily as she could, “Max, are you mad at me?”

Max now laughed, “No, Liz, I am just happy we could work all of this out without problems. Now, would you pleases get over here to the middle and sit with me as you usually do. Pouting against the door is distracting me in my driving and we do not have anymore money with which to pay fines. In fact, I am hoping you have enough left in your purse to buy supper.” Liz slid over and re-belted the center seatbelt. She didn’t put her arms around Max, yet, but she did lean against him as he drove to his apartment.

This was the first time Liz had seen his apartment. She was surprised that it was so neat. She had been in Max’s apartment in Roswell with Isabel one time after graduation and it was messy, but Max was celebrating not being employed. Max washed his face and put on a clean shirt. Then with the promise of Liz paying, they went to a small restaurant to eat.

After dinner, Max took Liz back to her dorm. Liz still wasn’t sure that she hadn’t disappointed Max. He had come to her aid without any question. She was beginning to believe that Katherine was careless sometimes and didn’t have a good sense of safety. When she put her key in her door, it was yanked open buy a tearful Katherine. “Liz, we were so worried. I am so glad you got out. How did you do it?” Katherine couldn’t stop the questions as she cried.

Liz pushed Katherine away. “I had to ask Max to get me out. I don’t know how it is going to affect our relationship. Katherine, why were you doing those things? You knew they were illegal,” Liz was cross because she kept thinking of how much this Saturday could affect her whole life.

Katherine sat on the bed holding her hands, “Saibra said that if there were several of us, the custom guards wouldn’t even search our car. She claims to do this all the time.”

“Katherine, I saw the little boy you hired to watch the car at the custom authorities building,” Liz stated.

Katherine pursed her lips, “So that was it, the little brat turned us in probably, for a reward.”

Liz took both of Katherine’s hands, “No, Katherine, we got caught because we were doing something wrong.”

With that, Liz went to bed. She didn’t have peaceful dreams. She kept running from something that looked an awful lot like Katherine’s car. It was being driven, by the little boy they hired in Mexico.
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If you have time I would like you to look at my attempt at a novel. It is rated mature but it is no more sexy that anything else I have written. It is about a lady on a distant planet that rises from slavery to a position of respect and about her children and friends that stand by her.

The Slave Girl
this is an attempt at an original story. it is very long. and in four parts. let me know if you like it. All of the parts will be posted at:
Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

Stories by ken_r

Chapter 19
Thanksgiving was coming up. There was a flurry of tests and papers due in most departments. Grades in college were based on a series of two to four test given the whole semester. This was hard for freshmen students because they weren’t ever allowed a bad day. You had to do well on every test. These tests or papers would be the last assignments before the semester finals given just before Christmas break.

Tess called Kyle and asked when he would be ready to return to Roswell for the Thanksgiving break. “Tess, Stacy and I are riding with Michael and Maria. We are returning home sometime Tuesday. Thanks for the invitation, but I have already made arrangements,” Kyle hated to face Tess with this, but it was she who was always busy with sorority business.

Tess hung up. This was not the way things were supposed to go. She had assumed that Kyle would be sitting there waiting for her when she was through with her sorority affairs. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t see that the sorority was now a part of her life and the hosting brother fraternity men was her obligation. She was not happy to have to make that long trip alone, but she saw that things were changing. Her life was taking on a new direction and she hoped it was for the better.

Alex had contacted Isabel and they had made plans to start for Roswell after one o’clock that Wednesday afternoon. Alex would be finished with his tests and Isabel would be waiting for him. They would arrive at Roswell sometime that evening. Alex’s roommate, John, was leaving for Albuquerque a little later than Alex. He would be in Albuquerque about four o’clock. Isabel saw that Corina was a little nervous. Corina wanted John to meet her folks, but it looked like he would arrive after she had left for the north. Isabel had talked to both Maria and Liz, but she felt she should be hands-on to check on the Liz-Max affair. Max, of course, was invited by Kathy to have dinner with them. He was not sure because he wanted to be with Liz as much as possible. Kyle and Maria, with much fear and trepidation about the fact that it was possible that they might become stepsiblings, were trying to face the upcoming dinner their families were having together. Stacy whispered in Kyle’s ear that he would be welcomed at her house anytime during the break. Kyle thought if things at home did get tense, that is exactly what he intended to do.

Michael was welcomed at the DeLuca home. They set up a spare room for him. Amy was divided regarding her feelings toward Michael. She felt that Maria was way too young to have a serious relationship. On the other hand, she also felt that Michael had brought stability to her daughter. Maria was certainly making better grades and working harder at school than she had in her first few years in high school. It was decided that no matter what happened with the families, the five teens and Max would get together Friday night. Then, Maria mentioned her almost half brother and with Isabel frowning, it was decided that Kyle and Stacy would be invited also.

Max would be staying with his Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jonathan. He stopped over at the Parker’s place and let Liz out. With a quick kiss, he said he would see her tomorrow. He was remembering how busy they were on thanksgiving. He had accepted Liz’s invitation to come over after closing, when the Parkers had a little time for family.

When he arrived at Uncle Jonathan’s, both his aunt and Isabel were waiting for him. Max was surprised that Aunt Kathy’s eyes were shinning just as brightly as Isabel’s when they began drilling him about Liz. Uncle Jonathan called Max outside for a minute to help unload some groceries. When he got there, Max only found two, medium sized bags. “I just thought you needed a break from the estrogen interrogation.” Jonathan said as he clapped Max on the shoulder.

Max turned to his uncle, “I did not know that Aunt Kathy was as bad as Isabel when it came to schemes?”

Jonathan smiled, “Who do you think trained Isabel? I never wanted Isabel to become a lawyer because I was always afraid our legal system couldn’t stand it.” Then Jonathan broke into a wide grin, “How are things going with you and the Parker girl?”

Max groaned, “Aunt Kathy isn’t the only one that trained Isabel.”

Jonathan now laughed, “I just learned from living with both of them.”

Alex would eat Thanksgiving with his folks. They had missed last thanksgiving with him. He made sure that Isabel would be seeing him Thanksgiving evening. At the Evans household, it would just be the four of them. With Jonathan, probably on the other side, Max felt he would be in for a bigger grilling than the turkey.

The dinner was fine. Isabel was full of information about her room mate and that of Alex. She thought that it was so wonderful that they had hit it off so well. Now they could double date many times. Isabel talked incessantly about how smart Corina was. Isabel was so intrigued with the commercial art that Corina was doing on her computer. Both of the elder Evans thought it was good that Isabel was finding something that might interest her.

To Max’s chagrin, Isabel appeared to be running down about her roommate, Alex and John. Try as hard as he could, he could think of nothing that would revive her attention to that subject. Eventually, it got back to Max and Liz.

“So Max, how are things with you and Liz?” Kathy inquired.

“Well, we see each other every day and we study together several nights a week. Outside of that, we both work pretty hard on our school work,” Max said.

“Are you officially together? Do you have some sort of understanding? Or what do you have?” this time it was Isabel who asked.

“Liz has to decide what she wants to do about our relationship. She is the one who should keep her options open.” Max replied.

Kathy looked at Max, “Max, maybe Liz doesn’t want options open any more than you do.”

This was something for Max to think about. He had always assumed that going with him would be limiting her options. Truthfully, he hadn’t ever understood that she might be just as sure of him as he felt about her.

They had turkey dinner and then in the afternoon, they had turkey sandwiches. Max was glad that he would be going back before Aunt Kathy got out her book for one hundred ways to fix turkey the rest of the week.

The Crashdown closed at about six that evening. Liz had been serving and helping out all day and she was dead on her feet. Max came in just before closing time. As they were just ushering out the last customers. Max helped Liz pick up the chairs and put them on the tables so the floor could be mopped. As soon as everyone had cleared out the Parkers and Max went upstairs to the living area.

The Parkers excused them selves so they could shower and change. “Max, do you want something to eat?” Liz asked from her bedroom.

“Er..no thanks, I couldn’t face any more turkey today,” Max replied.

Liz in her robe, hair still wet, ducked her head into the living room, “Max, we have been serving turkey all day. For us it is pizza tonight,” Liz was laughing.

Jeff came out dressed in slacks and polo shirt, the shower having taken a lot of the pain out of his body, “Max, I need help to carry in the pizzas.”

Max walked down the stairs and there was a young man at the door with three large pizzas. Jeff paid him and set them out on a table. While he was doing this he looked at Max, “How long do you intend to keep up the engagement?”

Max almost choked. Jeff just laughed, “Liz told me what you said to the custom authorities.”

Max was sweating, “Jeff I told the authorities that I was her fiancé because they would release her to me easier.”

“That is okay, Max. Liz told me about the problem and I thank you for being there for her,” Jeff said.

“Jeff, we are seeing each other, but we only go on study dates. I want her to be sure what she wants to do and be there for her, but not interfere in her life.” Max stated.

Jeff got serious for a minute, “Max, you are interfering in her life. Just being there is interfering or rather influencing her life. Max, if you like Liz then you are going to have to make yourself clear to her. I promised Nancy that I wouldn’t say anything to affect your’s and Liz’s relationship, but just between us guys. you are going to have to allow Liz to know your feelings and make her own decision.” Jeff intoned. “You must quit trying to make it for her.”

Max took a deep breath, “Aunt Kathy said I didn’t know much about women.”

“Max, by the time you know something about women, you are usually too old to use this knowledge,” Jeff laughed.

The evening was very relaxed. “One rule for thanksgiving, Max, no one mentions turkey,” Jeff was leaning against one wall sitting in a booth.

Nancy, sitting on the other side, smiled as she broke the rule, “We have seen enough turkey until next year.”

The juke box was playing an oldie, picked by Jeff. Max and Liz slowly danced in the cleared area. Pretty soon, Jeff got up the energy to hold out his hand to Nancy and the two couples slow danced as they completed the festive season. Jeff and Nancy announced that they were going to bed because they had to get up to open the Crashdown early tomorrow. Liz was only helping for the holiday, so she would be not be working tomorrow. She and Max would have the day to themselves. Friday night, though the group had agreed to gather at the Crashdown, after it closed.

Maria, Michael and Kyle! Her family was expanding faster than she could keep up with. Kyle’s father Jim Valenti and Maria’s mother, plainly, were more than just friends. Since her daughter was now away at school, Amy DeLuca felt she had done her duty in raising her child. Now, she was starting to let others into her life. She and Kyle’s father, the sheriff, had known each other since high school. Amy had been the wild one and Jim had been the antagonist who she had seen as a thorn in her side. Now, he seemed different. He was just as lonely as she was. With Kyle in college it also left him ready to move on in his life. Michael felt that he should just keep out of things. He even suggested to Maria that she let her mother find her own happiness, but Maria from the years of her mother worrying about her, felt that now, she must worry about her mother. Kyle liked Maria as a friend, but he was used to the bachelor character of his father’s house when he was home. He saw this threatened. At first, he was resentful and then, he was thoughtful about how long Jim had missed having someone with him after his mother left. Kyle intended to go to Stacy’s that thanksgiving night. He would give his father as much space as his father had always given him growing up. When Maria was the most disturbed, Michael just pulled her to him. Maria began to think that since her mother moved on she, Maria would have the same privilege, also.

Tess was the one who thought that Roswell had just grown too small. She wasn’t part of any of the crowds and, maybe, never had been. Going with Kyle had given her a circle of friends, but now her interest was in the sorority and the avenues it was opening. Her parents were excited that she was doing so many things at school. They saw her experiences as very positive.

Corina was with her family. They were teasing her about her gringo boyfriend. Mamma and papa were pleased that she was doing so well at school. She told them about John and how shy he was. Mamma told her how awkward papa had been when he started to court her. She told how her brothers scared him so much, that she was frightened he would run away and not return. Corina told them that she wanted them to meet John, but she would poison any of them who tried to scare him away. Then, she talked about how much John knew about the computer systems. As she went on and on, Mamma reached under the table and caught papa’s hand. She squeezed it as they both realized how much their daughter was growing up. They also noticed how much happier Corina was this thanksgiving vacation and seemed not be as lonesome at school as they knew she had been last year.

Friday night, the group gathered at the Crashdown and with chips and soft drinks. They talked about college and returning home and things in general. Since Liz no longer though her life, as she knew it, was over she told about her trip into Mexico. She had told her father, but she still hadn’t told her mother. The group woo’d and awaa’d over her story. Stacy had never been with this group before. Her cheerleader friends had moved on and she was enjoying the company of Kyle. She told about turning her ankle on the jogging track and how Kyle carried her books for two weeks afterward.

Liz
Max had some sort of talk with my father. Neither he nor Daddy will tell me what they said to each other. Daddy was very worried when I told him about Mexico. He is proud of my grades and I think he really likes Max. When I ask him, he just says he will wait and see. Tonight, we are all together. Isabel and Alex, Maria and Michael, and even Kyle and Stacy. Stacy has become a good friend to Kyle. She is going to be a grade school teacher. Maria and Kyle were talking about them being brother and sister. That is just weird. They think so too. Every one is going to head back either tomorrow, Saturday or the next day, Sunday. Monday is the start of the home stretch for the first semester. Tomorrow, Max and I are going on a picnic for just the two of us.

Story
It was early Saturday morning. Max drove to the Crashdown. “Hey Max,” José called out. “How is school?”

“Pretty good, but I would rather be the teacher than the student,” Max returned.

“She is waiting for you,” José smiled. “She has been up since the place opened. You guys have a good time.”

“We will, José,” Liz said as she came out of the back of the restaurant carrying a basket of food. She caught Max’s arm and they went out to his pickup.

They headed about ten miles east of Roswell to Bitter Lakes. This was a wildlife refuge and the main attraction was waterfowl. They found a spot where they could watch the birds landing and taking off. The incessant cackling was a background to the sight. The weather was pleasant. Max turned to Liz, “Our relationship has got to be one that stories are made about. First, I am your teacher and then I run around with a bunch of teenagers and now we are colleagues in classes at the university.”

“And you not only taught me so much in class, but you were always there when I was in trouble like at the prom and the Mexico trip,” Liz added.

“Liz, I just want to say that I am growing to like you a lot,” Max felt awkward, but as Aunt Kathy said he had to get it out someway. Max stood and looked out across the mash at the thousands of birds. The birds were all repeating what was in their hearts. Why was it so hard for him? “Liz, it is so much easier for kids in high school, but we aren’t kids anymore, neither of us. What I am trying to say is, I want you with me as long as you still want to be.” Max looked at Liz. To him, this just sounded like poorly written and delivered speech. But that was what real life was. Trying to convey feelings without the polish of a professional oration. Max waited to see how Liz would react.

“Max, I always feel that I am just a kid that is tagging along with you. I never knew whether or not you ever took me seriously. I feel that you might want to find older girls at school, and yet, I do not want to loose you,” Liz was as awkward as Max.

Max, in his mind, had always thought of finding the girl that, maybe, would want to share the things he loved like education, the outdoors and family. It was just in his mind that this was always seen as a declaration that was wrapped in all sorts of beautiful words. It was not this stumbling declarations of two young people who still couldn’t express their feelings eloquently.

Max hugged Elizabeth and they spent the rest of the day watching the birds. The birds were doing just fine in their talking, but Max and Liz were working through their insecurities.

It was dark when they returned to Roswell. Max dropped Liz off at the Crashdown. As they said good night Liz stated, “Max, I will quit being afraid of you finding someone else, if you will do the same. If we break up, it happens, but until then, I want to count on you and I want you to count on me.” With that, they kissed tenderly and made arrangements to see each other Sunday morning to leave for Las Cruces together

The Slave Girl
this an original story. it is in four parts. let me know if you like it. All of the parts will be posted at:
Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

Stories by ken_r

There is a discussion about rape. There have been rapes on college campuses mostly caused by girls visiting the local bars with out someone to take care of them. Colleges are trying ot offer better lighting, better patrols and warn ladies about being alone. This is a tragity of our times. This story ended well but many of them art tragic.


Chapter 20

Two weeks and finals was the mantra for those back at school. The first weeks after thanksgiving, everyone was back preparing for their grades which for many were the first they were to get in college. Max was working so much that the only time Liz had with him was when they were studying together. The next weekend, Katherine came to Liz, “Liz, Allie is 21 this week. We are going to all go out with her to celebrate. I have two false school Identities. Come and go with us tonight. They do not really look closely at the IDs at the Dancing Girl Bar. You have been cooped up all week. Your Mr. Wonderful is working on preparing his finals, so come on. We will have a good time.”

Liz just shook her head, “No, Katherine I am going to study and I do not want to get into any more trouble.”

“Aww come on Liz there is no chance of getting into trouble. The worst that can happen is that you get stopped and have to call a cab to come home,” Katherine was so certain.

Liz was just as certain. She didn’t want to get into trouble and Katherine’s schemes were beginning to appear as just that. Katherine left, but she made it clear that she thought that Liz was just chicken and afraid to go out and have a fun time.

It was well after Midnight when Katherine stumbled back to the dorm. She was obviously drunk. She was trying to sing and Liz tried as hard as she could to get Katherine into bed. Finally, Katherine was a sleep. Liz was glad it was a Saturday night. She would have hated to face class on as little sleep as she was getting. It was almost four o’clock in the morning when there was a knocking on their dorm door. Liz put her pillow over her head and hoped the person would just go away. The knocking was incessant, so finally, Liz got up and went to the door. When she opened the door, she had the scare of her life. Allie, Katherine’s friend, was standing, there. Her dress badly torn and covered in blood. She was barefoot and trying to hold the dress together. She was crying and, at first, Liz was scarred. Liz called Katherine. Katherine was still nursing a hangover, but Liz just went over and pushed her out of bed onto the floor. Liz brought Allie into the room and sat her on Katherine’s bed. It was several minutes before Katherine became awake enough to make any sense. Obviously, something had happened to Allie. Liz only knew one thing to do and that was to call Max. It took Max almost thirty minutes before he could wake up, dress and drive across town. When he arrived, Katherine had finally been able to wake up the third girl who had gone in Liz’s place. The four girls were waiting for him when Max arrived. He took one look at Allie and stated, “We have to get her to the hospital right now!” Katherine frowned, but she couldn’t think of anything else to do. Liz and Katherine helped Allie into Max’s pickup, and with Katherine and her other friend following, Max drove them the short distance to the other side of the freeway to the Lovelace hospital. Lovelace was one of the older hospital and research institutions in New Mexico. Max knew that Katherine probably had no business driving, but he was most concerned with getting Allie to the emergency room. Liz and Max got her out of the truck where they were met at the door by an orderly. Allie was taken into the emergency area, but Katherine, her friend, Max and Liz were left in the waiting room. A nurse came back to the young people and asked for personal informations on Allie. She was told that Allie was a student at NMSU and she had been out partying last night for her birthday. It was about an hour later when a lady came by from the Las Cruces Police Department. She introduced her self as Detective Garcia, police special victim’s unit. She saw immediately that Katherine and her friend had been drinking, but that was not her concern at the moment. She started with Max because obviously, he was the oldest.

“My girl friend called me to tell me that her friend was hurt and asked if I could come over to her dorm as soon as possible,” Max said.

Then, she went to Liz, “She just knocked at my dorm door and all I could think to do was call Max. She was celebrating her twenty-first birthday.”

Katherine, then was called on to continue the narrative, “We were in the Dancing Girl bar. Allie was drinking pretty heavily. She was dancing with two guys. I do not really know who they were or what they really looked like. Allie came over to tell us that she was going to go out with one of them. We argued about this and that was the last we saw of her.”

Detective Garcia had seen this so many times before. Girls, the first time away from home and making stupid decisions. They were going to keep Allie for a while, but Katherine and her friend wanted to wait for her. Max took Liz back to dorm. “No Max, I do not want to spend the rest of the morning alone in the dorm. Please, let me grab some clothes and take me to your place,” Liz pleaded. Max waited a few minutes until Liz returned. They drove in silence to his apartment. Liz had picked up a change of clothes, but she had forgotten night clothes.

“Liz, if you want, wear some of my boxer shorts and there is probably a T-shirt that would be comfortable. Max had a queen-sized bed. Liz climbed into it and Max prepared to move to the couch.

“No Max, please, I do not want to be alone. Please, just stay with me,” Liz pleaded.

Max stripped down to his boxers and undershirt and climbed into bed beside her. It felt funny to be in bed with Liz. He did not intend to do anything to scare her. Liz was already scared. She curled up close to Max and, in a few minutes, she was asleep. Max himself drifted off and it was ten o’clock before they awakened again. Liz was spooned against Max and he could see that she had been crying. He carefully separated himself from her, and taking some clean clothes, he showered and dressed in the bathroom. Liz woke while Max was in his kitchen fixing eggs and coffee, so she showered and dressed.

As Liz was sitting at Max’s table she told him, “All I could think of last night was Craig Leever. If Isabel and Maria hadn’t run him off, I could have been like Allie. I guess we could have called Campus Police, but I wanted you with me the minute I saw her. Katherine wanted me to go with her to celebrate Allie’s twenty-first birthday. There was a time when I might have gone because I do not like being alone and doing things seems to be the way to not be alone.” Liz knew she was sounding foolish, but with Max she felt she could sound foolish and not be judged. Maybe, that was why she didn’t want him to take that implied option and find other girls, but she wanted him to be always close. Liz felt secure with Max. This was the first time she had ever slept in a bed with a man. Although nothing happened she was glad he had a bed to offer her for security. It was more than a bed. He had offered her security by being there for her so many times now. Liz had many things to think about as Max fixed breakfast. There was a time last summer she admitted that she had almost big brother feelings toward him. True, Max was a little older, but he clearly wasn’t sophisticated. She remembered how he stumbled over their first kiss. She also remembered that he cared enough to get help to correct her disappointment of his clumsy behavior afterward. She remembered how many times he always came when she was in trouble, even when she was in his class. Again, the clumsy declaration of wanting her with him that he had made at Bitter Lake. Liz knew that you were supposed to hunt through your youth until you found a person that you want to spend your life with. Early loves usually prove false. But, when you do find a man, no matter what your age, who protects you, never judges you and declares he wants to be with you, is it all right to quit hunting and start living. Liz no longer had any sibling feelings toward Max. Liz said half joking, “Maybe I should just move in with you permanently.”

Max with his very serious amber eyes said, “Liz I think that is an idea that we maybe should talk about Please understand I am not against it, but let’s make sure we are ready for that step.”

It was Sunday afternoon when Max took Liz back to her dorm. When Liz unlocked the door, Katherine hugged her. Katherine had been crying. Katherine also hugged Max. “Mr. Wonderful, I do not know what we would do without you,” Katherine repeated again and again.

Max was a little embarrassed. Katherine held Liz’s hands. “Can you ever forgive me? I seem to keep getting you into my messes,” she said. Katherine really didn’t want Liz to be mad at her. It was just that Katherine’s plans, unlike Isabel’s, always went awry.

After Max left, Katherine asked, “Where did you go last night? I was a little scared when I didn’t find you here when we came home this morning.”

Liz looked at Katherine I stayed with Max. Katherine’s eyes got big. “Oh, so that is how it is.”

“No, Katherine, I just stayed with Max. I don’t think anything would happen unless I wanted it to. We slept in the same bed, but that is all we did,” Liz explained.

“Did you want something to happen?” Katherine inquired.

“Well, maybe a little bit, but I had an experience at my senior prom that was worrying me. I was attacked by my prom date and it was Max’s cousin Isabel and our friend Maria who ran him off. After that, Max took me home and explained what had happened to my parents,” Liz said, still thinking what might have happened if she didn’t have good friends.

Katherine shook her head, “You make him sound so perfect. Does he have any flaws?”

Liz nodded sadly, “He is terrified of hurting me and he doesn’t understand that I am not that fragile. Sometimes, I wish he would just grab me and not give me any choice as to what would happen, but that will never be. I do not think he would treat any woman that way.”

Chapter 21

Finals came. Grades were posted on the doors of the classrooms. There were moans and sighs of relief. Mortality in freshmen life could be as high as forty percent. Some of them would bow to probation and others would look to another direction for their calling. Liz came into her room and faced a tearful Katherine. “Liz, I haved failed two courses. I never did this before. I don’t know if my parents will let me stay in school or not.”

Katherine, you are going to have to face your parents but one of your failures is in freshman English. I know a man who could tutor you. Your other failure is in Biology. Max and I can help you in biology,” Liz informed her. “You are going to have to be more serious in your classes if you intend to stay in school.”

Katherine looked up at Liz, “I would have thought you would be happy to see me fail. I was so hard on you for not going out more.”

Katherine, I just wish you would be a little more studious. I envy you many times when you can just let go and do things. I don’t envy you when things go astray,” Liz responded.

Katherine was laughing through her tears, “Maybe, we will have a better next semester.”

Max and Liz drove into Roswell. Max’s parents would be at the Jonathan Evans’ place so Max had intended to take a motel room. They were met at the Crashdown by Jeff, “Max, we have made arrangements for you to stay with us, in the guest room. It was Kathy Evans who asked us. In fact, we have decided that both of the Evans familes and the Parkers will have Christmas dinner together.”

Max raised his eyebrows, but it was clear that Liz had been in on the suggestion that he stay with them. He wondered how the organization of the three families having Christmas dinner together was arranged. Max was also wondering how his mother and Isabel were getting along. He knew that his mother tended to hold a grudge for a long time.

Max was to learn that the logistics of staying with his girl friend’s parents would be interesting. There were two bathrooms in the Parker living quarters. One bathroom and shower was in the main bedroom and the other was in the hall right beside the room Max would be staying at and just down from Liz’s room with it’s balcony that could be reached from a door or through her bedroom window. Neither Max nor Liz had brothers or sisters, so sharing facilities would be interesting. Liz had entertained overnight guests before, but they had always been girl friends. Having Max that close was reminiscent of the night she had stayed with him in Cruces. It gave Liz a funny feeling having him that close for a whole two weeks.

It was even more weird, when the family went to bed that night. Max walked Liz to her room. He kissed her and she went into her bedroom. When she heard him using the bathroom and brushing his teeth, she had all sorts of visions. When it was quiet, she quickly looked out into the hall, Then she went to the bathroom. Max, from his room, also had visions of Liz. He was wondering what it would be like to share a home with her. What would it be like to share their studying, their meals and their lives? Max shook his head. He was still almost four years older than Liz and maybe he was more desirous of a home and family life than she. Max had all sorts of visions of Liz, some of them even erotic. It was going to be a long two weeks.

Max had a bathrobe that he seldom wore. He was lucky that he had even brought it. He had heard the Parkers get up earlier. He heard no other sounds, so he dressed in his robe went into the bathroom to take his shower. He was just finishing and heading back to his room when Liz appeared in her doorway. They quickly kissed as they passed in the hall. Max dressed and went down to the restaurant for breakfast. The waitress on duty quickly brought Max a cup of coffee and took his order. Jeff stuck his head into the restaurant area, “Morning Max, what will you have for breakfast?”

“Good morning, Jeff. Eggs, scrambled will be fine,” Max answered.

About that time Liz came down. Her hair was still damp and she smelled of scented soap. Max thought that she was the most beautiful sight he had seen. On the morning she had stayed with him, they had both been so upset he had not really let all of his senses or his thoughts roam. Liz leaned over and kissed him as she sat down beside him. “Morning Daddy, the usual, please.”

Jeff smiled at his daughter, “Did you miss the restaurant cooking at school, Hon?”

“Yes daddy, I also missed being home with all of you guys,” Liz said.

Jeff turned to Max, “What is your morning usually like Max?”

“Well, Jeff, I usually grab a cup of coffee and, then, it is toast as I run,” Max replied. “Then, I get something, if I have time, just before my lab, if it a Tuesday or Thursday.”

Max and Liz were laughing as they ate together. Jeff wondered how many times they had breakfasted together. Or maybe, they both caught that cup of coffee on the run as they hurried to class. Jeff caught himself. Liz was over eighteen and she was able to make up her own decisions. He was thinking about his own younger life. The stolen nights he had with Nancy when she could get away from her parents and the weekends they shared when Nancy’s parents were out of town. Well, he and Nancy had been married almost twenty-one years. If Max became Liz’s choice, he hoped they would have as many good years as he and Nancy had.

Liz wanted to go shopping. She and Max were preparing to be there when the stores opened. Nancy came in just as they were leaving. Nancy leaned over to kiss Jeff good morning, “Are you remembering when we were young?” Jeff asked.

“Yes, I am, I just hope they are as sure as we were,” Nancy sighed as she also thought of the time when she had decided that Jeff was the one she wanted to make her life with. On one hand, she would prefer that Liz never grow up and always be her little girl. But growing up was mandatory and Max was a great young man. Nancy had brief visions of what he would be like as a son-in-law.

When Diane and Philip Evans arrived, Isabel disappeared. The first thing Diane asked was, “Where is Isabel?”

Kathy just laughed. They were put up in the guest room. By the time Isabel came home, Diane had calmed down a little. Isabel smiled, “Aunt Diane, it is so good to see you. Had you heard that Max and Liz are going together?”

Diane glared at Isabel, “Is she of legal age now?”

Isabel said, “Of course, Aunt Diane, I wouldn’t want Max to get in trouble and you know what a charming creature Elizabeth is!”

Diane harrumphed. She just didn’t like to think a little girl like Isabel could out think her, a grown woman.

The Evans’ would make all of the side dishes and the Parkers would make the Christmas turkey. They would eat at the Crashdown which was always closed on Christmas day. Jeff would be fixing a turkey for himself for the first time in several years. The Parkers usually didn’t have Christmas dinner and they usually enjoyed a sleep in. This year was different. With their Liz interested in the Evans boy, they felt that the two or now three families should celebrate together. Max had bought a pair of diamond stud earrings for Liz. He had also found a ladies Seiko watch. Liz had bought him a large collection of Jazz CDs that she knew he would enjoy. They both were invited to have breakfast at the Evans home. Max was worried that his mother might be sarcastic, but when she saw Liz, she was the picture of pleasantry. Philip and Diane gave Max an Ipod and a subscription to Nature Magazine, a very expensive science magazine for professionals. Liz was playing with the Ipod when Diane took a leather bag out of her purse. “Liz, this is for you.”

Liz opened the bag and saw a gold chain with a cameo carving. It was of a seascape, complete with ships, mountains and beach. Liz was totally speechless, because Max’s mother cared enough about her to give her such a beautiful present. She just didn’t know what to say.

“It has been a tradition for the Evans, mothers to give a cameo like this to the girl friends of their sons.” With that, Diane pulled at the chain around her neck and showed Liz the cameo, that so many years ago, she had been given. Kathy left to go back to her bedroom. In a few minutes, when she returned, she also was holding her cameo presented, like Diane’s, by Jonathan’s and Philip’s mother.

Diane hugged Liz and Isabel smiled. She was so good. She just couldn’t believe herself. Kathy frowned at Izzy and whispered, “Let’s not get carried away with our self. There is still a long way to go to an alter.”

The Evans’ packed the side dishes in Max’s truck. He and Liz drove over to the Crashdown. It had been difficult enough last year to have two women directing the Christmas dinner. Especially, since they were sisters-in-law. Now, you had three women and Jeff, as the chef, all working around the table trying to prepare the feast. Max, Isabel and their fathers felt that the best place for them was on the periphery, willing to carry out requests for aid, but otherwise, keeping very quiet. Liz stood with Max. This was one of the first times she could remember her parents fixing dinner on Christmas. They usually looked forward to this one day of rest.

The three families, surprisingly, enjoyed each other’s company. Max, Liz and Isabel were carefully watching to see how they would get along. Max’s mother did turn to Liz and asked, “My dear, how are you enjoying college? Is it all you hoped for when we talked last Christmas?”

Liz smiled back in return, “So far, all of my dreams from last year are coming true.”

Again, Isabel thought of her expertise in planning. Even her mother’s frown did not dampen her pride.

Kyle and Maria were setting the table for their dinner. This holiday had been, for them, an exercise in trying out the experience of being siblings. It was not, yet, a fact, but both of them knew that their respective parents had been lonesome for some time. Kyle’s father had not had much of a social life. Being sheriff kept him busy over a broad range of his time. Not too many women would put up with him long enough to form a lasting relationship. The interesting part was that Amy Deluca and Jim Valenti had a love-hate relation that had lasted since high school. Amy had been very wild and the law enforcement bent of Jim seemed destined to thwart her many ventures. Now, they could talk about the time Jim jumped his motorcycle over a low spot in a field that just happened to be occupied by Amy and her current boyfriend making love in what they thought was a safe refuge. They could also laugh when Amy and her hippy friends tried to save a rock carving that the local Native American tribe, itself, was trying to get removed. Jim had arrested Amy more to simply irritate her than to really protect the law. There was the beer bust that Jim and some of his buddies had thrown. They were loudly drinking singing and telling lies about their prowess with the opposite sex when Amy and her friends, just becoming aware of their feminine identity, felt obligated to pelt them with clods and stones while yelling chants about woman power and femininity. Amy and Jim didn’t need the time to get to know each other. They just needed time to outgrow the juvenile abrasions they had experienced and allow them to turn to affection and finally to love.

Kyle and Maria had never dated, a fact that both were now glad about. It would be just too weird, if their parents did get married, to have experienced that. As their parents were spending so much time together, Kyle and Maria had taken time to talk like brother and sister about their respective lives. Kyle learned how much Maria was starting to depend on Michael. He was seeing, for the first time, that Michael wasn’t just a boy from the other side of the tracks. Rather, he was a man, who had struggled with odds, Kyle himself couldn’t hope to understand. He had become self sufficient and able give to Maria both the stability she had needed from her absent father, and also, the love she craved from a boyfriend. Kyle had talked, of course, to other boys about girls, but it seemed strange to talk to Maria about his feelings about Tess and how he was beginning to see Stacy in an entirely different light.

Yes, Kyle we all understand what you saw in Tess. She fills out her dresses in ways every boy would love,” Maria said ruefully.

“Maria, that was, of course, what attracted me to he,r but Tess, also, has a gentler side. We talked about our hopes for the future and about the classes we were taking,” Kyle told her.

“Yes, when you weren’t trying to get into her pants and check out her body,” Maria snorted in disgust.

Kyle laughed, “Yes, that is probably true. Most of our talk about the future was about her.” Then, Kyle got serious, “You know, when I met Stacy, she was a girl in distress. My only thoughts at the time were of trying to get Max to drive over to help her. We sat in the infirmary for two hours. Then, I helped her back to her dorm. We talked about my working with the junior high team and her desires to teach school. We found we both wanted to work with kids. We discovered that we had a lot in common. Of course, I knew she was an attractive girl. I had been watching her as a cheerleader at Roswell High for four years, but after the time I spent with her in the infirmary, I only thought of her as person who wanted many of the things the same as I did.”

Kyle thought, “Shit, I wouldn’t say any of these things to the guys. What would they say about this feelings stuff? I would only say that I wanted to bang her and they would all say ‘Yeah, Yeah!’ Maybe, this part of having a sister will have its advantages after all.”

Maria was thinking, “Kyle is almost human. I thought he was a walking prick, but he does seem to have more substance than he ever allowed others to see.”

Tess always took after her mother. Her mother had been in a sorority. She was happy that Tess was taking this step. Tess mentioned that she had lost her boyfriend, but neither she nor her mother believed that was a big deal. The Greek life would offer Tess many opportunities to advance herself. The social life offered would be beneficial to Tess as she went through college. The cost was that she would have to loose some of the ties she had made in Roswell High School.

Alex was full of conversation as he talked with his parents. They were always a laid back family. They were happy that Alex had found a girl friend, as long as it didn’t interfere with his school. They were truly happy about his friendship with John, his roommate. Alex was making good grades and they were proud of him. They knew the Evans family and thought that Alex’s association with the Evans’ girl would be good for him.

John Sheriod told his parents that he had been dating. Both his mother and father were surprised because they both knew that John was very shy. John told them about his roommate. They had met Alex when he came home with John a few times. John told his parents that the times he came back to Albuquerque, he had been dating with a girl. It had been set up by Alex’s girl friend. Both parents thought that it was ironic that their son had to come home to find a girlfriend. They also were pleased when John told them about her interest in computers and applications.

Corina Martinez was again talking about John Sheriod. She wanted him to meet her family. Mamma suggested she invite him to come to their house during spring break. Corina didn’t miss the look between her brothers and, again, she threatened them with many bad things if they scared John away. Both she and John enjoyed the season with their respective families but they both longed to get back to school and take time to further explore their new found relationship.

Kyle met both of Stacy’s parents. Stacy Kosglosky, born of second generation Polish parents. Both parents were teachers. Her father taught Math in the junior high in Roswell, while her mother was a special Education teacher in grade school. When they heard that Stacy had a new boyfriend, they sighed. She had always dated athletes at school. Some of them worried her parents. When they met Kyle, her father, Stan, at least remembered him from the Roswell team. Kyle presented a much different character when they were able to talk to him in person. Kyle wanted to work with high school or junior high children as a coach, or in the training of athletes in some way. Stacy told them the story about turning her ankle. She had omitted that story Thanksgiving when she had simply told them she had a new boyfriend. They were also impressed that the teacher, what was his name? Evans, had returned to campus and taken their daughter to the infirmary. Stacy was growing up. She was still determined to be a teacher and, so far, she was doing well in college. By the way, one of her teachers in biology, was, again, Mr. Evans.

It was different with Liz’s roommate, Katherine. Her parents were disappointed that she had failed two classes. Her father had a long talk with her about being sure she wanted to remain in college. Katherine was sure that, given a chance, she could bring up her grades. She told her parents about the promises her roommate had made to get tutoring help for her. She went on to talk about Liz and how she worked so hard. Katherine promised that she would more closely follow Liz’s pattern next semester. Both of her parents wanted her to go to college, but Katherine had never been as serious as they would have liked.

Jeff had always had a tradition that on New Year’s Eve he would have a party for retirees. It was a low-cost affair where the tickets seldom even covered the cost of the food served. Liz had always helped. So this year, Max was also a part of the tradition. It’s greatest property was that New Year’s Eve was celebrated at ten o’clock. That gave the elders time to get back home so they could be in bed and asleep by eleven. When Liz appeared back from college, the regulars at the Crashdown made a fuss over her. Several of the women whispered, “Wasn’t that the handsome teacher from Roswell High that was helping this year.” Liz explained, “we are both students at Las Cruces this year and yes, he is my boyfriend.”

Several of the women whispered, “Don’t let that one go. He is good looking. He can easily get a job and he would be a strong husband.” They would then pat her hand and wink as they sauntered into the restaurant.

Max was exposed to the whole treatment from the bingo and line dancing to resolutions and the burning of last year’s problems. By eleven, they were finished. With Max’s help, they finished at least thirty minutes faster than normal. Liz kissed her dad for a happy new year. Then she and Max went out. They stopped at the Evans house. Diane and Philip had already gone home. Kathy privately told Max that his mother was even more convinced that she really liked that Liz Parker girl. Isabel whispered that she really believed she was infallible. Alex was there as were his parents. The Whitmans deciding that they would be part of the Jonathan Evans’ family at least for a while. Kyle and Maria had told Max that they would be at a party with Jim and Amy. Max and Liz stopped there for a few minutes. It was getting close to midnight, when Max drove out of town to a little park. He and Liz sat with the radio on listening to a recording of Benny Goodman on the radio as the announcer counted down to the new year. Max reached through his window into the back cab. He withdrew a bottle of sparkling cider and he poured two classes, one for himself and one for Liz. “Liz, you were a student that filled me with pride. You became a friend who I have come to enjoy being with. You are also becoming a part of me that I do not ever want to loose,” With this he and Liz drank their glasses of cider and then they engaged in a long and passionate kiss. When they broke apart, Max said, “Someday, I am not going to be able to leave things with just a kiss. Someday, I am going to want to take more. It is not going to be in the seat of a car, but rather, somewhere that we can make memories for all of our lives.”

Liz looked at him, “Max, someday I am going to hold you to those promises.”

Max started his truck and they drove back to the Crashdown. They had two more weeks before the dorms would be open. He was going to take off for Las Cruces with the promise that he would return and pick up Liz to take her back to school. Liz looked at him and smiled, “I could just go and stay at your house.”

Max looked at her. He was serious as he said, “Remember that is one of the things we should to talk about this spring or maybe, even sooner.”
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The Slave Girl
this an original story. it is in four parts. let me know if you like it.
1
part 1The Slave Girl

2
part 2 Wife and Lady

3
part 3 Jenny’s Pride

4
part 4 Oliver The Dream Complete

All of the parts will be posted at:
Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

Stories by ken_r

Chapter 22

Katherine had the dubious honor of retaking English 101 and Biology 101. She was lucky because the departments didn’t change the texts over the winter break. Liz introduced her to Michael. When she learned of how hard he had worked to get to college, she offered to pay him at the going rate for tutoring. At first, Michael felt that he was doing Liz a favor, but when Liz convinced him that Katherine’s parents could afford it, he accepted the pay. He needed it. Maria would stay over with Michael sometimes. They were getting very close. As she began to loosen her dependency upon her mother, she became closer to Michael. Michael secretly was terrified that he might loose Maria. He had never before known the love she gave to him. Not only the physical love, but also the deep down love of his soul. Michael had only been kicked around and he had built up a hard exterior to defend himself. The first friend he had ever had was probably Mr. Evans. Max had convinced him that there was a world that he could have a piece of, if he worked hard. Now, Maria had shown him that there was a person who could mean more to him than anyone or anything else. Michael had come a long way since the beginning of his senior school year.

Kyle had a red mustang. His dad hadn’t let him take it to the university during the first semester. This time going back, he and Stacy rode in it together. Kyle smiled because Stacy’s father had shaken his hand and accepted him as a man to whom he was entrusting with his daughter. Kyle truthfully, probably, never got past Tess’s physical assets. With Stacy, it had been sometime before he even thought about, how pretty she was physically. Truthfully, no shit, Kyle thought more about what she said than of how she looked. Stacy no longer had thoughts of seducing Mr. Evans. If she, Stacy, couldn’t have him, she was glad such a nice person as Liz was his girl friend. Now Kyle, was going to be in the education field. Just like her parents, who each had the same time off and had similar interests, Stacy could think of a person like Kyle as one she could be with for a long time.

Now, up north where the Ice Queen held court, Isabel had made excellent grades. She had been reading many of Corina’s books and she was thinking about something in marketing or advertising. Her father had never encouraged her to enter law, but she wanted to be doing something to influence people. After listening to Corina, John and Alex, Isabel was deciding that she wanted to, someway, be involved in public influence using computer skills. When Isabel told her father, he bought her a Macintosh power book with the applications she would need to become involved in several new classes she was taking.

Tess could now be called an active member of her sorority. She moved into the sorority house. She seldom saw Kyle, but she, also was very busy with her studies and her sorority duties. She was finding many more of the things the sorority offered. They had members who would help her through certain courses. They, also, were there to counsel and encourage Tess when she needed it. Slowly, Tess was forgetting Roswell as a new and bigger world opened for her.

Liz was working very hard. She still was carrying a very heavy load. It was her second semester, but because of her AP scores, she was finishing up her sophomore year.

Liz
So much has happened. The first semester was fraught with several happenings that scared me. Max was there when I needed him. I told Katherine that he wasn’t perfect and that I wished he would sweep me off my feet. I don’t really want that. I do not know what I want. I do think Max and I are almost ready for the next step in our relationship. I wasn’t kidding about moving in with him. I would do that in a minute, if he asked me. I still wonder what he was talking to my father about on Thanksgiving. I do know that he no longer keeps asking me if I still want to go with other guys. He says he wants me no matter how much trouble I get into. Ha, the only trouble I have been in was from following Katherine. She is studying a lot more now than she did first semester. She was scared her parents would make her quit college. Michael is talking about being a teacher. I remember when I was afraid of him. Now, he considers me a friend and even offered to tutor Katherine as a favor for me. He would make a great teacher. That is the magic of Max. He can teach, if he wants, and he can go into any other field of research he wants. He can also live with me, if he wants. I know that is what I want. Maybe someday soon?

Story
Kyle was trying to break in a new roommate. The last one just, eventually, went to Juarez and never came back. He did not know what happened, but missing so many classes because he was in Mexico did not help. The new roomie, George, was a bit of an ass. He wanted to borrow every thing Kyle had. They had a disagreement when Kyle refused to loan him the keys to his mustang. Kyle was getting very close to Stacy. They studied together because the George was too noisy for Kyle to study in his dorm. George made a remark about Stacy and that was it. Kyle hit him hard. Kyle well knew that he might get removed from school, but Stacy was just getting too important for Kyle to allow anyone to speak against her. Nothing was ever said and nothing ever came of it. George did tend not to get on Kyle’s bad side after that. Sometimes, Kyle and Stacy would just cuddle in some corner of the sub for a while, talking small talk and just enjoying each other’s company.

Since Maria was spending so much time at Michael’s, she thought that next year she would just move in with him, if that became okay with him. She was sure that it would be. Her music was improving quickly because she was taking lessons. She had always resisted lessons saying she was a natural singer. Now she was learning that the lessons didn’t interfere with her style, but rather, the lessons made whatever she did more professional. She was encouraged to write more and the lessons she had in music theory helped her to learn to write scores with multiple instruments. This second semester, things were going much better for Maria. Once a week, Maria and Kyle met for coffee. Their experience over Christmas showed them that if they became siblings, there would be some advantages. Then, Maria asked, “Why do we have to wait for our parents to marry? If we feel like brother and sister, we should just act like brother and sister.”

At first, Stacy was a little upset, even though Kyle explained to her his feelings for Maria. It was one day when Kyle and Maria were together, that Stacy saw Michael sitting in the Student Union. “Michael, doesn’t it bother you that Kyle is with your girlfriend?” Stacy inquired.

Michael sat there for a minute before answering, “Maria talks to Kyle. She says things to him she is not ready to say to me. She needs that outlet. They really are just friends who someday might be step-siblings. I am glad she has that outlet. Kyle won’t hurt her or repeat things, so he is safe for her to talk to. It is the same for Kyle”

Stacy thought about this for a while. If Michael could be cool with the relationship Maria and Kyle shared, maybe she, Stacy, should be likewise. Stacy noticed that Kyle noticed things that many boys didn’t about her, like her clothes and her feelings. When she asked him, he just said that his sister told him that he should notice such things. Stacy’s roommate was nice, but Stacy would not tell intimate things to her. It looked like she, Stacy, and Kyle might have some real intimacies in the near future.

Liz spent a lot of time with Max. Several times, they went to his apartment to study. Max had been right. The neighborhood was a nice quiet place to study. Liz, walking around sometimes in the afternoon, had met several of the elder residents. She had sat and talked with several retired professors. She was getting to like the area. When they discovered she was Max’s girlfriend, they were even more happy to talk with her. She found that Max was a favorite among the retirees. Liz and Max had talked about what might happen when they took their relationship further. Max wanted her to be sure, but Liz thought some of his reluctance was from his own inexperience. Liz had no experiences and she never asked Max about his earlier love life. She was beginning to believe that he was just as inexperienced as she was. Liz was now on full academic and lottery scholarships. All her expenses were paid, except for some of her books. Max got a stipend from his acceptance into the master’s program. He had saved some of his money from working last year and he received some money from his parents. Liz, privately, had done some figuring on finances. With her two scholarships, would they be able to pool their resources and live together? There were other things to consider. They needed to talk about what they would do if Liz was to become pregnant. She would see her doctor soon about getting a birth control prescription. Still they needed to come to an understanding about the possibility of pregnancy. Would they become a distraction to each other living in such close quarters? How would her parents take it when she announced she was living with Max? How would his parents take it? Liz knew that most young people didn’t worry about these things preferring to take things as they came, but Liz wanted to do the right thing so she made plan after plan. This was what Max loved about her. She was a very responsible person for her age or probably any age.

Alex and John would return to Albuquerque every other week. John’s parents worried a little because the road from Socorro to Albuquerque was lined with the crosses of death, those rode side markers that people erected to remember their loved ones who had been killed in automobile accidents. John and Corina were getting very close. John had never had a girlfriend. Corina had dated in high school, but in college, she felt vulnerable when going out, especially with men from the bigger cities. Back home, there were always her brothers so no man or boy would ever dare to hurt her. She was not that sure of her self in the larger city. Going with Isabel and her boyfriend Corina always felt safe. Isabel said she was infallible and Corina was beginning to believe that she probably was.

Corina had found Isabel an able student on the computer. “I do not care how it works. I just want to be able to do things and make sketches to show my ideas,” that was Isabel’s statement. She was quick on learning, but Isabel was clearly uninterested in learning why the computer worked. That was fine, but what if the computer crashed. Isabel just looked at her and repeated, “I have a very smart boyfriend and a wonderful room mate. If something happens, they will take care of me.”

Between Christmas and spring break, college is usually uneventful. The wild students are either properly chastened by probation or released to seek a vocation in the real world. The regular students, now knowing what is expected of them for the most part were hard at work. Michael was not going to return to Roswell for spring break because he had obligations with the Las Cruces school system in his tutoring program. Kyle also was hard at work with spring sports for his junior high team. Kyle had made arrangements to stay in the dorm over break, but he would be on his own for his meals. Of course, Michael would be in his apartment. Max didn’t know what he was going to do. He didn’t want to stay with his aunt and uncle including his cousin Isabel, but he didn’t really want to stay at a motel the entire week. It was Liz who decided things for him. She brought an invitation from her parents for him to, again, stay with them at the Crashdown. Maria was planning to brave the trip to Roswell alone when Kyle asked her if Stacy could ride home with her. Since this was one of the first requests she had from her step-sibling-to-be she agreed. None of them had any idea what Tess was doing now a days. Tess had successfully shed her Roswell affinity. Her parents would be traveling during that time, so she made arrangements to stay at the sorority house.

Up north, Alex, again made arrangements to pickup Isabelso they could return to Roswell together. John, on the other hand, was going to return to Albuquerque. Then, he and Corina were going to go further north to stay a few days with her family. John was very scared. He had never been in the situation where a girl asked him to meet her family. He knew that many Hispanic families were very close. He also knew that many Hispanics did not like Anglos very much. He liked Corina so much that he was going to brave the dragon and try to impress upon her family how much he cared about her. He stayed at home that night then early the next day, he picked Corina up at her dorm. Isabel and Alex were by this time in Roswell. John and Corina had a four hour trip through Santa Fe, then Espanola and finally, Taos. Taos was a beautiful place, mainly starting out as an art colony and now, a haven for the rich and famous people. North of Taos, the two lane road wound through the hills. Occasionally, to the west, they could see the black mark of the Rio Grande Gorge cutting through the mesa. Finally, they passed several towns, and then drove into the mining town of Questa. The spring air was cold because Questa was pretty high in altitude. Corina’s family lived a little out of town. They had a small farm tended by her father in his spare time and her two brothers. Her third brother and her father both worked for the molybdenum mine, (that funny stuff that is used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.)

They arrived on a Saturday morning, so everyone was home, including the oldest brother who was married and had one son. Normally, he lived just down the road at a place that he had inherited from a relative. They were all speaking Spanish when Corina got out of the car. They hugged her while her mother and father cried. They were so happy to see her. As soon as she was through making greetings, Corina grabbed John’s hand and led him before the family. Secretly, John felt that he was being brought before a tribunal to be judged, and for some part, he was. They all immediately switched to English out of politeness to him. Her father shook hands gently, in the manner of many Spanish men, but her brothers made it a gripping contest until Corina frowned at them. It was her mother who put her arm around John and led him through the family males into the house. John stopped at the trunk of his car and got out Corina’s travel bag as well as his own. He also picked up an open box. He handed the box to Corina’s mother. It held an easter lilly with about five or six buds. They went into the house, John would be bunking with the two younger boys. He deposited his bag and returned to the living room where he found the tribunal assembled.

Corina’s mother opened the inquiry, “What is your major, John?”

“I am a computer engineer with computer writing skills,” he responded.

Corina quickly said, “John has written several programs for me to use in my class.”

Again, Corina’s mother asked, “what year are you in college?”

“I am a junior at Socorro and I intend to attend University of New Mexico for my master’s,” he again responded.

How did you meet our sister?” this was from one of the younger brothers.

“My roommate and her roommate are friends, so they arranged our meeting. We just found that we have so much in common. Corina wants to use computer graphics in marketing and I want to develop applications that help computer artists,” John summarized.

Corina’s mother took a break to bring in some rolled tortillias filled with meat and cheese. Her papa brought in a beer for all of the men. They sat and ate while her mother and father told John a bit about Questa, the mine and the history about their family.

Corina’s father and brothers stood up, “John come with us while Corina and her mother work on supper tonight. We need to check out the farm and you might as well see it.”

Corina frowned at her father and each brother in turn. They pretended they hadn’t seen her, but they knew that life would be its own kind of hell if something happened to John. They left in the Martinez pickup. John and her oldest brother sat in the cab with her father while the two younger brothers were standing in the bed of the truck and holding to the railings at the sides of the truck as they drove down the road. They stopped at a wire gate. As far as John could tell, it was made of several strands of barbed wire nailed to several posts and hooked to the fence post by two loops at the top and bottom. The truck turned off the road and, as far as John could tell, they were driving by imagination.

Corina, her mother and her sister-in-law spent most of the afternoon fixing supper. Corina had told her mother she wanted to fix John a very traditional, southwestern meal. Hot food varies through the southwest. There is no standard. What is served in California is very different from that in Texas. The food in Northern New Mexico is very different from that served further south. Corina was very proud of her heritage and she wanted to share that with her new boyfriend. The choice of spices was subtle, but somewhat different from what he would have had in Albuquerque. She kept looking at the clock. They were gone a bit longer than she had expected them to be. If they hurt John or scared him off, there would be habañero in every ones food. Habañero is one of the hottest peppers even when used in extreme moderation. At last, she heard papas pickup. When she ran outside, she saw only her papa and Rico, her oldest brother, in the cab. She saw John and Eloy looking over the cab standing in the bed of the truck. When they stopped, Corina ran out to meet them. John vaulted out of the bed and was opening the back of the truck. Raphael, one of her other brothers, was sitting in the bed. The first thing Corina saw was that John was not wearing his denim shirt. He just had on his white t-shirt under his light jacket. Eloy and John were helping Raphael out of the truck. His ankle was bandaged in denim. They also had a makeshift crutch. Papa was getting out to help, “Damned perro de las praderas! Raphael was jumping out of the back to get a gate when the ground just gave away. John doesn’t think it is broken. He says he has fixed things like this before. He says to just soak it and see if it is better tomorrow.”

John came to Corina, “My father is a geological surveyor. We used to take refresher courses every three years in first aid. He would sometimes be gone on surveys that lasted several weeks and had to be able to fix most simple sprains.” That country is just full of prairie dog towns. It is hard to walk near one even if you know about them. Raphael had no idea the ground was riddled with holes and tunnels.

They got Raphael into the house where he could soak his ankle. John unwrapped the bandage he had made from his shirt. Papa came in and clapped John on the back, “Come on Juanito, let’s get washed up for dinner.”

Corina felt that her boyfriend had now passed the family test.

Maria and Stacy had a pleasant drive. Maria talked about music and Stacy talked about teaching. Maria had considered a music education career and that still was not completely out of the question. Maria dropped Stacy off at her house and proceeded on to the DeLuca residence. Jim Valenti was there with her mother. They both made every effort to welcome Maria. Maria went to her room and found that her mother had stored several boxes there. That was okay because Maria knew that she would only be there a short time. When she came back, Jim and Amy were sitting on the couch holding hands and gazing into each others eyes. Maria excused herself and said she was going out to see some friends. The loving couple hardly knew that she was gone. Maria went over to the Crashdown. Nancy called out, “Liz, Maria is here.”

Liz and Max came down stairs. “Hi Maria, how was home?” Liz called out.

Maria turned a little red, “Mom and the Sheriff are getting very close.”

The Parkers all laughed. Maria had been gone all fall and now for three months this spring. A lot of things were changing. Max, sensing that Maria needed time with Liz, excused himself and went into the kitchen with Jeff.

“Maria, are things that bad?” Liz queried.

“No, and I am ashamed of my self, but it is hard for me to sit and watch my mother making out,” Maria stated.

“You knew that this was coming, didn’t you?” Liz asked.

“Yes, and I am happy for them. It is just that I only have a few days and I sort of wanted to talk to my mother a little,” Maria said as she looked at the table. This was upsetting. Maria wanted her mother to find someone and the sheriff was better than most of the men she had gotten involved with. “If I decide to go back early, do you think you could give Stacy a ride back?”


The Slave Girl
this an original story. it is in four parts. let me know if you like it.
Part 1 part 1The Slave Girl
Part 2 part 2 Wife and Lady
Part 3 part 3 Jenny’s Pride
Part 4 part 4 Oliver The Dream Complete

All of the above parts will be posted at: Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

Stories by ken_r

Chapter 23

The Parkers were starting to accept Max as one of the family. Nancy had asked Liz, “What are your feelings about Max?”

At first, Liz refused to talk with her mother about this. Liz had always had a lot of trouble talking to her parents. Finally, she thought that maybe she should prepare them for what ever might happen in the future.

“Max and I are together almost all of the time. If Max asks me, I will move in with him,” Liz waited to see what her mother would say.

Nancy just nodded her head, “And what do you propose to do about your education?”

“Max would want me to complete my education, no matter what,” Liz replied. “He feels very strongly about me completing school.”

Nancy just nodded, “If you live with him, what will you do if you get pregnant?”

“Mom, Max and I will take all of the precautions possible. If I get pregnant, it will be difficult, but we could still both finish school. It just might take a few years longer. I intend to see the doctor soon to get a prescription for birth control,” Liz looked at her mother to see how she was reacting. Liz knew that even if it was hard to talk to her now, it would be worse if she started living with Max without preparing her parents. The thing was, Liz and Max hadn’t even been intimate yet, but Liz was sure it was just a matter of time. A girl like Liz always thought ahead if she could.

With out saying anything to Max, Liz made an appointment with a gynecologist. She had a complete exam and got a shot to prevent cervical cancer, She settled on a prescription for the pill over the many choices for birth control.

Max found himself hanging out with Jeff. Liz seemed to have several things that were occupying her mind. Maria had returned to Las Cruces after being home for three days. Maria told everyone that she needed to get back to study, but truthfully, she was very uncomfortable at home with Jim and Amy.

Max found Liz very preoccupied this time when they were at home. He figured she would tell him about what was on her mind when she was ready.

Maria drove straight to Michael’s apartment. He was always glad to see her, but this time, he sensed she was upset. “Michael, I want the best for my Mom. I just am so not ready to view her love life,” Maria stated.

Michael just smiled, “Now you know how she felt when she was so worried about you these many years.”

“Can I stay here until school starts?” Maria asked as she put her arms around his neck. She and Michael had already slept together several times. Maria made an appointment to see a gynecologist in Las Cruces. If she were going to avoid going home, she would need to have better protection than just using a condom.

Due to having only a single parent, Maria would qualify for one of the many work study programs working around the university. With what she had saved up, if he agreed, she could move in with Michael and they would do the college thing together next semester.

After four days, John felt he should head home. What had started out to be a difficult situation, turned out to be one of the most pleasant adventures of his life. After his first aid knowledge helped Corina’s brother, the Martinez family decided he was an all right guy, for a gringo. They still kidded him, but they were very careful since Corina kept the bag of habanero very close. John would wait in Albuquerque until Corina arrived before he left for Socorro.

Corina felt that John had survived and she was relieved about that. Mama hugged her daughter. “Your man is a strong and good person. He held up a lot better than papa did with my brothers,” mama chuckled.

Isabel and Alex had been in Roswell the whole week. Isabel was disappointed that Liz had been busy most of the week and she had seen her very little. They arranged to get together at the Crashdown on Friday night after closing. Liz took it upon her self to invite Stacy.

Stacy was surprised at Liz’s invitation. She was a little hurt when she was told that Maria had left to return to Las Cruces. Stacy had never had friends like she observed at the Crashdown. Yes, she had the cheerleader crowd when she was in high school, but truthfully, the girls could sometimes be bitchy. Liz had told Stacy that she was welcome to ride back with her and Max. This also surprised Stacy because she remembered high school when she was trying to seduce Max and Isabel had rebuffed her. Alex, Isabel, Liz and Max, along with Stacy, were the only ones now in Roswell.

Isabel started, “Alex and I are still together. I assume that Maria and Michael are still together.” Then she turned to Liz, “what is the status of your relationship?”

Isabel caught Liz blushing as Liz had been thinking where was her relationship with with Max headed, but Liz replied, “Max and I are still on speaking terms. Yes, I think we are still together.”

This caused a laugh among the five young people. Isabel then turned to Stacy, “What is the status of you and Kyle?”

This caught Stacy a little off guard. “Well, we still go together a lot and we study together. I was a little upset with him spending so much time with Maria, but Michael said it was good for him to have someone to talk to. I am now cool with that and Maria does help him to be a much better guy.”

They ate junk food and danced to the jukebox. Two more days and they would all head back to school.

Stacy
I am not just going with Kyle, I have been introduced to the whole circle of his friends. I think I was wrong about all of them except Max. I will always have a bit of a crush on Mr. Evans. Liz is probably the nicest person I have ever met. She worries about everybody. Isabel can still be a bitch, but that is only toward others, not her friends, of which I appear now to be. I still think Maria and Michael are a little strange, but I have been told that they both have had a hard time growing up. Alex is nice to everyone, but his eyes are always on Isabel. Liz has been friendly to me, as usual, but her mind seems to be on other things right now. Maybe, I will learn what on the ride Sunday back to school. I miss Kyle. I think maybe I miss him more than any other boyfriend I have had before.

Story
On the way back to Cruces, Liz was a lot quieter than normal. Max attributed that to the fact that Stacy chattered incessantly. She was worse than Maria. Max dropped the girls off at their respective dorms and he headed home. He had talked a lot with Jeff because Liz was busy with her own personal business a lot the last week. Jeff had told Max about his dreams for Liz. They also talked about the relationship between Liz and Max. There wasn’t much Max could say. Yes, Liz still meant a lot to him. Yes, they still saw a lot of each other. Max knew that what Jeff really wanted to know was, were they sleeping together, was his little girl having sex? Max could no more find a way to tell him no, not yet, than Jeff could find a way to ask the question.

Eight weeks until the first year of college would be over. Liz was buckling down to a lot of hard studying. She was also helping Katherine in biology. Maria was back in her dorm, but she spent a lot of time with Michael. Stacy and Kyle were still at about the same level of dating as before. Liz wanted to talk to Max, but she so far hadn’t found a way to do it. One day Katherine knocked Liz’s purse off the table. The contents spilled out on the floor. Liz ran to pick it up when Katherine found the cassette of pills. She examined them looking at Liz. Liz turned red and sat with her face in her hands. Katherine raised her eyebrows. “So is this how it is with Mr. Wonderful?”

Liz shook her head, “No, but I hope it will be soon.”

Katherine just sighed, “I have never known a person like you who was always preparing for everything.”

Liz sighed, “I just want to be ready when the time comes. I probably will have to be the one to suggest it because Max will not want to feel he is taking advantage of me.”

Katherine smiled and hugged Liz, “You are a remarkable person!”

It was two weeks after Liz had returned form spring break. Since Katherine now knew her secret, Liz kept her pills in her dresser. Liz was in the library looking up some sources for an upcoming paper. She had placed her purse on the counter while writing out an order for Xerox copies of several articles. Liz went back to the stacks in the library and immediately noticed her purse was missing. She ran back to the order desk, but it was gone. Liz began to panic. She went to the front desk to ask if the purse had been turned in, but no, it was not there. She went back to the order desk, and looking around she found the purse, but all of the contents were missing. Her University identity card, her driver’s license, her credit card and what little money she had with her, were all gone, including her cell phone. Liz knew that Max would still be in his office. She asked the clerk in the library if she could call him. Because the clerk knew that the hysterical lady had just lost everything, she agreed to the call.

Max arrived in about fifteen minutes. He took Liz’s book bag and they returned to his office. There were several calls that had to be made immediately. The first was to the cell phone company. They put a hold on Liz’s number and her cell phone Identity. Then, Max called the credit card company and canceled her card. They would send her a new card and number in about a week. Next, before the offices closed, Max called the administration office and reported her university identity card stolen. This would be replaced tomorrow, but tonight, she was without a food pass or any of the many things she needed from the school. Max started to offer to give Liz enough money to get through, but then, he saw that she was way too shaken up. “Liz, why don’t you get your books and some clothes and come to my place tonight,” he suggested. He drove as close to her dorm as he could. Liz ran in and packed a small bag. She grabbled her birth control pills along with an assortment of toiletries. She left a note for Katherine. Max picked up an order of Thai food on the way back to his apartment. Liz threw her clothes and things on Max’s bed. She was angry with herself and badly hurt that someone would do things like this.

“Liz, things like this just happen. I think we covered everyone that we had to tell. You should probably call your folks to tell them about what was stolen, and also, tell them who we alerted,” Max cautioned.

Liz called her parents from Max’s phone. They asked if she needed anything, but Liz told them that Max would help her.

Liz tried to study. She just couldn’t keep her mind on her work. She finally went into the bathroom and took a very hot shower. She was just in her night gown and robe when Max came in ready for bed. Again, he offered to take the couch, but Liz shook her head.

Max frowned, “Liz, last time we were both tired and I was able to behave my self. If we are in the same bed together tonight, I can’t make any promises.”

Liz went to Max, she raised up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Maybe, I no longer want you to behave yourself.”

Max studied her face for a few seconds. He could smell her freshly washed body. It smelled of scented soap. Max was sure she had brought that with her in her bag of things. There was no way Max would have scented soap in his bathroom, but if Liz being here became a habit, then he was willing to invest in anything that would make Liz feel at home. Max took her into his arms. The room was warm, but she was still trembling as he held her. He rubbed his face in her hair. It always smelled of some sort of spices. Max’s mind rambled. Her shampoo would be another thing he would want if she ever started living with him. His mind was truly racing now. Living with him. That was a dream that might come true. He was just getting used to calling her his girlfriend. Thinking of her as his lover would be beyond his wildest dreams. In a nasty turn, his mind rebelled, she was your student less than a year ago, but his rational side caught up with him. He, again, thought of how much more Liz was to him now. He held her as they walked to his bed.

Liz sat down, always looking at his eyes looking for some sign that he was accepting her, her offer as a lover. Liz had the same insecurities that she always had, even though she had submerged them in the last few months. Was this what Max wanted? Was she enough for him and would he feel toward her as she did toward him? Max turned off the bedroom light and he melted down beside her. He was kissing her and holding her. All Liz could think of was that she would soon be part of Max. All of a sudden Max quit and sat up. This terrified Liz as her rapidly accelerating mind could only list the many things that could go wrong. Her insecurity was diminished as Max went into the bathroom. She could hear him as he was brushing his teeth and washing. She saw the light under the door go out and Max returned dressed only in his boxers. Liz watched him in the dim glow of the outside lights shining through the curtains. Liz saw him take a box from the top drawer of the night stand. It was sealed and he was clumsy as he first attempted and then finally opened it. In the glow Liz could see the round disks that bespoke condoms. Liz had to smile because she had a condom in the bag on her side of the bed. The doctor had warned her that it would be six weeks before the birth control pills would be fully functional.

Again, Liz’s mind was playing cruel tricks upon her. A flash crossed, what if the box had been half used? What if it indicated that Max had a secret sex life separate from herself? True, the box was as new as their beginning of experiences. Liz, again, promised her self not to wonder nor to ask Max about any loves before he gave himself to and took her, Liz, to his heart. She took off her robe and gown. Max traced her body with his fingers. His mind was memorizing, for all time, the curves and dips that made up her form. For her part, Liz trembled again and again as his fingers triggered sensations within her body. She felt him shift as he removed his shorts and then as he worked at applying the condom. She felt him as he moved to cover her. Then, she felt the essence of his body engulfing her. The pain, the love, the whole experience was something she remembered forever, even the awkwardness, as they shifted their bodies to accommodate each other, the sweetness of their kisses as they satiated their love for each other. As Liz lay trembling in his arms, she whispered, “I want to remember tonight, not as a night I lost so many worldly possessions, but as the night I received and gave the greatest gift of all, the gift of love.”

Liz awoke with a start. Where was she? What was she doing? Then again, the reasoning that she always trusted, was regained and she remembered that she had made love to Max last night. Liz looked at the clock on the night stand. She was sure that it was at least a half hour before the alarm would go off. Carefully, not disturbing Max’s slumber, Liz got out of bed, took her bag and went into the bathroom. She showered and dressed. Then again, as quietly as she could, she exited the bedroom and went into the kitchen to prepare coffee and toast. She heard the alarm sound and then a grunt as a hand slapped it into silence. Then, she heard the sound of Max awaking and going into the bathroom. She heard the shower and then a quiet, until he appeared, smiling at her and coming over to kiss her to welcome them both to a new day, a day, new in so many different ways. Yesterday, she had a boyfriend and today she had a lover. What would the days ahead bring? Liz’s, always a slave of an active mind now, raced to think there were so many things she and Max needed to discuss. They had taken advantage of a situation, well, at least she had taken advantage. Liz wanted to feel justified last night, this was the night she had so been hoping for since her decision Christmas to make love with Max when the opportunity arose.

In class all day, Liz was transported. She heard and noted everything that passed, but it still paled compared to the night before. By noon, Liz was able to pickup her new identity cards. Her driver’s license would have to be obtained from the Motor Vehicle Department. It would be still almost a week before her credit card was replaced. When Liz got back to her dorm that afternoon, Katherine was full of questions. “Liz, what happened? I heard you lost your purse and all of your cards. Where did you go?” Katherine hardly caught her breath from one question before she asked another.

“Katherine, I stayed with Max last night,” Liz stated.

Katherine looked at her. “And I bet you didn’t just sleep in the same bed like last time, either,” Katherine smirked (I just had to use that word here).

Liz leaned back on her bed, “No, Katherine, but we did have a heavenly time.”

Try as she might, Katherine couldn’t get much more out of Liz.

Stories by ken_r

Chapter 24

Liz felt that there was nothing that could ruin her happiness. With Max’s help, she regained all of her Identity and cards. There was some difficulty because she had to look up the last couple of places she had used her credit card. She had to warn them that she had canceled her old card and, if there was a problem, they could call her. Liz spent the weekend with Max and they did take time to talk. “Max, what kind of relationship do you want?” this was from Liz as she tentatively started the conversation that Sunday afternoon.

Max was a little confused about what he was to say. It was not that he hadn’t thought of all the ramifications of their relationship, but actually, saying it was different. “Liz, I would want our relationship to eventually end in marriage. That is, if that is what you want?”

Leave it to Max to leave Liz an escape clause. She grimaced, “Max, I gave my heart to you, when you took my body. I didn’t intend to just lend either. I am taking birth control pills, but it will be four more weeks before they are completely effective. Max, what will we do if they don’t work and if I become pregnant?”

Max thought for a few minutes, “Liz, I will be finished with most of the class work for my master’s degree by summer. I will work through the summer and into the fall on my project. I could be finished by the end of next fall or next spring at the latest.” Then Max continued, “I would want you to get your education as far as you could. Then, we would just have to shift our plans so you could finish your education later.”

Max, you know that raising a family and going to school is very difficult?” Liz was trying to make sure she and Max were on the same page in everything they did from now on.

“Max smiled, “Yes, and we would need help from our families. I know that my folks are planning to retire soon and move closer to Aunt Kathy. I think my mother is just waiting until Isabel has left home. I can assure you that grandchildren are very high on her mind.” Then Max looked up, “Your father was trying to quiz me this last vacation to see if we were sleeping together. I didn’t know how to answer him and he didn’t know how to directly ask the questions.”

As Max and Liz were fumbling for questions and answers Max thought, Liz was just eighteen, well in a month she would be nineteen, and they were discussing the next step in their relationship which they had already taken. Then he realized, the fact that she was now over eighteen and he had a way of making a living was why they could talk this way. Teens in high school were so vulnerable. If they were both still in high school, neither would have had a way to be responsible for their actions. He and Liz were embarking on a future that they were both, actually, capable of doing. It would be best for both of them if any births could be delayed, but they now were able to be flexible in their planning. He more and more was feeling how lucky he was to be able to face love with some assurance of most outcomes being happy. Max knew that there might be disasters and he would need strong support from family, but barring that he saw their life and future to both be equally bright. Max was also thinking about some of his savings he had squirreled away. Max was thinking about finding Liz a ring.

Late that afternoon, Liz returned to her dorm. Katherine was pouting when Liz got back. “Liz, what is the use of having a room mate if she is gone all of the time?”

Liz laughed, “Katherine, I love you very much, but I am afraid you are going to have to find a new room mate for next fall.”

Katherine came up off the bed where she had been reading, “Liz what are you talking about? Are you planning to get married or what?”

Liz laughed again. “I do not know, Katherine, but we are talking about getting real serious and marriage was mentioned.”

Katherine laughed and jumped up and down. Then, she hugged Liz, “You have been the best friend and I could never want anything other than the best for you.”

Liz always studied hard. Now she studied doubly hard. She had always wanted to make good grades for herself and she did want to have the praise of her parents. Last semester she wanted so much to convince Max that she was mature and a good student. She had considered him, also, when she was faced with challenges, but now Liz was part of Max. What ever she did would matter just as much to him as it did to the others in her life. Liz was very happy! She thought for a minute, was she going to miss things by seeking marriage or at least a steady relationship this early in life. Then she thought what would she be missing, the loneliness of studying alone, the empty weekends of not being with anyone?

Of course, Liz had talked to Katherine. They were with each other every day. Liz wanted to talk to her mother although she dreaded talking to her dad a little. She decided she should do both of these in person. The next person she wanted to tell about her relationship with Max should probably be Isabel. She would call Izy some time within the next week.

Liz just didn’t see how anything could dampen her spirits. She loved her schoolwork, she loved her boyfriend and she loved her life. Liz was sitting at an outdoor table eating a sandwich and reading. She felt a shadow fall over her and she looked up smiling. She was so sure that anyone she would see would be a friend that would share the beauty of life with her. Unfortunately, the one person that she had totally discounted from her past, Craig Leever, was standing there blotting out the sun as he smiled down upon Liz sending shivers down her spine.’’

“Hello Liz, it is nice to see you now that you are not a little high school girl any more,” he spoke with his ever-so-smooth voice.

Liz felt a shadow of fear just knowing Craig was that close, “What do you want Craig? Last time I saw you, you were trying to paw me and you ruined my senior prom!”

Craig just laughed, “Aw come on Liz, we could have had a good time if those friends of yours hadn’t shown up. You are not that little schoolgirl. You are all grown up. We could still have a good time, like at my fraternity house party this weekend.”

Liz felt herself getting mad. “Craig, I have a boyfriend. I do not have to be treated like you treat girls. I trusted you and we agreed that we would just go to the prom. Then you tried to rape me,” Liz raised her voice.

Craig just smiled with that infuriating look he had, “As I recall, you said you had a boyfriend then. If you had just come alone quietly, you would have had a great experience and no one would have been the wiser. Come on Liz, I am just asking you to come with me for a party not a proposal of marriage.”

Liz stood up screaming, “I do have a boy friend and he does want to marry me! I never want trash like you near me again!”

Maria and Kyle relished their mornings together. They had both made peace with their respective significant others and the ability to joke about each other’s sex lives and other things without any hang-ups was exhilarating. They could touch play with the abandon they had as children, each knowing that there was no hidden meaning in their actions. They both could talk about their feelings, about their others and sometimes, they gave each other insight into the minds of their loves that they would have had no other way of knowing. Kyle and Maria were walking out of the student union. In the distance, they saw Liz. with out conscious thought, they both directed their walk toward her. Maria saw a man approach Liz, but she thought nothing of it. She and Kyle would be at Liz’s table soon and they would meet who ever it was. Both Maria and Kyle saw Liz stand up and they could tell that something was wrong. About that time, Maria heard: “I do have a boy friend and he does want to marry me! I never want trash like you near me again!”

Both Kyle and Maria dropped their books and ran to Liz. Maria planted herself right in front of Craig. Maria was so mad that tears were streaming down her face. Her fingers were curled with her nails just fractions away from his face. Her hands were trembling as she screamed, “You dirty bastard! You dirty son-of-a-bitching bastard! After what you tried to do in high school, you shouldn’t have the balls to even come near Liz.”

Craig was in no way able to face the anger and hatred he saw in Maria’s face. He stepped back and he felt bands of steel grip his arms. The fingers were cutting into his biceps and Kyle’s strong legs were anchoring him so he couldn’t move or retreat from the onslaught of the crazed woman in front of him. In a swift move, Maria changed her point of attack. Craig could feel her nails bite into his flesh through his slacks as she cupped his groin. “Your shriveled huevos will feed the crows if you ever come near my friend again.” Kyle with all of considerable strength threw Craig sideways as hard as he could and sent him rolling. Craig Leever stood and looked at the three people. He started to say something, but then, stopped as he saw another girl, Stacy, step up beside Kyle and glare at him. Kyle, while holding Stacy’s hand, called Max and Michael. They both, fortunately, were still on campus. Michael came running with his long-legged lope. Max, running with his lab coat flying, was right behind him. Michael clutched Maria to him as she cried and Max, likewise, held Liz. The three couples stood there. Then, Stacy found out what it was to have loyal friends. Now she felt that she was included in their circle.

Craig having long left, Maria and Liz sat holding each other. Stacy stood beside Kyle with her hand on Liz’s shoulder. Suddenly, something Liz had said soaked into Maria’s infuriated brain. “Liz, what did you say about you and Max?”

Liz looked up at Max and he imperceptibility nodded. “Max and I are talking about getting married. Not right now, but sometime in the future.”

“Oh chica,” Maria cried, “that is the most wonderful news I have ever heard.”

Kyle looked at Mr. Evans, “Sir, I offer you my congratulations.”

Stacy not containing herself reached up and kissed Max on the cheek. “Mr. Evans, that is wonderful news.” Then, embarrassed she hugged Liz.

It was left for Michael to simply say, “Good for you, Max.”

The few on-lookers had wondered away. There would be a few tales that traveled across the campus, but for the most part, the friends wandered back to their respective lives.

The spring semester was winding down. Maria found a summer job working in the library. Michael was still in his program and was working with high school students in summer school. Max found Liz a summer job as a lab helper with a graduate student. He had to joke with her that it really was little better than being a dish washer, but it did give her a start in working in the labs. Kyle found a job working with the Roswell High school summer school program as a trainer. Stacy was working at a store in Roswell. In Albuquerque, John was working at his job with Sandia Base National Laboratory. He had worked as an intern for them the last four summers. It was a good job and would lead him into a permanent job once he graduated. Corina was going to go back up north but she would be back next year for her junior year. She would miss John but he agreed to spend a couple of weekends with her at her parents. Isabel had signed up for a summer program back east. Jonathan and Kathy would take her back and visit Philip and Diane on the way back home. They thought this would be a nice chance for a vacation along with seeing their daughter at her summer program. This was the last time the Whitmans felt that Alex would be able to travel with them, so they were going to tour several states this summer.

Maria’s mother, Amy, and Kyle’s father, Jim, had gotten married in Las Vegas. This was most of the reason Maria wanted the summer job in Las Cruces. She would go home for a day or so, but she had no intention of spending the summer with her mother and her new husband. Jim and Amy were living at the DeLuca house, so Kyle decided to stay at his old house. This did open up some possibilities for him with Stacy. It was understood that Maria and Michael would be living together. Now this left Max and Liz. What would they be doing? Liz felt that she should talk to her parents in person and Max felt likewise. Max would drive her to Roswell. Then, he would go back to his folks home He just hoped it wasn’t at the same time as when his aunt and uncle would be there.

Liz had packed up her things and taken them to Max’s apartment. She had told her parents that she would be home for a couple of days and she had something important to talk to them about. Just before they were to leave for Roswell, Max had approached Liz. “Liz, I am asking you to marry me, be my wife and live with me so that we may grow old together.” With that, Max took out a small box from his pocket. It was an emerald cut diamond. It was not large, but to Liz, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It would also be the first thing her parents would see when she arrived home.

If you have time I would like you to look at my attempt at a novel. It is rated mature but is no more sexy that anything else I have written. It is about a lady on a distant planet that rises from slavery to a position of respect and about her children and friends that stand by her.

Brother and sister on Friday this is a one part spin off of this story.

The Slave Girl
this an original story. it is in four parts. let me know if you like it. All of the parts will be posted at:
Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

part 1The Slave Girl
part 2 Wife and Lady
part 3 Jenny’s Pride
part 4 Oliver The Dream Complete

To Readers and writers of Roswell Happy Valentine's Day

Stories by ken_r

I need to look at feed back from the last two times. I had a lot to think about on this story.

roswell 3053 I hope you continue to enjoy. Any girl that would make that silly work schedule she did on the TV would probably be just as careful in ordering her relationship. Coming to one another’s rescue is an act of love.

Begonia9508 I do not know what I am going to do when you get tired of reading my stories. You always make me feel good about writing. I agree with you that 19 is so young. When Carole was 19 we were dating and by 20 we were married. We had a lot of parental help and support. Carole started attending University that first year. And she finally got a masters. Why didn’t we wait. I think it was like Liz said, “we didn’t want to.” Several years later we had the first of our two boys born. We have been now married 40 years this year.

Candycane14 independence is an important thing as is reliance and having someone to rely upon. I think you answer your own question. Who you rely upon has nothing to do with age or gender. It was good that you were there to help your friend. Hope you like the emerald cut diamond. Every story I write that has a marriage, has this kind of ring. I bought mine over 40 years ago.

Mezz knowing what to do in an emergency is a learned experience. I tried to be there for my kids. My son had a serious problem his first week of school. The dorm leaders would not do anything about it so he called me. I did not think anything of it being a weakness. I was just glad I was tough enough to resolve the problem. The problem involved a very serious situation. I used to try to be there for my school kids. I hope to show in following chapters that Max tries to help others than just Liz.

Behrsgurl*87 thank you for reading

Orphyfets also thank you for reading.

Max/Jason Luver I hope I can entertain you with my story.

Finally everyone. My wife, Carole, reminded me that I should say; Part of being in love is letting others help you when you need help and not being embarrassed or feeling weak.

These problems are important so feel free to PM or email me if you want to discuss them further.

The next few chapters are probably the most important I have ever written. I am trying to show the situation of Liz and Max as unique to any of the other couples in the story. They are dating and now they are becoming intimate. Neither of them seem to be looking for any other love interest. They realize that even if they do not get married they could still have a problem and Liz become pregnant. That and the completion of her education are foremost on her parent’s minds. They explain to their parents that they just do not want to wait to get married until Liz completes her education. I know from experience that if the completion of education is that important it can be done, even after marriage. Both parties have to be aware of the chance of pregnancy and ideally they should discuss this. Having a child would mean that plans might be altered. It would take commitment for both parties to care for the child and also stay in school. The most important thing is that they need the support of both sets of parents. Independence is a narrow rail to not fall off of.

In following chapters I try to show how the other couples are not in this situation where they can responsibly handle marriage. Michael and Maria are in a questionable situation and you will have to help me decide the correctness of their actions. Stacy and Kyle are also the ones to watch. Does he really care for her or does he let his macho feelings put their relationship in jeopardy. None of this part is from experience. I was long married when we came to this place in our lives.

I also want to express the anguish parents may have as they see their children diverge from the paths the parents have fantasized. It is a shock for parents to realize that their children have their own plans and it is necessary for parents to be willing to support their children, trusting that what was learned in childhood will carry the children through.

Chapter 25

Max had a long drive ahead of him. He would only spend a couple days at home, but he wanted to bring more of his personal possessions back to New Mexico. His parents were going to retire soon and he wanted less for them to have to pack. Besides, he was now certain that he would stay in the southwest. It was looking like his life would be linked to that of Miss Elizabeth Parker. In all of their excitement, no one had called Isabel.

Diane was expecting Max. He had told her that he wanted to come home and get some of his “stuff.” He had also mentioned he wanted to tell them something important.

“Max, honey, it is so good to see you,” clearly Diane missed her only son.

“Hi Mom,” Max returned as he entered and pried himself from the embrace of his mother. Max sat down and began to relate things about his college life.

“Max, how is the Master’s project going?” his father inquired.

“O’pshaw, Max said he had some important news. We know he is working as hard as he can in his college work. What we really want to know is how are things going with that Miss Parker?” his mother interrupted.

“Max took a deep breath, “I have asked her to marry me,” he said.

His mother lost 30 years as she jumped for joy like one of Max’s students. She even forgave Isabel for her machinations, but she had no intention of ever telling her that. Philip smiled, but still brought everyone back to earth. “What are the plans that you and the young lady have made?” he inquired.

“Well, I am going to work on my master’s project over the summer. I should be able to finish it by the end of the fall semester. We are thinking of getting married over the winter break. We both want Liz to continue school. She has several scholarships and they will last as long as she doesn’t have to take any breaks from school. We are going to move in together this summer.” Max knew this wouldn’t fit in with his parent’s strict upbringing.

Philip frowned, “Max are you sure? You do know that if a family gets started, going to school will be very hard!”

Diane had started frowning. Max looked at his parents, “If we were to get married at the end of summer, we would be rushing everything. My work in school would be even more endangered. Waiting until Christmas would give me time to almost finish. Then, I could decide what I will do until Liz finishes school.”

Diane Evans suggested, “Maybe you could just wait until Liz is through school and then get married?”

Max gave a little smile, “No mom, we really do not want to wait that long. We are taking precautions, but we know that sometimes things just do not go as planned. I have my teaching to fall back on. I just want to move my life forward and to do this, it requires, that I am with Liz.”

This bit a little at Diane because she had always insisted Max get his teaching credentials so he would have something to fall back on. It was her own words that were coming back to haunt her.

“Mom, we are seeing each other all of the time. There could still be accidents that would make us change our plans,” Max reiterated.

Philip and Diane were still locked in their strict upbringing, even if they themselves hadn’t necessarily followed this upbringing to the letter when they were young. It was more that Max was not trying to hide something. He was trying to be open with his folks and, even though they would eventually appreciate this candor, right now it worried them.

“Mom, dad, Liz and I, by living together, could start saving our money. Even though it would be hard, we would be able to learn to manage our school finances and classes before we are married. The sooner we adapt to this, the better chance we will have in succeeding,” Max explained.
also also Max knew his parents were never going to agree to his and Liz’s arrangement, but he wanted them to accept this so it wouldn’t start a family rift. He wanted them to learn to love Liz like the daughter she was to become and the dream fantasy his mother already had.

Max packed as much of his personal stuff as he could. The atmosphere was still a bit frosty. Neither his father nor mother out and out condemned his intended action, but they would have rather he took this step at their convenience rather his. When he was ready to leave his mother kissed his cheek and whispered, “Take care of that precious girl and remember all we ‘tried’ to teach you.”

Philip, on the other hand, shook his hand and hugged his son. If this was to be Max’s action he was going to support his son even if he didn’t agree.

After Max left, Philip turned to Diane, “You know what Max was trying to do, don’t you? He was trying to be up front about his actions and he does want our blessing.”

Max headed back to Roswell. When he had left Liz off, she showed everyone her ring. Her friends were excited. Maria hadn’t come back to Cruces yet, and in the excitement, they hadn’t called Isabel. Isabel hadn’t left for her summer study yet, so she was standing with the rest of the families. Kathy and Jonathan just looked at each other because this could just as easily be their daughter. Neither had any idea of how they would handle this situation. Isabel was insatiable with her application of self-praise. It was just that she was so good. Only she, Isabel, almost two years ago, could orchestrate the drama that would lead her cousin to her, then, new-found friend. In private, Liz was under much stricter grilling about what she was going to do.

“What do you intend to do until Christmas?” Jeff asked his daughter.

“Daddy, Max and I are going to live together this summer and fall. We are going to take precautions, but we know there are things that could happen. Max can always get a job as a teacher. If we need to, we will just have to take a little more time in our education. Max and I have talked a lot about me finishing my schooling. He wants me to get all the education I can,” she explained.

‘How do you know that he won’t just leave you if you become pregnant?” was the first thing her mother asked.

“Mom, don’t you think I know Max pretty well? He is not that irresponsible. And besides, how do I know that we might not make a mistake, anyway. I could get pregnant whether or not I am living with him,” Liz pleaded with her folks. “Daddy, if I turn him down how do I know if I can find another man as good?”

“If Max truly loves you, he will wait,” Nancy Parker stated.

“Mom, I do not want to wait. I want the feeling of being with him. We intend to get married and we hope I can continue my education,” Liz was saying. She had told her mother much of this when she had been home during spring break. “Daddy, mom, I have always been a responsible girl. I am asking you to believe in me now. Max and I have tried to discuss all of this in the last few weeks. I wish you could just understand how many times he has been there for me and how much I believe he loves me. We want to start saving our money and start managing our life together. Come Christmas time, we want to be married with the blessing of all of the households that have been responsible for bringing us up.”

No, the Parkers had other plans for their daughter. They also realized that she had her own plans, made now, with the man she had chosen even before he, Max, was totally informed about them. Again, Jeff liked Max, and Liz could do a lot worse. He still wanted more promises that she would continue her education no matter what the future brought.

When Max arrived, Liz packed her things. Max was talking to Jeff while Liz and her mother were getting ready for her departure. “Max, you are taking the most precious thing I have. Lizzy says I have to trust that the two of you will do everything you can to make sure she gets her education,” Jeff was very serious as he was talking. He had several things on his mind, but he also knew that if Max was to become his son-in-law, he wanted to keep relations cordial.

“Jeff, Liz is also very important to me. Her education is very important to me. I want her to have the best she can get. I will always try to make the best life I can for her,” Max repeated what he had been saying over and over. “There is nothing I want more that to add to her happiness. I want a wife and family. I want a companion who has interests similar to mine.

By the time Liz and Max left, Roswell families were informed and although not necessarily in favor of what the young people had decided, They were trying to be supportive.

Kyle had spent sometime with his folks at the same time as Maria. Both he and Maria felt uncomfortable in the presence of the newly weds. Kyle envied Maria leaving to return to Las Cruces. His summer job with the Roswell summer school program started the second week he was out of college. Kyle retired to his father’s house for the summer. There was one problem in that Jim Valenti would appear without notice and enter his own house without any “by your leave.”

Stacy had started to work the next day after she had returned. She and Kyle would go out together, but hints that she spend the night with him still fell on deaf ears. First Stacy, the few times she had been with Kyle at his fathers house, saw that Jim would appear at any time. She just wasn’t ready for a relationship to be viewed by her boyfriend’s father. Stacy had been in a serious relationship that ended just before her senior year in high school. Now that she was older. she didn’t want the nebulous feeling she had then of worrying that if something happened, what would she do with her life? Now that she looked back, she felt they had been playing with very serious feelings that they had no responsible way of handling. Stacy had strong feelings for Kyle, but he was no better than she at being mature enough to face adult decisions. She would probably have sex with him sometime if they continued dating. It might even turn into love making. She was developing love for Kyle, but when she looked at Max and Liz and the certainty they had as to what they had planned, Stacy could see where her relationship with Kyle still had a long way to go.

Kyle had some carefully thought out plans. At first, he was a little angry that things were not going as smoothly as he had hoped. He looked at Max and Liz. They were living together. Kyle had many dreams of doing likewise. Being at his old house alone, Kyle had envisioned a similar situation to that of Mr. Evans. Stacy could stay over and they would have wonderful bouts of love. If Liz would do this for Max, why wouldn’t Stacy do it for Kyle? Why it was said that Max and Liz were planning to get married. Oh wait a minute! Kyle wasn’t ready to get married. He wasn’t ready for a relationship nearly as intense as Max’s. Yes, Kyle wanted a to have sex with Stacy. He wanted to explore thoughts and feelings of love, but he also felt that he still had a lot of living to do. Yes, Kyle was ready to take what came his way, but maybe, they should slow down a bit. They both had many things they needed to do before they made everlasting promises.

For Maria and Michael, it was different again. Neither Maria nor Michael had a really strong home anchor. For Michael, being with Maria was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He thought many times about what it would be like to be with Maria forever. For Michael, this would not mean giving up anything. Michael had nothing of his past to give up. He had more with Maria than he had ever had with anyone else.

For Maria, she had seen the endless parade of men who had walked through her mother’s life. For many years, Maria even felt that she was responsible for her mother’s behavior. Maria would wait up when her mother was out late. Sometimes, she would scold when the guys her mother dated were obvious jerks. Maria had taken on the responsibility for being the mother, even when this wasn’t appreciated. In fact, when Maria left home, it was a relief that she no longer felt responsible for her mother. She felt that it was fortunate that, at that time, her mother developed the most stable relationship of her life, that of being with Jim Valenti.

In many ways, Maria was surprised that she was being given the privilege of attending college. It was a lot to do with the performance of her senior year after she had met Michael. Maria felt that she would always get more from Michael than she gave. This is what made their relationship really work. They each felt they were getting the best of their being together.

Alex and Isabel were a long way from getting intense in their relationship. First of all ,they only saw each other every two or three weeks. Alex was not a person to stray and Isabel was a person who knew what, or who she wanted and would usually get it or them. It might have been different had they both been in Roswell through the summer, but they were still in the email stage of their love. Isabel wrote about Liz’s engagement through email. She later emailed her mother and they discussed the engagement over the telephone. Isabel was happy for Max. She had wanted the best for her cousin whom she really felt was more like her brother. Liz was the best. Isabel had decreed this and time had proved her out. If she felt that Max could be considered a brother, then Liz would be a sister-in-law or Isabel would have the feeling of something like that.

Of course, Isabel fantasized about Alex. She sometimes wondered what he looked like under that geeky sweater. She sometimes wandered what it would be like to give herself completely to someone. It just, as far as she was concerned, was not yet the right time. Isabel thought about her cousin living with his love. There was a spot of envy at these times, but Isabel wasn’t ready to leave home and follow someone else no matter who they were or what they offered. She knew she was sure not ready for a family.

Alex loved Isabel, but he stilled enjoyed the trip with his parents. He very much enjoyed being under their roof and being the recipient of their counsel. What would happen with Isabel in the next year?” Alex had no idea. He still wanted to be with her as often as possible.

Yes, John was a senior next year. He had gone once to see Corina and her folks had been very nice to him. Her brothers still told stories supposedly, about some girl over in the next town who had been trifled with and what her brothers did to the man. John caught the inference. He would never do something to hurt Corina. After next year, he would be back at the University of New Mexico for his masters. She would then be a senior. They could discuss their future, maybe even, with her families blessing. John had a good job at Sandia Base and he was making a good salary. John liked Corina very much. He was doing everything he could to convince her family that he would care for her. For a gringo he would be a good addition to the family to have along if they sprained another ankle.

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The Slave Girl
this an original story. it is in four parts. let me know if you like it. All of the parts will be posted at:
Writers Cave at Roswell Heaven

Coming soon is my attempt at a Roswell fanfiction which is a western. It will take place in the wild west around 1880 and at the same time in modern times. The western part will explore our unique Hispanic culture and how it is integrated into the culture we have to day in northern New Mexico. It will be CC with out aliens. The Loves of Maximo Dilgato.

banner for Maximo Delgato

To Readers and writers of Roswell

Stories by ken_r

Orphyfets I idealized the reaction with the parents. I think many parents can come to a level headed rational except those dedicated to power trips over their children. I think it is important that the parents never act in emotional haste.

Roswell 3053 trust is something that takes time to build. Remembere in the TV show that Liz was trying to tell her parents she had always done as they said and it couldn’t always be that way. This is one of the hardest thing a parent can do is allow their children to become independent and still assure they will remain supportive.

Begonia 9708 I think that was an interesting part. Diane Evans wanted so bad for Max to be married and she to have grandchildren but it was as if when it became so close to happening she was playing devils advocate. I think she was scared when the event became imminent. One of my rules in life was not to bring up my children like my parents did me. I wanted so much to improve. I will never know if I did or if I did worse.

Sternbetrachter thank you for staying with me.

Behrsgurl*87 also thank you for staying with me in this story.

Martine I think that Nancy was scared. She felt that she had to bring up every negative thing she could think of. Many people when confronted by a decision especially made by their children feel a need to bring up all of the negatives. It is as if they want to be able to say I told you so at some later time. They do it but it really doesn’t help. I think it is good when parents can like the choice of mates their children take.

Chapter 26

Liz was officially living with Max. She changed her campus address to the same as his. Her driver’s license, now replaced, still read Roswell and her checkbook still read Roswell with NMSU printed below the address. There would be no need to change those until they were married. Liz got up first on week day mornings. She called for Max as she made the coffee and put four pieces of bread in the toaster. She poured glasses of orange juice. By the time Max was out, she had her materials collected and was almost ready to leave. They kissed when they woke up, when they met for their hurried breakfast and when they left the apartment together. Liz considered this a good way to live. Max insisted she put all of her earnings into her bank account. He still had some savings from his school teaching job and from his personal savings he had since he had started college. His parents no longer supported him, but they sent so many gifts they might as well have been helping him, anyway.

Fall semester was approaching. The Roswell youth were now sophomores and many of them had new lives. Max and Liz might as well have been old married folks. They had worked all summer and enjoyed each other’s company. Liz had built up a considerable saving. More importantly, she had built up credibility in her department. Working for one of the doctorial candidates, Liz was becoming known by those in the department. She was also known as Max’s fiancée. She was getting to the stage where she could be teased and kidded as one of the department. Liz wouldn’t work during the fall semester. She was taking a full load again. Doing this and living with Max would be different. Whether or not it would be more difficult remained to be seen. So far, Max told her he still had plenty of money to keep up the house and groceries. Liz bought her own clothes and paid for her own school things. She was surprised when her father and mother sent her $500. The letter suggested their beloved daughter use this to help with the fall expenses. Liz put it in her account and prepared herself for whatever the new semester had to offer.

Isabel was back in Albuquerque. She, of course, was back with Corina. They had developed a wonderful relationship along with the many double dates they had made last year. This year was different for Isabel. Last year, she had taken a university studies course. The course was designed to give a student a taste of a broad education. Now, Isabel was enrolled in a graphic arts course. She was also taking computer classes to prepare her to better use her new computer and, also, to better talk to her roommate and her boyfriend. It was like old times, but Isabel felt that she was an old timer now. She secretly laughed at the poor freshmen, but she also helped them find their way. Isabel was studying vocational possibilities for her new major. She was also looking into what she would declare as a minor.

Tess was now a sophomore. She took part in the sorority rush for the coming year. It was a great responsibility to assist in the selection of members for the coming year. The activities they developed for the incoming pledges were to view the actions of people under stress. The theory was that you did not want to pledge yourself to people who did not act properly when stress developed. It was the same theory as boot camp and at police academy. Tess was meeting doctors, lawyers and men who were heading into the world to make a difference, at least according the way she saw things. Tess had heard about Max and Liz’s engagement. She really did not know what to make of it. She had enjoyed all of them last year, but she felt she was now in a different world. Managing activities for her sorority would prepare her to manage a household or a business in her future. It you kept out of the way of freshmen, the sophomore year could be pretty good. Besides, Tess had a date with that cute doctor she met at a charity mixer she had attended. She was pushing her social world out and beyond college. Tess was also in Max’s biology lab class that semester.

Katherine, though, was still locked into two freshmen classes. That meant that she must suffer through the huge classes meant mostly to weed out those who did not belong in college. Katherine, looking at the naivety of some of the students around her, saw her self and began to wonder how so many like Liz and Mr. Wonderful had put up with her last year. Katherine had intended to enter the school of business. She also was appreciating the help of Liz’s friend, Michael Guerin. Katherine was wondering if she would like teaching a room full of clones of her former behavior. Katherine still went to a lot of parties, but the rape of Allie had scared her from going with other girls to some of the bars around campus, even if she was able to get in. Katherine still admired Liz. she even looked up to Liz almost as an older sister even though Liz was her same age. It was just that Liz seemed so sure of what she wanted and she was so sure of her Mr. Wonderful.

Max was starting his lab session for the third time. He was becoming an expert at this. He had thought about moving up to a higher level class, but his advisor had asked him to remain at Biology 101 Lab for one more year. Just because a man is in graduate school, doesn’t mean he can teach or run a laboratory. The department leaders were finding that the skills Max had developed in teaching high school were enhancing his college labs. Several students had told their advisors how much they had learned both in biology and in life skills. They had benefited greatly from being in class with Mr. Evans. Max looked at the roster and was surprised to find Tess Harding’s name. Since she had quit going with Kyle, Max had heard little of her. After his first class, and the students had for the most part filed out, Max look back at the almost empty classroom to see Tess Harding. She was not looking him in the eye, but she was troubled about something. “Tess can I help you someway?” Max inquired.

“Mr. Evans,” she began, “would you have time to talk to me?”

“Sure Tess, what is this about?” Max asked.

Tess still hadn’t looked up at him, “It is personal, I do not really know who else to go to. I remember you were so easy to talk to in high school.”

Max looked at the blonde girl, “Tess, meet me in my office in about fifteen minutes. We will talk then.”

Tess nodded her head and, still without looking up, she left. Max had to leave some papers at the department desk and from there he hurried to his office. He was pleased to find Tess waiting for him. They entered and Max closed the door, something he didn’t normally like to do. Whatever was wrong with Tess, Max was sure it was personal.

Tess sat down and it was then she looked up at Max. “I met this man the other night. It was at a charity party thrown by the brother fraternity to my sister hood. He was not part of the fraternity, but a guest of someone, or so he said. He was very friendly and he seemed to enjoy talking to me.” Tess swallowed once and continued, “I do not drink very much. Especially at parties when I am not with someone I know and trust. All I remember about this man was that we talked. The others said I left with him. I have no recollection of this. Now, I am scared. What happened? I woke up in my room at the sorority house, but I have no memory of what happened up to the time before waking up.”

Max frowned, “Tess, this was someone you didn’t know?”

Tess nodded her head, yes. “I have tried to talk to some of my sorority sisters, but they don’t seem to understand or, maybe care. They all said I left willingly with a man I do not know and do not remember.”

Max took a deep breath. It was just like when he was the teacher in high school. He was expected to have the answers. Then, it dawned on him that maybe he did have the answers. Max went to the telephone, “I need to speak to Detective Garcia, Special Victims Unit.” They waited for almost five minutes before she answered. “Detective Garcia, My name is Max Evans. I am a instructor at NMSU. We met almost a year ago at Lovelace hospital. Yes, it was when that young lady was raped. I do not know if a crime has been committed or not, but I have another young lady in my office who might have been date raped. From her story, this person might have done this before. Could you send someone who could talk to her?” Max looked at Tess, “In thirty minutes, yes, that would be fine,” Max said as Tess nodded her head.

Max turned to Tess, “I do not think a fraternity member would allow a guest to do this and jeopardize the standing of the organization. This sounds more like a skillful party crasher who might have done this before. Detective Garcia, or who ever she sends, are trained people. They will talk to you and inform you what you need to do. You might be able to give them the information they need to stop this person.”

Detective Garcia came her self, “Mr. Evans we have heard about this, but so far we haven’t found enough information to do much except keep our ears and eyes opened.”

Max introduced the Detective to Tess and said, “You may use my office. I will be right down the hall. Call me if you need anything.” Then, Max called Liz on his cell phone. “Liz, honey, could you eat at the Student Union to night. I am going to be with a student for a couple of hours. She is in some legal trouble. I will call you when I am ready to go home.”

It was about two hours later when Detective Garcia called to Max. She was through talking to Tess. She had informed Tess to get a checkup tomorrow to see if she had been impregnated or given any diseases. Detective shook hands with Max. it wasn’t often in her profession that she had found a teacher who seemed to take as good of care of his students as Max did. There still wasn’t much the police could do, but they would pull in some of the frat boys and question them as soon as Tess gave them a mock up with the police artist. She had also scheduled a session with Tess for looking at some pictures. It was at Max’s suggestion that Detective Garcia insisted that Tess get counseling.

Max picked up Liz and she noticed he was almost silent on the way home. Once in their apartment, Max began to respond, “Liz, there was a girl in my biology lab who might have been date raped. Remember that drink Craig offered you in your senior year at the prom?”

Liz sat with widening eyes. This brought on too many memories and fears from the past. She could only nod her head.

“Well, this girl met a man who apparently left the party with her and she has no recollection off it. She came to me for help and I called Detective Garcia, the lady we met at Lovelace last year,” Max explained. Max was also careful to not mention names, even to Liz.

Liz was trembling. Twice she had been subjected to a threat about her person. The first, at her prom, did involve a drink, which she wouldn’t take. She had sipped a bit, though, and it had made her dizzy. The second time had been when Craig had accosted her last spring. Liz looked at Max, “Do you suppose Craig Leever could have anything to do with the man you are talking about?”

Max went to the phone and requested Detective Garcia call him tomorrow afternoon. It was a long chance, but Craig had to get his drug from somewhere. The unfortunate thing was that this drug was in prevalent use in medical treatments at the hospital. Max was thinking he was going to be even more careful about Liz being in situations that would leave her vulnerable.

It was harder living together and keeping her grades up. Liz had a lot less time just to herself when they were at home. In the dorm, there were times when Katherine was out and Liz was alone. Then, it had seemed she was so lonesome that she hadn’t appreciated this private time. Max tried to give her plenty of space and Liz felt that she just had to learn to adapt to new conditions. There was another problem. Liz was in a physical chemistry class. P-chem is hard for most students. For Liz, it seemed that she just didn’t have enough background to keep up in the class. There were lectures, class notes and the textbook. Part of her problem was that she didn’t have as much background as most of the other students. She had been given credit for the classes earned by the score she received on her AP classes from high school. But Liz feared, that maybe, she hadn’t been exposed to something somewhere. Her first test she failed. Liz had never failed a test in her life before. She was devastated. This would be evidence that living with Max was bringing down her grades. This would be evidence that she wasn’t mature enough to think of marriage. When Max picked her up to go home, she was crying quietly. When they got back to the apartment, Liz went into the bedroom and closed the door. Max didn’t know what to do. He felt he should be fixing something, but he didn’t know what to fix and Liz was not talking. Max tried to get Liz to tell him what she wanted for supper. It was their habit that, normally, Max made supper while Liz fixed breakfast. Tonight with Liz being so upset even Max wasn’t very hungry. Finally, Liz came out of the bedroom and handed Max her test paper from P-chem. It was a failing grade. Max whistled, “What happened Liz?”

“I don’t know. You saw how hard I was studying. When we got to the test, nothing seemed like what I studied,” sobbed Liz.

Max put his arm around Liz, “We can get through this. We just have to figure out what is wrong.”

Liz whimpered, “This is going to cost me my scholorship.”

Max tried to sooth her, “No Liz, it is a bump in your grade average, but even if we can’t fix the problem, I think your scholarship will be there. You have a 4.0 so far and with two semesters of this and if you make good grades in every other class this semester, I think the p-chem grade will not bring it down enough to loose your scholarship.” Max was doing a lot of figuring in his head. First thing he wanted to know was why Liz was not excelling in her grades as usual. He, also, had that irrational fear that maybe, their living together was affecting her studying.

Max took Liz’s notes and spread them out on the table. He quickly reviewed them. Then, he read through the text. He remembered that Physical Chemistry was a very difficult course. He also remembered there were several students who had to take it twice. Max hadn’t thought of it at the time he was in class, but many of those students who failed the course must have been good students or they wouldn’t have gotten that far. Max remembered that he had to work very hard, but he firmly believed that Liz was a better student than he had been. She was so organized and so dedicated to what she wanted. Again, Max worried was he the distraction that was hurting her. Max began to plan what he would be willing to do to keep Liz from failing. Briefly, he even considered breaking up for her own good. Sanity reasserted itself. That would be even more disastrous to both of them. What he needed to do was help Liz find a way to succeed. What was the value of having a boyfriend who was a lab instructor unless he could come to her aid?

Looking at the test itself, Max saw that it was a standard P-chem Test. Reading through her notes he saw allusions to the questions, but there were not direct quotations which would have prepared Liz for this test. Then Max went to the text. Again, the text was a good text, but it didn’t directly address the test questions. Max could see how a very good student could find the correct answer, but the student would also have to also be quite experienced in chemistry.

Since neither of them was hungry, Max suggested he make some hot cereal. Since it had taken most of the evening, they went to bed early. Max pulled Liz close to him. She was still sobbing. No matter how he tried to console her, she felt that she had let him, her parents and her self down by getting this grade.

Next morning, Max was in the lounge of the chemistry department. Liz’s p-chem. Professor was there talking with some of the elder statesmen of the department. Max got his coffee and sat down with a colleague in graduate school. They sat quietly listening.

“I really stuck it to those smart-assed little bastards,” the p-chem. Professor was saying. To get through my class, they are going to have to really be smart. I want to weed out all the students that can’t make quantum leaps from lectures to application.” He was laughing. Max started to rise, but his colleague put his hand on Max’s arm. He shook his head vigorously. Max sat down, but he was very angry. He had spent two years as an educator and his philosophy was to help students learn. Here this pompous ass was bragging about how hard he was making it. Even worse, the ass was making life hard for Liz. Finally, the ass left with a few of his buddies who were all laughing about making life hard for students.


Max was sitting, gripping his coffee cup so hard he might have broken it in his bare hand if the ceramic hadn’t been so strong. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Max looked up and saw Professor Reinhardt, his graduate advisor. The professor sat down with the two young men. He was looking at Max. He could read murder in Max’s eyes and he didn’t want Max to do anything that would jeopardize his standing in the department.

“Max, Joe Engles is an ass. He was an ass back at Yale when he was an undergraduate. Joe Engles will probably die an ass. There is nothing you can do. He will probably leave next year as he has left every few years since his doctorate to go somewhere else to spread his infectious thoughts of education,” Reinhardt stated.

Max hung his head. A man doesn’t like to let others see him cry, but the impotency of not being able to help Liz was too much for him. “Liz failed her first test. She is devastated. She is worried that our being together is causing her to go down in her grades. She is terrified she will loose her scholarship,”

Reinhardt said, “Max, Liz is one of the most promising young students we have in biochemistry. Even if she fails this class, she will be able to keep her scholarship.”

Max looked up at his advisor, “What can I do to help her?”

Doctor Reinhardt smiled. He walked to a shelf and took down a text book. “Max, you are a great teacher. It would be a waste to ever loose you to the economic sirens of industry. This is probably the text book Joe uses to make his test from. You teach your bride to be. Max, do not let the bitter Engles of the world ruin your lives.”

Max remembered that he had done the same thing for Michael and Maria two years ago, when they were faced with the dogmatic teaching of Corry Lane. What about the many students faced with this same situation who didn’t have caring teachers or loving instructor boyfriends? This was one of the weaknesses of education. You can not fight it. If as a student you try, you will most likely loose. You can go around it and realize that you can’t allow the bitter people in charge of your education the satisfaction of destroying you. Trouble was, there were so many bright students that, to this point, hadn’t been deliberately derailed and, thus, they were ill equipped to comeback and rebuild their academic lives?
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Please look at Brother and Sister on Friday this is a spin off if the story about the Roswell kids in college

please remember to look at my 4 part novel
part 1The Slave Girl
part 2 Wife and Lady
part 3 Jenny’s Pride
part 4 Oliver The Dream Complete

Comming soon banner for Maximo Delgato

Candycane14 you understand how a student that works so hard to make good grades and then be presented with a situation where this is impossible. I have argued, and not too politely either, with teachers that want to cut a student down just because they always make good grades. By the way teachers that do this have, in my experience been the least intellectual teacher.

Roswell3053 I hope to show how Liz takes the same attitude about helping others and does likewise. In education and in life I think we have a responsibility to help others when they ask us.

Orphyfets one of the things I hated about education was that not all teachers are dedicated to building up their students. Being a hard teacher does not mean taking any pleasure in making life hard for students. I have written most of my fics about education in some way.

Begonia9508 . There will be bad teacher in school and there will be impossible situations in life. I just wish it wasn’t so. The worst thing in the world is watching someone you care about having a hard time and knowing there is nothing you can do about it.

Well we are almost at the end of our story about a young man falling love with his student. He still worries about the propriety of doing this. I have tried to portray several couples and their readiness about the next step in their relationship. Max and Liz in my opinion are ready. They have the economic ability to carry on their lives, but they realize they will probably need the help of parents in emergencies. Maria and Michael do not have a lot or resources and they need each other so much that they feel they have no choice in their relationship. They also realize that they do not have a lot of support to fall back on if something goes wrong or unplanned. Kyle and Stacy they have a close relationship but neither of them have the emotional break with their families nor the economic ability to carry things further than they are doing right now. Alex and Isabel, they are still way to tied to their families. John and Corina, John must over come a lot of cultural distrust and he must convince her family that he really cares for their daughter/sister. He doesn’t want his body to be found somewhere in the wilderness.

There are other student that have grown and are moving on. Tess has fears and she has differences with the advice of her mother. She has moved on from Kyle and she should not feel badly about this. they are no longer traveling the same road. Katherine has found that she has out grown the society in which she was raised. This might be difficult for her.

Chapter 27
Kyle was confused about what he wanted. On one hand, he really wanted an intense relationship with Stacy. But on the other hand, he knew that neither of them were equipped to take on this responsibility right now. On Friday, when he met with Maria, this was foremost on his mind.

“Kyle, Max and Liz have planned out their life. Max has enough education to get a job if he should have to drop out of school. He only has a little bit to go until he will get his master’s. He is dedicated to helping Liz get through school. He has the ability to do this. Michael and I have nothing else, except for each other. We, no longer, have any ties at home and we are going to have to help and support each other as we go along. Stacy still has strong ties with her parents. She probably is not ready to cut these ties. Are you ready to sever your ties with your father and Roswell, like I did?”

Kyle thought about this. No, he still had strong ties with his dad even though his father was now remarried. When he had met Stacy’s parents, Kyle saw that she still was their little girl. She was not nearly ready to leave their protection. What about the time they had slept together? Kyle remembered that time with fondness. It just seemed that Stacy was not ready to make this a habitual thing. Kyle remembered that night last summer. His dad and Amy were out of town. He and Stacy had a wonderful romantic evening. They had gone to dinner and, then, to a movie. She had leaned her head against his shoulder as he drove back to his father’s house. Kyle asked if she wanted to go in for a while and, almost to his surprise, she smiled and said yes. They were sitting on the couch, supposedly watching a DVD. Their petting slowly rounded the bases and, gradually they migrated to his father’s room. Kyle had a single bed, but Jim had a queen-size bed that had been made up with fresh sheets and left unused since Jim had moved into Amy’s house that spring. Kyle left Stacy on the bed while he hurried to his room and retrieved his box of condoms. Neither he nor Stacy were virgins. Neither were they fantastically active, sexually. Kyle hadn’t slept with a girl since leaving Tess. Stacy had been celibate since she quit what she now considered an ill-founded relationship in her junior year. They both took their pleasure in each others arms. Neither felt reluctance later. It was clear that, at that moment, both Kyle and Stacy were comfortable with their decision. It was later, that Kyle’s over active imagination was reined in.

“Stacy, maybe, we should talk about sharing an apartment like Maria and Michael or Max and Liz,” he whispered in her ear as she lay against his body. They both knew that they were going to have to get up shortly to get Stacy home before one o’clock. It wasn’t a curfew but it was a time frame in which she felt a comfort with her parents. To Kyle, there was that wonderful idea of the luxury of Stacy not having to get up and he not having to rush her home. But instead they could remain in bed together, wake up in the morning, as he imagined Max and Liz did, eat breakfast together when ever they wanted, if lived together.

“Kyle, these are wonderful thoughts, but can we accomplish them? I am dependent on my parents for help going to college. If we were to move in together, would they continue this support? I know that if we got married, they wouldn’t. Look around us. We aren’t even in your room. We are in your Father’s room. We know that when he is in town, he appears at random times. At school, we would have to get an apartment and live off campus. We would have all the expenses of living without much guarantee from our parents. Kyle, I love you. I think we have so many things in our lives that are compatible, but I just do not think we are ready to make this a regular thing. I will enjoy the nights we steal for each other, but for now, that is probably all we can manage. They drove back to Stacy’s house with her head against his shoulder and her heart in limbo along with his. They were sophomores in college, After this year they still had two more years until graduation. What would they do?

Kyle looked at Maria. She smiled, “Kyle you and Stacy are going to have to govern yourselves until you find yourselves in a better situation.”

Tess was, again, standing at Max’s desk after the lab. Max looked up, “How is everything going, Tess?”

“Mr. Evans, could we talk again,” Tess requested.

“Sure Tess, walk me down to my office,” Max said.

When Tess was seated, she began, “That Detective Garcia is a nice woman. She tries to be so understanding. The doctor said I do not have any problems, but for me to come back in a few months and get further tests. Why is it so hard to talk to other people?”

“I do not know, Tess. Part of it might be trust. I was your teacher in high school and, maybe, you trusted me,” Max, himself, didn’t know why his former students trusted him or felt they could trust him. In a way, he had let them down. Max had dated and now was living with a former student. He wondered if any of them ever felt he had violated that trust.

“I am almost afraid to go out any more. Maybe, I shouldn’t have broken up with Kyle?” Tess stated.

“No, Tess, you and Kyle were heading in different paths. You would probably have had trouble sooner or later. Don’t you have any young man in the fraternity that you have strong feelings for?” Max inquired.

Tess grimaced, “Mama always said I should not make strong bonds with anyone in college. That is part of why I broke it off with Kyle. We were getting intense and I was not ready for that step, at least with him.”

Max took a deep breath, “I do not want to argue with your mother, but going with so many different boys nowadays, might be dangerous. You need to be with someone you trust and someone who will look after you. Also, someone you will support.”

“Tess smiled, “You mean like you and Liz.”

Max almost blushed and, then, he thought of what college life for either of them would have been like without each other. “Yes, Tess like Liz and me. But that doesn’t mean you are ready to live together.”

Thanksgiving was coming up. Maria and Michael were going to go back home for a couple of days. They didn’t know what arrangements they would be facing while at home, but they both felt that they could stand anything for only a couple of days. Kyle and Stacy were heading home. Kyle had told his father that he wanted to have Thanksgiving with Stacy. Jim had rented out his old house so Kyle couldn’t sleep there. Stacy arranged for him to stay in the guest room at her house. Isabel and Alex were on the way home. Isabel was so excited about seeing Liz and Max and talking about the up coming wedding, that she was starting to annoy the normally calm Alex. “For god’s sake, Isabel, it is just a wedding! Calm down, there will always be more weddings in the future,” Alex sighed.

“But, there will never be another favorite cousin or a best friend,” Isabel proudly stated. She made it clear that this was her wedding. She wasn’t getting married, but it was she, Isabel, who had nurtured this relationship. It was she, Isabel, who was going to enjoy this wedding.

John hurried to Albuquerque to see Corina before she left for the north with her parents. They greeted him cordially and John was beginning to feel like part of the family.

At the Parker’s, Jeff met Max and nervously explained, “Max, we would prefer you to sleep in the guest room. I know that you and Lizzy are together now, but her mother and I would be more comfortable with this arrangement.”

Max smiled, “Jeff, if that is what you want, we will do it. Liz and I are together, but it is not as if we can’t respect your wishes.”

Kyle was being introduced to a close loving family. It was so different from what he had lived with. His father had always been a good dad, but the closeness of family was absent. Jim had mistaken permissiveness for close parental security. Stacy’s dad was congenial as he talked to Kyle about education and sports. They talked about Kyle’s junior high team rather than national football. Kyle enjoyed her father’s interest and suggestions about running middle school classrooms. Stacy’s mother liked Kyle. As she and Stacy prepared thanksgiving dinner, they talked about her relationship with Kyle. That is, the relationship Stacy was willing to share with her parents.

This time, the Parkers had another helper for Thanksgiving. Max learned what a mad house it was when so many who did not have families came to the Parker family’s place for dinner. Every one of the regulars knew that Max and Liz were to be married at Christmas. Everyone wanted to see Liz’s ring and wish her well. They all had rough jokes for Max about giving up all of that free bachelor life style. Max didn’t know half of these people, but they knew him as the, soon to be, son-in-law of the Crashdown.

That night, it was a little longer getting ready for pizza. There was one more taking a hot shower to get rid of fatigue. When they went to get the pizzas this time, Jeff asked, “How is Lizzy doing on that hard course she is taking?”

Max grimaced, “My graduate advisor gave me a text and some notes. It is unfortunate that guys like Engle get teaching jobs. I think Liz will be able to pull out a good grade. I feel sorry for those who don’t have someone to help them. I guess, I am still enough of a teacher to want students to learn.”

Naturally, Jeff’s next question was, “How is the money problem working?”

Max raised his eyebrows, “I am making enough to keep up our apartment. Right now, my tuition is minimal because all I am taking is my master’s problem. Liz’s scholarship is still sound and she has enough in her savings for her clothes, books and personal things. I have a little left in savings if we have an emergency and to cover necessities. If I finish this Christmas, we will make it just fine. If I have to go into the spring, then we will be cutting our finances pretty fine, but, I think, we will be all right. I put some money away for a honeymoon, nothing fancy, you understand.”

Jeff nodded. He fully intended to offer help if his kids needed it, but he wanted to respect their pride. Jeff was convinced he now had a son.

As soon as they were finished eating the pizza, the Parkers went to bed with pain medication. Max and Liz had promised the Evans they would come over as soon as they could get away.

Kathy Evans had designated herself as stand-in mother-of-the-groom. They all applauded as Max and Liz entered the room. Both of them were embarrassed. Alex had remained, from earlier, to support Isabel. Jonathan, Alex and Max retired to the study while the three women discussed dresses, decorations and such. Once it was started Kathy Evans was as excited as Isabel. The wedding date had been set for three days after Christmas. Kathy and Nancy, Liz’s mother, would work on the wedding plans along with Diane’s help on the phone. The Philip Evans family would arrive a week before Christmas. As soon as Max and Liz could get out of school, they would be home to complete the plans. The three men talked about lesser things such as world news, college and the financial market.

Maria moved her things, along with Michaels, into the guest room. It was almost as if she was challenging someone to make a comment. If that is what she intended, she was disappointed, as nothing was said by either Amy or Jim. Amy and Maria fixed the Thanksgiving dinner. It was probably the best that mother and daughter had gotten along in years. Maria didn’t have any thing to say about her mother’s wedding. Amy didn’t really have any thing derogatory to say about the situation Maria and Michael had arranged for themselves. If anything, Amy was happy that Maria was doing so well in college. She asked, and to her surprise, Maria was glad to answer, “How are you and Michael getting along with household things?”

“Michael gets up in the morning and fixes breakfast. I try to clean up the kitchen when I get home in the afternoon. We usually work on supper together unless I have music classes. Then, Michael will usually fix supper. Or if I am not there, he leaves a late snack I can get out of the refrigerator later. When I have an afternoon off, I go home to do cleaning and laundry. Money is tight, but we are managing. We both are working and we are sharing,” Maria informed her mother. Maria was surprised that her mother sounded just like another lady inquiring about Maria’s life without judgment.

Michael and Jim had several things in common. They both liked TV wrestling, and major team sports. Michael talked about what Kyle had told him about his junior high team. Jim laughed, “I think Kyle is more into his junior high team than he is in national sports, any more.”

“That is true, Jim,” Michael said as they were watching the tube and commenting, “Kyle can make a difference in the kid’s team and that is what he wants to do.”

“What about this Stacy girl? How serious are they?” Jim inquired.

“Jim,you are going to have to ask Kyle about that. He and Maria talk all of the time, but I respect their friendship. I do know that Stacy is working very hard to be an elementary school teacher. She is, also, influencing Kyle to look to teaching as a vocation. More than this, you are going to have to get Kyle to explain,” Michael stated quite straightforwardly.

Jim, Amy, Maria and her boyfriend, Michael, made up their family for that Thanksgiving dinner. Kyle did manage to come by and talk to his father the next day. No, he didn’t tell everything, but he said enough for Jim to see that Kyle was growing up.

Again, back to school. Just like last year, there were only a couple weeks until fall finals. Liz received a phone call from someone who she had seen less and less this semester, “Liz, this is Katherine. Do you think you could ditch Mr. Wonderful today so we could have lunch?”

Liz was delighted. It wasn’t that she had avoided Katherine, but with going back and forth with Max, Liz just wasn’t around as much as when she was living at the dorm. The two girls met in the Student Union cafeteria. They chatted about the fall and what they were taking in college. Katherine had brought her average up to a 2.8. This was not good enough, but she was working hard to improve her class standing.
“Susie my roommate is nice and we get along, but she doesn’t have any more clue than I do about what is going on most of the time. I miss you, Liz. You were the person who always seemed to have the answers,” Katherine expounded.

This was a bit of a shock for Liz. She never had thought of herself as having answers. She usually deferred to Max, but, maybe, that “was” one of the answers. Liz, when she did have an answer, had always thought, what would Max do? She had not realized that Max also asked what would someone in his life would do. That was one way of being responsible. Asking what others would do and then, choosing the best guide. Katherine had almost finished her salad. She was toying with the remains trying to decide what next to say, “Liz, remember that man I told you I was engaged to in Yale? Well, last summer things were not real promising. We went out, but he was busy much of the time. We had a long phone conversation this Thanksgiving break. He has found someone else. A girl, as he says, from an Ivy league school. We broke up,” Katherine took a beep breath as she finished.

“Oh, Katherine, I am so sorry,” Liz said as she took Katherine’s hand.

“You know the worst part, Liz? I don’t really even care. He was neat, but he was also artificial. My folks thought he was a wonderful man, but thinking about it now, we never did anything for fun. He would never have rescued me from the Feds like Mr. Wonderful did for you. He could never have handled the problems Alli had at the hospital. Sometimes, I think I was outgrowing him, not the other way around,” Katherine explained. “I am not going home this Christmas. The folks are mad that I didn’t fight harder to keep my Yalie. My friends back home are all on his side and I just am not ready to face all of them. Could I come to your wedding if I can get a ride to Roswell?”

Liz was shocked. Katherine usually went home during the holidays. Liz certainly didn’t want impose, but Katherine had been Liz’s roommate all last year. They were friends and, yes, she would be happy to have Katherine come to her wedding. “I might even know a couple who will be leaving just before Christmas and returning just after my wedding. I am sure they would give you a ride. I do not know if anyone will have a spare room for you because everyone is going to have guest,” Liz replied.

“That is okay, Liz, I don’t mind getting a motel or something, but I would probably feel more comfortable with your friends and family this year than with mine.” Katherine was feeling better, already.

Liz did some phoning. Kyle and Stacy were going to return to Roswell just as soon as school was out. Michael and Maria wanted to be home as short a time as possible. They would get to Roswell Christmas Eve and would return back to Las Cruces right after the wedding. Yes, they would be happy to take Katherine to Roswell and return her back to school.

Stories by ken_r

Well this is the end. I cannot envision any more except to wish the characters of the story a happy ending. I started this story in October or 2006. For me that was a long time ago. During the posting I feel I have met many very nice people and I hope I can entertain some of them in later stories.

Begonia9508 you were with me from almost the first story I ever wrote for the FanFiction board. Thank you.

Roswell3053 I am pleased that you see how I am trying to make my characters grow. From the little girl in the first chapter Liz has become much like Max or maybe she always was like him. Max, after he accepted the job of a teacher wanted to help others, Liz did likewise. That must have, at some level, been one of the attractions he saw in her. The toast given by Michael I think says it all.

Candycane14 so much advice you gave me in the beginning of the story. The stories you told about happenings you experienced were very encouraging. I appreciated it. I hope I lived up to your expectations in the start of romance I give Katherine. A romance of her own. I think you have to remember that Isabel is very much like her mother Kathy Evans. She does mean well and she wanted the best for her cousin.

Orphyfets I am glad you enjoyed the story and I hope you are satisfied with the ending. Thank you.

I have to thank my wife, Carole, who edits my poor grammer. She wanted to design a winter wedding and the details of such belong to her. Please remember she was my "Liz" so many years ago.

Chapter 28

Liz got the first B- of her life. She knew that there would probably be more grades lower than an A, but she hoped that she would get those grades because she deserved them and not because the professor was not very good. Over half of the class failed. For a freshman class this would have been acceptable, but in Physical Chemistry most of the students were already proven. The department frowned at the fact that more students were flunking this class than expected. Liz saw her advisor before she left for home. “Liz, you still have your scholarship. Max was a good teacher. If you can continue making high grades, this will just become a bad memory.” Then, the advisor smiled and said, “Liz, you and Max just go and have a happy wedding and best wishes.”

Before leaving for Roswell Liz called Katherine. She had already called her mother and her Aunt Kathy. She now had to talk to Katherine and handle this very delicately. “Katherine, are you still planning to come to my wedding?” Liz asked.

Katherine was surprised at this question. She was a little disappointed that Liz hadn’t asked her in the first place. “Yes we were room mates for a year. I know I caused you a lot of trouble but you really do mean a lot to me.”

Liz took a deep breath this was one of those things that should have been talked out long ago. “Katherine you mean a lot to me too, but I knew that you always went home on the holidays. I just didn’t feel I had the right to ask you to spend the time you usually spent with your boy friend and family, to spend the holidays with me. I called mom and Aunt Kathy. They need one more girl to stand up with me. It was supposed to be a cousin but she can’t make it. I would be honored if you would be a bridesmaid. The dress is already made. Maria’s mom can fit it when you get there. Katherine hugged Liz. Katherine had been afraid that the trouble she had gotten Liz into had cost her Liz’s friendship. Now she was happy to know that she would share in the celebration of Liz and Mr. Wonderful.

Max and Liz arrived in Roswell. Again, Max was in the guest room. Liz whispered, “Next time we come home, I will have my father move the double bed into my room and we will be together.”

The Philip Evans family was already in Roswell. They were not only there for Max’s wedding; they were also looking for a house to buy, either in Roswell or Las Cruces. Diane was really hoping for grandchildren and she was not going to be far from them when they came. Diane and Isabel would be in the same house for the duration of the season until the nuptials. This would be interesting. Kyle was staying again at Stacy’s. Alex, at his parents was awaiting his teacher, now friend’s, wedding to that of his longest and best friend, Liz.

Liz had reserved a room at a hotel near the Crashdown for Katherine. The men of all of the Roswell group should have just gone fishing and made sure that they had Max back in time to get dressed. They were all feeling superfluous. It was a contest for the women to see who was enjoying the affair the most. Christmas was almost a regretted distraction. Jeff was glad he had his restaurant to run. With Nancy so involved in the post-Christmas festivities, the restaurant kept him busy and out of the hair of all of the women. Katherine arrived with Maria, and immediately both girls were drafted into duties in the mighty production. Amy proceeded to fit the dress to Katherine. Max and Liz had explained that they were not looking for a big wedding, but even a moderate wedding could take everyone’s time, especially since they were all connected to the intended couple so strongly.

What could be nicer than a Christmas wedding? The church was hung with spruce wreaths. Holly was everywhere. Mistletoe was hung in the hope for more weddings in the future. Isabel was told that, no, she could not sit on a pedestal behind the preacher overseeing what was essentially her creation. Isabel would be the maid of honor. She guessed that would be enough, this time.

Because it was winter, the wedding dress wasn’t the popular strapless low-back type that people often think is so sexy. Her dress was floor length made of white velvet. It had small cap sleeves and a scooped neck line. The skirt draped in an A-line style trimmed in white satin. There was a light weight satin train that followed her gown in a flattering way.

Liz carried a bridal bouquet of French lace roses, those soft creamy roses that remind one of valilla ice cream. The roses were mixed with white lilies and baby’s breath. The bouquet was tied with narrow wintergreen velvet ribbons, which added just a touch of dark green.

The ladies of her court wore wintergreen green gowns of similar styles trimmed with green satin. The groom and groom’s man both wore boutonnières of small bunches of holly tied with velvet ribbons. Each included a single French lace rosebud. The pews were all decorated with white velvet bows and sprigs of holly. The creamy white wedding cake was decorated with small leaves of holly made out of green mint jelly with little red candies for the berries. The groom’s cake was chocolate made in the shape of an apple and frosted in red, as the common symbol for a teacher.

Michael would stand with Max while Isabel, the maid of honor, and Maria and Katherine the bridesmaids and would stand with Liz along side of Izzy. Kyle and Alex would be run ragged being the ushers until it came their time to escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.

Stacy stood by the guest book. She greeted the guest and as a Roswell native she knew most of people attending. Aunt Kathy had been drafted by an idea of Maria’s mom, Amy. Kathy Evans stood by the presents. As they were brought in, she asked each person to address a small envelope and she attached these to the respective presents. Liz and who ever helped her to open the presents could then make a notation on the card and later Liz could add personal remarks to the thank you cards before mailing them.

Weddings are not about perfection. Weddings are part of life and, thus, they are all imperfect in their own individual ways. With all of the logistics, it seems surprising that every thing actually happens according to plan. At the reception it was Michael who gave the first toast. “Mr. Evans was my teacher. Actually he threatened to kick the shit out of me the first day I met him.” Everyone that knew the old Michael laughed. How different this young man standing by his friend was from the lost, angry boy from the wrong side of the tracks. “Liz was terrified of me because I was threatening her safe academic world.” Again laughter. “Well, Max saw past the scared boy I was and helped me to become a man. Likewise, Max saw past the studious girl in his biology class with a lot of help from his friends and I do mean a lot of help. He finally saw the girl with whom he is to share his life now.” There was a tittering that ran through the kids of Roswell High and the families who had followed the Max-Liz relationship. Then Michael turned to Max and Liz. He raised his glass and said, “Here is to Maxwell and Elizabeth Evans may they always live together, study together and grow old together surrounded, someday, by many smiling healthy grandkids.”

Liz and Max led their first dance as a married couple. Liz’s parents followed and soon they cut in, letting Jeff dance with his daughter while Nancy danced with Max. This was followed by Max’s parents and Jonathan and Kathy Evans. Pretty soon many were on the dance floor. Katherine just couldn’t keep from being a little envious. She remembered when she first met Liz how she thought she was just, how did she say it then, a lost sparrow. Katherine felt sad for her own romance that seemed now to be gone. Trouble was, that was a romance hatched by her parents. She tried and tried to remember what she saw in him. Her parents didn’t want her to come out to the wild southwest. It had been her rebellious choice. Katherine had been sitting with Stacy and the Parker family since she hardly knew anyone here. Katherine was looking down at the table when a soft, southwestern voice asked, “Would you like to dance?”

Katherine looked up. She started looking at a pair of ostrich cowboy boots. Then, she progressed up a pair of western slacks to a trim jacket and, finally, to the face of a young man. He had jet black hair that was wavy. His eyes were those deep dark pools that were make for a girl to dive into. Katherine put her hand into his outstretched one. She looked into his face and almost forgot how to talk. He led her to the dance floor. There, Katherine was held in strong arms that had not been made at some gym, but rather from riding the back of a horse and roping calves since he was ten. As they danced, Katherine found herself being drawn to the young man. After the dance, she sat at his table. His name was Juan DeLaCruze. He was a senior at New Mexico State University. His major was animal husbandry. He was preparing to take over his family’s ranch as soon as he finished school. Katherine hadn’t met a man like this before. He could have stepped off a movie set. She just had to ask and he laughed, “No, I do not play a guitar and sing as I ride across the desert.” He looked at her, again, “I do play a mean jazz piano.”

They both had to laugh at this one. The laughter was loud enough for Liz to look over and see her former roommate no longer moping, but now enjoying herself to her fullest. Liz poked Max and pointed, “Looks as if Katherine has now caught herself a real cowboy. Wonder how he will compare to the boy from Yale?”

The wedding festivities over, Max and Liz prepared for their departure. Neither had a surplus of money. Max was truthful when he told Liz he could probably make it through to summer if they were careful. The honeymoon plans consisted of several days at a luxury hotel in El Paso. Max had promised Liz that they would visit Mexico again. This time she would not be afraid of spending time in jail. Just before they drove off, Philip Evans handed Liz an envelope. “This will help make sure you can have a good time,” he said. The envelope contained ten one hundred dollar bills.

The Next day, Maria called Katherine’s room. She informed Katherine that they intended to leave at about 3:00 that afternoon for Las Cruces. Katherine told her she was going to stay a few days longer. She had been invited to tour the DeLaCruze ranch. Maria and Michael drove back just the two of them. Going back, Maria said, “Do you ever see us getting married like that?”

Michael pulled her close, “it is very likely if things keep going like they are.”

That night Isabel and Alex were sitting on a hill watching the cold crisp sky. The stars were hanging just in front of them. Alex kissed Isabel. “Lizzy now has almost all of her dreams,” Alex murmured.

“Right, Alex and some day I hope we can have ours. We are, right now, just so not ready.” Isabel whispered.

Kyle was sitting on Stacy’s back prorch. They were also looking up at the stars, though being still in the city of Roswell there were not as many stars as Isabel was under. Stacy said, “You know, Kyle, in a little more than two more years, if nothing happens, that could be us. We could get jobs in some school system and start our lives together much like my parents did. With us both in education, we would have so much in common and with our summers off we could go on vacations and so many things.

Way up north, John had driven to Questa to see Corina and her folks. Corina was watching her brothers every minute, but so far, the family was enjoying her boyfriend. Mama was talking to John about when he came back to Albuquerque to get his master’s degree. He and Corina would be in school together. Mama was interested to learn that John would be working with the scientific facilities at Sandia Base Labs. John had already been filled with stories about Maria something or other in the next town who had been jilted by some guy and how the guy had been found lost in the mountains for so many days. John got the message. But, it wouldn’t be too long before he could show Corina’s parents that he could have a good job. Then, he would, by their traditional rules, ask for her hand in marriage.

Tess had heard about Mr. Evans marriage. She hoped he would find happiness. She was going to be twice as careful from now on. If she didn’t go to parties with a date who she trusted, she would make sure she went with some friend and they would watch out for each other.

The Kids of Roswell High had grown up and were taking their places in the world.

The end

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Second Chance for Antar this is AU with aliens and parallels the Roswell story.

Also The Loves of Maximo Delgato
This is a Roswell love story with a Hispanic western twist. I will post the second chapter this week.