Archive-name: Places/highmead.mf Archive-author: Jessie Archive-title: High Meadows Jessie leisurely stretched her body in the down bag. The pines around her tent exuded a clean scent, a scent of such incredible clarity that it compelled Jessie to draw it into her lungs, in deeply exhilarating breaths. The morning sun streamed in through the window of the tent and played glorious rays amongst her hair, loosened golden about the pillow. Sleep-tousled and dreamy-eyed, she stepped from the bag and stood up to survey her surroundings. Her soul savored towering trees, golden sunlight and snow covered peaks stretching as far as the eye could see. These mountains were her refuge when life began to close in. She came here to feel reborn, a part of the great conspiracy of life to extend itself in joy. Drinking in the feelings of joy, she realized that to fully appreciate the measure of splendor this scene commanded, she wanted her morning mug of coffee. Jessie stretched and stepped out of the tent to get the thermos she filled the night before. Standing in the filtering light from the trees, the light caught her hair, a mass of long, honey hued, soft tresses; hair so beautiful, the gods themselves might have spun it out of gold. Jessie poured herself a steaming cup of the dark brew, then mellowed it, perfectly blending milk and sugar. She sipped at the edges of the mug and warmed her hands. Nothing could intrude on the peace in her soul and the exhilaration she felt in just being alive. Jessie sat down at the table to let the joy of BEING, sink in. Jessie's beauty matched the splendor of her surroundings and the glory of her feelings. For all of her lithe, tall frame, there was not an ounce of awkwardness. Jessie carried herself with the assurance of a god, head high, shoulders straight, a flowing quality to her movements, she synchronized with the rhythms of the universe itself. Some women might have looked less than wonderful in the men's pajama tops that she wore. Jessie looked fetching. She looked spectacular. Even the trees of forest accepted her as an equal. Jessie accepted her beauty as part of the natural order of things, part of the heritage of all mankind. She sat at the camp table, radiantly alive and stretched across the seat with the grace and spirit of a wild animal. Jessie crossed her legs slowly and cradled the coffee cup in her hands. Her legs began beneath the pajama top, long and lean and infinitely pleasurable to behold. Her thighs were sculpted out of fine creamy marble. The morning beckoned, a panorama of perfection before her. She surveyed the world. It was her special domain and playground for the wild, free, joyous quality of her nature. She sighed pleasurably and looked around the camping area. Sometime in the night the camping spot next to hers had acquired a tent, a four by four truck and assorted gear. The rest of the campground was usually abandoned this late into fall and the only thing that spoke of life besides the gentle sound of her breathing, was the scamper of ground squirrels looking for food under the table. She wondered who the other inhabitant was that could come here so late, long after summer fled, and during the week when most other denizens of the world sat at their desks and only dreamed of open air. The ultimate appearance of the other camper soon settled her quizzical musings, and the tall frame of a man stood outlined in the door of the other tent. He was about 6'1", his hair graying on the sides where it touched his face. It was a mature, satisfying face and he looked to be in his late 40's or early 50's. This face had an air about it that demanded respect. He looked as though he could handle anything that life threw him and still be strong, fair, confident and in control. The man smiled at Jessie and her body registered the inde- finable pull of desire. Jessie flashed a warm smile in his direction. She left no doubt that it was intended to telegraph her interest to the recipient. She sipped her coffee and savored the sensual quality of this male. His sensuality mixed itself with the scent of the trees and the golden light in a mixture that called forth magic. Her body was stirring now and it felt drawn to this stranger's strength, in a way that few men called her. Moistness began to spread itself on her thighs. It made her acutely aware of just how fascinating he really was. The man readied to shave. Cold water in a small pan, razor and shaving cream laid out on the table. He hung a small mirror from his kit on the side pole of the tent. Jessie was mesmerized. He began with long strokes on the sides of his face. Each was perfectly executed. They were strokes of a master painter working on a canvas. Each pass of the blade was strong, and each had their own symmetry as uniquely apropos as the verbal passages of Shakespeare. He finished, wiped his face with a towel and raised his head to catch Jessie still intent upon his face. "I have never had such an attentive audience before," he laughed, "nor such a pretty one," and he surveyed her face. "Are you making sure I have done the job properly?" he offered with a twinkle to his voice. Jessie gently laughed out loud. "And what would you do if I tested your handiwork with a kiss?" she countered. Hal was tempted to say, "I'm old enough to be your father, sweet lady," but he was both intrigued and attracted by her youth and her sublime grace. Instead he said, "Be my guest beautiful lady." It surprised him even as the words left his mouth. Jessie rose from the bench where she had been surveying the proceedings and walked over to Hal's campsite. Smiling, she took a finger and traced a path across his upper lip. Then she stroked the side of his face softly with the back of her hand. It was as smooth as a satin shirt. Flawless. He smelled of lime and soap and maleness. It was as heady a perfume as the pine trees, and she wondered what it would be like to love a man like that and have his scent on her pillow to drink in, every morning, along with his body. She gently kissed his cheek. Hal cleared his throat. "I suppose this means that I ought to introduce myself, as I'm not in the habit of having people I'm not acquainted with pass judgment on my handiwork. Especially when I have not had my coffee nor caught their name," he teased, "If you find me suitably proficient, you may call me Hal." Jessie barely suppressed the urge she was feeling to bring her body close to his, and run her fingers through the grey at his temples. She said, "My friends call me Jessie. I wouldn't know what is usual in this sort of situation, but my compliments to the artiste for his deft touch." She smiled and quipped, "It passes muster in my book, Michelangelo," and she touched Hal's cheek again with her lips, very softly, lingering just a bit at the last. Jessie had the feeling that Hal was about to draw her deeply to him and engulf her with his arms and soul, but his reserve held fast and the moment passed. She turned and went to her camp spot, returning in a moment with the thermos and a spare cup. "I understand that you also start your day with an infusion of dark caffeine. Would you care to share some of mine?" Hal extended an arm for the cup and Jessie poured the hot brown liquid till it reached the rim. His eyes teased her over the top of the coffee and he said, "My thanks to the chef. I never was able to wait very well while I brewed up my first batch of the day. You seem to be a very handy camper to have nearby." Jessie raised her eyes to his and said, "You'd be surprised as just how handy I am and all the things this camper knows how to do. Or just maybe...you wouldn't," and she flashed the big- gest, brightest look that was such a mixture of gentle, friendly, wickedness and pure exuberance, that Hal was momentarily caught off guard. He lost himself happily in enjoying it, until his sanity returned. "You ought to be spanked, young lady," he retorted, "And I might be tempted to do it myself if you don't get dressed and stop endangering an old man's heart like that," he threatened semi-seriously. Jessie shot back a gleeful smile and countered, "Looks to me as if your heart is strong enough to take it," and she headed back to her site in a hasty but reluctant retreat, before she could get her rear end swatted. She called over her shoulder as she passed, "You wouldn't happen to want to go with me up to the high meadow by the lake after breakfast, would you? It is a bit of a hike in, but well worth the trouble to get there." Hal called back "What's up there besides the lake?" Jessie shot back, "Me," and disappeared into the safety of her tent. Once inside the tent she shed the pajama top. She raised her arms high over her head and it slid off in a gentle caress. It brushed the nipples of her breasts, where the rose of their tips met the tan of her skin. She noted that the tips stood erect, totally appreciative of the gentle stimulation that Hal effected upon her mind. That gentleman out there was having a friendly, awakening, influence on her sleek body. She reached for her jeans and pulled them on over the blond triangle of her pubic hair. The thought of wearing them without underwear teased at her mind and brought a gentle glow of excite- ment to her loins. She found her belt and fastened it low on her hips. The only thing left was a shirt. She finally decided on a clean white T-shirt to set off her tan. It slightly revealed the tips of her nipples, just in case Hal was up to noticing. She was beginning to hope he was up to more than that. He made her want inside. He made her aware of her femaleness and her desire to express herself in deep and lasting rhythms. She smelled the smoke of a campfire and the aroma of wafting bacon drew her out to investigate. Maybe the man could even cook. There was the promise of heaven about his habits. Jessie now dressed, but highly indecent, made her way over to her table and surveyed her breakfast box. Usually she kept things simple on these trips to the campground. Hot breakfast cereals and fruit for the morning. The wafting smell of bacon was making her regret this decision though, and she considered putting a proposition to Hal. "How would you like to consider combining our stores for a really spectacular breakfast?" she suggested hopefully. "I have hot cream of wheat and honey sweet slices of melon to offer. If that isn't enough...there is always me for dessert," she said with a mischievous glint to her eye. "I have more than enough to share," Hal countered while his heart caught in his chest and he tried to maintain his calm exterior. "Besides, I never eat dessert with my breakfast, however attractive it might be!" He surveyed her now dressed body. She was lyrical. She made his throat dry and made him doubt his own, normally well balanced, sense of assurance. Her hair caught the rays of the morning sun, her violet eyes constantly teased him and the tips of her breasts were visible through her shirt in a salute that made it impossible to concentrate on what he was doing. He might as well share breakfast with her as she was going to be all he could think about the whole time anyway. Jessie carried the fixings over to Hal's stove and busied herself with the cereal. The whole time, Hal tried to keep his mind on his bacon cooking, but her presence grew on his body like the energy of a storm before it was about to break. A brush of her arm made him catch his breath. Her scent was like warm hay fields under the sun. It was sweet and intoxicating and made him almost ache from trying to draw it in. He wanted to catch her up in his arms and crush her to him. He WOULD stay in control! He would not let his fantasies run wild! This child-woman would not tempt him like that! She bent over. He wanted to brush against her, turn her face to him and carry her off into his tent but he would not give in to her spell! He resolved that no woman was going to make him lose the control it had taken 50 years to build. He was wrong about that. They had a quiet breakfast. Jessie washed the dishes and Hal dried. It was a constant trial for Hal. Her fingers would brush his as she handed him the plates. She was more than intox- icating, each touch chipped at his defenses. With Jessie it was almost unintentional. She breathed and lived and exuded desire...so much in her being...that once one knew her, it would have been impossible to imagine her without this quality. It was a spark of life that flowed forth to entrance those in her presence. She wove a spell of clean earth and warm sunshine and exuberance. She was a drink of heady wine. She made the senses swim and rational suddenly seem unimportant. She was the joy of Life itself. Finally they were through with the clean up. Hal gave an inward sigh of hope that he might now find relief from the battle he was fighting with himself. Just when he thought he had won, Jessie smiled and he had to fight his impulse to fall in love with her all over again. Jessie made a lunch for the two of them and placed it into each of their packs. It would be cold at the lake so she caught up a moleskin shirt to throw on for the higher elevation and then she looked around for something Hal could use. Hal had tossed a plaid, heavy, wool shirt over a bush by his tent. Jessie picked it up to hand to him. Her hand strayed though, and she lifted it to her face first. It smelled sweet and smoky, like campfires and like Hal's warm essence. This was as enchanting and addicting to her as the thought of opium pop- pies. She wanted to rub it on her face and bury herself in it like a puppy. There was something about his man, that she wanted to make her man, and something as necessary about him, as breath itself. Reluctantly she suggested he put the shirt on and re- turned it to him. They started off on the trail to the lake. Jessie lead the way through the forest. Meadows of ripe huckleberry bushes followed them from open area to forested area and then back again. They wound by fallen areas where the fire weed spikes sprinkled themselves in amongst the downed timber, where ground squirrels darted into small holes around the upright stumps. The hum of wild bees made the world buzz in the sunlight and the sunshine was heavy, overwhelming the senses and dissolving their every day selves into warmth. Hal and Jessie moved into the timber again and now began to climb in earnest. The trail moved ever upward where the wind carried a slight chill to it and the clouds dropped lower on the mountain sides. At last they moved out of the trees on the side of the mountain and looked down at a perfect jewel of a lake. It was surrounded below on all sides, by sloping terrain and it cupped a verdant, emerald meadow, beside its waters. They stood there for the longest time on that mountain side, absorbed in the sight and catching their breaths. Jessie dropped down the path to the lake, Hal followed upon her heels. The sun was dispersing the clouds now and it looked like it might be a fine day of Indian summer warmth. They picked their way to the part of the meadow spread beside the southern edge of the lake, the beauty of the day and the place acting upon their feelings like a drug. Jessie took a soft Madras bedspread from her pack and Hal helped her spread it over the fragrant grasses. The hum of insects made the Earth seem to vibrate with life and the sunshine lulled them into a sense of timelessness and pleasure. Hal helped Jessie slip the pack from her shoulders. She was close now. So close that she was overloading his senses. She turned and Hal could almost taste her skin on his lips, salt and coffee cream richness. Hal was losing his grip on reality and as he fought he knew it would be a battle he would ultimately and gladly lose. Then Jessie cast her die in the game. She took off her shirt to sunbathe. Jessie slipped her T-shirt off with the grace of a dancer. Her skin was flawless, the tan and the rose tips of her breasts melted the steel of Hal's reserve. He clasped her to his body and pressed his warm lips to hers tenderly, but with an urgency that confessed what he had been repressing all morning. She met his kiss with equal abandon and slowly pulled him down beside her on the cloth. Jessie's lips were trembling and Hal tried to soak her deeply into his soul, with each passionate response to his kiss- es. Hal cradled her face between his strong hands and tasted her honey wine lips with the desire of a man lost to the world. Kisses followed to her cheeks. Jessie arched and exposed her neck as he caressed her body with his tongue. Hal followed the line of the swan to the hollow of her throat and gently bit with his teeth until she could stand it no longer. Jessie's thighs were slippery from desire and she en- twined her limbs about his. Hal strayed down the throat to the chest, his tongue urging her abandon in small, intense circles until he reached her twin, perfect breasts. He encircled their tips and gently pulled, bringing warm flashes of need that washed over Jessie in waves. Breathing now in small gasps she rolled on her side and gently pushed Hal onto his back. What was fair for the swan was fair for the lady of the lake. Jessie planted kisses on Hal's cheeks and mouth and gently nibbled his ear. Her tongue flicked in and out and round, until Hal too began to breathe in irregular gasps. Her right hand worked down Hal's shirt buttons until the top lay open at the fur of his chest. Jessie ran the tips of her fingers though the black and grey hair curling across his chest, stroking his skin with desire. Shifting her weight to the side, she pulled his shirt to the side, effectively pinning his arms still entrapped in it. Desire driving her, Jessie moved her tongue over his breasts, circling, tickling, sucking while Hal lost himself wanting to play out the age old game of love and merging. Jessie's hand strayed to the straining bulge in his jeans and she stroked the surface of his thighs with ever gentle, passes that brought forth his breath in deep, pleasured moans. Now it was his turn again. Hal struggled to return from the waves of pleasure in which he floated. He finally raised himself on one elbow and removed his prison of a shirt. Hal reached for the zipper on Jessie's jeans and slowly inched it down, his fingers seeking to dip themselves in her soft petals of skin. His probing palms found the triangle of golden fur that arched skyward to meet him and he slid his hand along her glistening thighs searching for panties. There were none to find and it excited him to find her so ready and unencumbered. Jessie's right hand was no quieter than his. She worked the snap of Hal's jeans open and slid her hand inside over his under- pants and caressed his shaft. It was full and firm and strained upward at each pass she made from the tip to the base and back again. She worked Hal's zipper open and teased his firm member into the softness of her palm. It was velvet soft on the outside but unable to disguise the raging energy it contained. His shaft wanted only to be as close to her, to burrow itself deep within her magic. Its tip moistened in overwhelming expectation of heaven to come. Jessie and Hal were both breathing hard now. But they still had entirely too many clothes on. It took them no time at all to realize this fact and seek to remedy the situation to fulfill their desire. Hal was the first to call a truce. He eased Jessie's jeans off, his hand stroking her thighs with a caress with the softness of the wind, but the urgency of manhood. Reciprocating, Jessie slowly slid both his pants down until he stepped out of them. He stood before her like a graying, handsome god of lust. She knelt and took his shaft into her mouth and teased it round the head and underneath with her tongue. Each pass brought Hal closer to his knees. His back was arched and he fought the desire to end this ballet in a flood of saltiness. Jessie moved up his pubic area with her tongue...up the chest...up to the neck and then to his lips again. They embraced in a kiss that lost them both to time. Hal moved to enter her, thrusting, like a sword seeking its rightful sheath and when he found his home, they both cried out in pleasure. Now a deep thrust, now a shallow one. They clung in each others arms, swaying like great willows caught up in the dance of life and the wind. The deeper Hal thrust, the deeper Jessie tried to take him. She wanted him in the center of her being but she could not keep her balance, her knees were so weak that they had to hold each other up to keep from falling. Her body urged Hal to follow it gently down without slipping from its hold, to lie upon her on the sweet earth together. Now their rhythms lost them to all reason. She moaned and cried out and struggled sideways in an effort to bring Hal close enough within her. He lost himself in passion until the urgency of both of them brought the crescendo of centering. Hal came in a flood of warmth and a cry to the gods of perfection. Jessie joined him as his salty flood spread inside her loins that brought her own loss of space and time. She was in a time and place where nothing mattered but holding this man as close as she could for eternity itself. They lay relaxed, merged with one another while time itself passed away. Tears began to stream down Jessie's cheeks. They were tears of pure joy, tears of pure happiness and she held Hal gently and let them flow with her passion. Hal reached up and brushed them gently away with his finger tips. He kissed their saltiness and whispered gently into her ear, "I love you," while he tried not to cry himself. There was no way to express in words what he felt about what they had shared with each other. Language lost its power to express when compared with this sharing. For the longest time they laid there, wrapped in eternity, love taking them on a journey to the ultimate high meadow. --