Jon Reskind - The abducted bride

"You look preoccupied, Jean," Monique said, smiling at her across the table. "I hope my company isn't boring you."

"Oh, no, no, Monique," Jean said apologetically, "I love being here with you. In fact, you may not know it but this trip with you has changed my whole thinking about life."

"That's quite a statement, my dear," the older woman replied, an amused tone in her voice, "I think you're being a little dramatic about it."

"No, no, I'm not. I mean it. I truly do," Jean defended. She didn't want to hurt Monique's feelings. She had done so much for her just being around to help. The small things she had done, like getting her to a hotel and being there to talk to on the train, had taken her mind off her problem long enough for her to relax and look at it again with less prejudice than before. And, of course, leaving her alone this afternoon had been the turning point. If she hadn't been in such a relaxed mood, she probably would never have had the dream and consequently never realized just how much she did need her husband.

"Then you must tell me about this great change that I've brought about without even knowing it," Monique said lightly but with understanding. "My impression is that you've everything already that life could offer someone so young and pretty."

Jean was grateful for the sincerity in the older woman's voice and felt that she did owe her an explanation. Besides, she was bursting to talk with someone about it and there just couldn't be a more understanding person in the world than Monique. She felt so close and so dependent on her at this moment.

Jean hurriedly gulped the rest of her drink, wondering how she could explain without going too far. After all, she didn't want even Monique knowing everything. It was too embarrassing and made her feel like such a child.

"May I have another martini," she asked. "I think I'll need it to be able to even tell this silly story to you."

"Of course you may, I'll join you." Monique signaled the waiter who returned within moments with their refills. Jean took a large sip, feeling the smooth liquid hit bottom and bolstering her courage. They were beginning to have their effect. She could feel the light-headed sensation calming her inhibitions even before she had finished the last one, otherwise she would not have had the courage to even mention her problem. This last sip had dampened them completely and she was feeling as though she could at least tell Monique a few things about the ridiculous mess she had gotten herself into.

"Dear, you seem hesitant," Monique said, reaching across the table and touching her hand warmly. "If it's something you had rather not talk about then don't. I just thought I might be able to help."

"Oh, no, it's not that important," Jean said blushing slightly, not knowing quite how to begin. "It's just about a dream I had this afternoon while you were gone."

"Well then tell me, Jean, you know it sometimes helps to talk to someone else about your problems. I think we know each other well enough by now to share our burdens."

Jean began from the beginning, telling Monique about her courting days with Kevin and how she had sometimes hoped he would force her into submitting to him but would never encourage it. About her father and his instilling the ideas of purity until marriage into her young mind and the guilt complex it had left her with about sex even now that she was married. The horrible rape she had been forced to submit to in Paris by Kevin, though she made excuses for him to Monique, blaming herself for her puritan attitude toward intercourse. Finally, toward the end of the dinner, she had come to the dream.

"It was beautiful, Monique. If making love were always like that, I know I would never feel guilty again. It just seems as though everything he did to me was right and I felt so wonderful and so free to return his love. I gave him everything I had and I still wanted to give more."

There was a long pause, until Jean finally said with a shrug of her shoulders, "Well, that's all, you've heard the story of my whole love life. I guess it seems so silly to a woman like you who's lived as much as you have."

"Quite the contrary, my dear, I think it's a beautiful story and I hope it turns out the way you think it will."

"I just know it's going to be wonderful, Monique. When Kevin arrives tomorrow, everything will be alright again."

"You mean your husband is coming here tomorrow?" Monique asked, concern suddenly showing on her face. This could drastically interfere with her plans for this naive little American.

"Why, yes, I sent him a cable before we left the hotel. He'll be taking the train tonight and arriving tomorrow. Is there anything wrong?" Jean was afraid Monique had suddenly become ill, she looked so strange.

"No, no, my dear," Monique choked, "just a slight wave of nausea, it happens sometimes when I eat rich food this way. Don't you worry. I'll be alright in just a moment."

It was difficult for Monique to finish her dinner. She knew she had some fast thinking to do if she was to save her investment. She had not counted on this complication even though she had known the American had been married. It was going to be doubly difficult to accomplish her purpose with Gamal. Somehow she had to destroy this little innocent in the eyes of her husband and at the same time incite Gamal to the point where he would be willing to pay almost anything to have her at his mercy.

They finished dinner almost in silence. Jean said a few words of consolation to Monique about her discomfort but also could see she did not feel like talking at the same time. It appeared as though she had problems also and she would have given anything if she could have helped the woman as she had been so kind and understanding to her. She did not want to bring it up as she felt so young and helpless compared to the maturity of Monique and knew that if there was anything she could do, Monique would tell her.

Later, in the taxi on the way back to the hotel, Monique apologized. "I'm so sorry, my dear, that I feel this way. I had intended to take you out and show you some of the night life of Marseille after dinner but I just couldn't do it now."

"You've been so kind already, Monique," Jean answered, still feeling helpless that she could not help the older woman. "Perhaps if you feel better tomorrow night, we could all go together. You would love Kevin and I know he would like you."

"Yes, I think that would be better. I'm certain I can get away tomorrow evening. These spells seldom last more than one night. But we had better go now."

Jean noticed the obsequious grin of the Arab behind the desk as he gave them their keys for the room. His look had a knowing familiarity about it that she didn't like. Worse, he had rubbed his hand closely over hers when he had given her the key and his beady eyes appeared to undress her again as they had when he had delivered the tea that afternoon. She shuddered thinking about his greasy dirty appearance as she bid Monique goodnight and locked the door of her room behind her. How awful it would be to have those oily dark hands crawling over your body, she thought to herself. How do the women he makes love to stand it.

She thought about the cleanliness of Kevin and how good his smooth, well developed body would feel against hers tomorrow night. She had thought about their moving to a better hotel when he arrived, but had changed her mind. It would be good to have him here where the dream had occurred and on the same bed that her body had come to know for the first time the joys of physical union, even if it had only been in her mind. Besides, what could be more romantic than spending a few days in the old part of Marseille. She fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, looking forward with all her being to her husband's arrival tomorrow. It was going to be good for both of them, she just knew it would.