WWE Does Ballet

Memoirs
Written By Lady Cat

Chapter 1

Kassie James worked for a publishing firm in Tampa. Her job was to edit all manuscripts that came across her desk, then send them back to the author with notes on changes that would need to be made; perhaps a word here or there, change or delete a paragraph completely, or reject the material all together. It was tedious work at times, staying as late as midnight before finishing. Even though there were no specific deadlines to be met, Kassie always liked to get things done, staying with a particular manuscript till she was through.

It was close to 5:00 on a Friday. Kassie had just finished editing a manuscript which had taken her all day. Her eyes were red and puffy. She sat for a few minutes with her eyes closed, thinking that a hot shower and an early bed would be just the thing. She had just cleared off her desk when her boss, Jerry Simms, came in, a large envelope in his hand. Kassie looked at Jerry, knowing what he was going to ask.

"No, Jerry, I need to get away from it at least for the weekend. My eyes are tired and my brain is fried."

"Kassie, you're the only one that I can depend on that can do it. I just got it in today. It has to be in the mail no later than Monday. Do it, please as a favor for me."

"Monday!" She looked at the envelope. It was rather bulky, bigger than most. "That means I'll have to read it at home over the weekend," she said with a sigh. "Well, another weekend shot."

Jerry grinned. "I knew you would do it."

She gave him a sarcastic look. Jerry knew better than to stay when she was that way. He quickly left. "YOU OWE ME FOR THIS!" She yelled. She picked up her purse and the manuscript and left.

Kassie lived in a 2-bedroom duplex not far from the beach. When she entered she threw her purse and the envelope on the couch. Going in the kitchen she looked in the fridge to see if there was something quick to cook. "I should have stopped. Well, I guess order out is the theme for tonight."

Picking up the phone she called to have a pizza delivered. She knew she had at least 30 minutes before it would arrive. She went upstairs and turned on the shower. Quickly stripping she stood under the steaming water. "Just what I needed." Stepping out she wrapped a huge towel around her. Going in the bedroom, she took it off. She looked at herself in the mirror. Kassie was pretty, with her jet black hair (worn short and curly), light eyes, and a nice figure. She did have a scar that ran up one side of her thigh, a reminder of her past marriage. Putting on a huge t-shirt, which came to her knees, she went to the living room.

She eyed the envelope. Why did she agree? "Do I start now or wait?" She stood there. "Screw it! It can wait until after I've eaten."

The doorbell rang. A voice said, "Pizza Delivery," Checking to be sure, she paid the guy and sat down on the couch to eat and watch a bit of TV.

Chapter 2

About ten o'clock Kassie got up to go to bed. Again she looked at the envelope. "Maybe a chapter or two tonight," she said.

She took it with her upstairs. Getting comfortable in bed, she opened the envelope. She moaned as she knew this was going to be a long weekend.

She looked at the cover sheet and at the name. She turned the page and began reading the short foreword. It talked mainly of what the book would be about and why it was written. She carefully read the sentences, deleting words she felt weren't necessary, adding a word here, checking the grammar he used. "Either he wrote it that way on purpose or he's not adept at the use of verbs." She left quite a few marks on the foreword alone.

Kassie was busy making changes on chapters one and two. By the time she was through, the two chapters were covered with editor notations, resembling more of a page of scribbles rather than what was to be a book. She shook her head. "Whoever wrote this should have asked for help. This is horrible," she thought. "I can tell this is going to be a waste of my time." Yawning she put the manuscript on the nightstand then laid down and went to sleep.

She slept till noon the next day. She stretched before getting out of bed. Dressing in her sweats she went downstairs and brewed some coffee. Absentmindedly, she brought the manuscript with her. After fixing herself an egg and biscuit, she sat at the table and ate, the pile of paper staring at her. "I shouldn't even bother to continue, but Jerry will be expecting it finished."

For the next few hours she sat at the table reading, making marks and writing what should be done. She was half way through when she looked at the time. It was almost five o'clock. She went back over what she had done. Just like the first two chapters, the rest of the manuscript looked more like doodling than a manuscript. "I've had enough. I'm not reading anymore. It's taking me longer to do this than if I had three or four to do." She wrote rejected on the front and put it back in the envelope. Before closing, she got on the computer and typed a letter, explaining what she had done and why.

"It is my opinion that a serious rewrite be done, starting with the title and going on from there. The text was written as if by someone mentally handicapped. I would suggest you not quit your day job." Kassie added a postscript. "Perhaps if you attended a writing class that would help." Signing her name she put it in the envelope and sealed it.

Chapter 3

Jerry came in her office as soon as he arrived. "Well?"

"Here it is. All sealed and ready to go. Now, I need to finish one of the ones I had started Friday."

"Thanks, Kassie." Jerry didn't bother to ask her opinion. All he wanted was to get it in the mail.

"It's a good thing he didn't ask me what I had done. Judging from his reaction, he wants this particular client. Well, he might not get him," she thought to herself.

Jerry dropped the envelope in the mail. What he hadn't told her was the author was a good friend of his and wanted an opinion on it. Jerry was also anxious to publish this as he figured with the celebrity status his company would get more exposure.

Jerry went back to Kassie's office. "I want to thank you again for doing this."

"I'm curious, Jer, just why were you so interested in getting this done so fast? Is there something special about this client?"

"Normally, Kass, I don't make a big deal about it, but the client is a good friend of mine who asked me if I would publish his manuscript."

Kassie thought to herself, "So that's it." Getting herself set to be yelled at she sat back. "I rejected it, Jerry. In fact, the thing was so horribly written it took me longer to edit it than most of the others I get in. I honestly couldn't believe that whoever this person is would publish it. It was so full of notations it no longer resembled a book. I even wrote a short note saying that it should be rewritten, starting with the title, and that the content would make one think it had been written by someone mentally handicapped."

"Kassie, you didn't!"

"Jerry, you know I'm brutally honest when I edit. I don't care who it is. The manuscript was a big waste of time. Perhaps if he attended a writing class it would be a big help.

"Kassie, I helped him write it!"

She looked at him with raised brows. "You should have known better Jerry. No one would want to read it the way it was written. And I'm not changing my mind either."

Jerry said nothing. He had worked with her long enough to know she would stick by her guns. He let out a sigh and left her office. It would take a day or so for his friend to receive it. It would take him that long to steel himself for his friend's phone call.

________________________

Mark Calloway had spent a lot of time, practically 3 years, writing his autobiography. He had gotten his friend, Jerry Simms, to help him. Jerry had said that he would have his best editor read it over. Jerry had called saying that the manuscript was on its way back and should be there in a couple of days.

Mark had come to town to check on the apartment and catch up on his mail. His businesses kept him busy as he had several tattoo parlors located around the country. He also owned a couple of successful fix-it-shops for motorcycles in the state.

When he arrived he saw the large envelope. Putting everything down Mark opened it. He saw the word "REJECTED" stamped on the front sheet. As he looked through, he saw the notations that covered every page. He saw a fold piece of paper and unfolded it. His brows furrowed in anger.

"This manuscript needs a complete rewriting starting with the title. The usage of verbs and subject matter would lead one to believe the author was mentally handicapped. Perhaps if you took a writing class at the local junior college, it might educate you as to the proper techniques of writing. In other words, don't leave your day job."

Mark saw the signature. He immediately got on the phone. After a couple of minutes, Jerry picked up.

"What kind of shit is this! I work my fuckin' ass off for three years writing this to be told I'm mentally handicapped? To not leave my day job? Just who is this Kassie?"

Jerry cringed at the voice. "She's the best editor I have. And she is honest in her opinions."

"You can't even read what I wrote for all the marks she made! And you helped me with this!"

"I know, I know," Jerry said as calmly as possible. "When I gave it to her I didn't think she would tear it up like she did."

"Tear it up! She shredded it!"

"Well maybe you should take that writing class. There's one that is taught at the junior college. Maybe you should check it out."

Mark slammed the phone down. "Some help you were," he mumbled. He sat fuming for a few minutes. Picking up the phonebook he looked up the number of the junior college, dialing the admission's office.

Jerry went to Kassie's office. She had just finished catching up on her correspondence when he came in.

"Well, I just got off the phone with my friend. I'm not going to go into detail what he told me. But telling him he was mentally handicapped?! Kassie, that was being rather harsh, wasn't it?"

"No, I don't think so. Just the way it was written was enough."

"But not to leave his day job? Are you sure you didn't do that because I gave it to you on a Friday?"

"No. I sat down and honestly read it. I was halfway through and it was just too much. I sent it back."

"Only halfway through? You could have finished it."

"Why? To torture myself."

Jerry took a breath. "What are you doing tonight?" Jerry had always liked Kassie, and would ask her out every now and then.

"You know the answer, Jerry. I don't go for employees dating. Besides, I have something else to do on Wednesday."

CHAPTER 4

Unknown to Jerry, Kassie taught a writing class at night at the junior college. She never told Jerry as she felt it was none of his business. Grabbing a quick bite at a small restaurant, she drove to the college. She was at a stop light waiting. When she pulled off a motorcycle pulled in front of her. Kassie had to quickly brake to keep from hitting him.

Mark was on his way to the junior college. He had signed up for the writing class and wanted to get there early. Traffic was slow and he was getting impatient. Finding a small opening he pulled out and got in front of the white Buick. Looking back he could see the angry face of the driver. He shrugged his shoulders and went on.

Kassie had wanted to open her window and yell at the rider but decided she didn't need to be in a bad mood when she got there. "But the next time," she thought. She finally made it and found a parking spot close to the building. As she walked to her class she noticed the large Titan parked near the entrance.

She went to the office to check her mailbox. She found a note saying a new student would be joining her class. She didn't mind, she always liked having new students. She went on to the classroom.

Mark entered the classroom finding a seat in the back. Everyone stared at him, surprised to see such a large man taking a class. He sat in the chair, finding it a rather snug fit. He knew he couldn't sit for 2 hours in a desk chair. Looking around he found a regular chair and got comfortable.

Kassie entered the room not noticing Mark in the back. She was handing back some written assignments to the class going to each student. As she got to the back, she looked up and saw him sitting there. She recognized him as the guy on the motorcycle. "This is my new student!?" she thought sarcastically.

Mark had taken a good look at her when she came in - the angry woman in the car. "Oh great!" he moaned to himself.

When she had finished she walked back to the front. "For those of you who have just joined our class, my name is Kassie James. I work for a publishing firm here in Tampa. My job is to edit manuscripts submitted for publication."

Mark sat there, not believing his misfortune. He had two strikes against him from the start; one for cutting in front of her in traffic. The second being this was the one who had insulted his lack of intelligence.

Kassie pointed to him. "Who are you?"

"I'm Mark Callaway."

Kassie remembered the name. "So, the so-called author and Jerry's friend."

Keeping a straight face she said, "Welcome to the class. To catch you up, Mr. Callaway, the class has been talking for the past two months about the elements needed to write a story. After class, I'll give you the handout outlining the elements needed. Their assignment was to write a short story, no more than three or four chapters, and hand in as a rough draft, to be redone and handed back in."

For the next hour and a half, they went over their assignment. Kassie answering any questions the class had. Time went by quickly. It was 9:00 by the time anyone knew.

"By next class I want your rough drafts corrected and handed in. See you next week."

Everyone got up to leave. Mark went to the front. Kassie was putting her books and papers in a briefcase. "Mr. Callaway, here is the handout. Please read it carefully and see if you can write a rough draft to hand in. If you have any problems, refer to the handout."

As she handed him the sheet, their fingers accidentally touched. He felt warm to the touch. She quickly went back to putting things in the briefcase and erasing the blackboard.

"Is there any particular subject you want me to write about?"

Kassie turned, "No. Write about whatever you like."

For a few seconds they looked at each other. Kassie picked up her briefcase and left the room. Mark walked behind, looking at Kassie, seeing her hips sway. When they exited she went the short distance to her car, got in and drove away.

Mark watched her car leave the lot. He had at first thought she would have been a skinny, spinster woman who wore her glasses on the end of her nose. Instead, he had seen a young woman, her jet back hair making her features stand out, a very shapely figure, and a seductive sway to her hips as she walked.

"Class may not be bad after all. Maybe I do need some pointers on how to write," he thought with a smile as he straddled his Titan.

She got in to work the next morning, tired from not having slept. She grabbed a cup of coffee to try to wake her. She got to her desk, finding a couple of manuscripts on the desk already.

Kassie sat in her chair, slowly drinking her coffee, ready to begin work. Seeing her new student had brought back bitter memories of her ex-husband. She thought back to how she had met him.

It had been at her friend, Cindy's house. Cindy and she were best friends, and although Cindy had a bad reputation for being fast, she never took Kassie around the crowd she hung around with.

She had gone over to see if Cindy wanted to go to the mall when she saw a couple of bikes parked in front of her house. Cindy answered the door, saying that she would love to go, and that they could catch a ride there with her boyfriend and his friend.

When she met Hal, the first thing she noticed was his long dark hair which hung loose. He was wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans and was muscular built. To her it was love and first sight, almost not believing someone could look that good. Cindy introduced them. Hal shaking her hand as he looked her up and down.

The guys took them to the mall, saying they would pick them up in a couple of hours. Cindy suggested why not the four of them go out later. The girls were out front when the guys picked them up.

Kassie had never been to a bar before. She had slowly drunk the first bottle of beer, finding the taste not bad. After three more she was a little tipsy. Cindy thought maybe it was time to leave. They stopped at her house. No one was home as her mother had to work. They sat on the couch, listening to CD's. Hal reached and turned out the light. Kassie felt a pair of lips on hers. It had caught her surprise. She then was pushed to the couch. She twisted away.

"Where are Cindy and Itch?"

"They've gone upstairs to be alone," Hal answered, his lips kissing her throat.

Kassie remembered her skin getting goose bumps as he kept on kissing her throat, then coming back up to kiss her lips, this time, pushing his tongue in her mouth. She had wanted to get up, but he kept her pinned to the couch. She remembered his hands unbuttoning her blouse, pushing her bra up. He was squeezing her breasts, rubbing his fingers over her tips. She was shaking, having never experienced this before. She had looked to see he had taken one of them in his mouth and was sucking the tip. This was something new to her, her whole body feeling like it was on fire. He had kissed his way down, stopping to unbutton her jeans, then pulling them and her panties off.

He had spread her legs, his hot breath at her thighs. She jumped as his tongue went in her slit, licking her all around, then taking the bud in his mouth, sucking it, feeling it swell. She was grabbing pillows or whatever she could get her hands on. Hal had held her hips as he went deeper in her. She was feeling a tight spiral in her stomach as a new feeling was coming to her. She remembered him getting up, seeing his shadow, hearing a zipper open. He had taken her hand and put it on his hardening shaft, guiding it back and forth. "You tasted good baby. Now it's time to feel what's going in you." He had kept her hand going back and forth, then taking her hand away. He had been good size. When he entered her, she began to scream. His hand had gone over her mouth as he plunged in her, thrusting hard. "Damn! I just popped a cherry!" Tears had run down her cheeks from the pain. To Hal it had been a turn on as he went even deeper in her, thrusting for what seemed an eternity, then he stopped.

He had gotten up and adjusted his clothing. She had laid there in pain and shame, getting up slowly to put her clothes back on. He had turned her face up to his, "You have some good pussy, Kassie. Well, from now on, it’s mine, all mine."

She had been in a daze when he left. For a few days she didn't see him. When she had gone back to Cindy's house, he was there waiting for her.

As Kassie sat there remembering, she thought to how Hal had taken over. She shook her head. She had been so naive then, to the point that she didn't know any better. It was four months later she had married him as she had become pregnant. Why she did, she never knew. Her mom and dad had made her move out, not wanting to live with the embarrassment and shame. She had been living with Cindy when she and Hal had stood before the Justice of the Peace.

CHAPTER 5

Their first couple of months of marriage was okay. Hal had had a decent job and Kassie kept the apartment clean. But then things changed. Hal lost his job and couldn't find another. He did work with his friend at fixing bikes but that didn't get him much. It was then she had noticed he was staying out all night. She didn't say anything at first. Then one day she had asked and he said it was none of her business. She remembered having asked for some money to pay the rent as they were behind. He had pulled out a wad of money and gave her some. She was going to ask but he had looked at her menacingly and said it was none of her business.

One night he came in the door out of breath, as if he had been running for a while. "Baby, if the police come to the door, just tell them I've been here all evening." Kassie had looked at him puzzled. Then she had heard a knock at the door. It was the police. When she opened they told her that there had been a string of car thefts lately. Tonight there had been a witness who had seen one of them running in this direction. She told them she had not seen anyone and neither had her husband. Hal had come to the door cool and collected, acting surprised at what he had heard. When they left he told her she had done well.

A week later again he came rushing in, only this time he had brought someone with him. She looked and saw he carried a gun. The sirens were getting louder now as they stopped in front of the building. Hal again asked her to lie. It was then she put two and two together. She told him she wasn't going to lie for him this time. Hal pushed her against the wall, grabbing her throat. She pushed as hard as she could. Hal went back a few steps, almost tipping over a chair. She went to get away from the room, but his friend had caught her. He had come over to her and was going to hit her when the police shouted for them to come out. His friend had let her go and fired through the window. Kassie went to the floor, frightened at the shots being fired. When the police returned fire, she screamed, covering her head. Hal had come over and kicked her, telling her to shut up.

"We've got a pregnant woman in here! We'll kill her if you don't let us leave!" his friend had yelled. His friend came over and pulled her up by the hair and took her to the window to show them. The police backed off. As they came out the door, Kassie was squirming, trying to get away.

Kassie's eyes popped open as she realized she was in the office. She propped her head in her hands, having broken out in a sweat. She could still see Hal trying to force her into a car. She had bit his hand and tried to run. The police began to run in, but not before Hal had cut her leg, going up her entire thigh, making her fall hard to the ground. The police managed to subdue them and take them to jail.

She remembered having felt something between her legs. Her water bag had busted. They rushed her to emergency at the nearest hospital. She had been taken to surgery right away. They sewed her leg up, a scar all the way up, but the baby was born dead.

At the trial she turned evidence against him and his friend. They were sentenced to 15-20 years. She divorced him shortly after.

CHAPTER 6

It had been rough when she had first come to Tampa, but she had managed to put herself through junior college, majoring in literature, getting her AA degree. Two months later she began work at her present job, which she now had for the last 15 years.

Jerry came in. "Well, good morning. Looks like you had a rough night."

"I didn't get much sleep. I sometimes get insomnia."

"Sure it wasn't something else," he said with a big grin and raised brows.

Kassie gave him an exasperated look. "No, Jerry. It was not that. And if it had been, it would have been none of your business. Now leave me alone so I can get started on these manuscripts?"

"How about lunch?"

She knew Jerry could be a pest, but he was good hearted. "Okay."

Jerry stood outside her office. He thought back to when she first started. Her resume hadn't shown that she had any experience, but he had decided to hire her anyway. There had no regrets. She had proven her worth over the years. He didn't know much about her background, and after 15 years still didn't know all that much about her. When he had walked in she looked as if she had just had a bad dream. "Something is up," he thought. Maybe one day she would tell him.

As he entered his office the phone rang. Picking up the receiver he said, "Phantom Press, Jerry speaking."

"Hey Jerry, Mark here."

"Hey, buddy. What can I do for you?"

"I just called to say I enrolled in that writing class at the college. My first class was last night."

"How did it go?"

"It should be a very interesting class. Especially with the instructor they have. It's going to take a while to get used to going to class."

"Oh? What does the instructor look like?" Knowing Mark had an eye for the ladies.

"She's cute, with short dark hair and a sexy walk."

Jerry laughed and shook his head. "Is that all?"

"She seems to know her stuff."

"Well, good luck, buddy."

Kassie was glad to leave work Friday, rushing out before Jerry could saddle her with a manuscript. Waking up late the next morning, she decided to work on her lesson plan for that Wednesday's class. About mid-afternoon she decided to take a break and go for a walk on the beach. Wearing a tank top and wrap-around skirt, she began the short walk to the beach.

Mark had just gotten through with his last appointment at the fix-it shop. He hadn't started on his assignment yet, not having thought of a story line. Maybe going to his spot at the beach would help. Closing up, he grabbed a six-pack and got on his Titan.

Kassie walked very slowly along the beach, letting the incoming water hit her as she walked along. She loved listening to the waves as it always relaxed her.

Mark found his spot on a dune and parked his Titan. Grabbing a beer he sat looking at the ocean. He noticed someone walking along the shore. He watched as the stroller came closer. Then he recognized her.

Kassie was busy walking and did not notice someone watching her or that he had approached.

"Hello, Ms. James, isn't it?"

Kassie jumped and turned only to look up. "Mr. Callaway, right? Call me Kassie," looking into his deep green eyes.

"Yes, but call me Mark.

She noticed he was dressed in blue jeans and black vest, just like the first time she met him, only this time his tattoos were showing. She was a bit nervous, it was like standing next to a giant. "I didn't think someone like you would enjoy coming to the beach," trying to sound calm.

"I come here often. It helps me to relax."

As he stood next to her, he noticed the slight trembling of her body. "She wasn't that way at class the other night," he told himself.

Kassie didn't know what to say. "Have you started on your assignment yet?"

"No, I haven't been able to come up with anything to write about. Do you have any suggestions?"

Kassie looked at him, surprised he would ask as he seemed not the kind to ask. "Well, if I were writing this, I would base it on something I enjoy and know something about. So what do you enjoy?"

Mark thought a bit. "I enjoy riding my Titans. I do own a couple of motorcycle repair shops as well as several tattoo parlors."

Kassie hadn't thought him to be a businessman. "Excuse me, Mr. er, Mark, but you don't put me in mind of being a business man."

He smiled. "Most people don't because of the way I look. I've been a businessman for a few years now, even before I retired from wrestling. The book you rejected was my autobiography. The character I portrayed was known as The Undertaker. I wrote it based on his character, not on my own personal life."

Kassie looked down at the sand. "Sorry about that. Jerry never told me anything. He just wanted me to look at it."

"That sounds like him. I have to admit, I did say a few words to him."

Kassie started to giggle. "I can see him getting nervous. He needs that every now and then."

"You know, I had thought of you as being an old spinster with glasses on the end of her nose. It was a surprise to see my teacher was young and very beautiful."

Kassie blushed. "Are you trying to kiss up to teacher, as the old saying goes? Because if you are, it's not going to work."

"Damn! Here I thought it would work," he said with a big grin.

Kassie gave him a side-long glance, then smiled. There was a moment of silence. "Well, I guess I'll be going home," she said. "I have to get things ready for class Wednesday. I do expect to see a rough draft from you."

"Yes, teacher," he said with a school boy grin.

Kassie walked back down the beach. Mark watched her walk away. "I think I have a story in mind already," he thought.

When Kassie got home, she fixed herself a sandwich and sat at the table to finish her lesson plan. She had worked on it for just a few minutes and hadn't written anything down. A tall man with red hair kept showing up in her thoughts. She put the pencil down, wondering why his visage kept popping up.

Mark sat in his apartment, having half eaten a sandwich. He grabbed a pad and began to write. He wrote a couple of pages, then went back and read it over. He scratched through a few sentences rewording what he had written. Two hours later he had written a total of four chapters. He thought the plot was good. It was about meeting a woman at the beach by accident, using his wrestling years as part of the story. He came up with a title, calling it "Chance Meeting."

Kassie spent the rest of the weekend finishing her lesson plan, thoughts of Mark in her head constantly. When she came in the office on Monday, it was all she could do to get her mind on her work.

Looking over the manuscripts that had come in, she picked one that was rather large. Perhaps this would help her keep her mind off him. Brewing a pot, she spent the day with her door closed. Grabbing a couple of smaller manuscripts, she went home. "I've got to keep my mind busy," she kept telling herself. She slowly read them over, making the usual notations, shaking her head and wondering where people came up with this stuff. It was two o'clock by the time she hit the sack.

It was 7:30 when she woke up. Realizing it was late, she showered and dressed and was out the door in twenty minutes. She made it to the office just as the clock said 8:45. Jerry was standing outside her office. "Well, I'm glad you decided to come in to work."

"Don't be sarcastic, Jerry. How often have I ever come in late? As late as I've stayed some nights I think I'm due."

She went in her office, Jerry right behind her. "So, was it worth it?"

"Worth what?" Kassie asked, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"Whatever it was you did last night," he replied with a grin.

Kassie caught on. "I didn't do anything last night. I got to bed late and overslept, that is all."

"Are you sure or don't you want to tell?"

"I think we've gone through this before. I didn't do anything, and if I did it's none of your business. Now, leave me alone!"

Jerry left, a grin on his face. As he walked to his office, he thought about all the times he had asked her out, and every time she had turned him down. If only she would loosen up. He imagined how she would be. "Whew!"

Kassie typed up some letters and sent them with the manuscripts, then looked at her calendar. She had nothing really on the agenda for the day except an appointment at the dentist. She took a late lunch and went to her appointment from there. When she was through she stopped at the mall to do some shopping.

CHAPTER 7

Kassie got to class early Wednesday, thinking she would let the class out early. She sat in the lounge sipping on a coke, thinking about her encounter at the beach. Why did he stay in her thoughts? Taking a deep breath, she walked to the classroom.

Mark sat in the back as usual, ready to hand in his rough draft. As much time as he spent writing and rewriting it, she should be satisfied, he thought to himself.

As soon as she entered she saw him sitting there. If only he didn't dress like that. She put her case down. "Tonight, class will be let out early. If you have any questions that need to be answered, ask them now." For thirty minutes students asked whatever questions they had before handing in their rough drafts.

Mark was the last. Kassie saw the title of the story, "Chance Meeting." Not a bad title. "Well, Mark, we'll have to see if the story matches the title," she said with raised brows.

"I hope so. I read the handout and followed the outline."

There was a moment of silence. "I was wondering, would you care to have a drink with me?" he asked.

Kassie thought for a bit. "Normally, I don't go out with the students."

"Well, I'm not in reality a student."

Kassie took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll follow you."

Kassie followed Mark as he rode his Titan. As she drove she saw how good he looked on his Titan, as if he and the bike were one. But then her ex was the same. "Kassie, you have to quit thinking like that. There is a world of difference between Hal and Mark." In the little time she had spoken to him, she could tell Mark was nothing like Hal. He had a head on his shoulders and knew how to use it. But she still couldn't forget the hell Hal had put her through, even after all these years.

They were soon in front of a bar called "Club Paradise." Mark came over and opened her car door. "This is where I regularly go."

"Doesn't look bad."

They entered, everyone yelling at Mark. He took her to a corner table. The waitress came over. "The usual, Mark?"

Mark nodded his head. "How about you, Kassie?"

"I'll have a whiskey sour." The waitress left.

"This isn't a bad place. How long have you been coming here?"

"Quite a while. A friend of mine runs it."

A small band was playing. "Care to dance?"

"I'm not a very good dancer. I might step all over your feet."

"You let me worry about that."

He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. It was all Kassie could do to follow him. She was amazed how light he was on his feet. She felt like he was holding her off the dance floor. They sat down, their drinks already there. They talked for the next half hour. She found him interesting and easy to talk to. He told her about his wrestling career and the years he spent on the road.

Kassie found herself laughing at some of the things that had happened to him while wrestling. "Your character, Undertaker, how did you happen to choose a name like that?"

Mark explained he chose it because at one time he had actually worked digging graves. He had had a couple of other characters before that weren't bad, but he wanted something else. While thinking of a new character, he had remembered his days of working for a mortuary and thus decided on this character. "I wore mortician's clothes to the ring, putting my opponents in bags after I won my matches. I scared a lot of people that way, but that was all a part of the character. The character turned out to be a huge success for a number of years. As time went by, I changed the outline but the basic concept of the character was there. When I wrote my autobiography, I wanted something just a bit different, that's why I wrote the book from the perspective of the Undertaker."

"I see what you mean," she said.

"I was wondering, though, would you help me rewrite it?" he asked.

Kassie looked at him surprised. "Me help you? Are you sure?"

"Quite sure. I think you would do a better job than Jerry."

Kassie giggled. "You could be right." After a bit. "Okay, I'll help you rewrite it. When did you want to start?"

"How about this weekend at my house? Is that okay?"

"Fine. I'll be there at 9 o'clock."

Mark gave her his address and phone. After they had another drink, they left. "I'll see you Saturday," he said, shutting the car door for her. She nodded and drove off. Mark watched her leave, smiling as he imagined their writing sessions.

As soon as Kassie entered her house she thought back to her agreeing to help Mark write his book. "Kassie, sometimes I wonder about you." She picked up one of the stories to read. Seeing it was Mark's, she opened it, red pen in hand, ready to make notations. As she read, she could tell he had put a lot of time into it. The story fit the title, basic descriptions of the characters were there, and a good plot line. She made a few notations as to paragraphs, punctuation, verbiage, etc. As she read into the characters, she found the woman to be somewhat like her. "Why had he done that?" she thought to herself.

CHAPTER 8

"Hey, cousin! It's me, Hal. I just got into town. I was wondering if you could put me up for a day or so till I can find a place of my own?" Pause. "Okay, see you in a few."

He sat in one of the chair in the station. he had been put on parole for good behavior after 15 years in prison. "Fifteen years of hell," he thought. "Thanks to my ex."

Hal wondered where she had gone as he had checked with her old friend, Cindy, who told him she didn't know where she went as she had never heard from her. He had a special surprise for her if he found her. He looked at his bag smiled. If the parole officer knew what he had in his bag, he would be sent back to prison. Of course, the officer didn't know he had left as he had used an alias. Once he got some cash in his pocket he would look for her again. "Kassie, if I ever find you, and I will find you, you'll wish you had never crossed me." Twenty minutes later he was on his way to his cousin's house. "It's been a while, cousin. How are things going?"

"Great. Business is good. What do you plan to do?"

"I was thinking of mechanic work. You know, working on old Harleys' etc."

"I know of someone who could use the help. I'll call him up."

"No, just give me his address. I'll contact him myself."

The next day Hal went to Mark's fix-it-shop to apply. He was hired and was told to start the next day. Shaking the head mechanic's hand, he said he would be there. As he looked around the shop, he thought this is a good place to work while he continued his search.

Mark stopped by the shop later that day. The head mechanic told him he had just hired another mechanic as they were behind. "What's his name?"

"Greg Barr. I think he'll work out okay."

Mark got up early Saturday morning to make sure everything was ready for Kassie when she arrived. At 9 o'clock there was a knock.

"I see you're on time," Mark said. "Have you eaten breakfast? I could cook something for you."

"A cup of coffee would do nicely. I want to get started."

She sat at the kitchen table, taking out her computer from the briefcase. Mark handed her the cup, sitting down.

"The first thing you need to know, don't ever have Jerry help you write. He may own the company, but he doesn't know about writing."

"So I found out," Mark said with a wry smile.

Kassie smiled. "Do you still have the manuscript I sent back to you?"

"I'll get it."

Putting it in front of her, Kassie looked at the title. "You want to write your story, but actually you want the Undertaker's story, right?"

"Yeah, I wanted to do his life as my own."

"Tell me about the Undertaker. Where did he come from? What kind of life did he have etc."

For the next couple of hours Mark told the story. Every so often Kassie would write something down. As she listened she became fascinated. It was like he had experienced for real everything the Undertaker went through. When he was finished, Kassie put down her pencil and read over the notes she had taken.

"You have a good story there. Now we need to get it written." Looking the notes over, she sat thinking of a title.

"Well, the first thing that comes to mind is 'A Dead Man's Tale.' How about that?"

Mark nodded. "I'll have to think about it, but that pretty much goes with it."

"We can always change the title once it's written."

Kassie began typing the foreword, using the original foreword he had written with minor changes. Mark read as she typed, seeing how it led into the story. By this time it was going on noon. Kassie's stomach began to growl.

"I'm sorry. I guess I need to stop a bit for lunch. Do you have anything quick? I'll fix it myself."

"There's food in the fridge. Help yourself."

Kassie began making sandwiches, grabbing a couple of sodas.

"I read as you typed the foreword. I like it better than the first. You seem to have a gift for writing. Have you ever written before?"

"No. For the past 13 years I've edited manuscripts submitted for printing. I attended the junior college after I arrived and took literature and composition, getting an AA degree. I applied at Jerry's company shortly after graduating. I enjoy doing it. But like any other job it does have its drawbacks."

"How long have you been teaching at the junior college?"

"Not long. Just under a year. I like doing it. It gives me a chance to help someone to write better. Of course, Jerry doesn't know I do it. So please, don't mention it to him."

"I won't."

After they had eaten, Kassie and Mark worked on writing the first chapter, using the notes she had written down as a guide. By three o'clock, they had finished the first chapter. Kassie read it over, making minor corrections, then typing the corrected text to a disk. "Well, this is better than the last time. At least I can read what I wrote," Mark said jokingly.

Kassie smiled. "Maybe we should quit for now. The main thing of writing is not to force it, just let it come to you naturally. There will be times when it seems you can't get it right. Just walk away from it for a while then come back and try again."

Mark looked at the time. "It's almost five o'clock. What do you say we knock off for today? Maybe you would like to go out for a pizza or something?"

"That sounds nice. I hope you don't mind what I'm wearing. I didn't expect to be going out."

"What you have on is fine. Let's go. Did you want to drive or ride my Titan?"

Kassie hadn't rode a bike in years. "Let's ride."

They went to a small pizza parlor about a couple of miles from his apartment. After being seated, he ordered a pitcher of beer. As they waited, they talked about a variety of topics. Kassie found herself enjoying his conversation. The stories he told of his years in wrestling had her laughing.

"Can I ask you a rather personal question?" he asked. "Are you going with anyone at the present?"

Kassie looked at her glass and shook her head no.

"I can't believe a beautiful woman such as you has no one."

Kassie turned the glass around. She couldn't tell him about what had happened to her. "I just haven't found the right person yet."

After they had eaten, he asked if maybe she would like to go to the beach. Kassie hesitantly said yes. In no time they were at the beach and walking by the water's edge.

Kassie looked down to see Mark had taken her hand in his. She looked up at him, finding he was looking at her. She turned her head, a slight blush appearing in her cheeks.

Mark stopped, pulling her close to him. Putting his fingers under her chin, he tilted her head up, his lips coming down on hers in a soft kiss. Kassie pulled back. "Please, Mark, don't."

Chapter 9

Kassie headed back up the beach. Mark caught up with her. He took her hand and stopped. Kassie turned to him.

"I'm sorry, Kassie. I shouldn't have done that. I don't know why..."

"It's okay. It's not you, it's me. Maybe it would be better if we call it a day. I don't live far from here so I'll go on home."

Mark watched her leave. He got on his Titan and went back to his apartment. He got a beer and sat on the couch. Everything was fine till he kissed her. Why had he? There was something about her that had attracted him. He looked at the kitchen table. She had left her briefcase and computer behind. Finding her handout, he dialed her number.

Kassie sat on the sofa, her head in her hands. Why had she acted as she did? Everything was going fine till he kissed her. She thought to how the day had gone. She had enjoyed being with him, listening to him tell the story of his character. She lifted her head. "Kassie, you have to realize he is not Hal. He doesn't talk like him nor does he even remotely act like him," she said aloud. "You have to forget the past." The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Kassie, this is Mark. I called to see how you were and to apologize."

"Mark, there's really no need to. It's me that should apologize. You did nothing wrong."

"I was wondering if you would like your briefcase and computer as you left them here?"

"I had forgotten about them. If it's not too much trouble could you bring them?"

"I'll be there in half an hour."

Kassie gave him the address. Kassie quickly showered and put on a lounger. A half hour later he was there with her briefcase and computer. "Thank you for bringing them. Would you care to come in?"

"If you want me to."

"Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for something?"

"Do you have a beer?" he said as he sat on the sofa.

Kassie brought him a beer, opening it for him. "Mark, before anything else, I want to tell you why I acted the way I did. I've never told anyone what I am about to tell you."

Kassie told Mark the whole story. Of meeting Hal; what happened on their first date and how he literally took over her life, having to move in with her friend as her parents had kicked her out when she told them she was pregnant. Then she told of Hal's involvement with the car theft ring and how he had threatened her. She went into detail of the police and her being used as a hostage; then of his arrest and trial, being sentenced 15-20 years.

"The stress of the trial and how he cut me made me have a miscarriage. I divorced him when they sent him to prison. I came here and started my life over. All these years, I've never dated anyone because of it, being afraid to have a personal relationship."

Mark could see the pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Kassie. Do you still want to work with me on the book?"

"Yes, I still want to."

"How about tomorrow?" he asked as he got up to leave. Kassie nodded, going to the door with him. "What time did you want to start?" she asked.

"How about the same time we did today?"

"Okay. I'll have breakfast cooked by the time you get here," she answered. She watched him leave on his Titan, waving to him when he turned around.

Kassie got up early the next morning and fixed breakfast. Mark arrived on time. After eating, they sat at the table and work all day, not stopping for lunch. By late that afternoon, after looking it over and making any minor editions, they were up to chapter three. She got up to stretch, bending her back, and shrugging her shoulders. She felt a pair of hands rub her shoulders. She moaned as the massage made her relax. "Oh that does feel good." She then heard her stomach growl. "I'm getting hungry. How about you?"

"I'm starved. What do you say we quit for a while."

Kassie went over and looked through the fridge. "How does chicken and a tossed salad sound?"

"Great. Need any help?"

"Would you clear off the table? I'll get things started."

While Kassie cooked, Mark cleared away the computer and printer, then set the table. A half hour later they were eating. After cleaning up they decided to go for a walk on the beach. As they walked they didn't see clouds forming in the distance. It wasn't long till they heard thunder. "We had better get back fast," Mark said. They ran back toward the house soaked to the skin by the time they reached her door. They looked at each other and started to laugh. "You look like a drowned rat," Kassie said between giggles as they entered the house. "I might add that you look the same," Mark said with a wide grin." "I'll get you some towels while your clothes dry," she told him.

Kassie changed into a robe, bringing Mark one of her beach towels. "This is the only thing I have that's big enough." Mark went to the bathroom and took off his wet clothes, wrapping the huge towel around him. When he came in the living room, Kassie nearly dropped the cup of coffee. She saw his massive chest and arms, his hair hanging loose. She quietly took a deep breath, handing him the cup, then went to hang up his clothes. "My God, the man is built!" she told herself. Trying to calm down she went back in the living room. Mark was sitting on the sofa, sipping his coffee.

The rain was coming down heavy. "Is your bike going to be okay?" she asked. "It's covered," he replied.

Kassie continued to look out the window, watching the lightning flash and didn't hear him come up behind her. A pair of hands held her arms and turned her around. She looked up at him. His hands went up to her face, gently holding her cheeks as he bent to kiss her. Kassie felt her knees grow weak as she ran her hands up his chest then around his neck. Mark took his hands from her face, running them down her body, circling around her to hold her up. For several minutes they stood there, kissing and exploring the warmth of each other's mouth. Kassie pulled away then rested her head on his chest. Mark pulled her closer, his head resting on the top of hers. Kassie closed her eyes. For the first time in her life she felt safe.

"I'll go if you want me to," he whispered.

Kassie looked up. "I don't want you to go."

CHAPTER 10

Mark picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her room. Kassie held on, her face buried in his neck. As he put her on the bed, he laid on top of her, holding her face, kissing her again. Kassie ran her hands down his back, feeling his muscles ripple at her touch.

His lips slid off hers, going on to her cheeks, then her neck while his hands slid down, undoing the belt of her robe, continuing down her chest till he reached her breasts. Kassie moaned as he gently squeezed her breasts, his lips sucking the tips. Pushing him gently to the side, Kassie sat up and took off her robe. Mark undid his towel, dropping it in a heap to the floor. Pushing her back down, his fingers ran up her thigh, going to the dark curls, tracing the outer lips of her slit before going in. "Oh God!" she whimpered as she moved her hips, gripping the covers. She felt his warm breath go down her body, his kisses leaving a burning trail. He came up her body, his shaft throbbing against her thigh. Kassie reached down to grasp it, running her hand back and forth. Mark moaned as she guided him in her, hearing her cry out as he went in. He stopped. "Please don't stop!" she moaned. Mark slowly thrust in her, pulling back till he was almost out, then thrust in her again. Kassie dug her nails in his back, the movement driving her out of her mind. Gripping his buttocks, she pushed him all the way, raising her hips to meet his thrust. Mark groaned as he sped up his movement, Kassie with him. Soon their bodies became sweaty as each thrust came harder and faster. Kassie began feeling a tight spiral in the pit of her stomach, going down to her thighs. "Mark, I'm coming!" she cried. At her cry, Mark groaned, holding her hips as he gave one last thrust before releasing in her. Slowly he came down on top of her, then rolled to his side, his arm and leg over her, pulling her to his body. Kassie curled up next to him as they both closed their eyes.

Across town Hal sat in his room. While the money he got from his job was good, he wanted more. "Looks like I might have to 'moonlight' just a bit." Putting on a jacket he left to go to a bar located in a neighborhood on the west side. He had found the place by accident while riding around with one of the other mechanics, becoming a regular there. The place was a hangout for those who didn't exactly want to be found. When he entered he went to the back where there were some pool tables.

"Hey Hal, interested in making some extra money?"

Hal stopped just as he was about to shoot. "Yeah, I could use it."

"I know this guy who's looking for someone to help him 'customize' some cars," the guy whispered. "It's located a couple of miles from here. He could use an extra hand."

"Let's go."

Ten minutes later they were outside what had been a warehouse. Knocking three times, a slot on the door opened. After being recognized they were let in.

Chapter 11

Kassie opened her eyes, seeing Mark asleep, his arm and leg still draped over her. She looked at the time. It was just midnight. Slowly she slipped from beneath his arm and leg. Putting on her robe she went downstairs to check on Mark's clothes. They were still a bit damp. She went to the window. The rain had stopped, the moon coming out through the clouds.

Sitting on the sofa, Kassie thought to what her and Mark had shared. Then thought to what she had experienced long ago with Hal. Every time she had had sex with Hal, it had made her feel dirty and ashamed, like she was nothing more than a piece of ass to him. "If I hadn't been so naive and stupid," she said to herself.

She went back upstairs. Taking her robe off, she gently lay down beside Mark. She felt the bed move. Turning her head she saw a pair of eyes looking at her. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I just went downstairs for a bit to check on your clothes. They're still a bit damp yet."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No, I don't you to leave. I was just thinking about a couple of things."

Mark leaned on his arm, pulling her closer to him.

"I thought back to when Hal and I used to have sex. That's all it was, sex, no feeling, no nothing."

Mark traced her cheek. "What did you think about us?"

Kassie looked in his eyes. "I don't know how to explain it, Mark. It was like we had more than just physical sex. I experienced feelings I never knew I had before."

Mark rolled on top of her. Holding her face he kissed her, gently at first. Kassie wrapped her arms around him, returning his kiss with her own. He kissed her cheek and neck, her breathing becoming faster, her heart pounding loud, sending shivers through her. She felt him rise against her thigh. Reaching down, she ran her fingers back and forth.

He slid in, Kassie sighing as he moved in and out. She wrapped her legs around his waist, arching her hips as each stroke sent her higher, her movements bringing him closer to the edge. "Mark!" she screamed as she came, her muscles contracting around his still thrusting shaft. Mark groaned as her contractions sent him over the edge, saying her name as he flowed in her. For some minutes he laid on top of her, their breathing slowly returning to normal. Mark raised his head up and looked in her eyes. "What we did tonight, Kassie, was something special that two people who really care about each other share. I care about you a lot, Kassie. From the day I saw you walking on the beach, I couldn't get you out of my mind."

Kassie traced his cheek. "I had thought about you too. It seemed that you were on my mind constantly and nothing I did could make me not think of you. I wonder, will it be like this always?"

"When two people care about each other, Kassie, it will last forever. Not even death can take that away."

Kassie raised her head and kissed him. Mark rolled on his side, pulling her closely to him, feeling her warm breath on his chest. Kassie snuggled closer, knowing someone really cared about her.

Chapter 12

Part 2

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