CALIFORNIA DREAMING

CALIFORNIA DREAMING
By Mary Cochran (08-10)

Kathy was packing her home. Living in Florida with its high unemployment rate and being 50 and struggling to pay her mortgage and basic bills had taken a toll on her mentally. Being a legal secretary most of her life, finding other work was not easy. Thanks to the recession, the legal field in most of the country, demand was little and supply was plentiful.

You can’t pay for a house on unemployment benefits. Foreclosure had come. Kathy was starting a new chapter in life. So she made a choice. The furniture was sold, belongings dissected into piles, keep, consignment shop, Goodwill, toss. With only a few days left before the Sheriff came, Kathy locked up the house for one last time and packed her belongings into her car.

California, here I come. San Francisco, here I come.

What life in the air, the smell of the ocean air and cool breeze, they were a gift by themselves compared to Florida’s hot and humid air. Kathy’s first stop in San Francisco was at a Circle K, gas in the car and a cool drink. And a local Apartment Finder Guide.

Kathy went to Casa Blanca. The complex itself was nice enough, soft green grass, pleasant to walk on barefoot and so cool to the touch.

She settled on a studio, which was easy to furnish with a full-sized bed. She bought new bright colored sheets and new pillows.

Her first day was spent down at the pool, taking in her new environment and melding in. She chatted a little with the other people. Night came, and the temperatures dropped. Kathy never felt cold temperatures in Florida. She didn’t even have a blanket. Kathy knocked on her neighbor’s door. Mike opened it. “Hey, I just moved in today and I didn’t think of buying a blanket. Would you happen to have an extra one?” “Sure, do.” Mike invited her in.

“So, do you have a job lined up yet?”
“Em, no.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
“Legal secretary.”

“Well, I am busy tomorrow, but let’s get together on Thursday. I’ll be neighborly and take you to dinner and we’ll talk about the job market. Here’s the blanket, keep warm.”

On Thursday morning there was a knock on Kathy’s door. It was Mike. “Just to remind you, I’ll pick you up at 6:30. There’s a small restaurant on the bay. Dress casual and wear sandals.

It was 6:30 and Mike showed up. He was dressed in casual pants, short sleeved shirt and leather loafer shoes. Kathy was dressed in a simple summer dress with her $12.00 sandals from Payless.

“You look great!” said Michael.
Kathy had forgotten some of the simple pleasures in dating, a man driving, taking control, and the scent of a man’s cologne. Mike had a small Lexus, cream color, leather interior, and a CD player.

Mike handed her the stack of CDs, mostly jazz, classical, and easy listening. Kathy picked through the stack. Whatever she picked, it was going to come across as personal. She chose the Gnarls Barkley CD, Crazy.

Mike pulled into a parking garage. He patted Kathy on the knee and gave her a little smile to give her a little assurance.

“We’re parking here because it’s a few blocks to the restaurant. From there we’re going to walk down to the bay.”

The Palomino. The name sounded expensive. The restaurant was located practically on the bay. Mike asked for a table in the courtyard. The weather was near 70. The slight breeze from the bay gave Kathy goosebumps. Kathy watched the tall palms swaying, and felt like she was in heaven. It was just a week ago she had cleaned her life of her belongings, locked up her house for one last time, and drove away; she was homeless and jobless; and now she was sitting in a courtyard of a restaurant next to the Pacific Ocean, with a luscious looking man.

Kathy eyed the menu. $15.00 for dinner, she thought. That’s half her allowance for her gas tank.

“Don’t worry about the cost. I can afford it. Order what you like.” Mike said. He gave a quick glance at Kathy and smiled, then glazed his eyes on the menu.

Kathy looked at him. He was maybe 43, short black curly hair, beginning to gray a little. She looked at his hands, clean well manicured nails. She looked at his watch, a Rolex. Mike obviously didn’t do physical labor.

Kathy ordered the Parmesan Crusted Stuffed Chicken with wild mushrooms, almonds, caramelized onions, brie and goat cheese. Mike ordered the Crab and Hazelnut Stuffed Mahi Mahi. Mike also ordered them both iced tea. The food was exquisite. After dinner Mike ordered a slice of Chocolate Tiramisù and two coffees.

Mike again took the initiative and took Kathy by the arm. “We’re going down to the bay” he said. It has wonderful views and shops.

They walked along the Embarcadero. It reminded Kathy so much of Bayshore in Tampa, except it was so much bigger and had lots of restaurants and shops.

They walked first to Pier 14. It went so far out, Kathy was a little afraid. Mike took her by the arm. The view of the bay was amazing. It had breathtaking views of the bay and the bridge. There were a few fishermen on the Pier, just leaning against the railing with their rods in the water and chatting between themselves. Kathy thought they were there more for the leisure than they were for the fishing.

Standing at the round of the Pier, Kathy could see the Ferry Building, downtown, and the Bay Bridge. The sun was just beginning to go down. Kathy felt glorious, like God was shining down on her. Mike held her a little closer.

Their next stop was to Cowgirl Creamery, a small shop that sells cheese, all kinds of cheese. Kathy looked at Mike. “Let’s have a few samples of the different cheeses.”

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Mike picked up a basket. Kathy browsed at all the fruits and vegetables. Without saying a word to Kathy, Mike filled it with the basics, a few tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, bananas, and several pieces of wrapped fudge, and a loaf of cinnamon bread.

Well, I guess he’s picking up some of his groceries while we’re out here, Kathy thought.

Mike carried the bag, with his arm wrapped in Kathy’s. Always the gentleman, he walked on the outside.

“So, Kathy, do you have any ideas about jobs yet?”

“Well, I have called several temp agencies and have an appointment set up for tomorrow.”

“That’s good news.”

The walk to the car seemed far shorter than it actually was. Kathy was surprised at how tired she felt. It was 10:30 already. Back at the apartment complex, Kathy unlocked her door, and Mike walked in first to make sure it was safe. “Never can be too sure” he said. Then he sat down the bag of fruits and vegetables he had picked out at the Farmers Market and put them on her counter.

“I have business out of town and will be home on Sunday. You can tell me then about your appointment with the temp agency. Good night.”

Kathy awoke on Friday, had her first interview with a temp agency, then decided to adventure alone in the city. The Bay it was. Mike had taken her there, and she found it irresistible.

To be sure she didn’t get lost she parked her car in the same parking lot as Mike had. She was sure to park in a spot not open to onlookers. She wanted to change from her business suit to shorts and a top. Several men drove by as she was changing and just smiled.

Kathy walked along the Embarcadero. She stopped at the Pier. If only she could stay there forever. She walked past the Cowgirl Creamery. She hadn’t even touched anything from the bag Mike had bought her. Het stomach was reminding her she needed to eat. Mindful of what little money she had, she stopped at a hotdog stand.


Kathy ventured to walk downtown, the business area, and lots of shops.

There were several shops with Help Needed signs in the window. Kathy went in and picked up applications. She spent the rest of the weekend down at the pool and filling out applications for the few retail jobs she found. On Sunday afternoon Mike returned.

How about we go for an early brunch. I know a restaurant that has Sunday Brunch until four.

Mike took her to the Historic Cliff House, located at the Panoramic Highway at the Beach. It had views of the Seal Rocks, Ocean Beach, and the Pacific Ocean. And brunch included champagne. Brunch samplings included poached salmon and prawns, steak with mushrooms, pasta carbonara, cheeses, fruit platters. The desserts had a variety of cakes, pies, tortes, mouse, and strawberry covered strawberries. The champagne flowed freely.

After brunch Mike took her to the Botanical Gardens. It was filled with landscaped gardens, variety of plants and flowers. The highlight was the Japanese moon-viewing garden and the Garden of Fragrance.

On the way back to the apartment complex Mike stopped for a bottle of wine.

Mike opened the car door for Kathy. In the apartment Mike again walked in first. He went into the kitchenette and got glasses and opened the wine.

“Did you eat any of the fruit or fudge I got you?”

Mike didn’t wait for Kathy’s response. He took a piece of the fudge and glided it into her mouth. Kathy tasted the sugar granules, and she tasted alcohol in the fudge. Mike held her head with his hand and stared intently into her face, as he planned his next move. He then took the glass of wine in his hand and put it to her mouth, forcing her to sip. Kathy glazed into his eyes, with her hands on his arms, trying to resist his force. Mike put the glass to Kathy’s mouth several more times, again, Kathy sipped. Kathy held on to Mike’s arms, not to push him away, but to steady herself.

In the background played Gnarls Barkley CD, Crazy. Mike unzipped the back of Kathy’s dress. He pulled it below her shoulders and the dress fell to the floor, and Kathy stepped out. Mike gave Kathy another zip of wine. He unsnapped her bra, a Victoria’s Secret bra, with the built-in cups for support. Mike gently pushed her down on the bed. Kathy didn’t resist. Mike stood up, staring down at Kathy. He began to unbutton his shirt. Kathy began to move and Mike pushed her back onto the bed, massaging her breasts as if he was kneading a loaf of bread, and then pulled off her panties and spread her legs open. Kathy didn’t resist. She didn’t have the energy. Gnarls Barkley played in the background. Mike finished undressing.


Mike positioned himself over Kathy’s body. She was powerless. He kissed her lips, as if he was testing a fruit before biting into it. He delved more into her fruit, forcing his tongue into her mouth as if to squeeze out every last drop of wine and fudge.

Mike then worked his way down, kneading her breasts, with his fingers playing with her nipples. He then went to work on her breasts. Opening his mouth as wide as he could, as if he wanted to take the biggest bite of ice cream he could at once, he grasped her breast and sucked on it. Kathy whimpered in pain and tried to protect her nipples from the invasion. Mike took his hands and held Kathy’s arms against the bed. Kathy was powerless. The effects of the champagne and the wine, the flagrance of Mike’s body, his physical being, Kathy’s mind was screaming she wanted it. She whimpered louder. She opened her legs wider. She was ready now.

Mike lay on top of her, still pinning her to the bed. He entered her. Oh!, Kathy screamed. She whimpered more. The feeling of his cock inside of her, she wanted more. She whimpered more, he pushed and contracted more. Then he took his dick out, put his hand behind her head, and glided her mouth to his wet dick. She opened her mouth, ready to take it his cum, just like she did with the fudge and the wine. Mike was sure to not let her have it all at once. He made her work for it. His cum came out in spurts, like gifts given for a job well done. Kathy laid there, her head reeling in bliss and her body exhausted. Mike again held her, kissed her lips, massaged her nipples, and kept her legs open with his body.

Again, Mike took control.

Very gently, he turned Kathy over onto her side. He pulled one of her legs into a more fetal, sleeping position. He positioned himself over her so he had his body between her legs. Kathy was too exhausted to fight him.

He stroked her hair. He massaged her back, letting one of his hands dawdle down to her low back, then to her buttocks.

He put his middle finger into her anus, widening the opening. Then he put his dick into Kathy’s ass. She screamed in pain. Mike caressed her head. “Hush”, he whispered. In, out, in, out, in out. Kathy cried in pain each time he forced himself in.

Then he stopped. He rubbed her back for a minute, as if to let her know the invasion was over and it was time to rest. He then crawled off of her and lay next to her, with their legs entwined, and her arm resting on his hip.

He pulled her head into his chest. “It’s time to sleep now” he whispered. “You are in a new world now, a safe world. I won’t let anything happen to you. I will guide you on this new journey and be your protector and predator.”