Forbidden Desire

Her aged skin crinkled as her lips drew into a smile filled with stained teeth that had drank too much coffee over her seventy-five years of life. The words flew from her mouth like she had told them so many times before. The children before her listened with wide eyes and opened mouths, enveloped by the story that is as old as the willow tree swaying with the wind in the front yard. She sat on her wooden, paint-chipped rocking chair, the wood below her moaning as she rocked back and forth; back and forth. She continued to speak the familiar memories to the inexperienced tots sitting on the faded patio before her while neighbors walked down the dirt road leading to the Town General. Occasionally, the story would be interrupted by a familiar face bellowing their hello to the her, the beloved woman of Atlanta Georgia.

"It started in the summer of '51. Now, you babies don't know nothing of 1951 on account of you weren't born yet. It was during the war. Do you know of World War II?" Their tiny heads shook from side-to-side, responding to her question. "I didn't think so. It was an awful time. Much evil lived during those years. An evil that I don't want to mention. This is supposed to be a happy story. Let's leave that out. Now, Ms. Maggie, well she was shoppin' for her ingredients for her wonderful sweet-potato pie. Mmmm-mmm. That woman of twenty-two years made a mean pie. She was makin' it for the annual cook-off of Atlanta held on Independence Day. If you were a somebody, than you were there. And if you were cookin' for it, than on that hot summer day of July 3, you were at the Town General shoppin' the same as Maggie. Now, Maggie Starr, well she was definitely a somebody, with all her family's riches and her long brown locks and eyes of emerald. Any man would love to court her. Especially with her good cookin'." Her hazy eyes wandered across the faces of her many grandchildren. "Now, back to the story." Two of the children scooted closer to their grandmother's feet in attempt to have a better hear.

"Maggie was unusual for her age. She was twenty-two and single! The men of her town had a keen eye for her. But, she turned all of them down on account of they weren't good enough. Any other girl would hop on any one of those men that asked Maggie out for they had riches beyond your little imaginations. But Maggie wasn't lookin' for money. Ha! She had plenty of that. Why, Maggie, she was lookin' for love. A deep love. And Maggie found that love on July 3. It was love at first sight..."

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Maggie Starr was dressed in her usual Sunday attire. It was well after church and she had no time to change for she had to shop for her ingredients. The annual cook-off was the biggest event in all of Georgia. Well, except for Christmas of course.

"Hi, Maggie!" Came a familiar voice from behind. Maggie twirled around, holding her shopping bag, to glance at her greeter.

A perfect smile spread across her gentle features. "Why, hello Virginia! What are you doin' here?"

Her best friend Virginia Lawrence was not one to be seen in the Town General for she did absolutely no cooking. "My mother is makin' me shop for her ingredients for her apple pie," she explained dryly.

"Now don't be such a humbug. We can shop together." Maggie slapped her arm lightly. She turned back around to search for the sugar she was having so much trouble finding. She glanced across the aisle to see if she was looking in the wrong direction.

"I would love to shop with you, Maggie, but I'm already finished. I'll come over after I'm finished helpin' my mother with her pie."

Maggie smiled at her best friend of ten years. "Sounds great. Buh-bye, Ginni."

"Buh-bye." Virginia walked towards the cashier line, leaving her friend by herself to continue her quest for the sugar.

"Ahh, here it is!" She exclaimed proudly. She bent down to reach the sugar on the bottom shelf

A pair of dirty, black work-boots caught her glimpse as she reached for the package of sugar. They were but a foot away and facing her square in the eye. Her eyes traveled up the legs wrapped in gray, wool pants covered with dust. Her eyes left the legs and floup pup past the black suspenders and dark-gray shirt to meet a pair of gorgeous blue eyes. Maggie smiled. "Where are my manners?" She asked rhetorically, her cheeks turning a bright crimson. She stood up, her sugar in hand, and brushed off her bottom. She held out her free hand before her, palm side down. "I'm Maggie Starr. It's a pleasure to meet you."

His grease covered, calloused hands grabbed her fingertips and brought her delicate hand to his moist lips. He planted a butterfly kiss while she studied his features. He had long locks of blonde hair that touched the tip of his ears and a masculine bone structure. His jaw line was perfectly chiseled and she couldn't help but notice his plump lips as they grazed the top of her hand. His mouth left her skin and he dropped her hand gently. "The pleasure is all mine. I'm Joseph Philips." His accent was not one of the south.

"Are you a Yankee?" She asked innocently.

"No Ma'am. I'm from California."

"What are you doin' in Georgia? And why are you wearin' those God-awful pants in this heat?" Her tone was one of disapproval.

"Are you always this bold? Or only to deficient, out-of-towners whom you don't approve of?" His tone was coy.

"I beg your pardon?" She asked, flabbergasted. She placed a hand upon her chest, innocently.

"I have been here for three days and I have received nothing but disrespect. I may not be as well-off as you, Maggie Starr, but at least I have decency."

He stepped closer to her, his breath upon her lips. Maggie's eyes grew wide. Their noses were but a centimeter away. He reached out his hand and Maggie felt a surge of adrenaline. His hand moved past her and grabbed an item from the shelf behind her. All the while, his eyes searing into hers. He stepped away and Maggie felt a sudden emptiness. He kept his gaze while turning around and walking away, leaving Maggie with her hand upon her chest and her facade bewildered. No one had ever disrespected Maggie that way before. Especially a male with little money. But something about that man, that Joey Philips, left her knees weak.

A/N: I hope you liked it! Please review. Thanks for reading!