The Hermit
The Hermit
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“Gather round people and I will tell you about the man who
lived in the big old house just out of town”
The old man said as sat down in his rocking chair.
His grey hair neatly cut, his grey beard hanging down
stopping just short of his lap.
The people who gathered wondered what secrets lay behind
those old tired eyes.
This is the story of Matthew the Hermit.
Matthew was the only son of wealthy parents, Jessica &
Timothy Jones.
Matthew grew up in a very strict home; never did he
experience Love or Friendship from his parents.
The same happened all through his school days, from Primary,
through Secondary and University years
He was the one everybody picked on; he was always the last
to be picked for any team.
It was during his University years that he became an
accomplished writer, writing some of the most beautiful and heart rendering
stories.
After the death of his parents he inherited their mansion as
well as their money, which was considerable.
Now with the money and what he had learned at University
about writing and publishing books he was able to set up a publishing plant at
his home where he would publish his own work.
His mansion was the biggest house in town of Bailey.
Bailey was then a town of 1000 people, and it was situated
10 miles from the next town.
One of the biggest things Bailey was famous for was gossip.
Matthew never used his own name on any of his books, he
always wrote under the title the Bookman.
He even owned a bookshop called The Bookman’s Bookshop.
Matthew rarely left his house; he had everything from the
food he ate, to the paper and ink he would need for his printing delivered,
delivery trucks would also collect and deliver his books to his bookshop.
The only times he would leave the safety of his house would
be to visit his bookshop, which was the most popular bookshop in town.
One day 5 religious people came to set up the Bailey Outreach
House.
There aim was to help the poor & lonely in the area.
The 5 who came were.
Melissa, Caitlyn, Andrew, Samantha & Derrick.
All 5 were Lay Ministers trying to spread the word of God in
a practical way.
They were all a bit concerned when they discovered the
favourite pastime in this small town was gossip, especially about the weirdo in
the mansion just out of town.
Matthew was fully aware of their arrival but chose to remain
in the safety of his house.
In the year that followed their arrival they set up a Youth,
Men’s & Women’s group, a food bank, and a weekly mass at the local church,
which until they arrived was rarely used.
Now Matthew, as well as being a hermit was a deeply
religious man, he had a small chapel set up in his house.
One day he received a notice in his letterbox about the
Mass, which was being held each Sunday at 11:00 am.
He read the notice and decided he would chance leaving his
house to attend the Mass.
Sunday morning he got up, went for his morning run around
the grounds of his house, before showering and getting dressed in his best
suit.
So with hair and beard brushed he went out to his garage and
started his favourite car, a red E-Type Jaguar.
He received many funny looks when he pulled up, and he could
see the gossipers talking behind their hands.
He waited in his car until the crowd had entered the church,
then he got out of his car and walked inside the church standing against the
back wall.
During the Mass Melissa observed Matthew standing there all
alone and took pity on him, so she got up from her seat and walked over to him.
Matthew saw this lady coming his way, he thought to himself,
she couldn’t possible be coming towards me, she must be looking for someone
else.
“Hello I’m Melissa, I’ve never seen you around here before,
have you just moved into the area”? She said taking his hand in hers.
Matthew just stood there staring at this lady unable to
speak; she was a vision of Beauty & Loveliness.
Her shiny black shoulder length hair and her hazel eyes
en-captured the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
I was told he described her voice to be that of an Angel.
Stumbling over his words, he sputtered out.
“I’m Matthew, pleased to meet you Melissa, and no I haven’t
just moved into the area, I live just out of town”.
“Do you live in that big old house”?
Matthew’s expression changed from joy to instant horror when
he felt she was getting to close.
Roughly Matthew snatched his hand from hers and ran out to
his car, Melissa closely on his heels.
Before she could get close enough to say anything he jumped
into his car and with a cloud of smoke and stretch of tires, he headed for the
safety of his house.
For the next 3 months Matthew started working 18-20 hours a
day trying to get the image of that beautiful woman out of his mind.
One day he received a phone call from David his shop
manager, he told him there were a few things that he needed to discuss in
person.
So the next morning he got up at his customary 5am, went for
his jog before Showering, Eating and Dressing, then again he went out to his
garage and got out his beloved E-Type Jaguar for the drive into town.
Matthew was very big on punctuality; he demanded that his
shop be opened at precisely 8:30am, not 8:31.
Precisely 8:30 Matthew pulled up outside his shop just as
David opened the door.
“Ok, what am I doing here”?
Matthew said in a very demanding tone.
David pointed to someone who was standing behind
Matthew.
Matthew turned to see that it was Melissa.
He looked at her in terror, turned and started to head for
the safety of his car.
“ Matthew please wait, I only want to talk to you.
yes">
Matthew stopped
in his tracks, for he was captured by her angels’ voice
“I didn’t mean to scare or offend you last time, I only
wanted to meet you and introduce our group to you”.
Matthew just stood there refusing to talk.
For Melissa it was like talking to a large stone.
“Ever since I moved here I have been buying the bookman’s
books, and the other day I learned that you are the bookman and that you help
up and coming authors get a start by publishing and selling there books in your
shop”.
“If I didn’t no one else would”.
Melissa was stunned by those few words, someone who has been
described as hard and unfeeling could have so much compassion.
“Were do you publish these books”?
“At my place, I have a publishing machine”.
“I’d love to see it, would you allow me to come to your
house and see it for myself”.
Matthew felt something special about this lady, for the
first time in his life he felt he could truly trust someone.
He even felt that he may be falling in love with this lady.
He escorted Melissa out to his car, before driving at a more
sedate speed this time to his house.
His driveway was guarded by huge iron gates, which opened
silently when Matthew arrived and pushed the remote control, once inside they
closed shutting out the outside world.
His garden was surrounded by a huge stonewall which had
large metal spikes criss-crossed across the top.
He made sure no one was going to get in
.
Melissa was overwhelmed by what she saw.
Immaculate gardens and beautiful fountains with wild birds,
which seemed to come from nowhere, filled the entire outside of his house
“Matthew you have a very beautiful garden”.
“Thankyou, I employ 3 gardeners to keep it looking good”.
They drove up the huge curved driveway, which seemed to go
on forever, before stopping outside the front door.
“Care to come in Melissa”?
If Melissa thought the gardens impressive then she was in
awe of the house.
It was 3 stories high; the entrance hall was so big you
could easily hold a dance in it.
She stood there unable to speak or move, she was so
entranced by the house, it had such a beautiful old world charm about it.
“Follow me and I’ll show you the printing room”.
Taking her buy the hand he led her up the huge wooden
staircase to the second floor.
He led her along a huge corridor down to the printing room.
He opened the beautifully carved wooden door, which opened
onto to this huge room, which contained all the machines Matthew uses to print
and publish the books.
“Do you live here on your own”?
“Have done since my parents died”.
Melissa couldn’t believe someone could live alone in a place
like this.
“Don’t you get lonely here”?
“Sometimes, but I always have my work to keep me busy, and
if there’s no work then there’s always a movie to watch”.
Matthew escorted Melissa down a few more corridors to his
own private movie theatre.
It was almost unbelievable; here was a full sized movie
theatre just for one man.
“I have contacts through my bookshop that get me the latest
movie releases, what would you like to see”?
Melissa went through the movie titles he had, choosing a
nice sloppy Love Story.
“Care for some popcorn Melissa”?
It was so nice, but so surreal, here they were just the 2 of
them watching a newly released movie.
The movie got to a sad part and Melissa started to sniffle,
tentatively Matthew put his arm around Melissa’s shoulder, and Melissa buried
her face into his chest and started to cry.
It was after sundown by the time the movie finished.
“Melissa would you do me the honour of having dinner with
me”?
Melissa thought for a moment.
“Of course Matthew, I would love to dine with you”.
As well as being a good writer Matthew was also a great
cook.
He served up a perfectly roasted lamb with rosemary gravy
and roast vegetables.
“This has been the best meal I have ever had, thankyou
Matthew”.
“It was my pleasure, and in a way of a thankyou, for I have
never met anybody as beautiful and caring as you.
Please don’t think I’m trying to take advantage of you, but
would you like to spend the night here, I can fix up one of the bedrooms for
you”.
“Tell me Matthew do you sleep in a single or a double bead”?
“King-size actually”.
“Would you mind if I were to share your bed with you”?
Matthew looked at her wondering what was she up to, but then
the thought of spending the night with such a beautiful women was to much of a
temptation.
‘Of course you can, have you got a nightie or are you going
to sleep in your birthday suit”?
‘I was going to sleep in the t-shirt and knickers I am
wearing now, or would you prefer it if I were to sleep in my birthday suit, one
condition though, if I do so do you”.
The 2 of them looked at each other wondering what was the
other one was going to do.
“What would your friends say”?
“How are they going to find out, I know I’m not going to say
anything and I think I can trust you not to say anything”?
‘I wouldn’t say a word”.
“What do you say then”?
“If you’re willing so am I”.
So the 2 of them watched the other remove all their clothes,
they then stood there admiring the others naked body.
“You are absolutely gorgeous Melissa”.
“You’re not half bad yourself Matthew”.
They took each other into there arms giving the other a
lovers hug & kiss before Matthew gathered Melissa into his arms caring her
to the bed.
The next morning he woke with Melissa lying on his chest
still asleep, Matthew just lied there not quite believing that for the first
time in his 42 years he was truly happy.
Matthew looked lovingly at her as her beautiful hazel eyes
opened.
She looked up at him and asked.
“What are you thinking of Matthew”?
“How nice it is to be with you, you are the first person I
feel I can truly trust, and I do believe I am falling in love with you”.
“I fell for you the first time I saw you at the church,
that’s why I was so upset when you ran away like you did”.
After they showered and had breakfast together they went out
to explore Matthew’s garden.
The garden was so big that you could easily get lost in it.
The 2 of them spent the morning walking hand-in-hand looking
at the different gardens and plants, Melissa especially liked the rose garden.
“When I die I would love to be buried here”.
Melissa said as she wrapped herself around Matthew kissing
him.
“What would you like for lunch my love”?
“Why don’t you surprise me”?
They went back into the house and Matthew brought out a
platter of cheeses, olives, olive oil & a few different breads.
They would look lovingly into each others eyes as Matthew
would put a piece of bread in his mouth and Melissa would put the other end in
hers and they would chew it until there lips met.
With the platter empty Matthew took it back to the kitchen,
before bringing coffees back.
As Melissa brought the coffee to her lips, she looked down
at her watch and it read 2pm.
“Oh Bugger, I’ve got to be at a Women’s team meeting in half
an hour, I better finish getting dressed”.
She was wearing a skirt and a bra at the time.
Quickly she ran into the bedroom and put the rest of her
clothes on, then she came back to Matthew who was still sitting finishing off
his coffee.
Melissa went back over to him kissing him, and then she remembered she
didn’t have a car.
Feeling a little foolish, she purred up to Matthew.
“Matthew Honey, could you please drive me”.
She said in the sweetest tone.
“Of course I will my sweet”.
So the 2 of them went out to the car and Matthew drove her back
to the Outreach House.
They kissed as Matthew pulled up in front of the house.
“Why are you letting yourself be seen with that creep”?
“Watch your mouth, don’t talk until you know what you’re
talking about”.
Melissa spat back at Zoe, the leader of the Women’s group,
as she walked from Matthew’s car towards the house.
Mary & Anne also had a go at Melissa because she allowed
herself to be seen with the Hermit.
“Look you 3, one his name is Matthew, two he is a perfect
gentleman and a wonderful cook.
You and your gossiping friends had better watch your mouth,
for if you don’t watch what you say it will come back and bite you”
Now that that’s out of the road, what’s on the agenda”?
That night Melissa was back at the Outreach House having
dinner with the other 4 Outreach Members before there weekly how did your week
go meeting.
“It has come to our attention that you are being seen with
that Hermit who lives in the big house, and we are concerned how this might
influence our standing in the community”.
“I don’t know where you received your information, or in
what context it was said but this is the truth about Matthew and myself.
Yesterday I went with him to his house, I had dinner with
him, I explored his grounds, I slept with him, had breakfast with him, and I
fell in love with him.
This is all anybody needs to know.
I wish you 4 would stop listening to these fools gossip, if
you continue it will lead to
Trouble for one if not all of us”.
The other 4-outreach members just looked at Melissa with
jaw-opened disbelief.
Meanwhile Matthew was walking around the grounds of his
mansion, still not quite believing what had happened last night.
Trying to come to terms with the fact that he had made love
to Melissa.
Trying to come to terms with the fact that Melissa genuinely
loved him, and that he loved her, it was a love with no conditions attached.
While he walked
around and around the mansion he kept having the image of Melissa standing in
front of him totally naked.
How embarrassed he felt when he realised he was looking
straight at her very large, very round, very perfect breasts, before his eyes
moved down admiring the full length of her incredibly beautiful cuddle body.
He started to think that what happened in his bed last night
was wrong, but if it was so wrong, why is he so happy.
Despite Melissa’s warning the rumour mills had been running
over time.
By the time the story got to her, people were saying she had
been raped and was pregnant by him.
Melissa was absolutely furious when she heard these stories.
She decided she was going to set these idiots straight about
her and Matthew; the best time to do this was next Sunday when the notices were
being read out at Mass.
Because she knew it was the only time all the towns people
would be at the same place at the same time.
She had been planing what she would say ever since she heard
the rumours.
So with the service over it was time for the notices,
Melissa stood up in front of the congregation, and with a spiteful tone in her
voice, spoke her mind.
“There are several rumours going around concerning myself
& Matthew, the man who lives in the big house just out of town, regarding
me being Raped and Pregnant.
These are the facts:
I met Matthew at his bookshop, where we spoke before
being driven by him to his house were I spent the night, and yes we did have
sex!
The next day he took me on a tour of his house and
grounds before driving me back to the Outreach house for the Women’s group
meeting I had to chair.
These are the facts, so those of you who like to make up stories
and spread gossip had better watch out for them selves, you do not want to see
Matthew or myself in a bad mood, BELIEVE ME!!
In the months that followed Melissa & Matthew began
seeing a lot more of each other.
Many times Matthew would drive the 2 of them into the
mountains where they would enjoy a picnic lunch; sometimes these trips could go
for 2-3 days.
It was after one of these trips, Matthew having just dropped
Melissa home went by his shop, only to find a gang of 6 smashing the windows
and assaulting his staff.
Matthew ran out of his car and strait into the melee.
Bodies started flying left & right as Matthew grabbed
each of the 6 in turn and bodily threw them out of his shop.
Knowing they met their match they ran like the cowards they
are.
Matthew walked back into his shop to survey the damage and
tend to his injured employees.
Matthew called for an ambulance when he saw his staff
battered and bloodied; he then walked around the shop surveying the damage,
which was quite substantial.
All the windows were smashed; paint had been splashed around
ruining many of the books.
When he walked into his office he noticed nothing had been
touched, which was a small comfort seeing how his staff had all been assaulted.
He sat amongst the rubble and started to think about the
safety of his workers and his shop.
He had bullet proof glass installed, and a self invented
alarm system.
This one didn’t scream, instead it would spray the
perpetrator with capsicum or garlic spray.
All you had to do to find them was use your nose.
He also had his staff trained in un-armed combat.
He felt if it happens again, then this time they would be
able to defend themselves.
The Sunday after the attack Melissa again got up during the
notices to speak about the attack.
“Last week Matthew’s shop was attacked and his staff
assaulted by a gang of 6 Gutless Wonders, who as I look around seem to be part
of the congregation, those of
You sitting there with plastered arms & legs, I know
who you are and so does Matthew.
Let me give you this warning, Matthew has stepped up
security and his staff have been trained to deal with people like you.
So if you don’t want worse than you’ve already got, I
suggest you leave him and his staff alone.
The following Sunday she got up with a similar message.
Well it seems some people are very slow learners.
During the week the same 6 tried again to damage
Matthew’s shop.
How stupid they all looked trying to break through bullet
proof glass, one of them even had an iron bar which when he hit the window
sprung back and hit him in the head knocking him out.
How nice it was of them to wait there until the Police
arrived to take them all away.
We wont be seeing those 6 for a long time!