Passionate Admiration

June 18, 2017

Guy Stephens’s retired businessman now part time folk singer made good investments in real estate and established himself in Petoskey, Michigan.

A self-sufficient man who lives with his three dogs in a small but well-designed home on his private lake. He enjoys folk singing stories and plays either alone or with a few buddies at various functions in Petoskey and nearby towns. Sometimes they will venture into other nearby states to sing at a buddy’s family reunion or for various charities. He likes living alone but often feels like he is missing the companionship of a woman.

Iris Young lives alone in Charlevoix, Michigan and works for the Coast Guard. She was married long ago but was terribly hurt by her former husband and now resides in a studio apartment.

Her main interests are rock collecting and growing herbs at a friend’s house ( Shela ) in the country. Shela is twenty years older than Iris and treats her as a daughter even to the point of wondering when she will get her life together and meet some caring man.

It all started out at the wine section in Katman's grocery store in the wine section of the store.

Iris reaches out and puts her hand on the last bottle of Red Diamond Merlot. Guy puts his hand over hers. Their eyes meet and the sparks jolt. She looks him in his blue eyes and he looks her in her hazel eyes with flecks of brown and gold. She thinks of the pure blue waters of in Jamaican waters. He sees the eyes of a fiery tigress. She pouts her luscious lips and says:

" Hey, Mister this is my bottle of Merlot you go get your own there's plenty of bottles around here. "

" I want this one you go get another, Red Diamond is my favorite. “quips Guy.

’Tough toenails Mister I got it first and I'm going to buy it, take it home and drink the whole bottle by myself. "

" Such a pretty little miss drinking all alone now why is that? "

" None of your beeswax now go skedaddle and leave me alone. "

I see you may have had a bad relationship and I came on too strong. Therefore I will try to make amends

I would like to buy you your wine and invite you my cottage on my private lake. I have a pontoon and grill on it and we could float and listen to music and I would cook you a nice steak with grilled veggies.

I will even make strawberry shortcake I make some of the best.

The lake is totally private I own it all so when I built the cottage and put in a sandy beach with lake Michigan sand and for fun I brought Petoskey stones and people like to come to my place and search out the stones. They are beautiful when polished. So if you find one I have a polisher I will make you a stone and a necklace for you.

Would you accept my apology and come and enjoy the day at my little lake?

Iris's thinking to herself is he mad or is this new line...hmmmm he seems genuine and I'll tell my friends where I am.

“You got yourself a deal Mister. I'm warning you I know karate so you best be a gentleman. What's your address and phone? By the way I'm Iris Young."

“Pleased to meet you Iris. My name is Gyanroop Stephens but after Mom named me Dad said no it's gonna be Guy. Here's my address and number. Would Saturday be too soon, say 11:00 am so I could get the grill set up proper? By the way I hope you're not allergic to dogs

if you are I'll leave the wee ones in the cottage kennel."

She agreed to have him grill for her on Saturday.

“Do you know how to get to Arlington Avenue in Petoskey?” asked Guy.

“Yes I work at Station Charlevoix for the Coast Guard and one of the men coworkers will lead me right to your address. I won't get lost" replied Iris.

On the way home Iris thought of the conversation with Guy. Her gut feeling was that he was sincere. Making a light dinner she went out on the patio and looked up at the stars wondering where she'd be this time next year. It was chilly outside so covering up with an old Mexican blanket she fell asleep dreaming of the beautiful Petoskey stones.

© Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 2

June 19, 2017

Guy was thinking to himself how he was happy to make amends and it was nice to have a woman come to his cabin for the day for enjoyment on the lake. He had the wine chilled and most everything set short of the actual cooking so when she arrived he showed her the cottage he had built.

It is a small two bedroom log structure with a field stone fireplace as the focal point. The kitchen open to the living area so it makes it feel larger than it was.

They then gathered a cooler and the grill and headed for the pontoon. Riding the lake he showed her the historical sights, the old logging camp and the little old cabin where the hermit lived.

Iris seemed to enjoy the mountains and the day was sunny. She looked very nice in her swimsuit, and she had a cover up on which made him notice her breasts were very well shaped. Guy told her he had a long bench out on the front so if she would like to lie out front and get a little suntan she was welcome to do so.

She said living where she does is seldom she could do that. Her neighbors are very nosy. So she took off the cover up and Guy thought wow what a beautiful lady. He put lotion on her back but she did the rest herself. Then she lay out in the sun as he drove slowly and then anchored in the middle of the lake.

He offered to go in the lake with her as she said she was not a good swimmer. He told her he was a scorpion and also grew up on the lake and not to worry. They swam and splashed around for a while and seeing she was tired they went back to the pontoon.

Guy started working on the meal while she sat and toweled sitting in a sling chair with her eyes closed.He was busy but saw she had a little smile.

Iris felt so happy. Mm mm, Guy's cabin is beautiful and everything is in its place decorated so simple yet quite elegant. I wonder where he keeps his Petoskey stones. I dare not ask as it would be so impolite.

"Your pontoon is very large Guy. Why it's almost like a houseboat. Do you ever stay overnight out here on the water and if you do what about the bugs? “

"Well dear lady yes I do stay out here quite often as a matter of fact. It is quite comfortable out here on the lake at night. I have screens that I roll down with weights so the breezes do not blow them apart for the skeeters to enter. There are pillows and blankets to keep the body warm from the chilly night air. I have slept out here often with my little dogs."

Guy was a great host making and serving the whole meal to perfection. He cleared the dishes and washed and dried them then they had another glass of wine. Iris told him she had a wonderful day seeing the historical sites and would love to go see the old logging camp again. He said he would take her there now as it was on the way back to the cottage.

They set off down the river to the camp. When they got there she set off looking around the camp alone and Guy sat and watched her while strumming his guitar. After a while she came back onto the pontoon and sat down on the large thick pads on the floor to listen to him sing. He saw that she looked tired so he got her a couple of pillows and she lay there with eyes closed listening to him sing. He did not know how long he had been singing but he felt chilly so got up and seeing she had fallen asleep he pulled out some blankets and covered Iris. He pulled the screens and secured them. He too was tired so he curled next to her back to back on a pillow and a blanket and soon was fast asleep.

Iris was awakened at dawn by bullfrogs croaking and saw he was next to her but his blanket had fallen so she quickly covered him and smiling curled around his back hoping she could warm up this nice man's body. She put her arm around him and snuggled up close. Oh he smells so good like exotic spices and his body felt so good next to hers. It was so nice to be around a man again. A good man so pleasant and such a wonderful voice

She yearned for his touches but did not dare tell him. She had such desires for him turning inside her and the tears started to fall. She tried so hard to be silent but she awakened him. Waking up he turned around and kissed her with so much deep passion then he held her close to his chest. She stopped sobbing and they both fell asleep into each other’s arms. A few hours later they both woke up and Guy made coffee and they sat there drinking coffe quietly looking at each other.

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 3

June 20 2017

She thought I have so much desire for him I must not tell...not yet.

He thought I have so much desire for her but must not approach...not yet...she has to heal.

Quickly things seemed to change as he saw a deep look in her eyes and made him shiver. He also noticed her crossed legs and how she seemed to be squirming. His imagination was going wild. He kept saying I need to hold back but she then reached over and found his hand and then they moved closer together. He was half along into exciting pleasures and she climbed right upon him where he wrapped his arms around her and their eyes met. He knew this would be going farther than ever expected. She moved to meet his lips. They kissed very softly and they were both petting each other ever so gentle. Guy could feel her heavy breasts pressing onto his chest and he was just enjoying her touches and touching her sliding his hand along her thigh. She moved to his touch and they both were panting with desire. All she could think of is how he built the inferno inside her and she wanted him to come and make it hotter now. Looking into his eyes Iris gently unbuttoned Guys shirt one button at a time. When she looked down and saw his hairy chest exposed a large gasp came from deep inside her. He touched her arms gently caressing the smooth skin and softly running his fingertips across her chiseled collarbone while she gently raked his chest with her short nails. He then lifted her chin and looked deep into her eyes. They were deep with desire for each other but he must contain himself and wait for her to move at her own pace. Continuing to explore each other she kissed him gently on his lips then moaning continued kisses down his neck. Now he was moaning softly and his member was throbbing with desire as she sat on his lap. She could feel him growing as she sat so she took his soaked shirt off and started kissing his chest lingering at his nipples. He then put his hands under her cover-up and massaged her back ever so gently but pressing her closer to his aching body. She looked up at him saying pull it up over my head. He wanted to just pull the garment off fast but was slow being careful not to rip the fabric. When it was off he saw her large pendulous breasts and it was time for him to gasp. She rose up on her knees and gently pressed the back of his head forward to her chest. Both were wild with desire. He found her breast with his mouth and was teasing the nipples with the tip of his tongue. All the while he was feeling an overwhelming desire inside for her. She responded with soft moans and moved to meet his mouth he then circled the nipples with his tongue and now they were sticking up and hard. She held his arm by the wrist and pulled it down along her belly. On down to a very high mound with soft hair trimmed to perfection. He could feel her heat. She was on fire and as he slid his hand along her swollen lips he could feel her rise to greet his hand. He now was sliding his fingers along the beautiful slit which was soaking wet and dripping with passion. She gasped as he slid his fingers inside her and she was gyrating for him wanting more he could see she was not going to stop there.

She kept thinking I still have kept the feelings and I need you, oh, do you hear my heart beating with the fiery passion I once knew so long ago. I want to fly higher and higher where I belong so I can live again. Iris rose on her knees and started licking and gently sucking his ears then down his neck to his chest lowering herself to his nipples and finally she slipped off his lap but still in front of him played with Guy's naval looking up at him playfully to see his reaction. She rose on her feet walking behind him and gently massaged the back of his neck, broad shoulders then down to his back. Iris was quite strong so she coaxed him back supine to the blanket on the floor and eased him onto his side then to his stomach. She sat at the base of his buttocks and massaged his back strongly but not touching the spine area. The motion of her leaning forward and backward gave Guy a feeling of pure ecstasy beyond anything he had ever experienced in his lifetime with a woman. Iris continued down each leg massaging the three sides. She got up and lay down beside him in the opposite position so she could massage his feet. Soon she stopped and kissed each toe. Guy was ticklish so he reached over holding." her feet saying "Paybacks, I'm going to make you squirm.” “We will see if you can really tickle my fancy." was her answer. He was taking the tip of his tongue and touching ever so softly the tips of each toe. She knew he was making great gains with her and she was loving that thought. She then asked him to suck on her toes so he did one at a time slowly softly licking them. She could not understand how he could drive her will by doing this but she was loving it. It was not long when she felt she needed to give something back so she turned and finished undressing him.

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 4

June 21, 2017

She was in ecstasy by now and she wanted to taste him and fell him in her mouth. Iris slid her hands down and fondles him and played with him first wanting to make sure he was being driven crazy. He was writhing and rising to her touch. She now knew she wanted to take him into her mouth. Oohh she thought as she touched him with the tip of her tongue. He was rising and dropping as he gave out soft distinct moans. She wanted to give back but she was in control of his body and she knew it. She lightly was licking the back of the shaft this is where he was so sensitive. All he could do now was moan and enjoy the pleasure she gave him. Iris was bursting inside with pleasurable throbbing sensations, now moaning almost to the point of losing control. He sensed this and pulled her up and embraced her long and hard exploring his tongue in as far as possible.

“I think you are very sensual and very sexy and I would love to make love with you if you would receive me willingly." whispers Guy.

“I love the idea, you are making me very hot, come search for the lost treasure." Iris said softly.

Guy eased her down to the floor opening her very wide gently finding his way into her ravishing gold mine first with his tongue then fingers saying he will search until he finds her pure nuggets. Iris was gyrating with pleasure but managed to run her fingers through his magnificent chest hairs. She noticed he was soaking wet with perspiration and saw his manhood pulsating drops of desire so she reached and drew him into her whispering to come explore her caverns. He let her guide him to her enticing slippery wet entrance trembling with quivering with anticipation. He wanted her now but must let her be the guide as to be pleasurable for both at the same time. He did not know when she had placed a pillow under her but was glad she was elevated as it made the pleasure of entering her deeper. They exploded simultaneously howling like wild banshees and kissing each other wildly then collapsed into each other’s arms from sheer exhaustion then slept together for the longest time.

When she awoke it was early morning. Guy was gone but she smelled pancakes being cooked and remembered how ravished she was for food. " You are awake my Darlin' sleepyhead go get washed up breakfast on the pontoon awaits you."

Guy had made the most wonderful pancakes Iris had ever consumed in her life.

When she asked about the batter he said his little secret was to put 1 teaspoon of pure orange extract and 1 teaspoon of fresh grated orange zest into his batter. She had the choice of pure maple syrup or fresh blueberries macerated to top her hot cakes. She had two cakes and chose a different topping on each one. Guy had wonderful mugs of strong black coffee brewed and breakfast was scarfed down by both of them.

After breakfast guy took Iris back to the old logging camp but this time she asked him to come along with her and explore. They hiked together silently and Guy was in awe of how much she loved the beautiful cedar trees and wild flowers. They came to a clearing and Iris excused herself to go to the bathroom while Guy sat down strumming his guitar. Soon he heard a squeal from Iris so went off to investigate if she was in any danger. Iris was pointing to an old tumbled down shack made of tar paper sitting up high in the cedars on the rim of a swamp. The shack was almost completely hidden by the thick trees with piles of rocks at the corners. She had her little camera out snapping many photos of this shack. He was amazed that Iris would find this old shack so fascinating and asked her on the ride back to his cottage. Iris said she made birdhouses and sold them at Arts & Craft Bazaars and this would be a perfect house. When they got to the cottage they said their goodbyes and Iris asked him to come to her apartment for dinner on Saturday. Guy agreed asking if he could bring anything.

“A bottle of Red Diamond Merlot will be fine." replied Iris.

© Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 5

June 22, 2017

Guy went to bed early Friday night and was up early Saturday morning getting ready to go to Iris' apartment. Normally he was quit a calm person but this morning he was spilling coffee grounds and everything else he touched. After breakfast he decided to calm down by playing a few tunes and singing to his dogs. His dogs especially liked the tune by Patti Page because he would add a few barks!

How much is that doggie in the window?

The one with the waggly tail

How much is that doggie in the window?

I do hope that doggie's for sale

I must take a trip to California

And leave my poor sweetheart alone

If he has a dog, he won't be lonesome

And the doggie will have a good home

How much is that doggie in the window?

The one with the waggly tail

How much is that doggie in the window?

I do hope that doggie's for sale

I read in the papers there are robbers

With flashlights that shine in the dark

My love needs a doggie to protect him

And scare them away with one bark

I don't want a bunny or a kitty

I don't want a parrot that talks

I don't want a bowl of little fishies

He can't take a goldfish for a walk

How much is that doggie in the window?

The one with the waggly tail

How much is that doggie in the window?

I do hope that doggie's for sale

Written by Bob Merrill • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

Soon it was time to leave so he secured the animals in their pen, picked up the bottle of Merlot and went to her apartment. Iris greeted him warmly showing him into her living room. Guy was amazed at all the neatly stacked shelves all the way to the ceiling of various birdhouses. They almost all seemed to be made of stones and other recycled materials. Guy was amazed at the intricate detailed work that was put into each house. Each had a tag of the name of the house and a price.

"Iris, these houses are amazing where did you learn this craft?"

" My great uncle Earl was a home builder and I learned by looking at the houses he built only I added some of my own design into each house."

" Uncle Earl, now was he the Earl Young who built Boulder dash? I also see some resemblances to your Pagoda House and your Owl House that looks like his work. "

" Oh, Guy you are a well-informed man because he was my great uncle. Now I want you to come into my bedroom where my work table is so you can see my newest creation I call my Loggers Bird House."

They went into her bedroom and he saw an almost replica of the tumbledown shack she had taken so many photos of almost a week ago. She had used tar paper on a cedar house but incorporated pebbles up the sides of each corner. The roof was uneven small shake made of cedar and the pebble chimney was uneven with glued mosses dripping over the edges. It was a stunning masterpiece.

" Iris you are a genius and may I be so bold to ask you why you have made your prices so low? "

" That's all I can get for them in this town. I would ask for more if I could get to more places with high traffic tourists. "

" Well I have some trusted friends that would put them in their shops and I know you could get three times what you are asking. Let me have about four and I'll box them up carefully and send them to them but please put on some new tags with your name, a web address and no price, please. They will be safe with them and you will be surprised how many people will buy an original. “Said Guy.

They agreed on the four houses. Iris noticed Guy looking at her large antique double four poster bed and wondered if he was thinking why she had such a large bed for one person. It had been her Aunt Irises bed and she loved the bed all her life and now it was hers where she slept alone.

She was thinking it would be so nice to have him with me in my bed. I really did enjoy making love to him so why can't we do it again? He looked at her and saw her mind was spinning and he asked what she was thinking.

She didn't speak but she gave an innocent sensual look and her eyes looked right at the bed. This got him rather excited and now he was thinking how nice it would be to make love in such a lovely bed, and the best part was she was a great lover.

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 6

June 23, 2017

She moved towards the bed on the way he pulled her to him and hugged her tight and added soft gentle locking kisses. She responded by sliding her tongue right inside his mouth and she pressed her lovely breast against him real tight. He was enjoying the pleasure she added.

Soon she unbuckled his belt and seeing the look in his eyes placed his hands to her breasts motioning for him to unbutton her blouse. He was nervous and she allowed him time to fumble with the buttons and as soon he was relaxed enough to get them unbuttoned she continued by unbuttoning his pants then quite slowly on to his zipper. She heard him moan softly as he unbuttoned the last of her blouse. She pulled off his trousers and he pulled her skirt over her head. He was in his shirt and socks. She in her slip, bra and garter belt that held up her stockings. He lifted her slip over her head and gazed at her lovely breasts. She unbuttoned his shirt and fondled his hairy chest with her fingers like a comb. She reached back and unsnapped her bra but left it in place for him to remove. Iris took her hand and lifted his chin and kissed him making sure to touch his tongue to hers then she slid down slightly touching her breasts to his chest. Now it was time for her to moan as his hairy chest drove her wild with passion. He pulled her up kissing her pendulous breasts when she slid down and started sucking his hard nipples then down his legs ripping off his socks. He put his hands onto the base of her garter belt pulling her up to a sitting position right in front of his throbbing manhood. She lifted herself up on her knees with her breasts in his face where he enjoyed licking and sucking immensely. Kissing his lips softly again she sucked on his ears then motioned him to lay on his side and she lay there with him as they continued to enjoy each other’s passionate fondling. Guy is quite aroused running his hand softly over her hips while she continues to suck harder and faster on his ears. This is driving him wild with passion so he lays her over onto a small firm pillow and starts licking the insides of her legs slowly teasing her with his tongue. Skipping her throbbing mound he continues to the other leg then back again always ignoring her mound. Iris is squirming with anticipation not knowing when he will explore her inner caverns. Then as a tease she stops when she sees Guy above her mound looking up at her. She pounces on the moment and reaches to him and plunges him downward to ecstasy.

Guy was true to the fact that his friends would help Iris sell her birdhouses. She was making almost ten times the amount she had been asking and had been so busy working on orders in her spare time that she and Guy rarely had time for each other but spoke on the phone daily. Todays message finally got her to stop working so hard and decide to go play.

" Iris I'm taking the pontoon out this weekend and asking you to come explore with me. Let me know tonight." was the enticing message from Guy.

" Hello guy, yes that sounds like a lot of fun and I'm due for some fun to get away from these bird houses. where are you planning on going? "

" Indian river near Mullett Lake was my plan. It should be about a half hour drive."

" So you're planning on towing the pontoon then? seems to me that would take a bit longer towing a pontoon."

" No towing we will drive. I have another pontoon up at the lake. Come on lets have fun you deserve a break and I'm itching to barbecue... pack warm clothes and I'll see you at 8 am ok? "

I will be ready." answered Iris.

“ There is a nice restaurant there and is such a nice night for a boat ride Crooked lake is shallow and very sandy. I have a friend who has a cottage on the little island there we can dock and swim right there. She has an old wind up Victrola with some big bands with mood music” said Guy.

Iris is smiling and thinking how nice this would be to just enjoy and the historic little cottage sounds like out of a movie. They head south to Indian River and check out all the very nice boats along the way and the summer cottages. The water is not very rough and it is a quiet afternoon. The river has lots of people moving from Burt Lake to Mullett so they go through the gates at Burt Lake and there are lots of people in the water taking a dip.

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 7

June 24, 2017

They continue their journey into Crooked River and Guy points out Devil’s Elbow telling her that the boat racers often miss the corner as it is a hairpin turn and they don't slow down enough to make it and end up on shore.

“How do you know this she asked?”

He tells her he started racing there when he was fourteen and continued racing there in his older teens and up into his Fifties. They continue on and eventually find their way into Crooked Lake.

Iris loves seeing all the white sand and is glad they got here early so she could see the beauty before darkness fell. They find the restaurant as it is very nice and open air with a big patio. Guy gets a table for them and the waiter offers a sample of three different wines. They settle on a semi dry wine and Guy tells her kiddingly this will make us pucker better. Iris takes the hint and leans over and gives him a short but very supple kiss.

They drink almost the whole bottle before they order the Walleye as it is an up north thing and is very good. When the food arrives Guy orders another bottle of wine. Iris tells him she is feeling very mellow from the wine and after they have the meal they both skip desert. They go for the boat and head directly to the cottage.

The lake is smaller and it only takes a few minutes to get there. They secure the boat and guy decides to be playful picks Iris up in his arms and walks in the water. It is very shallow and takes a while to get up past his knees Iris is just enjoying feeling him hold her now because she likes his strong arms and feels so secure with him. He continues walking in the water until her long skirt starts to drape into the water and starts to get wet. She reaches up and pulls herself closer to him so she can kiss his lips.

Iris sees three cottages there and none are close to each other. The larger cottage had a wraparound porch and a swing in a tree down by the edge of the lake. The water is very shallow so he has to walk out a long ways to get her wet. She wiggles and he holds her closer but she wants him to fall into the warm night water so she shimmies and wiggles with all her might until they both fall. They are laughing and hugging and kissing until she gets up and runs as fast as she can in the water but that is a very hard thing to do. He grabs at her skirt but she loosens the ties so it will not tear. Guy thinks oh I am a naughty boy huh ? The skirt is now in his hands and he hopes he has not torn a favorite skirt but she is still laughing and trying to run away and soon she takes off her blouse tossing it right at his face. Guy is thinking she is a playful one and sees she has nice breast that bounce well then he sees her red lacy bra and garter belt holding up her red stockings as she goes diving down into the shallow water. He is in awe that she dove into the water knowing she was not a good swimmer. Iris saw that it was not deep and the shore was just a few feet away so she held her breath and took a dive as straight as she could heading for the shore. He went after her but was hampered holding her clothing in his hand and when he arrived at the shoreline she was no where to be seen. He was worried and turned around to look at the lake to see if she was in any danger.

Soon he was really worried and called:

"Iris."

"Iris."

"Iris Darlin'."

"Where are you?"

Soon he hears:

"Come over here big boy, look behind the tree..over here."

"I'm on the old swing,come here,come on,come on..I want you now!"

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 8

June 25, 2017

"Do what I say and bend down on your knees. Let me wrap my legs around your strong neck. I want you to taste my nectar, cum on do as I say big boy."

Iris then gently swings as slowly as she can making him earn every taste of her sweet nectar. Soon she stops swinging and holds her hand over her mouth as she gasps with delight She can take no more so she tells him to stand next to the swing while unzipping his shorts and has her way with him licking and squeezing and kneading him until he erupts into her mouth as she swallows it never to be seen again.

By now her skirt and blouse are dry so he helps her dress and they sit together on the swing as he sings her a song he wrote called: Iris My Darlin'.

A few months go by and they both are busy with their own interests that they are doing but they get together once a week either at Iris' place, Guys place or go somewhere for a drive or an interesting place they both enjoy getting to know each other.

Iris continues working at the Coast Guard but soon will take a few weeks off. She has not told Guy yet because she is thinking of taking this time off alone to finish something in her life that she should have done a long time ago

. Iris invited Guy over for dinner one evening and asked him to look at her new creations in the cabinet. All the new ones were fresh and spectacular and highly detailed for the modern generation with brighter colors. Guy discovers a bird house hidden in the back of the cabinet. He finds it when she is in the kitchen getting them some wine.

Since her birdhouses have been selling quickly they have been cleaning the cabinet and hunting for more bird houses to put into the next shipment. Guy sees there is another one crammed, almost hidden in the low corner of the cabinet. Curious that she has carefully wrapped it in old newspaper.As he opens the box he is surprised at how detailed and exquisite the house was made.

The front has a small golden chain tree and a hidden door. there is something inside that rattles like hard peas when shaken. Guy knows his woods, because of his interest in musical instruments such as recorders and flutes, so he sees that the house is made entirely of Laburnum, which is also called the golden chain tree. This was a popular wood before taste turned to imported dense tropical hardwoods such as cocuswood, ebony, and African blackwood . Earlier Laburnum was used to make these instruments and also the wood stocks for the Great Highland Bagpipe.

When Iris walks in and sees him holding the bird house she gasps and drops the tray holding the wine glasses.

""Why Iris my sweet darlin' what is wrong?" asks Guy.

" I... I ...well I had forgotten about that bird house and it is NOT for sale!"

Together they cleaned up the red wine with club soda then Iris hurriedly placed the bird house back in the box and placed it in her closet. Guy poured more wine and pondered why she was so upset over this particular bird house. Their evening was very quiet and he knew something about that bird house was bothering Iris so he made an excuse to go home to tend to his dogs so Iris might have time alone to reflect on the happenings that evening.

When Guy returned home he looked up 'golden chain tree' and read that All parts of the plant are poisonous and can be lethal if consumed in excess

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 9

June 26 2017

Guy waited three days to let her alone in her thoughts then he called Iris. She did not answer nor return his message. He called and left messages the next ten days again with no communication left for him. This was not Iris because even tho they did not see each other each day at least they called at bedtime to talk a little and say good night.

Worried he decided to go over and see what was wrong or if she was ill. He brought along one of his favorite Petoskey stones to give her because he knew she loved their unique beauty and would treasure the gift. After parking his truck in the condo space provided for visitors he proceeded to the upper floor where she lived.He walked over to where she parked and saw that her car was not there. Looking around to see if it were parked in another space he heard a man say:

" I know you. You are Miss Iris' friend Guy. She has told me what a wonderful friend you are to her. She does not have many friends and I worry about her like she was my own daughter. While we both were in therapy and everyone treated me like a lawst cawse she was the one that got me out of my depression slump without even thinking of herself once. She is a braht star that came into my life and I love her dearly."

A neatly clothed man sitting in a wicker chair, leaning on a cane on the porch of the condo under Iris' home was speaking to Guy with a thick Southern accent.

“Lemme innerduce myself. I am Roger Ray Johnson and you have to be Guy”

. After a bit of chit chat Guy sat in the other chair and listened to Roger talk about Iris. Roger and Iris had both been in the same therapy group sessions for depression and stress. Rogers post traumatic stress disorder was caused from being a survivor in the war while his comrades had been killed.

Iris' stress on the other hand was from being kidnapped at the age of thirteen and being forced into child pornography and prostitution for almost six years.

Roger saw Guy with tears in his eyes and said he was sorry to tell him about this as he thought Iris had already told him.

" I got a good notion to go hunt for her myself because I think she may be in danjuh. If I could still drive I would she may be up at the cave house."

Guy looked at him very puzzled and said he knew nothing about a cave house. Roger told him it was about an hour away in the traverse City state forest area near US-31 N. still being cautious of Roger that he had just met he questioned him further asking if he had ever gone to the cave house with Iris. Roger broke into uncontrollable tears repeating over and over.

"Sum'en is terrible wrong, sum'en is terrible wrong, I loves that girl like she were my own kin, sum'en is terrible wrong we gots ta go find her."

Guy put his arm around Rodger and asked if he could guide him to the cave house to see if Iris was indeed there. Rodger agreed saying he would need some flashlights and a few other things so he invited Guy into his place. Guy saw that Rogers place was neat and tidy but sparse.

"Miss Iris' give me a key to her place but I never climbed the stairs to look in and I am sure she would not mind if you went on up too look for clues."

Guy made an excuse that he was going to go see what he had in his truck in the way of flashlights and ropes and while he was there he called his friend John, a retired search and rescue authority and clued him in on what was going on and asked if he could pick him up. John of course would be at home waiting for him and he would make essential calls for others that would help finding Iris. Guy clued John in on the state of Iris fragile mind saying they must be very quiet in this search. John agreed saying he would be all set up in fifteen minutes and waiting for the two men. Guy saw that Roger was almost ready and asked him for that key Iris had left with him. The condo was just as Guy had seen it when he left last time except on the work table that upsetting birdhouse was smashed to pieces but none of the seed pods were to be seen. This really worried Guy but he did not tell Roger when he returned the key.

©Julia A Knaake

Passionate Admiration part 10

June 27 2017

John said he would meet them at Alexanders coffee shop sitting outdoors at the long red picnic table that was reserved for police and fire officials. Guy told him that he and Rodger would be there and fill him and the others in on what they knew.

An hour later Guy pulled into the parking lot of Alexanders. John and three men and two women were there waiting for him.

Introductions were exchanged. John said the two women were there

for support in case Iris was to be found. One a police lady and the other a psychologist were both employed by the police department. Two of the men were policemen and the third man was introduced as Arthur Young.

The last name raised Guy's interest and he asked if he were related to Iris Young.

Arthur told him and Roger he was the brother to Iris. and that he had been hunting for her for close to fifteen years.

When the family home was set on fire by an arsonist they had found out their parents were both shot in the head before the house was set afire. Iris was missing. At first the authorities thought she, only age 13, may have been the culprit. But they were proved wrong by her best friend, Jeanie who saw a purse belonging to Iris at the edge of the walk near the garbage cans.

The police investigators talked to Jeanie who clued them in on how Iris loved her parents and with her Granny's help had planned an anniversary party for them. Inside Iris' purse were receipts for a cake to be made by a local bakery, decorations and the bill from a local photographer where Iris had her parent's wedding picture touched up and framed.

So now it was murder, arson and kidnapping that was for twenty-three year old Arthur Young to come home too. He was stationed in Germany when all this occurred. He had taken care of the funerals, the property damage and so forth but since he worked in intelligence his young mind turned to Iris's friend Jeanie and her friends. He asked them to see if anyone saw or heard of anything about Iris, anything at all then with Jeanie's parents permission if he could come to their home and compare the findings. Of course the parents would help as much as they could. A week later Jeanie's father called Arthur and some news a bit skimpy, was to be told.

It seemed that Andy and Carl along with Betty and Cindy were at the park playing kick ball then were over at the picnic table eating hot dogs from the local food truck when Betty looked up at a scraggly man tossing a garbage sack near the can but missed.

Carl told him he missed the can and the man said to mind his own business. The man looked at Betty with a dirty leer but she moved closer to Cindy daring not to look up again. Andy and Carl started running after the guy but he went to the back of his white van where Carl was certain he was taking a leak. Andy looked at the passenger side of the van and thought he saw Iris all made up in gaudy makeup!

She wiped her lipstick on the window saying SOS HELP then smeared it off quickly.

Arthur and the parents reported this to the police investigators who questioned the four kids about van make, marks and so forth. The police artist drew pictures from each of the four as to what the man looked like and what iris looked like and they kept the case open for a while soon writing it off as a cold case.

Arthur continued his search for Iris but nothing positive turned up until a few weeks ago when he met a man at a bar who saw his sketches of what Iris was at age thirteen on up. The man was drunker that a skunk but looked at Arthur and said "That's Iris, sweet little girl. I helped her escape about nine years ago."

Arthur stayed with the man all night trying to sober him up so he could question him about Iris. Arthur paid the bartender extra money to keep the bar open, well at least locked to the outside so that Arthur could make some sense at what the man was saying about his lost sister.

© Julia A Knaake