ahead as to who wanted to use the stove or the oven,
but if our downstairs tenants were anything like last year’s, it wouldn't take
long for all of us to agree on schedules and compromise on usage. Everyone was
responsible for cleaning up after themselves. The landlord insisted that all
cooking equipment and utensils be washed and put away before bedtime to cut
down on the chance of roaches or other pests. We were all more than happy to
comply, as all of us got the heebie-jeebies at the thought of cockroaches,
ants, or mice.
I was anxious to reconnect with my friends and hear
about their escapades, boyfriends, and romantic adventures over the past
summer. While I had nothing very exciting to relate, having been too busy
working, I often lived vicariously through my "sisters" and their…how
should I put it…their “adventures” with their boyfriends, which also included
sexual escapades.
At the top of the stairs, I turned left toward Becky
and Desiree's room. I knew that the others had arrived before me, and if our
habits were still intact, they would all be gathered there. I knocked on the
door. Moments later, it was opened by Becky. She squealed in delight.
"Jessica's here!"
The sound of excited feminine voices bombarded me as I
entered, my own excited voice joining in with theirs. All of us tried to talk
at once, laughing, hugging, and giving each other the once over. It was good to
be back in the cluster of my friends, a group of people that had never made me
feel more welcome and safe than when I was in their company. Soon, we had all
made ourselves comfortable on the twin beds that Becky and Desiree had arranged
in the main room. It was more like a studio apartment with a bathroom, but it
was big enough for the two twin beds, two dressers, two small desks, and a
small entertainment center holding a collection of books, stereo equipment, a
flat screen TV, and a collection of DVDs.
After we had all settled and gotten comfortable, it
was time to compare notes. Becky went first. "I met the most gorgeous guy
this summer," she began. "He looked like a younger version of James
Dean! The only thing I didn't like about him was he smelled like cigarettes all
the time." She made a face. "He had the greatest body in the world,
and let me tell you, he was a fine lover, but he always tasted of
cigarettes."
" Eww ," Desiree said.
"Did you say anything to him about it?"
"No," Becky smiled. "It wasn't like
either one of us expected anything serious out of the relationship, and like I
said, he was a great lover-"
"You used protection, didn't you?" Selena
interrupted.
"Yes, Mother," Becky said, making another
face. "Not only am I on the pill, but I made sure that he wore a condom
every time."
"Sounds wonderful," Desiree commented.
"You learn anything new?"
Becky smiled knowingly. "Did I ever!”
As the girls compared notes, I found myself entranced
by their new experiences and sexual maturity. I on the other hand, had nothing
much to share.
"Your turn, Jessica," Becky said.
I glanced at Becky in surprise and offered a lame
shrug. "Nothing to tell," I smiled. "I spent most of my summer
working."
"At the Starbucks, yes, we know that,"
Desiree commented. "We got that much from your Skypes and emails. But you
couldn't have worked all the time."
“No, I didn't work all the time," I admitted.
"I did date one guy for a week or two, but he turned out to be a
loser."
"Why?" Selena asked.
"After the first couple of dates, he started
getting possessive. I certainly don't need to tell you that anyone who starts
asking me what I do every day and what time I get home at night after only a
few dates, is not someone you want to hang around with."
They all agreed. "Besides, I spent most of my
time out at the beach."
"The beach?" Becky asked. "I didn't
know there was a beach in Montana."
I rolled my eyes. "You know that us landlubbers consider anything with sand near water a
beach. Okay, let me rephrase. I spent most of my summer
Victoria Christopher Murray, Reshonda Tate Billingsley
Will Hill
Susanna Carr
Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane
Rebecca King
Roger Landry
Mick Farren
Chris Nickson
Melissa A. Hanson
Raine Thomas