shafts of the fading sunlight reflected on the dirty snow in the street. I decided to go visit Chris and test out my new pills. As I trotted past Rodman’s Diner, I popped one in my mouth. A couple of bikers started to whistle, then one gave hand motions to the others, and they all turned away. Doc had clearly gotten the word out.
I arrived at the family’s house and pounded on the front door until my knuckles felt sore. When I gripped the doorknob, I discovered the door was unlocked. A thousand butterflies filled my stomach as I climbed the stairs to the apartment and found the door ajar. Would Chris be mad for me to arrive uninvited? Would Ben be home by now?
The place was eerily silent. I wandered up to the attic and found Chris asleep with the lamp still on. I touched his face.
To my surprise his eyes opened. “Hey darlin’, I’ve been waiting for you. I even took a shower.”
I smiled. Thank God Chris was okay. “I went back to my dorm. How you feeling?”
“Much better, but I’m chilly.” He pulled up the blankets. “Why don’t you climb inside and warm me up?” He reached out for my hand and kissed it. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since the other night.”
My body shivered in anticipation as I slipped off my jeans and peasant blouse and cuddled close to Chris in the bed.
He pressed his body next to mine. “You’re really a cute chick.”
“Ah, thanks.”
He placed a sloppy kiss on my mouth. His breath was yucky. Things continued to move so fast that before I knew it, he had jammed himself inside me and began propelling himself up-and-down. In-and-out. It felt more strange than sexy.
Oddly, all I could think about was failing my American History exam and how I would explain losing my scholarship to my parents. Maybe I could secure a job in one of the Bridgeport factories and move in with the family.
Something was wrong. I thought about the night with Ben. How I had glowed and tingled all over. Did Ben know I was up here with Chris? Did he care?
Chris continued pumping himself on top of me, and minutes later yelled, “Jesus!” and slid off.
That’s it? Hot liquid dripped down my thighs.
He kissed my cheek. “Got a cigarette?”
“Sorry, I don’t smoke.”
He crept from the bed, fumbled around the floor, and retrieved a butt that had been half-smoked. “So, what did you think of your first time, sweetheart?”
“How did you… I mean, why did you think that?” I was positive I’d never disclosed my virginity status to him.
He took my chin in his hand. “Ben told me.”
I began to tremble. “Ben told you what?”
“That you still, ya know, hadn’t had your cherry popped yet.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Go-Between
Austin, Texas, 2012
I ignore Ed’s question about Ben Franklin and pretend I’m asleep. Where would I begin to explain to my husband the tangled relationship I had with that man?
The next morning, I return to work at my LBJ office in downtown Austin. I open my Outlook calendar and create a task to call Chris later. It’s critical to find out exactly what he told that detective. I also make a task to find an attorney.
I’ve only been gone for three business days, but I have over one hundred e-mails. Computer requests, issues with software, business exceptions for me to approve. There are announcements about Bob E.’s ascent to CEO , and Darlene’s promotion to V.P.
My assistant Dana strolls in with a stack of papers for me to sign.
“Welcome back. How was the funeral?”
“Very sad. Thanks for asking. Anything special I need to focus on?”
Before she can respond, a whiff of exotic perfume fills the air followed by Darlene in a navy pants suit. She smiles at my assistant. “How you doing, honey? Dana, right?”
They exchange small talk, then Dana exits, closing my office door behind her.
Darlene parks herself in one of the three brown fabric chairs provided for visitors. “I gather you received my voicemail?”
“I’m thrilled for you.
I arrived at the family’s house and pounded on the front door until my knuckles felt sore. When I gripped the doorknob, I discovered the door was unlocked. A thousand butterflies filled my stomach as I climbed the stairs to the apartment and found the door ajar. Would Chris be mad for me to arrive uninvited? Would Ben be home by now?
The place was eerily silent. I wandered up to the attic and found Chris asleep with the lamp still on. I touched his face.
To my surprise his eyes opened. “Hey darlin’, I’ve been waiting for you. I even took a shower.”
I smiled. Thank God Chris was okay. “I went back to my dorm. How you feeling?”
“Much better, but I’m chilly.” He pulled up the blankets. “Why don’t you climb inside and warm me up?” He reached out for my hand and kissed it. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since the other night.”
My body shivered in anticipation as I slipped off my jeans and peasant blouse and cuddled close to Chris in the bed.
He pressed his body next to mine. “You’re really a cute chick.”
“Ah, thanks.”
He placed a sloppy kiss on my mouth. His breath was yucky. Things continued to move so fast that before I knew it, he had jammed himself inside me and began propelling himself up-and-down. In-and-out. It felt more strange than sexy.
Oddly, all I could think about was failing my American History exam and how I would explain losing my scholarship to my parents. Maybe I could secure a job in one of the Bridgeport factories and move in with the family.
Something was wrong. I thought about the night with Ben. How I had glowed and tingled all over. Did Ben know I was up here with Chris? Did he care?
Chris continued pumping himself on top of me, and minutes later yelled, “Jesus!” and slid off.
That’s it? Hot liquid dripped down my thighs.
He kissed my cheek. “Got a cigarette?”
“Sorry, I don’t smoke.”
He crept from the bed, fumbled around the floor, and retrieved a butt that had been half-smoked. “So, what did you think of your first time, sweetheart?”
“How did you… I mean, why did you think that?” I was positive I’d never disclosed my virginity status to him.
He took my chin in his hand. “Ben told me.”
I began to tremble. “Ben told you what?”
“That you still, ya know, hadn’t had your cherry popped yet.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Go-Between
Austin, Texas, 2012
I ignore Ed’s question about Ben Franklin and pretend I’m asleep. Where would I begin to explain to my husband the tangled relationship I had with that man?
The next morning, I return to work at my LBJ office in downtown Austin. I open my Outlook calendar and create a task to call Chris later. It’s critical to find out exactly what he told that detective. I also make a task to find an attorney.
I’ve only been gone for three business days, but I have over one hundred e-mails. Computer requests, issues with software, business exceptions for me to approve. There are announcements about Bob E.’s ascent to CEO , and Darlene’s promotion to V.P.
My assistant Dana strolls in with a stack of papers for me to sign.
“Welcome back. How was the funeral?”
“Very sad. Thanks for asking. Anything special I need to focus on?”
Before she can respond, a whiff of exotic perfume fills the air followed by Darlene in a navy pants suit. She smiles at my assistant. “How you doing, honey? Dana, right?”
They exchange small talk, then Dana exits, closing my office door behind her.
Darlene parks herself in one of the three brown fabric chairs provided for visitors. “I gather you received my voicemail?”
“I’m thrilled for you.
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