Chapter One

We met just outside of Hollywood, the casino, in St. Louis. She was leaning back against the wall, tears running down her otherwise cute, freckled, cheeks. The hood of a lime green, light windbreaker was hanging over her head, but not quite covering her face.

“Hi, there, young lady. Are you all right?” It was obvious she wasn’t, but I thought I’d ask if she needed help.

“No, not really. Thank you for asking.”

“Anything I can do? You look a little... lost,” I said, and she did. With the tears, and the light jacket and all, she did look out of place near the main exit of a casino, in what was, outside, most likely 10-degree weather. If she had gone outside, she’d have frozen to death in that flimsy little wrap.

“Well, I’m a little afraid to say and I’m a little afraid not to.” She cleared her throat, looked up at me, then down at the floor. “I just got dumped by my (she did air quotes) ‘boyfriend’ twenty miles from home, what there is of it, without a ride, or enough money for one. He was inside gambling, knowing full well I’m not old enough, leaving me out here in the lobby reading. When he came to ‘check on me’ (again with the air quotes), he hit the ATM machine, so he was obviously losing. I questioned his gambling. He got pissed and went back in for an hour or so. Then when he came back out, he was mad. Really mad. I told him it was his own fault, and he slapped me. He told me to go to hell and never call him again. Other than the fact that my face hurts, and I’m broke, and I’ll freeze to death walking or hitchhiking home, I’m just peachy.”

“Wow. Cool. Let me tell you about my day. I went to the casino to blow off some steam and have some fun. I had a beer and put twenty dollars into one of my favorite slot machines. I bet huge, like,“ at this point, I’m exaggerating my voice, holding my hands way out, “a whole buck fifty for about 6 rolls, and came up with 6 Quick Hits, so I’m up about eighty bucks, and I’m on the way out, feeling pretty good about myself, and I met this cute little girl that needed a ride. So, I asked her if I could buy her dinner and give her a ride home, and guess what she said?”

She looked at me, smiling, and asked, “I dunno, what’d she say?”

“I don’t know yet. Still waiting for an answer.”

“Oh, crap. The next line is mine, huh? Sure, why not. Things can only go up from here, and you seem like a nice guy. Why’d you stop to check on me, anyway?”

“Well, believe it or not, I was hoping someone else would. About twenty people walked by you with some evidence they noticed you, or some look of concern, but most just shook their heads and kept walking. The others didn’t even shake their heads. They just acted like you weren’t there, so they wouldn’t have to feel shitty about not helping, I guess. Anyway, I’ve been watching you for about ten minutes, and figured you could use some help. I figured I knew what the problem was, and I was close. My name is Chuck. Chuck Colton. Yours?”

“Shirley. Shirley Sanders. Thank you for stopping, Chuck. I’ll be OK, but I need to learn that bad vibes are generally worth paying attention to.” As she said that, her shoulders shook, like she was shivering.

“Sounds like there’s some history there.”

She explained, “Not really. Third date. Older guy, from where I used to work. I shouldn’t say that, should I. He was older than me, and now, talking to you, that seems like useless information. Let’s say he was old enough to go into a casino and leave his 17-year-old girlfriend out in the lobby. You appear more like thirty, so you would be the older guy, and he would be the punk shithead that left me to freeze to death.”

I looked at what small smile she was emoting after that statement, and just had to ask, “There’s more to this, isn’t there?”

“Yes, but it gets a little personal, and I don’t think I know you well enough to tell you that he wanted me to broaden my sexual horizons with him today. That I advised him I wasn’t quite ready for that, and after losing what was probably a lot of money, and then getting told he wasn’t getting his ashes hauled, to help soothe his wounds, was, I’m sure, the proverbial straw that undid the proverbial camel. Point is that I had a bad feeling about him. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. Until now. But, since I don’t know you very well, I don’t think you need all that information, so I’ll save it for later. For, you know, if I get to know you better or something.” At this point, I was laughing at her antics. She went on, “So, what was this about Chuck winning fortunes and taking a crying, helpless waif for a bite?”

“Well, first, where do you live? We’ll find something on the way. My car’s out in the garage on level 4, come on.” Held my hand out for hers. She reciprocated, letting me take her small, delicate, cute fingers in mine. I pulled her fingers a little then palmed her entire little hand in mine, and we started walking to the parking garage elevators. Before we hit the outside air, I pulled my jacket off and put it over her shoulders. She looked up at me with a beautiful, grateful smile. This girl’s quite pretty.

“Arnold.”

“Cool,” I said, “you like Fifty Fourth Street? As restaurants go, it’s good for getting acquainted.”

“Yes, I do, actually. Split some mushrooms?” She looked up at me, smiling.

“I knew there was something about you I liked. I mean other than the cute and friendly thing.”

“Ooooh, nice car.” She looked genuinely impressed with my 1970 Challenger.

So off we went, south of St Louis, chatting as we drove down 270 in traffic.

“Aren’t you glad they brought these back as a new model sports car?” she asked, not realizing yet that the radio had knobs and there wasn’t an onboard computer and all that on the dash.

“Shirley, my dear, this is the one they styled the new ones after. Not one of the new ones.”

“Oh, My! Sorry. I like old cars, I guess, but I don’t know that much about them. I just assumed. And, we all know what that does.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a car. I enjoy it, but I don’t expect everyone to share my enthusiasm.”

“Well, it’s nice. I really like the way it sounds, especially when you went up that ramp back there.” She was stroking my ego, hoping I’d forget about the faux pas, but I already had. I didn’t mind a bit.

“Thanks. I like it, too. It’s just a toy, though. Not a huge part of life. Let’s get you fed and then get you home. Do you think your friend is going to give you any trouble?”

“No, he’ll probably just move on. I hope so, at least. He lives a little north of Arnold, and works farther north, so it’s out of his way to bother me, and I don’t think he has that kind of energy. He was from Arnold, though. I don’t know. We’ll see, but for now, I think I’ll be OK. My roommate doesn’t like him either, so... Shit, Chuck. I should have known.”

“Don’t let it bother you too much. We all make mistakes like that. ALL of us.”

“Ooooh, there’s a story there, too. Isn’t there?”

“Yeah, there is, but that’ll be for another day. I’m in too good a mood to discuss my past. So, what do you do? You said you worked.” She looked at me smiling.

“Weekdays, I work at Fox. Then a few nights and weekends at a store in the mall.” She was snickering. I’m thinking, what is she doing that for?

“OK, I’ll bite. What’s Fox, and which store?” Just because of her actions, I was dying to know.

“Fox is the school district here in Arnold. I’m a senior. The store is Victoria’s Secret.”

“YOU’RE IN HIGH SCHOOL? Oh, I guess I can understand that. You did say you were seventeen. Victoria’s Secret, huh? Nice. I wouldn’t mind shopping in there, if I could find someone to shop for,” I said, half under my breath, then, “Well, we’re here. Let’s grab a bite to eat.”

I walked her inside, instinctively putting my hand in the small of her back on the way up the sidewalk. She turned her face up and smiled when I did. She evidently wanted me to know that she noticed my touch. I checked in at the front with the hostesses, asking for a table at the bar, but Shirley placed her hand on my arm, pulling me down to whisper in my ear, “Can we get a booth back there so we can talk?” She pointed back to the quiet dining area.

I let the hostess know of the change of plans. She grabbed some menus and silverware wraps and off we went. A quiet booth in the back it was!

We ordered drinks, her an iced tea and me a small draft Select and a water with lemon, and of course, the mushrooms. This chain was famous for them. They used to be bigger, I think, but evidently the American population had eaten all the really big button mushrooms, so now we were paying the piper. Probably global shrinking or some such. While the waitress was off collecting our goodies, I asked her. “OK, so you’re 17 and in a casino with your friend... Why?”

“Bad choices. A few life decisions I’ve made didn’t turn out quite like I expected.”

“You mentioned your roommate. I presume that means your home isn’t necessarily with your parental units?”

“Very astute, Mr. Colton.” She giggled. “That’s true but there’s a lot more to it. If you want to know, it’s painful, but I’ll share.”

“No, not necessary. No need to bring up bad things on a good day,” I said.

“Good day?” She gasped, “It’s freezing cold, my date left me to die in the wilderness, and a stranger is feeding me. What part of that do you see as a good day?”

“I met you.” I smiled at her, hoping she wouldn’t bolt for the door. She smiled back, broadly, and was blushing to beat the band.

The drinks came and we ordered sandwiches and such.

“Thank you. I’m glad you stopped to help. It is ending a lot better than it started. The day, I mean.” She pointed to my beer and asked if she could have a sip. Sure, why not.

We chatted about her school, the classes she took and her job, but didn’t get too deep. She was taking all of the AP classes she could and had been since they became available to her. She wanted to go to college, and she figured anything she could take in high school to help that along was a bonus. She had a troubled life, that was easy to tell, but she was rising above it. That was easy to tell, as well. Nothing was going to get her down, it appeared. No specifics were given but it was obvious her life had not been “normal” in the Norman Rockwell view.

She asked about me and what I did. I was generic in my answers about doing IT work part time and being single, not necessarily by choice, but by circumstance. I let her know, as well, that I had some darkness in my past which I didn’t want to discuss on an otherwise wonderful day.

We ate, and shared a couple jokes, then when we were getting ready to leave, she asked me where I lived.

“Oh, about 3 hours north of here. Little college town. I come down once in a while to hit a casino and a movie and shop and such. I’ll be here ‘til Tuesday or Wednesday, then head home,” I told her, reaching in my shirt pocket for a card. “If you run into any problems with your friend, or you need a cup of coffee or something, give me a call.”

She looked at the card. C3Tech/COLTON Technologies, C Charles Colton III, President and Founder. Then the numbers and all that.

“What’s the C stand for?”

“Charles, or Colton. Take your pick.”

“I see those. What about the one in the front?”

“That’s my initial. I don’t put a period there so that I can tell people it’s not an abbreviation, just an initial. It’s a lie, but what the heck. It’s mine, and I can do what I want with it. In any case, I never give out my true first name on a first date. It just isn’t done. I’d feel cheap.” I smiled at her and winked.

She laughed and said, “It’s probably Charlemagne, or Cecil something.”

“So much for the secrets and mystery on a first date.”

“Cecil? Really?”

“No, Charlemagne. Doesn’t matter. Now that you know, I’ll have to silence you.” She laughed. I’m sure she could tell by the look on my face I was kidding. “You want dessert or anything?”

“No, sir, I don’t want to impose any more than I already have. You’ve been so nice and generous, and fun to be around. I know this sounds weird, but I don’t feel strange or freaked at all by being found, confronted, and helped by a complete stranger. Tell me that’s not different.”

“I can’t. And, please don’t call me ‘sir’, Shirley. I’m old enough without you pushing me into a home.”

She giggled at that. I love that sound. Her giggle was especially sweet. “How old are you? I’ve got you pegged at about 30. How close am I?”

“Nowhere near, but it’s just a number. We can work with that.” I laughed and she smiled back. “Come on, let me take you home. Which way?”

She showed me the way to a not so nice area of town and a ‘seen better days’ apartment complex. I took her to the door and thanked her for having dinner with me. The door opened and a rather sweet looking, and somewhat larger, girl said, “Hi! Oh, looks like Shirl’s got an upgrade.”

“Thank you. I have no idea who you are or who he was but, thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said, holding my hand out to shake.

“It definitely was one. I’m Jenny. Jennifer Ann Wilson, the oft referred to but rarely seen roommate of her conversations. At least step inside so you two don’t freeze to death.” We did and she shut the door behind us. The place smelled like cinnamon. It was nice.

“Good to meet you, Jenny. I’m Chuck. I found this waif in dire straits. I’ve fed her and repaired her to your humble abode. Would you be so nice as to keep an extra close eye on her until we’re sure that (I made air quotes) ‘he’ doesn’t show up to give the little lady a hard time? When I leave, she can explain to you what a gentleman he was.”

“Yes, kind sir, I will assist with that. She doesn’t need to. I never liked him. Just something... I don’t know. Thanks, by the way. I love her to death, but sometimes...” Jenny was smiling and shaking her head and nodding toward Shirley.

“Stop it, Jen. He doesn’t want to hear my problems.” She was trying to get Jenny to lighten up.

“Actually, I do, but it can wait. Shirley, can I see you again, before I leave town?” I can’t believe that came out. I was thinking it, but I wasn’t sure I should, or if could get away with it, and then it just fell out, in the vestibule of the apartment, with everybody looking at it. Just sitting there, waiting. Very...

“I’d like that.”

I was going to say very weird, but she said yes, so I guess it wasn’t and I won’t. I haven’t felt that unsure of anything since high school when I asked a girl out to the prom. Worse yet, that time, she said no. Now THAT was a confidence builder. I’m rambling. To myself? Calm down, Chuck.

“All righty then. This is Saturday evening. What is your Sunday looking like?”

“Completely free before ten o’clock. I work from noon to five, then I’m free again.” Shirley was trying to ask me to take her to breakfast.

“What do you have from ten to noon?”

“Church. It’s right down the street then I catch the bus from there to work.” Jackpot. Shirley just landed herself a perfectly good... whatever she wanted for breakfast. I was going to order an omelet and... CHUCK, YOU’RE WANDERING. Settle down. Just relax.

“Not to be pushy, but how ‘bout if I pick you up at seven-thirty. We can get breakfast, talk a bit, then I’ll take you to church, then afterwards to work.” I figured, ‘what the heck’? She’s pretty. She’s smart. She’s cute. And I do have a thing for redheads. She dropped the hood in the restaurant, I saw her beautiful short copper colored page boyish shag haircut. Cuter than a button.

“You want to take me to church?” She was hesitant for some reason.

“Sure. I’ve been before, unless y’all do that five-point star thing and kill sheep and stuff at your service. That would be different.” She and Jenny both laughed.

“No, just a couple halfway decent Catholic girls. If you promise not to burst into flames or anything when you bless yourself, I guess I’d be honored for you to take us. Us is OK, isn’t it? I mean we can go Dutch so you don’t have to pay or anything.” She was hesitant about inviting Jenny along, but that was no problem.

“No problem at all. I’ll see you all at seven thirty. Oh, dress code?”

“We’ll be in skirts and heels, so... Dress appropriately?”

“No golf shorts. Got it. See you in the morning.” I leaned down and kissed Shirley’s cheek. She raised her hand and placed it over the spot while I reached over and shook hands with Jenny.

“What, no kiss?” Jenny asked.

“One beautiful girl at a time. I’m only mortal. See you ladies in the morning.” I left to the sound, the beautiful sound, of both giggles and laughter.

I went back to the casino hotel. I had a comped room for the next couple of nights, and I had paid for tonight. No freebies on the weekends, Friday and Saturday. Aww shucks. Wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it and it was cheaper than the Hilton. It was still a little early, so I went down to have a beer and watch a twenty disappear into a one-armed bandit. Thinking Quick Hits wasn’t going to play ATM for me twice, I found a Buffalo game and played eighty cents for a while. I think overall, it was a very lucky day. I hope it holds for tomorrow with Shirley. I had 6 quick hits for 80 bucks this afternoon, had dinner with a beautiful little girl that said yes to a second meeting, and had enough buffalo during a bonus to have them make me take a chit to the cashier, but... I didn’t. Nobody is that lucky, so I played a buck twenty until I got it just under a thousand dollars and cashed out. Since you have to pay taxes on the chits that are over a grand, and I didn’t want people looking at me, and since it was only at a thousand forty dollars, I got it down below a grand and made it out within the narrowest of margins. I hit the ticket changer up for 9 hundreds, 4 twenties, 3 fives and a few ones, and hit the bar for a beer for the trip to the room. If security wanted to stop me, they could’ve. I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s done that. I don’t think it’s against the law, just against the rules. When they’re busy, they probably don’t care much.

I drank my beer on the way to the room. I don’t drink much, but the ones they have sitting on ice are good. I took some clothes out to hang up for the morning, jumped in bed, and thought about Shirley for a few minutes. I mostly wondered whether or not she’d want to have anything to do with a 40-year-old man, and then fell asleep. No answer to my question, just sleep.

The morning brought sunshine and a layer of frost on the window. It looked really cold out this morning. Oh well, if they were planning on wearing skirts and heels, I was going to dress the part. I just hoped they didn’t change their minds due to the cold. I’d look funny with them if they wore jeans.

I shouldn’t have worried. I showed up to “Oooohs” and “Oh, Mys”, and was quite proud. I could clean up if I tried. My good gray wool suit, pink shirt, paisley pink, gray, and purple tie, and dark gray socks and shoes were a hit. But I still looked like a turd in the room. Jenny was wearing what could only be called a very beautiful wine-colored skirt and jacket business suit. She had her hair up in back with strands curled on the sides framing her face. Just perfect on her. Shirley was in a ruffled beige blouse, and a navy pencil skirt. Her little red pageboy shag was perfectly suited for her as well. The off black hose and black pumps the girls were wearing were nothing short of glamorous. I was flummoxed. I tried to tell them both how gorgeous they were. I hope I didn’t just slobber on myself while I was trying to talk.

We had plenty of time, so the girls offered me a cup of coffee, which I accepted. They sat me down on the sofa and sat in chairs facing me. Their stuff wasn’t bad, it was old, but clean. The place was well kept on the inside. It actually seemed very out of place compared to the neighborhood. I asked about the place and if it was safe.

Jenny started out, “Mostly. But we can’t afford much else. We’re both in high school, working part time and carrying AP classes to help with college. We’re careful at night, as much as possible, and we have an older couple downstairs that, I think, watches out for us. Seems like neighbors pop out of the woodwork when we’re walking in the parking lot at night. We try not to work Fridays, so we don’t have to be out then. The other clerks don’t mind, since our shops do a lot of business on Fridays and they get the commissions from it. Then, on Saturdays and especially Sundays, we work the day shifts that others don’t want, getting home at a reasonable hour, to keep us off the streets at night. With a few exceptions, here and there, it works OK.”

“Wow! You two have put a lot of thought into this. You definitely have the bases covered, barring anything unforeseen. I do hope you’re careful, though. And might I add, don’t dress like that!! I don’t want to be a jerk and keep repeating myself but you are both stunningly beautiful this morning. Come on and let me show you off a little. Is IHOP OK, or would you like something fancier?” I was asking, but hoping they’d settle for IHOP. I wanted my favorite omelet this morning.

“Chuck, IHOP is more than fantastic. A little easier on the wallet, too.”

“Please don’t worry about that this morning. Breakfast is on me. No arguments, no big deal. Let me, please.”

“See Jen, I told you he was a keeper.” Shirley said to her then turned to me, “We’re making you dinner here tonight, so... Please don’t make any other plans. OK?”

“Sounds good. Really good. Thank you.” I finished my coffee, Shirley reaching for the cup. I touched her fingers on it as she took it and she smiled at me.

Jen must’ve been watching the interaction. “Come on, you two. We’ve got places to go and people to see. And pancakes and waffles to hunt and skin and cook over an open fire. Sorry. Hunger does silly things to me.” I laughed and agreed with her.

Jen liked the car, too, letting me know how much. She knew a little more about them and asked if it was a small or big block. I let her know it was a big block, but just a 383 Magnum four barrel. She voiced her approval and said the old Hemis were probably too hard to keep running these days anyway, what with all the crap in the gas and everything. Two points for Jenny. She also made sure she was sitting in back, even though Shirley was smaller. She had probably seen how I was looking at Shirley, and presumed this was no hook up.

Shirley looked like a million bucks sitting next to me. If this worked the way I thought about last night, maybe I could be this lucky some more. With her sitting next to me. Dressed to the nines. Damn, she’s pretty. Nice legs. Wowser. I wanted to touch her hand or something between shifts, but I was afraid it was too soon. I’m glad I waited. She took the initiative and put her hand on mine, on the shifter, and said, “Thank you very much for this, Chuck. We... I... really appreciate it. We don’t get out much, and to have it happen like this, with such a handsome gentleman, it’s just great. Thanks.” I told her that she and Jenny couldn’t be more welcome, and if things worked out, I’d like to see her again. She told me she’d like that, too. But to wait until after tonight to make any plans. They did want me to go to a movie with them after dinner if it wasn’t too late and I felt like it. I jumped at the chance.

We got to the restaurant way before it got crowded. They were both very careful getting in and out of the car, me there helping them with a hand and an elbow to hold. Both of them were extremely graceful in their fancy outfits, too. Definitely old souls in timeless fashions. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I told myself to make a note to remind myself to bring the Q7 next time. I’d forget, but at least myself tried. Easier for them to get in and out of. Used less gas, too. I was wandering again. They were so pretty. And I loved following them into the place. Nice view.

We got seated and ordered. We all got coffee and talked for a bit. They asked about my work. I gave them the generic software engineer story. Did OK. Still working part time. Spend time outdoors and taking care of my place up north.

I changed the impetus back to them. Where did they want to go to school? What were they studying? Both wanted to teach, Shirley in the Sciences and Jenny in math, both at the junior high or high school level where they could do the most damage. They explained to me their thoughts on that being the time when a student was either gained into learning or lost to mediocrity. They wanted to do some gaining. They also filled me in on their planned Masters and Doctorate works, that they were doing as a team. Perfectly legal these days, as long as they were twice as good, twice as deep, had both their names on them, and they both presented to defend them. The master’s thesis was going to be on the middle school student thing, and the doctorate was on how to turn a freshman around. It wasn’t by calling them a First Year, Shirley told me. It was more of an old school approach. I’d be reading about it soon, they both said. Their first choice for school was up north. The university near where I live. They wanted out of the city. SLU or Washington would be nice, MOBap, too, but they wanted out of the Metro, without leaving the state, and Mizzou was too cookie cutter and too big for them. Many choices available with their grades. Rolla, Springfield, Warrensburg? Nope! Wow. Had I told them EXACTLY where I lived yet? I didn’t think so. I’d let it ride until later.

We each had our favs, the ladies picking on me a little about the ‘healthy’ omelet. I explained that this wasn’t. Hollandaise sauce was on NO weight loss, healthy, or cardiac recovery diet in the western world. The healthy one must be farther down the page. Oh, and yes, I was eating it with hot sauce on my hash browns. I did enough moving around to stay healthy without skimping on breakfast, thank you very much.

Shirley got a speck of pancake on her cheek, so I reached over with my napkin and wiped it, gently. She reached out for my wrist, folded the napkin into my hand, extending my index finger and kissed just the tip of my finger, then said, “Thank you. That was sweet.” We continued on until we were no longer famished, Jenny declaring the waffles had been conquered and she was no longer out of her mind with hungerous torture. She also declared that to be a word. Just for today, then not a word again tomorrow. She was actually quite a funny lady. Taking our time on the way out, we made it to the car and I helped them inside, carefully. The parking lot was getting more crowded. Isn’t it amazing that a man can admire beauty so openly, but doesn’t want anyone else to enjoy it, yet he wants to show it off and share it. An amazing paradox. She’s beautiful, isn’t she? She’s mine, don’t look.

Did I just say that? She’s not mine! Why did that pass through my head? No way. Wow. I keep saying that. I never say ‘Wow’. Wow. What’s going on?

We drove back down to their church and parked in the lot for a bit. It was a touch early. I told them that I actually lived about ten miles from the town they were thinking about going to school in. I didn’t want to leave that hanging, just in case. Now I was second guessing myself. Just in case what? That it might make a difference? Chuck, you don’t know these girls well enough to look at things like that. Well, it was out there.

“Chuck, if I get up there and ask you out for dinner, will you go? You gave me your card with your number on it. Is there anyone else that would keep that from happening?” Shirley’s voice was soft like she was afraid to ask and afraid of the answer. I’ve noted myself doing the same thing, twice already, with her. Once when I asked to see her again, and the other when I asked about their plans. Something was brewing in Denmark, and it was unfamiliar. I was not a hermit. I dated. I was a public figure. I was not, however, totally in control of this situation. Now, I find that she’s feeling, or at least acting like she’s feeling, the same.

“Yes, yes, I did that, and no.” Jenny giggled. “Yes, if you come up to school and find yourself wanting to accompany an old man, this old man, to dinner, you have my number. I gave you my card so you would have that number, for whatever reason, come to think of it. No, there is no one else. If there was, I would have taken you home last night and not asked for your company this morning. I can’t and won’t do that. If I am with someone, I’m with someone. If they cut me loose, meh. Not so much. Anyway, if you like my company, I certainly like yours. I meant to ask both of you. Seventeen and living alone, or at least on your own?”

“Emancipation. Both of us. Separate cases, but we met afterwards and kind of figured to team up and make a run at life.” Jenny was filling me in on how it started.

“We both work at the mall.” The sing song voice Shirley used was so sweet it was sickening, then she got serious. “We both attend Fox. We are both taking AP courses. We both want to teach. We’re both STEM centered. It just seemed like a good idea. At the time. Now it seems like we’re married. ARGGGHHHHH.” Both the girls cut up and laughed about that. I was hoping it wasn’t worse than it sounded.

The last thing I wanted was to compete with a lesbian for another lesbian’s affection. I wasn’t getting that vibe, though. More like they were friends, or sisters. “Are you two, you know...” I had to ask. I didn’t want to try to climb an impossible mountain.

“Oh, gosh, no, Chuck. Sorry. We were just playing. We are very close friends, now, I guess. When school started, and the feces struck the rotating air movement device, we barely knew each other. As my family life was falling apart, I heard about Shirley’s problems and we talked, then conspired, then grew together, I guess you could call it, more than anything else. We are both totally, well, I am anyway. Yeah, from my view, I’m hetero. I guess that’s the word. And binary, from my view, if that’s still a thing. I’m a woman, from my view, and I want a man. I think. Shirl can speak for herself, but unless there is a warp in the space time continuum, I’m not dating my roommate.”

“Ewwwww, gross,” Shirley was again exaggerating her voice again. “Gag me with a spoon.” Serious again, “I love Jen to death, but not that much. However, we’ve been through hell together, that’s for sure. Fathers and stepfathers tracking us down for extracurricular activities. Mothers and stepmothers blaming their problems on us. False charges from their exes, Jesus, we’ve seen it all. We come from some pretty dysfunctional and stagnant gene pools. Hopefully we can make a new start. That’s the plan anyway. You’ve heard some of what made us, well, us, so we’ll need some info from you, about Chuck, when we get off work tonight. As long as sharing is in vogue, we all need to be doing it. More fun that way. Right now, though, we should go inside and join the masses for the mass, as it were!” Giggles. I love that sound.

We did, and I followed their lead. I hadn’t been in Catholic mass since I was about 13 or something like that. I didn’t get slapped, or make anybody laugh, so I guess I did OK. Afterwards, I followed them out to the car, on purpose. I was between them, and just a little behind, while watching them walk, and their little behinds. Honestly, I spent more time watching Shirley’s. More time thinking about hers, too. I was falling slowly into the degrading and depraved depths of infatuation. One step at a time.

I took the girls to work, where they quickly changed into short flouncy skirts, but kept the blouses and heels. Looking good helped with sales was the tag line I got when they came out of the dressing room to let me know they had to get to work. I kissed Jen on the cheek this time, and pecked Shirley on the lips, telling them I’d meet them back there at five.

I went back to the casino to my room and got my tablet out. I did a quick search of Shirley Sanders and Jennifer Ann Wilson and came up with way more information than any woman should have, let alone a teenager in school. One’s father was in jail, the other on an exparte. Jennifer’s father doing time for sexual misconduct with minors. The mothers were the opposite for each girl, with one in rehab, Shirley’s stepmother, and the other banned from contact without Law Enforcement escort. That I could understand, I guess, considering. None of the spouses was married, but I did note that there was no mention of Shirley’s biological mother. More searching. Passed when she was 5. Oh, Jeez.

I went down to the casino on the way out; it was getting close to three-thirty. Stuck a twenty in an old O’Doublin machine. Hit a bonus and five O’Doublin’s, as well as a bunch of other hits, all tripled. Oh, Man, she’s lucky for me. I cashed out with a little over three hundred bucks and hightailed it out to the mall.

Meeting the girls out in front of Victoria’s Secret, while Shirley is locking the store up for the night, I asked them if there was anything they needed for the dinner they were making. “Yes,” they both said. “Everything.”

“We decided to upgrade our plans a little. I had a pretty good turnout at work today, so we decided to splurge a little,” Shirley was telling me. Jen nodded enthusiastically. We packed up in the car and hit Schnuck’s on the way back to their place. I tried one last time to have them let me take them out, but they picked up all the fixings for a steak, baked potato, and broccoli dinner, so I backed off. They told me to just observe. As we were getting ready to check out, they did ask for one thing they needed help with. A bottle of Moscato D ’Asti would be nice. I grabbed two.

At the checkout, I went in front of the girls, emptying the basket onto the belt. I left the cart in the way, and a little crooked so they couldn’t get by it. When the cashier was done, I quickly handed her a hundred dollar bill, which she immediately drew on with that magic pen they have, and after getting my change, and an earful of chewing out from the girls, we were on our way.

“Chuck, why did you do that? We wanted to treat you to dinner for being so nice to me. To us.” Shirley was acting miffed, but I could tell it was a relief for both of them. Eighty bucks is a lot to a teenager in school, good commission day or not.

“Look, Princess, you two don’t owe me anything. Nothing like that. I don’t want you troubled on my account. And you did offer to cook all this up and feed me, correct?” Nods from both of them.

“Then let’s be real. You can afford this, but should spend the money on survival. I can afford this and make a couple cute girls happy. Win. Win.”

“OK, but you get to relax with a glass of wine while we cook. Sound good?”

“That, Princess, sounds like a major plan.”

We got the groceries into the apartment, then the girls took their leave to change. When they came back, I was really embarrassed. They noticed my blush when I saw them. They were in short shorts, crop tops, and sneakers. Similar clothing, or lack thereof, on each of them, but not identical. Jenny was not bigger than Shirley, just taller. At five four, five five, she was a well-built female specimen. Last night she was dressed a little dumpy in a sweat suit, so I just assumed she was ‘big’. Nope. Longish dark hair, nice body, and long legs. Shirley, while being a few inches shorter, had just as long of legs, her little bubble butt and nice shape, making her my fantasy come true. I’ve always had a thing for redheads, and this young lady really filled the bill in every way. They were both beautiful women, and just to be in their company, I considered myself fortunate.

They cooked and paraded around the apartment to tease me, doing a fine job. The wine was good, the steak excellent, the potato a marvel with plenty of butter and sour cream, and the cheese sauce with the broccoli was divine. Only the view of Shirley, and I must say Jenny, could top the meal. We sat around finishing the wine and talking, until about ten o’clock. I had to let them get to sleep. School and probably work tomorrow for them, and I needed to get some shopping and such done.

I rose, and they played at pouting a little, Jen coming to me with a kiss on the cheek, thanking me for coming over and saying how glad she was that I helped Shirley out and got a chance to meet me. She kissed Shirley a quick peck on the lips then waved over her shoulder and went back to the bedroom.

Shirley then walked over to me, wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug and looked up at me, as if asking for a kiss. I tilted my head down and kissed her softly.

“I like you, Chuck. Is there any way we can do this again? You are such a gentleman, and handsome, and just seem like someone I want to get to know better.” Shirley’s voice was steady, and mature. She really did want to see if we had anything here.

“Yes, Shirley, I would enjoy that. I can come back down next weekend and we can talk, plus you have my numbers and such. I know you’re busy, so I don’t expect you to call, but it’s there if you want. Look, I don’t go home ‘til Tuesday. Are you working tomorrow?” I was hoping beyond hope she wasn’t. One more evening...

“No, I’m usually off on Monday. After we work the weekends, we need some time for homework and stuff, but I’m pretty much caught up right now.”

“Dinner and a movie?” pleasesayyespleasesayyespleasesayyes

“That sounds like fun. Pick something out when we get there?” she said. She’s too easy to get along with.

“No, pick one and a time, and let me know. Text me?” I asked, then she looked crestfallen.

“All we have is the land line. Neither Jen nor I have cell phones. Never really needed them. Certainly not on our budgets. We have our old laptops and the landline with no long distance but with DSL internet service, so I can email... Oh, I’ll bet I can text to your number from my computer. Who is your phone with?”

“Verizon, but just email me. Address on the card. I’ll get it here.” I tapped on my phone in my pocket. “I’d like your email address, anyway. And... find a movie YOU like, not one I might like. It’s about you this time. OK?”

“OK. Thank you again, Chuck. Kiss me goodnight, and I’ll see you tomorrow, here, at five?”

“That sounds good, Princess. Are you and Jen together pretty much when you aren’t at home?”

“Yeah. More of a safety thing, but yeah, almost always.”

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Five o’clock.” I bent over. She’s not very tall, at all. Actually, quite short. Five one, five two, maybe. A full foot shorter than me in her sneakers. I kissed her, softly, and hugged her, thanking her for the wonderful meal and the great time I’m having around her. We argued over who was most thankful for about a minute, then I put my fingers to her lips, kissed her on the nose, as she kissed my finger, and off I went, into the night.

Note to self, put phone on shopping list. I’ll tell her it’s prepaid for a year, and if she doesn’t want me around, so be it. She’ll... They’ll just be a little safer. If she dumps me, I’ll prepay it and let her go. No, not happily, but six hundred bucks very well spent.

Back to the casino. Thought I’d have a beer and talk to the Sun and Moon for a while. Sixty cent bets, and before the twenty was gone, I hit all five Moons for fifty free games and walked away with two crisp hundred-dollar bills and a couple of wrinkly old fives. She is really lucky for me. I see a pattern developing. I dropped one of the fives on another ice cold Select and went to the room. While on the way, my phone chimed. Email incoming. Tap it open. Email from surelyknotty@gmail.com. I open it.

“Brand new email address. I thought ssanders2001@gmail.com was a little mundane, so feel free to use either one. Knowing you, you’ll pick the ssanders2001 address, and that’s not a problem. Believe me. I’m having fun being around you, Chuck. You make me feel special. Thanks again, and goodnight. xoxoxo, your Princess.”

I hit reply. “Thank you, Sweetheart. I want you to feel special. You deserve it. See you tomorrow. XOXOXO, your Prince.”

I got to my room, sat on the bed, and pondered. It can’t be real, but it’s happening. Finishing the beer, I threw my clothes on the chair, turned out the light, laid down and was out as fast as the light was.

Alarm tone. Oh my, must be Monday morning. Six o’clock. Back to the real world. Showered and dressed, feeling like I owned the world, my first stop is going to be the Verizon store. Got a Moto Play for Shirley to have, just in case. I hoped she’d accept it. Maybe, I thought, I should explain it’s going to be on my plan, and I put like not a lot of money into it. Cheap so not a problem, or not attached to me so not a problem. Choices. Oh hell. I told myself, I’ll tell her it’s on my plan so it’s not costing much, but I want her to feel safe and be able to call me any time she wants. If she wants. I’m still not sure this is real, or how real it is.

My shopping got done in fine fashion. The only color they had for a boot for her phone was turquoise. She can change it later. I could spot her ten bucks for that if she wanted. I got the clothes I came down for, and some stuff for the kitchen. Hit Sam’s for some bulk items I use, including some booze and paper products. I have a cooler with dry ice for some meats and such. All is well. The sun will be going down shortly, and the meat will stay cold in the trunk. I should be home by noon tomorrow, so, yes, all is well.

Then my mind goes back to Shirley. Am I being fair to her, trying to start a relationship with a girl, yes, girl, 23 years younger than me. I think I’ll try to talk to her about this tonight over dinner. 48 hours, and I’m smitten. Bitten by the love bug. Scary part? Yes, I’ve checked her out. Nice butt, nice bust, thin waist, long legs, pretty much perfect for my tastes, but not once have I thought about using her for sex. Not once. That must mean something. Not saying it wouldn’t happen down the road in a serious relationship, but I haven’t thought about it until just now thinking about not thinking about it. Oh my God, I’m rambling to myself again.

Five o’clock finds me at the apartment, knocking lightly. Giggling and running going on inside. “He’s here!” Jen’s voice. Shirley must be getting ready. She opens the door and greets me with a hug. I kiss the top of her head and ask her how her day was. She tells me Shirl is prepping for a big date tonight and her day was pretty mundane, but that’s the good news. Quiet is good. I agree with her on that.

A vision came out of the bedroom. Shirley was wearing a white blouse, with a dark blue A line skirt and blue four-inch pumps that made her legs look edible. Quite literally, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever been with. She dresses with class and her poise is amazing. I want to make her the queen of the north. I hope I can. I hope she’ll have me. We’ll talk tonight, unless I think I’m scaring her, then I’ll back off and wait a little longer. Slowly approaching the subject. That would be best.

I also needed to ask about her wardrobe. She and Jenny dress really well for a couple of high schoolers with part time jobs.

We went to dinner. Olive Garden was her choice. She wanted quiet. Ut Oh. I hope it wasn’t so she could quietly tell me I’m not really her cup of tea. Come to find out, my fears were unfounded. We ordered drinks and some mushrooms for an appetizer, then she came right out with it.

“Chuck, what do you see in me? You are so handsome and obviously successful, and smart, and funny. What could you see in a high school girl like me?” While she wasn’t in tears or anything, her eyes were wet, and I think she was preparing for the worst. “Please be honest with me. I’ve been lied to, beaten down, and treated like shit most of my life, and I just want honesty. That’s all. Just be honest.”

“OK. What do I see in you? Honestly? I see a future. I see your future and what you can do with it, provided people stop shitting on you. Shirley Brigitte Sanders does not deserve what has been laid on her. No one your age does, but you in particular have had the shits, no?” She looked at me like I was going to hurt her or something, and it scared me. “Shirley, I’m not the one mistreating you. I want to be on your side. I have selfish motives, though. You want honesty. You’re getting it. I am attracted to you like I have never been to any other woman before. Without question. I came here tonight to see if you would have anything to do with me. If we could at least see if maybe over time, we could grow close. If maybe I was something, someone, you might be interested in. You know so little about me, but what you see is me. I’m not a closet stalker, I’m just a lonely guy who, kind of like you, has been shit on a couple of times. Once by the gods and once by a woman, and I’m a little gun shy. You cracked that. When I saw you at the casino, I caught your glance. I hate to say I saw into your soul. That’s so cliché. But I saw something. Something I want to be close to.”

“How close? I need to know what you want from me, Chuck.”

“Would it scare you if I said close as in next to me? For a long period of time. I can’t profess my love for you or ask you to marry me until after we get to know each other, but that would be my end game, if we can stand each other after a few months of weekend dating and getting to know each other like normal people all over the world do. Then fall in love and decide to stay together. It’s how it’s done. The courting ritual. Meet, date, learn, decide, plan, live.”

“What about the physical thing?” she asked. Was she digging? My demise?

“Well, people do... remember, you asked for absolute honesty... things. They hold hands, they kiss, they touch, and sooner or later, if they’re doing it right and fall in love, they choose to make love at some point. Most of that, we’ve already done. We’ve held hands. We’ve kissed. We’ve touched, yes, to a point, but touching is intimacy. Talking is intimacy. Waiting for making love, sex, is fine. Most don’t wait, but I probably would expect you to want to. Which I’m fine with, by the way. I’m not looking for a sex toy. I can find one of those anywhere. I’m looking for love, and I thought maybe I saw it in your eyes. I do promise to never lie to you and never mislead you about my intentions. You wanted honesty. I want you. I want to see if you want me. Am I making sense?”

“Shit. I wanted to be grown up and on my own. I guess I’m looking my future in the face. I just wanted to know if we were on the same page. Chuck, I’m a virgin, technically. I’m not having sex, putting out, giving it up, or whatever you want to call it, to anyone but my husband. It’ll be making love, in whatever form it takes.”

“You said... technically?” I just had to ask.

“Chuck, if you think you love me or even just have feelings for me, don’t ask about this. Suffice to say that girls self-gratify just like boys do. How long have you been alone now? I think, by analyzing our conversation, it’s been a while. You want to tell me about what you do, alone, in your room, when you think about... things?” I shook my head. “I thought not. You had your say, now let me have mine. You are established. You are an adult. Middle aged, if I want to be cruel, but I don’t. You’re a good looking, fairly young man. I’m seventeen. A young adult, for sure, and I know what I want. I want an education and I want to share the world with those I can help by sharing it with. I want a Doctorate in Education, and all the trappings that get me there. But mostly, I want to teach. If you can give me that, without question, knowing that will be my second highest priority, but also knowing that my highest priority’s job is to help make that happen, then we can try this out and see where it takes us. What do you think?”

“Princess, you just made me the happiest man in the world. Will you be my girlfriend?” I asked her, huge smile on my face, anticipation in my heart. “And accept all that goes with that title?”

“Yes, I think,” she replied, hesitating, “but first, what do you mean ‘and accept all that goes with’ it?”

I handed her the phone. “I get to buy you stuff. That’s my prerogative now. MWAHAhaha!”

“Oh God,” she smiled and said, “what the hell have I gotten myself into.” She giggled. Love it.

“Well, at least an upgrade. Thank you, Shirley. Thank you. You won’t be sorry. I guarantee you won’t be sorry for giving me a chance to love you.”

“Guarantee, huh? Is your number in this thing, and can you show me how to use it? I need to call my boyfriend and tell him he’s a nut!”

Dinner was nice. The fear of the conversation was over. We were on the same wavelength. She wasn’t just going to use me and kick me to the curb. She didn’t even know anything yet. All she knew about was the car, the phone, and some groceries. Maybe while we’re waiting for the movie I’ll tell her about the fifteen hundred or so I won playing around at the casino, thinking about her. Maybe next weekend, if she’s still interested, I’ll tell her the rest.

“What are you and Jen doing over spring break?”

“Probably spring cleaning. Why?”

“Interested in a vacation?” pleasesayyespleasesayyes

“Maybe, what would you have in mind?”

“The week at my place. You could check out the school, we could goof around town, the property, and all that. It could be fun.”

“The property? Whoa up, cowboy. Both of us, right? I’m not running off to the hinterlands with some old man that wants to ravage me. At least not without a witness.” Laughter from us both.

“Of course. Jenny would be there to help secure your virtue. I think it would be fun. Think about it.”

“I will. I guess since I’ve accepted the position, I at least have to give you the benefit of the doubt, and try to be a good girlfriend.”

“Comes with the territory, right?” I paid for dinner and we left for the theater. On the way there, I asked her, “Shirley, is there anything you need? Anything I can do to make your life bearable?”

“No, Chuck, this is all too much already. A phone and a boyfriend in the same day, Whew!!! Actually, all kidding aside, what I need, I can’t get in one day, or one year. What I need is a place in the world where I can teach. That takes time. I am... We are... surviving and making it there, one day at a time. It’s a long road. 12 years down and 8 more to go. Well, not quite that many. We’ll skip frosh year totally and part of sophomore year because of the AP classes, and that will help, but there’s still a long ways to go.”

“I want to help.”

“You can. Be my boyfriend. Support me when I’m sad, lonely, stressed, distraught. You’ll know. I have your number.” She smiled a really pretty smile. It really showed through her eyes. Her beautiful light green eyes.

I’ve got a gorgeous girlfriend. I wanted to yell it. I’VE GOT A GORGEOUS GIRLFRIEND. But sanity made a better case. “OK, and yes, you do. What are we going to see?”

“’Red Sparrow’. Sounds kind of like ‘Nikita can’t dance anymore’, but it looks interesting. I was thinking ‘Every Day’ but a teenager making out with everyone in the movie didn’t flip any switches for me. Anyway, if it’s OK with you, I thought a spy thriller would be OK. It’s getting panned by the critics, but it can’t be that bad.”

“Sure. I told you to pick. You’ve picked. You know, now that I’ve met you and am falling for you, I’m going to worry.”

“Let’s make one thing clear now. You can’t buy your way into my heart. I don’t want to be cruel, but it’s true. So far, I’m falling in love with Chuck Colton, gentleman. But I need to finish my year and graduate on my own, well, with a new phone,” giggle, “and do it on my terms. I know how you’re feeling and what you want to do, but you need to understand that I’ve come a long ways. You alluded to the fact that you knew some of it over dinner. I googled you, too. It scares me a little. Going from a nothing abused child to a socialite on the arm of a true prince, well, as close to one as you can get in the U.S., anyway, is a little daunting. I know you’ve worked for everything you have, but still, you are an icon. I’m from the gutter...”

“Shirley, please don’t say that. It’s not fair. You had nothing to do with, and no control over, your past. You’re working on a bright future. Center on that. Not the other. Please?”

“OK, the movie opens in half an hour. Split a beer with me? Bud Light?”

“Yeah, Doll. Go over and find a table in the corner. I don’t want other people knowing our business.” I came back with a beer, and after a couple sips, she pushed it over to me and shook her head.

“I like the taste but I’m very small and young. It doesn’t take much alcohol to screw me up in the noggin. I don’t drink much. Just enough to enjoy the flavor a little. With my background,” I frowned at her, “I’m just saying, I need to be careful anyway, but I think total abstention is a copout. Oh, and something to watch out for. If I drink much, I get... frisky? You might want to be careful, unless you’re going to be my husband.” Snicker. “Normally I just run home and jump in bed and sleep it off.”

“I’ll navigate those waters carefully. Thank you for the warning, or heads up, whichever that was.” She laughed. I polished off the little glass and we headed for the theater.

We found our seats, with Shirley raising the armrest between them. She wasn’t interested in a soda or popcorn, so we didn’t get any on the way in. She pushed me back in my seat, then sat next to me, pulling her legs and feet up under her as only a woman can do, and leaned into my side. “Nice. Safe. Feels good.”

“Thanks, doll. I agree,” I said, as I wrapped my arm around her. We had our jackets in our laps, so I had my hand on her arm with her soft satiny blouse sleeve between us. Nice.

“Chuck. Honey, I know you have money, but please don’t get carried away with me. I want to get to know you, I really do, but I don’t want it colored with things. I just want to do it right. Can you respect that and help with that?”

“Yes. By all means. You set the rules, the pace, the course. It’s fine. I’ll want to see you a lot, though. I hope that’s OK. And I won’t let you buy anything. That has to be OK. You need your money for rent and school supplies and clothes and such. I guess that’s my non-negotiable. I don’t want you spending any money on me, at all. There’s no need. If you want something for me, tell me, in generics, or just lie and fess up later, and I’ll help you out. OK?” She nodded. She knew it was only common sense that this was, at this point, a one-way relationship, financially. She was broke and scraping, as was Miss Jenny. It was understood. Good!

“Now, tell me about this vacation plan you have for us,” she inquired. I told her about the place, the school, the town. She’d never been up there so it would all be new to her.

“Also,” as I was explaining, “do you have a driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, and all that?”

“Yes,” she said, “As a matter of fact, we both do. Jenny and I have a ‘benefactor’ in a judge that helped us get our freedom, our emancipation. She has an ‘in’ to a clothing store or designer or something and helps us with some outfits now and again. Seems our sizes are not real common in the genre, and we both love the classic looks. You should see... Oh, Uhmmm... This blouse, skirt, and shoes for example. Yesterday’s outfits for Jenny and me as well. We actually can wear a lot of the same stuff, they just look better on her, ‘cause they’re shorter.” Giggle. “Anyway, she helped us get our passports. We already had licenses, and our birth certificates from our families were part of the emancipation process.”

“You were about to say, ‘You should see...’ What should I see?” I was curious. I thought I knew, but....

“Let’s just say sweet nothings. Lingerie. Classic style. That’s the genre, the type of clothing that she has access to, and since we’re a little small, sometimes there are leftovers from the collection and she picks them up for us. There is something Jenny and I both like about wearing them, the styles and the lingerie, actually. I’m sure there is some prurient interest there, on her part and on ours, but it’s never bared its ugly head, so I don’t worry about it much. She’s really nice. Anyway, someday, maybe. Some day.”

“Good thing you’re not a tease or anything, right?” I laughed and winked.

“Chuck, I’ll tell you what. If you want, you can see some of the lingerie, but without me in them. Would you like that?”

“Let me think about it. NOPE! That might be too much to handle, seeing the candy wrapper, but not being able to eat the candy. OOOOOPS! Oh, God, I’m so sorry, Shirley, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m so sorry.” She laughed and laughed. People all over the theater were looking at us. “Ssshhhhhh. We’re making a scene,” I whispered.

She whispered back, “Oh, OK. No problem, Honey. So, you like candy. We can work with that. Funny. You’re a hoot.” She reached up with her hand, grabbed my far ear and pulled me down for a kiss. Her tongue parted my lips. Heaven. I was in heaven. “Ooooooh, you’re a good kisser. I don’t have much experience, but I liked that.” Giggle. Yep, Heaven.

The movie was OK. Not Oscar level, but good enough to get a squeeze from my new squeeze now and again. We were walking out hand in hand when Shirley reached for and pulled my arm to her body as we walked, hugging it close. “I’ve only known you a couple days, but I’m going to miss you. When do you think you’ll be back?” We got to the car, on her side. I unlocked it but she stopped me with a hug.

I hugged her back and looked down. “That depends on you. Entirely. I can come back Wednesday after I take the groceries home, or I can be back for a date on Friday, since I think you said you didn’t work then, and stay a couple days. I can wait for a month, if you want, but that would not be in my top ten or fifteen or hundred choices. It’s really up to you. I’m basically at your disposal. Just don’t dispose of me. I think I’d like to stick around.”

“That’s mutual. Come down Friday, please. We are usually home around four, and I can be ready to go by five. I would like to get Jenny out, too, if you don’t mind, either Friday or Saturday night after work. I need to keep her occupied so she doesn’t go looking for trouble or boys or anything.” Giggle. We got in the car and took off.

“OK. I can work with that. We’ll take Jenny with us on Friday for a long date. Hmmmmm. Two hotties. One for each arm. Cool.” That garnered me a snicker. “Oh, call me and test the phone, then text me. Here’s mine.” She had both phones, moving them back and forth. She called my phone. I already had the number in hers, so it was pretty easy. Then she sent me a text. She said she had used some friends’ phones to send a message to someone or other, so she knew how it worked, she just needed to get used to the motions with the Motorola phone. Most of the kids at school had iPhones. She did fine and said she could work with it. I asked her if they had a tablet, or just the laptop. She corrected me. Laptops. They each had one. They were old, but they were adequate for writing papers and such. I offered a couple of old iPads I had, a fairly new mini that I never used and another full sized one a generation or two old. She said we could talk about it next weekend. I actually had a couple of laptops that were a lot newer and better than theirs, but I thought I’d hold off talking about them. I’d bring them, though. I got her home safely. We went in and sat on the couch for a bit. She got a glass of some fruit punch and we shared it.

When I mentioned leaving, she climbed up in my lap. “In a few minutes. Can you just hold me for a bit? Let me relish in the fact that someone outside my arms’ reach actually cares whether I live or die. I’m not used to this feeling, and I rather like it.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.

“Get a room!” Jenny came out laughing.

“Would you go out with us on Friday, Jenny? Miss Shirley wants company. She said I’d be too boring for her.”

“I’ll just bet she said that. I’d love to go out with you guys if I’m not in the way. I don’t want to horn in, though. Plus, I’ve had a few good days this pay period, so I’ll have a few bucks to blow.”

“That won’t be a problem, Miss Jenny. Miss Shirley and I have been talking, and I don’t want the two of you to spend anything if it’s not on yourselves for survival. Save everything else, and I do mean everything. If we go out or something, let me take care of it. You guys will need yours later, for something. Happens every time. Trust me, I know. Well, I’m going to head back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep. I have a couple of meetings tomorrow afternoon to get back and prepare for.”

What I didn’t tell them was I was going to chat with the dean of students about them and their applications. No need to discuss that with them at this point, though. I would only ask for, or should I say call in a favor, if I needed to.

I stood, smiled, and reached out for Jenny, who was smiling back, getting a hug and a quick peck on the lips, then pulled Shirley up off the couch, hugging her tightly, and thanking her for giving me a try. She said the same, kissed me again, this time with wet eyes, and I headed out. Mine were getting a little damp, too. Back at the casino, I went to the closest side, found a China Shores machine, and fed it a twenty, betting a dollar fifty a whack. A hundred and fifty-four free games. Almost blocked out the screen with bonus emblems and pandas. Jesus, that girl was good for me. I sat for a half hour, watching it play by itself, and having the little barmaid get me another ice-cold brew. Once again, I played it down under a thousand dollars and cashed out. This time in front of one of the machine techs. He was smiling at me leaning back sipping on my beer watching the game entertaining itself before that. Twice I had black outs with lanterns and once with turtles. I was hitting everything. Shirley was the charm. No doubt about that. I’ve never won this often playing around at a casino. I’ve won more, a lot more, but never this much, as in every time I sit down I hit a jackpot. That’s uncanny. Not normal at all. But fun, really fun, and I’m thinking of my cute little redheaded girlfriend the whole time. Yowza.

Funny thing. Bring someone in here that can’t pay the rent, they’ll never get this lucky. Multi-Millionaire, just doing it for fun? They win more than not. Doesn’t make sense. They say it takes money to make money. Maybe it’s just another example of that. Just an observation.

I grabbed a beer on the way upstairs then watched TV and downed it thinking good thoughts for about... seventeen seconds, then the alarm went off. Then the phone. “Hello, this is Chuck.”

“It’s your girlfriend. You said you were getting up early, and we always do, so...”

“Thank you for calling. Nothing like seeing flowers or hearing your girlfriend’s voice first thing in the morning.”

“Same here but change it to boyfriend. Drive safe and come back to me on Friday. OK?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Your command is my wish. You be safe, too, sweetheart.”

“I will. I can tell you want to say it, too, but you’re not ready, either. Same here. I doubt it will be long, though. I’m falling. Hard. Thinking about it until I went to sleep. Slept well, too. See you Friday.” I heard a kiss sound and a click.

“Wow.” I sure am saying ‘Wow’ a lot. “Wow.” She’s reading me like a book. How did she know I was having problems keeping from telling her I loved her? Wow. I did know this, though. Just over three days after meeting her, I knew she was the one I’ve been looking to find for 40 years. And definitely the last 8 or 9.

I cleaned up and took off for home. I used my points at River City to set up a room there for Friday and Saturday nights. They do weekends, just more points. They’re just points, and if I wrap my plane around a radio tower, I’m not taking them with me. It’s not something I can enjoy with my new girlfriend anyway, so what the hell. Use ‘em if ya’ got ‘em! Oh, that brings back memories. Different life.

So, I opened up the turbo mufflers a little getting on to 61 north and headed out. I love that sound. Had them on the truck, too. I just loved the sound of open mufflers. Have since I was a kid. If I could get Audi to put some on the Q7, I’d do that, too, but they’d probably take it back if I tried something with that car. I’m daydreaming again. About Shirley. About Highway 61. If they ever get done building on that road, I’ll be amazed. But the city seems to be crawling that direction, so maybe they never will.

I finally got home and got everything inside. Meat in the freezer and all that. George came around the corner and almost tripped me. Someday his need for attention and my need to stay on both feet are going to collide, and one of us is going to get hurt. I scratched his head and checked his food and water. He just wanted to say hello. Then he took off for the family room and perched on his chair. He’s a needy cat, but I’d be lost without him. At least I would have been. Maybe not so much now. I still love him, though. And I looked over and told him that. He yawned and licked his paw. Whatever.

I went to the office next to my bedroom and dug through some stuff, coming up with a couple of 15-inch HP laptops. One was just a Celeron, but they both had 8 Gigs of memory, so I’m sure they’d be better than what Shirley and Jenny had now. I also found the two tablets I was looking for, one a Mini iPad and the other a plain old iPad Pro, but the small one. I got a bigger one and haven’t used these for months. Chargers. Oh, in the bottom desk drawer. And there’s the ones for the laptops, too. Hey, I’ll tell them I’m cleaning house and they’ll just go in the trash anyway. Nah, they wouldn’t buy it. I set them aside in an old paper box to take back to Arnold on Friday. I threw in a couple company logo two gigabyte thumb drives, just for the hell of it.

Let’s see, fix a sandwich and call Jared. I’ll have to deliver the gift later. I doubt that walking into the University Admin offices with a bottle of straight mash whiskey is going to go over very well.

Not a bad sandwich. I’ll need new sourdough bread next time I go down to the city, though.

Ring. “Hi, Jared. Chuck. Question. Can you look up a couple applications for me and see if they are... nominal, so to speak. (Pause.) Yes, of course I know that. I also know that next time you kick your ball out from behind a tree, I’ll have it on film. (Pause.) Thought so. Shirley Brigitte Sanders and Jennifer Ann Wilson. (Pause.) Yeah, probably. (Pause.) What do they show for birthdays. (Pause.) Yeah, I know. Her sister’s middle name is probably Nancy. (Pause.) Yep, real works of art. Not a good home life. I’ll explain next time we’re out on the course. (Pause.) Almost full rides, huh. How close? (Pause.) Put me on hold and ask the Chancellor if they still want those new clippers in the main kitchen. (Pause.) How close are they now? Cool. Put a note in their files that if they come up here their bills are guaranteed by C3Tech. (Pause.) STEM teaching certificates, but good teachers can teach anything. And anyone. (Pause.) Yes, Jared, even stubborn old computer techs. Hey, not a word about this to the ladies, OK? Have Henry send Millie the bill for the clippers. I’ll pay for the installation as long as the plumber uses actual time charges and not that damned prevailing wage crap. You guys get ripped off soooo bad by that. (Pause.) No, you know better. If the bill says ninety bucks an hour it’s not getting paid. Just the purchase of the clippers. What, three of them, right? (Pause.) Thanks, Jared. Tell Henry - as soon as the weather clears. (Pause.) Yep. Bye.”

That’s taken care of. Now, let’s see what we’re going to do for dinner.

The week flew by. I researched a couple of dinner clubs in South County that I could get the girls into and made reservations. Three for Friday night at one of them, the fancy one, and two for Saturday night with a late seating and meal at the other. Light, preordered. Shrimp cocktail salads for two. One was going to cause a furor, but what’s a guy to do? I wanted to feed them and do something besides a movie, so dancing sounds good. Hard to find a night club you can take teenagers into, but dinner clubs, you go in for dinner and stay over in the place to dance. They don’t run a fellow out as long as his dates aren’t underage AND getting drunk. Underage is OK. Getting drunk, well maybe not so much, but definitely not both. Anyway, the one for Friday night is actually a country club, but we have reciprocal visiting privileges by members. Hopefully my dates won’t feel out of place. I really doubt they will, as nice as they dress. I think I’ll check.

Ring. “Hello, handsome.”

“I really hope you’re looking at my name right now.”

“And picture. I got a cute one off the web. You’re all over the place.”

“So, I guess asking you if you’re getting used to the phone would be... uhmmm... redundant at this point.”

“True that. What can I do for you, my prince?”

“Do you two have dancing clothes in your fancy wardrobes? You’ll need two changes, one for Friday and one for Saturday.”

“I know we have some sundresses that will pass, and I can find something for Saturday, or wear the same one, or wear the one Jenny will wear on Friday. Are we going dancing then, I take it?”

“Yes, dear. I have reservations at a club on Friday for seven o’clock, dancing at nine, and more on Saturday for the two of us at nine-thirty, late meal of shrimp cocktail salad, and dancing after that. You get off at nine on Saturday night, right?”

“Yes, Chuck. This sounds amazing. I guess I did sign up for this when I said yes, though. He said, and I quote, ‘and accept all that goes with it’. Yes, we can be dressed for that. What will you be wearing?”

“Modern black tux on Friday and a blue suit on Saturday.”

“Oh, great. I know just what to wear with it. And blue hose. Enough said. We’ll have fun. How’s my boyfriend doing?”

“He’s doing fine. Missing his new girlfriend, but I’m going to have to get used to that for a few months, until I can abscond with her and repair to the castle.”

“Oh, yes, my prince. I’m looking forward to that, myself. I talked to Jenny, she’s a little afraid of being with you at your place, but I think when she gets to know you a little better it’ll be OK. Don’t tell her we’ve talked about this. I get a feeling you’re not the bad guy in our lives, though. I hope that turns out to be the truth, but that’s how this is feeling.”

“You let Jen know that I will answer any questions she has about the trip, and even put you girls up in town at a hotel, if that is what you want. I have three perfectly good guest rooms, though, two that share a bathroom between them. The other has its own, if that’s your style. I’m not an ogre, but that’s really hard to prove until after I don’t do anything wrong. But I won’t. I have too much to lose. In you.”

“Chuck, honey, that’s sweet. Since she was pretty young, Jen has been through some really rough times, with men, mostly, and you’ll hear more about that, I’m sure. It’ll all be OK. The offer of the hotel is nice, too. Just knowing that’s there if she gets uncomfortable will help, I’m sure. Anyway, where are you staying when you come down?”

“River City Casino. I had some points at the hotel there, so I figured I’d use them. I’m sure playing around in casinos is going to become my, like twentieth favorite activity with a 17-year-old girlfriend. I don’t care, though, I’m hoping to have a whole new set of hobbies. You’ll have to make me a list of the things you enjoy doing.”

“Baby, I’ve never even had a life. I have no idea what to say to that. You need to keep your hobbies and do things that are fun until we get close enough to make plans, OK? Oh Jeez, thank you for the thought, though. You really are special, aren’t you?”

“You keep calling me Honey and Baby and you’re going to find out just how special I am. You do realize that an emancipated 17-year-old can get married here, right?”

“Don’t make threats you can’t back up, old man.”

“That wasn’t a threat. It was a wish.”

“Oh, God, don’t say that over the phone. I’m going to cry and get my phone wet and my boyfriend will kill me.” I could hear her weeping over the phone.

“No, he won’t. He’ll get you a new one and a baggie to put it in, but, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to make you cry. That was the farthest thing from my mind.”

“I know that you, silly old man, you. Oh, Chuck, are you sure you know what you’re doing? I’m a kid. I have no experience taking care of a man, other than cooking for them and someplace for them to put their hands when they’re drunk. I’ve got some sixth sense about you, though. It’s telling me everything is going to be all right, but I can’t explain it. I’ve been afraid of almost everything with a penis since I was six. Even the guy I was with when I met you made me feel weird. That’s why I was wearing jeans. I hardly ever wear jeans unless... Never mind. They aren’t my style. I wear them as armor. I’m rambling.”

“Ramble. Unlimited calling and I love your voice. I wish you weren’t crying and sniffling, but you seem to be doing a little better. Look, when we talked over dinner on what, Sunday, was it? I told you what I wanted. If you want that, with me, we’ll know it before you come up here and go to school. Have you gotten an acceptance letter from here yet?”

“Yeah, we both did. I need a little more money in grants or scholarships, and we’ll have it done. She has hers all lined up. I got an email late this afternoon that looks like another one came through, but it needs to be verified before I believe it and get all excited. They’re pretty fickle. Oh, you got my mind off it for a bit. I can’t wait until you get back.”

“Just a couple of days. I miss you, too. Mwah. Good night, sweetheart.”

“G’night, baby. Sorry I cried.”

“No apology. None. Goodnight.”

“G’night.” Click.

Whew. That’s getting tougher with each call, and there’s only been three or four. Wow.

I watched the news and went to bed, two wakeups and I’m out of here. Not a lot to do here on the hill in the winter. There was no new snow to blade, the ground was frozen, so I just worked out a little in the gym room and organized the fridge. I didn’t feel like working so I sent out some notes and got some back. Everything’s fine on the work front. I thought some more about Shirley. Screw it, I went to town.

Jewelry store on the square. I’ve bought a few things there, but they don’t know me that well. Maybe as a face. Certainly, by name, but probably couldn’t place them together. Browsing for anything with green in it, I found one I liked. Huge princess emerald with two good sized diamonds on either side and some baguettes under them for trim. Sweet ring. I asked the girl behind the counter how old she was, how tall she was, and how much she weighed. She laughed and I retracted the last question. Held my hand out to shake hers. Seemed pretty similar. Shot in the dark, I know. Ring size? She wore a size 4. I asked her to make the one I was pointing to a size 4 and asked her how much it was. Oh, my. She squealed a little. I think all ten or so people in the store looked over. They were on commission, and she was there to help me. Turns out she’s the owner’s daughter working while attending school. She was 18 and pretty much Jenny’s size. Shaking her hand told me she was about the same hand and ring size as Shirley. Anyhow, she just got another semester of school paid for. Fourteen thousand, five hundred dollars later, I had a ring, to pop the question with, if I ever decided to, or thought maybe she wanted to. I did haggle with them until I got free lifetime cleanings with it. I knew from their ads they did it with all engagement rings anyway, so I was just playing. Helps to establish a rapport with people you drop this kind of money on. It actually keeps them from taking advantage of you, or even trying, later on.

Mission accomplished. If I ever decided to do it, I had the ring.

One more wake up and I was on the way to River City and a date with an angel. Two, actually, but only one of them counted. I spent the evening in the kitchen making spaghetti with meatballs and sausage. Part for dinner and part to freeze for small meals for later. Bachelors do that a lot. I was just trying to stay busy. Something to keep my mind off young Shirley. It wasn’t working very well. I put on some big band music from the satellite system just to make sure the joints and muscles would remember it. It’s been a few years since I was on a date to a dance club. Most of them were just local, country club, night club, restaurant and a movie, that kind of thing. I watched the news with a short sip of Aberlour. Nice. I called a certain redheaded angel. I had to go through her answering service, but maybe it would help ease Jennifer’s mind if we chatted for a few minutes. I really despised her being leery of me, let alone afraid of me. That just wouldn’t do. Shirley came on and we spoke for a bit, teasing about the crying night before last, and I started it all over again when I asked her when she’d tell me what size ring she wore. I apologized for making her cry. She chastised me for apologizing and we kissed off the phone call. I don’t know about her, but I’m ready. I’m cooked. Done. If she’d have me, I was hers.

Bed came soon after, and finally when I woke, I could pack and hit the road. The tux and the blue suit in the bag, put my gear together, and off we go. In the Audi. I REMEMBERED!!!

I stopped for flowers for the girls and was advised, since I had mentioned blue and Shirley answered with blue, that this blue corsage would work, with any blue, either as a pin or wrist wrap. Since I didn’t know the other color, they recommended an off white that would go with everything but orange, they said. Looked to me like it would go with orange, as well. They may have been teasing me. When I got to the room, I set the flowers in the sink with cool water running next to them. I shaved and showered, then headed for the apartment. I was a little more than a little apprehensive. I missed my Shirley. What was she dressed in? I hoped I danced well enough for her. I know kids do this stuff in school these days. She answered the door in a robe. And heels. And stockings. Nice. I kissed her and offered her the blue corsage. She looked up at me, pulled me into the apartment, and closed the door. Then she reached up and pulled me down by the ear and kissed me again, then whispered in that ear that she missed me. And she thanked me for coming back to her. SHE was thanking ME. Something was wrong with this picture. I wrapped my arms around her, lifted her up against me and spun her around telling her it was me that should be thankful to have her in my life. She’d see why soon enough.

Jenny came in and I presented her the off-white corsage. It worked with her red outfit just fine. I had a blue date and a red date. Neat. They took my jacket and hung it up. Sat me on the couch and offered me a juice or a water. “Water, please.” Shirley crawled up in my lap, and I just held her, rocking a little. Jenny sat next to me and admitted being a little scared about being alone with me out in the country. No help around for miles, all that. She looked at Shirley and got a nod from my sprite. Taking my hand off of Shirley’s lap, she held my wrist and placed my open hand at her throat. She used her fingers to pass my fingers over it, lightly, and frowned. I could feel the bump, then I saw the minute little chondrolaryngoplasty scar. I had heard and read about them, but never met anyone needing one. My eyes must have given my surprise away. She started to tear up, but I grabbed her close and kissed the top of her head.

“Jenny, I couldn’t tell. I’ll have it fixed again, and no one will know. We’ll do it as soon as school is out and no one will be the wiser. We’ll go to Kansas City, Denver, or maybe Minneapolis. Wherever you want. I’ll fix it, I promise.” She just cried. I rocked them both as they cried, knowing I had accepted Jennifer as my friend and my girlfriend’s friend even though she had just showed me she was trans. She was born a boy but was living as a girl. She had try to tell me in her own way. I told her everything was fine. If they would let me help them, it would all be fine. We sat for about half an hour, before they started moving around a little. I told Jenny, again, that we’d get it fixed, it felt like a loose piece of cartilage or whatever and we’d get it fixed. Until then, I didn’t think anyone would notice. I certainly hadn’t, until she had me touch it.

“What happened anyway, and why now? Why share this with me now? It’s really not conspicuous. I really couldn’t tell. Come ‘ere.” I touched it again, she flinched a little, but I put my other hand on her arm in as comforting a manner as I could. Not much reaction now. Maybe she’s settling down, relaxing around me a little. I looked at her, then at Shirley.

“It was a freebie operation. Medical school looking for and helping transgendered patients with minor plastic surgery options. She was afraid to go back to get it looked at. Too visible, with work and school and all now. It’s been just a short while now since the floater happened. Then she was afraid you’d find out and didn’t want it to happen at your place next month. Out in the country with no one to help. No one to turn to.”

“But, honey, you’ll be there. It doesn’t matter. I know. I don’t care. I’m not going to treat this cute little,” I reached out and pulled Jen into my arms, “girl any differently than I would have yesterday.” I hugged her and kissed her forehead, then told them to wipe their eyes and fix their makeup. We had a party to get to. I got them to smile and herded them into the bedroom. Finally dressed, and glamorously so, in red and blue gowns, slit to just below the hip, and silver satin heels, I got their corsages pinned on and we took off. They were ready to get in and out of the Challenger, but the chariot awaited, and they were seated in comfort. Jen was still in the back seat, but she did comment on how comfortable the Q7 was.

We got to the club, and all eyes were on us when we entered the dining room. The girls were definitely distracting. They swished through the room like royalty, getting envious looks from the women and not so innocent stares from the men. I was proud to be with them. Very much so. Our meals were excellent. They really took care of their members at this club. Their menus for dinner only had a few offerings, but what they had was well put together. Private clubs are like that, sometimes. It’s easier for them to offer this atmosphere if they don’t go all out into the restaurant business, and stick with making sure the members enjoy the experience. After we had chocolate suicide cheesecake dessert, the tables were cleared, and drinks ordered.

The girls ordered ginger ale, not wanting to cause a ruckus if somebody asked for IDs. Very adult of them in my opinion. I had a water, myself, not really wanting to let any alcohol fuzz my judgment. I’m in bad enough shape around Shirley as it is now. It didn’t matter. Both of my dates were good dancers, and alcohol was not a necessity to have fun that night. We danced to almost every song, well, I did, with one of the girls or the other. There were a few men that approached them for dances, and Jenny accepted a couple while Shirley and I were out on the floor. Shirley accepted none of them, but I could tell she was courteous in her soft rejections. She’s quite a girl. Much more mature than her seventeen years would indicate. But then the degree you get from the school of hard knocks is an all-encompassing experience.

My outing with the ladies was a complete success. They enjoyed the night out as adults doing adult things with adult friends, and we got to know each other a little better. There were mentions of Jen’s past, with her grandmother before she passed away. When she died, Jen had to go back to her parents’ mixed-up negative way of life, and she couldn’t handle it, so she ran away and filed for her emancipation. There were enough resources from welfare and support groups to keep her afloat long enough to meet Shirley and for them to get the apartment together. The grandmother assisted Jen in her transition, accepting her as a girl. The parents just used her as one. It wasn’t pretty.

Shirley’s recent past was more of the same. Crazy alcohol and drug induced family life, neglected child that developed survival skills, and a court order advising her parents to back away from her life. They met that judge friend through the process and have been doing OK, at least surviving, ever since. Surviving with top-of-the-line grades and dreams of college completely within grasp. Shirley did tell me she checked on that last scholarship, and was now completely funded for her first two years at the university near my home. She and Jenny had made the final decision to attend. I was careful not to let the “yippee” see the open air. That would have been so... juvenile. But inside, between my heart and my butterfly ridden stomach, was a definite “YIPPEE”.

I took the ladies home where they invited me in for a drink and a chat before I had to leave them to their beauty sleeps. They both worked full shifts tomorrow, noon to nine, with an hour for lunch. Yes, I talked them into having lunch with me. I told them I’d pick something up and we could find a seat and eat at the food court, but that the food would be from elsewhere. I established that they had no preferences or food allergies, so that plan was coming together.

Jenny bid us goodnight after a while, and I made to leave, but was pushed back down on the couch. “Stay here for a bit. I’ll be right back,” Shirley told me, then went to the bedroom. She came back in wearing a big fluffy chenille robe about 3 sizes too big for her. She looked so damned cute. She was still in her hose and heels, though, and let me see them when she climbed up in my lap. Yes, she was teasing me with her legs, but it was innocent enough to be an acceptable step in the courting ritual. She started out smiling, then said, “I’m going to say it now. It needs to be said. Well, a couple things need to be said, and I don’t want to wait anymore. Four. The ring size is a four. And... Oh God, this is tough. I’ve never, ever, felt an emotion with anyone or anything, in any circumstance, like the one I have for you. It’s not something I can explain, either. It’s a deep feeling of safety and warmth when I’m with you. I know I’m only 17, so never experiencing that would make sense, and I know it’s only been a week since we met, but I felt it the first night. I’m in love with you. There, it’s on the table.”

“I feel the same, Sweetheart. I have been in two previous, serious, long term, relationships. I’ll share more about them later, if you want me to. The first was love. Two-way, unadulterated, mad, passionate, young, uninhibited, caring, sharing love. This feels more right, somehow, than that one, if you can believe that. Deeper. I don’t know. That one ended badly. Horribly for all concerned. The second was evidently not love, but a need for companionship that felt like love at the time, at least to me. Maybe comfortable would be a good word. It seemed to fill a hole left by the first love’s loss. It ended badly as well. For me. As hard as I tried to please her, and therefore myself, it came to nothing. I was devastated. I’m sure she’s as happy as a clam in wet sand, but it’s been several years, and I just don’t know or care.

“I think I knew, when you looked up at me through the hood of your windbreaker in the lobby of the casino, tears tracing down your cheeks, that you were my future. My goal. My intended. My life from there forward. Shirley Brigitte Sanders, I love you, too. I must agree that this is a very intense, fast, rushing, relationship we’re developing, and we could blow the whole thing up if we’re not careful, but I don’t want to even think about a slowdown. Just let it run and take us into the next stage of life.”

Tears gathered and fell down her beautiful face, across light freckles, down past kissable lips, where I caught them with my thumbs, then kissed those lips. I continued my diatribe.

“There are things you must know, before we can be together, completely, and I really need your outlook on us as a couple, before you hear them. You said you will only be with your husband. I already know what I feel for you is forever, and I’m prepared to declare that, when you’re ready to hear it. I will only be with my wife. My life partner. It will be you if you’ll have me. I love you.” I kissed her again. She put her head on my shoulder and sniffled, sighed, and then sobbed. I just sat there holding her, rocking, until she stopped. Then I heard what I was praying, wishing, hoping for, but was afraid she wasn’t at that point yet.

“I’m ready.” She didn’t move, staying tucked into my neck. I felt her relax, then sigh, like the weight of the world was lifted off her shoulders. She stayed there for about a minute, then raised her head.

“Chuck, I love you. I want what you want, I’m sure, but you have to promise me you’ll let me pursue my dream. My education. My teaching. I want you, but I want that, too. Can I have both?”

“Under my terms, or yours?” She pulled back, startled at the question. I continued, “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out right. I want you to realize your dream, but I want to help you get there. I want you to let me stand beside you the whole time. To be a part of you while you do it. Make it easier on you so we can have a life while you chase that dream, that goal. Sounds corny, doesn’t it?”

“No, not really, but explain yourself. ‘My terms, or yours’ sounds a little... controlling.”

“No, not at all. Example. What kind of shape are your computers in?”

“Old. Jenny’s stopped the other night. Wednesday, I think, after you called. She had to retype a paper on mine. Hers restarted, but did a disk check or something and she lost what she was doing. Looks like the hard drive is failing.”

“OK, finishing the example, and that could not have been any better timing. I have two three-year-old laptops downstairs in the back of the car, that will help you two reach your dream. They are just sitting around the house gathering dust. You need them, I don’t. Will you take them and use them to study for your dream? If yes, that is on my terms. I get to help. Another example. You’re sitting on a bus, on the way to work. Looking out the window, wishing you could look up the formula for toothpaste for an assignment in AP Chemistry. You need to prove why toothpaste won’t power an aircraft carrier.” She giggled. “Well, I have two tablets downstairs that you can use to read on the way to work. They were sitting in my office gathering dust. I have a newer one. A little bigger, too. Anyway, you and Jenny could use them. One is small and easy to carry, an iPad Mini, but it needs a loving home. If you take it and read on the bus, that is on my terms. I get to help. I’m not running out and buying you a diploma or anything, just helping. Can you accept my terms?”

“Can I tell you if you’re smothering me in ‘your terms’?” I nodded. “Can you give me time to study and research and all the things good students need to do?” I nodded again. “You mentioned both of us with the computers and tablets. Are you wanting to help Jennifer, too?” I nodded, then told her I was doing it for her. That she and Jen were close, so I was treating Jen as an extension of her. That placated her curiosity, so she succumbed to my evil plot. “I accept your terms. I think you just want to make sure I don’t have obstacles in my way that you can move. I don’t feel a nefarious grab for control or domination here. You need to know, with my background, that would scare me. Why is it every time I try to convince myself this may be wrong, something else in my head tells me it’s not and to stop trying to derail it with unnecessary questions? Oh, Chuck. I feel wonderful, now, in your arms. I know when you leave, I’ll feel overwhelmed and scared of the future.”

“Don’t. Nothing we’ve said or done tonight should frighten you. You are a very smart senior in high school with a job at a really cool store in the mall. An older man is in love with you. Nothing in those statements will cause floods or famine in any part of the world. It’s just us trying to enjoy life and have feelings for someone we love, and I do love you. If I’m going to scare you and make your life miserable, I’ll be out the door so fast your head will spin. I only want what’s best for you, and in my opinion, that’s me. Got it... Girlfriend?” She nodded, kissed me, and stood up, letting me see her beautiful legs on those shiny high heels again. She has really nice legs.

“I got it. Thank you. Tonight,” I cocked my head in question. ”Yes, tonight. It’s after midnight. Tonight, you can continue your relationship stories and we’ll discuss more of ‘your terms’, all right?” I nodded. Doing that a lot tonight. “In the meantime, I’ll try to relax. It’s hard to believe I’m actually in the process of making a lifetime commitment, but it’s to a wonderful man who is promising me a wonderful future. Also, tonight, you can tell me the things you said I must know before we were together, as you said, ‘completely’. I think that ship is sailing so you might want to share. I’m going to have a hell of a time sleeping tonight. I know that much. Kiss me, go back to the hotel, and text me when you wake up. We work noon to nine, so I’ll take my outfit for our date tonight to work with me. If my corsage is still fresh, I put it in the fridge, I’ll wear it with this other blue outfit tonight. This one is less formal, right?” I nodded. She pulled on my hand to help me stand. “Good. It’s more of a dancing dress, more of a princess line sundress type of thing. You have called me your Princess, after all. We’ll have more fun tonight. That blue gown was a little... restrictive.”

“Yeah, but it sure looked nice under those beautiful eyes of yours. And you are my princess, so dress accordingly by all means.”

“Thank you. You. Are. A. Gem.”

“Goodnight, little one. Kiss me and push me out the door.” She did, and she did, and I was off.

I got back to the room, changed clothes and went back down to the casino. Got me a Select at the bar. The bartender told me it was a few minutes before last call, so I asked her for two. No problem. I went off to find a Jungle Wild II game, and doing so fed it my twenty and played a buck fifty for a while. Little wins, nothing spectacular, but it kept me playing. I had a dollar sixty-five left in credit and pushed the spin button. Caught a bonus, and on the first roll, thirty dollars in frogs and wilds. Second roll, nothing but wilds and gold sun coins as far as the eye could see. Third roll, wilds on the first four columns and mixed on the last. Some high end symbols. Fourth and fifth rolls garnered nothing and ninety cents, respectively. I cashed out with nine hundred and ninety dollars. Never has a guy been this lucky. Lucky in love, lucky in the slots, lucky in life. I’m going to jinx it tonight and go ahead and ask her. No date, just a promise to be there when the date rolls around.

I had half a beer left, stopped at a Mr Woo, dropped a twenty in it, and damn. Another ninety bucks. They’re going to ask me to leave if they find out I have a little redheaded Shirley charm and can’t lose. I laughed, finished my beer and made for the ticket cash out machine. I remembered I had to put them in and cash them out separately so no tax alarms went off. Then pocketed well over a grand and made for the room. Sleep came easy. I had a plan. I was going to share the story of Jill and the baby, then of Marsha, then ask if she’s sure she still wants me around. If she yells ‘NO!’ when I put my napkin on the ground, I’ll take her home and beg her to try again later. If she cries and holds my hand, I’m going to ask her to marry me and make her the third richest woman in Missouri. At last count. Could be second now.

I woke to my alarm and texted her while I was still in bed. She called instead of texting back. “G’mornin’, boyfriend. How are you today?”

“You have a minute to listen?”

“To you? Always.”

“Remember when we met, I told you I hit it big and wanted to take you to dinner then get you home safe?”

“Yeah, I thought it was funny. You caught me with that one. No, what’d she say? Yikes, he’s asking you, ya big dummy! Yeah, so??”

That was a preview of The Upgrade. To read the rest purchase the book.

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