A Well Lived Life Book 2 JenniferChapter 12 Improving My Attitude
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October, 1983, Chicago, Illinois
On Saturday morning, during my run, I replayed the conversation that I’d had with Cindi and Katy in my mind. Something was bugging me and I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it. There was something in the conversation that had triggered an uncomfortable feeling, but I couldn’t identify it. In the end, I decided to talk to Anala about it on Thursday, since she’d likely be able to help me figure out what it was.
After my shower and breakfast, I read the newspaper while I waited for Penny to arrive for her computer lesson. She was catching on pretty fast and we were quickly coming to a point where she’d be able to move forward on her own, learning more by doing than by my teaching. That afternoon, I was supposed to talk to her dad about the computer and figured that an Apple IIe was the best option.
Penny arrived right on time and we went into the study room and sat down at the Apple II. So far, she’d mostly used the TRS-80 since the ‘How To Program’ book was for that computer. I started off by showing her some differences in how the computers worked, and then about some of the differences in the BASIC that they used. I gave her the challenge of getting a program that she’d written for the TRS-80 working on the Apple II, then went back to reading the paper while she worked.
Just before the end of the session, after only asking for help a couple of times, she had the program working. She’d worked fast and I was impressed at how quickly she’d learned. The way she was going, she was going to surpass my skills at age fourteen. I had her save her work and then talked to her about getting her own computer.
“I’m going to suggest to your stepdad that he get you an Apple IIe. It’s like this, only faster and with more RAM. I’ve actually got one upstairs if you want to see it.”
“Sure!” she said brightly.
We went upstairs to my room so that I could show her the computer.
“Oooh! Taking me to your room?” she giggled. “Are you sure it’s computers you want to talk about?”
“Penny!” I said sharply.
“What?” she said, acting innocent.
“Just keep your mind where it belongs, OK?”
She giggled, “Oh, it is!”
I sighed and quickly showed her the Apple IIe, then left my room as fast as I could. I should have thought about having one of the other girls come with me. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. We walked down the stairs to the front door.
“Don’t be such a stick in the mud, Steve! What time are you coming over to talk to my stepdad?”
“About 1:00pm. I have to go to karate practice, then shower and eat lunch. I’ll be over after that.”
“OK. Bye!” she said with a big smile.
I shut the door behind her and went to get dressed for karate practice. When I was ready I went downstairs to meet Stephie and we headed out. I wondered if Stephie could help me sort out my issues, but I didn’t want to violate any confidence that Katy had put in me, so I kept that to myself. I did mention the incident with Penny.
“She’s got a crush on you. That’s pretty obvious,” Stephie said.
“You know, I remember now that Bethany did say that Penny was looking at me like a lion sizing up a zebra for a kill.”
“I haven’t seen enough of you two together to know if that’s true or not. I don’t judge you, Steve, but fourteen might be a bit young for you at this point. A few years ago? No big deal. Back in the Spring you were arguing that fourteen is old enough to decide, but you do have to take the age difference into account, don’t you think?”
“I suppose, and I’m not saying that I’m interested in Penny that way, but isn’t that up to the girl?”
“Yes, but within reason. I’m not implying that you would do this, but you have to think about the age difference. You’re six years older than she is. If you were 27 and she were 21, nobody would blink an eye. But for teenagers, it’s a big gap. You’re WAY more mature than she is, I suspect. You know exactly what you’re doing. She most likely doesn’t. And you have to consider what her parents would say and do if they ever found out.”
“Good points, of course. I’ll just make sure I keep one of you around when I’m with her. That should keep her on the straight and narrow.”
“A wise idea,” Stephie agreed.
When we arrived home after class, we both went to our rooms to shower and change. We grabbed some lunch and got out our books. Charlie and George arrived just after 1:00pm with their overnight bags which they left in the foyer. It hit me just then what had bothered me after my talk with Katy. It wasn’t about me using someone, but about me being used! I needed to talk to Charlie before anything happened. I’d more or less simply let her talk her way into my bed without any real preliminaries or relationship beyond the tutoring. But that was an issue for after dinner.
I headed next door for my talk with Bart Nichols just after the girls arrived. We went into his den, which looked like a lawyer’s office with leather chairs, a big desk and bookshelves lining the walls. A quick glance showed that it was mostly theology books, which made sense given that he was a professor of theology.
“Penny’s managed to keep her grades up, so we’re ready to buy her a computer. She said you had a recommendation.”
“Yes. I’m thinking that your best bet is an Apple IIe. Of all the options right now, it’s the best choice. I don’t see Radio Shack making much progress, really, and the current Commodore line isn’t that great, either. Really, it comes down to the Apple IIe and the IBM, and the IBM is way too expensive. If they don’t figure out a way to get the price down, it won’t last.”
“That sounds good. Where’s the best place to get it?”
“I usually go to a computer store on Michigan Avenue. I have their number and a list of what you should get with me.”
“Perfect. Let me check this out and decide what to do. I’m sure Penny will tell you when she’s got it.”
“No doubt about it!” I said. “I have a school project to work on so I need to head back to my house, but if you have any questions, just call.”
“Thanks, Steve,” he said.
We shook hands and I walked back home. I spent most of the study time with Dave, Katy, and Cindi working on our computer graphics assignment. We’d need to find some time to get into the computer lab for one of our assignments, but the rest we could mostly do on the computers that I had. We’d decided that our video game would be done on the Atari 800 since besides being a full-fledged computer it had some good features of a gaming system as well. Dave, Katy, and Cindi were learning 6502 assembly language as that was what we’d be using for the final project.
My other classes mostly involved reading and writing. I was spending extra time on the psychology texts, and reading some of the suggested, but not required, texts as well. That took up a bit of extra time, but I was gaining some insight into my own behavior and thinking, and it helped me by providing some alternate perspectives on many of the issues I was dealing with. While I didn’t buy everything that the textbook claimed, it was still helpful.
Dinner on Saturday was hamburgers and corn on the cob on the grill. While I got the grill ready, Elyse and Stephie wrapped the ears of corn in tinfoil, then prepared the lettuce, onion, and tomato for the burgers. While the corn cooked, the three of us made the hamburger patties, which I eventually took out to the grill. Katy helped bring everything out to the patio, and when the burgers were done, I served them up.
“Can I have one?” Penny asked, peering over the fence.
“If your mom or stepdad says it’s OK, then yes, you can come over and have a hamburger,” I said.
Penny disappeared.
“Careful, Steve,” Stephie whispered.
“There’s a yard full of people, Stephie. It’s safe.”
“Sure. But she might take it as encouragement. Just be careful. Unless you WANT to encourage her.”
I sighed, “I can’t walk through life on eggshells, but I’m also not taking Penny to my room again!”
Penny was back at the fence a minute later.
“My stepdad said I could come over for one hour,” she said.
“The front door is open. Come on over,” I said.
She was bouncing into the backyard two minutes later. I served her a hamburger and she went to sit on the grass next to Jackie and Jeremiah. Right next to them were Jorge and Cindi, sitting pretty close together, I noted with a smile. I made my own burger and went to sit at the table with Dave, Julia, Kurt, and Kathy.
“With all these people showing up, I don’t get to talk to you as much,” Kathy said. “It feels like we’re losing touch, a bit.”
“I know what you mean,” I said. “It was more intimate in the apartment, and now that we’re here and I have six housemates instead of two, there’s less time. Not to mention the extra people coming to study groups. I’d hate to cut back too much, though. I know you guys have your dates on Friday night; otherwise I’d invite you to come on Friday. I don’t even get to talk to Elyse and Stephie as much as I did before.”
“Stephie not sleeping in your room might have something to do with that, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, some. That did change the relationship, but still, I’m just feeling a bit out of sorts, I guess, with all the people. I’m discovering I do better with six to eight than fifteen or so. It’s the lack of intimacy, I guess, that’s the problem. I just don’t have a good solution.”
“What about Sunday morning,” Kurt said. “Usually everyone just kind of does their own thing. What if some of us just got together in the ‘Indian’ room and drank tea and talked? Just hanging out, no deep, philosophical questions, but the kind of stuff we used to talk about at the apartment.”
“That might work since most of the rest of our friends don’t arrive until around lunchtime.”
“I’ve been going to church with Dave, so I wouldn’t be there, but don’t worry about me,” Julia said.
“Let’s just start with the three of us, and if others want to join, that’s fine. Even if everyone but Julia shows up we’re only talking nine or so people. Or we could really limit it if I changed my rule and we hung a ‘nude only’ sign on the sauna door!”
Julia laughed, “Yeah, that would do it for some people, like Katy, but it sure wouldn’t deter Cindi!”
“Just out of curiosity, what about you and Dave?” I asked. “Is that an issue for you?”
“I guess it depends on who’s there,” Julia said. “It’s a comfort thing. You and Kurt don’t bother me at all. What do you think, Dave?”
“I’ve never been naked in front of a group of girls before,” Dave said. “It’s a bit unnerving, actually.”
“OK, so maybe that’s not a good idea at this point. Kathy and Kurt, let’s just go in the ‘Indian’ room in the morning and if other people drift in, that’s OK by me.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Kathy said.
When we’d all finished eating, Kurt, Kathy, Jackie, and Jeremiah cleaned up the kitchen and back yard while I scraped the grill. The temperature had dropped to the low 50’s so we decided to head inside and up to the ‘party’ room in the attic. As usual, Dave and Julia went out, as did Elyse and Eduardo. I remembered that I needed to talk to Charlie so I took her by the hand and we went to the sunroom.
“Charlie, about tonight,” I said.
“What about it?” she asked.
“I’m just feeling a bit uneasy. I mean, we haven’t gone on a date; in fact, we haven’t even kissed and you’re planning to sleep with me.”
“You’ve never met somebody and thought ‘Wow! I’d like to be with that person!’?”
“Well, of course I have. That’s a pretty normal reaction for guys!”
“But not for girls?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just vouching for how guys often think. And yes, I’ve met some girls like that for sure. I guess I’m just curious what you want out of this.”
“Does it have to be anything other than making each other feel good? Having someone to keep warm with? You already told me that you didn’t want a relationship, so that’s out.”
“Is that what you were hoping for?” I asked.
“Well, I was hoping you would ask me out. Beyond that, who knows? You just seem different from most of the guys I’ve met here. Then after being here and meeting all your friends, I decided I wanted to be part of the group.”
“You don’t have to sleep with me to be part of the group.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“I don’t know, actually, and I guess that’s the issue.”
“Remember what I said about being bored back home? When I was fourteen I wanted to find something exciting to do, but there was nothing, and I mean nothing, going on in Muskogee for kids my age. So me and some friends drove out to the lake one night to hang out. It was three couples, and we all discovered just how much fun making out and stuff was. Only I did more than make out. Since then, I’ve had four guys I’ve been with.
“I had no plans on being with any of those guys long-term. It was more or less something to do on Saturday nights. We’d go to the lake and make out and stuff. I did lots of the ‘and stuff’ and I like doing it. When I met you in the computer lab I liked you right away. You’re nice, you’re smart, and you didn’t hit on me like a crazed chinchilla in heat. In fact, you didn’t hit on me at all. Now I know it’s because you don’t want to mix business and pleasure. Fine. The business is done. Now it’s time for pleasure.”
“So it’s that simple? We hang out with my friends, then go down to my room, take off our clothes and screw?”
She laughed, “That is kind of how it works! But seriously, are you changing your mind? It seems like you might be.”
“I don’t know. I guess I was just concerned about what you were thinking.”
“Well, I was thinking we could make each other feel good. That’s all. I guess it’s up to you.”
I nodded and we went back upstairs to the attic room. I still wasn’t totally sure what I should do, and there were several options including having her use the sleeper sofa. When we went into the room I went to pour myself a drink and then sat with Charlie and George on either side of me. I looked across the room and saw Jorge sitting behind Cindi massaging her shoulders and neck and smiled. He was in for what I expected was a hell of a treat, if he ever got the nerve up to push things further.
When Kurt and Kathy headed down to bed just before midnight, I asked them to show George to the other guest room and she went with them. A few minutes later, Charlie and I headed down to my room. I got a knowing look from Jackie as she went into her room. I shut the door to my room and led Charlie to my loveseat where we sat down, but not too close.
“You seem nervous, Steve. Was all that talk about fooling around in High School just a lot of talk?” Charlie asked.
“No, not at all. I guess you’re sensing my innate caution. I just want to make sure I’m not making a mistake.”
“You’ve made mistakes before, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” I said.
“I’m sure this is what I want. I want to do it. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. Come on, let’s get in bed, make each other feel good and keep each other warm.”
I still had a niggling feeling about this, but I wondered if I was being overly cautious. Part of it was the talk I had with Katy, and I wondered what it was about that. It wasn’t about being used. It was something else. But, in the end, I didn’t think it was specifically about the cute brunette sitting on my loveseat. There were no warning signs and no good reason not to be with her that I could think of.
“You’re right,” I said with a smile.
She did indeed make me feel good and I did the same for her. I explored her firm, young body and enjoyed her silky warmth. After the second round, she snuggled close and we kept each other warm until morning. She waited in bed for me to complete my run, then beckoned me for a third round when I returned. When we finished, I led her to my shower.
“I chose the right guy, for sure,” she said, as I lathered her hair with a floral shampoo I kept in my shower.
“I take it you enjoyed yourself?” I grinned, gently massaging her scalp with my finger tips.
“Are you kidding? Your stamina is pretty damn amazing. After the second time I was kind of raw. I’ve never done it that long before, ever! And when you ate me after the first time we did it I was shocked. But damn that felt good! I guess I didn’t disappoint you?”
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December 5, 2000, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota “I had a good time last night,” I said. “I was surprised you invited a friend!” Mary laughed as we walked into the exam room, “Naomi had a good time as well. You know what a Resident’s life is like.” I nodded, “No social life.” “Exactly. You guys seemed to hit it off pretty well.” “Yes, but I’m not here for that!” “You’re everywhere for that, and you know it!” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Let’s just say that you hit the sweet spot -...
March 1980, Hovås/Göteborg, Sweden I woke early as usual, but just enjoyed being in bed with Katt. When she woke, she hopped out of bed and pulled a robe out of her closet and handed it to me. “There’s a spare toothbrush in the bathroom. Go have your shower, then we’ll have breakfast after I have my shower.” I quickly showered and brushed my teeth, and went back to Katt’s room. She went to shower and came back a few minutes later. She dressed, and I got a very good look at her sexy body...
April 5, 1997, Chicago, Illinois “You missed cuddles this morning!” Birgit said accusingly when I walked into the house about 9:30am. “I know, Pumpkin, but I had a work emergency and had to go see Aunt Joyce and Grandpa A.” “And now we have to get ready for karate!” “I know. We’ll have some family time this afternoon. I don’t have any plans.” “Good!” I hugged her and the rest of the kids, then went to find Kara. We hugged and kissed, and went straight upstairs to get ready for...
September 3, 1989, Chicago, Illinois “Good morning, Sensei,” I said, bowing to Sensei Jim. “Good morning!” he said waving me to a chair in his office. “How was your trip?” I asked. “Enlightening. I spent most of my time acting as a manservant to Sensei Robert and Sensei Hiro.” “He who will lead, must first serve,” I said. “Someday, I’m going to send you to Sensei Hiro, should he live long enough. You understand.” “Does that mean you are now 6th Dan?” I...
October 29, 2000, Chicago, Illinois Birgit followed me as far as the stairs, then scooted upstairs when I went to the front door and opened it. “Hi!” Sophie said. “Hi!” I replied and held the door open so she could come into the house. I closed the door behind her then led her to my study where I waited until she went in, and then walked in, closing the door behind me. I nodded to one of the wingback chairs, she sat down in one, and I sat down in the other. “Is something wrong?” she...
October, 1983, Chicago, Illinois On Saturday morning when Penny arrived, I thought about what Anala had said. I watched every move and listened to every word and decided that Anala was correct in her assessment of Penny. And I realized would need to decide pretty much immediately to put a stop to it, or else I had to be prepared for what was certain to come in the future. It was a tough question in my mind. If Penny asked immediately, I’d say ‘no’. If she asked in two years, I’d probably say...
August, 1983, Chicago, Illinois I walked in the near 90°F heat to Carla’s place. I was grateful that the humidity of the morning had dropped significantly; otherwise the heat would have been unbearable. By the time I walked up the steps to the apartment over the photography studio and knocked on her door, I had broken into a light sweat. Carla answered almost immediately and invited me inside her studio apartment. The air was moderately cool, and the window air conditioner was running full...
July 1982, Milford, Ohio On Tuesday morning, I kissed Kara goodbye and headed to my parents’ house for my usual morning routine with my little sister. She was happy that I could spend the morning with her and asked to take a walk, so we weren’t in the house with my mom. “Let me guess — this walk will end in the clearing,” I said with a smile. “Yes,” she said, taking my hand as we walked down Overlook towards Klondyke. As usual, we turned around and walked back, taking the path to the...
March 13, 1994, Chicago, Illinois “Hi, Steve!” Ailea said when she opened the door. “Hi,” I replied, accepting the offered hug. There was no touching of lips, just of cheeks, and I wondered if I’d misread her intentions at her birthday lunch, or if, perhaps, she detected my reluctance to return the offered affection. “Lunch is ready, so go ahead and sit. I’ll bring it in from the kitchen.” I went to the low table, sat down, and a minute later, Ailea brought miso soup and sushi, our usual...
April 3, 1997, Dallas, Texas “Remember what I said about drinking too much,” I said, as I poured bourbon into three cups. We’d stopped at a liquor store, bought a bottle of Blanton’s, and then returned to the small suite I’d reserved at the Westin. Deborah’s room was down the hall, and Krissy’s was two floors below. Krissy’s comment had caught me a bit off guard, but I hadn’t reacted visibly. I didn’t know her quite well enough to know if she’d been teasing with Deborah, so I was being...
March 28, 1991, Chicago, Illinois “This day belongs to you, Kara!” I said when the three of us woke on Thursday morning. “Happy birthday!” Jessica said. “Thanks,” Kara replied happily. “I think I’d like an amazing birthday fuck from our husband, and then a nice loving shower with my wife!” Kara said. “Do we have enough time?” I asked. Jessica giggled, “I set the alarm for thirty minutes earlier!” “Then let’s not waste any of it!” I said pulling Kara to me. Kara’s squeals as I plunged...
September 4, 2000, Chicago, Illinois On Monday morning I went to my study to make a surreptitious call to ensure that the surprise I’d planned for Kara was still going to happen, and after confirming that it was, Jesse, Matthew, Michael, and I began preparing for the Labor Day party by getting beer and soda into coolers, getting the grill ready, setting up tables and chairs in the backyard, and ensuring the liquor cabinets were stocked while my wives and daughters worked on food prep in the...
September 1, 1987, Chicago, Illinois “I heard that you have some kind of plan to help Ed,” I said to Connie. “There’s no plan,” she replied. “A witness who saw the shopkeeper alive after Ed left came forward.” That sounded convenient, and I wondered if the witness was real or someone that Anthony had put forward to solve the problem. Certainly, the videotape was real, because I couldn’t imagine how Anthony could have faked that, but the witness? Who knew? “So is he being released? Or is...
August 17, 1997, Chicago, Illinois We finished lunch and Marissa and the younger kids went to play, but Natalie sat with the adults to talk, with coffee, tea, or soft drinks. The Sarcus were very comfortable, but the Heaths were still struggling. But, vitally, they hadn’t left and hadn’t insisted Natalie leave the group. “Can you explain how you developed this attitude and approach?” Chris asked. I nodded, “It started when I was just a bit younger than Natalie. My mom was a total control...
July 1979 — Falkenberg, Sweden On Friday, when I got back from my run, Pam was in her bra and panties again. I whistled at her, she giggled, then finished dressing. I showered, and we went to breakfast and finished up our last day. Once class was done, we were pretty much free. On Saturday, we’d have several optional activities and then on Sunday we’d head back to our host families. After dinner on Friday, I took Pam’s hand and we walked towards the river. It was quiet and peaceful, and...
July 1980, Over the North Atlantic We reached cruising altitude, and I settled back to read my book. Pam raised the armrest between us, snuggled close to me and read as well. The cabin crew offered drinks, and I had my first Coke in a year! Meal service began about an hour and a half into the flight. After the cabin crew picked up the trays and offered drinks again, they passed once more, offering headsets for the movie. Trevor and Maria took them, but Pam and I didn’t, instead we turned on...
July 8, 1997, Chicago, Illinois “Is it really that surprising?” Leah asked. “I suppose not,” I replied. “I just didn’t read too much into the kiss on the cheek.” “I didn’t think it was a good idea to kiss you on the lips with all those people around, because I had no idea who they were or what they would think. You were VERY careful with our dance, so I kind of followed your lead.” Which showed very mature thinking on her part. Both of these girls were exactly the kind of students I...
November 8, 1993, Chicago, Illinois A dark fog swirled before my eyes as I tried to take stock. My head hurt, badly. I felt something on my face and realized, dimly, it was an oxygen mask. My right hand was uncomfortable and I recognized the feeling of an IV and pulse-oximeter. My left arm ached fiercely. On my chest I felt the pads and wires of an EKG. I didn’t feel anything else wrong as I continued taking inventory. I tried to open my eyes, but the fog didn’t clear. I tried to speak, but...
August, 1983, Chicago, Illinois In the morning Anala and I ran as we had the previous time, then showered together, carefully washing each other’s bodies in an intimate but non-sexual way. After our shower we went to the kitchen and I made breakfast and we sat down to eat. “Steve, may I make a suggestion?” she asked. “Sure.” “Broaden your circle of friends. Other than me, all of you are white, nominally Christian, 20-year-old Americans. And you don’t invite me to your Sunday...
June 23, 2000, Chicago, Illinois “Steve,” Kimmy said over the intercom, “I have a Suzanne Aavik for you.” “Thanks,” I replied. “Put her through, please.” A few seconds later, Suzanne was on the line. “Hi!” she exclaimed when I greeted her. “I’m in Chicago for three weeks. Can I still run away and join the circus?” I chuckled, “You might want to find out what the circus is actually like before you join! If you’re free, you’re welcome to come to the house tomorrow or Sunday and meet the...
March 1979 Monday was back to the normal routine of school. Debbie Courtney, who lived across the street and had turned fourteen the last week in February, started flirting more with me on the bus each day. Debbie Vaughn, who lived just down the street, would turn fourteen on March 16th and invited me to her birthday party. And Donna Woody, who lived just down the street in the other direction, would turn fourteen on March 20th. She had made it clear what she wanted for her birthday, and in...
Xandra – Black Glass Aerie, The Island of Birds “My husband,” I whispered into Chaun’s ears as I lay draped over his body, my naked breasts rubbing into his ebony skin, his cock hard inside me, his seed swirling through my once untouched depths. “Husband?” he asked. “Of course” I giggled. “My love. My husband.” It was so wonderful to say those words, to have finally found my mate. When I danced tonight, I had little hope of attracting a mate. I couldn’t transform into a bird, and though I...
June 2, 1990, Chicago, Illinois “My office, please,” Sensei Jim said after class on Saturday. I followed him to his office and waited for him to bid me to sit. He did, and I sat in the usual chair across from him. “She has a real problem, you know that, right?” he asked. “I do. That’s why I insisted she start seeing a counselor.” “I run a huge risk having her here with that kind of temper and her violent acts.” I nodded, “I understand. May I ask what you intend to do?” “I really don’t...
February 21, 1991, Chicago, Illinois “Hi, Sweetheart!” I said, greeting Bethany at the door. “Uncle Steve!” Nicholas exclaimed. I took him from his mom and he hugged me tightly. “Is Jesse with his moms?” Bethany asked. “Yes. They won’t bring him back over tonight so you and Nicholas can surprise him in the morning.” “Perfect!” “How was the drive up?” “The same as usual. Just a bit of traffic in Northern Indiana. Otherwise, smooth sailing. It was driving the other direction that was a...
November 4, 2000, Chicago, Illinois “Good morning, Sensei,” Miyu said when Kara, the girls, and I walked into the dojo on Saturday morning. “Good morning, Miyu.” “Do you have a moment, please?” I nodded and we went to the small practice room for privacy, as Sensei Jim had a family in his office. “What can I do for you?” “I need you to meet a young man,” she said. “I think you might be taking this ‘not do anything without permission’ a bit too far!” Miyu shook her head, “No, I’m not....
May 1979 The limo dropped me at home about 9:00pm. I took my stuff to my room, stripped, and hung up the tux. The rest of the things went into the hamper. I took a shower, put on shorts and a t-shirt, and walked down the hall into my dad’s office. I saw no reason to put this off any longer. “Stephen, you need to explain yourself!” my mom demanded. “I was in Mrs. McGrath’s, well, Mrs. Sanders’ now, wedding, as I said.” “You walked her down the aisle! You’re sixteen and not even related to...
November 3, 1990, Chicago, Illinois “I still don’t understand why you told everyone to leave Katy alone last night,” Elyse said on Saturday morning. “Because we weren’t going to talk her out of it. I could tell by the way she told us. I hoped letting her sleep on it would allow her to hear what we had to say. Obviously I was wrong.” “I was surprised that she wouldn’t talk to Jennifer at all,” Kara said. “I thought Jennifer would be the one to get her to listen to reason this morning.” I...
February, 1983, Chicago, Illinois Our first joining since the previous summer was slow and sweet, trying to express our deep love for each other through the motions of our bodies. When we finished, Karin held me tight and refused to let me move off of her. “Sleep there, please,” she whispered. I kissed her once more then adjusted my pillow so that I could rest my head next to hers. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but it was what Karin wanted. The feel of her firm body under mine,...
July 3, 1996, Chicago, Illinois I blinked several times and took a breath before responding. It didn’t help. The best I could do was contain my visceral reaction at her completely out-of-line request and her wrong-headed assumptions when she had NO idea what had happened in my life the previous eight months. “What makes you think you can make that request after refusing to talk to me for nearly eight months? And equally importantly, without explaining Alexi? And without giving me the first...