by Johanna Bock
As Jeff led Annie back to her car, they heard Leah’s humorous parting remarks. “Be good, guys.“
“We will, Leah. Promise,“ Jeff called back. Annie drug her feet to slow their walk. She wasn’t ready for the night to end. Jeff felt her reluctance to part. “Annie, I am going to follow you home. I have two good reasons: one, I want to make sure you get home safely, and two, I want to know where you live,“ he stated.
Annie’s heart jumped for joy. They hadn’t spoken about seeing each other again. This would mean there was hope for continuing encounters. Finding her voice, she said, “I don’t live far. It is about a mile down the street.“
At this news, Jeff opened her door, surprising her because she knew it had been locked. She had forgotten she had given her keys to him earlier. He handed her into the car, releasing their almost constant contact for the first time in the past few hours. He leaned into the car and gave her a quick kiss. “Where you lead, I will follow,“ he said as his eyes sparkled mischievously in the dome light of the car. Giggling, she started the motor as he closed the door.
***
On the short drive to her house, she kept her eyes on the rearview mirror, still not truly believing he was sincere. Yet, the headlights of his car were right on her tail. While waiting for the traffic light to change, she began to shiver. She didn’t know if it was from the cold or from fear of this strong attachment which she had already formed in her mind for this stranger. She took out a piece of paper and quickly wrote down her name, address and phone number in the glow of his headlights.
When she pulled into her driveway, the headlights were still behind her. She hurried out of the car, and made it to his car before he was able to fully emerge. She gently pushed him back onto the seat and knelt between his legs, blocking his exit. For some reason, even unknown to herself, she had to keep him in the vehicle. She reached out with both hands and captured his face. Without saying a word, she burned his image into her soul. Closing her eyes, she traced his face as if she was blind. If she never, ever laid eyes on him again, she would forever know him. Jeff submitted to this intense search without a word.
As before, she saved his lips for last. With the index finger of her right hand, she slowly traced his lips. He captured her finger within his mouth. She opened her eyes and looked at him. His tongue played with her fingertip before releasing her finger. Her heart took flight. This man is too good to be true, she thought.
He reached for her and gathered her close to him in an embrace which expressed so much tenderness she began to cry softly. She buried her face in his neck. Startled, Jeff held her tighter and began to caress her hair. “Annie?“ he inquired after several seconds.
Without looking up she reached up with her left hand and placed it on the nape of his neck. “I will be all right,“ she choked out.
Using his left hand, he reached for her chin. He tilted her tear-stained face up. His eyes searched her face; it was his turn to do the same intense search. He ever so gently wiped away her tears with his thumbs. He then traced her face, starting at her widow’s peak, at the top of her forehead, and ending at the point of her chin. As his fingers found her lips, his eyes gazed into hers. The same desire he was experiencing was coursing through her. She pulled his head down to her and kissed him, believing this was truly her first real kiss. She had been kissed before this one, but she was always on the receiving side. This time she was the aggressor.
The kiss startled him a little at the extreme intensity, but it only lasted a brief second before he returned it with matching force. This kiss represented many things to her -- thankfulness, gratitude, lust, desire, needing, but most of all love. She broke off the kiss and backed away slowly. Cupping his chin in her right hand, she kissed the tip of his nose and then reached for the paper on which she had written her personal information. She pressed the paper in his hand and without a word, got to her feet and walked in the house.
***
Chapter Five
That was a strange ending to the night, she thought as she leaned back against the front door, inside her house. Yet, she knew it had to end. They hadn’t made plans to meet again, but she knew in her heart they would. He had her number and knew where she lived; she also had his card which told her how to reach him.
Hearing his car start, she turned and almost ran out after him, but knew if she did, she would never be able to part from him that evening. She watched him drive away through the drawn-back curtain on the window of the door. She expected to feel remorsefulness or sadness, but she didn’t feel that way at all. Granted, she really didn’t want him to go, but knew if they continued on the same path they were on, she would be in serious trouble.
As she stared after his car, she knew sleep would be impossible for that night. So, she decided to head for her room and to her journal. She felt driven by forces to write everything down before she forgot. It was rather silly because she didn’t think she’d ever forget this night. After she finished writing, she glanced at the clock, and saw it was 4:00 AM. She had been lost in her thoughts for well over five hours. During that time, she had written in her journal, but she had also spent time staring out into space as she tried to come up with the right words for her thoughts and feelings.
She knew she had to stop her daydreaming soon for the school districts, for which she substituted, would begin to start calling around 5:00 AM. Moving slowly, as if coming out of a trance, she headed directly to the phone and took the receiver off the hook. She placed it under her pillow to muffle the ’off the hook’ signal, preferring the school personnel get a busy signal rather than to lie to them.
She was playing with fire by this action for her father was a physician and needed the phone available for emergency calls, but she needed the day off. Besides, she would place it back on the hook at 7:00 AM. Satisfied, she stretched out on the bed, still fully dressed. She wasn’t at all sleepy. While she reclined there, she closed her eyes and pictured Jeff before her. Her hands literally shot skyward. Laughing softly at her reaction, she brought her hands to her face and retraced the path Jeff’s fingers had taken earlier. She saved her lips for last and caught a hint of his cologne still present on her hands as it passed under her nose. This very real reminder of the night caused a wave of desire deep within her. He is REAL. She had to see him again.
Slowly, a plan developed. He worked at a car dealership. She’d enlist Leah’s help and go to the dealership. They would pose as prospective buyers, but they wouldn’t stay long, as she was not the type to keep anyone from their work. She just needed to find out if the attraction was real or only in her imagination. This would be a huge step for her, as she was not known for boldness and this action was indeed bold.
With this plan set in her mind, she daydreamed about Jeff until 7:00 AM. Replacing the phone receiver on the hook, she got out of bed, grabbed clean clothes, and headed for the shower before the rest of the house began to stir.
After emerging from the luxury of a nice hot shower, she managed to act pretty normal. Feeling a bit guilty, she told her parents that since she didn’t receive a call to work, she would use the day to run errands. This was odd for her; she usually didn’t keep things from her mother. It just seemed that if she spoke about it, a pin would burst her bubble. She danced around questions regarding the previous nights’ activities, directing the conversation to other topics. She successfully achieved this diversion until her parents left for the office.
The minute her parents crossed the threshold of the door, she was on the phone, calling Leah. Leah answered the phone on the first ring. “Leah! Can you believe it?“ Annie asked excitedly. “Did last night really happen?“
“Annie, calm down,“ Leah directed. “Tell me everything that happened.“
“Where should I start?“
“Start at the club,“ Leah suggested. “What happened when he came back?“
“Before I start,“ Annie began, “why not come over? My parents have already gone to work. We’ll have the hous
e to ourselves. Besides, I want to talk to you in person. I also have a plan and I need your help.“ Leah agreed, as Annie knew she would.
Within ten minutes, Leah was at Annie’s door. Awful quick for Leah, but Annie knew she would be quick, for her curiosity would be killing her. As Annie greeted her at the door, Leah’s questions came hard and fast. “What is going on? What do you know about him? Why did he come back? What time did he leave? Are you going to tell me or not? What is your plan?“
“Wait!“ Annie cried. “You aren’t giving me a chance to answer.“
“Okay, I will wait, but before I forget to tell you, my father wants me to thank you for the show the two of you performed outside my house last night,“ Leah said, giggling. Embarrassment flooded Annie. She never thought about being seen. Leah sensed her embarrassment. “Don’t worry about it. I want details. I want to know everything,“ she implored.
“Only if you promise to tell your dad I am sorry for the scene we caused last night. I really had no control over what happened,“ Annie confessed. Leah promised to pass on Annie’s apology to her dad.
Feeling some relief, Annie suggested they get comfortable. “Have a seat. I’ll take your suggestion and start when he came back to the club. Besides, you know what happened prior to that point,“ she began. Annie paced the floor in front of Leah as she related the activities of the night. While Annie talked, Leah only interrupted her a few times, wanting clarity or additional information. Annie ended her tale at the point where she had entered the house.
“Annie, why did you leave him that way?“ Leah inquired. “It sounds as if you were getting along great.“ Annie was about to answer her when Leah stopped her. “Never mind, I believe I know the answer. You really didn’t have any other options. Did you?“ Leah asked.
“No,“ Annie agreed. “You know me, Leah. I am really not that experienced in this sort of thing. I might be chronologically twenty-three, but I am an infant at this love stuff. I didn’t want to make a spur of the moment decision in that state of mind -- one which I’d regret for the rest of my life,“ Annie stated firmly.
“I see your point of view,“ Leah responded, after thinking a moment. “So, what is this plan you have where you need my help?“ Annie explained her plan about going to the car dealership. “Annie, do you really want to press this issue?“ Leah asked, frowning at her suggestion.
Annie had to laugh; Leah was always her devil’s advocate. “I really feel strongly on this matter. I have this need to know if what I experienced last night was real or exaggerated due to the excitement. I figure if we see each other at a neutral place and don’t feel the same way, we have an out. We wouldn’t be committed to a quote/unquote date to survive. Yet, if we still have the same feelings, then we could set an official date,“ Annie explained.
“That does sound logical, but do you want to interrupt him at work?“
“Yes! If he is busy, I will wait,“ Annie responded.
“Let’s go then. I see your side of things. I just wanted to make sure this is what you really wanted,“ Leah offered.
As Annie grabbed her purse and keys, she had second thoughts about the plan; it might not be a good thing. Yet, she felt she was doing what had to be done. Her sanity was at stake. If he were helping a valid customer, they would wait until he was done. If he wasn’t on the lot, Annie would go in and ask for him. Her hopes were on the first option. It would give her the chance to observe him without having to talk to him.
***
Arriving at the dealership, Annie’s hopes were dashed. He was nowhere in sight. In fact, for being a Friday morning, there was not even a customer on the lot. Swallowing her pride, Annie approached the receptionist counter to ask for him. To her horror, the receptionist was a girl who had been a high school classmate of hers. After they exchanged greetings, Annie asked for Jeff. The receptionist asked if she was buying a new or used vehicle. Quickly thinking, she said, “Used.“ The receptionist called his name over the intercom system, announcing to all that a customer was waiting. Boy, did she feel exposed. Hiding her embarrassment, she thanked and said goodbye to her fellow classmate and headed to the door of the showroom.
As she pushed open the glass door, she heard his voice behind her. “Annie?“ he asked surprised, but pleased.
Turning, she knew this moment would determine if she had been correct coming here. The look on his face was the same as the previous night. She had been correct, she thought as her heart started pounding hard. “Hi, Jeff,“ she said, smiling.
He reached her with just a few easy strides. He stepped into the open doorway and held the door for her, placing his other hand on the small of back, guiding her out to the lot. Behind them, exiting the showroom was another man whom she soon learned was the ’Jerry ’ whom Jeff was with at the club.
“Jeff, I hope you are not uncomfortable with me coming here?“ Annie asked.
“No, not at all,“ he responded, smiling. “I am glad to see you.“
“I don’t want you to get into trouble due to my visit,“ she continued.
“Annie, don’t worry. As you can see, we are not busy at the moment,“ he remarked.
Annie relaxed and reintroduced him to Leah. He introduced them to his friend, Jerry. Annie told him about her encounter with the receptionist. Hearing her words, he suggested they move over to the used cars section to ward off any curious questions which could arise.
As they walked, Jeff asked, “Annie, why did you run off last night?”
She had a feeling he would ask this very question. “Jeff, what else was I suppose to do? I couldn’t invite you into the house,“ she explained, looking directly at him.
He thought about her answer for a few moments, then nodded and smiled at her. “You are right. I didn’t think about it that way. I thought maybe you were mad or upset with me,“ he stated.
“Jeff, don’t be silly. If I was upset or mad, I would have never given you the paper with my phone number on it.“ She shook her head as she spoke.
“I was going to call you this afternoon.“
Her blood started boiling. “Oh, Jeff. I didn’t know if you wanted to see me again,“ she managed to get the words out.
“Yes, I very much want to be with you,“ he said frankly.
They started walking again; he held her arm possessively. Approaching the row of van conversions, he opened the side door of one of the vans and directed for her to sit down in the doorframe. She sat as directed, and he sat down next to her. From this position, no one in the showroom could see them. Leah and Jerry moved down the row of cars, talking.
“Jeff, I couldn’t sleep last night,“ Annie confessed. “I just couldn’t stop thinking about you.“
“That is strange,“ he responded, grabbing her hand. “The opposite happened to me. It was probably the first night in a very long time where I slept like a baby. I must admit it did take me quite some time to fall asleep. I was trying to figure out why you darted off so quickly, but once I had decided I would call you today, I went right to sleep.“ She clutched his hand tighter.
They sat there several moments, not saying anything. Jeff broke the silence. “Annie, do you want to go out tonight? I’d like to go back to that club we were at last night. Would you like to go there for dinner?“
“Yes!“ she responded, a bit too quickly she felt.
They set a time for him to pick her up. Wanting to avoid the rush, they were going to meet early. Saying goodbye with a quick kiss, they went in search of their friends.
Minutes later, as Annie drove away from the dealership, her heart was singing.
***
Chapter Six
Annie spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready. She showered again, shaved her legs, curled her hair, did her nails, applied makeup and decided on what to wear. Sleep never entered the picture.
When her parents arrived home from work, she finally broke down and talked to her mother regarding Jeff, telling her she had met someone special. She chose to leave out t
he details about the inner feelings she was experiencing about him. She explained to her mother that he was arriving soon.
Her mother sensed her excitement, but also knew her daughter was reluctant to say much. “Annie, are you sure you know what you are doing?“ she asked with concern in her voice.
“Yes, and no,“ Annie answered truthfully. Her mother gave her one of those questioning looks which are reserved only for mothers. “Mom,“ she began, “please don’t give me that look. I don’t know what direction this is going, but give me the chance to enjoy the experience without feeling guilty. Listen; you and Dad raised me. I am a smart girl. You have always trusted my instincts in the past. If I run into problems, I will call you. I promise. Don’t worry; I will be fine.“
Her mother digested what she said and smiled. “Of course, you’re right, honey,“ her mother finally remarked. “I want you to have a good time.“
“Thanks, Mom. I know I will,“ Annie said, smiling. Then, she kissed her.
Annie was putting on her shoes when the doorbell rang. She hurried to answer the door before anyone in the house got there, but she was too late. When she rounded the corner of the living room, her mother and Jeff were exchanging greetings. She had invited him into the house. He glanced over and saw her as she slowed her pace into the room. His face lit up into a huge smile.
Smiling back at him, Annie made her way to his side. “Mom, I would like you to meet Jeff,“ Annie started to introduce the two.
“We have already introduced ourselves,“ her mother reported. Feeling a little silly, Annie laughed nervously. Jeff felt her uneasiness and rescued her by stating their reservation were for 6:30 PM and they had better be on their way.