His voice cracked a meek, “Yes.”
My mamma chimed back in, “If the two of you decide to become intimate, we would prefer you do it here in the house, safely, rather than sneak around. Tatiana knows that if her door is closed we respect her privacy, so you don’t have to worry about being walked in on in the middle of anything like we did tonight.” She fought back a grin.
“Oh my god! Mamma! This is so embarrassing.” I hissed.
She laughed, and James turned an even deeper shade of red. “We expect that the two of you will be responsible and treat each other with kindness and respect at all times. You will talk through any challenges you have. No more silent treatments, no more drama. James? Yes? Look at me, James.”
He slowly drew his eyes up to hers. “Yes.”
She continued with a soft, calm voice, “James, you are always welcome in this house as long as you are respectful to Tati. We expect you to treat her with kindness, empathy, and clearly communicate with one another. Are you willing to do that?”
He nodded, and she continued. “We think that you and our daughter are well matched, and you clearly care for one another. I am sorry that we embarrassed you tonight, but our home is built on trust and we need to know that we can trust you to be a respectful and responsible partner for our daughter.” James nodded, and the blushing eased. “Please know that you can come to us with problems or questions about anything, and we will discuss it as a family, or confidentially if you prefer.” She gestured to herself and my mom. “You can talk to either of us anytime about anything, James. You got that?” He nodded. She turned her attention to the TV and winked at my mom. “So, we’re watching the TV channel guide tonight? Interesting choice.”
✽✽✽
Me
sorry again about tonight!!!
Me
just so you know, i was having a VERY
nice time before THE TALK.
James
we should have a VERY nice time again tomorrow.
I can’t stop thinking about us.
James
to be clear i say that respectfully of your body and
our relationship and if you consent to having another
very nice time with me, i’m down for that.
Me
I respectfully consent
Me
but no penetration LOL!!
James
i can’t even... WTF was that?!?!?
James
you and Dash should have done a better job of
warning me!!!!
Me
LMAO!!!
good night, bodyguard.
James
sweet dreams, cheetah-girl
12
James and I skipped our morning run on Monday, so that we could save our leg strength for the track team tryouts. He drove us to school so that we could leave right after the last bell to head to the community college’s indoor track where the tryouts were being held. I had my favorite running gear packed and ready to go. I was so excited, but had to get through a full day of classes first.
At lunchtime all of us sat at our usual table and we were discussing our Thanksgiving breaks. Kelsey and Samuel spent theirs together snowboarding with their families. It was an annual tradition dating back to when they were third graders. Samuel was telling an entertaining story about a fall on the slopes he had over the weekend that caused him to split his snow pants. Kelsey interpreted and added her own colorful commentary along the way.
When his story ended and we all stopped laughing, I looked at Dashiell with a smirk and said, “Hey, Dash, my parents had the talk with James.”
Dashiell shouted, “Nooooooo!” He burst out laughing and stood up to stand behind James. He leaned over and flung his arms around James’ body, rocking him from side to side like a baby. “Shhhh you’re safe now, little Jamesy-wamesy. You’ll be ok. Uncle Dash is here for you. Shhhh…It’s ok. You’re ok... I’m here for you. Mmm, you smell good - coconuts? Does he always smell so good?” I nodded. He gave James a quick kiss on the crown of his head, stood up to his full height, and sat back down next to me. James, Dashiell, and I burst out laughing.
Dashiell looked at James. “Brother, that is rough! Oh my gosh! It’s the most awkward conversation I have ever had in my life! I still have night terrors.”
I chimed in, “They added a rule about sexting.”
James replied, “That part was totally fine! It was when they started talking about me penetrating you that-”
“Excuse me?” Finn’s questioning eyes widened, and Kelsey’s mouth dropped open.
Dashiell threw his head back. “Oh no! They actually used the word penetration? Oh gosh that’s way worse than
mine! I’m so embarrassed for you!”
Kelsey spoke up, “I’m sorry. What’s happening? Why are your parents talking to James about – NO! Did you two…?” Her eyes grew wide as she pointed back and forth between us.
James put his head down in his arms on the table, his body heaving with embarrassed laughter. I shook my head at Kelsey and put my arms around James. Dashiell, on the other side of me, was wiping away tears and his laugh turned to a snort, which made everyone laugh harder.
At some point, Kelsey had stopped interpreting for Samuel. He slapped the table to get our attention and signed to Kelsey, “What’s going on?”
She replied in sign and spoke aloud, “It’s too much to sign. I’ll tell you later.” She turned her attention back to us. “So, what happened with your parents?”
Samuel was pissed. He tapped her on the shoulder and became highly animated as he signed “NO! NOW!” Kelsey and Samuel angrily signed back and forth.
Dashiell recovered enough to wipe the joyful tears from his face. He looked at Kelsey and Samuel with concern. “Are they ok? What’s happening?”
Finn answered with a sigh, “They’re having a fight. Samuel’s pissed because he doesn’t know what’s going on and Kelsey stopped interpreting when you all started talking about sexting and penetration. Just ignore them. It’ll be a while. I’ll fill them in later. Soooo, why were your parents talking to James about that?”
I explained the situation to Finn who looked more and more horrified as the story went on. Dashiell’s laughter resumed, and James was now sitting upright shaking his head.
Dashiell looked at James and confided, “So when Tati and I got together, we just started sophomore year, and I was really naïve about things – she was my first girlfriend, first hand holding, first kiss, you know, like, I knew nothing. Our talk was educational! I didn’t even know that some of the stuff was that they talked about!
James laughed and Dashiell continued, “I feel you, brother, her parents … and to think that trauma was for nothing since I’m saving myself for marriage. I just s--”
Finn interrupted with a shocked look on his face, “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up, Dash! You are a virgin?” He looked at me then back at Dashiell. “Mr. I-Look-Just-Like-Thor... is a virgin?” James looked equally shocked.
Dashiell replied matter of factly, “Yes. I mean, I’ve done some other stuff that’s darn nice, but yes. I am a virgin. I made a promise to myself and God to wait until I’m married.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I think it’s nice. I have always respected you for that decision.”
“Thanks, Tati.” Dashiell leaned over and kissed my cheek.
James gestured between Dashiell and me. “So you and Dash never … penetrated?” We both shook our heads and cracked up all over again.
“No, James. Our relationship was innocent and pure.” I batted my eyelashes and smiled.
Finn and Dashiell continued the conversation about his virginity. James turned to me and quietly asked, “So what about that other guy? Tristan?”
I shook my head. “NO! God no! Nooo! That guy was such a jerk! Rule number one ‘Tati’s body, Tati’s choice’ and he showed pretty early on he didn’t respect that, so NO! I broke up with him because of that. I’m a virgin, too.
” James absorbed what I said, smiled, leaned in, and kissed me softly.
He looked deeply into my eyes. “I promise I will always respect rule number one. You’re worth the wait.” He kissed my cheek and I melted.
✽✽✽
After school, we drove in silence to the track tryouts as I psyched myself up for the afternoon ahead. “Hey, Tati, you don’t have to stress. You’ll make the team. You are one of the strongest runners I know.”
“I know I’m a strong runner and I’ve been on a team before, but I’m still nervous though. I really want this.” He looked over and gave me an encouraging smile, then turned his attention back to driving down the icy streets. “How come you have to try out? I thought you were already on the team.”
“I am. If you are returning, you just run to show your baseline times to make sure you are still in condition. It’s not as intense as what you have to do today. I’ll be done pretty quickly and then I can watch you.” He pulled into a parking spot, turned off the car, and faced me with a serious look. “I believe in you Cheetah-girl. You’ve got this. Ready?” I nodded. We got out, grabbed our gym bags, locked up the car, and walked hand in hand to the tryouts.
✽✽✽
Coach Kelly and Coach Park gathered us on the benches to go over the schedule for the tryouts as we passed in our signed permission slips. The returning team members would run their heats first, once for each even to establish
their current baselines, while the rest of would watch, then it would be our turn. We were paired up to run our heats, so they could time us more easily and to keep it a safe event. I was paired up with a girl I knew from Spanish class, Skyler. We were second in line on the girl’s roster and there were eight of us trying out.
It was going to be a long afternoon because we were going to be running each event twice and they would take an average of the two times to decide our rankings. Not all distances would be run today. Instead, we would run the 100-meter, 440-meter, and the 1600-meter, which is about a mile. The 1600 would be run once in larger heats with one person in each lane. The top three finishers would gain a point next to their name.
As the returning team members were organized and walking out to the track, James leaned over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck, Cheetah-girl. I’ll meet you back here after you are done.”
He walked down to take his place on the track for his first event, the 100-meter sprint. They ran the returning girls’ heats first, then the returning boys’. When James’ name finally came up on the roster, I focused intensely on the race. At the starting signal, he burst off the starting blocks and flew to the finish three body lengths ahead of his teammate.
James won his heat for the 440 and it was obvious that he was one of the fastest returning members. I loved watching him run almost as much as I loved running with him!
The boys’ 1600 started for the returning runners and it was exciting because so many of them had done cross country together. James stayed steady midpack for most of the mile, but started pushing the pace in the last lap. The race ended with a sprint to the finish and James was second! I was so proud of him and cheered him on all the way!
The whistle blew and an announcement was made for the tryouts to begin. I saw James in the stands once I was on the infield. He smiled and waved. Because Skyler and I were second on the girls’ roster, we jogged over to the starting line and warmed up. The first heat for the girls’ 100 began and my
adrenaline started pumping. I watched intently as they finished and took my place on the starting blocks.
I looked down the track, my heart racing, my eyes focused on the finish line. The starting signal sounded, and I pushed off strongly quickly finding my pace. Skyler and I crossed at almost the same time, but she beat me by a stride. We jogged back to get back in line according to our order on the roster.
“Skyler, you’re a strong sprinter! Good race.”
“Thanks, you too! It’s fun racing you!”
We ran our second heat for the 100-meter distance and Skyler thought we’d tied, but the times proved she won it. During our 440-meter heats, we stayed close at the start, but in the end, she beat me both times by about a second.
I was most excited for the 1600-meter distance. In my heart I was a distance runner, rather than a sprinter, and I was excited to stretch my legs and find my own rhythm
We took our places at the blocks and when the starting signal sounded I pushed off quickly, staying with the three girls
toward the front of the pack for the first two laps. I came around for the third lap and picked up my pace, pushing it not quite to a sprint, but close. My arms and legs pumped as I gained speed and the other two girls pushed with me lagging only slightly behind. When I came around for the fourth and final lap, I heard James cheering me on. That gave me the boost I needed to push harder into a sprint the last half lap to the finish line. I won the race by over 50 meters! I jogged beyond the finish and returned to the field to cool down and stretch.
Coach Kelly told us all to leave the field and return to the benches once the last boys’ 1600 tryout heat was complete. I walked toward the benches and James was leaning against the bannister. He made eye contact and we ran to each other. He scooped me up into a hug, spinning me around once before he put me down. I looked up into his eyes and he smiled. “I knew you could do it, Cheetah-girl.” He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. He broke away and put his arm around my shoulder as we climbed the stairs to hear the closing announcements for the tryouts.
We sat closely together, our legs pressed against each other. James reached around and massaged my shoulders. I was exhausted, but blissfully happy.
Coach Kelley spoke, “Great job today everyone! We’ll be looking at the stats this week and will post the team rosters online at 5:00 PM this Friday. The roster will be alphabetical, not by ranking.
“New runners, Coach Park and I thank you for coming out! You all pushed hard today and what you did wasn’t easy. It was a test of your endurance as much as your speed. If you make the team, we will be practicing here at the indoor track Monday through Thursday starting in January. We’ll also dedicate some practice time each Friday to include functional training and yoga back at the school.
“If you make the team, when you choose your electives for next semester make sure to include this as your sixth period elective - your guidance counselors will help you out with that, too, to make sure the rest of your schedule works out.
“It’s getting late, so we’ll let you go. You can email us or stop by the office with any questions you may have. Well done! Check online 5:00 Friday! You’re free to leave.”
James squeezed my knee and smiled. “Ready?” I nodded, and we gathered our things and headed back to the car. The clock in the car showed it was after six. James looked at me, smoothed my hair, and asked, “Did you have fun?”
“Yeah. I loved watching you run. You are amazing! I hope I make the team, but even if I don’t I’m coming to the meets to watch. And wow Skyler is fast! I’d love to study her technique!”
James chuckled and leaned over to quickly kiss me. He sat up. “Cheetah-girl, you’ll make the team. I’m glad you had such a great time.” He started the car and we drove home. As we were nearing our street, he asked, “Hey do you have a lot of homework or can we hang out tonight for a while?”
I took a moment to think about it. “I really want to take a long hot shower first and I need to eat something. The I have about an hour of homework. Maybe after though? I can text you when I’m done and we can hang out if it’s not too late.”
He parked the car by the curb, turned off the ignition, and we unbuckled our seatbelts. He leaned over and kissed me hungrily anchoring his hands on the back of my head to pull me in deeper. He pulled away and gave me a wicked grin. “Or I could do all of those things with you starting with that long hot shower.” I blushed hotly as I imagined us in the shower together and looked him in the eyes. “What? It’s not my fault Janey put t
hat image in my head of you soaping up your lady bits. I’ve been thinking about it a long time!”
I blushed deeper, then laughed. “Effing Janey. I was hoping you forgot about that! Good night, James.” I smiled as I got out of the car. I smiled in the shower, too.
✽✽✽
James
So how was that shower? Would Janey have
been proud?
Me
Good night, James.
James
Good night, Cheetah-girl. ❤
13
On Friday at lunch we were in our usual spot. We were all working on papers or studying for finals, so we were texting every now and again to talk today.
Kelsey
Want to do a gift exchange before winter break?
Samuel
draw names?
Me
Love it! Yes!
James
ok
Finn
I’m broke.
Kelsey
$10 limit or something homemade
Dashiell
YES!
Dashiell
I can spot you Finn. Finn’s in!
Finn
I guess I’m in.
Kelsey tore a page out of her notebook and ripped the paper into six pieces. She wrote one name on each piece and crumpled them up. She made a pile in the center of the table with them.
Always Page 12