Linda's Story

Kisses And Conversations

Linda slammed her locker shut, holding back the tears. She knew it had been a long time coming, but it still stung... a lot. Her parents were terrible and awful, but... they were her parents. She loved them, despite all their flaws. And they hadn't started off as jerks, they just became jerks. She would never know what really happened, but she had her guesses.

"Hey, Linda! I was thinking-" Danny Reagan, her recent very good friend and possible boyfriend called. They had gone on one date, and she hoped there'd be more dates. When he saw her face, his smile immediately fell, "what's wrong?"

"My parents' divorce was just finalized.... my Dad hadn't been living with us for a few years now, but... there was always a chance he'd come back, y'know? Now that they're divorced..." she looked like she wanted to sink and drown and die.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Linda. That... that must be- that sucks." He didn't know what else to say.

She remained quiet, her eyes trained on the floor, looking at her friend's ratty sneakers.

"I, uh.... you wanna come over after school? I'll be the only one there, and.. we've got ice cream, and I could heat up some frozen French fries."

Linda really didn't want to be with anyone that day, or for the next few weeks, but she really did need a friend. "Thank you, Danny, that sounds... that sounds really therapeutic, actually."

He nodded, "we'll do homework, eat snacks, and just... talk."

She nodded right as the bell rang.

**********

"So, um..." Danny glanced at Linda in the passenger seat of the car. It was pouring rain; the weather seemed to match her mood that day. "Why... why did your parents divorce? If you don't mind me asking."

Linda sighed, swiped three fingers beneath her eye. "They were cheating... both of them. Marni... my Mom... she's a, um... a waitress at a nightclub. But uh... she..."

"She took costumer service to a whole new level?"

Linda smiled bitterly, "yeah. And Tony... my Dad... he uh... he lied to the family. Lied to me. He.." she sniffled, willing herself not to cry. "He sold printers, and went to conferences. But he didn't... didn't confer about printers."

"I'm sorry, Linda. I can't imagine what you're going through."

She only shrugged, and reached for the radio dial, turning up the music. "Can we not talk for a while?"

"Sure." He looked over at her, concern crossing his features, before he focused on the road again.

***********

If someone asked Linda who started it, she couldn't say; she wanted to blame Danny, because she knew she couldn't be that stupid, but the truth of it was she was that stupid. They were in Danny's room- him at the desk and she on the bed- doing their homework, when she started to cry.

"Linda?" Danny sat on the bed, put a hand tentatively on her knee. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head and let him hold her tightly. After a few minutes, she pulled away, sniffling. "Sorry. You must think I'm pathetic."

"I don't think you're pathetic." He pushed her hair behind her ear, and gave her a sympathetic smile. His hand lingered by her ear as he said, "this whole thing- the divorce and moving and whatnot- it must really suck. I'm sorry."

Before she knew what was happening, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Danny's. He was surprised, for just a moment, but quickly melded into the kiss. His fingers on the hand that pushed her hair back now tangled in the blonde tresses, and her hand rested on his shoulder.

As the kissing intensified, Danny slowly lowered Linda to the mattress and against the pillows. "Is this okay?" He whispered, knowing she wasn't one to jump head first into anything.

Linda nodded, moving her arm around his neck. She whispered against his lips, "yes", before kissing him once more.

His right arm wrapped around her waist as the other arm was braces next to her head. He didn't want to out all his weight on her, but she would've welcomed it. She tilted her head back as his lips found her neck, and as the dull itch between her thighs grew, she knew she needed to stop this before she regretted it.

Danny's lips were now against the collar of Linda's shirt, wondering if and when she'd stop him from going further. If he went further, where he wanted, he'd be taking advantage of her vulnerable state. He definitely didn't want to do that, but he still wanted to kiss her, so he pressed his lips to her neck again, nipping the skin until he came back to her lips.

Linda put a hand on Danny's chest abruptly, slightly pushing him away. "Are you... is that..."

He knew what she was trying to say. His cheeks flushed, "yeah, shit. Sorry." He moved away from her, but she found that she didn't want to stop kissing him.

"It's okay." She waited till he looked at her. "I, uh... definitely don't want sex, but I.. um..." she flushed as she asked, "will you be okay if we keep kissing? I mean, it won't be too... painful... or anything?"

"Give me a few minutes?"

She nodded, and they went back to their homework, Danny at the desk and she on the bed. She couldn't concentrate anymore, what with his kisses still burning on her lips and skin, and the annoying itch between her legs. She scolded herself in her head- this was exactly what she didn't want. With Mark- that jerk- this was what turned her off him; this and more. Why was she welcoming it with the notorious school player?

She was confused- confused as to why she was flattered Danny had that kind of reaction to just kissing her; and confused as to why she really, really wanted it. She swallowed and decided to take some action. She stood up and started gathering her books, "I... should get going."

Danny thought she wanted to leave because of what had happened. "Shit, Linda, if you're leaving because-"

"It's not that, no." She forced a small laugh. 'I'm leaving because if I stay here any longer, I'll do something I regret'. "I... just really think I should be home. That's all."

"With your Mom?"

"Yeah. I don't live with Tony anymore."

"Can I ask you a question? Why do you call your parents by their first names? Is it some Italian thing?"

"No. I... a Mom and a Dad are people who are supposed to protect you. Look after you, love you.... they lost the honor of those titles when they started treating me like shit." Her eyes were almost dead. "That answer your question?"

"I didn't mean-"

Linda shook her head, "I'll see you tomorrow, Danny."

"Yeah..." Danny watched her leave, confused as to what had happened. He decided to talk to her about it when she was ready.