Family Bonds

Chapter 4, Episode 2

At the end of the movie, they walked back to his car. He debated with himself, then put the thought aside. He had to take it slow. Not like with Frannie and the girls at school. As much as he wanted more, he cautioned himself. Not if he wanted to go out with her again. Would she tell Bert he'd kissed her, barely? Would the old man ask?

When Chet pulled up in front of her house, she reached for the handle of the door.

"Thanks for the movie, Chet. It was nice of you to invite me."

He placed a hand on her arm. "I'd like to do it again. Maybe a movie I haven't seen next time." He grinned. "In fact, why don't you choose it?"

She smiled. "Deal." Her hoop earrings shone in the light from the street lamp, in contrast to the darkness of her hair. She'd worn it in what his mom called a French twist, tendrils escaping over the course of the movie to frame her face in little wisps that tickled when he'd ventured close. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, imagining how it would feel, silky and cool. "That turquoise color of your dress makes your eyes look almost blue." He wanted to prolong her stay in his car.

"Never noticed," but her cheeks pinked in the overhead light. "I'd better go in now."

He took the hint, climbed out of the car and went around the side to open her door. After he walked her to the house, he leaned forward and kissed her quickly on her cheek. Her eyes widened but she didn't pull away. Instead she squeezed his hand before opening the door and disappearing into the house.

An odd sensation washed over him as he walked back to the car, strangely different from how he'd felt after other dates. Unsure what made him feel as if he was floating, he sat in the car for several minutes, acutely aware of the fullness in his groin and the way the air seemed to hum around him. He wasn't sure how long he sat there. At least three people stared at him as they walked by. A fourth stopped and asked if he needed help. He started the engine and headed for home.

One thing was certain. He would definitely call Jane again, as soon as he had more free time and some extra cash.

~ ~ ~

The next day, Chet worked at the post office and put in another two hours at the law office, pleased that Oliver paid him in cash. When he pulled into the driveway behind his father's car, his old man met him at the door.

"You're late!"

"I had things to do, more work than usual. Sorry, Mom. I should have called." Chet kissed his mother on the cheek and smiled at Ashley. Under his breath, he mumbled, "I guess you're getting an earful."

Ashley grinned uncertainly.

He remembered what he'd forgotten to tell Ashley. "This girl I met the other day went to Central. She said you could call her."

"Does she go there now?"

He shook his head. "But she majored in English, so she can probably answer your questions. Here's her number." He handed her the napkin. "Actually, let me write it down for you, on another piece of paper."

She nodded. "You can give it to me after dinner."

The rest of the meal was punctuated by occasional comments from his mother as she sought, unsuccessfully, to smooth over his father's ire at Chet's late arrival.

~ ~ ~

"Is this Jane Collins?"

"Yes."

"Hi, I'm—Ashley Langley, Chet's cousin. You know, Chet Barton."

"Oh. Yes." Jane's pulse speeded up. She touched her cheek, where Chet had kissed her. Twice.