The Summer of '98

(4)

The sun was only just beginning to set after we had eaten and washed up the dishes. The meal was delicious. A stuffed roast chicken with all of the extras. Vegetables, potatoes, gravies and sauces. I had expected that the atmosphere might have been a bit tense with Noah but he didn't talk a lot during the meal and his Mom kept the conversation moving enough to expel any awkward lulls.

Leroy's Dad seemed nice. He didn't talk a whole lot either but what he did add to the conversation was pleasant enough. As it was Saturday and we had plans to go out for the evening, Leroy negotiated with his Mom about pushing back the curfew until one in the morning. It seemed a waste of time to go out until ten. She agreed that it was fine with her but I would have to clear it with Momma over the phone.

I was offered a little bit of privacy in the dining area so that I could use the phone while Leroy went up to begin getting ready. I twirled the cord around my fingers while it rang, hoping that I would be granted permission.

I could always lie if she says no?

"Hello, Sandra speaking?"

"Hi Momma."

"Oh hey sweetheart!" Mom all but shouted down the phone line. "I've been waiting to hear from you all afternoon. How was the flight? How's Archwood and all that? Ya having a good time?"

"Yeah it's great here Mom." I couldn't help but smile when I thought about Leroy. "Um listen, I called to ask something."

"What is it?"

"Could I perhaps extend the curfew this evening? Leroy and I are going to a little gathering with some of his high school friends. It's a sort of farewell for his friend."

There was a brief pause, silence came through the receiver and I felt as though I was holding my breath while I waited in anticipation. "What time would y'all be in?"

"One in the morning?"

Again, there was a birthed pause until she sighed, the telltale sign of a win. "Alright darlin. Be safe though. Hear me? Don't do something stupid."

"I promise Momma, thank you."

"Is that it? You just wanted to call to get a curfew extension, not catch up with Momma?"

She was teasing of course. But I couldn't help but sigh with frustration. I had been gone for less than twenty-four hours. Did I really need to go into a detailed conversation about the brief afternoon?

"How about we recap at the end of one week, Momma?" I suggested, tapping my foot with impatience. "I need to get dressed. I love you."

"Alright then. I love you too."

The phone base quietly clicked when I hung up. I could hear the television from the living room, the sound of Eleanor and Harold conversing over whatever was on for viewing. I tiptoed out of the kitchen. The television glare cast a luminous glow into the dark corridor which allowed me to see as I started up the staircase.

The shower was running as I walked past the bathroom door upstairs. My steps faltered for a moment, listening to the sound of Leroy's upbeat humming. I couldn't help but imagine the sight behind this door. His built torso dripping wet, his hair damp and unkempt. My cheeks started to heat up at the images that had my heart rate accelerating and I stared at the floor to hide the shame, although there was no one to see it.

I fled to the spare bedroom, flicking the light on and shutting the door. I leaned against it and giggled, placing my flat palms on either side of my warm cheeks before I began to fan myself. I had never thought about sex this much before. Ever. But ever since we shared that night together. The twenty-ninth of May, 1998. A night that I would never forget, I hadn't been able to rid the constant hot flushes or the sinful thoughts that were plaguing me without mercy.

I shook it off, forcing myself to get a grip so that I could get on with the night. I had pre-planned an outfit to wear while I was eating dinner. I imagined the ensemble in my head and felt satisfied that it turned out just as cute as I had imagined it.

I swiped on a bit of lipgloss and mascara before I ran a brush through my soft waves. I spritzed a little hair spray for some volume and twisted from side to side, assessing the complete look in the stand-alone mirror that was tucked in the corner of the room. I hadn't felt nervous about the night before us, but I did get a little onslaught of butterflies when I thought about the fact that I'd be meeting Leroy's friends. Would I make a good impression? He said he was looking forward to showing me off and it excited me to know that he felt that I was worth showing off.

Just as I finished folding the clothes up that I'd chosen and organised to wear tomorrow after a shower, a light tap on the door sounded. I pushed the set of drawers closed, noting that the brass handle on one of them needed to be tightened before I skipped over to the door and pulled it open.

Leroy looked as though he had been about to utter a greeting when he set his sights on me. But he came up short and the manner in which he swept his heated gaze over me turned me into a pile of mush.

"Ellie, you look — stunning." His thumb grazed over his bottom lip, his stare lingering on my exposed midriff. It felt like the air was being sucked out of the room and I sharply inhaled, causing him to grin with understanding. He seemed all too aware of the feelings that his words and compliments bestowed upon me.

"You look handsome Leroy," I returned the compliment, because he did. His fitted faded blue jeans flirted with the top of his black chuck Taylor's. The colour of his shoes coordinating with the loose black t-shirt that was tucked in at the belt of his jeans. He looked so sharp, so muscular and dominating that I needed a subtle breather to compose the loud inner commentary.

"I suppose we should head downstairs," Leroy murmured as he gazed to the left. I couldn't see whatever it was that held his attention in the corridor, but his attention moved between myself and the outside of the bedroom, over and over again in a matter of seconds. "Noah is coming with us. I'm driving."

"That's fine." I smiled and waited for him to suggest that we leave. But once again, he stared off in the direction of the staircase and then back at me. His expression turned to desire as he gave me another once over and in a fast moment, too fast to prepare for, he stepped over the threshold and tucked his hand behind my neck.

"I just need to do this before we leave," he mumbled, not giving me a lot of time to be confused before his mouth was moving against mine. I melted into his embrace, wrapping my hands around his back and revelling in the sheer perfection that came with his touch.

His breath was mint fresh, the scent of cologne invaded the last sense that I was aware of. All else had fallen victim to his presence, to his kiss, to his hold. He was gentle but from the light tug that he gave my hair, it was obvious that he was in charge and I was more than willing to allow it. Just as I had been the first time.

His tongue slid against my own and although I had done this before, I still worried that I wasn't good at it. But when a low groan of approval sounded at the back of Leroy's throat, I felt a little more confident. His hands slid down my back, his warm fingertips brushing the exposed skin before they settled on my bum.

When we parted — reluctantly — he stared at me with a longing and desire that I had never seen before. No one had ever looked at me the way that he did. He had assured me on more than one occasion that this wasn't something brief or non-committal. He'd unequivocally assured me that what he felt for me was pure and true. And I believed him without a doubt.

A voice startled us from the bottom of the staircase and I jumped with the unwanted interruption. "Hurry up! I wanna leave!"

"Yeah alright asshole!" Leroy shouted over his shoulder, his hands still rested at the lower of my back. "We're coming!"

"So is fucking Christmas!"

He turned back to me, rolling his eyes with a frustrated sigh. But the moment that our gazes met, his entire expression and demeanour softened. "Ready then?"

I took his hand, our fingers lacing together in such a simple but heartwarming gesture. "Yeah let's go."