Blue Ribbon Summer

by Kelly Collins

  “I feel the same about you. Although you weren’t very pleasant at the diner, you weren’t unfriendly. You just weren’t particularly nice. I thought you were handsome in a kind of sexy, mysterious way.”

  “Is that right? I suppose on some level I’m a bit like my grandfather. I don’t socialize much, and I’m wary of people and their motives.”

  “You don’t like people? Is that why you write? I read an article once that said writers like to create characters they would hang out with.” I couldn’t imagine being a recluse and only being with people I made up. I needed real people in my life.

  “I like people; it’s just that I spent my childhood alone in my mom’s office reading while she was trying to make a life for us. I began journaling in my teens, not about my life, but about stuff that scared me. I took those ideas and began writing. I was lucky to have an editor in the family. She sent my manuscript off to a few people who knew her. I received my first rejection at fifteen. They gave me a great deal of advice as a courtesy to my mom, and I took their suggestions and used them.”

  “How old were you when you published your first book?” To be that young and successful was amazing, but it had to come with a price.

  “I was sixteen when I published my first book, and it went all the way to the number one position in its genre. My second book came out a few months later and did the same. Things started to really change for me. I was sixteen, a loner, and basically an overnight millionaire. I don’t try to be unfriendly; I just don’t know what people’s motives are. I’m cautious.”

  “I had no motives but to get you fed and out of the diner.” I laughed as I remembered him showing up at eight-thirty.

  “I think I still have that pie in the refrigerator. I never did get a chance to eat it. Is it still safe?” He turned and walked toward the kitchen.

  I followed. “I offer you a totally different kind of cherry, and you opt for the cold cherry pie in the refrigerator. I don’t understand you.”

  He roared with laughter at my statement. “See, that’s why I like you. You can take something so serious and turn it into something funny. Just to be clear, I want the other cherry really bad. It may be a blue ribbon summer for you, but it’s looking like a blue balls one for me.”

  He took the pie out of the refrigerator and got a fork. Opening the lid, he stabbed at a piece and put it in his mouth. His eyes closed, and he hummed with contentment.

  “It doesn’t have to be. I want to please you as much as you please me. Let me please you.” I took the fork from his hand and stole a bite of his pie.

  “Tilly, it’s not a race to the finish. It’s a journey that’s enjoyed every step of the way. You got a taste of what the finish is like, but it’s so much more than that. It’s like writing a book. If you rush to write the end, you never get to enjoy all the great stuff in the middle. It becomes an unsatisfying experience.” He put his hands on my hips and gave me a chaste kiss on the forehead.

  I gave him a pouty face with my lower lip extended. “I thought the end was pretty darn satisfying, but then again, I have nothing to compare it to.” I wanted more, so much more, and I wanted it with Alex. He was kind and considerate, not a man who would take you in the mud like a rutting pig.

  “And while I’m here, you won’t get the opportunity to compare it to anything else.” He tossed the pie on the counter and pulled me into his arms. I laid my head on his chest and inhaled his scent. He intoxicated me.

  “Look at you getting all possessive.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed. This was exactly where I wanted to be.

  “We only have a little while, and I want to enjoy every minute with you. In a little over a month, you’re heading off to college, and I’m heading to California for a bit.”

  I backed away at this tidbit of news and tilted my head. I had no idea he was leaving the state. A little part of me hoped that if things continued to go well, we could see each other on occasion for a weekend or something.

  “California? What’s there for you?”

  “My book Satan’s Ring is being made into a movie.” He looked down at the ground, and his face began to flush. I’d never seen anyone so embarrassed by his own success.

  “That’s amazing. I want to read that book first, so the movie doesn’t spoil it. The books are always better.”

  “You should get going before your dad sends out the police force looking for you.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms. It was something my dad did when I was chilled, but when Alex did it I got goosebumps.

  “I suppose, although he trusts me. I would rather stay here with you. I liked waking up in your arms.” I didn’t want to go, but he was right. If I stayed away too long, my dad would get worried.

  He walked me to my car and gave me a sweet, gentle kiss before opening my door. I entered the driver’s seat and rolled down the window so I could say one last goodbye. I put my car in reverse and backed down the short distance to the road. At the end of the driveway, I stopped and rolled down the passenger window. I rattled off my phone number and told him to text me. I looked in the rear view mirror until he was completely out of sight. Five minutes into my drive home, I heard the vibration of my phone signaling an incoming message.

  I pulled into my driveway and rushed into the house. Just before I turned into my room, my dad called out to me.

  “Where’s the fire?” He climbed out of his recliner and stood in the hallway beside me.

  “I just got a text. I want to see what it says. I’ll see you tomorrow, Dad. I love you.” I blew him a kiss.

  “Love you too, Tills, and whoever he is, he has good taste in cologne.” My dad began to chuckle.

  “Oh, God, it’s impossible living with the law, you don’t miss anything. You see, hear, and smell everything. Did you get his background check back yet?” I already knew that he had. My dad moved fast on that stuff.

  “Clean as a whistle, Tills. High credit score as well.” He laughed softly as he walked back to his chair.

  I closed the door behind me and pulled out my phone.

  Alex: Let me know you got home safely.

  Me: Safe and sound in my house. Thanks for letting me just drop in. Now that I have your phone number I can call first.

  Alex: You don’t need to call. That was the nicest surprise. Hope you had fun.

  I thought about what we’d done in his house tonight. Or, I should say, what he’d done to me. I had been a willing participant, but in hindsight, I was a bit embarrassed that I’d let him do to me what no boy had done in eighteen years. I’d known him for two days, and I’d let him put his hand down my pants. Just thinking about him made me feel wet again.

  Alex: Where did you go? Did I lose you?

  Me: I’m here. I’m just a little embarrassed thinking about what I let you do. I’ve known you for two days and we’ve been more intimate in those days than I’ve been with anyone in my whole life. I don’t want you thinking I’m like Rachel.

  Alex: I’ve never met Rachel, but I can already say that I don’t care for her. She put you at risk. As for being embarrassed, you’re overthinking things. What do you feel when we’re together?

  Me: Like I don’t want to be anywhere else.

  Alex: I feel the same. It’s like I’ve known you all of my life. So the two day thing is null and void in my mind.

  Me: Whew, I was worried that you might not show tomorrow. The thing is…my dad already ran your background check and it all seems good. You passed test one, so it’s almost like you’re in like Flynn.

  Alex: Thank goodness, I couldn’t imagine having a tarnished record and meeting your dad. I don’t get to meet many dads.

  Me: Weird huh!

  Alex: No, it’s just different. Most of the women I date are not living at home with their parents. What if he doesn’t like me?

  Me: Then you’ll spend the night in lock-up of course.

  Alex: What?

  Me: Ha, got ya, although, that did happen once. I like you and that’
s all that matters. My dad’s opinion counts, but I think he’s going to like you as well.

  Alex: I like you too, Tilly. Sweet dreams and I will show up tomorrow.

  Me: Goodnight Alex. Can’t wait.

  I fell asleep with a smile on my face and a mantra running through my mind: Don’t fall in love. Don’t fall in love. Don’t fall in love.

  Chapter Four

  Knowing that I would be meeting up with Alex later today, I paid more attention to what I was wearing. I usually dressed up for church, but careful attention went into the details today. I put on my sexiest underwear and my cutest sundress and sandals. I painted my toenails, shaved my legs, lathered my body in coconut mango lotion, and curled my hair.

  I sat through church never actually hearing a word of the sermon. My mind was strictly on Alex. My thoughts were anything but godly today. If I were being judged for the last hour, I would be on a one-way bullet train to hell.

  We stayed for a few minutes after church and visited with everyone. People liked to talk to my dad because they got the lowdown on what was going on in town. My ears perked up when I heard the name Saunders. I walked over to where my dad was and heard him telling nosy Mrs. Taylor that Alexander was the grandson of Samuel, and he was in town to take care of Old Man Saunders’s house and personal property. I also heard my dad tell her that Alex seemed to be a good kid. I guess he was going off the background check. I looked around at all the people who attended weekly Sunday service. It was funny to think that we never set foot in a church until my mom died. I think my dad found comfort belonging to something. The congregation had embraced our family.

  Rusty’s was as busy as it always was on Sundays. Nearly every booth was taken. Dad and I sat at the end of the counter. It was hard for me to sit around and watch the girls go crazy trying to get orders out, but it wasn’t my shift, so I sat like every other customer in the diner. I ordered French toast and a side of bacon and listened to all the conversations that surrounded me.

  “What time is your boyfriend coming over?” my dad asked. He didn’t look at me. His eyes faced forward as he continued to eat his omelet.

  “He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just getting to know each other. He’s coming to our house at one.” I looked up at the clock in the diner and saw that it was twelve-thirty. Butterflies began to flutter in my stomach. It wasn’t a subtle sensation. It felt more like a flock of hungry vultures circling their prey.

  I watched the clock for fifteen more minutes and began to tap my toe. I finally got my dad’s attention when I began to drum my fingers on the counter.

  “Are you in a hurry, Tills? I was thinking of having another cup of coffee. Do we have time?”

  Seriously, he was getting on my last nerve. “No, Dad, I have a date in less than ten minutes, and I don’t want to be late. No more coffee. Stop stalling.”

  He smiled and shook his head. He fisted the napkin on his lap and placed it on his plate. “All right, let’s get you home to your boyfriend.” He was going to try to push all my buttons. It was his way.

  I groaned at his obsession with labeling my relationship with Alex. “Whatever, Dad. Let’s go.” He slowly pulled his money out of his wallet. He was doing this to annoy me. He paid the bill and then made it a point to say goodbye to everyone in the diner. It was now only a few minutes to one. I was definitely going to be late.

  “Let’s go, Tills. You’re going to be late for your date.”

  “Finally,” I groaned.

  We jumped into the cruiser and headed toward the house. I pulled my phone out of my purse to text Alex. Dad put his palm over the screen. “Let him wait. Your mom taught me this one. She would keep me waiting, and then when she showed up, I felt relieved and lucky. She made me realize that no matter how late she was, it was always worth the wait.” A light shone in my father’s eyes as he relived the memory.

  I put my phone back in my purse. It was not every day that my dad passed on words of wisdom. I loved it when he shared something about him and my mom. To hear him talk, theirs was a once-in-a-lifetime love.

  The drive took about ten minutes. As we rounded the corner to our house, I saw Alex leaning against his car. He looked very sexy in his khaki pants and white button-down shirt. His brown curls fell lazily around his face. His whiskey brown eyes looked at his watch and then at me. I made a pistol with my fingers, pointed it at my dad, and pulled the trigger. A smile spread slowly across Alex’s face.

  Pushing away from the car, Alex offered his hand to my dad. “Mr. Shanters, I’m Alex Saunders. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” He stood tall, and I was proud to see that. Most boys cowered in the presence of my father.

  Dad looked at me and then back at Alex. He took Alex’s hand and squeezed it in a stronger-than-normal grip. “Let’s go inside where we can get better acquainted, Alex.” I walked to Alex’s side and took his hand.

  He whispered in my ear, “Is he taking me inside so no one can hear the fatal gunshot when he kills me?”

  “No, he’s messing with both of us. Don’t worry.”

  We entered the living room, and my dad offered Alex a seat. We sat together on the couch and waited for my dad to come back from the kitchen. In his hands were two beers. He offered one to Alex.

  “No thank you. I’m driving today, and I never drink and drive.”

  I gave my dad a dirty look. He was testing him, and Alex passed with flying colors.

  “Tills, go get your boyfriend a soda. He can’t sit here without something to drink.” My dad all but dismissed me and kept his eyes on Alex.

  When my dad said the word “boyfriend,” Alex didn’t flinch. I wondered what he was thinking. We both knew this was just a summer fling. I hurried out of the living room to find a soda, but it appeared we are all out.

  “Sorry, we’re out of soda,” I said as I returned. “I can get you some ice water or some tea.”

  “I’m good, Tills. Come and sit down.” Alex patted the couch beside him, and I saw my dad raise his eyes.

  “You called her ‘Tills.’ I’ve never heard anyone call her that but her mother and me.” His face softened at the mention of my mom.

  “Yes, it just seemed to spill out of my mouth the other day, and it sounds so natural. Tilly is a unique name. How did you come up with it?”

  My dad took a sip of his beer and paused for a moment. He was trying to figure out Alex, but I think that Alex surprised him. He wasn’t your normal twenty-one-year-old. He was an old soul.

  “It’s derived from a family name. Typically every other generation names their firstborn son Tilton. Since Tilly was a girl and there was no chance of another child, we tried to honor the tradition. Do you have any family traditions, Alex?” My dad leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He was prepped for an interrogation.

  “It was just my mom and me. We have silly holiday traditions, but there haven’t been any child naming traditions started in my family yet.” Alex seemed at ease, even though my dad was giving him a hard time.

  “Well, you will have to start some of your own. Traditions that get passed down from generation to generation are important. Do you have siblings?”

  “I’m sure that you know I don’t, considering you ran a background check on me. In fact, I would bet that you know how many days are left until I need to register my car and maybe even my credit score.” I was surprised by Alex’s bold repartee with my dad. I was proud of him for standing up to him. He had backbone and courage.

  My dad rubbed his chin. He took a gulp of his beer and retorted, “You have a stellar credit score of 820. Your registration is not due until June of next year because you just bought your car. You chose a car that has a high safety rating, which is not normal for a man your age. You finished your degree in three years by taking full course loads over the summers. You’re five feet eleven inches tall and weigh roughly 180 pounds. You’re a black belt in karate, and you make an obscene amount of money writing books. How did I do?”

  �
�I would say that pretty much sums it up. Do I have your permission to take your daughter out? I would love to take her to dinner across the lake.”

  “Tilly makes her own choices. I will tell you, though, if you ever spend the night with my daughter again and have her friends call me to make excuses, I’ll put you in jail. I can find something to charge you with. It’s a small town with many eyes.” My dad stood up and loomed over Alex.

  “Yes, sir.” Alex stood up and looked my dad straight in the eye. He wasn’t challenging my dad, but he seemed to speak my dad’s language.

  “If Tilly is going to stay overnight somewhere, then all she needs to do is text me so I don’t worry. She’s an adult woman.” He smiled at me, and it said everything. He was trying to let go.

  I stood up and pulled Alex’s hand toward me. He pulled back slightly, forcing me to stand beside him.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Shanters. I’ll take good care of your daughter.” Alex presented his hand once again, and my dad shook it with vigor. It was as if they had reached an agreement, and I hadn’t been invited to the negotiations.

  “I know you will, son. There’s a boy named Sam from across the lake that has two black eyes and a broken nose. Rumor has it that a stranger did the damage when he got fresh with a local girl. Thanks for taking care of my girl.” Respect was written all over my father’s expression.

  “It was my pleasure,” Alex told my dad.

  I hugged my dad and whispered in his ear, “You knew?”

  He gave me a squeeze and told me, “I know just about everything that goes on around here, Tills. You should know that.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Dad. I was disappointed in myself for letting my guard down.” How could I have thought he wouldn’t find out? He pretty much knew everyone and everything that happened around here.