Her Journey Begins

by Karen Einsel

  Chris feels the tension the moment they sit down to eat. Trying not to be evasive she answers all of Mrs. Reed’s questions in the most polite way she can, even though it’s making her feel like a worm being poked at with a stick that’s squirming this way and that, hoping it can get away. Chris can’t wait for this to be over and done with. Why did she ever agree to meet them?

  

  Brandon kisses her goodnight on the porch and Chris walks inside to find Barb sitting on the couch waiting for her. Close to tears Chris walks over and sits down next to her. Barb sees Chris is upset and puts her arm around her.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Oh mom, she hates me.”

  “Chris don’t you think you are overreacting? She can’t hate you, she just met you.”

  “I wished I was mom. She was so cold to me. And she knew everything about me. She kept asking all these questions about me being a foster child and wanting to know why I was attending Brandon’s school. How is it that some people can think they are so much better than others, just because they have fancy clothes and houses and more money?”

  “Did Brandon say anything to her?”

  “He tried, but every time he’d say something, she’d wave him off with a flip of her hand and tell him, “Oh Brandon, I’m just trying to get to know her. If I don’t ask her any questions then how am I supposed to know what type of tramp you are taking out behind our backs.” And just before we were going to leave Brandon had walked out of the room and she told me that she didn’t feel that I was the right girl for him and that if I really loved him, I’d let him go and find someone else in my own neighborhood.”

  “That bitch!”

  “Mom!”

  “I’m sorry honey, but she has no right saying those things to you. What did you tell her?”

  “Nothing, I smiled and walked out.”

  “Oh Chrissy, do me a favor? Don’t ever change.” Barb kisses her on the forehead. “Well your dad is in bed waiting for me. Are you going to be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine mom.”

  “Don’t stay up too late okay?”

  “I won’t. Night mom.”

  

  Chris is sitting at her desk when Brandon walks in and sits down behind her. Reaching forward he tugs on her hair.

  “Good morning beautiful.”

  Smiling Chris tells him good morning, but doesn’t turn around to look at him, even though they are the only ones in class.

  “Chris, are you mad at me?”

  Chris turns around in her seat to face him.

  “No, should I be?”

  “I’m sorry for the way my mom acted last night.”

  “Brandon did you tell her all those things about me?”

  “No. Amber did.”

  “Amber? Why would Amber tell her all that?”

  “Well Amber didn’t actually tell my mom, she told her mom, who told my mom.”

  “But why? I don’t understand.”

  “Chris I dated Amber a few times during the summer last year and she seemed to feel we were a couple.”

  “Were you…?”

  With his elbows on the desk Brandon rests his chin on his folded hands and smiles at her.

  “You were my first.”

  “Really? But you were so good.”

  “Are you making fun of me?” He asks, smiling at her. Chris kisses him on the tip of his nose.

  “Nope” Chris smiles and turns back around facing the front of the class as the other students start coming in.

  

  Curling up next to Brandon on the porch swing Chris feels nervous and jittery. She’s looking at her hands while twiddling her fingers, clenching and unclenching her hands open style. Fingers straight out, and then tap them on the palm, kind of like a one-handed clap. Brandon reaches over and takes her hand in his to get her to stop.

  “Nervous?” Still looking down at her hands, Chris smiles.

  “How can you tell?”

  “Are we still going to the cabin on Wednesday?”

  Taking a deep breath Chris looks over at him.

  “Do you want to?”

  Brandon leans over and kisses her softly before answering.

  “Yes, but we won’t if you don’t want to.”

  Looking back down at her hands Chris whispers.

  “I want to.”

  Brandon smiles and kisses her again.

  “I’ve got to go. Are you coming to watch me practice tomorrow?” Chris nods. Brandon stands up, pulls Chris into his arms, and kisses her again before letting her go. Walking to his car, he turns and looks back at her.

  “I love you.”

  Chris smiles and waves before going inside.

  

  Getting to Brandon’s practice a little late, Chris sees the team is already on the field. She looks over at first base and sees Brandon watching her. Chris waves and sits down on the bench. They are in the outfield first, so she has to wait until they get the three outs, before he can come talk to her. Getting the outs rather quickly Brandon jogs over to her.

  “You’re late.”

  “I know, I stopped and dropped off my roll of film to be developed, besides, I didn’t want to come watch you do all those sit ups with your shirt off, it gets me excited.”

  Brent comes jogging over and smiles at Chris before grabbing a batting helmet off the bench..

  “Hi Chris”

  “Hi Brent, hit a homerun for me.” He smiles at her and jogs off. Looking out across the field Chris remarks, “I see the cheerleaders are practicing today also.” One of the cheerleaders waves and waving back Chris sees Amber staring at her.

  Brandon pulls Chris into his arms.

  “I hadn’t noticed. I was too busy watching for you. I was afraid you weren’t going to come.”

  Chris looks into his eyes and smiles. “I told you I would.”

  

  Holding hands while walking home Chris squeezes Brandon’s hand.

  “What’s up? You’re being awful quiet.”

  He gives her a forced smile.

  “Nothing” Chris stops and Brandon only gets an arm length away before her hand holding his, stops him. He looks back at her. Shaking his head he tells her, “It’s nothing, really.”

  “Brandon, I know you better then that. Are you mad at me?” Brandon gives her a genuine smile this time, one that lights up his eyes with a mischievous twinkle.

  “I could never be mad at you.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “It’s just something my mom said last night.” Chris can see the light go out in his eyes and is replaced with a dark sadness. “She told me she doesn’t want me seeing you.”

  “I know. She told me the same thing the other night. So are you going to stop seeing me?”

  He gives her a look that says, “Are you kidding?” Before telling her no.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “It’s just what she called you.”

  Chris chuckles and sighs, “You know it’s like pulling teeth with you. What did she call me?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Chris smiles and shakes her head, “What? Let me guess, she called me, White trash from the wrong side of the tracks?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Its not the first time I’ve been called that. In fact, its Amber’s favorite way of referring to me when she talks about me.”

  “Doesn’t that upset you?”

  “It would if I was, but I’m not.” Brandon smiles and Chris can see that mischievous twinkle return to his eyes as he gives her a quick kiss and tugs on her hand.

  “Come on, lets run.”

  Running up the steps with her camera bouncing against her hip, Chris sees Barb sitting on the porch swing. Laughing and out of breath, Chris places her hands on her knees and Brandon plops down in the chair. Barb looks at Brandon and smiles.

  “Brandon you know Chris “is” allowed to ride in your car now.” Brandon grins at Barb as C
hris sits down next to her on the swing.

  “I know, but it’s more fun walking her home.” Barb smiles and gets up.

  “Do you two want something to drink? A soda or ice tea maybe?”

  “A soda will be fine.”

  “Chris?”

  “Ice tea please. Thanks mom.” Barb walks into the house and Brandon gets up and moves over to sit by Chris. Pulling up her shirt and pushing down on the top of her jeans, Chris looks at the red mark on her hip where the camera was bouncing against it and frowns. “I am going to have a bruise.”

  Brandon looks at the red mark and touches it gently.

  “I’ll kiss and make it better for you.”

  Chris puts her shirt down and puts her arms around his neck.

  “You can do that on Wednesday, if you want.” Brandon moves his hand up from her waist and playfully pinches her nipple through her shirt and Chris gives him a mock, “Ouch”

  “I can kiss that and make it better on Wednesday too.”

  Chris smiles. “I’d like that.” Chris pushes his hand down. “Now behave yourself.”

  Barb comes back out with their drinks.

  “Brandon where is your car at?”

  “I left it at home and rode to practice with Brent. He took Wendy to get pizza and then he’ll pick me up when he drops her off.”

  “Okay, well I should get busy, do you want to stay for dinner tonight?”

  “No, I can’t. I’m taking my parents to the airport tonight.”

  Barb smiles. “Where are they going?”

  “They are spending a week in Mexico.”

  “Okay, well you know you’re welcome to come over anytime while they are gone.”

  He smiles and tells Barb thanks. After Barb goes in Brandon whispers to Chris, “I wonder if she’d let me spend the night?”

  Chris laughs. “Oh you are funny.”

  Brandon finishes his soda just as Brent pulls up and honks.

  “Gotta go!” Brandon gives her a quick kiss and whispers to her.

  “I love you.”

  Chris touches his lips.

  “I love you too.”

  Brandon starts to walk down the steps, stops and looks back at her.

  “Remember, I won’t see you tomorrow, but I’ll pick you up at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.”

  “I know. Don’t forget to hit me a homerun, okay?”

  

  Wednesday morning lying in bed, Chris looks at the clock. Groaning to herself, it’s only ten till six, and it’s too early to get up yet. She took her bath last night, shaved her legs, and her underarms, and then slathered herself in baby oil. Raising her arm above her head she glides her hand across her underarm, making sure she did a good job. She decides to get up and get dressed, knowing she’s too nervous to just lie here. She slips on a pair of shorts and a tank top and looks in the mirror. Hmm…Bra or no bra? Bra. No sense in making it too easy for him and she smiles at her reflection.

  

  After making breakfast and doing up the dishes for Barb, Chris runs upstairs and runs the brush through her hair. She grabs her camera, extra film and her sunglasses, before taking another quick look at herself in the mirror. Brandon knocks on the door and before Chris can open it, Barb hands Chris the picnic basket and then holding out her hand Chris sees Barb has a condom package pinched between her thumb and finger. Chris looks at her and raises her eyebrows in a questioning manner, while thinking to herself, “Oh my God, she knows!”

  Barb smiles at her. “Just in case you might need it.”

  Chris lets out a sigh of relief, hoping Barb doesn’t notice. Taking the condom, Chris slips it into her front pocket and gives Barb a kiss on her cheek.

  “Thanks mom”

  Opening the door Brandon smiles at both of them.

  “You ready?”

  “I think so. Thanks for making us lunch Mom.”

  “No problem, you two have fun, and Brandon?” Brandon looks over at Barb. “Keep both hands on the wheel and drive careful.”

  “I will and I’ll have her home about three.” Brandon takes the picnic basket from Chris and they walk to the car. Brandon opens the door for Chris and hands her the basket before going around to the other side.

  

  Driving up the mountain road Brandon catches Chris twiddling her fingers. Reaching over he places his hand on hers.

  “You nervous?” Chris looks over and smiles.

  “Just a little, but I will be more nervous if you don’t put both hands on the wheel.”

  Brandon puts his hand back on the wheel and Chris starts fidgeting again. Brandon reaches over and pinches her nipple through her shirt.

  “Does this still hurt?” Laughing Chris pushes his hand away.

  “Brandon!”

  He touches her hip.

  “How about here?” Pushing his hand away again Chris can’t stop laughing.

  “Okay! I’ll stop.”

  Brandon takes her hand and places it in his lap.

  “How about you fidget here?”

  Chris touches him softly, takes in a deep breath and lets it out in a soft sigh before pulling her hand away. “I don’t want to distract you. I better let you drive.”

  Pulling up in the driveway Brandon shuts off the car.

  “We’re here. Safe and sound.”

  Chris Smiles. “Will wonders never cease.” Brandon puts one arm on the back of her seat and reaches over with his other hand and pinches her nipple. “Brandon…You are asking for it, you know that?”

  Brandon gives her a mischievous grin. “You going to give it to me in the car?”

  Chris reaches over, touches him and finds he’s quite excited. Shaking her head she tells him no.

  “Darn.“ Brandon mutters while still grinning. “Alright, let’s get out, before you get all fidgety again.”

  Brandon takes the picnic basket into the kitchen and Chris walks into the living room. Coming out of the kitchen, Brandon’s hoping Chris is lying on the floor again. Disappointed to say the least he sees her standing in front of the bookcase instead, looking at a picture of him with his mom and dad. Walking up behind her he slips his arms around her waist and kisses her neck.

  “You smell good. How about…” Pointing at the picture Chris interrupts him.

  “How old were you there?”

  “Hmm…I don’t know, probably about three.”

  “You were so cute. Look at all that curly blond hair. Just like a cute little girl.”

  He squeezes her. “Gee thanks. I can tell you one thing though, if we ever have a little girl, she better look like you and not me.”

  “Brandon, what was it like growing up an only child?”

  “It was okay, I guess. You should know, you grew up an only child also.”

  “No, not really, I had younger foster brothers and sisters until I was twelve.”

  “Do you miss them?”

  “Some of them, Jason especially.”

  “Who was Jason?”

  “He was this little 4 ½ year old boy at my last foster home.”

  “What happened to him?”

  Chris smiles, “He got moved to a different foster home the same day I did and the family he got placed with, adopted him. He’s just about 11 now.”

  “Why didn’t Barb and Brad adopt you?”

  “They couldn’t afford the adoption fees. Funny the state will pay you to take care of the kids and yet they want you to pay them to take the kids off their hands. It just doesn’t make sense.”

  “You ready to go?”

  “Sure, where are we going?”

  “I thought we’d go out and do some hiking and exploring. We can take your camera, a sheet and our lunch with us and have a picnic.”

  “I’d like that.”

  They walk up the small hill to the field where they played in the snow just a couple of months ago. Chris looks around at it in wonder. She closes her eyes and inhales the sweet scent of the pine trees. “Oh Brandon, it’s beautiful.“

/>   Brandon reaches down and picks a wildflower and places it in Chris’ hair. “You’re beautiful.”

  Chris smiles at him then looks up at the clear blue sky. “Brandon look. It’s an eagle. Oh wait. There are two of them.” Chris holds up her camera and focuses in on the eagles. “Brandon is this your mom and dads property too?”

  Brandon’s amused at her big blue eyes. She reminds him of a child that has seen her first Christmas tree. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close. “No. Mom and dads property ends at the bottom of the hill. This is Mother Nature’s property.”

  “Does anyone else live up here?” Chris asks as she is looking around at the vastness of the field. “It’s so quiet.”

  “Sure, there are cabins here and there.” He points out some of them hidden behind the trees. “I’ll take you down by the lake, from there you can see almost all the houses up here on the hill. In fact we can spend a couple of hours down there exploring and then eat lunch by the water before coming back up this way.”

  They walk hand in hand through the trees with Brandon pointing out the different sites along the way. Chris can see there are quite a few people out on the lake today even though it’s a Wednesday. But she knows most are teenagers out here for spring break.

  “We should have brought our bathing suits!”

  Brandon hears the excitement in her voice and grins. “We could go skinny dipping.”

  “Oh yeah, we could do that. Uh huh, sure.”

  “And why not?”

  Chris blushes and whispers like she‘s afraid someone might hear her. “I don’t want everyone to see me naked.”

  Brandon pulls her into his arms. “Can I see you naked again?” Chris wraps her arms around his neck and whispers in his ear.

  “If you want.”

  “Here?” He asks as he pulls her closer. Pressing against him, Chris can feel the rise and fall of his chest and the growing excitement between them.

  “Here?” Her voice resonates with shock.

  “I want you here. Now. I don’t want to wait till we get back to the cabin. Will you do it with me here?”

  “Brandon, we can’t do that. Someone will see us.”

  “No they won’t. Come on, I’ll show you.” He leads her up the embankment a little ways where there is an alcove surrounded by trees and plants. Lifting a large branch that is hanging down over the opening Chris can see the ground is padded with pine needles. “We’ll have lunch here and then… But only if you want too.”