by Deena Bright
I had to coax the rest of the story out of him. He had a hard time finding the words, barely able to make eye contact with me. It didn’t seem as if he was embarrassed, but as if it was still hard for him to talk about. He’d been carrying this pain, this heartache, with him for years.
Ever since his senior year, he had been studying sex and the ways to make it better, more pleasurable for everyone. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect. He wanted to make sure he knew as much about sex as he knew about all other subjects he studied. He knew exactly what to do, how to do it, and where to do it. He couldn’t wait to finally apply his textbook knowledge to his actual girlfriend. An upperclassman buddy of his had gotten a hotel room in Cincinnati for them. Leo’d pulled out all the stops. He had champagne, strawberries, room service, and bought her a beautiful nightie. He remembered music, bubbles for a bath, candles, flowers, everything. He wanted their first times to be special, memorable, wonderful. He even admitted bashfully that he had single-handedly taken care of himself a few times, to ensure that she enjoyed the evening for a prolonged period of time.
When Kelsey arrived at the hotel, she took one look at him, at the room, at everything and just lost it. Sobbing, she admitted that she had slept with numerous men at college and had given her virginity to a stranger at a party. Leo was devastated. He’d loved and cherished her so much. She begged for forgiveness, which he quickly granted. After some talking, kissing, caressing, she began to undress him, and remove her own clothes. Leo looked at her, despite how much he loved her, he knew then that she wasn’t worth it. He didn’t want to give himself to her; she didn’t deserve him. He stopped her. They talked for a while, ate their cooling dinner, and then he took her back to her dorm. He said that they stayed friendly, but not close. Apparently, she’d gotten pregnant her senior year, didn’t finish her degree, and married the father. They were living in Mason, Cincinnati, somewhat happily.
He smiled, embarrassed at his story. “Ah well, I’ll know better for next time.”
I knew what he meant, but I couldn’t believe his words. He was hot. “Um, Leo, do you mean that you never, like since then, got to, ya know?” I couldn’t believe I just asked him that.
“Nope. I forced myself to get really into school and crew team. I didn’t wanna get hurt. I just steered clear.” He sounded like he was making a confession. He looked remorseful.
“Leo, I think that’s fine, wonderful even. Waiting is great. More people should take sex so seriously.” I was suddenly feeling very guilty for my recent escapades with Briggs. I had to stop that nonsense. Nothing good could come of it.
“Uh…no…Miss Garrity, I’m not waiting. Believe me. I just haven’t put much effort into women since then. I figured I’d finish school, get a good job, buy a house, get settled, and then start looking for the perfect woman. Someone I could trust, who wouldn’t just crush my heart.” He was so certain of his future, of his plans.
“Well based on what you told me earlier. You’re moving right along your checklist.” I was proud of him, rather inspired by him.
“Yep, now I just need to find my perfect woman, someone who knows how fragile the heart is and how easily it can be broken.” He looked at me, seriously looked at me, smiled his dimpled grin and stood up. “Thanks for talking, for listening. If that bastard comes back here, let me know, okay?” He hugged me awkwardly, casually.
Leo let himself out. He left while I sat there, ruminating all that had occurred. I felt badly for Leo. What a great guy! I should fix him up with someone. Char? She’d eat him alive. She’d definitely let him try out his expertise on her, though. No! Char was too much for him. He needed someone though, someone perfect. Whoa! Whoa! Hadn’t he called me “perfect” earlier? What did he mean by that?
Chapter Ten
I spent the rest of the evening relaying the entire day to Char. It seemed like every story topped the one before it. I wanted to use our “Armageddon” code on her, but didn’t want to overdo it. Twice in three days was over the top. So, I settled for a lengthy phone conversation, while I finished off the bottle of wine Leo’d opened for me. One thing was certain, Marcus’ adultery was turning me in to a lush. I never drank this much, just another thing to be more pissed off about.
“So, who’s it gonna be?” Char asked.
“Whaddya mean?” I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about.
“Briggs the well-hung, godlike athlete or Leo the wholesome hero? Which one are you gonna sleep with first?” She was serious, not kidding at all. Char really thought that I had a choice to make, when there was no decision to make. Briggs and I were just having fun, teaching and learning. Leo was our landscaper who happened to be at the right place at the right time.
“Forget it Char; it’s not like that.” I knew she didn’t believe me. Char’s problem was that if she had any interest in a guy, that interest came straight from the hot spot between her legs. “You’ll be happy to know that I’m 100% done with Marcus. When he left with her today, every feeling I’ve ever felt for him was gone. Vanished. Done.” I wasn’t even trying to convince myself; it was true. He was nothing to me anymore. Nothing.
“Who? I don’t even wanna hear his prickless name again.” Char yelled. Just mentioning him or Lauren put her over the edge. I just prayed that she ran into them someday, someday when I wasn’t around. That’d be a story I’d kill to hear.
Falling asleep that night, I decided that I was going to lie low for a bit, get some writing done, and finish unpacking all of my junk. Rick and Dave were due to get my stuff in a few days; I’d have a lot to go through, some purging as well. I also needed to steer clear of Briggs for a bit, give us some space. Char thought I was being crazy, but there were things to think about, to consider. What things? I wasn’t sure. I needed a few days, some time alone, to figure it all out. I knew I wanted him, truly wanted him. My body was aching for him; honestly my body was pissed at me for not riding him every chance I got. I had to be smart about this, think it through. However, it seemed like that was all I was ever doing lately, thinking about Briggs. And, well, I didn’t want to admit it, really didn’t want to admit it, but since this afternoon, my mind had wandered a bit to Leo as well. Damn Char. Was she ever wrong? Could I ever fool her?
Chapter Eleven
The following Saturday, I’d promised Jocelyn that I’d watch the twins, Kara and Carlee, while she got her hair done. The boys, my nephews, would be at a weekend soccer camp, so it would be a girls-only bonding day. Being a teacher, everyone always seemed to think that meant you’d love to babysit their kids during the day in the summer. Not true, but I did love spending time with my nieces. Six-year-old little girls were the best. They were smart, funny, girlie, and just the right amount of obnoxious. I got up and ran to the store to get things to bake with them; they loved baking. I stopped and picked up some new nail polishes and hair bows, headbands, and other hair accessories. I also bought all the ingredients for many different flavors of Smoothies. We loved Smoothies, always had them when we were together. I wanted to make sure that we filled the day with as much fun as I could fit in to the babysitting timeslot.
I convinced Jocelyn to meet a friend for lunch and shop a little before coming back to get them. She always needed coaxed into leaving her kids. I used to think that she lost a lot of her identity when she became a wife and mother, but the reality was she gained her identity when she married Rick and had four kids. She’d waited her whole life to be a wife and a mother. And a wonderful mother and wife she was.
When the girls arrived, their tunnel vision only focused on the pool. I couldn’t compete. Makeovers, manicures, pedicures, and cupcake decorating and baking were losing out to the call of the pool and the lure of the slide and diving board. Today was about to turn into a relaxing day by the pool, watching my fish-like nieces frolic in the water, while I basked in the sunlight. I thanked God that Jocelyn was an overprotective, “danger-freak” mother and insisted that the girls take swimming lessons for four strai
ght summers and even two winters. These girls could give Ariel a run for her money in the water. Ironically, they were both wearing Ariel bathing suits, in different colors. Jocelyn hated when twins wore the same exact clothing. She “rebelled” by dressing them in the same outfits, but in different colors. She believed that made all the difference. Nobody could tell her otherwise.
I grabbed the rafts, balls, and water noodles and threw an armful of pool fun into the water. They were dying to get in, but at Jocelyn’s insistence, I had to slather them in a thick coating of 500-proof sunscreen first. This coming from the same girl who used to cover herself in baby oil and lie lifeless on a raft in the sun for hours was shocking, annoying to say the least. Parenthood, it changed people.
Just as they were about to get in I heard, “You should wear sunblock too.” I turned to see Leo staring solemnly at me.
“Nah, I like the sunkissed look.” I responded, smiling, dismissing him.
Either not caring or not hearing me, Leo picked up the sunscreen, squeezed it into his hands, and motioned for me to turn around, “I’m not gonna get into a discussion about the dangers of UV rays, sun damage, and skin cancer. It blows my mind people still don’t use this crap. It’s so easy to not die.” Leo wasn’t really talking to me, more like to himself.
He began rubbing the lotion onto my shoulders and down my back. His hands felt strong and firm, as he was rubbing the sunscreen in. Dumbfounded, I let him put it on. I felt shivers down my back. He grabbed the tube again, squirted more into his hands, rubbed them together, and then massaged the lotion into my arms, down to my wrists. The sensation was soothing. I was relaxed and completely at ease. I couldn’t lie, I enjoyed his hands on my back and arms, even welcomed it. After the incident the other day, I felt safe around Leo. I didn’t move; I stood, allowing him to take care of me in the sun. In my reverie and relaxed state, I hadn’t realized he’d gotten more lotion. He began rubbing the lotion into the back of my thighs, sending waves of excitement throughout my body, especially heightening the electricity between my legs. I had great difficulty standing up, trying to support my weight. He moved to the backs of my knees, a very sensitive and thrilling spot for me. Without warning or control, I sighed, more like moaned at the touch of his hands. If he was applying it, then sunscreen was about to become my daily ritual. Holy Hell.
Leo stood abruptly, wiped his hands on my towel, and said, “There ya go. I gotta go pick up the mulch.” And he left. Just like that.
I felt strange, rather embarrassed by the events that had just transpired. I thought that… I’m not sure what I thought, but it didn’t play out like I’d imagined. Did I imagine? Crap. I didn’t know anything anymore. I decided to put lotion on the front of my body, down my legs, on my arms, and on my stomach. With the crapload of sunblock on my back, my tan would be crazy uneven if I didn’t at least put some on my front. Applying the sunscreen to the front of my body was not nearly as titillating when I was doing the application myself, I lamented.
After a few hours of watching the girls play and writing my Madonna musical on my laptop, which was not going well at all, I decided to call the girls out of the pool. I told them that they could stay outside, but not in the water while I went inside and made lunch. I promised them a poolside picnic with Smoothies and fresh fruit.
When I was putting the finishing touches on their peanut butter and banana sandwiches and traying up the food and drinks, I heard splashing. Pissed at the girls for not listening, I stormed out to the pool, yelling at them for their total disobedience, which was actually very unlike them in the first place. Immediately, I saw Kara soaring through the air while Carlee stood poolside clapping and shouting with glee. How could she be that high in the air? Then, I saw Leo, happy, shirtless in the water, laughing and carefree.
“My turn, my turn!” Carlee squealed. Kara climbed out of the pool, while Carlee cannon-balled in and swam to Leo. He picked her up and catapulted her into the air. She was squealing with delight before making a splash into the deep end of the pool. It really was an adorable sight, but it didn’t negate the fact that the girls blatantly disobeyed me.
“Carlee, Kara, get over here now!” They all three stopped smiling and moving abruptly, and turned to look at me. “What did I tell you?” Both girls dropped their heads and started swimming toward me.
“Miss Garrity, I’m sorry, my fault. I told ‘em it’d be okay.” Leo swam to the side of the pool, hoisting his body out of the water. His muscles rippled as he used his upper body strength to get out. His skin was glistening in the sun, wet and strong. I looked away. He definitely ignited feelings in me. I wondered what Briggs was doing. When did I become such a slut?
Leo was still trying to explain himself while I was lost in my reverie. “The girls were moping by the pool. I told them that I’d watch them.” He tried to explain, a little of guilt on his face. “I was a certified lifeguard. I figured that’d be fine.” He said apologetically. “I should’ve asked first. I’m sorry. It musta scared you.” He walked over to me dripping wet, without a towel.
I handed him my towel. “It’s okay, Leo, really,” I said. Looking at Carlee and Kara, “Girls, I’m not mad; you should’ve just checked with me first. Lunch is ready.” I walked back in to the poolhouse, my house, and got the food and smoothies.
Returning to the patio, I saw that the girls were sitting at the table, wrapped in towels, remorsefully awaiting their lunches. Glancing down at the tray, I was shocked to see that I’d made four of everything. I had four sandwiches, four smoothies, and four fruit cups. Did I make four of everything out of habit, counting Marcus? Or had I just absently included Leo in our lunch plans, hoping he’d join us? It wasn’t typical for Marcus to join the girls and me or all the kids and me for a day of fun. He always considered a day that I was with my nieces and nephews as a day he could golf or go to some sports bar with his buddies. I knew why I’d made enough for Leo to join us. It wasn’t rocket science; I liked his company.
“Hey Leo, you hungry? There’s plenty.” I called to him nonchalantly, putting all the food out on the table.
“I thought you’d never ask. Starving. Where’s everyone else’s?” he asked as he pretended to put all the food in front of himself, acting like a ravenous monster eating up the food. The girls laughed and tried to steal their food back from him.
“Enough you three,” I said, emphasizing the word three. “There’ll be plenty of play time for you kids once you eat your lunch.” He really was cute with the girls.
“Yes Ma’am,” they all grumbled. Leo looked over at me, smiling with a glint of humor in his eye. He winked at me and chuckled. Those dimples were adorable.
After lunch, the girls and Leo cleaned up the plates and cups, bringing everything back to the poolhouse. He insisted that I not lift a finger, since I made the entire lunch and since they’d given me quite a scare. I couldn’t argue with that logic. I sat back on the chaise and watched as the girls were captivated by Leo, obeying his every order. They were only six-years-old, but were entranced by him; it was as if Justin Bieber himself were helping them clean up.
Once I doused the girls in another gallon of sunscreen, they dove into the water, begging Leo to join them. He told them that he still had a lot of landscaping to finish, but did enjoy his afternoon with them. They were relentless, not giving up that easily. Finally, he caved and said, “I’ll play if your aunt will join us too.” That was all it took.
The girls leaped out of the pool, attempting to drag me into the water. I didn’t budge, wouldn’t budge. “Help us Leo, Aunt Janelle’s too heavy,” they begged.
Seconds later, Leo hoisted me into his arms and jumped into the pool, holding me like a bride on her wedding night. We splashed into the water. I was laughing and sputtering; it wasn’t a graceful water entrance. I’d gotten water up my nose and in my mouth. I splashed and kicked at him. “You jerk; you could’ve warned me. I still have my watch on.” I hit his arm.
“Ohhhh, I didn’t know; did I rui
n it?” He was reaching for my wrist.
I jumped up on his shoulders, trying to dunk him, “Nah, it’s waterproof. What the heck? Go under!” I was pushing with all my might; he wouldn’t move.
He laughed, “Are you trying to do something here?” he jabbed. Frustrated, I was still trying to trip him to sink him in the water. “Are you trying to do this?” He grabbed me, lifted me with ease, and threw me through the air. I hadn’t been thrown in a pool since I was the girls’ age. It was fun, really fun. Ahh, to be young again. Coming up for air, I was laughing, happily.
The girls were yelling and clapping. I motioned for the girls to throw their bucket to me and to come help. They grabbed the bucket, chucked it at me, and jumped in right by Leo. We were all splashing , dumping bucketfuls of water on him, at him.
Leo, being a good sport, but feigning anger, stole the bucket, threw it poolside, grabbed my wrists, wrapped his arms around me, and pinned my hands to my back. His body pressed against me, his arms tightly securing me. We were laughing uncontrollably as he dunked me backwards, pulling me immediately back up. He gave me a few seconds of breath, before dipping me back under the water. Coming back out of the water the second time, I gasped for air, coughing a bit.
Leo let one of my arms free and wiped the water from my face. “You okay?” he asked with concern in his eyes, his smile fading, and his dimples disappearing. He was holding me so close, looking at me as though I was fragile, breakable. My breath caught; I licked my lips.
“Uh Janelle, where are my girls?” Jocelyn was standing by the pool’s steps, hands on her hips, questioning me about more things than just her girls. There was a question of “what’s really going on here?” on her face. At that moment, I saw the girls out of the corner of my eye; I distracted Leo by motioning him towards the ladder to get out. The girls came running out of the bushes with the hose, blasting Leo right in the face with ice cold, hose water. He charged at the girls, taking each one under each of his arms, kicking and screaming, as he jumped back in the water. The girls resurfaced with giggles and delight.
