Jolene Ch. 03

"We'll say you left your purse. Then we go out the front as happy movie goers."

We waited for ten minutes, and the door finally opened. Four teenagers came barreling out. Jolene and I slipped past them and into the theatre. No one challenged us. The cleaning crew could have cared less. They just wanted to go home. We made our way to the front of the theatre and stepped out onto Main Street.

"Don't look at him," I whispered. "Can I hold your hand? He won't shoot me will he?"

She giggled and took my hand in hers. As we walked, we swung our arms up and down. Bertha's Diner was only a block away, and we went in and sat down at a table looking out on the street.

"I can't believe we pulled that off," I said laughing.

"We're not home yet, stud," she said. "He may be waiting with a shotgun."

"That's not funny. Is it possible?" Jolene laughed.

"No silly. I'm sure he's satisfied we were in the theatre all night, and you weren't ravaging his little girl somewhere." I surveyed the street, but he wasn't there. Jolene continued to laugh at me.

We ordered some breakfast. After it came, we ate in silence. We finished, Jolene reached across the table and took my hand.

"I just realized something, and I think I owe it to you, Richie." I raised my eye brows and looked into her lovely face. She patted my hand.

"I don't think it was every guy casually fucking me, although that is surely how it has played out. I think it was the other way around. I was out for only the quickies; one nighters, blow jobs and no commitments. I think I've been afraid to really open to someone; afraid to let my heart trust a man.

"Sex without true love is easy, feels good and doesn't require any commitments. You helped me see that." She squeezed my hand. "I love you, Richie. Thank you for being such a good friend."

"I want to be more than a friend, Jolene."

"You are, Richie." She smiled and put her other hand on the table for me to take. "If you'll have me, I'll be your best friend; with all the benefits, of course." She winked at me.

"I want to be more than your best friend with benefits."

Now I was starting to sound like a desperate teenager, but her eyes watered up again.

"Really?" She said softly. I smiled.

"More than you'll ever know. And we better get on the move before papa loads his shotgun." Jolene laughed.

I paid for breakfast, and Jolene and I walked the three blocks to Bobby's house in silence. We held hands with our fingers interlaced. We stood at Bobby's front door for a few minutes just looking into each others eyes.

"Thank you for a wonderful time, Richie," Jolene said loud enough for anyone to hear her inside the house. "You've been such a gentleman. I wish there were some like you back home." She winked at me again. Then she whispered. "Not really. I just want you." She poked me in the chest.

"I had a great time too, Jolene," I said equally as loud. "I hope we can go out again." Then I whispered, "Real soon," and returned her wink. We stood a few second longer grinning at each other.

"Good night, Richie. I mean good morning." She giggled.

"Sweet dreams," I replied and blew her a kiss. She blew one back at me. I watched door close behind her and headed out and down the street.

I was on cloud nine. I couldn't ever remember feeling this wonderful. Dawn was just breaking over the western sky and birds had already begun singing. When I turned the corner of my street and my house came into view, I saw my parent's car in the driveway.

"Holy crap!"