FOOTBALL: The Lone Star of Texas

By Joe Bob Newman

Ride the exciting roller coaster of fame and fortune with Bobby Ray Kellison as he struggles to deal with the pinnacle of success and the depth of loss. When a lady asks him, “Who are you?” He answers, “Nobody!” But Bobby really is a somebody; as a once in a lifetime player, he is a Texas Football Wonder. Bobby has always been the type player that can seemingly win games all by himself. He has been a major factor in his high school team winning three straight Texas Football Championships. Bobby has been selected the number one football player in the state of Texas. He has also been named the number one defensive player in the nation. His dreams of going to the University of Texas and becoming an All American are on the horizon. Bobby has been selected as one of the most eligible bachelors in the State of Texas. Life couldn’t get any better for Bobby, right? Actually it does. His girl friend becomes Miss Texas and Janelle dreams of winning the Miss America Pageant. Then in one brief instant it all comes crashing down.
Texas Football is what this thrilling story is all about, how the players play and deal with pain, how women chase them and vice versus. It delves into how families and individuals are affected and what happens when things go wrong. It is a story of love and hate of the game and the struggles of people who are in it and around it. Law suits, sex, romance and even drugs are shown in all their naked reality. This book follows Bobby through his company dealings, his football career and even his intimate and often time’s secret love life. Fact is, Bobby has too many secrets, can he juggle them without letting them all slip? Not everyone turns out to be his friend. Ride with Bobby to the pinnacle of success. Fall with Bobby and then rise again, like the Phoenix, each time a little higher. Find out what it is like to be The Lone Star of Texas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joe Bob Newman
• Release date: Oct 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311549655

Joe Bob Newman

I have been writing mystery and fiction books since 1982. I have never considered having any published until now. My career has been in writing technical documents for the defense industry. By profession I am a mechanical engineer, P.E. I have six grand children.. During the summer months, I spend a lot of time in the mountains of New Mexico. Watching wildlife and observing the ecology. i also enjoy riding my 4-wheeler. I built a cabin by myself, just above a stream filled with trout, perhaps i should say am building, I have been working on it for twenty years and it is still not finished, but it is livable, it has electricity, running water and a septic system. With that, I am happy to live there in the summer months and for a week or two in the winter, but I have found that I am not much of a "snow" person.I do hope you read and enjoy my books as much as I enjoyed writing them! Thanks for visiting my page.Joe Bob Newman

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FOOTBALL

THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS

Joe Bob Newman

Copyright 2015 © Joe Bob Newman

Cover Design by Laura Shinn

Edited by Karen Newman

Special Assistant: Kim Newman

License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Other Books by Joe Bob Newman:

The Craft (Science Fiction)

When Time Stood Still (Science Fiction)

Phantom Canyon (Western)

The Rig (Action/Romance)

The Executive (Action/Romance)

Cabin Fever (Action/Romance)

Cabin Cruiser (Action/Romance)

One for the heart (Action/Romance)

Mystic Moon Man (Action/Adventure)

Lady Texas Ranger (History/Action)

The Alamo (History)

These books are available as Paperback or eBooks at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Smashwords.com.

Printed and Published in the USA.

This book is dedicated to my wife Linda, a beautiful woman who still puts up with me! If not for her help and pushing me along, this book would not have been possible.

Thank you Honey!

Authors Note:

In Texas, Friday nights are reserved for high school football, more commonly known as Friday Night Lights. Saturday afternoon is reserved for college football, which is known as Alumni Fever. Sunday afternoon’s are almost cultish, and are more commonly known as Cowboy Mania. If you get the impression that Texas football rules the weekend, then you would be correct, that and dating if you are single. If you are older, then you watch the clock to see what time your daughter comes in from her date.

This is the story of Bobby Kellison who has been a star football player in Texas for as long as he can remember, actually since the forth grade. He is a senior student at Childress High School, a small town or you might say a city, in North Central Texas. He has met a number of beautiful young Texas girls and his life is about to turn upside down. Much to his embarrassment, he has been named the top football player in Texas, highly recruited by every university and college in the nation.

He now has a football scholarship to the University of Texas and his current girlfriend, Janelle Taylor, is about to be crowned, Miss Childress and will soon run for Miss Texas. She has her eyes set on becoming the first girl from Childress to become Miss America.

Janelle’s Father owns Taylor Software, a booming company that provides computer programs for oil field drilling wells, and even aircraft flight simulator systems. Mr. Taylor has hired Bobby to work on the dock, but due to a sudden event that changes everything, Bobby is brought into the business. He learns about the projects and more importantly who can be trusted. Bobby has many secrets that he has to hide and there are some that he can’t even tell Janelle.

This book follows Bobby through his company dealings, his football career and even his intimate and often time’s secret love life. Learn about the pain of playing while injured, the drama for game day and the secrets that must be kept at all costs. Bobby learns what it’s like to go from a nobody to the pinnacle of success. He even learns what it’s like to go back and forth between being a nobody and being a somebody. Not everyone turns out to be his friend. Ride with Bobby to the pinnacle of success, it doesn’t last long and can be very pointed. Fall with Bobby and then rise again, like the Phoenix, each time a little higher. Find out what it is like to be The Lone Star of Texas.

FOOTBALL

THE LONE STAR OF TEXAS

It was December 15th; I stood at the southern goal post of the football stadium in Lubbock Texas. My team, the Childress Bobcats, were playing the Littlefield Wildcats for the Division 2-1A State Championship. Littlefield has one loss and my Childress team was undefeated. Littlefield has the number one offense in the state and Childress has the number one defense. It should be an outstanding ball game.

It was two hours before the Saturday afternoon, two o’clock kick off, and I watched the westerly breeze blow the American flag around at the top of the stadium. The stadium had few people in it, but would start filling up shortly. That westerly breeze was very cold, the high temperature today was supposed to be thirty-seven degrees, which it had already hit. To say that it was a blistery cold day in West Texas was an understatement.

A form materialized beside me, it was my friend and teammate Keith. Keith asked, Have you seen her?

I smiled, Yeah, they did a few cheers, and then went under the stands. They looked like they were freezing!

Keith smiled, I hope she freezes her ass off. Janelle Taylor was his ex-girl friend, and head cheerleader who had just dumped him, him being our senior quarterback Keith Jenkins. Keith didn’t know that I had gone out with her; in fact I was now going to ask her to go steady with me. I was quiet about that and waiting for the right moment.

I just hope we don’t freeze our asses off, you would think they would provide us some heat or warm clothes to wear. I am not looking forward to this game. I said.

Keith grinned, Let’s go back in where it’s warm! I was used to the cold; I jogged in it every morning. Keith had to keep his hands warm. He handled the ball on every offensive play. We both went back into the field house.

The coach yelled at me, Kellison, get over here. I went to see what the coach wanted.

He said, You can beat their tight end, I want you in their backfield on every play, you knock that black boy down, every play. That black boy was All State Quarterback Leon Washington, one of the finest quarterbacks to ever come out of the state of Texas. He was my height, six foot two and weighed two hundred pounds and was as quick as the changing Texas wind. He was fast and good, and he knew it.

I smiled, Coach, he will think he has a twin brother on the field.

We went out and did some stretches and some jumping jacks. The cold did not seem to affect me, but many of our players were shivering. We all had on long handle underwear but it did little to cut the cold wind.

It came time for the game, and the national anthem was played. Everyone stood, put their hands over their hearts, sang along and then watched the coin toss. Littlefield won and elected to receive. I already had my helmet on and was ready to go onto the field. Our kickoff was taken back to the twenty-seven. On each of their first three plays, I was in their backfield and tackled the ball carrier for a loss on each play. Leon continually glared at me.

They punted to us and the ball rolled to our forty. Our return man just let it go for some reason. Our offense came out and drove six straight running plays. When the Littlefield defense tightened up, Keith threw a down and out pass that scored. He was taking out his anger at his ex-girlfriend Janelle on the field. The first quarter ended with us leading seven to nothing. Mid second quarter, Littlefield had the ball, third and eight on their thirty-four. I blitzed hard, jumping over the tight end and caught their quarterback rolling right. He ran right into me, I chased him back to the twenty and he went down. As big and fast as he was Leon couldn’t dodge my outstretched arms. As I ran off the field, I heard someone yelling, At a boy Bobby, it was Janelle. She ran up to me and hugged me. I looked into her fiery blue eyes and saw something that I liked. She was wearing a typical blue with white trim cheerleader costume. It showed every inch of her long legs. Even from where I was sitting I could see that she was freezing. Her normally tanned legs looked pinkish-blue. She was still nice to look at. I particularly liked her long blonde hair and her bright red lipstick.

Littlefield punted, Keith and our offense took the field. On the first down play, we had the ball at the thirty with four receivers spread wide, which caused the Littlefield defense to spread out. A draw play found the middle open and our running back ran twenty yards to midfield. Our offense ran the clock down and scored with just over a minute left. At half time, we led fourteen to nothing. Everyone on our team was happy, even our coach. We went into the locker room and I never saw so much red and blue skin, some of the guys were literally freezing. We went over some small changes, but mostly just warmed up. I stood near the door, I didn’t want to get too warm, I kind of liked the cold. I was the first one back out the door onto the field, the cold rejuvenated me. I ran all the way to Janelle and hugged her back. She was freezing, there were certain clear indicators showing through her skimpy suit.

After the second half kick off, our offense went three and out. We punted to them and they began mixing up plays and driving the ball. I was having to drop back and cover the tight end. It was third down and one and I knew they were going to run. They came out in a tight offense; the receivers were only out side about three yards. They were in an I formation with the fullback and tailback directly behind the quarterback. I knew that they were going to power the fullback over the center and the running back would be right behind him. When the ball was snapped, I ignored the tight end, and slipped to the inside to take on the fullback. The tight end took off. Our corner back got a late start and had to chase the tight end. The Littlefield tight end caught the ball way out in front of our cornerback and galloped for nearly thirty yards. He was my man to cover and I had released him free. I heard our coach screaming at me. I went back to the huddle feeling terrible.

Our cornerback DeShawn Adams began to chew on me. Dammit Bobby, watch your man! The entire defense was staring at me. They had fooled me badly; I wasn’t so sure of myself anymore. I would just mind the tight end and let the middle linebacker deal with the big fullback.

The very next play, the tight end came out grinning at me. I decided to wipe the grin off his face. The ball was snapped and I was oblivious to what was going on around me. I went after the tight end and had him on the ground. I was still wrestling with him, when I realized that the fullback had just run by me and had picked up twelve yards. They had done it to me again. This time the whole team was screaming at me. I went to the huddle feeling like a dunce. I stepped off the line of scrimmage and gave the tight end three yards. Just as they snapped the ball, I ran at the line of scrimmage and slipped between the tackle and the tight end. Leon was trying a lob pass over everyone’s head, I hit his arm just as he threw the ball and it went straight up in the air. It came down hitting me in the face guard; I grabbed the ball and began to run. Leon caught me at the twelve-yard line, but, instead of tackling me, he went for the ball. I had both arms around the ball and we both fought for the ball. I fell at the goal line and we both tumbled into the end zone. We were both fighting for the ball and each other when he kneed me in the groin. I let go of the ball and grabbed my groin. Did I score, I should have, a tie goes to the runner! The refs huddled and a long discussion ensued. I couldn’t see what the problem was; I clearly had possession at the goal line. There was one black back judge and he kept signaling that the ball belonged to Littlefield at the twenty. The referee walks from the discussion to the twenty-yard line and signals first down Littlefield.

Our coaches and bench emptied onto the field and arguments and shoving began everywhere. I was up in the back judge’s face saying things that I can’t repeat. There was no penalty for the groin kick. Order was eventually restored and I went back to the huddle. I was limping and making a big deal about it. I limped up to the line, and laid off the tight end. I was just faking the limp. As they snapped the ball, I made it past the tight end and aimed my helmet directly at Leon, I had never wanted to hurt a player before, but now I did. He had his arm back to pass and I speared him right in the ribs. The ball went flying, Leon went down and yellow flags were everywhere. I realized too late that they could eject me for hitting a defenseless player. Leon and I were both out of the game. I went to the field house and quickly changed into my street clothes and my heavy jacket. It was the last time that I would wear number fifty-four as a Childress Bobcat. I came back out and sat on the bench and watched the game and smiled frequently at Janelle. She smiled back and seemed to be coming onto me.

The game ended up twenty-eight to nothing, we had won, but I had ended the career of Leon Washington. The nerves in his right arm and side had been damaged. The last that I saw of Leon, he was being carted off the field. He would not receive a scholarship and as far as I knew he never went to college, nor played football again. I would have to live with that for a long, long time. I never saw Leon again. I once heard that he got a job after high school working on a trash truck picking up trash every day, but I never knew if that was true or not.

It was my first time to be thrown out of a game, but I was still on the championship team. I would eventually get my ring with three diamonds in it, but I would have trouble wearing it. I was ashamed of myself.

After the game, Janelle came bouncing up to me, Bobby, want to ride home with my parents? I know you feel bad! They were in her Mother’s large, ivory colored Cadillac; I had never been in a Cadillac before. The car was top of the line; it had everything that you could want on it. All’s that I cared about today was that the heater worked good. The temperature had now dropped to well under freezing. With the wind, it was very cold outside the car. It was cloudy now; it looked like it might snow any minute.

I rode with the Taylor’s and sat next to Janelle the entire way home. She patted my leg and I occasionally patted her bare leg. She was wrapped in a blanket, but it kept falling off her legs, I wasn’t sure that it wasn’t on purpose. I loved the feel of her bare leg. I guess that I could have ridden home with my parents, but they didn’t have Janelle in their car. I was just glad that I didn’t have to ride home on that old rickety, cold school bus.

In all our football sessions after the final game, nothing was ever said about me putting Leon out of the game.

The Saturday after Christmas, Childress had a celebration parade for the champion football team. I was on an old fire engine with some other players and the cheerleaders. Janelle had made it a point to stand by me. I whispered in her ear, Want to go steady? The worst that she could do was say no. I had known Janelle for most of my life, but she was rich and I wasn’t, we had rarely seen each other except at school.

She looked at me and smiled a crooked smile. She mouthed a kiss at me. I assumed that meant yes, and it did. From that day on, we would be together in our hearts even when not in body.

Mid January, Janelle was selected as Miss Childress, no surprise to anyone.

Keith would not leave her alone. He wanted Miss Childress on his arm. He wound up dating all the other cheerleaders but either they were not happy with him, or vice versus. Janelle would not give Keith the time of day, and I never knew why! Keith and Janelle had gone steady for nearly three full years. I had no idea why they had broken up so suddenly.

Janelle and I would go out at least one night each weekend. Sometimes on Saturday afternoons we would study together. She was one of the smartest girls that I knew.

The other night of the weekend, I would go out with my secret girlfriend, the preacher’s youngest daughter Rebecca, who I called Becky. She was just fourteen when I had first gone out with her, she was fifteen now, and was a beautiful red head, with a temper to match. She had flashing green eyes which melted my heart.

The first of February, the Texas All State Football Team was announced. To my surprise, I was listed as the number one linebacker in the state. That included all levels of conference and class play. The very next day, I was listed as the number one defensive player in the state of Texas, quite an honor. To make my head swell even more, on the AP or Associated Press list of National High School Football Players, I was listed as the number one linebacker in the nation and the number two player in the nation, period. The number one player being a quarterback out of Florida, but who cares about Florida; this is Texas, the number one football state. That made me the number one defensive player in the Nation. I was beginning to think that I was something special.

I was listed as one of the top one hundred bachelors in the United States. At my age I wasn’t sure what that meant. I was going steady, so I didn’t consider myself a bachelor. I actually received marriage proposals, they were all from girls and women that I had never heard of, some included very revealing photos. My mother took all these away from me and put them in the trash. Some of the pictures I dug out and shared with my football buddies. They wound up taped inside a lot of lockers.

I was flooded with offers from what seemed every university and college in the country. My team mates and I had been thoroughly pounced on by major universities with scholarships. Keith had gotten a scholarship to Notre Dame, I was glad to see him leave the state. Every senior football player was going to college with some type of scholarship, not all were for football. Some were actually academic. I was flown to California and visited both USC and UCLA. I had offers to visit more universities than I had time for. I visited Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but I had stayed with my first love UT, the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. It had not affected my decision much, but that was also where Janelle was going.

Most of the trips to the different universities were the same; a pretty girl would show me the campus and all the reasons that I should pick their school over anyone else’s. The head football coach would sit down with me and discuss anything but football, usually what I wanted to do with my life and again, why this university was the best in the world. Lunches were awesome and they always had seconds waiting on me. There was always a ton of things to bring back home, trinkets, tickets to events in the area, offers for dates by the pretty girl. At first I was impressed, and then I felt like a piece of meat that they were bidding on.

Anonymous gifts began to arrive for me in the mail. Most were jewelry, rings and necklaces and of course ear rings, I had no idea where they came from or what to do with them. I gave most away, some to my little brother. A few had notes like, Thanks for going to UT. Most looked expensive, but I had no idea what they were worth.

Even after announcing that I had selected the University of Texas, I received offers from Alumni of some colleges for cars and other gifts to go to their Universities. I was truly stunned by how popular and well known I had become across the entire nation of football fanatics. I was getting letters every day from people just wishing me well. I felt that I was at the pinnacle of football success. My dad was so proud of me that he couldn’t stand it. Nearly every conversation that he had, started with, My son Bobby.... I was thoroughly impressed when I received free soft drinks at the local drive in.

When Janelle and I went to restaurants, we were often given free meals. I was invited to parties from people that I had never heard of. At my upcoming graduation, I was said to be the outstanding student of Childress High School, which was a lie, I had never even made the honor roll. My name was in the local newspaper every week, usually that I just attended something or the other. When I went shopping with my mother, I was given free clothes.

My dad was offered several jobs in Austin, all of which he turned down. Janelle’s father’s job offer to me for the summer just kept going up, it had started at minimum wage and was soon double that. It didn’t hurt my feelings any.

The local newspaper, The Childress Tribune, picked Janelle and myself as the outstanding couple of Childress for the past one hundred years, I thought that was stretching it a little bit. Needless to say, I had a very bad case of the big head. At night I laid in bed dreaming of being a super football player. I expected my popularity and honors to carry over to the University of Texas, they didn’t. When I eventually showed up for football season, I was just another freshman, expected to keep my mouth shut, no one wanted to hear what I had to say.

My high school ring came in the first of March; I had trouble wearing it because of what I had done to Leon, so I gave it to Janelle to wear. It was too big for her finger and she had to put some tape around it. She wore it proudly and I was happy to see it on her left ring finger. I had never gone steady with anyone before and really had no idea what it meant. I suspected that it was something like being married, but not quite the commitment. Going steady while dating two girls seemed okay with me, Janelle and Becky were both happy with me, but they didn’t know about each other.

Graduation day came and I walked across the stage in my royal blue cap and gown. I had on my new black shoes that I had gotten for free at Sam’s Leather and Shoe Store. I could hear my parents clapping and my brother whistling. The Childress High School Principal stopped me and bragged on me for a full three minutes then I was officially a high school graduate. I sat back down in my chair and watched my friends walk across the stage. I felt like a spot light was on me. Then it came time for my steady girlfriend, the newly crowned Miss Texas, Janelle Taylor to walk across the stage. A broad cheer went up from the students. Next to me, it was said that she was the most popular person in the high school. In actuality that wasn’t true, she was the most popular person, but no one would admit it. You could not find a single soul that did not know her and love her, well maybe there was one. She was a very special person.

Our senior year we had won the State Football Championship for the third year in a row. We had only lost one game and that was during my sophomore year. We were right up there with Midland Lee and Odessa Permian. Janelle had dumped our star quarterback Keith Jenkins a week before our final big game and had been going steady with me ever since. Keith and I were team mates but no longer real friends; girls do come between guys from time to time. Once upon a time, Keith and I had been buddies, but not anymore.

Janelle and I were both going to be working for her dad at his business during the summer. Her dad owned a computer business that makes programs for oil field production and visual simulator systems. The company also makes programs for all other types of businesses, but the oil field was where he had cut his teeth, so to speak. We were not supposed to start work until Wednesday. That gave us the week end and a few days to play before we started the job. I had my own idea of what kind of fun that meant.

After the graduation exercise, Janelle had a big party at her house; it was a come and go affair. All seniors were invited. Her parents had the party catered; she told me that the entire party had cost her dad twelve thousand dollars, a fortune to me. It was a write off for his company; he supposedly was looking for new talent.

When I got there, the swimming pool was already full. I never saw so many string bikinis. I had to check myself; my eyes were going to get me into trouble. I had never seen so much bare skin. The girls felt like they were turning to women and they just let it all hang out! I gave in and went to the pool and let my eyes feast on all the young beauties. Childress was full of very pretty, young Texas girls.

Janelle was going from group to group of people introducing her Mother. I stayed back out of the way. Her mother was a beautiful woman, about forty, but looked thirty. In the night light Mrs. Taylor and Janelle could have passed for sisters. Both Janelle and her mother had blue jeans on; the jeans looked like they had been painted on both of them. They both seemed to be the center of everyone’s attention.

Suddenly Mrs. Taylor saw me. I seemed to have a special connection with her. She dragged Janelle over to me and they both kissed me on the cheek. Janelle’s mother invited me to stay with them for three days. I was actually quite happy with that. However, I had no idea what we would do for three days.

Janelle and I had been going steady since Christmas, during which time she had won the Miss Childress Crown and then recently the Miss Texas Crown. Janelle was the most attractive person that I had ever seen. I often wondered what she saw in me. She could have had anyone that she wanted. She had told me that she was going to run in the Miss America pageant. I was not happy about that. It would mean that we would spend a lot of time apart, even if she lost.

Janelle and her mother moved onto another group of people. Cindy was a tall girl, blonde hair and brown eyes, she was another cheerleader. She walked up to me and batted her eyes at me, I asked her if she wanted to dance. The Taylor’s had set up their large driveway as a dance floor, complete with a live disc jockey. The place was rocking.

It was about eleven o’clock and I had not seen Janelle again. Okay I had seen her, but not talked to her. Cindy said, I am bored, I wish there was something exciting to do!

I turned to her, she was very attractive herself. I said, Like what Cindy? Cindy had only been talking to me for the last four months, I wasn’t sure why. Before that, she wouldn’t give me the time of day.

She said, I would like to go down to the river and go ‘mudding’, I knew what she meant. She was looking for someone with a four-wheel drive vehicle to go to the red river and drive through the sand bogs and river mud. It was a lot of fun if you didn’t wind up in quick sand! Cindy had flirted with me ever since I had been going steady with Janelle, I wasn’t sure why!

I said, Well, when the party is over, maybe Janelle, you, Keith and I can all go in my truck. It sounded like fun, I had spent many an hour mudding in the Red River.

She batted her eyes at me again and took my arm, I thought maybe just you and I could go.

I replied, Geez, Cindy, you know Janelle and I are going steady, why would you even ask me? I began to pull my arm back from her.

Well, she said, I have always wanted to go out with you, but you never asked me, this is our last chance to go out. She is so busy she won’t even miss you!

I wasn’t so sure that I had ever been so blatantly propositioned. I said, Cindy, when the party is over, I will take you, Janelle and whoever mudding. In the meantime let’s go dance. We got back on the dance floor and a slow song was on. She forced her body to conform to mine. It affected my hormones and I responded unintentionally. She seemed to enjoy it.

The next dance was a little faster, and we switched to the Texas Two Step. It got us apart and relieved the tension that I was experiencing. I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Keith, he wanted to cut in. I let him and stood at the edge of the dance area and watched. Cindy was not as aggressive with Keith, I wondered why. He had been our team’s quarterback and was very popular with the girls in the school. After Janelle had dumped him, he had tried to take up with Cindy, but she didn’t seem all that impressed with him. Right now, Keith was playing the field.

I felt a warm hand on my arm, I looked over and it was Janelle, she said, Well, if you can tear yourself away from Cindy long enough, maybe we could dance. I didn’t say anything, just led her out to the dance floor.

Janelle said, Bobby, do you remember what I told you about dancing with other girls?

I said, Yes!

She had told me, I taught you how to dance; you are not to be dancing with anyone else.

She said, I meant it! Her eyes were boring holes through me.

I said, Baby Doll, I was bored, it was just Cindy, it is not a big deal.

She stared me in the eyes. Bobby if you can’t control yourself for an hour while I am busy, how can I trust you when I am gone for several days or a week?

That was a good question. It made me mad. Janelle I replied, Drop it! I was ready to fight.

She didn’t say another word, but her eyes spoke volumes. Her mouth was a thin line.

I said, After the party, let’s go mudding in the Red River!

She looked at me, straight in the eye, Just you and me?

I smiled, No, Cindy wants to go too, we can take two other people. I was trying hard not to cause a situation, I wasn’t being successful.

Her brilliant blue eyes flashed in the darkness. Oh I see, you and Cindy set this up! I just bet that she has no one to go with?

Damn, Janelle was smart, she had seen right through me. Quickly, I said, Well, it was her idea. Then I wished that I had kept my mouth shut. I added, Well, Cindy is your friend!

She let go of me, she was going to walk off, I held onto her shoulder, Janelle, don’t do this!

She seemed to have second thoughts. She continued to dance with me, but was frowning. I said, Janelle, let’s talk about the burr under your saddle. A good Texas colloquialism.

She said, Okay, I will go, but just to keep you and Cindy from ‘hooking’ up.

I smiled at her, Thanks!

When the dance was over, she left and returned to greeting people. I should have gone with her. Cindy came back over and stood by me, What happened?

She will go, I said. We need two more people!

Cindy looked at me, and said, No we don’t, just the three of us can go.

I was okay with that, but I knew that was going to be a problem with Janelle. I said, Cindy go find a guy to go with you, please.

About one thirty, most of the graduates had left; I could see Janelle having a heated discussion with her mother. Cindy and I watched the fireworks. Finally Janelle came over and said, Cindy I am spending the night with you.

Cindy said, I have to check with my mother!

No you don’t, I am not staying with you, but if my mother asks, I am. She was all smiles.

A light went off in my head, You what? You little devil, what are you going to do?

I am going to spend the night with you! She said, and poked me in the ribs.

I turned and looked at Cindy, We will have to go mudding another night.

Janelle said, Hold on Tonto, she is going too. This will teach you a lesson! It did.

By two o’clock, everyone had left and the three of us got in my pickup and took off. The drive to the river did not take long. We spent several hours sloshing mud, sand and water, all over my pickup. All that I could think of was, this could be the two of us alone.

About four in the morning we took Cindy to her house then headed for my secret spot. We pulled up by the barn and got out and threw the blanket in the bed of the truck, we both laid down on it and stared at the stars. The blanket was big enough that if we laid really close to each other, we could also cover up with the blanket. I put my right arm behind her head and pulled her closer to me.

I tried to feel my way around her, but she put the brakes on, and we just laid there, watching the stars and talking to each other. At some point we both went to sleep. I guess you could say, that for the first time I had slept with her, but nothing had happened.

I woke up with the sun in my face. I had my arm on Janelle, I was cupping her breast. I looked at her eyes; she was staring at me, smiling. She gently moved my hand to her stomach. I said, Sorry!

She said, That’s okay! I am starving, let’s go eat breakfast, I will buy.

We went to a pancake house and both had pancakes. Then we went to a car wash and washed my pickup off, it took three dollars worth of quarters to get it clean.

Then I said, What now?

She said, Let’s go shopping!

I had never been shopping with a girl before, just my mother. I had no idea what the experience was going to be like. It wasn’t too bad. She tried on a lot of clothes then we picked out matching western shirts and blue jeans. We bought them and then decided to go to an ice cream parlor. We got two dipped cones and ran out to the pickup. We had to do a lot of licking to keep them from dripping. It was fun.

About ten, I dropped her off at her house and then drove myself home. I was exhausted. I went to bed and went right to sleep. I woke up at three-thirty and immediately called Janelle. I asked her when I was supposed to stay the three days, and she said starting tomorrow.

I told my mother about it and she said that she had to talk to Mrs. Taylor. I gave her the number, and she called Mrs. Taylor. Then my mom came back and said, Okay, Bobby, it’s all right with me, just don’t get yourself in any trouble. I knew what my mother meant.

I called Janelle again, and asked if she could go out tonight, she said, I can but don’t expect another ‘all nighter’. She laughed. Her laugh really turned me on, it was womanly and sexy.

I laid in my bed and looked at all my football trophies. It seemed that every year since the fourth grade, I had won some sort of trophy. Then there was my high school ring that I was most proud of. Janelle was wearing it on her left ring finger. She had to put tape around it to get it to fit her slender finger. It had a big red stone with three diamonds around it. The diamonds represented the three state championships. I could only hope that she did not lose it.

I must have dozed off, my younger brother Gary came in and woke me up. He was two years younger than I was. He had completed his sophomore year of high school and was a football player himself. His wall was empty of trophies, he wasn’t as big as I was and didn’t play as well either. Football was not his life, as it had been mine. I really doubted that he would get a football scholarship like I had.

My parents had bought me a decent pickup to drive. It was a Z-71, a four-wheel drive Chevy. It had an extended cab and was high mileage, but was in very good shape. I took care of it religiously. Gary just had an old clunker of a car. It was constantly breaking down, and my dad had to work on it all the time.

Gary asked, What you doin’ tonight? Gary had a strong Texas drawl.

I smiled, Janelle and I are going out?

He asked, Can I go?

I asked my own question, You got a girl friend?

He shook his head, No!

I grinned, Get a girl friend and we will double date. I am not letting you ogle Janelle all night.

He said, Bobby, you know I can’t get a girl. Get me one like that Cindy that chases you.

I shot back, She wouldn’t be caught dead with a sophomore, sorry.

He looked like he might cry, Well, just get me a date, you know how to talk to girls, I don’t!

Our mother stood at the door, Gary, leave your brother alone. You will learn about girls soon enough.

I stood up. Sorry Gary I have to go, it is nearly six.

I picked Janelle up at six and we went to the A&W and had hamburgers and cokes. When it was dark, we went to the drive in and watched a movie. We climbed over and got in the back seat. I wasted my money. We spent more time making out and talking than actually watching the movie. When the movie was over, we went to my secret spot and continued making out. I was determined to seduce her. But it seems her determination to not be seduced exceeded mine.

I took her home, and drove slowly back to my house. When I got home, both my parents were sitting up waiting on me. My dad said, Son, where did you go last night?

I said, I went to graduation, then the party at Janelle’s house, then we went mudding, got tired and slept and then I came home this morning.

My dad looked at my mother and said, See I told you that he would tell us the truth.

My mothers eyes never left me, she said, Bobby, where did you sleep?

I looked at the floor, In the back of the pickup.

With whom? She asked.

I had gone too far to start lying, Janelle!

My mother put her fist in her mouth and said, Oh my God!

I looked up, Nothing happened, she is saving herself for her marriage.

My dad looked very uncomfortable. Bobby, remember the talk we had the other night?

I said, Yes sir I do, but honest nothing happened. There is nothing to worry about!

My mother looked at the ceiling. That poor girl’s mother, she has to be told!

I yelled, No, Mom, she doesn’t. This is not fair; I have been honest with you.

My dad said, Honey, the boy has a point, he has been honest with us, and we should not punish him for it. It was hard to believe that my dad was on my side, and I wondered why?

My mother said, Okay Dear, and she headed off to bed.

My dad said, Let’s go for a walk son, he ushered me into the front yard. We started walking down the street. He added, When I was your age, I was a ‘hellion.’ I was dating several girls and was trying to get what I could, he nodded his head at me. I know what it’s like to be a young man, I want you to have the freedom that you deserve, but I want you to be responsible for what you do. I admire that girl, Janelle. She is wonderful, beautiful, smart and has a rich Daddy. She would make a good wife for you, but you have to take care of her, protect her; don’t let her get into any trouble. Know what I mean?

I said, Yes sir, I was embarrassed to hear my dad talk this way.

He then said, I am glad that we are on the same page. I want you to have fun, okay?

I said, Yes sir!

He added, Now go to bed, and get some rest. We walked back to the house in near silence.

I went to bed and went right to sleep.

The next morning was Sunday; I was up at six and went for my daily jog. I ran an extra two miles and experienced a runner’s high. I ran to the high school and then back home. I got in the shower and sang our school’s fight song for the one millionth time. I got out and got dressed and we went to church. I saw Becky and Mona sitting on the front row by themselves. I cornered Becky in the Foyer. I asked, Where’s your boy friend?

She said, It didn’t work out Bobby. We weren’t compatible.

I said, Cut the BS, Becky, what happened?

She smiled, He tried to get fresh with me, I told him ‘NO,’ but he wouldn’t stop. I punched him in the eye and gave him a black eye!

I was furious. Give me his name again. I will straighten him out, where does he live?

She said, Bobby, I don’t need your help, I took care of it. I am not a wimp!

All that I could think of to say was, Good girl, if you need me call me.

She wandered off down the hallway. I turned around and my mother was watching me. I walked up to her and she said, Bobby, I told you to stay away from those little girls, now that you are going steady, you should know better.

I said, Mom, she is just a friend of mine. I am sort of like her big brother.

She said, Bobby, don’t give me that big brother spill, I have heard it before.

I just smiled at her, turned and watched Becky walk down the hallway. She had an attitude about her now. My mother punched me in the back and said, Bobby!

When we got home, I packed me a bag; I put in it the new clothes that I had bought. I ate lunch then drove over to Janelle’s. Her mom showed me the guest room and told me to Make myself at home. I did. Then, I went looking for Janelle.

She was in her room with the door closed talking on the phone; I could hear her talking to someone. Yes, he is coming to stay for three days, three days, can you imagine it, having him in the same house with me, night and day. I don’t know if I can stand it.... I hope that I don’t give in to him, he has that thing about him, and you know what I mean. I knocked on the door.

She said, Who is it?

I opened the door and then closed it quickly; she was lying on her bed with just her bra and panties on. I said, I am sorry, Janelle.

I backed up from the door. I was hot and red as a beet. Then I looked around and no one else was around. I opened the door again. She was holding the phone to her ear and pulling up a pair of shorts. She already had a tee shirt on. She made a face at me. She said into the phone, The jack ass is here, I have to go! She hung up the phone.

She looked at me, Dammit Bobby, when my door is closed, it means, keep out. I smiled at her, I had nothing to say.

She got the shorts positioned and she bounced to the door of her room. She strutted past me and headed for the stairs, it was the second time in one day that I had been around a girl with an attitude. She ran down the stairs and plopped down on the sofa. It looked like it wasn’t her first time to do so. I set in a chair across the room from her. Her mother came in from the kitchen and asked us if we needed anything, she smiled at me.

We said No, and her mother went back into the kitchen.

Janelle looked at me, and said, What are you thinking?

I think I am looking at a rich bitch! I smiled to soften the impact.

Rich bitch, huh? I will show you a rich bitch if you come in my room again when the door is closed. She was up on the edge of the sofa. She looked like she was about to come after me.

I stood up, Do you want me to leave? I was ready to go home; this was not what I had bargained for.

She laughed, No, Jack ass, I want you to stay.

I said, Okay, but I am going to call you ‘RB’.

She said, What’s that?

I smiled again, RB is short for rich bitch.

She smiled, Okay JA, you’re on. She said, Go put your swim suit on and let’s go swimming.

I went and put my suit on and walked out to the pool. No one was outside, so I did some stretches. I looked at the house. Mrs. Taylor was watching me intently. Janelle finally came out in a string bikini.

We held hands and dove into the deep end together. I thought It must be nice to have your own swimming pool.

We played a little game called Marco Polo. It is a game where one person keeps their eyes closed and says Marco, and then chases the other person. The second person must immediately say Polo. It is a lot of fun; we laughed and giggled for almost an hour. Her Mom and Dad came out and said, May we join you?

I said, Sure, but did not really want them too.

Her mom had on a two-piece bathing suit and her dad had on a suit like mine. Both her parents had spent a lot of time in the sun and had good tans. I didn’t. I wound up getting a slight sunburn. I had a good time with Janelle’s parents. I don’t think she enjoyed them as much as I did.

As it got dark, her father opened up the hot tub and we got in and soaked. The heat was a little painful on my sunburn. Her parents did not stay in long. Then they got out and went and changed clothes. They made hamburgers on the grill as we continued to play in the hot tub. Every time that she would get close to me, I would slide my finger inside her bikini. Finally she said, Stop it JA.

I said, You deserve it RB.

Her mom yelled, Out of the tub, dinner is nearly ready. We both jumped out of the tub and wrapped towels around us and went to our rooms and put on our matching clothes.

We were sitting at the table eating, when her mother asks, Bobby, what does ‘RB’ stand for?

I must have turned bright red. Janelle said, Mom, it’s just a nick name. Bobby’s is JA.

Her mom said, I figured that much out, what do the initials stand for?

I was hopelessly embarrassed, Janelle said, Okay Mom, it’s not a big deal, RB stands for rich bitch and JA stands for Jack Ass. Both her parents burst out laughing. I don’t think my parents would have laughed.

Her dad looked at his wife and said, We should do something like that, we need some initials.

I piped up, I got it and I pointed at her dad, you can be BB and you. I pointed at her mother, can be LM

Her dDad said, I give, what does BB stand for?

I said, Big boss, we are all working for you now.

He laughed Okay what does LM stand for?

I shut my eyes, I had one name but I changed it at the last second, Lovely Mother.

Mrs. Taylor said, I like yours honey, it fits you, I don’t like mine, I want something sexy.

Janelle said, How ‘bout, GB for Gorgeous Broad!

Her mother said, I can live with that. So we went around calling each other by initials. It was confusing but fun. I couldn’t imagine doing that at my house.

I realized that her parents were a lot of fun to be around. I was soon to learn better.

That night we watched home movies of Janelle, from when she was a baby through high school. It was a lot of fun. I didn’t know it but she had been a cheerleader every single year that they had them in Childress. We were all calling her RB.

After the videos were over, Janelle lit their gas log fireplace and we sat in front of the fire, in the dark, with the fire light flickering across us. Her mother made several surprise visits, but never caught us doing anything. We were careful when we made out.

Her mother said, RB, don’t stay up too late and be sure and turn that thing off in a little while.

Janelle said, No problem GB.

I said Good night Mrs. Taylor.

She said, Good night JA. Janelle’s dad never did come in to check on us.

We had set and then laid in front of the fire for about an hour when she got up and turned it off. The room was dark. When my eyes adjusted, I could see Janelle fairly well. I took a hold of her and kissed her hard. She responded in kind. I did not push my luck too far, but I did squeeze her butt.

RB and I went to our separate bed rooms and went to bed. I was tired and went right to sleep. I woke up to someone being in my room. They were walking towards me. I could not tell who it was. I felt a hand on my chest, then two hands. They were soft. I thought it was Janelle. It wasn’t, it was her mom, I didn’t know what to do. She felt me all over. Finally I grabbed her by the arm and she jerked back. She said, Oh my God, I have been sleepwalking. Are you okay?

I said, I am fine, no problem here.

She whispered, Bobby, please don’t tell anyone about this, okay?

I said I won’t!

The next morning, we got up, ate breakfast, and then went for another swim. As we swam laps, I noticed that her mother was watching us closely. We rubbed sun tan lotion all over each other, and then we laid out in the sun. We were soon warm and dry. I didn’t realize that rubbing on sun tan lotion could be so intimate.

Mid afternoon, we had decided to go to the Red River. We loaded up some food and drinks and told her mother that we would be ‘real’ late coming home. She sounded like my mother, Don’t get into any trouble.

We drove to the Red River and went mudding again. Then we made us a little camp. Close to dusk, we cooked some weenies over a fire and made hot dogs. After we had eaten the hot dogs and chips, we got in the back of the pickup and pulled the blanket up around us. We were warm. We had a good time, and were back at her house by one in the morning. Nothing was said by her parents.

Again, I was asleep when something woke me up. It was her mother again. This time I got a good look at her face. Her eyes were closed. She was feeling her way along the wall. I watched her as she got to the bed. I moved over against the far side. She felt of the bed, and then sat down on the bed. She reached all around finding my leg. She stroked my leg up and down. I stood it as long as I could, not wanting to cause a ruckus. I said, Mrs. Taylor?

She woke up again, and apologized profusely and asked that I not tell anyone. She stood up and even in the dark, I could see through the short night gown she had on. She ran out of my room.

I got up and walked down the hall to Janelle’s room. I knocked on her door, she said, Who is it?

I said, JA

She said, Come in!

I walked into her room, just wearing my underwear.

She sat up in bed, and said, What’s wrong?

I told her about her mother coming into my room. I said, It scared me, it really didn’t but it gave me reason to be where I was at.

Janelle put her arms around me and pulled me to her bosom. I pushed her down on the bed, and pinned her arms down; I leaned over and kissed her on the mouth. She squirmed under me. I kissed her neck, her face and her hair. I was careful to stay away from private areas. I pulled her gown up over her shoulder and down her arm. I kissed her on the shoulder. She got very still.

Don’t stop, she said.

It took all my will power, but I stopped. Got off her, and stood up, my hormones were screaming. There was no emotion on her face; her eyes followed my every move.

I walked out the door and went back to my room. I was proud of myself, in some strange way. I had just proven something to myself.

The next morning, her mother would not look at me. She was very strained. I went into the kitchen and she was standing at the sink looking down at nothing. Mr. Taylor was gone, and Janelle had not gotten up yet. Something made me walk over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. She spun around and hugged me, she said, Oh Bobby, I am so embarrassed. I don’t know what to say or do!

I said, You were just sleep walking, no big deal.

She backed up from me and said, But Bobby, I find you so attractive.

I heard a noise in the living room. I broke free of her and went and sat at the table. When Janelle bopped into the kitchen, her mother was emptying the