Killing Time

By Sharon Woods

Growing up in a small town wasn't easy for Angelica 'Jelly' Ryan. She feels pressure to leave her father's home after graduating from high school but she can't decide what to do with the rest of her life. After the death of a good friend, falling in love seemed easy. Soon Jelly's worries concerning her future are over…or so she thought. They were only beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781590882245

Book preview

DEDICATION

To my husband and his kisses

that still cause that roaring in my ears.

Thank you to my friends

for listening to this story many times

and for your encouragement.

Also I would like to thank

two very special teachers in my life:

Mrs. Marie Anderson

my fourth grade teacher in Fletcher, Oklahoma

who taught me the wonder of books

and to a very special mentor

Anna Myers

who made me realize I could write.

Prologue

September 1963

Jelly opened her eyes slowly. The thought of sitting up in bed made her stomach roll. But then most everything made her stomach roll. She carefully put her feet on the floor.

So far so good! she thought to herself.

When she felt her stomach lurch, she hurried as fast as she could to the bathroom. Her knees hit hard on the floor by the old porcelain stool. Hanging her head over the stool, she retched.

Oh lord what have I done to deserve this? she moaned aloud and rested her head on the stool rim that felt cool to her face. Her hand went automatically to the nearby towel. She didn’t have to open her eyes to find one because she had an entire stack of towels on the floor by the stool. After catching her breath, she inhaled deeply and immediately had the dry heaves. Tears slid down her face, and she wiped at them. With great effort she pushed herself up and went to the sink. She ran the cold water and dabbed handfuls of it on her face. She raised her head and looked into the mirror over the old sink.

She glared at her reflection there.

You bitch! she said aloud to her own reflection. "Couldn’t you have waited? I know God wouldn’t make you this sick if you had done it right.

Jelly was surprised to see new tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. She smiled sardonically in spite of herself. That’s right, Jelly! You’re hateful to everyone, even yourself.

Since she wasn’t getting much conversation from the reflection in the mirror, she wandered back to the bed, giving the stool a flush as she passed.

Once again she thought to herself. Well, that’s taken care of, what shall I do the rest of the day?

Jelly rolled onto her side and looked out the window by her bed. It faced the street, and she could lie there and kill the better part of an hour just thinking about the fun times she had growing up in the houses on that street.

One of her good friends, Sharon, had lived on the corner of this block. Her mother Mattie still lived there and treated Jelly like a daughter. From the vantage point of her bedroom window, she can see Mattie’s house. Sharon and Jelly used to play for hours in the sandy streets when they were kids.

Louella, her daddy’s old housekeeper, lived next door to Mattie, and it was a haven for Jelly in her times of trouble. Louella’s house was directly across the street from her bedroom window.

She would have to go to the other window to see Anna Myers’s house. She was her high school English teacher, and her home was next door. Anna, as she now called her, always encouraged her to make something of herself. Anna had never been married and was considered to be an old maid. It was hard at first for Jelly to think of her old teacher as a friend, but it came naturally. Sometimes when she was bored and had nothing else to do, she wondered why Anna never married.

All the houses in this neighborhood were neat and well-cared for. Mattie’s and Louella’s were set up on a hill from the road. Anna’s house and Jelly’s rent house were level with the sandy street. All the houses had nice big yards with trees and flowering shrubs. Anna’s had a driveway that ended near the front door. Jelly had to park in front of her house on the street.

Jelly rolled onto her other side and looked at the sparsely furnished room. Daddy let her bring her old bedroom suite with her so the bedroom was familiar. The rest of the furniture in the house was everyone’s cast-offs so graciously given to her. Not that she minded; she was grateful at the time. She is just sick of looking at it.

The truth was Jelly was bored out of her tree. September was usually a wonderful month for her. It was when the oppressive heat in southwestern Oklahoma started to decline, and she could step outside without feeling the weight of the heat caving in her chest. It was a time of cool, damp mornings, and the evening air gave some relief while she sat on her front porch and visited with her neighbors. It was a time for basketball games and class plays, homework and cruising Main Street on Saturday nights. Now was the time for school to start, and she was lonesome. She missed high school terribly.

She missed Jerry Don, her husband, too. They had lived together only two weeks when the Army sent him to California. What little time they had together she had liked. Jerry Don made fun of her cooking, but she didn’t mind. They would eat baloney and crackers in bed and talk about their future. He’d told her several times that he cared for her, but it was never enough to erase the guilt that Jelly felt for getting pregnant and ruining both of their lives. He’d tell her about all the places he wanted to see, but she couldn’t remember ever being included in his plans. Her entire day was spent killing time, mostly looking out her bedroom window that faced an empty street. Waiting. Waiting for what? She wondered. Something—just something.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when the phone rang. Glancing at the clock she noted the time. 8 a.m. Must be Daddy, she thought to herself. She lifted the receiver and tried to sound happy. Hello?

Hi baby, you up yet? Daddy always sounded bright and cheerful in the morning. That was unless he’d been on duty the night before. Then, she knew not to expect any early morning calls.

Jake Ryan’s luck seemed to have changed for the better since Jelly married. It came as a surprise to everyone when he and Velta decided to marry the same day as she and Jerry Don. Jake had reasoned there was no reason to waste another trip to Wichita Falls in a couple of weeks. He shocked the Justice of the Peace when he turned to Velta and cleared his throat.

Well, darling, let’s go get that marriage license and just let him marry us, too!

Velta’s mama hadn’t raised a dummy, and she hesitated only a second before she answered, Praise the Lord! Let’s go before that man changes his mind! Her smile was brighter than Jelly’s.

Everyone laughed and thought it was wonderful.

Jelly had been happy for Velta and her daddy, but secretly it hurt and caused her doubts. No wonder he was so quick to agree to her marriage and move her into one of his rent houses. He didn’t want her in the house any longer. It appeared he was only waiting for her to get out. Jelly tried her best not to resent him as he had raised her as best he could alone. She felt he should have at least tried to talk her out of the marriage. Surely Jake had to agree that she was too young. He should have wanted her to go to college and have a life of her own.

But then, she would have had to tell him she was pregnant. The way it worked out was for the best she knew. No one knew she was pregnant but Jerry Don and Dr. Connors.

She vaguely remembered Maggie. Her mother died with breast cancer when Jelly was four years old. Mainly when she pictured her mother, Jelly saw her as she was in the senior picture of Maggie Ryan that sat on the television set at home while Jelly was growing up. When she was younger she would play with that picture on the floor. Later when she entered her teens, Jelly would stand before the television set and have lengthy conversations with the picture of Maggie. Now the youthful Maggie sat in her living room, on her little television set right next to the picture of Jerry Don in his army uniform.

She tried to sound healthy and cheerful as she cooed into the phone, Sure, I’m up, Daddy. What are you up to today?

Oh about six foot, he replied with a chuckle in his voice. It was one of his favorite sayings. Just thought I’d see if you wanted to run into Lawton this afternoon with me. I gotta go to the courthouse for a while. Maybe we could eat pizza and get Velta and go to a movie?

Her stomach heaved again. Quickly getting up, she said, Oh Daddy, just a minute!

Jelly raced back to the bathroom and had the dry heaves once again. She grabbed the towel and walked slowly back to the bed. She sat down, then fell back onto the bed. She picked the phone back up and said, I don’t think so Daddy. I don’t feel too good.

Instantly her father was scared, and fear was in his voice when he said, I’ll be right there, and I’ll run you over to see Dr. Connors. You might have that bad virus going around. Okay, hang up. I’ll be right there.

The phone line went dead in her hand.

Well shit, Jelly thought, that’s just great! Now what am I going to do?

Jelly knew her daddy would have a fit when he found out about the pregnancy. She had hoped she could keep it from him a little longer. She laughed to herself.

Oh, yeah, and I wonder how that could be done?

She rubbed her stomach knowing soon everyone could tell just by looking at her. She tried to imagine a baby curled up inside her. She didn’t have the strength to try and suck it in. Well, it couldn’t be hidden any longer, and she’d have to tell him. Jelly dreaded breaking her daddy’s heart. He thought he’d raised a good girl and now he’ll find out differently.

Silently she prayed Maggie would come and be with her when she had to break the news to him. Since she needed all the help she could get, she said a prayer to God, too.

She’d been going to Dr. Connors at the clinic in Cyril with the little hospital in back ever since she was a kid. The last time she went, Jerry Don had taken her. Of course, he wasn’t her husband then. They hadn’t planned on going all the way that night out at Collier’s pond. It wasn’t that she didn’t want it, because she did, but she was afraid. A couple of months later she realized why she had been afraid.

One

March 1963

Jerry Don Hunt had been out of school almost four years. He was tall and lanky. He knew he was pretty good looking as all the girls told him so. His blond hair hung long. He knew those blue eyes of his could look sweet and sexy at the same time. He just hadn’t been able to find his way in life since he’d graduated. School had been cool. He had been one of the stars on the basketball team. So, he was always popular, but this was the real world. He was considered too old for the high school girls, and the girls his age were already married. Jerry Don just wasn’t that thrilled with living in Love, Oklahoma, anymore.

There ought to be more in life than working at Thomas’ filling station out on the highway. Jerry Don decided he might as well join the Army. Since Ft. Sill was nearby, his worst fear, and with his rotten luck, he’d probably have to stay in Love during his entire hitch. He joined anyway. When he found out he’d be doing his basic training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Jerry Don was first scared, then excited. He looked forward to seeing a part of the country he’d never seen. He’d probably be sent right back here to Ft. Sill in Lawton, but he sure hoped not.

Two nights before leaving for basic training, he and his buddy Jimmy Ray Lawson were riding around town. They watched two cute high school girls walking from the skating rink out to the A & B Café. Sure, he’d seen Jelly and Diane around lots of times before, but they were just kids then. He was surprised to see how much they’d grown up in the past year. They might be a little too young, but they were both seniors and knew the score he thought.

He stopped, and Jimmy Ray hollered out the window to the girls. You little kids need a ride out to the café or something?

The girls exchanged looks and whispered before Diane looked in all directions around them. I don’t see no kids around here. But if you’re addressing us, we would enjoy ridin’ around with two old coots for a while.

She was cute as a bug’s ear, and Jerry Don thought he might take her up on the action her eyes promised. As they were crawling into the back seat, the other girl, Jelly, looked up and smiled at him. Their eyes met and right then and there he knew that she was the one for him. Jelly got settled in the back seat with Diane. Jimmy Ray slung his body over the front seat to look at them, and Jerry Don gave his leg a nudge. When Jimmy Ray turned and looked at him, he motioned to Jelly in the corner looking out her window.

Jimmy Ray raised his voice and turned back to the girls, Hey now. This ain’t no way for you girls to be treating men that’s getting’ ready to go fight for their country! He opened the door and stepped out into the street. He pulled the seat forward and motioned to Jelly. Don’t you want to come up here and keep this poor old soldier boy company? You know he’s getting’ ready to go off down there where them little senorita girls are, but they aren’t nearly as pretty as you two. Then only God knows where he’ll go next. He placed his hand over his chest. Don’t you want to come keep him company on his last days home?

When she looked over at Jerry Don, he had a smile on his face. Jelly thought he was awfully cute. Of course she’d had a terrible crush on Jerry Don when she was in the seventh grade. He wouldn’t even look over to the junior high section of the study hall. She’d watch him cutting up and having fun with his friends. When she was supposed to be studying, she would dream of the long conversations they would have someday. Now that time was here, and she couldn’t think of anything to say.

Instead she smiled at Jimmy Ray. Okay, she said and climbed out of the car.

After Jimmy Ray settled in back, she pushed the seat back, slid in, and shut the door. She glanced at Jerry Don, who was watching her every move. He took her arm and gave it a tug, indicating he wanted her to sit in the middle of the front seat near him. She gave a small laugh and scooted over next to him. She didn’t feel uncomfortable; she just didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. She was definitely not that kind of girl. The kind all the girls talk about and all the boys take out on the sly. Neither was Diane, but no one couldn’t tell it from the way she was acting back there with Jimmy Ray. Maybe Diane just wanted these older guys to think she was worldly since they were seniors.

Hey, big boy, take it easy! Diane laughed from the back. You think you get all that for a ride to the A & B? It isn’t even your car! Besides that, I don’t even think you’re in the Army.

It ain’t his car either darlin’, Jimmy Ray answered with an exaggerated patient voice. It’s his old man’s, but he just can’t tell Jerry Don ‘no’ since he’s getting ready to leave. ‘Sides all that, I may join up before too long. I gotta think on it a bit. As you know, I am needed with the public school system.

Jimmy Ray had been hired as school custodian since his graduation. Most of the girls thought he was a big creep.

You know you sure do smell good! Jimmy Ray made loud sniffing noises.

Jelly was embarrassed by the quiet giggling from Diane and the muffled sounds from Jimmy Ray. She wouldn’t look in the back for fear she would see her best friend making out with Jimmy Ray, the creep. Not that he was a bad boy, but he just wasn’t her idea of a nice guy. He was always running off at the mouth and had smart remarks to make to girls as they passed by him. Jelly glanced at Jerry Don who was looking at her.

You know, she said, maybe you ought to watch the road. They laughed, and he slid his arm around her.

Jelly took his arm from her shoulder and pushed herself forward on the seat. She curled her leg under her body and slid back in the seat. She put her arm easily around his shoulder and snuggled up close.

He was surprised at her doing that. She knew that from the look on his face that he thought he might get to first base after all.

When she saw that look on his face she smiled. Now don’t get any big ideas Jerry Don. You need both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.

His free hand rested on her leg, and she put it back on the steering wheel just as they crossed the railroad tracks. She barely noticed the familiar thump the tracks made on the bottom of the car. She thought it was her heart doing tricks in her chest.

Well I’ll be damned! he said. I thought you were all grown up, Angelica, but you are still a little girl. He shook his head. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if you’ve grown up when I get back from Basic, he teased her as he pulled into the parking lot of the café.

He was still smiling, but Jelly could tell he was a little put out with her.

That’s okay, she said, when you get back we’ll see how much you’ve settled down. You know all those Mexican senoritas and everything.

Then something happened so quickly that she couldn’t help herself. He looked at her, and his eyes had the reflection of the dashboard lights reflected in them. They seemed to actually twinkle. It fascinated her, and she came closer to get a better look. In just that little amount of time, he stopped the car, slid his arm around her waist, kissed her! Right there, in the A & B parking lot for everyone to see.

When they finished kissing, she looked around, afraid to see who was there to witness the act. There weren’t many people there that night, so she leaned back into his arms and let him kiss her again. Jelly couldn’t believe the roaring in her head. She’d been reading about this stuff for years in True Story, True Confession, and Teen Confidential. This was the first time she’d heard that roaring herself. She guessed the right boy hadn’t kissed her yet. This guy knew what he was doing, and what he was doing was making her want more. She couldn’t get close enough to him, and she kept pulling on him to get him closer. When she heard noise from the back seat, she was jolted back to reality and pushed him away. She was panting for breath and was embarrassed that she had lost her cool. The only thing that saved her from her total embarrassment was the look on his face.

He pulled her head near him and whispered in her ear so only she could hear. You were worth the wait, he said in a gruff voice. I’m not going to let you go now.

A movement from the back seat made Jerry Don’s seat go forward.

Hey bud! Let’s go ridin’ around a little while longer. Jimmy Ray whined, wanting more time to make out with Diane.

Jerry Don turned his head and said to Jimmy Ray, Why don’t y’all go get a Coke and me and Jelly will ride around a little while.

Jelly might be young, but she knew he wanted to go park with her. What really scared her was what he wanted once they were parked. Usually that wasn’t a problem with her, but then she’d never heard that roaring in her ears before either. Jelly wasn’t afraid of what he wanted; she was afraid of what she wanted.

Jelly jumped forward in the seat and slid across to the other side. She spoke to Diane. You gettin’ out with me or what? she asked as she opened the door and stepped into the cool night air.

Diane was a little surprised at Jelly. After all it had looked like she and Jerry Don were getting along real good.

She pushed the seat forward. Yeah, I’ll get out with you. She crawled over Jimmy Ray’s legs. After much giggling and moving around in the back seat, Diane finally made it to the door of the car.

As she put her leg down on the street to step out, her rear stuck up right in Jimmy Ray’s face.

Oh, my God! he hollered in mock pain. I can’t take much more of this! He moaned and clutched his side.

Diane screeched with laughter. Go on you idgit! I’ll see you later, she said as she stepped to the street near Jelly. She smoothed out her full skirt and adjusted her blouse that was covered by her black senior pep club sweater with white stripes around one upper arm.

You just bet you will! He said as he climbed out beside her. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled Diane up close. You good for tomorrow night after the ball game? He moved her in a suggestive slow dance rhythm.

Honey, she said in an exaggerated drawl, I’m good all the time!

Jelly was embarrassed by Diane’s forwardness and yet she couldn’t blame her. She had just been kissing an older guy right in the parking lot of the A & B Café for anyone to see. She just hoped no one saw that would tell Daddy. She’d get grounded for a month!

When she turned, Jerry Don was standing beside her with his hands in his Levi pockets. You want to go riding around tomorrow night after the game? I just have two more days and then I’ll be gone for eight weeks.

He looked like a big old beautiful doll standing there so still. His arms had to be cool because all he had on with his Levi’s was a white t-shirt tucked in them down low on his hips. Her body was drawn to him, and she couldn’t understand what was happening to her. Before she could help herself she was leaning against him and he was pushed up against his car. She opened her senior sweater on both sides and wrapped it around his shoulders. She didn’t kiss him, and she didn’t let him kiss her. Their eyes were doing all the kissing. Her breasts tingled and it scared her, yet she pushed even closer. She used her senior sweater to wrap them together so she could be even closer to him. It took all her strength to stop herself from nuzzling his neck.

Then his arm circled her waist and he put his palm flat on her back under her sweater. Whew, he said. Where have you been all my life? His fingers moved against her bra.

Jelly grinned at him and spoke with her mouth moving close to his. Right down the block.

She didn’t have time to stop and consider that she was sending him a message.

He chuckled. We’ve wasted so much time!

She stepped back and said, You know I’m not that kind of a girl, don’t you, Jerry Don?

She’d heard some stories about him and some of his girl friends, and she thought now would be a good time to get all of that straight. Jelly Ryan didn’t do those kinds of things.

He seemed as if he was shaken awake from a dream. He looked stunned, then and said, Oh yeah. That’s why I like you so much.

Jelly smiled, contented. He made her feel special. In some ways she was special. She was a virgin. To Jelly, Jerry Don seemed worldly and wise. Not to mention sexier than hell and everything True Confession had warned her about for years.

Jelly pulled away from his warm body. Sure, I’ll go with you tomorrow night Jerry Don.

She tried not to sway too much walking away from him because she knew he was watching her every move. Diane met her, and they walked into the café together. They giggled when they heard Jimmy Ray’s EEEEEE-HA behind them.

Girl! Diane said breathlessly once they had stepped through the door. We have just hit the big time. Can you imagine a date with Jimmy Ray? Diane’s glasses had slipped forward, and her eyes were excited. She had spots of bright pink on her cheeks.

Jelly looked at her best friend and answered honestly, No, Diane, I sure can’t imagine it.

Yuck! The very thought of Jimmy Ray made her sick. But she was relieved Diane didn’t want Jerry Don instead. Diane was a little on the large size, but it just so happened all the bulges were in just the right place. She had straight brown hair that she wore in the new flip style. Her glasses she wore only made her brown eyes look bigger. For many years the boys had lusted after her big boobs. The best thing about Diane was her good personality. That usually meant a girl was a dud for sure, but it didn’t apply to Diane. Everyone loved her mainly because she loved everyone. It was hard for Jelly to realize Diane lusted after that creep, Jimmy Ray.

She and Diane messed around in the Bop Room for a while and listened to the jukebox. When Jelly caught sight of the time, she hollered over the noise to Diane, Hey! It’s almost 10 p.m. We gotta go. School tomorrow. Daddy will kill me!

Diane looked at the big clock on the wall just to make sure Jelly was telling the truth. They had both slipped off their sweaters while dancing and put them back on. They took their purses and started toward the front door.

They said good-byes to some, exchanged waves with others, and stepped out into the cool air. It felt good, and Jelly could tell spring was on its way. She was sort of looking forward to the walk home. She’d had her own car, a red and white 1956 Ford, for a year or so. Of course she wouldn’t think of walking anywhere except her car was in the garage in Lawton getting fixed. She’d be glad when she got it back tomorrow, but it was a good excuse to walk and not feel humiliated.

Jelly sighed contentedly and breathed in the crisp air. This is a great night to walk home just like when we were little kids. She smiled at the memory of the two jabbering all the way home after the movies.

Diane stopped suddenly and laughed. Sure. But you know we won’t get any farther than the railroad tracks when Barney Fife will pick us up.

Jelly hugged her sweater to her and turned to Diane. He can’t help it, Diane. He means well. He’s just afraid of Daddy. You know his name is Rodger Mackey, not Barney Fife, and this sure isn’t Mayberry.

Diane stepped farther into the parking lot, but stopped short and turned back to Jelly. Well, would you lookie here! Somebody’s got it bad for you.

Jerry Don sat waiting for them in his daddy’s ‘58 Chevy. Jelly tried not to grin and held her head high as she walked around the car. They went on to the street pretending not to see him waiting for her.

Jerry Don’s car sprang to life or as much life as a 1958 Chevy Bel-Air could generate. He backed up and pulled beside them. He had his arm out the window, and a cigarette glowed in his mouth. Don’t you want a ride home Jelly? He took a drag off his cigarette.

Was he crazy? Of course she wanted a ride with him! She wanted to be as close to him as possible and have him kiss her until she was weak. She said, Do you mind taking Diane home first?

An easy smile crossed his face. Of course not. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to Diane, would we?

The girls climbed into the front seat. There was plenty of room, but Jelly pushed as close to Jerry Don as possible. She pretended it was just an accident when her breast pressed into his arm. She liked the way it felt there.

So where’s old-what’s-his-name? Diane asked. She was turned crossways in the seat so she could see more of Jerry Don. Jelly couldn’t blame her. He was mighty nice to look at.

Jelly was quiet, all the time hoping and praying her daddy was still out on his date in Lawton.

He tossed his cigarette out his window. Old-what’s-his-name had to go home real sudden like.

Jerry Don’s hand was now pressed on Jelly’s leg.

Jelly’s leg was still, but her heart was racing. She was trying to act like she hadn’t noticed the hand on her thigh. If she’d noticed, she’d have to get mad and make him take it away. She didn’t want him to move it. It felt so good there she wondered how much better it would feel farther up on her leg?

It was quiet in the car, and both Jerry Don and Diane were looking at her. Huh? She asked stupidly.

Diane laughed. Dummy! I said, won’t it be too bad if your daddy is still on his date? Cause I just know he would love to have a little visit with Jerry Don before he leaves. Isn’t that right?

Diane thought she was so smart. Jelly knew she was just jealous because Jerry Don was giving her all his attention. Diane was always the center of attention not her. Now, not even Jimmy Ray the creep would come with Jerry Don to take them home.

I hope he’s still gone, Jelly said defiantly just to make Diane angry. Instead she was rewarded with a gentle squeeze to her thigh by Jerry Don’s glorious magic hand. The heat that hand produced was amazing, and Jelly thought she was going to pass out. Now Jelly understood why stranded people in snowstorms would bundle together for warmth. Jerry Don’s hand was as hot as fire against her leg.

Diane, do you still live next door to Jelly? Jerry Don was such a gentlemen to ask such a stupid question. They both had lived in the same houses since their mamas had brought them home from the hospital.

Jelly thought, I can’t wait until Diane Holman gets her smart butt out of here so I can feel that hand better. But she knew better than to say that; it was bad enough just to think it.

She said, Yeah, she still lives next door to me. Then, she did a very brazen thing. She put her hand on top of his arm. The arm whose hand was on top of her thigh! She was rewarded with the hand, squeezing her leg once again, and that began a little rubbing motion on the inside of her thigh.

Oh my, she thought, what have I started?

For some reason she just didn’t care. That ride of only four blocks turned out to be the longest ride of her life. Silently she was saying, let Daddy be gone, let Daddy be gone. They rounded the corner, and she gave a huge sigh of relief. Daddy’s car wasn’t in front of the house. Of course the porch light was on as well as the living room light and her bedroom light. The side of the house was brightly lit also.

Oh, he’s home. Jerry Don sounded disappointed.

No, he’s not. His car’s not there. Jelly looked at Jerry Don just as he looked at her and they smiled. Her hand now traveled down his arm to his wrist. It was all she could do to keep from gasping when she felt the hairs on his arm. She was amazed to realize her hand was resting on top of his hand. It seemed they were one as their hands moved on her leg.

Now you two don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do. Diane said as she opened her car door. See ya in the morning Jelly. Same time. Diane walked quickly up to her porch, and they watched her until the front door closed behind her.

Jelly was afraid to breathe. She was afraid she would suck all the air out of the car. She didn’t make any motion to move away from him and stayed as close as she could. His body was so warm, and the hand was just about more than she could stand.

Jerry Don didn’t remove his hand, that wonderful hand that was making those circling moving motions up the inside of her thigh. His hand moved her hand along with his on its upward travel.

Jelly held her breath and feared she would die soon if she couldn’t breathe. She had to put a stop to this now. She would make him stop just as soon as she felt it a moment longer. That couldn’t cause any harm she felt sure. She made her mind up to make him stop just as soon as he parked the car.

Jerry Don pulled the car out into the street, then backed into Jelly’s drive. A big elm tree blocked some of the light from the porch light, the living room light, the lights on the side of the house, and another light that he didn’t realize at the time was her bedroom light. He parked the car with his left hand, then stretched across the steering wheel to put the automatic transmission in park. He didn’t want to move that right hand even for that split second.

Jerry Don knew something special was happening here, and he didn’t want to disturb it for not even a moment. He had been close before and something always happened to ruin it. This time nothing was going to keep this from happening.

Jelly felt the car stop and knew they were parked under the big elm tree at the end of her driveway. She felt Jerry Don’s magic hand. Okay, she’d stop it just as soon as they kissed one last time.

As soon as the car went in park and the ignition turned off, Jerry Don turned and wrapped his free arm around Jelly. They scooted over to the passenger side of the car. Jelly discovered that Jerry Don had two magic hands and one was now under her arm, just barely touching her breast. She tried not to moan because it seemed his breathing was getting a little labored. She’d read about this part, too. It made her feel as if she had some magical power over him. It made her feel needed and wanted. It made her feel strong.

Her arms went up. His other magic hand went under her breast and brushed across her blouse. Her hands grabbed his head just behind his ears, and her fingers were moving in that blond hair. His body was nearly covering hers now. Her eyes were closed, and she couldn’t hear much besides that roaring in her ears.

When she became conscious she remembered she wasn’t suppose to do this stuff—that nice girls didn’t make out on the first date. But she wanted to experience just a little more of what the bad girls experienced. Her back arched, and her breasts pushed closer to him. It seemed she couldn’t get close enough to him. Just a little more and she knew she would stop him. She was surprised when it was he that stopped the making out.

Damn! Jerry Don said as he straightened up in the seat, disgusted.

Jelly opened her eyes and was surprised to see red and blue flashes in the car.

Oh, my God! Daddy’s home! she said breathlessly, scared and yet still excited from the wild kissing. Daddy had always thought it was funny to turn his flashing lights on her and her dates. Usually her dates didn’t think it was very funny. At least he didn’t turn the siren on this time. Being the sheriff’s daughter had its drawbacks.

Yeah, Jerry Don sighed. Daddy’s home.

They turned, straightening their clothes but laughing just the same. She opened the passenger door, and they both slid out of her door.

Jake Ryan turned off the lights on his cruiser. Hey, kiddo, what you doin’ sittin’ out here in the dark with that no-good Hunt boy?

Jake was laughing quietly. The laugh seemed to have a definite edge to it that could turn deadly anytime.

Don’t you know, he continued as he walked up beside them, he’s just a horny old boy getting’ ready to leave town?

Jerry Don gave him a tight smile and a nod of his head. Jake. How you doin? Been to Lawton tonight? He just wanted to remind Jake that he wasn’t the only one that got horny.

Jake eyed Jerry Don warily. This boy was getting’ a little too big for his britches. Thank goodness he was leavin’ town pretty soon. He said, Yeah, I been to Lawton. When you leavin’?

Jerry Don stared Jake in the eyes, but answered respectfully. Two days, Jake. I leave for Basic in two days.

I meant now. Tonight. I meant you best be getting’ on home, Jerry Don. Wouldn’t want your folks worryin’ about you.

Jake knew exactly what Jerry Don wanted from his girl, and he’d do his best to make sure he didn’t get it. Damn boys anyway. All they ever thought about was getting nookie. He remembered those days. It was a good thing he and Velta had been together so long. Sure made life easier not having to chase nookie all over Comanche County. People here in Love didn’t take to their sheriff chasin’ local nookie, so he had to go countywide to get him any. Velta was a Love girl that got a job in Lawton at a beauty shop there. He was thrilled when she decided she’d had enough commuting and moved there. That’s when he started askin’ her out and all. He really liked the and all best and was thrilled to find out that’s why she moved to Lawton in the first place.

Life was good for Jake