Chapter 23
Jake was at the top of his game at school Monday. He was sharp and focused in class and Mr. Congeniality when mingling with his peers. He politicked down the halls, greeting all the guys, and sweet-talked every female he met. Erika added to his good mood when she met him at his locker. She was as sweet and loving as a woman could be; she even complimented a blushing Beth on how she looked today. Beth wore a hippie regulation long gingham granny dress belted at the waist. It fit her well and showed more body -- a body that was better than Jake had first thought. Mr. McClelland was in an even better mood today. He was jovial and even cracked a few jokes that his class almost understood. He called Jake up to his desk and said that Denise was going with him to the football game Friday. Jake congratulated him and, on a related matter, asked him if he would show some of the proposed football plays to Coach Nelson at lunch.
Thirty minutes later, Jake was sitting in the lunchroom enjoying the company of his friends. The group had grown to include two tables now. Jake glanced at the faculty table and saw Mr. McClelland politely talking to the Misses Doane and Smith. When Coach Nelson came to sit with them, Mr. McClelland whipped out his ubiquitous notebook and showed Coach something. They talked for a minute then McClelland put away the notebook and turned back to the two little cuties in front of him. One of the teachers at the table was reading the paper and showed something to Coach, who read it and passed it around the table. Rebecca read it, turned, and pointed me out to Miss Smith. "What the hell?" thought Jake.
Jake found out 'what the hell' in study hall. Rebecca came to the reference room with today's paper and gave Jake the sports section. In the high school athletics column was a picture of Jake and his story. You know, coma to star athlete, troubled youth to model student, blah-blah-blah. There were comments from Coach and a glowing testimonial from Mrs. Victoria Greer; even Principal Skinner gave him a quasi-compliment. Skinner said that Jake had come to his attention and he would be keeping an eye on the young man. Of course, the only time Jake had actually come to his attention was because of a fight in the parking lot. Jake finished the article and handed the paper back to Rebecca.
Rebecca looked around to see if the coast was clear, then leaned over and whispered in his ear, "My hero... I wish that they had interviewed me so I could tell them about your other talents."
Football practice was intense; not because of anything the coaches did, but because the players wanted it that way. Forty-five young men had seen the proverbial light; they were committed to becoming the state champions. The same forty-five players almost shit themselves when Carl McClelland ran out of the gym with the usual coaches. He was wearing the same maroon gym shorts and white Kennedy athletic department tee-shirt as the other coaches. Instead of tennis shoes he had on wing-tips with black socks, his legs were as white as the chalk that marked the yard lines, and he carried three clipboards. Coach introduced him as Coach McClelland, the new offensive coordinator. It seems Coach McClelland had applied his powers of scientific observation to analyze the offense and had designed some plays to capitalize on this team's strengths.
Coach Nelson turned the offense over to McClelland who got in the middle of the huddle. He shuffled through his clipboards, found the one he wanted, and shuffled though the papers on it for the first new play. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a magic marker and started explaining. Three minutes later, the offensive players' eyes had started to glaze over. Coach Nelson came up to the huddle and suggested they just try the play without the preamble. Jake lined up his defense with anticipation as the offense went into one of their standard formations. The ball was snapped and everything still looked routine; but a receiver was unexpectedly wide open and Brad hit him for a fifteen-yard gain. All the new plays they ran that afternoon netted similar results. It was as if there were an extra offensive player on the field because someone was open or there was a sudden hole for a running back on every play. Coach Nelson had a big smile on his face as practice broke up; his friend, the coach from Lake Wales, had a huge surprise coming.
Jake was home by five. Maria and Marisa were already there; Marisa was swimming with Angie, Melissa and Debbie. Helen and Maria had their heads together talking; they stopped when he walked up.
"I didn't know you had an apartment, Jacob," Helen said, eyebrows up.
"I don't," he said, "I have a key to Coach's place. If the summer renters aren't using it, I can hang out there, if I ask."
"Who hangs out there with you?" she asked.
"Only one person so far; but Maria saw it yesterday -- ask her about it," he answered.
"Well, I would like to see it for myself before you use it again -- if you don't mind."
"Sure, Mom; no problem."
Jake excused himself and headed inside. He was getting a drink when Maria came into the kitchen. She apologized profusely for saying anything about the coach's apartment. Jake told her it was okay, he did not have anything to hide, and he had just never thought to mention it to his mom.
"But it sure messes up plans we had for this evening, senorita."
She laughed and said, "Patience, my big strong man, we will get our chance."
Charles Turner came home, forestalling Jake and Maria's conversation continuation. Charles asked Jake if he had seen the newspaper article and he said he had. Helen walked in then and asked what Charles was talking about. Charles handed her the paper and she and Maria sat down in the nook to read it together. Then the phone rang and Jake, being closest, answered it.
"Did you see the paper?" Sven Johansson asked over the phone.
"Yes sir, did you have anything to do with the article?"
"Yep, we planted a bug in the sports editor's ear, Mr. Future President," Sven laughed.
They chatted for a couple of minutes and Sven put Erika on the phone. She told him he was expected at dinner at six Wednesday evening. Jake said he would ask his parents and tell her their answer tomorrow. He later called Gail Martin and asked her out for Saturday night. He also called Rebecca and chatted the allowed ten minutes. Maria and her daughter stayed for dinner; it was lively at the table as the women all teased Jake about the newspaper article. After dinner the girls went upstairs to yack; they were filling Marisa in on Kennedy High in anticipation of her enrollment tomorrow. Charles was working on some legal issues with Maria.
Helen grabbed her car keys and Jake and announced, "Jacob and I are going on an errand, and we will be back in an hour or so."
Jake was a little put off by Helen's attitude; she was being about as over-motherly as he could stand. They did not have much to say to each other as he gave her directions to Coach's pad. Helen plowed through the door as soon as Jake opened it as if she expected to see the aftermath of some wild teenage party. She stalked through the house wordlessly being as snoopy as only a woman could be. Jake just watched her in amusement; it was an inspection a drill sergeant would have been proud of. Jake could not tell if she was satisfied or disappointed that she did not find evidence of wild goings on. She sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to her. Jake sat down and she swung around to face him folding her leg under her. Jake could not help looking at the thigh she exposed.
"I know you probably think I'm irrational for barging in here like this, but I claim a mother's prerogative on this one. After all, you are a teenage boy no matter how mature you act. I wanted to see this place before you could come over here and clean it up. I must say that it is a pleasant surprise to find it so well kept. Secondly, I am embarrassed to admit it, but I was jealous of Maria getting to be with you here tonight. I know what she had on her mind and it was not legal advice she was going to give you. It's harder for me to accept you being with her than the girls your own age."
"I understand, Helen", Jake said, "Do you want me to stop coming here and avoid Maria?"
"No, I guess not, that wouldn't be fair. But I want you to stop keeping secrets from me."
Jake avoided responding to that statement instead he said, "Come here; it's a rule -- if you come here with me, you have to kiss me."
"How long has that rule been in effect?" she asked laughing.
"About fifteen seconds," Jake replied.
She came to him eagerly and he pressed her backwards until she was supine with him on top of her. Her legs wrapped around him and she kissed him passionately. It was quickly obvious that he had a horny little mommy on his hands. Jake had her dress unbuttoned and her bra open in a flash; he began worrying her nipples with his tongue and teeth. He slipped a hand under her dress, petting her little pussy as she was grinding away on his hand. He worked a finger, then two, under the leg band of her silky pink panties and her needy pussy sucked them in. He thought he had reached nirvana as she climaxed on his fingers. He broke contact and was reaching for his zipper when she pushed him away and sat up, hair and eyes wild.
"We have to stop, Jacob; I don't want to, but we have to get home," she said, almost out of breath.
She started putting herself together as Jake gawked at her. - 'What a prick tease!, ' he thought. Jake adjusted his achingly hard love muscle and went to wash his face. When he returned, Helen was looking as fresh and unfazed as if she had been to an afternoon church tea. She was standing at the counter holding Erika's favorite wooden spoon that Jake had forgotten to put away.
"What were you and Erika doing; baking a cake?" she asked teasingly.
"Something like that," he said, then took the spoon from her and popped her on the ass with it.
"Ohhhh," she said as she warily watched him put it away in a drawer.
Helen drove them home and Jake excused himself while the adults were talking. He jumped into his shower and just jerked his joint. It was a cruel fate knowing that four of the six women in the house right now would have gladly and immediately relieved him of the load oozing down the drain, but he somehow could not ask for help at that moment.
Jake went down and rejoined the families. Helen and Maria were going to enroll Marisa in school tomorrow, then go house hunting. Charles was going to get with Jack Sorenson to see if the could find a place for Maria to hang her shingle. Maria was not going to tell Randal anything until she was all set up; he was flying back to Connecticut tomorrow anyway and she hoped it would soon be a done deal. Everyone thought that his apparent unconcern with Marisa being out of school was a further sign of his distraction with Vivian and their nefarious plans. As a precaution, they agreed that someone would be with Melissa all the time. Chip called while they were talking and said that he had made it back to Gainesville without incident. He had left Vivian a note but she had not even called him yet.
Jake went up to bed shortly after Maria and her daughter departed. Melissa followed him up and they undressed for bed; Jake got under the covers and Melissa joined him. She put her head on his chest and threw a leg and arm over him.
"You know, Jacob, that if you married me it would really spoil Vivian's plans."
Jake kissed her on the top of her head, "Are you proposing?"
"If you promise me that I'd go to sleep every night in this position -- I am."
Jake rolled her over on her back, got on top of her, and ground his crotch against hers, "This is more like how you'd go to sleep each night, except without the underwear between us."
"Even better," she sighed, wrapping her legs around him.
Jake kissed her and started to get up. She tightened her legs and held him in place. When he looked down into her face she said, "I'm not completely joking, Jake; I see us married one day."
Jake kissed her again and replied, "Lets get through this mess first -- then we'll talk about the future. Besides, we're young; who knows how we will feel in a few years."
She let him up. Melissa already knew how she would feel in a few years -- exactly the way she felt right now as he scooched up to her butt and buried his face in her hair. He fell asleep easily; Melissa needed a bit more time, but soon followed.
Jake rolled through school and practice Tuesday. Erika brought him home and came in to visit for a while; she was wearing a smart black skirt and gray sweater combo that Jake liked on her. She was soft, feminine, and smelled terrific. Jake complimented her and she preened for him. She was sincerely cordial to everyone and was a big hit. She stayed a half hour and split -- leaving as Charles was getting home. Charles got the royal welcome from the Turner females, especially Debbie. Dinner without guests for a change was fun. After the meal, everyone scattered.
Debbie dragged Charles out to the garage to spot for her as she worked out; daughter Debbie planned on subtly stepping up her seduction campaign tonight. Angie talked Helen into a short trip to the mall to buy an outfit for Tyler's visit next week. Jake asked Melissa to take him to the beach so they could talk. Once out of the house, Jake told Melissa the real destination he had in mind. She almost wrecked the car when he asked her to take him to her old house, now the castle of Vivian. Jake needed an ally that would not go crazy about him seeing Vivian and that left out his immediate family. Melissa hated the idea but she saw the merit in it; after all, she knew Vivian as well as anybody and could steer Jake around any potential minefields.
Melissa thought up a good reason for returning to the Thornton estate as she truthfully had forgotten a few personal things she needed. She rang the doorbell and the maid let them in; they stood in the foyer while she announced their arrival to Vivian. The maid came back for them and showed them to the formal living room. Vivian swept in five minutes later in jungle print lounging pajamas; she was absolutely beautiful and knew it. She was almost dismissive of Melissa and told her to do whatever she needed -- she would entertain Jake. She sat down next to Jake and started working him. With her hand on his arm and deceivingly demure eye batting in tango time, her body language let him know she wanted to add him to her collection. Jake made small talk and flirted back; giving as good as he got, he poured on the boyish charm. He convincingly acted as if he were helplessly and swiftly falling for her advances.
She spoke in a low voice, moved closer, and inclined her head.
"Jake, it's so lonely here now with Russell and the children gone," was her opening gambit.
"I guess it must be really lonely for you, all alone in this big house," he riposted.
She leaned forward, tightening the fabric of her jungle print top across her breasts so he could see their fullness and promise. "You are so right, Jake; tonight just your being here has made it so much better. I hope that you will feel free to drop by and visit me again."
"I'd love to, Mrs. Thornton; maybe it would be good for you to get out of the house and go to the beach or something." Jake was opening the door for her next move.
"Call me Vivian, Jake dear. That's a lovely idea, but only if you escort me. I feel safe with you."
Her hands smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from her upper thigh as she inclined her body even closer to Jake. He could smell a freshly applied oriental perfume rolling from her pyjamas.
Jake popped his plan.
"Well, we could go down Thursday evening; you know how soothing the ocean is at night. The only thing is I don't have a car yet. I guess I could have a friend drop me off -- but you'd have to take me home."
She looked directly into his eyes, then demurely down to the floor.
"I could do that, Jake; it would mean so much to me. I'd be forever in your debt."
It was clear, albeit unspoken, that debt repayment would be immediately forthcoming. Even with his guard up, Jake could feel the buzz of her promise run down his spine.
Damn, she was good; she seemed so sincere and vulnerable. They agreed on meeting at seven -- she would take the Jaguar XKE, a tribute to Russell she told him; it had been his favorite car. Melissa came in just then and ignored how cozy the pair was. She had a big Gucci bag bulging full of whatever goodies she had gathered and told Jake she was ready to go. Vivian protested that they should stay for a while but Melissa said tomorrow was a school day. Vivian walked them to the door and gave Melissa air kisses. When Melissa turned and headed for her car, Vivian gave Jake one soft, but lingering kiss on the lips and whispered that she looked forward to the beach on Thursday night.
As soon as they were out of the driveway Melissa went on a tirade about her step-monster. She could not believe how quickly Vivian had cozied up to Jake. Jake told her of his upcoming 'date' with Vivian and that started another 'conniving, two-timing bitch' harangue. Jake calmed her down and said they would get Maria to hire a private investigator to follow them and take pictures if possible. Melissa's eyes lit up at the investigator remark. Jesus, wouldn't it be delicious to catch Vivian in a compromising position, she thought. Melissa made Jake shower as soon as they got home to wash away Vivian's scent.
Wednesday was another day that passed in a blink; a little time with his friends, a few stolen moments with Rebecca, a hard football practice, and suddenly Erika was already picking him up for dinner. Erika met him at the gym door wearing a knee length green and black print dress with a cardigan over it. She took off the cardigan once they were in the car and Jake whistled at the cleavage she was displaying. The top two buttons were undone and she had on some magical bra that was pushing her breasts together and upwards. You could balance a beer mug on those things. When Jake arrived at the Johanssons' he was pleased to see that Helga was wearing a dress almost identical to Erika's, with her even more expansive cleavage also on display. Helga kissed him and slipped him her tongue, then went to finish supper.
Erika and Jake followed Helga into the kitchen and Erika got them both a glass of iced tea. Both women were affectionate toward him and more vivacious than usual. Jake asked where Sven and Erik were and found out Sven was in Tampa and Erik was somewhere with Ray Robinson. They kidded him about being their prisoner for the evening. Helga outdid herself cooking and Jake put a serious dent in the pile of pork chops, mashed potatoes, and rolls she set before him. The Nordic beauties had taken a seat on either side of him and both spent a lot of time with a hand on his leg. Jake was amused by their boldness and decided to see how brave Helga was going to be. He dropped his hand on her knee and slowly slid it up her smooth nylon-clad leg. His hand was above mid thigh as Helga still chatted and laughed so he went up a couple of more inches. He hit pay dirt when he felt the snap of a garter belt.
Jake found another benefit of being ambidextrous as he switched his fork hand, dropped his newly-freed hand on Erika's knee, and slipped it up under her dress. Yes, both his naughty Norwegian nymphs had on garter belts and nylons for dinner. Jake switched hands again and continued testing Helga; as his hand advanced her legs hesitantly parted. Jake just rested his hand on her warm upper thigh and enjoyed his dinner. Helga gave him an adoring look and even, as she got up to clear the table, grasped his wrist and pulled his hand to her wet panties. Erika excused herself and went upstairs for something as Jake took his plate into the kitchen. Helga was standing at the sink; Jake moved up close behind her. He pressed against her slightly as he put his plate in the sink and she saucily rubbed her ass against him.
"You have me so hot, Jake," she said, "Sven better be ready for a wild ride tonight."
Jake laughed and reached up to cup her breasts as he dipped his head to nuzzle her neck.
"I envy Sven; he is lucky to have a beautiful sexy wife like you."
"He knows it too; I told him how you get my Nordic Nookie all hot and bothered. It was his idea for you to come to dinner tonight; the thought of us together excites him. He told me to encourage you and then tell him all about it tonight when he gets home."
"Well, we better give you something significant to tell him," Jake said as he slid his hand into her bra, searching out good spots to squeeze and caress.
By the time Erika came bounding down the stairs, Jake had Helga thoroughly primed for Sven. He was glad Helga did not announce her arousal as her daughter did with a distinctive aroma. At eight, Erika took him home; Helga's parting kisses showed how much she appreciated his help with the dishes. Erika showed her own oral appreciation in the parking lot of a closed store. As he drifted of to sleep spooned up against Melissa, Jake wondered exactly how far Sven would take his fantasy of his wife being seduced.
Jake was on cruise control the next day at school. Last night Melissa had told him that Maria was indeed hiring a private detective to follow Vivian and him tonight. He was working on possible scenarios of the evening in his head. He finally just decided to let Vivian set the tone and see where she led them. His day switched off autopilot when he was called to the guidance office at the start of his fourth period history class. He was kept waiting for ten minutes in the anteroom before Ms. Phillips, the counselor, came out for him.
Ms. Phillips was somewhere in her forties; she was well dressed and groomed, even if she appeared a little severe. She was of medium height and seemed fairly well built although it was hard to tell because her business suit covered her so well. She had dark hair with some gray showing; her demeanor was brusquely professional.
"Mr. Turner, midterm grade are in and we are most pleasantly surprised with yours. You have an 'A plus' in all your subjects and glowing recommendations for advanced placement from most of your teachers. Yet, while a check of your junior high records indicates potential, you have no history of actual achievement. To what do you attribute this sudden success?"
"Call me Jake, Ms. Phillips; I guess I figured out I needed to start applying myself," he said with a disarming smile.
"Well, Mr. Turner," she said pointedly, "I don't know if six weeks of success is enough to convince me that you should be transferred into the talented and gifted program. Besides, you must already be over-extended with football and school. Then there is the incident in the parking lot; fighting simply is not a normal trait of one of our scholars."
Jake was getting exasperated with her tone.
"Ms. Phillips, if you have already made up your mind, why am I here?"
Her voice grew even sharper.
"You need to be more respectful in how you talk to me, Mr. Turner. I was going to talk to you and perhaps give you a screening test to assess your ability. However, your attitude leads me to believe that it would be fruitless to continue."
"Whatever you say, Ms. Phillips; I mostly respond to people just the way they treat me. You set the hostile tone when I walked through the door," Jake said, as he stood up to leave.
Surprised by his calm termination of the meeting, she quickly reconsidered.
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Turner. Mrs. Greer spoke highly of your maturity; perhaps I was hasty in my initial judgment. Can we start over?"
"Only if you call me Jake or Jacob; my dad is Mr. Turner."
"Alright, Jacob, would you mind taking a screening test?"
"Not at all, Ms. Phillips and did you know that your eyes have gold flecks in them."
She colored slightly and busied herself with pulling out the one-hundred-question, one-hour timed test. Victoria had been correct about this young man; the force of his personality was palpable. Standing in his aura sent shivers through her. She sat him at one of the desks in her office, explained the test, and started the timer. She walked to the door and flipped the switch that lit a red light bulb above the door outside her office. Under the bulb was a sign that read 'Testing In Progress -- Do Not Disturb". As he worked she kept looking at him; he certainly was a good-looking young man. His size and maturity made him appear to be at least five years older than he was. He caught her looking once and just gazed into her eyes a few seconds, then winked and returned to test-taking.
Jake turned in the test with fifteen minutes to spare. Ms. Phillips was about to say something to him about trying harder but stifled it; she had put her foot in her mouth enough already. Instead, she took out the answer key with its holes punched for the correct answers and laid it over Jake's test. She scanned down the columns and looked at him awry.
"No one I've ever tested finished this test within the time limit; yet you did and only missed one answer, Jacob," she said.
"Number twenty-five," he responded, "The question is ambiguous, and 'C' is actually a better answer than the 'B' the test people believe is correct."
He was behind her leaning over her shoulder to show her the question. His Canoe cologne's scent and his warm breath on her neck made her light-headed. She closed her eyes, took a breath, and then looked at the question. She knew he was correct immediately, but pretended to further study the problem to keep his intoxicating presence hovering over her.
"Jacob, it is clear I have seriously misjudged your ability; if further testing confirms your intellect, your future is unbounded."
"Thanks, but I have some ambitious plans and I need some one to guide me educationally toward them. Do you think you could be that special person to help me?"
"Yes, Jacob, I'd be happy to advise you," she said, praying her voice would not betray just how much a close relationship might please her.
"Thank you, Ms. Phillips; let's start tomorrow at first period," Jake said.
She nodded and he squeezed her shoulders and headed for the door. As he was turning the knob, she called out.
"Diane; my name is Diane."
Jake grinned at her, waved, and headed for study hall. Diane Phillips sat at her desk gathering her composure for a couple of minutes, then began packing her briefcase to go home. She was going to call Victoria tonight and find out more about this extraordinary young man. He was only a couple of years older than her twin girls; yet he had set her aquiver like no one, including her ex-husband, ever had. Maybe I'm not really frigid, she thought, maybe there is hope for me yet, despite my ex's dire prediction of eternal frosty spinsterhood.
Jake was able to say a quick hello to Rebecca and Beth at study hall before the dismissal bell. He rocketed from study hall to his locker, then on to the gym to suit up for practice. The team was as sharp as it had ever been; Sea Coast High was in for a long night if the Panthers played with the same intensity come Friday night. Although the team was proficient in the new plays designed by Carl McClelland, they were going to try to stick to their old plays until they met Lake Wales again. Coach called it quits half an hour early and the parking lot had cleared when Erika picked him up at five. Jake gave Erika an edited version of his meeting with Ms. Phillips and Erika gave Jake a good look at her legs as she drove. She dropped him off with a promise of more than a look come the weekend and roared off. She drove like a maniac and scared the shit of Jake; he might have to let the spoon talk to her about her driving.
After supper Jake got grudging permission to go out for a couple of hours, his parents were concerned that he was spending too much time away from home. Melissa dropped him a block from the Thornton homestead. Jake rang the doorbell at exactly seven and Vivian answered the door. She was dressed casually in soft navy blue slacks and a white form-fitting sweater. A heavier light blue cable knit sweater was tied around her shoulders. She ushered him in and kissed him briefly. She cooed about how happy she was that he had come to get her out of the house as she led the way to the garage. She pressed the remote to open the garage door and expertly backed the Jag XKE out. They drove to the beach listening to the 'Doors' on the eight-track. Jake directed her from the beach approach towards the lifeguard station where Maria had told Melissa the private investigator would be hidden.
Vivian pulled in and parked with the rear of the XKE pointing towards the ocean so she and Jake leaned against the deck lid watching the waves. A big fat moon was rising in front of them sending a silver ribbon of light across the water to their feet. Vivian snuggled under his arm and pressed against him.
"I feel so protected in your arms, Jake," she said in her soft Georgia drawl.
So that is how she did it, thought Jake, as he wrapped his arm around her tighter. She made you feel as if you were Rhett Butler saving Scarlet from the Yankees. She appeared so helpless and vulnerable you just had to protect her. She was subtle and even though Jake knew what she was doing, he was still falling for it. She tilted her head up and sought his lips, lightly kissing the corner of his mouth.
"Jake, I'm so scared that Russell's children will force me out on the street; they hate me because their father loved me. And Chip wants to take his father's place with me."
She kissed the other corner of his mouth; her firm breasts pushed into his chest.
"I need someone to keep me informed on whatever they are scheming and someone to protect me from Chip. You felt our connection at the cotillion, now we can do something about it; will you help me?"
Vivian ran her tongue across his lips, then kissed him passionately. She had missed her calling, thought Jake, she was Mata Hari combined with Ingrid Bergman. Jake returned her kiss but let her set the pace; if this were being filmed or photographed he wanted to clearly be the one being seduced. He did not remember what kind of low light photography existed in 1971, but hoped this was somehow being recorded. He smiled to himself when Vivian took his hand and placed it firmly on her breast.
"This will be our little secret, Jake; just you and me against everyone else. When we are rich we can go anywhere we want and do any thing we want, just the two of us. You want that, don't you, my hero?"
She pushed herself against him harder as he palmed her breast.
"Yes, Vivian, God yes, I'll do it for you; anything you want if we can be together."
She wasn't the only actor there tonight. Vivian let him play with her breast a minute longer, then broke from his embrace. "We need to get you home before you get in trouble, honey," she said.
Jake acted like he were disappointed and she told him they would have plenty of time together later. As she drove him home, she told him what questions to ask and gave him her private phone number. He promised to call her Sunday and tell her what he found out. She let him off down the block and he walked into the house at 8:10. He went and showered - removing the recent scent -- before joining the family in the living room. Helen asked him to help her in the kitchen for a minute and followed her out. She pulled him into the relatively private laundry room and asked about Maria. Jake told her he had not been with Maria and had not seen her since Tuesday. Relieved he had not been seeing her rival, Helen did not think to ask him who he had been with -- so he got away without having to lie to her.
As Jake climbed the stairs toward his bedroom, he reflected Helen
was teetering right on the edge between hard-to-get prick tease and
fully-involved jealous lover. He would have to somehow find and develop
a better alternative to either of those two cases or home life with
Helen could get very tricky.