"You aren't going to wear that, are you?"
Sean looked down at his t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. He wondered what was wrong with his clothes. It was the same thing that he wore every day. Looking up at his mother, he said, "You're right. I should go there naked."
"Mom, Sean's a pervert," Lily said automatically.
"I know, Lily. All boys his age are perverts," his mother said. She smiled at Sean and said, "That would be a good way to get a quick ride to the vet's office from Mrs. Emery."
"I didn't think about that," Sean said. He rubbed the back of his neck still getting used to the haircut.
"Go put on a dress shirt, a nice pair of pants, and your good shoes," she said.
"Okay," Sean said frowning. He wasn't sure why she was insisting that he dress up just to have dinner with Suzie and her parents.
Sean went into his room and changed clothes. When he went to put on his shoes, he noticed that someone had polished them. After slipping them on, he ordered the shoelaces to tie themselves one at a time just to see what would happen. He was quite surprised when the laces formed perfect knots complete with symmetric loops.
He looked in the mirror when he was done and said, "I look like I'm going to church."
'Or a date, ' Sean thought. The thought quickly made itself felt in his groin. As his cock stirred, he hit his head and said, "Don't even think thoughts like that. She's your friend."
Sean left his room and made his way towards the back door. Passing his mother, he said, "Bye."
His mother asked, "Where are you going?"
"To Suzie's for dinner," Sean answered thinking that the answer was pretty obvious.
She shook her head and said, "Not the back way. Go out the front door."
"It is longer," he protested. The houses were set well back from the road. He would have to walk down to the road and then along it to get there since the Baxter's had a fence that ran around the front of their property.
"You'll drive," his mother said.
"Drive?" he asked with more than a little hint of surprise in his voice. She never let him drive.
"Yes, you'll drive. You don't want to show up with your shoes all scuffed up," she said.
Looking down at his shoes, he said, "I know that Mrs. Emery is a little hostile towards me and cats, but do you really think that she is going to be looking at my shoes?"
"I raised an idiot," his mother muttered. She answered, "Yes."
"Okay," Sean said having heard the idiot comment quite clearly. He wondered what had provoked that. He said, "I'll need the keys."
"Do you have any money?" she asked as she handed over the set of car keys.
Sean frowned and answered, "I don't think I'll need to buy any gas to get to her house. It is five houses over."
"You and Suzie might want to get some ice cream after dinner," his mother said.
"Oh, I didn't think of that," Sean said thinking that this little dinner was turning into a bit more than just dropping by for a bite to eat.
"Go get some money," his mother said.
Sean went to his room and got ten dollars out of his drawer. It was the first time in ages that he had actually removed any money from it. He picked up his wallet and put the money in it. If he was driving, he would need his driver's license. Convinced that there wasn't anything else for him to take, he paused in front of the mirror and checked his reflection. Grinning, he said, "Sean Connery Michaels, agent double o zero, is ready for action."
He headed for the front door convinced that he was prepared for this dinner engagement. As he reached the door, he came to a stop. His mother was blocking the door with her hands behind her back. He asked, "What now?"
"I just want to go over the checklist before you head out," she answered.
"What checklist?" Sean asked frowning.
"You showered, shaved, brushed your teeth, combed your hair, dressed nicely, and got some money. Did you get your driver's license?"
"Yes, Mom," Sean answered patting his wallet that nested in his back pocket of his pants.
She looked at him for a second and then said, "There's something missing."
After checking to make sure that his zipper was up, he asked, "What's missing?"
"Flowers," his mother answered holding out the bouquet of flowers she had been hiding behind her back.
"Flowers?" Sean asked with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He could just imagine how Mrs. Emery would react to him showing up with flowers. He said, "I'm not too sure about this. Suzie's mom is liable to get the wrong idea. The only thing she hates more than cats is me and you should hear what she likes to do to cats."
"Mrs. Emery doesn't hate cats," his mother said laughing.
"You haven't talked to her about cats," Sean said shaking a finger at his mother.
His mother shoved the flowers in his hand and said, "Go before you're late."
"I would have been there a half an hour ago if you hadn't kept sending me back to my room," Sean said.
It was a two minute drive to Suzie's house. He had to drive past the Baxter's house. Mr. Baxter was out by the street getting the mail from the mail box. The look he gave Sean when he drove past was not friendly. It sent shivers down Sean's spine.
He pulled into the driveway at Suzie's house and came to a stop. He had no idea where to park his mother's car. He sat there for a minute and then decided that he'd park next to Mrs. Emery's car and hoped that her father had somewhere else to park. He got out and headed towards the door. Although he had been half tempted to leave the bouquet of flowers in the car, he was pretty sure that his mother would find out.
Sean held out the bouquet of flowers and rang the front door. He fidgeted nervously thinking about the kind of reception that he would receive from Mrs. Emery. He hoped that the flowers his mother had given him would make a suitable peace offering. The past few discussions with her had not gone all that well.
Mrs. Emery opened the door and said, "Look at what the cat dragged in."
"Flowers," Sean said holding them out to her.
Amused by the gesture, Mrs. Emery asked, "Witless Wonder, would you rather be the cat or what the cat dragged in?"
"Knowing how you feel about the feline species, I think I would rather be what the cat dragged in," Sean answered.
"Smart," Mrs. Emery said, "Save the flowers for someone your own age."
"Yes, Mrs. Emery," Sean said thinking it was rather remarkable that she would make that particular suggestion. He thought that his mother sure would be surprised when he told her about that.
Mrs. Emery stepped back and said, "Come in."
"Yes, Mrs. Emery," Sean said sidling past her.
"You look nervous," Mrs. Emery said.
"Not at all, Mrs. Emery," Sean said looking down at the flowers in his hand. He hoped that Suzie didn't misinterpret the flowers and get angry at him. He'd hate to lose her as a friend and wondered if that wasn't the reason Mrs. Emery was suggesting he give the flowers to Suzie.
Mrs. Emery smiled at the worried expression on his face. He looked like he was about to face a firing squad. She said, "You look like a little lamb being led off to slaughter."
"Mrs. Emery, don't take this the wrong way, but I have a feeling that you don't like animals very much," Sean said.
"Actually, I'm quite fond of animals," Mrs. Emery said chuckling.
Sean looked skeptical for a second and then said, "So long as they aren't cats or lambs."
Mrs. Emery said, "Suzie is in the living room. Why don't you take the flowers to her?"
"You won't get angry?" Sean asked.
"Go give her the flowers," Mrs. Emery said pointing down the hallway towards the living room.
"Yes, Mrs. Emery." Sean wasn't about to argue with her although he was halfway convinced that she was trying to drive a wedge between him and Suzie. All he needed was for Suzie to get the wrong idea and he'd lose the only real friend that he had. Swallowing heavily, he made his way down the hall. He knew the way to the living room having played in it as a kid.
Sean stopped as soon as he entered the living room to look at Suzie. He couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. Suzie was standing at the other end of the room looking at him. She was wearing a very nice dress that was far shorter than he figured her mother would allow. It showed off her legs from upper thigh to shapely ankle. The upper part of the dress was cut pretty low as well. The swell of the upper parts of her breasts were exposed to his view. Her hair had been styled that day and looked very nice the way it framed her face.
It took him a full fifteen seconds to get control of his voice. Thrusting the hand that held the flowers forward, he said, "I have some flowers for you."
Suzie looked at the flowers and ran across the room. She gave him a quick hug. Taking the flowers from him she said, "I can't believe that you brought me flowers. That's so sweet."
When Suzie hugged him, Sean had absolutely no idea what he was supposed to do. After he started feeling dizzy, he figured that a good beginning would be to start breathing again. The top of her dress looked even better up close. He looked at Suzie and saw that she was glowing while holding the flowers.
He took a breath and then realized that they might not be alone. Sean looked back to see if Mrs. Emery was coming with a knife. She was grinning at him. He wasn't sure what that meant, but the idea of the angel standing in front of him caused him to turn back to Suzie.
He was pretty sure that he should say something to her. The first thing that came to mind for him to say to her involved describing how he'd love to run his hands over her body. Fortunately his better sense prevailed and he said, "You look lovely."
Suzie looked up at him from the flowers and said, "You're looking particularly handsome yourself."
"You look beautiful," Sean said deciding that lovely wasn't an accurate description.
"You're all dressed up," she said.
"I like your outfit, too," Sean said licking his lips. His lips were dry and his hands were sweaty.
"Did you get a haircut?" she asked trying to think of something to say. She licked her lips. Her lips were dry and her hands were sweaty.
"Yes," Sean answered.
She asked, "Did you go to a barber or did your mother cut it?"
"Mom cut it," Sean said thankful she was asking questions. At least now he didn't have to try to come up with something to say.
Mrs. Emery had listened to the conversation trying hard not to laugh. The two kids were looking at each other with cow eyes and blathering on inanely. She asked, "Are you going to hold those flowers until they wilt or are you going to get them in some water?"
Sean shook his head and said, "She threatens cats and protects flowers."
Suzie laughed at the comment. It took her a moment to get herself together enough to say, "Why don't you have a seat while I put the flowers in a vase?"
"Okay," Sean said. He caught himself before sitting down on the floor and moved over to a chair never taking his eyes off of her. When she walked away, he swore that there was an extra sway in her hips that he had never seen before.
Mrs. Emery followed Suzie into the kitchen. Alone at last, Sean was able to adjust his pants. He could hear Suzie say, "I can't believe that he brought flowers!"
"I can," Mrs. Emery said knowing exactly how it was that Sean had ended up bringing flowers over that evening.
"Does that mean that he likes me?"
"I can't believe that you've never noticed the way he looks at you. He's been head over heels in love with you for two years," Mrs. Emery said.
"Two years?" Suzie asked.
"Yes, why do you think I don't let him be alone with you?"
"Oh."
Sean couldn't believe his ears. All of those trips to the convenience store suddenly made sense. Anytime that he and Suzie got too close, her mother was right there or his mother called to send him on a trip to the store. Mrs. Emery had been trying to keep him from getting too close to Suzie. He looked down at his sweaty palms and tried to dry them off on his trousers. He muttered, "I'm in trouble now."
Mrs. Emery returned to the room and looked at Sean. He was looking a little pale. She asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, Mrs. Emery," Sean said looking at the woman as if seeing her for the first time. She looked so nice and sweet, but she was evil through and through telling Suzie how much he liked her.
"You don't look too well," she said.
"I don't know what to say to Suzie," Sean said thinking that it was the last thing he should be saying to Mrs. Emery. He had heard her tell Suzie that he loved her. He was totally unprepared to have his feelings announced like that.
"What's the matter? You've known Suzie your whole life," Mrs. Emery said.
Sean leaned forward and said, "Mrs. Emery. I'm not sure that letting Suzie wear a dress like that is such a wise idea."
"Why?" she asked.
He looked around as if trying to make sure that he wouldn't be overheard and said, "I don't want you to think poorly of me, but it would be very easy to get the wrong idea about her feelings towards me."
"And what idea might that be?" Mrs. Emery asked.
"That she likes me as more than a friend," Sean said. He looked around nervously and said, "I'm afraid that I'll say something stupid."
Mrs. Emery smiled at him and said, "Saying stupid things is your forte, but I'm sure that you'll muddle through dinner just fine."
"Okay," Sean said thinking that she had really made his life difficult. He was halfway convinced that was her evil plan.
Suzie returned to the room and said, "The flowers are lovely."
"I'm glad you like them," Sean said. He clasped his hands together and just looked at her. His mind was a total blank.
After an uncomfortable silence, Suzie looked over at her mother and asked, "When is dinner?"
"When your father gets home," her mother answered.
The conversation was not going well. Sean decided that he wouldn't mind a chance to think without Suzie or her mother around. Suzie was distracting and her mother was scary. He said, "I think I parked in his spot. Maybe I should move the car."
"That's okay. He can park on the other side of my car," Mrs. Emery said effectively killing the conversation.
Sean sat there looking from Suzie to Mrs. Emery, but finding that his gaze was on Suzie much more than on her mother. She was looking back at him with a nervous expression on her face. He was convinced that now that she knew how he felt that she didn't want him around. Wanting to make some kind of conversation, Sean said, "Mom was telling me about Max earlier."
"I heard that his parents put him in the psyche ward of the hospital," Suzie said relieved to have a good topic of conversation.
"That's what my mother told me."
"They had to do it. He was hallucinating," Mrs. Emery said shaking her head. She didn't believe that Max was the kind of kid to have a nervous breakdown.
"I feel sorry for him," Sean said.
"Me too," Suzie said. She looked at Sean and said, "What do you think of his belief that you are the head of a gang of midgets?"
"I don't know what to think of it," Sean said. He felt rather guilty about having led Max on that there were still Dwarves in the woods.
"I can't imagine you being the head of any kind of gang. Of course, if you had to lead a gang then a gang of midgets would be about your speed," Mrs. Emery said with a smile.
"Thanks, I think," Sean said.
"I feel sorry for him," Suzie said.
Sean said, "I do too. He's going to discover that high school isn't all that much fun."
"He's going to get teased a lot," Suzie said.
"I thought about going to the hospital to visit him, but Mom convinced me that it wouldn't be a good idea," Sean said.
Mrs. Emery said, "I can understand that. She's afraid that they wouldn't let you leave."
"There is that, but Mom mentioned that I was the central figure in his delusions," Sean said nodding his head.
"He's not the only one with that problem," Mrs. Emery said looking at Suzie.
Suzie looked at her mother and said, "They aren't delusions."
Sean said, "I'm not the head of a midget gang."
The conversation was saved by the timely arrival of Mr. Emery. He entered the living room and said, "Ah, Sean. It is good to see you again."
"Thanks, Mr. Emery," Sean replied standing up from the chair.
"I heard you were hanging around here again," Mr. Emery said. He looked at Suzie and then said, "Isn't that dress a little too short?"
"Daddy!" Suzie said.
"I had similar thoughts. I took one look at it and thought to myself that that dress was short," Sean said thinking it would be wise to take his side.
Mr. Emery looked at Sean and said, "I have no doubts about that."
"Yes, I was rather surprised that Mrs. Emery let her wear that particular outfit," Sean said.
Mr. Emery looked at his wife and shook his head. He looked back at Sean and said, "You and I will have to take a long walk in the woods soon. We have a lot to talk about."
"Uh, I have a better idea. Why don't we have our little talk at the mall? We can have a little coffee or hot chocolate while chatting amiably," Sean said with a very forced grin. He was starting to sweat.
"Too many witnesses," Mr. Emery said.
"Daddy!"
Wondering if he should have worn more antiperspirant, Sean said, "That's okay. I don't mind witnesses."
Mrs. Emery went over to her husband and took his arm. In a sweet voice, she said, "Don't worry about it, dear. I've got everything under control."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, let's eat dinner," she said.
Sean looked over at Suzie and said, "I bet we're having lamb."
"Why?" Suzie asked.
"She mentioned something about taking lambs to slaughter when I entered the house," Sean said.
Suzie laughed and said, "We're having pot roast."
"I've got a feeling that you'll be eating lamb tomorrow," Sean said watching Mrs. Emery lead her husband out of the room. He had never noticed how big Mr. Emery was.
Sean went to the dining room with Suzie thankful that she hadn't tried to hold hands with him. His palms were so sweaty that he was wondering if he should have sprayed them with antiperspirant rather than his underarms. He was surprised when they reached the dining room and there were only two places set.
Suzie came to an abrupt stop when she reached the chair at which she normally sat. Looking down at the table, she asked, "Where are we supposed to sit?"
"I thought you two might enjoy eating out on the patio," Mrs. Emery said.
"Oh," Suzie said before bursting out in a big smile.
Sean looked at Mrs. Emery with a puzzled expression. Despite the horror at the words coming from his mouth, he asked, "Won't that make it kind of hard to watch us?"
"Yes it does, now that you mention it," Mrs. Emery said.
"Oh," Sean said.
"Why don't you two fix up some plates and go out to the patio table?" Mrs. Emery said. Mr. Emery started to say something, but was nudged in the side with an elbow.
"Sure," Suzie said.
Sean followed Suzie into the kitchen. It took a few minutes to load up a plate with food. He said, "This looks really good."
"Mom is a good cook," Suzie said smiling over at him. She added, "She's taught me how to cook."
"That's nice. All my Mom has taught me to do is to walk to the store," Sean said shrugging his shoulders.
Suzie laughed and said, "I know."
"Would you like to hear something odd?" Sean asked.
"Sure," Suzie answered putting some of the vegetables on her plate.
"She went grocery shopping today," Sean said.
Suzie looked at him surprised. She said, "She hates shopping."
They carried their plates to the patio. Much to their surprise, the patio table was set with candles. It was still much too light outdoors for the candles to be of much use, but they did establish a nice atmosphere. Suzie said, "It is so romantic."
"Yes," Sean said trying to figure out what Mrs. Emery was plotting. He said, "I can't believe that your mother went to so much trouble."
"I know," Suzie said putting down her plate. She looked across the table at Sean and said, "She took me shopping today. She told me to pick out a dress that I would like you to see me wearing. I picked out this one."
"I bet she had a fit," Sean said imaging the scene that must have occurred when her mother saw her in that outfit.
"No. She told me that you would probably like it a lot," Suzie said with a grin.
"She was right," Sean said, "That dress is amazing."
"Thanks," Suzie said taking a seat. On sitting down she discovered a very real problem with wearing short dresses. The lattice work of the chair seat pinched her thighs.
Sean took his seat and said, "I like how you did your hair."
"After shopping for the dress, Mom took me to the stylist for a haircut and a manicure," Suzie said holding up her fingers for him to see.
"Very nice," Sean said wondering what the big deal was about having fingernails painted.
"Mom went to a lot to trouble today," Suzie said.
"To what end?" Sean asked.
Suzie cut a little piece of her meat and said, "My Mom told me that you like me."
"Sure, we've been friends forever," Sean said. The fork almost slipped out of his hand his palms were sweating so much. Only his magic was keeping it in his hand.
"She meant a little more than that," Suzie said. She took a bite of her meat and looked up to watch his reaction.
The fork went flying across the table. Sean called it back to his hand and said, "I hope that doesn't ruin our friendship. I don't know what I'd do without having you as a friend."
"That's okay. I feel the same way," Suzie said staring at the fork. She decided that she had been seeing things.
"You do?" Sean asked looking at her in surprise.
"Of course. You don't think I would wear my special swimming suit for anybody," Suzie said with a smile.
"I'll admit that I didn't have much of a chance to see it," Sean said.
"I'll wear it tomorrow when you come over for a swim," Suzie said.
Licking his lips, Sean said, "That would be nice, but I don't know if your mother will agree."
"She will."