Chapter 18 – Tara Moves On

As we continued to share our beds, I started to notice that Tara was more and
more starting to sleep in her own bed or if she slept with me it was just
cuddling and kissing. I wasn't surprised when one day almost a year after
Tara's anal experience that she told me she'd caught the eye of a young man at
school. They'd had a lot of talks and had started eating lunch together and
now wanted to go further in their relationship. "Dad, I've met a guy at
school. His name is Joshua Harris and his dad is the head mechanic at Wilson's
Ford downtown. We've been seeing one another at school and yesterday he asked
if we could go to the movies on Friday night. Is that okay?"

I smiled at Tara, grabbed her and hugged her. "Tara, that's wonderful news. I
was a bit concerned that I hadn't heard of any man in your life but me. Of
course you can go with Joshua on Friday. Do you want to invite Joshua for
supper on Saturday? We could bar-b-que hamburgers or hot dogs. Think about it
and let me know." Tara looked up at me and smiled. "Thanks Dad." She pulled me
down and gave me a father/daughter kiss. 'Well, I guess I'm going to lose a
lover' I thought to myself.

Friday morning Tara was on pins and needles thinking about her date with
Joshua. I finally managed to get her settled down and off to school. As she
was heading out the door she turned to me. "Oh, I forgot, Joshua is coming for
supper tomorrow night. We're going to go play mini golf in the afternoon and
then come over after that. Is it okay to do that?" she asked. "By all means."
I replied. "I'm looking forward to meeting him. I got thinking after you told
me about him and I believe I know his father from taking our car there for
warrantee work. I was impressed by his father and I'm sure I'll be impressed
with Joshua as well." Tara came back and gave me a hug. "Thanks Dad." and off
to school she went.

Friday night, Joshua arrived and we chatted for a minute or two while Tara
finished getting ready. As I expected, Joshua looked like his father and was a
very polite and well-spoken young man. Tara came out and soon they were on
their way to the movie.

I'd retreated to the living room and was reading when Ashley came in and
climbed up beside me on the couch. "I'm going to stay up until Tara comes home
so that she can tell me all about her evening then I'm going to come into your
bed with you. Be prepared to be woken up 'cause I expect I'll be horny
listening to Tara. I'm going to ravish your body tonight." she told me. I
smiled and gave Ashley a quick kiss on the lips. "I'm looking forward to your
company tonight."

As expected, Joshua brought Tara home about 11:30 and after giving her a kiss
and a hug, headed home himself. I stayed near the back of the living room and
watched as Tara came inside. Tara was glowing and seeing Ashley waiting near
the door, started talking as she pulled Ashley towards the bedrooms. I waited
until they were inside before I went to my bedroom, got undressed and got into
bed. About half an hour later Ashley came in but refused to tell me any of the
details Tara had told her. "If Tara wants to tell you, she will." Ashley said
firmly.

She undressed and got into bed with me. I remembered her comments from earlier
in the evening and sure enough, by the morning I was exhausted. Oh to be young
and full of energy! The next morning I got up and got a special breakfast
prepared. Finally two young ladies came out, one in her own gown and one
wearing my short one with the sleeves rolled up. I didn't press Tara but she
told me a bit about the evening. It was obvious from the dreamy look on her
face that she's really enjoyed herself.

After breakfast, Tara informed me that she was meeting 'the two grandmas' at
10:30 and off she went. She came back a bit later with a smile on her face and
told me that 'the two grandmas' wanted to talk to me. Wondering what was up, I
went over to Mabel's and was met with two smiling ladies, holding their arms
open for a hug. We talked for a bit and they both told me how much they'd
enjoyed Tara's tale. "You realize this looks to be serious, don't you?" said
Mabel. I looked at the ladies and got a nod from Helen. I was a bit surprised
but asked why they thought that Tara and Joshua were serious. The two ladies
looked at one another then Helen began.

"We've known from Tara's comments that she and Joshua have been seeing one
another in school and have become very close friends. Now before you jump to
any false conclusions, Tara and Joshua have been chaste. The most they've done
was kiss and hug and until last night, Joshua had never even attempted to
touch Tara's breasts."

Mabel jumped in. "We didn't think you were aware just how smitten with one
another these two are. Tara pops over at least once a week (I knew that) and
tells us things that she won't tell you..." a long pause "and please don't
tell Ashley, but in some cases she told us things that she hasn't told
Ashley."

Helen could obviously see the look of surprise on my face from the last
remark. "We're uninvolved but interested 'observers'. She feels she can tell
us anything and everything and she knows she'll get our support, assistance,
recommendations, guidance, anything she needs and she'll get it
unconditionally. Sometimes she tells us things that she won't tell you because
she feels you may think it's silly." I started to talk but Helen held up her
hand. "I know you would never do such a thing but don't forget Tara's a young
woman who is still not sure of herself. She doesn't want to embarrass herself
by making some comment or statement that you misunderstand. She knows you love
her deeply and would never knowingly say or do things that would hurt her.
We're her sounding board."

I took a moment to think about what they'd said, then went over and gave each
of them a big hug and kissed both cheeks. As I backed away I could see they
both had a bit of a blush. "Oh how lucky I am. Outside of Tara and Ashley, you
two have always been, and will continue to be, the most important persons in
my life. Thank you with all my heart for your help, and thank you for warning
me about Tara and Joshua. Now, have you any suggestions or ideas?" The two
grandmas said they just wanted me to be aware of the situation and that was
all. I said my goodbyes and went back home.

Tara and Ashley had made lunch for us and shortly after lunch, Joshua arrived
and off he and Tara went for the afternoon. "Dad," Ashley said, "you know Tara
and Joshua are getting serious, don't you?" 'Oh, the same comment twice today'
I thought. "That was what the 'two grandmas' wanted to tell me this morning."
I replied. "I knew Tara liked Joshua a lot but that was all. I'm glad people
who are more perceptive than I am, keep me on my toes. Thank you for telling
me, sweetie." and with that I pulled Ashley to me and hugged and kissed her.

Over the next few months Tara and Joshua's romance bloomed and one day I took
Tara aside and commented that if she and Joshua wanted to have the house to
themselves one evening that she only had to let me know. Tara smiled but never
took me up on the offer. It wasn't long until both Tara and Joshua graduated
and in the fall of that year both were off to college – the same college. At
Christmas of their first year of college, Tara and Joshua were home and one
day Tara brought Joshua over to the house. He'd been over many times and
always seemed comfortable but for some reason, this night he seemed very
nervous. We chatted for a minute or two and then he said to me "Mr. Brewer,
Tara and I have decided we'd like to get married – not now of course but after
we graduate. I'd like your blessing on this." I reached over and took Joshua's
hand and shook it. "Sir, it gives me great pleasure to do just that. I know
just how in love you two are and I'm happy to see the two of you so in love."
then turning I took Tara into my arms and hugged her. "Tara, my dear, I'm so
happy for you. I've hoped for this day for a long time."