Misery Needs Company

Misery Needs Company

The girl was tall, blonde and beautiful. The boy was medium height, moderately handsome and miserable. Their first encounter was imminent as the girl was bearing down on the boy who sat on the front porch of a modest ranch house. His posture could only be described as hunched. He was staring at a spot just beyond his feet and had no idea what was about to happen.

"Hey, who are you? What are doing sitting on Ms. Jackson's front porch," the girl not quite shouted at him.

His head snapped up and his eyes went wide. She stood at the base of the stairs and looked at him indignantly.

"I said, who are you, what's your name?"

"Um, ah, it's Jimmy. I live here."

The girl's expression shifted to skepticism and then she said,

"Oh, it's you, is it? My mother said something about you moving in soon, but we didn't know when."

He just nodded rapidly.

"Oh, well, okay. I'm sorry, but we've had some problems in the area with break-ins and stuff."

His nod this time was slower and then he said,

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"For looking out for my aunt. That's very nice of you."

"Well, we all try. She was really great when my mom got sick a couple of years ago," the girl replied and then surprised him by sitting down on the step below him and smiling at him.

Now that he was able to focus more clearly on the girl his mood shifted again. It had started at fear, then moved to relief and now he was over awed. She was incredible. Her hair was long, thick and glossy and the color, what was it, oh yeah, corn silk. Her eyes were deep emerald, large and expressive. Every other feature of her face was flawless. He arms were wrapped around long legs that were bare nearly to the top of her thighs thanks to very short shorts. Sitting this way blocked most of his view of her upper body but from what he could see was every bit as stunning as the lower.

He was trying to figure out where his tongue had gone when she looked at him more closely and said,

"So, are you going to be living here permanently now or is this just for the summer or something?"

He shook his head a bit and then shrugged and muttered,

"For good I guess."

"You don't sound so sure."

He shrugged again. She didn't like the way the conversation was going. For one thing, she was doing all the work. Then another thought bubbled to the surface and she recalled something her mom had said.

"You know you don't have to be afraid. I said I was sorry. We're actually pretty friendly around here and you're part of the neighborhood now," and she offered the best smile she could which didn't help unlock Jimmy's tongue. "Things haven't been that good for you, have they?"

He just gave a shrug which got a pair of raised eyebrows in return. He shook his head and said, barely above a whisper,

"Not really."

"Do you want to tell me about it? That helps sometimes."

He managed to look her full in the face this time and the expression he saw was full of sympathy, those big emerald eyes, the set of her mouth, were in direct contrast to the one full of scorn she directed at him only moments before. The first was one he could deal with, he had seen similar ones often enough. This one was so rare and so genuine, it shocked him. What little control he had slipped away and eyes filled and with his arms still crossed in front of him he leaned forward and began to cry. The girl was at his side in a moment and had him wrapped in her arms, one around his back the other cradling his head against her.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry, it's okay. You're safe here."

She rocked him back and forth gently, continuing to murmur softly just above his head. Unbeknown to either, his aunt was watching from one of the windows that looked out over the porch. She had considered intervening but now she decided to let events take their course.

It took a few minutes but the crying finally stopped and Jimmy sat up a little bit but was still bent over, wrapped in a warm, long armed embrace.

"Geez, so stupid," he said.

"What? No, there's nothing stupid about showing how you feel. You've had a tough time and I didn't help barking at you like that. Oh, and my name is Carly."

"It's not the barking that caused this."

"No? Then what was it?"

Jimmy took in a deep breath and then sighed.

"It looked like you actually cared."

Those big green eyes blinked a couple of times and got a little misty. Her grip tightened for a moment and then she sat back, getting a better look at her new neighbor. Now that she could see him more clearly it was clear the boy had been through some tough times. His eyes were sad and had some dark circles under them. The word that came to mind was gaunt, like he hadn't been eating well, or regularly. She was pretty sure he wasn't as tall as she was, but he did look like he'd be handsome if he filled out a bit and got a decent haircut. So she took a deep breath and tried again.

"So, do you? Want to talk about it?"

Truth be told, he wasn't particularly interested in talking about anything. He never had been. His mother was almost never in any shape to hear what he had to say, let alone understand anything. The few friends, all adults, that he had usually had too many problems of their own to lend more than a passing ear to his issues. There had only been one and for some reason this Carly reminded him of her. They looked nothing alike but there was something about the expression, the tilt of her head, that did look similar, and it had been months and months since he had last seen her.

So with a deep breath he began. As the story unfolded, Carly found it both compelling and more than a little horrifying. Jimmy was the product of a marriageless union with the father disappearing before he was even born, never to return. To this day he didn't know who he was, his mother never said, and the birth certificate listed the father as unknown. His mother was apparently somewhat unstable and fearing she might lose her son to the authorities she moved around a lot when he was little.

His first memories of a permanent home was when he was five or six. A small house, a solid but worn structure near a railroad track and on one side a large scrap metal yard, the other a lot with some small mobile homes here and there. His mother's employment was sketchy, mostly involving a night club/strip joint where she tended bar and waited tables. The money was always tight but at first things weren't too bad. His early school attendance was consistent, but the last few years things began to spiral out of control.

Her mental stability had begun to deteriorate as her alcohol and drug use increased. He blamed the later on her last boyfriend. Jimmy had learned early to stay out of the way of any man in her life but this guy was especially bad news. The verbal and physical abuse took its toll on his mother and only came to an end after the guy nearly died from some tainted booze that put him in the hospital for a couple of weeks and on a restricted diet from then on.

Not too long before Jimmy's mom died, the guy disappeared. The rumors were that he ran afoul of his drug suppliers, something about missing drugs and being short the money they were owed. They only found a few of his personal items and his car, so he was officially listed missing, presumed dead. Then there was the last overdose, on top of a depleted heath situation. A cheap funeral and then six months in foster care while the authorities looked for his aunt etc etc etc.

"So, here I am. A thousand miles away from anything I knew, starting over."

Carly sat there, a little stunned. She wasn't sure what was worse, the actual story or the deadpan, emotionless voice that told the story. One arm remained around his shoulder, the hand resting lightly on his hair, her fingers playing with it a bit. He remembered someone else doing that with his hair. The other hand had a firm but gentle grip on one of his. She wasn't sure what she should say but she had the feeling the usual platitudes wouldn't go over well. So another deep breath and she said,

"Um, well, I'm not sure what to say. I know I've never experienced anything even remotely as bad as what you just told me. I guess I can assume that things will get better, because I can't imagine them getting any worse."

This got a look from the boy that actually contained a bit of wry humor, but then he was looking down at his feet again.

"I've known your aunt all my life and I'm sure she'll do everything she can to help you and if you ever want to talk, or just hang out, I'm right next door, over there," she said, pointing to the two story house to their left.

"My mom will likely try the poor orphan treatment on you, but please don't be upset with her. She can't help herself. She thinks all the world's problems can be solved with enough hugs and a plate full of cookies."

She heard the boy snort, maybe a laugh and then a question.

"Your dad?"

"Daddy works a lot, so if you do run into him he'll probably just nod at you and go back to his reading. Just don't get caught in his flower beds. That would be trouble."

Another nod. She wasn't sure what to say after that so she didn't say anything. She was a little surprised when she felt him lean a little harder against her and then he jerked upright.

"Um, Carly. Thank you for this but I'm pretty tired. I think I should go in and get some sleep."

"Okay, yeah, that would probably be a good idea."

So she stood up and more slowly so did he. She was right, the top of his head came up to about her ear. The shorts and t-shirt he wore hung on him like a scare crow. He definitely needed feeding and a good haircut. He made a halfhearted attempt returning the hug she gave him before letting go and then he shuffled to the front door and disappeared inside. She began to turn to make her way down of the porch when she heard a familiar voice.

"Carly, a moment if you would."

"Oh, sure, hi, Ms. Jackson."

"First of all, thank you, sweetheart. That's the most anyone's been able to get out of him since his mother died. I was getting ready to come out but when I saw you with him I waited. I'm glad I did."

"Um, don't thank me too much. I'm the one who caused him to break down like that. I was kind of rough on him when I thought he was one of the ones breaking into houses."

"I can't blame you there, he still looks like a street waif. I'm trying so hard to get him to eat but he's in such a melancholy mood. I know this is a lot to ask, but if you can do anything to help him I'd be so grateful. I'm afraid he going to get sick if this keeps up."

Carly gave a nod and with parting `good byes' she left the unhappy woman to head for home and work on a few ideas. The next morning she put her plan into action. She kept her eyes on the yard next door and when Jimmy finally emerged around mid-morning, shuffling around in the back yard she stepped out onto the side porch that overlooked both yards.

"Hi, Jimmy, good morning."

The boy looked up and over at her, looking a bit surprised but at least not moderately panicky as he did the day before. He gave a bit of a wave.

"I could use your help, do you have a minute?"

He shrugged and moved toward the front of the yard where he could swing around the low hedges and down the side toward where Carly stood. He came to a stop at the bottom of the short staircase, the look on his face questioning.

"Thanks for coming over. Come on in, I have something I'd like you to try."

The expression on his face didn't change but he didn't think she meant him any harm so with a shrug he trudged up the steps and followed her into what turned out to be the kitchen. On the table were several plates, each with several muffins.

"I was trying some different recipes this morning and there's no one home to try them out. Would you please?"

Jimmy stepped up to the table and looked at the muffins. He had to admit to himself that he liked baked goods, cakes and cookies and such, at least he had the few times he had had the opportunity. He gave the girl a side long glance and then slowly reached for the plate that was to the far right. He picked one up and broke off a piece and put it in his mouth. It was plain, but it was really, really good. And all too quickly it was gone.

"I guess you liked it," Carly said, a smile on her face.

"You bake good," he said quietly.

"Thank you, sweetie. My grammy taught me. Would you try another?"

He gave a shrug and reached for the next plate and took a muffin that looked like it held blueberries. Again he broke off a piece and it tasted wonderful and he quickly ate the rest of it.

"Would you like something to drink, sweetie?"

He nodded and she brought him a glass of orange juice. He took it gratefully, as he had only started enjoying it on a regular basis in the last six months. He downed half the glass in one pull and then he looked meaningfully at the third and last plate.

"If you would, sweetheart."

He wasn't sure why but her calling him sweetie or sweetheart didn't bother him like it did when some adult did it. He picked up the last muffin and looked at it. It had a very fragrant aroma and he took a smaller piece and let it sit on his tongue. He looked at her and she said,

"Cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg, what do you think?"

"Tangy, but good."

"Oh, good, I wasn't sure I'd gotten it right. Thanks for being my taste tester. Just a minute."

She walked across the kitchen to a cabinet. He noticed that she was wearing another pair of short shorts and a tight T top. The back of her shorts moved in ways that really got his attention and he had to quickly turn his head when she turned around, holding a small box. She smiled a bit and then proceeded to the table where she took two of each of the muffins and put them in the box.

"Here, please take this and give them to your aunt. I think she might like them, too."

"Thank you."

"Oh, it's nothing. I love to bake and with just my mom and dad here I don't have as many people to eat what I make."

"Only child?"

"No, youngest of three, and the two are both out on their own. I came a little late," she said with a bit of a laugh.

He nodded and was about to turn around to leave the house when he was pulled up short. She had her arms around him and was hugging him tightly. He had to hold the box out and away to keep it from getting crushed. The one thought that overrode the others was, `this feels really nice'. It reminded him of someone else's hugs.

"Thanks again, sweetie. I have to clean the kitchen up but I'll be outside a little later. Maybe we can hang out."

He nodded an affirmative and then he was out the door and down the steps. He bought the box in and put it on the kitchen counter, as his aunt was out. He felt pretty full since he had made a halfhearted effort on his breakfast so he went outside, found a battered chaise lounge and stretched out. The warm sun and soft breeze soon had him asleep.

He was twelve years old, plus a few months and he had been visiting old man Jones in the trailer park next door. It wasn't really a park, it was what was left of what used to be a seniors community for low income retirees. Someone had bought the property to do some kind of industrial zone, and a lot of people left, but then the whole enterprise fell through and the property sort of fell through the cracks. The die-hards sort of took over and looked after each other. One trailer had a father and son pair, the son being around fifty or so and Jimmy had known them for years. At the moment, it was just the son in the trailer as his dad was in a county facility recovering from a bad fall. As Jimmy walked past, the man waved to him from behind the glass sliding door so the boy figured he'd stop and see how the old man was getting on.

"Hi, Jimmy,"

"Hey, Charlie, how's your dad?"

"Making some progress. Still has a way to go, silly old fool. I kept telling him to stay off those ladders."

The old man apparently had insisted on climbing up to check on the roof of the old single wide and had fallen before he was half way up. Jimmy noticed Charlie was only wearing a pair of sports shorts and looking past him saw that a small laptop screen had a frozen image of what looked like a naked guy. His expression asked a question.

"Oh, that's nothing. Something someone sent me. No big deal."

Looking harder, Jimmy notice that the guy in the image had a rather substantial hard on with one hand wrapped around it. He himself had only recently begun to get erections and when asked about it, his mother just said, it was a part of growing up and left it at that. He found the image rather intriguing and could feel stirrings of his own but since the older man was getting edgy he just said,

"Ok, cool, just wanted to ask about your dad. See ya."

He walked away from the trailer back to the hole in the fence that led to his small house, thoughtful and a bit edgy himself. Maybe his mom would be gone to work already and he'd be able to do something about it.

"Hey, sweetie."

The voice jerked him awake and looking around he saw a vision walking across the yard toward him. He was also aware that the dream had left him with a significant hardon. Thankfully it had slid down his thigh instead of tenting his baggy shorts. Those long legs and stuffed tee shirt wasn't going to help it any.

"What happened? Did my muffins put you to sleep?" she asked crouching down by the chaise lounge. "I'd sit alongside you but I don't think that will hold us both."

He nodded his agreement and pointed to a folding chair leaning against the house. She popped up and grabbed the chair and set it up so that she was looking at him.

"So, about my muffins?" she prodded.

"I don't usually eat that much. Guess it made me sleepy."

"Hmm, more like you don't eat enough ever and don't get enough sleep either."

Once more he had that slightly stricken look and she instantly regretted the tack she had taken.

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry, I'm barking at you again. It's just that you're such a nice boy and no one wants to see you get sick."

"Again," he said almost absently.

"Hmm, okay, well, please make sure my baking doesn't go to waste. And I can always make you more, okay?"

He nodded and was surprised that he actually meant it. Something about her made him want to make her smile.

"Say, do you have a bicycle? I was thinking maybe we could take a ride around and I could show you some sights."

"Not yet. I have some stuff coming out but I'm not sure when it will get here. I have a few bikes and some parts."

"A few?"

"I scrounged parts at the scrap yard and was able to build a few different ones. I'll keep one or two and maybe sell the rest," he replied.

"Hmm, well I have mine and we have another one, I think my brother used it but it's been so long I doubt it's useable."

"I'll take a look."

"Really, oh, okay. Come on," she said as she popped up from the chair and reaching down took hold of his hand and pulled him up off the lounge chair.

He was a little disappointed when she let go. He wasn't disappointed that he was able to walk a step behind her and could see her ass flex under the tight material of the shorts. If he had been more experienced he would have noticed the flexing became more pronounced as they went. He followed the girl as she led him into her backyard and toward a large shed that was on a back corner. She pulled open the large sliding door and stepped in.

"Here's mine," she said, indicating a large framed mountain bike that looked in good repair. "The other one is in the back there."

The other one that she indicated was a dusty, slightly rusty road bike with swept back handlebars, medium sized tires, both flat and a five speed gearset. He moved a few pieces of gardening equipment and yard furniture and pulled the bike out into the sun. He looked it over carefully. It was obvious it had laid unused for years but hadn't suffered any active abuse. A thorough cleaning, lubing and replacement of aged rubber would see it right again.

"Quite the wreck, huh?" she asked, looking over his shoulder, which had her close to his back.

"Nope, just dirty and in need of a little attention," he said, trying not to let her closeness or fragrance get him tongue tied.

He noticed a cloth hanging from a hook so he took it and began wiping down every surface he could find. Carly was closely watching, more interested in how his hands moved confidently than in any mechanical interest. After the worst of the dust was removed, he took a careful look at the tires and saw that there was a bit of cracking but nothing catastrophic. Further searching turned up an old but serviceable handpump and after some exertion on both their parts the tires were brought up to pressure.

Jimmy was breathing a bit hard and was a touch red in the face at the end and Carly looked at him and said,

"Oh, sweetie, we need to get you in better shape."

He shrugged but inwardly agreed. A half full bottle of engine oil, likely for the lawn mower, yielded enough to allow him to wipe down the chain and sprockets to get them moving.

"Might hold up for a short ride, but those tires and tubes need to be replaced, and the brake blocks," he said.

Carly was pleased to hear how confident he sounded when he spoke of something he obviously knew a lot about. She smiled and said,

"I could probably get Daddy to buy those."

"Actually I was thinking of offering to buy it. A complete rebuild would make it worth something."

"Oh, in that case I'll talk to Daddy tonight and see what he has to say. Do you think you want to take it for a test ride?"

He nodded and they shut up the shed and then walked the bikes to the street. They mounted up and he let her take the lead down the street. One reason was she knew where she wanted to go, the other, her ass looked just so amazing perched on that bicycle seat. He was so distracted he almost drifted in to the curb and had to struggle to get things under control.

Carly set a leisurely pace and spent a fair amount of the time talking, pointing out this or that landmark or item of interest. Jimmy did his best to pay attention but her physicality continued to distract and he was becoming more aware of a gnawing in his stomach. As they turned onto what looked like a business street, he saw what looked like a luncheonette or diner and he mentioned it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie. Dragging you all over town and yammering. Um, I don't know about you but I didn't bring any money."

"I did, no problem. Let's eat."

Considering what she had encountered previously, she was overjoyed he was so interested in eating. Had he been prepared to admit it, he was less interested in filling his stomach and more interested in seeing her smile again and also demonstrate he wasn't a penniless orphan, although he didn't think of it quite that way. She used the lock on her bike to secure both to a tree out front and they went inside. A waitress gave them a look and then a man walked up and said,

"Yes?"

"Um, we'd like to have lunch," Carly said, a little confused.

Seeing the look on the man's face, Jimmy sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of rumpled looking twenties, but the man nodded once and indicated they should take whatever table they wanted. After they sat down, Carly said,

"What was that all about?"

"They probably thought we were looking to do an eat and run."

She looked outraged.

"You thought I was going to rob my aunt's house, didn't you?"

The girl looked very embarrassed and then took a deep breath and taking a hold of one of Jimmy's hands and said,

"I am so, so sorry about that. I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion," she said, her face crestfallen.

"No, you should have. I know what kind of shape I'm in, the clothes I'm wearing. I knew every cop in town where I used to live. Not because I got in trouble, but because I always looked like I was looking for trouble. You were looking out for your neighbors. It's okay."

She gave him a shaky smile and wrapped a long arm around his shoulder and hugged him. About this time the waitress came over and took their order. Carly was astounded. She went with a Caesar salad. Jimmy went with chicken soup, and an open faced turkey sandwich. After the waitress left with their orders Carly looked at him and said,

"I don't understand. Your aunt said you hardly ate anything since you got here and you had problems getting enough to eat for so long. But three muffins this morning, now this. What's going on?"

By now he was staring down at the table top, the sides of his face clearly blazing red. Again she had her arm around his shoulder and her face was close to his.

"Jimmy?"

She thought she heard `smile'.

"What was that?"

"I like to see you smile."

"Turn your head."

When he did he saw her entire face lit up with a wide smile and when she leaned in and kissed his cheek, he couldn't help but smile himself. She pulled back and he raised his head, his cheeks still red but his teeth showing. When she gave his leg a squeeze other sensations started to swirl through him. The mood was tempered a bit when the waitress arrived with their drinks and Jimmy's soup. He offered Carly some but she demurred. She just sat and watched him eat, smiling fit to split her face. He cast a few side long glances and was quickly convinced that a, she was the most beautiful thing he ever saw and b, he would do just about anything to be around her to see that smile.

The meal proceeded smoothly with both of them enjoying their food and each other's company until almost the end and then things went bad. Jimmy was the first to see him, a bulky looking teenager wearing some sort of sports jacket, complete with emblems sewn on and an aura of arrogant unpleasantness. The boy scanned the room and skipped over Jimmy as if he didn't exist and came to rest on Carly, who still wasn't aware of him. He sauntered over, ignoring the approaching waitress and came to a stop at the table.

"Hey, Johnson, thought that was your bike out there."

Carly looked up quickly with a look of utter disdain.

"Oh, god, Weaver, what the hell are you doing here? Get lost."

"Hey, hey, hey, that's no way to talk to the next captain of the football team, is it?"

Carly snorted and replied,

"Being the chief lunkhead in the middle of a bunch of other lunkheads doesn't mean a whole lot."

"Watch it, Johnson, wouldn't want to see that pretty face get messed up."

As Carly focused her attention on the increasingly unpleasant boy, she missed what was happening with Jimmy. His face had gone blank, except for the narrowing of the eyes. More importantly the fork he was holding was now gripped in a white knuckled fist, vibrating slightly.

The jock had pressed both hands flat on the table and he leaned down and was about to deliver some new threat when a sharp noise brought him up short and a sense of movement caused him to look down. The fork Jimmy had been using was now sticking in the wood of the table top in between two fingers of the hand closest to the smaller boy.

Both antagonists looked over at him in mixed states of surprise. The slightly built boy in the scruffy shirt was casually fingering the knife that had come with his turkey sandwich. He looked up into the face of the seething boy and said in a quiet voice,

"I'd suggest you get your hands off our table otherwise this is going to go through one of them," he said, gesturing with the sharp instrument. "And then get your ass as far away from us as you can. Otherwise this might wind up somewhere more important."

Something about this scruffy kid was cutting through his arrogance and was starting to worry him. That and the fact that a, the knife was easily within arm's reach of him, and b, that fork had been very accurately placed between his fingers.

"Unless of course you like to remain and when that officer who's parking out front comes in for his lunch, we can discuss it with him."

And that was that. The two hands were slowly slid back off the table and then two steps backward and a quick turn had him heading for the door. The waitress had remained several steps back, so she hadn't heard anything and the fork was as quickly removed as it had been placed. She stepped up and asked,

"A friend of yours?"

"Hardly," Carly offered but a bit subdued.

The waitress stepped away and Carly's attention was focused on her tablemate in an instant, seeing him calmly working away on the rest of his lunch. He looked up and saw her expression.

"Do you recall the story I told you about my life?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you think that I've never had to look out for myself? Or for someone else?"

She blinked a couple of times and then said,

"Your mom?"

He nodded. She thought for a few moments and then her eyes went very wide.

"The tainted liquor?" she asked in a whisper.

He nodded. Then she mouthed the words, drugs' and money'. He nodded again, taking in a forkful of turkey and mashed potatoes. She took a moment and really looked at this boy, well, at sixteen a young man, really. She realized that he wasn't nearly as small as she thought. He was skinny but that was from being underfed. He still had that hunched over look but his shoulders were on the broad side and his face spoke of the handsomeness she had noticed the day before. What was the full story here? This was going to be an interesting summer.

The police officer had indeed stepped into the luncheonette and took a look around the room before he was seated. If he had noticed anything about the two youngsters, it didn't show. They finished the remainder of their meals and when the check was presented, Jimmy took it to the register, paid, and then went back to the table and left a tip.

The ride back to their houses was a quiet one. Carly was still in the lead because to be honest, Jimmy didn't pay much attention to his surroundings on the ride out of the neighborhood. He was too distracted. She led him to his house, parked the bikes, and then she led him into his aunt's backyard, to where the two folding chairs were still where they left them. She pointed to the chaise lounge while taking the chair for herself.

"I am really confused. The boy I saw sitting at the table with me just a little while ago was not the same one I saw sitting on the front porch of this house. How is that possible?"

Fortunately for Jimmy the look on her face was one of genuine puzzlement and not showing any anger or annoyance. Despite what she was saying, there was still plenty of the scared, tired kid from yesterday. He took a deep breath and began talking, not directly meeting her intense gaze.

"Don't be fooled, that scared miserable kid from yesterday is still around. Leave me alone for a while and you'll see. About before, I really didn't like the way he was talking to you. I've seen that kind before. I hate them. If they think you're weak, they're all over you. Show them some strength and they take off, but then you have to worry about them sneaking up on you," as he said this his fists were clenching.

"Sweetheart, don't be upset. Just so you know, when we were twelve I kicked that kid's ass after school one day. He thinks his team mates will back him but I'm not so sure. But that doesn't answer the question of the fork and the knife."

"I told you about the trailer park, right?"

"Yes, some hold outs, you called them, old people with nowhere else to go."

"Right. Well, one guy, called himself Jones. A strange old guy who claimed he was a Spec Ops guy and then a mercenary, all that kind of thing. Most people thought he was crazy but he told me really cool stories when I was little and then as I got older and things were getting tougher for me he started teaching me things. How to take care of myself, how to use things to do other things, all that. I used to go out at night and prowl around the scrap yard like I was on a mission."

"Didn't they have dogs or alarms or cameras?"

"All three, I made friends with the dogs by the time I was six. I knew how to turn off the alarms by eight, and the guys liked to watch me on cam and then critique what I was doing. It was like a game," he said, an actual smile on his face. "One of the reasons I was so miserable about foster care and then coming all the way here, is that I can't do that anymore. I had picked out parts and pieces, I was going to build my own car, well, truck really."

She reached out to take hold of his hand but she wasn't sure he even noticed. But when his grip tightened and he turned to face her, sure dropped that thought.

"I don't know how this is all going to work out, or even if it will, but you've become the most important part of it, and I'm not going to let anything, or anyone, happen to you if I can help it."

He had that narrowed eye look on his face that she had seen at the luncheonette and as much as she admired what was behind it, she much preferred the shy smile. So she moved forward and knelt by the chaise lounge and took him into a full hug, her head pressed against his, one hand against the back of his head. Then they were looking at each other from about two inches away. This was quickly followed by a full open mouth kiss that caught them both by surprise. Unknown to the other, each had had thoughts about what this moment might be like but both were surprised by the intensity and sensuality of this first kiss. Lips were grinding, tongues were dancing and arms were wrapped around the other and pulling in tight.

It didn't last all that long but both were flushed and breathing heavily as they pulled away. Eyes were locked each waiting for a sign from the other. Carly was the first.

"Oh, my. My oh my," she managed to get out before her face lit up in a huge grin.

Jimmy had been waiting for the slap in the face, but it never came and he began to have hope. A shy tentative smile crept across his lips and he saw the face from heaven smiling back at him and nodding slightly so in a huge leap of faith he hazarded a second, shorter much milder kiss that probably meant more to the both than the first. She pulled him into a tighter hug when their mouths separated again.

"Oh, sweetheart, and I do mean that. That was amazing. The best."

He could see that she was still breathing heavily and it was doing amazing things for her and to him. He was sure his chest was heaving but he was positive he didn't have nearly as much chest.

"You sure about that?"

"Oh, you bet I am. My god, where did you learn to kiss like that?"

"Do you really want to know?" he asked back.

"Actually, at the moment, no," she said as she leaned back into start kissing him again.

If wasn't as frenzied as the first, but it was longer and deeper than the second and had them pulled firmly against each other. At least from the waist up. With him sitting and her kneeling she couldn't feel the effect she was having on him. When they finally had to come up for air, she rested her head on his shoulder and let her hands drift up and down his back.

"Oh, this summer suddenly looks to be so much better," she said.

"Oh, yeah, how come?"

Her head came up off his shoulder and she looked him eye to eye and said,

"You know damn well why, Mr. smart ass."

"Wow, I didn't know you had such a potty mouth."

She gave a bit of a snort and sat back on her heels and said,

"So you do have a sense of humor, after all."

"Um, no, not really. You just served up a couple of softballs, had to swing," he said looking very serious.

She cocked her head to one side and said,

"You aren't kidding, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I've had very few reasons to laugh so the sense hasn't gotten much practice."

"Well, hopefully, we'll get you some practice," she replied.

She tightened her hold on him and put her head alongside his and he got the feeling she was never intending to let go. He honestly didn't mind. But eventually she did, apologizing that she had promised her mom to get dinner started, so with a soft parting kiss she left him with promises to be outside by mid-morning.

It was a tough night for the boy. All that contact had him in a constant state of arousal but it wasn't until he went to his room around ten o'clock that he could do anything about it. The room was still very plain. He had only been in it a few days so there were no personal touches. He looked out through the blinds and could see the side of Carly's house with a lighted window on the second floor and he wondered if it was her room.

He began to strip off his clothes in preparation for taking a shower and when he got his shorts down, a beautifully proportioned cock stuck out from his lower abdomen. It was long and thick with a tapering head and several prominent veins running along the shaft. His balls hung low in a smooth skinned sack. He gave it a couple of slow strokes but figured he needed the shower first, so he threw on his new robe, supplied by his aunt.

He made his way down the hall to the one full bathroom. His aunt had promised him exclusive use of the half bath with shower closer to his room but she wanted to give it a thorough cleaning and restocking before he made use of it. The shower was hot and steamy with lots of suds from body wash and shampoo, two things he was getting used to. Always in the past, the soap was just a cheap bar and it doubled as his shampoo. He was making use of his aunt's products at the moment, and thank god she didn't use anything too fragrant, or smelly, as he thought.

Again with all the suds he took a few moments to stroke the length of his swollen shaft using the suds as a lubricant. He didn't want to try and finish before the hot water ran out so he just gave a few strokes and then rinsed and climbed out of the stall. He dried himself off and then put the robe back on and returned to his room.

Shucking off the robe he stood naked in the middle of the room, his thick shaft pointing toward the ceiling. Taking hold of his cock he moved over and again looked out between the slats of the window blinds at the still lit window of the house next door wondering what she was doing and how she was dressed. These were thoughts he hadn't had in a long time and he questioned whether he was just fooling himself.

By now the head of his cock was being covered in the copious amount of pre lube he was generating. He used a thumb to spread it around and draw some down onto the shaft. The sensations were starting to gather in his balls. He knew he wasn't going to last long considering the state he had been in most of the day, especially at the end. The surge of cum from his balls almost caught him by surprise, but he was able to lean back a bit, press his cock against his lower abdomen and rub it until his hips jerked and a thick stream of cum shot up to the top of his chest, again and again, until the remainder just oozed out of the slit, down the shaft and over his fingers.

It was the biggest, hardest cum shot he could remember and he felt his knees buckling, so he grabbed the rag he had nearby and slumped onto his bed. He carefully wiped the sticky mess off his chest, cock and hands. He thought he might have to slip back to the shower but he didn't think his legs would make it. He dropped back on to the bed and nodded off still thinking about what a certain blonde angel was doing at the moment.

The dreams started almost immediately. Tonight was a jumbled mess of images, his fat cock slipping between hot lips, tongues flicking over the tip, first those of a youngster his own age, using a dark room in a shed on the back of the scrap yard property. Another belonged to an older man in a tired old trailer who always wanted his cock hard and wet so that it could fuck the hell out of his needy ass.

When he woke up early in the morning, still laying naked on top of the bedspread, his cock was pointing up along his stomach, drooling onto the skin below his navel. He took it in hand and began to stroke it again, a different set of lips in his mind's eye, lovingly sliding up and down the shaft, a pair of emerald eyes smiling down at him, the image fading as the cum surged up through the shaft and sprayed out all over his chest, some even hitting below his chin.

This time he snuck down to the half bath and used a wet cloth to clean himself up. He wondered if the time would ever come that new dreams would replace the old. When he drifted back to sleep whatever dreams he may have had didn't remain with him when he woke up later in the morning. At breakfast he ate three more of Carly's muffins as his aunt had to leave early for work.

His Aunt Emily, and no, not Auntie Em, was the chief librarian at a local college. The spring semester was over and the summer session hadn't started so she was using the down time to get the place back in shape. It meant the boy was on his own for a few days. After eating he wandered out into the yard, hoping that Carly would see him and come out. He was wondering if maybe he should go over and knock on the kitchen door when a noise got his attention and looking toward the street he let out a whoop and ran for the curb.

A large delivery truck, one with a four door cab and two rear axles had pulled up in front of the house and he knew what it held. He was stunned when he saw who came out of the two doors on his side of the truck. The noise of the truck and Jimmy's shout attracted Carly's attention and she got a bit of a shock when a woman stepped down from the shotgun seat and Jimmy threw himself at her, only to wrapped up in a pair of strong arms that didn't seem to ever want to let go.

A man came out from the door behind and he stood there smiling, which was in contrast to his rather rough appearance. In fact, both the man and woman were dressed more like biker gang members than delivery people. When the driver came around the front of the truck, he too had that same look, right down to leather vest, jeans and biker boots. They all seemed to be happy to see the boy, who was still holding onto the woman as if his life depended on it. After a word from the driver, she seemed to reluctantly let go, which gave each man a chance for a quick, rough hug with the boy.

Then there was some conversation, a few head nods from Jimmy in the direction of her house and a tousle of his hair from the driver. Then they all moved to the back of the truck and began to unload several crates, a couple of sealed cardboard boxes, and three fully assembled bicycles. Carly smiled at the thought of Jimmy having all his `stuff' around him.

All the material was moved to the garage attached to the side of the house, a two car, but his Aunt only had the one car so he would use the empty side for now. When they were done, they gathered at the side of the truck and Jimmy looked over and seeing Carly waved for her to join him. She had to admit to being a bit nervous but she trusted Jimmy not to put her in harm's way.

"Carly, I want you to meet someone. Remember I was telling you about the people that took care of me when my Mom wasn't in such good shape. This is them. This is Manny," he said, pointing to the driver, "and Ralph. And this is MaryAnne. I probably wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for them."

Carly smiled a bit at each and gave a nod. MaryAnne was nothing like her, she was shorter, darker and a lot curvier. But she was smiling back at Carly, obviously very pleased to be meeting the taller, younger woman.

"Don't believe him for a second, dear. Our Jimmy was and is more than capable of taking care of himself. We just helped him along over some of the rough spots. And it looks like he's found a friend, and we're all happy to hear that. Back home, all he had was a bunch of old farts."

"I don't know, but it looks like he had some real friends, people who really loved him," Carly said, her smile a little bigger.

Jimmy started to blush as MaryAnne tousled his hair and then he said,

"Oh crap, wait a minute. I have something to give you," and he dashed for the house.

Being left alone with the three bikers she maintained her pleasant expression but MaryAnne looked at her and said,

"Don't worry, sweetheart, we aren't nearly as scary as we look," and then she winked.

Carly couldn't help but laugh a little. Jimmy came running out with two envelopes in hand. He stopped in front of MaryAnne and said,

"There's one for you and Manny, and one for you Ralph, but don't open them until your back home. And Ralph, make sure you show yours to Joe at the yard. Okay? Promise?"

"Sure, kid, don't worry about it. We'll take care of it."

After more hugs and a kiss on the cheek for Carly from MaryAnne, the three got back in the truck and pulled away with many waves. Carly then looked at Jimmy with raised eyebrows. His return smile could have lit up a room and it caused her heart to skip a beat.

"You know the story about how they helped me. Last year Manny left the scrap yard, having scrapped up the money with MaryAnne to buy that truck. Ralph must have come along to see me. It was so great seeing them again. MaryAnne was like my mother more than my own mother. She was thrilled to hear about you. She really likes you. Remember when I said you look like you cared? That was the look I always got from her, always caring. There were even some nights when I slept with her, all wrapped up in her arms. I guess when I was seven or so."

This he said with a touch of that haunted look creeping into his eyes. She smiled brightly and said,

"So now you have all your stuff, care to show me?"

"Sure, come one," he replied, even taking hold of her hand to lead to the garage.

Her heart skipped another beat. She really liked it, seeing him so happy and confident. It gave her a tingle that reminded her of last night. When they got into the garage, Jimmy checked each crate and box. The smaller sealed cardboard box was put to one side unopened. He then dove into the others. Carly took the time to look at the three complete bicycles. They were beautiful. The paint was flawless, the bright work shined and everything looked brand new.

"Sweetie, did you get these from a store or something?"

"Nope, built them from bits and pieces I found around the yard, and scrounged from other places. That one," he pointed to a midsized road bike with fat tires, "was just a frame and handle bars left out in front of someone's house to be picked up by the garbage truck."

"I am really impressed. Oh, I forgot in all the excitement. Daddy said you could have that bike for nothing. He's happy to be rid of it and figures you'll get better use out of it."

"Really, wow, thanks."

When he pulled the lid off of one crate, she looked in and saw what to her was a lot of junk. Bars, pipes, glass bottles and plastic pails.

"What is all of that?"

"Oh, my other hobby. Kind of hard to explain. Once I have it set up, I'll show it to you. Come on, I need to look at the shed in the back yard."

Again taking the hand of the tall blonde he walked them back behind his aunt's house to a large garden shed. It was in fair shape, with a double door in the middle of the front wall with a window on either side, flower boxes, the works. Inside it was empty and apparently had been for some time. When he told his aunt about what he had, she said it was all his, as long as he kept it neat and didn't burn it down.

"I'm going to need a few workbenches but I can whip those up," he said, looking around.

Carly was looking at him with a small smile and then stepped up and took both hands in hers and brought her lips to his. After a moment of surprise he returned the kiss with some fervor and soon they had their arms around each other and the kiss took on more heat with some definite hip grinding. When they unlocked their lips those big green eyes locked on his and she said,

"Hmmm, I was dreaming of those lips last night. It was such a nice dream. The reality is so much nicer."

He smiled back and said,

"I prefer the real thing myself. As long as it's you."

At this point he was swarmed under and his tongue was fighting for its life. He felt his cock swelling down the leg of his shorts and he was hoping she wouldn't notice. He was noticing the firmness of her chest pressing into his and it gave rise to certain speculations. She finally relented and pulled her face back but refused to lessen her grip.

"Is it really only two days since we met. It feels like I've known you forever."

"No, just the two days. Maybe it just seems like forever. I have that effect on people."

She exploded in laughter and squeezed all the harder. He wasn't sure but he thought there was a bit of hip movement before she let go. The two began ferrying things up from the garage, starting with the three bicycles, then the parts from the crates, then all of the `junk' as she saw it. The small sealed box was put on a shelf in the garage.

"Can we take a break, sweetheart? Why don't we take a walk to my house. I can make lunch for the both us."

"I'd like that, thanks."

This time she took his hand and led the way. They wound up sitting at the kitchen table, she having made sandwiches and some canned soup. He hoped her mother didn't come home too early. This thought was interrupted by something bumping into his leg. They were sitting at an angle to one another, so her leg was the most likely culprit. What really got his attention was seeing her hand drop below the table top and then feeling a rhythmic squeezing and stroking of his thigh.

He started getting a little nervous as this was the thigh along which his erection was starting to creep. He began to pay particular attention to his soup, apparently concerned he might spill a drop. He almost dropped his spoon into the bowl when something came in contact with the advancing head of his cock. If it was her hand, it stopped but didn't retreat. This just increased the tension and as his cock continued to grow, what was a nudge was now a grip as her hand tightened over the head below the cloth of his pants.

His breath quickened and he didn't dare look up. The hand loosened its grip and began to move further up, stroking along the thick shaft a few times before withdrawing. He dared a look to the side and he could see her chest moving with deep breaths and what looked like two bumps poking through the stretched material of her top.

"Sweetheart?"

"Y-yes?"

"Are you done eating?"

In fact there was half of a sandwich half on his plate and some more soup in his bowl but all he could say was,

"Yes,"

With that she pushed her chair back as she stood, taking hold of his hand and pulling upward. Without a word she led him out of the kitchen through a back doorway that opened up on what appeared to be an enclosed porch that held several chairs and an older, heavily cushioned couch. She towed him to the couch, put two hands on his chest and pushed him onto his back and then practically jumped on him.

"Omigod, sweetheart, I can't take it anymore, please I need you so badly," she said, before covering his mouth with hers.

Her body pinned his to the couch and she was grinding and writhing against him. His arms came up around her and held her tightly. He found some bare skin between the top of her shorts and the bottom of her top and so his hands lingered there until they found their way up under the shirt. His fingers brushed over what he assumed was the back of her bra but he withdrew. Her head came up off his lips and her green eyes bore into this.

"Do it, please."

"Are you really ready for this, all of it."

"Don't you want to?"

"Of course I do, but I don't think we want to take any chances, we're a little out of control here."

"But I'm burning up, sweetheart. My god, please."

"Okay, I have an idea. Sit up," he said, and when she did he almost lost his concentration at seeing her chest rise and fall so quickly.

"Take your shirt off," he continued, reaching to pull his up over his head, dropping it on the floor.

Her eyes flared as she followed suit, leaving a well filled bra for him to feast his eyes upon. Then she reached behind and undid the clasp letting it slide forward and drop into her lap. He had no experience with this but he had seen pictures and she looked as good as anything he had ever seen. She squared her shoulders which thrust her tits forward almost as a challenge, which he gladly accepted, leaning forward and after a moment's hesitation let his tongue snake out to lightly touch one of the hard nipples. Her heard her hiss and then felt a hand cup the back of his head to pull his mouth closer.

He figured that was an invitation and opened his mouth to let the whole thing in. He let his hands rest on her bare thighs and he stroked the smooth skin while he sucked on her firm tit. She chose to take one of those hands and brought it to the other breast and placed it there and he was happy to oblige, squeezing and fondling, slowly but firmly.

"Oh, my god, sweetheart. This feels so incredible. Oh, oh."

Her free hand found its way to his pants, finding no belt so she began to tug at the button and zipper. He switched around, sucking the other nipple while playing with the one he just left wet and hard. She began to tug on his pants so he raised up and let her make some head way while he brought his hands to her waist and worked to open the button and zipper. With a quick move he pushed her onto her back and then tugged her shorts down past her knees, which also dragged her panties down to about midthigh.

He gave another tug and the shorts were off. He looked up at her and when he saw it looked like she was going to sit up he put a hand on her stomach while the other pulled the panties off. Again he had never done this but he had overheard and read a few things, so once she was naked, he pushed her legs apart and got his first look at real pussy. What hair there was hardly showed, it was so pale. The lips were pink, puffy and damp.

He could feel her legs vibrating so he figured he would just dive in, which he did. When his tongue touched her lips, two things happened. She squealed and he fell in love with the taste. His tongue began to explore her lips, her clit and the juices that were start to flow. She was grabbing at cushions, moaning and hissing. And occasional `oh, yes' was also heard and when he began to probe deeper with his tongue she took hold of his head and began to push down. He took the hint and pushed his tongue deeper into her virgin hole, moving it from the bottom up to the clit and back.

Now her feet were resting on his back and her hips were arching up, forcing her pussy into his face. It was obvious this girl was really turned on, wanted more and he was going to give it to her. When her first orgasm hit, her legs squeezed on his head but he just kept going, licking and probing, taking her right into a second gut wrencher. This one had her ass bouncing on the couch cushions and when it ended it was like someone had pulled her plug.

Arms and legs slid of his back and wound up draped off the couch cushions. Jimmy sat back up and looked along her long lean body, seeing her mouth slightly open, her eyes closed but a little flutter beneath the lids. He thought he'd take advantage of this and he slipped his shorts and underwear off, sitting back with his fully hard erection jutting up to the ceiling. He lightly stroked her leg while she started to come back to herself, her eyes slowly opening and refocusing. She blinked a couple of times then looked down along her body and when she saw what was waiting for her, her eyes got wide, her smile flashed and she was up and on it in a flash.

She took the engorged shaft in both hands and looked at it closely. She started to slowly stroke it with one hand while the other played with his large, full balls. Her eyes met his and she smiled a wicked little smile and said,

"Oh, sweetheart. I've dreamed of this for so long. But I didn't think it would be this beautiful. And I'm so glad it's you."

Then she refocused on his cock and when she saw the first bead of precum form her tongue flicked out and made it disappear. She cooed a little and began to lick all over the head. He had to admit it was the hottest thing he ever saw, that head of thick long pale blonde hair, hanging over his crotch, her pink tongue dancing on the tip of his cock.

Then she made a quick switch and her mouth opened and closed over the head. His cock caught fire and as she pushed her lips down the flames rose and soon his whole body was ablaze. Then she came up, trapping just the head, her tongue flicking again and again. Then down, trying to force it all in her mouth but coming up a little short, but he didn't care. Time didn't matter but he knew he wasn't going to last long. It may not have been the first time, but it was beyond his imagining. Not even the best blowjob from a guy felt anything like this, but he thought it had more to do with just technique. He was tempted to run his hand through her hair but he didn't want to distract her.

Finally he felt his balls begin to tighten and he figured he better warn her.

"Oh, fuck, Carly, I'm gonna cum."

Her reaction surprised him. He thought she would pull off and watch but instead her mouth slid up to lock around the base of the head and her hands squeezed and stroked until he erupted, with streams of heavy cum shooting into her mouth. She began gulping, swallowing as much as she could but some did manage to leak past and run down the sides of his cock, a little reaching his balls. When his ass finally settled back on the cushion she gulped again and then began licking up what she missed. When she was finished, she sat up, her blazing eyes damping down to a smolder but also with a question.

He held out his arms to her and she shifted around so she could snuggle into him, both reveling in the feel of bare skin on bare skin. No he took the opportunity to play with all that hair. It was like he thought silk would feel. She was the first to speak.

"You must think I'm terrible."

"Why in the world would I think that?"

"I was like some sort of sex fiend or something."

"Uh, no, sex fiends usually kill their partner after the sex. You don't plan on cutting me up or anything, do you?" he asked.

"Of course not, silly. I might lock you in my closet though."

"How roomy is it? Do I get my own bathroom?"

She raised her head and then leaned in and kissed him soundly.

"It was really amazing though," she said, "you made my first time really special."

"Well, partial first time, but I thought so, too."

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed deeply.

"Would you mind if I fell in love with you, sweetheart."

"Not at all, I mean I wouldn't want to be doing it all by myself."

She smiled even though he couldn't see it and they snuggled for a few more minutes before deciding they better get dressed again. Her mom wasn't due home for a while, but why tempt fate. Once they were decently dressed, she ran her fingers through her hair to neaten it up, but really managed to send a shiver down Jimmy's spine. The she went to work on his, first using fingers, then trying to use a slightly wetted hand.

"Oh, sweetheart. You are much too handsome to be walking around with that mop. When was the last time you were at a barbershop or salon?"

"Um, never."

"What?"

"I've never been to either of those. Mom used to just cut it with a pair of scissors. The lady in the house where I stayed did it a couple of times. She put more effort into it but.." he shrugged. "Aunt Emily mentioned it too, but she's been really busy."

"Well, my boyfriend does not go around looking like a ragamuffin, whatever that is. Tomorrow, you and I are going for a ride downtown."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Well, of course. What do you think all the kissing and hand holding and this last bit was all about? I don't do friends with benefits. Is there some problem?" she asked, an edge to her voice.

"Well, no, of course not. I just never thought of myself as being someone's boyfriend. I guess this has all gone so fast, my brain hasn't caught up to it yet," Jimmy said, with a bit of a blush.

She took hold of his face in both hands and looked him squarely in the eye.

"Alright, let your brain get hold of this. As of this moment, you are my boyfriend, I am your girlfriend. Call it love, call it a crush, call it whatever you want. We have it and we have each other. Go it?"

"Yes, I've got it," he said, with the biggest grin she had seen yet.

Her hands slipped around is shoulders and pulled him into a big firm, but not frenzied, hug. His went around her lower back and they stood like that for a few minutes and then she spoke into his ear.

"Sorry to have to kick you out after what we just did but I need to get dinner started, I promised Mom. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course, we have a date for a haircut, right?"

"Yes, we do."

And with a final kiss and hug he was walking out the door and down the stairs, although he figured he could probably have floated home if he tried. He figured now was a good time to burn off some energy so he went to the garage and began organizing things. He was still at it when his aunt arrived home and called him in to start getting dinner ready. She also had a surprise for him. She had stopped at a local army navy store and bought him several sets of new shorts and three button pullover shirts. As she put it, it was time to get rid of the shabby, but since she didn't know what style he had in mind, she'd keep it neat and basic, the rest was up to him. He laughed because he had no idea what style he could possibly adopt.

The next morning he was out early in the shed doing more sorting and setting up. He was going to have to hunt around for some materials for a couple of workbenches and some shelving. Unfortunately, Aunt Emily didn't have a scrap of anything in the garage. He was at if for an hour or so when he heard a very welcome voice from behind him.

"Hello there, sweetheart."

He turned and what he saw made him catch his breath. Her shorts were low rider at the waist and nearly nonexistent at the leg, just a bit of folded hem. Her top was a tight tank top that ended right at navel level. Her bra was adding a very nice bit of cleavage. Add to that the halo of blonde hair which at the moment was being back lit by the morning sun.

"Jesus, you look so hot," he managed to say.

"Well, thank you, lover boy," she said as she moved further into the shed. "You're looking nicely put together today. Except for that hair. Are you ready for a ride?"

"With you, anywhere."

She closed the distance between them, slid her arms around his neck and pulled him into a long hot grinding kiss. There was also some hard hip grinding.

"Oh my god," she said as she backed away. "I am so hot for you, but first things first. Let's get going."

He took hold of one of the three bikes that had arrived the day before and wheeled it out of the shed and they walked together to the driveway where her bike was waiting. He quickly mounted his bike so he could watch as she did likewise. He thought everything she did was sexy. They pedaled away down the street, side by side, mostly because he didn't want to crash.

They made their way into town, past the luncheonette and further down the main drag. They stopped in front of a storefront that had all manner of hair care products in the window. Carly once again used her lock to fasten both bikes to a drain pipe. Jimmy made a note to himself to tell her about his bike. She took his hand and led him inside.

"Carly, my darling, it's so good to see you. You look more fabulous every time I see you. And who is this young fellow?"

The woman calling out across the shop was a middle aged black woman of average height and shape but with an expansive smile and personality. She swept across the floor and took the taller girl in a big hug. With an arm still around the narrow waist she looked at Jimmy and said,

"Please tell me you've brought him here for me to tend to."

"I sure did. This is Jimmy, he lives next door and is my new special friend, very special. I'd like to make use of that offer you made at Christmas, but for him, not me."

"Absolutely, my dear. You," she said pointing a long, sharply nailed finger at the boy, "sit there."

It was the chair in front of the hair washing sink.

"Um, I washed it last night."

"Yes, I'm sure you did, but with what? Laundry soap? Leave this to the professionals, sweetie. Now, sit."

"Yes, ma'am," he said as he scooted into the chair.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Chenille is my mom's very close friend and she won't do anything to hurt you. As long as you do exactly what she tells you," the last being said with a smile and wink.

"Mmmm,hmm," was all the older woman said, as she dropped the chair back into a reclining position and arranging Jimmy's head over the sink.

First came the warm water rinse, then the first washing. He had to admit her hands felt nice and he actually enjoyed the second wash and then something he had never experienced before, crème conditioner. She squeezed his hair to get rid of excess water and then sat him back up.

"Over to the last seat," she directed with another pointed finger.

He could see that Carly was enjoying this immensely and he was feeling more than a little sheepish with the wet hair and salon cape. He got into the seat and sat looking at himself in the mirror. His face was still looking a little gaunt, but at least the dark circles were mostly gone from around his eyes.

Chenille combed his hair down and then gave it the once over. He heard her clucking her tongue and then she said,

"Child, who used what to cut your hair? I hope you weren't paying for this."

"No, ma'am. They just used what they had," he replied, looking down at his lap. "When you're worried where your next meal is coming from, haircuts don't count for much."

This brought the stylist up short and when she looked over at Carly, the girl just nodded once, then shook her head.

"Well, we'll get you fixed up right, don't you worry."

In the mirror and he could see Carly lean in to say something to Chenille, who replied, then there was a bit of back and forth and then with a satisfied nod, Carly stepped back and took a seat in the next chair, crossing those crazy long legs and regarding her boyfriend in the mirror, smiling slightly.

The comb passed through his hair and the scissors flashed for the next thirty minutes. There was much squinting and turning of the head, tipping back the chin, and a low pitched humming. Then the hair dryer was fired up and there was more combing, a bit more scissoring and then it was done, or so he assumed. The older woman stood back and with folded arms, invited comment.

Carly unfolded herself from the chair and looked carefully at Jimmy. Her smile broadened and she clapped her hands once.

"It's wonderful, Chenille. Just perfect. I knew he was handsome, but now, wow."

"I agree. You two are going to turn lots of heads," she said, then chuckling when she saw the boy go red in the face.

She brushed him down, then removed the cape with a swirl. He stood up and reached into his pocket.

"No need, sweetie. Your girlfriend has you covered," the older woman said with smile.

"Shouldn't you get a tip, though?" he said, extended a wrinkled but clean five dollar bill. "Will this be okay?"

The woman smiled and took the offering.

"Thank you, you're a real gentleman. Come back anytime."

Carly hooked his arm and they walked together from the salon. He was becoming more aware of just how much bare skin she was showing. His primary concern was whether or not his new shorts were baggy enough to hide the hard on that was rapidly developing. When he looked down the sidewalk he saw the sign for the luncheonette. He was about to suggest lunch but he didn't want to tempt a repeat when his eyes drifted across the street and saw a sign for a pizzeria.

"Carly, would you like to have some lunch, at the pizzeria?"

"Hmm, that might be fun. You like pizza?" she asked, as she worked the combination on the lock.

"Not sure, I've never had it from a pizzeria, just frozen a couple of times. My treat of course."

She stood up and looked at him. She had to admit with the neat fashionable haircut and new clothes he really did look very good, if still much too thin.

"What, never?"

"Nope," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Have you ever been to a movie? Roller skating, a school dance?"

"Nope, nope and you gotta be kidding."

She closed the distance between them and wrapped him in those long arms. She spoke in low tones in his ear.

"Sweetheart, I told you that I love you and I'm promising you right now that I'm going to show you all the things that you've missed out on. Right now, you and I have a date with an authentic, hand throw pizza with your choice of toppings. I'll help you there."

With bikes in hand, they crossed the street, relocked the bikes and entered the restaurant. It was a bit before noon but half the tables were taken and as they entered most of the heads turned, and the male ones stayed turned for a moment more. Carly seemed to ignore it as she pointed to the menu board but Jimmy was all too aware. After some whispered consultation they settled on a medium pie half pepperoni and half sausage. Then they sat down and waited.

When Carly took a look at him again, which was almost immediately, she noticed a decided change in mood. She reached across to adjust a hair that slipped out of place and then said,

"What's wrong, sweetheart? You look almost as glum as the first time we met."

"Nothing's wrong."

She breathed out and leaned across the table a bit.

"Don't start lying to me so soon. You are unhappy about something, the haircut?"

"No, the haircut is great. Thank you for that."

"Then what?"

They were interrupted by the girl placing drinks in front of them, but when she left, Carly regarded him with raised eyebrows.

"Okay, fine. I'm feeling a little unsure of myself. Actually, a lot. Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Are you really sixteen?"

"Yes, of course I am. I turned sixteen three months ago, on the sixth. Why?"

"Um, well, right now you look like your twenty, or more. The outfit, the makeup. Did you see all the looks that you were getting?" he said the last in a voice that sounded very familiar.

She squinted again and then reached across the table and took both hands in hers and said,

"I am only a couple of months older than you. You must know that girls mature sooner than boys. And all this," she said, indicating herself, "has only been in the last year or so. But you, my dear, are the first boy that I've wanted to share it with, by sight and feel," she smiled. "No one else, no matter how hard they look, means a thing. So let's enjoy this new experience for you, and later on we'll enjoy another experience."

Then she reached across and took hold of the front of his shirt and pulled him close enough so that she could plant a brief but deep kiss on his lips, leaving him blushing and smiling. She continued to hold his hands and his attention until the girl returned with their pizza. She demonstrated the proper technique to fold and hold the slice and then watched with quiet glee as he took first one bite, then several in rapid succession.

She was just as happy she suggested he use a napkin as a bib to save his new shirt. By meals end he had eaten five slices, three sausage and two pepperoni. She did for the other three. He sat back with two hands on his stomach.

"Oh, man, that was the best. That crap I had before must have been cardboard with cheap sauce and cheese on it. I'm definitely going to make a habit of this."

"So, anything else for you two?" the girl asked as she stepped up, retrieving the tray.

"Oh, no, no thanks, but please tell whoever, that was really fantastic," Jimmy said with renewed enthusiasm.

The girl looked at him with a small smile and raised eyebrows. She then turned to Carly who said,

"It's his first real pizza."

"You're kidding."

"Nope," the blonde said with a grin.

"Hang on a minute," the waitress said.

She returned with the check and a card that had a hole punched in it.

"Here you go, sweetie, buy ten pies, the next is free," she said, smiling at him as she handed it to him.

He looked at the check, took it to the cashier and paid, then left the tip. Once again, heads turned as the two left the restaurant but Jimmy let it pass. The ride home was taken by a different route with Carly pointing out a few interesting points. Then they pulled in to the boy's driveway. Leaving the bikes they made their way to the shed in the back yard. When they stepped in Carly voiced her surprise.

"Well, this is interesting. I was expecting it all to be like a bike shop. What's all this?" she asked, indicating an array of what looked like junk.

"I'll explain it later, if you don't mind," he said as he stepped up and started kissing her, with vigor.

She let out a little squeal and wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself hard against him. During one of the pauses she said,

"I was afraid you didn't like the outfit, maybe it was too much."

"No, I love it. You look so sexy. I was afraid my cock was going to explode in my pants. It was just that you looked so...and that I wasn't..."

"Hey," she said, taking hold of his chin, her eyes inches from him, "I dressed like this because I wanted you to think I was sexy. I want your cock hard in your pants. I want your hands on my bare skin and your lips on mine. I want us naked together as often as we can. You, just you and me. So shut up and keep kissing me."

And with that her mouth was back on his and their tongues danced, their hands roamed over each other and his was getting busy with the fastenings of her shorts. She shifted her hips back to give him room to work. She was ecstatic at his passion and initiative, although she didn't use quite those words. When the waist of her pants were undone, he turned her about ninety degrees and had her sit down on an armless folding chair she hadn't noticed before. He tugged on the tiny shorts and after a bit of effort had them sliding down her long silky legs and then off.

He was on his knees between those legs and leaning in, stroking her smooth firm thighs. She knew what was coming and she couldn't wait. She took hold of the back on his head and pulled him so that his face was against her damp pussy lips. His tongue darted out and she squealed again, then clamped a hand over her mouth. He went to work and began to probe deeply with his tongue as his hands pushed her legs farther apart. The chair was small and not particularly comfortable but she couldn't have cared less.

To help his efforts she raised her legs and placed her feet on his shoulders. This opened her pussy to him and even exposed her pink tight pucker. He was really getting into a rhythm and his tongue was swiping up and down along the puffy lips and flickered on the hard nub of her clit. One hand stayed on his head while the other pulled and squeezed on her encased tits.

"Oh, my god, sweetheart, this is so good, oh shit, I love what you're doing. Please don't stop, don't ever stop."

She didn't go silent, but she didn't say anything coherent as he pushed his tongue deep inside her tight hole. He was also trying to get his pants loosened because it was getting painful. Carly began lifting her ass off the chair and at one point his tongue made contact with her asshole and she spasmed and shook so he hit it again and she shrieked into the back of her hand. He filed this away under `interesting' and went back to attacking her pussy proper until both hands grabbed his head, her feet slid down his back and her thighs clamped the sides of his head. She bucked and strained as her orgasm hit her, hard.

After an eternity that didn't last nearly long enough, she settled back down, her naked ass resting back onto the chair and the double grip on his head eased. Her bare legs slid to the side and her hands tugged on his head until he was face to face with her, those green eyes on fire as her open mouth covered his. After a time she eased his head back, took hold of his shoulders and got him back on his feet.

"Stand up," was all she said.

Then her hands finished what he started and she had his pants in a puddle at his feet in no time. Now she was staring at that hard, beautiful organ. Her hands took hold of the thick shaft, stroking it lovingly. Then the head was being rubbed against both cheeks and her lips. With her eyes on his, her lips opened and the head disappeared. A low groan escaped his lips, one of pleasure and longing.

Then the shaft began to slide between those perfect lips until she had all she could manage and then out it came until the head was just at her lips and then back down she went. Her technique was exquisitely slow and sensual. He wondered if it was instinct or experience. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. When she started applying suction and tongue flicking he stopped worrying and just went for the ride. After a number of transits she slipped it out of her mouth and pressed it against his stomach while she licked and mouthed his balls.

Finally, those balls had had enough and began to tighten and he got out a one word warning,

"Cumming."

Once again those pretty lips sealed themselves around the upper shaft and she waited. The first stream shot out hard striking the back of her throat and she once again tried to swallow all his amazing load. She didn't mind if some got away because it was fun licking him clean. His body began to relax and it didn't stop relaxing until his cock had slid from her mouth and he was again back on his knees. Then he was wrapped in long, strong arms. He did what he could to get his around her and they remained like that, semi naked, in each other's arms for some time.

She pulled back and rained kisses on his face and neck and then let him sit back. Her smile was enigmatic and her eyes sparkled.

"If you think I'm going to give that up for some clueless twit that a year and a half ago was calling me names and acting like a five year old, you're out of your mind."

"I know. And I love that you feel like that about me. It's just all so new and strange. And I can't help worry that someone is going to try and take you away from me."

"Hey, don't you think I have the same worry?"

"What are you crazy? Who would do that?" he asked, bewildered.

"Um excuse me. Do you think I have no taste in men and would fall head over heels for some slug? Didn't you see that waitress looking at you. And that card she gave you is for favored customers. She never gave me one. Get used to the idea you're a hottie."

To emphasize this last statement she plastered her laps on his and took hold of his semi hard cock. A testimony to the intensity of their previous action, they managed to end the kiss with no further arousal. They began to slowly wind down and decided they needed to get dressed. Although in Carly's case, it didn't make much difference.

"Just as a warning, my darling sexy boy. You're going to see a lot more of outfits like this. I love how it makes you feel and how it feels to be wearing it for you. I guess I'm kinda slutty," she said.

"Nope, I've seen slutty. You should have seen some of the dancers where my mother worked. You outclass everyone I ever saw. Sexy, yes, but slutty, no way."

"It's funny. Sometimes you seem so young and scared, but when you talk about something you feel strongly about, your very confident and seem more grown up."

"Young and scared is where I spent most of my life. Maybe you'll help me get past that."

It took ten minutes for her to stop holding him in a death grip. When she let go she decided to change the subject and indicated the other side of the shed where all the `junk' was sitting.

"Sweetheart, just what is that? You promised to explain it."

"Well, it's something I've been doing since I was around six. It started with the buckets which were left at the house the last time it was painted. Then as I was able to explore the scrap yard, I found the rest, bit by bit."

"Okay, fine, but what is it for?"

"Just sit there and I'll show you."

She settled onto the chair, her arms crossed and her legs likewise, waiting. He took a stick of some sort and tapped a couple of the suspended metal pieces that looked like cut down extinguisher bottles. Each gave a ringing tone but of different notes. Next were some metal pipes of different lengths and diameters, likewise ringing at different levels. She sat up a little straighter.

He went behind the accumulation of bits and pieces and sat down on what appeared to be a half barrel of some kind of wood. A couple of different sized buckets, both plastic and metal were arranged in front of him. With one stick he began to hit the top of one of the buckets. It produced a dull low thump, with the tone changing, which she saw was caused by his foot lifting the rim of the bucket from the floor of the shed. It took a moment but she realized he was producing a staccato rhythm. Then a second stick was brought into action and a second rhythm of higher notes was produced with a smaller bucket and some of the metal pieces.

It didn't take long before Carly realized her feet were tapping and since she figured she wanted to let this amazing boy in on her secrets, she stood up, moved the chair out of the way and then began to move around the open space in time with the beats and rhythms Jimmy was producing. He in turn became aware of this amazing creature moving sinuously and sensually in the restricted space of the shed. Her legs, her hips and of course those full tits were causing all kinds of sensations to run through him so he looked away and focused on what he was playing.

After a number of minutes he began to tire and he came to a stop. Carly likewise wound down. Then she clapped her hands together and said,

"Wow, that was amazing. Where did you learn to do that?" she asked, as she looked down from her superior height, her chest heaving.

"I just sort of picked it up as I went. I did find an old video tape of a show that was on stage where these guys and girls made music with all kinds of things. Brooms, shovels, barrels, this kind of stuff," he said, indicating his percussion kit. "It gave me something to do when I didn't have parts to work on or build with. And what about you, those were some nice moves you were making."

She actually blushed at his compliment and said,

"Um, well, actually I've done it for years, but just in my room. I put headphones on and dance around. I just like moving to music I guess."

"Well, you had me moving. Damn, you looked so sexy."

She smiled and then motioned for him to stand and come to her. He did and he was wrapped in those crazy long arms and was soundly kissed for his troubles. He had his hands on her back, half of which was exposed and she felt so soft and warm. When they separated she placed her lips at his ear and said,

"A lot of the time, I'm naked while I dance."

"Really? Geez, that must be really something to see."

"Look out your window tonight and maybe you'll see something special," she said and then licked and kissed his ear and the side of his neck.

"You know where my room is?" he asked.

"Mmmhmmm, I helped your aunt get it ready for you. I also know that if you leave the window unlatched I could climb in, but we'll leave that for another time," she said, then reclaimed his mouth and they spent the next half hour making out and fondling until he finally told her he needed to sit down.

She helped him to the chair and then knelt by his side.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"I guess it's been a full day, and I'm not as strong as I should be. Guess it will take some time before I'm able to keep up with you," he said with a smile.

She gave him a squint and then she hugged him and said,

"You better get on with it then, because I'm not going to wait too much longer to get you in bed. Understand?"

"Yes, that's about the best incentive I could imagine."

He had to wonder if he deserved such a gift, and whether or not he'd survive it.