CONVICTION (INTERFERENCE) (14 page)

I begrudgingly did what I was told, knowing she was only trying to help. But I also knew it was a waste of time. 

Two hours later we were having lunch at Subway. As I sipped on my diet soda, I remembered that first talk with Shane at the mall, as we also sipped on soda from Subway. I missed him so much. I could hardly wait until Sunday. Two more days…

“How’s your arm?” my mother asked, pulling me back from my day-dream.

“What? Oh, it’s fine. Just a little sore. The shot wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

“You always did hate shots,” she grinned.

“Yeah, but it was okay.”

“Now, remember what she said, the depo shot doesn’t protect you against STD’s, so he should still use a con…”

“MOM! I heard her,” I said, rolling my eyes, not wanting to have this conversation.

“Honey, I’m not trying to butt in.”

“I know, but I told you, he won’t touch me…”

“And I told you, you have the power to change his mind, whether you believe it or not.  I’m not forcing the issue, believe me, but at least now I can sleep at night knowing you’re protected.”

“Can we drop it now?”

“Okay. Well, how about some new clothes? I um, I think you could use some new bras and underwear, too.”

“I thought I was grounded.”

“Well, dad won’t care that you’re with me…”

“No, he only wants to keep me from Shane.”

“He’s doing what he thinks is best. He’s trying to protect you.”

“I wish everyone would just stop trying to protect me! I don’t need protection. I need Shane.”

She smiled and pulled me along, ignoring my request to just go home. After a while, I started enjoying myself and did end up with some new clothes and underwear. All in all it was a nice day and I thanked my mom when we got home.

Our day out was never mentioned to my dad, and finally, it was Saturday, and I only had one more day of solitary confinement left. I yawned and stretched and thought about which new outfit I was going to wear tomorrow…for Shane. I had never been much into clothes before, but suddenly I wanted to wear something special for him on our first day back together. I had new bras and underwear, and although I knew he wouldn’t ever see them, they made me feel more attractive.

There was a knock on the door. “May I come in, Rebecca?” my father asked.

I sighed, still angry about my undeserved punishment. “You made it perfectly clear that it’s your house.”

He came and sat down in the chair next to my bed. “Rebecca, I know you think your punishment was excessive…”

“No, it was unnecessary and completely unfair!”

“Well, be that as it may,
I
believed it was necessary. You needed some time away from Shane.”

“Why?”

“Because I think you’re getting too…involved with him.”

“I love him. And, for the last time, we didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Yes, well, you’re mother seems to agree with you.”

“But, you don’t? What’s wrong with me kissing my boyfriend?” I asked softly, trying not to sound rude.

“It’s just…I guess I was shocked. You’re my little girl, and I got a little carried away when I saw him all over you…”

“He wasn’t all over me. He was…”

“I know what he was doing. And, you’re right, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then why am I grounded?”

“I told you, it’s because I think you’re getting too involved.”

“So you just locked me away for two weeks to prove a point?”

“No, I locked you away for one week to prove a point. The other week was for lying.”

“But, I didn’t lie!”

“Rebecca, I came in here to let you off restriction one day early, but you’re continued denial is making me reconsider…”

“Daddy, have I ever lied to you? I mean, really?”

“No, and that’s why I was so surprised.”  He stood up and paced my room.

“Look at me. I’m telling you the truth. Shane never kissed me before that night. I swear it.”

He stared at me strangely, “You’re serious?”

“YES! I swear it! He hasn’t touched me! That was the first night he ever kissed me.”

He sat back down and looked at me strangely. “Rebecca, I didn’t…I mean, I’m sorry.  I really thought you were just trying to protect him.”

“But, you didn’t believe me. You locked me away without even listening to me.  Daddy, Shane is a nice guy. He would never push me into doing anything I’m not ready for.”

“So, then you were the one that pushed?”

“I asked him to kiss me.
It’s not a crime.”             

“No, it’s not. Okay, you’re off restriction. But, I want to know where you are, and what you’re doing…okay?” he said, handing me back my phone.

“Okay,” I grinned, thrilled to be able to see Shane one day sooner.

He started to walk out. His hand was on the door. But, I could see he still had something on his mind. “Rebecca, don’t push too hard, okay?  He may be a nice guy, but, he’s still a guy…”
             

“Daddy, you don’t have to worry. Shane…he’s determined to wait, and I’m not going to rush him, okay?”

He nodded. “It’s really hard for me to think of you…growing up. But,” he turned back to me and said, “…you’re still my little girl, and you always will be.”

I hugged him. “I love you
, Daddy. Please don’t worry. Shane and I, we’re not…” I blushed, totally embarrassed. 

He kissed the top of my head and said, “Okay. Now, get out of here and go have some fun…just not too much,” he said, unable to stop himself.

I quickly showered and dressed in one of my new outfits. I ran upstairs and said hi and goodbye to both my mom and sister and headed out the door.

“How about some lunch?” my mom yelled, but I was already out the door.

Rules A
re Made to Be Broken

I headed straight to the tire store. I knew that the store didn’t close until 3:00 on Saturdays. I assumed he’d be closing the store that day, but I didn’t mind waiting. I missed him so much, and even if he still had a couple hours of work left, I’d be completely content just watching him…being near him. I had to force myself not to run into the store screaming his name and throwing myself into his arms. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about me showing physical signs of affection at work, so I walked into the store slowly, trying to keep the bell on the door from making noise so that I could surprise him.  I headed to the back waiting room and peeked through the door…there he was…talking to a customer…and looking perfect.             

I waited for him to look up and notice me, thrilled to simply watch him for a few minutes. He was telling the customer about the new tires that were just put on his car, and going over the warranty when something made him look up. He saw me. He smiled and turned back to his customer, handed him the keys and said, “Call if you have any concerns or questions.”

He walked over to me and grabbed my hand and led me to the hallway in the back. Before I could say a word, he turned to me and kissed me…hard. I kissed him back with just as much force…and need.

He pulled away for a second and said, “What are you doing here? You’re not off restriction until tomorrow. I don’t want you to get into trouble again. I don’t think I can take being away from you for even one more day.”

“He let me off for good behavior…and I think my mom helped. I’m free!”

“Oh, thank God!” he said, pulling me back in for another kiss. This was definitely not the reaction I expected. This wasn’t the Shane I knew…at all. But, whatever was responsible for his current behavior, I was all for it and clung to him with the same desperation he had for me.

“Hey man, I was hoping…oops, sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”

I pulled back from Shane when I heard the new voice behind me. I guess I was a little shell-shocked from the last time we were caught kissing. 

Shane actually laughed at me and turned toward the voice. “Rebecca, this is Vince, Vince…Rebecca.”

We nodded toward each other and Vince said, “So, this is Rebecca. Wow, you’re right, she is a knockout!”

I blushed, which made Shane laugh even harder.

“Um, so, anyway, can you lock up today, Shane? Becky and I sort of have plans.  I know it’s my turn to close…”

Shane looked down at me and said, “Sorry, but it looks like I have plans, too. And, since I haven’t seen her in two weeks…” Shane glanced up at his friend for a minute and said, “Sorry, not this time.”

“Oh, come on, Man! You always close for Mark when he needs it.”

“I’ve closed for you, too, Vince, but, not today, sorry.”

Vince stormed off. He was obviously irritated that he had to stay and finish his job.

“I can’t believe you told him no.”

“I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks. It’s his turn to close the shop. I’ve done almost everything, anyway. I have something other than work on my mind, now,” he grinned. He walked me to the back of the shop and led me into another door.

“Where are we going?”

“I need to clean up a bit. Would you mind if I took a quick shower, and then we can go?”

“Sure.” 

I looked around and noticed a lot of personal belongings of Shane’s. “Are you staying here?”

“My dad and I had a disagreement. I’ve been staying here for a week now. The owner is fine with it.”

“What happened with your dad?”

“He stopped going to AA.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I knew it would happen sooner or later. He’ll come around. But, for now, I’m staying here. It’s not so bad.”

He walked over and grabbed some clean clothes and headed into the shower. I walked around and noticed a few pictures on the makeshift dresser. One was of him and his parents. His dad was smiling and standing next to Shane’s mother. They looked happy. They were up in the mountains and I could see Shane playing in the snow next to them. He was happy, too. The rest of the pictures were of me. 

He walked back into the room a few minutes later. He was clean shaven, freshly dressed in jeans and a nice shirt. His hair was wet and as he bent over to grab a clean pair of socks, I couldn’t stop myself and I grabbed his arm, pulling him up to me. “Shane…”
I didn’t need to say anything more. He kissed me, hard. It took my breath away. His kiss was different this time, more forceful. I was shocked, but I certainly didn’t mind. I kissed him right back, completely lost in the moment.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I can tell. I missed you, too.”

“Um, well, we better go.”

“Can’t we stay here…for a while?

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Rebecca. I’ve missed you…so much.”

“Me, too.”

“That’s why we should go!”

I sat down on his bed and said, “I’m not going to pressure you. We made a deal, and I’m…” I sighed, “I won’t push you for more.”

“But,” he sat down next to me. “…you want more, don’t you?” he asked, candidly.

“I love you, Shane. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to show it.”

“I think your father would disagree.”

“Don’t remind me! But, I’ve done my time and I’ve set him straight on…a few things.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that he finally believes me.”

“About what?”

“That you and I haven’t done anything other than kiss.”

“And?”

“And that I love you. And that we’re…waiting,” I said, half-heartedly.

“And your mom?”

“Well, she’s a bit more…unconventional…I guess.”

“What does that mean?”

I wasn’t sure how to tell him about my being on birth control without sounding guilty.  It wasn’t my idea, but I wasn’t sure he’d believe me.

“Don’t get mad, okay?  It wasn’t my idea.”

“What wasn’t your idea?”

I took a deep breath and said, “My mom took me to the doctor…”

“Were you sick?”

“No, and I didn’t want to go. I didn’t need to go, but she didn’t believe me.”

“Rebecca, what are you talking about?”

“Birth control.”

“What?” he asked, shaking his head in utter confusion.

“She made me go to the doctor for birth control. I got a shot two days ago. And I have to get one every 12 weeks.”

He put on his socks without saying a word.

“Shane, it wasn’t my idea. I didn’t ask for it. I know how you feel. But, when she saw us kissing, she assumed…that now, you’d want…more. I told her you wouldn’t change your mind…”

“She’s right, Rebecca. I do want more.”

“What?” I asked, not sure I heard him right.

He sat up and kissed me again, softly. “I’m not saying now. It’s just…”