Out
< < "So does your dad stay late at church often?"
Ricky shrugged his shoulders. "I guess. Sometimes. Usually he just asks me to wait in the car."
"For how long?"
"An hour, sometimes more." Ricky's eyes flashed; a clever grin spread over his face.
"What?"
"Well, he probably won't be home for another half hour at least... we have the whole house to ourselves."
Angela gave him a sidelong glance. What was he getting at?
Then his hand touched her thigh. "You know," he said, "it's not like we haven't been thinking about it, and the way you've been flirting lately I figured you were telling me you were ready..."
Suddenly Angela realized what her awkward young boyfriend was trying to say. Could he have been any less romantic?
He could. "I mean, I really want it to be special, and I was hoping it could be this big romantic evening and... but dad's been really protective lately, and acting kinda weird, and I don't know if he's ever going to loosen up to the idea, and... with you around all the time, I don't know how much longer I can stand it. I mean, at least it's not in the back seat of the car or something..."
Angela didn't know whether to scream or cry. She deserved better than this. She thought Ricky was more mature than this.
Sheesh, Angela, what did you expect? He's only sixteen. And a virgin. And you've been teasing up a storm...
I have not!
What, you forgot Thursday morning already?
That wasn't for Ricky, that was for Noel. And not to tease him! Just to prove I'm not Margaret.
Whatever. Any other sixteen year old boy would have popped his cork all over your underwear drawer by now.
Eww! Ricky's not like that. He's not like *this*. I thought he was more... I thought it would be more romantic. I thought it would just happen, and it would be right... I don't want it to be just like the first time with Josh...
But Angela didn't know how to tell Ricky all that; and if she had to tell him, well, then maybe this relationship wasn't what she thought.
So she just used an excuse. "Ricky, we don't know when your dad's coming home. He could be here any minute. Better to be safe than sorry."
"We'll be in the bedroom. We'll hear him coming. We'll have plenty of time." He had that hunger in his eyes.
"Ricky, it's not just that. It's the mood. I don't..."
"I'll light some candles." He started to get up.
Angela lost it.
"Come on, Ricky, we were just in *church*! Weren't you listening to the sermon? Don't you even feel a little wrong about this?"
"What? No! I love you, Angela. And I thought you loved me." It was obviously a guilt trip. God, why did all males turn into big jerks as soon as the thing in their pants took over? Why did they have to let it take over in the first place?
"That's not fair. And anyway, if it was about loving each other you'd be willing to wait until the time was right."
"I'm beginning to think with you the time will *never* be right."
"You think just because I'm living here that I'm supposed to hitch up my skirt and spread 'em for you whenever you're in the mood?"
"God, Angela, don't be crude. Of course not. But you can't go flaunting it all the time and not expect a reaction! I want it to be special too, but I'm still a man." With all that implied, apparently. "With all the stories about you, I thought you'd want it more."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? What stories?"
"You know what stories. When you were Sapphire."
That was a low blow, bringing her misfortune as Sapphire into this.
"You know I couldn't help that. It's not like I *wanted* any of that. God, is that what you think?"
"I don't know what to think, Angela. You act one way, and then you say something else."
"Well, I'm sorry if I misled you," Angela said, her tone sarcastic.
Ricky just crossed his arms and pouted. He mumbled something under his breath.
"What was that?" Angela said sharply.
"I said, 'I can't believe you and Sapphire are the same person.'" He glared at her.
That was *it*. Angela turned on her heel and headed for the front door.
"Where are *you* going?" His tone was nasty.
"Out!" Angela shouted. She held her head high as the door slammed behind her.