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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15555089 The Ugly One}{\insrsid13918637
}{\insrsid15555089 by be287m
Chapter Six
I finally gave up trying to sleep at three a.m. With all the thoughts running around in my head, it was impossible to relax. I kept trying to analyze everything that had happened during the evening.}{\insrsid4744275 I wanted to call Tamara, but didn
\rquote t dare, given the hour. In the end, I finally resorted to something my therapist had recommended. I found an old notebook and began journaling. Exhaustion finally }{\insrsid3488979 caught}{\insrsid4744275
up to me and when I awoke to the noonday sun, the journal was still near my hand.}{\insrsid15555089
}{\insrsid4744275
I skimmed }{\insrsid3488979 my writings of the night before and}{\insrsid4744275 then put them down before finishing. I was glad I hadn\rquote t called Tamara. If my ramblings had come out half as incoherent on the phone as they had on paper, I\rquote
d have lost a friend.
}{\insrsid16478767 A friend. Tamara had started the evening by calling me a friend. I sulked about that for a while. Then I caught myself and made myself pull out of it.
Yes, she\rquote d }{\insrsid4589403 had sex with}{\insrsid16478767 me once. But that had been as a client. I certainly wasn\rquote t a client anymore. Even our \lquote deal\rquote really wasn\rquote t a business arrangement anymore. I\rquote
d spend time with Billy regardless of whether Tamara and I had our talks while he was doing the dishes. He was ten, but he was my friend. Why wouldn\rquote t his mom see me the same way}{\insrsid14231719 I saw him}{\insrsid16478767 ?
I played back our encounters in my mind. Had she ever hinted at being interested in me romantically, or was I just projecting, seeing what I wanted to see? I couldn\rquote t tell. Hell, I hadn\rquote
t been able to tell with Angie, despite what Tamara said were clear hints.}{\insrsid10489641
Angie. Why did Angie want to go o}{\insrsid13781779 ut with me? She obviously did--}{\insrsid10489641 she\rquote d said yes after all. }{\insrsid5644047 She\rquote d even said she was happy to see me when we first}{\insrsid3231953
started talking. I mulled that one over.
This wasn\rquote t an internet date, where she }{\insrsid14231719 really }{\insrsid3231953 didn\rquote t know what I looked like. She also didn\rquote t seem to be desperate, but I realized I couldn\rquote t }{\insrsid14231719 be sure of}{
\insrsid3231953 that from the short conversations we\rquote d had. }{\insrsid6052939 She wasn\rquote t doing Tamara or anyone a favor by going out with me.
Maybe she really liked me.}{\insrsid16478767 }{\insrsid3488979 }{\insrsid8259888 I had to concede it was possible.
I finally called Tama}{\insrsid6317282 ra about two in the afternoon.}{\insrsid8259888
\'93Any advice before I call Angie?\'94 I asked.
\'93Just relax and have a good time!\'94 she replied. \'93It\rquote s no different than talking with her at a party or chatting with me on Thursdays.\'94 Actually, it felt a lot different, but I couldn\rquote t }{\insrsid14231719 explain }{
\insrsid8259888 exactly why.
\'93Can I call you after}{\insrsid14231719 the date}{\insrsid8259888 ?\'94 I asked.
\'93That might be a little tricky,\'94 she answered. \'93Billy, Mom and I are leaving for Portland tomor}{\insrsid14231719 row to spend Christmas with my u}{\insrsid8259888 ncle and cousins. Then I\rquote m headed to Nevada to work. I\rquote ll be
back in Denver on }{\insrsid13663789 the Fifth.}{\insrsid409965 \'94}{\insrsid8259888
}{\insrsid13663789
\'93Oh.\'94
\'93Why don\rquote t we talk about it on Thursday the Eighth?\'94
\'93Sounds okay, I guess.\'94
\'93We\rquote ll talk then,\'94 she reassured. \'93And I\rquote m sure your date will be just fine. Go have fun!\'94
Her reassurances only eased my nerves a little. We said our goodbyes and then I paced around, trying to calm down before calling Angie. It wasn\rquote t working}{\insrsid14231719 ,}{\insrsid13663789 so I decided that I\rquote
d play a computer game for a while to relax.
I played, lost in the game, until hunger became an overriding distraction. I headed into the kitchen and glanced at the clock. Nine }{\insrsid11957757 p.m.}{\insrsid13663789
\'93Shit!\'94 I swore out loud. I still hadn\rquote t called Angie! Was it too late? Would she be upset? I wolfed down some leftovers while the adrenaline built. At 9:15 I took a few deep breaths and reached for the phone.
\'93Hello?\'94 a feminine voice queried.
\'93This is John, may I speak with Angie?\'94
\'93Hi John, this is Angie.\'94
\'93Uh, hi Angie, I\rquote m, uh, hoping I\rquote m not calling too late.\'94
\'93It\rquote s not too late. I\rquote m usually up until ten.\'94
\'93Oh good, I, uh, didn\rquote t want to wake you or anything.\'94
\'93No, }{\insrsid6317282 you }{\insrsid14231719 didn\rquote t wake me,\'94 she replied. }{\insrsid13663789 I realized I was sweating profusely}{\insrsid5584227 .}{\insrsid13663789
}{\insrsid5584227
\'93So, uh, \lquote Lord of the Rings.\rquote Would you like to go Friday?\'94
\'93The day after Christmas? Sure! Ashley will be with her dad. What time?\'94
I realized I should have checked the papers before calling. }{\insrsid15869902 I had no idea what the movie times were.}{\insrsid5584227
}{\insrsid15869902
\'93Seven?\'94 I suggested. \'93I\rquote m sure we }{\insrsid8155475 can catch a 7:30 or 8:00}{\insrsid15681032 show. Where do you live?\'94}{\insrsid15869902
}{\insrsid8155475
\'93I\rquote m in }{\insrsid13642201 Arvada, near Wadsworth and I-70}{\insrsid3488979 ,}{\insrsid8155475 \'94 }{\insrsid3488979 she replied.}{\insrsid8155475 }{\insrsid3488979 }{\insrsid8155475
Great! There were at least three good theaters near there that were likely to be showing \lquote The Return of the King.\rquote
\'93How about if I pick you up?\'94 I suggested.
}{\insrsid6317282 \'93Sounds good!\'94}{\insrsid8155475
With that, she proceeded to give me directions, once I\rquote d scrambled for a notepad and pencil. We said our goodnights after that and I hung up the phone.}{\insrsid13711432 Then I crashed into a chair and put my head in my hands.}{\insrsid8155475
}{\insrsid6308433
Well, I hadn\rquote t completely screwed up the phone call. }{\insrsid15681032 Close, but not completely. }{\insrsid6308433 I needed to be better prepared next time.
Which I was on Friday. I bought the movie tickets online and identified three restaurants, two bars, and two coffee shops that were all within a short distance in case Angie wanted to
go out after the movie. Of course, the theater was attached to a Dave and Buster\rquote s, }{\insrsid13642201 which I knew had a bar in addition to its game rooms}{\insrsid6308433
. I washed my car, inside and out, and got a new air freshener. I spent some time agonizing about what clothes to wear, but finally settled on a button down shirt and slacks, making sure they were clean and wrinkle free.}{\insrsid14231719
I checked both paper maps and Mapquest to establish the best routes to Angie\rquote s and then the movie and then hunted around online until I knew exactly wh
ere road construction was being done. Friday evening I started my preparations early and left with plenty of time to deal with late traffic snarls.
There weren\rquote t any. I arrived in Angie\rquote s neighborhood twenty minutes early. }{\insrsid870732 That was too much to sit in t
he car on her block. I eased into a strip mall and found an open parking place. I sat, wondering how to kill the time without letting my nerves run away from me. Then I noticed that one of the shops was a florist. Ten minutes later I was back in the c
ar with a single red rose, }{\insrsid13250432 wrapped with some sprigs of greenery that the florist had claimed would enhance its beauty}{\insrsid870732 .}{\insrsid1462629 I wanted there to be no doubt that this was a date and not just \lquote friends
\rquote going out to a movie together.}{\insrsid6308433
}{\insrsid9008965
I needn\rquote t have worried. Angie answered the door and oohed and ahhed over the rose. She was in a dressy full length skirt and dark sweater that set off her skin, }{\insrsid13642201 giving her a warm aura}{\insrsid9008965 . She\rquote
d obviously spent some time making sure her hair and makeup were perfectly set. }{\insrsid11077399 She smiled at me constantly. }{\insrsid14383717 I couldn\rquote t help but smile back}{\insrsid11077399 . That seemed to brighten her even more.}{
\insrsid9008965
}{\insrsid11077399
}{\insrsid13642201 When we got to the car, I unlocked her door and held it open for her.
\'93You are such a gentleman,\'94 she commented as she got settled.
\'93Aren\rquote t most guys?\'94 I asked.
\'93You\rquote d be surprised how many aren\rquote t,\'94 she }{\insrsid12862520 muttered}{\insrsid13642201 . I shrugged in response and headed around the car for my own door.
}{\insrsid11077399 We made it to the movie just fine, though my detailed planning had overlooked the possibility that there might not be any good parking places left at the theater. I pulled into a spot in the far corner of the far lot. }{
\insrsid15681032 Then }{\insrsid11077399 I turned to Angie.
\'93Well, the good news is, we can see the theater from here. If we could see the movie from here, we\rquote d be set.\'94}{\insrsid16534000 Angie }{\insrsid15688348 grinned }{\insrsid14383717 at my joke instead of rolling her eyes}{\insrsid15688348 .}
{\insrsid11077399
}{\insrsid15688348
Denver had not had a white Christmas this year. The air was crisp and we had to dodge a couple of patches of ice on our walk, but it was otherwise pleasant. When we arrived at the lobby, I turned to see how Angie was doing. Her cheeks
were pink, giving her face a cherubic look. She }{\insrsid14383717 caugh}{\insrsid15688348 t me grinning.
\'93What?\'94 she asked.
\'93Your cheeks are rosy from the cold,\'94 I replied. \'93Which seems appropriate for Christmas. You look like an angel.\'94
}{\insrsid1528031 Angie blushed and smiled.}{\insrsid15688348
\'93Thank you,\'94 she said.
}{\insrsid9067918 We found seats without too much difficulty and enjoyed the film. Angie stayed seated until the final credits had rolled and we were }{\insrsid14383717 the }{\insrsid1528031 last ones in the auditorium.}{\insrsid15688348
}{\insrsid9067918
\'93Would you like to go get a drink, or maybe coffee?\'94 I asked.
\'93Sure! What did you have in mind?\'94
\'93Well, we could go into the Dave and Buster\rquote s here, or I know where there are some coffee shops and other bars and restaurants nearby.\'94 Angie furrowed her brow.
\'93Let\rquote s stay here, it\rquote s easier.\'94
We wandered into Dave and Buster\rquote s and found a table in the bar that wasn\rquote t too noisy. We ordered beers and then an awkward silence fell. I didn\rquote t let it last but a short moment.
\'93So, what did you think?\'94 I asked.
\'93I liked it! I think Jackson did a great job of wrapping it up and the critics that complained about too many endings were being unduly harsh.\'94
\'93Really? I didn\rquote t read those reviews.\'94
\'93Oh, I read them all.\'94 With that, we were off into a discussion of film critics, film reviews, and fi
lm publication. I quickly realized that Angie knew far more than I and dropped into just asking questions wherever her comments raised my curiosity.}{\insrsid9252697
After a while, she noticed and began drawing me out about my own favorite films and what I\rquote d liked about them.}{\insrsid9067918
}{\insrsid9252697
\'93I guess I just like films with clever plots,\'94 I finally summarized, somewhere in the middle of our second round of beers. \'93I like it when it all makes sense.\'94
Angie nodded, grinning. \'93But sometimes it makes sense in a non-traditional way. Like \lquote Lost in Translation.\rquote \'94
\'93Haven\rquote t seen it,\'94 I replied. Angie paused to think for a moment.
\'93Okay, }{\insrsid4595481 \lquote }{\insrsid9252697 Casablanca.}{\insrsid4595481 \rquote }{\insrsid9252697 The traditional ending would have been for Rick and Ilsa to end up together, or for Rick to }{\insrsid14883651 sacrifice himself so}{
\insrsid9252697 Ilsa }{\insrsid14295703 could}{\insrsid14883651 escape}{\insrsid9252697 . }{\insrsid14383717 I}{\insrsid9252697 nstead, we have }{\insrsid4595481 a great speech and the gendarme saying \lquote round up the usual suspects.\rquote It
\rquote s not traditional, but it makes sense, }{\insrsid14383717 and it\rquote s part of what makes the}{\insrsid4595481 movie great.\'94}{\insrsid9252697
}{\insrsid7153289
\'93I heard that they winged that ending. They didn\rquote t decide on it until they\rquote d gotten most of the film made.\'94
\'93I\rquote ve heard that too,\'94 Angela replied.
Just then the waitress approached. \'93}{\insrsid14383717 Last call}{\insrsid7153289 ,\'94 she said.
\'93Speaking of endings,\'94 I drawled. Angie smiled at me and reached for her purse as the waitress put the check down. I motioned for her to put it away.
\'93I asked you out,\'94 I said, \'93this is my treat.\'94
\'93Will you let me pay next time?\'94 she asked. My heart skipped a beat in surprise.
\'93If you ask me out,\'94 I said.
\'93I might do that.\'94 We sat smiling at each other for a moment. It wasn\rquote t awkward. It finally ended when I checked my watch.
\'93}{\insrsid7153289\charrsid6317282 T}{\insrsid14383717\charrsid6317282 wo}{\insrsid7153289\charrsid6317282 hours}{\insrsid7153289 talking, wow. I\rquote ve really enjoyed this.\'94
\'93Me too.\'94}{\insrsid14383717 With that, }{\insrsid7153289 we headed out towards the parking lot.
It was noticeably colder}{\insrsid9380341 outside and most of the cars were gone. }{\insrsid14383717 In compensation, the night was deep black, with shimmers and sparkles where lights reflected off metal or ice. }{\insrsid1580885
We took a more direct route across the lot. }{\insrsid13197954 Halfway there, }{\insrsid1580885 Angie slipped on a patch of ice and started to wobble. I caught her hand and steadied her before she fell.}{\insrsid7153289
}{\insrsid1580885
\'93Thanks,\'94 she said.
\'93No problem,\'94 I replied. We continued walking and she did}{\insrsid15618712 n\rquote t let go of my hand. }{\insrsid13197954 I just enjoyed }{\insrsid14383717 her warmth pressed against my palm}{\insrsid6317282 .}{\insrsid10430107
}{\insrsid14383717 When we got to her door,}{\insrsid10430107 Angie turned to me after unlocking it and smiled up at me.
\'93I had a great time,\'94 she said.
\'93Me too.\'94 Silence fell once again.
\'93I don\rquote t know how to end this date,\'94 I finally admitted. Angie looked a little surprised but only hesitated for a moment. She stepped in and gave me a kiss.
It was quick and fairly chaste. I managed to return it before she pulled back.
\'93Thanks for the movie and the beer,\'94 she said.
}{\insrsid13197954 \'93You\rquote re welcome,\'94 I managed to reply.}{\insrsid10430107 }{\insrsid13197954 \'93Can I call you?\'94}{\insrsid10430107
\'93Of course.\'94 }{\insrsid946859 With that, she turned and went inside, leaving me to walk back to my car, wide eyed and smiling in my surprise.}{\insrsid1580885
}{\insrsid8155475
}{\insrsid13197954 The next day}{\insrsid7736178 I did call Angie at a reasonable hour, when I }{\insrsid14383717 was in control of my nerves}{\insrsid7736178
. We talked for an hour, about film and books and Ashley. Angie had custody the following weekend and so was going to have a belated Christmas with her daughter and her parents. I suggested that we have our next date the weekend after that}{
\insrsid14383717 ,}{\insrsid1063221 on the T}{\insrsid7736178 enth. She agreed and mentioned that it would be nice to do something in the afternoon. I promised to think of something and get back to her.}{\insrsid14383717
Scanning the papers, I came up with what promised to be a great idea. After checking on a couple of things, I called her back and asked if she would be up for a }{\insrsid12782866 play}{\insrsid14383717
. She liked the idea and was intrigued when I refused to }{\insrsid1063221 name the show. I had started to fantasize about how I could make it a really memorable date, but wanted to talk to Tamara before
I committed myself to anything that might backfire.}{\insrsid7736178
}{\insrsid1063221
When Thursday the Eighth rolled around, I didn\rquote t immediately have a chance}{\insrsid13197954 to ask for advice}{\insrsid1063221 . Tamara answered the door, concern laced through her face.
}{\insrsid3765797 \'93Billy was in a snowball fight after school on Tuesday}{\insrsid11208444 ,\'94 Tamara said}{\insrsid3765797 . }{\insrsid11208444 \'93}{\insrsid3765797 He won\rquote
t say much about it, but I think some of the kids were using iceballs. There\rquote s a bruise on his face. Can you talk to him?\'94 I took a deep breath and nodded.
Bill}{\insrsid14769688 y}{\insrsid3765797 \rquote s door was closed. I knocked and then waited. I was all set to knock again when the door open}{\insrsid3488979 ed}{\insrsid3765797 . Billy gave me a wan smile and let me in.
I was shocked at Billy\rquote s face. Tamara had understated the bruise. This was a full shiner that ringed his left eye and extended across his cheek bone. Billy sat forlorn on t
he bed, staring at his feet. I sat next to him, not saying anything. We just sat, }{\insrsid3488979 silent for some time, Billy kicking his feet}{\insrsid3765797 .
\'93Can you teach me to fight, John?\'94 Billy finally asked.
\'93Why do you need to know how to fight?\'94 I asked as calmly as I could hold my voice.
\'93Jesse.\'94
\'93Tell me about it.\'94
\'93I was making snow angels during recess}{\insrsid13197954 ,\'94 he began. I nodded, the new snow we\rquote d gotten that day would have been perfect for it}{\insrsid3765797 . }{\insrsid13197954 \'93}{\insrsid3765797
They started messing them up and calling me a baby. Then after school they started throwing snowballs at me and calling me a Sped}{\insrsid11208444 !}{\insrsid3765797 \'94
\'93Who\rquote s \lquote they\rquote ?\'94 I interrupted.
}{\insrsid11208444 \'93Jesse and Frank!}{\insrsid3765797 But after school a bunch of other kids joined them. I tried to run away but I wasn\rquote t fast enough. They kept calling me a }{\insrsid11208444 Sped and a baby}{\insrsid3765797 and then
Jesse pushed me into a snow bank}{\insrsid11208444 !}{\insrsid3765797 \'94
\'93That must have hurt,\'94 I commented. Billy shrugged.
\'93Not much. It made me mad though. I tried to punch Jesse but I wasn\rquote t very good.\'94 He hung his head and stared at his shoes some more.}{\insrsid2246485 I let the silence stretch for a while.}{\insrsid3765797
}{\insrsid2246485
\'93So Jesse gave you the bruise?\'94 I asked.
\'93Yeah.\'94 More silence followed.
\'93Jesse hit me a couple of times and}{\insrsid3488979 I fell down,\'94 he continued.}{\insrsid2246485 }{\insrsid3488979 \'93}{\insrsid2246485 Then a car came by and the driver got out. The other kids ran away. The man asked if I was okay an
d drove away when I said I was.\'94 I mentally thanked and cursed the unknown driver for his partial intervention. He\rquote d obviously not bothered to get close enough to judge whether Billy was truly okay or not.
\'93So,\'94 I asked, again keeping my voice light, \'93why did you tell your mom you were hit by an iceball?\'94
\'93I didn\rquote t,\'94 he replied. \'93She just thinks }{\insrsid11208444 that}{\insrsid2246485 .\'94
\'93Oh.\'94 Then I realized why he was keeping silent. \'93You couldn\rquote t tell your mom because you threw the first punch.\'94 Billy nodded in reply.}{\insrsid5574926 I sat a moment to collect my thoughts on that revelation.}{\insrsid2246485
}{\insrsid5574926
\'93I can remember being that mad,\'94 I began, \'93when kids used to tease me. I got in a few fights. I even threw the first punch a few times.\'94 Billy stopped looking at his shoes and stared at me.
\'93You got teased?\'94
\'93I\rquote m The Ugly One, remember?\'94 Billy nodded and looked back at his shoes.
}{\insrsid7477078
\'93My problem,\'94 I continued, \'93was that there were too many kids. What do you think would have happened if you\rquote d started }{\insrsid3488979 winning a fight with}{\insrsid7477078 Jesse? What would Frank have done?\'94
\'93Helped Jesse,\'94 Billy grudgingly admitted.
\'93And the other kids? Would they have helped?\'94 Billy shrugged and shook his head simultaneously, which I interpreted as \lquote maybe.\rquote
}{\insrsid5395744
\'93So, even if you knew how to fight, do you think you could beat them all?\'94
\'93Neo could,\'94 he replied. I }{\insrsid11208444 was startled, but I }{\insrsid5395744 didn\rquote t want to ask when a ten}{\insrsid8401034 year old had seen The Matrix.}{\insrsid5395744
\'93You\rquote re not Neo,\'94 I said. \'93Do you think you could beat all those kids even if you knew how to fight?\'94}{\insrsid11208444 Billy hesitated before answering.}{\insrsid5395744
\'93No.\'94
\'93Good.\'94
\'93But I would have beaten Jesse!\'94 Billy cried out.
\'93Maybe,\'94 I replied. \'93But even the best fighters lose occasionally.}{\insrsid3488979 \'94}{\insrsid5395744 I was thinking of Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson, but I knew B}{\insrsid3488979 illy wouldn\rquote t get the reference. }{
\insrsid5395744 \'93So let\rquote s see if we can come up with a different way first. If that doesn\rquote t work, we\rquote ll teach you to fight.\'94 Well, not me. I\rquote d lost every fight I\rquote
d been in. I was sure there were martial arts studios in the neighborhood though. Billy seemed to relax a l}{\insrsid3752838 ittle with the statement}{\insrsid5395744 .
}{\insrsid11208444
}{\insrsid2971030 \'93Like what?\'94 Billy then asked}{\insrsid11208444 . I unintentionally let a sigh escape. The truth was, I\rquote d never really figured out a good }{\insrsid3752838 alternate }{\insrsid11208444
way myself. What could I possibly suggest?
\'93I don\rquote t know, Billy,\'94 I admitted. \'93There are so many variables . . .\'94}{\insrsid5852510 I trailed off and then realized he was staring at me}{\insrsid2971030 ,}{\insrsid5852510 confused.}{\insrsid11208444
}{\insrsid4934786
\'93Sometimes the right thing to }{\insrsid2971030 do }{\insrsid4934786 is different depending on the circumstances. Like how Robin Hood uses a sword when he\rquote s inside the castle instead of his bow.\'94
Billy was nodding his head. \'93Because he wouldn\rquote t have room to shoot,\'94 he said.
}{\insrsid2971030
\'93Right. So the best way to deal with Jesse could be different depending on whether it\rquote s recess or after school or whether it\rquote s just him or there are other kids around. . .
\'93Say, Billy, the other kids, after school, were they }{\ul\insrsid2971030\charrsid2971030 all}{\insrsid2971030 teasing you?\'94 Billy scrunched up his face as he thought.
}{\insrsid6317282 \'93I dunno.\'94}{\insrsid2971030
\'93Well, I\rquote ll bet that they weren\rquote t,\'94 I said. \'93I\rquote ll bet that some of them were just watching.}{\insrsid2382029 They were following along to see what would happen.\'94 Billy looked confused.}{\insrsid2971030
}{\insrsid2382029
\'93You know how people slow down to look at traffic accidents?\'94 He gave a half hearted nod. \'93It\rquote s the same thing. I\rquote ll bet that some of the kids are just following along to watch what happens between you and Jesse.\'94
}{\insrsid3488979 \'93So}{\insrsid2382029 ?\'94
\'93So, }{\insrsid13595986 those kids aren\rquote t your enemies. In fact, they might become friends or allies, particularly if Jesse or Frank }{\insrsid11957757 has}{\insrsid13595986 ever picked on them.\'94 Billy was frowning.}{\insrsid2382029
}{\insrsid13595986
\'93Look, Billy. Robin Hood didn\rquote t stop the Sheriff by himself. He had his Merry Men. Who are your Merry Men?\'94
\'93You\rquote re Little John,\'94 he replied.
\'93Yes, but who is Friar Tuck, or Will Scarlett?\'94 }{\insrsid14252290 Billy was silent, thinking}{\insrsid4882321 .}{\insrsid14252290
}{\insrsid4882321
}{\insrsid14252290 \'93I\rquote ll bet they\rquote re out there. You just have to figure out who they are first.\'94
}{\insrsid6317282 \'93How do I do that?\'94 he asked.}{\insrsid14252290
\'93Watch them. Do they tease and bully other kids when Jesse does? Or does Jesse tease them too?}{\insrsid4882321 Do they avoid him at recess or}{\insrsid3488979 do they follow him around? }{\insrsid4882321
I leaned over and dropped my voice to just abo}{\insrsid6317282 ve a whisper.}{\insrsid4882321
\'93The ones that tease other kids are just the Sheriff\rquote s men. We can deal with them later.\'94 I }{\insrsid6317282 gave Billy my best nasty grin.}{\insrsid4882321
\'93}{\insrsid13969375 We c}{\insrsid3488979 an beat Jessie and Frank, Billy,\'94 I sneered.}{\insrsid13969375 }{\insrsid3488979 \'93}{\insrsid13969375 They\rquote re no better than the Sheriff of Nottingham, and you\rquote re Robin Hood.\'94
Billy grinned back at me, his mouth twisting into a}{\insrsid3488979 n evil grin matching my own}{\insrsid13969375 . With the bruise, it was startling.
}{\insrsid3752838 \'93I }{\ul\insrsid3752838\charrsid3752838 am}{\insrsid13969375 Robin Hood,\'94 he s}{\insrsid3752838 neered}{\insrsid13969375 .
\'93You are,\'94 I replied. \'93And I\rquote m Little John.\'94 Our sneers turned to smiles just as \lquote Dinner!\rquote sounded from the other room.
\'93One other thing, Billy,\'94 I said as we started towards the door. \'93Don\rquote t throw the first punch again, okay? It only gives Jesse an excuse to hurt you more than he can ot}{\insrsid4744275 herwise.\'94 Billy nodded at that. I suspected he
\rquote d already learned the lesson}{\insrsid13969375 .}{\insrsid14252290
}{\insrsid4744275
}{\insrsid6695818\charrsid6695818 I expected my own lessons}{\insrsid6695818 , on love instead of war,}{\insrsid6695818\charrsid6695818 to continue after dinner}{\insrsid4744275\charrsid6695818 .}{\insrsid4744275
Tamara waited until I got settled on the couch.
}{\insrsid3488979
\'93How\rquote s Billy? Did he tell you what happened?\'94
\'93He\rquote s fine and yes he did.\'94
\'93So what happened?\'94 There was a mama bear firmness in her voice that intimidated me a little.
\'93He got in a fight.\'94
\'93A fight! With who? I\rquote ll call the school!\'94
\'93No,\'94 I interrupted. She glared at me. Thank god her cub was in the other room and not right behind me.
\'93He needs to solve this one on his }{\insrsid3752838 own.\'94 Tamara started to object but }{\insrsid3488979 then thought better of it.
\'93I\rquote ll help him,\'94 I continued. \'93Give him advice and such. But he\rquote s got to figure out how to stop the teasing on his own, or it will continue forever.\'94
\'93I suppose,\'94 Tamara admitted. \'93I can\rquote t take care of him forever.\'94 I nodded in agreement.}{\insrsid14632496 We sat for a while, with her staring ahead.
\'93I wish I could, John,\'94 she finally said, breaking the silence. \'93I wish I could protect him from the teasing and the bullies and the fights. It was horrible to see that bruise.\'94
\'93If you protect him, he\rquote ll always be a child,\'94 I said in measured tones.
\'93Oh, I know. He needs to be able to fend for himself and he needs }{\insrsid3752838 to have }{\insrsid14632496 the confidence that he can do so. I just . . .
\'93I just think of how happy he is when he\rquote s playing, making his little battles or playing with his bow and arrows. How he\rquote d run to me with some new fact he\rquote d found in his books on Robin Hood, all glowing. }{\insrsid2255501
Those times}{\insrsid11957757 }{\insrsid6554164 . . . it\rquote s hard when I can\rquote t see the light in his eyes like those times}{\insrsid2255501 .\'94}{\insrsid14632496
}{\insrsid2255501
I reached over and squeezed her hand. Tamara smiled at me and sighed. Her eyes met my own.
}{\insrsid4744275
}{\insrsid3880573 \'93}{\insrsid2255501 Changing the subject, h}{\insrsid4744275 ow did the date go?\'94 she asked.
}{\insrsid5338666
\'93It went well,\'94 I admitted, grinning }{\insrsid3702513 with the}{\insrsid5338666 memory. \'93We had a great time at the movie and talking afterwards. She kissed me goodnight at the end of the evening. I had to admit that I didn\rquote
t know how to end the evening and then she kissed me.\'94
\'93Good for you!\'94
\'93Yeah,\'94 I agreed, a little embarrassed at Tamara\rquote s enthusiasm. \'93I\rquote ve been thinking about that since then, though. What should I have done? Should I have tried to kiss her? Should I have asked?\'94
\'93It sounds like you did just fine.\'94
\'93Maybe. Well, yes. But I wish I\rquote d known what I should have done. I mean what should I do next time?\'94
\'93On yo}{\insrsid4278619 ur next date with Angie?\'94}{\insrsid5338666
}{\insrsid4278619
\'93Or the next time I go on a first date, if things don\rquote t work out with Angie.\'94
\'93Well, in both of those cases, it depends a lot on the circumstances. Whether you kiss her or not can depend on the woman, her mood, }{\insrsid3702513 or }{\insrsid4278619
a bunch of other things. You have to decide based on the details you observe at the time.\'94
I rolled my eyes. Tamara caught me.
\'93I just told Billy basically the same thing,\'94 I admitted. }{\insrsid6695818
\'93Then you understand,\'94 she replied. \'93You have to pay attention.\'94
\'93But I don\rquote t know what to pay attention to,\'94 I commented.
\'93It\rquote s hard to list all the things that you could pay attention to,\'94 she admitted. \'93However, there is one general rule. If she wants you to do something, like kiss her, she\rquote ll make it easy for you.\'94
\'93What do you mean?\'94
\'93How she stands or holds her body. How she tilts her head.\'94 I }{\insrsid3702513 was still}{\insrsid6695818 confused.
\'93Here}{\insrsid6317282 , stand up and I\rquote ll show you.\'94}{\insrsid6695818
With that we were both o}{\insrsid7887796 n ou}{\insrsid3702513 r feet. Tamara planted her}{\insrsid6695818 self in front of me, nearly touching, belly to belly. Then she stepped back, almost to arm\rquote
s length, and turned her body a little to the side. Her head tilted down and her smil}{\insrsid3702513 e was tight and close-lipped. }{\insrsid6695818 It reminded me of a fencer\rquote s pose.}{\insrsid4278619
}{\insrsid6695818
\'93Now how easy would it be for you to kiss me?\'94 she asked.
\'93Damn near impossible,\'94 I replied. \'93You\rquote re too far away and turned funny.\'94 She nodded in reply and then stepped back into her original position. This time she dropped her shoulders and tilted her head back
, so her cheek and lips were closer}{\insrsid2955758 to my own. Her smile was wide and relaxed. Her eyes flicked from my own to my lips and back to my eyes a couple of times.}{\insrsid6695818
}{\insrsid2955758
\'93Now?\'94 she asked.
An impulse seized me and I wrapped my arms around her, dropping my lips to hers. Tamara let me kiss her for a moment before she pulled back.
\'93See?\'94 she said. \'93You\rquote ll do fine }{\insrsid6317282 on your next date with Angie.\'94}{\insrsid2822424
}{\insrsid2955758 With that, she completely disentangled from me and sat back down on the couch.}{\insrsid2822424 I started to panic that my impulse had been a disaster but Tamara seemed calm, which was reassuring. I sat back down.}{\insrsid2955758
}{\insrsid2822424
\'93So what are you planning for your }{\insrsid3702513 next }{\insrsid2822424 date?\'94 she asked. I let out the breath I hadn\rquote t realized I\rquote d been holding.
\'93Let me tell you about it,\'94 I began. \'93I\rquote d like yo}{\insrsid8003851 ur opinion on some of my ideas.\'94
With that, I began to tell Tamara of my plans for that Saturday. She smiled and laughed at some of the details. She suggested I omit a couple of things and offered a few refinements in other areas. By the time Billy had finished the dishes, I was fee
}{\insrsid6317282 ling really good about my plan.}{\insrsid8003851
Tamara suggested we end the evening by playing a board game, all three of us. Billy was enthusiastic, picking a game that he\rquote d learned to play with his cousins over Christmas. He won too, just about the
time it was necessary for me to head home. Tamara sent him to bed and then gave me a long, long hug at the door. As I walked to my car, I noticed the light come back on in Billy\rquote s room, just enough later to be a}{\insrsid6317282
mother checking on her child.}{\insrsid13705947
}{\insrsid8003851 I dreamed of mama bears that night.}{\insrsid13705947 The}{\insrsid3702513 y}{\insrsid13705947 spread picnic baskets out and ate honey from pots as the baby bears romped with each other and a host of smaller animals. They offered me
}{\insrsid11957757 berries, which}{\insrsid13705947 I had to eat without using my hands. I only awoke once, at three a.m., before drifting off again to a deep, relaxed sleep.
--End Chapter Six--
\'a9 Copyri}{\insrsid6317282 ght 2004. All rights reserved.}{\insrsid4744275
}