Chapter 5: Age thirteen

Near the end of school one Friday, Renee asked me, “Me and Julie are staying at Uncle Dave’s again this weekend. Wanna come?”

Earlier that morning I’d visited Dave for a few minutes of hugging and a kiss, but was still eager to see my ‘Secret Daddy’ again. “Sure!”

We walked to his house after school. He told us, “Sorry, ladies, but plans changed. I just got a gig doing wedding photos and video. I’ll be out of town ‘til Monday. I need to leave, but I could drop you at Renee’s when I pick up Julie?”

I thought, ‘He’s going out of town with Julie? I’ll miss him a lot! And I’ll kind of miss my Secret Mom, too.’ It also felt like she was stealing him from me again.

Renee asked me, “Wanna stay over at my house, instead? I got a new game we can play.”

I was sad, but sighed and agreed. “Okay. At least you don’t have babies crying all the time.”

Dave stopped the car in their driveway and Renee and I climbed out. Julie carried her purse, a duffel bag, and two suitcases to the back of the car, and Dave opened the trunk. I was curious and asked her, “Why so much stuff for only two days?”

Dave loaded the suitcases and corrected me, “Three and a half days.” Julie smiled and added, “And three nights.”

Seeing her stick her tongue in his mouth seemed gross, and made me a little jealous. Renee joined in with, “And she can never decide what to wear, so she takes everything.”

Julie joked, “Not everything! I left my parka and skis.” We shared a giggle as they climbed in the car. Dave started the engine, but she opened her door and said, “Wait, I forgot my cigs.”

“We’re running late already. I’ll buy you some on the way.” I was glad he turned to Renee and I and waved, as he said, “Have a good weekend, sweeties. I’ll see you when I get back.” I watched them drive away, then followed Renee inside.

I started missing Dave after only an hour, but we had a fun time playing Renee’s new video game. She suggested, “I’m thirsty. Wanna try a beer?”

I was nervous and looked at the clock. I followed her to the kitchen and reminded her, “But it’s almost five. Your mom and dad will be home soon.”

“My step-mom’s at a seminar thing for work until Sunday night. On Fridays Dad goes to a bar until late. He’ll get home around midnight, drunk as a skunk. It’ll be fine. Don’t be a baby.” She took two cans from the fridge and one dropped from her hand. She picked it up and passed it to me.

I was reluctant, but agreed. “Okay.” I pulled the tab atop the can, and a lot of beer sprayed and spilled on the tile floor.

She giggled. “Hehehe! It’s a lot foamier than soda and it tastes weird, but you feel strangely good.”

I dubiously took my first sip. “Blugh! Smells and tastes like rotten bread!”

“You get used to it. It helps if you drink the first one fast. After that, you don’t care about the flavor much.” I followed her advice, chugging it down as quick as I could swallow. It had a predictable effect on my stomach. I tipped my head back and let out a very long burp. “Urhurhurururp!” She did, too, and we giggled together. I felt quite dizzy by the time Renee passed me a third can.

Somehow the racing game was much more difficult. I should mention, the intensity of alcohol’s effects are mainly based on body weight. A seventy-pound girl drinking three beers is about the same as a two-hundred pound man having nine.

I felt an urge and exclaimed, “Pee! I gotta pee!” I jumped up and ran toward the bathroom, but she said; “The toilet down here is broken. Use the one upstairs.”

By the time I ran there, some urine leaked into my panties and wet my jeans a little. I finished on the toilet and wiped, then called out, “Can you come help?”

A moment later, Renee stood in the doorway and asked, “What’s wrong?”

I pointed to the dark spot in the jeans around my ankles and said, “I couldn’t hold it. Can I get something to wear? And why does it smell bad?”

She laughed, “Hahaha! Because you peed yourself! Hehehe!”

I sniffed and asked, “No, I mean it stinks like smoke.”

She opened a drawer, revealing an assortment of soaps, shampoos, and an ashtray. “Dad and my stepmom Becky caught Julie smoking and punished her like five times, but they sorta gave up. Now she smokes in the basement, or the bathrooms with the fan on like Becky does. I’ll get you some of my underwear.”