Chapter 5

Second week in August

Monday morning was pretty normal but lunch was another trip into chaos. Fallon was, once again, famous. This fame brought an entirely new group of kids and more than a few teachers to our table. Mr. Cassidy even came over and congratulated her. Then he gave me a stern look, but I noticed him smile as he turned to walk away. Noted.

That afternoon, we gave Sascha a lift home. He had passed his brown belt test and was happy about that. His achievement was accomplished in relative privacy while Fallon’s was very public. They talked about that. When we got to Fallon’s house, we set up shop in the kitchen, notepad and calendar in hand. She called Angela Wyatt’s office and got her secretary. She had two dates; one that Friday morning and the next in November. Fallon told her she would be there Friday, got the details and hung up.

“What have I done? I could have waited until November.”

“How much better will you be in three months? Strike while the iron is hot. Anything can happen in three months but she knows you now.” Fallon agreed.

“You’re right. Can you take me? We have to skip school in the morning.” I nodded. “Thanks. I want to practice now ... alone. Please.” She looked at me as thought she was afraid she’d hurt my feelings.

“I get it. I’ll see you in the morning.” I wasn’t hurt. Just curious about her practice session. She gave me a fierce hug and a quick kiss and walked me to the door. Sunday and Monday afternoon, we had learned how to spend time apart. It seemed like such a strange lesson. Why would we have to learn how to do that but we did.

Tuesday, things settled down to normal. We joined our newest brown belt friend for a really tough workout. I felt like I was beginning to understand not just the mechanics but the concepts. Sascha worked with Fallon more on escapes from grabs. He and I worked more on defenses against strikes and kicks. We both learned all the material but with a different emphasis. He told us that we were progressing quickly because of the lengthy lessons together. Fallon went home to practice piano and I went home to nothing. That’s what it seemed like. I watched Kung Fu that night and it was motivating.

On Wednesday afternoon, I watched the afternoon movie, The Searchers. Half way through, I realized I needed to change my book for American Lit. The next day, I told my English teacher. She asked why the change and I told her I wanted to compare Ahab’s obsession with finding the whale to Ethan’s obsession with finding his niece. She seemed happy with that answer and approved it.

After Thursday’s karate class, Fallon and I worked out our timing and plans for our trip to USC. The next morning, I picked her up, wearing a dressier casual than normal. She dressed as she had for the demo and looked really nice. I tried to kiss her but she said I’d mess up her lipstick. After. I had the Thomas Brothers California book opened to LA. I took the five to the ten and got off at Vermont. We found Thornton on West thirty-fourth street and parked. We were early but went in anyway.

We found her office and Wyatt’s secretary buzzed her to let her know Miss Deplanes was there. Even though we were early, Mrs. Wyatt was out to greet her almost immediately. After quick introductions, she started asking Fallon questions.

“When Nelson called, I was intrigued. But that short snippet on the news solved the mystery. You’re a sophomore, is that right?”

“Yes, ma’am. At Costa Mesa High.”

“And this is your first choice for your college education.”

“Yes, ma’am. I have a short list but this is the top. A lot depends on finances.”

“Of course. How are your grades?”

“Mostly A’s. I’m not so good at math but I still get B’s.”

“We won’t worry too much about math but you have a GPA near four, yes?”

“Yes, ma’am. Three point eight, I think.”

“That’s fine. I would love to hear you play. Would you mind?”

“No, ma’am. I was sort of expecting that.”

“Of course. I’m going to ask professor Myers and professor Linfield to join us. Myers teaches classical performance and Linfield teaches piano and keyboard.” She turned to her secretary. “Ann, could you call and have them meet us next door in the recital hall. Thanks so much.” They walked and I tagged along. Wyatt asked about her favorite pieces and why she had chosen La Campanella. She was pleased when Fallon told her she wanted to show off the piano and knew it would do that.

We got to the recital hall and Wyatt asked if I’d mind waiting.

“Mrs. Wyatt, I would really like it if Michael could be there, too. He taught me something about playing the piano and this would be his first chance to see if I get it.”

“Really? Then, by all means, join us.”

A Steinway grand piano sat in the center of the room with chairs at a distance. The two professors came in and sat and when Wyatt motioned, I sat next to them. To say I felt awkward would be an understatement. Fallon sat at the piano and we were ready.

“I would be glad to play whatever you like but I thought you might like to hear all of La Campanella.”

“Perfect. Whenever you’re ready.”

Fallon took a deep breath and jumped in. At first, it seemed the same as what I’d seen before. But after the first pause, she changed. I saw her lips move and her hands floated over the keys. She had smiled at different places and was very intent in others. As the tempo and intensity built, Fallon bounced off the bench several times, her entire body into it. The difference between her performance then and what she had done a week prior was dramatic.

When she finished, she turned to us and smiled. I looked over to see how they responded. Their eyes were moist and they clapped, then stood and walked to Fallon to thank her.

“Miss Deplanes, that was truly remarkable. Truly. You’re sure you’re just fifteen? And your teacher, Mr. Danielson, what did he tell you that made such a difference.”

Fallon stifled a laugh. Michael isn’t my piano teacher. He’s my boyfriend. He doesn’t play.”

“Well, what did he teach you? I’m a bit mystified.”

“You’ll think it’s funny.”

“Miss Deplanes, I have heard hundreds, perhaps thousands of pianists play their best. Some very good and some not so much. What the television captured was very good. This, however, is so much more. Please.”

“Mr. Jadok said I needed to uncork it. To let the music out of the bottle. Michael helped me understand.” She paused and looked at all three of them, then me. I nodded. “I tried to give the piano pleasure.”

“Oh, my. You...”

Fallon hesitated a moment and blurted out, “I made love to the piano. Michael gave me the concept. He made what Mr. Jadok had said, real to me. I don’t think that’s very traditional but I think it sounds better.”

“Very much so. Gentlemen,” she said to her colleagues. “We’ll talk but I think you’ll agree.” The both nodded enthusiastically, wrapping their heads around Fallon’s explanation.

“I appreciate your performance ... and your candor. That was outstanding. Nelson said you had the technical ability but lacked the emotion. Now, it seems quite clear, you have that, too. What do you think of her performance, Michael?”

“I’m jealous of the piano.”

Blushing, she responded, “Yes. I think that sums it up, doesn’t it? Let’s go back to my office and talk.”

The three of us went back to her office and talked about school. Wyatt as much as promised her a full scholarship if she could keep her grades above three point five. She offered her a tour of the campus, including dorms and sororities. They talked a bit more about music degrees, areas of emphasis, and careers their graduates had chosen. We went expecting Fallon to try to impress them, and by the end of the meeting, Wyatt was trying to impress Fallon. We left, smiling.

Fallon slid next to me on the seat and put her hand on my thigh. “Did you like it.”

“It was hot. I don’t even believe I said that. You playing piano was definitely hot and that’s just crazy. Did you see Wyatt’s face, when you told her you made love to the piano? She blushed but it was gone just like that.”

“I saw it. It just seemed like the thing to do. Just tell her. It didn’t slow her down, though, Michael. She wants me to go there.”

“Do you know what she’s going to talk about with the two guys?”

“No clue.”

“I know exactly what they’re going to talk about.” I looked at her and smiled. “She’s going to talk to them about offering you a scholarship. She wants you and she wanted them to want you. Think about it. She brought two people to listen to you play, both probably key people on their staff. She did that based on a thirty second television spot but also, and probably more importantly, Nelson Jadok’s recommendation. Then, when you exceeded her expectations, she went into recruiting mode. I know swimmers that were recruited by colleges just like that. Show off the campus and give you all kinds of reasons to go there. That’s what she did. She wants you, Fallon.”

“I don’t know. But it kind of seemed that way. Why else would she be bragging about the school? What do guys do when they get recruited?”

“Usually, it’s by more than one school. They pick the best option. Whoever has the best team, or the best coach or the most prestigious school. Stuff like that.” I thought about it a minute. “You know what you should do next?”

“Take it if they offer.”

“Maybe. But even before that. I’d get Jadok’s number from Artie. I’d ask to see him. Play it for him again and show him that you can do what he said. Then ask him where to go.”

“Do you think he’d do that?”

“I think he went to Ocean Guitar on the night you were giving a demonstration for more than just a piano. He could have done that anytime. He wanted to see the local talent and you wowed him. Then, you took his advice. I’d definitely call him. What have you got to lose?”

She snuggled in so close it was a little tough to drive. It didn’t help that she was all wound up and that I was jealous of a piano. We got back before lunch and checked in at the front desk, then went to the Student Union to tell LuAnn and Lisa when they came out. Hugs for everyone. I got one too and LuAnn seemed luscious. That was the only word that came to mind. Luscious.

We grabbed some food and took it to the dome, picking a different bench, hoping to have a bit more peace and quiet. It worked pretty well until near the end of lunch.

“What do you have for the weekend?” she asked.

“I have pools to do and I need to read, but I should have a lot of free time, too. What’s your pleasure?”

“I want to go back to the beach. Back to the Covington Ranch. Obviously, it was very nice the last time and I wouldn’t mind some more of that but really, I just want to get away a while.”

“Coming from an extrovert like you ... you must really be about done with all the excitement.”

“Pretty much. It doesn’t take me long to recover. So much drama ... and it all started when you picked me up for school last week,” she said, giving me her best evil eye. It was so un-evil I couldn’t help but laugh and she did too.

“You’d make a crappy villain. By the way, I think I know why you wanted to practice in private.”

“If you take me to the beach, I might sing you a song.” I looked at her smiling at me. No, beaming at me. We beamed at each other. It was very pleasant. “Oh, my gosh. I have to tell Tina. I haven’t told Tina yet. And Mom. C’mon,” she said and pulled me off my seat.

We found Tina and she pulled her out of her seat, grabbed her shoulders and told her about her practice, uncorking it, Wyatt’s reception of her performance. Tina listened to it all, asking questions at all the right places and when she had told the whole story, she left us to run to the office to call her mom.

“Michael, I am looking forward to October and my turn to date you. But you have been really good for Fallon. Really good. Thank you. She’s my best friend and ... well, it means a lot to me.”

“It’s nice. She’s easy to treat right, do you know what I mean? Maybe, in October, I’ll be good for you, too.”

“That’s nice. But I was thinking I might be good for you,” she said with her sly look that I’d grown to love.

“Wowza.”

“Exactly. I have a hunch just how you might have taught her to uncork it.”

“No comment.”

“Probably best.” She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “You don’t have that in your kiss catalogue, do you?” I shook my head. “Think about it.” Arrgh. I had no idea what it meant but she knew I’d be thinking about it the rest of the day.

That evening, we went out to dinner at a little Mexican restaurant we’d heard good things about. They were right. We finished in time to make it to the beach before the sun went down. I pulled into park and saw Mrs. Covington riding up the trail with two horses behind her.

“I knew that was you the other day. Whoo. She’s pretty. My, oh my.”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, honey. Shame to let all this beach go to waste. You’re just in time for the sunset.”

“Thanks Mrs. Covington. It’s nice to have someplace private to go.”

“This is it, Michael. Do your folks know where you are?” I nodded and she tipped her hat and kept riding.

We walked down the trail with full daylight. It was easier. We found a nice spot and spread our blanket and lay down to watch the show. I looked over at my little Fallon, waiting for the sun to go down.

“You are so beautiful.”

“Stop. Okay. Don’t really stop. You are so good to me. You really are.”

“I deserve a reward I’m so good to you. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, you do. Name it.”

I was ready for that. “Stand up,” I said and she did. “Perfect. Strip for me. I want to watch you strip as the sun goes down.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?” I didn’t. I was totally serious. “I’ve seen you under half light and star light and felt you when I couldn’t see you. I really want to see you. Humor me.”

“I look better under moonlight,” she said but she was giggling.

She looked up and down the beach and there wasn’t a soul in either direction. To our north, rocks curved out into the ocean preventing anyone from coming from that direction. To the south, we could see for miles down the beach and there was nothing. I raised my eyebrows and she giggled and pulled her top off. She didn’t know how to strip. She knew how to get undressed and that was fine with me. She slid her shorts down leaving her with just her lacy pink panties and her bra.

“Keep going, baby. I want to see all of you.”

She smiled and reached behind her and unhooked her bra but let it hang from her shoulders. She looked at me to be sure. I was smiling ear to ear and motioned for her to continue.

“Don’t laugh,” she said as she reached behind her to remove her bra the rest of the way.

“Not a chance. Not even the slightest chance,” I said.

She turned her back to me and pushed her panties down and stepped out. She had the cutest little ass. There was very little curve to her hips. She let the bra drop and she was naked in front of me. She had been swaying as she undressed but then she stopped and stood motionless. I knew she was self-conscious about her small body and especially her tiny tits but it didn’t matter to me.

I stood and waited. I hadn’t thought so before I asked but then, when she stopped moving, I knew that turning to me would be difficult.

“Turn around, baby. I want to see you so badly.”

She turned, with her hands up to cover her breasts. She was so self-conscious. But she was beautiful.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.” She slowly let her hands drop. “You are mouthwatering. You have the most beautiful body in the world. It was made for me.” I let my eyes soak her into me. “I love your body. I love your red hair, your green eyes, your long, thin neck and your graceful form. I love your perfect little tits. They’re perky. That’s the word, perky. So stiff with excitement. I love them. The tan lines make them look like vanilla ice cream cones with cherries on top. I love your tight belly. So, firm. I love how tight you are. I love your wispy red bush. I remember how you smelled from last time. The memory is strong and now I can see. Your legs are so tight. So, firm. Skater’s legs, like dancer’s legs.”

She was beginning to believe me. I stood there, motionless, enjoying her body, enjoying that she would do that for me.

“Thank you. So beautiful. I just wanted to see you. To see who I was going to bring pleasure to tonight. I wanted to see all of you.”

She lifted up on her tip toes and then bounced down a couple of times and I watched her little tits bounce. The sun was near the horizon but it was still light. I raised my arms and she ran to me.

“I want to love you like I loved you before. I want to bring you pleasure. I live for that, Fallon. It’s the most exciting thing in the world. Will you let me?”

“I think you could talk me into cumming.”

I picked her up and walked her back to the blanket. I set her down, then lay her down slowly and I devoured her. She needed no warmup. She’d been wound up since she’d performed La Campanella hours ago. I planted myself between her legs and kissed the outside of her pussy. I could see her head and she’d thrown it back.

“Look down at me, baby. I want you to watch me enjoy myself. I want you to see how much pleasure I get from doing this. It’s not work. It’s not difficult. It’s the highlight of my life.”

She propped herself up on her elbows and watched. I could see her face as I licked her. I could see her eyes roll up as I sucked her into my mouth. I could hear her gasp as I thrust my tongue into her. I squeezed her ass and lifted her to my face and I buried myself in the joy.

“So good, Michael. Oh, my. I’m going to...” She bucked hard against me but I had learned how to hold her. I let my tongue do the work, whipping side to side against her clit as she bucked and whimpered. When she came down from her first orgasm, I brought her to a second. When she came down from that, I tried something I hadn’t done before. I slid a finger inside her as I ate. She squirmed and bucked and came hard, convulsing and doubling up and then, when I thought she was done, her heels dug in and she arched for the sky, lifting me as she thrust her hips up. She stayed tight like that for seconds, shuddering as my mouth and fingers worked their magic. Finally, she collapsed and squeezed her legs together, pinning me in place.

“Out. Out, please. Oh god. No more.”

I placed my hand on her mons and pressed down, holding her tightly as I climbed up next to her. She shivered. I slid my left arm underneath her and pulled her close.

“Michael, you have uncorked me. Oh, that was nice. Way, way beyond nice. You don’t even know.”

“I think I might have a little idea.”

“You don’t. To watch you. Too much. You really enjoy that. It’s so cool. You make my body feel good, but then to see you enjoying doing it makes my heart feel good.”

It was good to hear her say. “That’s very nice to hear. It’s true. Nothing I like better than to make you feel that good.”

“I bet there’s one thing you might like better,” she said as she dropped her hand to my aching dick. She squeezed me through my shorts and I almost lost it.

“I’m ready to blow Fallon. That very first night at the beach house, when you came without my help? I’m almost there right now.”

“I love that. Absolutely love that. You want me and it feels so good. Let me help,” she said and slid her warm hands inside my shorts.

She stroked me a couple of times and then took her hand off me to slide my shorts down and grab a towel. She watched my face as she stroked me. So, wound up. She guided my nearest hand to her chest and when I was about to blow, she leaned down and kissed me. It was gentle at first but when I started to cum, our kiss became almost violent. She had to know how much I wanted to be inside her.

“I wish...”

“I know, baby. But this feels good, too, doesn’t it?” she asked.

I nodded. It did. But I still wanted to be inside of her. I hugged her to me.

“That felt very good and it was special because it was you. Nice to share.”

“I uncorked you.”

“You did.”

“But you used your mouth on me.”

“Ah. It felt really nice, Fallon. I came.”

“A geyser. How long does it take before you can do it again? It’s pretty little right now.” She still had her hand on me and was gently massaging me.

“Not long at all if you keep doing that. Give me a kiss.” We kissed until I became hard again.

“I’m not sure if I can go down on you. I know girls that do but...”

“It’s okay. Really. I’d rather you not. Really. It feels really good with your hands on me.” She looked unconvinced and I could tell that she was conflicted. “Fallon, if you keep doing what you’re doing, I’m going to cum again. You make me feel good. You really do and, ah, if you keep doing, oh, god,” I said and shut up. I was close.

She leaned down so I could take her tit in my mouth. I flicked my tongue across her nipple and then reached down with my hand and slipped it inside her. She was slippery wet and hot. I slid my finger across her clit as she stroked me. She sat back up so she could look at me and I could tell she was as close as I was. She started her pre-cum spasms and my fingers went crazy on her just as she squeezed me harder and increased the pace. I fired hard just as she began to cum. It was everything I could do to keep my concentration on her, to keep my fingers working on her.

She fell forward toward me and we barely avoided bumping heads. Neither of us could speak. We lay there panting as our hearts and breathing tried to return to normal. I was almost composed when she started laughing. I couldn’t help it. I started laughing with her.

“That’s a first,” I finally said.

“That was amazing, is what that was. Oh, my god, Michael. I think that must be what it feels like.”

“For me to be inside you, having sex.”

“Yeah. That was sweet.”

“Very much so. Very much so. No words.” We held each other close for a while and then she got the shivers.

“You made a mess,” she said. In the dark, I could imagine her face. I knew what she had in mind.

“Time to skinny dip,” I said.

“I can’t see anything.”

“The ocean’s that way.”

“We can find the ocean. How are we going to find our towels and blankets when we get out?”

I thought about it a minute. “I’ll leave the flashlight on. We’ll be quick.”

And we were off, giggling like little kids. In, wet, wiped off, and back out, giggling the whole way. We dried off by feel and then had to go looking for Fallon’s clothes. She dressed, we gathered up all our stuff and hiked up the hill to my truck, each lost in our own thoughts.

I didn’t ask. I just drove south to Bailey’s on the Beach. We ordered ice cream and walked to a bench and sat, simply enjoying our desserts.

“This is good,” she said, “But sort of anticlimactic.”

“Don’t you mean anti-climaxtic?” She groaned.

She neared the end of hers, looked at me and said, “I want to use that dangerous word.”

I knew the word she meant. Love. “It’s been on my mind too.”

“I know you don’t want me to say it. But if that’s not what this is, I don’t know.”

“I’ve been thinking about the same thing.”

“I’m glad. I won’t say it because you don’t want me to. But you should know I’ve been thinking it.”

“It’s a dangerous word. I’ve never had a broken heart. You know. Like in all the songs. I don’t want you to get one, either.”

“You’re thinking about LuAnn, aren’t you?”

“And Tina. But not as much as you might think,” I said. “You are pretty all-consuming.”

“Good. But still. I can imagine. You think I can’t imagine what you’re dealing with but I can. It’s easy.”

“Do tell.”

“You’ve known us for years but you’ve only known me for a month. Really known me. But I’ve known Tina forever and LuAnn and Lisa almost as long. If someone told me I could only have one of them for a friend, I don’t know what I’d do.”

“I guess that’s true. Right now, though, Tina is waiting to date me in October. She’s patient. I’m not so sure about LuAnn.”

“LuAnn is pretty antsy. And she’s beautiful.”

“She’s not the only one. September is still two weeks away,” I said and wasn’t sure why. Was it a caution or a promise? “I can’t imagine feeling about Lu the way I do about you.”

“I hope you don’t but I’m not stupid. Maybe you will. I just know how I feel.”

“Me too, but let’s not say it,” I said and she nodded solemnly.

“I just want you to know. Pretty amazing two weeks.”

“A lot of emotions for both of us but especially you. Fallon ... how I feel about you now ... I don’t see that changing, no matter what else happens.”

“Good. Better not,” she said. Both finished with our ice cream, we hugged. The conversation had been pretty sober but that cheered her up and we drove back in good moods, talking about the next week.

The next afternoon, Fallon and I went to the beach in the daytime. The surf report was good and she had wanted to try. I repeated the lesson I’d given LuAnn a couple of weeks before. Fallon was a fast learner and I let her paddle out. At my direction, she caught two waves but remained laying down. I’d learned from LuAnn’s botched first attempts. On the third wave, she got up and stayed up until the wave closed out. She fell off in shallow water and came up laughing.

“You didn’t teach me how to stop,” she hollered.

She caught a dozen more waves and with each one, her balance improved and she even began to turn the board. She asked me to carve one up so I showed her how to carve one up. It was funny the way she said it. She took the board back and tried again. With each ride she got more aggressive until she finally pooped out. I waved her in and body surfed the next wave to knee deep water and we walked out together.

I complimented her on her effort and progress. Then I pointed out some of the better surfers still out and explained what they were doing. She was willing to go back out but I could tell that she was gassed.

“Next time. You’re wiped out, Fallon. When you get too tired, you make mistakes. You could wipe out, then forget to look or raise an arm when you pop up and end up getting whacked on the head.”

“Party pooper. I was just getting it.”

“You got it about an hour ago. We’ll come back the next time there’s a good forecast, Gidget.”

“What’s a Gidget?”

“Whoo, boy. We’ll have to get you caught up on everything surfing. Let’s go back to my house and grab some dinner. I wish I’d learned to ice dance as well as you learned to surf on the first try.” She smiled at that. “If I had a bigger board, we could tandem,” I said but she had no idea what I was talking about. I explained that we rode the same board together and that I hoisted her and held her in various positions while riding the wave in. She seemed unconvinced of the merit.

I drove her home and we made plans for the following week. Her Sunday was busy with family and she thought Monday would be a return to routine. She had a couple of tests and a paper to write. I asked if she was still game to study karate with Sascha. She wasn’t sure how long she would want to but she was definitely in it for the short term. After dropping her off and driving home, I realized how beat I had become. I didn’t get tired easily but the previous week had taken its toll.

I found Dad on the patio. The table was full of papers but he had a beer and a bowl of pretzels so it wasn’t a bad way to do homework. My mom was lazing in the pool. I took a seat, happy to relax. My Dad organized his papers, clipping them together in different stacks, then stuffing them into pockets in his oversized briefcase.

“You don’t have the girl of the month on your arm. How’s life treating you?”

“Good. Exhausting, a bit.”

“Yeah. Fallon wearing you out?”

“I don’t know if it’s her so much. Maybe it is. Life is more complicated than it used to be,” I said.

“No shit, Sherlock.” My Dad never swore so he must have really agreed.

“Women. All your problems and all your solutions bound up in that enigma.”

“I can hear you,” Mom hollered.

“See what I mean. Learning anything?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m learning more than I can process. We had a talk yesterday and the dangerous word came up.”

“Love.”

“That’s the one.”

“Do you love her?”

“I think so. I think I’d do just about anything for her. She’s on my mind all the time. I get excited for her when she does good and I hurt when she’s anxious or down.”

“Yup. Sounds like love to me. So, what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, I’ve agreed to date her for August, LuAnn for September and Tina for October.”

“And?”

“And I’m afraid that I’ll feel this way about LuAnn about a month from now and I don’t want to.”

“No? Would that be a bad thing?”

“I don’t know if it would be a bad thing. But it probably would. I don’t want there to be friction with the Musketeers. I couldn’t date two at a time. It would kill me. But that would mean I’d have to choose and that would kill me.”