Chapter 12

Her mother was there completing the cooking of breakfast. Alice looked at me and smiled. She said, “We’re both here. How may we help?”

Her mother smiled. “Do you two do everything together?”

Alice said, “A lot and we will not go into specifics.” She grinned. “Jerry, set the kitchen table. I’ll help cook.” I nodded and went to work.

Alice helped her mother who was making a big breakfast. I could tell that Alice didn’t want to disclose last night’s sleeping arrangement. I knew that I didn’t want to discuss it except with her. I wanted to talk to her but privately. I had slept with her before but sleeping with Alice had been a shock then that we hadn’t talked about it. I thought both times had been marvelous. I wanted us to have a chance to discuss our feelings before it happened again if that were at all possible.

Breakfast was served with Mitchell and Mister Meadows joining us. After a blessing, we all ate. Alice volunteered us to clean up the kitchen. We did. Once finished, I said, “Let’s go for a walk, Alice.” I smiled.

She smiled back and nodded. Her mother came in and Alice said, “I’m taking Jerry on a walking tour of the farm. We might be a couple of hours.” Her mother nodded. Alice grabbed my hand and led me out the door.

We didn’t walk the driveway but started out along a dirt path into the fields. Alice said, “Dad and Mitchell are out here somewhere but we’ll see them before they can hear us. I want to talk to you about last night, Jerry.”

“That’s good. I want to talk to you about that, too. I enjoyed being with you as I have all other times we’ve had. It just makes us move a big step forward in my mind.”

We were holding hands as we walked. We weren’t speed walking though did move steadily.

“Jerry, I enjoyed last night and the other night though I think we were both in shock too much to think about it. I hadn’t thought things through perhaps as far as you have done but, now that you say it, it was a big step in our relationship as a couple and I enjoyed it.”

I stopped us and pulled her close to me. “Alice, I’m falling in love with you. I’ve never told anyone that before because no one has ever captured my interest like you have. I know it’s not possible but I would like to sleep with my arms around you every night from this day forward.”

She smiled. “That sounds good to me, Jerry. I realize that sleeping together won’t happen often though I will work to make those times available as often as possible. Jerry, we’ve said we’re in uncharted territory. I like the territory in which we’re traveling. I want more. We’ll just have to be patient. We have time.” She grinned. “I’ll miss you next week.”

“Hmm. I will miss you, too. I have a little anxiety about next week. I do plan to talk to you each evening. You have quickly become a very special part of my life.”

“Jerry, will you stop by here on your way home next week?”

“Definitely. I will be missing you so much by then.”

Alice hugged me tightly. She then shook her body delectably. “What will our rooms be like at school?”

“I would guess they will be very similar to the ones we had during orientation if not the same ones. As things stand, we’ll have the same roommates. It will be interesting to find out how Marilyn and Joe are doing.

“My big issues for tryouts are what the coaches will insist upon if I make the team. The former head coach wanted me to change majors, stay in the athletic dorm, and give up my other scholarships. I actually enjoy playing baseball and competing in decathlons a bit more than football. Leaving those sports won’t fly. I’m trying to keep an open mind though.”

“Just be your normal careful self. Jerry, I do want to hear from you. I’ve grown accustomed to hearing your voice and feeling your hand in mine. Those are habits I don’t want to break.”

We had resumed walking along the tractor path in the fields and came to a creek.

Alice said, “This creek marks a boundary of Dad’s farm. Downstream about fifty feet is a wide area which is popular for swimming. Our neighbor has children my age plus it’s close to a road so others use it, too.” I nodded. “Let’s see who’s using it today.” I nodded again and we walked along the bank of the creek following a well-used path.

We came to the wide point in the creek. There were four people enjoying the water. I quickly realized that they were actually two couples. They were being a bit more demonstrative than we had been in the water. Of course, having my mother out or coming out without warning kept us within reasonable limits then quite easily. We would have to see what happened in the future but I think the presence of another couple would be inhibiting to us.

Alice and I stood about five feet from the creek’s edge. Alice said, “Liz, Carol, how are you?”

One girl who was out in the middle of the creek waved. The other was close. She was lying in the water with a guy who had his arm under her. She looked at Alice and said, “Hi. Who’s he?”

Alice grinned. “He’s my boy friend, Jerry Short. We met at college.”

“He looks long enough for you.” She grinned.

Alice said, “He’s quite satisfactory. Hi, Jim. Are you holding Carol up?”

“Every chance I get. Hello, Alice. Good to see you, Jerry. Alice is a great gal.”

I said, “I’ve found that out. We’re enjoying getting to know each other better.”

“That’s good. No one at our old high school was long enough and could keep up with her.”

“I guess it’s good that I run track, too. So far, it’s all been good.”

We had been and continued holding hands. I felt Alice’s hand give me a comfortable squeeze.

Alice asked, ‘Has Casper been around/”

Carol said, “Not since your brother, Mitchell, had a little talk with him. Casper had frightened two of the younger girls in the area so Mitchell talked to him. I think Casper has decided to swim somewhere else from now on.”

Alice said, “That’s good. We might come back this afternoon. Jerry’s on his way Sunday after church back to the college for football practice. He will stop by on his way home.” She grinned. “I spent this last week at his house.” She paused. “His mother doesn’t work.”

Carol grinned back. “I bet that was frustrating.”

“Not really, we aren’t moving very fast.”

Carol then said, “Alice, you’ve never moved at all before. So even slow moving is a real change for you.” Alice blushed.

I said, “We want to walk some more. See you guys later.” I led Alice away from the swimming area. “Alice, we aren’t in a hurry. Whatever develops will develop at its own speed. We don’t do things, or not do them, for others. We have our values and desires. It’s not important that I please or satisfy Carol. It is important that I please and satisfy the fair lady, Galadriel.”