Chapter 83: Aspects of Love

Sunday, February 13, 1983

It seemed like no time had passed since the last exam crunch, yet here we were, going into exam week for the first six-week grading period. Time flies when you’re having fun, I suppose.

However ... it was still Valentine’s weekend. There were naps. Not for Jasmine and me, not for Angie and Paige, but for others, yes. For us? Exam week or not, tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, and we would be celebrating, since we could.

It was also still Jas’s birthday, so we had another cake (Camille had made two at the same time) and sang ‘Happy Birthday’. Jas got hugs from everyone, of course.

I’d forgotten yesterday, but I cleared the extra Jane appointment with Ang on the way home. She was happy about it, as I’d expected. Jasmine would be having her own therapy appointment at essentially the same time.

Monday, February 14, 1983

It’s quite possible that I added more to my total of rule-bending (and breaking) kisses today than on any other day thus far. Apparently I’d missed the memo that this was ‘Kiss Steve Day’. Not that I was the only one being kissed, but I’d be surprised if anyone else outdid me. Most of the others who had a Valentine weren’t in open relationships, after all.

It all started, and ended (the school part, anyway) with Jas. I brought her a red rose for her hair, which she enthusiastically rewarded me for. Then, she made a point of rewarding me again after we’d gotten out of my car. Emphatically. Enough to make the closest teacher clear their throat.

I’d barely recovered before Jess tried to outdo her. Either she was between boyfriends (if so, I’d missed another memo) or her boyfriend wouldn’t mind.

It went on like that. Cammie and Mel both surprised me, but the biggest surprise of the day was Janet. I’d never expected such a kiss from her, and I suspected there’d been very few like it for her with anyone other than Lizzie. Lizzie herself gave me a peck on the cheek.

My assumption is that someone set it up, or at least put the word out, but ... who? There were too many potential instigators to pin it down, and I wasn’t upset with it, so ... why worry?

Yes, Linda and Darla were both in on it, but then so was Megan (I had to hope Calvin wouldn’t mind) and Anne (who I was pretty sure was not interested), and Bree and Jaya (that one surprised me more than it should have), and ... well, everyone? Pretty much.

I let Charles get away with one, too. He telegraphed it enough that I could’ve waved it off, and ... well, if nothing else, maybe it was acting practice.

We both blew off everything else for dates. Valentine’s Day! Priorities are priorities, after all.

Of course, Angie couldn’t say she was going on a date. Officially she was going to a ‘Singles Club’ party with other lonely-hearts girls. Not that we didn’t know plenty of single girls, but ... I was pretty sure there would be at least two people there, neither single. Still, it worked. Sort of.

Angie changed into a nice (but not too fancy) light green dress, while I opted for my maroon shirt and black slacks.

I was taking Jas out (to Red Lobster, not Brennerman’s, but it was still up there in the high school pecking order) while she was supposed to be eating party food. In fact, a little bird (named Angie) had told me they were heading to a Greek place near the Galleria before heading to Paige’s. Another one of those things — the risks of someone getting a juicy bit of gossip were a little too high if they went to a restaurant near Memorial.

Mom, who was finishing dinner for herself and Dad, called Angie over as we were leaving.

“I hope you have fun at your singles party! I went to more than a few of those, myself! But, then, you know my dating history.”

“I do, Mom! I’m sure it’ll be fun!” Angie said, smiling.

“Good! And, Steve, you look handsome, as always.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

“Love you, Mom,” Angie said.

“And so do I,” I said.

“Aww! Now, go! Have fun!”

We went, and we had fun. Well, I had fun. I’m sure Angie did, too. For a wonder, she was in bed and asleep when I got home around ten. Perhaps she figured she couldn’t push the ‘Singles Party’ thing too hard, especially in an exam week? I doubted the time of her return would make a big difference.

Jas loved Red Lobster (no surprise, of course), and we both enjoyed celebrating at her house quite a bit. She had a point: seven weeks just at Northwestern, plus whatever family vacation before or after (for either or both of us), was going to be difficult. We just weren’t used to it. For all that I can say (and mean!) that snuggling and talking is the best part, we’d both very much miss the sex. We’d also miss the part about snuggling in private and naked.

Maybe one of the ideas would pan out. Mom and Dad wouldn’t like it, if it came to light, but it would fall under the rules. Would Northwestern kick us out for conduct our parents didn’t forbid, if they caught us? And, would they catch us?

We’d still have to minimize it. Northwestern’s summer classes are busy. And, if we just plain had to wait a bit over two months, we’d live. It would likely be the last time, at least if we stayed together for the long haul. From there on, we had nothing else that would separate us that long — or, at least, nothing predictable.

Tuesday, February 15, 1983

I spoke with both Linda and Darla during Debate (separately, of course). Both of them wanted to continue exploring things. I got some sexual vibes from both of them, but that might’ve just been flirting. My calendar was a bit crowded for the next couple of weeks, but we all planned to make plans soon.

Busy, busy, busy! Whoever put exams during Valentine’s week had a sick sense of humor. Of course, blame simply went to the inexorable and unemotional pacing of the calendar, but it was easy to blame malicious love-hating somebodies for inflicting this on us.

We studied, we worked, we practiced — and, yes, a few of us napped. Still the week of love, and of lust, too.

Thursday, February 17, 1983

I got to breakfast first this morning, which wasn’t that unusual. Angie usually claimed the bathroom after I did, because it took her longer. Not that she wore much makeup (Mom would not have approved, and she hardly needed it) but, still. It’s pretty much a law that women will spend longer overall getting ready for the day.

Mom smiled as I got settled at the breakfast table, after grabbing cereal (and some for Angie), half a grapefruit (the other half for Angie), and a glass of milk (and one for Angie).

“I like how you get everything set up for your sister,” Mom said. “It’s nice. My brothers almost never did that for me!”

“It saves her some time and lets her catch up. Her letting me use the bathroom first helps me, and I enjoy being able to return the favor. Besides, otherwise I’d just wait, most days.”

“Yeah. I don’t know how you figure out who’s driving, or if it’s together or not.”

I shrugged. “Mostly it’s what else we have. We do a lot together, but not everything, so that can throw things off.”

“Of course.”

She smiled just a bit, which set me on edge. Sure enough, I was right. “Who’s Angie dating, Steve?”

“You’ll have to ask Angie,” I said. “That’s not a question for me to answer.”

And that, right there, was basically game over. But ... I wasn’t going to lie for Angie, if nothing else because she hadn’t asked me to lie for her. She hadn’t hidden that she wasn’t dating Gene. In theory, the answer was no one, but my not saying that was a dead giveaway.

Mom knew it. “Which pretty much tells me there’s an answer. Probably one I won’t really like. But ... one that you either like or are giving more time. Not a Max. I know if it was anything like that you’d let me know. But, then, Angie would, too.”

“I ... can’t comment,” I said.