Chapter 7

After lunch I took Sarah’s friends home. I dropped off Olivia and Lisa, then stopped in a parking lot. I turned so I could look at Sarah and Wendy in the back seat. “I saw you two smoking in the back yard last night.”

Wendy gasped and Sarah said, “Sorry, Daddy. I was helping out Wendy. Her family is poor, so she can’t afford cigarettes.”

“That’s not the point. You two are only thirteen and ... how old, Wendy? Fifteen?”

She sounded quite sad. “I’m almost fourteen. I had a stupid growth spurt, and I hate it! I’m the tallest one in our class now. A lot of kids pick on me. I’m glad Sarah is such a good friend.”

“Do your parents let you smoke at home?”

“If they had time to notice me, they might. Two of my brothers and two sisters smoke when they have money, and Mom and Dad always do. With the farm, eight brothers, and six sisters, my parents barely even talk to me.”

I was quite surprised, “Fifteen kids! Wow!”

“My two oldest brothers and a sister moved away, but Mom and two of my sisters are pregnant. It’ll be twelve kids and three babies in the house soon. When my sister Liz and her boyfriend moved out last month, there was finally space for Tina and Amy to have a room instead of four of us sharing. Since Debbie turned three she stays with me and Angela now, instead of the crib in the living room.

Sarah told me her sister and Mom are pregnant? My Mom says I can start babysitting when I’m fourteen but she wants half what I make to help the family. I wish we had a huge house like you.”

“Where do you live, Wendy?”

“You know the big corn field by your house? Our farm is on the other side of the hay field south of that.”

“So, on Anderson road?”

“Yeah, it’s named for our family. We’ve been there a LONG time, like 200 years. Grandma practically has a museum about it in the garage, old black and white pictures, horseshoes and pieces of a plow from when they used horses instead of a tractor, a butter churn, lots of old stuff.”

Sarah commented, “Cool! We moved in five years ago, but that still feels like a long time.”

As we were nearly to her home, Wendy asked, “Can I come over again next weekend?”

Sarah was overjoyed. “Sure! And you can call me any time!” In the rear-view mirror I saw her take two packs of cigarettes from her purse and put them in Wendy’s. I could barely hear her whisper, “I’d give you more, but I only have three.”

As I parked in her driveway, she told Sarah, “The party was great. Thanks for being such a good friend.” She gave Sarah a hug before getting out and walking to the house.

As the door closed I asked Sarah, “So, one of your sisters is pregnant?”

“It was s’posed to be a secret. I saw Jessi taking a pregnancy test this morning. She was going to tell the family after supper tonight.”

I was quite happy I’d have a second child, in addition to the son in Darlene’s belly. I smiled and said, “I won’t mention it if you don’t.”

“Thanks! She would be mad that I blabbed. Why are we turning left, our house is to the right?”

“You and your friend are low on cigarettes.” I kept a few naughty thoughts to myself as I bought four cartons at a gas station. I also bought a pair of t-shirts that I knew were a size too small for them.

We had a brief celebration when Jessi told us about the baby. It was Jessi’s turn for a date the next day, but she wasn’t in the mood. Since their mother was heavily pregnant and the exact opposite of horny, I took Melissa out on the town.

On the way to the restaurant for supper, Melissa said, “It’s nice I get to spend time with just you tonight. I miss you.”

“I miss spending time with you too. Where would you like to go after we eat?”

“A lingerie store. Mom says I need to start wearing bras now that I’m a B cup. Will you help me try some on?”

“SURE!”

After we ate, I let Melissa get some driving practice as we went to an upscale lingerie store on the expensive side of town. I led her to the register and asked, “Could I speak with the manager, please?”

The pretty brunette on the other side of the counter looked worried as she asked, “Is there some sort of problem? If you weren’t satisfied with your last purchase, I’d be happy to help you with a refund.”

“Everything’s fine. I just have a few questions for the manager, please.”

“Okay. Just a moment.” She quickly walked to the back and a short and bald man nearing retirement age walked out. He extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Jonas. How can I help you?”

I subtly passed him some folded-up cash as I shook his hand. I asked, “My daughter here wants some expert assistance while she tries on a few things, after the store closes. I hope that’s not a problem?”

He glanced into his hand and smiled. “No problem at all, sir. We close at nine o’clock, but I could stay another hour for some special customers.”

“Good, very good.” I added, “Could the cashier help my daughter with sizing, or maybe even model a few things for us if we make it worth her while?”

Melissa told me, “Her name is Kim.” I wondered how she knew that, until I remembered there was a name tag on the girl’s blouse.

Jonas glanced at the cash hidden in his hand. “For nice people like you, I’m sure she’ll be happy to help.”

“Thanks. We’ll be back a little before nine.”

As we walked to the car I whispered to Melissa, “It almost feels wrong to get you bras. I LOVE seeing the shape of your little nipples through your shirts.”

She giggled and said, “I like when you look too, but Mom says I need them.”

“It’s almost seven. Where would you like to go for two hours?”

She held my hand and said, “There’s a specialty vape shop three blocks from here. They have hundreds and hundreds of flavors, and I want to try some of their new high-power vaporizers.”