Chapter 8

I filled Penny in on our plans for the evening. School was more routine than we had expected. We only got a few back slaps congratulating us on our evening performance at Zack's party.

The one unexpected thing to happen that day was my conversation with Chad Hurst. He grabbed me after German Class. "Kyle, can I talk to you?"

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"What you said yesterday about Penny saying being with me was like wrestling an alligator. Did you mean that or was it just a put-down?"

I realized Chad wasn't being a jerk like usual. I answered honestly, "It was a put down, but it was true too. Penny said when you felt her breasts it felt like you were trying to maul her. She didn't like it at all."

Very meekly Chad said, "I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me that. Penny is the one you need to apologize to." With that comment, I turned and walked off to my last class.

Penny had a surprise for me when I got on the bus. She said, "You aren't going to believe who talked to me just before I got on the bus today. Chad Hurst!"

"What did Chad want?" I asked warily.

"He wanted to apologize to me. He said he was sorry for the way he treated me and sorry for spreading rumors about me. I think he meant it."

"That's nice, but I still don't trust, Chad. We will see if he changes."

We talked some more on the way home from school. I asked, "Do you want to go to my room when we get home? I'd like to show you how much I love you, Penny."

"No. I don't think so, Kyle. I don't really feel like it today. I want to go home and finish my homework before dinner."

"OK. We meet at 7:30 at my house tonight to meet with Justin and Sherry."

"Yes. I'll be there, Kyle."

I thought about what a couple websites had said. Women lose interest in sex a day or two after they ovulate. Man, are we screwed. I just know Penny's going to be pregnant!

I worked on my homework the rest of the afternoon. I tried to concentrate, but I kept thinking about meeting with Justin and Sherry that night. What were we going to do if Penny is pregnant?

After dinner, I made a list of questions that I wanted to ask Justin and Sherry. The minutes dragged until it was time for Penny to arrive at my house and for Justin to give us a ride to his house. Penny was a few minutes early. We sat in the living room waiting for our ride. Justin arrived right at 7:30 pm as expected.

Penny and I didn't talk much as we rode to the Baers. We held each other close. Justin talked about our Venturer Crew's plans for a white water rafting trip on Pine Creek through the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in three weeks.

Justin pulled into a driveway beside a large, roughly 20 year old house. It looked bigger than a house a couple of 21 year olds could possibly afford to own. I had visualized them living in an apartment complex somewhere. Justin led us around the side of the garage and up steps. Then I realized. "Is this your parent's house, Justin?"

"Yep. They rent us the garage apartment cheap. It's handy too if Sherry and I need a babysitter." Penny and I followed Justin up the steps and into his apartment. I was shocked at how small it was. The living room, dining area and kitchen were all the same room. A doorway led to a small bedroom. I presumed that there was a bathroom accessible from the bedroom. That was all there was to the place!

Sherry was sitting on the sofa with their four year old son Billy. Sherry was helping Billy read a book. Sherry looked up and smiled at us when we came in. She explained, "We will finish the book later, Billy. Mommy and Daddy have company."

Justin said, "Come here, Billy. I'd like you to meet my friends. You remember Uncle Will?"

"Yes," Billy answered as he walked over to us.

"This is Uncle Will's brother Kyle. Kyle, this is my son, Billy."

I held my hand out. Billy shook it. "It's nice to meet you, Billy. Your Dad has told me some nice things about you."

"Thank you," he answered.

Justin continued, "This is Kyle's girlfriend, Penny."

Billy smiled and said, "Hi."

Penny stooped down and gave him a hug. "You're cute, Billy. I'm happy to meet you."

"Thank you," he replied.

"Grandma's going to bake cookies tonight," Justin suggested. "Do you want to go and help?"

"Sure, cool!" Billy squealed. He bounded out the door and down the steps to Justin's mom's kitchen.

"Now we'll have some privacy," Justin said. "Mom's going to keep Billy busy for an hour. Hopefully that will be enough time. Have a seat on the sofa."

We sat down. Sherry and Justin grabbed a couple kitchen chairs and sat them down in front of us. Penny and I explained what had happened on Saturday night and the things we found on the Internet.

"It's funny talking about you two having sex in Zack Hayes' bed," Justin said. "It has seen a lot of action over the years."

"I know," I said. "Zack seems to have a different girl every weekend."

"No, I didn't mean Zack. Did you know that Sherry and I lost our virginity in his bed?"

"No. When was this?"

"We were sophomores," Sherry explained. "Justin and I had been dating for three months. We attended Sam Hayes' New Years Party. One thing led to another. Before we knew it, we were making love in Sam's little brother's bed.

Penny asked, "Is that when you got pregnant, Sherry?"

"No, that happened about five months later. We had an accident with the condom."

I asked, "How have you managed to bring up a son when you were so young?"

"It's been really hard," Justin explained. "I had to quit Boy Scouts. I gave up football. We didn't go out in high school. We had to stay home and take care of Billy."