Chapter 12: Interlude

Allison was waiting for me in the glade.

"So, how was your evening with Shannon?"

"Allison, a gentleman does not kiss and tell," I chided her.

"Right! Don't make me hurt you. It's up to you though. Either you can tell me, or I can stop helping you with her. What do you think, benevolent assistance or flying on a wing and a prayer? You might as well tell me anyway. You know she is going to and then it will be too late to get your side of the story in."

"Okay, okay. I was just kidding. It was really nice. I think it went well. Thanks for your help with Mark by he way. How was he?"

"Well, he's definitely not you. He needs a lot of practice. And after tomorrow I think he's going to need a new partner. I don't think I can keep this up very long. You've seriously spoiled me. What about Shannon?"

I gave her a sideways glance to see if I could tell anything from her eyes, "Well, she was different. For one thing her mouth is a little, umm, fuller I guess is the word. I don't want to say big, but bigger than yours. Probably just a proportion thing, she is bigger than you period. I think your lips are softer, but it's hard to say? I'll need to do some more research and get back to you. Can I ask you a question?"

"What's that?" She asked.

"How long have you two been 'best friends'?"

Allison just sat there, saying nothing... then finally said, "Figured that out did you? Not that long. What gave it away?"

"You remember when I said you tasted different the first time I kissed you for real? Well she did too. The really interesting part is that the two of you tasted exactly opposite of each other in the dream versus the reality. Since I didn't have any experience to go by, it had to have been your experience projecting into the dream. Your experience therefore had to be with each other. That also means that for both of you, the other was your first, and since the taste was so exact, only real kisses... How did I do?"

"You're getting better at thinking all the way through the data. That's important when dealing with something as subjective as 'dreamscapes". As far as the rest, we've been together twice. It started out one night when I slept over at her house. But it could have just as easily happened here. We woke up in the middle of the night spooned up really close together, I was practically on top of her, one leg over hers, my arm completely across her chest, my whole body pressed to her side. It felt so good, I just can't describe it. Well, maybe I can, you remember the other night when mom got home and I was crashed out in your lap? It was like that. Anyway, we both opened our eyes at the same time. We were maybe two, three inches apart max. I just looked in her eyes for a second and all I wanted to do was kiss her. So I did. It felt so good. Before you know it we were sucking face like there was no tomorrow. We just couldn't get enough of each other. That's when we really started talking, sharing all the intimate stuff. We're taking it slow, just kissing so far. But we both want more. I want her almost as much as I want you. You don't mind do you?"

"No! Don't be silly. I am not any more jealous of you two than you are about each other being with me. I'm happy you found each other. You certainly could have picked a more dangerous way to experiment about sex, like some strange boy from school... or Mark." That got a smile out of her.

"Not likely. Jimmy, you are the only boy I ever wanted to do anything like that with. So far, the same has been true for Shannon. But you weren't ready. And now we can all learn together."

"Yeah, that's been really nice. In fact I'm looking forward to my next set of lessons, but not tonight. Maybe we can watch for an opportunity tomorrow. And thanks again for keeping Mark occupied." I kissed her again and said, "Wait here, I'll be back in a minute."

I got up and walked out the door. Then I woke up and climbed out of bed and walked to Allison's room. She woke up when her door opened and saw it was me. She pulled back her covers and held them for me as I climbed in beside her. Then she snuggled close to me and laid her head on my chest. We passed the night silently together, just being together, nothing more needed. When I drifted off to sleep I found myself again in the glade. Only now a large hammock stood beside the blanket and Allison and I held each other here as well. And it was good.