Chapter 33: Aftermath

I awoke to find Allison leaning on one elbow looking intently at me.

"Must have been some dream."

I smiled dreamily at her, "What makes you say that?"

She laughed and slid a hand down my stomach to rest on my crotch. "Well, this for one thing. You were up, you were down, you were up... The sounds you were making for another thing. Fortunately you weren't thrashing around that much. I thought about waking you up but decided it might be best not to interrupt whatever was going on. If I'm not there with you I never know when it might be something really important. So what happened?"

"I bridged."

"Really? Shannon again? That little minx! Just couldn't wait her turn, huh?"

"Not Shannon. Angela Osborn."

She pulled her hand off me and sat up straight. "What happened?" She must have caught my panicked expression because she went on, "Don't worry I'm not upset or jealous or anything, it was a dream, didn't really happen. This is research. Now give."

I sat up and relayed the basics. I didn't feel the need to get into all the details, especially one in particular. That one I planned to share with her in another way at another time. I told her about finding myself in the park, then meeting Angela. What she had said about thanking me. I was a little worried at this point but I explained that after the mistake with Shannon I was not taking any chances with anyone's fantasies.

"You did the right thing. The last thing we need is a rash of people having really bizarre dreams and fantasies running wild. If anyone ever put together the fact that you were a central player in them we would up the creek in short order. Do you really think she'll forget the whole thing?"

"Pretty sure. We'll know for sure by the weekend either way, maybe sooner."

"Why sooner?"

"Angie's a pretty straight forward person. I think if this hadn't happened in a dream already, she would be pushing for it in reality. I think I may have just dodged a very real bullet."

"How so?"

"Like I said. This was something she felt she needed to do, right or wrong, good or bad; she felt that this was appropriate and acceptable. That's what generated the fantasy. I don't buy for a second that she is really that hot for my body. And while it would probably be every bit as wonderful in real life I don't think she could do it without regrets, and I know I couldn't. I just couldn't let her do something like that as a thank you. So I would have to say no, which would create an even bigger problem. No matter how her subconscious may feel about it, no girl is going to like getting 'no' for an answer when they offer a guy sex for any reason. A girl as hot as Angela, offering it to a skinny little freshman runt like me? Unlikely. Getting turned down? Not going to go over well. So she would be angry at being rejected. She would also feel stupid for offering in the first place, making her even angrier. So the only alternative would be to go along with it, and I would feel wrong about that. Not to mention that I don't think I could ever face Tim after having taken advantage of his sister that way. That's one reason dreams are such an important outlet for so many things. No guilt."

"Okay then. We're agreed. You did the right thing." She slid back down under the covers. "And you've learned some things. Like the need to be more careful when you find yourself in a stranger's fantasies. Your control is obviously improving. The whole cabana over the water sounds really romantic. Would you take me there some time?" she asked, snuggling up close and kissing my shoulder.

"Anywhere, anytime for you, Allison, I'm so lucky, and grateful, to have you here to help me with all this stuff."

"Just one thing."

"What's that?"

"Change the sheets first."

I had to pull my pillow over my head and laugh. Then we snuggled back up and went back to sleep.

I woke just before the alarm as usual and, for a change, managed to slide out of bed without waking Allison, picking up my running clothes and sneaking off to the bathroom. I left a note saying which track I was taking and what time I left and headed off. I passed my dad heading out just as I got back. I took a few minutes to stretch and realized I was feeling really good. I wasn't even breathing hard. Allison was just coming out of the bathroom as I came in. I kissed her in passing and headed into the shower. I had just popped the button for the shower when I felt a draft. I heard the door close and a second later Allison stepped into the shower with me.

"You call that a good-morning kiss!" she said, grabbing me and hugging herself hard against my body. "You spend the night making mad passionate love to a sexy senior and suddenly I'm nobody, is that it?"

I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. Then I noticed the look on her face. "You! Are going to give me a heart attack," I said sternly. "I thought you were serious for a second there."

"Why? I told you last night it was okay. Don't doubt yourself, Jimmy, I don't." She gave me a squeeze, "Now, what about my kiss?

"Coming right up!" We spent the next minute or so in serious lip lock.

"Hmm. Not the only thing coming up either!" she said with a smile. "Don't make offers you don't have time to keep. Maybe if you're good we can do that after school. Right now we better get with it before Dad discovers we used all the hot water."

We did manage to get through the shower without too much damage and caught up with Mom and Dad at breakfast. I gave Mom a kiss on the cheek as I sat down with my orange juice. Dad didn't say anything about the hot water.

"Everyone sleep alright?" I asked.

Dad just glanced up at me with a smirk; Mom actually blushed.

Allison giggled. "I'd say that was a yes! Mom, you remember that girl, Angela, that Jimmy mentioned yesterday? We met her and her brother out walking last night. Jimmy's right; that's Shannon in four years. We invited them over for dinner and swimming Saturday night. Is that all right?"

"Sure, honey. We trust you guys to not destroy the place while we're out, but no one else."

"Not even Shannon?" Allison asked with some concern in her voice. "We thought it would be easier if she spent the night so we're all in one place. Plus it would give us a chance to talk about what we learned at coach's."

"Okay, Shannon too, but that's it. Maybe she can keep you two out of trouble."

"Thanks, Mom. We'll be good."

"I am a little surprised though; I thought you two might like to have some time alone."

"Well, we appreciate the thought on your part, but I think I can safely speak for both of us when I say we're both happy with the time we get to spend together."

I just nodded my agreement. When I felt Allison's foot run up and down my leg, I almost choked on my juice. "I'll ask Miss Jenkins about a ride today. I'm pretty sure she'll be okay with it."

"I called Karen last night," Mom answered. "She'll take you and pick you up if you can't find a ride."

I caught up with Bob at break. He was sitting with Susan and Coach Jenkins.

"Hi, everyone!" Handshakes were exchanged all around, we chatted for a few minutes, and then it was time to go. "Oh, Mr. Shelby, can I have a few minutes at lunch? I have some news to share with you."

"Anything serious?" he asked. "These lovely ladies have agreed to have lunch with me. Perhaps you could join us?'

"That would be great. Maybe we can talk about it before practice."

Susan put her hand on mine. <<Schwing! Dammit!>> "How long do you need? I can pick up something from the snack bar for Bob and meet you out here. Would that be long enough?"