I'm not from the great state of New Jersey, but one of my favorite songs is Thunder Road, by Bruce Springsteen. I've listened to the song 1,000+ times, and I always find myself thinking about this girl, Mary, and wishing I could learn more about her; that she'd dance across the porch for me, climb in my car, and together we'd pull out of that town full of losers in the lonely cool before dawn. So I thought I'd write up something fun, and romantic, and slightly dirty, as a way to create this girl I wish I knew more about. Hope you like it.
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Mary and I had been friends since the first grade, and we'd been through nearly everything together. We lost our first teeth at the same time and then later got braces at the same time too, which only enhanced the feeling that we'd be each other's only friend since we were both gangly little kids and too skinny for our tall frames. But later, everything changed when we went through puberty, first her and then me. Football practice and several thousand calories a day helped me fill out nicely. For Mary, running track and field helped develop the perfect body with lean muscular arms and legs, shredded abs, and the tightest, toned ass you've ever seen. Around that time, I started having feelings for Mary that went beyond just wanting to be friends.
Unfortunately, Mary didn't feel the same way. She told me several times that neighbors shouldn't date because it would ruin the friendship. They were, no doubt, preemptive strikes as she perceived the exact moments I had considered asking her out, which I did at least once per year until college.
Neither one of us could stand to be away from home for too long, so we went to the local community college and carpooled a few times a week when our schedules overlapped. It was an opportunity for me to hear the latest news about Mary's life, to get the campus gossip, and to get one more chance to ask her out.
Those requests were thwarted like all the others. So, I spent the next several years praying in vain and playing her savior as she cried on my shoulders when one boyfriend took her virginity and immediately dumped her. Another fucked her in the bathroom at a party on the other side of town and then deserted her. But still, even after hearing these terrible stories and sharing her most painful moments, I couldn't help but love the feeling of having her body so close to mine, even if it was only to cheer her up or slow the tears. It made me hard every time, and I know she noticed more than once. Rather than stop, she pressed on even though she knew it drove me wild. She was a tease, and she knew it. For some reason, that only turned me on more. But, of course, she knew that too. What I couldn't understand is whether she did it on purpose -- to fuck with me -- or whether she was trying to hold out, like she was saving herself for something or someone. I mean, I knew she wasn't a virgin, but she also never expressed any serious interest in any of the men she was with. She always kept coming back to me, but not exactly in the way I hoped.
She had turned me down so many times all throughout our college years, I was about to give up when I got some advice from a friend who was well-known as the relationship guru on campus. He said, "Bruce, make her jealous by letting her see you with all the other girls she hangs out with. Make her think she can't have you, which will drive her crazy. Then it will drive her right to you." I wanted Mary so badly, but she seemed immune to my charm. It was silly advice to make her jealous, but I had nothing to lose. The summer after our college graduation, we'd both turn 21, and that was the year when I would finally make Mary mine.
The entire summer, I made a point of showing up everywhere I knew Mary would be. Stevie always threw the first summer party, and everyone went, so I knew Mary wouldn't miss it. I brought Jane, who was on the track team with Mary, and even though they weren't close friends, I knew Mary would hear about the date. Jane is one of the most beautiful girls on campus. She has long brown hair, an impossibly thin waist, and a collegiate high jumper's long, muscular legs. She smells fantastic, even after a match. I swear, she sweats strawberries. She smells so good you want to breathe her in and eat her up. All semester, Jane had been dropping hints that she wanted me to ask her out. I knew what she wanted, but I wanted Mary, so I held Jane off. Finally, when I asked Jane to go to Stevie's party, she quickly accepted, jumping up and throwing her arms and legs around me and kissing my neck and cheeks. We were only at Stevie's house for a few minutes before I noticed Mary arrive. The look of surprise on her face was priceless when she saw Jane nibbling on my ear. Mary and I didn't talk much at that party, but when we did, I could tell something was off in her voice. Perhaps it was regret, or maybe just surprise. Whatever it was, she was intrigued.
When Hillary and I spent that night at Max's house down the shore, Mary was there alone, and she was stunned to see me with yet another of her friends. That was a more intimate gathering, and we were forced to speak when seated next to each other at dinner. That lasted just a few minutes, as our host suggested we wrap ourselves in blankets and go out on the dunes to watch the sunset. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Mary when we returned to the house, and it became apparent she was the only one not having sex in their sleeping bag. Mary must have left early because we didn't see her the next morning when we all got up and headed back home.
Mary finally broke down the night I showed up at Daniel's house with Pattie for that epic Fourth of July party. Patti was Mary's best friend, but when she saw Patti and me together for the first time, Mary had this incredulous look. Clearly, Patti had not told Mary we'd be going to that party together, but it worked out well for me. When I left Patti to get us a few drinks from the outdoor tiki bar, Mary made her move. We arrived at the bar at the same time, and Mary leaned up and whispered to me, "Pick me up tomorrow at 8:00 pm at my house."
