Many thanks, once again, to drbob80 for his input. Once again, he was able to make sense out of things that seemed clear in my head but on the screen, not so much. Thanks also to leftyloo and lancerinLA.
This is a short chapter, just because the last three days before Chris leaves for basic are pretty involved.
If this is your first visit to a Chronicles of Chris story, it would be helpful to read some of the previous chapters to get a sense of the story and characters. This is definitely not a stand alone story.
Please enjoy the story and vote if you do.
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I drove home thinking about Teddi's explanation of her problems with Joni. I also wondered how I was going to relay to Joni how Teddi felt, now. I decided that I would just let it play out.
I got home and opened all the doors and windows again. It was a nice evening and the cool breeze not only felt good, it served to clear the house of the remnants of Teddi and me. I went upstairs, grabbed all the bedclothes off the bed, dragged them downstairs, and threw them into the washer. I thought that would help the lingering aroma. I found new sheets and put them on the bed and then stripped out of my clothes and crawled into my own bed, exhausted.
I don't think I moved all night, waking up in the same position into which I had collapsed the previous night. I rolled over and looked at the clock, amazed to find that it was after one o'clock. I went downstairs, found a soda in the fridge, and drained it in one long gulp. I decided I would spend the rest of the day at the pool. I took a couple of towels, a book, some snacks and a cooler to the pool. I swam several laps and then lay down on a lounger. Several neighbors stopped and said a few words, but mostly I ate, drank, swam, read and slept the day away. It was nice and relaxing, as opposed to my very full days over the last week and a half. At about six o'clock I gathered everything up and walked back home.
Upon arriving, I put everything away and then dug around in the freezer and found a nice steak. Mom had also left a baking potato for me, when she and Patti had been here a couple of days ago. I started the grill and while I was waiting for the charcoal, I climbed in the shower, turning it up as hot as I could stand it. I just stood there just letting the heat drain away whatever tension I had left. I cooled the water and finally left the shower, refreshed. After putting on a tee shirt and sleep shorts, I went down and found the charcoal was ready. I put the potato in foil and dropped it in the grill. I waited a few minutes and then put the steak on.
I sat on the patio, thought about the last ten days, and shook my head in wonder. Ten days ago I had been a virgin and in the intervening time, I had made love to my dream woman, my dream girl
and
her best friend plus the hottest girl in school. I sat there slack-jawed, truly not believing my good fortune. Finally, the steak and potato were ready and I sat down in front of the TV and ate. I finished my dinner and did the dishes from the last several days. I realized I had procrastinated long enough; I had to call Joni and face the music about Teddi. I was afraid she would be angry with me that I wouldn't,
couldn't
follow through with her plan. Sighing deeply, I knew I just had to do it. I picked up the telephone and called.
Joni's mom answered. "Hello?"
"Hi, Charlie," I said with far more confidence than I was feeling. "It's Chris, is Joni there?"
Charlie gushed, "Oh, yes Chris, she's here and she has been worried to death that you wouldn't call. Let me get her."
Confused, (actually my normal state at the time, but I digress), I just said, "OK."
I waited for a moment before Joni picked up the phone. "Chriiiis!" She shrieked.
Fuck, that hurt. I changed ears with the phone and said, "Jeez, Joni, are you trying to get me kicked out of the Navy for deafness?"
She giggled and said softly, "Sorry, I'm just so happy to hear from you. I was afraid you wouldn't call me."
I swear I heard a sob and sniffle.
"Joni? Are you crying?" I asked gently.
I heard her take a deep breath with a sob in the middle. "Yes, I am. I'm just so happy and relieved that you called."
"Joni, I'm confused." I said slowly. "You told me to wait to call you until tonight, so that's what I did. Did I do something wrong?"
"N-n-n-o," she moaned. "I didn't think about how much I might miss you. The whole time Sara and I were together I thought about you and Tits and I got jealous and paranoid. I just KNEW she would somehow steal you away. It ruined my time with Sara.....Well, that's not completely true."
She started giggling which made me feel a little better. "We both kinda enjoyed it, when she comforted me."
"Uh-huh." I said drily.
She giggled again, "Are you jealous, now?"
"Well," I answered, "I am picturing the
'comforting'
and I
AM
jealous."
Still giggling she said, "Good!"
"So," she started. (I knew this was going to be the part that I had been dreading, the questions about Teddi and me.) "Did you and Tits get together?"
I could hear the trepidation, jealousy and fear in her voice. I assumed she wanted all the details, but would be happier if I told her that I had stayed home. I figured she wanted the details, but really didn't want to know. I hesitated, a big mistake on my part.
"Oh, Chris!" She wailed. "You did it, didn't you? You just had to have those humongous tits, didn't you? Godammit Chris!" She dropped the phone.
I heard Charlie in the background asking what was wrong. Joni was sobbing and I felt like a real shit. I waited; figuring either Joni or Charlie would be on the phone, reading me the riot act.
Even though I anticipated it, I was somewhat startled by Charlie's voice. Actually, her tone and her request were the startling part.
