Writer's Note: The 'action' takes some time to get to, but the set-up is worth it to create a more realistic atmosphere. Thank you for your patience.
*
A young woman with dark brown hair pushed her cart down a busy aisle of shoppers. She thought herself lucky to find the last of the honey-baked hams in the large refrigerator. When she looked at the list that her mother had given her, she sighed, and then she heard her name from behind.
"Shanna?"
She turned, her eyes widening.
"Oh, my God! Marlon!" she exclaimed as a smiling, attractive young man with an olive complexion approached. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt that hugged his muscular torso and arms and a pair of loose-fitting jeans. A thick silver rope chain hung from his neck.
When Marlon hugged her, her breasts pressed against his wide chest and she wanted to melt in his strong embrace. Marlon had been cute in high school, but now he was all grown up. He still smelled the same. The smell of that particular cologne always did something to her. She felt a warm sensation between her legs.
"Damn, it's been a long time, Shanna," he said after pulling back.
"I know... high school," she replied. Shanna brushed her hair back, hoping that she looked decent.
"You look really good."
"Oh... thank you," she said, blushing. "You too. You look so different." She giggled and grabbed his biceps. "You're big."
Marlon flexed his biceps and smiled. "I work out for football."
"I heard you're at... UCS?"
"UCU. I'm a second-string quarterback there."
"Did you get a scholarship?"
"Yeah," he admitted. "Football has been great to me. How about you?"
"I'm... good," she said dubiously.
"You don't sound too excited, Shanna... So what are you doing down here again? I thought you moved up north."
"We did... Well, my parents moved back here right after my sister left for college. I guess they missed their friends too much. I'm just visiting for the holiday and buying dinner for tomorrow night."
"I'm here till Sunday. You know, we should meet for coffee or something if you have time."
"Ok," she replied.
"How about tonight?"
"Sure, I meanβ" She paused. "I should check with my parents first to see what they're doing."
"Oh... How about if I call you later, then?"
"Sounds good," Shanna said.
Marlon hugged her again, and she felt so tiny in his large arms. She closed her eyes for a moment when his hands pressed the small of her back as he said goodbye.
Shanna had resolved some of her feelings for Marlon. They'd broken up in high school after her father had caught them having sex and had made her promise to break their relationship off. Although Shanna had tried to fight it, her father had been relentless. Marlon had tried to continue the relationship, but after her father caught them a second time, he'd chased Marlon from their backyard with a bat. Her father had then talked to Marlon's parents, and that had been the end of their relationship. She understood that her father didn't want her to make the same mistakes he had, but she still resented him for ending her relationship with Marlon.
It wasn't as if she were hung up on the past though. She'd had boyfriends in high school and college since her breakup with Marlon and was currently exclusive with someone she'd met in her philosophy class. Although she sometimes thought of Marlon, she never thought she'd see him again.
Shanna's parents had gone to the Indian Casino after dinner, leaving her to watch a cheesy romantic comedy on cable.
Her phone rang.
"Marlon?" she said, noting his name on her caller ID.
"You ready to go out?"
"Uh, I don't think I can meet you. I have no way of getting there," she told him. It was probably better they didn't meet anyway. She didn't want to give him the wrong idea.
"You want to me to pick you up in fifteen?"
"Oh no, it's too far. My parents are in Orange Hill now.
"That's not too far."
"No, really, that's ok. I'm going to get ready for bed pretty soon."
"Bed? It's only... 8:30. Come on, girl! It's been years. Let's just hit a coffee shop and talk for a while."
"Well... ok," Shanna conceded. "If you're sure it's not too far?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Give me an hour, OK?"
"Alright, what's the address?"
After giving Marlon directions and saying goodbye, Shanna turned off the television and took a quick shower.
She blow-dried her shoulder-length hair and put on a pair of black lace panties and a matching demi bra. Over her large breasts, she slipped on a loose, but low-cut blouse. She then put on a tight black skirt, which barely touched the top of her knees. Shanna finished off her ensemble with her favorite large gold hoop earrings and a gold crucifix necklace that hung just above her cleavage.
Her phone vibrated.
House w the roses? Marlon texted.
Yes. Sry 5 more min.
After setting her phone down, Shanna put on subtle makeup that focused on her eyes. Then, she put on her heels and looked in the mirror. She wished she didn't have such a big butt because it barely fit in her skirt. Quickly adjusting her underwire, she grabbed her purse and coat.
Marlon was parked in front of her parents' house in an apple red Civic.
"Hi," Marlon said, smiling as Shanna opened the car door. He was dressed in a silky black shirt and dark jeans. The top two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, showing a silvery chain and the top of a wife-beater. His hair was styled similar to a frohawk, but the highest point of his hair was at the front.
"Sorry I'm late," she replied.
"No problem at all. You look beautiful."
Shanna noticed he looked over her entire body. She smiled. "Thank you. You look nice, too."
"Thanks, I wanted to look nice for an old friend."
"So, how long have you had this car?" Shanna asked as she put on her seatbelt.
Marlon pulled away from the curb. "Since I started college. It's OK, I couldn't really afford what I really wanted."
"What's that?"
"The Series 2 BMWs," he said, smiling "I looked at one the other day, but they're so expensive. I think I'm going to buy an SUV instead."
"Is there one that you like?"
"The x5."
"Nice."
"Yeah, but I'll probably have to settle for a used car."
"Yeah, BMW doesn't make 'em cheapβ"