Italic text represents personal thoughts
*****Author's Note*****
This story is a part of a 6 chapter series. Although the chapter could stand alone, it is recommended to read the previous chapter in order to get a fuller meaning of the story.
Once again, thanks and love go out to findingmyvoice for her excellent editing skills and descriptive suggestions. Thank you fidingmyvoice.
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Shane tromped downstairs to the kitchen. His mother had prepared steak, medium rare of course, potatoes, and a heaping pile of sugar snap peas. He knew that his mom enjoyed cooking as she often remarked how she felt being able to get to a man's heart was through his stomach.
Shane's dad excused himself from the table, saying he was going to the shed to get the hedge trimmers, to do some yard work before it started to get dark. His mom sat across from him and stared while he finished his last helping of veggies.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"I'm just happy that my baby boy has come home for a visit. You know how pleasing it is for me to take care of you." Maintaining and even tone she said, "I just can't get over how grown up you have become and I truly want you to be happy. Finding the right woman to manage your wants and needs can be daunting, but you're 38 years old. If you ever want to have children you need to start thinking..."
"I told you mom," Shane interrupted, "when and IF I am ready to go down that path you will be the first to know. I really don't want to discuss it anymore." He quickly realized that he had raised his voice with irritation. "I'm sorry mom. It's just that you do this all the time and it gets frustrating."
"I'm the one that should be sorry. I know I push you a lot about the subject. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy. I have a great education, a great job, and nice home. I am perfectly content living the bachelor lifestyle."
"I can't promise anything, but I will try my hardest to drop the subject at least for the rest of your visit."
"Thanks mom. Let me help you with the dishes."
Gathering up the dirty dishes, Shane placed them on the counter by the sink. His mother insisted on doing dishes by hand even though Shane had bought them a dish washer just a few years ago. Shane took his place, ready to rinse and dry as his mother washed. He recalled the time he and Jolene were at Monica's house doing dishes much the same as he was now with his mom. Monica he thought, letting out a sigh.
"What's wrong dear?"
"Oh, nothing. Being home makes me think of some things from the past."
"I'm glad you are thinking about the past and your time growing up here. Does this mean you will be going to your reunion?"
"Let's not go that far. I still haven't made up my mind about that."
After the dishes were finished, Shane went to the living room to relax and watch some TV. As he flipped through the channels his mind wandered.
Monica had been extremely feisty that day in the kitchen while Shane and Jolene cleaned up. Shane's cousin had announced to her that he was going to be moving on campus for college. He was going to be going to school over 600 miles away from home. This meant that he and Monica would not be able to see each other often. Reluctantly, they both agreed that it would be best just to part ways. Although Monica made that decision mutually with Will, she clearly showed she was not happy about the idea.
Jolene raised her eyebrows toward Shane without saying a word. He understood immediately what she was trying to communicate.
Someone's being bitchy!
He let out a little chuckle after Monica walked out of the room. He felt bad for Monica. Anyone could tell she loved Will. She even had their wedding all planned out. Jolene and Shane found Monica sitting on the couch whimpering, small tears welling up in her eyes.
Before either Jolene or Shane could comfort her, she balled her face up in anger and starting ripping up the scrapbook lying on the coffee table in front of her. Jolene put her hand on Shane's chest, indicating that maybe they should go back to the kitchen for a bit. While Shane sipped his iced tea, he heard Monica start to sob uncontrollably. Jolene met his eyes with a questioning look. "What are we going to do?" she mouthed. Shane replied with a simple shoulder shrug and screwed up face.
Almost as quickly as the sobbing started, it stopped. Minutes later Monica bounced into the kitchen. "Let's go have some fun!"
"Sure," said Shane. "What would you like to do?"
"I really don't know, but I can't just sit around the house moping all day and night."
"How about we go down to the bowling alley and take out some frustration on those pins?" Jolene grabbed Monica's hand and pulled her in for a big hug.
The three of them picked out house bowling balls and went to their assigned lane. Jolene and Monica weren't very good, but Shane could tell they were having fun. Shane held back. He was pretty good at bowling, having achieved quite a few trophies from tournaments. He didn't want them to feel inferior. He purposely sent the ball into the gutter multiple times during the game and acted like he hit his leg or stumbled from his shoes sticking to the floor.
Returning home, Monica was giggling and laughing. Jolene ran straight to the bathroom saying she was about to pee herself. When the door closed, Monica pressed into Shane, grabbed the back of his head and pressed a passionate kiss on him. Shane accepted the kiss, but quickly realized it was wrong.
"Monica, although I appreciate the kiss, we can't do this. I really love Jolene. I couldn't do this to her. Listen, I know you are hurting right now, probably rebounding, but in the long run, it wouldn't be fair to you."
"You're right, Shane. I'm sorry." Monica's cheeks flushed as she backed away, the embarrassment showing on her face.
Jolene walked out of the restroom and saw that Monica wasn't the same giddy self she was when they had walked into the house. "What's wrong Monica?"
"I kissed Shane just now. I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad at me, or him. It wasn't his fault. I made the advance," she pleaded.
Shane held his breath and waited for the onslaught of drama, but to his surprise Jolene only hugged Monica tighter and told her everything would be okay.
Shane went home that night and started getting ready for bed. He remembered the feel of Monica's lips on his. He was surprised the girls hadn't noticed he had been aroused after Monica kissed him. Her lips were full and warm. He could still feel their heat even after kissing Jolene multiple times afterward. Being a daydreamer, Shane sat on his bed and pictured Monica kneeling before him. Monica was beautiful. Her body was slim and she sported a set of 36DD its to go along with her soft, full lips. He reached over to the nightstand, pulled out his list, and added Monica to it. He wrote down in the asset column that she had nice tits and a beautiful mouth. In the last column, he noted that he wanted to get a blow job from her and fuck her tits.
Shane reviewed the half dozen names on it; only one name had been crossed off. Then, he folded the list and returned it to the drawer. Visions of Monica consumed him as he fell asleep, holding his raging hard-on.
Two weeks after the kissing incident, Jolene's and Monica's families decided to move out of state. Shane was heartbroken. Jolene had been the love of his life, and now she was going to be gone. He suddenly knew exactly what Monica had felt when Will told her he was moving. It was another first for Shane. Heartbreak was not one the firsts he wanted to partake in, but it happened and Shane had to make the best of it. Monica and Jolene told Shane not to worry, they would be back to visit.
Over the next couple of years, Shane had started working out and building muscle. He wanted to be built, but not like a body builder. He wanted toned muscle with a lot of definition, but did not want to look like a freak. He had not seen or heard from Jolene or Monica since that day at Monica's house.
Shane was a smart kid and was able to graduate from college in just three years. At the age of 21, he managed to get his bachelors and already had a job lined up about 200 miles from home at a software development firm. Since the time Jolene left, he managed to date a few girls here and there. However, Jolene was the only girl he had ever slept with. He had reached second and third base with some of the girls, but Jolene was his only homerun.
After his graduation ceremony, Shane returned to his parent's home. The plan was for him to live with them until he found a place near his new job.