Looking back on my life, I realize that we are all products of our experiences, but certain events are more pivotal than others. When questioned, most people would say the most important things were things planned, like college, marriage, and children. Whereas those are indeed important, I think the course of my life has been defined more by the little things, like a chance meeting, or unexpected event.
I guess I should start my story from the beginning. My name is Carol. I was the only daughter of a high-ranking Army Officer, and admittedly, I was spoiled to the core as a child. In our house, my mother was the disciplinarian. I found out early on I could twist my dad around my finger. In almost every situation he would side with me. I learned, as I grew, that men were but putty in my hands. All it took was a little pout or a tear.
My story actually begins long before I met the love of my life. Although my family came from 'old' money, I lived the first ten years of my life traveling from one duty station to another. My father, Jim, retired from the Army, and was discharged in California. He became a well respected banker, and we lived a prestigious life.
I was put into private schools - first elementary, middle, and later prep-school. Their plan for my schooling mirrored my mother's early education. My mother, Mary, was always a role-model for me.
Mom was a truly beautiful woman and would usually be the center of attention when she walked into a room. She always took care of herself and looked much younger than her actual age. I looked a lot like her, and when I turned seventeen, people would always remark how we looked like sisters. She actually had me dress like her sometimes when we went out. It was fun.
After I got my period, my parents decided it was prudent to move me to a prep-school for sixteen-and-older girls. It wasn't that far from where we lived, but I still stayed in a dormitory and came home on weekends. The thinking was that without boys around, I would be able to concentrate on my education. The theory was 'out of sight, out of mind.'
If they thought putting a bunch of horny, hormonal girls in the same place would take their minds off sex, they were wrong. Almost every girl in there, including me, was practicing kissing with one another. Some became real experts at pleasuring other girls. My best friend Sally and I had many adventures, but that's another story.
Even though I was a virgin, I knew I was a very sexual person. When I was a senior and close to graduation, I remember getting out of the shower and standing in front of my full-length mirror evaluating myself. I think that was the first time I fully realized how attractive I was. I really had no idea at the time how much power that would give me in my life. As unfair as it seems, beauty opens many doors.
My graduation was not a big deal, but I was glad to be out of that woman's prison. It meant I would have the whole summer off to do what I wanted before I started college. Here I was, eighteen years old and had never gone on a date, except for when I went to the prom, but that didn't count because my parents made me go with my pimple-faced cousin.
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I had gone to the store that fateful August day to help mom with the shopping. Helping around the house was preferable to getting a job. She had a bridge club meeting and I wanted to get out of the house.
Just as I was about to enter the store, I saw, or should I say heard, this old sports car sputtering to a stop. The driver was cursing at his jalopy, and kicked the door because it wouldn't stay closed. It was so funny. Then I got a look at him. He kind of looked like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, wearing a leather jacket and aviation sunglasses. When he took his sunglasses off, he looked like a model, with a square jaw and high cheekbones. Then he saw me and grinned, but I turned back quickly and went into the store, embarrassed.
After picking up most of the things I needed, I was in the canned vegetable isle when I heard this masculine voice say, "Excuse me, miss." I turned, and was looking my mystery man in the face. He seemed to be a bit unnerved.
"Can I help you?" I replied, staring up into his steel blue eyes.
For some reason, he didn't respond right away, but then he asked, "I... I wonder if you might help me?"
"With what?" I replied.
"I'm new in town and not familiar with this store. I could use a hand in finding things."
"I might be able to help. Where's your list?"
"Well... I really don't have one. I'm not much of a cook, and was thinking of fixing something... Italian. Do you have any suggestions, Miss?"
"First of all, my name is not 'Miss,' it's Carol, and I would be happy to help a fellow shopper in need."
"Thanks, Carol. You're sweet to help. My name is Chuck." He extended his hand and I did a finger shake.
"Okay, Chuck, let's find you something Italian. We can't let you go hungry, can we?" I smiled.
Now I was probably the last person in this whole store you would ask about cooking. I barely passed Home Ed class. The closest I come to cooking Italian is ordering a pizza from Round Table, with extra pepperoni. However, I went along with it because he fascinated me. We played this game where I was suggesting all kinds of things for him to buy, and he put them in his basket while we talked and got to know one another. As we talked, the basket filled.
I found out he was twenty-nine, and just got out of the Army, where he was a helicopter pilot. I told him I was college bound. He told me he was starting a business. I told him I went to an all-girls school, and he told me he had graduated from Berkley... Finally, we ran out of room in his basket, and he confessed.
"I really didn't need help with a recipe. I just had to talk with you. You're the prettiest girl I've ever laid my eyes on."
"Awww, that is sweet, but I have something to confess too. Just so you know, I can't cook." We laughed like there was no tomorrow.
"I suppose a girl as pretty as you has a boy friend?"
"Actually, I'm between relationships right now," I lied. I didn't want him to know that I had never been on a real date before.
"I have an idea. Since I am new in town and neither one of us can cook, how about I take you out for Italian dinner and a movie?"
"Yes! When?" I replied, maybe a bit too quickly.
"How about seven tonight?"
"Tonight?" I asked, a bit panicked.
"Well... We both have to eat, and Italian sounds good, doesn't it?"
"True, that does sound good. Then seven is perfect! I have to go home and get ready," I replied, and turned to leave, flashing him my sexiest smile.
"Uhhh... Carol. You're forgetting something."
"What?" I said, looking around.
"Well, I might not be able to pick you up tonight..."
My heart sank. I knew it was too good to be true.
He continued, "Unless you give me your address and phone number."
