Part 1: Thunderstorms and Virginity,/B>
I know a little cafe bar in a rural town near my lake home that is a great place for burgers and beer. They have a sign over the bar proclaiming cold food, warm beer, and lousy service. Fortunately, we patrons know the sign is wrong. It is a place to bring family for a good dinner when driving several miles into the city is just not an option. It is not a pick-up joint.
Folks do not know mw well there since my lake home is a weekend retreat and a place where I can go vacation on little money. I am quickly approaching my mid sixties, carry some extra weight, and prefer jeans and sweatshirts to business attire. I am in business for myself and it is a jeans and sweatshirt business making me comfortable at work or lounging.
Spring weather is in full bloom and I am working in yard along the lake trying to clean winter debris and make the shore presentable. It is not the warm part of spring leading into summer; it is still cool enough for a jacket until the sun reaches its noontime high.
"Hi Mister Jackson," I heard a sweet voice call. I looked to see who called my name and standing near by was Molly, my neighbor's 19-year daughter. Molly is cute, light brown hair that goes blond in the summer sun. She is a nice height of about five feet seven inches tall. Over the years, I watched her grow from a bumbling nervous tween into the womanly figure she is now.
"Oh, hi Molly. I bet you are glad for warm weather to return. Do you need something?" I could see apprehension in her demeanor and waited for her answer.
She took a few more paces closer. It was her habit to stand away waiting for me to turn and acknowledge her. "Well, Mister Jackson," the apprehension was in her voice as well, "uhm, yeah, I do need something and I hope you don't think it is foolish."
"Molly, it is only foolish if you don't tell me. I can take a break from this job for a sweet neighbor. Why don't you go inside and make us some hot tea while I finish this spot. She trotted off to my house, her young body showing off its firmness. Before long, her summer attire of bikinis will taunt all the neighborhood boys and men.
I was about ten minutes finishing my task and putting away tools before I went inside for tea. Molly was just heating the tea pot with hot water before pouring in the tea water and tea ball full of King Cole tea from Canada. She also had tea cakes laid out. "Let me wash up a bit, I'll be right out." I disappeared into the bathroom to wash.
When I returned, Molly had place settings ready, "Come, Mister Jackson, sit down for your tea." Molly smiled a magnetic smile as she called me. She would not sit until I did her show of politeness and respect. "I think I brewed it the way you like it."
"Come on, Molly, sit down, I'm here now. What is the issue on your mind today?" I knew if I did not get to the point, Molly would take her time and maybe not say anything at all. She sat across from me; her smile and bright eyes could melt the winter snow and warm the Arctic.
"Will you vacation here this summer, Mister Jackson? If you do when will you start?" Molly's voice foretold a longer story and I asked her to tell me what she needed to tell me. "My family said I could stay here this summer instead of going on vacation with them. I'm happy about that but staying alone for three weeks is kind of scary for me. If you are here, I have a neighbor who I call if I need."
I already knew about the vacation arrangements and already planned my vacation at the lake for the same time; however, Molly did not know that. I suspected her parents said nothing to her since she asked in ways confirming she did not know the plans.
"I do have a month of vacation planned for July. I am not traveling anywhere and will be here. When do your parents leave?" Molly lit up when she heard my vacation plans. She was almost giddy with excitement.
"Mister Jackson, really! That's perfect. Can I visit you while you're here? We can drink tea and talk about things." I was not sure what topics I could talk about with a young women or what topics she would want to talk to me about. I guess that will wait for July.
We finished our tea and nibbled on cakes. We talked about general things, mostly what is happening around the lake. "I better go so you can get back to your yard. I am excited that you will be here this summer." Molly gave me a hug and little kiss on the cheek before bounding off.
Through the rest of April, May, and June, I made a couple weekend trips to the lake and saw Molly occasionally. I talked with her parents who did not have many instructions for me. At 19, Molly is an adult and a very responsible young woman.
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July Fourth weekend this year is a weekend with the fourth on Saturday. I arrived on the first and started setting up for my month of vacation. Molly must have seen me arrive because minutes later she appeared to help me get organized. This warm July day, Molly wore loose baggy shorts and an oversize T-shirt. She had a bikini bra on with tie strings hanging out of the shirt and I presumed she had bikini bottoms on under the shorts.
I had several bags of groceries and my clothes to organize. "I'll put away groceries, Mister Jackson so you can unpack clothes. Mom and dad want you to come for dinner tonight. I think they want to give you final instructions for watching me," I heard her giggle.
"I probably should not say this, Molly; I enjoy watching you."
Molly was a great help getting the kitchen into order and functioning. I heard her working banging around cupboards then heard water running. I guessed she had tea almost ready. When I came back to the kitchen, she greeted me with a cup of tea. "I am glad you are staying here for vacation and I get to stay too."