The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this story
He looked across again. It was definitely Mrs Jackson - Rhonda - from the house next door. Divorced, kids off at summer camp, and looking red hot in her short summer dress. She looked uncomfortable, too, because the trucker had obviously had too much to drink and was pawing at her. Jerry turned to his friends who were playing pool.
"I have to go and see if she's okay."
Tom Franks looked over at the booth, shaking his head. "That trucker looks like he could get mean."
"I'll take the chance," Jerry said with a grimace. He turned and went over to the booth. Rhonda Jackson saw him coming over and gave him a warm smile.
"Hi, Jerry. Have you come to give me that lift? Is it that time already?"
Jerry took his cue. "Sorry I'm late, Rhonda. Couldn't get the car started at first."
"You can't leave, we just got started," the trucker said, angry now that he could see what he thought was a choice piece of ass moving out of his life.
"And now we're finished," Rhonda said, her tone like ice. "I'm ready, Jerry, let's go." She pushed at the trucker, who tried to stop her. "Get your hands off me," she yelled, startling the trucker into letting go. She quickly slid out of the booth and took Jerry's arm. "Get me out of here," she hissed. Obediently, Jerry headed for the door.
Outside, Rhonda took a deep breath. "Thanks, Jerry. I owe you."
"That's okay, I only came over because I thought you looked a little uncomfortable."
Rhonda grimaced. "I was. I didn't realise that jackass could get so drunk so quick. Have you got a car, Jerry?"
He shook his head. "I came with Tom and Joey."
"Will they miss you?"
"I doubt it."
She reached into her purse and took out her car keys. "Drive me home?"
"Sure."
In the car, as he started the motor, Rhonda put her hand on his arm. "Sorry if I spoiled your evening."
"It's okay. I don't even know why I agreed to come. The Roadhouse isn't my favourite place."
Rhonda gave a brief, amused snort. "Mine either."
"Why'd you come then?" said Jerry.
"To meet my so-called friend, Cheryl, who never turned up." Rhonda heaved a deep breath, exhaling on a sigh. "I guess I just wanted a fun night without the kids." She glanced across. "Don't get me wrong, Jerry, Beth and Tony are my life and I adore them, but, I dunno, sometimes I just get frustrated." She sighed again. "Take me home, Jerry, please."
Jerry glanced across at her. She was sitting slightly twisted, half-facing him and her light summer dress was falling away. He could see the slope of her breast, almost down to the nipple. No bra? Wow! They drove for a while in silence and Jerry tried desperately to think non-sexual thoughts, trying to keep his incipient erection from distressing him. The sight of a parked patrol car just off the highway helped. Rhonda laughed as they passed it.
"Well inside the limit, officer." She laughed again. "I had a phone call from Beth and Tony this morning."
Jerry smiled. "Are they enjoying themselves?"
"Yeah, they are." Rhonda giggled. "Beth says Tony has got himself a girlfriend."
"He's what, nine? Ten?"
"Ten. Eleven next May."
"I didn't have a girlfriend until I was almost sixteen."
"Got one now?"
Jerry glanced across at Rhonda. There was nothing but friendly interest on her face. "No, not at the moment." Annie's smiling face came into his head, but the vision was fading now, for she and her folks had moved almost fourteen months ago.
"I'm surprised," said Rhonda, "good-looking boy like you."
Jerry shrugged. "There's time. "I'm back at college in a month. There may be somebody just waiting to meet me."
"I'm sure there will. Ah, well, here we are. Home." Rhonda opened her purse and took out her keys. "The remote for the garage door is in the glove box," she said, "use it and drive straight in."
Inside the garage, Jerry set the parking brake and turned off the ignition. He turned to Rhonda, about to get out and say goodnight, when she put her hand on his arm. "It's still early. Will you keep me company for a while?"
"Sure, if you want me to," he said, pleased by the invitation.
Rhonda smiled. "Please."
A couple of minutes later they were in the house. Rhonda led him into the living-room and switched on some table lamps, triggering the drapes closing mechanism so that the room was bathed in a warm glow. She smiled at him. "Coffee? Or would you rather have a beer?"
"Whichever's easiest," he said.
"Beer's quickest. Sit down, make yourself comfortable, put the TV or the stereo on if you want."
"I'll wait 'til you come through. It's your home, you choose."
Rhonda smiled. "Back in a moment." Jerry glanced around, interested, because despite being a neighbor it was the first time he had been in Rhonda's home. Photographs of Beth and Tony, Beth a year younger than her brother. A nude painting on the wall caught his eye and he moved closer. A slender model, hair the same dark red as Rhonda's, face obscured, in a sprawling pose.
"It's me," said Rhonda behind him. Jerry turned, flushing and Rhonda handed him a tall glass of ice-cold beer. She looked across at the painting. "I worked my way through college as a life model."