Jenny had just turned thirteen when I realized that I was no longer the center of her universe. Quite a shock for a mother to realize that her children are free thinking human beings, with their own thoughts as to how to run their lives. Jenny was a popular girl with lots of girl and boy friends. As for me, I had lost my buddy.
Having grown up in Cary, North Carolina, I had experienced much heartache over the years as one close friend after another moved because their parents were transferred away from the Research Triangle. Since my husband was a local guy who had his medical practice at the Duke Clinic complex, we had some core social friends. As far as the men were concerned, as doctors will, their conversations always seemed to center on their practice.
When we first married, I taught school until Dan, my husband finished his residency. For the next four years, I was his office manager. Since, I have been doing little other than playing golf at the Preston Country Club, where we belong. Over the years, members come and go. I play in the middle of the morning, so the only members that I know are those who have time to play at that time, usually women. We live on the west side of the course, so I walk across two fairways to get to the clubhouse.
Helen Johnson and Lois Brown asked me to join them for dinner, mainly to spend some of the monthly meal money the club requires. When they left, I went into the locker room to pick up a dirty coat that I wanted to clean. Just as I was leaving it begin to pour, so I returned to the dining room. By now there was only the bartender, and I still there. I sat on a stool, where I could watch the rain coming down in sheets.
“Get you something?”
“Gin and tonic.”
Just then lightning flashed.
The bartender said, “I love to watch a storm. Want to go sit on the porch?”
“Hmm, hmm, hmm, might just as well.”
The bartender pulled two wooden rockers to a position side-by-side.
“My dad used to take me out on the front porch anytime that there was a storm.”
“Funny, so did mine. I’m Linda Ward.”
“I’m Burt Tower.”
“I’m curious, Burt. Will you get into any trouble leaving the bar?”
“Naw. I leased the bar concession from the club for the year. Want another Gin and tonic? It’s on me.”
“Later. I’m surprised. How old are you?”
“Just turned twenty-three. Doing this for a year, and then I am going to finish my senior year at State.”
“Paying your way through?”
“You got it. Dad is dead. All I’ve got is Mom. She is just getting by herself.”
“I’ll take that Gin and Tonic now. Make it a double? Put it on my tab.”
By now there were storms in all quadrants, which is normal for North Carolina in the summer time.
The outside timer lights shut off. Burt turned to Linda. “Want me to call your husband so he can come get you?”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“No, not at all. I really enjoy being out here with you.”
“He is out of town for four days. I usually walk home. When do you close up?”
“Right now. Let’s go for a ride?”
“Thought that you would never ask.”
Burt pulled out onto High House Road, turning right to go west.
Linda. “Whops, you turned the wrong way.”
Smiling at Linda, Burt responded, “I said, let’s go for a ride.”
“Ha, ha, ha, yes, you did say that. I’ve been tricked. Oldest trick in the book. Boy takes girl to secluded spot. Hoping for…”
“You are a very attractive woman.”
“Oh, c’mon, Burt. I’m thirty-six. You’re a good-looking guy. Surly there are nice girls your age that you can wine and dine?”
“Saving money, remember?”
“When was your last date?”
“Over a year ago.”
“Oh my. No wonder you want to be with me. Say, where are we going?”
“The overlook on Jordan Lake.”
“Ha, ha, oh, my. I haven’t been there for years. When I was dating the boys took girls there because the police never checked there. So the boys could, well, you know, try for some heavy petting.”
“Have you been there with a lot of different boys?”
“Burt, you’re not supposed to ask a girl that.”
“I need the education.”
“Let me see… I have been to the overlook with three guys.”
“Any of them your husband?”
“No. You’re Bad. Trying to figure out how many men that I’ve had sex with, are we?”
“I’m figuring that you got to know four guys pretty well.”
“I’ll admit to that.”
Stopping at the overlook, Linda looked around. There was an eerie flickering glow from a single light at a nearby boat launch. Branches of trees were waving and dancing from the thunderstorms’ wind. Raindrops pelted the roof of the car, which was gently rocking from the force of the wind.
Each leaning against their own door. They chatted for twenty minutes. Linda found that she liked Burt. He was a really nice kid. Taunting him a bit, she asked, “Well, what is the plan now? Slide across the seat, hug, and then we play the try to paw the boobs game, or are you going to go for it all at once by pulling my legs toward you, and splitting them apart for the frontal attack.”
