> In the News Today: A peaceful community on the outskirts of Wichita, Kansas struggles to understand an apparent random murder and arson.

Clusters of faceless men sat at tables scattered around a room. Well dressed and arrogant, they drank with a purpose, tossing back their whiskeys and gesturing for more. Most of them were older, with neat manicures and well-groomed steel-gray hair. A few were young; their eyes hot with lust and jealousy.

Stephanie and her mother, wearing identical skimpy outfits, rushed about the room serving drinks. As she passed amongst the men, hands snatched at her legs or pinched her butt. One of the balding men gestured, and Steph bent to listen. He mumbled a question, but she couldn’t make out the words. While she puzzled out his question, rough fingers slipped up her thigh.

And Stephanie woke. The Wichita Dream, again. She hated it and the sleeplessness it brought. Sitting up, Stephanie rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock. Ugh, midnight. Maybe J’s still up?

The Timms’ didn’t have a fancy AI like Alfred. Not because Gene was cheap, but because he thought it would spy on him. Instead of Alfred and voice commands, Steph had the wireless keyboard from the living room and her wall-mounted display. Hopefully, Mom forgot to close the firewall ports, and she wouldn’t have to sneak downstairs to fiddle the security console.

“J, you up?” Each tap on the cheap membrane keyboard produced a faint rubbery thump. A minute passed without a reply, and Stephanie worried Jason might be asleep.

“’Sup, sweetheart?”

Stephanie released the breath she hadn’t known she held. “Bad dream, can’t sleep.”

“Yuck, wish I could cu.”

“Me2.”

“I got an idea.”

“What?”

“Open your window. I’ll get a ladder.”

“You’re crazy!” He’d do it, too.

“Yeah, ’bout you.”

“Me2u. Won’t work, windows wired, alarm.”

“’Kay. I’ll stay up, ’till you fall asleep.”

“Goof, how will you know?”

“You snore rly loud.”

“Rat!”

“Love you.”

“Love you2, rat.”

A sound from outside, it might have been a car door, woke her from another dream. Details of the dream faded, but it involved her and Jason and one of those things they’d recently begun doing.

Sitting up, she set the keyboard back on her night table and reached for her slippers. Darn it, where’d that other slipper go? There it was half kicked under the bed. While fishing it out, Stephanie realized something was amiss. She looked around. What was it? Was it something she needed to do?

Downstairs in the kitchen, Mom glanced up and smiled a “good morning” around her mouthful of muesli.

“Morning.” Steph took a mug from the dishwasher. Maybe she’d have toast and some of that new, bitter orange marmalade. Oh, yeah, there was that forgotten something she needed to do. She put bread in the toaster.

“Sweetie?” Mom said.

“Um?” This jam was awesome. Now, what was it she couldn’t remember?

“Something bothering you?”

Stephanie blinked; Mom didn’t miss anything. “There’s something missing, or something I forgot to do, but I don’t remember what.”

“Hmmm,” Mom stood and set her bowl on the sink. On her way back, she stopped and pressed her palm against Stephanie’s forehead. “You’re a bit warm.” Moving to the side of the table, Mom pulled out the adjacent chair and sat. “Sweetie, feel my head.”

Stephanie felt the heat before her hand made contact. “Mom, you’re burning up.”

“It’s normal when I’m in withdrawal.” She didn’t add anything else.

“Oh,” then she got it. “You think I got the bond?”

“Uh, huh. Close your eyes and think about Romeo. Imagine he’s kissing you goodnight. Feel his arms around you.”

Last night was easy to remember. Although, the exact memory wasn’t one she’d like her mother to know about. “Okay,” she reported.

“Now, how do you feel?”

A fog she hadn’t noticed, lifted, and her thoughts cleared. “Better.” The difference was more than she wanted to admit.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, but I think you got it now.”

If she concentrated, Stephanie could feel the distraction settle into place when her thoughts drifted. For example, when she watched her mother steal a piece of her toast. The condition reversed in a snap once she focused on Jason. With a little practice, she could keep a memory of him tucked to the side. If this was just the beginning of the bond…what’s it like for Mom?

“Do you have to think about Yevgeny all the time?” asked Stephanie.

“Oh,” Mom smiled, “I’m an old addict. Everything like that’s second nature. Your addiction is in its early stages.”

“I guess it’s a baby bond.”

Mom almost choked on the bite of toast. “Don’t even think the word, baby.”

After breakfast on school days, she and Mom cleaned the house. Busywork distracted them enough to cope. They spent the afternoons working their way through exercise programs. The type of exercise didn’t matter. Sometimes they used martial arts training videos. Last week, they streamed an ancient video series called “Aerobicise.” Mom laughed when Stephanie complained about its difficulty, then threatened to play something called P90X.

Of course, Mom noticed Stephanie’s increased symptoms. Instead of incriminations, she provided unwavering support. Most breakfast conversations revolved around post bond survival strategies.

“How much will I remember?”

When her mother didn’t answer right away, Stephanie grew concerned. Natalie lived with a lot of Yevgeny’s muddled attempts at reprogramming her. Most of the time, the man’s commands wore off within days, leaving Natalie with a vague unease that also wore off. Other times, Yevgeny misjudged Mom’s period of susceptibility and issued orders she remembered.

“Looking back now, I remember growing up in Pavlo’s household. His wife, Maryska, thought me her husband’s bastard daughter. Their real children bullied me. Until I grew tall enough to fight back, then they learned to avoid me.” She took a sip of tea. “But you want to know if you’ll remember Jason?” Mom quirked an eyebrow, and Stephanie nodded. “Our situations aren’t the same. You have Romeo, and I have the twin monkeys, Pavlo and Yevgeny on my back.”

Stephanie snickered; she had no problem imagining her father as a long-armed balding ape. No, maybe more of a balding baboon? Too bad only the girl baboons had red butts. Mom refilled their cups, and Stephanie realized her mother intended a serious discussion.

“If we don’t take steps, sweetie, you’ll forget about Jason for a long while.”

“What steps?”

“The steps we make up as we go. For instance, both of us insist we must stay in contact. Blame it on a lack of emotional stability. All men think women are unstable. We’ll confirm it, and the men will chuckle and allow it. You and I can figure out a code so we can talk for real. When we pack your suitcase, we’ll hide photographs of you and Jason. If possible, we’ll even pack that horrible slayer shirt you never wash. You’ll always have Jason tucked away somewhere. Then, when he’s an established adult, with the means to keep you safe, I’ll send him to you. You and he will run away and live happily ever after.

“But what if he forgets me?”

Mom rolled her eyes. “Do you think a human boy can forget you?”

Steph closed her eyes and nodded. She’d be gone for years; how could he remember her?

Mom’s extra warm hands brushed Steph’s sleep-tangled hair back. “Sweetie,” she said, “if you’re worried, give him something special to remember you by.”

Something special? Steph’s eyes popped open. Yes, she’d write him a letter. Tell him everything she dared. Then make him promise to wait until his eighteenth birthday to open it. How to start? Dear Jason, No, too simple, how about…

> Dearest Jason,

>

> The months since I left must have been difficult for you. I hope that by now, you’ve recovered enough to carry on with your life. Please don’t forget me, as I am doing everything possible to remember you and our time together.

Mom’s voice interrupted Stephanie’s thoughts. “You know, sweetie, I’ve read freshly worn panties are highly prized amongst human males.”

“Ew, Mom! Jason’s not—”

“Well, maybe not Romeo. After all, he’s perfect.”

“He is!”

“You could ask him, you know, just in case. Wear an old pair for a day or two. Then offer them to him. I bet he’d love them”

Stephanie loved her mother, but sometimes…ick.

Then Stephanie’s father returned from another business trip. As usual, she kept to her room. Sneaking downstairs for food only when her parents were occupied. There must have been a lull in his business because he stayed for a full week. On the plus side, Yevgeny’s longer stay completely reset her mother’s bond. The morning her father left, Mom was so cheerful, they should have eaten waffles. But a week without Jason left Stephanie with a pounding headache. While Mom tweaked the security system, Steph told her about it.

“Well,” Mom said, “if you’ll recall, I tried to limit your exposure.”

Steph knew about the ordeal Mom went through when Yevgeny made her his slave. It must have been awful. Mom hoped that a “little addiction” might save Stephanie from the same ordeal.

Of course, happy/chatty Mom continued to make her point. “You, however, chose otherwise, and Romeo is now the happiest little Romeo ever. But because you know how the real addiction starts, you have not allowed him to return the favor more than once or twice. Am I right?”

“Pretty much.” The words peeped out. She hadn’t expected her mother to figure everything out.

“And because you know we can’t get addicted to ourselves; you take care of your own business. But you’ve learned it only helps for a little while, right?”

Stephanie couldn’t answer. From the heat, her cheeks had to be flaming.

“Well, daughter, why do you think I take so many long, hot soaks?”

Surprise made Stephanie glance up. Across the table, Mom matched her gaze. “Really?” asked Stephanie.

“Really. You’ll learn to draw it out and make it more intense. It won’t be close to what Romeo could do for you, but it’s what gets a girl through those long and lonely days.”

With that revelation, they tidied the kitchen and set to cleaning the rest of the house.

After today’s exercise, Stephanie took a long, hot shower, and Mom helped her pick an outfit to wear. Even though her mother still harbored concerns about Jason, she took great pains to ensure Stephanie looked her best. “After all,” Mom said, “we want him to stay focused on you.”

And it was rather nice when she caught Jason’s eyes on her. Almost as pleasant as his touch. It felt “right” to be the center of his attention.

While Stephanie dressed, Mom returned to the day’s post bond survival training. This session covered a worst-case scenario.

“So, our plan has failed. You’re fully bonded to some rich old man, and Romeo is unavailable. There’ll be a time you won’t remember anything of your past. Your entire focus will be on whoever has bonded you. Then one day, you’ll wake and remember bit and pieces. Even if you do nothing about it, those awake times will reoccur and last longer each time. Someday, you’ll be like me and be awake most of the time.”

“What about when you and Yevgeny are…together?” Stephanie felt her cheeks heat with the question.

“Not then, never then. It’s too overwhelming. And afterward …do you remember what we talked about? How you’re susceptible to suggestion?”

“I remember.”

“If I hadn’t read the notes in Yevgeny’s safe, I wouldn’t know about it. Even now, I don’t remember everything. Things feel wrong somehow. There’s something still not right with my memories. I hope it all comes back someday.” Mom glanced at the wall-mounted video display. “It’s almost time to meet Romeo, run next door, and I’ll go take a long hot soak.”

“Stephanie!” Mrs. Thomas smiled and held the door open. “Don’t you look cute today.”

Since she and Mom were almost the same size, Stephanie had access to a lot of clothes, all of which set-off her pale skin and red hair. Today she wore a black watch tartan wrap skirt with a short-sleeved blouse and her usual sneakers. A cold front moved in last night. To block the wind, she’d thrown on one of Jason’s oxford shirts. Her mom chuckled each time she acquired another article of her boyfriend’s clothes.

“My mom said I look like a schoolgirl.”

“Well, that’s appropriate, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am. Can I help with anything?” A basket of green apples sat next to an assortment of baking supplies.

“You’re just in time to learn how to make apple crisp.”

“Miss Stephanie?” Alfred announced from an overhead speaker. “Master Jason is in view.”

Mrs. Thomas smiled and reached for the bowl of crumbles. “Give me the bowl and go meet your beau.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Thomas!” Stephanie untied her apron and slipped into Jason’s shirt. As she opened the back door, the older woman spoke.

“I hope my son knows how lucky he is.”

Pausing, Stephanie turned back. “Thank you, Mrs. Thomas, but I’m lucky to have him.”

***

Jason both loved and hated pep-rallies. Sure, he got excused from social studies—the worst class to have at the end of the day—but stuffing the participating students into the gym was a terrible thing to do. The “Sports Arena” already smelled like unwashed socks. Combine that with a couple hundred kids wearing those dirty socks.

The only bright part at the pep rally was hearing other students refer to Connor O’Sullivan as “Raptor.” As a new student to North Allegheny, he didn’t have any baggage. The bullies and jocks didn’t know if Jason was a big fish or a little fish. The testing began his second week. A football jock, Connor O’Sullivan, the self-declared “greatest wide receiver of all time,” elbowed Jason on his way out of the locker room. Jason knew the drill and pushed back.

Their relationship had gone downhill since. Connor continued pushing, and Jason continued to push back. Disliking bullies, Jason thought to teach the larger kid a lesson. At lunch with a group of math nerds, they discussed the North Allegheny Tigers football team. Jason referred to Connor as “Raptor.” At face value, it sounded like a compliment. After all, raptors were well-known prehistoric carnivores. Then came the next football game, a loss, in which Connor missed several key passes, and the true meaning of Raptor became known. Raptors with their little arms couldn’t catch. The nickname stuck and grew in popularity. The pep-rally had its intended effect, and Jason left school in a fine mood.

Stepping off the school bus, the best part of his day lay ahead. That is, if Steph’s father hadn’t come home again. He took a bare half-dozen steps onto his parents’ driveway when Stephanie stepped into view.

She smiled and waiting until he closed the distance. When he was only a step or two away, she said, “I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.” They’d recently started playing a cooperative role-playing game. Jason was the knight in shining armor, and Stephanie a beautiful and mysterious mage. She was always quick with a fireball or a healing spell. Although he got the impression, she’d be happier if they reversed the roles.

“Let me guess,” he said, “someone stole your sweet roll?”

Laughing at the corny game dialog, they closed the distance. Jason caught Stephanie up and spun her around. He held the best girl in the world in his arms, and everything was perfect.

She held his arm while the walked towards the back of his house. “I missed you,” he said.

“I missed you more,” she said and pulled him down for another kiss. “You don’t know how good you feel.”

It took a few seconds before Jason felt steady enough to continue walking. “If Gene,” it still felt odd referring to her father by his first name, “wasn’t a jerk, you could go to school with me. I’d walk you to your classes, and we’d sneak kisses along the way.”

“In school? Kids kiss in school?”

“They do all kinds of stuff, all over the place.”

“And you do what? Ignore it?”

“It’s creepy to stare. So, yeah, ignore it and keep walking.”

Inside the kitchen, something besides Stephanie smelled great. Mom had something in the oven. While tempted to check and see what it was, sneaking downstairs with Steph seemed a better idea. Mom’s sudden appearance in the hallway door forced a change of plans.

“Hey, you two,” Mom said, clearly knowing his intentions, “no necking until after the homework is finished.”

Jason sighed a heavy teen sigh. It wasn’t fair that Mom could read his mind. Together, he and Steph settled down at the kitchen table.

***

Stephanie picked up his Algebra 2 textbook. To her left, Jason rooted through his backpack and muttered about a missing mechanical pencil. She flipped the textbook open, and an envelope spilled out.

An envelope for homework assignments was something new. Usually, Jason folded the assignment sheet in half and stuffed it between the pages. Whatever, she opened the flap, and that’s when her world went sideways.

The envelope contained a single, folded sheet of paper. The instant Stephanie unfolded the single page, a velvety, musky scent with hints of vanilla wafted out. A part of her brain recognized it as the spoor of a rival.

Jason, I know we don’t talk much, but you make me laugh. The weekend after next is a Girl’s Choice dance, and I choose you. What do you say, wanna kick it?

Caitlin

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Something was wrong with the paper, the more she re-read the words, the blurrier the letters became.

“Stephanie,” Mrs. Thomas asked, her voice soft, “is something wrong?”

Jason brandished his pencil. “Found it!” His mother’s question sunk in, and he craned his neck, trying to read the note.

At the last second, Stephanie decided she didn’t want Jason to read it. Her hands moved with unthinking precision, folding the paper, and returning it to the envelope. She kept the envelope pinched between index finger and thumb.

“Stephanie?” Mrs. Thomas now stood in front of her and handed her a tissue.

“Oh, I’m fine, Mrs. Thomas,” she took the tissue and dabbed her eyes. The lack of emotion in her voice surprising. “Some girl named Caitlin invited Jason to a ‘Girl’s Choice’ dance next Saturday.”

“No way!” Jason asserted.

“What did you do, Jason?” Mrs. Thomas demanded.

“Nothing!” he shouted. A hint of anger made his voice harsh.

“I swear if you hurt Stephanie….”

“I…I hardly talk to Cait, I didn’t know she liked me.” He swiveled in his seat. “Steph, you gotta believe me.”

Stephanie thought she should have felt angry, but all she felt was numb. Even her bond remained mute. Something about the note bugged her, whatever it was, tickled at the edges of her thoughts. The perfume! Something about the perfume’s scent. Then she had it. With understanding came peace. Her hand stopped flipping the envelope back and forth. “I believe you,” she said.

Jason breathed out a huge sigh.

Mrs. Thomas plucked the envelope from Stephanie’s hand and read the note for herself. For the first time, Stephanie saw Jason’s mother as a peer. A boy from her past must have hurt her. “How can you be so sure?” Mrs. Thomas returned the note.

Smiling, Steph lifted Jason’s right hand. “When I kissed him before, he didn’t smell like the invitation.”

“Oh, now that’s smart. Jason, make sure you tell that girl you’re already taken.”

***

The next morning at school, instead of heading directly to his locker, Jason made a detour. He found Caitlin and her friend Elise in the library. Both girls glanced up when he stopped at their table.

The girls exchanged a look before Elise stood. “I’ll catch up with you later.” She gave Jason a knowing smile and left.

Jason took Elise’s chair and sat. “I got your invitation,” he said.

At first, Caitlin seemed to have a hard time looking away from her textbook. Then her vivid blue eyes searched his face, but after she failed to see acceptance, they dropped back down. She said, “Thank you for telling me ‘no’—face to face.”

“Hey, if I didn’t already have a girlfriend, I’d have accepted.”

“Really?” Caitlin’s blue eyes met his again, and this time, she smiled. “Not many guys like gingers.”

“My girlfriend’s hair is a little darker red than yours. She also has freckles, and I think she’s beautiful.”

“She’s lucky.”

“Maybe, but I’m way luckier.” Jason pushed back his chair and stood. “See you later in algebra.” On his way out, Elise passed him, headed back into the library.

***

“Mom, two weekends from now, if Yevgeny isn’t here, I’m going to a dance with Jason.”

“A dance?” Mom glanced up from her book.

“Yes, at his school, Saturday night, week after next.”

“Absolutely not! You know the rules. What if Yevgeny called for you or came home?”

“Then he grounds me for real. It’s not like it’ll make any difference, I’m already as addicted to Jason as possible without—”

“Yes, well, let’s not go there. You don’t want to go through what I did.” Mom sighed and stood. She set the teapot on the stove and fiddled in the cupboard for her tea. Knowing this was part of Mom’s decision-making process, Stephanie remained silent. The water came to a boil, a loaded tea ball was plopped into the pot, and Mom brought everything to the table. “A real high-school dance. Like in the movies?”

“Uh, huh,” Stephanie accepted a cup. The aroma of lemongrass and grapefruit filled the room. She liked this fragrance a lot better than musk.

“Do you know what to wear?”

“Mrs. Thomas said a cocktail dress.”

“Hmm…you know, I may have something you could borrow…”

“Thanks, Mom.” Mother and Daughter sipped their tea. A few minutes passed before Stephanie remembered something else. “Mom, it’s not going to be much longer, is it?”

“No, I don’t think so," Mom grimaced and studied the depths of her tea. "Yevgeny’s callers ask about an auction.”

The next day Stephanie met Jason after school and walked him inside. They sat at the kitchen table. No one mentioned the invitation.

“In algebra today, we covered polynomial division.” Jason flipped to the marked page of his textbook. “It’s pretty cool…” His voice trailed off when he realized Stephanie was giving him “the look.” “What?” he asked.

“Did you tell her?”

“Yes,” he sat back and crossed his arms. “Caitlin already expected me to say no. It seems some guys don’t like redheads.”

“Really?” she asked, wrapping a lock of auburn hair around a finger.

“Something about their cooties, I think. Either that or they steal souls.”

Stephanie grinned. She and Jason had browsed pages of memes. “Aren’t you worried about yours?”

“My cooties and your cooties have mingled too long to have problems now. As for my soul,” Jason picked up Stephanie’s closest hand and kissed her palm, “it’s in good hands.”

When the tingles diminished enough for speech, she took a breath and asked a question. “So, the dance, when are you picking me up?”

“Um…what?”

“The dance, it’s Girls Choice, and I choose you. When are you picking me up?”

***

“So, Stephanie’s still grounded?” Robert Thomas asked. He’d knocked on Jason’s doorframe before entering and sitting on his son’s bed.

Jason spun around on his chair. “Yeah, just another day or two. We’re still up for the dance.”

“Looking forward to it?” Dad had his odd, something’s funny, smile going on.

“I think so.”

“That’s what I expected. Look, son, when it comes to women and fancy parties. If they want to go, smile, and say, ‘Yes, dear.’ Your girlfriend has something to prove, and she’s going to look as good as possible. Your mother and I will do our best to ensure you don’t embarrass her.”

“Okay?”

“So, we’re going suit shopping. Stephanie can’t go with us because her dad’s home. I don’t like how you two sneak around behind his back. The poor man’s always on the road keeping a roof over his family’s heads. He should have a say in how his daughters raised.”

Not liking where his father was taking the one-sided conversation, Jason interrupted, “Mr. Timms has his way when he’s home. Steff’s Mom has her way when he’s gone. ‘Sounds plenty fair to me.”

Dad stopped grumbling and grinned. “Well said, counselor.” At the bedroom door, they paused, “Whatever career you choose, I’ll be proud of you. However, if you choose to become a jurist, I think I’d be especially proud.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Dad paused and waved for Jason to lead the way. “While we’re out, you can buy something for Stephanie. Jewelry is appropriate.”

“What should I buy?”

“Never fear son, your mother will guide us.”

***

An early frost preceded a beautiful western Pennsylvania, Indian Summer. Luckily for Stephanie, the warm evening meant a wrap would provide all the cover she needed.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wear some of my jewelry?” Mom picked an imaginary bit of lint from Stephanie’s dress, then adjusted the drape of the wrap.

“Mrs. Thomas said Jason had something for me.”

“Oh dear, I hope it isn’t an engagement ring.”

Stephanie froze. The idea of an engagement ring had never occurred to her. Part of her wanted to run a victory lap. Another part wanted to hide. Yevgeny would murder everyone. “I think he’s too young for marriage.”

“Is he? Who knows how humans do things, anyway?” The bell for the back door chimed. “He’s here! Have fun, Sweetie.” Mom fussed with Stephanie’s hair one last time and kissed her goodbye.

A pang of uncertainty fluttered through her tummy. Neither Stephanie nor her mother had ever done anything like this. Not that Mom could, Yevgeny’s orders kept her trapped on the property. At most, she sometimes managed to step outside and water the flowers.

Determination brushed the flutters away again. Just this once, she’d have a real date, like human girls did. Besides, she wanted everyone to know that Jason had a girlfriend. All this passed through her mind as she reached for the door and pulled it open.

Jason stood there, other than his eyes popping open, he didn’t move.

“What’s wrong?” Freezing in place was not something Jason did.

“Nothing’s wrong. Wow! Can you turn around, please?”

The heat in Jason’s eyes chased her worries away. Eager for more of his compliments, she spun in place. “Satisfied?” It was a frequent joke between them.

“This isn't fair. You are so beautiful. And hot. And I have to behave.”

With her emotional stability restored, Stephanie stepped away from the door. It closed behind her, casting the porch into partial shadow. Jason’s arms slipped around her waist. As she tilted her head up for his kiss, she said, “We can still misbehave, just don’t mess up my hair.”

They posed for pictures in the Thomas’s living room. Mr. Thomas stood tall, obviously proud of his son. What must it be like to be human and have a dad?

For the hundredth time, she wondered what would happen if she confessed to Jason’s parents. Mrs. Thomas would help. Of this, Stephanie was certain. Mr. Thomas’s reaction was much harder to judge. If he stuck by the law, one phone call to the authorities and they'd deport her and her mother. Mom's biggest fear was a return to Ukraine. Once there, the corrupt State Migration Service would alert her original owner, Pavlo, and that would be very, very bad. To avoid a messy public divorce, Pavlo agreed to “get rid” his mistress. So long as Natali never returned, she and Pavlo’s three daughters were safe.

Before they took the pictures, Jason presented her with a small package wrapped in reflective foil paper.

At his urging, she tore off the foil, revealing a velvet-covered box. Inside she found a necklace.

The necklace was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Its simplicity lent it elegance. A rose gold outline of a heart suspended on a matching rose gold chain. Next to it, hung a smaller solid heart, engraved with a cursive “S,” and inset with a small colorless gemstone.

“It’s a diamond, your birthstone,” he told her.

When he hung it around her neck, Jason whispered that someday he hoped to give her a larger diamond.

And that’s when she began to cry.

Mrs. Thomas took her into the bathroom and helped her clean up. Her concern and curiosity were apparent, but she didn’t pry.

***

Robert Thomas winced as Jason and Stephanie left in his BMW. Sure, it had a full autopilot and would actively avoid an accident, but still. His son was growing up and had scored a knockout girlfriend. Hardly a day passed where he didn’t expect a worried Jason to request a private meeting in the office.

Not that he would mind Stephanie as a daughter-in-law, just not until Jason finished college.

He turned and followed his wife. They’d made plans of their own. An evening alone was nothing to squander. Upstairs, in the master bathroom, Robert reduced the temperature of the water filling their whirlpool tub. “What’s up with Stephanie? It’s a nice enough necklace, but what made her cry?”

“Girls get emotional sometimes. A big event like tonight’s dance can cause a lot of stress.” She leaned past her husband and increased the flow of hot water. “It might even be hormonal.”

As soon as Shirley stepped back to the sink, Robert reached for the tub controls. “I hope it’s hormonal.”

Shirley frowned. “Why is that? Oh, and, Robert, men who expect to get lucky don’t mess with the hot water.”

He held up both hands as if to demonstrate his innocence. Then smirked an impure smile. “If Steffi’s hormonal, then your son hasn’t gotten her pregnant yet.”

“That’s terrible, and it isn’t even biologically correct. Pregnant women can also have mood swings.” Shirley stepped into the tub. “Besides, they haven’t done it yet.”

“How do you know?” He slid into a corner and pulled his wife against him.

“I overheard them talking about it.”

“You just happened to overhear such a delicate discussion?”

“Yes, well, after the tent, I may have snooped a bit more than usual. As a concerned mother, it’s my responsibility. Anyway, they fool around a bit, but Stephanie draws the line at intercourse. She promised her mother to wait. Our son won’t pressure her. He said, and I quote, ‘I can wait until it’s the right time.’”

***

The enormity of tonight’s adventure came back in full, right after Mr. Thomas’s BMW dropped them off at the curb. Everywhere she looked stood something or someone new. The school buildings and the clusters of colorfully dressed kids competed for her attention. Couples of all combinations moved with purpose towards the sports arena entrance. Here and there, groups of kids hung out, like the gang of jersey-wearing football players ahead.

Jason waited while she sorted it out. “Kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?” he asked.

“You’re not kidding.” A deep breath helped to settle the flutters. “Whatever you do, don’t leave me alone.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t ever plan on letting you go. Don’t you know that by now?” With a smile, he extended his arm.

As she and Jason approached, the group of football players openly ogled her. One boy, wearing number eighty-six, stood out. Instead of watching her, he stared at Jason. When eighty-six noticed her noticing him, the boy turned and conferred with a friend. Seconds later, the troupe of jocks huddled up.

Stephanie tightened her grip on Jason’s arm. “Which football player is number eighty-six?”

“Only the greatest wide receiver of all time, Hines Ward.”

“Um, the wide receiver, isn’t he the one who throws the football?”

Jason’s mouth opened, then closed. He stopped walking and turned to her with bright eyes. “I almost fell for that,” he said. “I am so proud of you.”

Since learning of Jason’s absolute passion for football, she’d studied the game. He knew, she knew the difference between a wide receiver and a quarterback. “I’m not talking about ancient history, boyfriend.” She nodded towards the huddle, “That one over there.”

“Oh, him,” they resumed walking, although at a slower pace. “That is Connor O’Sullivan. We call him Raptor. He’s the self-proclaimed greatest receiver in North Allegheny history.”

This time, Stephanie pulled Jason to a stop. “Wait, why is he called Raptor?”

“Okay, so, picture a velociraptor. A totally vicious dinosaur with tiny little arms. They can run like heck, but they can’t catch anything. That’s our Raptor.”

“Well, I don’t think Raptor likes you.”

Just then, the huddle broke. Two football players trotted off towards the gym entrance. The rest spread out to block the path. Connor stood in the middle of the group. His eyes fixed on Jason. “Yo, Brainiac, my little sister says you’re too good for her.”

“Get real, Connor,” Jason gestured towards Stephanie. “I already have a girlfriend.”

This boy disliked Jason. His eyes glowed with anticipated mayhem. A scuff of shoes to the rear caused her to spare a glance. Football jocks filled in behind them. Not for the first time, Stephanie regretted the promises she gave to her mother. If this turned into a fight, she couldn’t do anything to stand out.

Connor shifted his attention to her. The heat in his gaze reminded her of Daniel Smith. Remembering the Smiths put her in a bad place. Stephanie waited. She knew Connor wanted trouble.

“How much?” he asked.

“For what?” she replied politely. C’mon Raptor, spit it out.

“For you. For the night.” His accompanying leer spoke volumes.

Jason opened his mouth to retort, but Stephanie held up a hand, and he stopped.

If Yevgeny hadn’t taken her to Wichita. If her time with Jason wasn’t soon ending. If she were a normal human with a normal life…if. Stephanie searched within herself and failed to find a shred of patience for another sexually aggressive human male.

It was time to pay it forward.

Stephanie pursed her lips as if she considered his question. Connor must have expected her immediate outrage because the boy’s eyes widened a bit. Then with a chuckle, she lowered the boom. “You can’t afford me, but even if you could,” her eyes dropped to below his waist, before flicking back up, “little boys don’t interest me.” The two jocks bracketing Raptor guffawed.

Without feeling any remorse, Stephanie joined in the laughter. Clearly, she bested him. He’d withdraw any second now. Then she and Jason’s date could resume.

Instead, Connor reached for her arm, but his eyes stayed fixed on Jason.

Jason reacted with surprising speed, slapping Connor’s arm aside and stepping between her and the larger boy. Any second now, he’d demonstrate his superior social skills, say something witty, and diffuse the situation.

Connor glanced left as if something of interest lay in that direction. Stephanie saw it for the feint it was. Jason didn’t and turned to look. Grinning with satisfaction, Connor swung a right hook at Jason’s head.

Time sped up, and everyone slowed. Mom once described this effect, warning her it only lasted a minute, and it carried significant side effects.

Stephanie yanked Jason back, and Connor’s meaty fist whooshed past. Connor’s follow up, a left jab blurred in. Jason leaned right but moved too slowly. A well-executed hip-bump pushed him far enough to the side. Clothing rustled from behind, and one of Connor’s cronies lunged to grapple Jason. Trying to make her movements appear unintentional, Stephanie half-stepped to the right and brought the heel of her shoe crashing down onto the blind-side attacker’s instep. After the crunch, she called back, “Oops, sorry.”

Jason, while unskilled at fighting, was game. As Stephanie spun back, his fist flashed out and struck Connor’s nose. A second later, a spray of blood bubbled out when he sunk a left into Raptor’s gut.

A gruff-voiced adult yelled, “What’s going on here?” An older man, with muscles long gone to fat, waded into the circle.

Connor waved a bloody hand at Jason. “Thomas started it, Coach.”

Time returned to normal, and the first side effect, shakes, took hold.

Coach surveyed the scene. Taking in—Stephanie hoped—the large group of football players arrayed against her and Jason. Then she realized this was their football coach. He’d probably side with his team.

“Is that so?” the coach asked. “I suppose Mr. Thomas decided to impress his date by attacking a half-dozen football players?” He turned to Jason. “What do you have to say, Thomas?”

“Raptor insulted my date.”

Connor snarled at the mention of his nickname. “The hell with you, Thomas. I know you started that raptor shit.”

The coach shook his head. “We can’t have fights here. Both of you will have to leave.”

“But—” Jason began. Connor snickered. Ruining his rival’s evening was a win.

“Coach Reinhold?” a soft female voice interjected. The man turned, and a stunning redhead stepped into view. This girl had more curves, and her gorgeous dress emphasized them well. She also had bright blue eyes, a wealth of freckles, and Stephanie instantly hated her.

“My brother started the fight. He bragged about doing something to Jason all day.”

Even the girl's voice was perfect.

“Caitlin, you bitch!” Connor glared at…his sister, Caitlin O’Sullivan? Wheels began turning. The girl who asked Jason out was—

Coach Reinhold turned to Connor. “We’ll discuss this next week. Over the weekend, I’ll consider your future with the team.” The coach grabbed Raptor’s arm and hustled him towards the parking lot.

Connor’s sister turned to Jason, and Stephanie stepped out from behind him.

“Ah, ladies,” Jason said, his face pale. “Stephanie Timms, meet Caitlin O’Sullivan.” Caitlin held out her hand.

At first, Stephanie didn’t budge, then Jason nudged her with his elbow. “Shake her hand,” he hissed and nodded towards Caitlin.

A sudden irritation towards Jason spiked, and Stephanie gave him a look. It might have been harsher than she intended because he stepped back. Then, because she wasn’t a bitch, Stephanie composed herself and turned to Connor’s sister. “Hi, Caitlin, I’m Stephanie. It’s nice to meet you.”

Caitlin’s intelligent blue eyes flicked between Stephanie and the hovering Jason. “Stephanie, I don’t poach boyfriends. When I invited Jason, I didn’t know about you.” Caitlin smiled again and shrugged towards the entrance. “We have a table inside. Sit with us and, Jason can explain why he didn’t tell anyone he has a girlfriend.”

On the way inside, her stomach growled. Uh-oh, the second side-effect. Mom warned her she’d need to eat something right away. “Uh, Jay, I’ll go with Caitlin, can you get us some snacks, I’m really hungry?”

“Sure, I’ll catch up in a minute.” He turned and headed for the refreshment stand.

“Why are you mad at Jason?” asked Caitlin.

“Because he didn’t tell me how beautiful you are.”

“Thanks, but no boyfriend would do that. At least no smart boyfriend would.”

“Hmm,” she said, craning her neck to keep Jason in view, “I’ll make it up to him, it’s not like I can stay away from him for long.”

“It sounds like he’s got you hooked.”

“Well, yeah. Wait, you know about getting addicted to a guy?” Real girls didn't have a loyalty gene, did they?

“Sure! Especially if he’s cute enough and knows how to treat a girl. A boy like that can make you crazy.”

Stephanie glanced back to see Jason on his way, his hands filled with drinks and junk food. Her stomach clenched, Jason caught her watching, and a smile lit his face. Then, just as fast, his smile faded, and his eyes became cautious.

“I got the snacks,” he held up a neoplas tray—Hotdogs, chips, and sugar-filled sodas. Just what a girl needed.

Two hotdogs and a bag of chips later, Stephanie considered sending Jason back for dessert. She settled for finishing his soda instead. With her blood sugar on the rise, normality reasserted itself.

Across the table, Caitlin and her friend Elise stared with something like awe.

Leaning forward, Caitlin asked, “Do you always eat like that? ’cause if I did, I’d be as big as a barn.”

“I don’t gain weight,” Stephanie replied. “I inherited my mom’s metabolism.”

“No offense,” said Elise, “but you are a lucky bitch.”

Caitlin gave Elise a side-eye before turning back. “Steph,” Cait asked, “What did Connor say before the fight started?”

“He wanted to know how much a night with me would cost.”

“Oh, he’s such a jerk! What did you tell him?”

“I told him he couldn’t afford me.”

Caitlin and Elise glanced at each other; mouths open in surprise. “Ooh, I can’t believe you said that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” Stephanie looked from Elise to Caitlin. “There isn’t a boy here who could afford any of us.”

“That’s right,” said Caitlin.

The DJ announced a set of slow songs. Jason stood, looking hopeful, he held out his hand. “Want to give it a try?”

They hit the dance floor for every slow song. When the DJ announced a set of upbeat songs, Jason grabbed a bottle of water, and they found a couple of chairs.

“I wish,” Jason said while circling her knee with a fingertip, “tonight went on forever.” Each swirl of his finger created an equal swirl of tingles.

She scanned the room; the chaperones were busy breaking up another scuffle. “Hey, can you show me what your school looks like?”

The tussle provided enough distraction. Stephanie and Jason slipped out of the gymnasium. Hand in hand, they ran down a short hallway, then up a flight of stairs. He slowed once they made it to the second floor. Halfway down the hall, he stopped at a row of lockers.

“This is mine. I want to show how I make it through the day.” He thumbed the door open and stepped back. Inside, six of her pictures decorated the interior. “Anytime I start to miss you; I come here.”

With perfect timing, the third and final side effect from her adrenaline rush struck home. Stephanie had never been so certain of anything before. This perfect night deserved a perfect memory to highlight everything. Besides, she had a perfectly devilish idea. “Is your math class around here?

“Yeah, down the hall.”

“Show me.”

“Jason?”

“Mmmm…”

“We need a bathroom, or I do, at least.”

“Oh, yeah, there’s one down the hallway.” He stepped back from the desk and held out his hands. She took them, and he pulled her up into and his arms. With her bond sated, his embrace took on a new aspect, warm and exciting, but not at all overwhelming. Hand in hand, they left the room. Two doors away, he stopped and opened a door, but didn’t follow when she entered. “Aren’t you coming in?” she asked.

“What? It’s a girl’s bathroom.”

“You promised to stay with me.”

“Okay,” he grumbled, “but we better not get caught.”

They both made use of the facilities. With the latest change in their relationship, the added familiarity came naturally enough. Even in the dim light, Jason’s blush colored his cheeks.

An exit door at the bottom of the stairs gave them a convenient path to the outside. A brief walk down the sidewalk took them back to the gym entrance. The teacher on guard gave them a raised eyebrow but said nothing.

They rejoined Caitlin and Elise at their table.

Smiling like the cat who ate the canary, Jason held a chair while Stephanie sat. He asked, “If you’re all right here, I’ll get some water.

“And where have you two been?” Caitlin asked.

“We snuck into the school. Jason gave me a tour.”

“No doubt.” Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Did he show you everything?”

The double entendre didn’t go unnoticed, and Stephanie wondered if Caitlin still harbored an interest in Jason. She answered in kind. “He showed me everything I wanted. The tour left me completely satisfied.”

“Really?” Caitlin turned a speculative eye towards Jason at the far end of the basketball court. Then her brows narrowed. “Where at?”

Stephanie realized she liked Caitlin. In another world, they might be friends. But not here and now. Not with Jason between them. Speaking of her boyfriend, he returned with a water bottle. She stood and took his hand. Stephanie lowered her voice and answered Caitlin’s question. “Jason’s math classroom, and we used your desk.” With that little detail taken care of, Stephanie caught up to her boyfriend, and pulled him onto the dance floor. She hadn't felt this good in a long time.

Later, winded and thirsty, they took another break. Steph and Jason returned to the table. Caitlin and Elise were off somewhere. "Jason, earlier, you fought Connor because he insulted me. Why?"

Surprised at the intensity of her question, he replied. "Because you're my girlfriend.”

"My father never did anything to protect my mom."

He said, "What happened to your mother?"

"It…well, a while ago, someone did something mean to her, and Yevgeny just sat there and watched."

"What a jerk. Maybe I should punch your dad."

Once again, the intensity in his words bolstered her love for him. Jason meant every word. That he existed brightened an otherwise terrible world. However, she had to rein him in. All his good intentions couldn’t protect him from Yevgeny. Stephanie said, "You know you can't, if my father finds out about us, he won't let me see you anymore."

"I don't understand, but I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

The current up-tempo dance song ended, and ‘Everything I do’ by Brian Adams began to play. Steph stood and took Jason's hand. "C'mon, it's another slow song!" They stepped back onto the dance floor and moved together in their fragile little universe.