Tread Softly

It was bad enough, what happened to Mom and Rose, but Karen and then Benny and then you…'

'It's looking kind of hairy, isn't it.'

'Maybe we should stay here.'

Julie grinned. 'Scared to be out with me?'

'Naw.' He stepped up beside her as they cut across the front lawn.

Julie spotted the red Mustang at the curb. Her eyebrows raised. 'Not too shabby.'

He opened the passenger door for Julie, then went to the other side and climbed in. The heat inside the closed-up car was stifling. He turned the ignition. As the engine kicked over with a throaty grumble, he pressed switches to lower the windows. It didn't help much until he pulled away from the curb. Then a mild breeze came in, pushing the hot air out. He glanced at Julie. She was fastening her safety harness, her head turned down, her golden hair blowing slightly.

'You sure look nice,' he said.

The buckle snapped into place. She raised her head and smiled. 'Thank you. So do you. We sort of match.'

'Yeah.' His yellow knit shirt was not as bright as her blouse, his slacks a lighter shade of green than her skirt. His gaze lingered on her knees.

'You'd better watch where you're going,' she said.

'Where am I going? You'd better give me directions.'

'You want to make a left at the next stop sign.'

He followed her instructions, but couldn't stop himself from stealing glances as he drove. All through dinner, he'd been astonished by her appearance. Even now, he couldn't get over how different she looked in a skirt. He'd seen her in shorts, he'd seen her in a bikini, but somehow the skirt transformed her, made her seem softer, more mysterious and exciting. The way it draped her thighs. The way it left her knees bare.

'Go right, up here at Ventura,' she said.

Nick made the turn.

Except for giving directions, Julie remained silent. Her hands lay open and motionless on her legs. She seemed a little tense. Nick wished he weren't so nervous himself. Ever since their phone conversation last night, he'd been looking forward to this with a mixture of eagerness and dread.

Our first date.

What if something goes wrong? What if something doesn't go wrong?

The way she looked in her skirt was no help at all.

At least he didn't have to worry about taking her someplace after the movies. That was a relief. A disappointment. If only he'd known last night, he might've been saved the fevered tossing and turning in bed as his mind spun images of him and Julie parked on a dark road kissing, embracing, fumbling under clothes for hidden flesh. There would be none of that tonight after all.

Maybe it wouldn't have happened anyway.

At any rate, he should be able to relax and enjoy the evening more, knowing he had no choice but to take her straight home after the movies.

'There it is,' Julie said. 'If you make a left at the next light, there's a big parking lot behind the theater.'

'Okay.'

She looked at him strangely. 'Are you all right?'

'What do you mean?'

'Is something the matter?'

'No, I'm fine. How about you?'

'I don't feel so hot, as a matter of fact.'

He signaled, and made the turn. 'What's wrong? Should we go back?'

'That wouldn't help.'

'Are you sick?'

She didn't answer. Nick swung into the lot, pulled to a stop in a parking space, and frowned at Julie. 'What's wrong?'

'I asked you first.'

'I'm fine. Well, maybe a little nervous.'

'About the curse?'

He shook his head. He had a tight feeling in his throat. 'No. Just about. going out with you. I mean, this is our first time really being together, you know? It feels a little strange.'

'Is that all that's bothering you?'

'I think so.'

'Well.' She unfastened her buckle and pushed the harness aside. 'I'm a little nervous, too. But you know what'll make it all better?' Reaching out, she curled a hand behind his neck and drew him closer. They kissed. Her lips were parted and moist, brushing against his mouth, then pressing firmly. Her other hand rubbed his chest, moved lower, caressed his belly, dropped to his left thigh. She kneaded his leg, squeezed and stroked it as if unaware of the way her wrist sometimes pushed against his groin. Then the hand went away. The lips went away. She stared into his eyes. 'Feel better?' she asked.

'Are you kidding?'

'Not so nervous anymore?'

'I feel great.'

'Me, too. Let's see the movie.'

Outside the car, he took Julie's hand. They walked together through the early evening sunlight. The kiss had worked, just as she'd said it would. It had ended the strangeness, made their closeness real again. Nick felt relaxed and fine. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand to buy the tickets. Though the films were R-rated, the girl in the booth didn't question their ages.

'Would you like popcorn?' Nick asked as they entered the air-conditioned lobby.

'Not right now. I'm stuffed.'

'Me, too. Maybe at intermission.'

Julie smiled strangely, as if she knew something he didn't. 'Maybe,' she said.

The theater wasn't crowded. They chose seats near the center with no one to block their view. When the lights darkened, Julie leaned closer to Nick. She smiled, and nudged his elbow off the armrest. 'Pushy,' he whispered.

'That's me.'

He stared at the screen. An ad for the Los Angeles Times was showing. His arm, pressed by Julie's shoulder, hung down across his leg. It felt awkward and useless. His nervousness came back. He should put the arm around Julie.

Come on, what're you waiting for?

He felt quivery and dry-mouthed.

The title of the feature film, Getting It, appeared over a scene of teenaged girls playing basketball in a school gymnasium. As the credits finished, the teacher blasted her whistle and the girls ran for the locker room.

Come on, arm! Now!

He couldn't force himself to lift it.

On the screen, the girls were trotting into the locker room, their shouts and giggles echoing.

'You oughta go for this,' Julie whispered.

Her voice took away the worry. He put his arm across her shoulders. Amazing how easy it was. He let out a trembling breath as she snuggled against him. Why had he even hesitated? Well, it didn't matter now. He caressed her shoulder, making the fabric slide over the smoothness of her skin, the narrow band of her bra strap.

Some of the girls were showering now. The camera gave glimpses of their nudity. Then three boys rushed into the shower room, whooping and hollering, wearing only jockstraps. While most of the girls screamed, a slim attractive blonde laughed and attacked. She tackled a chubby guy. His friends fled. Other girls joined in. By the time he made his escape, the main girl was waving his jockstrap like a flag.