“They’re nice, though.”
“I’d rather have a real one, but I had to get rid of my girl, Cinnamon, after Mom died. There’s just not enough time or money to make it practical. I get my fix with Sheila’s babies.”
“You know, you’re cute.” I leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, my hands digging into the fluffy comforter on her bed.
“You know, you’re cute, too.” Her lips travelled down my neck, and my whole body tingled.
We could hear a loud cough from down the hall and the clink of glass made by Russ grabbing another beer. “How does he know?” She glared at me. “We weren’t even making any noise. It’s like a sixth sense with him.”
We smirked our way back to the living room, and Russ was back in his chair, giving the appearance of full concentration on the game.
I took my seat, and Jodie foisted her feet into my lap. I snuck a few glances at Russ, but he didn’t seem to care. I never know how to behave around parents other than my mom, so I just act like they’re one of my teachers. I guess someday I’ll have to mature beyond that, but I’ve never really been in a long term relationship other than Ton-Ton, and there was no need to meet her parents.
We settled into the game, talked a little afterwards, and Jodie walked me out to my car.
“How’d I do? Am I in the Circle of Trust?”
“Crap, he’s not like that.” She laughed. “No, this was about how Dad did. I think he did okay. You?”
“Yeah, he was fine. Did I miss anything?”
“There were a few things. Like he never concentrates that hard on a game ever, but I think you two will get along great.”
“Cool.” I stood next to my car, not wanting to get in and leave.
“I want to ravage you, right here, right now.” She gently pushed me against the car and kissed me.
“I’m okay with that.” I slid my hands into her back pockets.
“But we should wait, huh?”
“That’s what you keep saying.”
“Ugh. The way your eyes shine like that, and your cute little mouth.” She pinched my face like a crazy aunt, then pulled away. “I want it to be like … I want you to know the real me.”
“Well, unless you’re wearing a mask or skin suit, I think I know the real you pretty well.”
“Just a little while longer?”
“Okay. Wait, this isn’t some chastity promise is it?”
“Oh, God, no. It’s just things change after sex. Good and bad. I don’t know. There will come a time when I won’t be able to say no. I’m enjoying where we are now.”
“Still …” I pleaded.
“I know!” She kissed me again and physically moved me, opened the car door, and pushed me towards the seat. “Dude, you better go.”
April 20, 2013
This morning I got up super early to take care of the basics around the farm and get ready for everybody.
When I was talking to Liv a couple of weeks ago, I casually mentioned that it was time to start planting my dad’s raised bed gardens, or at least get them ready for planting. She latched on immediately, like a dog with a bone, and declared that as my best friend she would provide all the plants. Since she and her fiancé, Nate, bought their first house together, she rides her bike past a nursery every day on the way to BSU. Just before we talked she had gone in and spent an hour looking at rows and rows of plants and trees, dying to bring them all home. When she shared her lust for lawn improvements with Nate, they came to a somewhat mutual decision to pick out a few rose bushes now, but to leave any giant projects until next year. With the new house, Liv has become obsessed with all projects DIY, or DIYN (Do-It-Yourself-Nate, as he calls it). As soon as I said “raised beds”, she knew she had an escape clause to her agreement with Nate. After all, they would be promoting local farming AND would save money at the co-op by getting veggies back from me. Nate saw through this logic, of course, but he was smart enough to seize an opportunity to deflect from even more DIYN projects. I read Liv a list of possible plants from my dad’s notebook.
Brassicas - cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale
Some lettuces - not too early
Spinach
Asparagus - perennial, takes three years to harvest
From seed - Beets, peas (bush beans are harder to gauge)
* Wait until Squaw Butte is clear before planting warm weather crops (see Tomato page)
Who knew it was Brussels Sprouts, plural? Not me, that’s who. Also, Dad drew up a tomato page, with ideas on where and how to plant them. I looked out, and Squaw Butte, a truly deplorable name, still has a ring of snow around it. Liv jotted all these things down, cleared Saturday with Nate, and we were all set. Jodie happened to have the day off, and both Elliot and Sheila mentioned they might drop by. It was turning into quite the get-together.
Jodie was the first to arrive at 8:30, with a kiss and coffee. Minutes later, Liv and Nate pulled up with the back of their SUV looking like a rainforest. They probably spent more than their vegetable budget for the next three years at the nursery.
“Here’s the seed, Madame,” Nate
