“Right. And since I’m your only next-door neighbor girl…”
He grinned. “Exactly.”
I was always happy to see him, but there was a bit of consternation behind my smile.
“We have pizza, cake, and ice cream.”
“The three food groups.”
#lookinmybriefs

A moment of maturity hit. There would not be many of them while I was fifteen, but there would be more than before. I pressed “send.”
His reply was swift.
Always. Gotta get back to work.
I was tempted to text, I love you, but I didn't.” He didn’t need the distraction. #lookinmybriefs #contemporary

I’m sorry
Tears leaked again. I texted back
Me too. Thank you for the locket. I love it.
My cell dinged.
Glad you liked it.
On impulse I typed Forgive me, and then I stared at the letters. #lookinmybriefs

If I want spending money, I have to earn it myself.
I fell on my bed, face down, and began to sob. I cried for a while and then I lay there, clutching the locket to my heart. My cell dinged. I started to ignore it, but sudden hope had me snatching it. It was a text from him.
#lookinmybriefs

I stared at the black cloth sack for a long moment, and then I took it to my room. From the sack I removed a small box covered in velvet. From the box I removed a heart shaped locket encrusted with diamond chips. Emotions surged through me as I remembered Rickie’s words. #lookinmybriefs #shortstory

“Oh.” It was the only thing I could think to say.
“By the way, Rickie stopped by after you left. The sack on the table is for you. Birthday present I guess.”
I rose slowly, trying to process what he had said, trying to fit the pieces of the night together. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

“Sixteen was a much better year. By then I had several friends who could drive or who had friends that drove. I got out of the house a lot more. Seventeen was even better, because I knew it was my last year in high school. The future seemed a lot closer.” #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

When a commercial interrupted the game, he muted the teevee and asked, “How was your day?”
“Shitty.”
Ignoring my language he said, “I remember fifteen as a tough year. I hated being close to freedom but not having it. I knew I was a lot more mature than I had been at fourteen." #lookinmybriefs

My dad was in the living room watching a pre-season football game. There was a paper sack on the table and the remains of a sandwich on a plate. He must have made his lunch for tomorrow. I grabbed a soda from the fridge, and joined him on the couch. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

He released me.
“Okay, you’ve had your birthday kiss. Did you like it? Now get out. I have to get back to work.”
Hastily I exited the vehicle, slammed the door with all my strength, and watched with moist eyes as he drove away.
#lookinmybriefs

He was rough, forcing his tongue into my oral cavity, seeking, exploring. I moaned, a sound containing surprise, protest, and desire. He palmed my breast and then tweaked a nipple with his thumb and finger. He released me.
“Okay, you’ve had your birthday kiss." #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #shortstory

“Go on. I have to get back to work.”
“What about my birthday kiss? Don’t you want to French me?”
My words were a taunt, but they were barely out of my mouth before he flung his arm around my head, pulled me tight against his chest, and mashed my lips against his. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays

Rickie sneaked a glance and then another. I didn’t care, because it felt like I was teasing him, and I liked the idea. I slid down farther, lifted a foot, and planted it on his dash. I knew he didn’t like that.
“Want to see them?” I asked.
He feigned innocence. “What?”
#lookinmybriefs #contemporary

"I need my job. My mother and the government pay my tuition and room and board, but if I want spending money, I have to earn it myself.”
God, I couldn’t believe he was focused on money. What about focusing on me and my problems? #lookinmybriefs

“I had to take off from work.” His voice and temper were rising.
“So what?” What was wrong with him? Didn’t he understand? My faint annoyance was becoming irritation.
“My boss doesn’t like me taking off from work in the middle of the shift." #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary #shortstory

“You called me because you were bored? I thought you were in trouble. I thought this was an emergency.”
“It was an emergency. I was stuck with a bunch of boring asshole people. They wouldn’t even let me and Cybil go down to the basement and watch the X-rated movie. Assholes.”
#lookinmybriefs

He started the car and pulled away from the curb.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean, ‘nothing’? Why did you need me to pick you up?”
“I was bored, and I didn’t have a ride. Cybil’s date didn’t want to leave yet.”
He was silent for a minute. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary

“Do you need help?” His face was a study in worry.
“No.”
Back in the car, he asked, “Do you need me to drive you to…?” His voice fell away awkwardly, and then he added, “Like a hospital?”
“No.” I was faintly annoyed that he didn’t think I could take care of myself.
#lookinmybriefs #contemporary

It was breezy, but I had a windbreaker. I waited on the sidewalk, listening to the noise from inside the house. A faint smell of marijuana drifted out. In exactly twenty minutes, Rickie Baines pulled to the curb. He was out of the car, before I could open the door. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays

Fifteenth Birthday

I was sniffling. “Can you come get me?”
Sudden alarm filled his voice. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, but I need you to pick me up.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
I wore a thin pink t-shirt and little white shorts. #lookinmybriefs #birthdays #contemporary #shortstory