***
I stood in front of the upstairs bathroom mirror now brushing my teeth. I was wearing my boxer shorts and a towel which was wrapped around my waist. My wet bathing suit was lying in a clump behind me in the tub. AJ, now wearing a pajama shorts outfit, was standing in the doorway staring at me with a strange look on her face like she wanted something. It was making me edgy and I was doing my best to ignore her as I rinsed my mouth out. Finally, I looked over at her and said, "Goodnight, AJ. I'll see you in the morning."
She nodded her head and followed me as I made my way into Shannon's bedroom. Then she closed the door behind her. Near the bed I turned around and asked, "Why are you in here? It's time to go to bed."
She held her arms open and replied, "But you haven't given me my goodnight hug!"
"Eh? You want me to give you a goodnight hug?"
"Yes. Don't you hug your mom goodnight before you go to sleep?"
"I use to when I was younger, but that was a long time ago."
"Well, goodnight hugs are a tradition in our family and I'd like one before I go to bed."
I stood there at the foot of the bed teetering from fatigue while staring at her mystified.
"It's okay, silly," she remarked while grinning. "I just want a hug. I'm not going to bite you!"
"Okay," I conceded, too bushed to argue with her about it. I held my arms open and she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck. At the same time she jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist! Her weight and momentum forced me to fall back onto the bed where she quickly straddled me while giggling!
"AJ!" I tried to cry out in protest, but no words were audible because before I had a chance to speak, her mouth was instantly on mine—kissing me passionately! Up to this point in my life I had never been kissed by a girl. There was a sudden, overwhelming feeling of euphoria as I held Amber-Joy in my arms—her lips fervent on mine. It had taken over my mind and body. My hormones were running wild and enjoying their new found freedom. I had a choice to try and corral them in or run with them. Running was easier, and I began returning her kisses as our passion increased in intensity. Just as it was progressing to the next level my conscience shouted to me. Stop! What do you think you're doing? Do you want to get this girl pregnant? Are you trying to follow in your father's footsteps?
No, I answered back in between kisses.
Then stop! NOW!
I knew I did not want to get AJ pregnant and as I gazed into her face, I saw someone whom I knew would make a great friend. Now forcing my body to submit, I stopped kissing her and I also restrained her from kissing me. My angry hormones raged in protest and I was about to re-consider my decision when three loud raps on the bedroom door helped convince me of the gravity of my situation. In a panic, I threw AJ off of me toward the other side of the bed. The adrenaline enhanced force of my toss was too much however, and I saw with horror that she was going to land beyond the bed and onto the floor! I heard her exclaim, "Whoa!" and I watched in amazement as her gymnastics training kicked in. With cat-like reflexes and split-second timing, she rapidly spun her body in midair while reaching out to grab the edge of the bed sheets with her body slamming into the side of the mattress just as Mrs. Muller came striding into the room!
Glaring at me and then at AJ, Stacy exclaimed, "Amber-Joy Ingrid Muller, you get into your room and into your bed, right now!"
AJ scurried off to her room and as she was passing behind her mother she quickly turned and gave me one of those cute, feminine hand waves while flashing a big grin. Then she exited out the door. I could see from the expression on Mrs. Muller's face that she was furious!
"You listen to me, young man!" she admonished. "If you want to stay in my house then you'd better keep your hands, your mouth, and every other part of your body to yourself! Do I make myself clear?"
"Ah, yes, ma'am," I nervously and humbly answered. "And I am truly sorry for what just happened here. I—" but she ignored me and strode off in the direction of AJ's room. I could hear muffled voices coming from through the door. I was still feeling completely exhausted but I was curious, too, and I was reaching that point where you get so tired you can't fall asleep. I walked over to my door and cracked it open.
"What were you doing in there alone with him?" I heard Mrs. Muller interrogate AJ through her closed bedroom door.
"We weren't doing anything but talking. Honest!"
"AJ!"
"Okay, mom, we were… kissing—but nothing else. I swear! I'm really telling you the truth now!"
"That's it! He's leaving tomorrow, no matter what! I'm not going to let some strange boy come in here and try and take advantage of my daughters!"
"No, mom, please don't! Don't make him leave. He's really a nice guy." After a slight pause she said, "It's my fault mom. I… I started it. Please don't blame him. It was entirely my fault and he even tried to stop me. He really did! I'm sorry, mom. I'm really sorry."
After another pause Mrs. Muller asked, "How could you, AJ? After all the instruction I've given you and your sister about how to act around boys, this is how you behave when we have a guest staying with us? I don't want to see or hear that the two of you were alone behind closed doors ever again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mom, I understand," replied AJ, dejectedly. "But I am sorry, mom."
I quickly shut my door. I slowly shook my head in bewilderment as I walked back to the bed while fingering the key on the chain around my neck. Next, I went over to the window shades and closed them tight. Then back to the bed where I crawled under the covers. Sleep was slow to come. I kept thinking about the day's events while repeatedly replaying them in my mind. I turned over on my side and finally dozed off—exhaustion finally running its course.