When Christy and Alissa met on the beach last summer, Alissa’s long blond hair had been a point of envy for Christy and half a dozen other girls. Alissa’s gorgeous mane was now cut short. She turned around so Christy could see how cropped it was in the back.
“You like it? It’s the new me. Everything else about me has changed this summer; why not my hair?”
“You look great! I’m so glad to see you. Come on in.” Christy led the way to the plush living room sofa. Before they could sit down, the doorbell rang again.
“I’ll get it,” Bob called out.
Christy knew it would be Rick this time. She felt eager to see him and even more eager to introduce him to Alissa.
Alissa had had a rough year. She had become pregnant and moved away, had a baby girl, and then gave her up for adoption about a month ago. Right after that she had returned to visit California with her mother. That’s when she gave her heart to the Lord. Alissa had changed a lot. Christy wanted her to meet as many Christians as possible, including Rick.
“Hello, ladies,” Rick said, stepping into the living room and eyeing Alissa.
When Christy made the introductions, Rick said, “You’ll have to come down to Escondido sometime.”
“It would have to be tomorrow,” Alissa said. “We’re going back to Boston next week.”
“Why not come with us tonight?” Rick volunteered. “Your parents wouldn’t mind if she stayed overnight, would they, Christy?”
“No, not at all. That really would be fun, Alissa. I was hoping to spend some more time with you before you left.”
“Thanks, but I’ve already got something going on tonight. Doug called, and they’re having some kind of surprise going-away party. That’s why I stopped by. Doug told me you were here, and I thought we could go together.”
“Going-away party?” Rick asked.
“It’s for Todd. He’s leaving tomorrow for Hawaii to go to school or surfing or something. Anyway, Doug is trying to throw a party together, and I told him if it was for Todd, I’d be there. Have you met Todd, Rick? He is the most incredible guy.”
“Yeah, I’ve met Todd, all right. So he’s leaving, huh?” Rick’s grin looked a little too smug for Christy. At the same time, she felt relieved that Rick had heard about Todd this way. It would prove to Rick that she was completely available to be with him. If Rick believed Todd was a part of the past, maybe Christy could believe it too.
“Do you both want to go with me?” Alissa asked.
Rick looked like he was about to answer for them, the way he’d answered Doug last night, when Marti made a grand entrance.
“Actually,” she said, “we have other plans. I’m sure you two girls will be able to get together in Escondido, don’t you think, Christy?”
“Sure. I’ll draw you a map to my house, Alissa. Come anytime tomorrow after church, like around one. Okay?” Christy excused herself to find a piece of paper.
Bob met her at the kitchen doorway with a pad of paper in his hand and a concerned look on his face. “You sure you want to let Todd go just like that? Marti told me about this morning on the beach. Are you sure you don’t want to try to smooth things out? I could entertain Rick if you and Alissa want to go to Doug’s.”
“No, it would only make things worse. It’s better this way. Really. Todd and I will always be friends. I’m dating Rick now, and I wouldn’t want to be rude to him and put him off after he drove all the way up here.” With each word, Christy further believed she was right.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You’ll like Rick once you get to know him. Really.”
“Apparently your aunt is going to see to that. She’s made plans for the four of us to have dinner in Laguna Beach.” Bob handed her the pad of paper, and Christy quickly drew the map.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Don’t thank me,” Bob mumbled. “I’m not sure I’m doing you any favors.”
After all the plans were settled and Alissa said good-bye, Marti turned to Rick. In her sweetest voice, she said, “I hope you don’t mind my making dinner plans for us?”
“Not at all. It was actually very kind of you, Mrs.—”
“Oh, please, call me Marti.”
Right then and there, Christy knew her aunt was smitten by Rick’s charm. Now if only Bob would give his approval.
That was Christy’s hidden goal during dinner. More than once she tried to get Rick onto a topic that sparked an interest in Bob. It proved to be quite a challenge, since Bob seemed to be taking her “breakup” with Todd personally.
The food at the quaint restaurant Marti had picked out on the Pacific Coast Highway was delicious. The atmosphere, with the beach only a few yards away, was delightful, and being with Rick was dreamy.
Marti did everything she could to keep the conversation light and cheery. Christy played along, even though she thought her aunt was acting like she and Christy were friends out on a double date on a summer night.
When Rick finished eating, he leaned back in his chair and rested his arm across the back of Christy’s chair. As the four of them talked, Rick’s warm hand rubbed the back of her neck. Christy loved feeling adored. This was what she’d always dreamed it would be like with a boyfriend.
“How about a stroll?” Marti suggested. “Most of the shops along here are still open. What do you think?”
“Sure. Sounds good to me.” Rick stood and offered Christy his hand.
She felt so secure slipping her hand in his and feeling his strong fingers wrap around hers like a blanket. Rick held her hand firmly during their entire walk, and Christy loved it.
The only time he let go was in a pottery shop when he found a vase.
“Here,” he said, carrying it to the cash register and fishing for his wallet, “you’re going to need this.”
She laughed at his impulsive manner and wondered what he meant. The vase was rather masculine-looking, with black streaks across a dark blue ceramic base. It looked handmade and earthy. She didn’t particularly like it.
Rick’s mysterious statement made sense when they returned to Bob and Marti’s and loaded all her things into the back of Rick’s car. On the front seat a bouquet of red roses awaited her.
“What are these for?” she asked shyly after Rick had started the car.
“For my girlfriend.”
“They’re beautiful,” Christy said, nuzzling her nose into their velvet petals.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you. You look like my red rose tonight. Did I tell you how good you look? I like your hair like that. Not that you should wear it that way all the time, but tonight it looks good. Makes you look older.”
“Does it make me look too much older? I mean, does it make me look like I’m trying to look older?” Christy asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Not at all,” Rick said. “You look just right. I like it when a girl takes the time to make herself look good for her boyfriend. It shows she really cares about him, and she cares about what people will think of him when they see her with him. And the way you look, I’d never be embarrassed for people to see us together.”
I know he meant that as a compliment, but somehow it didn’t sound exactly right. Was he trying to warn me that I should always make sure I look good when we go out? It’s a good thing Marti just made a major contribution to my wardrobe!
Rick reached over and took her hand. She felt close to him, warm and secure. She wanted that feeling to last all evening. She wanted him to hold her hand all the way home.
Driving with one hand, Rick put a CD in the player, and for an hour, mellow saxophone music rolled all around them. They didn’t speak the whole time. They just held hands and let the music lull them. Christy closed her eyes and rested her head against the seat.
So this is what it feels like to have a boyfriend who adores me. I love it. I never knew it could feel this wonderful. Don’t ever end, sweet night. Don’t stop driving, Rick. Don’t stop the music. Don’t ever stop
being my boyfriend.
Rick’s car came to a stop, rousing Christy from her half-dream state.
“Where are we?” She looked around at the darkness outside the car window.
“Look out there.” Rick pointed over the hood of the car. “The beautiful lights of downtown Escondido.”
“I thought we were going to my house,” Christy said, stretching the kink in her neck and trying to hide the nervous feelings creeping into her voice. “We really should get going.”
“Is your neck sore? Here, turn around. I’ll get the knot out.”
Christy turned, and Rick’s strong hands massaged her neck, then her shoulders. She felt herself beginning to relax beneath his touch. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the neck, then again on the cheek. When he turned her face to kiss her on the lips, she pulled away and put up her hands in defense.
“Wait.” It was all she could think to say. “Just wait.”
Rick sat silently waiting, while she collected her thoughts. “What is it, Christy? What’s wrong?” His voice sounded gentle and patient.
“This is coming at me too fast, that’s all. I’m just not ready for this.”
Rick let out a low chuckle. “Ready for what? I was only going to kiss you. Honest.”
Christy remained on guard, with her back pressed against the passenger door, frantically trying to evaluate her colliding emotions.
“Hey,” Rick said, “don’t look so frightened. It’s only me, remember? Your boyfriend. I’m not going to hurt you. Come here.” He opened his arms and drew her to him in a gentle hug.
His hand stroked the back of her hair, and in her ear, he whispered, “You smell so good. You feel so good in my arms. Do you know how long I’ve waited to hold you like this?”
He tilted up her chin, and this time she let him kiss her. As soon as he did, the panic feeling in the pit of her stomach returned.
She pulled away, more slowly this time.
“I’m sorry, Rick. I’m not feeling well. My stomach kind of hurts, and well, I’m just not ready for all of this.”
Rick pulled back and let out a huge puff of air. Folding his arms across his chest, he said, “It’s that surfer guy, isn’t it?”
“No.” Christy shook her head and looked Rick in the eye. “Todd and I were never like this. I told you. He and I were very close friends. That’s all. You’re my first real boyfriend, and well, maybe I don’t know how to act like the perfect girlfriend. But if you take it slow and give me a chance, I’m sure I’ll get used to all these feelings rumbling around inside my stomach right now.”
“So,” Rick said with a slow grin returning to his face, “I make you sick to your stomach, do I?”
Christy let her smile return. “You know what I mean.”
He reached over, grasped her hand, and squeezed it. All her fearful, overpowering feelings gave way to the more comfortable, warm, close feelings.
“Come on, Killer. I’ll take you home.”
Several minutes later, when Rick and Christy pulled up in front of her house, Christy wondered what time it was and if her parents were still up. Rick carried her luggage and extra shopping bags to the front door, while all Christy carried was her purse, her bouquet, and her new vase.
The minute they stepped on the porch, the front door swung open, and Christy’s dad stood behind the screen door looking like a grizzly bear. He didn’t say a word, only opened the screen door and grabbed Christy’s suitcase out of Rick’s hand.
“Well, good night, Christy,” Rick said quickly. “Good night, Mr. Miller.” Then he vanished, leaving Christy to face her parents alone.
She stepped inside, her bouquet cradled in one arm, the ceramic vase in the other. “I’ll put these in water,” she said, feeling her mother’s glare following her into the kitchen.
11:47 blazed out from the digital clock on the microwave.
It can’t be that late! No wonder my parents are in a nuclear meltdown! I’m supposed to be home by ten o’clock except for special occasions. If I explain carefully, maybe they’ll consider this a special occasion. Then again, maybe I’m in big trouble.
Haphazardly cramming the roses into the vase, Christy decided to leave them on the kitchen counter. Plopping them in the middle of the kitchen table would not add a festive touch.
With cautious steps, she returned to the living room and sat on the couch at the opposite end from her mother. This was not Bob and Marti’s, where she could excuse herself and retreat to her room. She was about to receive the lecture of her life.
Mom went into the kitchen; Christy could hear her making coffee. Apparently, this was going to be a long night.
Alone in the living room with her dad, Christy broke the ice by asking, “Did Uncle Bob call to tell you Rick was bringing me home?”
“No. I called him several times.” Dad’s voice had a low growl to it that caused Christy’s heart to beat faster. “I finally reached him at ten o’clock. He said you’d been out to dinner and that you left his house around nine-thirty. It is now almost midnight. Where have you been?”
“We stopped for a while and talked. Then Rick brought me home. We didn’t stop for long.”
“Just talked?” Dad’s face was beginning to turn a shade of red that clashed with his red hair.
Mom stepped in just then and delivered a steaming cup of coffee to Dad. With a concerned look, Mom said, “Christina, we had absolutely no idea where you were. I had dinner prepared here for Bob and Marti, and when you didn’t show up, and no one called us, and no one answered the phone there …” Mom choked up. “We thought the worst. Do you have any idea what you put your father and me through tonight?”
Christy lowered her head. “No. I’m sorry. I thought Bob called you.”
“You should have called us,” Dad said. “Just because you’re old enough to date doesn’t mean you can take off anytime you want with anybody you want! You still have to ask us before you go out or make arrangements to do things. Is that understood?”
“Yes.”
Dad drew in a deep, steamy sip of coffee before coming down hard. “You want freedom. You want to drive the car whenever you want. You want to date whomever you want, and you want to wear whatever you want. If you want freedom, then you have to show your mother and me that you are responsible.”
Christy glanced at her round-faced mother, who gave her a stern look and quietly went back to drinking her coffee.
“First, you drove the car to your babysitting job three days last week, and when your mother went to the grocery store today, she nearly ran out of gas. When you drive the car, you are responsible to fill it with gas.”
“But that job ended last week,” Christy reasoned. “I’ve already spent the little I made, and when school starts next week, I won’t have any money for gas.”
“Yes, you will. You’re going to find a job. Your mother and I talked about it, and if you want to drive the car, you need to find a job that will provide you with at least enough for gas money each week.
“Second,” he continued without leaving any space for Christy to protest, “you will have to have approval from your mother or me before you go on any more dates. You’ll have to tell us where you are going; you must be home by ten o’clock, even on weekends; and we must approve of the boy you’re going out with. Understand?”
“Yes,” Christy answered, relieved that he hadn’t taken away her privilege to date. She and Rick could be home by ten if they started out early enough. It really wouldn’t change a thing.
“Next, where did you get that outfit? Those are not the kind of jeans I want my daughter wearing.”
“But they’re brand new. Marti just bought them for me today. They’re in style, Dad.”
“Fine. If everyone is wearing them, you’ll have no trouble giving away yours. You are not wearing them. Is that clear?”
Christy nodded and looked down at her jeans, thinking of how a few hours earlier she had felt like a model in this trendy outfit. Now she felt ridi
culous. It was one thing for Rick to notice her outfits and another for her dad to.
“Final point is, you’re grounded for two weeks for your irresponsibility tonight.”
“Norm?” Mom said softly. “I thought we decided on one week.”
He tilted his coffee mug up for one last swig. “Any girl who comes home dressed like that needs two weeks’ restriction.”
Mom looked down at her coffee mug, which Christy knew meant her mom wouldn’t press the issue anymore.
“We love you, Christy,” Dad concluded. “You know that. But we can’t say we’re real happy with the choices you seem to be making lately. We care about you too much to let you toss away your virtue so easily.”
His last line, “toss away your virtue,” haunted Christy through her long and fitful night of sleep.
What does he mean by virtue? Does he think I’m doing something wrong with Rick? Or that my clothes aren’t modest enough? I’m totally conservative compared to my friends. He’d die if he saw some of their outfits! Just what is virtue, and how am I tossing it away?
The next day when Christy’s family arrived home from church, Rick called to apologize for not meeting her at the service. He said his family had taken him out to brunch as a farewell before college. Christy quickly explained she was on restriction and needed to get off the phone.
“That stinks! What am I supposed to do for the next two weekends?” Rick grumbled. “I’m coming over. I’m going to talk your dad out of it.”
“No, Rick, don’t. You don’t know my dad. You’ll only make it worse.”
“Christy?” Mom called from the kitchen. “I need your help with lunch.”
“I have to go, Rick. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later.”
“When? If I can’t call you or see you, how am I going to talk to you?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry. I need to hang up. We’ll figure out something. It’ll work out. You’ll see.”
“Yeah, I’ll work it out. Don’t you worry about anything, Christy. I’ll work it out.”
About ten minutes later, as they were sitting down to a lunch of tuna melts and coleslaw, Rick showed up at the front door. Since it was so hot, the front door was open, and they could all see him standing by the screen door.