Remembering You

  “Mom, no, I’m going out with Sam tonight and you knew that.”

  “It’s not open for discussion. You’re going.”

  “I’m not going, and I don’t care what you say. I already made plans, and I’m not cancelling them.”

  Zoey got up from the table. “Mom, just forget it. If she wants to go out with the grease monkey, then let her. I don’t want her at dinner anyway.”

  The furnace inside me lit up and my skin started to burn; nobody called Sam a grease monkey and got away with it. I balled my left fist and, before I knew it, I pushed Zoey to the ground and socked her right in the cheek. Corinne ran over and grabbed me off of her.

  “What the hell is the matter with you, Claire? Oh my God.”

  “I’m sick of her, and I’m sick of you always taking her side.” I looked down at Zoey, who was holding her cheek and crying. “And, as for you, don’t you ever call Sam a grease monkey again, you stupid skanky bitch.”

  I tore through the kitchen and up the stairs to my room, slamming the door. Oh boy, was I in trouble now, but I didn’t care. It felt good to punch Zoey and tell her off. Only a few more months of this hell and I was off to college, and I didn’t plan on ever coming back. I sat on my bed, waiting for Hurricane Corinne to blow through, but she never did.

  A while later, Harry came knocking on my door, asking if he could come in. I opened the door for him and waved him in.

  “Corinne sent you to do her dirty work?” I asked.

  “No. Your mother is very upset. What you did to Zoey, I didn’t think you had it in you.” He smiled.

  He sat on the edge of my bed and patted it for me to sit down. “Claire, I get how much this boy means to you. I can see it on your face and in your eyes, and what your mother and sister are doing is wrong, and I will talk to them, but I need you to do something for me.”

  I looked at the pain in his eyes. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I need you to go and apologize to your sister and mother.”

  I quickly stood up. “You want me to apologize for them calling the boy I like a grease monkey? Are you kidding me, Dad?”

  “Claire, you are the better person and you know it. Please, just do it for me,” he begged.

  I took in a deep breath and clenched my jaw. “Fine, I’ll apologize, but let me tell you something, I wish I was never born into this family. I love you, Dad, but when I leave for college, I’m never coming back.”

  “Don’t say that, Claire. You’re upset right now.”

  I threw open the door and went to Corinne’s room, where she was putting ice on Zoey’s cheek. “I’m sorry I hit you, Zoey. It was wrong and I will never do it again.”

  “Get out of here!” she screamed.

  I walked out and shut the door. The bruise on her cheek was noticeable. Oh well, she deserved it.

  ****

  As soon as I saw Sam’s car coming up the drive, I ran outside and waited for him to pull up. I didn’t even give him a chance to get out and open the door for me. I instantly climbed in and hugged him.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “I’m just happy to see you.”

  “I’m happy to see you too.” He smiled and then drove down the driveway.

  I told him what happened with Zoey, but I didn’t tell him what she said.

  “Remind me never to piss you off.” He chuckled.

  We drove to the beach and Sam pulled a picnic basket from the back seat. He opened my door and took my hand to help me out.

  “I thought we could have dinner while watching the sunset.”

  Tears started to sting my eyes, for no one had ever done something so special for me before. He took my hand and we walked down towards the water. We found a spot that we liked and I helped him set a large blanket down on the sand. I sat down on the blanket and watched as the waves lapped to the shore. The air was warm and there wasn’t a trace of wind. It was the perfect night to watch the sunset in Newport Beach. Sam opened the basket and pulled out several submarine sandwiches, five different bags of chips, and four bottles of Coke.

  “Wow, are you planning on feeding an army?”

  “I wasn’t sure what kind of sandwiches you liked, so I got a variety; same with the chips.”

  I smiled at him and sighed. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him towards me as I softly kissed his lips.

  “What’s that for?” Sam smiled.

  I grinned as I gently nipped his bottom lip. “Just for being you and nothing more.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. We sat on the blanket, ate our subs and chips, and drank our Coke while we talked about life. After we finished eating, Sam laid down and pulled me close to him, so that I was lying in his arms. We watched the sunset over the ocean. It was beautiful, but not as beautiful as that moment that I was lying wrapped up in him. We looked at each other as our lips met and our tongues started to tango. He rolled so he was hovering over me, his beautiful eyes staring into mine, as if he wanted to devour me. He started to kiss my neck, and as I started to moan, he moved to my lips. My hands moved up and down his back as I pulled him in tighter, feeling his erection. His hands rubbed up and down my hips and slowly moved to my breasts. He let out low groans that made me want more of him. My insides started burning with desire and the ache below was on fire.

  “Sam, I want you to make love to me.”

  He stopped and looked at me. “Claire, are you sure? You need to be sure; it’s a big step.”

  “I’m positive. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. I saved myself for you, I know that.”

  He smiled and kissed me again. “I don’t want your first time to be here; you need to be comfortable. My mom is working a double tonight, so we can go to my house.”

  We got up, packed up the basket and blanket, and drove to his house in Santa Ana. Was it too soon to have sex since I’d only known him a few days? In most cases, yes, and I never would have slept with a guy on the second date. But with Sam, it was different. He was different because when I was with him, I felt like I’d known him forever. We connected in ways and on levels that I never could’ve imagined. We were born for each other.

  ****

  His house was small, only two bedrooms, but cute and comfortable. The outside was beige vinyl siding with white trim and, off to the side, his mom had planted an array of flowers. It was very pretty and it felt like a home. Not a status place where you invite friends over to show off your money, and certainly not a home where you compete with other elites to have the bigger and better home. We stepped inside the house and Sam flicked the light switch. The house was immaculate. It consisted of a small living room with a couch, chair, and TV, a kitchen with a small round table with two chairs, a bathroom, and two bedrooms. Sam took my hand and kissed my knuckles where bruises were left from Zoey’s face. He led me to his bedroom and shut the door. He slowly took off his shirt and unbuttoned his pants. He walked towards me and kissed me softly while stroking my hair.

  “I promise to be careful and not hurt you,” he whispered. “If you’re uncomfortable and want to stop, we will. I want this to be a great experience for you.”

  “Thank you. But don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

  He pulled my shirt over my head and moved his hands over my bra. He kissed me softly, starting from my ear and down my neck to my throat. I groaned and threw my head back. He took his fingers and slowly undid my bra, letting it fall to the floor as he unbuttoned my jeans and proceeded to take them down. He laid me gently on the bed and, as he took off his pants, he stared at me the entire time.

  “You are so beautiful, Claire. I hope you know that. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.”

  He took my erect nipple in his mouth, sucking and lightly tugging at each one. I groaned as I could feel the warmth and the twinges in between my thighs. I arched my lower back so my hips dug into him. He moved his hands down the front of my panties and felt the wetness that emerged from his pleasure. He stared at me as
he slowly inserted his finger inside me, moving it in and out. I moaned and brought his head down so I could kiss him. I took my hand and moved it over his underwear, feeling his erection and sliding my hand down the front, feeling his hardness in my bare hands. I stroked it up and down lightly. He groaned and moaned, which made his fingers move in and out of me faster. I felt strange, like I was going to explode.

  “You’re so wet and tight, Claire. Are you ready for me?” he asked as he reached in his nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom.

  He took a hold of his penis and covered it with the condom, then he gently placed it in between my legs and slowly pushed inside of me. I moaned loudly.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  I looked at his face and ran my hands through his hair.

  “I’m great,” I said as one single, happy tear fell from my eye.

  He pushed deeper until he was fully inside me, thrusting in and out slowly. I could feel myself building up, my body needing to release itself. I started to moan. “Faster, Sam, go faster.” He kissed me as he moved in and out of me, faster and faster, causing me and him to come at the same time. He yelled my name as I did his and dug my nails down his back. Sam collapsed on top of me and hugged me. He whispered something in my ear that I will never forget. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Claire.”

  I think he was stunned he said it. He looked up at me and said he was sorry. I ran my finger down his cheek. “Don’t be sorry. I know how you feel. I think I’m falling in love with you too.”

  Sam smiled and after he climbed back in bed from disposing the condom, I lay in his arms and we talked about our feelings for each other. Even though we had only known each other for a few days, it felt like a lifetime and the feeling was for both us. I believe everyone has a soul mate and Sam was mine, and I was his. I wanted to stay with him all night, but I knew tonight was not the night because of what had happened with Corinne and Zoey. He drove me home and, as bad as it hurt to say our goodbyes, we did.

  “Later, baby.” He smiled as he ran his finger down my cheek.

  “Later, baby,” I replied with a kiss.

  I put my key in the door, walked up the stairs, and took a hot shower. I climbed in my bed wishing he were lying next to me.

  Chapter 5

  I woke up the next morning to two missed texts from Ally and Rachel, demanding to know how my night with Sam went. I got up, dressed, and mustered up enough nerve to join the family for Saturday breakfast. I walked downstairs to the smell of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

  “Smells good in here,” I said.

  Harry and Zoey were sitting at the table and Corinne was cooking.

  “There’s our girl.” Harry smiled.

  “Good morning, Claire.” Corinne spoke only because she had to.

  I poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. Zoey looked up at me and, oh, her nasty little bruise was worse today. I really left my mark. I silently smiled.

  “Zoey, I’m really sorry,” I said as I tried so hard not to laugh.

  “Save it, sis. I don’t want your apology. You’re a disgrace.”

  “Zoey, that’s enough,” Harry yelled.

  I put my hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Dad. She has every right to hate me. What I did was wrong and I’m sorry, but I know, in time, she’ll forgive me.”

  I got up from the table, grabbed my coffee, and went up to my room. I called Ally and Rachel and asked them to come over so we could talk before I saw Sam. About thirty minutes later, I heard voices coming up the stairs and I knew it was them. My bedroom door flew open and the two of them ran into my room and jumped on the bed.

  “Spill, Claire. We need details now,” Rachel said.

  I smiled as I got up from the bed and walked to the closet to find the perfect outfit.

  “It was amazing and the most beautiful experience of my life. He was so gentle, so he didn’t hurt me and he kept asking me if I was okay.”

  Ally squealed. “He’s perfect. Oh my God, I want a man like him.”

  “Claire, what are you going to do?” Rachel asked.

  I turned around and looked at her in confusion. “Do about what?”

  “Your parents. You know Corinne and Harry won’t approve and Corinne is known to cause problems.”

  “I’m not worried about Corinne. I can handle her. All I have to do is make it through these next few months and then I’m out of here and away from her. She will not control my life anymore.”

  “Oh, by the way, good job on Zoey. We saw her when we walked in.” Ally smiled. “I knew that would happen one of these days.”

  I laughed as I pulled a sundress from the closet and got ready for my day with Sam.

  ****

  I drove out to Sam’s house this time so I could meet his mom. When I pulled up to his house, she was just getting home from work. She turned to me as she shut the car door.

  “Hi, Ms. Snow, I’m Claire.” I smiled.

  She had the same smile as Sam. “Hi, Claire, it’s so nice to meet you. Please come inside.”

  I followed her in the house and Sam was making a fresh pot of coffee. He walked over to me and he kissed and hugged me like he hadn’t seen me in months.

  “I see you two met.”

  “Yes, and she’s a very lovely girl, Sam.”

  Sam’s mom was an attractive woman. She stood about five feet, five inches tall with a small frame and blonde hair that was cut into a bob. I was surprised she never married again after Sam’s father passed away. She was on her way to bed and we were heading out the door.

  “It was great to meet you, Mrs. Snow.”

  “The pleasure was all mine, Claire.” She smiled as she kissed me on the cheek.

  Sam and I had a great day; we bowled, had lunch on a patio outside a small Italian restaurant, took a walk along the beach, and just enjoyed each other’s company. I loved hearing about his childhood and how he grew up. The stories he told about him and his mom after his father passed away were touching. The closeness and the bond he had with his mom was something I wished I could have with Corinne, but she’d always see me as different.

  As we continued our walk along the beach, I had something I wanted to ask Sam. “My sister’s engagement party is next month, and I would like it if you would come.”

  “I don’t think your parents would want me there, Claire. We both know what your mom thinks of me.”

  “You let me handle Corinne; I want you there by my side so I can show you off to everyone.”

  He smiled and gently kissed me on the lips. “If it will make you happy, then fine, I’ll come.”

  “Do you own a suit?” I asked with a smile.

  Sam laughed and grabbed the tip of my nose. “Yes, I own a suit, smarty pants.”

  I went home early that night because Sam had to be at the garage at the crack of dawn. I walked through the door, only to find Harry, Corinne, Zoey, and Dylan all sitting in the living room having drinks and laughing. That was something I would never have with my family and Sam. Dylan looked my way and gave me the dirtiest of looks for what I did to Zoey. I couldn’t help but smirk at him.

  “You’re home early,” Corinne said.

  “Sam has to work in the morning. Hey, I invited him to the engagement party.”

  Corinne whipped her head around so fast I thought she was going to get whiplash. “You what?” she snapped.

  “Corinne, calm down,” Harry said.

  “I will not have that…”

  I balled my left fist this time so Zoey could see it. “Whatever, Claire. Invite your boyfriend and embarrass yourself.”

  “Claire, we will talk about this later,” Corinne said.

  “If Sam is not welcome, then I’m not either,” I snapped and ran up the stairs.

  When I reached my bedroom, I texted Sam and told him how much I loved him and that I missed him. There was no way Corinne was going to stop me from seeing him.

  A few seconds later, he replied.

  “I love you, Clai
re. Have sweet dreams and we’ll be together tomorrow.”

  I smiled and my heart melted a little more. I was totally in love with this boy and nobody could tell me any different.

  Chapter 6

  Sam and I were inseparable. We’d been dating for almost two months now and we saw each other every day, even if it was for a couple of hours. Corinne was barely talking to me these days and Zoey wouldn’t even look at me. Not only were they pissed because I gave Dylan’s ticket to Sam for my graduation, she was still pissed about that punch I threw at her. Not to mention the fact that I refused a production of a graduation party Corinne had spent years planning. I only wanted a simple dinner with Sam and his mom. Unfortunately, my family had to join us.

  It was around eleven a.m. and, as I just finished getting dressed, my phone rang and it was Sam.

  “Hi, babe,” I answered.

  “I have a surprise for you today. Are you ready to go?”

  “Go where?” I asked.

  “Just tell me if you’re dressed.”

  “Of course I’m dressed.”

  I heard the doorbell ring. “Sam, hold on; someone’s at the door.”

  I walked down the stairs and opened the door, only to see Sam standing there holding his phone to his ear. I smiled.

  “Let me call you back. There’s this really hot guy at my door smiling at me. Later, baby.”

  He hung up his phone and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me and making me feel safe.

  “What’s this about a surprise?” I asked.

  “You’ll see. Let’s get out of here and grab some lunch.”

  Corinne was walking by and stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Hi, Mrs. Montgomery,” Sam smiled.

  “Hello Sam,” she managed and then continued to walk towards the living room.

  “Wow, that was awkward,” he said.

  “She’s an ice queen; just ignore her.” I smiled.

  Sam and I jumped into his car and drove to a little sandwich shop on Bristol Street. He ordered our sandwiches and we ate outside on the patio.

  “Sam, the suspense is killing me. What’s this surprise you were talking about?”