What They Left Behind

Peter and Harley came to their house about once a week. Gennie and Michele never went back to their house, except on one unusually hot day in September to go swimming in their Olympic sized pool. After a few months it seemed like Peter figured out their relationship was never going to be anything more than platonic. The affectionate gestures stopped. Gennie’s yearning seemed to subside too. She was so busy thinking up new gadgets for Tech 2014, she barely had time to concentrate on anything else. When Peter was at her house, she would show him her designs. Usually he said something like ‘Wow!’, ‘Cool!’ or ‘You’re a friggin’ genius!’

  They spent New Year’s Eve in front of the TV watching the party in Times Square, anticipating the start of a new decade. Gennie thought about how this year was so different compared to last year.

  “You know I was at that party in Times Square last year,” Peter said to Gennie.

  “Were you with anyone special?”

  “No, I was hanging out by myself. What were you doing?”

  “I’m surprised to hear that. I was watching this show actually…by myself.”

  “Hey, did you see me?”

  “Peter, there’s like three hundred thousand people there on New Year’s. I really doubt I saw you.”

  “Well, aren’t you glad I’m with you this year and not out there?”

  Gennie mulled over her answer. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

  “Wow. That was enthusiastic.”

  “What was I supposed to say?”

  “I don’t know. Something like ‘Peter, I’m thrilled you’re here with me. You are like, the best thing that has ever happened in my life.’ You know, crap like that.”

  “Peter,” Gennie stated. “I’m thrilled to have you here. You are, like, the best thing that has ever happened in my life…and crap like that.”

  Peter laughed.

  The last seconds were counted down on the TV. The giant lighted ball descended until the clock ran out. Then a huge sign proclaimed the New Year. The crowd burst into ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as confetti streamed down on them.

  “Wanna kiss?” Peter asked.

  “Huh?” Gennie said.

  “Smooch,” Peter replied. “If I’m with a girl on New Year’s I always kiss her after the ball drops.”

  “Oh…all right.” She turned her cheek, expecting a polite peck. Instead, he turned her face back toward him and kissed her passionately on the lips. Gennie thought it was wrong, but she made no effort to stop him. She had been waiting for this for so long. Her hands explored his slim but muscular chest and back. He nibbled her ear and nuzzled her neck. She noticed his body was shivering a little bit as he came closer to her. When she felt his hand rubbing her inner thigh, she realized what they were doing. Without warning, she shoved him away.

  She thought he would be mad at her, but his expression told her otherwise. He looked astonished.

  “I guess I got carried away,” he said sheepishly.

  “So did I,” Gennie admitted. She felt her face heating up in embarrassment.

  “I understand,” Peter replied. “I was going to give you this nice little kiss on the lips, but…I lost control of myself.”

  “I’m glad Michele didn’t wake up,” Gennie said. Michele had fallen asleep on top of a blanket and a bunch of throw pillows on the floor. Harley was snoozing beside her.

  “Yeah, I’m glad Harley didn’t see that either. They both would have gotten an early education in the birds and the bees.”

  Gennie chuckled.

  Peter looked away from her. “You probably hate me now, huh?”

  “Oh no!” Gennie said. She put his arm around him and gave him a hug. She wished he could stay with her forever. “I’m not mad at you at all.”

  “Really?” There was a hopeful look in his eyes as he turned toward her.

  “I wasn’t helping matters any by feeling you up.”

  “No,” he said smiling, “but I loved it. Besides I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, I was wondering…do you want to be more than friends?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean...oh!”

  “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

  “Um, well…okay!”

  “For real?”

  Gennie nodded.

  “You’re fine with me being a lot younger and stuff?”

  “Sure.”

  “And you’re all right with me not being all white?”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “You didn’t notice?”

  “Um, no. What is there to notice? Your parents are white, so you’re white.” As soon as she said that, it finally hit her what he was talking about. “Oh geez. I think I got it.”

  “Yeah, it’s a really weird situation,” Peter said. “Remember when Nanny told you she was an extra on a movie that my dad was shooting in Mexico? Well, I guess she was doing extra on the side too. She came to Los Angeles about a month before I was born and told my mom about it. My mom felt bad for her so she gave her a job as my nanny, while they raised me as their kid. I wasn’t supposed to ever find out about it, but I overheard them arguing when I was ten years old. I asked Nanny about it and she told me everything. I’m okay if you have a problem with it, really.”

  She gave him a firm, friendly squeeze. “Don’t worry about something like that.”

  He grabbed her arms and kissed her. “I’m going to make you so happy, I promise!”

  Gennie wasn’t sure what her family would think about Peter, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to ruin the moment for him.

  “Hey Mom, what are you guys doing?” Michele said groggily.

  Gennie didn’t know what to say to her.

  “Uh…Peter was just giving me a kiss goodbye.”

  Michele rubbed her eyes. She didn’t look like she particularly cared at that point. “Oh, okay.”

  “Yeah, I probably should get going,” Peter said, looking ecstatic. He scooped Harley up from the floor and carried him like he was a baby. “I’ll call you tomorrow, though, okay?”

  “All right,” Gennie replied. She kissed him on the lips then led him to the door.

  “I love you, Gennie,” he said, just before he left.

  “I…uh…love you too,” she replied, feeling a little awkward.

  He grinned in response, then left.

  God, life is weird, she thought as his car started up. She never in a million years thought they would be dating.

  Chapter 65: January 1, 1981