Part 9 (1/2)
The next day, during recess, Joshua told Celeste what had happened with his mother the night before.
”How come you didn't tell me you've been doing so good in school?” Celeste asked, sounding betrayed.
”I don't know; it didn't come up.”
The two of them talked regularly in school, though they weren't allowed to have any contact at home. Today, Joshua thought, was a perfect day to change that, to chance some time together after school in the park. He figured he could get away with coming home a ”little” late, and even if his mother found out, she might overlook it, things being what they were.
He shared the idea with Celeste. ”What am I gonna tell my mama about coming home late?” she replied.
”It'll only be for an hour or so. You could think of an excuse, if you really wanted to.”
”I guess I can tell her I stayed after school for extra help or something,” she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm. He figured she was still angry that he hadn't told her about his school-work, and hoped that by the end of the day she'd forget it.
They rendezvoused at their usual place in the park. It was a pleasant, mild afternoon; a clear sky and soft breeze bore the scent of gra.s.s and trees. Much had changed since the stabbing: Celeste, like Joshua, was attending school regularly, and Mr. Williams was supposedly behaving himself. Joshua figured Mr. Sims had really put the screws to him.
One thing that hadn't changed was that Joshua was still a virgin. He was planning to change that. A fitting birthday present.
They talked about missing the time they used to spend with one another, and fantasized about having a future together. They believed that there was too much between them to allow anything to tear them apart, and they vowed eternal fidelity.
After about fifteen minutes of this, they lost control. Joshua reached for her hand, leaned over to kiss her, and she wrapped her arms around him. They began to moan and pull at one another. Joshua maneuvered himself on top, rubbed his body against hers, and found his way beneath her blouse. She pressed her thigh into his crotch, and put her hands under his s.h.i.+rt.
They were s.h.i.+elded by the shrubbery, but not enough to go any further. Joshua suggested they sneak back to his apartment. Like old times.
”I don't think we should,” she said, hoping he wouldn't get upset.
He looked askance at her; she was acting unusual. He started to get up, when she grabbed his hand and said, ”Wait, don't be getting mad!”
”I'm not,” he said, his tone belying his words.
She thought for a moment. ”I changed my mind; I wanna go.”
”You sure?”
She nodded.
”You don't have to.”
”I know.”
They managed to sneak into his apartment, and when they got to his room she became uneasy. She put her books on his desk, stood, and looked around. He walked over, took her hands, and kissed her lips.
She felt tense. He knew she was afraid. ”It's okay,” he whispered.
Suddenly, the nervousness left her. She pulled him tightly against her and began kissing him hard as they clumsily fell on the bed. Her hand made its way to his crotch, she caressed him and thrust her tongue into his mouth.
It was wild, and he felt like he was going to e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.e in his pants. He pulled her hand away, and began removing her blouse and skirt. She lay there, moaning. He tore his clothes off and got on top of her.
They kissed and rolled around some more. Her bra.s.siere and panties found their way to the floor with his underpants. They had come close before, but had never been completely naked. This was turning out to be the best birthday Joshua ever had.
Until, that is, he tried to put himself inside her.
Suddenly, she stiffened, pulled away from him, curled up, and began to cry. He reached out to touch her, but she pushed his hand away, jumped out of the bed, grabbed her clothes, ran to the bathroom and locked herself in.
He ran after her, knocked on the door and called her name. The only thing he heard was crying. He asked her to open the door; she ignored him. Minutes pa.s.sed before she spoke.
”Please leave me alone,” she said.
”Celeste, what's the matter?”
”Just leave me alone. I wanna go home.”
”Okay.”
”Will you go back in your room so I can go?”
”Why don't you just come out. I won't stop you from leaving.”
”No, I don't want you to see me. I just wanna go. Please!”
He went back to his room and began putting his clothes on. In a short while, he heard the bathroom door open, faint footsteps, and then the front door. He ran through the living room and opened the front door, but she was gone. He heard her running down the stairwell, and wanted to go after her, but he knew it wasn't wise. He stared down the empty hallway until Mrs. Eisenman opened her door.
”Is that you, Joshua?” she asked.
”Yes, ma'am.”
”I thought I heard something.”
”No, just me. Stayed late at school for a science project.”
”Oh.” Skeptical.
”I don't mean to be rude, but I have to go inside and do my homework.”
”That's a good idea. Just this morning your mother told me that you are doing very vell vith your studies. She's very proud, yes?”
”Yeah, she is.”
”That's gut. It's very important to do vell in school. Go! Do your vork. I'll stop by later to check on you. Your mother told me that she didn't think it vas necessary anymore, but I told her it vas no bother; I enjoy it. I hope you don't mind.”
”Oh no, I don't mind.”
”Gut then, I'll see you later.”
”Yeah, see you later.” He closed the door, went back to his room, sat down on his bed, and thought about what had happened with Celeste. He was at a loss to understand any of it.
That night, as Loretta served the strawberry shortcake, she said, ”I hear you got home late from school today.”