My Darlings,
Continuing with the “Jess and Joe” saga.
When we returned to where our friends were, we offered everyone water and sat on the sand with them. They asked where we had been, and we said we’d gone for a swim in the natural pools, without giving any more details. I practically avoided looking at him because, honestly, I didn’t want anyone to know what had happened. I didn’t understand any of it myself, so I thought it was better to stay quiet and try to make sense of that attraction that had taken over me.
Well, after a while, we decided to head home. Joe asked if there was room in my car, and I said yes. He then asked me to pick him up at Rob’s house because he had to grab his things. Rob and Joe left first, and shortly after, Buddy, Lois, and I headed to the car. Rob’s house was on a high point, and as we approached, we saw Joe coming down to meet us. He got into the car and sat behind me, and before we left, he asked for my phone number and handed me a pen and paper. In the 80s, everything was analog. On the drive from the beach to where he lived, the four of us laughed and talked about “nothing” like normal young people. When he got out of the car, he came to say goodbye and said he’d call me later. It was hard to keep everything that was going on inside me a secret so no one would notice… but I managed it, phew!
I dropped Buddy and Lois off at their homes and went back to my place. When I arrived, everyone had already eaten lunch, so I went to the kitchen, heated my food in the microwave, ate, and went straight to my room. After my shower, I was in my room when I heard someone shout: “Jess, phone call for you, pick up!” I jumped and grabbed the phone on my nightstand.
“Hello? Who’s calling?”
“It’s me, Jess, Joe!”
“Oh, hi!” (I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t expect him to call so soon.)
“I wanted to see you again.”
“Me too!” (Silence on the line…) “Are you still there?”
“Sorry, I thought I was going to have to convince you to agree to see me again.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because after we went back to join our friends, you wouldn’t look at me anymore…”
“I was trying not to let what happened show, because even I didn’t understand it.”
“Neither did I. I’ve never been so impulsive before, and I really want to see you again so we can talk. How about around 5:00 PM?”
“I can’t at 5:00, I have ballet class, but if you don’t mind me being sweaty, we can go grab an ice cream after class.”
So, we agreed on a time and place. When I finished my class, I rushed out to the meeting. Sweaty, tired, but with an adrenaline rush that made my whole body throb… why does this man make me feel this way? In my inexperience, I had only slept with my ex—whom I loathed so much—and even when I liked him, I never felt this burning thing inside me.
When I got to the ice cream shop we had agreed on, he saw me and came to meet me. We greeted each other and went inside. In my head, all I could think about was jumping on him to kiss him, to feel his body against mine and give myself over completely. But I had to behave; I needed to get to know him more. I was still very insecure after catching my ex with someone else. I was very young and deluded enough to think a much older guy was faithful.
After buying our ice cream, we sat on a bench in the square across from the shop, and even through my ballet tights, I could feel his thigh against mine. I asked about his girlfriend—Lois had told me he had one—and he said they had broken up. I felt relieved. Then he told me he had to be honest with me, and I said that was the least I expected. That was when he told me he was living at my ex’s house, because the ex had to go back to his hometown and asked Joe to stay there and look after the place. This news was just like the ice cream; it sent a chill through everything. I said it was a shame, but that I didn’t want that person in my life… that’s when he interrupted me and said, “He’s not here, and when he comes back—if he comes back—I won’t be at his house anymore!” Then he gently took my chin, turned my face toward his, and kissed me lightly, teasing me into wanting more…
Suddenly our ice creams were finished, and we were there like a couple, looking into each other’s eyes, feeling a heat coming from within, kissing politely so as not to lose control… once again, we interrupted the moment. I had to go home. He walked me to the car, and when I was about to get in, he turned me around, pressed me against the car, and once again we kissed ardently, our bodies pressed together and throbbing with desire… then I got in the car, started the engine, and could see him in the rearview mirror dancing in celebration!
I remember arriving home feeling like I was walking on clouds. I went straight to take a cold shower because the heat was intense… we hadn’t planned anything, but I knew for sure we would meet again!
See you soon!
Jess
