Chapter Three

 

Chapter Three

 

            The beach house was three stories high, with a wrap-around porch, six bedrooms, and eight baths. The kitchen was fully stocked and two rented cars were safely parked in the garage.

            As soon as everyone was unpacked, they met in the spacious living room. Molly sat on the sofa almost three feet away from Brian, and Sophie sat at the baby grand, tapping out random notes.

            Oliver and his parents came down next, dressed in light summer clothes and laughing gaily. His father, Alan, was a friendly man in his early forties with graying black hair and kind blue eyes not unlike those of his son. He was genuinely a family man and, as a result, made for a great doctor.

            "Molly!" Oliver's mother exclaimed. "You look absolutely miserable – how about a cocktail?" Charlotte Chase was a striking woman in her late thirties, with white-blonde hair worn in a bob, dark eyes, and the tendency to wear anything that was designer labeled. She also believed that any problem could be solved with a cocktail, martini, or cosmopolitan.

            "No, thank you," Molly replied with a forced smile.

            Charlotte shrugged, sipping her drink. "Where are Jonathan and Karen?" She asked, referring to Jillian's parents.

            "Right here." Karen smiled as she led her family in.

            Jillian joined Sophie at the piano and giggled as she pounded on the keys with her while Oliver slumped in a chair.

            Karen and Jonathan Marsh were one of those couples that looked almost related. They shared the same auburn hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. But while Karen was tall and extremely svelte, Jonathan was a bit on the short side and relatively scrawny. Nevertheless, they made an attractive couple.

            "What are we going to do now?" Charlotte asked. "We've got the whole day ahead of us and the possibilities are endless."

            Jillian nudged Sophie and nodded her head toward Oliver. He was staring right at her, a dreamy far-off look in his blue eyes.

            Sophie blushed, looking down. Indeed, the possibilities were endless.

 

 

            In the days that followed, a routine was slowly developed. The mornings were spent together, eating brunch, and in the afternoons Sophie, Oliver, and Jillian went off to the beach or boardwalk.

            Early one evening, at the end of June, Sophie was in her room trying on a dress when there was a soft rapping at the door. She pulled on her robe and ran her fingers through her hair.

            "Come in," she called.

            Oliver opened the door and poked his head in. "Hey," he said with a smile. "Ready yet?"

            Tonight the three of them were going to a dance on the boardwalk and she'd been in her room for the last house, trying on clothes.

            "Not yet," she said, "sorry."

            He opened the door and walked further in. "Well," he said, "I brought you these." He thrust a bouquet of daisies at her. "I found them outside."

            "Thanks, Ollie," she said, burying her face in them. "They smell so nice!"

            He blushed. "Thanks."

            She instinctively threw her arms around his neck.

           He awkwardly hugged her, and then stepped back. "Well, um, I'll see you in a little bit." He turned to go.

            "Oliver." Sophie bit her lip. It was a rare occasion that she used his full name.

            He turned back to her. "Yeah?'

            Without thinking, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his lips. It was a first for both of them and when she pulled back he had to catch his breath.

            "What was that for?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

            She smiled shyly. "Just because," she replied.

            "Well . . . save me a dance tonight?"

            She nodded.

            As soon as he left, she fell back onto her bed with a sigh.

            He liked her! It was official and so obvious now. And he'd definitely kissed her back.

            "Knock-knock!"

            She sat up to find Brian leaning against the doorway.

            "Oh, hi," she said, pulling her robe tighter around her. "I was just getting ready for the dance – down on the boardwalk."

            "Oh. What's going on with Oliver?" He asked, a curious smile on his handsome face. "He rushed out of here so fast he nearly knocked me down."

            "Oh, that." She laughed lightly. "He's just being . . . Oliver." She turned her back to him as she rummaged through her closet for something to wear.

            He perched on the edge of the bed. "I brought you a present," he announced, holding up the same gift bag he'd shown Molly before.

            She glanced over her shoulder. "Thanks, Daddy. But my birthday isn't for another two weeks."

            "I know,' he said, "but I just couldn't help it."

            She pulled out a white and pink flowered dress and turned around to face him.

            "You wanted me to open it now?" She asked, glancing at the clock. "I have to go soon."

            The smile vanished from his face. "What was Oliver doing in here?" He asked, somewhat suspiciously.

            "Nothing," she said quickly. She held up the daisies. "He just brought me these."

            "Is Oliver your boyfriend now, Sophie?"

            "No," she said, shaking her head. "I mean, I don't think so. They're just flowers," she added pointedly.

            "Be careful," he warned her ominously. "Boys are only after one thing."

            She nodded, though she had next to no idea what he was talking about. Oliver was one of her best friends and he liked her. What was so wrong about that?

            He stood. "I'll see you later," he said. "I'll bring this back and you can open this then. We have lots to talk about; alright, sweetheart?" He kissed the top of her head and lingered close to her for a moment too long. He looked into her eyes. "I'm never going to leave you, okay? I'll always be here for you. I'll never leave you like . . . like he did."

            She pulled away from him. She didn't remember her biological father as well as her mother did, but she did know that he'd been very good to her and had loved her. She also knew that he didn't leave her but was killed by a drunk driver. So why was Brian bringing this up now.

            "He didn't leave me," she said. "Mommy told me all about it."

            "Of course," he said hastily. "You're right. I just meant, I will never let anything happen to me, and I would never allow anyone to tear me away from you. You're my little girl."

            Sophie forced a smile, even though she just wanted him to leave and stop talking like this. It was making her uncomfortable.

            "Well," he said with a sigh, "I'll let you get dressed. Have fun tonight, honey." He smiled once more and then stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind him.

            Sophie breathed a sigh of relief, and pushed everything that had just happened into the back of her mind. She had more important things to worry about – like when she was going to kiss Oliver again.

 

 

            The dance was hosted by the small boardwalk carnival and had attracted guests of all pre-teen and early teen ages. On their way over, Oliver and Sophie nervously and flirtatiously joked around with each other while Jillian looked on, confused. She wanted them to be together – obviously they liked each other – but did they have to be so weird about it?

            "So are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend or what?" She asked, as they approached the dance.

            Sophie giggled, linking arms with her. "I don't know,' she replied. "But Ollie did kiss me earlier."

            Jillian looked at his crimson face.

            "I did not!' He protested. "She kissed me!"

            Jillian laughed. "Sure. We all know you love Sophie."

            Both of the girls laughed conspiratorially, walking ahead of him, and Sophie looked back over her shoulder and gave him the most gorgeous smile he'd ever seen. When they reached the boardwalk, Oliver hurried off to get them sodas.

            "So," Jillian said, "did he really kiss you?"

            Sophie smiled. "I kissed him actually."

            Jillian squealed with excitement. "What did he do?"

            She laughed. "What do you think? He kissed me back and then he did what he always does – he blushed."

            "Oh, Sophie, that's so cute!" Jillian cried.

            "Oh, I almost forgot." She leaned in closer. "Before I kissed him, he gave me a bunch of daisies that he'd picked for me outside!"

            Jillian was in the middle of another squeal when Oliver returned with their drinks.

            "Thanks, Ollie," she said, batting he eyelashes at him before erupting into another fit of giggles.

            He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

            She laughed. 'Oh don't be such a baby. Now go dance wither already."

            Sophie sipped her soda and looked at her. "What about you?"

            "Don't worry about me," she said. "Just don't be too long out there, okay?"

            She nodded and kissed her cheek. "Come on, Ollie." She grabbed Oliver's hand, pulling him out onto the dance floor.

 

 

            They got back to the house at nine, exhausted from dancing but not yet ready for bed. And since their parents were still out, they decided to stay up and make root beer floats.

            "When are you guys gonna kiss again?" Jillian demanded as they sat in the gazebo behind the house.

            Sophie blushed. "I don't know, Jill."

            "I just haven't seen it yet,' she said, by way of explanation. "It's weird to think about – did you use . . . tongue?" She asked, lowering her voice.

            Sophie just giggled while Oliver smiled.

            "As a matter of fact, no," he replied. "But we're not gonna kiss again just so you can watch."

            She rolled her eyes. "Oh, it's not like I'm some kind of pervert. I'm just curious."

            "Well you don't see me asking you to kiss anybody do you?" Oliver demanded.

            "Do you see anybody else here?" She retorted.

            "Come on you guys,' Sophie interrupted. "Don't fight."

            Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine." Then he looked at them both and a smile slowly spread across his face.

            "What?" Jillian demanded.

            "Nothing, nothing," he replied quickly. "I just had an idea . . ."

            "What idea?" She persisted.

            "Why don't you guys kiss?" He suggested. "If you do, then maybe me and Sophie will." He looked at Sophie for approval.

            "No way!" She laughed. "I'm not a lesbian!"

            "Me either!" Jillian agreed.

            "You don't have to be a lesbian to kiss another girl," he said matter-of-factly, as if he knew what he was talking about.

            "I don't care,' Sophie replied. 'That's still gross."

            "Okay, okay,' he said. "Don't get so upset. I'm sorry."

            They drank their floats in silence until Sophie finally spoke again.

            She looked at Jillian. "I will if you will."

            Jillian considered it for longer than he had before and without speaking she set down her glass.

            Sophie did the same and Oliver watched in amazement as the two of them inched closer and closer. As soon as their lips met, Sophie burst out laughing. Then, Jillian began giggling wildly and soon all three of them were on the floor of the gazebo, clutching their stomachs and laughing.

            Sophie sat up, wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm going to bed," she announced.

            "Me too," Jillian said.

            "Me three," Oliver agreed.

            They gathered their cups and headed for the house. After dropping them in the sink, they raced up to their rooms.

            "Goodnight!" Jillian called before closing her door.

            "Night!" Sophie replied.

            Before she closed her door, Oliver hurried over to her.

            "Hey," he said.

            "Hi," she replied with a smile.

            "I'm sorry about before," he said, looking down at his feet. "That was stupid."

            "It's okay," she replied. "It was funny. Just don't ask me to do it again."

            He laughed. "I promise." He took a step closer to her. "I just felt really weird kissing you in front of Jill."

            "I know what you mean."

            "But we're alone now," he pointed out.

            She smiled shyly. "I know."

            He nervously put his clammy hands on her waist and she wrapped hers around his neck.

            This time, their kiss was longer and slower and as Oliver slipped his tongue into her mouth, it felt so natural. Like this was exactly how their first real kiss should be and exactly who it should be with.

            Finally, they pulled apart breathlessly.

            "Goodnight," Sophie said, stepping back.

            He smiled lazily. "Night."

            She closed the door and leaned her back against it. Things had never been so perfect and they could only get better.

 

            Sometime during the night she was awakened by hands pulling off her blanket. She opened her eyes.

            "Whaa – who's there?" She asked into the darkness.

            The bedside lamp switched on and Brian stood over her, smiling.

            "Daddy?" She said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "What – what are you doing? What time is it?"

            "I came so you can open your present," he replied. "Remember – you didn't get to earlier." He sat down on the edge of her bed and held out the gift bag.

            "But – ." She sat up, pulling the blanket back over her. "Isn't it kind of late?"

            "Just open it," he urged, slurring a bit.

            She reluctantly took the bag from him, pulled out the tissue paper, and paused when she saw the flimsy contents. He couldn't be serious – she was self-conscious enough in shorts and a tank top. She could never wear a string bikini. But she forced an enthusiastic smile and pulled both parts of the bathing suit out of the bag.

           "Do you like it?" Brian asked hopefully, leaning closer to her, his breath hot with the stench of whiskey. "Maybe you should try it on."

            She inched away from him, trying to remain as enthusiastic as he wanted her to be and trying not to gag on the oddly overpowering scent of his aftershave. Quickly she put the bikini back in its bag. "Daddy, it's late," she said. "I'll try it on tomorrow."

            "You can try it on now," he said evenly. "It'll only take a minute – go ahead."

            "I just want to go to bed," she groaned. "Please, Daddy. Tomorrow, I promise."

            The smile vanished from his face. "That's awfully selfish of you, Sophie," he replied. "I took great care in picking this out for you and all you do is s**t all over it. You don't want to grow up, is that is? You want to dress like a baby forever?"

            "No," she said quietly.

            He stood abruptly. "Just forget it," he said, snatching the bag from her hands. "You are such an ungrateful little brat."

            "I'm sorry," she said weakly.

            "I'll bet if your precious Oliver gave it to you, you'd love it,' he sneered.

            "What?" She said incredulously. "What are you talking about?"

            "Don't think that I don't know what's going on between the two of you," he said sharply. "And it disgusts me." He staggered back, and had to clutch the dresser to steady himself.

            "Daddy, maybe you should do to bed. I think you're dunk."

            "I think you need to mind your own business," he said coolly. "Just go back to sleep." He turned off the lamp and stared at her in the darkness for a few minutes before leaving.

            Sophie jumped out of bed to lock the door. Never before had she feared him. But now things were changing and she didn't quite understand why.