Forever...: a novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

you every try to kiss with glasses on?"

    "No."
    "Well … they get in your way," he said. "Your hair's all wet."
    "So's yours." I reached up and rumpled it. "We better dry off." We went upstairs to the bathroom. When I looked in the mirror I was surprised. "Hey … I really do have soapy hair."
    "Just remember who started it," Michael said.
    "Hmph!"
    "I'll shampoo it for you, if you want."
    "You will?"
    "Yeah."
    "In the sink?"
    "Unless you prefer the shower."
    "Very funny."
    "Well?"
    "Okay." I handed him the shampoo and bent over the sink. He did a good job on my hair and when he was done I wrapped a towel around my head, then shampooed him. We rubbed each other's heads until they were barely damp.
    "I have to change my shirt," I said. "It's drenched."
    "Go ahead."
    I walked down the hall to my bedroom. Michael was right behind me. "I'll just be a minute," I told him as I started to close my door.
    But he pushed it back open. "I'll stay."
    "Oh, Michael … come on."
    "I promise, I won't touch." He closed the door behind him. I took a sweater and bra out of my dresser drawer while Michael bounced up and down on my bed.
    "Very nice," he said, "firm but not too hard."
    "I'm glad you approve."
    "Did you know that soft mattresses are no good for making love?"

    "Michael … "
    "Really … I mean it."
    "That's very interesting … now would you please leave so I can change."
    "Are you ashamed of your body, Katherine?"
    "No … of course not."
    "Then what's the difference if I stay?"
    "Oh … " I shook my head at him, turned away and unbuttoned my shirt. I pulled it off and unhooked my bra, which was also wet. Then I hesitated for a minute and slipped that off too. I reached for my dry bra and put it on. All that time neither of us said anything.
    Then Michael was behind me.
    "You promised … " I reminded him.
    "I'll hook it for you … that's all."
    "Don't bother."
    "It's no trouble." But instead of hooking it he slid his hands around to my breasts and kissed the back of my neck.
    "Please, Michael … don't"
    "Why not, Kath?"
    "Because … "
    There was a knock at my door then and Jamie called, "What are you two doing in there? The kitchen's a mess and it's almost time for the 9:00 movie."
    "Coming … " I answered, hooking my bra and pulling on my sweater. Then I turned to Michael and whispered, "That's why … "
    "Excuses, excuses," he said.
    "Ha ha."
    We finished up in the kitchen and sat in the den with Jamie, watching the Saturday night movie on TV. When it was over Michael kissed us both goodnight, me on the lips and Jamie on the cheek. She was still touching her face when I went in to tell her goodnight.
    "I think Michael is the nicest boy in the whole world," she said.
    "That makes two of us."

    "I wish he had a younger brother."
    "That would be fun … but he doesn't."
    "Kath … "
    "Hmmm?"
    "What were you two doing in your bedroom?"
    "Nothing … Michael just wanted to see it."
    "Come on, Kath … I won't tell anybody."
    "There's nothing to tell."
    "I know all about sex."
    "Congratulations!"
    "Were you fucking?"
    "Jamie!"
    "That's not a bad word … hate and war are bad words but fuck isn't."
    "I never said it was."
    "So were you?"
    "No … I wasn't … but even if I was I wouldn't tell you."
    "Why not?"
    "Because it's none of your damn business … that's why."
    "Oh wow … " she said, clucking her tongue, "your generation is so hung up about sex." 6
    "How'd it go with Artie?" I asked Erica on Monday. We were in zoology, classifying mollusks.
    "I'll tell you how it went," Erica said, " … it didn't!"
    "He never showed up?"
    "Oh, he showed up all right."
    "So?"

    "Still nothing … not even a kiss."
    "Weird."
    "And I'm sure he likes me. He asked me to his school play … he's got the lead."
    "I heard. I'm going with Michael."
    "I know … Artie said he'll arrange for you two to bring me."
    "Fine."
    "If he doesn't try anything after the play I'm going to do something about it. I can't sit around waiting forever."
    Mr.