Pop: Chapter 8a

     Yeah, yell it out for everyone to hear, why don't ya?

    "Fortunately, I've already told Sam most of this, or else there would have a lot more explaining to do."  I continue walking into the living room to join the others.

    Jim sits on the couch next to his brother, who slides over ever so slightly to end up right next to the arm.  Pete takes the other end.  I, of course, take the last easy chair, the one with UK banner on it.  Not actually on the recliner, but a special cover I had made for it.  An all-blue leather recliner, with white accents?  Not on you life.

    "I can't believe you had already done it, and you didn't tell us." Rick, always the inquiring one.  

    "A gentleman is supposed to have a little discretion.  None of you told me either."

    "Well, I didn't because I waited until I got married.  And even then, we waited a bit."  Will pipes in.  "That is such a big deal."

    "Same here," Pete replies.  "I waited until my marriage.  My first marriage.  And I seriously doubt there will be another."

    "Well, I waited until marriage.  My Melanie is the only woman I will ever be with."  Jim takes a look over at Sam.  "Are you sure this is okay with him in the room?"

    "Yes," I glance over to Sam.  "I told him much of this when he had questions after Dad gave him 'the talk.'  As long as we don't go into too many details, I think we will be fine.  Just think before saying too much."

    "College?  Gees man.  And you never told us?  How many times?"  Rick, always with decorum.

    "I was only with two women in college.  And a few times with my other girlfriends over the years.  So, six.  No, seven women.  Can't forget Addie."

    "I had a suspicion that was going on when you invited us up last year,"  Will adds.  "But seven.  I never thought you would be the horndog of the group.  You never even dated in high school."

    "I would've, but my mother wouldn't let me, and she was fooling around at the time.  I even think she had a pregnancy scare when I was about twelve.  Nothing happened, but I think it was scaring her."

    "So that's why you never went to prom.  You could've gone stag, like Will."  Pete gives a little nod towards the other end of the couch.

    "Nope.  I wasn't allowed to do even that.  Unlike someone else..."  I take a long look over to Rick.

    "What?  Why are you looking at me for?"  Rick asks.

    "Come on.  You and Beth after senior prom.  You never said anything, but we all knew."  Will stares directly at Rick.  "The way you acted the following week said it all."

    "Well, you are wrong.  My first time wasn't senior prom," Rick declares staunchly.  "Technically, I had sex at the junior prom."

    "Wait.  You and Jessie Blake?  But she was... and you were."

    "There is no way you and Jessie," Pete adds.

    "You would have told me, if no one else.  I mean, you all but told me about Beth, but I didn't want to push."  Will rushes on top of us.

    "First off, " Rick stands to make his point, "I never said anything about Jessie.  We were planning on doing it, but you no how teenage boys get sometimes, with 'quick triggers' and all."

    "So, you are saying that..." I struggle to hold in my laughter.

    "I was finished before she was even undressed, and I wasn't able to do anything else that night.  So, I got dressed and took her home.  We were never 'steady' or anything, but she kept my 'misstep' quiet."  Rick sits down.  "But, yeah, me and Beth did go all the way next year.  And she broke up with me two weeks later."

    The rest of us laugh at Rick's story.  I even see a slight snicker out of Sam. 

    "That hasn't happened with a woman since.  I had one other time in college, before I met Lydia that is.  However, we did wait until marriage," Rick finishes. 

    "Oh, Rick!  I didn't suspect," Will can't stop laughing.  "I mean, we all had that happen sometimes, but still."

    "Wait, what do you mean by 'we all had the happen?'" Jim asks.  "It's not that common."

    "Oh, we know.  It happened to each of us at least once when we had 'Rounds,'"  Pete adds.

    Now, that is one thing I don't want Sam hearing about.  

    Fortunately, the doorbell saves me.

    "Who could that be?  The delivery service is supposed to text me before arrival, and it is too early for them anyway."

    "Chris, remember?  You had me invite some of the neighbors to start showing up at six. You wanted to start getting to know some of them, once you knew you would be moving back.  That must be Lee Blake.  He is almost as early as you are."  Rick says.

    Sam looks up again, straight at me.

    "I'm going up to my room."

    With that, Sam stands and walks away.