Sam has a great party. He's never had a birthday so wonderful, in his life.
Everyone cleaned up, except Sam. They wouldn't let him raise a finger. Instead, they sent him upstairs with his gifts in a flat box. When he got to his room, he sat on the bed with his head in his hands, and wept.
Emma found him there, his presents still in the box. She took the box from his bed and set it on the floor. Finger to chin, she raised his face. Hair was plastered to his damp cheeks. She brushed it free, a bit of it snagging on stubble. Using her fingers, she rubbed the tears gently away.
"You are loved, Sam. You're so special. I was never in a position to do this for you, but an eighteenth birthday is a big deal for a guy."
"Pretty big deal for a girl too."
She shrugged. "I hate my birthday. My dad first came to me the night of my tenth birthday. I've never understood why."
"Why what?"
"Why my birthday? Couldn't he have waited a day? A week? Forever? It was like some special occasion to him." She shrugged. "Now I'm making this all about me and it's not—it's about you. This is your day, your chance to feel special."
Sam smiled, stroking her cheek. "I always feel special when I'm with you." His touch became a caress. "You have no idea how much I want you right now."
Emma giggled, sliding off the bed. "Oh, yes I do. Contain the beast, Mr. Masters. Or I'll call for help. Glenn and Carlos will beat your scrawny ass."
"They'll try," he growled quietly. Grasping her belt loop, Sam brought her back near him. "I'll behave, I promise. But one kiss, Em? Please? A special, birthday kiss."
Her smile set his insides on fire. She pursed her lips, pulling him close—and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on his ear. Laughing, she bounced out of the room before he could catch her. Sam jumped from the bed, chasing her, but Emma had too much of a head start. She was fast. Even with his longer legs, he was slower. Giggling, Emma ran down the back stairs with Sam in hot pursuit. He knew they were heading toward a part of the facility that was off limits to them. His excuse was, he was following Emma to keep her out of trouble. He knew it was because he hoped, eventually, she would stop running and give him a proper kiss. His want of her made him even clumsier and he lagged behind.
Emma got to the indoor swimming pool. While it was bright and cheerful during the day, at night, it was a little spooky. The overhead lights were on a timer, and went off at 9:00. The interior pool lights cast an eerie aquamarine light, glistening on the white tile of the walls. The place should have been locked, but the door banged open.
Sam followed Emma inside. She had cast aside her shoes and jeans. Sitting on the side of the pool in her panties and T-shirt, she presented an inviting picture. Sam's shoes and jeans joined hers on the bench. He squatted next to her in his boxers and T-shirt. He didn't like water much. His mother had left him unattended by the pool once, when he was five. If it hadn't been for Emma and her dog, he would have drowned. If she hadn't been next to him now, he wouldn't have sat down.
The water felt good on his legs. It was just the right temperature, not too chilly, nor too warm. The automatic cleaner was at work, the octopus arms whisking the sides of the pool. Its movement caused waves to lap against their legs.
Emma rested her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her. "I could sit like this forever, and be totally happy," Emma said.
Sam let his hand drift over to her breast. "Me too," he agreed with a smile.
Emma smacked his hand aside. "Behave."
"Yes, ma'am. Behaving, ma'am." But he didn't move his hand.
A distant door banged. They heard voices raised in anger. One voice was louder and more distinct than the other, but they still couldn't make out the words. Knowing they shouldn't be here, they grabbed their things and ran to the women's dressing room a few feet away. It was locked, so they ducked into a dark corner as far from the pool as they could get, hiding behind a rack of lane ropes.
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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