Barbara L. Clanton - Out of Left Field by Barbara L. Clanton

Author:Barbara L. Clanton
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781935053965
Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises
Published: 2008-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

People Like Us

MARLEE PRACTICALLY TREMBLED all the way back to her house. Susie’s car, a compact Toyota something-or-other, forced Marlee to sit so close to Susie that their arms almost touched. And when Susie’s hand closed over hers it was thrilling and scary all at the same time. She even got a little light-headed. She couldn’t believe that simply holding someone’s hand could make you dizzy. Holding Bobby’s hand had never made her feel this way. Not even close.

When they got to her house, Marlee saw that her mother wasn’t home yet. She directed Susie to pull the car all the way up the long driveway to the kitchen door in the back.

“We never use the front door,” Marlee said. “If anybody knocks on that door we probably don’t know them.”

Susie smiled. “And then you can pretend you’re not home, right? Is it okay to park here?”

“Yeah, sure. My mom parks in the garage.”

They got out of the car and Susie opened the trunk so Marlee could retrieve her softball bag. “Thanks for the lift,” Marlee said aloud, but her eyes sent a silent message.

“Of course. Now let’s get you cleaned up so I can get you alone.” Message received.

The two girls went into the kitchen. Marlee called for her mother just to make absolutely sure she wasn’t home. Receiving no answer she threw her softball bag on the kitchen floor and wheeled around to face Susie. Susie turned the deadbolt on the door. Lips met willing lips. Susie reached for one of Marlee’s hands and kissed the open palm. She placed the palm against her chest just beneath her throat.

“Do you feel my heart pounding?”

Marlee stood frozen. “Yes.” It was barely a whisper.

“You’d better go take a shower because I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself much longer.” Susie grinned.

Marlee felt the color rise to her already inflamed cheeks. She swallowed hard. She leaned in for one last kiss before she took the stairs two at a time. She stopped at the top, looked down at Susie, and said, “I can’t believe you’re here. In my house. Waiting for me.”

Susie just smiled.

“Oh, and if my mom comes home, uh, introduce yourself, I guess.” She flew into her room at the top of the stairs.

When Marlee stepped out of the shower, she heard voices in the kitchen. Oh no, Mom came home. Marlee towel-dried her hair so furiously that she almost gave herself towel burns. She threw on her robe and practically skipped to her bedroom. She left the door ajar as she got dressed. What was the harm in a little eavesdropping among friends and family? She heard her mother say, “Well, I’m glad you and Marlee are friends. I was concerned about that big rivalry.”

Susie responded, “Well, actually, I never took it too seriously. Both teams are good so that makes us competitive. Of course, we did beat them last time.”

“Oh yeah?” Marlee called down to the kitchen. “Well, you just wait until next time.

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