Part 3. The Kiss
12-5-67 Sat.
Dear Sophie,
Stuff that has happened to me is pretty weird. I now have to wear my glasses all the time, or I can’t see. They used to be just for reading. Also before I came I had a temporary tattoo of a snake around my leg. It hasn’t gone. I think it’s become permanent. I don’t think anyone has noticed yet, and if they have they haven’t said anything about it. At least I didn’t dye my hair. I like my blond hair. It’s around the same length as Peter’s, except my hair is layered.
I get along with Peter really well. He says he believes what happened to me, and not to worry about the others. They’ll get used to me. I hope.
"Thanks for letting me stay here."
"It was mainly Mike’s idea. He says he felt sorry for you, being all alone."
I smiled. I didn’t expect it to be Mike’s idea. I thought it was Peter’s.
"I’ll thank him one day."
"It’d better be one day rather than a day. He doesn’t like being thanked, and he didn’t want you to know it was his idea to have you here, so you didn’t hear it from me."
"Ok."
That was the end of that conversation, because Mike walked in.
"How’s the beach?" Peter asked.
"Davy’s bein’ harassed by a multitude of girls." We smiled. "I told him not to bring ‘em here."
"Why not?" I asked "Don’t you appreciate all those girls?"
"Not when they’re all only 13, 14 or 15."
"Oh. Like the older woman then?"
"You could say that I spose."
Mike went to sit down on the couch, when Davy burst in, shirtless.
"Didn’t you leave here with a shirt Davy?" Peter asked
‘Yeah, but they took it." He pointed back outside.
"I thought I told you not to bring ‘em here." Mike said
"Well, you try losing a bunch of teenage girls chasing you." Davy countered.
Mike grunted and lay back down, covering his eyes at the same time. Peter looked outside and frowned.
"How do you suppose we get rid of them then?"
"Well, they usually suddenly lose interest if I’ve got a girlfriend…" Davy and Peter looked at me.
"Oh, no. I’m not pretending to be your girlfriend."
"Oh, come on Eb. You don’t want them hanging around looking at us all day."
"Maybe…"
"It’s not very hard. Just let me do all the work. You don’t have to do anything."
"But they’re going to think I’m your girlfriend every time they see me."
"So. It’ll just be until I find another. Please. I don’t want them hanging around all day."
"Ebony, just do it." Mike said
"Come on Eb. What’s so bad about having me pay heaps of attention to you?"
I looked at Peter. So far he hadn’t said anything.
"There’s no harm in it Eb. It’s not for real. I’m getting pretty sick of them. Do it for me, if not for Davy."
I sighed. I couldn’t really argue with Peter. "Okay. Just until they’re gone."
The others smiled.
"Ok luv, come ‘ere. We’ve got to hug." Davy ordered, arms extended.
I sighed again, and put on a fake smile. I got up and went over to Davy. He hugged me, so I hugged back.
"What’s happening? Are they going yet?" I asked.
"Nope. I don’t think they believe you two." Peter answered
Davy began to run his hand through my hair. He ran his other hand down my side, until it came to my backside. He left it there. I flashed a look at Peter. He shook his head. He looked at them, them back at me and gave a look to say ‘You have to help’
So I did. And to tell you the truth Soph I began to enjoy myself for a bit. I ran my hands down his bare back, and up again. I ran my hand through his hair. I looked at Peter. Not yet. I didn’t know what else to do, but Davy did. He took of my glasses and kissed me. And for a split second I kissed back. It was quite nice actually. Anyway after that they had gone. Davy let go of me, handed back my glasses and continued on with his life as if nothing had happened.
I was pretty shaky after that. It was weird. It was as if I was the light of his life, and then, nothing. I went and lay on my bed. After a while someone knocked on the door. It was Peter.
"If I didn’t know better, Ebony Ivory, I would say you started to enjoy yourself, while getting rid of those girls." I didn’t answer. "Don’t worry about it Eb. He won’t bring it up, neither will Mike or I. Micky won’t find out, hopefully."
"It’s not that, I mean… oh, I don’t know." I sat up and leant against the wall. Peter sat down on the other end.
"You didn’t want that to be your first kiss?" he asked softly
"How…"
"Davy told me."
"How did he know?"
"He’s got a lot of experience Eb."
"Oh."
"Do you mind if I ask you a; personal question?" I shook my head. "How is it that a girl like you has never been kissed before?" I paused for a bit "You don’t have to…"
"No," I cut him off "it’s all right. I was an outcast at school. I had no friends."
"Oh, Eb. I’m sorry."
"That’s ok. I was never much good at being social."
"You’re not too bad at it now."
"Yeah, well I did gain confidence in the last few years. I did a childcare course last year. That really helped me."
"Um, are you alright, you know, being here?"
"Oh, yeah. I decided that when I left Griffith I would change. Try and be a bit more social. Of course, you guys being so nice, and you, being so understanding, it really helped. I’ve got heaps more confidence now."
Peter smiled. "Well, I’m glad. And don’t worry about Davy. He’s pretty private." With that Peter left.
What do you think Sophie? That’s what happened the other day. I don’t think Davy will dwell on it, but I know I will. I think that I won’t count that as my first kiss. I’ll wait for a proper one. From Peter, hopefully.
It’s pretty late, so I’ll leave it for now. Bye!
Love Ebony.
