I chuckle at that.
“My head feels funny, is that normal?” She’s adorable.
“You don’t have much, but you’re not used to it, so, yeah. It’s going to give you a little buzz. Enjoy it.”
I lean forward and press my lips to hers. Neither one of us actually kissing, just standing there, body and mouths fused, unmoving.
That doesn’t say much for my heart, though. It’s running rampant.
I breathe her in and feel her intake of breath as well. Reaching up, I run the tips of my fingers through her hair at her temples and slowly move my lips to her cheek.
Then her jaw.
Her neck.
Just as I’m sliding from her neck down the curve of her shoulder, she jerks suddenly, and I back away.
“I’m sorry, was it too fast? We don’t have to?—”
Suddenly, I’m cut off when she springs forward, past me and stops with her hands on her knees. I hear her spit, followed by a whimper. I run to her side and bunch her hair in my fist. “Are you gonna puke?”
She doesn’t answer, taking a few deep breaths, then straightens up.
“I thought I was going to, but I think I’m okay.”
I rub a hand up and down her back after releasing her hair.
“I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t think this little bit would make you sick.”
She squints at me, tucking her lip between her teeth, and shifting her weight between her feet.
“Come on, lightweight, let’s get you back home. You need some water and your bed. I promised Nan I’d bring you back safely. She’ll kill me if she finds out I was corrupting you.”
By the time we get back to the park, the sun has set, bringing out a strand of twinkling stars. The moon is hiding behind a cluster of clouds, but it’s leaving the largest halo of light in thesky. We can hear music coming from Nan’s before we even get to the porch.
“Sounds like Willie is visiting Nan tonight, this ought to be interesting.” Johnnie says, making her way up the front deck, me following close behind and snickering at her annoyance.
Inside, there’s Nan, standing by the kitchen counter, Budweiser in one hand, Marlboro in the other, waving it through the air as she dances and sways in place. “Whiskey River” is blaring on the record player.
“Kids!” she yells, voice a bit slurred and looking our way through squinted eyes. “I love ya! You two are so cute together! Promise me you’ll get married, and when you bring your babies to my funeral someday—make sure to play this song! None of that sad, sappy shit!”
I can’t help but laugh, and even as Johnnie presses a palm to her forehead I can see the slight grin she can’t help from slipping out.
She looks up at me, like she’s afraid to see my reaction to the quirky old lady in front of us. When she sees me smiling, she breaks out in laughter.
“I’m not playing ‘Whiskey River’ at my grandmother’s funeral.”
Now we’re both chuckling.
“I’ll help you get her to bed,” I say, still grinning.
“No, that’s okay, I can handle it. It’s getting late and you have to work in the morning. Thanks for taking me riding again.” Johnnie makes work of turning the stereo off and scooting Nan toward the hallway.
“Night, night, sugar!” Nan blows a kiss toward me and throws a hand up, heading down the hallway.
“Good night, ladies.”
I’m still laughing as I shut the door and hear Nan mumbling something about it not being her bedtime, and Johnnie assuring her that “Oh, yes it is.”
