“Now eat your taco and shut up,” he says. He puts the magazine away in his bag. This really surprises me, the Ken I know would want me to keep my hands off his precious taco’s after calling him Kenneth and making him mad. He’s acting weird. He has a secret. I’ll find out. In the mean while I might as well eat something.

When I’m finished, I go to the living room to say the regular goodbyes. Mom and dad insist on that, they are people of principles.

“Have you eaten something?” my mother asks me.

“Yes, a sandwich with cheese,” I lie. Taco’s wouldn’t do for her. They do for Ken, but not for me. Typical.

“Give your mom and dad a kiss and you can leave.”

I look at my watch, I have to hurry. It’s 6:45. I give my mom and dad a quick kiss on the cheek and say goodbye. I get in my car, relieved that my mother doesn’t have anything to say regarding my jeans who are quite tight. I’m gonna break some hearts tonight.

Bette gave me a real good discription of where she lives and I arrive without getting lost. I go to ring the bell and let her know I’m there when she opens the door. We shriek both at the same time, scaring the hell out of each other. My heart still beats fast when I recover.

“Sorry,” I smile. “I was about to ring the bell when you opened the door, so -”

I stop talking when I see her. Oh. My. God. Look up, Kennard, look in her eyes. You are so not checking her out.

She’s wearing Levi’s that are made for her to wear. Her white shirt has vertical black stripes and is centered on her waist. The buttons are opened until right under her breasts, a white tank underneath that accentuates her dark skin. Her sleeves are rolled up to the middle of her fore-arms.

She smiles at me in a confident way and it’s dazzling me. It’s not until I see her mouth that I realise she’s talking to me.

“… hadn’t expected to see you stand in front of the door as I opened it either.”

“Yeah, well, I’m… I’m sorry.” I have to gather myself. Straight, Kennard. Straight as an arrow. I get the feeling that will be a mantra going through my head all night. I am so looking forward to this party. “So… we… better get leaving, right?” I am surprised that I’m able to form a complete sentence.