~ Killing Time ~

by

Sharon Woods

Jelly felt the car stop and knew they were parked under the big elm tree at the end of her driveway. She felt Jerry Don’s magic hand. Okay, she’d stop it just as soon as they kissed one last time.

As soon as the car went in park and the ignition turned off, Jerry Don turned and wrapped his free arm around Jelly. They scooted over to the passenger side of the car. Jelly discovered that Jerry Don had two magic hands and one was now under her arm, just barely touching her breast. She tried not to moan because it seemed his breathing was getting a little labored. She’d read about this part, too. It made her feel as if she had some magical power over him. It made her feel needed and wanted. It made her feel strong.

Her arms went up. His other magic hand went under her breast and brushed across her blouse. Her hands grabbed his head just behind his ears, and her fingers were moving in that blond hair. His body was nearly covering hers now. Her eyes were closed, and she couldn’t hear much besides that roaring in her ears.

When she became conscious she remembered she wasn’t suppose to do this stuff--that "nice girls" didn’t make out on the first date. But she wanted to experience just a little more of what the "bad girls" experienced. Her back arched, and her breasts pushed closer to him. It seemed she couldn’t get close enough to him. Just a little more and she knew she would stop him. She was surprised when it was he that stopped the making out.

"Damn!" Jerry Don said as he straightened up in the seat, disgusted.

Jelly opened her eyes and was surprised to see red and blue flashes in the car.

"Oh, my God! Daddy’s home!" she said breathlessly, scared and yet still excited from the wild kissing. Daddy had always thought it was funny to turn his flashing lights on her and her dates. Usually her dates didn’t think it was very funny. At least he didn’t turn the siren on this time. Being the sheriff’s daughter had its drawbacks.

"Yeah," Jerry Don sighed. "Daddy’s home."

They turned, straightening their clothes but laughing just the same. She opened the passenger door, and they both slid out of her door.

Jake Ryan turned off the lights on his cruiser. "Hey, kiddo, what you doin’ sittin’ out here in the dark with that no-good Hunt boy?"

Jake was laughing quietly. The laugh seemed to have a definite edge to it that could turn deadly anytime.

"Don’t you know," he continued as he walked up beside them, "he’s just a horny old boy getting’ ready to leave town?"

Jerry Don gave him a tight smile and a nod of his head. "Jake. How you doin? Been to Lawton tonight?" He just wanted to remind Jake that he wasn’t the only one that got horny.

Jake eyed Jerry Don warily. This boy was getting’ a little too big for his britches. Thank goodness he was leavin’ town pretty soon. He said, "Yeah, I been to Lawton. When you leavin’?"

Jerry Don stared Jake in the eyes, but answered respectfully. "Two days, Jake. I leave for Basic in two days."

"I meant now. Tonight. I meant you best be getting’ on home, Jerry Don. Wouldn’t want your folks worryin’ about you."

Jake knew exactly what Jerry Don wanted from his girl, and he’d do his best to make sure he didn’t get it. Damn boys anyway. All they ever thought about was getting nookie. He remembered those days. It was a good thing he and Velta had been together so long. Sure made life easier not having to chase nookie all over Comanche County. People here in Love didn’t take to their sheriff chasin’ local nookie, so he had to go countywide to get him any. Velta was a Love girl that got a job in Lawton at a beauty shop there. He was thrilled when she decided she’d had enough commuting and moved there. That’s when he started askin’ her out and all. He really liked the "and all" best and was thrilled to find out that’s why she moved to Lawton in the first place.

Life was good for Jake if he just didn’t have to worry about Jelly and her virginity all the time. These damn boys was gonna drive him crazy. Velta had hinted around about makin’ it legal and her bein’ a mama to Jelly. Velta was an awful sweet woman. She had a good career as a beautician and the biggest boobs in Lawton. But, Jake figured he’d raised Jelly by himself this far, he could see her the rest of the way to grown.

Well, to be honest, he wouldn’t have been able to take care of Jelly alone if he hadn’t been for old lady Hopkins on the corner. She tended Jelly when she was little. Jelly loved that old lady, called her Grandma Hopkins. Since both his and Maggie’s folks were dead, Grandma Hopkins became the best choice. Damn fine woman, too. She helped take care of Maggie when she was sick, but she was just too old. She up and died on him and Jelly when Jelly was in the fourth grade. Caused all kinds of grief for a while for both of them.

By that time Jelly and Diane Holman were best friends. With the Holmans livin’ next door, it made it real handy for him and Jelly. He was able to pay Pearl Holman to take care of her after school until Jelly got old enough to stay on her own. Pearl needed the extra help with her old man takin’ off ever now and then to God knows where. Jelly was usually over there or Diane was at their place, anyway. Not that he wanted to take advantage of Pearl, but he was gone an awful lot. Plus he still has his Aunt Hattie over in Taylor to explain all the female stuff to Jelly. He did the best he could and still have a life of his own, too.

Then he had Louella, his colored help. She would come in a couple times a week to cook and clean the house, do laundry and, just in general, take care of the place. With Louella and Pearl, Jake had little worries about Jelly.

Now, Jelly was about to graduate. He’d like to see her married and settled down. Maybe then he wouldn’t have to worry about her runnin’ around or havin’ to get married.

All things considered, though, worse things could happen to her. Here lately she’d been talkin’ about goin’ to college of all things. He wondered if the high school put those crazy notions in her head. Just a total waste of money, a woman goin’ to college. All she’d do is up and get married. He’d seen it lots of times right here in Love. A girl would go off to college, get married, and come right back here to Love to raise her kids. As far as Jake knew, it didn’t take a college education for that kind of nonsense.

‘Sides all those other reasons, if Jelly got married, why him and Velta maybe could start them a life together. Maybe go on vacations every now and then or heck just have a home-cooked meal in his home sometimes. Maybe he would think on marryin’ Velta then. Velta had been patient with him for lots of years.

Yeah, he’d done right by Jelly even if it was a sacrifice for him. He loved that girl, and she knew he loved her, too. No damn old horny boy by the name of Jerry Don Hunt or anybody else was going to mess it up for him now. Not at this stage of the game. Jake would see to it that she came to her wedding bed pure for her husband.

Jake gave Jelly a meaningful look and started up towards the house. When Jelly didn’t move to follow him, he stopped and turned around to face them. "Aren’t you comin’ Jelly?" It really wasn’t a question; it was an order.

Jelly raised her voice and said, "In just a minute, Daddy."

Well I’ll be damned! Jake thought. She must really be smitten with this boy to stand up to him. He stood his ground and didn’t move.

He spoke in a firm voice, "Five minutes, Jelly. Don’t make me come back out here."

"I won’t, Daddy. Just give me five minutes to say goodbye to Jerry Don, then I’ll come right in. I promise." She tried to keep the quiver of fear out of her voice. Not too many people messed around with Jake Ryan, particularly Jelly Ryan.