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There will be an answer, Let It Be.
The Beatles.

With Erica scheduled off for the next two days, work seemed to drag on and on. I considered calling her to come in, just so I could see her, but felt that would be indiscreet.

Just after dusk on Sunday, I arrived home. Nick's truck was gone, so I got right on the phone. "Hello, Erica, it's..."

"Oh, hi! I was just about to call you. How was work?"

"Uh, ok I guess. Listen, I can't stop thinking about you. Can I see you?"

She laughed, "Not right now, but I can sneak out later."

My high school girlfriend...

I sighed, "No that's okay. Umm..."

Never shy, Erica interrupted, "We didn't talk after you kissed me. I didn't know you were going to do that. I mean, I did, but not so... like you did. You made me so happy, I'm crying right now."

"Erica, it was magical for me. I've never... it's never been like that for me."

Silence, then her voice cracked. "Yes, it really was. I wish you had kissed me the first time we met."

I would be unemployed, and possibly incarcerated, but yeah!

"Erica, I'm sorry I didn't. Or a thousand times since then. But I knew I would, someday."

"Yes, I did too. All these months, I knew we would be together."

I fell quiet. Words like these seemed to come easily to Erica, but my well had run dry.

She effortlessly de-escalated. "Guess what? I wrote your name all over my notebook. Let me tell you what happened at school..."

***********

After half an hour of listening to her accounts of inane high school life, we said goodbye. I felt like I should have a plan for our relationship, but didn't have any idea what to do. Like many other important things, I decided to let it be.

Inspired, I picked up my guitar and sang a few lines.

"But though the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me.
There will be an answer, Let It Be..."

Whoever Erica really was, and wanted to become, I would let her be, with support and... love?

Is that what I'm feeling? I think I love her...

The hearty sound of Nick's truck pulling up, canceled any deep reflection.

Recently passed auto emissions laws in California meant that all cars had to have basically stock engines and exhaust. I had painfully undone the aftermarket modifications to my Riviera, and it felt neutered. However, a loophole in the law gave heavy duty pickup trucks an exemption. Thus, my now unused Holley carburetor, had found a new home on top of the 460 cu inch power plant in Nick's new Ford, and the free flowing exhaust system he had installed growled exquisitely.

Since he had left for his hunting trip early Saturday morning, I had not seen him, and was eager to hear how it went. I walked out to help him bring his gear in, so he handed me the bolt-action rifle. Opening the chamber as gun safety required, I could see it had not been fired. "You didn't like hunting, Nick?"

"No, it's not my thing, I guess. My brothers gave me shit all weekend."

His response surprised me. A month prior, Nick and I had drunkenly foiled a knife-wielding mugger, by pulling out our concealed pistols. I had almost thrown up immediately after the shocked thug backed away, but Nick's nerves of steel had allowed him to beam triumphantly, "See, that's why we carry!"

Maybe it shook him more than I thought...

Nick had nothing more to say about it, so I carried the rifle inside. He looked around. "Damn, you cleaned the place up nice. I guess Erica really is special!"

"She may be more than special."

"Is that so? You must have boned her."

I probably could have, even though she didn't seem ready...

"No, we just kissed. But next time she comes over here, she's getting fucked."

"Hahaha! Oh yeah, that sounds really special. You're such a cretin!"

  "Whatever, Nick. I've waited almost six months for this. It's time."

Wow, it's really happening. I'm falling in love...

**************

Trying to contain my excitement, I slogged through my Monday work morning while awaiting Erica's appearance at three pm. At noon, Vivian snidely announced, "Your girlfriend called out for her closing shift."

I suppose I'm responsible for her now...

Not willing to give her any satisfaction, I pointed out, "Vivian, last week you told me she was your friend."

Laying down her four aces, she scowled, "Don't even try that crap. She came by here, to tell me all about what happened. Nice haircut, by the way. I'm going to let her do mine."

I kidded, "Don't try to kiss her, Vivian."

The immediate and deep blush all over her face told a whole story. She hurried away into the office, then closed the door.

Holy shit, she's in love with my girlfriend! Hmm. I wonder if Erica and Vivian...

Despite my curiosity, I decided to leave that stone unturned.

For now...

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