Publish Novellas 14 August 2022
EPISODE 7 – EMOTIONS
The road trip continues with Carly expanding her vocabulary while learning more about commitment and careers.
⚠️ Use Discretion: Mature dialogue.
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Curtains
On the highway, while listening to “Young Girl” by Gary Puckett and The Union Gap on satellite radio, Carly says, “That’s my jam…. I’m not saying this to brag but I must have had a growth spurt or something.
“Maybe you noticed the bras you bought me seem tight. I’d like some new ones when you get a chance, please.” Climbing between the seats, she continues, “I’ll be in the back for a minute.”
For some time now, Diana has been trying to ignore Carly’s provocativeness. But since they openly discuss many topics of a sexual nature, she wonders if Carly is receivng mixed signals. This is something that Diana feels she needs to address with clarity.
Exposure
While in the back of the cab with the curtain drawn closed. Carly is singing the lyrics before abruptly shouting, “Can you avoid road bumps? I’m trying to insert a bear trap.”
Diana pulls over to the side of the road as quickly as possible to chastise her. Snatching the curtain to one side reveals Carly’s forward-facing wide-open legs while leaning back on her hands. Diana shouts, “Wow, I just saw that!”
Road Rage
“Oh, did you see me?” Carly asks.
Though unable to completely disregard the foreground, Diana quickly refocuses on Carly’s eyes before continuing, “Girl, what are you thinking? If I hit a pothole you could slice everything that is near and dear to you with that thing. And if the police were to pull me over, no explanation would suffice. Only insert those in a public bathroom stall.”
“I’m sorry. I forgot at the last stop.”
Noticing Carly’s hesitation to dress herself, Diana asks, “Are you going to pull up your panties?”
“Yeah, right, I’m sorry…” As Carly arches her back between her shoulder blades and tip toes. She continues, “Just a minute…,” while wiggling to pull up her panties and jeans…. “Hold on…. Almost done.”
Having lost eye contact, Diana catches herself staring at ambiguous genitalia a little too long before sliding the curtain close, “You need more modesty… and common sense.
“When you’re done, put on a jacket and meet me outside to talk…. What was that peekaboo all about? Why were you frozen in that position? There has to be reason for this provocative behavior.
“Do you want to be a porn star? Is that it? I can take you to a slutty magazine publisher. They will give you a wad of cash to flash cameras. You can then use the centerfold as your resume when I drop you off on the streets of Hollywood. Is that what you want?”
“Wow, you seem very angry. That’s not it at all. Please don’t think I’m a slut. I want you to have a higher impression of me as a virgin. When the truck stopped, I thought maybe I could finish putting the thing in.”
“You’re becoming more risqué and seem to have no shame exposing yourself to me,” Diana reprimands.
“You’ve seen me without clothing before,” is Carly’s reply.
“Not from that angle!” Diana reacts.
Consent
“Let’s take a walk,” Diana continues. “I could be wrong, but my gut rarely lies. Sometimes I sense your acceptance to the notion of a female taking advantage of you.”
Misinterpreting Diana’s words, Carly replies, “I’m glad you finally asked. Right now about sixty percent of me is terrified of the prospect. The other forty is curious. When we met, you seemed like the type… who likes women.
“Since that’s my belief, there are times when you say or do things that make the forty percent say, ‘Okay, this is about to happen now.’ When it doesn’t, I wonder if it’s because I’m not pretty enough or perhaps I need to express clear consent.
“There’s no denying we were halfway there in the San Diego motel. Some of my reactions were immature, but we seemed to rebound when you were complimenting me. I’m not making any of this up!
“That seems to leave one other reason why nothing has happened between us.” With a deep breath, Carly shakes out her arms and continues, “If consent is the issue, I want to make that clear.”
“That’s quite a revelation,” Diana replies. “You have apparently been giving this much thought. So I am glad we are having this conversation.
“It is normal at your age to experience conflicting sexual feelings. Your hormones are peaking. This doesn’t mean you are gay. Hopefully, your upbringing won’t cause you to rule men out altogether.
“It pains me that you must go through this confusing time of development while isolated from girls and boys your age. I am the only outlet for your emotions.
“I want to say your consent is flattering. But it saddens me to hear you have been riding around, wondering when I will molest you. Based on the way men have treated me in the past, I should prefer women. But I’m not a lesbian.
“Then prove it. If you’re really attracted to men, how come you’ve never excused yourself to be with one? Even if I wasn’t watching, you’d be teaching me that it’s something normal to imitate, and that you aren’t waiting to have your way with me?”
“I’d be no better than your mother who was sleeping around with no commitments. You should share your beauty and virginity with someone closer to your age anyway. Together, you can enjoy a full life raising a family.
“I often speak candidly regarding sexual matters. This is so you can make informed choices about how to protect your body. It is not to groom you for myself. I hope this does not hurt you or make you feel undesirable.”
Rebuttal
“If this was a Hollywood movie, the scene would probably have taken a different direction. Despite a little disappointment, I appreciate your clarity. Misunderstandings like this can end friendships. I really hope I didn’t blow it by making things awkward between us. Even if I was wrong about your intentions, I want you to continue teaching me.
“Who else can I talk to about breast care, periods, masturbation, protection against rape, and all kinds of stuff like that? I still have questions about my clitoris, which you just saw. Does mine look normal? What is its function? Please tell me that you will help me.”
Diana reassures her, “Those are good questions. I am not deterred from having these awkward conversations together. Your gynecologist, future mate, and children could also be safe audiences under the right circumstances.”
In tactful disagreement with the overall assessment, Carly continues, “Once again you impress me with the way you navigate this uncomfortable topic—neatly explaining away my observations and landing us right back where we started. Perhaps the strong feelings I have for you are just passing hormones like you say.
“We both know that I’m your Carly. But it seems like you’re telling me to find a boyfriend and forget about you. Your willingness to sacrifice personal happiness for my benefit is admirable.”
Diana stares directly into Carly’s eyes with hesitation and says, “When I call you my Carly you seem to have a different understanding of the meaning.”
“You can’t fool me with words anymore. It means I belong to you and am special to you. Am I wrong?”
“Well, that’s pretty accurate, you little lawyer. Our feelings for one another have grown stronger. But I need to find a better way to describe our relationship.
“You have an ID that says you’re 19 years old but you’re actually 17½. At your age, what you need most is an educator and protector.”
Carly concedes, “When you figure out our relationship, please explain it to me. You have been a champion for every other need and desire of mine. Because I trust you and owe you everything, I will be patient.”
