normalcy

Downstairs you sat next to Erin with a contented sigh. "You look refreshed."

"Hmm. Yeah. I was, uh...taking a bath." Erin smiled, not believing a word of it.

"Is that mine?" She pulled at your exposed green strap hidden under your shirt.

"Yeah, I don't have one of my own yet. It's okay right?"

"Yeah, just ask next time."

Kyle stood on the small diving board waving at you and calling for your attention, "Watch, Kara, watch me!" Once he was sure he had your attention Kyle lept into the air with a spin before hitting the water with a big splash.

His head popped up out of the water with a huge smile. "Way cool man!" You laughed.

Mason cheered when he turned and spied you two from the grill where he had been engrossed. His obnoxious smile always made you feel like he was condescending to you. "Erin, I swear you look lovelier every time I see you."

"Thanks." Erin didn't seem to pay him any mind, or at least she didn't show it if she did.

"Who's your beautiful little friend?" He smiled. Erin and your dad stared at each other then back at you unsure what to tell him.

"I'm Kara." Mason knew you before so it was oddly funny introducing yourself to someone you had known almost all your life.

"Well, hello Kara. I'm Mason. I'm Joe's friend." He pointed at your dad and you couldn't help but giggle.

"Hello, Joe." You waved annoyingly at your dad still giggling.

"Hello, Kara." He rolled his eyes. 'Screw it' you thought, you were having fun with this for once not having someone know that part of yourself.

"Are you going to join us and watch the game later?" Mason pulled up a chair next to you.

"I thought I might. I was gonna hang out for a bit, work on my tan."

Mason sighed, "Shame I didn't bring my suit. I always say I'm gonna bring my suit but I keep forgetting."

"Burgers are ready." Your dad called out setting burgers out on a plate. "Kyle, come eat before Kara takes it all."

"I would not!" Your dad laughed, he always thought he was funny. Someone had too. "So I invited Tom over. I hope you don't mind."

"Good," Your father sat his plate down salting his patty, "I wanted to talk to him." Kyle sat next to you, dripping wet and smiling as he dug into his burger. You really couldn't blame him. Your dad's burgers are the best and probably your best memories of summer.

Tom arrived before you finished eating. You threw open the front door and threw your arms around him surprising him with a passionate kiss that threatened to take the soul right out of his body. "I missed you." You whispered.

"You hide it well." He whispered back, "I missed you too."

You kissed again, softly, sweetly, lovingly, "Come on." you took him by his hand and lead him to the back door. "You brought your suit right?"

"I didn't."

"Shame, guess you'll have to swim without one." Tom raised an eyebrow, with the rare exception, he was unaccustomed to you being so forward sexually. You stop at the sliding glass door turning to him and straightening up his hair and checking to make sure he looked presentable to your father. "Don't mention the fighting at school.

"I wont."

"Don't be nervous."

"I'm not."

"You should be."

"What the hell?"

"Don't cuss. He hates that. Don't mention you've had sex either."

"Why would it come up?"

"I don't know...I don't know what he'll ask, I've never done this before. I just want him to like you."

"So I shouldn't tell him about the fights in the back of the sex club?"

"Don't make jokes. I love you but...just stick to being stoic."

"I'm a laugh riot." You scrunched up your face, there's a reason you considered him bud Abbott to your Lou Costello. "I'll behave." He relented after seeing your unimpressed glare.

"Good boy." You gave him one final kiss before opening the door.