Please read the first and second chapters first. No sex between or in the vicinity of anyone under 18.
Chapter 2 ends: Then his mom's final statement sunk in; her puzzlement became a smile, and then a smirk. She turned to Chris: "So I'm your ideal of feminine beauty?"
"I didn't say that; I proposed that the Golden Ratio may apply to you," he countered insincerely.
Her smirk grew, and his sisters began laughing. Mom and Dad were chuckling as well. He knew he was busted, so he lamely ordered Diane to 'just push play'. That weak effort only drew more laughter.
His dad rescued him by suggesting it was time for a sandwich made from the leftover bread and ham, and another of Jo's delicious brownies. They relented and moved to the kitchen, although Jo brought the smirk with her.
Another meal, a walk before dark, and the Alexander's took the Jeep, filled to the roof with loot, back to the RV park.
With everyone else gone, the sense of awkwardness returned, and they went to bed early.
****
The next four days went by quickly. On the day after Christmas, the whole family exercised, ran, visited, ate, and watched the TCU Horned Frogs play the U. Cal -- Berkley Bears in the Cheezit Bowl. It was a defensive struggle, with the Bears scoring a touchdown early and the Horned Frogs tying it in the fourth quarter. They went into overtime tied at seven, and the Fighting Frogs kicked a field goal to win 10-7. The game was best remembered for setting a record for most interceptions, for hard hitting defenses, and inept offenses.
The women got bored and went into Jo's room at halftime; Dad got bored and went to sleep; Chris got bored, but, like a train wreck, he couldn't stop watching. He had to see what improbable thing would happen next; perhaps a tipped interception for a touchdown, or a fumble return, or a blocked punt, or a punt return.
It was clear neither offense was up to the task, so maybe the dominant defenses or special teams could make it happen. He was relieved when the Frogs kicked the field goal in OT, not only because they won, but because it was over.
They continued their daily workouts, went to a Mavericks game in Dallas, visited the Fort Worth Zoo and the stockyards, and raided the TCU bookstore as soon as it reopened. With plenty of purple and white to wear, they attended a Horned Frogs men's basketball game on the 29
th
, and cheered as if they were students and alumni.
The girls had become almost inseparable, frequently disappearing into Jo's room or wandering off somewhere. They could hear murmuring, giggles, laughter, and talk, usually in hushed voices, but punctuated at times with shrieks and uproarious laughter. His parents thought it was delightful that they girls got along so well; he wasn't so sure -- he wanted to know what they were giggling and shrieking about.
His mom thought it was so cute, she would go join them sometimes. When that happened, it was quieter than usual, but the shrieks were louder. His dad just smiled at his frowns and said to let the girls have some fun.
The 30
th
came too soon. The Alexanders loaded into their RV and headed back to Nashville to attend a New Year's Eve party at their favorite neighbors' home. The sisters cried and clung to Jo before they left, swearing they would be back often to visit! Donna renewed her vow to apply to TCU, and Mom srung her hands and shed tears while Dad watched stoically. Chris got hugs and kisses too, but not like their new BFF.
Suddenly alone and left to their own devices, Jo and Chris were a bit out of sorts; without anything being said, things had changed.
They exercised, ran, and worked on their computers, but the comfortable 'roommate' relationship they had before was frayed. There was a tension between them now, and neither knew how to proceed.
On the 31
st
, Chris was studying the design for The Carter Renovation and Expansion when Jo left around noon to go exercise in the gym. When she returned he was gone; unusually, there was no note.
On her bed, however, lay a shimmering silver dress, and on the floor sat a pair of matching heels. "For tonight's party" the note said.
Jo stormed around the apartment complex looking for him. When she found him he was going to get a piece of her mind for spending even more money that she could never repay! Try as she might, he was nowhere to be found!
She returned to the room, looked down at the damn dress, and recognized it as the one from Macy's that she had lingered over. She ran her finger down the soft material, saw how it sparkled in the light, and then held it against herself while looking in the mirror.
Oh, my -- no wonder Chris bought it for her! Apparently, he could picture her in it, and...
She plopped down on the bed, laid the dress beside her, curled up, and had a long talk with herself.
Chris didn't return until an hour before the party was to begin at eight. Jo was in her room, so he slipped quietly into his and started getting ready. He emerged at ten 'til, and took a seat on the couch. Jo emerged at five 'til, looking like a movie star in her shimmering silver dress and high heels, wearing her pearl earrings and necklace.
She was still conflicted about his unnecessary and expensive gifts, but when she saw his face she fully recanted her reservations. She was eighteen years old, and had never even had a boyfriend, but she recognized the look on his face for what it was, and he couldn't take his eyes off her! She suddenly liked the dress, a lot!
His charcoal suit matched her dress perfectly, and they were the king and queen of the NYE Clear Fork Ball from arrival until the ball dropped at mid-night.