For spring break, Ashley brought home her roommate. Anne was full-blooded Japanese, but she was born and raised in Connecticut. Anne was a delightful girl. Petite, barely five feet tall, she had long, straight black hair, a beautiful, childlike face, and a ready smile that brightened any room. Anne played the virginal Japanese schoolgirl, most often wearing a white blouse, tie, and dark pleated skirt. She was adorable. Her tiny figure was very shapely, in a miniature way. She had perky breasts, a narrow waist, smooth, pleasing hips, and hot little legs.
Ashley had reported to her parents that Anne, in contrast to her innocent faΓ§ade, was sexually active with her boyfriend, also Japanese, and had been since high school. Based on the number of used condoms she found in their dorm room's trashcan, Ashley estimated that Anne was highly experienced, albeit only with one boy.
Jake had been moping since he found out that Ashley had slept with one of the guys at school. He was grumpy that the best piece of ass he had ever had was forever off limits to him.
When Jake and Merrill met Anne, Jake nearly swallowed his tongue. Merrill sighed, knowing that her husband would obsess about Anne's girlish allure, and angel-whore polarity. In their first private moment at home, Merrill admonished Jake, "Anne has a steady boyfriend, Jacob. Ashley says Anne will never go out with anyone who is not Japanese. I know what you're thinking, Jacob. Don't cause any trouble."
Jake was wounded, "You don't think I could have her? You don't think she would have me?"
Ashley walked into the room. Merrill sighed, and said, "Ashley, your father thinks he has a shot at Anne. What do you think?"
Ashley laughed, "Oh, Dad! Anne's not like Mom, or me. She may be horny, but her boyfriend is a little Japanese guy with thick glasses. Not your type. Besides, you would rip her in two!"
Jake was indignant, "Okay, ladies, put your money where your mouths are. I get a free pass with Anne. If I nail her, it's a freebie."
Ashley said, sarcastically, "Go for it, Dad." Merrill waved her hand in acceptance. Jake immediately turned his mind from mourning the loss of Ashley to seducing the alluring Anne. He wondered what it would be like to screw such a tiny girl. Jake carefully chose his strategy. Instead of his usual act, which was to be unfailingly positive and happy in front of a potential conquest, he sensed that Anne had a dark side. Jake would be the strong, silent type around Anne. Smoldering intensity would intrigue her.
The first morning of Anne's stay, she and Ashley tumbled downstairs to the kitchen. They found Jake lifting weights on the back patio. He wore training shorts, and no shirt. His muscles glistened with perspiration, and rippled with his exertions. He had extended his customary workout because the girls had appeared later than he had expected. He toweled off a bit, and came inside. He kissed Ashley chastely on the cheek, and said an obligatory, "Good morning."
The girls sat down at the breakfast table. Jake brought milk and orange juice for them. He said nothing, but merely raised his eyebrows and proffered the beverages. Ashley took orange juice, and Anne took milk. Merrill arrived. Jake kissed her on the cheek, and went upstairs. He had uttered a total of two words.
When Jake returned, he wore a tight, spandex, long-sleeved shirt, and short, filmy running shorts. He went straight to the kitchen, and helped cook breakfast. The three women chatted brightly, while Jake remained silent. Only Anne did not realize that Jake was behaving completely out of character.
After breakfast, Anne went upstairs to prepare for a day of exploring the area. Once she was out of earshot, Merrill and Ashley pounced on him. Merrill said, "Oh, my God, Jacob! What is this act you're putting on?"
Ashley agreed, "You're never going to impress her by being something you're not, Dad!"
Jake stood his ground, "On the contrary, I have evaluated the fair Anne as a phony, and a snob. She will fall for the distant, silent, act, be wounded by my indifference, and seek validation by seducing me."
The women scoffed. Ashley said, "You weigh twice as much as her boyfriend, Dad. You are not her type, silent or not!"
Ashley and Anne took the car, and toured North Carolina. When they returned, late in the afternoon, Anne took a shower first. Jake, Merrill, and Ashley sat in the living room. Jake said, "When Ashley goes up for a shower, Merrill, please make yourself scarce, and leave me alone with Anne." More derisive guffaws from the women made Jake more determined than ever to scale mount Anne.
Jake knew that Anne and Ashley both imbibed beer freely at school. He had a pair of stylish beer glasses in the freezer, and an interesting steam beer in the refrigerator. Anne came downstairs, surprising all three of them by wearing a flimsy kimono. Her long hair was wrapped up in a towel. Both Ashley and Merrill were a little taken aback by the sexy look.
Ashley said, "My turn," and went upstairs to shower.
Merrill said, "If you two will excuse me, I will be upstairs, as well." She went upstairs, but remained just out of sight, listening carefully to what was going on in the living room.
Jake stood, and went to the kitchen, still silent. He returned with two frosty beer glasses, full of beer. He set one down in front of Anne, sat down, and held out his beer to her. She picked up her beer, they clinked glasses, and sat back to drink. Anne was swept away by his cool demeanor. His serving her an unasked-for beer impressed her greatly. She was accustomed to being treated like a child due to her size and appearance. They sat silently for a few moments. Finally, Anne felt the need to speak. She asked, in the most adult voice her tiny throat could produce, "This is good beer, Mr. Taggert."
"Jake."
"Okay, Jake. What kind is it?"
"It's called Chain Link. It's not well known."
"Well, it's very good." He gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.
Another long silence. Jake appeared to be completely comfortable existing in silence. Anne was desperate to ask an open-ended question that would get him talking. She asked, "Have you spent a lot of time overseas, Jake?"
"Yes. I spent two years on Okinawa, among other places."
"How did you like Japan?"
"I loved my time there, Anne."
Another long pause, and Anne asked, "You weren't married then, were you?"