Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 01:10:43 +0000 From: william michael Subject: Misery Needs Company, part 3 Misery Needs Company, Part 3 It was the first day of school and Jimmy was feeling pretty nervous. Regular school attendance was something that had only recently come back into his life and he wasn't sure how he was going to fit in. It helped that Carly was going to be with him, at least for the bus ride in but after that he was likely to be on his own for most of it. He had already had some issues with a couple of the locals and there was some indication that at least some form of a story was circulating about him. So it was with some trepidation that he walked out of his Aunt's house and over to stand at the bottom of the driveway to wait for Carly. She must have been looking for him because no sooner than he got there, the front door flew open and she hurried out. Despite the burden of a school uniform that in her case consisted of a knee length beige skirt and a navy blue blouse, you couldn't hide the fact that she was a devastatingly beautiful young woman. Tall, blonde and bosomy was the short description. The long one would take up most of the story. And the weird thing was, he thought, was that she was absolutely crazy about him and he her. She topped him by half a head, looked years older than their common sixteen years and even in the dull uniform looked like she could have stepped off the cover of Vogue, or more likely the Sports Illustrated swim suit issue. He was still skinny, with a built in rumpledness that turned his shorts and three button pull over into simply pieces of cloth with no statement at all. The fact that he had two major talents, one mechanical, the other musical didn't do much to bolster his confidence. Even the backpack he insisted on using was a relic from some past military campaign somewhere, but he had been using it ever since he discovered it in a box of junk that had found its way into the scrap yard that had been the center of his life up until a handful of months ago. "Hello, sweetheart," Carly said as she stopped in front of him, her bright smile lighting up her face. "How are you feeling?" she asked as her female chromosomes kicked in and she began to straighten his collar and brush away a speck or two. He didn't object as some boys might since he had been on the short end of the stick when it came to feminine attention and that this amazing creature wished to fuss over him amazed him, not annoyed him. "Okay, I guess. I'm more concerned about any fallout from my clashes with that bonehead than anything else." They began to walk and she let her hand run over his back in an effort to comfort him as she spoke. "I wouldn't be too concerned. It's a big school and he might not even see you. And when you consider what you've done to him, he should be the one who's worried. Just relax, be your charming self and you'll do fine. Just don't be charming any girls or you'll have me to worry about," she said, looking over and down at him with a grin. "Now worries, you know my thoughts on that already." Yes, she did and knowing how he felt had been the source of many a happy moment. Yes, she knew she was quite beautiful, now, but it hadn't always been that way. For too long, she was the tall, gawky girl that didn't quite fit in. But with Jimmy it all clicked into place almost from the start and he turned out to be someone she could fall in love with. And she did. So they stood at the bus stop with a few other kids from the neighborhood, but beyond a few head nods, there was little interaction. There was a few whispered comments though, which told Jimmy all he needed to know. The bus ride was of no consequence, just twenty minutes where the young couple sat side by side, surreptitiously holding hands. A couple of boys had let their eyes roam over Carly as they walked by to open seats but any notice by Jimmy caused them to look away quickly. One thing that was worrying the boy was that when he received his schedule he was instructed to report to the guidance counselors office during his study hall. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were going to talk about. When the bus pulled into the lane for drop off in front of the school, he had to admit to being impressed by its size. As part of the county education system, it drew kids from several towns and even with only three grades it still had a significant student population and it looked like they were all swarming toward the entrances. Carly stayed glued to his side until they were inside the door and then he was on his own as she had to go to a different home room. He had studied the map and gone on a virtual tour since he had arrived too late for an orientation day. But a kid who could navigate a large scrap yard at night without getting lost made quick work of the well-marked corridors and found his homeroom with time to spare. He was happy that no mention was made about the new kid in the class, although when he responded to his name during roll call, there were a few glances in his direction. It wasn't until third period when he found himself sitting across from a middle aged man who was regarding him before opening a file folder. "Jimmy, not James?" "No, sir, just Jimmy." "Alright, well, I'll make this simple, Jimmy. Your journey to your junior year with us has been pretty complicated. But based on what I see here," he said, laying a hand on the folder, "you seem to have been able to acquire a more than adequate level of education. I'm not sure how, but it suggests good things for you here in a more stable environment. That being said, there are still some concerns about what some have described here as a traumatic upbringing." Jimmy gave no indication of any reaction to the comments being made. He had been waiting for this part with some concern. "So, for the time being, your schedule will continue to include a once weekly visit to this office for you to discuss any issues you think you might be having. The conversations will be confidential, so you can feel free to bring up anything having to do with teachers, students, whatever you feel is necessary. I know you've been in town for the summer. Have you made any friends?" "One, a very good one. My neighbor in fact." "Excellent. Even just one can make all the difference in how well you adapt to your new situation. Any activities that interest you, sports, anything like that?" "I'm no athlete, but I do a lot with bicycles, the mechanics. In fact, I'm working on rebuilding some bikes to be provided to people who need them." "Now that is good news. A sense of community, accomplishment. I have to say, Jimmy, I am impressed by how well you've adapted to your new surroundings. Unless you have anything else, I think we can finish up for the day. I'll see you next week?" "Yes, sir. Thank you." Jimmy left feeling that he had passed a test of sorts. The next opportunity came at lunch when he walked into the cafeteria and he saw Carly sitting there waiting for him. She waved him over and he was sure he was being watched by at least some of the students. Like just about every high school, there were strict guidelines about public displays of affection, but with that big smile and shining eyes, it was like he was being hugged by those long arms and it warmed him. "Hello, sweetheart, how'd the morning go?" "Not too bad. Didn't get lost, had a good talk with the guidance guy, so okay. It would be perfect if I didn't get the feeling I was being watched." `Well, I hope I don't ruin your mood, but from a few things I've picked up, they're trying to see if you really are the homicidal maniac they've heard about." Jimmy's eyes went wide at that. Homicidal maybe, but never a maniac. "Apparently word about that time in the pizza place and then the bike chase have been circulating. The fact that you look so non-threatening in person has them confused. As long as you don't go off the deep end anytime soon, I think it will all pass. I imagine Johnson has been spreading some lies to make him look better." Jimmy gave a grimace that turned to a smile when he saw Carly open her bag and pull out what she had promised. She insisted she provide lunch for the two of them to mark the occasion. Out came sandwiches on bread she had baked, followed by cookies she had likewise baked and bottles of water. They managed to form a little bubble around themselves that no one seemed to bother with. If Johnson and his cronies were out there, they were lying low. "Sweetheart, did you hear the announcements this morning?" "More or less." "Did you hear about the talent show?" "Something, I wasn't paying much attention." "Well, I was wondering if you'd consider signing up." "To do what? Put a bicycle together from scraps?" he said with a half-smile, his mouth partially full of sandwich. "No, silly. You're junkyard percussion set, as you call it. I'd think it would go over very well." His expression went as blank as she had ever seen. Then he shook his head briefly and swallowed. "No chance. I've always done that just for myself. I'm no stage performer." "You've played for me, lots of times." "That's different. The first time was to show you what all the `junk' was for. When I saw how much you enjoyed it, and how much I enjoyed your dancing, I was happy to play more for you, but just you." She looked at him with pursed lips, a look of concentration, perhaps consternation, not her devastatingly sexy pout. Then she let out a sigh and said, "Hmm, I may have screwed up then. I know the teacher who's in charge of it this year. I sent her the video I made of you playing. She really liked it." His expression did not change and she was getting really concerned. The fact was that they really hadn't known each other that long and she wasn't sure what to expect. Then he startled her when he blew out a breath and said, "Well, I suppose it's my own fault for not explaining it to you from the start. I knew you made that video clip but I figured it was for you to use for yourself. Tell me who it is and I'll explain it to her that I'm not interested." "I'll take care of it, sweetheart. I should have asked you first." Jimmy said nothing but seeing the slightly morose look on Carly's face he was beginning to regret his stance. But he couldn't help but recall the taunts at school about being the junkyard boy and trash master. He could only imagine what the kids of this far more affluent community would make of his collection of buckets, bottles and bits, no matter how melodious it might sound. The rest of the day passed like any first day at school, getting to know classroom locations, trying to judge the teachers and difficulty level of the course material. At the end of the day, when they met at the bus stop Carly's smile was bright and her voice was cheerful but there seemed to be a tension in how she stood and then sat on the bus. The walk to their houses from the bus stop was quiet and when they got to her house she said, "I want to get changed. I'll bring out a snack, where will I find you?" "I'll be in the shed," he replied. "Okay, sweetie, see you in a bit." She gave him a kiss on the forehead and then hurried inside. He stopped in the house to drop his bag and then walked out to the shed. He picked up his drumsticks and sat down behind the assemblage of castoffs and began to thump a bucket or tap a bottle or metal tube. He was just starting to put together a bit of a rhythm when Carly appeared in the door way. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her outfit. It was still officially summer and she was appropriately dressed for the warm weather. Her shorts were a skimpy parody of a pair of cargo pants. The extra pockets were little more than flaps and her long legs were shown in all their glory. As usual her flat stomach was on full display and her full breasts were partially confined by a struggling sleeveless top that was unbuttoned and just tied underneath an impressive cleavage. She had a small tray with some cakes and two soda cans. He looked at her from behind his musical barrier and said, "Can I tell you something?" "Of course you can. Why would you think you couldn't?" She put the tray down on one of his work surfaces she sat down on the folding chair and crossed her legs and rested her hands in her lap. "I probably should have said something about this earlier but things have been going so good I didn't want to depress you with some of the details of my past. It wasn't just crazy moms and drug dealers. One of the reasons I didn't go to school much as time went on was the crap I had to put up with. It was mostly about being poor, no dad around and the fact that I hung around a junkyard. Junkyard boy was one of the nicer things they called me." Carly didn't say anything. From the tight line of her lips and the gleam in her eyes it was evident she was near to tears. "The reason I'm reluctant to show other people all this," he said, indicating the musical scrap heap, "especially around here, is they'll all start laughing at the junk boy." He finished his commentary with a few taps on one of the cut down extinguisher bodies. His look was not one of challenge but was inviting her to comment. She broke off the eye contact by tilting her head back to stare up at the shed roof. Jimmy simply sat and waited. While still looking up she began to speak. "When I heard you talk about all your mom's issues and that dirtbag boyfriend of hers and how you took care of him, it really upset me but you were able to take action and do something about it." She brought her head down and looked at him, continuing on, "But having a whole school, maybe a whole town, bullying you, attacking you really, that way. How do you defend yourself against that? I am so sorry, sweetheart, for trying to push you forward like that. I just thought that other people would enjoy it as much as I do. I hadn't even considered the rest of it." "It's okay, Carly, I couldn't expect you to know about that stuff. I know you had your own struggles but you're able to prove them wrong every time they look at you. Me, they just see that rumpled kid." "I understand, sweetheart. I'll see Ms. Napier tomorrow and I'll tell her." He nodded and studied the girl's face. He didn't mind her serious expressions when they were talking about some project or situation. He was finding he couldn't stand the expression she currently wore, primary because he was the cause. His, as he was beginning to consider it, cowardice. He took a deep breath. "Don't say anything yet," he began. "Maybe I can figure something out. But if someone calls me junk boy, there's going be trouble." "Damn right, I'll kick their ass." Then the girl was standing and she was holding her arms out to the boy. He stood up and walked into the finest embrace known to man, at least in his opinion, and they both felt a lot better. After a few moments of this therapy, she hooked a finger under his chin and with his face tilted up towards hers and she brought her lips to his and began a slow soft kiss. The young couple had been sexually active for weeks now but this kiss wasn't about that. This was about healing a bruise to their developing relationship. When they broke apart she locked eyes with him and said, "Sometime soon, I need you to sit down with me and give me a very detailed description of your life before coming here. I don't want any more mistakes or missteps, okay?" "Okay. It will be pretty depressing." "So be it. Better or worse, right?" He couldn't help but smile and think `god, I love this girl'. "Right, now that we've settled that, play for me. I feel like dancing." Jimmy smiled and sat back down and picked up his sticks and began tapping out a rhythm on the buckets at his feet. It didn't take long for Carly to start swaying her hips. When he started adding in more of a melody using the higher toned bottles and metal tubes she began to move her feet more. Jimmy couldn't help but marvel out how her body looked while it moved about the small amount of free space. When she was facing him he was mesmerized by the movement of her barely contained tits, amplified by the ripples that were visible in her cleavage. When she turned around, the flexing of her ass cheeks, clearly visible as the shorts were stretched to their limits across her backside. He had the irreverent thought that if nothing else worked out, she could make a fortune as a pole dancer. He wasn't sure how long they continued but finally she stopped, fixed a burning glare on him and used a crooked finger to coax him out from behind his `drum kit'. She sat down on the folding chair, grabbed him by his pants and pulled him over so he was standing in front of her. With long nimble fingers she undid his belt and pants and had them around his ankles in a flash. Then she pulled down his shorts and smiled broadly as his fat cock popped into view. Watching her dance had him fully hard. Still smiling she began to stroke his cock, her attention fully focused on the head, waiting for the first bit of precum to appear. When it did she used a finger to wipe it up and bring it to her lips. She closed her eyes and savored the sweet salty taste as she continued to stroke and milk more precum. By now Jimmy had his hands on her head, feeling the thick blonde hair and gently coaxing her to move forward so he could press his cock head against her pouty lips. With a small moan she let her lips part and he pressed forward, feeding the head and part of the shaft to her. She let go of his cock and slid her hands around his skinny hips to grab his equally skinny ass adding emphasis to his feeding her his fat, drooling dick. The taste of his precum on her tongue was electric and she was getting more and more turned on. The tension that had started at lunch and had built all afternoon was now merging with her desire for this boy and it was starting to burn. She let him gently face fuck her for another five minutes or so and then she let his cock pop out of her mouth. She looked up at him and said in a low growl, "I need you to fuck me, right here, right now." He simply nodded and stepped back, letting her stand up. She popped the button on her shorts and pulled the short zipper down. Just watching her shimmy her hips to get the shorts and panties off was enough to have his cock bouncing. She turned around to face his work bench, pushing her ass out towards him as she leaned on the table top. Even with those crazy long legs bent a bit, her pussy was still a bit out of his reach so he hooked a flattish wooden box out from under his table and positioned it right behind her. Before mounting the box and her, he bent down and began to press his lips against the smooth warm skin of her ass, taking hold of her hips as his mouth moved all around, then settling in to the crease of her ass. As she wiggled and cooed he let his tongue trace up and down, sliding over the puffy, damp lips, then dragging over the perineum, gently touching her tight sphincter then back. She let him indulge for a half dozen passes and then she looked back over her shoulder and said, or hissed, "Jesus, stop teasing me and get your cock inside me." He smiled back at her, then stepped up on the box and with unerring aim, pointed his cock at her pussy and began to push. She was dripping wet and while still tight, he thought her pussy was sucking him in. With a steady grip on her ass he began to fuck her deep, hard and slow. She had her head low and was moaning as she pushed back to meet each thrust of his cock. Knowing she was a strong girl he leaned forward, letting her take some of his weight so he could get his hands on her tits for some slow kneading and then letting one hand slide down her stomach to search out, and find, her exposed clit to play with. "Oh, fuck, you nasty boy, damn, I love you, yesssssss..." was all she managed before she just started to gurgle. Her hips were pushing back and grinding in circles and then she stiffened, and he heard a strangled sound that suggested her mouth was pressed against one of her arms. Her pussy was spasming around his cock but he was determined to hold out and keep working her clit and tits while he kept up the thrusting. Fortunately, she was so wound up that her second orgasm wasn't far behind and she shook and shuddered. He finally had enough and he pulled out and began shooting his cum over her ass and lower back. When he was done cumming, his legs got a little shaky and he had to grab hold of her hips once more to steady himself. She in the meantime began to push herself up off the workbench. As she stood up straight he wrapped his arms around her waist and began to kiss her shoulders and neck. "Oh, my dear sweet darling. You have so many reasons to hate the world and yet you are so loving, so giving," she said as her hands locked on his forearms. "I might sound like a silly girl, but I don't want you to ever let go of me. Please, always be there for me." He pulled her back tightly against his chest, feeling the stickiness of his cum against his hips. He placed his lips by her ear and whispered something about finding a spot for her in his room which was followed by her turning around inside his arms and finding his lips with hers. They remained like that for some minutes until he felt his legs beginning to fade quickly. She felt it as well so she literally lifted him off his feet and put him in front of the folding chair and forced him to sit. Then she took a few sheets from a paper towel roll hung on the wall and handed it to him. Then she turned to present her back and ass to him to clean up. He gently wiped the smooth skin clean, added some more kisses and then applied the sheets to himself. Then he watched in mute fascination as she tugged her panties and shorts back on. The motions of her hips threatened to hypnotize him. "You know, I love the way you look in those shorts but wouldn't something looser be easier?" She finished up and then turned, crouching down in front of him and taking hold of his face in both hands, said, "Sweetheart, the fact that you love the way I look, and I love how you look at me in them, makes the extra effort more than worth it. When you and I are settled in our own place, I'm going to walk around naked all the time so you can watch my ass and I can watch you watching." "I gives me chills when you talk like that," he said. "Why? Does us being together scare you?" "Not being together. I just wonder how I can earn enough to make that happen," he said, leaning back in the chair. "You mean `we' don't you?" "Well yeah, but I figure you're headed for college, right? I don't see that happening for me." "Don't make up your mind about that. You're just getting your feet under you. You and I have gotten pretty serious, pretty fast, but we still have plenty of time. Just keep thinking of new and fun ways to send me over the moon and everything will be just fine." Then he was pulled forward and kissed thoroughly by the most amazing girl in the world. Then he was pulled into a tight, warm embrace, his face buried in her thick blonde hair. "You're mine, lover, all mine. And I'm yours, all yours. Whatever comes, will come, but always keep that in mind," she said. There were more kisses on his cheek and then she stood up and held out her hands to him. He in turn got his pants on and properly arranged. "Oh, by the way. Daddy left this for you." He accepted the folded piece of paper that had been miraculously hidden in one of her miniscule pockets. He unfolded and started to read. His eyes popped open and he said, "Well, I'll be damned." "What is it, sweetie?" "I guess someone liked the job I did on those first two batches of bikes. It's an offer from that bike store near the highway. They're looking for someone to help assemble bikes for the Christmas rush. Saturdays to start and then Sundays as well after Thanksgiving. Wow." "Told ya, handsome. You've got talent and people will see just how much. I'm so proud of you." "Thanks," he said, going a little red in the face. "You should check out some of the clothes stores. They'd snap you up to be a model or something. Especially if they sold beach stuff or underwear." "Sweetheart, firstly, if a woman is wearing it, it's lingerie, not underwear. Secondly, I'm sixteen. I don't think anyone would hire me to show off little clothes and lots of skin. But thanks for thinking I could do it." "My dear young lady," he said, with a phony adult voice, "I think you could sell bikinis at the North Pole." See reached over and took one of the cakes and a soda can and handed them to him. "You start talking like that and I know your blood sugar is getting low. Here, eat." But she was smiling fit to burst as she said it. What she didn't tell him was a little plan of her own she was working on. They ate their way through the snack and then they walked first to his room for a clean shirt and then he walked her home where they spent fifteen minutes or so snuggling and kissing before she left him to go inside and help her mom with dinner. He strolled home, thinking about how things had turned around in less than a day. He knew she was expecting him to agree to enter the talent contest, but for the life of him he couldn't think of a way that he could present his junkyard rhythms to the school and not face the same kind of ridicule he had before. He made his way back to the shed and sat down behind his buckets. He began tapping at the buckets in a random, staccato fashion. He just let his mind wander and search on its own for an answer. It took a while but one finally rose to the surface and it intrigued him. The next morning when he met Carly for the walk to the bus stop he saw that she was looking a little pensive. He smiled and said, "I think I may have an answer. Tell me what you think." As they walked, he explained and the more she heard, the more excited she got. When they were about there she turned to him and said, "Are you sure? " "If we can set it up, yes." Her response was to wrap him in those long, slender arms and kiss him soundly, rules or no rules. The ride to school was a lot better than the ride home had been the day before. She knew she wasn't going to have to tell the teacher that he wasn't going to perform. Lunch was a happy occasion with the two young lovers sitting and talking and doing what they could to make contact without drawing unwanted attention. Oddly enough, they hadn't seen any sign of their mutual nemesis who seemed to be keeping a low profile. Neither minded. When they got home they retreated to the shed once Carly changed into her barely there outfit and then she proceeded to man handle Jimmy as if she needed to release built up tension and make amends. With the door closed she shimmed out of her shorts and top, revealing a fully naked body, having skipped the underwear, oops, lingerie, and she began pushing herself against him, sliding her nakedness all over him, kissing him and letting him touch her anywhere he wanted. And touch her he did. His hands were on her ass, then sliding over her flat hard abs. Then he was squeezing her tits and licking her nipples and nuzzling her neck. Finally she had had enough and she yanked down his shorts, revealing his hard cock and with a few strokes and sucks made sure he was fully hard and then she turned and pushed her ass back at him and practically growled, "Fuck me, now." He wasn't in the mood to argue so with her ass in just the right position he moved up behind her and began to push his cock up inside her. Her hips were in hand and she was rolling her head around, her long blonde hair hanging down. Watching his dick slide up between her firm rounded cheeks was almost enough to cause him to explode right there but he gritted his teeth and hung on and began to pound her ass as hard and deep as he could. She was groaning and pushing back to match his thrusts. He leaned forward and pressed hard against her ass, short stroking his cock while he reached under and took hold of her tits and began to squeeze and knead those perfect orbs of flesh. He got that phrase out of a cheesy romance book he found in the scrap yard. "Oh, baby, you make me feel so good. You are amazing, yes, fuck me just like that." He continued as she requested, or demanded and continued to pound her pussy, his hips sending shock waves through her ass cheeks and up her back. At each downstroke he ground his hips and soon her body was bucking and spasming as a massive orgasm tore through her. He was just too turned on and he had to pull out, letting his cock slip up between her ass cheeks and held in place by his stomach. He began pumping streams of cum onto her lower back. He was grunting and bucking and she was doing her best now to keep them both up off the floor. When he finally came back down to earth he leaned back to get his body off her ass and back. She slid forward to get a bit of space and then she turned around, wrapped him up in her arms and began raping his mouth. It didn't seem to intrude on her awareness that his cum was starting to drip down between her ass cheeks and onto the floor. The his face was buried in her long blonde hair as she continued to hug him fiercely. When she was finally ready to relent he was able to get a look at her face and from this distance she was heart stopping. In an attempt to cover his boiling emotions he fell back on character and quipped, "You know if this was supposed to be some kind of make-up sex you made a mistake." She squinted at him but said nothing. "It was so hot I'll want to pick fights with you so we can do lots of making up." "Oh, yeah, just remember, lover. I'm a lot stronger than you are. You might not live through the fight to get to the making up." To prove her point she wrapped her arms around his lower back and picked him up off the floor. He wound up looking down at her as she looked up at him with a very fierce expression. Then she set him down and treated him to a tonsil searching tongue kiss. When they were done she stepped back treating him to a full view of her entire body with those full, large tits riding high and her smoothly shaved pussy showing puffy lips. As he had often thought, what was this teen aged goddess doing devoting herself to basically a nobody like him. But it remained only a thought because the last time he had voiced such a thought to her he was lucky to have been able to walk away from the encounter. So he just stared and smiled. "What?" she asked, cocking a hip and an eyebrow. "I was just thinking about how you'd look dressed like one of those cosplay warrior women. You know, skimpy leather outfit, big boots, maybe a crown and a big sword." "Well, maybe someday we can play dress up, but just us. I'm not showing all this off for anyone but you. Now, let's get my ass cleaned up before our folks get home." So with some wipes and a little water Jimmy spent a few wonderful moments cleaning off that magnificent ass. He even planted a few kisses on those firm cheeks. She wiggled her ass and pressed it back against his face. Then she pulled on her shorts and skimpy crop top and spent a few moments running her fingers through his unruly hair. "Sweetheart, if we're going to be doing this thing for your talent show gig, you're going to have to get your hair cut. Okay?" "Yeah, my aunt will get a kick out of me looking like that." With his arm tightly around her back and hers draped over his shoulder they left the shed and he walked her home and then he went to his aunt's house, well, his house now as well, waiting for her to make the first text message contact. It wasn't unusual for them to share dozens during the course of an evening. The rest of the week followed a similar pattern. A walk to the school bus that had them walking as close as they could, then hand holding on the ride to school. Meeting for lunch and then the bus ride home. After school came the making out and on one more day that all the adults were gone, some serious sex in his bedroom. In the afterglow, she suggested they find some way that they could share a bedroom. He figured laughing would have been a bad idea so he settled for suggesting they put an addition on the garden shed. From the look on her face, it appeared she was actually considering it. Then the weekend came and it was his first day of work so he was up early and he rode his bike the two miles and a bit to get to the store. He was waiting when the owner came to open up and the man gave a brief head nod and then took notice of Jimmy's bike. It was the best of the ones he had brought with him. "Is that one of the ones you built yourself?" the man, Mr. Jones, asked. "Yes, sir." "From scrap yard pieces?" "Well, the frame was left on someone's driveway for junk day pickup. The rest of it is what I scrounged." "Amazing. Well, let's get inside and get the paper work done and then I'll explain what I need from you." Once the paperwork was finished he took Jimmy to the basement which was half workshop and half inventory storage. He pointed to a row of boxes against one wall. "Christmas is coming and we need assembled inventory to sell. Hardly anyone wants to be putting a bike together Christmas eve anymore. So I need you to unbox those and do the finish assembly. Make sure everything works, tires are aired up, brakes adjusted. Ready to ride. Okay?" "Sure," Jimmy said, looking around at the work stations that had bikes in various stages of assembly. "Yes, I do have other technicians, but they get, well, bitchy, to be honest when I want them to do basic assembly. They figure they are all artists," the man said, rolling his eyes. "But good bike builders can be hard to find and I have built a reputation for putting out some real high end rides. You, young fellow, get to be the bread and butter builder for now. But from what I see of your own bike, you have a future. Now, get to work." With a nod, Jimmy did. Mr. Smith showed him to a small, basic work station, with the tools needed to get a bike unboxed and ready to ride. He was hard at it and was on his third bike when the other builders began to arrive. None of them seemed interested in making his acquaintance so he just kept at it. When it came time for lunch he took his insulated bag and sat in a quiet corner while the other techs left the store. He was about half way through when Mr. Jones came down to have a look around. He first noticed the line of prepped and road ready bicycles parked by the wall, then he cast around until he found Jimmy happily munching away on the cookies Carly had given him. Then he returned his attention to the bicycles, looking for any defects or issues. Finding none he turned back to regard his newest employee. "You know, if you continue at this pace, pretty soon I won't have any work for you." "If you prefer, I'll slow down, but this is the way I usually work, as long as I have parts," Jimmy said. "No, I wouldn't want to mess with your mojo. If need be, I'll find things for you to do. Good job." The rest of the day went as the beginning. He stuck to his work while the others went about their business of building custom bikes. Then the day was over and he was on his way home. As he wheeled into the driveway he heard his name called from next door and he was treated to the sight of a tall, leggy blond showing all kinds of skin hurrying in his direction. He had a brief thought of what disaster was headed his way to compensate for this gift, but then he thought maybe that had already happened. Quickly he was enveloped in a long pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders and long blonde hair across his face, filling his nose with an enchanting fragrance. Then after a brief but intense kiss, she looked closely at him and asked, "So, sweetheart, how was your first day?" "It went pretty good. I was there before the boss and I think he liked that. Then he put me to work finish assembling bikes that will be the Christmas inventory. They have three other techs but apparently they don't like doing the basic work." "Are you kidding? Sound like a bunch of prima donnas." "I guess, but it sounds like they build bikes people will pay big money for so..." he let it drift off. "But that way it means a job for me so, all good." "I'm so glad it's working out for you but I have to say I'm really missing you. After being together so much over the summer, school and now work is really cutting into our fun time." "Well, at least this way it will be that much longer before you get tired of me and kick me to the curb." She spent the next five minutes chasing him around the yard, trying to get a good swing at him. His health had been improving and he managed to stay out of her way. When he heard her wheezing a bit, he stopped and held up his hand in surrender. "I know, I know. I was teasing." "You damn well better have been. You know, I sort of mentioned to my parents that you and I are boyfriend girlfriend. Do you know what they said?" "The world is coming to an end?" The blonde beauty glared at him and then said, "No, smartass, they said it was old news and they were more than fine with it." "Really, I would have thought they'd at least have some reservations about it, given my past and all." "Nope, they knew all about your past before you even got here. Mom and your aunt talked all about it. They're very impressed with how you managed to live through it all and the way you're making a life here. My mom does worry about whether or not you might be hiding feelings and such, so watch out if you run into her. She'll try to hug you to happiness," Carly said with a grin. Jimmy considered this for a moment and then said, "If her hugs are even half as good as yours, I won't mind one bit." The hug he got for this comment was tight, involved hands rubbing his back and even a bit of swaying back and forth. He just slipped his arms around the small her back and squeezed a bit. "Oh, jeez, I almost forgot. You're coming to our house for dinner." "Say what?" "Your aunt got called out just after lunch and she asked mom if you could eat with us. Mom is giddy at the opportunity to finally get you to the table. Is that okay with you?" "Are you going to be there?" "Of course," she replied, looking a little confused. "That's all I need." "You smooth talker you. Let's go get you cleaned up." The young couple headed for Jimmy's house and the main bathroom so he could make himself presentable. Once the washing was done, Carly took a brush and began to work on his hair. "You need a haircut again, sweetheart, but I guess we should wait until just before the talent show. Chenille will give us some grief for waiting too long, but," she shrugged. Then Jimmy changed into new clothes, which of course meant Carly had to get the brush out again to set his hair to rights. This was interrupted because all the attention she was paying him compelled him to reach out and pull her up tight and kiss her. Not only didn't she object, she joined in enthusiastically and after a period of lip grinding and tongue wrestling they came up for air and a third hair brushing was required. Finally, the two left his house and walked to hers. They entered through the side door and found Carly's mom putting the finishing touches on dinner. She turned and smiled broadly. "There they are. Hello dears." "Hiya, mom. It took us a bit to get Jimmy cleaned up after his first day of work." "Well, he looks neat as a pin. Although, it's getting time for a haircut, don't you think?" This was said after Carly's mom had approached within arms-length and patted his hair a bit. "We were just talking about that, mom. We decided to wait until just before the talent contest. It has to do with the costuming," Carly replied. Carly's mom was looking at the boy and he was standing there with an expectant look that seemed to drift to the discontented. Carly's mom cocked an eyebrow, inviting a comment. "Did I do something wrong, ma'am?" "Of course not, dear. Why ever would you think that?" "Well, Carly said that you thought a hug and cookies could solve most problems. I've had the cookies, but.." then he shrugged. Carly's mom gave a little sound of dismay and then stepped forward and wrapped Jimmy in what could only be called a bear hug. After a moment he got his arms around her back and gave as good as he got. Over the older woman's shoulder he could see Carly regarding him with a look he couldn't quite decipher but he did get a wink so he thought he was on safe ground. Dinner passed pleasantly and then some. Carly's dad was particularly interested in his first day of work. When he asked Jimmy if he thought a bike shop of his own was in the future the boy honestly didn't have an answer. What he did offer pulled the man up short. "To be honest, sir, I never really thought I'd have much of a future so I haven't really considered it." The look he got from Carly from across the table spoke volumes and the boy was if nothing else, very quick on his feet. "But I guess the way things have been going, I should probably give it some thought." This gave the man all the opening he needed and the rest of the meal passed with Jimmy receiving a laundry list of things to consider. After they had worked through the main course, dessert and another half hour of conversation, Carly was accompanying Jimmy home. "Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't I been the one that walks you home?" he asked. "Well, seeing that I was already home that would have been a little difficult, plus we wouldn't be able to do this," she said. In front of his door, under the porch light, anyone watching would have seen any view of the boy temporarily disappear as he was enveloped in a pair of long arms and a mass of equally long blonde hair. When he was allowed to resurface Carly held him at arm's length. "You, sweetheart, are amazing. One minute you had my dad completely at a loss and then you turn right around and give him the opening to dispense his wisdom to you." "Come on, Carly. You know darn well I put my foot in my mouth with the first comment and all I did was take the hint you gave me with that look." "Uh uh. My boyfriend is a genius and that's the end of it. Do you know that to this day, my sister has never been able to bring a boyfriend home to meet my parents. But you? In one evening you gave my mother permission to give you hugs whenever she wants and allowed my father the opportunity to guide you into the world of the small business owner. Like I said, genius." "Well, thank you for that. But as far as I'm concerned, the only one who's approval I need is yours." Her approval took a full five minutes to deliver and his legs gave out around minute three. In the weeks leading up to the talent contest, the two young lovers had fallen into a comfortable routine. They met up each morning for the bus ride to school, holding hands and bumping knees as they sat side by side. Then they met at lunch for more `us' time, with legs touching under the table and quiet conversation. Then it was home and depending on adult proximity, time for some heavy making out or torrid sex. The conversation revolved around their plan for the upcoming talent event. Chenille had been brought in and when she was fully briefed on the plan she indicated another likely co-conspirator and arrangements were made for the two teens to meet the lady in question. All told, Jimmy was feeling a little less apprehensive about what was coming, but he still had his concerns. He had taken too many gut punches from life to be very optimistic but he had to take the chance for Carly's sake. And yes, she had a role to play in what was planned. The show was scheduled for a general assembly that would occupy the last two periods of the school day. Any props or equipment required had to be delivered to the school the day before and setup took place during lunch in the auditorium on show day. It was at this time that Chenille arrived with the necessary costuming that her friend had provided and she began the work on Carly's hair. Jimmy had gotten his haircut two days before. Due to the elaborate nature of his `kit' Jimmy's set up was placed near the back of the stage on a piece of carpet that could then be pulled into place by the stage crew. He worked on the set up right up until the bell rang to signal the end of lunch. When the special bell rang to signal the beginning of the assembly, Carly and Jimmy met up at the door to the backstage area. Carly looked at his face and said, "Are you okay? We could probably still back out." "No, that wouldn't be right. But if I hear someone laugh, I'm not sure how I'll react." She could only offer a smile and a squeeze of his hand. Then they headed for their separate changing rooms. Chenille waved Carly in, eager to finish what she had started at lunch. Jimmy was on his own, but had been coached through the process by Carly's dad. After all, when had he ever had the opportunity to wear a tuxedo before. Jimmy's performance was slated to close the show so he had plenty of time to check and recheck his set up choosing only to check tones during act changes. He was standing, watching a garage band of seniors hammer their way through a Nirvana song when he felt a pair of long slender arms slide around his chest from behind. Looking down he saw the familiar limbs wrapped in a sparkly white fabric that clung tightly to her. She even had loops at the end of the sleeves that slipped over the middle finger of each hand. "Turn around and let me look at you," she said. He turned within the circle of her policy defying embrace and almost swallowed his tongue when he got her first full look at her. "Ho-ly shit," was all he could whisper. "Well, thank you, sir. I'll take that as a compliment," said the vision of a super model that oddly had the voice of his neighbor and girlfriend. Carly, at least he assumed that's who it was, was at least two inches taller, and at least ten years older. Her hair was done up in a sophisticated style that framed and highlighted her face. The gown that was lent to her by Chenille's friend covered her from neck to ankle and wrist. But two things were evident. It clung to her like a second skin and her left leg was exposed to the knee by a slit. Jimmy actually tried to take a step back from her but her arms held him in place. "What it is it?" she asked, concern on her face and in her voice. "Um, what? Oh, god, I'm sorry. You just look so incredible. Why the hell aren't you on magazine covers?" She actually blushed under the artfully applied make up and with a small laugh she said, "I'll explain that later. Right now you have to pull yourself together. We're on in a minute. You look pretty special yourself, sweetheart. Now come on. Let's get ready." Though still slightly stunned, Jimmy gave himself a shake and then offered his arm to the beauty standing before him. She smiled but only a bit and took his arm and they took their spot in the wings. The boy tried to focus as a faint fragrance drifted into his consciousness so he watched as the band left the stage and his kit was carefully pulled into place. Then the curtain was pulled back and the stage lights came up. At the sight of the strange assemblage on stage, a murmur started in the audience. With a bit of a hip bump, Carly urged him to start walking. She was on his right, so that she was between him and the audience. When they stepped out at a casual stroll there were a few whoops and more than a few gasps when the audience saw the pair. They looked for all the world like a rich sophisticated couple walking along, perhaps after a night on the town. He of course looked like a young man in his teens but Carly could have easily passed for her mid twenties. As they walked past the `pile' of junk, Jimmy made as if to look at it with passing interest, but his girlfriend wanted him to move along, possibly to their next stop for the evening. No one in the audience had any idea what was coming. As he passed by one of the dangling metal tubes, he tapped it with his hand and got a nice tone from it. He slowed and looked back while the blonde beauty tugged on his arm. With a great effort of will he slid his arm from her grip and gave the pile a closer inspection. Laying on top of a five gallon plastic pail was a stick and he picked it up and tapped a couple of other tubes and a tin pail. Then he had another stick and the tapping picked up in tempo and volume. It didn't take long for the audience to realize something was going on and the tapping was sounding more like rhythm. The tall blonde on stage was standing with her arms crossed beneath her impressive breasts and one finger was tapping on her arm. The boy settled down onto another upturned pail and began to apply the sticks to the various items with vigor and more than a few heads were bobbing in time to what Jimmy was creating. Then he stopped playing and quickly shed the tuxedo jacket and he really went to work. Carly was also getting into the rhythms and more than a few heads were turned in her direction as her hips and shoulders began to move with purpose. He had been playing for close to ten minutes when a heavy bass line joined in as the bassist from the previous garage band joined in from the wings. Carly looked over and with a head toss invited him out on stage. The older boy walked out and with a nod of recognition to Jimmy began a more sophisticated beat that Jimmy picked up and wove an intricate melody around. From the other side the lead guitarist stepped out and began improvising a bluesy riff around Jimmy's higher toned melody. Carly was really getting into the music but she decided this needed to be about Jimmy, so she backed up into the wing on her side and then let herself go. Jimmy could see her however and almost dropped one of sticks before he got back into the flow. After another five minutes or so he was feeling the strain and with a nod to first the bassist to take a solo and then the lead, he brought the session to an end. The room erupted and during the uproar the band drummer walked out, did a `we are not worthy' bow and presented Jimmy with his drumsticks. Carly threw caution to the wind and hurried back on stage and wrapped Jimmy in a tight hug, rocking him back and forth. The principal, acting as the MC, tried to get things in order but finally gave up and just announced the show was over and everyone was dismissed. Carly took hold of Jimmy's arm and towed him back into the changing rooms and told him to be careful with the tuxedo since it was a loaner. What put the big smile on his face was when she whispered in his ear that his performance had her so turned on she wanted to get him naked right there and then. The audience was gone by the time they were back in their school clothes and Jimmy had confirmed his kit would be picked up the following day during lunch. Then it was down to the bus stop. For a boy who had had such doubts about doing this, he was floating about a foot off the pavement. He wasn't sure if it was the reaction of the kids in the audience or how excited Carly had gotten. Maybe it was both. He wondered if he'd be able to do it again sometime. The following morning he found himself sitting across the table from his Aunt. It was Friday morning but he still had some time before he was due to meet Carly for the ride to school. This didn't happen often but he had breakfast with his Aunt enough times so that he wasn't expecting anything special. So what he was about to hear was going to be quite the surprise. "Dear, I had a message waiting for me when I woke up this morning," she said. "Is something wrong?" he asked apprehensively. "Quite the opposite in fact. That video that Carly had shown to her teacher that got you into the talent show?" "Um, yeah?" "She had sent it to me shortly after she made it. I showed it to the head of the music department at work. He was in the audience for your performance yesterday. He would like very much to have you come and meet him and others from his department." Jimmy sat there trying to take in what he just heard. The head of the music department of a large, well know college had heard him banging away on his bits and pieces and he wanted to meet him. After blinking a few times he sat back and said, "Are you kidding me?" "Of course not, dear. I wouldn't do that to you. In his message he said that he was not just impressed by the level of your playing. He was particularly interested in finding out about how you put your instrument together and learned to play. He's quite serious." "When did he want to do this?" the boy asked. "It would need to be a day during the week. That way he could be sure the different people he wants to meet you are available. I'm pretty sure we could get the school to give you permission." "How would I get there?" "Why, I'd take you in and bring you home, dear. Jimmy, relax. You've managed to impress a very knowledgeable man and he would like to talk to you. You haven't done anything wrong or gotten yourself in trouble," she said the last with a small smile. He thought for a moment and then said, "Do you think it would be okay if I asked Carly if she would come with me?" His aunt considered this for a moment and then said, "I would think so, but, dear, suggest to her that she wear more than her usual outfits. Otherwise I don't think anyone would be able to concentrate on what you were telling them." Jimmy was still chuckling about this when he met his ladylove at the bottom of the driveway. "Well, sweetheart, what has you so cheerful this morning?" So he told her and she went from intrigued to amazed to slightly affronted before breaking into a huge grin. She gave him a major hug and kiss on the forehead then dashed into the house for a quick discussion with her parents. With their approval they headed for school. Jimmy asked for and received permission for a quick dash to the front office where he found out that provided he presented a signed permission slip at least twenty four hours ahead of time, he would be fine. So it was the following Wednesday morning, he and Carly were passengers in his Aunt's car for the half hour trip to the college where she worked. The arrangement was that the deputy music department head would meet them at the library and she would escort the young couple to the main teaching studio to meet the head and the rest of the people interested in the young man. Aunt Emily regarded the two teens in her rearview mirror. Her nephew looked a little nervous. He thought he would have to wear a jacket and tie but she told him casual but neat was just fine. Carly on the other had took her role seriously and had done some serious dressing down. She was wearing a pair of loosely fitted cargo pants and a full length blouse that, while not hiding her assets, did an admirable job of playing them down. There wasn't much she could do about her face, but her make-up was minimal and muted. Her wealth of blonde hair was pulled back in a pony tail. They would just have to play it by ear as far as her impact on any of the others was concerned. When Aunt Emily guided them into the library itself they were hailed, quietly, by a lady in her early forties, dressed in a simple skirt suit with a mild smile on her face. "Dears, this is Ms. Abernathy, the deputy head of the music department. Delores, this is my nephew Jimmy and our neighbor Carly." "I am so pleased to meet you both. Jimmy, thank you for agreeing to spend some time with us. Your performance has been the talk of the department. Shall we?" "I'll see you back here when you're done, dears," Aunt Emily said. It was an interesting trio that was seen making their way across the quad. The music professor was a known entity and received a few acknowledgements. The obviously underaged boy was a curiosity and the conservatively dressed but still striking young women got more attention than the other two combined. Jimmy couldn't help but wonder how they would have reacted had she worn her favored attire. "If it wouldn't be intruding, my I ask what brings you here with Jimmy today, Carly?" "Moral support, mostly," Carly answered, not sure what the prim appearing and acting woman was getting at. "We saw your part in the performance, of course. Was that moral support as well?" "Ms. Abernathy," Jimmy began. "I'm not used to the idea that anyone had any interest in anything I've done. And having a bunch of adults wanting to talk to me has always meant trouble in the past. So I wanted to have someone who would watch my back and if things get bad I know she'll hold the door open for me so I can run through it." All of this was said with his eyes fixed firmly forward. "I'm sorry if I've said something that has offended you, Jimmy. One of the things we hope to understand today is the dynamic that has resulted in what you demonstrated on that stage. An artist's motivation can be a very, shall I say, unique thing. We were led to believe that Carly played a significant role it arranging for your performance." "That's true. And it almost blew up in my face," the girl said. Any further discussion was cut off by the sight of several people standing on top of the steps leading up to the front of a rather impressive building that had "Performing Arts" in big stone letters above the doors. "Dr. Phillips, this is Jimmy and Carly." "Welcome to you both," the slightly built older man began. "We greatly appreciate your taking your time to come and talk with us. Please, let's go inside." Jimmy nodded and went to follow behind the department head but he waved him to his side. Carly pursed her lips and then with a small shrug fell in behind, thinking he could have at least introduced the others. As if reading her thoughts, Professor Abernathy said from just behind her, "Think nothing of it, Carly, I'm afraid the good Doctor can be a bit single minded at times like this. Don't worry, he'll treat your Jimmy well. Once they get started, you and I can have a chat and you can ask any questions you like." It turned out to be a short walk to a pair of doors that opened onto a large room filled with musical instruments, chairs, music holders and the other paraphernalia of musical performers. "Now, Jimmy, allow me to make amends for my bad manners. These two individuals are very important members of my department. Dr. Johansen is the director of our stage orchestra and Mr. Andrews is our principle percussion instructor. Please, everyone, sit yourselves down and we'll begin." Once all concerned had found chairs in proximity to one another Dr. Phillips resumed. "Alright then, everyone. As we all know, we've seen the video that was provided and then witnessing the performance at the high school. If you wouldn't mind, Jimmy, could you give us some background on how you started on this musical journey." "Okay, well, I guess it started out of curiosity and boredom, really. I was five or so and I didn't have much in the way of things to play with so when I found a stack of those plastic paint buckets, you know, the big five gallon ones, I just sort of started hitting them with sticks. I guess I found the sound interesting so I went looking for more," he said, looking around at the serious faces of the adults. "The reason I know this stuff is for some reason the adults around me seemed to keep an eye on me. One thing they told me was that I couldn't see something new without tapping it with a stick to hear what kind of noise it made. So over time I picked up more pieces and different sticks to hit them with." When he stopped the one named Andrews asked, "So you're saying that every piece that you've added to your set has been by trial and error, strictly by ear?" "I guess that's right." "What kind of music did you listen to growing up?" the same man asked. "Um, let's see, there was some Country and Western and some old rock and roll from the guys in the scrap yard and um, well, I don't know what you'd call it, from the bar were my mom worked. You know, for the dancers to dance to?" "Yes, well, I see. I suppose that would explain the emphasis on the percussive rhythms. And you've never had any formal training whatsoever?" "No, sir. I think I told someone that our schools had lost all their music programs long before I got there." The band director asked the next question. "That piece you played at the school event. That was your own composition?" "Um, if I understand you correctly, there is no composition. I just make it up as I go along. I guess there are some parts that I might reuse from time to time, but nothing is, you know, preplanned." "I've heard him play a number of times, and it's never the same twice," Carly added. "And I've never seen him stop or stumble either." The two men looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Dr. Philips coughed and then looked at Jimmy. "I am also aware from what your Aunt told me that what we witnessed was your first time playing with other musicians." "Live, yes sir. A couple of times I tried playing along with some music from an old tape player I found." "Jimmy, if you wouldn't mind, on the raised platform over there are a number of instruments and paraphernalia from the percussion section. I'd like you to just take a look at what's there and use whatever comes to hand to make some sounds." Jimmy got up and walked up onto the dais where there was a standard drum kit, a stand with chimes, a rack with various wooden items he didn't recognize and a pair of kettle drums. He saw a pair of wooden drum sticks and using them he began to tap drums, cymbals and then the chimes. He seemed to pause and listen as he tapped each one in succession and then back again and then out of order in a pattern and rhythm that tugged at their ears. Shifting his stance so that he could get to the drum kit, he added in some cymbals and the snare drum and morphed into a more latiny jazz sound. Carly was sitting back, with legs crossed and her hands tapping out the rhythm on her knee. She was watching the academics regard the love of her life with growing amazement. Jimmy kept it up for nearly ten minutes until he suddenly came to a stop and looked over in embarrassment. "Sorry, they made such great sounds, I kind of got carried away." "That's quite alright, my boy, quite alright. How about the others?" Dr. Philips said. Jimmy nodded and went to the rack that held the various wooden items and found those intriguing. Once again he used the plain drumsticks to tap out a staccato rhythm that coaxed his tiny audience to tap their toes and fingers. After a time, Mr. Andrews rose and approached the dais and got Jimmy's attention. "Would you please take a seat behind the drum set, Jimmy. I'd like to see what you could do with it." Jimmy nodded and took a seat. Carly leaned forward, concentrating on the boy. She didn't know why but she had a fear that an actual instrument might pose an issue for him and things might end in embarrassment. She needn't have worried. After a few murmured comments and suggestions, the teacher stood aside as Jimmy began to produce tight tattoos from the various drums and then weave the patterns together. After a time his eyes closed and he filled the room with sound. His eyes popped open when he heard the sound of a piano and a double bass added to the mix but he just kept going riding the wave of complex sound like porpoises riding the wake of a large ocean going ship. Everything was improvised, no one attempted to play a known composition. Finally, Dr Philip stood up and with hand gestures brought the impromptu session to an end. The two late comers abandoned their instruments and rushed up to meet Jimmy. They were clearly a handful of years older but they greeted him as an equal. "Jimmy, if you would please. And if you two would stand by." He then regarded the two other men and asked, "So, what are your thoughts, gentlemen?" "Well, with no reason to believe we've been lied to about his experience, I'd have to say he is the most natural percussionist I've ever encountered. At first I was thinking it was such a tragedy that he never had access to formal training, but now I'm thinking that might have been the tragedy. By being forced to investigate and learn by trial and error, he seems to have tapped directly into a vast store of talent. When he started to drum with his eyes closed? The awareness of where each tone was coming from. Young lady," he turned to Carly, "does he do that with his own arrangement?" "Most of the time in fact," she replied then went red to the roots of her long blonde hair when Jimmy murmured, "Unless your dancing, then I kept my eyes wide open." "Ahem, yes, well. Why don't we retire to the faculty dining room for some lunch. You are our quests of course. You two," he indicated the two older musicians, "I'd like you to come along and talk with Jimmy about what we do here. Ms. Abernathy, you might take the opportunity to talk with Carly. There may be questions she has that you can answer for her." "Of course, I'd be happy to." The now larger group left the music room and made their way to another building that continued a large dining room that was more restaurant than cafeteria. The privilege of position, it would seem. The two older musicians had been in an animated conversation with Jimmy who, while not exactly ebullient, he was actively engaged in the conversation. As they approached the steps leading up to the doors into the building Ms Abernathy laid a light restraining hand on Carly's arm while calling ahead, "Dr. Philip, we'll be just a moment, please go on." The older man merely nodded. She directed for Carly to move to stone bench beside the bottom of the steps. "You have concerns for your young man, yes?" she began. The tall blonde girl looked down at the short, older woman and said, "Yes, in fact. My young man, as you say, has been through a lot of difficulty in his life. It turns out he has a great talent that could be very important to him, but it could also turn him into some kind of carnival sideshow freak. What is it you people want from him?" she asked the last with her usual directness. "From him? We'd like to learn from him he developed his musical instrument and the skills to play it. We think it might give us some insight into how are distant ancestors did the same. In return we can give him the opportunity to expand his horizons, both in terms of his music and his goals in life. We understand from his aunt that he has an idea that he might like to have his own bicycle business. The options that may be open to him, if he takes advantage of what we have to offer could be such a business with music as a fulfilling hobby, or he pursues a career in music with the riding and building of bicycles as a hobby, or the pursuit of music provides the where with all to build the bicycle business." The older woman looked at Carly and said, "Your young man is just that, a young man. He is at a time in his life for exploring what life has to offer him. We are just trying to understand what makes him so unique and in return give him the chance to make something of it," she concluded with a smile. "I think I understand," Carly said. "You better believe he and I will talk about this but all I can promise is that I will try to help him find what is best for him." Ms. Abernathy patted Carly on the knee and said, "I wouldn't have thought it would be any other way, dear." With that the two women joined the others at the table in the faculty dining room. Carly took the open seat next to Jimmy and gave him a hug around the shoulders. "Everything okay?" he asked. "Just fine, sweetheart. How about with you?" she replied. "All's good. Dr. Philip gave me this book on basic musical theory. He thought that there might be some things in it that I might find interesting. If I have any questions, I can send them in with Aunt Emily." "That sounds pretty interesting. You know, I was a little surprised that the school band director hasn't said anything to you. I heard she was always looking for talented musicians." "Musicians, sure, but I can't imagine she'd have time for me and my junkpile," he replied. Before Carly had a chance to vent what she thought about that observation, Dr. Philip got there first. "Jimmy, please don't dismiss the importance of what you've accomplish so far. My colleagues and I find it fascinating. To be honest I'd be perfectly happy if the band director continue to not show any interest. I'm sure she has enough to concern herself with dealing with the routine matters of her responsibilities. Otherwise, you might find yourself overstretched." Jimmy simply nodded while Carly gave his leg a squeeze and a smile. The rest of the lunch passed quietly with some back and forth between Jimmy and the older musicians and some low discussions among the academics. Carly chose to sit back and watch both groups. Then it was time to say good bye and return the two teens to Aunt Emily. She still had a couple of hours to go before she could leave so she settled them in her office and Carly was the first to say it. "No, sweetheart, we are not going to have sex in your Aunt's office." "I never said anything." "No, but you were thinking it. So was I but I know I tend to get noisy, so forget it." He couldn't help but laugh and lean over to at least get a hot tongue kiss from her. Then it was time to talk about what had happened. "Do you think they are trying to get me to come here, Carly?" "I'm sure they'd love that, especially that Andrews guy, but I think right now it's about curiosity. How'd this kid with no idea about music come up with this amazing performance. Afterwards," she just shrugged. "What if I just want to build and fix bikes?" he asked. "Then that's what you do, and you do the other stuff as a hobby. It's kind of what you're doing now right? I'll run the store and you build the bikes." That got a much wider smile from him and some more kissing. Then she hugged him to herself and he just settled in, let the warm of her arms and body help him relax. It was much the same on the ride home. The young couple sat in the back, snuggled up together. When they returned home they headed for the shed, knowing dinner would be a while for both of them. Once the shed door closed, all the brakes came off and they began peeling their clothes off and they were naked in moments. His cock was hard and pointing to his chin while her nipples were like pencil erasers, hard and prominent. Not a word was spoken as they came together and started with deep, grinding tongue kisses while hands ran up and down naked backs and asses. Then he began to slide down her body, first licking and tonguing her tits and then that flat stomach. She wanted more and was pushing his head down to the junction of leg and body so that he could get those sweet lips and marvelous tongue on her shaved pussy. She groaned and let her head tip back, her long blonde hair hanging down to the top of her ass. His hands took hold of that ass and used it to pull her up tight against his mouth and he worked her over until her body shook and shuddered through a deep orgasm. He held her tightly, hoping she wouldn't buckle at the knees but she held herself up and then with a sudden move, yanked him off the floor, set his bare ass against the edge of his one work table and proceeded to swallow his hard, dripping cock, her hand cupping his balls as she sucked and licked the cock she loved and craved so much. Carly may have not been indiscriminate like her older sister but she had a sexual appetite at least equal, if not more so. As she crouched down sucking his cock she brought her bare pussy in contact with his bare shin and began to grind. He had his hands resting on her head, just so he could feel the soft white gold under his fingertips. She was looking up at him, the corners of her eyes crinkled in a smile, while she sucked and licked. It would have been nice if this had gone on for a long time but he had been pretty nervous to start the day and then Carly had worked her magic on him so it wasn't long before his ass was coming up off the table edge and his cum was shooting into her welcoming mouth. Then he slouched back down and she continued to hump his leg until she tightened up and squealed out her second orgasm. After catching their collective breath, they stood and Jimmy found himself in his favorite place. Surrounded by warm, strong arms, supported by a naked body that he was convinced belonged on magazine covers and movie screens, properly clothed of course. "Oh, that felt so nice. I don't like spending all that time together and having to keep our clothes on." Or maybe not. That night, while they lay in their separate beds they made us of their smart phones to tease and taunt each other until they gave themselves very satisfying orgasms so they could get to sleep and be ready for school the next day. As he lay there waiting to drift off, Jimmy began to think that maybe there might be a way to use what he knew to earn the kind of money that would get their lives together off to a good start, and sooner then later. He was thinking these thoughts well into the morning hours. He caught plenty of grief from Carly the next morning when he met her at the driveway looking the worse for wear.