Free Stay Silent by Valerie Vera Page A

lips.  Very tempting…
     
    “Do you want to grab a quick something to eat? maybe a pizza or Chinese food?” Chloreene asked.
     
    The young woman hesitated… she was hungry since she hadn’t eaten all day but going out with somebody this late did carry some risk.  “It’s kind of cold… I guess I could grab a pizza next door… that would be ok”
     
    “Ok, next door it is then… ok, come on…” Chloreene said.
     
    As they walked next door Chloreene asked lots of questions in an attempt to show her how interested she was.  “By the way… what’s your name?”
     
    “Melinda”
     
    --
     
    It was New Year’s Eve and Chloreene bustled around her tiny apartment. As she stuffed her oven mitts in a drawer, the doorbell rang.  It was Melinda, her latest love interest. Chloreene could barely contain her excitement.  She was always careful not to let her interest show too much in her eyes.  Tempered enthusiasm was the look she was after.  Melinda was in a tight fitting red velvet dress, her bosom full, her curvy figure accentuated.  Her eyes were the brownest mocha Chloreene had ever seen. She couldn’t help stare in amazement, her jaw dropping betraying her true feelings.
     
    After an awkward spell of time, Chloreene blurted out, “come on in”
     
    Melinda smirked and stepped in.  She looked around the apartment looking somewhat pleased. Her manner and her style of dress emboldened Chloreene.  Before this moment she was not sure Melinda understood the nature of her interest in her. The choice of dress was definitely a step in the right direction.
     
    Melinda put down her coat and purse and stepped over to the window.  “I always like to be up high. It feels like you’re closer to God when you’re up high like this.”
     
    She smiled, still looking out the window.  “Sure looks like a piece of heaven from where I’m standing”, Chloreene said.
     
    Both of them laughed. It was a good time. Broke the ice a little bit.  Melinda kicked off her high heeled shoes and plopped herself down on the sofa.  Chloreene felt relieved and congratulated herself for washing the slipcovers and pillows.  Everything looked as good as it could.  Just then the oven timer buzzed.
     
    Melinda said, “something sure smells good”. 
     
    “I hope you like ribs” Chloreene said as she pulled the ribs out of the oven. There was no need to tell her that Mrs. Munoz had actually done the work and Chloreene was just reheating.
     
    “I sure do”
     
    They ate and talked well into the night. Laughing and sharing stories of the good old days. They laid on the sofa, touching feet. Chloreene was so sleepy from all the overtime she’d been doing.  There was a slight lull in the conversation after a few hours and Chloreene did the unthinkable.
     
    ----
     
    “Did I make it to 11?”
     
    “No, you fell asleep shortly after 2200…  Don’t worry, I did the dishes and fed your cat… hope that was ok, she seemed really hungry.”
     
    “Thank-you, that was wonderful.  Sorry you had to go to all that trouble. I don’t know what got into me… just that I’ve been working all these long hours… Christmas was very good to me this year.  I really need this time off I guess.”
     
    “I guess so” Melinda said.  “What were you planning the rest of the day?”
     
    “I don’t have any plans, oh, I guess I should say,  Happy New Year Melinda!”
     
    “Happy New Year Chloreene. I hope it will be a great filled with love and friendship.” Melinda winked and it was just then Chloreene noticed she was wearing a pair of her pajamas. It didn’t look like she had a bra on. Once Chloreene noticed that little fact she could think of nothing else.
     
    “Chloreene?”
     
    “Yes?”
     
    “...So? what do you think?”
     
    “What? Think about what?”
     
    “Do you want to go visit a friend with me? He may have some work for me to do…”
     
    “Ok sure, I’d like that. Where does this friend