Free Stay Silent by Valerie Vera Page B

live?”
     
    “Oh not far from here, won’t take long.  Listen, can I borrow some clothes? I can’t go with the dress I had last night. He might get the wrong idea.”
     
    ‘...Wrong idea about what?”
     
    “Nothing Chloreene. So... can I get some clothes?”
     
    “Yeah, sure, pick out whatever you like.”
     
    Much to Chloreene’s surprise, Melinda pulled the pajama top right off, her long black hair raising and landing perfectly on her left breast.  Her breasts were large and beautiful, full and robust.  Chloreene could wait no longer.  She pulled off her shirt exposing her bra.  When Melinda licked her lips, Chloreene knew it was a go.
     
    She walked over to Melinda, putting her hands out to touch her elbows.  Pulling her in gently, intently. Melinda parted her lips but Chloreene needed to know one thing…
     
    “Have you ever had a girlfriend before?”
     
    Melinda hesitated, parting her lips to speak when Chloreene could wait no longer…
     
    First kiss. 
     
    Chloreene could not believe her good fortune.  This was really happening.
     
    They caressed each other, kissing gently for the 20 minutes or so.
     
    After a while Melinda grew restless. Why do I always end up with the “nice” girls? I wish she’d just take this up a notch. Seriously, kissing for an hour?  I’ve heard of foreplay but this is lousy. BORING
     
    Chloreene must have felt Melinda’s impatience. She tried to pull at Melinda’s pajama pants but Melinda pulled away, breaking off from Chloreene’s embrace and kiss.
     
    “I’ve got to get going…”
     
    “Oh… uh… ok…” This was a huge hit to Chloreene’s self esteem. She did not want to see Melinda go.
     
    Melinda jumped up and started to get dressed in her clothes from the night before.
     
    “I thought you were going to borrow some clothes from me?” Chloreene said.
     
    “It’s probably better I don’t, I’m not sure I have time to visit with my friend now.  Anyway, I’m sure you have things to do.”  She glanced in the mirror and then headed for the door.
     
    “Wait…” Chloreene put herself between the door and Melinda. “I thought I could go with you. You know - meet your friends.”
     
    “Listen, you’re better off not getting involved with me.  I’ve got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it.  Besides, I’m going on vacation soon and I don’t  want to get too serious.
    “That’s fine with me, I don’t want to get into anything serious either… I’ve got lots going on” Chloreene said with her lips but her eyes and body language betrayed her.  She could fool no one, she’d love to get serious and settle down.  Especially with someone like Melinda.
     
    “I’ve got to go…” Melinda walked past Chloreene, through the door and down the hall. 
     
    ---
     
    Chloreene went in to work the next day.  She couldn’t keep her mind on what she was doing.  The candle section was in disarray but Chloreene could not will herself to care.  She blew it with Melinda. The best prospect that has come around in a long time and probably wants nothing to do with her now. I need to see Melinda.  The way she looks and feels has got my mind wandering.  Why didn’t I try to go further? She’s so beautiful, that’s why. I was scared she’d stop me.
     
    As Chloreene stood wallowing in her own sorrow, her supervisor, Carla walked up to her. Carla looked at the candles and made a facial expression that let Chloreene know she was not pleased.  “Chloreene, this aisle is not following the planogram. This goes here, and this… this one goes down here… please pay more attention to detail. This is important, if corporate conducts a random audit… well, I don’t even want to think about it.  It is very important, seriously important…”  Carla took a very long sigh and looked at Chloreene as if she were deciding the fate of an imprisoned inmate.  She always made Chloreene feel strange but especially this