Free Lessons From a Younger Lover by Zuri Day

on her first visit to Kristy’s. She tried not to react, but her body wouldn’t listen. A squiggly feeling fluttered inside her va-jay-jay. She squeezed her thighs together, getting angrier by the minute at the man who’d cast his spell over her and awakened a sexual hunger she hadn’t known existed.
    â€œJesus Christ! Is there nothing that can stop me from thinking about that man?” She punched the CD button once more and New Edition had a message for her. She smoldered at first but by the time the cutesy chorus came around, she couldn’t help but laugh at the answer that seemingly came from above. Yes, she definitely needed to cool it immediately. Gwen laughed out loud, pushed the repeat button, and jammed with her teenage heartthrobs until she pulled into Chantay’s driveway.
    Gwen stood amazed as she eyed the young woman who stood almost as tall as she. “This can’t be Sharonna,” she exclaimed, as a totally disinterested teenager shifted from one foot to another.
    â€œMama, dang. Can I go with Niecy ’nem? I’ve asked you twice.”
    â€œAnd if you ask me again the answer will definitely be no, how ’bout that? And did you say hello to Gwen? You probably don’t remember her from Mama’s funeral last year, but this is my best friend from high school, best friend in the world. You’d better recognize and show some respect!”
    â€œHi,” Sharonna said, with all the enthusiasm of a meat-lover in a vegetarian restaurant.
    â€œYou’re becoming an attractive young woman, Sharonna.”
    â€œYeah, and she’s grown into a hot-to-trot boy chaser too. She can’t like the good ones, always has to go after the hardheads.”
    Gwen didn’t comment, remembering how nice guys like her brother had finished last with Chantay as well.
    Sharonna said nothing either, just squirmed as the question of whether she could go with her friends threatened to erupt from her mouth yet again. Knowing if she stomped off, that would surely get her an ix-nay on the all-may, she walked over to the living room and slouched down on the couch.
    â€œGet your butt on out of here and don’t make me have to come looking for you!”
    The last part of Chantay’s sentence was to Sharonna’s back, as her daughter covered the distance between the couch and the front door in two seconds flat. Her “bye” came after the door was already closed.
    â€œShe’s just like you,” Gwen said, laughing.
    â€œI know. That’s what I’m afraid of,” Chantay replied. “I made sure she’s on the pill but still….”
    â€œShe’s sexually active?” Gwen tried not to be judgmental, but thought sixteen too young for intimacy.
    â€œGirl, please, for at least a year. Be glad you don’t have kids. Especially living here in LA.”
    â€œThings sure are different than when we were growing up.”
    â€œHmph. Not too…”
    Gwen fixed Chantay with a questioning look. “How old were you?”
    Chantay sighed and walked behind the bar counter into the kitchen.
    â€œCan I get you something? You want a glass of wine?”
    â€œNo, I never drink and drive. What else do you have?”
    Chantay poured a glass of orange juice for Gwen and for herself a glass of wine. While talking, she motioned them over from the combination dining room-kitchen area to the living room, where bright sunlight streamed in through the patio doors.
    â€œGirl, I thought you knew Mike took my cherry when I was fifteen.”
    Gwen was shocked. “No!”
    â€œWhat, you thought Robert was the first?”
    â€œOoh, girl, stop. The last thing I need is a reminder that you and my brother did it.”
    â€œYou always were kinda prudish, weren’t you?”
    â€œWith two brothers acting like bodyguards, threatening their friends if they hurt me, what do you expect?”
    â€œWhat about after we