“So, dad. You just happened to swing by Sheree’s dorm on a Friday night. The week before my twentieth birthday, huh?” Zoe asks, not even trying to hide the fact that she’s on to me.
On to both of us for secretly planning her surprise party, which we’ll have to do now.
Even I couldn’t have thought of anything better. It’s the perfect excuse to see more of Sheree this weekend.
“I have no idea what you mean,” I tell Zoe, deadpan, trying to sound serious, but her hand in my coat tickling my ribs makes me laugh as I hug her close right before we reach the car.
“If I say anything, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” is the only clue I give her, which seems to settle it in her mind.
A smug look of victory spreads across her face as she opens the passenger door.
I was hoping Sheree might ride shotgun, but…
Well. I have to keep it cool if I’m gonna get through this dinner I’ve gone and opened my big mouth about.
I love Zoe, I really do. But right now I just want to be with Sheree. Alone.
The surprise birthday planning will have to be my way to get her alone.
Tonight, I can enjoy watching her over dinner. Enjoy the three of us together for what could be one of the last times for who knows how long?
Zoe is one year Sheree’s junior and is staying back to finish her performing arts degree.
I’ve arranged to have a dorm made available for her instead of the house.
But now? Now I’m not so sure. I’m thinking if I let Zoe stay in the house, as part of her birthday surprise, it might take some of the sting out of what else I have planned.
Ha! Listen to me, sounding like I’m fully in control of the situation. Like it’s a given that Sheree will be mine and we can just sail off into the sunset living happily ever after.
And why not. Why shouldn’t we?
I start the car and Zoe rubs her hands together over the vents, commenting that she envies me for moving back to Florida.
I open my mouth, about to say I’m not exactly sure where I’ll be next week. But I think better of it.
It’s the first thing that comes to mind as I watch Sheree walk timidly down the steps from her dorm, holding the thick steel railing with her mittens on.
Pushing her glasses back up her nose and treading carefully so as not to slip on the already frosty path.
I want to go to her. To take her arm in mine make sure she’s safe. To walk with her in the light snow that’s started to fall silently.
The first real snow of the season, late this year and with Sheree walking towards me in it, a season I know I’ll never forget.
“If you’re gonna hog the heating can you at least order ahead?” I quip to Zoe, noticing the look in her eyes as she studies me watching her best friend.
It wouldn’t take a genius to sense something more than a surprise party was on my mind. But Zoe’s quick to skip ahead to the idea of food and quizzes both me and Sheree on what we want once she takes the back seat.
Pulling away, I can’t help but find her eyes in the rearview mirror.
We’re all bundled up in winter clothes, but in my mind she’s naked, one of her thick legs over the headrest of the passenger seat, moaning as she opens herself for me, begging me to—
“Dad! Jesus, watch out will ya,” Zoe shouts.
The honking of a car horn zaps me back to the moment, and I swerve back into my lane after straying across the white line.
My mind totally elsewhere.
All the way in the back seat. All the way inside Sheree’s sweet pussy.
Gripping the wheel harder, I try not to steal little glances.
Zoe is busy with the menu from the glove compartment, reading out possible dishes but giving a definite “Nah.” When either Sheree or I say that sounds like what we should get.
In the end, and not too far from home, it’s decided we’ll order enough for four. “Because you always eat enough for two or three, dad.” Zoe reminds me.
I watch Sheree smile from the back seat as I pull into our driveway once Zoe’s phoned our order.
Zoe is out first and almost slips as she darts for the front door to avoid the freezing rain that’s replaced the light snow.
It’s dark out now and the prospect of being home again and warm is a good one.
“Watch your step on the porch,” I caution Sheree, wanting to open her door and carry her inside myself. But with Zoe urging us both inside from the front door she’s opened, I feel like we’re a mile apart.