"So where did you used to go at night with your
boyfriends in West Virginia: old coal mines?" "Sometimes," I said, even though the very thought of going into a coal mine at night was terrifying. I didn't want him to think I wasn't as
experienced or as sophisticated as the girls here. He brought his glass to his lips and urged me to
bring mine to my lips. "Keeps you warm inside," he
promised. I drank some more. "Was the sky as
beautiful at night in West Virginia?"
"Yes."
,,But you didn't have the ocean. The ocean
makes the sky look better, doesn't it?" He moved
closer, putting his arm around my waist. I looked at
the sky where it merged with the horizon. The water
was glimmering and the stars did seem brighter than
ever, some actually twinkling on the water. He
nudged my cheek with his nose and kissed me softly
on the neck.
A flow of warmth rushed down over my
shoulders to my breasts. Nervous, I drank some more.
Then I pulled a little away from him.
"I like this song," I said. "Don't you?" "What? Oh, yeah." He reached for the bottle of
vodka and refilled my glass. "Feels good, right?" "Yes."
"Let's see, this time we'll toast to . . the end of
school. May it come quickly and put me out of pain." He clinked my glass again. "Quick, drink or we won't get our wish," he urged. I took a long sip and thought
this time the vodka was a lot stronger.
"I thought you were a good studious--I mean
student," I said.
He laughed. "I do all right. Adam Jackson does
just enough to make his father happy with his grades,"
he bragged.
"Isn't your father a lawyer'?" I asked him. "Yeah, but don't worry. I won't sue you if we
don't have a good time tonight."