A New Pecking Order
by Douglas Young
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Table of Contents parts 1, 2, 3 |
conclusion
“Thanks, Raddy.” She kissed his cheek, and he handed her his handkerchief.
“I promise it’s not used,” he assured her. “I brought a fresh one for the party,” prompting her to laugh and pat his chest.
“You’re funny even when you don’t mean to be.” She smiled at him. “Or maybe you did. I gotta keep reminding myself you’re a shrewd lawyer now. Either way, I appreciate it... a lot.” After wiping her face and blowing her nose, she sighed and hugged him again.
“Yeah, it was the shock and awe of Seth’s death that hurled me right into the Land of Lesbos,” she remarked.
Feeling his muscles contract as he stifled a laugh, she tickled his sides and pulled her head back to smile at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “The deadpan way you say some things can come off as pretty funny, whether intentional or not. Please forgive me, Camellia.”
“No need,” she said putting her finger to his lips. “Shoot, without some humor, actually a whole lot of humor, I doubt I’d ’a gotten this far.”
“What an uplifting attitude. I expect you’re wise well beyond your years, young Miss Fitzsimmons.”
“Well, sometimes I feel like I’ve already done more living in 33 years than a lot of folks over a whole lifetime.”
“Bully for Miss Camellia, as Teddy Roosevelt would say,” he remarked.
“I bet you win the trivia contests at bars too,” she remarked.
“Actually, I can’t remember when I last visited a bar—”
“Of course not,” she interrupted with a chuckle and took his hand to lead them back toward the party. They were soon walking along the creek again, and he wondered if he had blown it by not trying to kiss her in the clearing when everything seemed ideal but for her getting emotional. Though still not very experienced romantically, he was somewhat confident she would reciprocate his advances, but part of him felt like the awkward nerd daring to make a move on the hottest girl in school. Walking up the creek, he worried her silence signaled disappointment.
Why won’t he at least kiss me? she asked herself. With the party’s music getting louder, she grew anxious and almost resigned he would not. As smart as he is and a lawyer, can he really be so thick? Or maybe he’s not really into me and just feels sorry for me. Have we merely entered Friendville? Making out in the middle of that meadow would have been so romantic, though he may have felt weird making a move when I’d just been crying. But I’ve already hugged and kissed him, and we’re holding hands! How many more hints does he need?
When they got to a section of the creek where the embankment was several feet high, he gently pulled her away from it and switched places so he would be walking near the edge. She stopped, looked at him, and smiled.
“What?” he asked, blinking. She gave no reply but held his eyes, turned her head a little sideways, and widened her smile.
With the moon highlighting her face and a mild breeze moving some stray strands of her hair, he returned her smile and stepped forward to kiss and embrace her. As she enveloped him in her arms, she felt his tongue slowly slide into her mouth and his hands begin massaging her back. She cupped his head in her hands and was struck by how gentle and patient he was, determined to discover her entire mouth but not in the least hurried.
After several minutes he began kissing her cheeks, chin, neck, and forehead. She loved how slowly but surely he kissed her whole face, all the while his soft hands were rubbing her back and then exploring her thick, curly hair. It was worth the wait, she concluded.
Radford was elated with the most satisfying kiss of his life. Not only was he making out with the prettiest lady he had ever known, but one who eagerly welcomed each new kiss with more passion than he had ever received. He was startled and excited when she briefly clasped her teeth around his tongue while tickling his behind, and he became thrilled when she put her hands under his shirt to run her fingers over his bare back before squeezing it. He reciprocated and got a charge hearing her moan. When he felt her hips, she smiled and did the same to his.
They finally caught their breath together, prompting Camellia to rest her head on his chest, giggling and tickling him. He soon put his forehead against hers to nuzzle her nose, eliciting a grin. With his arms resting on her shoulders, they held each other’s eyes and smiled.
Each noticed more birds singing, bullfrogs croaking, and the hushed sound of running water. Neither wanted the moment to pass and both saw no need for words. Radford put his hands around her back to draw her closer and she buried her head in his chest. Nothing was said for a time as each luxuriated in the other’s warmth and affection. At last, Mr. McGinniss could contain himself no longer.
“Camellia, I know I’m far from the most experienced guy around, but I’d be an ingrate if I didn’t thank you for the most wonderful make-out session of my life.”
Sporting a big grin, she leaned her head back and placed her hands on his cheeks. Camellia blinked and displayed what Radford thought was the most blissful smile he had ever seen.
“Well, without going into detail, let’s just say I’m likely far more experienced than you, and I can confidently say this has been the most satisfying kiss of my life, too. Thanks, Raddy.”
Just as he was about to express his awe, she fingered his belly button which prompted him to laugh and reflexively jump back.
“Aha! And I finally found where you’re ticklish too,” she bragged and stepped forward to tickle him some more.
“Hey! Hey! Let’s not fall into the creek,” he exclaimed while enveloping her to move them several feet from the water.
“Wouldn’t that give ’em something to gossip about, if we returned to the party drenched?” She bent forward, cackling.
“Hmm, I don’t cotton to getting soaked in this night air and driving home all wet,” he declared. “But I wouldn’t mind the gossip. In fact, truth be told, this nerd would be thrilled to be linked with the most beautiful gal in the whole class.”
“Aw. You’re mighty sweet, Mr. Raddy,” she replied and kissed him again a long time until the strongest wind of the evening came over the creek and she nestled her head against his chest.
“Alas, it’s not only getting late but slightly chilly,” he noted as they began the trek back to Belle Boyd’s back yard, albeit much more slowly with their arms around each other’s waist and her head against his right shoulder.
“Please lead me on the correct path back since I haven’t been thinking straight for some time now,” he remarked, prompting her to chuckle.
“I don’t rightly know if I want to,” she replied. “I haven’t been thinking much at all lately. Do I really want to re-enter the rest of the world again? I’m awful stoked just sharing these lovely woods with you.” She looked at him and he stopped to kiss, hold her, and play with her hair.
“I worry that when we leave these woods,” he confided, “I’m going to find out this was all just a dream, like when I used to fantasize about you in high school.”
“Well, let me prove it’s not, Raddy.” She provided another prolonged kiss.
When they resumed walking, nothing was said. He felt a mysterious mix of being thrilled and yet radiantly relaxed, so warm and calm but with an undercurrent of excitement, all magnified by a profound sense that all was well. He determined to do whatever he could to make this feeling last as long as possible.
She was amazed and euphoric that what had begun as one of the worst nights of her life had suddenly evolved into one of the most charming. Having lost hope of ever making a strong connection with another person only made the evening feel still more incredible. Enhancing the exhilaration of this new romance was its being shared with someone stable, reliable, and truly appreciative and respectful of her. This is the first man I can take home to Mom without the slightest worry, she assured herself.
As the music became much louder and they heard people jumping into the pool, Camellia and Radford focused on their moonlit shadows on the path ahead, adjacent to the creek. When they emerged from the woods into Belle’s back yard, there were a lot fewer classmates present, and several ladies were in the pool cheering as guys vied for who could make the most impressive jump off the diving board.
With the new couple’s arms draped around each other walking uphill to the pool, several people turned to them. Radford initially looked at the grass now lit by an outdoor light before lifting his head and smiling. Camellia appeared quite contented and walked a little slower. A male classmate to Radford’s left grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
“There y’all are,” Belle declared in her bathing suit putting a towel about her shoulders. “I was wondering what happened to y’all. But I reckon everything’s all right after all.” She chuckled slightly.
“Beaucoups of thanks for such a lovely party, Belle,” Radford said. “In fact, I shall be forever grateful to you.” Camellia grinned at him as Belle giggled and gave him a hug and a kiss.
“Ditto, dear,” Camellia said as she kissed and hugged their hostess. “I just thank you so much for never ostracizing me, Belle. You’ve always been kind, and I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”
“Oh, sweetie. You just made my evening,” Belle noted and hugged her again. “Oh, and I’m sorry I’m wet!”
“It’s all swell, girl,” Camellia replied.
The pair said goodbye to several folks as they made their way to the street.
“Since you’re staying with your momma so close by, I ’spect you just walked here, Miss Fitzsimmons. But I’d be right happy to give you a ride home in the cherry chariot,” he stated, pointing to his deep red car before them.
“Well, I’d be right proud if you did, Mr. McGinniss,” she proclaimed with an exaggerated southern drawl as he opened the door for her.
Little was said as they made the short trip to her mother’s house and pulled into the driveway. He turned off the ignition and looked at her, not knowing what to say.
“This is so like high school,” she chuckled. “I’m half-expecting my mom to march outside, hectoring me for staying out too late.”
“This is nothing like my high school experience,” he reflected.
“Aw, darling, come here,” she cooed and leaned over to kiss and hold him. They held each other a while before she nuzzled his nose and stared into his eyes.
“I’d invite you in, but with Mom home, it’d be like high school again.” She laughed. “Plus, I have to get up before 6 to drive to Atlanta for an early morning flight to Chicago where I’m spending the day with a couple of girlfriends—”
Here he widened his eyes and raised his eyebrows.
“Platonic girlfriends,” she clarified. “No, I left Lesboland long ago. It was an amusing trip but I have no plans to return, especially after tonight.” She gave him an exaggerated coquettish look. “I’ve got a Monday morning meeting at the Chicago Delta office before heading back to Atlanta. But let’s exchange contact information and, in a couple of days, we can chat.”
“You got it,” Radford replied. As they texted their phone numbers, he continued. “If you like, I’d sure be tickled to take you to dinner next weekend. I’m only a little over an hour from Atlanta.”
“Why, I’d just be tickled pink,” she answered.
“Powerful purty in pink,” he remarked with a smile to which she leaned over for another leisurely kiss. When their lips parted, they still held each other.
“I don’t want this moment to end,” he finally said.
“I know! Me neither,” she echoed. “But in less than a week, we can pick right up where we left off.” She looked him close in the eyes as she tickled his belly button again and laughed as he squirmed. She gave him a quick peck on the lips before leaving the car.
“I can walk you to the front door,” he offered.
“That’s all right,” she said. “I suspect somebody might see us and then immediately start with endless questions when I’d much rather just go straight to bed... and dream.” She smiled and blew a kiss closing the car door.
Rolling down his window as she walked by, he declared, “You won’t be the only one dreaming tonight, ’cause I’m gon’ have to drive home on autopilot.”
She grinned.
“And to think I never even tried out for the football team,” he noted in a raised voice.
“Yeah, well, there’s a whole new pecking order.” She pointed at him with a wink.
Copyright © 2025 by Douglas Young
