Thats okay with me, she said.
Great. It wont take long. I just need to pick up a couple of things I left on my boat.
You have a boat?
She isnt much, but shes mine.
Gee, thats neat. Neat, Lane thought. Dumb. Stop talking like a kid.
He pulled the station wagon into the parking area in front of a hardware store, turned around and headed back the way theyd come. Lane was well aware that they had passed the marina shortly after leaving the college. Either Mr. Kramer hadnt wanted the rest of the kids to know about his boat, or hed just remembered whatever it was that he needed to pick up. Either way, she was glad. This would give her a little while longer to be with him. And it made her feel special that he was willing to take her along, to let her have a glimpse of his real world.
Im more than just a student to him, she thought. He wants me to see that hes not just a teacher.
So, he said, I guess you made a new friend tonight.
George? Yeah. Hes nice.
Hes a good student. He seems like quite a young gentleman. Did he ask you out?
No, not hardly.
Well, then, he missed the boat. No pun intended.
George is pretty bashful. But I might start giving him rides to school. He has to check with his parents.
Always a good idea. Speaking of parents, its almost midnight. I dont want to get you into any trouble.
Well, they know its a long play. I dont think theyll mind if Im kind of late. Especially since Im with you. Since youre my teacher, and everything.
Good. Thats good. This wont take long. Soon he turned into the marina parking lot. A few other cars and pickups were there, but Lane saw no people. Come on down with me, Mr. Kramer said. Ill show you the pride of my fleet.
Great. She climbed out. She met him in front of his station wagon. Side by side they walked toward the dock. A chilly wind, blowing in off the river, swept her hair back and pressed the front of her blouse and skirt against her skin. She leaned into it. She folded her arms across her chest.
Cold?
A little.
Here. He started to remove his blazer.
No, no. I cant take that. Im fine. Really.
I insist. Turning to Lane, his white sport shirt flapping, his necktie whipping this way and that, he draped the jacket over her shoulders. She clutched its lapels to keep it from blowing away.
Youre gonna freeze, she warned, her voice trembling.
Naw. Im of hearty, seafaring stock.
If you say so.
He unlocked a chain-link gate and held it open while Lane stepped onto the dock. When he came toward her, his shoulders were hunched.
You arefreezing.
Me? Arching his back, he threw his chest out and pounded it with his fists.
Lane laughed. It felt strange to laugh with her lungs feeling so tight and shaky. It left her breathless.
You can shield me, Mr. Kramer said. He turned her around. Holding her by the shoulders, he pressed himself against her back and steered her forward. She twisted her head to look at him. Their faces nearly collided. Careful, he said. Or well have still anotheraccident.
The dock swayed under her feet. The boats moored along both sides bobbed and pitched on the rough surface of the river. Most were dark, but lights glowed from the cabins of a few. She wondered if there were people inside the lighted boats. She didnt see anyone. And hoped that no one saw her.
What if it got back to Mom and Dad that I was out here fooling around like this with Mr. Kramer?
Hard to port, he said into her ear. Turning Lane to the left, he pushed her along an arm of pier. Past a rocking, dark sailboat. Past a catamaran. He halted her at the bow of a powerboat that mustve been at least twenty feet long. Moonlight gleamed on its foredeck and cabin windshield.
He hurried ahead of Lane, and she followed him up a narrow strip of pier that reached alongside the boat. Near the stern he stepped onto the gunwale and hopped down. Watch your step, he said. He held out a hand to her. She took it, hung onto his jacket with her other hand, and planted a foot on the rail. As she thrust herself up, he pulled. She dropped, landed on the pitching deck and staggered against him.
Mr. Kramer wrapped his arms around her. He squeezed her tightly against him. He said, Brrrrr.
His face felt cool on her cheek. His chest was solid against her breasts. His hands moved up and down her back. She could feel him shivering.
Why dont we go below for a minute? he gasped. Warm up.
Lane nodded.
He turned away, unlocked the cabin door and slid it open. Go on first. And watch your step.
She climbed down into darkness. Away from the wind. At the bottom of the stairs she found herself in narrow, cozy quarters. Moonlight came in through the portholes, casting a gray haze over cushions to both sides and in front of her.
She heard the door skid shut. It cut off most of the winds noise.
Sleeps three, Mr. Kramer said. If theyre munchkins.
Nice, Lane whispered. She turned around, careful not to lose her balance, and saw the dim shape of Mr. Kramer coming toward her.
A haven from the tempest, he said.
Thats for sure. You might as well have this back. She slipped the blazer off her shoulders.
Just toss it down anywhere.
She folded the jacket. As she bent down to place it on a cushion, a hand stroked the back of her head and she flinched.
Sorry. Did I startle you?
A little.
She stood up straight. The hand slipped down to her shoulder. Then both Mr. Kramers hands were on her shoulders, gently rubbing them through the heavy denim. Her mouth went dry. Her heart thudded.
Does that feel good? he asked.
Yeah. But... I really cant stay.
I know. Well go in a minute. But you like this, dont you? I know you liked it after school the other day. Really eases the tension.
He kept on massaging her, squeezing her shoulders, moving to the sides of her neck.
We shouldnt be doing this, she thought. Not here.
Her head felt heavy. She could hardly hold it up.
His hands eased down along her neck. Under her collar. The top snap of her blouse popped open. And his hands were inside, kneading her shoulders.
Mr. Kramer, she murmured.
Hal. Call me Hal.
Hal. Id better go now. Honest.
Its all right, he said. Were not doing anything wrong.
It feltwrong. But it felt good, too. Incredibly good.
His big, warm hands curled over her shoulders and down her upper arms. She realized they had taken her bra straps with them. Something low in her belly, something cold, seemed to jump.
Now, youre smooth, he whispered, massaging her shoulders.
We shouldnt. This isnt...
He brushed his mouth against hers, and the words got lost. Oh, Lane. His breath caressed her lips. His hands drifted over her cheeks as softly as a mild breeze. They went away. He kissed her again, his mouth open and warm and tender.
Lane had daydreamed about this. And this was much the same as her daydream. But more exciting. And more frightening. And somehow shameful. She hadnt expected the feelings of fear and guilt.
Its already gone too far.
But she felt helpless, trapped by the pull of his moist, warm mouth.
While he kissed her, he popped open the next snap of her blouse. And then the next.
Jesus, she thought.
After the last snap came apart, Hal slid his tongue into her mouth and spread her blouse open.
She turned her face away. His tongue came out of her mouth and spread a wet path across her cheek. I have to go home, she gasped. Right now.
This is what youve been waiting for, he said, slipping the blouse off her shoulders. She tried to raise her arms, but he pressed them down and pushed the sleeves off. Its what weve both been waiting for. You know that.