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Your interest in this story encourages me.

Glenn and Maggie's relationship is heating up. Because Glenn is Korean, in 1951 this would have been considered an interracial relationship. And if they went public, it would create all kinds of problems for them.

But, it's not public yet. So, grab a soda and a pen, so we can draw hearts around their initials, as Maggie and Glenn continue seeing each other as friends. And more.


Stomping up the front porch steps, Maggie followed her father inside. "Daddy, I told you Randy wasn't coming to church today. He isn't coming to dinner, either. We broke up. And we aren't getting back together." Pulling off her sweater, Maggie refused to make eye contact with her father.

Annette swooped in, pulling her daughter into a tight hug. "Sweetheart, you don't know that. Whatever you did, I'm sure you can straighten it out. We all make mistakes, Randy will understand."

Elbows up, Maggie wrestled out of Annette's grasp. "Mama. I'm not straightening anything out. I broke up with him." Geez. Automatically think he dumped me. You're supposed to be on my side. "Can we just forget about Randy, and get dinner ready." Why's everybody so concerned with my love life. With a huff, Maggie stamped into the kitchen. Pushing Beth, her younger sister, out of the way. Ignoring the looks Herschel and Annette exchanged. Grumbling under her breath. "Whatever I did. Like I did something wrong. Why don't you ask me what he did. That stupid jerk." Tying on an apron, she slammed a pan and cutting board on the counter. Yanking a paring knife from the drawer and pulling out a handful of onions and carrots. Ignoring the muffled conversation between her daddy and mama out in the foyer.

With a quiet hum, Annette made her way into the kitchen, putting an arm around Maggie's shoulder. "Margaret, we're just worried about you is all. We didn't realize you broke up with Randy." All accusations gone, replaced with a deep level of concern.

Tossing her head to the side, Maggie dropped the knife and onion she was slicing, and turned to face her mama. Her face wet with tears. "Mama. Randy wasn't who I thought he was." He's a gross, self-centered jerk, who's only interested in one thing. I should have known after his last girlfriend dropped out of school last year. How could I have been so stupid.

Patting her daughters shoulder, Annette wiped at her cheeks with a tissue from her sleeve. "It's better to find out now. Why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a bit. You'll feel better."

Sniffing, Maggie wiped at her nose with the back of her hand. "What about…"

"Elizabeth can help me with dinner. You go on."

Maggie nodded at Annette. Untying her apron, she handed it to Beth, who promptly gave her an accusatory glare. With a half smirk, Maggie was dragging up the stairs. To throw herself on her bed, still wearing her church clothes. Wiping her face on her pillowcase. Wishing it was Monday night or that Glenn would call or just come by or... What the heck is wrong with me. Thinking about seeing him again, she drifted off into restless sleep.

~:~

School on Monday was pure torture. Maggie spent her lunch hour and time between classes avoiding Randy and his creepy, handsy friends. Who all seemed to want to knock her books on the floor, grab at her boobs and her butt, or shove her into a locker. And their girlfriends were worse. Loudly talking about her, and hissing ugly names and insults at her when she walked by. If it wasn't for her friends, Lori and Amy, she would have had to spend every minute outside of class hiding in the restroom.

As soon as school was out, she ducked out a side door and headed for the bus. Head down, avoiding Randy and his horrible friends. Snagging Beth's arm and making her sit next to her. On the aisle. Can't believe I'm back to taking the bus. Like a freshman. Well, at least tonight I get see Glenn. Leaning her head against the side window, her eyes drifting closed. Mmm. Glenn. Maggie thought about their big date on Saturday. Getting so engrossed in her thoughts, that if it wasn't for Beth shaking her, she would have missed her stop.

Quickly changing from her skirt into dungarees, she grabbed the egg basket and headed out to the chicken coop to do her chores. Watching from the corners of her eyes until she spotted her mother leave the house, and head towards the garden with the vegetable basket. Starting off at a run, Maggie hurried from the chicken coop to the house. Reaching the kitchen, she grabbed the phone and began dialing. The market.

"Yes, this is Margaret Greene. We need a case of quart size canning jars and lids. Could you send those out, please?... Yes, tonight… About 7:30? Perfect. Thank you." Just managing to hang up before she heard her mother at the back door. Smoothing her hair, she turned towards the back of the house, intending to intercept her.

"Margaret, did I hear you talking on the telephone?" Annette was already inside the kitchen. A basket of tomatoes in her hands.

Dusting her hands together, Maggie summoned her most innocent look. "I couldn't find any canning jars in the cellar, so I called the market. And asked them to send out a case. With lids."

Her eyebrows wrinkling together, Annette stared at her for a moment before answering. "Hmm. Are you sure there aren't any…"

Maggie's hands coming up in an open handed shrug. "I didn't see any."

With a slight, half nod. "Alright. Did you feed the chickens and get all the eggs?"

Quickly crossing the rest of the kitchen, Maggie smiled at her mama. "I think so, but I'll go double check the nesting boxes." Modestly dipping her head, and averting her eyes, Maggie hurried past her, and out the back door. Jogging to the chicken coop, where she quickly scattered the rest of the feed and started collecting eggs. Happily humming.

Time seemed to be on fast forward after that. With homework, dinner, and clean up. It was already 6:30 before she could sneak upstairs to take a quick dip in the tub. And pull on a cute pair of pedal pushers and short sleeve blouse. Leaving the top two buttons undone.

Coming back downstairs at 7, Maggie was barely able to stop herself from bouncing on her toes. Poking her head out the front door, to where her parents were sitting on the porch. "Mama, can I make some ice cream." We can sit out back, he'll help me crank. Eeeh.

Herschel snorted from behind the newspaper he was reading. "Ice cream? Don't you have homework to do?"

"My homework is done, and it's warm out tonight."

"Don't be a fuddy duddy." Annette patted Herschel's arm. "That sounds wonderful. Get Beth to help."

Blurting a quick "thank you", Maggie raced into the kitchen. Swiftly mixing together the ingredients for vanilla ice cream, she poured the mixture into the churn, and making three trips, carried everything out on the back steps. Carefully putting the churn inside the wooden bucket, then packing alternating layers of ice and rock salt inside the wooden bucket around the closed container. By the time she finished, Beth was sitting next to her. Waiting to help crank.

Taking turns, Maggie and Beth each cranking for a few minutes at a time. With Maggie surreptitiously checking her watch. And Beth digging for information on why Maggie took the bus and where she really was on Saturday night. By 7:35, their arms aching, the ice cream was getting pretty firm making it hard to crank. Maggie dropped the handle at the sound of gravel crunching in the driveway. Glancing at Beth, Maggie gave her a small smile. Then she was off. Making her way around to the front of the house. Just in time to catch Glenn walking up to the front porch, carrying the case of canning jars and lids. A small, grease stained paper sack sitting on top of the canning jars.

With a growing smile, Maggie fell in next to Glenn. Their eyes meeting for a brief second, they climbed the five steps to the porch. Where Herschel was looking over his newspaper at them.

"Is that…" Lines formed between his eyebrows as he stared at Glenn.

Maggie's smile getting even bigger. Brighter. "A delivery. From the market." She chirped. While, Glenn looked like he was going to pass out. "Canning jars. Come on in, you can put those on the counter in the kitchen."

Glenn stared straight ahead, avoiding looking at Herschel, as he obediently followed Maggie through the front door. Down the narrow hall to the kitchen. Where her mama was sorting through some things in the refrigerator. With a quick glance at Maggie, he slid the case of canning jars onto the counter. The sound drawing Mrs. Greene's attention.

"Hello Glenn. Thanks for bringing out the canning jars. And, what's in…"

His mouth pulling up, in the start of a grin. Glenn handed the grease stained paper sack to Mrs. Greene. "These are from my mother. Chapssal doughnuts, she made them today. When I told her I had a delivery out here, she insisted I bring you some."

Her mouth forming a perfect O, Mrs. Greene opened the bag. Lifting the bag closer to her face, she inhaled deeply. "They smell wonderful. You tell your mother I said thank you." Then reaching into a jar in the cupboard, she pulled out a dime and tried handing it to him. "And this is for you."

Shaking his head, Glenn took a step back. "No, no. That's okay."

Nudging him with her elbow, Maggie started pointing with her nose towards the back hallway. "We're just finishing making ice cream, if you want to stay for a minute."

Annette was still in the kitchen. Watching between Glenn and Maggie. Glenn beginning to look like he was being attacked by ants. He was getting so jumpy. Without saying another word, Maggie looped her arm around Glenn's and led him to the back hall, and out the screen door. Where Beth started dramatically rubbing her arm.

"I think it's done."

"Okay. You get bowls and spoons and we'll double check. See if it's hard." With a smile at Glenn, Maggie gave his arm a tug, "Come on. We can sit out here." Glenn followed Maggie's smooth movement, they sank down onto the top step at the same time. Her tongue coming out to run along her bottom lip, she looked down at the ice cream machine. "You ever make ice cream."

"Uh, no. We just bring it home from the market."

"You're in for a treat. Homemade is the best, but… You have to earn it."

"Earn it?"

"Uh huh. Some things… You have to earn. Beth has weak arms, I'll bet you can give the machine a couple more cranks. You know, to earn your ice cream." Maggie's hand tightened on his arm for a moment. Then grabbing the crank on the top of the machine, she moved it a couple inches. "Here, it just goes in a circle. But because it's almost done, it's harder than it sounds." What was I thinking. Telling him he has to crank the ice cream.

Glenn pushed his ball cap back a little on his head. "Earn… My ice cream." Nodding towards the wooden ice cream maker on the step below them. "Okay. Let's…" And he was scooting closer to her. Planting a foot on each side of the ice cream maker. Leaning forward, bracing one hand on the side, his other tightening around the wooden crank.

Maggie sucked in a big breath. Nervously holding it in. Oh, this could be a mistake. What if he can't turn it at all. Beth's really pretty good at this. What if there isn't another turn… And with a grunt, Glenn began to turn the crank. Three full turns, grunting as he started a fourth turn. Getting the handle half way around before Maggie stopped him. "That's good. I think it's done." Both of them jumping, Maggie yipping a little, when the screen door slammed behind her.

Looking down at them, Beth held a stack of bowls in one hand. Spoons in her other hand. "Here."

Opening the ice cream maker, Maggie let Glenn pull the container of ice cream from the center of the ice, salt, and cold water. Setting it on the pavement. Handing the lid to Glenn, Maggie carefully extracted the paddles from inside, setting them on the pavement. Then she started scooping the ice cream into five bowls. Handing three back to Beth. "Would you give Mama and Daddy their ice cream, and…" Blinking up at her sister, who was making annoying noises and faces at her. "Take yours some place where we can't see you." And you can't see us. "Please."

Rolling her eyes, with a slight smile, Beth disappeared back inside with the three bowls. Maggie handed a bowl to Glen, then scraped her spoon across the top of her own ice cream. Taking a small bite. "Mmm. So good."

"Mm hmm." Glenn nodded in agreement. "I never knew I liked plain vanilla."

"That's because you never helped make it before." Maggie took another small bite. Tipping her head into Glenn's shoulder. "Things you have to work for are sweeter. Like ice cream."

"That part of the earning it deal?" Swallowing down another bite.

Nodding against his shoulder. Maggie murmured. "Uh huh."

Glenn's nose brushed against her cheek. They sat on the back steps, together. Finishing their ice cream. Watching each other from the corners of their eyes. Maggie giggling and squirming, when Glenn caught her looking at him. Nudging each other with their shoulders. Both of them taking small bites, stretching their ice cream.

Their bowls finally empty, except for the spoons. Maggie leaned in, and wiped a drip of ice cream from the outside edge of Glenn's lip. Then sucked it off her finger. "Mmm."

Holding his bowl with both hands, Glenn's head hung down. He stared at the little remnants of ice cream sticking to the inside. His chin leading, he looked over at Maggie. Who was still sucking her finger. "So…"

"So let's take the bowls in, and…"

"Margaret." Annette's appearance casting a shadow over both of them. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" The edge of her mouth pulling up in a smile, but her eyes looked wary.

Head back, looking up at her mama, Maggie handed off her bowl to Glenn. Who bobbled it putting it inside his own. Crud. What'd I do. Pushing off with her hands, Maggie glanced over at Glenn, before following her mama.

Walking out towards the garden, Annette reached down to hold Maggie's hand. "I didn't know you knew Glenn."

Pasting on her sweetest, most innocent smile yet, Maggie squeezed Annette's hand. "I met him at the market. When I was there. With you. He checked out our groceries. I saw him last week at the five and dime. And we talked a bit."

Stopping, Annette turned to face Maggie. "Well, I'm glad you're friends. I've known his mother for a year or so. They are a fine family, but… Stay back from the road. The two of you. No sense in letting the neighbors, or anyone… See you together. Other people may not understand your being friends. Do you understand what I'm telling you?" The concern evident in her voice, and on her face.

Maggie felt her smile fade. Her stomach tightening around the ice cream. It's nobody's business whoNo. This isn't her fault. She's just trying to protect me. "Yes ma'am. We'll…" What? We're already more than friends. I think.

Annette squeezed Maggie's hand hard, before pulling her hand free. "Good." Gently patting Maggie's shoulder, Annette turned back towards the house. Leaving Maggie to stare after her.

Not fair. Have to be careful. All the time. Even here. Her eyes rolling, she looked out over Annette's head, in the direction of the road. Stomping back to the house, her teeth clenching. Reaching the steps, Glenn was just coming out the screen door.

"I put the…" His voice stuttery. The ice cream machine was all taken apart, sitting on the ground. The wooden bucket empty. The remaining ice and salt dissolving in a puddle a few feet from the back steps. The paddles and churn in his hands, all rinsed.

"You took the bowls inside and cleaned everything. You didn't have to do all that." Her nose wrinkling, her face relaxing into a slow smile.

Shrugging, Glenn stuck the churn inside the wooden bucket. "You said things are sweeter if you earn them. I thought maybe if I cleaned out the ice cream maker…"

Her smile growing, Maggie grabbed his hand and started to lead him out towards the chicken coop. "Yes indeed. I think maybe you earned this." Walking all the way around to the back of the coop, Maggie pushed him—well, it didn't take much of a push—up against the weathered wood. Her hands on his shoulders. With only a second of hesitation, his hands circled her waist, pressing into her back. Pulling her closer into his chest, and with a hunger their mouths found each other.

Tuesday night, Glenn came back out. Without the pretext of making a delivery. Standing on the front porch, his hands shoved in his pockets. Staring at the floor. Trying not to look at Mr. Greene. Until Maggie came out, asking. "Glenn have you met my father? Daddy this is Glenn Rhee. He works at the market. He's a friend of mine. Glenn, this is my daddy. Mr. Greene."

Pulling his hands from his pocket, Glenn aggressively rubbed his palm against the side of his jeans. Before sticking his hand out. "It's nice to uh, meet you. Mr. Greene."

Mr. Herschel Greene ignored Glenn's outstretched hand. Grunting out an, "Uh huh. What are you? Chinese?"

A shaky grin making a fleeting appearance. "No, uh, I'm Korean." His hand dropping to hang at his side.

"Uh huh. And you work at the market?" Herschel's eyes laser focused on Glenn, who couldn't seem to decide where to look.

"Yes sir." His head bobbing like it was on a spring.

"Did you bring out a delivery last night?"

"Yes sir." Glenn's grin returning, for a second.

"Friends, huh." Herschel's face softening, a bit. "Well. You two stay out of sight, away from the road. You hear me?"

"Yes. Thank you Daddy. We'll be careful." Maggie grabbed at Glenn's sleeve and began pulling him back down the porch stairs. Reaching the ground, still holding onto his sleeve, she started around the corner of the house. Towards the barn. Tipping her head into Glenn's shoulder. "I thought we'd take the horses out. We can ride in the woods."

"Uh… I've never been on a horse." Glenn pulled his ball cap lower on his forehead. Catching Maggie's eyes with his.

With a light, little laugh, Maggie dropped his sleeve and started half running, half dancing ahead of him. "Come on, it's easy." Causing Glenn to take a couple of jogging steps to catch her. Leaning back, she whispered. "There won't be anybody out there but us. And, we'll probably have to stop and… Let the horses rest." While we do something else.

An hour and a half later, they were back at the barn. Under her direction, they put away the tack and brushed the horses, which didn't take long because they hadn't gone very far. And the horses had a big break before they came back. They finished by giving each horse half an apple. Then Glenn picked some sticks and grass from Maggie's hair. While she smoothed out her blouse. All the while exchanging half glances and smiles.

That night, lying in bed, Maggie touched herself and moaning softly, thought about Glenn. I think tomorrow I'll let him touch my boobs under my blouse. Wish he would have tried harder today.

Wednesday, Maggie stopped by the market, where Glenn was working. To get a candy bar, and wink and smile at him. Before going over to Lori's to study. And listen to her talk about how great Shane was. And Maggie really should give him a chance. He is so gross. Such a jerk, he talks about every girl he's ever gone near. Thinks he's god's gift to women. Bleah. Biting her tongue, and thinking about Glenn. While she hummed and drew little hearts around their initials, inside her notebook.

Thursday, after another day of avoiding Randy. And his pushy, grabby friends, Maggie headed for the five and dime after school. Smiling at the clerk when she walked in. Then slow walking down a couple of aisles. Picking up a new pair of stockings, with a black seam and a butterfly at the back of the heel. Ooh, he's gonna like these. Saturday, mmm. Making her way towards the listening booths and bins of 45's. Stopping at the bin opposite the one Glenn was flipping through.

"Find anything good?" Head down, Maggie started fingering the edges of the records.

"Hmm." His smile impish, Glenn pulled out a 45 and held it up like he was examining it. "Here's a new one, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine.

"That's interesting." Nodding, Maggie pulled out a 45. "I was just looking at In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening." Looking across at him for the first time, tracing her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. "Maybe I'll get it later." Sliding the record back in the bin, Maggie made her way to the front of the store, paying for her stockings and a roll of Mentos. Then walked outside, heading south. Listening for the now familiar sound of Glenn's mother's car.

Three minutes later, Glenn pulled over in front of her. And she scrambled in. Not hesitating to slide into the middle of the seat. Pulling his hand from the steering wheel, so she could tuck in next to him. They headed out to T-Dog's.

Walking in, Maggie waved to Big Tiny, and Oscar, who were both standing at the bar with T. Then they made their way, hand in hand, to one of the worn wooden tables. As Maggie sank into a chair, Glenn excused himself and headed outside to the restroom. Her head tipped down, Maggie glanced around the mostly empty, dim room. There was a table of four girls not far from her table. A few tables of couples. Someone she couldn't see was fooling around with the piano in the corner of the stage. And One Eye Brian leaning against the bar. Staring at her. An involuntary shudder rolling through her when their eyes met. What a creep. And T, crossing the floor with sodas and boiled peanuts.

"And how is Miss Maggie today?" T's grin was broad and infectious, as he spread out the peanuts, sodas, and napkins with a flourish.

Returning his grin, Maggie flipped her hair back. "T, if I was any better, I'd be twins." Drawing a chuckle from T. Leaning close to him, she pointed towards the bar with one finger. "Is that…"

T-Dog briefly glanced back to see who she was pointing at. "Oh yeah, One Eye Brian comes in most Thursdays to do a little warm up for Saturday. Low key. Mellow. Just him on the sax." With a little snort noise, his head dropping forward. "I think, he's just bored. Don't have nothin' else to do. Nobody wantin' to spend time with him. So he drags his sorry self over here."

Maggie joined in his snickers, afraid to look back towards the bar. Knew it, he is so creepy. But, as long as he stays over there…

Slapping the top of the table with one of his large, meaty hands, T-Dog started back to the bar. Before he had taken three steps, the four girls she had seen at the other table, were walking over to where she was sitting. Who… Swallowing, Maggie tried looking past them, to see if she could see Glenn. She couldn't.

"Hey, remember me? Last Saturday. Outside, in the toilet?" It was a young woman, standing two feet closer to Maggie than the rest. Looking and sounding familiar.

Oh, I know her. Said she was sorry for… "Yes." A relieved smile splitting Maggie's face. "Please sit down."

The three behind her all poking each other and whispering. "No, I don't…" Looking over her shoulder, the young woman hissed a shhh. Then turned back to Maggie. "I just wanted to say how glad I am you came back, Miss Maggie."

"I had so much fun Saturday, of course I came back." Leaning forward, Maggie patted the spot next to hers. Indicating the young woman should sit down. "I'm a little embarrassed. You know my name, but I don't remember yours."

With a smirk over her shoulder to her friends, the young woman sat down. "It's Lucy. And these are my friends. Sally, Nene, and Rae."

"I'm pleased to meet you Miss Lucy."

The young woman's eyes widened. Shaking her head. "Oh Miss Maggie, it's just Lucy."

A line forming between Maggie's eyes, she looked between Lucy and her three friends. Who were all giving her little smiles and half waves. The ends of her mouth pulling down in a frown. "Okay Lucy, you can call me Maggie."

Somehow, Lucy's eyes got even wider. Vigorously shaking her head. "Oh no. I'm Lucy, and you're Miss Maggie. That's the way it is."

Her hands slapping down flat on the table. "I don't…"

"Don't matter Miss Maggie. That's The Way It Is." Speaking slowly, deliberately. Clearly enunciating her words, as if she was talking to a toddler. Then standing, she looked back over her shoulder at her friends for a moment. "Are you coming this Saturday?"

Glenn walking up next to the side of the table. Looking confused, as he observed the conversation between Maggie and her new friends. Maggie reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. Tipping her head back. "We're coming back this Saturday, aren't we?"

Glenn's grin returning. "Yeah, Saturday. If you want to we are." Before he even finished speaking, the smooth sound of the sax started. Looking down at Maggie, his eyebrows doing crazy things. "You want to…"

"I do." As Lucy and her friends returned to her table, Maggie and Glenn made their way to the dance floor. Where One Eye Brian was playing some slow song Maggie didn't recognize. With his right arm around her waist, Glenn held her right hand up close to his shoulder. Clutching his shoulder with her left hand, her head against his chest, eyes fluttering. They rhythmically moved around the dance floor. Making a turn, her eyes caught old One Eye staring at her. Again. Her body stiffening. What is wrong with him.

Breathing next to her ear. "You okay."

Sniffing slightly. "I'm fine, I just…" You aren't chasing me out. I have a right to be here. You creepy old goat. Determinedly staying for another hour, Maggie avoided looking back at One Eye. Only agreeing to leave when Glenn suggested stopping at the abandoned school house on the way back. And then, she insisted they leave immediately. Maybe I'll let him do more than touch my boobs. And she did.

That night, lying in bed, not sleeping. Her nightgown hiked up around her waist, Maggie pushed her hand down between her legs. Lightly rubbing over newly sore areas. Smiling to herself. Mmm. Next time, we gotta use a condom.


So, I guess this isn't a slow burn anymore.

Thanks for reading. If you loved it, or just liked it, please leave a note in the box. And if you hated it, never mind. :)
xoxo