"Daddy, can I spend the night at Beth's tonight? Mr. Sullivan is going away on some mayor business and she doesn't want to be alone." Rosie put her breakfast dishes in the sink
"Can't the Walker boy spend the night with her?" Mr. Gadry sipped his coffee
"Danny's not like that dad, they're sort of old fashioned."
"Not like you then?"
Rosie made a small sound in the back of her throat and she stepped away from him.
"That's not fair daddy."
"I know, sweet pea, I'm sorry. Is Rafe going to be at Beth's?"
Rosie looked her father straight in the face and lied to him
"No dad, I'm not in the hurry to have Rafe put in jail."
"Fine you can go. I want you to come home from school first though. And I'll be calling to see you if that's where you're really at."
"Okay Daddy." Rosie kissed her father on the cheek, grabbed her book bag and ran out the door.
Beth was leaning against the railing on the front steps of the school as Rosie approached,
"So?"
"I can go, as long as Rafe doesn't show up." Rosie winked "Where's Danny?"
"Inside talking to the R word. They're not sure how they're getting out."
Rosie and Beth walked up the steps the Shelby High giggling like, well schoolgirls.
"It's all set." Rosie whispered to Rafe as she walked by him, taking care not stop.
"Are you prepared for what's gonna happen if you get caught?" Danny asked as Rafe watched Rosie skip down the corridor
"Rafe, hello Rafe. Danny Walker to Rafe McCawley come in Rafe." Danny snapped his fingers in front of his best friend's face
"What?" Rafe shook his head and brought himself back to Earth
Beth laughed and patted him on the back
"You have it bad."
"That makes two of us." Danny pulled Beth to him
"Will- you- be- able- to- get- out- tonight?" Beth kissed Danny after every word
"I won't have a problem I'm the one they trust." Danny razzed Rafe
"Have I told you how unfunny you are Danny?" Rafe slammed his locker shut
"Take it easy Rafe I was just playin'."
"I'm just stressed Danny that's all."
"Ooh by the way I gave Daisy the night off so it'll be just us." Beth took Danny's hand and the tree started off to their perspective classes.
Rosie settled into a seat at Beth's table again at lunch and waited for her to show.
"You're sitting with us again?" Doris took her seat and pulled her lunch from a brown paper bag
"Is it okay?" Rosie looked at Doris and Judy unsure.
"Of course we can finish the conversation we had yesterday, since Beth isn't here yet." Judy folded her hands
"Sure, what did you want to talk bout?"
"Well you're Rafe's girl as we established yesterday, I have just one question. How is he at you know?" Judy questioned snobbily
"Excuse me?"
"Oh come off it Rosie everyone knows you slept with him, we want to know how he was." Doris piped in
"You don't have to answer that Rosie." Beth dropped her purse onto the table, "You two have a lot of nerve asking her something like that."
"You know Beth you sure have changed quite the bit since you started slumming." Doris stated in a biting tone.
"Yeah I know, I mean. First you start dating that Danny Walker then suddenly the school tramp is your best friend." Judy added icily.
Rosie leapt up from her seat and ran from the cafeteria, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"What the hell?" Rafe looked up from his peanut butter and jelly sandwich and caught site of Rosie running from the lunch room
"I'll go check on her stay right there." Danny got up and chased Rosie out.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what's the matter?" Danny put his hands on Rosie's shoulders and turned her around
"I'm the school tramp." Rosie managed weakly
"Oh, Rosie who said that?"
"Doris and Judy did."
"Miserable bitches."
Mean while
"You know what you two are the most self centered stuck up poor excuses for human beings I have ever had the misfortune of coming into contact with. Rosie's one of the sweetest people in this world and you'll never know because you don't want to know. And Danny Walker is a beautiful person, he treats me far better then any of those numb brained jocks you see. So you know what maybe the people that matter to me aren't high on the social latter but I'd trade a room full of you guys for Rosie and Danny any day." And just for emphasis Beth poured her milk right over Judy's head, to thunderous applause from everyone else.
Beth sauntered over to where Rafe was sitting and sat down,
"They were mean to Rosie that's why she ran out crying."
"And I can't go out and wrap my arms around her and tell her it's always going to be alright." Rafe put his face in his hands and let out a frustrated growl.
"Don't worry, about it Rafe she'll be okay. You can comfort her tonight at dinner."
"Shit dinner I still don't know how I'm gettin' out the house."
"I'm sure you'll think of somethin."
Danny walked back in and parked his tight butt in the seat near Beth,
"Rosie's is spending the rest of lunch in the library."
Rafe turned his head to his friend
"Is she okay?"
"They called her a slut."
"It was tramp actually." Beth corrected
"This is all my fault." Rafe moaned as the bell rang and they headed to class.
Rosie was pouting at her desk when Rafe walked into biology, her eyes were still puffy from crying and her cheeks were still flushed. As Rafe walked by her his hand brushed against her bare arm, causing goose bumps to form. She watched him as he sat down and when their eyes met he mouthed the words
"Tonight."
And she nodded
"Daddy I'm home." Rosie dropped her backpack down to the floor.
"Two nights in a row, I shoulda made you stop seeing that boy along time ago."
Alexander answered taking his six-pack from the fridge
"Dad do you have to start? I just want to go to Beth's"
"Fine, I'm going to a poker game at your Uncle Arthur's do you need a ride?"
"No, um I still have to take a shower yet, I think I'll walk." If Alex dropped her off he'd be sure to see Rafe's car that would be a problem.
"I will be calling to check on you. I know you're Uncle has the mayors phone number."
"Alright dad now go."
Rosie showered and put on that dress that Beth had bought her the day of her make over. He fluffed her shoulder length brown hair and clasped on her locket. It looked awesome against the midnight blue fabric of the dress. That night she was going to knock Rafe's socks off. After she was dressed she packed her bag and set off to Beth's making it there just before the rain started.
"Noreen I'm leavin'." Danny called as he stood in the doorway
"Okay Danny have fun."
Danny took the key's to the truck off the hook and headed out the door waving to Rafe's dad as he crossed the driveway
"Bye Edward."
"See ya later Danny." As Danny drove down the road he noticed a sprinkle on his windshield and soon the sprinkle turned into a torrential rain.
"Just my luck Danny gets permission and the car. I have to walk in the rain." Rafe thought sourly as he got out of the house the old fashioned way. He snuck out. The night would have been beautiful if it wasn't for the rain. The harvest moon was high and Rafe stopped a few times to look at it. By the time he got to Beth's he was twenty minutes late and Rosie had just about given up hope.
"He's not coming Noreen caught him, my uncle caught him, this was a total waste." She rambled squirming on the coach. Just then the door opened and Rafe stood there a dripping wet mass of man.
"Wow, Rafe, you're awful…wet." Beth commented as Rosie ran into Rafe's arms and kissed him like they hadn't seen each other in years. Well, they had, but they weren't allowed to see each other, so it made it all the more romantic. "How romantic…" Beth sighed as Danny pulled her into the next room.
"What did you do that for?" Beth laughed falling on to the couch.
"They need a little privacy…" Danny laughed sitting down next to Beth, "Compared to them, we are awful tame."
"Yeah…" Beth giggled, "But that's ok."
"I heard what you did today…" Danny leaned down and kissed her.
"I can explain that." Beth blushed.
"What?"
"What ever you heard about me." Beth laughed sitting up.
"You don't have to explain anything…I'm proud."
"Proud? When my father finds out, he wont be to proud."
"Well…" Danny knew there was no changing what her father thought.
"But that's ok…" Beth smiled, "I am so hungry. Where did they go?"
"I'll put five that they're right where we left 'em."
"I have an idea…why don't we not talk for a week, and then get together…" Beth exclaimed, "Then, we can be all romantic like…"
"You don't think I'm romantic?" Danny pouted.
"Sure you are…" Beth laughed and kissed him, "You are."
Beth and Danny made their way back to the front hall, and sure enough, Rafe and Rosie were there, still.
"I have a feelin' the didn't come for dinner…" Danny whispered to Beth.
"I heard that…" Rafe spoke up.
Danny pulled Beth along, "We'll uh, leave them alone…"
"Danny, we are boring…I've decided." Beth poured herself a glass of water and hopped on the counter, in front of where Danny was sitting.
"I didn't know you liked to sit on counters…" Danny laughed, taking her water and gulping it down.
Beth shot him a sidelong glance and hopped off to get more water. "I do. It's a secret though. I used to sit on 'em when I was little, while Daisy cooked."
"You didn't pick up any tips from her then?" Danny teased, "Did she cook for us tonight?"
"She did." Beth opened the oven and took out a dish of chicken gravy and biscuits, "For some reason I actually thought they were here for dinner…"
"My sweet naïve Beth…" Danny walked over behind her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "Get some plates down…I'm starved."
Half Hour Later…
"Daisy can cook…" Danny said, taking a long sip of lemonade, "Do you think when we get married we can bring Daisy with us so she can cook for us?"
Beth let out a sarcastic laugh, "Maybe…I told Daisy…"
"You told her about us?" Danny replied with a serious look, "How'd she take it?"
"She's really happy for us." Beth said twirling her straw around, "She wants to give me away, or something."
"That's nice of her…" Danny's train of thought wandered, "You know, when you're in college, you'll be livin' in those dorms right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Where do I live?" Danny had asked a very good question, but of course, Beth had an answer.
"Don't worry, Daisy and I figured it out. I have a very nice trust fund…that I can use when I'm 18, so don't worry, I'll buy a house."
"You just got the answers to everything, don't you?" Danny reached over and grabbed her hand.
"I like to think…" Beth blushed, "Now help me clear the table…"
"Beth…we have a week of school left, and you're doin' homework?" Danny sat in a chair next to the desk in Beth's room.
"Daniel…its still assigned…" Beth playfully scolded, "Don't you have any?"
Danny and Beth were only lucky enough to have one class together, English. "Well, not in English, and not in Chemistry…and not in any other classes, no."
"Lucky you…" Beth sighed shutting her book, "I can't do anymore of this…" She walked over to her bed, and Danny followed, it was about 9:30 now, and they hadn't heard a peep out of Rosie and Rafe.
"You look super tired." Danny laid down next to Beth.
"I am." Beth yawned and laugh, "I'm sorry we didn't have as much fun as they're havin."
"Sure we had fun, we ate dinner, we listened to the radio, we chased the cat, and we finished your homework…we accomplished a lot." Danny joked, kissing Beth's forehead.
"Well, if we hadn't chased Max, he would've…" Beth argued.
"He wouldn't have done a thing…you have a lazy cat." Danny smiled, "You goin' to sleep?"
"Yeah, I'm about too…" Beth closed her eyes, "Sorry I can't stay up…"
"Don't be sorry…" Danny gave her a quick kiss, "Aren't you gonna get in pajamas?"
Beth sat up and looked down at her dress, "Good idea." And she got up and got some pajamas out, went to the bathroom and changed, and came back, "I'm good to go now."
Beth and Danny didn't say much after that except, Danny promised as usual he would be there until she fell asleep.
Danny woke up, and he noticed Beth wrapped in his arms, and it was really dark out, and her clock read, 11:38. He got up quickly, waking Beth up in the process.
"Danny?" Beth said groggily, "What time is it?"
"Late honey, I hope Noreen doesn't kill me." Danny pecked her quickly on the lips, "I'll see you in a few hours?"
"You don't have to go, just call and say you lost track of time…" Beth replied half asleep.
"You always say that…" He laughed to himself, "I'll see you soon, I love you."
"Uh-huh…" Beth mumbled, she was already asleep again.
Rosie lay in the guest bed at Beth's house, her back against Rafe's rippled chest. Her eyes lids were closed lightly but she wasn't asleep. Rafe had his arm draped gently over her and their fingers intertwined at her belly button. Rosie could feel every breath Rafe took against her back and she thought for sure he was asleep. That was until he spoke.
"I'm sorry Rosie."
At first she thought was her own tired imagination playing with her.
"Ro, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it." Rafe repeated and she rolled over to face him
"Sorry for what Hun?"
"Ruining your reputation."
"Oh honey no. Don't pull this on me. Rafe I love you and I don't care who thinks what bout me. I wanted to do what we did that's all that matters. My reputation doesn't mean anything' to me over my love for you."
"I know what they did to you at lunch Ro. I saw you cryin'."
"Oh that doesn't matter, Judy and Doris are witches that hate anyone that's not like them. It's no big deal."
"Ro, you wouldn't cry if it was no big deal."
"I wasn't cryin' cause of that. I was upset cause they asked me what you were like in bed. All that did was remind me of how much I missed you. How I didn't think I'd ever feel as special as I did in your arms after the picnic. When we, made love Rafe I felt like nothing could ever hurt me."
"Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you as my girl?" He kissed her nose
"Not in the last ten minutes. It's really late, you should get some sleep."
"I think I'd rather just watch you if it's all the same. Besides I got to get heading home soon."
Rosie snuggled closer to him nestling her head in the crook of his neck.
"Night Rafe I love you."
"Love you too." He kissed her bare shoulder and Rosie drifted to sleep hearing the soothing sound of her lovers steady breathing and the drenching rain that fell outside.
Beth always got up early; it was like a bad habit. As soon as the sun was up, she was too. She hated it. So, an hour before school, she had been in the shower, done her hair, and finished all her homework she didn't before. Now all she had to do was wake up Rosie. And she had no idea how Rosie was when she first woke up.
"Hey Rosie…" Beth knocked on the door softly, "Do you wanna wake up? I don't know how long it takes you to wake up…" Beth opened the door and peaked in. "OH SWEET JESUS…RAFE WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' HERE?"
"What? Rafe woke up startled.
"Rafe…I'm takin' a shot in the dark here, you haven't been home?" Beth sighed, "I am going to die…that's all. Ok, one of you get dressed, Rafe you're my dads size, I'm gonna get you some slacks and a shirt. And pray that you don't get caught…"
"My parents are gonna kill me, damn it." Rafe shot out of bed and followed Beth to the clothes.
"This is all we need." Rosie mumbled and threw herself back onto the bed.
"Can't the Walker boy spend the night with her?" Mr. Gadry sipped his coffee
"Danny's not like that dad, they're sort of old fashioned."
"Not like you then?"
Rosie made a small sound in the back of her throat and she stepped away from him.
"That's not fair daddy."
"I know, sweet pea, I'm sorry. Is Rafe going to be at Beth's?"
Rosie looked her father straight in the face and lied to him
"No dad, I'm not in the hurry to have Rafe put in jail."
"Fine you can go. I want you to come home from school first though. And I'll be calling to see you if that's where you're really at."
"Okay Daddy." Rosie kissed her father on the cheek, grabbed her book bag and ran out the door.
Beth was leaning against the railing on the front steps of the school as Rosie approached,
"So?"
"I can go, as long as Rafe doesn't show up." Rosie winked "Where's Danny?"
"Inside talking to the R word. They're not sure how they're getting out."
Rosie and Beth walked up the steps the Shelby High giggling like, well schoolgirls.
"It's all set." Rosie whispered to Rafe as she walked by him, taking care not stop.
"Are you prepared for what's gonna happen if you get caught?" Danny asked as Rafe watched Rosie skip down the corridor
"Rafe, hello Rafe. Danny Walker to Rafe McCawley come in Rafe." Danny snapped his fingers in front of his best friend's face
"What?" Rafe shook his head and brought himself back to Earth
Beth laughed and patted him on the back
"You have it bad."
"That makes two of us." Danny pulled Beth to him
"Will- you- be- able- to- get- out- tonight?" Beth kissed Danny after every word
"I won't have a problem I'm the one they trust." Danny razzed Rafe
"Have I told you how unfunny you are Danny?" Rafe slammed his locker shut
"Take it easy Rafe I was just playin'."
"I'm just stressed Danny that's all."
"Ooh by the way I gave Daisy the night off so it'll be just us." Beth took Danny's hand and the tree started off to their perspective classes.
Rosie settled into a seat at Beth's table again at lunch and waited for her to show.
"You're sitting with us again?" Doris took her seat and pulled her lunch from a brown paper bag
"Is it okay?" Rosie looked at Doris and Judy unsure.
"Of course we can finish the conversation we had yesterday, since Beth isn't here yet." Judy folded her hands
"Sure, what did you want to talk bout?"
"Well you're Rafe's girl as we established yesterday, I have just one question. How is he at you know?" Judy questioned snobbily
"Excuse me?"
"Oh come off it Rosie everyone knows you slept with him, we want to know how he was." Doris piped in
"You don't have to answer that Rosie." Beth dropped her purse onto the table, "You two have a lot of nerve asking her something like that."
"You know Beth you sure have changed quite the bit since you started slumming." Doris stated in a biting tone.
"Yeah I know, I mean. First you start dating that Danny Walker then suddenly the school tramp is your best friend." Judy added icily.
Rosie leapt up from her seat and ran from the cafeteria, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"What the hell?" Rafe looked up from his peanut butter and jelly sandwich and caught site of Rosie running from the lunch room
"I'll go check on her stay right there." Danny got up and chased Rosie out.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what's the matter?" Danny put his hands on Rosie's shoulders and turned her around
"I'm the school tramp." Rosie managed weakly
"Oh, Rosie who said that?"
"Doris and Judy did."
"Miserable bitches."
Mean while
"You know what you two are the most self centered stuck up poor excuses for human beings I have ever had the misfortune of coming into contact with. Rosie's one of the sweetest people in this world and you'll never know because you don't want to know. And Danny Walker is a beautiful person, he treats me far better then any of those numb brained jocks you see. So you know what maybe the people that matter to me aren't high on the social latter but I'd trade a room full of you guys for Rosie and Danny any day." And just for emphasis Beth poured her milk right over Judy's head, to thunderous applause from everyone else.
Beth sauntered over to where Rafe was sitting and sat down,
"They were mean to Rosie that's why she ran out crying."
"And I can't go out and wrap my arms around her and tell her it's always going to be alright." Rafe put his face in his hands and let out a frustrated growl.
"Don't worry, about it Rafe she'll be okay. You can comfort her tonight at dinner."
"Shit dinner I still don't know how I'm gettin' out the house."
"I'm sure you'll think of somethin."
Danny walked back in and parked his tight butt in the seat near Beth,
"Rosie's is spending the rest of lunch in the library."
Rafe turned his head to his friend
"Is she okay?"
"They called her a slut."
"It was tramp actually." Beth corrected
"This is all my fault." Rafe moaned as the bell rang and they headed to class.
Rosie was pouting at her desk when Rafe walked into biology, her eyes were still puffy from crying and her cheeks were still flushed. As Rafe walked by her his hand brushed against her bare arm, causing goose bumps to form. She watched him as he sat down and when their eyes met he mouthed the words
"Tonight."
And she nodded
"Daddy I'm home." Rosie dropped her backpack down to the floor.
"Two nights in a row, I shoulda made you stop seeing that boy along time ago."
Alexander answered taking his six-pack from the fridge
"Dad do you have to start? I just want to go to Beth's"
"Fine, I'm going to a poker game at your Uncle Arthur's do you need a ride?"
"No, um I still have to take a shower yet, I think I'll walk." If Alex dropped her off he'd be sure to see Rafe's car that would be a problem.
"I will be calling to check on you. I know you're Uncle has the mayors phone number."
"Alright dad now go."
Rosie showered and put on that dress that Beth had bought her the day of her make over. He fluffed her shoulder length brown hair and clasped on her locket. It looked awesome against the midnight blue fabric of the dress. That night she was going to knock Rafe's socks off. After she was dressed she packed her bag and set off to Beth's making it there just before the rain started.
"Noreen I'm leavin'." Danny called as he stood in the doorway
"Okay Danny have fun."
Danny took the key's to the truck off the hook and headed out the door waving to Rafe's dad as he crossed the driveway
"Bye Edward."
"See ya later Danny." As Danny drove down the road he noticed a sprinkle on his windshield and soon the sprinkle turned into a torrential rain.
"Just my luck Danny gets permission and the car. I have to walk in the rain." Rafe thought sourly as he got out of the house the old fashioned way. He snuck out. The night would have been beautiful if it wasn't for the rain. The harvest moon was high and Rafe stopped a few times to look at it. By the time he got to Beth's he was twenty minutes late and Rosie had just about given up hope.
"He's not coming Noreen caught him, my uncle caught him, this was a total waste." She rambled squirming on the coach. Just then the door opened and Rafe stood there a dripping wet mass of man.
"Wow, Rafe, you're awful…wet." Beth commented as Rosie ran into Rafe's arms and kissed him like they hadn't seen each other in years. Well, they had, but they weren't allowed to see each other, so it made it all the more romantic. "How romantic…" Beth sighed as Danny pulled her into the next room.
"What did you do that for?" Beth laughed falling on to the couch.
"They need a little privacy…" Danny laughed sitting down next to Beth, "Compared to them, we are awful tame."
"Yeah…" Beth giggled, "But that's ok."
"I heard what you did today…" Danny leaned down and kissed her.
"I can explain that." Beth blushed.
"What?"
"What ever you heard about me." Beth laughed sitting up.
"You don't have to explain anything…I'm proud."
"Proud? When my father finds out, he wont be to proud."
"Well…" Danny knew there was no changing what her father thought.
"But that's ok…" Beth smiled, "I am so hungry. Where did they go?"
"I'll put five that they're right where we left 'em."
"I have an idea…why don't we not talk for a week, and then get together…" Beth exclaimed, "Then, we can be all romantic like…"
"You don't think I'm romantic?" Danny pouted.
"Sure you are…" Beth laughed and kissed him, "You are."
Beth and Danny made their way back to the front hall, and sure enough, Rafe and Rosie were there, still.
"I have a feelin' the didn't come for dinner…" Danny whispered to Beth.
"I heard that…" Rafe spoke up.
Danny pulled Beth along, "We'll uh, leave them alone…"
"Danny, we are boring…I've decided." Beth poured herself a glass of water and hopped on the counter, in front of where Danny was sitting.
"I didn't know you liked to sit on counters…" Danny laughed, taking her water and gulping it down.
Beth shot him a sidelong glance and hopped off to get more water. "I do. It's a secret though. I used to sit on 'em when I was little, while Daisy cooked."
"You didn't pick up any tips from her then?" Danny teased, "Did she cook for us tonight?"
"She did." Beth opened the oven and took out a dish of chicken gravy and biscuits, "For some reason I actually thought they were here for dinner…"
"My sweet naïve Beth…" Danny walked over behind her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "Get some plates down…I'm starved."
Half Hour Later…
"Daisy can cook…" Danny said, taking a long sip of lemonade, "Do you think when we get married we can bring Daisy with us so she can cook for us?"
Beth let out a sarcastic laugh, "Maybe…I told Daisy…"
"You told her about us?" Danny replied with a serious look, "How'd she take it?"
"She's really happy for us." Beth said twirling her straw around, "She wants to give me away, or something."
"That's nice of her…" Danny's train of thought wandered, "You know, when you're in college, you'll be livin' in those dorms right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Where do I live?" Danny had asked a very good question, but of course, Beth had an answer.
"Don't worry, Daisy and I figured it out. I have a very nice trust fund…that I can use when I'm 18, so don't worry, I'll buy a house."
"You just got the answers to everything, don't you?" Danny reached over and grabbed her hand.
"I like to think…" Beth blushed, "Now help me clear the table…"
"Beth…we have a week of school left, and you're doin' homework?" Danny sat in a chair next to the desk in Beth's room.
"Daniel…its still assigned…" Beth playfully scolded, "Don't you have any?"
Danny and Beth were only lucky enough to have one class together, English. "Well, not in English, and not in Chemistry…and not in any other classes, no."
"Lucky you…" Beth sighed shutting her book, "I can't do anymore of this…" She walked over to her bed, and Danny followed, it was about 9:30 now, and they hadn't heard a peep out of Rosie and Rafe.
"You look super tired." Danny laid down next to Beth.
"I am." Beth yawned and laugh, "I'm sorry we didn't have as much fun as they're havin."
"Sure we had fun, we ate dinner, we listened to the radio, we chased the cat, and we finished your homework…we accomplished a lot." Danny joked, kissing Beth's forehead.
"Well, if we hadn't chased Max, he would've…" Beth argued.
"He wouldn't have done a thing…you have a lazy cat." Danny smiled, "You goin' to sleep?"
"Yeah, I'm about too…" Beth closed her eyes, "Sorry I can't stay up…"
"Don't be sorry…" Danny gave her a quick kiss, "Aren't you gonna get in pajamas?"
Beth sat up and looked down at her dress, "Good idea." And she got up and got some pajamas out, went to the bathroom and changed, and came back, "I'm good to go now."
Beth and Danny didn't say much after that except, Danny promised as usual he would be there until she fell asleep.
Danny woke up, and he noticed Beth wrapped in his arms, and it was really dark out, and her clock read, 11:38. He got up quickly, waking Beth up in the process.
"Danny?" Beth said groggily, "What time is it?"
"Late honey, I hope Noreen doesn't kill me." Danny pecked her quickly on the lips, "I'll see you in a few hours?"
"You don't have to go, just call and say you lost track of time…" Beth replied half asleep.
"You always say that…" He laughed to himself, "I'll see you soon, I love you."
"Uh-huh…" Beth mumbled, she was already asleep again.
Rosie lay in the guest bed at Beth's house, her back against Rafe's rippled chest. Her eyes lids were closed lightly but she wasn't asleep. Rafe had his arm draped gently over her and their fingers intertwined at her belly button. Rosie could feel every breath Rafe took against her back and she thought for sure he was asleep. That was until he spoke.
"I'm sorry Rosie."
At first she thought was her own tired imagination playing with her.
"Ro, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it." Rafe repeated and she rolled over to face him
"Sorry for what Hun?"
"Ruining your reputation."
"Oh honey no. Don't pull this on me. Rafe I love you and I don't care who thinks what bout me. I wanted to do what we did that's all that matters. My reputation doesn't mean anything' to me over my love for you."
"I know what they did to you at lunch Ro. I saw you cryin'."
"Oh that doesn't matter, Judy and Doris are witches that hate anyone that's not like them. It's no big deal."
"Ro, you wouldn't cry if it was no big deal."
"I wasn't cryin' cause of that. I was upset cause they asked me what you were like in bed. All that did was remind me of how much I missed you. How I didn't think I'd ever feel as special as I did in your arms after the picnic. When we, made love Rafe I felt like nothing could ever hurt me."
"Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you as my girl?" He kissed her nose
"Not in the last ten minutes. It's really late, you should get some sleep."
"I think I'd rather just watch you if it's all the same. Besides I got to get heading home soon."
Rosie snuggled closer to him nestling her head in the crook of his neck.
"Night Rafe I love you."
"Love you too." He kissed her bare shoulder and Rosie drifted to sleep hearing the soothing sound of her lovers steady breathing and the drenching rain that fell outside.
Beth always got up early; it was like a bad habit. As soon as the sun was up, she was too. She hated it. So, an hour before school, she had been in the shower, done her hair, and finished all her homework she didn't before. Now all she had to do was wake up Rosie. And she had no idea how Rosie was when she first woke up.
"Hey Rosie…" Beth knocked on the door softly, "Do you wanna wake up? I don't know how long it takes you to wake up…" Beth opened the door and peaked in. "OH SWEET JESUS…RAFE WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' HERE?"
"What? Rafe woke up startled.
"Rafe…I'm takin' a shot in the dark here, you haven't been home?" Beth sighed, "I am going to die…that's all. Ok, one of you get dressed, Rafe you're my dads size, I'm gonna get you some slacks and a shirt. And pray that you don't get caught…"
"My parents are gonna kill me, damn it." Rafe shot out of bed and followed Beth to the clothes.
"This is all we need." Rosie mumbled and threw herself back onto the bed.