Chapter 11

Sharona had fixed a simple dinner of spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. She remembered how Gail went on and on about how sexy Randy looked sipping spaghetti sauce off a spoon. Figuring she couldn't go wrong, Sharona made her famous spaghetti sauce, the one Gail kept begging for. Dinner passed with little awkwardness. Randy politely asked Benjy about his interests and Benjy answered mechanically, at first, but soon started warming up to Randy. Randy filled Sharona in on how Joy was faring and told her that he was going to have Joy look at some pictures to try and identify Julie's killer.

For dessert, Sharona had made a New York style cheesecake, reminiscent of her life back in New Jersey. Her mother used to buy a New York style cheesecake from the neighborhood bakery and Sharona hadn't had one in a long time. She added strawberry sauce, drizzled over the cheesecake. Randy inhaled his, claiming it was the best ever. After helping Sharona wash and dry the dishes, Randy took her hand and led her to the living room. Benjy had made himself scarce, not caring to watch his mother's adolescent behavior. Alone, Randy and Sharona sat on the couch, not knowing how to begin the conversation.

"Randy" "Sharona" they each began.

"Go ahead," said Randy.

"I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed tonight," began Sharona, "most of the guys I have dated have either taken me to the most expensive restaurant, to impress me, or else end up dumping me, for someone else. It was nice to be able to cook for you."

"I appreciate you cooking. Dinner was excellent and I haven't had a home-cooked meal in ages," said Randy.

Not knowing how far he should go with Sharona, Randy pushed the curls away from her face and began to lightly stroke her skin with his thumb. Looking into her eyes, Randy could see the want displayed there. Sharona decided to make the first move and leaned forward to capture Randy's lips in a kiss. Randy relaxed and pulled Sharona deeper into his embrace. Sharona wrapped her arms around Randy's shoulders, one hand playing with the edges of his hair. The sensation of Sharona's fingers through his hair caused Randy to lose all thought, except for this woman in his arms. Randy's mouth demanded wider entrance into Sharona's and she eagerly allowed him in. Randy's head began to swim, as he realized that things were rapidly spinning out of control. With great self-control, Randy broke their contact, leaving both of them breathless.

"Sharona," gasped Randy, "we need to stop."

A brief look of hurt fluttered across Sharona's face. Randy saw the look and quickly soothed her feelings.

"It's not what you think," began Randy, "I want you, Sharona, I have always wanted you, from the moment I met you. But, I want our first time to be perfect, not out of lust. I respect you too much for that. Also, there is the slight problem of Benjy interrupting. I'm sure I would really win points with him if we got caught."

Sharona sat and just stared at Randy, as if he had grown a third eye. None of the men she had dated had respected her like this. Most were pawing at her, like they were in heat. Randy was the first to put her above his own needs and that touched her. A tear slipped out of her eye, as she realized what a fool she had been this whole time. She had ridiculed and belittled Randy over the past several years and here he was the one who respected and cherished her the most. Sharona began to grow jealous of the women Randy must have dated in the past, how he must have treated them like a queen. The tears began to flow harder, as the thoughts flew through her head.

"Sharona, why are you crying?" asked a puzzled Randy, afraid that he had just killed his chances with Sharona before they began.

"You're so sweet," said Sharona, between sobs. "Most men never took me into consideration and I would have to knee them before they would stop."

Aghast and angry at her revelation, Randy assured her that he was not that way and she would never have to feel threatened by him. Safe with that knowledge, Sharona snuggled closer to Randy's chest and sighed in relief.

In the hallway, quiet and unobserved, Benjy stood in the shadows, watching the scene unfold. He quietly snuck back to his room, deciding, in his heart, to see what could be done to gain Randy Disher as his step-father.