Chapter 6

The next days passed as normal. However, after meeting one another John and Billie's lives had changed. They had now had something, or someone, to think of. Things were still but a daydream; a figment of what either of them separately envisioned. For John, having met the young woman was not just another random pleasant encounter. It was significant. He had felt something. They hardly spoke though he was sure he would have felt the same impact merely being in her presence. Whether it was considered romantic or genial the existence of some kind of spark was undeniable. He felt close to her in some way.

Her young mind told Billie she was in love. How else could she explain the great deal of emotions she already felt for the man? Nothing to this extent had ever happened to her which is why she placed some trust in it. She was well aware that whatever notions she had toward him were purely fantasy. He was so far away, in every aspect, though her admiration was consistent. At the moment most everyone around the two were oblivious to their sudden interests.

As a best friend this was especially difficult. Perhaps Billie felt her infatuation with Mary's Uncle would be to her disgust. She realized the inappropriateness of such an admission and thus kept it to herself. She wanted desperately to share in her new found crush but knew far better. Were it a cousin of Mary's, one closer to their age, the whole thing might have been acceptable. Mary might have even condoned it; going as far to help her friend win his affections. This, however, had to be a completely secret captivation. It was on the tip of her tongue at all occasions but she forced herself silent.

After the last school bell had wrung the population of the entire school filtered outside, free for the day. Billie and Mary were naturally together. Preparing for the walk home they headed down the grand steps. Abruptly Mary erupted with great excitement and ran toward a car. It was black, parked off one of the roads leading out of the school. Really it was stolen, "swapped" outside of Chicago before crossing the boarder but no one but John knew that. Mary ran to the window.

"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed.

"Hey! Your Mama said I could come take you home today. Get on in." John wore dark sunglasses, always undercover, though he gazed over them with his black eyes to look at Mary. She stepped to the side and he was accosted with the sight of Billie. Immediately his body tensed, he sitting up in the drivers seat.

"Can Billie come, too?" his niece questioned.

John swallowed and nodded. "Of course."

She turned and began to persuade the older girl to join her in the car. It didn't take long. She stepped aside and allowed Billie in first, she scooting behind the drivers seat, when Mary stalled before getting in. "Shoot! I forgot my notebook," she shifted through her things. Groaning she stepped away. "I'll be right back."

The door shut.

John and Billie exchanged a glance. She gave him a small smile, tingling inside, and he returned one while sitting forward again. There was silence except for the dull noise outside the car. Billie starred out the window, seeing and pretending to be concentrated on other things though she focused on nothing. Little did either of them know that both of them were hastily pondering things to say while they captured moments alone. John dared to start.

"You almost done with school?"

She shot her head up quickly. "Yes. In a few months..."

"How much older than Mary are you?"

"I'll be eighteen next month."

This struck him like a hard slap. She was so, so young. Barely in her prime and he stood with considerable contrast, a year over thirty. Did he think himself utterly inappropriate? Not completely.

The quiet came again. John lowered his sunglasses, eying her in the rear view mirror. She was still stunning; her eyes brighter in the daylight. "Where's that accent come from?"

Billie looked up again, startled to see the chocolate eyes that looked back at her through the mirror. Feeling under his observation made her nervous, as did answering the question. She turned back down to her lap, he noticing her hesitation. "I'm French and Native American..." A moment passed before she rose her eyes up to meet his again. When she did she noticed him not sneering but maintaining a little smirk. This answer pleased him. He warmed to her even more.

Once more their speech slowed. What was almost a conversation exhilarated Billie to the point where she did not want to give it up. So far it had only been question and answer, the latter on her part. The fundamentals of conversation relied on two parties in a discussion. Without participating more she would loose it. She cleared her throat, saying anything she could muster. "What about yours?"

This time she inquired to his accent. He arched in confusion at first than seemed humored by her words. Her voice was so light and airy, he felt enthralled to merely have a response. Twisting in his seat he was able to view her a bit better, giving her a side-ways look.

"Where do you think?" he challenged with a grin. Billie knew the question had been silly, she only speaking to keep doing so, not entirely concentrated on the words. She bowed her head in embarrassment, waiting a moment to gather her words before answering.

"I would say here... but Mary is from here too and she doesn't sound like you."

The smirk on John's face twitched even more and grew, mimicking something highly mischievous.

"That's because she ain't a man, darlin'," he replied, looking into her clear eyes. Color came back to her cheeks and she glanced away, a nervous laugh escaping her. It was soon followed by another chuckle, this one from John, and it eased Billie enough to laugh fully. The two of them were engrossed in the amusement when Mary let herself back into the car.

"What's so funny?" she asked as she climbed into the seat and shut the door. She received no response.