Steady swimmer Chapter 1

Eddie & Jamie sittin in a tree

Jamie Reagan had been having sweet dreams for 2 weeks now. The star of those dreams was a short, sassy, blond swimmer. The dreams were all because of what Eddie Janko had done. She had taken the bull by the horns and forced the issue – the issue of what to do with their somewhat stalled friendship. Sure, Jamie had been taking some baby steps forward lately; but she was growing impatient. She had snuck into the Reagan family home (with Joe's help), gone upstairs to Jamie's room, hidden in the closet when his mom poked her head in to say good-night to Jamie, and came back out when the coast was clear. Despite Jamie's voiced objections to her presence, she had kissed him! He was stunned; when he recovered his wits, he kissed her back. Again, and again they shared kisses. They both basked in the glow of the moment(s). Against Jamie's wishes she left, when her taxi (Joe) was ready to take her home to Park Slope where she lived with her parents Armin & Sophia. She left saying, "we need to save some for next time."
She winked.

"Next time?" Jamie whined.

"Unless you don't want a next time?" She smirked.

"I can't wait for next time," Jamie breathlessly muttered.

She slipped out the bedroom door, down the stairs and out the front door with Joe.

Jamie fell into bed; a sleepless night ahead.

'Damn that woman!'

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"Eddie, wait up!" Jamie hurried down the hall towards Eddie's locker. He had slept late, finally dropping off to sleep just before 03:00. Thus, he hadn't been awakened by his alarm. Mary, his mom, had to get him up. He rushed thru breakfast and was off to school.

"I'll walk you to class," he smiled at his now girlfriend. He thinks that's their status now.

"Cutting it close, aren't you Jamie," Eddie smiled broadly. She wished she could get a good morning kiss. The hall was too crowded for that. Maybe after school. She hoped he was thinking the same.

He took her books and they walked toward her 1st period class.

"Yeah, I slept thru my alarm. Short night," he admitted.

"And why was that?"

"You." Jamie muttered.

"Me?"

"Yeah, but you know what. I've got an idea for Another NEXT TIME."

"Really? Another next time?"

"Yup. You know that big oak tree just off the back play-ground? With that large low-lying limb, perfect for sitting on."

"Um . . . yes, what about it?"

He stops her, leans over with his mouth right by her ear, "Eddie and Jamie, sittin in a tree," he hums the tune. Then softly kisses her ear lobe.

She swats his chest, giggles and puts her mouth right by his ear, "after school." Then quickly nibbles at his ear lobe.

She takes back her books and slips into her 1st period class.

Jamie walks on, a smug look on his face.

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AFTER SCHOOL

Later, Eddie and Jamie exit 6th period calculus class together. This is the class that started it all. The swimmer was paired with the debater for a calculus project. Junior Jamie had been paired with his debate partner Nick for 3 years. They didn't like being split up, but eventually Jamie and Eddie (a sophomore swimmer) had jelled; and won the calculus project competition. She was going after the ice cream prize; he was going after the extra credit points. Their obviously different priorities met in the middle. Both were happy, and a friendship of sorts started.

Holding hands, they strove across the playground towards the oak tree. They dropped their packs to the ground; Jamie helped her up onto the large branch, then jumped up and joined her. Eddie grasped his hand, entwined their fingers and held their joined hands in her lap. He could feel her large, muscular thighs; he tried to think about other things. They sat swinging their legs; they were waiting for Wendy and Eddie's other friends; mainly her swim teammates.

When they saw the pack of girls emerge from the school door, they began to chant: "EDDIE AND JAMIE . . . SITTIN IN A TREE . . . K-I-S-S-I-N-g!"

Wendy and the others stopped in their tracks. They listened, then started screaming. "OH MY GOD! Look at them, in that tree!" They ran over to the tree with cell phone cameras snapping pictures all the way. Two of the girls had video recording on.

Eddie and Jamie did a back-flip off the branch.

"When did this get to this point?" Amber questioned.

Eddie responded, "We had a heart-to-heart talk 2 weeks ago."

"You mean lip to lip," Wendy smirked.

"Well, that too," Jamie grinned. "A little."

"Little, my ass," one of the other girls snorted.

Jamie looked her up and down, "Your ass isn't little!"

Eddie swatted his chest, "Eyes on me only, mister!"

The group giggled.

"Yes, ma'am." Jamie gave Eddie a peck on the cheek.

The enlarged group walked towards the gate. They broke into 2's and 3's as they started their different ways home. Or into various vehicles to ride.

Jamie pulled Eddie along with him; it was a nice day and only 9 blocks from his house.

"Let's go to my place and check our homework. Then you can stay for supper; it's pot roast tonight." Jamie invites her.

"Homework sure. But I don't want to intrude on family meal time, Jamie."

"Not a problem. Just wait and see, my mom will invite you. Probably even insist that you stay."

"Ug . . . you're probably right. Your mom is so sweet. You are so lucky to have her. I wish-

"I know . . . just let my mom do her thing, ok? She really likes you. And she likes welcoming our friends into our home and helping them feel at home. It makes her, and all of us feel good. Please?"

"Ok, but only if she invites me."

Jamie smiles to himself. 'Done deal!'

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"Mom, I'm home. Eddie is with me; we're going up to my room. We have homework to check over."

Mary comes out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She gives Eddie then Jamie a warm hug. "Ok kids, you know the rule – door open at all times. Eddie, welcome to our home; can you stay for supper, it's pot roast night?"

Eddie looks at Jamie, he smirks.

"If it's not too much trouble Mrs. Reagan?"

"No trouble at all, my dear. We'd love to have you. I'll call you about 15 minutes before supper; you two can come down and set the table. Ok?"

"We'll do that mom," Jamie replies.

They scamper up the stairs and throw their packs on Jamie's bed. They sit cross-legged on the floor and get their calculus homework out.

Eddie looks inquisitively at Jamie. "Did you give your mom a signal or something?"

"About what?"

"Supper, you idiot!"

"Hmpf . . . NO! I just know my mom, that's all."

"Well . . . I guess you do. I guess I could have predicted it too. Your mom is so nice; I love her."

"She really like you too. I think she . . . ah . . . well-

"She what?" Eddie squints at him.

"I think she thinks we are a cute couple."

"Has she said that?" Eddie is fishing.

"Well, sort of." Jamie hedges.

"Sort of? Jameson?" Eddie is pressing.

"Yeah, she did. And you know what? I agree." He leans over and gives his girlfriend a quick kiss.

Now Eddie is blushing. "I agree too!"

"Jamie, Eddie, time to set the table," Mary hollers up the stairs.

They scamper back down to get ready for supper.

TBC