-"Oh look! It's a gray seal with black spots!" Jenny quickly ran to the lower level of the fishing dock to get a closer look.
-"I love the mist of the ocean breeze, if I close my eyes and imagine the smell of fried fish; I am instantly transported to my childhood back home."
-"Which was only about ten years ago?" Robert teased with a smile.
Jenny smiled back. -"Do you think that it ever gets lonely, diving alone into the dark water?" Jenny said as she kept her eyes on the playful seal.
-"Perhaps, but you should not dwell on sad things on your special day Jenny. Let's walk down the pier to the shore, and then get something to eat."
-"You're right. And...since it is my birthday, I should pick where we eat, and what we do today no?"
-"True, but knowing you, that is subjective to further consideration. Where would you like to eat lunch?"
-"For starters, we will take a walk along the shore to open up our appetites, but this time I'd like for us to hold hands on our walk. Today I am finally 18 years old, and you can't say anymore that we can't." Jenny said with a wink.
-"Jenny, it's true that you are technically and adult from this day, but you are still younger than both my kids. It would still not seem proper." Robert uncomfortably said.
-"Robert, you don't have to please everyone else - just me! Just kidding...although I am not in a way. I am not your kid, and we are not even of the same ethnicity to be confused as relatives. Stop worrying about what others’ will think!
Besides, do you know that if anyone would look upon us with disapproval, it would simply be because they're jealous?"
-"I think they would see me as a degenerate, not because they're jealous."
-"No, it's true. Think about it. Some would wish that they had what we have. If I were with a guy my age, I would be to him just an average girl, yet one who still struggles with complex mathematical formulas. I would not see my full potential, as I do through your eyes.
If you were with someone your age, you might seem like an average guy to her, yet to me, you are totally awesome and in the same league of Superman!" Jenny said as she embraced him.
Laughing heartedly Robert teased, -“Even from you, that is a bit overdone. You really must have ulterior motives of some kind.”
-“Okay perhaps overdone, but I learn this from Andrew and Maude, they really do exaggerate sometimes!”
-“Do you frequently talk with Andrew?” Robert asked.
-“Not much, just when he is back in town, or through e-mails and instant messaging sometimes. Why?”
-No reason, just wondering. So let’s walk.” Robert said as he took Jenny’s hand.
-“Robert do you remember when you said to me that when I became eighteen, that I could then do whatever I want?” Jenny asked as she set up the trap.
-“I don’t recall off the top of my head. Why? What do you have on mind?” Robert asked while pulling her arm.
-“I know you had your reasons to refuse to go all the way with me, but that barrier is now gone. I have already taken the necessary precautions to avoid pregnancy, and I simply want you to be my first lover.” Jenny said matter of fact.
After a long pause, Robert answered, -“Jenny, sometimes good friends have to stop their friends from making a colossal mistake. You are impetuous and too immature yet. I am flattered, but I don’t think that it’s still a good idea. You should find a boy your own age and build a lasting relationship.” Robert said.
-“I’m too focused in my studies; I still have to try harder than most people my age. I don’t want to waste time with a long romance. But look at me Robert.
Stop and look at me!
I am choosing you as my lover. I am not at the mercy of people like my own mother, or Myrna who wanted to profit from my virginity.
I don’t give to it the import of what it’s supposed to symbolize. I am not as immature as you claim. I never really had a childhood Robert, and this is what I want.”
Looking deeply into her eyes, after a moment Robert said: -“Jenny, you are barely starting your life. I am in the latter part of middle of the road, but fifteen, twenty years from now, I will edge the twilight of my life. You will barely be in your prime then, while I'll be ancient then.
I guess that I am afraid to fall in love with you so much, and suffer as much when you eventually leave me for a younger man.”
-“Robert will you let fear ruin your life? I was held in captivity for too long, and there’s nothing that I appreciate more than freedom, including the freedom of choice to ride this experience with someone I trust and love.
If you don’t want to suffer than simply love me, make love to me, but don’t think to own me. If you love freely, then there will be no pain, just lasting good memories, and so much love shared. Let's celebrate life, this very moment with apologies to noone else!
-“Would you rather skip lunch and take it to go somewhere?” Jenny said as she would not take no for an answer.
To be continued...
L'Innocence by William Bouguereau
