on the way home

They'd said their goodbyes to Ben, spent an hour or so with Maggie so she could meet Eric. Lonnie came over while they were there and talked a bit to Kyle about snakes and other insects. Maggie even appreciated the black berry jelly Kyle's mother had brought her from their own back yard berries. Of course, nothing was spoke of Ellie's mother nor why Kyle's mother was along.

It was a bitter-sweet goodbye. Maggie didn't want to let go of Ellie, and she knew she'd miss Aunt Maggie too. But finally they were on the road back. Clyde in Ellie's arms, and before she knew it, Ellie was sleeping almost through Oklahoma.

"Wait," Ellie saw a place to eat just off the interstate. "We have to stop at a Shoney's."

So they filled up on gas and food and even some cheap souvenirs to say they'd been somewhere. It was all going to be strange and different even if her Dad hadn't said so. Kyle was keeping quiet about it too.

"You don't think she know, does she," Eric whispered in Ellie's ear once they'd gotten settled back in the mini van and Kyle was busy with his texting.

"Probably," Ellie didn't smile about the idea that Kyle's mother knew about them. "I don't know. Lets not think about it."

Eric was holding Clyde now who was resting across Eric's chest. Ellie yawned and snuggled up next to Eric.

"Maybe we should, you know-" she started to say they should wait about this whole sexual activity stuff.

"Definitely." He sighed.

"Wait, you didn't even know what I was going to say, did you?"

"I'm thinking-"

"Christmas?"

"No, Thanksgiving, at least, but definitely before then. You're going to make me look forward to this like a holiday aren't you? Halloween, for sure." Eric told her with a smirk.

"Isn't Labor day coming up?"

"Yeah, but that's an awful long time a way," Eric told her.

"I just don't think it should be one of those everyday things." She shook her head, no. "I like being your girlfriend."

"Hello, lover is even better." He whispered in her ear.

"Well, yeah, but still, is that all you're gonna think about now?" Ellie sighed.

"Uh, yeah." He grinned.