Author’s note: This short collection of stories comes from a novel I have written. I had to write out these tales to work out the intricacies of the characters’ histories where they are coming of age as young adults, but also deal with a dying family member. However, the level of detail and the subject matter would have been quite out of line with a mainstream novel, other than as summary. These are, literally, unpublishable chapters for a regular publishing house and were never included in the novel, but I’d like them to have an audience, and Jason thought his site would be the right place to host them, where I now have other stories posted. Each chapter can stand on its own, but they work better if you read them in order, at least the first time.
Alex and Tess 1 – Coffee Pot Day
In May of 1979, 12-year-olds Alex and Tess come inside from a hard day riding bikes to get a cold drink and a snack, but have an accident in the kitchen – spilling a pot of hot coffee on Alex’s leg and scalding him. To stop the burning, Tess has to get his pants off because she’s the only one thinking straight. Seeing her best friend naked has a definite effect on her
Alex and Tess 2 – Pool Disguise
In June of 1979, 12-year-olds Alex and Tess have become a young couple, a boyfriend and girlfriend, doing what boyfriends and girlfriends do. Tess has a fantasy that Alex devises a plan for the next time they go to the local swimming pool – how to disguise Tess so that she can use the boys’ locker room.
In June of 1979, 12-year-old Alex’s mother has died, and his best friend/girlfriend Tess is dedicated to comforting him and trying to bring him back into the world. After the funeral, they spend the night together they way they’ve wanted to, and Alex realizes that not everyone in his life will leave him.
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