The cold air whipped down the deserted Chicago street. Cody pulled his threadbare trenchcoat tighter around himself in a vain effort to keep out the cold that was quickly sinking into every inch of his body. Along the street which was the same muted gray there was a thin dusting of snow, which only told you that the weather was going to get colder and much less forgiving.

The snow had turned whatever shelter he may have found into a wet soggy mess so any hope he would have had of finding shelter in some discarded cardboard box was useless.

He knew these streets as well as he knew anything he had been on his own since he was 16, since his stepmother had thrown them out the house because she didn’t feel like taking care of him anymore. The happy memories were vague, he has had a mother at some point but she had left when he was very young, for some reason he couldn’t understand. His father had remarried when he was five or six and Cody only remembered a stern dark-haired woman who never smiled.

His father had been the only person who had understood anything about him, his drawing and whatever other scrawls he happened to devise, his stepmother had only screeched at him for painting on her apron and tried to hit him of her rolling pin. He had ran after that, hiding in his bedroom until his father had come up to find him and they had listened to music together.

Everything changed after his father had died. It was like all the lights up disappeared from Cody’s world and the only thing he had left was Margaret, his stepmother, who only called him stupid, which he supposed he was, he didn’t know. He avoided her as much as he could only coming down to eat and even then he usually retreated to his room… At least there he felt safe.

School was his only escape at least he can get away from Margaret, which was good enough for him. He didn’t have that many friends and he didn’t count the five or six other kids in his special needs class as such he figured they were like him, but he only managed to learn their names out of necessity not because he wanted to.

 

It was two weeks after his 16th birthday when she threw him out and after that he just ran, ran until he couldn’t run anymore taking refuge in his favorite music store and he stayed there until they threw him out and he kept walking… until he couldn’t walk anymore. During the warm months he frequented garage sales on the residential streets and the occasional flea market downtown if he could walk far enough as the weather got cooler he took cues from the other homeless people he has seen, some of them (albeit very few) had an old broken down van or something. Most of them were like him, on foot looking for food and shelter and a scrap of clothing where they could find it.

The trenchcoat had been a stroke of luck and was pretty much his only means of protection from the elements he had bought it for five dollars with the money he had found in his pocket (he got a handout from a passerby now and then) usually this helped buy or some other necessity. Usually the cashiers helped him count the money as everything about numbers was a jumble in his head it was like the information with there but it was buried somewhere where he couldn’t reach.

Cody shivered, the trenchcoat felt useless now and after six or seven years it had seen better days the rich color it had been even as a hand me down had long since faded to a nondescript murky gray.

He trudged towards a street he recognized realizing he was a few streets away from his old home. Margaret had disappeared some time ago… She had probably moved away he thought.

It was then he saw it glimmering like a beacon in the darkness. The light outside the small house was warm and welcoming and he trudged up the path, he just needed to rest for a moment. Also on the porch protected from the elements was a small swing… He had seen one in a movie once where a couple had been sitting there arms wrapped around each other murmuring softly. He sat down on the swing which also had a few small pillows on it, which he supposed cushioned the wooden seat.

He was so tired… And before he could think about it,  he had curled up on the swing and tried to sleep. He could feel himself being pulled away from reality where an ethereal white light seem to be pulling at him and somewhere he thought he heard his father’s voice, but whatever words he said were quiet and indistinct.

He wanted to drift away and yet he didn’t know exactly where he was going  but he wanted to get away from the cold… His limbs were so numb he couldn’t feel them anymore they felt like lead weights at the end of his body.

“Dad…” He whispered, “help me…” He whispered through chattering teeth, “I can’t-I can’t-I-do this anymore…”

Then the darkness overtook him.

2: Chapter 1

Jennifer Anderson was just pulling into her driveway after a night out with friends when she saw it: an absurd lump on her abandoned swing set. She frowned, parked her car and prepared to investigate.

It was freezing and all she wanted to do was get inside as fast as she could. She trudged up her steps looking once again at the lump on her swing, and judging by the tennis shoes she knew it was human.

She walked over cautiously and gently raised the person’s arm that was thrown up over their face as if they had burrowed down trying to stay as warm as possible despite the frigid temperatures. She paused as soon as she saw the person’s face. It was a young man no older than she was, ice and snow coated his hair and even his eyelashes seemed to be glittering with the precipitation. She wondered if he was dead, there was no way he could still be alive, but then again she had no idea how long he had been out in the cold. She checked his pulse quickly and knew she didn’t have a lot of time, Jennifer knew she couldn’t move him by herself he wasn’t a big man by any stretch but in the long legs would make things difficult and judging by the state of his jeans and shoes she knew he probably couldn’t walk, if she could even get him conscious.

Hastily she dashed inside and dialed her neighbor who lived a few doors down, he was the only person she could think of who could help her… She knew this young man needed to be warmed up-and fast.

“Hey, David, its Jennifer… I have a problem…”

 

Five minutes later David was in her driveway and he only glanced briefly at the young man before carefully easing him off the swing.

“Take his arms and shoulders.” David instructed and Jennifer did what she was told without comment and they carefully maneuvered him inside laying them out on the couch.

David didn’t ask any questions he was just moving very quickly.

“We have to warm him up, but very slowly, one thing at a time… At least that’s what I remember from my first aid I took in college.”

They carefully removed the icy garments replacing them with blankets while they both worked to restore circulation to the man’s limbs. They took off his shoes and socks and David shook his head.

“I don’t like the look of his digits Jen, he may lose a few. And while you’re at it call 911 while I finish up.”

Jennifer did just that and she had just hung up with the dispatcher and returned to the living room when she saw the young man had moved. It wasn’t much, just the flicker of an eyelash and the turn of his head, while next to him David was speaking softly.

“Hey son, I need you to wake up for me… You gotta wake up, you can’t go to sleep right now.”

“Dad…?” He asked weakly.

“My name is David.” David replied, “can you tell me your name?”

The young man frowned and it seemed to take him great effort. “No…” He said slowly.

Then his eyes came to rest on her.

“Am I in heaven? Are you an angel?”

Jennifer had to smile at that.

“No, my name is Jennifer… You’re in my house."

The young man seemed to consider this, but he still seemed extremely confused.

“Can you drink something?” David asked gently.

At first, the young man didn’t answer, but then he only said:

“No… My-my hands don’t work.”

“Okay, I’ll help.” David said evenly.

Then David was looking at Jennifer who took off for her kitchen once again. She didn’t think coffee was a good idea she didn’t have anything decaf, but then she remembered the hot apple cider her sister had brought her a few weeks ago in preparation for the holidays. She was lucky it wasn’t Christmas yet or it would probably be all gone but she still had 8 to 10 packs in the box in the cupboard.

She prepared the drink quickly and brought it out in a mug with a straw and handed it to David. David stirred the hot contents for a moment before holding it out to the young man.

“Go slow son.” He said in the same gentle voice.

The young man drank the beverage slowly, but even the few sips he managed seemed to take great effort. He had finished about half of the mug when there was a knock on the door. It was then she heard the faint whirring of the sirens and realized help had arrived. Then everything was happening quickly the EMTs moved the young man onto a stretcher and were still asking questions as they lifted him into an ambulance. Still concerned David and Jennifer followed in Jennifer’s car.

It was going to be a long night.

 

By the time they arrived at the hospital the young man had been checked into triage and they were checking him over. His color was a little bit better than it had been when Jennifer had found him, but he still looked unwell. She didn’t like the look on the doctor’s face when he saw the young man’s hands and feet, he was shaking his head and a nurse was scribbling something on a clipboard.

It turned out that he would need surgery it was likely he would lose half of the toes on his right foot and a couple of fingers, which would mean a few days stay in the hospital. Meanwhile the rest of the young man’s story came out. Jennifer told David how she had found him, the David didn’t seem as surprised as she thought he would be.

“Well, we all have to do our part for the less fortunate, at least that’s what I always told the kids.” David, was the father of three children a boy and two girls ages 18, 16 and 13. David was quiet for a long time before he spoke again. “You know Jen, judging by the state of his clothes I’d say he’s probably homeless.”

Jennifer nodded absently, but she knew he was probably right. Still there was something about the young man she couldn’t let go of from the minute she has seen his tranquil pale blue face.

 

The hours dragged on and in the early hours of the morning the young man came out of surgery his hand and feet wrapped in bandages he was wheeled into a hospital room still slightly sedated. A short time later the nurse appeared.

“He’s asking for you.” The nurse said gently, but Jennifer could see the soft smile on her face as if she knew something Jennifer didn’t.

The young man was in a private room and when Jennifer saw him he was propped up with pillows looking vaguely disoriented, but his eyes lit with recognition when he saw her.

“My-my angel.” He whispered.

Jennifer smiled as she sat down next to the bed.

“My name is Jennifer.” Jennifer said softly.

“Jennifer.” He tested the name, tasting it. “Pretty.” He murmured reaching up briefly to catch a strand of her blonde hair, which probably looked like a mess by now, granted she didn’t sleep at all last night.

“What’s your name?” Jennifer asked in attempt to distract herself from the awkwardness of the situation and the wave of unfamiliar feeling that were assaulting her at the moment.

For a moment the young man didn’t answer and he looked confused again as if he were trying to remember something, but then finally he spoke.

“Cody.” He said simply.

“Cody.” Jennifer repeated.

It was the first time Jennifer had gotten a good look at Cody, and he really was as good-looking as his frozen features had first implied. He had dusty light brown hair, and soft childlike features. His lips were now a soft pink and his eyes were the most startling shade of seafoam green she had ever seen framed by dark lashes. It was that gentle innocence that stuck in her mind as if he was seeing the world for the first time.

 

As Cody recovered Jennifer stop by the hospital for the next few days to see how he was doing and to straighten out the paperwork that allowed him to leave the hospital. Clearly there was nowhere for him to go and before she could stop herself , she was offering that he come home with her, even though the hospital was preparing to send him to a homeless shelter nearby, but Cody needed someone, something the public service couldn’t provide. Jennifer didn’t know how she knew this, but she just did.

She didn’t say anything when she picked up Cody from the hospital that Friday, but her only thought as she was driving home was how she was going to explain it to her parents.

3: Chapter 2

Jennifer’s first problem when she brought Cody home with her was what to do about his clothes. Any clothes he was wearing at the time she had found him were threadbare and old including the trenchcoat he had obviously had for years. Her first obligation as a good Samaritan was to get him some new clothes so that was how she found herself at the mall the Saturday after picking Cody up from the hospital.

She had been able to borrow clothes from a few neighbors who had teenage sons, although she still wasn’t sure how old Cody was… He looked to be about her age but everything about him said he might be younger.

“How old are you?” She asked conversationally as they drove along in the direction of the mall.

“Don’t know…” Cody murmured, “my stepmother threw me out when I was 16.” He said this matter of fact is if he is said it many times.

“Do you know when your birthday is?” Jennifer asked next.

“January 17, 19…” He frowned as if trying to remember, “… 87.”

Jennifer nodded in satisfaction, that meant he was about as old as she had surmised 24 or 25 years old.

Fifteen minutes later they are wandering through the mall Jennifer looking for the stores she needed. She went through the stores like a whirlwind getting a little bit of everything T-shirt, slacks, a couple of polos (of course any summer wear would have to wait) two or three sweaters, socks, underwear and a pair of shoes. Just the essentials enough to get by.

As they continue to walk along Jennifer studied the young man walking next to her, he is taller than she first thought, but he was quiet seeming to absorb everything around him. Cody only question his missing fingers and toes once sometime shortly before they left the hospital asking what had happened. Jennifer omitted some details although she told him pretty much everything and he only nodded and shrugged rubbing over the stumps on his hands absently. He had lost one finger on his right hand and two on his left, he was also missing three toes on his left foot.

“Where do we go now?” Cody asked as they exited the mall carrying their purchases.

“My house.” Jennifer answered.

Cody didn’t question this, only nodding as they headed back into Jennifer’s minivan and up the main road.

Cody looked up as they neared the house and his face brightened a little.

“I remember this house,” he said slowly, “it was snowing.”

Jennifer smiled wryly, it had been doing more than snowing but she figured the severity of his situation had been lost on Cody, all he had known was that he was very cold. Cody continued to study the house as they pulled into the driveway.

“It’s yellow.” He stated. “It’s very nice.”

Jennifer moved to open the door.

“Thank you.” She said shortly while she waited for him to come around the other side of the car. As they walked into the house Cody continued to stare and was only jolted out of his perusal of her home when Jennifer shoved the shopping bags into his arms.

“Why don’t you take a shower and put on clean clothes, I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”

Cody nodded as Jennifer showed him to the bathroom. The shower was an experience and it took Cody a few minutes to figure out what was hot and what was cold not to mention the various bottles that were lined up on the shelves, other than that he managed the water (once it was the right temperature) feeling good on his skin. Jennifer had chosen his first outfit jeans and an Argyle sweater; he also put on clean underwear and a pair of his new socks.

Twenty minutes later he appeared in the doorway of the living room awaiting Jennifer’s inspection.

“What do you think… Jennifer?” He asked turning around for her inspection.

Jennifer looked up from the book she had been reading and nearly dropped it. With his hair and casual disarray and with the clean clothes Cody cleaned up nicely. He was about as good-looking as she had first thought, even when she had initially seen him half frozen. He was smiling at her his seafoam green eyes twinkling in a mischievous way that made him seem almost childlike. She took in every inch of him, but of course, he was far from a child, only in his mind, which seemed to be a little bit behind.

“Looks good.” She managed to get but her voice sounded strangled and hoarse. She couldn’t help the way her heart fluttered at the sight of this intriguing young man, but then she had to stop right there reminding herself he wasn’t like any other man his age. Would he know what she wanted if she asked or showed him?

She shook her head, it was out of the question, she couldn’t consider a relationship with him, but then again what she being discriminatory if she didn’t?

The entire situation was entirely in the gray area, but then she was getting too far ahead of herself. What if he didn’t even see her that way?

She had a little voice in the back of her head say she had seen the spark of attraction (for however brief) in his eyes when he had first seen her, although he may not have been able to put a name to it.

“Jennifer? Jennifer?” Then she realized Cody was still standing there calling her name looking adorably confused.

“Sorry,” she muttered, “just thinking.”

Cody looked down and awkwardly shuffled his feet before meeting her eyes again.

“Thank you Jennifer.” He said softly.

“Call me Jen.” She replied automatically.

Cody beamed and reached out to touch her cheek, brush so light Jennifer barely felt it. “Alright… Jen.”

4: Chapter 3

With Cody comfortably bunked down in the pull out sofa in her office Jennifer turned her mind to her next problem: what to do with her unexpected houseguest.

She realized she couldn’t leave him at home by himself with the upcoming work week and so far he had either been in the hospital or at her home for a short period of time, but now she debated on what to do for his longer stay.

She found herself googling “mentally retarded adult” and “school and job options for mentally handicapped adults” in the vain hope there was something, anything that would keep Cody occupied for the time she was at work. Finally she located a training facility for handicapped adults they gave them work skills but also gave them schooling in reading and arithmetic.

She reasoned the place would not be open today, Saturday, so she called and left a message on the voicemail also sending an email explaining her inquiries and interest with the school and the work experience program.

In the meantime all she waited for a response she began looking into caregivers and knowing she would have to find one within the next few days, she wouldn’t have time to wait for paperwork to go through with any of the home care agencies. She would have to find someone close nearby, a neighbor perhaps, someone she trusted to make sure Cody was occupied and was fed during the day.

In the brief time she had known him, she knew Cody was somewhat self-sufficient he could get food out of the refrigerator, but had to be told what he could eat and what he could not because she had caught him trying to eat part of the chicken she had set out to thaw. He quickly learned how to work the TV and when he wasn’t doodling on the pieces of paper he happened to find he was watching TV and at a glance seemed like any other person his age.

That brought Jennifer to the doorstep of Sophia Turner, a young woman who lived down the street who was currently struggling to take care of her two-year old daughter, but this was probably why she immediately accepted Jennifer’s offer with her incentive of $60 a day and offered to keep her on notice when she needed someone in the future.

They agreed Sophia would come over after dropping her daughter off at daycare and stay from the time she came in the morning until Jennifer got home at 5 PM from her job as a psychiatrist.

So thus the first week of Cody’s new life began.

With the community program on notice and a temporary caregiver in place Jennifer’s thoughts turned to her other problem and that was what to tell her family and friends (if anything) about Cody and how he came to be in her care.

The first person Jennifer tackled was her parents who were naturally concerned, her mother sounding like a mother in some wacky tongue-in-cheek comedy.

“Jennifer Nicole! Have you lost your mind? Letting a complete stranger into your house…” Her mother fretted, “he could be a serial killer… or, or… a-a rapist or something!”

Jennifer would have laughed this if her mother hadn’t been so serious.

“Mother, he’s mentally retarded, I don’t even know how much he understands, granted he must understand something, but it’s like we have this connection… I don’t know, I can explain like he says more with his eyes and he does with actual words.”

Her mother made some disbelieving noise which mostly sounded like static over the phone.

“Where is he sleeping?” Her mother asked sharply.

“In the office…” Jennifer said wearily, “on the pullout, no mother, we're not sharing a bed!” By now Jennifer was on the point of exasperation.

“So what are you going to do with him, he obviously can’t stay…”

“He’s going to a community work program for disabled adults starting next week, I would have gotten him in sooner but it takes some time for the application to go through.”

Her mother seemed to consider this but said no more on the subject.

Jennifer answered her mother’s probing questions before saying goodbye and hanging up. Sighing, she leaned against the counter… And she still had to buy school supplies and a backpack for Cody.

Within the next week before his introduction into the real world Jennifer had gotten Cody: one pair of dress shoes, a backpack and some proper ID. For the time being he was simply Cody Anderson, which seemed to suit him just fine.

 

Jennifer’s coworkers at the psychology office were a little harder to sell on her act as a good Samaritan. Her friend Samantha is still gaping at her over her brown bag lunch as she concluded her most recent details about Cody a few days later.

“You said he was good-looking.” Samantha said with a slow smile, “that causing any…er… fireworks?”

In the privacy of the break room Jennifer rolled her eyes.

“Oh please! Don’t hold your breath nothing is going to happen.”

Samantha only smirked.

“You said he seemed attracted to you…” Samantha pressed.

“I’m not looking for a relationship okay!” Jennifer said shortly, “and Cody wouldn’t be my first choice!”

“Why not?” Samantha questioned.

“I just don’t see myself with someone like him!”

“Person first,” Samantha chastised, “condition or diagnosis second.” She said repeating a rule they had both learned in their human resources class in college about treating clients and patients with respect and seeing them as people first and not only by their conditions.

“It’s not that I don’t—“ Jennifer began and she threw up her hands in frustration before letting her head fall back down into them, “it’s just, I don’t know!”

“Are you attracted to him?” Samantha asked.

“I don’t know!” Jennifer snapped, “I just don’t know how to feel and where our boundaries are yet.”

“From what you tell me he has no boundaries.” Samantha said still wearing that annoying smirk.

“We’re working on that…” Jennifer said slowly.

“Right…” Samantha continued, “I would be excited if there was a good-looking single guy living under my roof.”

“It’s not that simple…” Jennifer began, but Samantha continued to talk.

“What’s not simple, you’re a beautiful woman and he is a guy, that’s it.”

“It’s not that simple.” Jennifer said again, “I-I feel like I’m taking advantage of him!” She finally said that shut her mouth waiting for her friend’s response.

“Oh honey,” Samantha said in her practiced doctor’s voice, “from what you’ve told me he seemed plenty attracted to you, you just have to let things happen and maybe push him in the right direction… If he asked questions answer them."

Jennifer blushed, she didn’t want have to think about what questions Cody would ask particularly if she allowed his blatant attraction to her go unchecked.

Fortunately, she was saved from any further awkward questions when the door to the break room opened. Her other coworker Jake Whittle strode into the room and greeted them briefly before heading for the fridge where he grabbed a soda and a bag of chips from the nearby counter.

“So ladies,” he said brightly as he plopped down in one of the plastic chairs next to them, “what did I miss?”

“Jen has her panties in a twist about her new house guest… Although I wouldn’t mind having my panties in a twist for him…”

Jennifer pretended to ignore her friend’s obvious induendo.

“The homeless mentally disabled guy you found on your porch?” Jake asked.

Jennifer nodded.

“Jen disagrees he isn’t boyfriend material.” Samantha said matter-of-factly.

Jake gave her sidelong glance and smirked.

“Why does everybody think this is funny!” Jennifer burst out, “it’s just embarrassing and awkward and…”

“I think it’s cute.” Samantha said sweetly, “it’s like that little boy in primary school who bugs you because he likes you and he doesn’t quite know what to do about it.

“Only this guy isn’t so little.” Jake said with that same knowing smile.

Jennifer decided not to look too closely at his words because she wasn’t quite sure how he defined “little”. It was barely 12:30 PM and she was already getting tired of her friends’ veiled sexual references. Right now she was more than he her to get back to her office and greet her next client.

“Keep us posted on your boyfriend!” Jake said breezily as he darted out of the room the bag of chips still in his hand.

Jennifer was relieved when the lunch break was over (to focus on her clients’ problems as an excuse to forget her own), and Cody was shoved to the back of her mind for the time being.

5: Chapter 4

The following week Cody was ready for his first day at the center. The program itself was a combination of work and school, but to compare to where he had been it was exactly what he needed.

This time, Jennifer was ready, Cody had the essential supplies, and a backpack along with an art kit Jennifer had bought him since learning of his interest in drawing and writing. That Monday she dropped him off saying she would come and pick him up after she got off work, but since the program ended at four, and Jennifer didn’t get off of work until five Cody waited in the small cafeteria until she came to collect him.

The program employed a number of aides for many of the people that came through their doors who needed help in one aspect or another, whether it was supervision or help with their equipment, walkers, wheelchairs etc.

The aide that had been assigned to Cody was named Nina. She was a stout middle-aged woman with nondescript sandy colored hair and a kind face. Jennifer liked her immediately and she was the first person in the past two weeks she would have entrusted Cody to, because until then, she couldn’t imagine letting the young man out of her sight (regardless of her feelings for him).

The morning Jennifer pulled up outside the community building was bright and cold, sunny for December but still cold. In the passenger seat Cody sat next to her, he was quietly looking out the window, his backpack draped across his lap. He studied everything around him.

 When they finally arrived, Nina was waiting for them. She introduced herself to Jennifer and Cody before leading him inside and Jennifer headed for work glad to be he was in good hands. Before she pulled away from the curb Cody turned and waved to her a slightly bashful smile on his handsome face. Jennifer shook her head, she was reading too much into it and it was all she could do to focus on the day ahead.

 

Cody followed Nina as she led him inside she was talking in a kind calm voice which he liked and as he followed her he adjusted his backpack on his shoulder.

Just inside there was another woman with a clipboard.

“Cody Anderson?” She asked.

Cody nodded.

“That’s me.” He said.

“Please follow me, so we can join the other ladies and gentlemen… The room is just down here.”

Cody did as he was told and followed Nina and the other lady down another hallway where the only sound was the sound of their shoes and the ever present “click, click” of high heels. He recognized the sound from when he had seen Jennifer wear the heels he knew she wore to work.

They led him into a large room where there were a number of long tables and other people ranging in age from teenagers to people Nina’s age which he guessed anywhere from 40 to 60, he wasn’t sure.

While the woman with the clipboard headed for the front of the room Nina gestured him to an empty seat between two other guys his age, one had red hair and thick glasses, and the other had short brown hair a few shades darker than his own.

Nina made introductions.

“Stuart, Mike, this is Cody.”

The other two nodded and finally looked up.

“Nice to meet you.” The one named Mike mumbled before turning to study his fingernails again.

Stuart, the one with the red hair, finally looked up, his green eyes squinting behind his glasses. “You look like a movie star.” He said bluntly, “you come from California?”

Cody shook his head.

“No… I live here… In Chicago.”

“You got a girlfriend?” Mike asked.

Again Cody shook his head, and he girls he had been around had usually laughed at him for his slow speech and funny way he walked, but even that took effort to figure out but he tried to be nice to people regardless.

“Enough with the 20 questions, Michael.” Nina said cheerfully, “Mrs. Ryder is going to start soon.”

“Who’s Mrs. Ryder?” Cody asked.

“The director, hun.” Nina said softly, and she pointed to the woman with the clipboard Cody had seen earlier.

Everything about the community building was interesting. The first half of the morning was what everyone called “school” where they learned basic reading, writing and arithmetic and a few other subjects. The second half of the day was spent on what Mrs. Ryder called “co-op” where they worked around the small offices and various jobs. Cody did not do this however but Mrs. Ryder sat him down in her office, pulled out her clipboard and began talking asking him what types of things he enjoyed and how well he could do various things. By the time she finished it was almost time for Jen to pick him up.

“When did you say your ride would be here?” Nina asked him.

“5 o’clock.” Cody replied, remembering what Jennifer had told him.

After 4 o’clock they were very few people left in the building only the people that worked there and a few other of the young adults that were sitting at tables on cell phones. Cody saw Stuart at a far table and made his way over sitting down next to his new friend.

“Hey.” Cody said simply.

Stuart looked up.

“Hey.” Stuart replied shortly, but then returned to tracing patterns on the table with a pencil. The two of them sat in silence while Cody pulled out his drawing supplies and began drawing his new masterpiece. He drew Stuart, with his fiery red hair, he drew Michael with his slightly sour expression, and lastly he drew Jennifer with her silky blond hair and bright blue eyes. He layered the colors over and over trying to get the shade of her hair and eyes just right.

He was so engrossed in his drawing he didn’t notice the hand on his shoulder, and when he looked up Jennifer was smiling at him but then she saw his drawing and color rose in her cheeks-Cody didn’t know how he felt about that.

Cody introduced Jennifer to Stuart who looked slightly surprised.

“Wow, you’re hot.” Stuart exclaimed and Cody saw the color rise in Jennifer’s cheeks again, it made her look very pretty.

“Nice to meet you Stuart.” Jennifer said carefully and for a split second Cody knew something was bothering her but then she went back to her professional pose he associated with her. Her shoulders straightened and her only response came out as a short: “let’s go.” Cody said a hasty goodbye to Stuart who’s mother (he assumed it was his mother because she had the same red hair) appeared a few minutes later, then he grabbed his backpack before he had shoved his supplies into it and zipped a quickly before following Jennifer out into the premature darkness.

Jennifer hadn’t been surprised by the bluntness of Cody’s new friend from the few mentally retarded people she had been around they were charming but they tended to speak their mind which could be a good or bad thing, but today she let it pass. It only served as a reminder of her nagging feelings for the young man next to her, clearly Cody wanted to pursue the issue but he was just as confused as she was.

 

6: Chapter 5

As the weeks passed, Cody and Jennifer fell into an easy routine: she went to work and he went to the community center, then they would go home, eat dinner, watch TV, and get ready for bed.

It would have continued on this way, very platonic, if it hadn’t been for the permission slip that Cody brought home a few weeks later.

Mrs. Ryder was taking the group to the health center where they would learn about the human body as part of something they were learning as part of a science curriculum. Jennifer signed this piece of paper without comment, telling Cody not to lose it as she put it back in his backpack for the next day.

Cody was looking forward to this field trip. He liked science for the most part it was interesting and he liked knowing how things worked. The health center was a small building on the other side of town with various small classrooms along an empty hallway with various posters of human anatomy.

They were led into a larger room and told the sit down in the chairs provided and after a few minutes a man in a woman came in and introduced themselves as Mark and Ellen. They talked for the next hour about the various body systems, in a tone of voice that Cody found boring even though the information itself was interesting, Mrs. Ryder was much more animated as she pointed out things on the big screen in the community room.

Things didn’t get really interesting until people started asking questions, but Cody knew by now most of the people in his group asked a lot of questions, even though they made some people slightly uncomfortable.

“What are those for?” A guy named Chris asked, pointing to some asymmetrical models on a nearby table.

Cody looked and saw a number of plastic models and one look like a large plastic pickle another looking like a smaller version of the pelvis, Ellen had shown them on the skeleton earlier.

“These are educational models.” Mark explained, “for our sex education class, “this one shows you how to put on a condom correctly.” He held up the one that Cody thought looked like a giant purple pickle and a few giggles greeted his statement.

Ellen continued as if nothing had happened.

“This is the female model…”

“So, how does that work?” Another guy asked.

Mark sighed, gave his partner a look, glanced at Miss Ryder and then at the clock on the wall then he left the room and returned a few minutes later with something small in his hand.

“Okay…” Mark blew out a breath before addressing the group again, “quick lesson, anyone know what this is?” He held up the small square which reflected slightly in the overhead light.

A black kid in the front slowly raised his hand.

“That’s a condom, seen them in my brother’s car…”

Mark nodded, opening the package as he spoke.

“Does anyone know what they’re for?”

The room fell silent again.

“It’s birth-control, it prevents a woman from getting pregnant, or it can if you do it correctly.”

Mark held up the small clear object in his hand, to Cody it looked like a small clear balloon and slowly and carefully he began rolling down over the plastic model.

“Start at the top of the penis and roll down, simple as that, but it may vary from person to person.”

They left soon after still chattering about the lesson Cody distinctly hearing Stuart say:

“It looked bigger… No dude’s wiener is that big!” The people around Stuart laughed.

 

Jennifer noticed Cody was quiet on the way home but she didn’t ask and he didn’t tell only giving a brief summary of his day, saying the trip to the health center had been “interesting”.

Cody disappeared into his room soon after they got home with Jennifer's only comment being dinner would be ready in half an hour. While Jennifer warmed up the pot roast she went to take a shower and was just barely got a towel around her as something on the stove beeped.

She dashed out of the bathroom still wet leaving a trail of water as she went just as she was turning into the hallway she came face-to-face with Cody.

He just stared at her his eyes getting big and his mouth hanging open slightly as he took in her appearance. It was only then she realized the towel was slightly askew, revealing a little bit more than she would have liked. The spell was only broken when Cody dashed into his room slamming the door behind him, one hand awkwardly over the crotch of his sweatpants.

 

Once Jennifer was confident the pot roast had not burned she returned to her room to get dressed she would have to confront Cody later.

Cody was just getting ready to head down for dinner when he saw her. Jen was just standing there in the towel and they were staring at each other clearly she hadn’t expected to see him either. Cody couldn’t speak he just stared, he had never seen so much of a woman before growing up with no sisters it wasn’t like he had ever walked in on someone. She was beautiful, her skin flushed pink and her breasts round and full over the edge of her towel. The towel was lower than it should have been and he could see the dark circles of her nipples peeking out, the sight intrigued him.

It was then he felt it. It started somewhere in his stomach and worked its way down in a series of tingles started slowly at first but got more and more intense. Gradually the tingles built on one another and he felt his stomach tighten. There was a pressure building in his pants (even as loose as they were) he couldn’t ignore-like he was going to explode at any moment. The blush and stifling heat was overwhelming and before he could think about it he had darted into his room slamming the door behind him.

Dinner was even in silence and it was another half hour before either Jennifer or Cody spoke.

“You want to talk about what happened?” Jennifer asked softly, in a voice she usually reserved for her patients.

Cody sat on the couch staring at his shoes and shook his head.

“Have you ever had an erection before?” She asked.

Cody shook his head again before answering:

“Not that I can remember.” He finally answered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It means you’re happy.” She said simply, “it’s just an honest way of showing how you feel about someone.”

Jennifer chose her words carefully but it was unavoidable, she could not have this conversation without embarrassing them both.

“How do I get rid of it?” He asked.

Jennifer blushed in spite of herself.

“You masturbate.” She said quietly, “… I’ll show you some time… For now, just try to relax okay.”

Cody nodded and returned to his room and no more was said on the subject. Jennifer however still sensed his curiosity and knew they were not done with this conversation.

7: Chapter 6

Cody closed his eyes as the warm water pounded around him. He was still turning over what Jennifer had told him about dealing with his attraction to her in his mind. Here in the shower he was alone, here, he could experiment on his own time.

Slowly his hands slid down his body, down his chest, down his stomach, down against his hips, where his torso met the top of his legs. His fingers slid from one end of his penis to the other, slowly, experimentally before returning to their original starting point. He used the soap then, lathering himself all over repeating the path his hands had already taken, but this time even more slowly and carefully.

His mind reached back, to a part of himself buried so deep he barely recognized it. He remembered what Jen told him how to excite his body, how to thrust his hips until the tingles exploded from him.

His skin was warm and slick under his touch, even more so from the soap on his hands and he methodically began to stroke, up and down, up and down until slowly the tingles began, somewhere in his stomach and extended all the way down to his toes.

Cody spread his legs a little wider to give himself a little bit more stability on the slick floor, shifting slightly he inched over to the wall and braced himself there with his free hand. As he increased the strokes the tingles grew, growing more and more specific like he could pinpoint them shooting from his body. He didn’t notice the hardness beneath his fingers anymore, but he rather focused on the pleasure and the feeling of it, he grunted and a startled gasp escaped his lips. It felt like it was getting harder to breathe whatever energy was being forced downward with taking away from his air supply and made him feel woozy and lightheaded.

He didn’t stop. Soon they found a rhythm of his hand and his hips that he focused on his breathing which was now coming in short little gasps.

In out, in out, up down, up down, up down…

Then he could feel his body immediately collapsing, like it was collapsing in on itself the muscles not knowing whether to clench are release. He could feel himself reaching for something that he didn’t know what all he knew was he had to get there.

He could feel himself losing it, like he was going to wet himself. Looking down, he continued to watch his body, fascinated. When he came it was like everything hit at once: the rush of the release and the rest of his muscles relaxing. At the same time his body collapsed and he fell to the floor the shower the water still pounding around him the shower head still pounding idly. Cody groaned in satisfaction as he felt his body unravel, the white liquid splattering his chest and stomach.

He sat there for a few minutes trying to catch his breath and then he rose carefully, rinsed off and finished his shower.

 

Cody and Jennifer didn’t speak for almost a full 24 hours following their “little talk”. Aside from feeling something close to mortification Jennifer had nothing else to say, nothing she was going to admit anyway.

Dinner the following evening was taken in silence the only communication being polite murmured courtesies necessary for everyday conversation. Afterwards Jennifer settled herself down in front of the fire in the living room intent on reading her book and wishing things would go back to the way they were about 48 hours previous because now things had become extremely awkward.

She heard him before she saw him, his slow shuffling steps as he carefully approached her and seated himself nervously on the other end of the couch.

“What’s wrong?” Cody asked, “You’ve been acting weird all day.”

“Nothing.” Jennifer muttered, without looking up as she turned another page in her book.

She can hear him coming closer, obviously her attempts to erect an invisible wall around herself weren't working.

“Are you going to talk to me?” Cody asked.

“No.” Jennifer murmured, “I can’t, it’s complicated.”

Cody was quiet before he spoke again in a soft even tone.

“Is this about what happened yesterday?” He asked. He was perceptive, Jennifer would give him that. “About my-“ he paused before continuing as if testing the word. “Erection?”

Jennifer studied the words in front of her carefully, although she was reading none of them. She could feel the heat racing up her face as her brain quickly tried to formulate an answer and finally the words tumbled from her quick and terse.

“Yes and no.” She replied.

Actually if she was honest with herself it had everything to do what it happened yesterday because it was physical evidence that Cody was indeed attracted to her, and that wasn’t something she wanted to think about.

“What does that mean?” Cody asked, his brow furrowing.

Jennifer shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

While Cody continued to look confused, Jennifer tried to look for a better explanation

“Do you like me Cody?” She asked abruptly, “what do you think of me? How would you describe me?”

Cody was quiet as he considered this.

“Kind,” he said thoughtfully, “and um…”

That was when it happened a single motion that seemed to turn her world upside down similar to what it happened the first time Cody had ever seen her. He moved closer and gently reached to capture a lock of her hair between his fingers.

“Beautiful.” He whispered.

Jennifer blushed.

“Your face is red.” Cody observed.

“I’m embarrassed.” Jennifer explained quietly.

“Why you embarrassed?” Cody asked.

Jennifer shrugged helplessly, she couldn’t begin to explain to him what she was feeling, let alone why.

“I embarrassed you?”

“No,” Jennifer said again, “it’s not that… I’m confused, I’m feeling things for you I shouldn’t feel.”

“Like what.”

“Like maybe I wanted to help you get rid of your erection yesterday… To show you how…”

“You did?” Cody’s green eyes widened.

Jennifer nodded, her face still on fire.

“What else?” Cody asks his face shining with an earnest curiosity.

Jennifer shook her head feeling the beginnings of tears clogging her throat and before she could think better of it she had leaned across the couch her lips crashing against Cody’s.

His lips were warm and at first unresponsive, then they moved slowly, curiously, like how he did everything else. He pulled away then still studying her then after a few minutes he leaned forward again bringing their mouths together once more, this time initiating the kiss. This time he knew what she wanted, this time they were both prepared, their lips moving slowly and carefully in synchrony. Slowly Jennifer’s arms pulled Cody closer wrapping around his neck her fingers threading through his thick brown hair.

A little moan escaped her which seemed to startle Cody who pulled back slightly.

“It’s okay.” She murmured absently, “it’s a good thing… I-I like it.” She felt him smile before their lips connected once more.

 

“You kissed him!” Samantha nearly shrieked the next morning while Jennifer gestured for her to keep it down.

“Shh, not so loud.” Jennifer murmured.

“Please,” Samantha scoffed, “it’s not like he’s under age.”

“I know,” Jennifer said slowly, “but I guess I want to make sure he knows what’s going on and where it could potentially lead.”

This time Samantha only nodded.

Jennifer sat at the table resting her head on her forearms, “I just have a feeling about him,” she mumbled, “I’m afraid if I get any closer, if we do anymore than just kiss I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop and then we’ll both be in way over our heads.”

8: Chapter 7

Exposed. That was how Jennifer felt, like every stare as she walked down the hallway was judging her, judging her on her feelings for this particular person, but they were just that-feelings, something that had snuck up on her without her realization.

Still reeling from the kiss she had shared with Cody Jennifer turned her attention to the upcoming gathering with her family for Christmas. She had told her mother she was bringing someone and even though she knew bringing Cody to a family function would provide more questions than answers but Jennifer did it anyway because she really couldn’t leave Cody home by himself-at least not feel good about it.

So here they were two days before Christmas standing in the foyer of her parents’ house Cody was looking around with interest while everyone gathered around us.

My father was shaking Cody’s hand, while Cody looked like deer in the headlights and right now Jennifer didn’t really blame him.

“You must be Cody,” my father said jovially, “and how do you know Jennifer?”

She jumped in before Cody could answer.

“He’s just a friend.” I said hastily unsure of how much she should say granted her mother already knew about their living arrangements, but she would cross that bridge later.

The entire time Jennifer  was in the house there was an air of tension, her nieces jabbering away bombarding Cody with questions she was sure he couldn’t answer.

Soon after, she settled them down in front of the television to watch a movie, watching absently as Hannah Montana danced across the screen. Cody was watching just as absently with some degree of interest bur Jennifer knew he was just as uncomfortable as she was.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen her sister, Delilah was badgering Jennifer for answers.

“So where did you meet him? How old is he, heavens he barely looks like he’s 18!”

“He’s 25, if you must know, so yes, he is old enough.” Jennifer answered shortly.

Jennifer avoided her first question, if her family knew he had just appeared on her porch they would be even more apprehensive. She didn’t feel comfortable explaining to Delilah about her relationship with Cody because she couldn’t even explain it to herself with something they just had to work through trying to define what was what and the boundaries of their attraction was.

She endured a similar inquisition from her mother the following day also in the kitchen as she prepped the turkey and they began the cooking, including pies and another batch of Christmas cookies.

“You kissed?” Her mother demanded.

Jennifer nodded chewing on my lip.

“Does he even understand what he’s doing or feeling? Surely you don’t want to take advantage of him.”

“Of course not!” Jennifer said shortly, “but-but-he is attracted to me, he’ll stare at me for hours and when he first woke up in the hospital he asked if I was an angel.”

Her mother smiled at that.

“I just want you to be careful sweetheart, I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”

Jennifer nodded mutely, She didn’t have an answer for that.

The next morning, while her nieces demolished their Christmas presents the adults were more subdued as boxes were exchanged with polite smiles and another round of “Merry Christmas”. Cody was the last to give his present. Jennifer had bought him another batch of art supplies along with a hat and sweater she knew he had his eye on.

Finally Cody handed her a simple role of paper. The paper was tied with a long yellow ribbon.

“Jen,” he said softly, “this is for you, Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you Cody.” She said quietly and slowly began to untie the ribbon on what she knew to be another one of his drawings.

When she unfurled the drawing Jennifer’s own face was staring back at her the background was splattered with blue and yellow while the lines were shockingly realistic in the short time she had known him something must’ve clicked in his mind and his mind went from being abstract to shockingly realistic. He was like the people she had seen on TLC, people who couldn’t add 2+2 but could draw or play music well enough to be world famous.

“Cody,” she whispered, “this is beautiful, thank you.”

His gaze fixed on his knees but she knew he was smiling.

“You’re welcome.” He mumbled.

Dinner still felt unnaturally stiff like the people at the table came from two different planets and couldn’t understand one another. Once again her parents wanted to know how Cody had entered her life, but she couldn’t tell them- at least not the whole truth, it would be too strange, too out of the ordinary for their minds to process.

They were getting ready to leave for the evening when it happened. The foyer was deserted except for the mistletoe which was hanging innocently from a doorway nearby. Jennifer had just gone to get her coat when Cody simply pointed, a small smile on his face.

“Oh.” Was all she said, “Cody, really, you don’t have to-“

Her protest was lost against his lips however the kiss seeming more confident now like he knew what he was doing. He gently holding her face moving his mouth slowly and stifled a little whimper and felt the pressure on her lips increase slightly, he pulled her closer.

A few minutes later he pulled back he was smiling and for a moment everything felt right and I didn’t question it.

9: Chapter 8

Following Christmas, Jennifer avoided Cody as much as possible, which was hard to do considering they were living under the same roof. Things went on like this for the next few days until Cody inquired in a rather subdued voice:

“Jen? Why do you not pay attention to me?”

Jennifer frowned at him, she didn’t have an answer at least not a cohesive one to the question she knew he was asking.

“It’s complicated.” Jennifer finally answered.

He frowned, “Why is it complicated?”

Sighing, Jennifer motioned for him to sit down on the couch in the living room and quietly sat down beside him.

“What do you think of me?” She asked.

Cody paused before answering.

“You’re kind, generous and beautiful…” He recited than a momentary smirk crossed his full lips, “and… Sexy.”

Jennifer’s eyebrows rose slightly surprised by his choice of words but she figured he had either picked it up somewhere or he was being unabashedly honest.

Slowly, Jennifer continued.

“What if…” She paused briefly, “I told you I thought you were sexy too?”

Cody looked surprised.

“Really?”

Jennifer nodded not trusting herself to speak.

“We can’t-we can’t have a relationship Cody it would be inappropriate and I wouldn’t feel right.”

Cody looked at her quizzically.

“Why?” Cody asked frowning slightly.

“There’s more to a relationship than kisses and cuddles…” She began carefully, “I’m worried you wouldn’t understand all that.”

“Then show me.” Cody said, his expression looked determined.

Jennifer opened her mouth but no sound came out, there was so much more than that… So much more. She could feel a blush working its way up her face making her feel hot and suffocated.

“Your face is red.” Cody observed with the alertness of a child.

“It makes me uncomfortable.” Jennifer said stiffly, “if-if I show you these things.”

“Can I make you comfortable?” Cody asked curiously.

“Maybe…” Jennifer said slowly, “but no more about that just now, it’s time for dinner.” As if to punctuate her statement Cody’s stomach growled and they looked at each other and burst out laughing.

 

Cody continued to turn Jennifer’s words over in his mind. He didn’t understand them, at least not completely it was all muddled in his head, his pull towards Jen, his body’s reaction to her and the constant need to be with her.

“It’s like she’s telling me to stay away.” He told Stuart one afternoon as they headed for the offices and factory where the co-op took place.

Stewart only shrugged giving him a lopsided smile.

“You want to sleep with her?” Stuart asked.

Cody shrugged he didn’t know what that meant but he wasn’t going to raise any questions and he had a feeling Stuart wouldn’t know the answers.

He just wanted Jen to “like” him again and he wanted to know what had made her pull away from him in the first place.

 

The answers to these questions came a few days later when he had come across Jen that she was getting ready for bed. She was dressed casually in a robe and slippers, he wasn’t sure what she had on underneath it. She was sitting on the couch reading a book her feet propped up on the footstool and she was quiet her blonde hair falling over her face.

For a while he just stood there looking at her drinking her in as if he could never get enough of her. He felt the tingles in his stomach again and licked his lips maybe his body was waiting for something, anything, something he didn’t understand.

Then he stood before her his mouth suddenly dry.

“Jen?” He questioned.

She looked up at him slowly and there was a look on her face here never seen before, it wasn’t angry exactly but there was so much more like when Mike saw the doughnuts in the cafeteria at work but much more intense.

She was licking her lips too and he felt her gaze moved down from his face and when he realized where she was staring the feeling in his stomach intensified that strange sensation like he was going to explode and wet himself. He felt the pressure then, looking at her, bare legs sticking out from underneath her robe and the soft swell of her breasts peeking over the top of the fabric and the barest hint of a curve where the two edges of the garment met.

He swallowed.

He thought he saw her sigh, her shoulders moving up and down and then she motioned for him to sit down next to her.

“Let’s talk.” She said simply.

“I explained to you about erections and masturbation.” She said simply, “I didn’t show you because I was afraid because it meant admitting how I feel about you when you are so opened about how you feel about me.”

Cody nodded even though he didn’t understand.

She gestured to the bulge in his sweatpants.

“You get that because of me because I make you feel a certain way.”

Cody nodded pieces of his fragmented thought falling into place.

Their eyes met and they seem to come to an understanding then the words were out of Cody’s mouth before he stop them:

“Show me?” He said simply. Then she was reaching for him her hands slowly working down his sweatpants than ever so carefully his boxers. He was exposed to her and he watched fascinated as she took his hardened penis in her hand cradling it gently and then she began to stroke him gently but firmly, enough to create friction on his skin.

Pleasure exploded through him unlike anything he had ever experiencd, the tingling in his body intensified like a million butterflies trying to escape his body altogether.

“It feels… Good.” He murmured when he was finally able to catch his breath and Jen only smiled as she continued to stroke him. He felt the noise rising in his throat like some sort of wild animal and he let his head fall back against the couch his eyes fluttering close.

She pulled her hand away and Cody opened his eyes looking confused.

“Your turn.” She murmured with a soft smile while with her other hand she pulled open her row revealing her bare breasts and in the full the garment Cody saw she wasn’t wearing much else. Gently she took his hand and guided it to her breast and for a while he just stared at her not sure what to do next. Her breast been perfectly in his hand, soft, and slightly squishy he ran his thumb over her nipple, which was dark and erect. More tingles shot from his body and fingers and Jennifer made a little noise something between a groan and a sigh.

“More Cody.” She whispered her voice sounding strange, but what “more” was he didn’t know.

She covered his hand with hers, the one on her breast.

“Use your mouth.” She murmured in that voice he was beginning to like.

Slowly Cody leaned forward his breathing was harsh in his ears and his lips closed over her nipple her fingers were in his hair, holding him there.

“Suck.” She told him gently. Cody did this slowly, curiously. She was warm and salty in his mouth and he nearly groaned again he could feel the tension in her body… The anticipation like she was on the edge of something waiting for more. He was so caught up in his new activity he didn’t notice she had shifted again and she took him in her hand again and resumed stroking she had been doing earlier. The sensation made his head spin and for a while he had to pause to catch his breath.

He wanted to be closer to her and his hips shifted towards her, rubbing against her hand the tingles and the pressure increased.

“I’m going to-I’m going to-“ he panted, he wasn’t even sure what he was feeling have a name, at least any name he had ever heard of.

Then everything happened at once: he felt his hips lift and an enormous jolt of pleasure shoot through his body, something he couldn’t even define, he felt something wet leave him. Cody closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath which seemed to be taken from him.

Jen was speaking softly.

“That’s how.” She murmured, “you can do it yourself,” she chuckled lightly, “you just might want to keep tissues on hand, guys tend to make a bit of a mess.” She was smiling at him gently the heat and intensity momentarily gone from her face.

“Do you feel like that?” He asked.

“In a different way.” Jen murmured, “but yes. Here, let me get some paper towels.”

Then she was cleaning him up then telling him to go to his room and that she wanted to be alone. She had that look on her face again and Cody knew it was best not to ask questions.

10: Chapter 9

“You have the look.” Samantha stated when Jennifer walked into work the next day.

“What look?” Jennifer asked looking slightly perturbed.

“The-I-just-got-slept-with-look.” Her friend answered.

Jennifer rolled her eyes but there was little hiding the blush that spread over her face.

“You did!” Samantha squealed.

“Did not!” Jennifer replied tersely headed for the waiting room and her first client of the day. Little was going to take her mind off of Cody but she wasn’t going to tell Samantha that. She glanced down at her clipboard, her first client with a new patient with a sex addiction, just the things she wanted to discuss after the events of last night. Sighing she squared her shoulders and open the door to the waiting room.

 

Cody had been in a similar state of mind since Jen had dropped him off that morning. His mind kept turning over what had happened between Jennifer and himself the night before, still trying to wrap his mind around the physical pleasure that was still very new to him.

He didn’t say anything on the subject to his friends, he had enough presence of mind to keep that to himself because that’s what he felt was best. He drifted through his day almost dropping a box of parts on his foot and was only brought out of his reverie when Mrs. Ryder yelled at him and Mrs. Ryder only yelled of she had good reason to.

 

“So are you going to tell me?” Samantha asked as soon as she and Jennifer were seated at a table in the break room.

“No.” Jennifer replied shortly, “Frankly, it's none of your business, I don’t ask you what you do with your boyfriends.”

“So you determined he can make up his own mind?” Samantha asked.

“I guess.” Jennifer answered, she still wasn’t looking at her friend and spent the next few minutes very engrossed in picking apart her sandwich. "I don’t know what to tell you,” Jennifer said slowly, “is still so new, I feel something, he does too, but I’m not quite sure what that is.”

“I hope you figure it out,” Samantha said her voice gentle now, “you’ve been alone too long.”

 

Jennifer was still turning over her friend’s words as she went to pick up Cody later that afternoon. He seemed just as reflective as she was not saying anything as he got into the car. Usually they talked on the way home usually discussing dinner or what they had done that day but now they each seemed lost in their own thoughts far away from each other and reality.

As soon as they were home Cody headed for the office and Jennifer heard the sound of his backpack hitting the floor and the door close. He returned a few minutes later with clean clothes and she knew he was headed for the shower.

Jennifer busied herself preparing dinner and doing small tasks around the house she was just putting on water for spaghetti when she felt a pair of arms around her waist, she jumped before remembering it was Cody behind her.

His lips inched along her neck pushing aside her hair which she had pulled out of its clip  as soon as she had gotten home.

“Cody… not… now…” She muttered distractedly as she set the lid on the pot in which spaghetti was now cooking.

“Jen…” Cody mumbled his hands continuing to slide up and down her body finally coming around to cup her breasts gently.

Her body was already responding to him, she couldn’t change that and she couldn’t think straight with his body pressed up against her like that, her breasts already feeling tight and heavy.

She let him turn her around his mouth colliding with hers then he was pulling her towards the office, towards his room, towards his bed. Things were happening too fast but they were past the point like the rise on a roller coaster where she couldn’t stop them.

The door slammed behind them and Cody pressed her against it his body pressing closer and she could feel every inch of him wanting, but not having the words to say what he was thinking or feeling, she knew that much. His hands slid down, down her thighs and back up just under her buttocks then he was pulling her towards the bed, tension and curiosity burning in them both and yet the feelings were new and unfamiliar.

Cody fumbled for the buttons on her blouse undoing them as quickly as he could, but he kept missing holes his face drawn in concentration. Finally Jennifer took pity on him and undid the buttons carefully one at a time before sitting up and undoing her bra as well. He did what she had shown him the night before with a carefulness she never would have expected he probed, and sucked, and kissed only stopping when he reached her pants.

He seemed to pull his T-shirt off without thought tossing it aside so it landed on a nearby table in a crumpled heap. Then he turned his attention to her pants which seemed to be a little easier than the blouse had been.

Cody studied her lace panties thoughtfully, his expression vaguely confused. His fingers worked over again spreading goosebumps and tingles everywhere. Their bodies pressed together awkwardly and Cody kissed her again his lips moving over her mouth like he did over every other part of her body as if he were memorizing something very important.

She felt his arousal and she arched her body closer seemingly without thought. Jennifer lost herself in him, her body humming pleasantly as their lips came together.

It was then she smelled it. The acrid burning odor that made her eyes fly open.

She cursed, pushing Cody off her, who looked hurt and confused.

“The sauce!” She said by way of explanation and dashed for the kitchen pulling her open blouse around her still in her underwear.

Long story short dinner was ruined and so she opted to order pizza, mushroom, pepperoni and cheese it was the best she could do for letting her hormones get the best of her.

11: Chapter 10

Jennifer’s thoughts were in turmoil. She wanted to blame everything she was thinking and feeling the Cody the new her explanation would fall short of his understanding.

The small voice in her head kept telling her their living arrangement, which was going on a little over a month was not a good idea while her hormones were screaming to the contrary.

Over the next few weeks she threw herself into her work focusing on her patient’s problems instead of her own, but like before (before she had ever allowed Cody to touch her) she knew everything would backfire eventually.

The repercussions came shortly before Valentine’s Day, when it was still holding for her to be having a blazing fire to read in front of and relax. Once again, she was trying to escape to go somewhere else other than her own complicated life.

This was how Cody found her. He was dressed in his usual after work attire of jeans and a T-shirt. Sitting down on the couch he looked at her quizzically.

“You’re ignoring me again.” He stated bluntly, his green eyes probing into hers as if trying to read her mind.

Jennifer looked up from her book meeting his eyes.

“Sorry, what?” She asked even though she knew exactly what he meant.

“You act like I’m invisible…” He frowned, “what did I do wrong?”

“Oh Cody you didn’t do anything…” Jennifer sighed, “it’s me, remember I said I was confused?”

He nodded.

“This isn’t something that goes away.” She said.

I still want you. The little voice in the back of her head added.

“What doesn’t go away?” Cody asked still looking adorably confused.

“How I feel about you.” Jennifer said finally, “I like you, a lot.”

“A lot?” Cody repeated, then a grin split his face, “I like you too… Jen.”

For the next few minutes they just smiled at each other neither having anything to say.

Slowly Cody leaned forward and gently, carefully, his lips brushed hers. Jennifer responded with enthusiasm, her fingers automatically tangling in his hair. She pulled back slightly.

“Open your mouth.” She said slowly, “just a little bit.”

Cody did as he was told, his expression curious. Slowly Jennifer led her tongue have to lips and for a moment Cody froze his eyes widening and they pulled apart.

“You put your tongue in my mouth.” His tone and expression almost made Jennifer laugh out loud.

“I did. It’s the way people kiss some times, just don’t try it with anybody, just somebody you really, really like.”

“Like you?” Cody asked.

Jennifer laughed, “Yes, like me.”

She led Cody pulled her closer until she was partially sitting on his lap. Absently Jennifer toyed with the hem of his T-shirt.

Cody gave another mischievous grin and before she could stop him he had already pulled the T-shirt over his head. Her fingers ran down his chest and to the waistband of his jeans.

“My jeans feel tight.” Cody stated, he was frowning again.

“You having another erection?” Jennifer asked, already knowing the answer.

Cody nodded.

“Cause,cause, I-I like you.” He finally managed.

Jennifer laughed shortly.

“Right.”

His eyes met hers questioningly.

“Masturbation?” He stuttered slightly over the word.

“If you want…” Jennifer’s said quietly, “but I have a better idea.”

She slid off his lap and hurried upstairs to the linen closet and returned a few minutes later with the packet in her hand.

“What’s that?” Cody asked.

“It’s a condom.” Jennifer explained,

“Like Mike showed us at the health center?” Cody said slowly, “I-I know where that goes…” Jennifer felt her cheeks warm at the satisfied smirk that momentarily crossed his features.

“Did Mike explain why you need a condom?” Jennifer asked.

“Sort of.” Cody was frowning again, “something about birth control.”

“It keeps me from having a baby.” Jennifer explained.

“Do you want a baby?” Cody asked.

Jennifer smiled momentarily. “Someday, but not right now.”

Jennifer absently discarded her clothes as she went until she was down to her bra at her own jeans.

“I’ll take care of this… But I want to show you a few things first.”

Cody was looking at her again that same open curiosity she was so used to seeing on his face.

Slowly she removed her bra and she could feel Cody’s gaze, hot and intense inching along her skin.

“You can touch me again.” She murmured.

Cody moved in that carefully slow way of his carefully exploring every inch of exposed skin and he only stopped when he reached her waistband before looking up at her again asking a question. Jennifer’s hands joined his and she slowly undid her jeans only standing up from the couch to remove them. Cody took this in and smile as she settled herself on his lap again.

Then carefully she took his hand and slid down over her skin and has the elastic. His eyes widened filled with shock and curiosity.

“It feels… Wet.”

Jennifer smiled.

“Move your fingers in and out, like this…”

She showed him.

“Here, it will be easier without this…” She removed her underwear. He was staring at her again as he looked down at her naked on his lap. She kneeled slightly carefully showing him how to move his fingers.

“See, that feels good, I like that…”

Jennifer worked her body against his hand until her head spun with ecstasy. When she made a particularly loud noise Cody looked slightly alarmed.

“No, no,” she reassured him, “that’s a good thing, it-it means I like it.”

Cody beamed, one hand still on her knee as he looked up at her.

“Really?” He asked his eyes bright.

She was still trying to catch her breath. “Honest.”

Cody squirmed, which didn’t make Jennifer feel any better her body still pounding with arousal.

“Your pants still tight?” She asked.

Cody nodded, chewing his lip.

“Let’s fix that.”

Carefully, she inched down his zipper, reaching to unbutton his jeans easing them down his hips. At the same time she reached for his boxers pushing them down while he continued to watch her curiously. Then she took the condom and put it on him and only then did he look up at her.

She smiled.

“When you get the tingles like you’re going to explode you won’t make a mess all over the couch, I promise.”

Cody laughed.

She settled herself over his lap again and paused before speaking.

“There are many ways to do this… Some people do it lying down or standing but this position is just fine, and I can help you if you want.”

Cody looked between their body and Jennifer could see his mind working trying to make sense of it all.

“I go inside you?” He asked.

Jennifer nodded.

“Does it hurt?” He asked, “I’m-I’m-kind of big.”

Jennifer almost laughed.

“I get stretched a little bit and it hurts if you’ve never done it before for the girl I mean, but I’ve done it before so you’re in good hands.”

Cody smiled at that.

She guided him gently to her opening.

“Lift your hips a little, I’ll do the rest.”

Smiling, she settled down on him.

It was interesting watching Cody react his eyes widened and his mouth warmed a little “O” Jennifer giggled and slowly began to move.

“You move against me, don’t make me do all work.” She teased lightly, “you push up while I push down okay?”

 

Cody nodded his cheeks already flushed with color.

They moved together, a look of deep concentration etched over Cody’s face. Soon they were both panting hard.

“T-Tingles…” Cody panted, “so tight…” He looked up at her questioningly.

“Good…” She breathed, her lips barely forming the word.

“You too?” Cody asked.

Jennifer grunted in response and she gave another thrust, she could feel Cody’s body tighten and knew he wasn’t going to last much longer. She gave a few more quick pumps and she could almost see the climax forming on Cody’s face, the contraction of his muscles sometime before they let go and the expulsion of air as she watched him try to figure out the sensations that were going through his body.

“Tingles c-c-coming!” Cody panted his eyes wide.

“You just let them come then.” Jennifer murmured into his sweaty hair. She was coming too, her body climbing to its peak before falling off again. She felt the climax rock her body which she was more fascinated by Cody’s reaction as her breasts moved above his line of vision her body shifting against his. He came a moment later, his eyes still wide and curious never leaving hers. She felt his body shudder with the force of his release and didn’t have moment she had never felt more connected to a single person and knew she wanted to feel that feeling again.

After a few minutes they pulled apart both of them trying to absorb what had just happened. Cody still looked like he was in shock that then he looked over at her and smiled.

“You were awesome Jen.”

Jennifer grinned.

“You weren’t so bad yourself.”

“Can we do it again?”

Jennifer laughed.

 

Sometime later they are both still lying on the couch partially dressed after making love again. Cody is pretty much asleep his bare chest moving gently up and down. Jennifer pulled the blanket over them both, it seemed Cody had learned an important lesson today been more importantly it seems like everything had clicked into place it didn’t matter what everyone thought Cody loved her, he loved her before he knew anything about her from the minute he had first laid eyes on her, before they had been intimate and that was what mattered.

More importantly Jennifer finally admitted she loved him too.

12: Chapter 11

When Jennifer woke up the next morning (a full five minutes before her alarm’s rude awakening) it took her a few minutes to remember where she was. Then she remembered: she was in her bed and stretched out next to her, his limbs intimately intertwined with hers, was Cody. He was sleeping peacefully like a little boy although there was nothing little about the body that spread out before her long lean limbs and the faint suggestion of body hair over his chest, stomach and pelvis. Her body heated at the memory.

When her alarm finally squawked good morning Cody groaned slowly opening his eyes and like her it seemed to take him a minute to remember where he was. Slowly he looked over at her with a soft smile and expectation in his bright green eyes.

“More?” He whispered and seemingly without thought he angled his naked body towards hers.

Jennifer bit her lip to from laughing again.

“Not now,” she pushed him away slightly, “we have to go to work.”

Cody looked disappointed but he didn’t argue as he slowly slid out of the bed and began searching for his boxers somewhere on the floor. He still had an air of innocence about him, like teenagers the morning after, awkward and clumsy but eager and expectant all the same. For now she had to be the adult and be responsible even though at the moment she didn’t want be.

 

“You what?” Samantha asked and Jennifer looked around to make sure Jake wasn’t in earshot.

“I slept with Cody.” She whispered in an undertone.

Samantha smirked and raised her eyebrows.

“So…” She drew out the word in a way that Jennifer hated, “how was it?”

Jennifer pretended to be offended but then whispered back:

“It was nice.”

“Nice?” Samantha repeated incredulously, “that’s all?”

Jennifer shrugged.

“I did most of the work, I kind of taught him as we went… It was kind of awkward.”

Jennifer didn’t give much detail but I’m not to give her friend the idea of what it happened the night before.

“He seemed to get the idea better the second time we did it, but it’s still a work in progress… Nothing too kinky.”

Jennifer was relieved when she could see her first client of the afternoon she didn’t feel like divulging every secret of her sex life even to her best friend and for now she wanted her relationship with Cody as uncomplicated as possible without her friends putting in their two cents.

 

Cody felt different after his night with Jennifer. Jen was everything he imagined her to be and her body was as incredible as he had anticipated. It was like she had all these little buttons he could push but only he knew where they were, the thought made him smile.

“What you smiling for?” Stuart demanded over their English lesson.

Cody shrugged unsure of where to begin answering his friend.

“It’s Jen isn’t it?” Mike said looking over, “you got laid didn’t you?”

Cody looked confused.

“Slept with her, you know, sex?”

Cody nodded slowly which had his friends smirking although he wasn’t quite sure why. They seemed to delight in this fact as if it were some great accomplishment and would tell anyone who would listen, but Cody wished they would shut up.

“Come on guys, shut up. It’s none of your business.”

“We’re guys of course it is.”

“Tell us, was she rocking?” Mike asked.

Cody didn’t answer he felt like his face was on fire and the fire was slowly burning him from the inside out like he was self combust at any moment. It was the only time he had ever considered running away and it wasn’t like this was something he could explain to Mrs. Ryder.

Somebody must have noticed how uncomfortable he was because he found himself in Mrs. Ryder’s office later that afternoon when one of the other workers at the shop had found him sitting next to the copy machine trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

“What’s the matter Cody? You can tell me.

Cody stiffened, he couldn’t tell anyone except Jen and certainly not this lady it felt too personal, too private. He shook his head.

“Is there something going on at home?” The teacher asked.

Again Cody shook his head.

“I won’t tell,” Mrs. Ryder said softly, “you’re safe here I promise.”

“No,” Cody said finally, “it’s private, between me and Jen. Stuart and Mike thinks they know but they don’t!”

Cody saw Mrs. Ryder reach for her phone on her desk.

“I’m going to call Jennifer and bring in Mike and Stuart and maybe we can get to the bottom of this.”

 

Jennifer was about to leave her office when her desk phone rang.

“Hello?” She said automatically.

As the voice on the other and began to speak her heart began to race she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The minute she put down she reached for her coat and purse and left a hasty message with her supervisor that she had an emergency before she headed out the door.

13: Chapter 12

Jennifer did not know what to expect when she walked into Carol Ryder’s office, but it was certainly not the scene they greeted her.

Cody, along with his friends and their guardians were seated in chairs around Mrs. Ryder’s desk and they all turned when she walked in the door.

“Ah, Ms. Anderson, so glad you could join us.” The other woman said calmly, too calmly, for Jennifer’s liking.

“What is it?” Jennifer asked, “you sounded quite urgent on the phone.”

Mrs. Ryder steepled her fingers and looked around at the people in the room.

“Something has come to my attention I feel you should know about… Ms. Anderson.”

Jennifer sat down in the other vacant chair placing her purse beside her removing her coat as the other woman continued speaking.

“It had come to my attention today that Cody is being harassed, but it is not so much that he is being harassed but why that troubles me.”

Mrs. Ryder cleared her throat before continuing.

“It has come to my attention that Cody had some sort of sexual experience recently. Do you know anything about this?”

Jennifer couldn’t stop the heat that crept up her face.

“Even if I did, Mrs. Ryder, what business is that of yours?” She demanded quietly forcing herself to keep her voice steady.

“I like to make sure each person that comes through these doors are in a good home environment, and since Cody came to us under unusual circumstances that gives me cause for concern.”

The other woman continued speaking as if the other adults, students, and Cody were not in the room.

“Mrs. Ryder what exactly does that have to do with us?” A woman with red hair who Jennifer took to be a relation of Stuart’s asked.

“I thought as their guardians you would want to know about this.”

“If you are going to berate this woman for something that is completely legal…” The red-haired woman said tightly, “I don’t see why me, Mr. McGuire,” she gestured to Mike’s guardian a young man then looked no older than his charge, “and the boys have to be here.”

“I just want you to know that Stuart and Mike—“

Cody cut her off.

“No, it was Mike! He was the one talking dirty.”

“It’s true!” Mike shot back, “you banged her didn’t you!” He pointed a finger at Jennifer.

“I think it would be best-“ the redheaded woman said tactfully, “if we left, clearly, this is none of our affair.” She and Mr. McGuire exchanged a look and simultaneously they rose gesturing to Mike and Stuart to follow them while Mr. McGuire discreetly closed the door behind him as they exited.

Mrs. Ryder studied the closed door momentarily before she continued speaking carefully studying Jennifer she did so.

“As I was saying Ms. Anderson, Cody came to us under questionable circumstances and I never did get a full explanation for how he ended up in your care…”

“As I explained on the phone in December it’s complicated.” Jennifer began.

“All I want to know is what is your relation to Cody?” Mrs. Ryder asked.

“None.” Jennifer replied shortly, “He was living on the streets before he came to me. I have no idea where his family is, or even if they’re still alive. So when registering him here I gave him my last name.”

Mrs. Ryder turned to Cody.

“Do you have a family Mr. Anderson? Where are they?”

Cody shrugged his broad shoulders.

“Gone.” He said simply.

“Gone?” Mrs. Ryder repeated, “what do you mean gone?”

“My first mom died… I was little then… Then there was another woman… She wasn’t very nice, she threw me out when I was sixteen.”

“This woman? Your father? Where are they now?” Mrs. Ryder asked again.

“I don’t know.” Cody said softly. When I went by the house last time there was another family there, mother, father, a boy and a girl.”

Mrs. Ryder pursed her lips, clearly this wasn’t the information she had wanted.

“How did you meet Ms. Anderson?” Mrs. Ryder asked.

“She found me.” Cody said simply, “when it was very cold she made me warm again.”

Mrs. Ryder turned to Jennifer for clarification.

“He was asleep on my porch and he had hypothermia, my neighbor and I took him to the hospital… Where he lost a few fingers and toes.”

“I see.” Mrs. Ryder said shortly.

She turned her attention back to Cody.

“Is Ms. Anderson good to you?” Mrs. Ryder asked.

For the first time since she had entered the office Jennifer saw Cody smile.

“Yes…” Cody replied, “very good.”

“Did she ever force you to do anything you didn’t want to do?” The older woman asked.

“No.” Cody answered firmly.

“Did she ever touch you?” Mrs. Ryder continued, still speaking as if Jennifer weren’t even in the room.

“Yes.” Cody replied softly, he was currently addressing his knees no longer meeting the gaze of the woman behind the desk.

“How?” Mrs. Ryder pressed her voice softening a fraction in a way Jennifer didn’t think was possible.

“Everywhere.” Cody mumbled, and Jennifer could see a blush spreading up his face and neck.

“How did that make you feel? Did you like it?”

“I liked it.” Cody replied in that same quiet voice, “it felt good.”

Mrs. Ryder nodded seeming satisfied.

Reflexively, Jennifer put her arm around Cody shoulders.

“Mrs. Ryder, is this really necessary?”

“It is if I decide to report you.” The other woman replied flatly.

“What?” Jennifer asked, shocked.

“It is questionable whether these acts were consensual or not, I don’t need any of this here.”

“I can assure you I would never-“

“Be that as it may, Ms. Anderson, but in case Cody doesn’t understand what you intend…”

“I assure you he does, I explained everything as I went.”

Mrs. Ryder’s gaze shifted to Cody who nodded slightly, he still wasn’t looking at her.

“I don’t see how what I do in private is any business of yours, I thought long and hard about this before I agreed to it, when it was obvious Cody was attracted to me. I made sure he understood what he was getting into if that was what he wanted. Now, if you will excuse me…”

She was halfway to the door before she spoke again.

“I can assure you Cody and I no longer need your services, as of this moment I am withdrawing him from your program!” Jennifer motioned for Cody to stand which he did before ushering him out of the office and they left the room and the building without another word.

 

Jennifer was still steaming as they drove home, and Cody, perceptive as always seem to pick up on this right away.

“You mad?” He asked.

“Not at you.” Jennifer assured him.

“Mrs. Ryder?” He asked and Jennifer nodded.

They continued on in silence until Jennifer spoke again, seemingly thinking out loud.

“How would you feel about moving Cody?”

“Moving?” Cody repeated. “Where?”

“Away from here, where we can always be together and do what we want. Maybe you can find a job.”

“Like stacking boxes, or working the copier?” Cody asked.

“Exactly.” Jennifer replied with a smile.

The idea was still forming in her head at the moment she didn’t know where they would go but all she knew was she had to get away from Chicago, somewhere they could have a fresh start where people would judge them for a simple seemingly inconsequential decision.

14: Chapter 13

A few weeks later found Cody walking along the darkened streets heading in the direction of town he knew best. Ever since coming to live with Jen he could come and go as he pleased providing the weather was accommodating and he told her where he was going. Tonight however he simply told her he was going “out” with no hint to his destination only that he would be back sometime before eleven.

He headed for the arcade which was open till at least ten so he had a good couple hours before he would have to leave.

He idly played the games for a few minutes before getting tired of them, they made his head hurt. He wandered back to the front of the arcade where they kept the candy machines. Cody reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful quarters the ones he hadn’t used in the games he had lost figuring he would get a gumball or two. He was just turning away from the gumball machine when he saw it: there in another machine with little plastic balls that had small trinkets inside was the ring. He knew it wasn’t real, but it sparkled like it was real the false gem catching the bright lights of the arcade.

Cody knew most of what the machine spit out came from the bottom and the ring was in the middle may be two or three rows up so he wasn’t sure exactly how many orders it would take to get it. He considered asking the man behind the counter to open the machine and give it to him, but decided he would look stupid and squaring his shoulders he walked over to the other machine and began feeding in quarters.

He was only interrupted one when some guys who were probably younger than he was just stood there watching him.

“What are you doing?” One asked.

“I’m trying to get this ring for my girlfriend.” Cody answered, he didn’t mention what he was going to do with the ring, but an idea was forming in his mind, an idea clearer than anything that has ever come into it before, clearer than the letters and numbers they had tried to teach him at the community center.

They continued watching him as he continued shoving money into the machine.

“Retard.” One muttered, “come on Bo,” the other guy said to his friend, “let him play with his toys.” They walked away laughing.

The words hurt, but Cody wasn’t exactly sure how or why he wasn’t whatever they had called him he wasn’t a baby he was smart, Mrs. Ryder before she had started asking nosy questions had told him so.

The machine spat out ten little balls, most of them with stickers or small plastic animals inside before he got what he wanted on his twelfth or thirteenth try, there it was: the ring.

Cody shoved the ring into his pocket and the rest of the trinkets into his backpack than smiling at the guy that was still behind the counter he left the arcade the noise finally diminishing behind him. He made his way home, home to where Jen was, she had said he could take the bus but he wasn’t sure if it was running now when he didn’t know where it was, so he walked as he was so used to doing. Cody walked home, still feeling the little ball with the ring inside in his pocket.

 

Cody let himself in the back door with the key Jen should given him months ago. He was quiet as to not make any noise, unsure of whether Jen was asleep or not.

“Cody?” Is that you?” A sleepy voice asked and as he made his way past the living room he saw Jen sitting on the couch she was on her laptop a pair of glasses perched on her nose.

“You said you wouldn’t be home until eleven.” She reminded him.

Cody shrugged.

“I got what I wanted.” He said slowly, his words always came out slowly, thick , and careful like the syrup he poured over his pancakes sometimes. He stepped around behind her and dropped a gentle kiss on her hair, “Jen, I’m home now.” He paused briefly before formulating his next question. “Can we make love now?”

Jen smiled slowly.

“Let me finish this first.” She indicated the laptop in front of her, “then we can okay?”

Cody nodded before he turned and made his way back to the spare bedroom which was now his room. That was another change Jen had made since he had been living with her he now has his own room. The room had formally contained various knickknacks and things from when Jen was in school; all stuffed in old boxes, but now the space was Cody’s; his own space where he could do whatever he pleased.

Cody made his way to his bedroom dumping his backpack on the floor by the door. He pulled off the jacket he had been wearing and took the ring out of his pocket placing it in a small box on his dresser. He took off his shoes and he was just removing his socks when there was a gentle knock on his open door.

There stood Jen in something flowy and silky, it was pink and showed off her curves. Cody took in a breath and it seemed to be harder to breathe now he felt the stirrings of his body calling to her-wanting her.

She held out her hand to him and he followed her back to her bedroom where the only light was the bedside table, where the sheets were turned down expectantly.

She made him sit down on the bed and she sat down next to him. Then she slowly removed his clothes one by one. Cody watched her still taking in her progress with that slow fascination. Then she laid back pulling her robe away, stretched out before him smiling softly.

He kissed her breasts, one and then the other… He sucked slowly feeling the tingles and tight pressure in his pants. Jen seemed to read his mind and was pulling down his pants before he could ask her to, she stroked his erection with her fingers and the breath “whooshed” out of him, he shifted restlessly he wanted more.

He moved slowly because he knew she liked that, he kissed her knee his fingers working down to those most special parts of her body. Cody let his fingers say what he felt her every sound she made giving him another rush of excitement.

Slowly they came together Jen giving a satisfied little sigh as Cody slid inside her, carefully until he felt he could start moving again. The rebound still felt unusual to him no matter how many times he did it their hips bumping together as Jen tried to get closer to him her legs wrapping around him pulling him closer, giving him another jolt of the tingles he was becoming familiar with.

“Cody, Cody,” she panted, and he liked the way she said to the name now, as their bodies rock together as one, “more… More… Faster… Faster…”

The faster he went the more he felt he was losing it, losing control of everything inside him as it came spilling out. He gave one more thrust, a groan falling past his lips and then he had a strange feeling of satisfaction and looked down to see Jen smiling up at him reading that same satisfaction in his own gaze.

“Good?” He questioned.

Jen chuckled, the sound sounding low and sexy.

“Very good.”

His mind was spinning so numb like right now he almost forgotten the question he was going to ask Jen, but he didn’t feel right asking her now when they were both so happy. He would ask her later, he would ask her about the words he had heard the boy in the arcade use.

 

Summer was approaching quickly and as the weather got nicer Jennifer was racing around trying to tie up loose and before the move. The little yellow house was stacked with boxes with all their belongings ready for the move from Chicago to a little town in Ohio.

Buried in a box in Cody’s room meticulously labeled by Jennifer was a keepsake box with a small ball inside, inside the ball was a glittering plastic ring.

15: Epilogue

One Year Later

Cody paced. In his left pocket was a small ring, which he turned over and his fingers over and over until he had the shape and the dimensions of the object memorized. Jen was sitting in the living room in her favorite chair going over some papers from her job. It was now or never.

Their transition from the quiet street in Chicago to the small, but busy suburb of Ohio had gone smoothly. In the coming months they had both located jobs in various areas, Jen locating a job opening in a small local clinic which was the reason they had moved to Ohio in the first place.

Cody, on the other hand was working in a small office dedicated to helping people with disabilities. He filed papers, sent faxes, and answered the phone his coworker was a young man in a wheelchair named Scott who was about his age. It was only Scott who Cody had told about what he was about to do.

“Cody?” Jen called, “is something wrong?” She must’ve heard his footsteps in the hallway.

Cody shrugged.

“It’s okay, really.”

Jen looked at him over her reading glasses.

“You sure?” She asked again.

Cody gave her a brief smile.

“Positive.”

Cody turned over the word in his head. It was a word he had picked up from his speech therapist Nancy, along with a great many others. He had begun speech therapy at the insistence of his current employer Chris and his vocational coach Ruth, Jen had also seconded to the idea and agreed it would make him more employable if he could speak properly.

Cody continued its way slowly across the room Jen still hadn’t looked up. He could feel the butterflies churning in his stomach and he didn’t remember ever being so nervous, even when he and Jen made love for the first time, a memory that always made him smile.

Taking a deep breath he began to speak carefully, although not in the same way he used to because the words didn’t form in his mind easily but because he was nervous trying to formulate each sentence perfectly.

“Jen, may I talk to you?” He asked softly.

She looked up at him again, looking so cute with her glasses perched on the end of her nose.

“Yes Cody?”

He took another deep breath and reached for the ring his pocket, before he sank to one knee like the guys in the movies. Carefully he opened the little plastic ball and removed the little glittering ring holding it out to her.

“Jennifer, will you marry me?”

He watched her expression, and watched as her eyes got bigger and bigger one hand coming up to cover her open mouth.

“Cody, I-“

He looked up at her lips curving and a small impish smile, something Cody hadn't seen since the first week she brought him home.

“This is usually the part where you say “yes”.” Cody reminded her.

Then the spell was broken and Jen laughed.

“Yes.” She said, “yes, I will marry you!”

Grinning, he slid in the ring onto her finger and she looked down at it smiling.

“I can get you a fancy one.” Cody offered.

“No this is fine,” Jen replied, “it came from you, I love it.”

Again, Cody grinned.

Rising to his feet Cody leaned up to kiss her, a kiss Jen returned and he could feel the smile on her lips.

“Now if you’ll excuse me I have some phone calls to make.”

Cody was still smiling and he nodded as he darted for his room which was just on the left side of the stairs.

“Yeah,” he said, “me too!” And he dashed off and she knew he was probably going to call Scott or one of his other coworkers who he had become fast friends with.

Jennifer looked after Cody now shaking her head. If someone had told her year ago her Prince Charming would show up on her doorstep pretty much frozen she would’ve laughed. She never considered herself the marrying type she was content with her job and her life exactly the way it was-that is, until Cody came along.

Again, she looked down at the cheap plastic ring on her finger. It wasn’t a diamond, but it had come from Cody and it was the sentiment that counted. The ring was made of purple plastic with something glittering and shining to represent some sort of jewel. The entire thing made her smile it had an innocence about it like children playing dress-up, but that was one the things she adored about Cody-his innocence.

Finally she rose from her recliner, she figured there was no time like the present to call her friends and family. She knew her mother was going to be shocked, particularly when she told her who the fiancée was. She smiled to herself, something she couldn’t seem to stop doing, “fiancée” she liked the sound of that.

Wondering into the kitchen she picked up the cordless phone realizing Cody must be using his cell phone or the line would be busy. Sighing, she punched out her parents’ phone number. Her mother answered on the second ring.

“Mom, you might want to sit down,” Jennifer told her, “I have something to tell you.”