The End of the Rainbow (Hudson 4)

al. Alison wore a loose-fitting Empire-waist dress with a very low V-neck, so her bosom practically spilled out. I was sure it was the subject of discussion all the way from the airport.

Daddy's parents and Aunt Heather Sue arrived soon after. Aunt Heather Sue was married to an airline pilot who flew for American and was working today. She told me immediately how sorry he was not to be able to attend my party. I saw Aunt Glenda coming from the house, walking slowly, her head down, her arms folded. She had put on a pretty blouse and skirt, but her hair was still down, loose and somewhat unkempt. Uncle Roy's eyes grew small and troubled. He whispered something to her and then took her to meet the others.

The last guest to arrive was Mrs. Gear-Vs Mr. Lynch, whom she immediately chastised for coming late.

"A librarian especially should know what it means to be on time," I heard her say. He apologized and hurried to greet me and hand me a gift.

All of the family and the adults sat in one section where they could watch the rest of us go boating and swimming. My presents were piled in a corner by the dance floor. Daddy had arranged for the boys to change in the garage, using the bathroom there. The girls would go into the house.

"C'mon," Chase said after he took off his pants, shirt and shots. He was already wearing his bathing suit underneath.

"Where?"

He seized my hand to pull me away from everyone. "Let's grab a rowboat and be alone for a few minutes. I know what it's like to have a party in your honor. I've had a few," he bragged.

Of course, the boys all let out a howl to tease us. My girlfriends smiled knowingly, as if they had each been in a rowboat with Chase Taylor and knew what would inevitably happen. Nothing much could really happen. I thought. We were always in full view of the family and guests.

As we stepped into the boat. I looked out at the raft and saw Harley sitting on its edge, watching. Amber was sitting beside him. Even from this distance, I could see she was looking terrified.

Chase didn't see them until he began to row and turned the boat.

"What's Hardly up to?" Chase asked. He knew how much it bothered Harley when he called him that, and he knew I hated it.

"Don't call him that." I snapped.

"Why? It fits him. He's hardly this and hardly that," he replied laughing.

"When you have so much, it's doubly terrible to make fun of those who haven't enough, Chase."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. It's your birthday. I won't say or do a thing to make a moment

unpleasant," he promised.

He rowed gracefully, his muscles making it look effortless for us to glide through the water as if we were sliding over glass. I could see how everyone was still watching us.

"Maybe later, we can go someplace where we don't have an audience. huh? Then I can wish you a happy birthday properly," Chase said.

"And what exactly does 'properly' mean?"

"You're sixteen today!"

"So?"

"Hey, let's have a few surprises, huh?" he teased. He did have such a handsome face with the straightest, whitest teeth, and those eyes just seemed to pick up all the colors around us and twirl them back at me. Any girl would have to have a heart of stone not to be dazzled.

"Now that you're getting along in years, I guess you're old enough to experience real lovemaking," he half kidded.

"How many girls have you said that to. Chase Taylor?"

He smiled. "Moi?"He put on a hurt look. "Never. You're the first." he asserted.

"If love lies could make your nose grow, you'd bump it ten minutes before the rest of you arrived anywhere," I said and he laughed so hard, he had to rest the oars.

"I really enjoy the way you put things. Summer. You're lying about your age, you know. You must have been sixteen years ago. No one could be as sharp as you and be only sixteen."

"Keep those compliments coming." I said. He actually turned a shade crimson.

"I'm not just handing you a line. I believe it. Really," he insisted.