Lisa laid her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. She tried to focus on the wind blowing in her hair and the warmth of the sun shining on her face as she metered her breath. The anger had once more welled up in her body, making the sound of blood rushing in her ears nearly too loud to endure, but she could control this. She could win.
“If you don’t turn your attitude around and put a smile on your face, I’ll take you back to your mom’s house and go without you.” Rod had announced. “I’m not going to spend the day with you pouting and ruining everyone’s good time” he continued, “You have two minutes to change, or I take you home!”
Lisa’s blood boiled. At that moment, she hated Rod Kivlingkey with a deep passion, despite the belief her life would be nothing without him. Without him noticing, she looked over at Rod with his stupid red curly hair flapping in the wind like troll, crazy drunken green eyes, and that sick sadistic smirk he got when he felt in control. How could this be the same guy who saved her from what, at the time, seemed like the end of her life!
“Fuck this!” Lisa thought; she knew his threats were not idle, but had no intention of letting him manipulate her into compliance. Lisa figured Rod didn’t think she could change her disposition at the drop of a pin. She didn’t know herself if she could, but was determined to not give him the satisfaction of taking her back home like a spoiled little girl.
They had been driving for only a few minutes in Rod’s meticulously cared for red 1969 Camaro. It was a beautiful car, which Rod had spent way too much time and money on restoring, but it fed his ego well and Lisa liked being the girl with the guy in the nice car. She stayed with Rod the night before after a late night party with a lot of drinking. Like most nights spent together, they’d both gotten outrageously drunk. This morning, as they were preparing for the trip to the beach, Rod was rude and short tempered – clearly still angry about what had occurred the night before. Lisa couldn’t remember exactly what the argument was about, or anything about last night for that matter. Blacking out when drinking was not uncommon for Lisa, but she was still angry nonetheless, and she trusted that meant it was a bad night.
Lisa laid her head back on the headrest once again. She felt the cool air caress and sooth her puffy dry eyes, breathed in deeply, and allowed the music of Little River Band to pierce through the blood-rushing sound in here ears.
“Hey, everybody, yeah, don't you feel that there's something
People on their own are getting nowhere
I'm on the road to see
If anything is anywhere or waiting, just for me.”
Slowly, she raised her head and swallowed her anger until the sour bile bubbling in her throat settled down and disappeared. Once more, she looked over at Rod. This time she forced her eyes to search past the arrogant smirk and find the caring protector she’d believed him to be – wished he’d been. “No, not today. I will not be going home today. I will not miss out on the beach. ” Lisa thought.
Snap! Lisa took control and accomplished what Rod doubted she could. She would not let him win. Not today. Lisa looked at Rod and gave him her best “let’s make up.” smile. She reached over with her hand and touched his arm – brushing down his sun-warmed shoulder to his forearm. She wiggled her body to adjust herself in the bucket seat and moved her hand to the back of his neck, allowing her just enough room to reach his cheek with her lips. She felt the release of muscle tension in Rod’s body as she brushed his jawline with her lips, moving ever so slowly to his ear. He was receptive. Lisa could tell from Rod’s reaction to her touch that her change in disposition was sufficiently convincing to keep her in the game. But, it was certain to be a long day and Lisa was at a disadvantage of not knowing the details of their strife. She knew enough to understand that a simple lover’s kiss would not sufficiently protect the day from a reemergence of the argument if the wrong word, or the wrong look, or the wrong person were to present itself.
Lisa needed insurance to get her safely through the day without concern of another huge row. She must resort to what she knew best, her most effective means of control. Lisa moved her other hand to Rod’s leg and moved upward with a firm touch. At the same time, she opened her mouth to gently suckle his earlobe and them moved down his neck. Rod’s response was intense and Lisa knew she was gaining control. Rod’s groin moved upward to entice her hand’s further movement, welcoming her to feel the growing appreciation of her transformation.
Little River Band continued on the radio;
“Hey, everybody, don't you feel that there's something
But you know in a moment it is gone
I live for the day when I can hear people saying
That they know and they care for everyone
But I feel like I've been here for the whole of my life
Never knowing home”
Lisa gave into Rod’s gyrating invitation and began to release the burgeoning desire in Rod’s pants. Despite her youth, Lisa knew exactly what action would guarantee a full day of safety from violent conflict. Moreover, in the current circumstances, Rod would be forced to maintain his focus on driving – leaving control of the action in her domain. Lisa chose to burry the anger far beyond her reach and gave into the heat of the moment. She felt the rush of adrenalin mixed with teenage desire. A quick scan of her surroundings – long stretch of road, seatbelt to the side, ample access – told Lisa conditions were perfect to act and assert her power for the day.
To be continued….
Thank you Deanna. Loving you. 🦋