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Jack Meadows didn't realize that his life was about to change. He could not get Enola Kelley out of his mind. He sprawled on his bed and thought about her flesh-colored bikini and sheer negligee. In a way, she reminded him of his mother. She often roamed their home with barely any clothes on. He had seen her entertain men in their living room and take them to bed late in the evening. Jack received his sex education at the hands of a professional whore.
Jack thought about sex constantly, although he remained a virgin. His thoughts about making Maddox his slave dissipated following his initial attempts. He did not have feelings for his young schoolmate. Her body was too immature to accommodate his yearnings. He had not realized Enola Kelley's influence on his life, but he knew he desired her.
Jack began hanging out around the Kelley's trailer home. Maddox invited him inside and showed him her collection of stolen knickknacks. His visits were brief unless Enola was home. He stayed and ate dinner with them just to remain in her company.
"Your food is delicious," he complimented, shoveling baked beans into his open mouth. "Granny only knows how to cook sauerkraut." Jack made a sickening face.
"Eat up." Enola smiled, heaping more food onto Jack's plate. She viewed the Meadows boy as one of Maddox's friends. She had no other feelings for him.
Enola Kelley was not happy with her life. Her husband barely paid attention to her. His custodian job kept him busy day and night. Her beauty parlor job bored her, and she had no real interest in her children. She never shared girl talk with Maddox; Mikey was her husband's son. Michael did everything with the boy and ignored his daughter.
Enola did not know what she wanted but wanted something to happen. Their trailer was old and worn—too hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. She could not complain since they lived rent-free because of Michael's job. She would leave if she could but did not know where to go or what to do. Enola Kelley slipped through life one day at a time.
When she was young, she was a model. At seventeen, she posed nearly naked for a bikini magazine. But, when she became pregnant with Maddox, she married Michael. He promised to support her career but, instead, gave her nothing but two children. Enola would give the world for more from life.
Her interest in Jack grew slowly over that long, hot summer. He told her about his life with his mother and then with Gertrude Meadows. His mother ignored him, and Girty didn't want him. He made that very clear. Enola began cooking meals for him and freezing food for him to take home. She felt sorry for him, although she rarely felt sorry for anyone.
Jack began appearing at the Kelley's trailer when Maddox was not around. He enjoyed talking to Enola. As the summer wore on, Enola spent less time at home and working. She made sure she was around for Jack but also began drinking more. Her life meant nothing to her; she found her only interest was in her daughter's young friend.
Enola sat on the screened porch. She stretched her lithe body on a lounger and sipped bourbon. Michael never paid attention to her. He worked on call and was called day and night. The rickety old trailer park required his constant attention. She knew her husband was tired. He rarely slept a full night without interruption. Michael hadn't approached her for sexual favors in years.
Enola longed for sex. She desired it, but her sex life remained unchanged. She thought about taking a lover, but no one attracted her. Her mind drifted toward Jack, but she dismissed him quickly. He was Maddox's friend, Maddox's age. A middle school student did not particularly attract her.
Jack appeared at the screen door. It squealed open, and he stood above her. Enola gazed up at him. He plunked into a rattan chair and lifted the bourbon bottle. He filled a glass without asking and swallowed the fiery liquid in a gulp. Enola nearly chastised him. Instead, she refilled her own glass.
"You take it straight?" she asked languidly.
"Yeah."
They drank and talked. Enola giggled at Jack's jokes. She hadn't laughed in ages. There was nothing in her life to amuse her. The afternoon sped past. The trailer was quiet, and Maddox and Mikey were away from home. Enola didn't know where they went, nor did she care. She could have done without children in her life. Marriage and family was the worst mistake of her life.
"How old are you?" Enola finally asked, squinting at Jack. "Twelve? Thirteen?" Maddox was twelve, nearly thirteen.
"Sixteen or almost," Jack answered, leaning back. His eyes caught Mrs. Kelley's and hardened. He dared her to question his age without speaking.
Enola was taken aback for the moment. She thought Jack looked older, but his body was overweight and deceptive. If he was Maddox's friend in Maddox's grade, he was her age.
"You were left back?" she finally asked.
"Seventh grade, twice," Jack answered. He never paid attention in class. He was pushed to the next grade level because his teachers didn't want him repeating in their rooms. His luck ended in middle school.
Enola studied Jack. Sixteen versus thirteen made a world of difference. She thought back to her teens. Young and attractive, she acquired many boyfriends—boyfriends who used her captivating body for their own sexual education. Closing her eyes, she took herself back to those youthful days—the days before Michael, Maddox, and Mikey.
Enola wanted to go back—back to the springtime of her life. Jack could take her there, refresh her life, and restore her youth. She sipped her bourbon, contemplating a new awakening.
Yes, Enola wanted to become young again. She misspent her life by marrying and having children.
Her companion sprawled in his chair, the glass dangling from loose fingers. A bulge grew against his red nylon shorts. Jack was ready for her. The screen door banged closed. Jack sat up straighter and placed his bourbon glass on the table beside him. Maddox hesitated at the door. A huge smile overspread her freckled face. She'd walked to the Meadows house to meet Jack. Disappointment drove her home. That disappointment turned to glee when she discovered they had passed each other on the way.
"I'm so glad you're here," she exclaimed, rushing toward him. "I went to your place. We passed each other."
Jack tried to smile but couldn't. He was on the verge of discovery only to find his own disappointment. Maddox ruined a delightful afternoon for him. He was ready to bed, Enola. Now, he was faced with a childish annoyance.
"I thought you were playing with Miss Priss Sailor Kent," Jack growled, more drunk than sober. "Don't you play Barbies with her or something?"
Maddox's smile turned upside down. She thought Jack was glad to see her. Instead, he acted like he wanted her to go away. Maddox looked toward her mother tentatively. It struck her strange that Enola was always around when Jack came to see her. She did not realize the significance of their companionship. Her mind remained too immature to believe in May to December relationships.
"We don't play Barbies anymore," Maddox stated innocently.
"What do you play?" Jack continued, his face growing menacing. "With each other?"
Maddox did not know what that meant, but Enola did. Maddox's mother giggled.
"Do you touch her boobies? Do you touch her down there?" Jack continued. His eyes shifted toward Enola, who smiled with encouragement.
Maddox stepped backward, her knees touching an old glass-topped table. She tripped and sat down hard. Tears welled in her eyes, although she didn't understand the insinuation.
Enola found amusement in her daughter's discomfort. She nodded at Jack behind Maddox's back. Although it wasn't the entertainment she sought, it brought her out of her lackadaisical spell. The easy quips that fell from her young companion's lips brought her enjoyment.
"Are you a lesbian?" Enola asked, helping Jack torment her daughter.
Maddox's mouth worked into a flexible pout. She couldn't comprehend the word, although she heard it once or twice. It meant nothing to her. Desperately, she tried to form a response.
"Your mom wants to know if you prefer girls over boys," Jack supplied, hitching himself forward in his seat.
"I…I…" Maddox stumbled over her answer. Tears streaked her face. "I like boys." The words exploded from her lips.
Enola started to laugh; Jack laughed with her. Maddox watched them perplexed, and then she understood. They were teasing her. She laughed with them. It was all a joke. Jack wouldn't tease her if he didn't love her. She knew that much about boys.
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