Read Online Tools of Ignorance: Lisa's Story by Barbara L. Clanton - Free Book Online Page B

I don’t even know what grade you’re in.”
    “Eleventh.”
    “Tenth.” She pointed to herself. “So, you’re seventeen?” Sam nodded. “That explains why you have your license. I won’t get mine until next February.”
    “I’ll have to chauffeur you around until then.” Sam reached over the console and put her hand on top of Lisa’s.
    Lisa’s heart sped up. “It’s a long way to Clarksonville from East Valley.” Sam’s hand still rested on hers. Oh, God, this was a Tara moment. Lisa pulled her hand away pretending she needed to push a lock of hair behind her ear.
    Sam pulled her hand back as if nothing had happened. “Hey, that gate is open. Let’s walk around the field.”
    “Okay.” Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. Things were moving a little too fast. Lisa opened the car door and took a deep breath of the late afternoon air. The sun had begun to recede in the sky, and she shivered in the slight chill.
    Sam opened the gate, and Lisa fell into step beside her as they headed toward home plate.
    Sam took a practice swing in the batter’s box. “So, why did you tell me Marlee’s pitches last night?”
    Lisa felt her cheeks get hot. She decided to tell the truth and see what happened. “I was flirting.”
    “I see.”
    They walked up the first base line in silence. When they stepped on first base, Lisa asked, “Why were you so friendly the first time we played you guys?” Lisa kept her eyes focused on the outfield fence, because she couldn’t look Sam in the eye.
    “I was flirting.”
    “Ah.”
    “Did you know?” Sam raised an eyebrow.
    Lisa laughed. “No. I had, uh, other things on my mind.” Named Marlee .
    “Oh.” Sam’s voice held a hint of disappointment.
    “I don’t have those other things on my mind anymore. Well, actually, it was one other thing, but not anymore.”
    “Oh.” There was a happy lilt to Sam’s voice that time. They touched second base and headed toward third. A robin hunting for worms flew off to left field as they passed. “Can I interest you in a tour of the third base dugout?”
    Lisa nodded, and when they reached the dugout, Sam held the gate open for her.
    Lisa walked in and turned around. “So, how about you? Do you have other, uh, things on your mind?”
    “Just one.” Sam stepped closer.
    Lisa’s heart sped up again. “Oh, yeah?”
    “Yeah.” Sam touched Lisa’s cheek gently. “You.”
    Lisa inhaled sharply. “Me?”
    Sam responded by putting both hands on each side of Lisa’s face and pulling her closer until their noses touched.
    Lisa moved forward until their lips met. Sam’s lips were warm and, oh, so soft. Their kiss was soft at first, but heated up quickly. Sam moved a hand behind Lisa’s neck and pulled her closer. Lisa wrapped her arms around Sam’s waist.
    After several minutes, Sam pulled away, but rested her forehead on Lisa’s. “Oh, my God.” She was out of breath.
    “I know.” Lisa put a hand on Sam’s chest, just beneath her neck, and spread her fingers. “I wish—I wish…”
    “What?”
    Lisa wanted to say she wished they could have taken things slower, but Sam had stirred her up so much, that she didn’t care. “I wish you would do that again.”
    Sam reached down and lifted Lisa’s hand to her lips. She kissed each finger in turn and then tilted her head back in invitation. Lisa put her free hand around Sam’s waist and pulled her close until there wasn’t room for even a single molecule between them. She kissed her. After a few minutes, Lisa finally pulled away breathless. She placed her cheek against Sam’s. “You feel so good,” she murmured.
    “So do you.” Sam nuzzled against Lisa’s neck sending shivers to her toes.
    Lisa pulled away and held Sam at arm’s length. “Are we moving too fast?”
    Sam held Lisa’s gaze. “Lisa, I’ve liked you since last year.”
    “Last year? I didn’t even know—”
    “I know. You didn’t even know I was alive. I never knew how to tell you. I mean,