Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

The anticipation of getting to see Paul again, coupled with working with my mother on a summer party for the children of the bases military families, made the week go by surprisingly quick.

While we worked, my mother asked, “Do you have plans with Millie this weekend?”

“Yes ma’am. We’re going to a movie tomorrow afternoon, and I hear there is a carnival in town this weekend so we’re thinking of going there on Saturday.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun. Would you have time to help me with a few things Saturday morning?”

“Of course,” I told her with a reassuring a smile. We worked in silence a few minutes before I asked something that had been on my mind, and even more so after to talking to Paul during our walk along the beach. “Mom, I was thinking of applying for a job.”

“That’s wonderful sweetheart. What did you have in mind?”

I’m not sure, maybe something secretarial or at one of the stores in town. Perhaps I’ll go next week and see what’s available.”

“That’s a good idea.”

* * *

When Friday finally arrived,Millie and I completed what we needed to at home as quickly as possible and then left for town. While we wait for Don and Paul to join us, I tell Millie about my desire to get a job, so we begin looking into who’s hiring. As we pass by the bank, I saw a help wanted sign in the window.

“Millie look!” Pointing to the sign that caught my attention across the street. “I’m going to go inquire about it.”

Stepping inside the bank’s lobby, I make my way over to desk occupied by a well-dressed woman. Reading the nameplate on her desk, Mrs. Masterson, Executive Secretary, I address her personally. “Excuse me, Mrs. Masterson? I’m Ruby Thorpe and I’m inquiring about the help wanted sign posted in the window.”

Looking up from her typewriter, she silently assesses me before explaining, “It’s a clerical position. Filing, typing and secretary for our newly appointed assistant manager. Do you have any experience?”

Nervously interlocking my fingers, so I don’t fidget, I admit, “No ma’am, however I did take a typing class in high school as well as shorthand. I assist my father with correspondence when needed and I volunteer at the library, so I’m used to filing.”

“Very well Miss Thorpe, come back Monday morning, nine o’clock sharp, you can meet with Mr. Palmer.”

Trying to contain my excitement, I smile and offer my thanks. “Thank you so much, I’ll see you on Monday.”

Practically floating out the door, I find Millie on the sidewalk. “Millie, you won’t believe it!”

“Did you get the job?”

I shake my head. “Not yet, but I’m supposed to come back on Monday to speak with Mr. Palmer.”

“Ruby, that’s wonderful! I’m so excited for you. Now I just need to find something.”

Threading my arm through hers I say, “Well let’s get going, maybe we’ll find something for you on our way to the theater.”

By the time we reach the movie theater where we planned to meet Don and Paul, Millie had already secured a position at a new boutique in town.

Approaching the theater, I hear Don say, “Look there Paul, here come our beautiful girls now.”

“Yep, and they do look beautiful,” Paul says, his gaze never wavering from me.

Walking straight into his arms, I smile up at him, “Still working that charm I see.”

Smiling Paul tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and shakes his head. “No, just telling the truth,” he says before he leans down to kiss me.

When the kiss ends, I pull back and my excitement returns. “You’ll never guess what happened today,” I begin, excited to share my news. “Millie and I were walking through town and I saw a help wanted sign in the window of the bank. I went inside to inquire about it and they asked me to come back on Monday to speak to the assistant manager.”

“That’s great Ruby! See I told you fate would work it out for us. What would you be doing?”

“I’d be the secretary for the assistant manager,” I reply proudly.

Paul looks down a little sheepishly, “Does that mean I won’t see you as much?”

Stepping closer to him, I entwine my fingers with his. “Not necessarily. It should make it easier for us to sneak around, because you boys can meet us in town.”

Pulling me closer Paul smiles down at me, “I like the way you think Ruby Thorpe.”

“You two ready to see the movie,” Millie asks from her place beside Don.

“Whenever you are,” I reply moving to Paul’s side.

Stepping inside Paul purchased our tickets from the attendant and we made our way into the theater. Taking my hand, Paul leads us back to two seats in a dark corner of the room. Once we are seated, Paul whispers in my ear, “I thought I’d have a better chance of kissing you if we sat in the back.”

“I think your chances are pretty good no matter where we sit,” I whisper back.

My reply was the only confirmation Paul needed that I wanted to be kissed just as much as he wanted to kiss me.

His kiss is soft and slow as his lips linger on mine. When he pulls away he whispers, “I’ve missed you this week.”

“I’ve missed you too. I saw you once on base, and all I wanted to do was run to you. But I had to remember where I was and that I didn’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Oh Ruby, I think I’m already in trouble.”

When the lights dim and the movie begins to play, Paul puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer. Reaching up and placing a kiss on his jaw is enough to ignite the spark between us. Turning to place a kiss on my temple, Paul leaves a trail of kisses down my jaw making his way to my lips.

Paul wasn’t the first person I’d kissed. That honor belonged to Brian Franklin my sophomore year of high school. But those were kisses from an awkward teenage boy. Paul is no teenage boy, he’s all man and his kisses could easily set me on fire. What started out as slow and almost reverent quickly became more. We can’t seem to get enough of each other. When Paul tries to slip his tongue into my mouth, I gasp and jolt away from him, only to have him calm me instantly.

“Oh Ruby, shhh, come here.” Urging me back to his side, Paul lifts my chin as he asks, “You’ve never been kissed like that before, have you?” Embarrassed, I shake my head as his thumb caresses my cheek. “Let me show you then.”

Searching his eyes, I nod giving him permission, because I really didn’t want him to stop kissing me.

Leaning in, Paul captures my lips again and this time when his tongue runs along my lips, I open for him, allowing him inside. It feels strange and wonderful at the same time. Each time his tongue brushes against mine, I become bolder until I had taste every inch of his mouth. When he pulls back so we could catch our breath a whimper escapes me making him smile.

“I’m guessing you like being kissed like that,” he whispers a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Very much,” I whisper back, my focus dropping to his mouth ready to have is lips on mine again.

“Good, so did I.” The words are barely out of his mouth before he’s kissing me again.

When the movie ends and the lights come back on, I begin to tidy my hair. “I must look a mess.”

“No, you look beautiful.”

“You don’t have to charm me for kisses you know, I’ll give them to you freely.”

Paul chuckles. “I’m a lucky man, all your dances and all your kisses.”

Smiling I lean in close so I can kiss him again. “Yes, they are only for you.”

Before I can attempt to deepen the kiss, Paul moves away. “We need to get out of here.” Offering me his hand Paul says, “Let’s go find Don and Mille and go get something to eat.”

Taking his hand, we walk out of the theater and find Don and Millie waiting for us on the sidewalk.

As we walk toward the restaurant Paul asks, “Will I get to see you tomorrow?”

“You will if you want to,” I tease.

Smiling he says, “Just tell me when and where.”

Grinning up at him I ask, “How do you feel about carnivals?”