Page 83 of Jackson
“I don’t know, let me see what I can find out. If you miss the chance at UC it’s no problem, I’ve found some other courses you might want to takefirst.”
“What happened with your licenceapplication?”
“It’s in the process, we have the final papers for the drop-in centre, so as soon as I’m licenced, we’re ready togo.”
“What did you callit?”
“We haven’t, I guess we should give it a name,” he said with alaugh.
We said our goodbyes and I texted him the flight details. I couldn’t eat that evening; I didn’t sleep. Excitement bubbled inside me. The sun hadn’t risen as I hugged my mum on the doorstep, both of us trying our hardest not to cry. Dad packed my luggage into the boot of the car and we made our way to theairport.
I tried to be cheerful; I tried not to cry when he dropped me off. I hugged him tight as he kissed the top of my head and waved me off. He’d told me he didn’t want to come into the airport, he cited the growing traffic as an excuse to rush off, but I saw him wipe his eye as he climbed back into thecar.
I had three hours before my flight would leave, three hours of sitting on a hard plastic chair or a crowded coffee shop. I tried to read, the noise of the airport distracted me. I shopped, well, browsed; I didn’t want to waste money on duty-free goods. Eventually I saw that my flight was beingcalled.
* * *
It had beenthe longest journey I’d ever experienced. I tried to sleep a little, read, and listened to music. I even watched a movie. When the plane touched down in California, I couldn’t stop the broad smile. It took forever to get through the airport and I panicked a little at immigration. I watched as the brow furrowed of a rather intimidating officer. He would know that I’d been in the U.S. only a short while before and he questioned me thoroughly. My heart hammered in my chest as I explained that I was applying for a student visa, but in the meantime wanted to explore the university first hand. I had friends, I gave Jackson’s address, I had money to support myself and eventually I was let through. I collected my suitcase and made my way out. Dexter was standing in the hall, waiting for me. He spread his arms wide and pulled me into a fiercehug.
“It’s so good to have you back. Did you have any trouble?” heasked.
“No, the immigration man questioned me but I guess he was happy with my response. I mean, I am allowed here on a tourist visa fornow.”
He took my suitcase, pretending to damage his back as he dragged it behind him, and we made our way to hiscar.
“Is he at home?” Iasked.
“He is, I called him earlier and asked what he was doing today. He said he was working on some new designs at home. I guess that means he’sdrawing.”
“Be a nightmare if I get there and he’s goneout.”
“I’ll hang about for a moment, let you greet himyourself.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe how nervous Iam.”
My palms sweated the closer to the house we got. Dex pulled up just short of the drive and I climbed from the car. I walked around the side of the house, down the little path and along the beach. I couldn’t see him on the balcony but his bedroom door was open. I smiled as I kicked off my shoes and climbed the steps. I crept along the decking. I could hear his shower running as I stepped into his room. I stood quietly and waited. I heard the water shut off, I heard something fall into the sink, I imagined, and him curse. Then I heard the pad of his bare feet on the wooden floor as he left the room. He walked into the bedroom with just a towel around his waist, water dripped from his body. He came to an abrupt halt. For a moment neither of us spoke. We just stood in the centre of his bedroom, looking at eachother.
He strode towards me, his hands grabbed the sides of my face and his mouth was immediately on mine. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and my fingers gripped the hair at the base of his neck. His kiss was fierce, like the others, he took my breath away. His fingers dug into the side of my face and I felt his tears on mycheeks.
When we broke apart, he rested his forehead onmine.
“You came,” hewhispered.
“I did. I tried to stay away longer but Icouldn’t.”
“I didn’t think you’d comeback.”
“I guess I was always coming back, Jackson. I just had to give you time andspace.”
I heard the clunk of a suitcase being dragged up thestairs.
“How did you get here?” Jackson asked, before looking over my shoulder towards thenoise.
“Dexter,” Isaid.
“You can leave the case there, we’ll see you tomorrow, maybe,” hesaid.
Jackson returned his gaze to me, his eyes clouded, and my pulse rate increased. He ran his fingers down my cheek and his thumb grazed over my lips. Nothing was said as he ran his hands down my sides and to the hem of my t-shirt and pulled it over my head. He lowered his head to the side of my neck. I felt his sigh against my skin as he kissed. He reached behind me and unclipped my bra, as his mouth travelled over one shoulder, he slid the straps down and it fell to thefloor.
