I caught Ed looking at the bungee cord. I saw the near predatory look cross his face as we secured the bed my parents had given us in the back of his truck.

It was hot out, at least 95 in the sun, but a cold prickle raced up my neck and caused my scalp to tingle.

“Got it over there?” he asked, his voice level.

I tested the cord and nodded. “It won’t go anywhere.”

We walked hand in hand to the backyard to thank my parents and say good-bye, and then I followed him back to the truck. The entire time my mind raced, remembering that look on his face and wondering if I’d made it up.

He rested his big hand on my thigh the whole way home. His thumb made sweeping motions against the denim. Occasionally, he’d squeeze, and once he let his hand... Read More