The Adventures of Josie

Josie walked by the dorms, past the rec and to the smoking section. She sat on her usual bench and looked at the bench across from hers. Brian and Jerome. Jerome! He’d been gone for weeks. They both just sat on the bench, not saying anything so Josie lit a cigarette and broke the silence.

“Jerome, where you been?”

“Got a vacation thanks to your friend Brian.” Jerome said, while glaring at Brian.

“For a month and a half?” Josie asked incredulously. She’d heard of suspensions for fighting but they only went for a week at most.

“That’s cause I’m black.” Jerome said. Josie laughed; African Americans were the dominant race at job corps. Even the staff. And Jerome was only half black.

“Wasn’t there something you had to say to Josie?” Brian said, elbowing Jerome in his side harder than necessary.

“Yeah. I’m sorry I called you a slut.” Jerome said quickly.

“And?” Brian prompted.

“And I will no longer repeat what anyone tells me about you.” he finished.

“Very good!” Brian said, patting Jerome on the back. Jerome said nothing but shot Brian a dirty look. Josie flicked her butt towards the giant ashtray and watched it bounce off the side and roll away. She sighed.

“Hey Jerome, don’t you have stuff to move?”

“Fuck you Brian.” Jerome said, standing and walking away.

“What was that about?” Josie asked when Jerome was out of hearing distance.

“Mr. K wasn’t stupid enough to leave us both in the same room after the fight so Jerome has to move to another wing. Lets go for a walk.” he said, standing. Josie stood and smiled when he didn’t grab her arm. They walked down the stairs to the road and crossed it. They walked past the cement masonry building to the P&D/CNA building and went down the stairs to the P&D entrance in the back of the building. Brian took her hand and gently tugged her around the corner so they were out of view from anyone who might be looking.

“I thought you weren’t going to pull me anymore?”

“I’m not pulling; I’m guiding you.” he said, stopping. He pulled Josie into his arms and kissed her. “Whats wrong?” he asked when she pulled away a few seconds later.

“Mr. K was asking questions today.”

“What kind of questions?”

“All kinds… Like what the fuck is going on?”

“Mr. K asked ‘what the fuck’ was going on?”

“Well, not in those words but I want to know what the fuck is going on.”

“I don’t know Josie. You’ve been completely off limits to me since your 4th day, and yesterday and today have been fucking great but who knows whats going to happen tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow we have breakfast and then after class we have the GED test.”

“So after 7am nothing happens. But you know that wasn’t what I meant.” he said.

“Yeah. I know exactly what you meant.” Josie said softly. It wasn’t anything serious and it was fast going no where good. Josie looked away. Suddenly she realized how horrible things had gotten. She actually cared. She felt disappointed that he didn’t want something more with her; something permanent. She took a deep breath, put a smile on her face and turned back to Brian. “Dinner is gonna start soon. We should go.”

“Not yet.” Brian said, grabbing her hand to keep her from walking away. “We’ve only been here a few minutes. Dinner can wait.” he continued, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her stiffen. “Just tell me to let you go and I will.” he felt her relax so he continued. “You’re so innocent.” he stated.

“I’m not that innocent.” she said resting her head on his shoulder.

“None of that matters Josie. Everything that happened is in the past and its going to stay there. Besides, that’s completely different; different situation, different lifetime, different experiences. I probably shouldn‘t have ever touched you.”

“Why are you touching me then?”

“Because I can.” he said. Josie pulled back to glare at him but his lips were suddenly on hers. After a moment he slowly slid his hands down her back to her ass. She stiffened again. “You’re so uninformed and inexperienced” He said smiling “I kind of like that.” Josie pulled away.

“Brian, I don’t understand. You don’t want to touch me but then, you won’t stop and -”

“I never said I didn’t want to touch you.” Brian interrupted. “I said I shouldn’t have. I happen to like touching you.”

“Then why shouldn’t you?” she asked, lighting a cigarette.

“Like I said, you’re inexperienced.”

“That’s easily changed.” she said.

“No.”

“No?” Josie questioned.

“No.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I won’t go any further and I won’t let anyone else touch you.”

“Funny.” Josie said.

“It isn’t a joke.” Brian replied.

“You’ve done nothing but confuse me.”

“Good. Lets go to dinner.”

Dinner went as usual; Brian on one end of the table, Josie on the other. Lisa and Jackie had already eaten but Chris, Jay and Joe had also come in late since they had been trying to beat Chris’ game. After dinner they all went up the hill for a cigarette. Chris, Jay and Joe went back to their game when they were done smoking while Brian and Josie just sat on their benches. People were still going to dinner and leaving so there were other “co workers” around so Brian didn’t even try talking to Josie. She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. They sat in silence for about 15 minutes before Josie had had enough. She got up and went to her room. Lisa and Jackie would be there and if not, at least Josie could have some alone time.

The room was empty when Josie arrived so she took a shower and put on her pajamas. She listened to music for a while then put on her coat and went outside for a cigarette. She sat on the curb across the street from the benches and lit a cigarette.

“Leopard print PJs, Josie? Very sexy.” someone whispered.

“Fucking Christ Nick. Leave me alone.”

“Hmm? No wonder why you didn’t remember.”

“Remember what?” Josie asked. She waited for a response but got none so she turned around, he was once again gone. Josie mentally shrugged. If it had been important she would have known what he was talking about. A few minutes later Mike sat down next to her.

“Leopard?” Mike asked.

“Yup.” Josie replied.

“You’re weird.”

“So I’ve been told.” she said and that was the end of the conversation. Josie stood up, started walking, took a last drag of her cigarette and threw the butt.

“Miss Reynolds, that wouldn’t be your cigarette butt a few feet away still smoking, would it?” Josie cringed, then turned around to face Mr. K and the punishment she was sure to get.

“It sure is Mr. K. I just saw her throw it.” Mike said.

“I don’t believe I asked you, Mr. Mitchell. And nobody likes a snitch. Miss Reynolds follow me.” He said, walking away. Josie followed and got more nervous by the second. Usually he just handed her a bag and went on his way. But not today. Josie thought she was going to be restricted to her room again but Mr. K just walked right by the dorms and around to the office entrance. She followed him in and he brought her to a door. He opened it to reveal a closet. He pulled out a vacuum cleaner and plugged it in. “Just vacuum the hallway.” he said.

“That’s it?” Josie asked incredulously.

“You’d like a worse punishment?”

“No, this is good.” she said.

“I’ll be in my office. Let me know when you’re done.” Josie turned on the vacuum and went to work. The hall was about 30 feet long and she had to stop a few times to unplug the vacuum and move it to another plug since the cord was short. Soon, she was finished and she went to Mr. K’s office.

“I’m all done.” she said from the doorway.

“Leopard print?” he asked looking up from his desk.

“Yup.” she said. “Why didn’t I have to pick up butts?”

“I suppose I decided to be nice since its December and you’re wearing pajamas.” he said, standing. He took several papers from his desk, put them in a folder and put them in the out box on his door. He turned the light off and locked the door.

“Whats with that folder?” Josie asked.

“Student evaluations. Are you going back outside or to your room?”

“My room.”

“You can use the elevator then.” he said holding the hallway door open for her. He walked to the elevator and pushed the button. The door opened and they got on. He hit the button for the third floor and the doors closed. “Good night Miss Reynolds. Good luck with your GED.”

“Night Mr. K.” she said. The doors opened and she stepped off the elevator. She went to her room and Jackie was still out; probably in Lisa’s room. Josie took off her coat and brushed her teeth before climbing into bed.