College Years: 25 By Corbin, corbinforte@yahoo.com How life tests the endurance, patience, and sometimes faith of one young woman. Pre-Story Introduction/Ranting/Venting/Observations... Oh joy, it's strawberry time. Now I love eating strawberries, but every year we have a big 'Come pick your own strawberries' at the farm where I work. I primarily work in the nursery but with most any job you kind of have to be able to perform multiple tasks. I would just be happy tending to the plants in the back and such but I don't mind helping out elsewhere...but that fucking Strawberry event...I have to be on hand to help customers at their beck and call...loading, working the register, all that junk. Some people are very nice but I get sick and tired of the old ladies that come thru..."Oh Corbin, aren't you married yet? I should bring my grandson by, you'd like him". Oh yeah, I would just love that...no thanks grandma! But I just smile and nod, 'That would be sweet'; while I'm really thinking, 'Yeah bring your grandson by and I'll shove a fucking strawberry up his nose and put him in a headlock right before I hip toss him into the duck pond. I'd bet you'd like the sight of that, huh grandma?' I love the owner, although his health isn't so great anymore. I'm his adopted daughter...well not really, but he jokes that I am. His poor son who is divorced at 29 suffers from terrible health problems, he has an adorable little girl, but as I was saying his health is bad and he suffers worse of all from allergies, so severe that he recently had to be hospitalized. I think that's all I'll say on this subject. Working at a Nursery/Farm can be a great workout, although I have to cover up cause I can sometimes be out in the sun for extended periods of time. I love the sweat, dirt and most of all the peace and quiet for hours on end in one of the several Green Houses. Things weren't always peaceful and quiet there, for the first few weeks the guys I worked with didn't know what to make of me...I was stronger then any of them and I think it was just damn awkward for them to concentrate on work with some tall, blonde girl walking about the complex all day. Most of the attention was flattering, but a few had to be set straight...those stories are for another time. Well, I do want to go ahead and tell about the first time something happened...the poor kid. You see, as I indicated I work in the back, but not necessarily alone, my most frequent companion is Mike. Now Mike seemed like a cool enough High School kid I guess, kind of lean and skinny but not totally unattractive, he came in at a hair above 5'8" so I was a couple of inches taller then him. He also had that 70's shaggy haircut going on which is totally retarded looking but I don't want to tell him what to do, he gets enough of that from his parents. So, I would say he is about 16, but let's get on with the point of me bringing him up; within about two weeks he started looking at me funny...like getting a major, MAJOR crush on me. Trying to tell me goofy jokes that were never funny, stuff he did over the weekend, gheesh once he opened up he wouldn't SHUT UP. But I just smiled and nodded while I worked and listened. And then one day, he started to take his shirt off every chance he got...OHHHKAAAYYYY....maybe he was just hot, I don't know, definitely wasn't doing anything for me. Oh shit! I almost forgot this, god this was hilarious...we were sitting down eating lunch in the back when he asked to arm wrestle me. Holy Shit I was ready to pee myself but kept a straight face. Initially I refused... "Chicken!" He taunted and taunted. I knew all of his questions were leading up to something, questions about lifting and working out but that there was no way a girl would beat him. I realize it was just him talking smack, but really now, I'm taller then he is and stronger...evident in the way he groans and struggles to pick up a large bag of mulch or something of the like, and then performs this old man shuffle to the back of a truck while carrying the mulch. I on the other hand, pick the bag up and toss it, pick another up and toss it...while he's gasping and moaning...so now he wants to arm wrestle? I gulp down the last bit of my sandwich and look around, well at least we're alone cause I hate an audience, even if I'm a sure thing. Now this kid looks like he's having his first birthday party as he shoots his arm up onto the table, so now I'm thinking he's just looking for an excuse to hold my hand. Why would that be so exciting? You guys...gheesh...I've got dirt under my fingernails and I'm all sweaty and yucky...but Mike is sitting there all bug- eyed, his right hand muscles tensing nervously. So I neatly fold my unused napkin up and put it back into my insulated lunch bag, (Hey, when you live on my salary you save everything...napkins...you name it, I'm very frugal). So I put my right arm on the table and his eyes start performing this sweeping motion up and down my arm, but real spastic like (what the hell is next? He's going to start salivating?) The comparison was relatively a sad one...I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here...but good grief my forearm was obviously bigger then his bicep. So when I held my hand out I thought he was going to have an orgasm by the way he tensed up and watched his hand close in on mine. Please kid, get a grip, I'm talking an emotional one, so now he touches my hand and we're palm-to-palm, somehow I think this is the real reason he wants to hold my hand...how sweet , and he seems to be enjoying this too much. "You wanna say go?" I sigh as I am now trying to remember if I was suppose to move the new plants outside for Customers to see when they drive up, or is it my turn next week? Mike obviously has no other worries, he is totally focused on his little fantasy and now starting to squeeze my hand hard...little fucker...but I don't let it bother me, he's going for the BIG SHOW and all that so I let him squeeze. "GO!" He says and BAMM!! The back of my hand hits the wooden table. "Well, you win" I say and go to stand up. "Oh come on, you weren't really trying" He complained, but was sort of smiling, as I suspect a part of him was hoping that was the best I had, that he had beat me. "Oh yes I was, you win fair and square." I smiled and picked up my lunch bag, well now I think I might have hurt his pride more by not trying then if I had whipped him. So I set my bag back down and took a seat. "Okay...okay..." I groan and put my arm up, this time he is totally focused on winning...not me or my muscles...just winning. "You say go" He said, his eyes darted nervously up at me then back to his hand. He was making all sorts of little nervous bodily adjustments like he was going to launch his entire being into this effort. "Go" I said half-heartedly, mainly because he was taking this WAY too seriously. Jesus Kid, don't pop a blood vessel as I watched his entire neck and face swell with effort...I put the brakes on just as my arm drifted a couple of inches to my right and immediately brought both our hands back up even. 'Wipe that smile off your face' my subconscious scolded, I didn't even realize I was smiling, how arrogant...but it was kind of funny. His face is red now and I mean heart-attack red, now it's tomato paste red...holy shit where's the phone again? I may have to dial 911 if his heart gives out or he has an aneurism. Okay, I've got my serious game face back on and watching the action (or lack thereof), and I think 'hey! I'm pretty impressed with myself' (gotta understand, before then I can't even remember the last time I arm wrestled someone, I think it was another girl and I shut her down so fast she complained for days about her hand and arm being sore...or some crybaby compliant to the effect that I was playing too hard, whatever!), I'm just holding his hand and have to make a decision, do I end it quickly? Or drag it out to make it look like a good effort on his part? No, no, no, if I drag it out it will only encourage him to test me further...okay, I've made my mind up! THUMP! His entire body sags forward, the sweat pouring off his face as he tries to wet his lips but his gasping dries them out almost right away. But his eyes never leave the crushed noodle of an arm that I just flattened against the top of the picnic table. "Well, gotta get back to work" And I quickly untangle my hand from his and go to the fridge to put my pack away. If he wasn't acting weird before then, he was now, he didn't say much to me all day except he managed to mumble something to the effect of "Gosh, your strong". I was a little worried he might be physically injured...emotionally injured or maybe both. Oh screw it, he asked me and I gave him an out, but that could not prepare me for what happened the next day: I am standing in one of the aisle ways' arranging some bromeliads when all of the sudden I feel him right next to me, to my right as his arms circle around my waist...and THEN! He kisses me on my right cheek! That was a big mistake...don't EVER touch me...try to fondle me...kiss me...without proper entrance visa's pre-approved by ME! So, after my mind flips and I go into 'freak out mode' I am thinking, 'Oh you want to hug me huh?' My right hand shoots between his left bicep and ribs, snaking around his back where I pull him in tight. At this point I think he thought he was going to have some of his affection returned....BZZZZ....WRONG! I twist my body to the left and roll him over my hips...BOING!!!...his feet are now pointing to the ceiling as I bring him up and over. But I'm trying to be careful now; it's a concrete floor with only a little rubber matting, so had I slammed him hard the damage would have been substantial. I also had to control his body some as I didn't want any flailing arms and legs to whack any of my precious plants that lined the greenhouse. "AGGGHHHH" He made this really wimpy yelp as he went over, and fuck this kid needs to eat more...I mean he weighed almost nothing. Okay...back to poor Mike...mission accomplished, he's on his back now as I send my right knee into his gut, I sink it in nice and deep until I hear wind puff from his mouth. But my left and right hands were also working, I folded his left arm over his neck and pressed my left knee into his trapped arm almost choking him, as for his right arm it was trapped under my left shin...I felt the skinny thing twisting and turning but it was good and trapped. "What the fuck is wrong with you Mike?" I blurted out in total shock; I was looking around spastically also to see if anyone saw...looked clear so far. He struggled a little, maybe that was his pride, but it was a sad effort he never stood a chance as I had tied him up pretty well, maybe too well, he was puffing and couldn't talk so I eased up. "Mike?" I leaned down, trying to listen for some response. "Corbin what the hell? Get the fuck off me!" He spat and I could tell he was starting to panic a little. "I'm going to let you up, but calm down okay...okay?" I prayed he wasn't going to have a meltdown and start screaming. "Okay!" He looked like some deer in headlights as I slowly leaned away and took a step back. He rolled over and pushed himself up and appeared very shaken. "Sit down over here" And I helped him over to a stack of pallets where he sat down, "Mike, what got into you?" I kneeled down in front of him as he gasped for air a little. "I...I don't...I thought...It would be okay...I just..." He babbled...he seemed okay but then looked up at me and when his eyes met mine, he lost it, I'm serious the kid broke down and started crying, like sobbing. A.) I don't think he had a serious girl friend at the time, or maybe never had one. B.) I think he really did think it was okay to try and kiss me like that. C.) His pride was wounded that I rejected him. D.) Then what was left of his pride got totally busted when I laid him out flat and he was helpless to do anything about it. "It's okay...shhh..." I didn't know what to do, I just patted him on the back and tried to comfort him until he stopped crying, which he did soon enough thank god. "We had been joking and kidding around and stuff and I thought you liked me" He sighed, the dirt on his face all smudged now as he wiped the tears away. "Mike, oh my..." I shook my head, man-oh-man did he misread the signals; I mean the kid was flying blind. Well, wasn't that exciting! He came around eventually but thank god he looks at me as a big Sister now and not some object of affection. At least if he does, he hides it well, he knows better then to try any funny stuff again. He even brags to his friends that I smashed him in arm-wrestling...what gives with that? Like he's proud of it...or proud of me? Who knows? I'm just trying to remember what day of the week it is and if I'm scheduled to do anything up front???? 25 The following conversation actually took place...I wasn't there, but do know many of the details, however I decided to have some fun with it and am going to tell it the way *I* picture everything playing out. This is typical of the way my dear friend Sharon operates...so here goes! Kevin sat across from Sharon, watching as she pulled out a small writing pad, "Sharon, don't you think this is..." She looked up and snapped, "What?" "This all seems a bit on the formal side that's all" He shrugged leaning forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "Are we alone?" She asked. "Yeah, we have the whole house to ourselves" Kevin sighed. "Okay, here is the deal, and I don't want any interruptions until I'm finished!" She said in a stern manner, to which he simply nodded. "First, you need to select a very nice place to stay for two nights...TWO!" She held up her left hand extending two fingers, "Second, you have between now and then to get tested at the School Clinic, because before we sleep together you have to have a clean bill of health that includes a test for AIDS and these other diseases..." "No fucking way!" Kevin bolted to his feet; "If you think that I am going down there and asking to be tested for AIDS or anything else you're out of your mind" Kevin was waving his arms in front of him frantically. Sharon uncrossed her legs and closed her small notepad, leaning over to put it into her purse. "Where are you going?" Kevin looked at her a little dumfounded. "It's over" Sharon sighed calmly. "What? That was it?" Kevin stared at her perplexed, yet a sigh of relief overcame him that he had stood up to her and Sharon was backing down. "No, you and I, we're thru Kevin, don't ever call me again, speak to me and don't be surprised if you and you're little frat brothers never see another social again" Sharon smiled and slipped her purse over her left shoulder. "Wait...hold on...WHAT THE FUCK! That's it! Your throwing months of dating and everything out the window like this!" Kevin stammered, his face becoming red with irritation, "I don't believe this shit!" Kevin paced the floor, running his fingers thru his hair. He definitely didn't see this coming, this girl wanted to sleep with him one minute and the next is dumping him like a smelly trash bag. "We'll believe it knucklehead, you want to sleep with me, well it's not going to be a free ride. You have some major hoops to jump thru, not just you but any man that wants to be with me. Either you abide by my requests or we don't play" Sharon bolted for the door, her long strong legs covered the distance and Kevin scurrying to run after her. Sharon already had her right foot out the door when he was right behind her, his right hand grabbing her left forearm, "Sharon stop!" Sharon paused and raised her eyebrows looking down at where he was grabbing her, "Sorry" He said and pulled his hand back. "Please, let's talk about this!" "When you're ready to follow thru on MY needs, then we'll talk" with that, Sharon spun around and scurried down the steps of the Frat house and towards her car. She heard the door slam behind and she smiled to herself knowing he would come crawling back, begging for it. And sure enough...two nights later... "So, let's try this again" Sharon pulled her notepad out and crossed her legs, she clicked her pen and began writing... "Now, First item, the reservations at the resort, which I want to be a surprise" She looked up at him; "Done" he said. "Good, now second, the clinic appointment?" "I go tomorrow" He sighed. "Third, if you discuss our weekend getaway with any of your retarded Frat Brothers, we're thru, understand?" Sharon glared up at him. "I got it" He sighed in a frustrated tone. "Hey, watch the attitude" Sharon snapped clenching the pen as if she might use it to stab him or something. "Sorry" He growled and looked away. God he was furious, but Sharon was so hot and beautiful that even when they were fighting his dick got hard...like now. "Fourth, you had better study up on love making because I am expecting an orgasm the first time out of the gate here." Sharon looked at him seriously and he realized she wasn't kidding. "Wh...wha...what?" He stuttered, "You must be kidding! I can't operate under this kind of pressure!" He was sitting on the edge of the couch now and clenching his hands together frantically. "Well..." Sharon sighed and she pulled up the hem of her dress on her left leg until it had slid up mid thigh, her smooth toned legs seemed to stretch out forever as her calve muscles bunched up when she stretched out her left leg into the air, "...I guess you'll just miss out on what it will feel like to have these wrapped around you" and she pulled up her skirt on her right leg, then sensually crossed her left over her right, giving him a quick flash of the crotch of her pink panties. 'Oh my god' he sighed internally, his eyes riveted, and he nervously ran his right hand over his forehead, appalled at the fact he was now sweating as his heart pounded in his chest, "Ohhkkkay" He groaned with lust, "I'll...I'll do what ever you want" He groaned. "That's my boy" Sharon smiled and continued making notes. "Now, what...what about...what about you?" He nervously uttered. "Well, I started my birth control pills two weeks ago, so I have to wait a little bit before they take effect, just to be sure you know, which is fine because our little trip is still a month off" She looked over her notes and was sure they covered everything. Leaning over to her left, Sharon stuffed the pad into her purse and stood up, straightening out a few wrinkles in her floral skirt. She slowly walked over to where he sat and pushed down on his shoulder when he went to stand, "Stay" She smiled and placed a knee on the outside of his thighs straddling his lap. "Okay Tiger, don't you worry, it will get here soon enough" Sharon leaned over and kissed him on the lips. "You're the virgin and yet I'm the one that's nervous! That's messed up" He shook his head, looking up at her beautiful face, knowing that behind those now tender blue eyes was a hurricane of scathing abuse waiting to be unleashed if you ever crossed her path. "What's wrong?" Sharon paused looking down as he suddenly got this distracted look. "I have one more request" He said in a feeble voice. "What?" Her voice stern as if he had some balls to ask anything of her. "It's only fair, you see, that if I am going to get tested, so should you" Kevin stiffened, waiting for her reaction. "Hmm, interesting" Sharon climbed off him and paced the room, at first she was a little pissed, but decided to probe his reasoning before blowing her top. "Now what makes you think *I* should be tested when *I* have never had sex" Sharon stopped and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, I mean, come on Sharon, it's just that you don't have to have actual intercourse to catch something...right?" He scooted to the end of the couch, trying to put on his best face of compassion. "But, but don't take that wrong, not that I am worried about you at all, but it just got me thinking about being extra careful, that's all" and he shrugged. "Well, okay...I have no problem with that, I'll come back with the cleanest blood work that clinic will ever see, so I'm not worried" Sharon smiled. And there you go! Sharon's tough but fair, that's my girl!