Jo Lee tapped on the door to signal it was okay for Ann to come out. "He's asleep on the couch. If he wakes up, I'll tell him you went to bed early."

"Thanks." Ann gave her not-so-little sister a hug and slipped out the front door to meet Rick.

It was her first Homecoming date. Rick knew Ann's worn winter coat wouldn't keep her warm sitting in the cold, damp bleachers. He brought a wool blanket they could wrap up in to fight off the cold.

Rick scribbled notes of the game's action, which were mostly about Tank Johnson. His hands were so cold his fingers could hardly hold a pen steady enough to write. Only Ann's face was exposed, and her nose was beet red.

The halftime was shortened because the cold temperature froze up the valves in some of the instruments. The Homecoming Queen and her court braved the weather in their formal evening gowns for a quick crowning ceremony then fled to the sidelines for their warm blankets.

The game wasn't a contest, forcing Rick to write up the touchdown clinic Tank put on for the visiting college coaches. As soon as the final whistle sounded, he and Ann headed for the exit.

The family car, a 1947 Fleetline Chevrolet, felt like a refrigerator. Ann kept the blanket wrapped around her even with the heater blowing full force. The ride to the gymnasium for the dance was too short for the car to get very warm.

Rick beamed at Ann and pressed her snugly against him as they danced in the darkest corner of the gym. Her nose was back to its natural color and the feeling had returned to their numb fingers.

"You should have been crowned Homecoming Queen tonight. You're prettier than any of those stuck-up girls."

Ann laughed. "I'm not in any click." She snuggled even closer to Rick. "And n.o.body ever wins who isn't miss popularity," she whispered in his ear, making his body shiver.

After a few dances, they sat down. Rick wanted to check his notes of the big game and half-time crowning of the new Homecoming Queen for the next issue of the Railroader while it was still fresh in his mind.

"It was too cold to be parading around out there tonight in a formal," Ann said. "You might as well be walking around naked."

"Too bad it wasn't a more exciting game. Thirty-four points in the first half was too one-sided, even if we were winning. Everybody knows you always pick the weakest team on the schedule for homecoming."

"How can you say that? Tank Johnson ran wild against Fair Grove. He scored four touchdowns and kicked two field goals. I think that's pretty exciting, and I heard there were some college scouts there to watch him play."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. Not only do I have to write about his great game, I have to listen to him brag about it all week about the college scouts fighting over him.

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy in there somewhere?" Ann teased.

"He's a good player, I'll give him that. But off the field, he's a real jerk. If you think he's so great you should hear some of the things he's said about you," Rick said in a terse tone.

"What could he possibly say about me? He doesn't even know I exist," Ann shot back.

"Oh yes he does and he just does it to get my goat. He thinks he can get away with anything because he's such a football hero. His big-shot daddy runs the Shops and most of what goes on in this town." Rick's sarcasm gave way to a smile. "He's going to get his comeuppance one of these days, and I want to be there to see it."

Ann scooted her chair closer to Rick's. "Read me what you've got written so far."

"'The merciless slaughter continued in the second half,'" Rick read. "'The Railroaders were ahead sixty-two to six with the ball on Fair Grove's twenty-yard line. There was less than a minute on the scoreboard clock, and it looked like they could score again.'"

Ann giggled and held onto Rick's arm.

Rick shook his head. "I don't understand why Coach Marshal didn't clear the bench and play everybody. He ran up the score to make Tank and himself look good in front of the scouts."

"Sounds like reason enough to me," Ann said.

"'There was a bad exchange from center on the next play,'" Rick continued reading. Quarterback T.R. Queen fell on the loose ball. Tank immediately called time out with only fifteen seconds left in the game.'" Rick had placed a large exclamation point after that line in his notebook. "I couldn't believe it," Rick growled. "Why didn't he just let the clock run out?"

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"If I don't get it out of my system now, I might write it up like that in the paper."

Rick went back to reading his notes. "'Everyone knew when Tank came over to the sidelines and talked to Coach Marshal, waving his arms and pointing toward Fair Grove's goal post, they were going to go for it. Tank rejoined the huddled team to give them the play. Steam rose like a low cloud above the huddle, seeping out from around the player's necks and through the ear holes of their helmets.

"'They broke from the huddle and ambled to the line of scrimmage. The Railroaders lined up for a field goal attempt. The standing room only crowd leapt to its feet, cheering as Tank's kick sailed just inside the left upright. The PA announcer led the hysterical fans counting the clock down, "Four . . . three . . . two . . . one!" The Bankstowne Railroaders had set an all-time school scoring record in beating Fair Grove sixty-five to six!'"

Rick slammed his notepad shut. "This is making me sick," he said, making a gagging noise. "I'll finish it over the weekend. Let's have some fun now that we're thawed out."

Rick took Ann's hand and danced her slowly around their dark corner to In the Mood, the revived music of Glenn Miller from the recent movie, The Glenn Miller Story. It was the perfect background music, intensifying feelings welling up inside the young couple on a special night.

"It feels so good being here with you," Ann purred, resting her head against Rick's shoulder.

Loud voices and cheers erupted in the middle of the dance floor.

"Would you look at that," Rick said. "They're mobbed around Tank like he was some kind of movie star."

Ann nudged him. "As editor of the school paper, don't you think you should go over and add your congratulations?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I'll be back in a minute."

"Oh no you don't. I'm going with you."

They worked their way through the crowd to the inner circle around Tank.

"Well, if it isn't the little man with the notebook. How'd I do tonight? Think you'll have enough ink to print the game I played?" Tank chided. "If you weren't able to get all the details down, I can help you out Monday in homeroom."

"Don't worry, I got it all down. One question though, why didn't you let the clock run out instead of adding a cheap field goal at the end?"

"Are you kidding? We still had time to score. That's the name of the game, little man. Every play is designed to score, and we just about did that tonight," Tank boasted. "I just couldn't pa.s.s up one last chance to put more points on the board. How many high school football players do you know that have scored sixty-five points in one game? Most don't score that many in four years. Do you think that those college scouts were paying attention?" Tank smirked, turning his attention to Ann.

"To bad Fair Grove spoiled your perfect game by scoring a touchdown," Rick said. "Says more about the character of that team than kicking a field goal with seven seconds left when you're ahead by fifty-six points."

Rick and Ann turned to leave, sensing the crowd was getting hostile to his att.i.tude.

"Don't rush off, little man. Why not ask your girlfriend how she liked the game. What about it Ann, do you think I did wrong kicking that last field goal?"

Ann shrank away from Tank, but the crowd had moved in to make it difficult for her and Rick to just walk away. "I guess it was okay. Coach called the play, didn't he?"

"There you have it, little man. Even your girlfriend agrees with me. Guess that makes it unanimous," Tank said, putting his arm around Ann, quickly kissing her hard on the lips. She tried to turn her head and push him away, but he was much too strong. Rick lunged at Tank but was held back by Tanks circle of friends.

When Ann tried to turn her face away from him, Tank held her head tight between his strong hands. He swabbed her ear with his tongue and said, "A pretty girl like you can do better than a guy like him." He pressed Ann against him with his ma.s.sive arms before releasing her back to Rick with a shove. "If you need to leave early to write up your game report, I'll be glad to take Ann home for you." Tank threw his head back, laughing. He blew Ann a kiss before returning to his crowd of friends.

Rick pulled Ann through the crowded dance floor to get their coats. "Let's go. I can't stand being in the same room with that creep. Did he hurt you?"

"No, and we shouldn't let him ruin our night. Let's stay a little longer, at least for one more dance before we go."

"And have to put up with that jerk cutting in to make a fool of me again? No thanks. Unless you'd rather take him up on his offer."

"I can't believe you even asked me that. You're right, let's get out of here while we're still speaking to each other."

The car was as silent as a graveyard all the way to Wink's Barbeque.

"Two hamburgers, a large order of fries and two c.o.kes," Rick snapped at the curb hop then turned to Ann. "I'm sorry, but he really gets under my skin. I wanted to kill him when he grabbed you and kissed you. He thinks he can-"

Ann's lips covered Rick's before he could finish the sentence. The bulge in the crotch of his kakis fought to free itself when her tongue explored his mouth and her firm young breast pressed against him.

"Did you want catsup with these fries?" The curb hop interrupted their pa.s.sionate making out when he hung the tray on the door.

"Uh, sure. Fries aren't any good without catsup," Rick said after taking a gasp of air. He paid the curb hop, giving him a generous twenty-five cent tip.

Ann leaned over again, rubbing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against him, "I'm not hungry. Let's take the food and go," she said, caressing his ear.

Rick didn't need more motivation than that. They took their food and were on the road in a minute.

Ann's right hand worked its way inside the front of his kakis and grasped his swollen c.o.c.k while he tried to keep the car on his side of the yellow centerline.

Rick turned off the headlights and parked a safe distance from the apartment house. He grabbed their game blanket, and they crept quietly around the building, down to Carnes' barn.

It was colder now than at the game. The old barn provided little protection from the frigid air, but they didn't feel anything but the warmth of hot blood pumping through their bodies.

"Let's get under the blanket before we freeze." He threw Bossie's old blanket on the straw-covered floor, the same one they'd covered her father with. Rick wrapped the other blanket around Ann. She had already started removing her blouse. Rick awkwardly unhooked Ann's bra with shaking hands and caressed her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s while she lowered his slacks. Their lips searched for each other's pleasure points.

"On my neck. There. That's it," Ann moaned. Her body quivered. She pulled Rick down on top of her and spread her legs then guided him with her hand.

"Are you okay?" Rick asked, his breathing heavy.

When Ann nodded, he thrust into her. Her pain washed away in a wave of emotion that surged through her body. She shrieked in response to violent thrusts that almost bounced Rick off her. His hungry lips found her nipples as she arched her back to press them hard against his mouth. Rick responded to her writhing body by pumping against her thrusts with all his energy. Ann moaned softly and continued undulating her hips even after Rick had unloaded all his pent up desires.

All was quiet, and the blanket that only moments before rose and fell like angry waves crashing on a beach at high tide was calm as if the tide had ebbed out to sea. Two exhausted bodies lay entwined, seeking each other's warmth.

Piercing the blackness surrounding them, a white shaft of light found its way through the partially-open door to cast a silhouette of the two young lovers against the barn wall.

"I wish we could stay here forever," Ann whispered into Rick's ear while pressing her still-tingling body against his.

Only then did the lovers begin to feel the cold night air as it crept beneath the blanket.

Chapter 5.

"As the houses sprang up, street lights lined the newly paved streets. Running water and indoor plumbing: all the modern conveniences a man could hope for . . ."

The big move "These rooms are certainly large," Mary Beth said to Miss Gobble, their prospective landlord. "The boys will finally have their own room to stretch out in."

Roy was more interested in whether the bathroom was heated or not.

When they reached the end of a long, center hall, Mary Beth said, "Look Roy, the bathroom has a kerosene heater. I guess it will be taking you longer to bathe and get ready for supper now."

Roy smiled and nodded in agreement, pleased to see her so excited about the house. The new house was only a half block from school. The boys wouldn't have to get up as early. "Do we need to fill out an application or put down a deposit?" Mary Beth said. "Your word is good enough for me. You work at the Shops, don't you, Mr. Barnes?" Miss Gobble asked, wiping drool from her chin. "I'll just need a month's rent in advance. It looks like you have two good helpers to keep the soot washed off the house. I require that of my renters."

"Of course," Mary Beth a.s.sured her, handing Miss Gobble forty-five dollars in wrinkled bills from her purse.

"Soot washed off the house indeed," Mary Beth fumed as Roy drove back to the apartment. "If you wash the soot off that old house it will fall apart. That's all that's holding it together."

"Now, Mary Beth, you know she was just testing us to see what kind of renters we'll be. And she's right, we do have two good helpers to wash the soot off, don't we, boys? That's easier than picking up coal every evening. Just be glad the house isn't white." Roy chuckled at his rare attempt at humor. "The imitation brick siding won't show dirt too bad, but your mother will need some help bringing the clothes in off the line when those old engines start blowing black smoke and soot while waiting to get into the roundhouse. Having your own room and only a half-block to walk to school isn't too bad a trade-off for hosing down the house once in a while and helping bring in a few clothes off the line, is it, boys?"

It was a good tradeoff for everyone but Rick. He was in no hurry to move across town from Ann and not be able to be with her every day. He even looked forward to gathering coal in the evenings just so they could be together. Early nightfall provided a cover of darkness for their pa.s.sionate love sessions under the blanket they'd hidden at Carnes' barn for the cold winter nights.

Chapter 6.

"He was so proud of that achievement, he gave it his name in the hope it would grow as one big Coastline Railway family."

December 1955 The Barnes family had settled into the larger house on the opposite side of town from the rail yard and the old apartment building. Everyone was excited about having more s.p.a.ce and a warm bathroom, except Rick. He was too far away from Ann. Not being able to see her every day strained their relationship. There was never enough time to talk at school, and their meetings after school at the drugstore hangout had become sporadic.

"Where've you been?" Rick asked as Ann came into the drugstore. "I've been waiting here for over an hour."

Ann avoided Rick's stare. She slumped into the booth where they'd met every day after school since Rick moved.

Staring down at her white knuckled hands, she said, "I had to stay after cla.s.s to make up some work in Algebra."

"Are you okay? You don't look too good."

"It's nothing. Daddy was in one of his moods last night and I didn't get my homework done. Mrs. Andersen let me make it up after school, that's all."

"Your hair's a mess and your clothes are all rumpled. I've never seen you like this," Rick said.

She was always neatly dressed and took good care of her appearance even if her clothes were sometimes a little old and worn.

Ann was una.s.sumingly beautiful, just over five foot three with velvet skin unspoiled by makeup. She was voluptuous and fully developed as a young woman. But she didn't fit in with the click of senior girls who ruled the halls of Bankstowne High.

But Rick feared losing Ann. Since homecoming, Tank hadn't stopped taunting him about how he could have her anytime he wanted.

Unknown to Rick, Tank continued to flirt with Ann after homecoming giving her rides when Rick was busy putting the Railroader together after school.

"Has Tank been bothering you?" Rick asked.

"I said I'm fine," she snapped. "I had to rush out this morning before daddy got up and didn't have time to iron my clothes and fix my hair."