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"So where did you used to go at night with your

boyfriends in West Virginia: old coal mines?" "Sometimes," I said, even though the very thought of going into a coal mine at night was terrifying. I didn't want him to think I wasn't as

experienced or as sophisticated as the girls here. He brought his glass to his lips and urged me to

bring mine to my lips. "Keeps you warm inside," he

promised. I drank some more. "Was the sky as

beautiful at night in West Virginia?"

"Yes."

,,But you didn't have the ocean. The ocean

makes the sky look better, doesn't it?" He moved

closer, putting his arm around my waist. I looked at

the sky where it merged with the horizon. The water

was glimmering and the stars did seem brighter than

ever, some actually twinkling on the water. He

nudged my cheek with his nose and kissed me softly

on the neck.

A flow of warmth rushed down over my

shoulders to my breasts. Nervous, I drank some more.

Then I pulled a little away from him.

"I like this song," I said. "Don't you?" "What? Oh, yeah." He reached for the bottle of

vodka and refilled my glass. "Feels good, right?" "Yes."

"Let's see, this time we'll toast to . . the end of

school. May it come quickly and put me out of pain." He clinked my glass again. "Quick, drink or we won't get our wish," he urged. I took a long sip and thought

this time the vodka was a lot stronger.

"I thought you were a good studious--I mean

student," I said.

He laughed. "I do all right. Adam Jackson does

just enough to make his father happy with his grades,"

he bragged.

"Isn't your father a lawyer'?" I asked him. "Yeah, but don't worry. I won't sue you if we

don't have a good time tonight."