Adrianne Byrd - A Christmas Affair

December 16, 1998
Dear Diary,

Tonight I, Corona Mae Banks, became a woman.

We did it. I cant believe it, but we finally did it. After dating since the seventh grade, Lyfe Alton and I have finally done it. Im no longer a girl but a woman. I wonder if everyone is going to notice a difference in me tomorrow. You know that they say that women walk differently after theywell, you know. (LOL) Anyway, I know that you want all the detailsand its not like Id ever hide anything from you. So let me set the scene. As you know, Mom and Daddy headed out to Lagrange for Uncle Garys hoedown Christmas party. Theyve been planning on it for weeks. Well, that left me to babysit Tess (like always). Once I got her to stop bumping her gums, and to actually go to sleep, I called Lyfe over. Let me tell you, he must have been circling the place because he was here in like three minutes flat.

It was still enough time for me to get a fire going in the fireplace, put the radio on the Quiet Stormthats the program where they play nothing but slow jamsand sneak out one of Daddys beers for him and one of Mommas wine coolers for me. When Lyfe tapped on the back sliding-glass door, I almost didnt hear him. But when I turned to see his tall frame (hes now six-four, can you believe it?) standing back there with snow flurries in his head, my heart melted. His shoulders looked like they were expanding a half an inch every day and theres just something about his milk-chocolate skin that makes me want to lick him every time I see him.

Hes soooo fineI swear that he could be a model or actor instead of a farmer. Heck. He could even be an architect. Ive seen a lot of his drawings. Hes really talented. He could really get out and see the world. I know thats what I want to do.

But a farmer? I still cant believe thats what he wants, but its what his father does and he loves and admires his father. That breaks my heart just a little bit because that means hell never leave Thomason, Georgia.

Whats worse is that hed want me to stay here with him. Dont get me wrong, I love Lyfealways have and always willbut I cant wait for the day I leave this Mayberry-wannabe town. All Id have to look forward to would be jarring peach preserves, milking cows and birthing a whole village of babies. I mean, cmon, Lyfe is the youngest of six. SIX!

Dont get me wrong. I now know that making seven babies with Lyfe will be ratherwonderful. *Sigh*

Okay. Im getting ahead of myself. I was telling you about how our whole evening went down. First, I let my Boo into the house and then immediately took him over to the nice spot I had arranged in front of the fireplace. There, he asked a few questions about how it was putting up with my Energizer Bunny sister and when I started answering him, he started nibbling on my ear.

Ooh, honey. That tickles. I giggled, but snuggled closer.

Lyfe responded by gathering me closer. Soon after, his lips stopped tickling and started feeling more like paradise. Theres this spot just at the juncture of my neck and collarbone that isgiiiiiirrrrl. My toes are curling just thinking about it.

Before I know it, were butt-naked and lying down on my fathers God-awful bearskin rug. Well, at least it was soft. I cant say the same thing for Lyfe. (LOL)

My Boo was hard all over. And at his height, thats a lot of hard chocolate.

But Diary, he is soooo beautiful. His body deserves to be sculpted in granite and shown at all the major art museums for the world to just marvel at. Meanwhile, Im the only woman who gets to feel the real deal. And let me tell you. Its something to behold. And he smells so damn goodand clean. Hes not loaded down with cologne or aftershave. He just smells like Ivory soap. Who knew that that could be a turn on?

Are you sure that you want to do this? Lyfe asked. It was an awkward question to ask now that he had made it all the way to third base. Any other guy, particularly his older brothers, would act first and talk secondor just skip the talking all together.

This was it.

The big moment.

He was naked.

I was naked. But suddenly there was this massive lump in the center of my throat and I couldnt get any words out. To say, yes, meant that I couldnt turn back.

At my silence, he quickly added, I meanI completely understand if youve changed your mind.

I heard what he was saying but his eyes and body were practically begging for me not to change my mind. I smiled up at him. Are you nervous?

What? Who? Me? he squeaked.

My lips stretched wider as I grew more relaxed. Yeahyou.

No. Of course not. Dont be silly, his voice squeaked so high this time that it cracked. He quickly coughed to cover it up, but the damage had already been done.

I struggled but I didnt laugh. Actually, I kind of like it that youre a little nervous.

You do? he asked, astonished.

I nodded. Im nervous, tooand since this is our first time, why not be nervous together?

A corner of Lyfes lips hitched up and a good number of my butterflies settled down.

Why not? He turned his head and pressed a kiss against the palm of my hand before meeting my gaze with the same intensity I leveled on him.