Memories For Sale

2. Teenage Love

Teenage Love

Washington, D.C., December 2027

Megan stretched up and gave Justin a peck on the cheek. Then she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the front door.

"And where do you think you're going?" Her father's voice rang out from near the bottom of the steps.

She turned, face all smiles. Her father was standing at the bottom of the steps with his hand on the railing. "To the mall, Dad. Pentagon City."

"What's so important at the mall? What's wrong with Union Station or Georgetown?"

"Nothing that a few hundred dollars wouldn't cure," Megan said.

Her father laughed. "I guess so, but you're not getting a few hundred dollars; in fact, you're not getting fifty dollars. You've already received your allowance for the month, and you'll get nothing more until Christmas."

"That's why we're going to the mall," she said, then grabbed hold of Justin again and turned back toward the door. "How did I know that would be your answer?"

"Because you're smart," her father said. "What time are you coming home?"

She sighed, an exasperated sound. "Eleven," she said. "And yes, I know the rules: don't talk to strangers and don't tell anyone who I am."

"You're correct. Those are the rules."

"I know I'm correct. I know the rules."

"Good, then you know to take Dustyn or Dennis with you."

"No way, Dad. I'm fine. I don't need a bodyguard."

"You need what I say you need," he said, and pulled a phone out of his pocket and dialed.

"Dustyn, it’s Ellis. Megan and Justin are going out. She'll need to be accompanied."

"Yes, sir," Dustyn said. "Right on it."

"They're leaving now for the Pentagon City Mall. Make sure someone goes with them and make sure she doesn't lose you. It doesn't have to be you, but someone."

Dustyn raised his voice while he gestured to Dennis, a signal to get moving. "Yes, sir. Megan and Justin, Pentagon City Mall. Yes, sir. Dennis is leaving now."

"And why am I leaving now?" Dennis asked, after Dustyn had hung up the phone.

"Because it's your turn," Dustyn said, then laughed. "Have fun."

Dennis checked that his gun was secure in the holster, then headed for the door."

Dennis tailed Justin closely, turning when Justin did and keeping pace when he sped up. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he was following him. They could have taken the metro.

"He's right behind us," Justin said, and laid his hand on her thigh.

Megan turned in her seat and looked behind her. Sure enough, there was Dennis in his black SUV, not a hundred feet behind them. "Son of a b***h, he makes me mad," she said.

"Who? Dennis or your father?"

"Both of them, I guess. They should respect my privacy."

Justin laughed. "You can forget privacy, girl. You're not getting any of that. At least not anytime soon. Not for three more years at least."

"And it's getting worse," Megan said. "We can't even make out without somebody peeking over our shoulders."

Justin shrugged. "I know. That part really sucks. I almost s**t that night we were at Rock Creek and Dustyn knocked on the window just as I pulled your top down."

Megan laughed. "You almost s**t. What do you think I did? I wonder if he ever told Dad?"

"Your dad never said anything?"

Megan shook her head. "Not a word. Maybe Dustyn is more discreet than we thought."

"I hope so," Justin said. He let his hand creep upward. “Because I intend to push the limits.”

Megan grabbed hold of his wrist and tossed his arm aside. “Keep your hands on the steering wheel,” she said. “You don’t know how bad my dad can be about stuff like this.”

“Point made,” Justin said. "I know I don't want to get on the bad side of your dad."

"Come on," Megan said. “You know I’m kidding. He's a pussycat. You don't know him like I do."

"If you say so. But if that’s the case, then why the brush-off?”

“Maybe I’m not ready? Did you ever think of that?”

“I thought about it, but I dismissed it as nonsense. You want to do it as much as I do. I can tell.”

Megan laughed. “You think so, huh? Well, get your mind out of the gutter and see if you can ditch them," Megan said.

"No way. I might risk copping a feel, but I’m not risking ditching them. It'll be my ass if I try and both of our asses if I succeed."

"Just as well," Megan said. "I doubt if you'd have lost them anyway. They're used to following people."

"Why does your dad send them? He's got to know it pisses you off."

"Because he's the goddamn president," Megan said. "And he's used to people doing what he says. That's why."