The Lady Blue (A Close Call)

The first time Gary touched me in a romantic wayi was during one of those endless parties my parents put on.      
I was outside on the front porch when I turned to see him approaching me from out of nowhere.      
     "What are you doing outside,ma cheri?"      
      "Nothing, I replied in a near whisper as I felt one of his hands lightly brush my lower back.      
     "You looked like you were very deep in thought."      
     "To be honest, I was just wondering why you won't ask me to dance at our parties. Would you tell me why?"      
     "Babe, I can't dance with you," he said gently. "It just wouldn't look right, ma cheri."      
      "It would be nice to know that you wanted to though," I pouted, Gary's face just inches from my own.      
      "You don't know just how bad I want to do that." He embraced me and pressed his body against mine. It was then we heard the front door open and Pa's footsteps on the porch. Gary jumped back releasing me.      
      "The party's indoors," Pa said, slipping one hand around my waist. "It's best you be going inside. He thinks the world of you, no!"    
I lied and said we were were only talking as Gary brushed past us and went back inside.    
  "What do you mean, pa?" I was trying to act innocent because he was my dad.    
   "You know exactly what I mean," he chided me, then added "I saw you with his arms around you. I just want to say one more thing and that's don't be coo-yon."    
   "Cho co. It was only a hug."    
   "Don't let on to your mom. She'd never let you babysit for them again."    
   "Pa, nothing happened.    
   "You mean yet? Lissette can't figure out why you don't go out with guys at your school, but believe me, I know."    
   "Mais, I can't help myself. I think Gary is wonderful!    
   "I figured that out all by myself," Mike said. Just be careful and don't give your heart to any man too soon.