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Show 72 but once again, the groundskeeper was nowhere in sight. A movement caught his eye, though, from inside the ivy-covered gazebo that stood thirty feet farther along the hedge, surrounded by broad-leafed sycamore trees. Forgetting Henry for the moment, Karl crept silently toward the gazebo, curious to see who could be in it. He kept himself in the shade of the tall hedge until he could see through the arched opening of the gazebo. Inside it, Jame and Kathleen sat close together, talking too softly for Karl to hear their words. It was the wide yellow bow tied in Kathleen's hair that had caught Karl's attention. Kathleen, tall and well built, was a fine broth of a girl, their mother often said, but beside Jame she appeared dainty. His thick arm circled her shoulders; her dark curls spilled over his white shirtsleeve. Jame bent his head, and Kathleen raised hers. They kissed for a long time. Watching them, Karl felt heat and excitement stir inside his own body, as though he_ were the one who was kissing a girl. Was that what it would feel like to be in love? -- the hot rush of blood, and a feeling that was intensely pleasant but at the same time unbearably stimulating, like being tickled and laughing so hard but you want it to stop because it's terrible! Karl crept away from the gazebo. Kathleen and Jame never noticed him. |