by Liam Ward
However, floating with Wayne sounded great.
Hope you have a good day too. That sounds fun! I texted Wayne. I wanted to see Wayne’s chiseled figure, but part of me didn’t want him to see my body. I was worried about what bikini I would wear. After I divorced Henry, I had gained weight. Some of it was from living with my parents and eating more home cooking. Some of it was eating out of stress or boredom.
I cursed myself for giving up on my workout plan. So much for New Year’s resolutions.
Many conflicting thoughts ran through my head. Will Wayne like my body? I’m nearly his mother’s age. Wayne wouldn’t propose a date if he wasn’t interested in me. But maybe he didn’t get a good look at me?
Then I read his texts again. Wayne called me cutie. It was a small compliment, but it provided a much needed confidence boost.
I opened Snapchat and took a few photos before I got one that I liked. Excited to see you, I wrote and added a kissy face.
I closed my phone, set it down on my desk, and returned to work.
It was a quarter past seven and already my inbox had piled up. A few emails had to be answered, invoices had to be inquired on, and credits had to be issued. Three computer monitors blazed with activity. I kept my headphones on, alternating between podcasts and music.
I periodically checked my phone, hoping to hear back from Wayne, but he hadn’t opened my Snap yet.
Finally, my phone lit up and I saw that Wayne had sent me a Snap: he was shirtless and leaning on a shovel. Though it was only a picture, I swore I could see his forearm veins pulse. Magnificent pecs sat atop washboard abs. His arms were huge and his skin glistened. Just got done shoveling rocks, the picture from Wayne said. His lips were puckered like he was blowing me a kiss.
I contemplated my response. Things had been relatively tame over the weekend. We had asked each other personal questions, but no sex talk or nudes were exchanged. I was cautious in my advance and wanted Wayne to desire more of me.
A thought crossed my mind. I was walled off from the rest of the office by the grey fabric of my cubicle’s walls. Secluded as I was, my thought was still a risky one and that made it more exciting.
Just a little tease.
I looked towards my cubicle’s entrance and around its top to make certain that no one was watching me. I couldn’t believe what I was doing.
Facing the corner opposite of the cubicle’s entrance, I pulled my dress’ neckline down, and presented my bra-covered boobs to my camera. I imitated Wayne’s kissy face. I was surprised to see that the picture turned out alright. I righted my clothes and sent the picture to Wayne.
I saw that he received it and I waited for a response.
My phone vibrated in my hand. New Snap from Wayne, it read.
What I received from Wayne was panty-dropping material. Wayne had pulled his trousers off. Big muscular legs led up to red boxers. A significant rod was visible in the leg of Wayne’s boxers. Though it was hard to take my eyes off his cock, I did momentarily admire Wayne’s abs. His core was deeply chiseled onto his body. Each section of abdominal muscle was symmetrical.
I held my thumb on the image, not wanting its glory to leave my eyes. I drank it in and decided on a reply.
A full length body-mirror hung from my cubicle wall. To face it, I would be exposed to anyone who happened to walk past my cubicle.
I first faced the mirror to center my body and to get the right distance away from it. Once I had framed my wide hips in the mirror, I again checked around my cubicle for passing eyes. With the coast clear, I lifted my dress, and took a picture of my underwear. I was thankful that I had recently shaved — a patch of neatly trimmed hair was visible through the sheer sky-blue fabric.
God my legs look huge and pale. My stomach looks wide too.
When are we floating? I added to the picture and sent it to Wayne.
Wayne replied. It was a picture of his smiling face and marvelous chest. How’s tonight after you’re out of work sound? Weather is supposed to be nice.
After work wouldn’t give me enough time to get ready. I’d be in a rush to run home, grab my suit, and get to Wayne. Plus, I had to be up early for work. Fear made it easy to make excuses for not meeting Wayne. Nonsensical reasons to avoid fun. I became aware of my fear and tossed it to the side long enough to muster a positive reply. Sounds great sexy. Lmk where you want to meet.
Chapter Ten - Wayne
I was nervous to see Mary again. Our first encounter was electric. I wondered if this day would be similar. This wasn’t the first time that a woman had shown me affection, but it was far and beyond the most sexual energy that I had ever felt. Our physicality had no awkwardness. Her body was welcoming and her mind was warm.
Work around the farm was done for the day, at least as far as I was concerned. I had shoveled a lot of rock in the heat of the day. I was sweaty and thoroughly exhausted. However, the thought of Mary reinvigorated me. I got cleaned up in the shower and readied myself for our date.
The Au Sable River wasn’t far from my home, but I still had to take the buggy to get to it. The river was pristine. Its clear waters were wide and filled with wildlife. The sandhill cranes that stalked the bountiful river were holdovers from prehistory.
I hoped that Mary shared my passion for the outdoors. She had grown up in northern Michigan, but she had moved to Chicago to pursue more exciting things and I wasn’t sure if she was a city or country girl.
I had planned on our float lasting an hour and a half. This would carry us too far down the river for us to walk back upstream, so I had hidden the inflated tire-innertubes in bushes upstream at a roadside park where Mary was to meet me, and I drove the buggy downstream. Our float’s endpoint was The Riverside Store. The owner of the store was good friends with my father and he took no issue with allowing me to keep my buggy at the store for the return trip to our launch point.
I bought a pack of ranch sunflower seeds and condoms before leaving the store. Buying the condoms felt criminal but the woman working the cash register didn’t bat an eye. I considered leaving the whole box of condoms underneath my buggy seat, but rational thinking told me that I ought to pack one for the float. That was a sign of confidence.
Roma was cared for and securely tied behind the general store. I set off running upstream to rendezvous with Mary.
It was sure to be a long run in the summer heat. I’d be tired and red-faced by the time I made it to our meeting spot. I wanted to beat Mary there so that I could cool down and not be a sweaty mess when she arrived.
After a short burst of running, I stopped and took my shoes off. I was still on the street that housed a few businesses and I was certain that I looked goofy, but I didn’t care. My shoes were not made for running and my feet had begun to hurt. I put both shoes in one hand and continued running. Soon, the small stores on either side of the street gave way to open fields.
The run and my heavy breathing were meditative. Fields of alfalfa and corn stretched into the distance. Large field irrigation sprinklers traveled across the green seas. The jitter of insects and croaks of frogs in the roadside ditches filled the space between my labored breaths. A blueberry field passed.
I outran it all.
I should have done cross-country in high school. I should have done something.
My parents had never let me play any sports. I was needed on the farm and around the community. Tending to our cows and church occupied a lot of my life. While I was mostly grateful for my upbringing and tight-knit community, a part of me resented my parents for separating me from the rest of the world.
I did well in school. I had won a few academic awards and scholarships, but my parents had kept me from attending the awards ceremony. I didn’t go to Homecoming, Prom, or take drivers-ed. I kept it simple; I got by and on with life.
My running mind probed my psyche for sore spots.
Prior to my date with Mary, my parents had wondered where I was going. There was no sense in lying to them as it would have been in
effective and compounded their anger. My father was unsurprised and care-free; mother felt otherwise.
“You’re kidding? You can’t date her Wayne, she’s my age,” mother had said.
“I can’t see her because of her age? Where’s that written?” I asked.
“It makes me uncomfortable. You’re too young.”
“That’s not fair to anyone mom. We all grow old.”
“Don’t lecture me, you kn—” my mother said before I cut her off.
“Age IS a number,” I said. I rarely talked over my mother, but I knew that I needed to cut her off.
She paused and stared at me.
“It’s not a big deal,” I said.
“It could be,” my mother responded.
“What? Why is that?” I shouldn’t have invited further conflict.
“I’ve already been asked about her. What do I say? My son’s seeing a woman who’s my age and she was married before. Do you know if she has faith?”
“You tell them that I’ve made a friend. She’s a sweetheart and that’s what matters. I love you mom, but it’s not your place to cast such harsh judgment on others. Especially when Mary has done nothing wrong.”
“It is my place. You’re my son. I’m not gonna have a woman my age, an old lady, preying on my son.”
“Mary is far from an old lady. She’s gorgeous, cultured, gotta a lot of energy. Able to earn a living and own a home. There’s no reason that I can’t see her. I’m sick of doing nothing new. It’s all the same around here. No one new to talk to,” I said. “It’s lonely.”
“Oh heavens. Why would you be lonely? You have so many people around you that love you,” my mother said. Her face softened. “There’s plenty of girls your age around here. Besides, the county fair is only a few months away. Maybe Charlette will want you to take her.”
I shook my head. “I’m seeing Mary again.”
My mother rung her hands on her apron. I hated conflict with her. She was stubborn but loved me. “Where are you two going? Do you have condoms?” my mother asked. That was the first time that she had ever mentioned sex to me, which staggered me a little.
“What? We’re floating down the river,” I said. I thought of the time and worried about being to the river before Mary. “I’ve gotta get going,” I said and turned to the door.
“The river? Do you think you’re using Roma to get there?” my mother said.
I turned back to face my mother. “May I?”
“Ask your father and be careful,” my mother said before leaving the room.
It wasn’t the worst argument that I’d had with my mother, but I was happy when it was over.
The hot asphalt licked at my feet and they begged to be picked up. I occasionally stepped on a pointy stone and lurched forward in pain. I ran on the shoulder of the road when cars approached.
I could see a dense forest ahead and knew that I was nearly to the roadside park. My cell phone was left in the buggy and I was unaware of the time. I had found my cardio to be lacking and was thoroughly winded. The park was further away than I had remembered. The final stretch of road had a long and gentle slope, which seemed to stretch on into infinity.
Reaching the roadside park was a relief. The park’s grass had recently been mowed. Weathered boards held back earth and formed an observation deck. Stairs led down to the Au Sable’s flowing water, which was audible above the pulse in my ears.
I rushed over to the wooden deck and sat down at a picnic table. My head was spinning, so I rested my arms on the tabletop and put my head down. I felt like puking and I was so damned thirsty.
Poorly planned expedition. I realized that I should have put more effort into the date. I should have at least gotten drinks for us.
It would suck if Mary bailed on me, as I wouldn’t see her text.
A sickening thought.
I lifted my head and arms from the weathered table. Paint chips clung to my sweaty skin.
Chapter Eleven - Mary
The workday seemed to creep by at a glacial pace and it was hard to concentrate with Wayne on my mind. As relaxing as floating down the river sounded, the thought of seeing and feeling Wayne’s hard body excited me. It felt surreal knowing that our chance encounter had turned into something more. Wayne lived a radically different lifestyle than I was accustomed to, but there was an understanding between us. We both had wanted to change our set and setting. He needed a woman in his life and I needed a man. A young man.
After shutting my computer down for the day, I rushed home, touched up my makeup, and scarfed down a small plate of lukewarm leftovers. I had to move fast to be on time. I was supposed to meet up with Wayne in half an hour.
The only serious delay was in picking out which bikini to wear. I had tried them all on and was satisfied with none of them. It was the first time that I had tried them on for the year; I was disappointed to see that they fit worse than the prior year. I became flustered and felt like crying.
I considered telling Wayne that I couldn’t make it. I tried to think of a plausible reason to cancel but I was unable to think of one that I thought he’d believe.
The pile of swimsuits on my bedroom floor was demoralizing. I settled on my favorite sky-blue one-piece. I threw my work clothes off and squeezed into the swimsuit. It covered my belly nicely but had webbed sides, which showed the sides of my boobs.
I prayed that Wayne would find me attractive.
I grabbed Wayne and I a few cans of Coke. I considered grabbing Jack Daniels to go with it but figured that I had better not get Wayne in trouble with his parents. They likely didn’t approve of him seeing me as it was.
Before long I was out the door, stepping on the gas and tearing down the country roads.
I wasn’t far from the park that we were supposed to meet at. Nervousness crept in, causing my stomach to turn and goosebumps to appear. I fiddled with my car’s radio, trying to find a song to lose myself in but was unable to find a sonic salve.
The curvy road required me to slow the car down. Large trees clipped by on either side of me and shaded the road from the day’s intense sun. Round the bend, a road sign appeared, marking the park where Wayne and I were to meet. I slowed my approach as I saw a break in the trees.
Wayne was sitting at one of the roadside park’s picnic tables. Sitting on the ground near him were two black tubes. I was a little late.
I parked and turned my car off. I stuffed my phone and purse under my seat, locked my car, and hid the key in my car’s wheel well.
“Hey cutie,” Wayne said.
His welcoming voice dissolved my nervousness. “Sorry I’m late,” I said.
“It’s all good. It’s nice out isn’t it?” Wayne said and rose from the picnic table.
“Yea,” I said. He walked over to me and we hugged. He smelled great; maybe a little sweaty, but I found that to be kind of hot.
“Whoops,” I said. I had forgotten the drinks in my car. I grabbed my key from its hiding spot, unlocked my car, and grabbed the Cokes off the passenger seat.
Wayne’s face stretched into an exaggerated surprised look. “Yea... I should have remembered drinks,” he said.
I offered him a can, which he opened and greedily drank from. I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down with each gulp.
Wayne was already shirtless. He looked like he was ready to get in the water to escape the heat of the day. Though, he wasn’t wearing traditional swimming trunks. Wayne’s grey shorts were made of cotton. Unlike synthetic swimming trunks, his shorts were sure to be wet long after he got out of the water.
I still had clothes on over my swimsuit and was nervous to disrobe in front of Wayne. I looked around and confirmed that it was just him and I at the park.
Wayne finished drinking his Coke and put the can in a nearby recycling bin. “You ready?” he asked.
I smiled at him and grabbed the bottom of my shirt to pull it over my head. I could feel Wayne’s eyes on my body. I pretended to be confident and carefree. I set
my shirt on the hood of my car.
“You’re making me look bad,” I said.
Wayne looked as if I had shaken him out of a dream. He began to blush. I knew that he had been checking me out. That was a relief.
“What... what do you mean by that?” Wayne asked.
“You’re so tan and I’m so pale. I look like a vampire next to you,” I said.
Wayne laughed. “A damned sexy vampire,” he said.
“Careful, my skin will blind you,” I said. I undid the button on my shorts, slid them past my hips, and stepped out of them. I threw the small pile of clothes onto my car’s passenger seat and locked the door.
Wayne pressed on the tubes. “Looks like they hold air pretty well,” he said.
“You checking to see if they’ll hold my fat ass?” I asked.
“I’ve had you on my lap. This tube will have no problem holding your beautiful body,” Wayne said as he handed me a tube.
We walked down wooden stairs to the water’s edge. At the bottom of the stairs, I sat on a narrow wooden deck and lowered my feet into the water.
“Ooo… that’s cold,” I said.
Wayne sat down beside me and plopped his big feet into the water. “It’s not too bad. I’m sure you can tough it out,” he said and grinned at me. As he walked into the water, I noticed that his shorts didn’t cover all of his thick, muscular thighs.
I stood in the water and inched forward. The cold water covered my ankles and made goosebumps appear on my thighs. Wayne was in waist deep. The cold hadn’t seemed to bother him, but I did notice that he paused a little when the water touched his crotch, which made me laugh.
Suddenly, Wayne’s eyes widened, his eyebrows raised, and he fell backwards into the water. A moment later, he arose and the water ran from his skin. The intentional plunge had acclimated him to the cold water.
“Oh, I see, you’re showing off for me,” I said. I was still not use to the cold water and thought that I’d soon start shivering. My feet timidly felt for the sandy river bottom and occasionally found rocks that were covered in a living slime. Green tendrils danced in the flowing water. The thought of stepping on a fish or other creature grossed me out. I had grown up in the country, but I had never considered myself a country girl. I was out of my element, but I did my best to conceal that from Wayne.