for D.
While I was still at school, in the time before my marriage, I worked as a lab assistant in the public computer lab. One day I received this message from a girl named Kathy, who was just checking out people with unusual handles. Mine happened to be set at "Starship Capt." that day and she wanted to know if I was a Star Trek fan. Silly question.
I finally met her in real life a few days later when she came into the lab office asking for help on her BASIC project for CS 114. She was a few inches shorter than me, with long wavy brown hair, deep sea-green eyes, luscious cherry lips, a nice bust (not too big), and a behind that made it hard for me to calmly deal with her problem. I sat at her terminal and we worked on her program for nearly an hour (my supervisor came by at least twice and reminded me not to spend too much time helping one person). We were sitting in the far corner of Room F, a small room in the back of the main lab. It was dark outside and the lab was fairly empty, even though it was only just after seven. As we worked, Kathy was questioning me about what other TV shows I liked, what kind of music I listened to, if I had a girlfriend, etc. This last one really got my attention and it began to seem like maybe she was interested in me, though I didn't know why. I decided to test the waters.
"Hmm?" I responded, seeming interested only in my job.
"I asked you if you had a girlfriend," she repeated.
"Not really," I said. "I haven't been too lucky with women lately." This wasn't a complete fabrication, though it had been some time since that night with Melissa. Then again, that night only went so far. Hmmm, maybe I wasn't so far from the truth after all.
Kathy seemed to react to my statement, moving a little closer and feigning (I hoped) an interest in the data on the screen.
"That's too bad." She paused. "Are you doing anything tonight after work?"
I was surprised that she took the hint so quickly and I blushed. I can't remember what I said, but I think it was something stupid. Something on the order of "Only if it's with you." After a comment like that it's amazing to me that we ended up at the Olive Garden together an hour later.
Kathy and I talked until they closed. We discussed everything -- school, religion, politics, her career goals, my music -- even sex. That topic lasted until the end of the evening. I found out that she hadn't had a decent relationship in months either and would burst if she couldn't find a guy. She didn't seem very shy about discussing her sex life, but she didn't go into details like what positions she liked or whether or not she swallowed either. She liked snuggling and long, quiet evenings with her lovers. She didn't always have to make love right away either, as she had the patience to snuggle all night and take her lover in the morning. It was becoming obvious to me that this was a woman guided, not by her lust but, by her desire for love. She was a sensualist who knew the benefits of a long, drawn out night of soft kisses, tender caresses, and slow, methodical intimacy. So I wasn't surprised when she said she preferred passive, gentle lovemaking to heavy, aggressive "bed shaking", as she put it. I was definitely intrigued.
They threw us out of the restaurant around eleven, so I drove her back to campus. When I pulled up in front of her dorm, she smiled at me.
"Thanks for taking me out. I really had a good time."
She reached out and touched my cheek. I took her hand and pulled it to my side, forcing her to lean toward me. Our eyes were locked until she felt my hand on the back of her neck, then she closed them and lightly parted her mouth. I closed my eyes and moved my mouth toward hers. I felt a swell of warmth flow over me as I felt her plump, soft lips touch mine. I had to adjust my position because the seatbelt was still fastened and I couldn't press against her any further without choking myself. I broke the kiss and unhooked the belt. I looked into her eyes again and she leaned into my chest, snuggling her head against me. I bent my head down and kissed her cheek as I ran my fingers through her soft hair. There was a pause that went on for seconds and it seemed like neither of us was going to say anything.
"I really liked that...Kathy," I finally mustered the energy to say, still stroking her head. "Umm hmm." (I was choked, I had to clear my throat.) "Can I kiss you again?" I asked, my voice shaking.
She didn't respond verbally, but tilted her head back and offered me her mouth. I kissed her warmly and, as I remembered to do, gently. I made no quick movements, though I had this urge to press her back into the seat and tear open her shirt. Maybe Kathy could teach me to channel my desire into something more sensual and less aggressive.
We finally broke the kiss and held each other for several minutes, talking about things in general. She finally saw that it was near midnight and said she had a psych class at eight in the morning. She opened the car door.
"I'll drop you a note on the computer. Maybe we can get together again." She started to leave, then stopped and added, "You can cook some Chinese for me."
I smiled. "Deal," I said.
Kathy slammed the door shut and I watched her walk away, staring at her beautiful behind and thinking about how wonderful the evening had been. She turned around quickly and waved me on, but I waited until she was inside the building before I drove off. Something inside me, something more than just common courtesy, wanted to make sure she was safe, and I wondered what was happening to my life. I wondered if Kathy was destined to mean more to me than what Melissa had meant. Melissa, despite all I had felt for her, didn't work out. I had wanted her in my life, but guilt over losing her virginity drove her away. I never did see her again. Now there was Kathy. A simple and inauspicious beginning, perhaps, but my heart was already thinking of the future. Thinking a lot...
I received a computer message from Kathy three days later. When I didn't hear from her right away I became concerned that she might have had second thoughts because of my looks (not many women want to date a guy who is on the heavy side), but I was obviously wrong -- she was definitely impressed with me. I had her over that Friday and cooked up a batch of General Tso's Chicken and my special Thai Spring Rolls, which she loved. Things got even better from there.
We went out quite often and spent our time talking about everything, including how much we liked being with each other. We found ourselves talking to each other a lot -- on the phone, over the computer, in the halls -- though she told me she didn't want to bother me at the lab after what my supervisor said. I understood, but assured her she shouldn't not come to me if she needed help or just to say hello. I really just wanted to see her at every opportunity.
What surprised me was the fact that our physical relationship was pretty much limited to what we had done that first night. We would often hold each other for hours at a time, gently kissing and caressing. One night was spent sleeping in each other's arms in my recliner (my back nearly killed me, but what price love?). I shocked myself with stoic restraint, curbing my urge to take things further. Maybe I had learned my lesson with Melissa.