When my wife died, I was devastated. Married less than 10 years, and taken from me suddenly. More than just my wife, she was my best friend. We would laugh together, cry together. We had amazing adventures all over the country, and our intimacy was stuff of legend. At times it was all I could do just to get out of bed in the morning. I knew that I had to get through this, I just didn't know how.
After several months of establishing myself in my new life, I decided it was time to find myself a new companion. Not a wife, mind you, but someone with whom I could spend quality time, and still maintain my independence. Enter Jenny.
Jenny and I had known each other for years, even before I met my now late wife. We met in a class at a local community college, and quickly became friends. We would study together, because invariably, one's strength was the other's weakness. It sure made that class so much easier. I always wanted to get to know Jenny better, but alas, we were never single at the same time.
About ten years my junior, Jenny was the ultimate picture of physical perfection. About 5'8", with long, thick golden hair and brown eyes. With the exception of her slightly larger than average breasts, she had a very athletic figure. She was without a doubt at the very top of the 'way out of my league' category of beautiful, with everyone else falling a very distant second. Just to see her smile brought about an indescribable rush of emotion. Emotion I hadn't felt in years.
More than just physically attractive, Jenny was intelligent and determined. She eventually graduated with honors from a local university. We shared a love of the outdoors: Camping, fishing, shooting and archery, though she didn't share my affinity for hunting.
Over the years we grew apart some, though we stayed in touch via social networking. It seemed she would be off on one adventure or another several times each year. I always managed to keep an eye on her relationship status. As luck would have it, we were now both single. I decided to take a chance. I sent her a message:
Jenny,
Thinking about you quite a bit lately. Meet for a drink?
I can't believe how I'm feeling – pulse racing, palms sweating, and scared to death. Do I hit send? What if she says no? Oh, god, what if she says YES!? With eyes closed, I hit send. SHIT! What have I done!?
So, two days go by, no answer. Then three. Then five. By this time, I'm convinced that she's on to me, and had decided she doesn't want to have anything to do to me. And then:
Hey!
Sorry I didn't reply right away, I was in Italy with my girlfriend. Pick me up at home, Friday about 8.
Girlfriend? Italy? Did I miss something? Surely I would have remembered her telling me something like that. Oh, well, perhaps it was not meant to be, but we'll see what happens.
So, Friday rolls around, and I'm so nervous I can hardly keep my mind on my work. Finally it's time to head home. By the time I get home, I'm just short enough on time that I don't have time to think about my nerves, just get showered, dressed, and get on the road.
I arrived at Jenny's house with just a couple minutes to spare. As I walk up to the door, I try one last time, in vain, to wipe the sweat from my brow and my palms.
Knock, knock. The door opens.
Apparently I didn't do as good a job as I thought, concealing my shock as she opened the door. A skin tight, little black dress, with a plunging neckline, and stopping just above her knees. It was obvious there wasn't a stitch of clothing underneath. That smile I told you about earlier? Out it came.
"Hey, stranger," she said. "How have you been?"
Once I picked my jaw up off the floor, and pushed my eyes back in their sockets, "Uh, good. You?" was all I could manage to stammer.
What a dumbass,
I thought to myself.
"Well, let's get moving, shall we," she asked, "I think someone promised me a drink."
"Right," I say, beginning to gain my composure. "I'm parked right over here."
She takes my arm, and I walk her to my car. Once we're both in, we get underway.
We make some small talk in the car, as I continue to regain my composure. It's tough to drive, though, with my eyeballs spending more time on Jenny than actually paying attention to the road. I actually almost crashed, not paying attention to a car stopping in front of us. We make it to the restaurant, by the skin of our teeth, and get seated.
Once we're at our table, Jenny asks, "Is everything OK? You seem to be in a different world." I can feel my face getting warm as I blush. "I just wasn't expecting you to look as gorgeous as you do. Not to say you're not always beautiful, but tonight you're really amazing."
Now it was her turn to blush. She dropped her head, a mix of embarrassment and playfulness. "I was beginning to wonder if you would notice. My girlfriend called my dress a jaw-dropper. What do you think?"
There's that word again. While I'm sitting here with what is arguably one of God's most perfect creations, my dreams come crashing down, shattered by that one little word.
"She's definitely right. As a matter of fact, it's kinda why I couldn't speak when you answered the door. Now, about this girlfriend. Is this a new development? Is it serious?"
Now it's her turn to be speechless. She cocked her head to the side, confused, then the light switch came on. "You thought that – I mean, well, it's just that-OK, let's get this straight, right now. Laura and I have been friends since junior high." She can start to see the relief on my face, and continued: "She's not my girlfriend in the sense that guys think of a girlfriend. She my best friend, and yeah, sometimes I get an itch that only she can scratch, but her friendship is more important than just the sex."
Now my mind is swimming with information I wasn't expecting in a million years. The woman of my most vivid dreams just shared with me information more intimate than anything else we had ever shared. I was blown away. Flabbergasted and excited all at once. I guess my excitement started to show through, because she said, "You and I may not be as close as she and I are, but I can tell your gears are turning right now, so don't get any ideas."
"You just caught me a little of guard, is all," I murmured. "You and I have stayed in touch, and I've always thought of you as a good friend, but we've never been close. I guess I just want expecting you tell me something that intimate."