Introduction:
This is a boy meets girl story. All characters are in their early 20's We try to explain the different thoughts, emotions, romance, sex, and lust of how relationships develop and how men & women view these things. Each will express all these things in independent narratives as the story develops. Almost all is fiction but we can't help include some personal experience. I read once that good fiction has a basis of truth.
We hope men and women enjoy.
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Hank:
I'd been out on the range for a week, and now I just wanted to see something that wasn't cows.
After I cleaned up, I wandered into the hotel bar to get a drink. As usual, I looked over the drinkers before settling down. There were some good looking women there, but they seemed to all have companions. I didn't want to be a fifth wheel.
Down at the end of the bar I saw a cute little thing, all alone, sipping a red wine and staring off into space.
I wondered whether she had a story to tell, maybe, or was just wasted by the week past. Whichever, she would be better company than drinking alone.
I went over and claimed the stool next to her.
"Hi, I'm Hank, is it all right if I sit here?"
She nodded. I slid onto the stool and asked the bartender for a beer.
"Can I get you something?" I asked her.
***
Jerri:
I turned around and saw who was offering me a drink. Our eyes met.
I asked, "Hank, is that you?"
Hank asked, "Jerri, is that really you?"
We had grown up together since we were little kids. I went off to an out of state university so we hadn't seen each other in five or six years. We gave each other a hug in a brotherly, sisterly way and found a table to catch up on what we had been doing in our lives. He stayed on his parents ranch while I went to school to eventually get my Masters. I had never considered him in any sexual or romantic way but he had changed. He had the typical "ranch beanie", that is, a deeply tanned face but pale above his eye brows, which in ranch talk meant he spent most of his day wearing a cowboy hat. He had really grown.
When we walked to a table I couldn't help but notice how big Hank had bulked up. Not fat at all just, well big. I figured 6'2" maybe 6'3", 17 1/2 inch collar size, large muscular hairy arms. He needed a haircut and a shave.
***
Hank:
I was surprised to see Jerri. It had been a long time.
We got so deep into catching up, who was doing what, who was going out with who, who married, who hadn't, that an hour went by like a minute. It was really comfortable talking to someone from my past. We knew each other too well to pose with each other. There was none of the fake cowboy machismo that seemed necessary with women I didn't know well.
I hadn't remembered that you were so attractive, in an understated kind of way. You'd been a cute kid when I last saw you but I hadn't paid much attention. The girl I was going with at the time kept me busy enough that my eye didn't wander. Or maybe I was attracted to you because you were funny and sweet and comfortable. I didn't know then and don't really know now.
I was beginning to feel hunger pains and realized we'd chatted into the dinner hour. I invited you to eat with me. I wasn't sure if you'd let me pick up your tab.
***
Jerri:
We caught up on old times and we decided to go to dinner. We left the bar and I followed you to the diner that had, as I recalled, really good Chinese food. Hank must be doing well because he had what looked to be a new truck.
When we got to the restaurant, in the better light I saw the same dark chocolate brown eyes and the same brown, almost black hair that I remembered. Over a few beers and a wonderful dinner we talked and laughed over the things we had done and family gossip. All told, a typical night out - I had a great time.
We decided to call it a night. It was late and I needed to get home. We shared a little hug and I told you to give me a call whenever you had the chance.
***
Hank:
I had been so busy thinking about little Jerri (my memories were better farther back, when she used to trail her brothers around) that I hadn't noticed how late it had gotten.
When you told me that you had to go home, I was disappointed. It had really been comfortable, just chatting about anything at all. You did give me your number, though. I was going to be around for a few days. I figured I'd use it. If you could come out with me a time or two (and not have to wash your hair or whatever the current excuse was) the loneliness would be pushed back a little.
Jerri was short and kind of slim. She was plenty feminine, but not in a flaunting kind of way like some of the other women I'd been around. There was something about her that seemed to say she was comfortable with herself. I liked that in a woman. I don't want to be forever having to stroke someone's ego. I didn't like it when women tried to do that to me, either.
Later on the next morning, I tried the number you'd given me. At least it didn't ring at the zoo or the morgue. One woman had done that to me a couple of years ago.
After a few rings, you answered.
"Jerri, it's Hank. We had such a good time last night, that I wondered whether you might like to go out again. I know it's last minute, and I apologize for that, but if you don't have anything on tonight I could pick you up about seven."
I waited with bated breath for your answer.
"Let me check," you said. "I'll call you back in a couple of minutes."
I nearly died waiting for that call.
***