Our first letters to each other after our weekend were both signed similarly: "Love, Kathy" and "Love, Bill". We didn't need one to start the then the other to follow. We both knew it and felt it.
Two weeks later, I received a package with Kathy's return address. It was a bookend photo album with three 5 x 7 photos, taken by her mom that afternoon. Tears welled up in my eyes.
One of Kathy in the sundress, standing with a slight side profile... the outlines of her delicious little breasts clear. Her long toned legs and smooth calves. The middle one was of the two of us... standing close... me to the side and slightly behind, recalling that my right hand was on the bare skin of the small of her back. Her hand at the small of my back. My left hand resting just above her navel. Her right hand over mine. That memory brought a smile. We were both beaming. The third was with her back to the camera slightly turned, as she looked over her shoulder and flashed that "Kathy smile". The golden tan skin of her back was tantalizing. The gentle swells of each of her vertebrae along that beautiful spine. Reminding me again, that I forgot to get the lowdown on the lack of tan lines... anywhere. And then there was a loose one. An 8 x 10 portrait. It was professionally done. It captured the essence of her personality. Her blue gray eyes sparkling. The smile and white teeth breathtaking. Her blonde hair framing her face. The thin honey blonde eyebrows... matching... well you know.
My mom was in awe as I she looked at each photo, and then back at me. I was beaming.
"So, this is the girl that's captivated my son's heart."
"Yep."
"She's so cute. So petite. So beautiful. I can sense her personality through those blue gray eyes, and that smile. It explains a lot. You did good. I can't wait to meet her," as my mom gave me a 'mom' hug.
My dad had a similar reaction, "She's beautiful," I don't think the smile left my face the rest of the day. My letter to her that night was exceptionally personal and loving.
Kathy's visit was coming up. We were both in full anticipation mode. I asked her to bring the sun dress. She wrote that she had another one, and would bring both. My mouth watered. We knew that our 'alone' time would be limited, if at all. But, still, I was thinking of some seminude make-out and groping on a deserted country road. Just like a pair of high school teenagers.
The plan was that she would arrive around 4:30. We would probably hang out at our house for a bit, and then hit the 'Club' for fish. My mom had planned a picnic the following day for the entire family. My mom was into picnics. She loved the planning and the cooking. I was going to show off my girlfriend.
Her letters remained light, passionate, and cheerful. We wrote about our days. Our weekends. She did give in a few times and went out with her girlfriends, just for fun. I was happy for her. One letter I mentioned the 'no tan line' look. The response was, "You'll see... when you're down here." The image of what I would "see" gave me fodder for a number of night-time fantasies.
...............................
The
Friday finally arrived. I went in an hour early so that I would be done at 3:30, get home, and take a shower. The day dragged on, and on, and on as I was again put on a mindless job at the dairy. I had suggested meeting at a bowling alley parking lot at the outskirt of the town. It would be empty. Easy to spot me. I had pictured in my mind how I wanted to greet her. It would be the intense type of greeting I didn't want to share with my parents. I think they understood.
I saw the white Corvair half a mile away. I think Kathy could have seen the smile radiating from my face like a beacon. She jumped out of the car, put her hands on my shoulders and leaped into my arms wrapping her legs around my waist and locking her heels. Her little breasts plastered against my chest. Her face nuzzled into my neck. My hands on her firm butt cheeks as I supported her. She felt light as a feather. Man she felt good. We each savored the closeness that we had missed for a long while. Then our lips met. We devoured each other. We were in our own world and didn't hear the honking of the passing cars.
"I sooo missed you, my love," were Kathy's first words. Her face beaming.
"I missed you too... my love."
"I like hearing that. Now I know why you wanted to meet here first. I couldn't imagine doing this in front of your parents," the smile was stretching across her face. Her eyes sparkling.
"You look wonderful."
She was dressed for comfort. A loose powder blue polyester tee shirt with a V-neck, that clung to her perfect little mounds that were framed in her delicate bra. A pair of dark blue shorts that were mid-thigh. Her blonde hair framing her face.
"You look...
delicious
," the mischievous grin was there.
.......................................
My parents were sitting on the screened outdoor patio when we pulled in and parked. I took Kathy's hand and lead her over for the introductions.
"Mom. Dad. This is Kathy," the pride in my voice said it all... '
this
is my girlfriend'.
"So, you're the girl that has captivated my son's heart," Kathy blushed, "My goodness... the pictures don't do you justice. You are
so
beautiful," Kathy blushed again.
"Thank you...,"
"Betty and this is Bill... senior," my mom making the introductions as my dad had a broad smile.
"Come. Sit. Can I get you anything? Water? Iced tea? Mountain Dew?"
"Beer?" I said, looking at Kathy, she was kind of caught by surprise. She wanted to make good first impression.
"Let me start with a water. It was a long drive," I would later apologize for putting her on the spot.
We all settled in for some casual 'getting to know you' type of conversation. I have to admit, I wasn't as open to them about Kathy as Kathy was to her mom about me. So, it was the usual stuff: how we met, what her major was, what her parents did... that sort of stuff.
"You like fish fries?" my dad asked.
"Oh yeah. We go to them all the time at home. My dad belongs to a fraternal club and they have a catfish fish fry every Friday night... It sounds like fun. Is there someplace I could change and freshen up?"
"Oh my!" my mom exclaimed, "I'm sorry. I should have thought of that. Of course. Bill, why don't you grab Kathy's stuff. I was thinking she could sleep in your room and you could sleep out on the porch. How's that sound?"
"That sounds fine."
I carried Kathy's suit case up to my room. "Our" picture on my desk. The room was small, but comfortable.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, "Kath, I'm sorry I put you on the spot back then."
"That's fine. Just took me by surprise. But, thank you. Your mom and dad are great people. Reminds me of mine. I think they would enjoy each other," our lips met and then a playful grin appeared, "So, is this where you write all of your letters to me?"
Kiss. I nodded.
"Is my gift to you in your desk drawer?" she asked with an 'impish' grin.
Kiss. I nodded.
"Is this where you '
think
' of me at night?" grinning and looking at the made up bed.
Kiss. I nodded.
"Do you think your mom changed the sheets for me? Or do I get to savor your scent while I sleep here?"
"I'm sure they're clean."
Kiss.
"You'll have to tell her not to change them when I leave. At least not for a few days."
A long kiss.
"OK. Now go. Let me get ready."
Rejoining my parents, my mom, "She's a wonderful and very sweet girl. Her personality. That smile. She's sooo comfortable. She talked with us like she's known us for years."
I grinned... the 'Kath affect'.
"Yeah. I know. I discovered the same thing that first time we got together."
"You did good, son."
Just then, Kathy walked out the door in the same sundress that she wore when I was down there. She looked ravishing. Still, no tan lines.
................................
My parents were popular at the Club. My dad had been a member for almost fifteen years. Had even been the governor there. I felt I had grown up with all of his friends. They all knew me.
The bar was oval about twenty five feet long and ten feet wide the bartenders worked from the center. It overlooked the dance floor. There were probably twenty tables in the bar area. The place was filling up fast. Being Friday night, it was family night. Saturday nights were more of a member's night with no kids. Dancing to music from the 'Big Bands'. Live music brought people from as far away as thirty miles. The place rocked. Back then, there was a mixture of ages. While mostly my parents age, but there were some in their twenties and thirties.
We took up a spot at the bar. Kathy, again, turned heads. I was in heaven. I had a beer and she asked about a wine cooler. As luck would have it they had some leftover red wine from a midweek gathering. Add some 7-Up and ice she was good. I filled Kathy in on how my dad would usually grab either me or my sister on a Saturday afternoon and come here, just to socialize and of course consume some "Adult Beverages".
That got a chuckle out of my mom.
"Yeah. He and the guys here are quite the watch dogs."
I knew what was coming, as Kathy had a puzzled look.
My mom continued, "Seems one time these two were down here, there had been a wedding reception the night before, and there was some left-over punch. Nobody thought anything of it and said Bill should have some instead of paying for the usual soft drinks. So he did. Turns out it was a champagne punch. At the wedding reception they were serving it in tiny glasses. Bill here, was drinking it in water glasses. Mind you, now... Bill was only in eighth grade.
"When they got home, Bill said he wasn't feeling very good. Went out to the porch and laid down on the bed. I checked on him, and he was out. Sweat pouring off him. So I asked Bill senior, what happened. Said, he didn't know. Only that I had been drinking some leftover punch.
"The next time these two went down there they got all kinds of ribbing."
Kathy was openly laughing. I just shook my head, and took a swig from my beer.
Kathy went on to relate some dorm stories with her girlfriends. Fortunately, I wasn't part of those.
The fish was good. I always loved their fish fries. The tartar sauce and cold slaw were made right there during the week. Each had a unique flavor that I have never found anyplace else. Kathy picked up on that too and commented how good they were.
We settled back at the bar, and were able to watch the dance floor. It was 9:00 and the live music had started. It was a couple. She sang and he alternated between a guitar and an accordion. They played a variety of tunes ranging from country to folk to polkas. My dad loved to dance, and was very good. He would dance with a number of women, besides my mom.
A polka started. That got my dad itching. We watched as he took a lady friend, onto the floor and went at it.
"He's really good," Kathy stated.
"Yep. He really enjoys it. He does slow ones with my mom. But loves to polka."
"I've never done the polka. It's fun to watch."
"You should see this place on a Saturday night. It's packed. Next time," her eyes now gleaming at me at the mention of 'next time' as she squeezed my arm. My mom watching the exchange with a knowing smile.
Kathy had to use the restroom and my dad came over and asked if she was enjoying herself. I told him she was. That she had never heard of, or seen, polka. He asked if she liked to dance. And I said 'yes'. That got a nod and a smile.
The next song was not as lively as a polka, but a bit more than a slow dance. My dad escorted Kathy to the dance floor. I watched as they danced. I could tell they were chatting. They were both grinning. He had never reacted like this to my high school girlfriend. Actually, I don't think they cared for her. I never told them why we stopped seeing each other. Only that we broke up. I think they were relieved.
She returned with a giant smile, "That was fun."
We sat for another couple rounds of drinks. Then the gal on stage announced, "OK ladies. Grab your guy and get out here."
