We met at a "parents without partners" meeting. Technically, I was not really a parent without a partner because, although I had been divorced for four years, my 19-year-old daughter was away at school and my son was in business with me. The only reason I was there was to meet someone, anyone, and I picked out Judith.
Judith was a very small person, almost petite but very good-looking. I guessed her to be about ten years younger than I, say 35-38, five foot one inch tall and weigh perhaps 110 pounds. She had a beautiful smile, flashing blue-green eyes and dark hair. Although her breasts and hips were small they were really perfectly proportioned to her body. All in all, she was a very attractive woman.
Somehow, (it was no accident) I found myself seated next to her at one of the luncheon tables with quite a few other parents, mostly women. Everyone was introduced around and we had an enjoyable meal with lots of small talk before the guest speaker was welcomed at the podium. Unfortunately, she was an embittered old woman who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her entire talk was a criticism of men, divorce, the legal system and life in general. When her tirade (disguised as a speech) was over, there was a smattering of polite but very uncomfortable applause.
Judith raised the back of her hand to her mouth and whispered sideways to me, "I can understand why men don't like her. I don't like her and I'm not a man."
I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I whispered back, "What she really needs is a good roll in the hay."
She turned and gave me a very strange look. I thought to myself, "Oh Hell, now you've done it!"
I was very pleasantly surprised when, instead of being angry, she smiled and said, "I don't think that would hurt any of us. When the meeting is over why don't you take me home and we can talk about it?"
There was obviously no argument from me. We stood around chatting with the other members until people began to leave. Another woman in the crowd, Betty, came over to us and said, "Judith I'm ready to go home now, come on, and I'll drop you off."
"Thanks, but I have a ride. Ed here, lives very close to me and has very graciously offered to take me home." Aside to me she whispered, "I hope you didn't mind that little white lie."
"What lie? I would be pleased to take you home or anywhere else you would like to go."
In the car, on the way to her house, I found out that she had been divorced almost three years, worked at home on her computer as a legal researcher. She had a 15-year-old son that attended the local high school. Her ex-husband was a successful lawyer and had left her for a very young paralegal in his office. In addition to her research work, she was also an amateur author and had just signed her first book deal. We never once mentioned my remark that the old biddy could use a good man.
Once inside, she asked if I would like a cup of coffee, tea or a beer.
"It's a little early for a beer, how about an iced tea?"
Rather than wait in the loving room I followed her into the kitchen while she prepared the drinks.
"How is it that a man such as your self finds enough time to attend a two hour hen party on a Wednesday afternoon?"
"Well, I am slowly turning my business over to my son and I need to give him some space."