I used to teach English at a small New England college. Single, I became attracted to Lois, a new associate professor of American history. A slender brunette with medium-length hair and shapely legs, she liked to dress in the style of the 1940s, with padded shoulders and tight skirts. Usually part of a tailored suit that fit her like a glove, these skirts went below her knees. Although some had short slits, they always kept her legs together. I began watching her from my office window as she walked across campus every afternoon at about 4.
I asked around and learned she was in her early 30s like me, was unattached, and had a master's from a prestigious women's college in the same state. One brisk autumn day I got up the nerve to run down the stairs and catch up to her as her high heels clipped along through the fallen maple leaves.
She looked so businesslike from behind, but she turned to greet me with a welcoming smile that made it easy for me to introduce myself. I said I was going the same way and thought it was about time we met. She said she knew who I was too, and had known it would be just a matter of time before our paths crossed.
I had never seen her face up close before. It was beautifully shaped β soft, yet firm. Carrying an attachΓ© case in one hand and a shoulder bag on her other side, she was a neat, well-groomed woman who knew where she was going. But her fresh, wide smile made her green eyes sparkle with life in the here and now.
I teased her about her clothes, saying even without her first name they would have reminded me of Lois Lane. Her comeback was quick: "All I need is a Superman," she said, catching my eyes with hers for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
She said she was headed home to her apartment at the edge of the campus, and would I like to come along and have a glass of wine. I politely accepted; my spirits were high, and there was by now an electricity between the two of us as we strolled down the brick sidewalk through the trees, trading puns and other smalltalk. I tried to hide my excitement.
Her apartment was the upper floor of a duplex, tastefully decorated and adorned with houseplants β ferns, African violets, even philodendron vines that trailed along the woodwork in places. Setting her purse and case down just so on a table by the kitchen door, she uncorked a bottle of chilled Chardonnay and poured two glasses. I followed her under the vines and into her living room, and we sat down at opposite ends of a large couch. Her skirt-confined legs were pressed tightly together, crossed at the ankles. She held her spine upright, even though the couch was quite soft. After a sip of wine, she set her glass down on the coffee table and opened a drawer that contained some joints and a book of matches. She didn't ask if I smoked pot; I do, but I was a little surprised that she did. From her looks and manner, I wouldn't have brought up the subject, but maybe my hair was long enough for her to assume I would have no objection. In any case, she lit up, took a deep toke, and handed me the joint in a matter-of-fact way with that full, wholesome smile of hers. Her complexion was perfect. This lady has her act together, I thought to myself.
The dope and the wine made the conversation even easier, of course, and we started to laugh at things. We both admitted that we got a lot of satisfaction from our jobs, in spite of the trials and tribulations of teaching. "I feel good," she said, leaning back on the couch at last. Her lips were wet from her last sip of wine. I took a chance and moved closer, reaching out to stroke her wavy hair, which turned out to be as smooth as it looked. She closed her eyes and told me not to stop. My fingers touched her cheek, and she reached out to touch my arm. My heart was beating fast and furious. She smiled again, and I kissed her lightly. Her lips were unbelievably soft and delicious. When I started to draw away, her head followed mine, to keep our lips together. Her hands went behind my neck, and then I felt her tongue dart in to touch my own. That cinched it.