I was walking my 10-year old from downtown to the rec center about two miles from downtown. It was summer, school was out, and he was participating in a day camp at the downtown YMCA. My wife had enrolled him in an afternoon soccer camp at the rec center, so after the day camp was over, he needed to get to the rec center. It was the first day of camp and I said I would go with him once to make sure he knew the way, and after that he's on his own. We were on the hard surface path which doubles as a walking and biking path. Walkers have the right-of-way, supposedly, but in reality, if you're walking, you need to stay alert. We were talking about this as well as making sure he was noticing specific landmarks along the way.
The path wound through residential sections and behind office buildings, skirted along the side of a park, went right through the middle of some community garden plots, by some open space areas with small playgrounds, then through more residential areas before terminating at the rec center and continuing on. It was hot and I made sure he had some water. The path ran in and out of shaded areas, but through the community gardens, there was no shade. Full sun helped all the vegetables grow. We rested on the close cut grass after passing through the community gardens.
"You know, we're almost there," I said. "It's just a little farther and there are no more streets to cross. The path takes you right to the rec center."
"Yeah, I know. I don't know why you had to come with me. We've been here before. You treat me like a baby," my son said.
That was mostly true, but I gave him what I thought was a good answer. "Yeah, O.K. Mom and I just wanted to make sure. You know, you'll be making this trip by yourself for the next two weeks - rain or shine. We know you can do it - it's mostly to reassure us. Does that make sense?" I explained.
"I guess so. Can we go now?" he said - conversation over.
We got up and continued our trek. There were a few children at the playgrounds and soon after, we came upon a small child and a woman a few yards ahead. As we passed the child, I said "Hello, there!" She looked up but did not answer. A little farther on we passed the mother and I said, "Hi!" and looked over at her. She looked back and I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Uh... Devin?" I called to my son who had continued on.
"Yeah, what?" he answered without turning around.
"You go on. I'm going to count on you making it there in time for soccer practice."
He turned slightly and with a wave of his hand, he was gone.
The woman was strikingly beautiful and she was pregnant. She wore one of those blouses that was gathered under her breasts, then hung loosely over her belly. She had on shorts and was carrying her flip-flops in one hand. She was dark-skinned with long, black hair drawn back into a ponytail. Her flawless face showed no signs of the puffiness that so often accompanies pregnancy. She smiled and said, "Hello"
"Is that your child?" I asked, pointing to the small child who was almost upon us.
"Yes, we've been to the playground and we're returning home now. It's time for her nap," she replied.
"So, how far along are you?" I continued.
"About six and a half months," she said somewhat sadly.
"Well, is everything OK? Are you seeing your doctor regularly?" I asked.
"Oh, yes, everything's fine," she said.
"That's good," I said. "I'm glad we happened upon you. I think pregnant women are simply beautiful."
"You do?" she said surprisingly.
"Oh, yeah. The curve of the belly is just so sensuous. When my wife was pregnant, I always wanted to rub my hands over her belly, just to feel how soft and sexy it was," I replied.
"You think it's sexy? Jasmine, don't go too far," she asked then cautioned her daughter who was staring at something in the grass.
"Very," I answered. "In fact, if we knew each other, I'd ask if I could feel your belly."
She just looked at me for a second or two, then said "I'm Carlene," and put out her right hand.
"Mike," I said as I reached out and shook her hand.
She continued "So, I guess we know each other now." She was looking straight at me with a penetrating gaze.
I didn't know what to say. "Uh... Yeah... I guess we do."
"So, would you like to feel my belly?" she asked.
I swallowed hard. "Uh... Carlene... Uh... I... Uh..." I stammered.
She smiled. "It's O.K. I don't mean here. Our house is just up here right off the path. Would you walk us home?" she asked as if we'd been friends for years.
"Uh... Sure. I'll be glad to," I replied.
She turned to go up the path. "O.K., Jasmine. Let's go home now," she spoke to her child. Then to me, "She's usually running and jumping and I can hardly keep up with her. Playing at the playground always tires her out. Nap time is not too far away!"
I smiled at her as we walked up the path, not really knowing what I had gotten myself into. She walked slowly, but carried herself well without too much wobbling. We made some small talk as we walked and just two houses farther on she said, "O.K. Here we are." Jasmine had already turned off the path and was headed to the sliding door that opened out onto the path. She waited while Carlene and I reached the door, I reached over and slid the door open, and we entered the house.
The air conditioning was on and the cool air was a relief. Carlene stopped just inside the door, dropped her shoes on the floor, reached down with both hands, grabbed the bottom of her blouse, and flapped it up and down. I looked down at glimpses of her belly.
"Whew! It's hot out there," she remarked. "Mike, have a seat while I put Jasmine down for her nap." She took Jasmine by the hand and they left the room off to the right.
I looked around for a chair, but didn't want to sit down. The room was nicely furnished with expensive furniture, lighting, and wall hangings. This room was so neat that it didn't appear lived in, at least according to my standards. Maybe she's just a good housekeeper; she's not working at least today so maybe she... Or perhaps they have a housekeeper. That made sense.
Then I heard, "Mike, c'mon back." off from the direction where they had left. I headed that way. As I left this room, there was a hallway in front of me and I could see a dining room off to one side and what looked like a short hallway to the other side that probably led to a kitchen.
"Carlene?" I called.
"Back here, Mike," was the response. I continued down the hallway. I peeked into the first room on the right. It was a large bathroom; again, it was very neat.
"Over here, Mike," came Carlene's voice from across the hall.
I turned and stepped into the room across the hall. She was sitting on a large bed and leaning back on her elbows. Her blouse was bunched up under her breasts exposing her belly which looked extra-large from the position she was in.
"Wow!" I said as I walked over to her.
"What do you think?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"It's... It's great! It's just great!" I responded, somewhat dumbfounded as I looked at her belly.
"Well..." she said. "Go ahead."
I reached down and touched this woman's belly for the first time. Her skin was taut and smooth. I knelt down and began to gently rub her skin with the palm and fingers of my hand. I reached up with my other hand and began to feel that smooth, tight expanse of skin with both hands.
"Mmmmm..." she murmured. "That feels good. My husband never does that."
"Well," I replied as I continued to feel her belly. "He's missing a great opportunity."
Only her murmurs of pleasure as I continued to feel and lightly massage her belly.
"You know, don't you," I continued. "It's good for both baby and mother to do this on a regular basis during pregnancy. It feels good for the mother and it stimulates the baby somehow. At least that's what they say. I'm no doctor, but it makes sense to me. And, also, it's good for the father or partner who is doing the rubbing. There's more of a connection made between the mom and the fath... Er... Partner. It's amazing - we just met thirty minutes ago and here I am in your bedroom rubbing your belly."
