Everything is connected to everything. Everything in our past is dynamically active in every present moment... leading into a future with beautiful networks of people, places, and emotions. Okay... that's enough of my amateur philosophy. This is my way of saying that a relatively small number of events end up being pivotal openings to some amazing relationships. Meet my 'gentle giants.'
I am still a serious bodybuilder... and, yes, I consider this preoccupation as an addiction. See my previous story, Two Addictions, for the deep background. During my 20s... I became an extreme bodybuilder. It was consuming... and very fulfilling. The gym became my second home. My workout buddies became my family. I started a successful career... but my emotional focus was on the gym.
And... then there was Anthony! Holy, crap... what a great guy. We met at the gym... surprise, surprise. When I get in my 'zone'... all senses are alive and aware... I'm wired!
I'd seen Ant on the edges of our extreme workout area... so when I needed someone to spot me for my next set on the bench press, I looked at him, and asked him to help me. Damn... he was so cute! He walked over to the bench and checked the weight I was lifting. He declined.
"Sorry," he said. "If anything went wrong... I couldn't lift this weight. You wouldn't be safe."
In most gyms... this kind of humility and honesty is rare. I was immediately impressed... and he understood the depth of my smile. "Okay," I replied. "But... I'd love it if you'd be willing to watch my next set."
I got another friend to spot me... and completed my next set. But... I was super-pumped that Anthony was watching... I kept him in my peripheral vision and had extra energy in each lift. I was pursuing my passion and enjoying the obvious admiration of this strangely intoxicating man.
Fast forward to 2010... Anthony and I had been married for a couple years... my career was going very well... I was in the best physical shape of my life. My mother was right... women bloom in their 30s and 40s. I celebrated my 30th birthday as a happy and fulfilled woman... ready for more!
Ant and I are co-conspirators in my addictions. The gym was our second home... until we created our own gym in our new home with all the bells and whistles that I requested. We still frequented our traditional gym, but not as often. Fortunately, he had well-paying career also! We were incredibly blessed... we worked hard... we played hard... we fucked often... we lived as one!
One summer evening after my 30th b-day... I told Ant that I was hungry to be seen naked... and it was a strong, growing hunger. He smiled back... and exited the room.
A short time later... Anthony came back into the room, and said, "Let's go, sweetie. I've set out a top and skirt that you purchased a few months ago, but never worn. We're going on a little road trip."
I was hooked! The top and sweetly short skirt were both see-through... but concealed enough to stay legal. This outfit was designed as a beach coverup... woven in an open-work crochet design. With nothing under them... my skin was clearly visible... but anyone looking had to look carefully to see my nipples above or my smooth mound and firm ass below. I added a pair of high-heeled sandals and I was ready to go. But... where?
As we drove... Ant revealed that we were driving to a little rural bar... more like a 'honky-tonk.' It was small... and intimate... and his good friend owned it and was the bartender. "Trust me," he added. "I think this is the place you're looking for... especially tonight."
As we turned into the parking lot... it was... well, underwhelming. A small building with a neon sign that announced, "Road House." It was 10pm and there were only 4 cars in the parking lot. I thought... not exactly my heart's desire!
We went in... and met Dave. He welcomed us... and provided us with drinks. It was a small space... half was a dance floor and small stage... the other half was a small L-shaped bar and a few tables. Again... not very inspiring. There was music piped in... not bad, and not overly loud. When we entered... Springsteen was dominant for a couple songs. Yes... I can move to that!
After a few minutes of small talk with Dave... a deep, approaching rumble started to shake the bar and my body. It grew louder and louder... and seemed to subside slightly outside the bar. Then... as if a light switch turned it off, we were back to Springsteen's song... "Philadelphia."
There were only 6 people in the room... Ant and I... Dave the owner and bartender... an old guy nursing a scotch-and-water... and a 20-something couple with cheap beers. All of our eyes were fixed on the door.
After almost a minute... the door opened slowly... almost carefully. A mountain-of-a-man stood in the door opening... he was almost as tall and as broad as the door itself. He slowly walked into the bar... followed by more giants after him. None appeared to be shorter than 6 foot 5... all were clad in black leather vests, pants and boots. Okay... they literally took my breath away.
Dave greeted them as friends... they were obviously regulars at this little, remote road house. And then... to my utter surprise... Anthony stepped forward to greet each of them by name... and each with a hug. He had to reach way up for these hugs... but they seemed to be natural and heartfelt. I just watched in awe... but with a bit of anxiety.
Once this male bonding ritual was done... Ant introduced me to the group of giants. Chad was the unofficial leader of the group... 6 foot 8, but with a smile that could warm a large house. There was an aeronautical engineer, two lawyers, a CPA, a construction contractor, a vintner, and a physical therapist. Hahaha... I had to look way up to every one of them... most were at least foot taller than me.
They all got their drinks... and chatted briefly with Anthony and Dave. So far... I was just a part of the furniture. I boosted myself up onto a bar stool... crossing my legs to not show too much... yet. Ant asked Chad to tell their story. As he started... I was struck by his voice... like having Matthew McConaughey's sexy baritone cords in person.
The group became friends in high school... they were members of a regional championship football team. No wonder that they were champions, judging from their size. After high school... they went their various ways into their respective careers but made it a point to keep in touch. When they were all established within a circle of about a 30-mile radius... they got together a couple times each year. Then... one of the guys bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle. As Chad put it, "And... the rest is history." Before long... they each had a Harley. They started riding together... and found it fun to dress as big, tough guys on Harleys... even though they were never going to pose a threat to anyone.
Several of the guys shared brief stories. There was a lot of laughter as they told funny stories about each other... and some embarrassing moments about themselves. Good times as the drinks kept flowing.
Then... Zeke... the most solid and muscular of the group... walked through the group and stood next to me at the bar.
"Annie," he said. "You appear to have a very firm physique. Hope you don't mind, but I've been looking at your arms, shoulders and legs. Do you lift?"
I smiled, and replied, "Mind? Never! And... yes, I've been lifting for over 10 years. Truth be told... my physique is a matter of pride for me."
"Ahhhh, that's exactly what Ant and Dave shared with us earlier this evening."