I spent the summer before college working as many odd jobs as I could to build up some reserves for the autumn. I painted, built and gardened my way through the long hot summer days, then spent the evenings delivering pizza. Sure my tuition was taken care of, but I didn't want to have to work too much. That way I could enjoy the college experience while I studied. My friends laughed at me, as they spent that last summer of high school taking it easy, and Lisa stopped calling after a couple of lack lustre dates where I fell asleep.
It was early afternoon when I arrived at the Callaghan's house. My task for the afternoon was to mow the grass in the back yard. A largish expanse, easily enough for a ride on mower, but I would have to cut it with the push mower Mr Callaghan provided. I'm sure it was much cheaper for him to just pay me to sweat my way up and down his lawn every week.
The drive was empty when I arrived so I let myself in the side gate and set about my task. It was a really hot day and I was sweating by the time I'd got the mower ready to go. Looking around to ensure no one was watching I removed my t-shirt, letting what little breeze there was dry my torso, sure I'd be sweating again soon enough. I left my t-shirt by the pool, gazing longingly at is cool blue water, how good it would feel to dive in. Day dreaming wasn't getting me anywhere and I began the steady work of putting those green stripes into the lawn Mr Callaghan was so keen on.
I was about half way done, heading back towards the house again, when the sliding doors opened and Mrs Callaghan stepped out. Her hand over her eyes as she looked at who was in her yard, waving as she recognised me, walking round the pool towards the lawn as I plodded towards her cutting as I went. She must have finished work early today as her shapely form was covered in a simple black shift dress that ended mid thigh. Her heels clicking as she moved closer.
"Oh hi Tim, I'd forgotten you were due today," I'd cut the motor on the mower as I got to the end of the lawn were Mrs Callaghan was waiting.
"Hi Mrs Callaghan, I'll be done in 30 minutes or so and out of your way."
"No rush Tim, and call me Kelly, Mrs Callaghan is so formal isn't it?" Kelly; somehow the name fitted her in my mind. "Haven't you filled out since I last saw you topless?"
Suddenly I felt self conscious, looking at my t-shirt lying next to a sun lounger. My family had moved into the close when I was 10 and the Callaghan's were the only house to have a pool at the time. All the kids used to spend Saturday afternoons playing in the pool while the adults drank and barbecued. This was the norm till I was 14, when we had our own pool, and I decided to swim there. This was mostly due to the crush I had on Mrs Callaghan. To a small, shy 14 year old boy she was the height of sexiness and sophistication.
She was always in heels, even at the pool, showing off her shapely, toned calves and thighs when she wore swim suits. Her dresses always showed off her figure to perfection, emphasising the swell of her chest and the roundness of her ass. Her long brunette hair always in a perfect coiffure and her jewellery picked to draw a male eye to all the right places. I was infatuated.
Mrs Callaghan appeared in my dreams whenever they turned dirty, always dressed in a really slinky number she'd worn one Christmas. I could no longer see her in a swim suit without a stirring in my groin and that was just too embarrassing. Enforced isolation was the only answer.
Over time the crush had faded as these things do, my interest captured by girls more my age. Though standing here right next to her, bare chest, I could feel the old urges begin to surface again. I realised I had never really thought of how old she was, late 30's I guessed, a little younger than my Mom for sure. My eyes did a quick survey of her body. It really hadn't changed much in the last 4 years, still as shapely as I remembered, belt highlighting her slim waist and hourglass figure. She obviously worked hard to maintain such a tight body. I felt the hint of a blush form on my face, hoping the heat of the day was covering it.
"Why don't you finish up and I'll make us a nice cool drink and we can chat?" Her hand placed lightly on my shoulder set a further surge of heat through my body.
"Sure Mrs Callaghan, I mean Kelly," I smiled nervously, heart beating faster than it had any business doing.
"Well careful with those stripes, you know how fussy Jerry is." Winking as she turned and headed back to the house.
Watching her walk, hips swaying, wasn't helping me get finished. I had to force myself to get back to work, my mind no longer on keeping the stripes tight and straight like Mr Callaghan demanded.
Finishing the lawn seemed to take forever, a montage of memories running through my mind, making it hard to keep the mower moving forward in a straight line. All my youthful desires and dreams came flooding back. Get a grip, I told myself, as I stored the mower back in the tool shed. Mrs Callaghan was just making polite conversation; even in my mind I couldn't quite call her Kelly, my mind, however, was not willing to let go of the memories just yet.
I wandered back to the pool, having decided I'd collect my t-shirt, make my excuses, and leave. My mind was in turmoil and I knew I wouldn't be able to chat casually with Kelly without tripping over my tongue and looking stupid and that was something I didn't want to remember. While I had no more planned until I had to head out to the pizzeria I was sure here was somewhere I shouldn't linger. Rounding the corner and seeing Mrs Callaghan reclining on a lounger my resolve wavered.
She had changed. Gone was the smart business dress, replaced by a black bikini. A flimsy sarong was wrapped around her waist covering her legs, though as it was practically see through I wondered why she bothered. I paused surveying her body, suddenly 14 again, feeling that familiar stirring in my shorts. Time had been kind, sure there was a bit of a belly on show but her legs were still stunning and her breasts as full as I remembered. What was I going to do now? Could I just leave quietly abandoning my shirt, or should I just be adult about this, go over pick it up and leave.
"Tim, you've finished? Come over here, I've made Iced tea." There went my chance to run.