Susan and Jeff Jackson stood before their first house, not believing their luck. Right out of college, Jeff got a job offer at a small manufacturing company outside Philadelphia. Part of the offer was a meager interest rate for a house so rather than rent for a while then finally bite the bullet, they were able to find a very nice house in one of the newer neighborhoods.
"I hope the neighbors are nice, "Sue said happily, "Everyone's yard is perfect." She admired the flowers, the flawless lawns feeling the anticipation of a happy life.
Jeff nodded, then picked up his wife and carried her to the front door only to find it locked. After Susan unlocked and opened the door he carried her across the threshold. "I should have planned that better," he laughed, "I'm going to make sure the door is unlocked with my next wife," he groaned.
"You'd better, no way would your next wife be as light as I am. My next husband is going to have money so the butler will be opening the door," she replied. "Plus, he'll be able to carry me and my luggage."
"You're kidding, right? With all your muscle you're a fucking load to carry," he chuckled. "Shit, you should have carried me!" he said as he patted her firm ass.
Susan was a sixth-degree black belt in taekwondo and worked out regularly. Jeff was right as Susan not only had quickness and flexibility but strength. Looking at her, you'd assume she was about 100 pounds, but with ~15% body fat she weighed about 115.
They were thrilled to meet their neighbors, especially the ones on the west side. The couple, Cheryl and Tom, were each a bit older with an 8-year-old kid named Jason but they found they had a lot in common. Over the years Susan and Cheryl got involved in many charitable events and soon were seen as a team within the community. Tom and Jeff had identical handicaps and became regulars on the local courses.
Since Susan and Jeff found they could not have kids, they became almost second parents to Jason who they came to love. He became a fixture at their house and it was not unusual for him to crash there overnight. He was a tiny kid, usually, the smallest in his class, and sadly was periodically bullied. That is until the 15-year-old Jason came home with a split lip. It was heartbreaking to see the small boy, not ever 5' tall yet being tormented.
Susan was furious. Jason would not say a word about who did this but the following day, she parked across from the school and watched as four senior boys surrounded Jason taking his book bag, and throwing it up a tree. She'd seen those boys before. They were three years older than Jason, and twice his weight. She got out and calmly walked over and told the boys they had one minute to climb the maple tree or...she patted a 4" diameter dead branch above them...they'd be using this as a crutch.
The biggest boy laughed, "Shut up bitch, or when we're done with you you'll be the one having trouble walking, or at least not bow-legged," he snorted. "Hell, a skinny cunt like you might just be a lot of fun. Shit! Let's take the bitch behind the school and teach her some manners."
Susan jumped, spun, and with a sweeping leg kick snapped the large diameter branch right off. Without missing a beat, she caught it, broke it in half across her knee, and studied the two parts. "I think this might just be right. You have 20 seconds now to decide," she held out the pieces of the branch.
All four boys jumped up the tree and scrambled up to get the suspended book bag.
Susan looked at Jason, "These the boys that split your lip?" she asked. When the boy nodded she waited until all four were back down. She pointed to the lip, "Which one of you hit this boy?" She spun the branches in her hands menacingly.
They all looked nervously at each other, then the tallest stepped back, saying, "I did it, and I'm sorry," he said quickly.
Susan stepped forward, "You have a choice. I could split your lip doing the same as I did to the branch, or one of your buddies can do it. Either way, you'll be spitting blood...how much blood and whether there will be pieces of teeth is up to you."
The taller boy stepped back again, "I said I was sorry, please don't..." he pleaded, his voice cracking as tears filled his eyes.
"Oh, fuck it! It wouldn't be much of a challenge," Susan sighed. "Come on, Jason, I was on my way to Jerrod's Ice Cream. Join me?" she said cheerfully. She tossed the branches onto the ground, "You know what? I can teach you how to do that. Let's have some ice cream and we'll get started."
After that, the young boy was glued to Susan's side. She kept her part of the bargain and trained him not that it was needed after word spread that Jason's neighbor lady kicked a tree over.
* * *
"Sad," Cheryl sighed, "We're losing our kid in a few months. Can you believe he's 18?" she said.
Susan nodded, "I never thanked you, I mean, Jeff and I can't have kids and we thought about adopting but saw no need with your great kid," She said, "I mean thanks for sharing him with us. I really love the kid."
"I hope he wasn't a pain," Cheryl sighed, "I swear he's been over here more than at home."
"Susan laughed, "I needed someone to work out with and he's great at helping out. He actually took out the trash yesterday morning before Jeff even got up. You raised a great kid."
"We raised a great kid. Can you believe how much he grew this year? I think at the end of last year he was 5' 2". Now he's 5' 11"? I've been buying him jeans every three months," she smiled. Cheryl paused, "I'm a bit worried though. He's grown physically, but he's still the smallest kid in his class, I mean inside. He hasn't asked any girl to the prom."
"You worry too much. He's a great-looking kid. I'll bet there are a few girls who'll ask him. He's shy, but he's not dead. I'm sure some pretty young thing will hint around or just ask him," Susan said hopefully. "He should ask me," she laughed, "Just kidding. My senior year my parents were in a car accident with me in the back seat. A drunk driver swerved into us. I was in the hospital prom night. I had the most beautiful dress...still have it," she sighed. "Anyhow, he'll find a girl. I'm sure of it."
Cheryl hugged her friend, "That's sad. I'll never forget my prom night," she blushed, "It was...well, over quick. At least the first time. I thought it would last longer," she chuckled. "I made sure of it the next 2 or 3 times," she said softly.
Susan laughed, "At least I didn't miss out on that," she said, "I might have been a bit of a slut."
"Looking back, I wish I had been. I mean marriage is great and all that, but those were the opportunities lost," she sighed.
Jason stopped by later that afternoon. Jeff was sitting in the living room and Susan had just gotten back from a run and was heading up to shower when the boy walked in.
"Hey, Mr. Jackson, Dad told me you got two eagles yesterday? I've never had even one," he said as he gave the man a high-five. "Mrs. Jackson, you went for a run without me? I'm going to have to kick your ass tomorrow," he laughed.
"You can try," the tall brunette chuckled, "You're getting better but maybe you just want the rest since you spend a lot of time on the mat," she chuckled.
Jason sighed, "But last week I surprised you. I've been practicing."