Steve had recently finished his freshman year at the state university and just celebrated his 19th birthday when he went to spend a couple of weeks visiting his grandparents, who he hadn't seen in over a year.
He found himself with plenty of time but not much cash on his hands when an opportunity arose. His grandmother told him that Mrs. Johnson, their widowed neighbor up the street, had called and offered to pay Steve to mow her lawn, which really needed it.
Since the weather was hot even for July, Steve decided it would be best to work in the morning, so Mrs. Johnson suggested that he come over at 9 am the next day. He arrived right on time and met Mrs. Johnson for the first time. She was a petite woman with red hair, and Steve figured she was probably in her 60s, close in age to his grandparents.
Mrs. Johnson was wearing a yellow and black print dress that, Steve thought, was rather skimpy for an older lady. It certainly was much less conservative than the way his own grandmother dressed. She greeted him with a warm smile, a handshake, and a lingering touch on his arm as she directed him to find her lawnmower in the garage. Steve thought nothing of their brief encounter as he set to work cutting the grass of her large lawn. He did notice that Mrs. Johnson watched him rather intently through her kitchen window as he worked.
He finished the job in about an hour, put the lawnmower back where he had found it, and headed toward the front door to settle up with Mrs. Johnson. He certainly was looking forward to getting the cash he had just earned!
Steve rang the doorbell and Mrs. Johnson was waiting for him. She invited him inside her cool, air-conditioned home and closed the door. She smiled at him again and offered him an ice-cold drink, which he eagerly accepted.
"You did a great job, Steve," Mrs. Johnson said. "But you're so hot and sweaty and your shirt is soaked. Why don't we sit and talk while you cool off?"
Steve sat on the couch as Mrs. Johnson disappeared for a moment and returned holding a towel. She sat down next to him.
"I hope I don't embarrass you by saying this, but I think you're a very handsome young man," she said with a friendly smile.
"That's OK, thank you Mrs. Johnson," Steve said.
"I got a towel to help you dry off," she said. "May I?"