Danny and I met about five years ago quite by accident. But, fate has a way of doing many things that seem accidental.
It was that fateful day five years ago when I attended a middle school function for my daughter Kristin. It was field day at the school. One of those end of year activities where the kids engage in competitions, both individually, and classroom against classroom. Classes let out for the day and it was spent in races, tugs of war and other contests. Because it was during the day, the parents present were virtually all mothers. You see, Kristin's mother had left us about five years earlier when she decided to pursue her singing career in Nashville along with the wealthy playboy son of the huge local Chevrolet dealer.
Well, the singing career didn't seem to ever pan out, but we never saw my now ex-wife again. An occasional postcard from towns across the south where she would be traveling with a band that she had formed after going solo didn't give her the fame she sought. That left Kris and me on our own. I held a good job that provided nicely for us and I was able to juggle my schedule when needed. Today was one of those Mr. Mom days.
During the mile run, I stood with one eye on Kris, who was near the front of the pack of runners, and the other eye scanning the crowd of MILFs and PTA moms who were decked out in various arrays of tight and revealing clothing. I was amused by moms' dress codes (or lack of one), but I was more amused by the queen bee hierarchy of the moms. You could clearly see who was at the top of the chain as well as the lower rungs of wannabees.
"Quite a contest, isn't it?" the male voice to my left quietly asked. I turned to see a handsome gent about my age. Clean cut, in shape, and very good looking.
"Oh yeah, but I think our class might fare pretty well by the end of the day."
"Yes, but I mean the contest over there between the PTA moms. You know they're all 'positioning' themselves for the election of new officers for next school year. It's all some sort of female oriented combination of mating ritual and fight to the death. I just don't understand the female race whatsoever."
"I hear ya, buddy. I had one once and don't necessarily care to go through all THAT STUFF again anytime too soon.."
"I'm Danny, by the way," as he offered forth his right hand.
"John," I said, returning his firm grip and looking into piercing battleship gray eyes, "I'm Kristin's dad, though I'm now supposed to just call het "Kris"."
"Kristin's dad. Well I know her pretty well. Allie is my girl. It seems our daughters have become pretty good friends over the past school year.
"Well, Danny. It's finally good to meet you. Kris has talked about Allie so much this year that I feel that I know you both already. I've obviously seen Allie and talked to her a few times at volleyball games and other school functions. Kris has been asking for months if Allie could come spend the night sometime, but the schedules haven't worked out up to now because of the different directions they head after school.."
"Don't I know. Allie usually waits at after-school care until I can get by to pick her up. It's just the two of us, so it kind of be difficult at times."
"Danny, I know what you mean. It's just Kris and me, too......."
Danny and I, as the only two dads at the field day spent the rest of the day visiting; comparing notes, sharing divorce horror stories, talking about dating after divorce, and talking about our girls. The day flew by and after school we decided to take the girls out for pizza and games at Dave and Busters. It turned into a great evening and another friendship was born.
With all the sports seasons behind us, the girls spent even more time together. Allie started going home with Kris and each evening, Danny would swing by our place on the way home rather than being forced to pay for the after-school care. It was a great set up. Each day it seemed when Danny came by for Allie, they would stay a bit longer and visit a bit longer. But, it was nice. All four of us relished out time together.
As school ended, I made arrangements with Danny to allow Allie to spend the weekdays at our house. We had a pool that she and Kris could enjoy, and it would present much less of a burden for both of us working dads. That also allowed us to share the cost of a college girl to 'babysit' our girls during the day. What a summer it turned out to be!
My office schedule allowed me to get out of the office early on the occasional afternoon. More than once I came in the house to find Kris, Allie and Beth, the baby sitter, enjoying some nude sun-bathing. It was never a problem for me, and I certainly enjoyed the peeks at Beth's hot body and all-over natural tan. I must admit that I was almost equally turned on by the sight of Allie's teenaged, mid-pubescent body, also free of any tan lines.
Every day, Danny would stop by after work to pick up Allie. Most days, he'd come to the door, and stay and visit for awhile. We'd sit in the family room while the girls ended their afternoons at the pool. Our conversations ranged from baseball to the weather, to the latest hot MILF we saw at the park, mall, or movie theater. We'd drink a beer or two and simply enjoy one another's company. With our shared experiences and duties, we were indeed the best of friends.
