I had only been out of work for a week, and already I was getting bored. And that's a bad thing for me . . . to be bored. It's how I always get into trouble.
Okay, it's one of the ways I get into trouble.
So here I am, back home in the mountains of Tennessee, and I need something to do. It's beautiful here, and very secluded. I got back into hiking the trails in Smoky Mountain National Park, and I'm still running and exercising. I was so glad to see my husband and my dogs; I thought I'd never leave again. But he's so busy this time of year, with all the tourists and hikers and campers, there's always some kind of crisis in the park. I was left alone again, and that's not good either.
I started running with my neighbor's 17 year old son; he's on the local high school cross country team. We run a 10 mile course on Saturdays and Sundays, unless he has a meet. Even he's starting to look good to me.
Don't worry dear readers, your favorite cat doesn't rob the cradle . . . . yet.
One day, an old friend from college called me up. "Hey Cat, how ya doing?"
"Bill Randall! How are you? How's the family? Lisa ever wise up and dump you?"
Bill lives in Michigan with his wife Lisa and their kids. He's a school teacher, teaches composition or computers or sex ed or something, I can't remember.
"Still a smart-ass, huh Cat? Are you ever serious?"
"Why should I change now, Bill?"
When I was in college, as in high school, I hung out with the guys more than the girls. I did a lot of traditional "guy" things. I took a bunch of physics and math courses, I played sports, I liked to party, I could belch and fart with the best of them. There were these five guys who had been friends since high school, and were now in college together. We met on the racquetball courts and I hung out with them for the next four years. It wasn't anything sexual; I was one of the boys. We stayed friends until well after we graduated.
"Hey Cat, I'm planning a reunion for the old gang. Just the six of us, talk about old times, get away from the boss and the family for awhile. Whadda say?"
Hmm, me and five guys . . . . . . . alone. Sounds like trouble. I hope Bill knows what he's getting himself into.
"Sure Bill, count me in. Where are we going and what are we doing?"
"I thought we'd rent a houseboat for a few days, sail around a big lake, do some drinking, smoke cigars, play cards, maybe do some fishing, rent jet skis, stuff like that."
Guy stuff . . . . . . cool! "Sounds like fun. Um, I'm the only girl going right?"
"Well, yeah, I guess you are. I hadn't thought about that. Is it going to be a problem?"
"Not for me Bill. What about the wives? They know you're inviting me, don't they?"
Dead silence. I thought we'd lost our connection for a minute.
Bill stammered, "I'm thinking I might not tell Lisa, you know how jealous she gets. I don't know about the rest of the gang. You think we should?"
Men!
"Bill, what happens if you don't say anything, and she finds out on her own? Doesn't that look like you're trying to hide something? You're not hiding anything are you? You want me to talk to Lisa?"
"Uh no, that's okay Cat. I'll tell her. I promise."
"Bill, we're all still friends right? I'm still one of the guys?"
"Yeah Cat."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. Just some friends getting together for a reunion. Tell Lisa you'll call her every day, and I'll make sure that you do. Okay?"
"Hey! That's a great idea! I'll tell the other guys to do the same thing."
Boys are a lot of fun to play with, but they need training and discipline in order to make them acceptable for public display. I do love them though!
Bill made all the arrangements and the rest of us sent him money. We split it six ways. We were going to rent a houseboat on Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky for 6 days. I couldn't wait! Finally, something fun to do. My husband was okay with it, especially after I invited him to drive up and meet us for dinner at one of the marinas on the lake. It would only have been a two hour drive from our house. He declined, but told me to have a good time.
"And behave yourself Cat."
People keep saying that to me lately. Is my reputation that bad? Would I tease five guys I've been friends with for 25 years, five guys I will be alone with on a houseboat in the middle of a secluded lake in the heart of rural Kentucky?
Hey! Don't answer that! That was a rhetorical question!
I shouldn't even have to say it: You betcha!
I figured I'd be in a bathing suit for most of the six days, so I went out and bought a new two piece. The top was two scraps of material with strings attached and the bottom was an itty bitty thong. My nipples and Miss Kitty would be covered, but that's about it. I also bought some short shorts, a tube top and some bare midriff tees.
I also packed my usual sleepwear: boxsies and racer back tank tops from Victoria's Secret. I only packed one pair of jeans; I figured we wouldn't be going anywhere fancy, maybe to a marina restaurant at most.
The day finally arrived for me to drive up to the lake to meet the boys. I hadn't seen them in about three years, the last time was for a funeral; someone's relative had died suddenly. I really was looking forward to having some fun and sharing memories. These guys were like brothers to me, and they've always treated me like a kid sister. And as some of you out there know, I have always been very good to my brothers!
When I arrived at the marina, I checked in at the office, and was escorted to the houseboat. At 74 feet long and 20 feet wide it was huge. Bill got the top of the line. There were six bedrooms all with queen beds, and two bathrooms, but only one had a shower. I had to share one shower with five guys? Oh well, it was only for a few days. Bill and Rich were already on the boat, the rest of the gang was nowhere to be seen.
Bill came out to greet me first. "Wow Cat, you look great!"
I was wearing my new tube top and white short shorts, my water sandals, and a straw sun hat. Bill had on a loose pair of multi-colored swim trunks and no shirt.
"Bill, how are you? Hey, you've been working out. Look at those biceps!"
