My name is Dr. Erica Beaumar and I would like to share a life-changing experience from two years ago. I am now thirty-seven, a family physician living and practicing in Claremont, CA. I am divorced and a mother of three. I have what one would call a light-hearted, open personality, though I take my responsibilities very seriously and work very hard. From the time I was a young girl I have been considered to be very pretty, aided in adulthood by excellent maternal genes and the required discipline to eat right and exercise. I am long-limbed and have always been athletic, though softly feminine as well. Dancing, piano, and tennis are my passions. In fact, I was a two-time conference tennis champion in college. My dark chestnut hair falls past my shoulders and I normally wear rimless glasses over my hazel-green eyes, complimented by a healthy, gently sun-kissed complexion. Though I dress conservatively, I always choose a trim cut.
And so there I was one Friday in early May, at my clinic after having been run ragged for months. My staff and I had so much going on with our ever growing stable of patients and move to a larger office, that we were all in desperate need of a breather. And so I had planned long in advance to keep that upcoming Monday unscheduled for a three-day weekend. I was giddy with anticipation, hoping for an uneventful Friday before our break. It would be anything but!
It started out on an off note when my intern, Emilie, called in with a bout of nausea. So, it was just my Office Manager and I to hold down the fort. Barbara and I met the challenge head-on! All was going surprisingly well until about 3:15, when she suddenly received a call from home. Her teenage son announced that he had returned from school to find a leak in the kitchen! Water was everywhere! I heard Barb frantically telling Jake to turn off the main valve, and that she would get home as soon as possible.
Just a minor catastrophe! Barb was so upset, but still felt like she should just stay at the office and send a plumber. I assured her the day was almost over, everything would be okay, and urged her to get home to handle the issue. After all, the plumber would stop the leak but wouldn't clean up the mess. Barb agreed, then gave me a run-down of my remaining appointments before calling the plumber and heading out.
Then there was just me! My patients showed up, and I handled the paperwork and completed the appointments without any issues. Everything went very well and I was relieved that there were no administrative hiccups to cause delays. There was one more appointment on the schedule at 5:15, Benjamin Johnson, but he was nowhere to be seen. Normally I wouldn't wait more than ten minutes for a late patient unless they call in, but I really wanted to see this day through. I waited patiently until about 5:40, finally getting ready to throw in the towel and lock up, when I heard somebody come through the door.
I hurried out front to find a young black man of about twenty-five years old standing by the reception desk. I did not know what to expect since he was a new patient, and I was afraid I showed some shock: I have very few black patients and this man had a commanding presence.
"Mm..may I help you?" I stammered.
The man calmly introduced himself as Ben Johnson and offered his hand. I shook it as firmly as I could -- it was the size of a ham. "Yes, of course, Ben, how are you? I'm Dr. Beaumar," I responded.
"I'm fine, ma'am, and I apologize for being late. I had a hectic afternoon, and then there was an accident and some really crazy traffic! I tried calling, but the calls kept dropping," he replied, looking at me a bit confused.
"Isn't that always the way?" I laughed. "No worries at all." He smiled back and thanked me for my patience and understanding. Though tall, broad-shouldered, and rough in the face, Ben was so polite, his voice so powerful though gentle, he put me somewhat at ease.
As we took care of the paperwork I learned that he was actually only twenty years old and a student at one of the local colleges. My undergraduate alma mater, in fact. Ben seemed much more mature than a college kid! We had a comprehensive physical exam scheduled and so I showed him to the examination room. I instructed him to undress down to his underpants and wait for me, handing him a patient's gown if he preferred that to cover up. I still felt some nerves, though as a seasoned professional I felt angry at myself for feeling any unease at all. I excused myself and headed to my office.
There I phoned my mother to let her know that my last appointment was running over and I would be late to pick up the girls -- 6:45 at the earliest and maybe closer to 7:00 or later. My husband was not scheduled to return from an overseas business trip until Tuesday, and so my mother had been watching my four and six-year-old daughters every afternoon.
She told me not to worry -- broken record of Barb and I earlier -- and then suggested the girls stay with her and my dad for the night so that I could take my time and have a night to myself. At first I refused, but it was such a great idea that I easily gave in. A hot bath and movie alone sounded fabulous!
"Mom, you're so wonderful. Thank you!" I agreed.
Mother knew that I was under enormous pressure at work and home, which brought my thoughts to my husband, Dan. He was away on business frequently, often internationally. The pressure on both of us was intense and we had frequent arguments. On top of this I knew he had cheated on me the previous year, though I could not prove it.
Dan is a funny, smart, sophisticated man, but people always ribbed him about "punching above his weight" when they saw him with me. Regardless, I knew how charming he could be and I never underestimated his appeal to women, especially in the environment of fine hotels, dining, beautiful locations, and so forth. He knew how to enjoy those things! And so there was considerable tension between us. Few of my friends knew of this, but those I had confided in were shocked. It was a tough time!
I returned to the task at hand, quickly revisiting Ben's precompleted lab work: all of his data were perfect. Then I headed back to the examination room, stopping in the reception area to lock the door since nobody was covering the desk. When I reentered the examination room I nearly stopped short: there was Ben sitting on the examination table in just his boxers! He had forsaken the gown, which I had implied as optional since some patients hate them, but the sight of a nearly naked, buff young black man is not the norm for my practice. It was an arresting sight!
"I hate wearing those things, Doctor! Is this okay?" he inquired.
"Uhhh...y..yess...perfectly okay," I stuttered in response. "How ever you're most comfortable." I maintained my composure and added, "Let's get you taken care of." And so we began.
First, I provided in-depth analysis of Ben's exemplary lab results, jotting down handwritten notes on the back of his report so that he could have them for his own reference. All the while I chatted with him in a conversational fashion, asking questions about his life, habits, diet, etcetera, while inputting notes to my patient management laptop. This is a standard method of obtaining valuable background information from patients in a relaxing manner.
Ben shared quite a bit about his family, school, interests, social life, and so forth. We were discussing his studies including upcoming finals, when he explained that a full physical was required for a research trip to Africa that would last through the next semester. Thus our appointment. He informed me that he would not need any inoculations as they would be administered by the university medical office. I was quite impressed with Ben's charm, confidence, his articulateness, and obvious intelligence.
Next, I took him over to the scale for measurements, which were normally precompleted by my assistants. I noticed he smelled nice: clean, but with a distinct musk. I couldn't help but discreetly admire his physique: he was not a bodybuilder, rather a refined and beautifully proportioned athlete. He looked at once incredibly strong and graceful. And he was deep, dark brown.
A tightness developed in my throat as I took quick glances while adjusting the scale. I noticed my lips were dry. Measurements completed and noted at 6'-4" and 220 pounds, I instructed Ben to get back on the table. He obliged, and it was then that I noticed his arousal. The sight was shocking and I froze! His eyes caught me as I stared at the enormous bulk constrained by his boxers before I finally found the wherewithal to turn away. Again, I found myself unsettled.
Ben apologized in embarrassment: "I'm sorry ma'am, but if I knew you were a woman, let alone a very pretty woman, I would have chosen another doctor! The online medical guide lists you as Dr. Eric Beaumar, not Dr. Erica Beaumar!"
At that I regained my bearings, giggling over the typo and assuring Ben that I would inform the HMO! And I urged him not to worry about his reaction, explaining that it's a common response for a healthy man. I tried to relax him, suggesting we could take a break if he felt too embarrassed, or even stop entirely, allowing him to find a male physician with whom he might feel more comfortable.
I was flattered that I had this effect on a much younger man, though in fact I was lying since the nervousness of the situation normally counteracts any male arousal: never in my career had I witnessed such a potent response from a patient. Ben insisted that he would be fine and wanted to settle his travel requirement.
"Very well then!" I agreed, setting the blood pressure cuff around his well-muscled arm.
The sight of my fingers against Ben's dark skin was strangely beguiling. I had always found some black men to be attractive. More often, however, I found them too intimidating and 'other'. But I found being so close to this one pleasant to say the least. Yes, the sight of Ben's dark, muscular body was getting to me, and in his rough-hewn face I found a rugged soulfulness beyond his years. I held my stethoscope against his arm under the cuff, admiring its strong muscular and vascular structure. His blood pressure was ideal, but his pulse high. Not surprising, all things considered.
Next I placed the stethoscope on his chest, back and abdomen, resting my other hand on his shoulders, back and chest in turn as he drew deep breaths as directed. Again I noticed his skin: it was thick and resilient, with a satiny sheen. It felt different than Caucasian or Asian skin, wonderfully different. And his scent...I felt my throat tighten up more, and there was no denying my own arousal. It felt like I had swallowed a walnut whole, shell and all! There was a direct link from my constricting throat to my erogenous zones, which started to swell and tingle. My nipples hardened. I struggled to hide any indication of my state, but the heat was rising! I noticed Ben's heavy breathing and intense gaze. His internals sounded beautifully healthy through my stethoscope.
I then instructed him to lie back on the table. His erection had abated somewhat as he stretched his magnificent physique before me. I examined his thoracic area, pressing down on his chest and abdomen with my hands and fingers, looking for any protrusions or masses. He was so strong and solid that I could barely make anything budge! I did the best I could, but I just didn't have enough leverage. So, I climbed up to kneel along his side, allowing me to bear down behind my hands and fingers.
This worked more effectively, but the feel of his smooth, warm skin, and the sight of his dark, powerful body beneath me were almost too much to handle. He had begun to grow again as the result of my touch, his boxers tenting up. No doubt I was sending olfactory signals as well. Ben was so strong and perfectly formed that I knew I would find nothing, and I was correct. I clambered down from my perch and we were almost done, thank God.
