I have settled into a comfortable, routine life. At 32, I work from home for a software company that carry out specific jobs Microsoft needs. I love the arrangement: I can decide my hours, have time for errands, and have no problems scheduling outdoors activities.
I am considered an attractive guy, based on the number of girls I dated and noticing women who ogle me on the street. I am 6'2", 185 pounds of mostly muscle that I acquired in the swimming pool. In college, I was on the swimming team. I stopped training when I finished, but I kept doing 30 laps 3-4 times a week in the local health club.
I preferred to swim early mornings because fewer guests used the pool, and I could always find a free lane. Usually, after completing 20 laps, other swimmers joined to do the same on both sides.
On a Tuesday, as I was doing my laps, I realized the swimmer to my right always began a lap when I did. The person tried in vain to race me, but I was much faster. The same one continued his pace to the end of the pool, waited for me to turn on that side, and again attempted to swim faster. With limited visibility through my goggles, the person did not look familiar, so I ignored him.
The following Tuesday, I showed up at the same time, and the same person tried to outrun me in the pool. I had no idea why he would do it. It was ridiculous.
When it happened again the next Tuesday, I slowed down, let the guy catch me, and swam parallel to him until we reached the wall. The stranger held the wall for dear life and was huffing and puffing. I stopped, too, and looked at him. He was a she...
She wore big goggles, had a swimming cap, and her body below the neck was underwater, I couldn't see any details. I looked at her face. She smiled at me, and I smiled back.
I said, "Hi, my name is Reggie. I noticed you are here every Tuesday and try to swim parallel to me or faster."
She grinned, "I come here Thursday afternoons as well. But my only free morning is on Tuesdays. About a month ago, I started coming early and noticed somebody swims like a fish. I loved swimming since childhood and have done it on and off for many years. I was impressed by the way your body glided effortlessly in the pool. Knowing I swam well and even participated in competitions in college, I was amazed at how much better you were. I was determined to regain my form and one day outrace you."
"Lady, I see it as a compliment if my pace serves as a motivator."
"Reggie, I am no 'lady.' I am only 25, and my name is Lorna."
"OK, Lorna. Nice to know you. Shall we race one more time?"
"You are so much better that I don't think so."
"Girl, I am older than you and tired after doing so many laps. Who knows?"
"OK, we'll race, but if you mock me for losing, I'll beat you up."
"Sounds fair. Let's go."
She jumped earlier. I swam slower than usual, trying to match her speed, pretending to struggle and breathing hard. When we approached the wall I slowed further. Immediately when she touched the wall, I leaped forward, touched it too, and declared I won.
She laughed, "Reggie, you are a bad actor and liar. I am not as good a swimmer as you, but I can tell when somebody is faking it. You could have won easily but you wanted me to reach the wall first. Was it a gentlemanly gesture or a show-off type game?"
"The truth? I wanted you to feel good. As simple as that."
"How can I thank you for being so nice?"
"You don't have to, but if you insist, we can meet later at the nearest Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee."
"I finish here at 10 and go to work at 12. Can you meet me there at 10:30?"
"I'll be there."
I completed my 30 laps, now and then peeking at Lorna. She swam 2 more laps and stopped, watching me swim. When I was done, I went to shower and jacuzzi in the men's area. I timed it so I was dressed and ready by 10:15. I arrived and realized I had no idea how she looked. Through my wet goggles, the visibility was very poor, and Lorna's cap and goggles hid more of her face than showed...
I sat down at a table for 2, hoping she would find me. Five minutes later, a cute girl approached me, "You are Reggie, right?"
"Are you Lorna?"
She had a pleasant smile, "Yes, I am."
She ordered a latte, and I took a cappuccino.
I gazed at her, "Geez! I would never have recognized you."
Lorna smirked, "Please don't say I look uglier than you expected."
"God, no! In the pool you looked... how shall I say it... unremarkable. And now you look stunning."
"I assume, just like in the pool, you try to make me feel good."
"Not at all. I know women tend to find flaws in their bodies. When was the last time you stared at yourself in the mirror objectively? Let me be your mirror: You are about 5'7", 135 pounds, long blonde hair, blue eyes, Angelina Jolie lips, fantastic figure. What's missing to be a knockout?"
She had a throaty laugh, "You were almost correct. I am 5'6", 136 pounds, and my hair is DIRTY blonde."
I smiled, "So wash your hair, and it won't be dirty."
"Tell me about you."
"I am 32, never married and no children yet, work for a software company from home, and my hobbies are swimming, photography, and traveling. What about you?"
"I am not married either. I work as a physical therapist and supplement my income by doing massages, mostly for tourists who stay in certain hotels. They call me when there is a request for a masseuse. These days, I swim mostly to keep in shape and not gain weight. I like movies, especially foreign ones. I'd love to travel, but I am too busy, and frankly, I don't know somebody who's interested in the places that attract me."
"Where would you like to go?"
"All my friends talk about Florida or California as their favorite destinations. Whenever I mentioned a trip abroad, they said they'd love to join me in France, Italy, Spain, or Greece. However, I wish to travel to exotic places like Japan, Morocco, Chile, the Galapagos Islands..."