In The Gymnasium
1.
My husband Clifton is a Baptist minister and since we've been married his career has gone from being an assistant in a small town church to later taking over the growing parish in his own right. His involvement increased when he started coaching the under-age soccer team and taking a 'Religious Instruction' class at the local high school as well as conducting weddings and funerals.
There were occasions when I would take the R.I. classes on the Fridays if Clifton had other commitments. After one of these occasions, as I was dismissing the class and tidying up the desks and mess made by the students, there was polite a knock on the open classroom door. A short very slim black man with a pleasant smile stood there wearing a flannel shirt, overalls and work boots with a toolbox in his hands.
I looked up from my desk and said 'Yes?'
'Hello. I'm Vernon. I'm supposed to set up The Gym for a documentary showing tonight. I'll need about 25 minutes to get a screen and a projector in the Gym with 60 chairs. Will you be here to lock up after I leave?'
'Yes, I'll finish up here, then come over and let you out in about 30 minutes. Will that be alright?'
'Sure. Could you show me where the gym is please?'
'Yes'. I offered my hand and he took it in a firm handshake. 'Follow me. My name's Eve'.
He picked up his projector and I offered to carry the screen by its carry handle and he followed me through the school corridors to the school gymnasium. I was dressed modestly as usual, but I'm told I have a very pleasing walk. When I was young, I was proficient at sports and have remained interested in fitness and yoga and keep my body in good condition. Your body is a gift and I think it is a gesture of thanks to look after your gifts. I had the feeling Vernon was enjoying the view as he followed me along the corridor.
I opened the door and held it wide and invited him in. He caught my eye with half a smile on his face as he slowly moved through the doorway very close to me, careful not to knock the projector on the door frame. I'm sure he could smell my faint perfume as he passed by and I had the distinct feeling he wasn't wearing anything under his overalls. The slit on the side that gives the wearer access to pockets worn underneath gaped open.
I felt my face flush as I could see his black skin at the top of his leg in contrast to his khaki overalls. This would have been perfectly modest in most circumstances and I would not be aware had he not passed by so closely. But now I was fighting off the arousal that felt very unseemly for the wife of a Baptist minister.
I excused myself as I left him abruptly and returned to my classroom to try and recover my composure.
I told myself it was only a series of coincidences that affected my senses. Had he not passed so closely a half smile would just be friendly, and I would not have seen his bare leg gape in the side of his overalls.
After a few minutes, I composed myself and had returned to 'normal'.
2.
I began to think, 'What harm is done? I caught a glimpse of perfectly modest bare skin. If it thrilled me a little, it means I'm normal. If I see anything like that again, I will enjoy it for what it is and remain as chaste as I ever was. It is part of creation in the end anyway'.
Later, when I'd finished my after class chores, I returned to the gym to let Vernon out and lock up after him. He was trying to loop an electric cord over a vacant picture hook on the gymnasium wall and he couldn't reach.
'Hi Eve. I'll be ready to leave in a moment. I need something to reach this lead up'.
Before I could think I said, 'You could lift me and I can loop it over if you like.'
'Thank you! That would make it easier.'
He stood leaning back against the wall and handed me the loop. He placed his hand on his thigh. I tried to lift my foot up to his hand. My skirt was too tight to lift my knee, so I hitched it up to my thighs to give me more movement. With my hands on his shoulders, he steadied me with his other hand at the top of my thigh and I felt very secure in his strength.
But there was something else. His hands touching my legs, was a huge flirt. It was giving me all these dizzy feelings. I decided to just enjoy it. The light pressure from his thumb found the crease between my leg and the edge of my genital area and I was aroused to another degree as he lowered me back to the floor.
I found myself wanting to touch him, desperate to find an excuse to thank him for his work, anything. I was also hoping I would not get the chance because I would not like my husband to be thinking the way I was. I was in a state of feverish lust and was ready to do anything Vernon could think of. I could feel a sticky wetness spreading between my legs and I absently undid buttons on my cardigan until the lace at the top of my bra was visible. It took all my resolve to stop myself from pleading desperately to be ravished.
Vernon appeared to be as shy as me.
'There's one more to lift it up to; the opening at the last ventilator. I'll need to carefully lift it above the cover,' he explained. I followed him the end of the wall where the vent was and he stood on the edge of the stage, reaching up to place the cord over the vent. The cord wouldn't remain on the sloping cover so he would need his adhesive gaffer tape.
'It's in my tool box I think,' he explained, inclining his head towards the door, hinting I could retrieve it for him.
I obediently returned to the door where his toolbox was but I couldn't see it. Both of his hands were busy as he was balancing himself while holding the cord in place. 'I don't think it's here,' I called across the room.
'Oh! I think have it here. Can you get it out of my pocket for me please?'
3.