She had really developed into quite a beautiful young lady.
I had known her since kindergarten. Her family moved in to our little cul-de-sac community the summer before she started the school year. My husband, daughter and I lived at the end of the cul-de-sac. Abby, her parents and little brother moved to a fixer-upper just five homes up the street from ours.
My daughter, Stacy, and Abby found each other quickly that summer. We lived at the closed end of the street which was the natural gathering place for all the children who lived on the court. When we had moved here two years prior, we learned quickly that the noise of laughter, screaming, skateboards scraping the sidewalk and chalk drawings on the street was a daily occurrence. And this is where Abby and Stacy became inseparable.
I'm Brenda Grason, housewife. Yes, housewife. Oh, I worked in an office for several years, but when Stacy was ready to enter high school, Frank, my husband, and I decided he was making enough at his investment job to allow me to stay home. A big part of the decision was to be there for Stacy as she navigated high school...and all the drama that comes with it for a teenage girl. Those four years went by quickly, as does life.
Stacy and Abby had gone through elementary, middle and high school together. And now their dream plan was a gap year traveling throughout the country together.
And here I was on a warm, spring Saturday watching both of them cross the stage to gather their diplomas. Both were wearing their caps and gowns; all white with burgundy stoles and tassels representing their school colors. An all-girls high school. Did I mention drama earlier? A teenage girl in high school is one thing. Make it an all-girls school and you double the drama. But that was not what I was thinking now. I was filled with pride and relief.
Abby, I should note, was quite the looker. All legs at 5'6" compared to my daughter who was barely 5 feet, four inches shorter than me. Abby was slim, olive skinned, average breasts (34B?) and what my husband, if he dared, would call a nice set of hips to hold on to. Stacy on the other hand was very cute, but petite in every way with no hips, easily sunburned skin and 32a breasts. At the moment I knew that under their gowns they both had nearly matching light blue, vee-neck, sleeveless dresses that were shorter than I would have liked. And no bras! I could only hope they had undies on because the dresses barely covered their butts.
The graduation party for both of the girls would be at our house. We had an expansive yard and Abby's parents, Linda and Scott, liked the idea from the start; not to mention the convenience. We got a local caterer who provided not only the food and drinks, but tents, tables, chairs and even the DJ and decorations. With the ceremony and an hour or so of pictures and some tears afterward, having a caterer do all the work was the perfect arrangement.
Abby and Stacy were both excited about the arrangements, as well. The convenience of home, no need to travel and because of that, we agreed that they could have champagne type spritzers.
The ceremony was an emotional roller coaster, especially for Linda and me. With the speeches and the video montage looking back at their years it hit us that our girls were adults now. I could hear my baby call me mommy, then mom and the occasional "mother!" And Abby went from calling me Mrs. Grason to Mrs. "G" to also "mother" as I was her second mom.
The party would be a relief from all those emotions. The girls had kept their graduation gowns on for a few more photos with family members at the house and practically ripped them off with the last click of the cameras and phones. Party time.
My goodness! Those dresses were short and tight! I am hardly a prude, but I had to let my daughter know before she joined everyone in the yard that if she bent over just a tad, she'd be showing her goods. "Mother!" was her one-word response. Many of her classmates and friends wore similar hemlines. Abby walked in as Stacy was getting to the screen door and I heard Stacy remark sarcastically, "Pull down your dress, Abby, you're showing too much of your ass," as she walked back out into the yard.
"What was that about Mrs. G?" Abby asked. I sighed and remarked that maybe I was feeling old seeing them in their little dresses. Abby walked over to me, took my hands in hers, looked me right in the eyes and said, "I would bet anything that if you took the dress I'm wearing and put it on, you would look so hot."
I could feel the heat in my face and butterflies in my stomach. Where did that come from? Abby gave me a kiss on the cheek before releasing my hands and walked back to the party.
More of the friends and family members were now coming through to get to the yard, but I had to excuse myself to use the bathroom. Actually, I went to my bedroom to sit for a moment. In all my years watching Abby grow up and having her around have I ever thought of her in a sexual way. I mean, really, that would be so wrong! But her eyes on me; her hands on mine; and that simple kiss made me melt. What just happened?!?
No. I have never been with a woman. Oh, I've admired other women. I've thought at times what it would be like to be with a woman, but those were simply thoughts. Everyone has those thoughts. I never thought of acting on those thoughts! I was happily married, had a great sex life and would never consider such a thing! And here I was thinking of the warm touch of my daughter's best friend.
After a few moments I got myself together. I had guests to entertain. And I wanted a glass of wine. Yes, we had beer and wine for the adults, but there was no doubt that some of the girls got tired of the spritzers and snuck some wine. It was a good day...and night. Most of the families and friends left by early evening. The 'just graduated' and friends were going to be there for a while so Linda and Scott decided to walk back home while imploring Frank and I to call them if we wanted the kids out. Frank decided to go up to our room. He had just enough beer to mellow him out. I made sure the caterer had cleaned and packed everything up and I let Stacy know that I was heading up. She, stood, hugged me and thanked me (and dad) for making it such a special day for her. I wished them a good night and started walking back to the house. As I got to the door, I heard Abby asking me to wait. I turned and found her right behind me. She also gave me a big, tight hug. As she did so, she whispered in my ear that she'd make sure to see me in her dress, kissed my cheek and went back to the group.
That warm feeling came over me again. And as I took a seat on the couch in my living room, I could only think of what Abby said about me in her dress. It had been a long day. A good night's sleep would clear my head. I went upstairs and found my husband sound asleep in his lounger and decided to leave him there. I washed up, brushed my teeth and got in bed. And I did sleep quickly and soundly!