IN THE KNICKERS OF TIME 1
By Norma Jane
1
Naturally, my body has changed with age, though not alarmingly. My breasts are a trifle larger and less firm and my bottom sags a little, and both lack the tautness of youth. But frugal feeding and regular exercise have kept me in good shape. My hair above and below is silvered, and I have crow's feet and some other lines, but that's to be expected. The constant in my life is my knickers. Always the all-enveloping white cotton, the same size as when their contents achieved their full dimensions aged eighteen. Reflecting on this consistency, various knickerly experiences come to mind.
2
I was 29, working out to maintain bust and bum. And in the grip of what I called in 'Double Desperation,' the 'sex-fever,' the gym visits being also to try and drain off the furious energy of frustration. Such places were not so common in the mid-80s, but a local grammar school was, for a modest subscription, making its facilities available out of hours, including all night. Unable to sleep, I often went then, when there were few other users.
3
One night, after my routine, I was in the changing-room. A slender elderly woman had been exercising, too, and seemed to be following me. I had my back to her as I stripped to shower and was pushing down my knickers. As they reached my knees, she said quietly, 'Would you mind doing that again?'
A moment to register this unusual request, then I pulled them up, waited a moment and slowly pushed them down. She said, 'Would you do it again, please?'
A little surprised, I pursued my principle of usually doing whatever another woman wants. So, I drew up, pushed down, and awaited further communication.
'Damn!' she said sadly, 'It won't go.'
This was a cry of distress, so, I turned to look at her. She had one hand under her tee-shirt and the other down her shiny long black tights. Clearly she'd been working-out, nip and clit, hoping my revelations would prove helpful.
'Want to try it again?' I said.
'No use,' she said, 'Your behind is a beauty, the nearest I've seen, and I thought you might not mind.'
'A woman baring her bottom might help you...?'
'I was hoping it might.' She removed her hands and shrugged.
She was close to weeping, and I pulled up the knickers and moved to take her in my arms. She embraced me, too, and I felt her tears against my face. Gulping them back she said, 'So kind... because it looks like hers, you see.' She ran a hand down my back and touched a cheek. 'This, I mean.'
'My bottom looks like your lover's?'
'She died, you see, and I can't get the lovely feeling. I miss her so much.' More tears.
'Could someone else help?'
'I don't know. Never been with anyone else. I thought I could just do it myself.'
'With a little help from a matching bott'
'Probably a silly idea, but it's partly why I come here, to see if I can see one. I did see another, but the room was full, and people might notice what I was doing.'
'Well, I've never heard anyone call out "Will somebody help me come?" Sadly not.'
'But you seem so free and easy, just stripping off without caring, and you look as if you'd understand.'
'It's part of your mourning?' I suggested.
'Oh, that's so... How did you know?'
'You've cried as much as you can, and you need to grieve another way.'
'When I saw you just now, you see...that's what she did sometimes. She took her pants up and down and then...seeing her behind got me going...'
Still in each other's arms, I said, 'So although it was seeing her bottom that fired you up, it was she who actually gave you the lovely feeling?'
'Well...that's right.'
'No-one's done that for you since she died?'
No. I don't know how to...ask and I'm a scrawny old thing no-one's going to want...'
'Tell me your name.'
'Edith.'
'Well, Edith, I'm Norma, and I can tell you that your hand there and what we've been talking about and seeing you trying has got me going. You can check if you like.'
'You want me to touch you...there?'
'If you want to.'
We loosed each other and she shyly put her hand into my knickers.
'Oh yes! I've never touched anyone other than Ailsa.'
'What about another woman touching you there?'
'Norma, that would be wonderful, but I don't know if it would work.'
'Shall we try, Edith?'
'Someone might come in...'