I had formed a fast friendship with Lexie James, a coworker at the aircraft assembly plant. I had bonded with the 30 year old whom I had actually met in our Monday evening art class. I was painting a seascape while she was making a painting of a cottage by the beach.
We are a "bean counter" and an assembly line worker who, until recently, saw very little of each other in the workplace. Those sightings had been pure happenstance. We never saw each other outside of work. Thanks to art class that situation has changed. Now we hang out together often outside of work.
That doesn't mean I tell her all my secrets.
At 34 years old I enjoy keeping myself fit, pumping my legs on the elliptical at the local gym being my preferred workout.
I have a vase-shaped figure: big curves at hips and bust, long gently curving waist. My bust is 34 C and my height is 5' 8".
Anyway on a recent Saturday morning she learned my secret.
At 8 o'clock I was enjoying a leisurely breakfast of eggs over easy, toast and ham. I had just finished an orange juice and was sipping my first coffee.
My phone vibrated on the counter. The name "Lexie James" scrolled across the screen accompanied by audible identification.
"Hi Lex."
"Stevie what's going on girl? Let's go out for lunch then we'll do something afterward."
"Come over here."
"I will."
Just after 9 there was a double knock on my door while I was pushing a Swifter. The task was nearly complete so I leaned the tool against the wall by the sliding door.
Without hesitation, I opened the door letting her inside.
"You're naked."
"Yup, I'm naked. I never wear clothes at home."
"Tell me something. How did you come to adopt your new look?"
"It's been my look for a few years. A friend of mine brought me to a resort where going nude is a rule. I was reluctant at first but no one there was wearing anything so my inhibitions went away."
"Why did you even go?"
"She told me it was a camping trip in a nice cottage. We were more than half way there when she informed me that it's nudist only."
"Do you guys keep in touch?"
"Frequently," I replied. "Lisa has been a friend for years. I met her in sorority."
"Do You guys live near each other?"
"We do," I replied.
A few seconds passed in silence while we collected our thoughts."
"Feel free to take your clothes off."
"I'm good like this. Besides, this is my favorite top."
Lexie was wearing a dark purple strappy cold-shoulder top, capris jeans and wedge sandals.
"I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"We don't want that."
On that note I selected an outfit: blazing pink capris jeans and black open-shoulder mock-neck top. I put my feet into wedge sandals. Having an intense dislike of brassieres, I left that in the dresser draw.
Having elected just to have a mid-morning snack, we came to a popular cafe.
It was common knowledge at the plant that a certain model of our airplanes had been grounded pending a solution to defects that have caused crashes.
Lexie gave me some insight.
"Engineering is close to a solution. It's the battery Lithium Ion. I think also the MCAS is at fault."
