Hubby and I had been having a running argument spread over a few days. His position was that men always see something sexual when looking at a woman. I countered with the typical naΓ―ve perspective on this topic that most women possess. We bounced in and out of the debate while we were away for the weekend, enjoying a break from the hectic pace of life.
We loved our second home at the coast. It was our place of refuge. It was also a place where we often enjoyed the freedoms that accompany being far enough away from home that you are anonymous to everyone around you. We felt at liberty to be more relaxed, easy-going and less inhibited about things with which we normally would be more guarded around folks who knew us.
So, when Michael asked if I wanted to go for a walk along the beach, I immediately walked to the door and said, "let's go!" I was wearing a thin pair of shorts and a cute, little, white tank top. Back home, I would have changed into something a bit more modest before taking a walk in public. But here in our enchanted land of anonymity, I had different boundaries.
Hand in hand we headed out the back door towards the water. The coastal sands ran up to the back patio deck of our place, spanning a few hundred yards between ocean and patio deck. We politely nodded at a surfer headed in the opposite direction as we strolled toward the water. Before our bare feet had even made it to the edge of the foamy water riding the waves, Michael returned to our debate.
"Did you see the way he looked at you?"
"Who?" I asked, like I didn't know he was referring to the surfer.
"You know who" he sparred back at me. "That surfer."
"The way he looked at me?" I was playing somewhat dumb. "Hmmm. Seems he looked at me AND you with a quiet smile and nod, right?" In a court of law, I suppose my question would have been met with an objection for being both argumentative and leading.
"Yeah, right Kathleen. He smiled and nodded alright. But his eyes, did you see the way he looked at you? I am telling you, his mind was undressing you."
As we walked hand in hand splashing in the ankle deep water, we continued our debate. I defended the dignity of the surfer. Michael detailed his projections of what the surfer might be thinking.
Still holding my hand, he lifted his up to brush my breast at his side as he said, "I guarantee he was picturing what these look like," the back of his hand teasing me with a quick sweeping motion.
"Oh Michael" I objected.
"Seriously baby. By the time he passed us, I bet his mind was already using that set of formulas all men have tucked away in their minds to calculate the dimensions of your nipples." He paused and then said, "Of course, I can't blame him."
I smiled at his stroke of affirmation and squeezed his hand. This was often where the debate would slow and come to a stop. Michael would inevitably say something that made me feel desired and adored by him. In such cases, my resolve to argue my position would quickly melt away. He let go of my hand so he could put his arm around me, snugging his hip against mine as we walked on.
After a few moments of soft chatter about the water and breeze, a young couple slowly approached from the opposite direction. They too were on a walk, hand in hand. The custom was to make casual eye-contact with others, perhaps just nodding or sometimes actually saying "hi" in passing. I nodded. Michael said "hi." They both smiled and silently nodded back as they moved past us.
Michael quickly chuckled, "He just ran some calculus on your breasts, babe." It was yet another exhibit in his ongoing argument. I just giggled and let it go. Inwardly I had to agree that my 36c breasts were thinly veiled under my tank top thanks to the breeze blowing in my face. My large, light, pink nipples were more pronounced than usual thanks to Michael's flattering commentary and the coolness of the damp breeze.
As we reached the pier, we walked out over the weathered, wooden planks and settled at about the midway point above where the waves were swelling and breaking against the pylon supports beneath us. We enjoyed the view of the ocean. We also enjoyed just watching the people. As I stood snuggled up against him, Michael asked me, "See that guy leaning against the light post over there?"
I glanced in the direction Michael had discreetly motioned. I saw him. "Yes."
"Watch him closely, Kathleen." As I watched him, Michael started providing me a running commentary of what he projected the stranger's mind to be thinking as he watched the foot traffic on the pier. I just listened as Michael bounced from one observation to the next, as if I were listening in on the secret thoughts of this stranger.