I was tired of being a substitute teacher. Tired of not knowing where I was going to work each day, or if I was even going to work at all. After years of complaining my husband finally told me that I should go back to school and get a graduate degree. He said, it could improve my opportunities, and was he ever right.
I am 36 years old, and still look rather young for my age. People often think that I am in my mid. to early 20's. And, at 5'5", 100 pounds, and 34-A, I fit in fairly well in graduate school at Marshall University. It was a busy life, so that's why it was such a treat when my professor let us go early after taking a test last Thursday.
Not being expected home for a few hours, I thought I would take some time to myself and just relax. After all, I deserved it. Substitute teaching during the day, being a wife and mother, driving to Huntington, working on class projects, doing research, and sitting through classes that ended well past 9 o'clock. Yes, I needed some me time.
I left the classroom and walked to the Student Union. I ordered a drink and went to the lounge and found a seat. I sunk deep into the soft cushions of a couch, letting the world just slip away, and letting out a small sigh. "Long day?" A voice came from the side.
I flinch, startled as I returned to reality, "Yes. Yes, it was." I said as I glanced around for the source of the inquiry. A tall good-looking young man stood at the end of the couch.
"Sorry for surprising you." He said, "I'm glad we got out of class too." He paused, "I have had so much work lately, with term papers, projects, and tests I don't know if I will ever get done."
"No, that's OK," I said. "Are you in my class?"
"Yeah." He said, "I usually sit in the back. You sit toward the front of the class, on the right-hand side."
"Um huh"
"Yeah, I noticed you a few times."
"Alright?" I responded uncertainly.
"Mind if I set down?"
"No, go ahead." I said.
He took a seat on the couch. Then took a drink of his drink. It was then that I noticed how good-looking and well built he was. I could tell he was athletic, with sandy brown hair, green eyes, and dark complexion. He wore tight fitting jeans, a gray MU t-shirt, and untied high-top shoes.
We talked about his school, where he was from, his family's business, where I met my husband; that sort of thing. He told me that he was engaged but that his fiancΓ© had graduated last semester, and went back home to take a job as an accountant. He said that they visit each other occasionally on weekends but he still missed her and thought about her all the time. I told him that was very romantic and told him that I hoped it lasts. I hadn't planned on opening up to him this way but it just ended up that way. Then I let out another sigh.
He asked if there was anything wrong, I said no at first but went on to tell him just how busy I had been lately, how I felt like I didn't have a clue what was going on in class sometimes. I told him about some of my insecurities and explained the life of a substitute teacher. He gave a slight laugh and said that he was shocked. He said, that I was very attractive, and did not see how I could have any kind of insecurity. He went on to say that, he felt a little overwhelmed in class, and that by the way I speak up in class, he was sure that I knew twice as much as he did about everything. I blushed at the compliment and thanked him. I told him I didn't really feel good about myself and wished I were ten years younger.
"What, back in Jr. High School?" he said.
I grinned, "No, 25, I wish I was 25."
He looked confused. "Twenty-five, NO WAY! You are not,,, not thirty-five!" He said with a look of amazement.
"Yes, I am."
"No, way!" He scanned me head to toe, checking me out more closely. "You have a hot little body, and I would never that you were anything over twenty-three."
I blushed again. "Thank you" I said softly and looked away.
Then he really stunned me. He told me that he had actually come over to ask me out, but did not know that I was married. I quickly composed myself, smiled, and said, "So is that a problem for you?"