Hi... I am Dave... a 48-year-old man leading a comfortable middle aged existence. I run my own business, a TV production company with regular contracts with local channels. With a house in the suburbs, two cars in the driveway, an intelligent, beautiful wife who has her own interesting career, and a pretty daughter studying in college, I am a person who is considered to have made it in life... all in all, a pretty nice life with no complications.
Well...until a couple of weeks ago when things started going crazy. And life has not been quite the same ever since. I cannot say that things have taken a turn for the worse. Just that life has taken a rather unexpected twist. And frankly, I don't know whether I am upset, anxious or excited over this change.
Anyway, I don't want to keep you in suspense. Let me unfold what has been happening.
About a month ago, one of my friends asked me whether his daughter could intern with me during her summer vacation. She was going to major in Communications in her undergraduate program, and wanted to get a head start on things by getting some practical experience. I had known Nikki since she was a little girl. Very smart, perky and full of beans; someone who was expected to do well in life.
"Sure," I said, "no problems. Just send her over."
The next day, Nikki came over to my office promptly at 9.00 am. She was dressed in a simple linen dress, just a hint of make up, black shoes and stockings - very prim and professional.
"Hello, Uncle Dave. Good to see you," she said, throwing her arms around me and giving me an affectionate hug. I could smell her perfume. A subtle dab of White Linen.
"Same here Nikki.... Gosh, you have really grown up." She was no longer the little girl I used to josh around with. She had become a very pretty young woman, filled out in all the right places. Suddenly, I felt a bit old and unconsciously I pulled in my stomach.
She laughed. A pearly spontaneous laugh filled with sunshine. "Well, what did you expect, Uncle Dave. I am going to be a sophomore next year."
For the next hour we discussed her work schedule and what she wanted to do. I told her she could come in every day by noon, when our daily routine would have slowed down a bit. And then she could sit with me or with our production head and get to know the ropes. I promised her that I would also involve her in some actual shoots.
I could see that she had a practical head on her shoulders from the way she was picking up on things - asking the right questions, an eye for detail etc. I suddenly realized that I was quite enjoying talking to her. Maybe, it was because it was something out of the daily routine for me, or maybe it was that Nikki was attractive and charming, or maybe being with a such a vivacious young girl was a refreshing experience for a middle aged guy like me.
After about an hour, Nikki got up to leave. "Thank you very much Uncle Dave. I am sure I'll enjoy working with you."
"Sure Nikki. I'm also excited. It will be something new for me too," I replied. "And you don't have to call me Uncle. Dave will be fine."
"Okay...cool," she replied, with the insouciance of youth. "And what is the dress code in this place? Do you want me to dress very professionally, or is it okay to be casual?"
"Casuals are fine normally," I replied. " Jeans, shorts are okay. We dress formal only when we go for client meetings or presentations. So just be yourself."
"Okay, Dave." She looked at me mischievously. "It's okay to call you Dave isn't it? She gave me a firm handshake and left the room.
"Ah, sweet bird of youth," I thought. So confident and so full of life. I felt charged up as though some of those youthful hormones had passed on to me.
The next few days were busy ones for me, and I wasn't able to pay any special attention to Nikki. But she was the perfect intern. Came in on time every day, and got along famously with the rest of the office staff. Every day when she came in she would come into my office and give me quick hug. "Okay, what have you got for me today, Dave," would be her first question. She was a quick learner and had a natural flair for the media business. I was beginning to enjoy having her around the office.
The next Friday, I got a call from her in the morning. "Hi Dave, this is Nikki. Can I come in a bit late this afternoon? The Varsity cheerleading squad is having its tryouts and I have to be there. I will come in after that. Hope its okay by you."
"Sure Nikki, " I replied, "today is going to be a slow day anyway. So take your time."
The day passed by quickly. Since it was a weekend, most of the staff had left by early afternoon, and I was the only person left in the office by the time Nikki strolled in by about 4.pm. I was viewing the rushes of some material we had shot for a corporate film.
"Oh hello Nikki. How did the cheerleading tryouts go?"
"Guess what? Yours truly made it into the squad," she replied, pirouetting before me, her face sparkling with excitement. " I made it Dave. I feel so excited." She walked over and gave me a warm hug. " But I'm really bushed. It is so warm out there."
"Well... grab a cold drink and catch your breath. And then tell me all about it." I could see that she was in a mood to chat. Her excitement was infectious.
Nikki walked over to the refrigerator that I keep in one corner of my office. She was in her cheerleading costume. A real perky number. A short pleated skirt in white and green with matching green lycra bikini briefs. Complementing it was a short sleeveless halter top in white with green trim. It was more a sports bra than a halter-top and it fitted her like a glove. She was all flushed and pink and looked absolutely smashing.
She opened the door of the refrigerator and bent down to look inside, giving me a perfect view of her smooth legs and her luscious backside clad in tight lycra.
"Dave," she said, turning to me, "is it okay for me to have a beer?" She raised her right eyebrow in a look that was partly conspiratorial and partly pleading. "You know I'm 19."