Babs
Solving one of an old persons problems and then a little more.
We were sitting around the table drinking coffee and had solved the world's problems. There were six of us, widows, widowers, and several divorced ones. The subject moved on to the problems of living alone, cooking for one, the lack of conversation and other things that being single involved.
I had to add my two cents, "Washing my back."
Someone said, "I bought one of those long handled brushes."
Several more said much the same. My only response was, "My too, but warm soapy hands are so much better."
There were nods of agreement around the table and then we went on to other topics. We broke up and agreed to meet next week, the same time and the same place. As normal I took a walk around the little lake on the edge of town. When I got home I was surprised to see my answering machine blinking. I was even more surprised when it was Babs that had left the message and asked if I'd call her back when it was convenient.
"Hi, it's Bob. You left a message?"
"Hi, I did. I was thinking. At coffee this morning you were complaining about washing your back and I was wondering. This is going to sound stupid or worse but I'd be willing to wash...Your back...If you wanted. Wow does this sound really stupid when I say it out loud."
"Are you suggesting what I think your saying?"
"Oh no...Not that...No, I'd just wash your back. You in the shower, me outside, me dressed. Wash your back and then leave. If you wanted that is. Boy, I'm digging a deep hole here, I better drop the shovel. Please forget this, pretend I never called and you didn't call me back."
"I would love to have my back washed. Even is that's all it was. It's been ages and it used to be one of my favorite pleasures. If you're really willing I would love it."
We set a date and time. Sadly she had other commitments' and it was two days before she was free. I was anxious thinking she would back out and leave me hanging. Ten in the morning and my doorbell was ringing. Feeling like a teenager on his first date I let her in. I offered her a cup of coffee and I felt her relief when she accepted. We talked but there was the tension in the air.
"We...I...You...Don't need to do this. I understand if you've changed your mind. It is kind of weird when you think about it. So, you know, we can forget it, if you want."
"No, my mommy didn't raise me that way. I said I'd do this and I'll do it. Well, she never talked about giving a naked man a back wash but it's all the same. A promise is a promise. So let's just do this. Maybe you pop in the shower and holler when you're ready. You can pull the curtain back a ways and I'll just wash your back and then leave and you can finish. I can let myself out if that's ok?"