Author's Note: This is the second in a series of five. It could be stand-alone but best if you read part one for full context. All characters are well over 18.
Part 2 - A New Experience
Every gym has one; that smiley, friendly older lady everyone respects and admires. Ours is Gracie. She seemed to be there no matter what time of day you went. I couldn't tell how old she was or which side of 50 she was on, perhaps closer to 60 than 40. I wasn't sure but Gracie was still in fantastic shape. I'd love to have seen her 25 years ago; I'll bet she was a goddess. We often small-talked by the water machine over nothing topics like weather and traffic. She's friendly with everybody so I never thought much of it. Maybe it was my imagination but I got nervous when I saw her talking to Married Christine after she walked off; they seemed like maybe they were friends outside the gym. I don't know why I care, Christine has much more to lose than I do so there's no way she'd say anything. Would she?
I like to finish my workouts with yoga stretches in one of the unoccupied dimly lit yoga studios. It helps me stay loose and decompress in the quiet stillness. My Zen was interrupted by a flick of the light switch and a startled apology. I invited Gracie in and offered an apology of my own for surprising her. She placed her mat close enough to mine for conversation and showed impressive flexibility; those yoga pants were molded to her ass, far too shapely and firm for her age. She looked good; and I let her know, leaving out the 'for your age' part. I didn't want to be patronizing or insulting to anyone, and certainly not someone with more life experience than me. Besides, she looked good for any age.