As a child I adored Hope. She was nice, smiley, and always happy to help me. She was our next door neighbor and visited often. On many occasions, when Mom got stuck working long hours, Hope invited me to her house, fed me, and even helped with homework.
She visited us more often after my father's untimely death. Dad was the main representative of Medical equipment for Siemens in the Middle East. He knew the risks, but the salary was good and the company promised him to be promoted if he completed 2 years in Turkey. He got killed near the Syrian border a year earlier, 6 months before it was time to return to America. We were devastated, and Mom blamed herself for not pushing Dad hard enough to reject the company's offer. I tried to comfort her but it took about a year before she began recovering. All that time, Hope was around much of the time.
At age 17, I was 5'7", 155 pounds, skinny, with pimples on my face, you know - The kind of a guy who would never get a second look from girls.
Unlike me, my best friend, Jerry, was already 6' tall and played on our football team. He was strong, fast, and manly. All the guys admired him, and girls went gaga over him, even though he never had a girlfriend. Was he gay?
Our friendship started when I helped him pass a math test in sophomore year. About a month after that, a bully from our class, Lance, didn't like something I said and hit me. I fell to the floor. He approached me, threatening to kick me if I did not apologize. I froze. Lance lifted his leg, ready to kick, when he was knocked off his feet. We saw Jerry standing above Lance. He blurted, "Lance, this is a warning to you and everybody else who has an issue with my buddy, Victor. You are not to touch or threaten him. Period. For any complaint against him, you come to me. I'll deal with him myself. Clear?"
Lance looked scared and stayed quiet.
Jerry grabbed Lance's arm, twisted it behind his back, dragged him toward me, faced Lance, and barked, "Moron, I see you lost your tongue, so let me help you. You are expected to apologize profusely to Victor, and then he is allowed to hit you back once. Capisce, jerk?"
Lance whispered, "Yes, sir."
Jerry twisted Lance's arm harder, "I didn't hear you asking Victor for forgiveness."
Lance grimaced and mumbled, "Victor, I am sorry I hit you. I'll never do it again."
Jerry turned to me, "Victor, this should teach him a lesson, but you can still hit him back."
"No, thank you. If he keeps his distance from me, everything will be OK."
Jerry laughed, "Lance, you are lucky Victor is such a nice guy. If I were him, I'd spank you hard. Now get lost before I change my mind."
Since that time, Jerry and I were almost inseparable. He suggested I start exercising. It would be good for my body and in case I got into trouble when he wasn't around. I agreed and joined a health club near my house, vowing to exercise at least an hour 3 times a week and swim 10 laps each time I was there. Due to my intense schedule - Studying toward my finals and working out, I spent less time at home.
Around that time, my growth spurt began. There was a rapid change in my appearance: By 18, I was 6'1", 190 pounds of mostly muscle. Even the pimples were gone. Jerry joked that now I was the stronger one and he'd ask me for help if somebody was to attack him. We giggled; It was obvious HE was still the stronger one.
I also noticed girls who would never lay an eye on me before, ogle me. It increased my self esteem but I didn't know how to approach a girl. Unfortunately, Jerry could not assist me in that area.
...
My senior year finished with a big party. Then summer vacation started, and, suddenly, my busy schedule emptied. No more studying or tests, only fun until college starts. I spent my time with Jerry and my other friends playing ball, going to movies, and playing video games. I was also at home more often, especially mornings.
One day, I slept late and woke up around 11 am. I walked to the bathroom, which was close to the kitchen. I heard Hope chatting with Mom. I hadn't seen her in a while and was ready to exit when I heard her say, "Leona, Victor has become a real stud. I remember him as a scrawny kid. He was smaller than his classmates, and I felt sorry for him. You were too depressed and then too busy to care for him, so I took over. But now he turned out to be a handsome hunk. I wish I was younger..."
Mom laughed, "Hope dear, I don't get you. Since your divorce 7 years ago, I haven't seen you dating anybody. Why not? You are beautiful, smart, funny, and have your own money. Why don't you go online and find a good man to spend your life with?"
Hope said, "Look who's talking. As if YOU do what you preach."
"I am still not over my husband's death, but you are alone for many years."
Hope giggled, "Honey, my former husband was a cheater and a thief. I loved him and he took advantage of everything: My body, my money, and my trust. Three years after the divorce I gave it a try online, but 3 attempts ended up with men who were not interested in long-term relationships. Why risk dating a stranger if their intention was short-term fun? I was willing to do it if there was a future. If my only goal was hanky-panky, I'd do it with somebody I know and trust; otherwise, I'll continue using my pink silicon."
I retreated quietly to my room, wore shorts and a tee shirt, and 10 minutes later joined them in the kitchen. As I was walking toward them, I saw Hope ogling my body. She had a strange smile on her face.
I approached her, kissed her cheek, and smiled, "Hope, I haven't seen you in ages. You look fantastic. I still remember you used to help and feed me when I was younger. You no longer like me. Otherwise, you'll continue to offer to help. I think I'll cry."
Hope chuckled, "Victor, you are so big; I think these days it's your turn to help me. I am getting old. Working in the garden and even carrying heavy loads from my car are becoming tougher."
I stared at her. She wore a long-sleeved blouse and jeans pants. She looked very good for her age: at 45, she was 5'4", about 130 pounds, cute face with minimal wrinkles near her eyes, a million-dollar smile, shoulder-high brown wavy hair, a large rack, a narrow waist, and shapely legs. She was really attractive... How come I never noticed before?...
I grinned, "Hope, you look fantastic and I bet even now you are stronger than me. You just pretend to need help in order to get my sympathy. Anyway, if you ever need my help, I'll be happy to do so... for a price. I'll be available only if I get a coffee with cookies. Take it or leave it!"
She grinned, "Victor honey, you drive a hard bargain. It's a steep price. Let me think about it before making my decision."
I ate breakfast as Mom and Hope continued chatting and gossiping. From the corner of my eye, now and then, I saw Hope's eyes inspecting me. I finished the meal, kissed both ladies' foreheads, and went out to join my friends.
...
A week later, I got a call from Hope, "Victor, will you come to my house, please."
"Sure, do you need me now or later?"
"I carried the monthly shopping stuff from Walmart and got cramps in my back. I am resting in bed now. I just need you to take out the food that has to be in the fridge. If we do not do it, it will get spoiled. The rest I can do later when my back muscles feel better."
I was at her house 5 minutes later and saw 4 heavy bags full of all sorts of food, laundry, and cleaning containers. I emptied the bags on the kitchen counter, placed the stuff that needed refrigeration, and went to her bedroom. Hope was sitting on the sofa in a funny pose.
"Hope, I like you and hate to reprimand you, but now I have to. Each bag you filled in Walmart weighs a ton. Why? In the future, call me, give me an hour's notice, and I'll do the heavy stuff for you."
She grinned, "You are nice, but it is your vacation, and I hate to bother you."
"For years, you did everything you could for me. Why can't I do little in return?"
"At the time, I was a divorcee with nothing better to do, so I helped my best friend's kid. You are a young adult on vacation WITH a social life. It's a different thing."
"With all due respect, I disagree. If not for you, I would become wilder and maybe even a criminal. You were like a second mother to me."
"I'll consider it next time."
"I am not leaving until you promise me right now you won't do it again."
"Victor, you are very insistent. Why is it?"
I glanced at her. Her position on the sofa was slightly straighter but not completely natural yet. "Let's say I am doing it for Mom. If something happens to you, she won't have a friend to talk to, which will force ME to be at home more often."
Hope giggled, "Are you saying you prefer to spend time with me than with your mother?"
"May I plead the fifth?"
Her eyes explored mine. She had a little smile, "Why?"