"There's a man at my work looking for a place to stay and I've offered him our spare room," my mother announced, one day in the spring of 1998.
"Do we have too?" I replied, in that hard done by manner of an 18 year old.
"Yes we do," my mother shot back at me angrily. "We are struggling to stay here in this house and the rent will be useful. Plus the poor man needs somewhere to stay. Show some compassion Kylie."
After I gave her my best, 'Whatever', expression she felt the need to go on and detail how hard it had been to keep us afloat after my father had departed three years earlier. He had contributed some maintenance for me, but this had now ended. He paid nothing toward the mortgage and upkeep on the three bedroom house.
A thought occurred to me and I couldn't hold back from asking.
"You're not getting him in here because you're interested in him are you?" I shot at her.
"He is good looking, but he's 10 years younger than me, so no I'm not. He's in the middle of a messy seperation and is in a bit of a bind, that's all. His name is Tom; he's 35 years old and coming over tomorrow, if you want to meet him."
"I'll be out," I curtly replied.
This wasn't a lie. Twenty years ago I was in my final year of High School, had my first serious boyfriend and plenty to do. I was often away from home.
My boyfriend Dane was over six foot tall, good looking and on the School football team. While I'd been a bit inexperienced with boys, I'd decided to take the plunge and fairly soon after we started going together we were having sex. I liked it, but really couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
Tom's arrival barely caused a ripple. I was too tied up in my own life, with study, cheerleading, a boyfriend and planning for the upcoming prom all taking up my time. He seemed a nice guy. Not tall, but fit; good looking and easy to chat too. I asked him about his seperation and he said his wife had kicked him out, but didn't specify why. He seemed a devoted father of his young kids and was sad he couldn't live with them. I felt genuinely sorry for him.
I was fairly sure my mother was just a little keen on him, even if he was 10 years younger than her. However after about a month of Tom living with us it became fairly obvious to me it wasn't her he was interested in. He might have been pining for his family, but he was still a man. His gaze would linger on my body for just a little longer than was necessary, particularly when I wore a short skirt or shorts. I'm not sure if my mother noticed this, but if she did she never commented.
I thought about telling Dane, but dared not. He was already jealous of other boys looking at me and at six foot tall; he stood good two or three inches taller than Tom. I feared what he might do to him. I could have told my girlfriends, but decided against this also. They were all gossips. Tom wasn't trying anything and if I were truthful, it made me feel just a little excited having a much older man admiring me.
So it went on for some months. I continued to go with Dane who, despite his jealousies, was generally nice toward me, although at times he appeared to prefer hanging with his buddy's. Tom continued to become increasingly familiar to the point where there could be no doubting his interest. For my part, if Mum wasn't present I'd tease him. I'd dress in very short shorts; sit bare legged on the couch, or discard my bra and merely wear a T-shirt. My legs were long and slim and my breasts a nice size so I knew there was something for him to admire. It was naughty, but harmless and I enjoyed his reaction to these small titillations.
Thinking back now, at 18 I was somewhat naive to think it would merely continue in this manner, but I never considered it wouldn't. The catalyst was an issue around my attire for the School Prom. Of course I was to attend with Dane and was very happy to do so. We made an attractive couple; with him tall and handsome and me a slim, attractive 5 foot 7 inch young woman.
The problem was the shoes Mum had agreed to buy me to compliment my pink dress. The ones I desired cost much more than she'd anticipated.
"I just can't afford it Kylie," she complained, causing me to moan straight back at her.
"Mum you promised. I've got this beautiful mauve silk dress, with a sexy thigh high split and you're asking me to wear any old shoes."
"You'll live," was all I got back.
I even looked to Tom for support. He merely sat there seemingly disinterested, which disappointed me.
"That'll be the last time he gets any little show from me," I decided in my angry mood, eventually storming out.
The next day, being the weekend, I rose late and showered. I pulled on a short denim mini skirt and threw on a T-shirt. I went downstairs still in a filthy mood about the shoes, only to find Tom sitting eating breakfast.
Determined not to engage with him, I went about my business without saying a word to him, annoyed that I hadn't worn a bra. I had no wish to put on a show for him, after his lack of support.
"You alright Kylie?"
"Well no, I'm not alright. You could've backed me up yesterday. I need those shoes Tom. She has to buy them for me or my outfit's ruined."
Looking back now, 20 years later, I must have sounded like a whining, spoilt, brat to this 35 year old man. However, if he was thinking that he never showed it.
"Would you like me to buy them for you?" he offered, completely flooring me.
"What...you?"
"Would you like me to buy them for you? I'd like too."
"Well...would you?"
"Sure; it's no problem. You want to go get them now?"
"They cost over $200."
"That's OK. I said I'd buy them and I will."
"Yeah; alright that'd be great. Oh thanks so much Tom; you're a real sweetie," I said dancing forward to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"That's nice," he remarked as I dropped my eyes and gave him my best coy look.
As far as I was concerned, if Tom was buying my pink shoes, he could have all the little pecks on the cheek and sexy looks he desired.
As we drove I did most of the talking, excited about the shoes and the upcoming prom. I was happy to be a little tactile; in the knowledge Tom deserved some reward for his generosity. At one point as I rabbited on, I reached over and patted his leg, moving it onto his inner-thigh. I let it rest there for a second or two before moving it away.
I glanced at him and noticed a small smile, although he kept his eyes on the road. It was all very naughty of me, but I was in a good mood.
Once in the shop I sat on the foot stool, with the shop assistant seated in front of me. She was a pretty young woman; bottled blond and only a little older than me. Tom chatted freely with her and it was clear she found him attractive. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
"He's my man; my hero; not yours," I thought, moving in my seat to allow my skirt to slide higher up my thighs.