This is a little different. But I believe this happens to a lot of people who then suffer the same dilemma. And - I apologize for the length. But the story has to develop.
*****
I'm pretty much a creature of habit. At my age, you tend to be. I mean sixty is not ancient, but for sure I am no callow youth any more. Matter of fact, I only have one enemy: the fucking mirror! I pass a window on the street and see that reflection staring back at me? Don't know him! Inside I am still that thirty something marathon runner, dad and husband.
My wife of thirty four years died two years ago. I still have my business, the kids visit from time to time or I go see them. I run, just not so fast anymore. Nights are horrible. TV? I fall asleep.
Yeah, I have dated - fix-ups - Yuk! I mean these aging widows and divorcees are looking for someone to take care of them. Been with one or two I met at the gym that were not bad. Took one of them to bed and it was, I have to admit great to have sex again. But - both of them wanted something lasting and permanent. It's still too soon. And they, like I, have past lives that kept creeping in - even when I was fucking the one in my bed she grabbed my back as she came and shuddered "Max!" I am not Max.
So, like I say, I'm pretty much a creature of habit. Work out every morning, about six, six thirty. Then I take my receipts from the store - I still own the runners' store my wife and I founded - and take the cash and checks to the window at the bank about eight, maybe eight fifteen. Then it's to the store and then home, yadda, yadda.
So, this one morning I get out of the pool, shower, shave and dress. It's like seven forty five. I get in the Porsche - okay - so it's my one vice - and tool up to the bank. I drive up to the window and I'm looking for Oscar, the kid who is usually there on the early shift. But, instead of Oscar, it's a lady - make that a girl. Might be thirty - certainly no more. Kinda plump, blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun. She is wearing some ugly red frame glasses. Not fat, but too many pounds for what I can see is a really pretty face. , Nice set of breasts, showing through the blouse - not uncommon for a plump girl. But like I say, young. Maybe thirty. And plump? No thanks.
She took my bank bag, pulled the bank drawer back in and smiled at me. Dazzling smile. "Good morning!" She said. Voice like a little girl. C'mon!
"Well, hello to you!" I gave her the big smile. "You're a new one."
"Yes sir. Started last week. Oscar got promoted and I asked for the early shift so I could get to school. I'm Amy."
"Well, hello Amy. I'm Larry Simmons. You'll see me just about every morning. School?"
"Yes, Mr. Simmons! I'm taking nursing at Owens Community. Had to wait until I had the money - but I'm in my last year."
"Wow! Good for you. Amy - hope to see you tomorrow." And off I drove.
•******
Don't ask me why, but all day long, when I wasn't on the phone or helping some beginner pick out the right shoes, I kept seeing that sweet smile and pretty face. Now, understand, I have three kids, all grown. Okay - I'm sixty. So, girls under forty - maybe forty five are just eye candy.
So, for the next three weeks, every morning I'd tool up to the bank before eight thirty and Amy would be there, smiling, sweet and chatting. If there were no cars behind me, I'd stay and chat for ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Now she knew I was widowed, I owned Tracker's Running Store and I had three grown kids.
I knew she was from a small town in Georgia and had come to North Carolina for the weather and a really good deal on college. I even knew that she was a cheerleader in high school, had married the football captain at eighteen and divorced at twenty with no kids. She had worked at a bank back home and was hoping to move up the ladder here before she became a full time nurse.
One morning just in chatting, I asked if she was dating anyone. She blushed so I could see it through the bullet proof window. "No Mr. Simmons! They all seem so young - and well, I can tell you this because you're well, older? The guys we meet at clubs and stuff are boring or full of themselves or just want to get to bed."
I had the top down on the Porsche that day, so I leaned out towards the window. "Well Amy - you certainly deserve more - but I can't blame them for...never mind - sorry!"
She blushed again. "Nothing to be sorry for. If there was someone like you - well, you know - interesting and like that..."
Damn! I did not know what to make of that. "Umm...right Amy. I bet there's someone out there." And I double clutched out onto the street.
*****
I had to go to Atlanta that week for a convention. Just two days and I drove - just because the weather was nice and I had the time. Coming back I got to town about one. Herb from the store had been running the place and making some deposits, but I needed a cashier's check for a new vendor, so after stopping at the store and wolfing down two Power Bars and a protein shake,
I drove over to the bank. It was about three.
I realized I hadn't been inside the bank for months. I stopped by the manager's office, but Tom the manager was out. I went up to the window. Amy! I smiled my largest smile and said "Hey! You never saw me standing up before."
She laughed. "And this is the first time I had raise my head to look you in the eye!"
We both laughed and she set about getting me my cashier's check. She handed it through the glass and looked up at me. Gorgeous eyes and yes, she could drop about thirty pounds and be unbelievable. Mostly in the hips and arms. Mentally, I already had half a workout and running schedule for her. I took the check and looked back at her. "Big night planed?" I asked. The other older lady on duty was at the drive in window.
"Well," again she blushed. "I have to study tonight. Class tomorrow night."
"Okay. I just thought if you had some time we could get a cup of coffee, maybe a drink? I'd really like to know more about you."
"I'm off at four. I guess we could..."
"You know Antonio's?"
"That nice restaurant?"
"Precisely - I'll be at the bar. Wait for you there."
It was a totally pleasant hour and a half. We sat at the bar. Felt I was with my daughter - but different. I told her of my life in short chapters. College at the U of NC, meeting Krystal on the track team, marrying, coming here to open the store...the names of the kids and what they were doing.
She told me of her life in a small town, getting married way too early. Working hard to save money, getting this job. I asked her if she worked out at all. She blushed, said she would like to, but time...
"Look Amy," I scrunched a little closer to her and took her hand. "This is my life. So I know what I'm talking about. You're young - you are a pretty girl - but you could be stunning with a few pounds off."
I thought I saw a tear forming in one eye. "Hey!" I squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. I have no right. Subject closed."
She squeezed back. "No Mr. Simmons..."
"Larry, please."
"Larry. You're right. I just don't know..."