This is the first in a three-part series.
Ending And Beginning
Davey was glad to have graduated from high school, which he hated. But he wasn't really looking forward to his summer before starting college. He was 18. It was 1977.
He had no girlfriend -- he was a little shy and all the weed he smoked didn't help his self-confidence or ability to form complete, coherent sentences to impress the girls. He was tall, dark, good-looking, and smart, but often felt tongue-tied around them, especially girls he was attracted to.
He loved reading -- Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac were his favorites -- and to hike and fish but he didn't do team sports. His best chances were with aspiring hippie type girls, who also smoked a lot of weed and got as cotton-mouthed and self-conscious as he did. In his off-beat crowd, "dating" was not considered cool. Not surprisingly, his experience with girls had been sporadic and limited, though he managed to lose his virginity the year before, just barely. Sexually, he was, to paraphrase a John Prine song, his own best friend.
His small, close group of buddies were scattering to the four winds that summer: traveling, heading to Alaska to make big money on the fishing boats, or getting settled early in college towns. The gang was having a final get together at his friend Mark's house, just a few blocks from where Davey lived. But Mark was leaving too, to spend the summer in the wilderness somewhere on an Outward Bound adventure.
Mark's place had been their unofficial hangout. Mark's mom and dad were very social, and drinkers, and were often out in the evenings. When they were home, they stayed away from Mark's bedroom -- probably to avoid seeing things they did not want to see.
Davey remembered when Mark's dad, Steve, once walked into the room without knocking and just stood there staring at the triple beam scale on the desk and the rows of baggies full of weed laid out across the bed. He said nothing, turned and walked out, and never said a word about it. He was a good guy and a man of few words who apparently did not want to waste any on that disturbing scene. It was the 70s and Davey and his friends regularly got away with murder.
Like the time Mark's parents went out for the evening only to come back many hours earlier than expected. When they suddenly reappeared without warning, the lights had been changed to multi-colored bulbs, music was blaring, and the acid had come on. Mark's cool older half-sister, Ann, was with his mom and dad. She figured out what was going on in no time, shaking her head and chuckling. But not Mark's parents, who just laughed at their shenanigans and poured another vodka and tonic. The boys loved it there.
Davey liked Steve and his wife, Sandy. They were hospitable and funny and genuinely liked their son's friends. Davey and the gang felt like honorary members of the family and they came and went freely at all hours, even if Mark wasn't home. They called his parents "Steve" and "Sandy."
Davey particularly liked Sandy. In her early forties, she was very attractive and vivacious. She was slim with full breasts and an elegant yet down to earth style. She had a great smile and loved to tease and joke with the guys. She didn't talk down to them and made them feel at home. She had a special affinity for Davey. Unlike most of his friends, he was attracted to older women. Maybe she sensed that. Sandy was the frequent subject of his sexual musings.
The farewell get-together at Mark's was fun and bittersweet. Everyone knew it was the end of an era. Steve barbecued and Sandy cooked and was entertained by the guys, who gathered around her. Davey, having more social graces than his friends, offered to help her. She gladly accepted and asked him to help shuck the corn. Davey liked her standing so close. He watched her breasts move as she tore into the ears of corn to show him how. He loved her smile, among other things.
There was much laughing and storytelling. As was often the case, Steve's heavier drinking caught up with him and he went off to bed on the early side. Davey noticed Sandy shaking her head as Steve left the party.
As the festivities came to an end, Sandy stood at the door and hugged each of the guys on their way out. Davey was last. She held his shoulders and looked him in the eye, smiling that smile.
"At least you aren't deserting us this summer, Davey! You know you're always welcome here anytime. Come swim in the pool when it gets hot. And maybe you can make some spending money doing some of the chores around here that Mark's running away from." She hugged him tight and kissed his cheek.
Walking home, Davey thought about how nice she smelled and felt up against him. He was relieved his erection only came as he turned and walked out the door.
Stolen Glances
Two weeks later Davey walked by Mark's house, headed to the hitch-hiking spot out on the main road. Sandy was watering in front and called out to him.
"Hi Davey!" She beamed at him. "That darn Mark has run off for the summer and I can't get the lawn mower started. Do you have a minute to look at it for me?"
"Sure," he replied. He was glad to see her.
She put her arm around his shoulder as they walked in. Davey noticed when her breast touched him.
"How's your summer going so far?" she asked as they walked through the house.
"It's been ok. Just doing my handyman work and reading mostly."
"Well, like I said, you can make some money doing projects around here. Steve's at work all the time and doesn't like to do them anyway. Kind of useless. Changing the subject, what about a girlfriend? Has some sweet young thing snatched you up yet?"
"Not yet, but I'm ready to be snatched," he said, returning her smile.
"Any girl with half a brain would be a fool to let you get away."
"Feel free to tell them that, Sandy," he joked as they walked to the backyard.
"So, here's the uncooperative mower." She stood over it with her arms crossed over her chest.
Davey bent down and looked at the mower. She hadn't pulled the choke when she tried starting it.
"I see the problem. When it's not warmed up you need to pull out this knob before starting it," he said.
"Ah ha! This why I need a useful man around the house!"
"I can get it going and mow the yard for you. I've got time," he replied.
"That would be wonderful, Davey! I've got to get ready for a ladies' lunch that starts soon."
"No problem; happy to do it," he said.
"Thanks." Sandy smiled, patted him on the shoulder, then turned and walked into the house. He admired her shapely ass as she walked away.
Davey mowed the lawn in about fifteen minutes. When he turned the mower off, the sliding glass door opened and Sandy came out with a towel around her head, wearing a nightgown.
"Wow, that was fast. In case you're not around next time, can you show me how to start it again?"
Squatting next to the mower, he told her, "First make sure there's gas in the tank," tapping the gas cap. Next he pointed to the choke knob. "Then you pull this all the way out."
Sandy bent down at the waist to watch. As she did, the neck of her nightgown opened wide. Davey found himself looking down the inside of her nightgown. She was wearing a black bra from which her ample breasts overflowed, and lacy white panties. Davey's heart pounded.
"So, like I said, you pull this out first," he repeated, his voice imperceptibly shaking. "Then you pull the cord, and it should start right up. After a couple minutes you push the knob back in."
Still bent over, Sandy said, "Ok. I can do that." Then she straightened back up, seemingly unaware of what she'd accidentally shown Davey. It made quite the impression on his sex-obsessed teenaged brain.
"I've got to run, but thanks so much, Davey!" She kissed him on the cheek. "Don't forget to come swim whenever you'd like. Can I call you if I need more help around here?"
"Of course you can," Davey replied. For the rest of the day he thought about the wonderous sights inside her nightgown.
Working Hard
