"Hey there Mrs. Kripke how are you, noticing she looked unusually more attractive then ever before.
"I am fine Mr. Stephen," referring to the idea he seamed much more mature each time she saw him. "My, my Stephen haven't we grown, and matured even over the last several months. And how is college going too dear?"
"Well as good as you said it would. I can't believe how much goes on, and all the time. It's crazy and I've met so many people too."
"I bet you have. How many girls have you met? Any pretty ones, are there any that are special to you already? There have to be a few I bet knowing you."
"Oh I guess but we are all busier then well you know it's hard to go out and party too much or go clubbing with all the work we have." Looking at his best friend mom, he noticed how fantastic she was looking and started to add "Man Mrs. Kripke you, well uhh you look uhh well...has any...umm anyone...oh forget it."
"What Stephen, what is it? What were you going to say?" She asked him to tell her because she loved eating up compliments from a young man like her son's best friend whom she always admired. Since he was always a nice boy with who had a positive attitude, she admired him even more. But to top it off, he was handsome. The tall, trim, and attractive mother to Tim's best friend Stephen wondered what he was trying to say and prodded him more. "Stephen what did you want to tell me?"
Oh no, never mind, just never mind, I'm only going to look like an idiot and embarrass myself Mrs. Kripke."
"What Stephen, what is it? Go ahead feel free to say anything, anything at all. We've known one another for how many years and we know each other how well" the slinky cute mom asked Stephen with a beautiful and an inviting smile.
Stephen always liked Tim's mom. She was easy to like. Grace Kripke was the quintessential mom of the neighborhood. Tall and slender with medium length brown hair which was always pulled back softly in a pony tail, her smooth cheek bones, and facial skin tone invited many to converse with her. Additionally she had the whitest teeth and an affectionate inviting smile.
Everyone enjoyed her company. She never dramatized anything. She wasn't radical. She wasn't opinionated. She always had that cup of tea, coffee, or other beverage waiting for you when you stopped by, and many did just that; albeit most of course were women, but some husbands found their way into her yard too.
Why was that? Because Grace Kripke was tall; she stood 5'10" and as a former athlete who played basketball in high school along with cross country, Grace still ran every day. She kept her figure in tip top shape. Yes, like anyone, she had some flaws, but they were so slight any man, young or old overlooked them. They weren't ever, dressed or undressed, visible to the naked eye.
With an inviting smile, breathtaking physique, and a cheerful positive attitude, Grace Kripke seemed to have it all. Truth be known, she did in fact have it all but never intentionally flaunted it, although she did wear stylish clothing with pride mind you, highlighting her youthful figure despite being 39 years of age.
Stephen, who also was a cross country runner, appreciated that she was a former one herself and related his conquests and successes to her as did she related hers to him. He liked how he could relate his experiences when he competed to her past experiences. She loved his drive along with his personality. They got along for two people whose common bond was her son, along with cross country.
That day she happened to be wearing a long sleeve but lightweight sweater vest. It modestly plunged south giving all who had a chance a scent of her upper body sweet bounty. For Stephen, it was a huge distraction that day he was over at Tim's house.
"Now Stephen, when have you ever held back talking or asking me anything in the past? We've known one another for over 15 years haven't we? I'm happy to tell you that there isn't anyone other then my own family that I value more then you. You're simply a great young man. No, let me rephrase that, I think I should actually say that you are a perfect young man. Anyone, and I mean, any woman, including myself would be completely honored to be a love interest. Of course, seeing as I'm older, married, and have children, I know something like that isn't plausible" laughing with a twinkle in her eye.
"Uh, pardon me, umm that was weird hearing you say that. Ummm should I assume what you mean is that any girl or any woman and I mean grown woman is gonna be attracted to me? Come on that's too weird Mrs. Kripke." He overlooked the notion that she included herself in her remark or maybe he didn't.
He valued her opinion highly. She was always an outside source of support. He always could lean on her for advice; the same advice his parents could give him but seeing as she was intrusive upon his lifestyle it made things easier to deal with.
Even when Tim wasn't around, often Stephen would stop by unannounced. Thankfully she wasn't busy with personal matters, assuming she was taking care of any personal matters. But then again, often she was the neighborhoods open door psychotherapist and many of the women came to her to seek advice or simply unload.
They always walked out happy and so did Stephen. The only difference was Stephen received hugs after unloading and receiving advice. No woman got those and certainly none of the husbands who trekked over to her home. And where was her hubby all these times, well he was where he belonged, and he was at work.
"No it isn't sweetheart. I know even though you're only twenty, in several years time, you're going to understand my words and the fact that say you're 29, you might see someone who is 24 or 25 and think 'Wow, she is pretty, maybe I could get to know her.' There will be girls you see on campus and they are 2 to 3 years older and you are going to feel the same way."
"You really never know Stephen, you don't. I don't want any of this to get complicated, so just enjoy everything. Enjoy all people around you. If there's someone you like, let them know, ask them out, or show them you like them. Take a chance Stephen while you are young dear, and go for it if it is safe. As long as the chance exists dear, go for it. You will never know, will you? Wow, I've said way too much haven't I" giggling at herself.
Stephen for the first time since stepping foot in her house laughed out loud and felt at ease with her. He wasn't uncomfortable being around her but he knew he felt something unusual. He just didn't know how to tell Grace Kripke the warm feelings for her but she suspected something was up and that idea sparked feelings within her oddly.
She denied her own self that she felt something remotely intimate towards the young man, but urges played a strong role in what happened soon. This was something different for her to see him in the light she saw him in. She couldn't believe that this young man, whom she's known for umpteen years, was all of a sudden her object of desire maybe.
"Listen Stephen, when do you go back to school?" She walked up and rubbed his arm suspecting he may have similar feelings.
"At the end of the week, why is that Mrs. Kripke?"
"Tim has a meeting with a college counselor and his father and he are going to be gone almost all day long for that. He is transferring and looking at another scholarship offer locally. Come on over tomorrow and you and I can talk, if you don't have plans. What are your parents doing? Do you have plans tomorrow?"
