I was twenty one when I met her. That summer had been one of low responsibilities, especially at my part time job. I was working sales Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, and just enough to make cash to spend time with friends going out to dinner or to bars. I was still living at home and really just wasting a summer before heading back to school.
She came in for work, to get something taken care of. Everyone seemed to be friendly with her to the point that I thought they knew her beforehand. They had a nickname for her by the second time she came in, and was greeted quite fondly. I didn't think anything of it and by the fourth time I should have noticed something odd. We don't really have repeat customers. If there is a tech issue we take care of it, but otherwise you're in once maybe twice. I realized why she had been coming in so much when she left the final time. She stopped over and handed me a piece of paper with her number.
It was the first time anyone had given me their number in such a way. I'm not ugly, and can usually charm my way into a number at a party. However, no one had just... given it to me before. I was shocked, flattered, and curious all at the same time. What set me apart in the way none of the other guys had? She had barely talked to me, but I was the one she gave her number to? I put it in my pocket, smiled, and she walked out.
It took me a few weeks to call. I don't really know why, I was so excited and kept the paper like it was a historical document. Well preserved and isolated so as not to lose it. I didn't even put it into my phone yet, I wanted to be prepared. Finally, after planning so much I decided to call. I had rehearsed for both if she answered, or if it went to voicemail. I was ready. She answered right away with a confused voice, obviously my number was unknown. I said who I was and pretty quick we had a plan. It was a group hangout which... confused me. I thought she was interested? Why a group? I agreed. I didn't plan for it and just went with the flow of the conversation. The upcoming weekend, after I got off work.
I didn't say anything to any of my coworkers. I half expected a few of them to mention the gathering to me as if she had also invited them, but nothing. Just a regular work day. No surprise visit from her, just a normal day. My stomach was in knots the entire time. Why was I so nervous? I couldn't place it and just tried to put my mind on doing my job. So of course it was slow. When the clock reached closing time, I rushed through my duties and we got out the door quickly. I got to my car, changed my shirt, and put the directions in for the address she gave me.
I knew it was going to be a house party, and it was clear I was at the right spot. There were plenty of cars there and I made my way up to the house. Still a bit nervous, but then again this was more my scene anyway. I opened the door and headed in and realized that I was out of place. I brought the average age down by a good ten years. It looked like everyone was in their late thirties to forties. Before the obvious could completely set in, I saw her. She waved and I headed towards her and almost stopped in my tracks.
The woman who I had known coming in, in business attire and a jacked had curves. A lot of curves. She was clearly modest about them in her work setting, but this was no longer work. She was a bit on the chubby side which I liked, and her shirt was low cut. I couldn't believe the amount of cleavage I could see. As I got closer I finally looked up to her face and she was done up. Wearing makeup, hair in place, her outfit was sexy but more for her age. I could hardly believe this was the same woman. She immediately hugged me, pressing her large chest into me and kissed my cheek. Quickly taking my hand and leading me to the kitchen for a drink of my own.
"I didn't know if you were actually going to come" she admitted as she poured me an unknown drink from a bowl. I took the plastic cup in hand and sipped it. I had intended to make a witty remark, but the strength of the drink caught me off guard. It tasted sweet, and good, but strong. "I'm here" was the intelligent response I finally conjured. She chuckled, and it took everything I had to not let my eyes droop down to her chest. She definitely wasn't a fan of the sun and the exposed skin was a very soft white and moved in the most eye-catching way with her laugh. She took my hand again "I see you're here, but let's have you be in the living room instead". I followed, cursing my answer.
We sat in the living room on a rather comfortable couch as the party moved around us. She grilled me about my life, things I was interested in, stories from my first year at school. All in the way that a family member you hadn't seen in years would. I was beginning to think she just wanted a new friend, but that was abruptly corrected. She started to ask about girls, and if I had any in my life as her hand moved over to my leg. I gave my answer in more of a non-verbal manner as my face went a dark red. Why was I so embarrassed? I think this woman was really bringing out a side of me I had no idea I had. She responded well, "I'm glad you're available". And with that she changed the subject.
As the party went on, we never moved from our spot. Camped out on the couch with her and a rotating cast of people sat down around us and moved on. I met quite of few of them, and remember none of their names. I did find out that she was a bit older than I had thought. She looked as though she was in her late twenties, but as I met highschool friends of hers, and coworkers, it became apparent that this woman was possibly twice my age. I didn't mind, and she seemed to enjoy some of the cougar jokes that were at our expense.
