Chapter 35

After locking the front door we silently walked together down the tree lined streets. Fireflies floated by on their own travels that enchanted night. We didn’t talk as we were both too lost in our thoughts but I still greatly enjoyed being with her. When we reached her house we stayed in the shadows of an old oak tree while we said our goodbye. Our kisses started slow and sweet but became fiercer as they progressed until with an effort of her will Ashley tore herself from me. Without a word she ran to her front steps and turned and waved. Then she opened the door and disappeared inside.

The next evening I was at Stacy’s house promptly at six like we planned and she sat waiting on her front porch. She disappeared inside when she saw me coming but was back out before I reached the house. She gave me a quick peck and I noticed that she smelled like citrus. Though she had reverted to her Jennys and sneakers she was also wearing makeup though less than the night before. Just lipstick and a small amount of eyeliner as well as nail polish that matched her green eyes. As we walked to the movies she slipped her hand in mine.

The movie we chose was a lame comedy but we still had a good time enjoying each others company. We stopped in a tiny park on the way back to Stacy’s house and sat on a bench together. Before long we found ourselves kissing but I stayed in control and did no more than nuzzle her neck or blow in her ear. Stacy seemed giddy as we headed on, even skipping ahead of me sometimes. When we reached her house the porch light was on to welcome us like an old friend well met.

“Jim do you want to sit on the swing with me?” Stacy shyly asked me to which I quickly assented.

We sat there looking at each other and holding hands with Stacy alternating giggling or silently beaming when I heard the creak of a door. When I turned, my eyes were confronted with an older version of Stacy approaching us. The woman had the same blonde hair and green eyes as her daughter with the biggest difference being she had a fuller, more mature figure. She was wearing a green Bonty dress but on top of it she had on a frilly white apron.

Stacy turned to her and simply said “Hi Mom.”

I leaped to my feet almost tripping in the process before I managed to catch my balance, after which I extended my hand to her. She smiled at me and daintily took my hand in hers.

“You must be the Jim that I’ve been hearing all these things about from my baby.”

“Mom please” I heard Stacy say.

“Yes I’m Jim, pleased to meet you Ma’am.”

“Well you can figure out I’m Stacy’s mother, Mrs. Johnson.”

She released my hand and looked at us both.

“Well it’s a beautiful Bonty night. Would you kids like a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade.”

In unison we both said “Yes” and all three of us laughed.

“Be right back” she said as she went into the house.

“Your Mom seems great” I truthfully told her.

“She so is, I’m lucky to have her, you know what she’s doing now - baking.”

Just then Mrs. Johnson came out with a pitcher and two tall glasses which she handed to us and then filled. Before disappearing back inside she called out “Let me know if you want anything.”

We enjoyed the lemonade and each others company until we heard her Mom by the front door later.

“I think maybe I should go in but I had a great time Jim” she said.

We walked to the front door where Stacy turned and looked at me expectantly. One more time I leaned down and kissed her lips which now tasted like homemade lemonade. She sighed after we ended the kiss and opened the door and slipped inside. I knew how she felt, without anything sexual happening I had a great time that night. I’d just reached the bottom of the steps when the door opened. Turning I saw Mrs. Johnson at the opening.

“Jim can you do me a favor” she said in a low voice “I have to run to the store for an ingredient I ran out of for my recipe but I’d like to have a word with you about Stacy. Can you meet me at the corner, I don’t want Stacy to know.”

“Sure thing Mrs. Johnson” I replied. While I waited at the corner for her I wondered what this was about. Could she somehow have found out about my recent activities and was going to warn me off her daughter? In a couple of minutes a silver minivan pulled up with Mrs. Johnson driving. The door was unlocked so I climbed in.

“Put on your seatbelt Jim” she said still smiling.

Buckling up I saw that Mrs. Johnson had fine lines around her eyes but beyond that she looked barely older than Stacy.

“Stacy had such a wonderful time with you Jim, she practically floated upstairs” she began. “It hasn’t been always easy the past couple of years since her Father passed away.”

“I didn’t know, I’m sorry for your loss” I said.

“Thank you Jim. The reason I wished to speak with you is that because the way we raised Stacy to be a proper young lady and to resist peer pressure sometimes puts her at odds with other young people. Especially young men that she takes a fancy too. Now Jim you seem like a nice fellow but I have to warn you that Stacy has morals.”

“Mrs. Johnson” I interjected “I know that Stacy is a good girl, as she put it, and I don’t claim to know how things will work out but I do like her and let me tell you that I wouldn’t pressure her to do what she doesn’t want to do.”

“Thank you for that. But we also have to worry about her falling in love, or thinking she has, and wanting to prove her love. I know it can be difficult for young people. Mr. Johnson and I were sorely tempted when we were courting and that was before things were as they are today. And I know it is more difficult for males to rein in their lust with temptation everywhere. I would like to make a deal with you Jim. But we’re already at the supermarket. Do you want to wait out here?”

“I’ll come in, if you don’t mind Mrs. Johnson.”

“Not at all Jim, glad to have your company.”

We proceeded to the store and onto the aisle that had baking supplies. Mrs. Johnson wanted a container of sprinkles that was on the top shelf so I managed to step on the bottom shelf and reach up and get it for her.

“Oh you are gallant Jim” she said.

She then needed unbleached flour which was on the bottom shelf. Instead of bending at the knee Mrs. Johnson bent at the waist to get it. There must have been something wrong with the first package because she kept rummaging around. For a minute I forgot myself and I found myself admiring the swell of her round buttocks. Suddenly I realized she was looking at me and my face reddened from the embarrassment of being caught checking her out. She straightened up and I saw the hint of a smile on her lips as she smoothed out her dress with a flourish. We didn’t say a word to each other on the way to, or at the checkout.

Once in the minivan she started it and began to drive across the lot before turning and driving behind the store to the loading dock area. She stopped the motor and turned to me.

“Like I was saying earlier Jim, I have a deal to propose. What happened inside only convinced me I’m right.”

“I’m sorry about…” I began when she shushed me.

“As I was saying it is more difficult for young men, but it’s also difficult for a relatively young widow who enjoyed the physical aspect of marriage. You showed in the store that almost all you think about is raw, hot sex.”

All of a sudden she moved, rising from her seat and straddling me where I sat. Her arms reached out and twined about my neck. Mrs. Johnson smelled like a combination of soap, sugar and cinnamon. As her body shifted on my lap I felt myself start to grow. She must have felt it because she then moved her ass in a sensual, provocative manner against me.

“What I’m suggesting Jim is that you and I come to an understanding that will be mutually beneficial. We will both receive the intimacy we desire and no pressure will be put on Stacy to rush into any sexual activity before she is truly ready. What do you think of my idea?”