Thursday, September 13, 2012

SEXUALITY IN THE NEWS





FALL PLANTING - pt. 1

She worked garden dept. down the hill at the big home center where I shopped. She was young and radiant. Five foot one or two, perfect glowing skin even in the shadows under the brim of her hat. Small Latina, thin-waisted, shapely hips, small but round behind in jeans poking out of the back of her green gardener's apron. Her hair jet black and slowly, almost imperceptibly waving with the methodical movement of her right arm, back and forth as she watered the shrubs. The flowering greens were begging to spring from their 5 gallon containers into moist earth somewhere else but would surely miss her daily affections.

I'd never seen her there before. She was new to town which I found out by asking for directions to the nearest good Vietnamese food. She laughed and said, "They are everywhere but the best is the Pho spot a mile further on the right. Mmmm. Wish I could join you they are to die for."

We talked perennials, watering, climate etc. She seemed well versed in all things garden. I was in dire need of advice with my gray thumbs and it being late in the season. Just enough time left to get things into the ground and for the roots to take hold. I lived about 40 minutes away and 3000 feet higher where the first hard frost could come at any time. Little did I know my own cold snap would be breaking soon.

“What are you up to? You seem to, sort of, be up to something fun?” She smiled slyly frm under her straw hat eyes darting up from her plants and quickly back down to the task at hand.

I told her I was just down from the mountains for supplies and maybe a bite to eat. She said she’d love to go up there and “play around” sometime. I, of course, took that to mean with me. I suddenly grew balls.

“Well, what time do you get out of here?” At that, she chortled a bit, wide smile spreading like she'd just thrown out a line and immediately got a big hit on the lure. It was 5pm and she was going to be there until midnight on this Labor Day Monday.

“Why don’t you go to a movie or something and grab a bite and come pick me up at 12. We can go up there and look at the stars. I can help you plant tomorrow, I’m off.” Why was I not at all suspicious or more accurately trepidatious? This girl didn’t know me from Adam.

“Why me?” I queried when I came to my senses and noticed her looking at from the corner of her eyes, waiting.

“I feel loneliness in your eyes but also great empathy. You don’t worry me.” Who was she, Don Juan?

What could I say to that? How about, “How old are you?”

“I’m 19. Not jailbait, if that’s the question.” She guffawed abruptly and walked over and kissed me on the cheek, splashing a bit of water from her hose on my shoes. “Oops,” she giggles.

“Maybe you should hose yourself down,” I smiled.

“Nah, you wouldn’t want that…just yet.”

Why was I suddenly, head over heels, completely bowled over. Ready for anything. Feeling fearless, sexy, interesting, wanted. Would I make it through the night in one piece? Did it matter?

“Could you bring me something to eat, later?” She was practically cooing. Looking coy, her top teeth over her bottom lip, eyes averted and fluttering a bit. What an actress. She knew I'd bitten. I wanted to take her right there on top of the chrysanthemums.

“Any preference?”

“Surprise me.”

“That’s your department, obviously.”

“Get outta here, before you get soaked. I’ll see you later.” I turned and couldn’t stop smiling as I pushed my cart full of things that grow out towards my truck. “Hey…don’t forget to pay for that stuff.” I turned to see her bent at the waist laughing.