That summer I began to appreciate the unnoticed things. I attributed this sense of awareness to my art classes. The everyday aspects of the physical world needed to be documented and enjoyed. I cataloged changes, both mentally and with my sketchpad, delighted not just in the changes but my recognition of those changes.
The house, which I always thought of as dilapidated and isolated, took on new meaning for me. Tucked away on the crest of a hill at the end of the road; cut off from the old working class neighborhood to the east by the commuter rail line; encompassed on the south and west by trees and overgrowth of a long abandoned urban quarry, it became my vantage to explore my blossoming body and the evolving world about me.
In the early morning before my father or sister awoke I would sit on the front porch and sketch the changing skyline as the sun chased shadows across the rows of packed houses to the east. From the south side of the house I could study the trees from two perspectives: rapidly as the sun quickly set behind the horizon to my right and slowly as the hot, dry summer crept by.
The evening solitude, which passed to twilight and then to darkness, let me meld my changing body with the rustic surroundings. Wearing an artist's smock, I sat on a tree stump and tried to capture the dynamics of the scenery as nightfall rushed in. When the last light faded, I stowed my art supplies and sat on the grass with my back to the tree stump. Shielded by the house and trees, I opened the smock and exposed myself to the night. In the hot, humid air, beads of sweat formed on my skin, eventually rolling off me in slight rivulets. On cool nights, a gentle breeze raised goose bumps and made me shiver. These summer idylls all ended the same way. Naked on my back looking up at the stars I masturbated. Sometimes it was slow and casual, teasing my body for what seemed like hours before a gentle orgasm washed over me. Other night, especially if it rained, I would writhe on the grass feverishly working the million nerve endings of my clit into a cataclysmic come. All this I did in the privacy of my own urban Eden.
On this day dark clouds billowed in the west, a portent of possible summer thunderstorms. With vicious stokes I tried to detail the rapidly moving genies. My concentration was interrupted by the sound of a car slowing to a stop on the gravel shoulder of the road. I was not in sight of the visitor so without chancing a look, I stopped, waited and listened. The car door opened; closed. Soft footsteps made their way up the steps to the front door followed by a firm rap. Silently, I made my way to the back door and walked through the house and opened the door slightly. There stood a guy in a t-shirt and tan drawstring shorts. He was at ease and confident in his manner.
"Yes?" I asked brusquely, not wanting to appear home alone.
"I'm Mike and I'm here to see Teri" was the polite response. "Is she in?"
"I think she's at work. At least she is scheduled to be."
"She was earlier but she suggested I meet her here. She should have gotten off about half an hour ago. Do you mind if I wait?"
Teri had not mentioned this and I was reluctant to let him in even though he was a nice looking guy. "You can wait on the porch," I said trying not to appear inhospitable.
"That's fine. I'll just sit on the step and wait."
I nodded as I closed the door. As I set the lock, the low hum of the 'quiet' tone on the phone sounded in the kitchen. It was my sister in a mild panic. "Is he there?" She asked trying to keep her voice low and still speak above the din of the bar. "He is," I said. "He is waiting on the porch."
"Shit! I knew this would happen. Joe showed up and he won't leave. I am stuck here until he splits. Can you do me a favor and keep him occupied for awhile?"
She did not wait for my answer but hung up. Teri and Joe were at one time, an item. He got her the job at the bar and wanted her to move in with him. She might have been persuaded to do that if he would still let her fuck around. Teri was never one to be satisfied with the same cock night after night and Joe did not have enough going for him to make her want to change. Still, he pursued her with an ardent passion and Teri wanted to avoid an unnecessary incident as long as they worked together.
I opened the door and saw Mike was sitting on the top step, acting blasé and taking in the scenery. A warm wind gusted across the porch as the threatening clouds gathered.
"That was Teri. She has to work a little longer. Do you still want to wait for her?"
"I don't have any plans. I'll sit a spell longer if you don't mind."
"Makes no difference to me. Suit yourself." I said. At that moment, something came over me; curiosity, latent desire, sense of adventure; any of these, so, without much as a thought I made a suggestion. "Around on the side is out of the wind if you want to wait there."
"Why thank you," he offered as I pointed to the exposed side of the house, "Around here?"
"Yes. My supplies are there now. I can move them."
We walked down the steps and turned the corner. I clutched my smock until we turned the corner and the house blocked the wind. An eerie calm descended on me as he followed me to the side porch.
"How long have you known Teri?" I asked, "I have not heard her mention you."
"Oh. We dated once or twice a year or two ago. I just got back in town and looked her up at the bar. Had a few drinks since then."
His demeanor was natural and unassuming. There was nothing about his manner that conveyed horny expectations. But if he had been out with Teri, he knows what to expect and she usually delivers.
