Author's note: The names, places, and some circumstances have been changed or altered in all the Reminiscences writings to protect the innocent and not so innocent, too! The stories, however, are as true as I remember them. Enjoy!
Again, your criticism is welcomed, as is your vote!
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I was sitting on my deck enjoying a reasonably cool late afternoon and early evening during the hot summer in Texas a few years back. I was having a couple of beers, relaxing after a long day, enjoying the cooler breezes enhanced by the large tree next to the deck.
I had only had fleeting glimpses of Jackie. Her mother lived just up the street, and I had seen her helping her mother in the flowerbeds. Jackie had a penchant, I suppose, for old, nearly worn out jeans, which she had cut the leggings off and her butt cheeks were nearly visible at all times. She also wore sleeveless T-shirts. The pointed nipples showing through were a clear indication that a) she rarely wore a bra or b) she was small enough to not need a bra.
Anyway, here I was enjoying the end of the day, when who should happen by but Jackie. She was in a miff with someone, maybe her mother, maybe a friend, and she said she just wanted to be comfortable with someone for a little while. I asked her if she wanted to just talk about it, maybe have a beer, and relax for a while. She readily agreed, coming on to the deck and finding a place to sit. I brought her a beer, and we just sat quietly for a while.
Finally she began talking. She told me of her troubles with her boyfriend back home, that he was constantly downgrading her, even beating on her. She wanted to start a new life, get her stuff back in order, and expand her horizons. I told her, "You can take your hat off, if you want to." She stopped talking and just looked at me for a minute.
"What did you say?"
"You can take your hat off. You can relax around me. I won't degrade you, nor will I beat on you for any reason. And you haven't given me any reason to so far."
Another couple of beers came out, and she was relaxing a bit. The sun had now disappeared and the breezes were settling down. She had lowered herself to the deck itself, sitting back against the railing, and enjoying the light conversation.
"You can take your shirt off, too. No one can see you from here." The deck was close to the street and was visible for passersby to see, if they really looked. But it was now getting dark, and I didn't have any outside lights on.
"I'll take my shirt off if you'll do the same."
No problem, as in the present society a man with a naked chest is not a big deal. I wish today's society as a whole would incorporate the enjoyment of all bodies in whatever state of dress or undress as some other liberal-minded countries around the world. But I digress.