"This has been the longest school year EVER," Jennifer sighed, throwing herself against the back of her chair in disgust.
"You can make it through one more week, Jen," Amanda told her. "And besides, we've only been teaching five years, so don't make it sound like such an historic event."
"I don't know how somebody like Susan Adams can do this for...what...thirty-nine years?" Jennifer said. "I'd go insane first."
"Concentrate on summer and the fun we'll have," Amanda suggested. "Have you thought about any good trips we can take?"
"No," Jennifer admitted, "I've been too depressed. Maybe once finals are over and all the year-end paperwork crap is finished I can think about it. I definitely do want to do something and it better be pretty damn exciting after this interminable year."
The two high school teachers were best friends, having started their careers at the same time. They were each in their late twenties, single, and among the youngest teachers at the large high school. Despite Jennifer's current state of mind, they were generally considered sociable and approachable by their fellow staff members. The students loved them, especially the boys. Amanda and Jennifer were both fairly attractive, but opposites in that Jennifer was a tall blonde and Amanda a shorter brunette. Otherwise, they thought alike and were seldom apart for very long.
"OK, be thinking about it," Amanda said, "Unless Jason makes a better offer, of course."
Jennifer winced and said, "I'm done with him. Two dates was enough. How about you? Anybody new this week?"
"Very funny. Don't forget I went with Tommy for almost a month this winter," Amanda told her. "You can't say the same for any guys you've met."
"All my guys have been too old," Jennifer said. "I'm in the mood for a young dude. A little less mature."
"You just want a good fuck."
"Well, that too. I need a night or two of just pure sex. No strings attached."
Amanda laughed. "Am I invited?"
"Sure. We can share."
Neither of them knew how prophetic those words would be.
Amanda and Jennifer did, in fact, survive the end of the school year and were finally free from the daily grind. Amanda's condo complex had a swimming pool and the two teachers could often be seen sunbathing and swimming as the temperatures rose. They would then spend any additional time together on the porch outside the walk-out basement. Their discussions were varied and seldom boring.
"So, who was your favorite student this year?" Amanda asked Jennifer one day on the porch.
She thought for a moment and finally replied, "I think it would have to be David Albright. Not the brightest kid, but God that body."
"He's the one that got the wrestling scholarship to the D3 school?"
"Yeah," Jennifer confirmed. "I'd like him to put me in a headlock just one time. Pin me to the mat and do a figure-four leg catch, or whatever it's called."
Amanda laughed and said, "I'd pay to see that. I'm thinking you imagine all this happening while you're naked."
"Damn right."
"Yeah, he's pretty cute," Amanda said. "Plus, he's eighteen and no longer a student. That opens up all kinds of opportunities."
Jennifer nodded. "We've had this discussion before about graduating seniors. You still wouldn't hesitate to date one if you had the chance?"
"Hell no, I wouldn't hesitate. I'm not necessarily looking to rob the cradle like YOU, but ten years age difference wouldn't stop me if he looked like David."
One of the reasons the women remained friends was their mutual desire to not marry until they were thirty and were settled into their careers. Both had aspirations of moving up the education ladder, but not yet. The daunting tasks of succeeding in a marriage, perhaps raising kids, and advancing their careers were to be put off another couple of years. In the meantime, they would enjoy their youth.
It was less than a week later that they were sitting on the porch, in their modest two-piece bathing suits, enjoying an early afternoon drink. The back of Amanda's condo looked out over a small stretch of grass, with woods beyond that. She only had to maintain whatever annual flowers she wanted to plant next to the porch. All other bushes and the grass were maintained for the residents by a lawn care company paid for by condo association fees. This happened to be the day when the grass was being cut.
The women talked over the noise of nearby mowers until Jennifer stopped mid-sentence and gasped.
"Is that...?"
Jennifer stared and Amanda followed her line of sight.
"Amanda, I think that's David on that mower."
Amanda squinted and lowered her sunglasses, saying, "Yeah. I think it is, Jen. He's coming this way, too."
A few seconds later, there was no doubt in either woman's mind. The bare-chested man on the mower was David Albright. His tan skin glistened from perspiration. The muscles in his arms and legs shook as the mower rolled over the bumpy terrain.
"Damn, he looks good," Jennifer declared. "I'm going to talk to him."
Amanda smiled as her friend quickly rose from her chair and stepped into the lawn. Jennifer only had to wait a second or two before she had David's attention. He drove up to within a few feet of her and turned off the motor.
"Hi, David," Jennifer said. "I didn't know you worked here."
"Started as soon as school was out."
He was leaning on the steering wheel of the large mower, his arms crossed on top of it and his chin resting on one arm.
"You look hot. Can you take a break?"
Jennifer meant he looked warm, but in her mind she was thinking about how fucking 'hot' he truly looked up close.
