Tau was tall, and quite beautiful. She had just turned fifty, but her skin was smooth and clear, and she looked more than ten years younger. And she was smart, kind, and gentle. I cherished the few opportunities I had to speak with her when our paths crossed - we were both, nominally, in a group that walked together every Sunday, although neither of us showed up with any regularity.
I had had a crush on her since the first time I had met her. She's about 5'9, and I think I was attracted to her height before I noticed how pretty she was; I guess I have a thing for the taller woman. It was bad; I sometimes had to avoid her and walk with others since I was worried I might get tongue-tied trying to talk to her. Occasionally, I was able to fall behind her and admire the view. The walking was working for her - she was perfectly formed, lean but shapely. I had never been caught staring, but I had spent many hours daydreaming about her. Mostly innocent thoughts, really; I hate to think of myself as one to selfishly debase such beauty. But sometimes, when the stars were just right and my resistance was low, my mind would slip into thoughts of the rawest carnality. Fortunately, this never happened when she was around; had she ever caught my eye while I was thinking those thoughts, I am sure my blush would have warmed up the city!
One Sunday morning, a film crew kept me from my usual parking place; the closest I could find was on the street Tau's condo was on. I parked my car, and walked to our meeting place, hoping against hope to see her. I would really have enjoyed an extra few minutes of just being alone with her after we were done our walk.
I was in luck - she was there. I smiled at her, and made small talk with the other walkers as we went about our way. Down to the waterfront, along for a bit, and then back to our starting point along an inland street. As usual, we talked mostly of food. I don't think anyone eats breakfast before coming out, or at least enough of it to get through the distance we did.
Afterwards, five of us went for coffee, including my crush. We chatted amiably together. We were something more than acquaintances and companions, but, aside from a few exceptions, we didn't know each other well enough to be friends. I've always admired how easily women can bond. It's something that comes to me only with time and difficulty, even with people I like. But once there, it is permanent; I am, I have been told, extraordinarily loyal to my friends.
As we finished our coffee, Tau stood up to leave.
"Let me walk with you - I parked right at the base of your street."
She waited while I picked up my water belt and threw out my coffee cup. We said our good-byes and stepped out into the sunshine. I was in heaven.! "Aren't I the lucky one to have such a handsome guy to walk with!"
I wondered if she was teasing me; I'm not particularly handsome, really, I'm just me. Fortunately, I have a stock answer.
"You are very kind to say so."
I guess I was blushing, for real this time. She laughed.
"And I didn't think you could get any cuter."
I could feel my face heating up more blood rushed to it. I should have felt relieved, of course: there were certainly more embarrassing places my blood could have rushed.
I shrugged.
"I should probably admit that I am really very shy about some things. I don't run from compliments the way I used to, and I appreciate them, but unless they agree with how I see myself, I try to ignore them."
She smiled.
"That's fair enough, I suppose. I hope I'm not upsetting you. I don't mean to tease, you know."
"I know, and I am more than flattered to have such a beautiful woman say I am handsome."
"Now you're teasing me!"
"No, not at all. I have always thought you were beautiful..."
I let my voice drop a little to finish the sentence.
"Beautiful, tall, and very sexy."
"I guess it's my turn to blush."
But she wasn't. She was looking at me, appraisingly.
"Oh, look, there's my car!"
She took my hand, and said "you don't need to go home just yet, do you?"
