My first real girlfriend

 

In my last year at school there were times when we had freedom to study, play tennis or just use the library to write our essays. I then I found I was not the only one there but Joan, a very attractive who would also be there doing the same. So we chose that time to to chat in the library or in summer play tennis. She was very good at the game but that worried me little as I was more interested in dating her.

When school was over I often found her walking home and found she only lived a short walk from our house. Before long I was invited to meet her mother and if I stayed longer I'd meet her father too.

In summer time we also spent time walking to the town park where we'd find a secluded bench so we could kiss each other. I adored her and soon I was visiting her on weekends to and was invited to have meal with the family too.

As the school year progressed she said she needed to spend more time studying. I too was concerned as my exams were over and one of the schools governors had asked the headmaster if there was a student interested working in architecture. I was informed and took the job eagerly.

We kept in touch for many months but she too managed to get a job...but in London,so our friendship was shattered. This sudden change was the end of our romance. 

Fifty years later we met again on Facebook; both my wife and her husband had now died. I lived in Australia and she in Britain and we happily told of our lives far apart. Sadly just last year her daughter emailed me telling me she too had died.

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Rastus and I stay the night (Chapter 6)

I lied of course when I said we slept well the night we stayed with Penny. Rastus certainly did as he fell asleep and was flicking his paws or growled a woof or two as he guarded us from danger in his dreams or chased rats or cats perhaps.

For us though it was a beautiful time of discovery sharing Penny's bed for the first time. I was not prepared or confident in this. We joked about what nighties of hers I could wear. Then I had a shower and when I returned to the bedroom draped in a towel I saw she had chosen the side nearest the window with her clock radio where she always slept. She had put a chocolate Caramello on my pillow for me; just as though we were in a hotel.

She was looking at me all the time then turned over and put out the light. I reached over and held her hand and she with her other hand and touched my face as I breathed in her scent as she did so. I let go of her hand and lightly touched her naked body with my fingers like an explorer discovering a new tropical island.

"You are so beautiful Penny" I said as my fingers gave her a satisfying feeling with her murmuring approval. She in her turn was not passive as she too checked out this intruder in her bed, running her fingers through my hair and then leaned over placing her head on my chest to listen to my heartbeat.

"Penny, we mustn't make love...I am not prepared" I said. 

"I didn't expect you to be. I would have been a bit peeved if you assumed I was a pushover. The more I know about you, the more I like you."

We both kissed and explored each other and delighted having been so close together.

Strangely she was up next morning looking out the window without a stitch on.

"Come back to bed" I said and she did. 

Word count 341

Rastus settles in (Chapter 5)

 

Staying at Penny’s that weekend was a success. It was certainly that way for Rastus; he settled in as though he was home and had a contented look on his face. I hope I looked like that too, but Penny wasn’t quite so sure.

How did we both get on? Very well indeed. She was soft and beautiful and attentive and receptive to my caressing. Rastus was happy laying at our feet. When I let him out last thing at night for his final walk around the garden I said “Behave, no chasing possums.” He returned a few minutes later reporting no sightings.

Penny and I talked too. Discussing work and family and our childhood and were very comfortable in each other’s company. However at one point at a break in conversation she paused then came right out with it. “You have been hurt haven’t you, did she dump you?” 

"I would say I was jettisoned from a ship.”

“I often wondered what the difference was between flotsam and jetsam. So what is flotsam?” Penny asked.

“Goods lost from a ship accidentally," By this time I had returned to stroking her feet gently and counting her toes.

“Five, on each foot” she stated.

“Just checking.”

At bedtime she suggested I share her bed.

“What is the alternative?”

“Floor with Rastus, couch with a blanket; you can choose.”

“I have no PJ’s, toothbrush or night cream.”

“I bought a spare toothbrush, the rest you can share with me.”

We all slept well that night. It must have been the wine. Goodness knows what Rastus drank. We went for another walk in the park early in the morning. It was so different at that hour. There was a morning mist over the water on the lake and a mob of kangaroos were drinking unconcerned. Luckily I had Rastus on the lead so we steered away from them and took a circular route around the park watching the birdlife in their chosen territory.

When we got back to Penny’s place I said to her “We will give it a try then, if that is OK?”

Penny turned to Rastus saying “What do you reckon?”

Rastus looked at us both grinning at him and barked an affirmative.

Let’s hope he keeps us together.

360 words

Rastus and me go up the hill (Chapter 4)

 

After my old neighbor went to hospital I looked after Rastus . Sadly she did not return home so I transferred his ownership and licence with all his chattels to me and her family agreed. 

Rastus tended to love anyone or perhaps it was the smell of food on them. Already he considered my house his and had happily settled in. 

I phoned Penny who now lived up the hill a few kilometres outside the city and told her of the change. 

“Why don’t you both come up to see me this week end as I’m free?. We can have bone stew” she said laughing.

So on Saturday we drove up the hill through leafy suburbs and winding roads with new smells for Rastus to enjoy. His head was out the window and grinning with his tongue out when we went through the hills villages. 

We found Penny’s place and drove in her driveway. She came out straight away and once inside I offered her a present which was a pink silk scarf that had once been my mother's. Penny was stunned, “It’s so beautiful” she said with moist eyes, “I love pink”. Then put it on and looked in a mirror smiling  

Rastus by this time had got bored so laid down at our feet. Penny said “Up you get Rastus we are going for a walk, there’s a park close by. 

Unlike a city park this one had native gum trees, scrubland and winding trails and a freshwater lake. He chased imaginary animals yet missed a koala looking down at him. After we’d worn him out we made our way home with Penny and me holding hands and her holding his lead.

Back at her place, Rastus drank a whole bowl of water and settled down for a nap.”Would you like a drink? she asked “I have a Pinot Grigio in the fridge.”

“Well not if I’m driving, perhaps one glass.” 

Penny then said “You can always stay the night”, looking in my eyes. 

I smiled, then nodded whilst Rastus snored in his sleep.

 

347 words

The train stopped one night

 

The train stopped one night at old Farnham town

I used to live there but it made me frown

Memory hurt me I was courting Stella

But she ditched me for another fella

She was beautiful but played a game

Flicking her hair was a bweautiful dame

Couldn't dislike her , we went to the flicks

She was glad she always close the film picks

Each Friday was night we always meet

We would always try to get the same seat

We climber up the stairs ir was always best

Cuddled up together we had our nest

How sorrowful I was to lose this girl

This was like losing a precious pearl

She loved flowers I often bought her some

Courting is like that, win some lose sum

I know that now watching the falling leaves

Swirling around the platform under the eaves

I skipped out of my trainand stood by the wall

Why is it hard to lose the one and all?

Everything has changed oh how I missed her

Then I looked to platform the other side

Passengers gathering there for their ride

She hasn't seen me...but should have been my bride

Illustration found at www.Shutterstock.com

Like an April breeze

She was young and fresh like an April breeze

Who caught my eye after cruel winter's freeze

When my eyes looked upon this young girl's charms

How I wished for her in my eager arms

Her name was May who had blossomed so well

Whose sparkling eyes had many tales to tell

So I took a bold step to talk to her

She looked up at me and did not demure

I loved that she enjoyed a cuddle or two

And both she and I would write a billet doux

But the month of June was another trial

...it was over and I was in denial

Illustration from www.pixabay.com

Love hurts

Love really hurts doesn't it?

When she says it's best to make a break

While you thought there might be wedding cake

Wondering whether she's found another beau

Meaning that is time for me to quit

Was I too fast or too slow?

Why didn't she say what was wrong?

For just now she seems headstrong

Wonder if she met another

But she's quite clear she wants me to go

So I have to start afresh

I'll take a break and settle down

But my Ma could tell from my frown

Gave me hug saying "There will be more"

I shook my head, my life was in a mess

But she was right after all

A few weeks later met another lass

Whose bewitching eyes in class

Made my heart go pitter pat

And now each day I walk her home from school

Illustration from www.pixabay.com

I loved someone

I had one brother, he hated me

He was older and I'd stole that breast

That he always thought was his alone

Took some time before parents could see

Long after those first years were over

I had to watch for him hatching plans

As a pinch or punch would often come

When parents eyes didn't look our way

We both grew up and sent out to play

He'd punch and shove me in the nettles

Once in a little pond to laugh that day

So I'd run home but did not betray

So in the end I found my own friend

When first I started in junior school

We would play and explore on our own

T'was good not having not wear a frown

Better too when I played with some girls

Some with straight black hair and some with curls

I even held their hands walking home

During the war when the sirens droned

We moved house one year to a new town

Brother now went to senior school

And I fell in love with every girl

With fair hair and not even one curl

I walked this girl May home after school

She was the first to let me kiss her lips

And then there was Eileen and Joan too

In the end I chose Maureen to woo

Me and Mrs Kidd

 

I lay in bed body prone

As I remember days long gone

While working on a dredge at sea

Crewman fell over, I did see

Spinning round in our wake

So called "Man over" for his sake

But he had drowned there was no doubt

Dredge now slowed we had to get him out

Crew murmured "Is that John Kidd?"

Water surged around us as we did

I was standing on the bulwark

Luckily it was not yet dark

Just thought John was newlywed

Had not long left his marriage bed

Found the heart of such lovely lass

What did he do that was so crass?

Spinning round in ice cold sea

His luck ran out as all could see

I'll be the one to tell his wife

Was there much sadness in his life?

So it was I called on her

She asked me in, I did not demur

Chatted with her to help her plan

His faults not told, she held my hand

Image found at www.pixabay.com

She looked at me

 

She looked at me a bit doubtfully

Just what does she expect of me

We are all brought up differently

She was probably never hungry

While I sometimes ate slice of stale bread

Or even pinched apple from a tree

That didn't even belong to me

And wore old trousers frayed at knee

My mother worked at shop in downtown

As war was on and wages low

Dad often worked and far to go

I walked to school in rain or no

I knew that her life was far better

She was luckly that's surely true

But no need to make me feel blue

Just trying to do what I can do

She looked at me now biting her lip

Was sorry now for what she said

"Sorry" she said shaking her head

For all the things I may have said

Curiously we dated after that

Wasn't long before our first kiss

Honest and true did nothing amiss

Years later we were married in bliss

My mermaid Marina

“Don’t come any closer” she said.

“Do you want me to help you down? I said, still averting my face.

“I am waiting for the tide to come in.”

“Isn’t it easier to get down when the tide is out?”

“No, I haven’t got legs like you.”

That was all I needed a disabled girl, abandoned on my beach with no clothes on.

“It’s alright I will help you down.”

“No you won’t human. I will wait for the tide. Now leave me alone.”

Human did she say?  Was she disabled and nutty too? I had to look at her.

I looked up and found a very beautiful but angry girl pouting at me with her tail dangling over the rock.

“What? Haven’t you seen a mermaid before?”

I shook my head and looked at her again. Her tail was smooth like a dolphin’s. Her coarse hair was like strands of seagrass. She blinked her eyes which I guessed were drying out and her breasts were just tiny mounds on her body.

“Finished looking?”

“Let me get you down, you are worried about drying out aren’t you?”

She looked at me differently and nodded. I reached up for her, she paused then put her arms round me while I held her bottom and lifted her down, carried her to a rock pool to sit in.

She immediately sighed with relief and splashed the water.

“Can you breathe both in and out the water?”

“Questions, questions?” she responded

“Why are you so angry with me?”

“I am not angry with you, I am pleased with you. I am angry with myself for making risky mistakes.”

“You’re not going back to sea straight away are you?”

She shook her head, “The sharks out are still out there.”

“How can you tell?”

“The sea is for those that can interpret other languages. That is why I can speak to you, crabs, birds and shellfish too. So there are sharks out there now OK?”

“What is your name? And how do you know that expression jungle telegraph?”

“Boy, do you need thelp. I can read your mind that’s why. Under the sea we don’t ask questions all the time, there is no need. That is why I know you are safe to be with, your wife is dead, you think I am beautiful and have small breasts.”

I laughed and nodded in agreement. “All what you said is true, but how about my name?”

“Not sure. I am going to call you Shark because I was frightened of you at first.”

“That’s close, it’s Mark. Then I will call you Marina unless you have another name?”

“I do, but you humans couldn’t pronounce it, so Marina is fine.“I’m off now, the sharks have gone". 

With that she swam off. I do hope I'll see her again.



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My brush with the law

Every Saturday night was the same, those lingering kisses and the last fond embrace had to be measured to the last second. I hadn’t missed a train yet but as we tended to stick to each other like glue a longer wait until the first train in the morning was always a possibility and being Sunday that would be a very long wait indeed.

Passing the shops a voice called out "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" It was a cop and his partner checking the shops. "What have you been up lad, running along like that?" 

Panting I said "Must catch the last train", paused  then "I just left friends house and the train leaves in a few minutes", still gasping for air.

They checked me out and smelt my breath but clearly could smell the scent of my girlfiend Jill's perfume on me. He grinned and said "Okay lad but don't leave it so late next time".

By the time I reached the station the level crossing gates were closing so I scampered over the footbridge and knew that I would make it after all.

Later I told my girlfriend what happened and she insisted I go earlier in future. Less than a year later we were wed so stayed together each and every night after that.




Word count 222

The Illustration is from an early TV series in Britain called "Nixon of Dock Green"

My girlfriend Grace

First I hated the way she flicked her braids
Until the time I found she smiled at me
Her simple look made my heart skip a beat
And what joy to steal that first kiss with her
We walked home from school she did not demur

What bliss when summer holidays came up
Suggested swimming at lido in town
Met her at gate with young brother in tow
She shrugged her shoulders "Mum said I had to
or else I wasn't permitted to go"

She had loosened her hair from the school braids
Now I thought she looked prettier by far
We were soon swimming in middle of pool
Held hands in water so bro could not see
Not that he looked at us I do agree  

Clock now showed half past four, so out we got
Went to changing rooms to change our wet togs
Met up again and strolled into town
So gave him some candy while waiting for bus
So Grace's bro didn't stare back at us

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That was unexpected

I sat by the river in the park
Used to come here when but a kid
For I feel a tiny bit sad
As something has now happened
Which has made me feel quite bad
Had a call from cute girl of mine
She said it's over but never mind
It is true what they say to me
There are a lot of fish in the sea
But it hurts I really do care
Was a great lass to have an affair
Yes there are others but not now
So I threw some stones in the creek
Wiping tears that were on my cheek
It is my pride that has been hurt
It's time to find a new piece of skirt



Image found at www.shutterstock.com

What happened to her?

Best thing I recall about going to school
Was escaping from class and breaking a rule
Even at break times was to find a quiet place
Got my fags out to smoke which was a disgrace

Of course I got caught and got the cane for that
Detention after school for being a brat
So yes I learned quite a lot being at school
Trying to conform and not break every rule

The saddest part was when true love came my way
Tennis with girl in class happily did play
I liked her legs and looks and rest of her too
But was offered a job, so goodbye, boo-hoo!

I often wondered what had happened to her
Some years later saw her but did not confer
We smiled then nodded for a moment or two
We were both married so what more could we do?


Image found at www.shutterstock.com

Where is she now?

"Just where is she now?" You ask
It hurts to recall those days
Of unrequited love, my sweet
It's many years since we did meet

She a girl with raven hair
With her deep dark eyes on mine
Met her at a small town dance night
She walked up to me, eyes alight

"You look like you want to dance"
As she pulls me on the floor
So quickstep, waltz and rumba too
She knew full well just what to do

Soft warm body was a treat
Her eyes never looked away
But kept me close in possession
'Til break was called to that session

We sat down to have a drink
Breathed her scent and felt her warmth
Needless to say I was quite struck
I just couldn't believe my luck

A bit after ten she said
"Glad I met you but I must go"
"Want and lift?" I asked gallantly
"No, my sweet; that won't suit hubby!"

I laughed but felt like crying
As she put wedding ring on
We walked outside, then I kissed her
She smiled "With that, I do concur"

Met her again much later
Different town four years on
As she came running to my side
"Hello" she whispered, "You want a bride?"

Image found at www.pixabay.com

By Candlelight

We ate our meal by candlelight
Our first date was such a delight
She chose to drink a chardonnay
Her eyes sparkled hip hip hooray
But made her drink water as well 
To rescue her from a drunken spell

She ate her food which was quite fine
Her eyes were always fixed on mine
And not on some faraway place
Worse still to be sick, what a disgrace
Or doing something quite unseemly
She was instead chatting freely

The important thing she was fine
I was quite proud she was mine
Show her off to my mum and dad
They will be pleased not cross or sad
That she's someone I can be proud
And shout out from hilltop quite loud

As we walk back to my sedan
We both glance and smile as we can
Really want to sleep with this girl
She so much like a precious pearl
As she holds on tight to my arm
She says "Tell me about your farm"

Image found at www.pixabay.com

Our eyes meet

The shops cash register went ping
I turned my head to glance that way
My eyes did meet the girl's at the till
Yes I knew her, her name was Jill

Used to be at school together
When young and free and I fell in love
With every girl that I did see
But not her, she didn't fancy me

Put my purchase on the counter
So she could scan it at the till
She glanced at me then said aloud
"Hey, I missed you" (There was no crowd)

I twisted round, we were alone
So spoke "Do you fancy a date?"
Her shining eyes and mine did meet
She turned and said "Must be discrete!"

So the wheel of fortune spun around
I did break all the rules for her
Did tread the road of infamy
Instead of honest monogamy

Our sighs though were not in the press
Though we met for more than a year
As winter came and snow flakes fell
She wept "It's over" that phrase from hell

Image found at www.pixabay.com.au

On losing your girlfriend

I don't say we were intimate
We were just friends that loved to fight
Scruffy me I poked my nose at her
Watching from our upstairs window
As she rode on her new bike
She snarled out "Tiresome little tyke!"

Anything to upset the game
Don't know who was the first to blame
Days of yesterday were quite fun
But all changed in the teenage years
Held hands walking back home from school
Talked and smiled not playing the fool

We were great pals that moment on
Then saw her eyes no longer shone
But looked at anything but me
While I was quite unaware
In those great days of yesterday
Foolish me saw not slow decay

She chose to date another man
I woke, I was in the dustpan
With someone precious, keep them safe
Or else you find you have lost her
One who you've loved whose eyes did shine
You're heartbroken like I with mine



Image found at www.https://pixabay.com/photos/bicycle-riding-on-a-path-4358893/

When a youth

Most girls I dated when a youth
Looked up to me as I was tall
I looked down on them in the nicest way

Not too good in the town's dance hall
To stare at my chest was no fun
While the other girls my eyes did survey

Found at last one girl on a par
Whose sweet green eyes hypnotized me
Lips like cherries I kissed every day

Her skin was soft as finest silk
On which I laid my weary head
"I like you Robin" said my sweet girl Faye

We dated for six months or so
I hoped it would last more that that
Sadly she sent note "Have moved away"

Was too old to have a sad cry
But I'd lost the apple of my eye
Now should I look for girl named Jay or May?


Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/ball-opening-dance-celebration-1558666/