FOOLISH OLD WOMAN
BY JAN SIKES
“Come sit with me.” He patted the leather bench beside him.
In silence, I sat while others at the table shifted to make room. Why did I feel so nervous? It wasn’t like I didn’t know these people. Although I have to admit, I didn’t know them well.
I tried hard to remember names that went with the faces.
But, in all honesty, it wasn’t the people who made me nervous. It was him.
Twenty years my junior, tall, slender and handsome with brown eyes that sparkled, I saw no reason for him to have any interest in me.
Oh, I was a looker in my day. I had a slender figure, pert breasts, and round ass, but time has taken its toll. At sixty-five, gravity has sagged my breasts and my once flat stomach has a slight pooch.
He casually draped an arm around my shoulders.
I tried to engage in conversation, but the tingles his touch left on my shoulders distracted me to the point of madness.
When his arm slipped behind me and around my waist, I panicked. He’d feel my flab. I wriggled and sucked in my stomach.
“Let’s go out on the veranda,” he suggested.
Clumsy and flushed, I managed a reply. “Okay.”
I slid off the seat then waited for him. I followed with my heart pounding in my ears. I scolded myself. You’re carrying on like a schoolgirl with her first crush. For God’s sake get a grip.
We strolled out into the cool night air. The moon and stars hung carefree in the black velvet sky and a slight breeze blew the hair back from my face.
Silence wrapped around us like a velvet cloak.
I faced him. “What are you doing?”
“I like you.” He touched my cheek. “You’re not like the others.” He pulled me into the circle of his arms and kissed me.
It wasn’t a tongue-tangling kiss, but a warm and sincere kiss.
“I don’t even know what that means.” I took a step back and drew in a deep breath.
After a long eight years of solitude, I found it hard to believe this handsome forty-something man found me attractive.
“It means that you’re honest. You’re not trying to get anything from me.”
I grinned. “Don’t be too sure about that.”
He pulled me against him and kissed me again.
“Come with me to my place,” I said as I pulled away.
“No.” He caressed my shoulders. “I’ve done that way too many times. I want it to be different with you.”
I spun and walked to the edge of the veranda.
He followed, slipped his arms around me from behind and nibbled on my neck. “You turn me on,” he whispered in my ear as he tightened his hold on me.
I turned around for another kiss only this time, he slipped in his tongue.
My eyes flew open and I lay still barely breathing soaking up the glorious feeling of being wanted, of being desirable.
Then ever so slowly, a hot scalding tear escaped and dripped onto my pillow. Then another and another followed…
“Foolish old woman,” I muttered to myself.
Writing and Music 
Well done, Jan. it is so sweet to reflect on valuable dreams.
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Thank you, Rox. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
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Thank you, Karen. I am glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate you taking time to comment.
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Jan, this was beautiful, sad, poignant and just a delight to read.
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Oh, Jan, I love this little story! It’s perfect. You inserted so much emotion into a few words. Those of us alone, yearn to feel someone’s gentle touch and to be held. Good job!
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Thank you, sister. I’m glad you liked it. It was just something that pestered me until I wrote it down. 🙂 Love you.
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Poignant and beautiful, Jan. I loved “The moon and stars hung carefree” and the ending was perfect. Hugs.
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Oh, thank you, Teagan. I appreciate your kind words.
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Thank you for adding my link, Jan, This is supposed to be about your story, and Gwen expressed my feelings about the end exactly. Good morning Gwen. We “met” on a RRBC radio spot. I think you understood what I said better than Jan did. She said I had a British accent, which of course I do. 🙂
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Aww, thank you, Gwen. I appreciate you stopping by to comment.
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What a fun read, Jan! I so rarely remember my dreams, but when I do, I take heed. This piece is a great beginning…it lingers and entices. Great job!
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Nice BLOG!!! ADD my blog too!!! Kisses ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you nildamacedopaulino!
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That was powerful, Jan. You had me caught up in each vividly emotional moment, only to close with a gut-punch at the end. Exceptional!
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Thank you, Mae. Coming from you, I take that as a high compliment. Hugs!
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🙂
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Thank you for your comment, D.L. I’m not sure my heart could take that dream coming true. 🙂 But, what do we have, if not our dreams, whether conscious or subconscious? 🙂 Here is the link to Sarah’s new book. I am reading it now and a review is coming shortly. It’s a great story. https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Temptation-Ecstasy-Passion-Command-ebook/dp/B075W91MZJ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508107689&sr=1-1&keywords=Sweet+Temptation+Sarah+Stuart
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Thank you! I will read it once I finish your series:)
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Beautifully written. I am of the belief that dreams come true 🙂
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D.L.Finn, if you’d like to read Sweet Temptation I’m sure Jan would give you the link. One of the characters has nightmares based on my own, and you wouldn’t want ANY of those to come true, 🙂
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No, I would not want any of my nightmares to come true! Yes, I would be very interested in reading it, thanks.
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This was really good.
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Thank you, Craig.
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Wow Jan!! All I can say is wow!!! What a powerful dream and story. You are amazing with words. As I’m drying my eyes, you reminds us that dreams are so powerful and can be cleansing and poetic. Even if sad when we wake and realize they are just that, a dream, but it you ask me, our love ones really do visit us in our dreams to give us hope that one day we will be reunited. Thank you for sharing. Love you!
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I couldn’t agree more, Tonya. There are dreams and then there are visits. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment, sweet girl! Hugs!
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I think this is one of your best pieces, Jan. Never mind a very short story, it could be the opening of a novel. I loved it, but I was left wanting to know what happened next.
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Thank you, Sarah. I hadn’t thought of it as a novel, but who knows. It could grow up to be one. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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❤️️ Jan, I loved this! Perhaps it’s that I’m rapidly arriving at the same age, perhaps because I still dare to dream. Whatever the reason, it’s a great piece of work. Bravo, my friend.
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Thank you, Sooz. You are such an inspiration to me across the big pond. I appreciate your comment. Hugs!
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(((Hugs))) back atcha, my friend.😊❤️️
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This is brilliant, Jan. Even though I’d read the title and the graphic, I fell into the story and was stunned by the ending. You rock, girlfriend! ♥
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Thank you SO much, Tina. Your words encourage me to keep reaching for something I’ve never done. 🙂 Big hugs!
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Most welcome, Jan, and richly deserved. Big hugs back to you ❤
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I can relate to the thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I think it would be good to have a companion to do things with, go places, see things, travel, etc., but then I would get a little apprehensive. Although it would be nice to be a priority in someone’s life once again!
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So true, Judy.
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Beautiful, Jan. I think we all have dreams and then wake to reality. Sometimes foolish is the only word to describe how we feel. Nice job.
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So true, John. I hesitated to write this, but then again, why not? 🙂
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Oh, Jan. Go for it. Give those writing muscles a workout. 😀
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