The Dating Scene

Some of the guests asked about our relationship and she would tell them we were just friends. I was hoping for just a little more. I was sure she had feelings for me but I didn't want to push it. We have been out on three dates albeit Lynn has been with us. Things were going too good to mess it up now.

Lynn came up to me and I wished her a Happy Birthday and gave her the present. Whenever I talked to her, I always stooped down, whenever possible, and talked to her at an equal level. This time she put her arms around my neck and gave me a big hug and said thank you. It was a total surprise seeing she shied away from men in general.

I had met all of Mary's siblings and her parents. They were nice enough but seemed a little skeptical. I wasn't sure if they trusted me. I could feel the skepticism when talking with them. About half way through the party, Paul, her oldest brother asked if he could speak with me on the porch. Of course, I said yes, and we sat on a couple of chairs away from everyone.

"Jerry," he said. "I just wanted to talk with you about Mary. She's our youngest sister and lost her husband last year. She's been through hell and we were wondering about how you met her."

"Are you interrogating me about my relationship with Mary?" I asked.

"No ... well, maybe a little. We were just wondering about how you two met. We're just looking after Mary and Maria Lynn."

"If you need to know we just became friends. We met in my office. I work for the IRS and I did a tax audit and helped her get her taxes straightened out. She in turn invited me over for dinner and we became friends. We've been to the movies and the park a couple of times. I can assure you that I would never harm Mary or Lynn in any way."

"I'm sorry, Jerry. Maybe I came on too abrupt to you. We knew the two of you have been out a couple of times. Mary's told us a little about you and mentioned that you know about her past. There might be a few things you don't know. Let me explain and tell you a little about Mary's past. When she was growing up she was always on the chunky side."

"I'm not worried about her size," I exclaimed.

"Please hear me out," said Paul. "Mary never dated much. She had a lot of friends, mostly girls. She was always self-conscious about her weight. Anyway, when she was in her twenties she met Ray Barrett, her late husband. He was a truck driver. We never cared for him much; he was always arrogant and bossing Mary around. One day she came home and told mom she was pregnant, Ray being the father of the child.

"He told her that he would do right by her and marry her. Believe me, we all wish he never did. He was a horrible husband. While she was pregnant he called her a dozen names like cow, bitch, hog. I think you get the idea.

"After Maria Lynn was born Mary's weight didn't change much. Ray started having affairs and cheating on her. Mary mentioned to us that she told you about her past. What she didn't know was that Jim, our brother, and I went and found and confronted Ray in the bar. We had a very strong talk with him and told him if he ever hit Mary again he would regret it.

"He never hit her again that we know of but the marriage went even further downhill. Of course, he eventually got drunk and ran his pickup over an embankment, hitting a tree. They say he was killed instantly. We almost wish he would have suffered more."

"My God, she sure went through a lot, but what has it got to do with me?" I asked.

"After Ray's death, Mary never dated. She was asked out a few times but always turned the men down. In fact, one of the guys to ask her out was the one who did her taxes for her. When she refused to go out with him, he told her she owed twenty dollars to him for doing her taxes.

"You are the first man that she has ever invited over to meet the family; so of course you can understand why we were all skeptical. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. It's just that we are trying to protect Mary and Maria Lynn. We believe that is why Maria Lynn is somewhat afraid of men. We think she saw Ray beat up her mother and it's in her subconscious mind somehow. She must feel safe around you the way she hugs you. The only reason I'm telling you this is Mary hasn't been this happy in years and we just want to make sure she isn't hurt again."

"Paul, I assure you that I would never hurt either one of them. You have my word on that. By the way, get me the name of that guy who did her taxes and I'll make sure he gets audited. If he accepted money from Mary, it's taxable income. We would want him to pay his fair share now wouldn't we?" I smiled.

Paul smiled back at me and as we had finished talking, here came Mary and Lynn out on the porch..

"We were looking for you two. It's time to blow out the candles on the cake. Maria Lynn has already opened her presents and was looking for Jerry. What were you two talking about anyway?" asked Mary.

"We were talking about you," said Paul smiling.

"Well, it better have been good," laughed Mary.

I just smiled and asked Lynn what she wanted to see me about. As usual, I stooped down to talk to her.

"First I want to thank you for the coloring book and crayons and drawing stuff. After my party I'm going to draw you a picture," said Lynn.

"Thank you, Sweetheart. I'll keep it at work in my desk where I can look at it all the time. What else did you want to ask me?"

"Will you go with me and mommy to the amusement park on Saturday next week? I got three tickets from Uncle Jim for my birthday. He said I could take a friend and I want you to go."

"Lynn, if I wasn't able to go, who would you ask to go?"

"Probably Billy. He's my cousin and was hoping I would ask him when I opened the present. He's eight years old."

"I'll tell you what, Lynn. I'll go but I will buy my own ticket. That way you can ask Billy and he can ride the rides with you and I will keep your mommy company. How does that sound?" I smiled.

"Great!" She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and ran in to tell Billy he could go.

As I stood up both Mary and Paul were smiling at me. I guess I handled the situation right.

After the amusement park date, we began to go places every other Saturday. Mary got every other Saturday off and it was a special day for the three of us. We went to the zoo, aquarium, movies and many other places. We were like a family on that day but Mary and I were never intimate.

I lived about a half hour away from Mary. I talked to her on the phone a couple of times a week but we usually only got together on our special Saturdays or on a few special occasions.

One week I had to audit a business near Mary's home. I decided to stop by and say hi since I was in the neighborhood. It was just beginning to get dark out when I knocked on the door.

Mary answered it. "Jerry, what are you doing here? It's a pleasant surprise. Come in."

"I had an audit around the corner and thought I would just stop by and say hello. Where's my little friend?

"She's at mom's. I have to pick her up in a couple of hours. I was just sitting here watching some programs I had taped and now catching up on. Come watch it with me. I'm watching 'Boston Legal' right now."

It was funny how Mary and I liked the same things, even TV programs. This was an episode where they wanted to become friends with benefits. I laughed when they talked about it. The show 'Friends' also had a friends with benefits episode.

For those who don't know what friends with benefits is, I'll try to explain. Two friends who are not romantically involved with each other agree to help each other sexually when either is in need.

I laughed and told Mary that I wish I had a friend with benefits. I could surely use one.

She looked over at me and said, "I could too. I'll be your friend with benefits."

"Are you serious?" I asked.

"Very!" she replied. "Only I have three stipulations."

"What are they?"

"One: you can't tell anyone. I would be embarrassed if anyone were to find out."

"I can do that, or not do that. You know, not tell anyone," I laughed.

"Two: I don't take birth control, so you must wear a condom."

"No problem."

"Three: you can't see me naked. There's no way I want you to see this fat body. I'll wear a skirt and no panties or if we're naked I want the room totally dark."

"Come on, Mary. You can't be serious. Look at me, I'm heavy too."

"I'm dead serious. You have to agree with all three or find another friend with benefits," she replied.

This was a giant step for both of us. There was no way that I would disagree. "I agree with all three clauses," I smiled. "When can we start?" I asked.

"Right now. I have to pick up Lynn in an hour. I figure that will be enough time for a trial run," she smiled.

She went into the bedroom and told me she would call for me when she was ready. When she called, I headed for the bedroom. It was dark with the only light coming in from the hallway.

"Turn off the hallway light and come in," she said.

I walked in and could see her silhouette under the covers. I stripped and got into bed beside her. I put on a condom that I always carried in my wallet, hoping to someday use it. This was the day I'd been waiting for. I began by kissing her. I could feel how nervous she was.

"Jerry, this is the first time for me since Ray's death. I'm really nervous so please be patient and gentle."

I kissed her some more and put my hand on her breasts. I did my best; kissing them in the dark was a little odd but they felt so soft. I put my hand on her mound and slid it further to her pussy and slid in a couple of fingers. Feeling how wet she was I then got up and guided my cock into her waiting very wet pussy and slowly pushed it in.

"My God, Jerry, you feel so big. You better go slow with that thing."

"So I'm told," I replied to her. "I'll go slow but I'll tell you right now I won't last long.

She was making all kind of moaning noises and I heard her scream out. I pushed my cock in as deep as possible and felt myself come. It felt great! When her spasms subsided, I got up and went into the bathroom to get rid of the condom. When I returned Mary was out of the bed and had her robe on.

"My God, Jerry, you really are hung," she said looking down at my cock. I'm going to enjoy being your friend with benefits," she smiled. "You better get dressed and leave. I have to take a shower and pick up Lynn. Right now I smell like sex."

She put her arms around my neck and kissed me. It sure didn't feel like a non-romantic kiss. My cock started to get hard again. I quickly got dressed before it was too late. Mary laughed and told me she would see me on Saturday.

Chapter 2

Our life continued like this for months. We took Lynn to many different places every other Saturday. She told us it was her favorite time when the three of us were together. I loved the little girl. I was also in love with her mom. We used our friends with benefits option at least once a month. Both of us were becoming more serious about each other but we rarely talked about it. I guess neither one of us wanted to jinx our relationship. It was going so well.

My mom asked me to invite Mary and Lynn over for Thanksgiving dinner. She had met them both and really liked them. She told my older sister Cheryl that she believed I was in love with Mary but just wasn't telling anyone. Of course my sister asked me and I told her I was in love but was waiting for the right time. After all, Mary and I only knew each other for a few months.

Mary agreed to come to mom's for Thanksgiving dinner if I would spend Christmas with her and Lynn. It didn't take a brain surgeon to make that decision. I told her I would be there first thing Christmas morning to watch Maria Lynn open her gifts. She told me Lynn jumped for joy when she found out I would be there. Lynn and I had an invisible bond. I loved her and she trusted me.

One day shortly after Thanksgiving, my mom asked me how I knew that Mary was the right one, the so-called girl of my dreams. She knew I dated and was rejected many times throughout my life. I explained to her that the day Mary came into the office I felt different in my heart. At the time, I couldn't explain it. When I held Mary's hand, I felt it in her pulse also.

"Mom," I said, "let me try to explain it a different way. I received an e-mail one day about a little girl looking for a puppy. It was called puppy size.

Danielle was a five year old girl who asked for a puppy for her birthday. Her parents talked about it and decided they would take her to the animal shelter and let her pick out her own.

"Dani, is what we call her," her mom told the volunteer at the animal shelter. "She keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter three times and she can't find the puppy she wants," the mother told the volunteer.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.

"Puppy size is what she says is important to her," replied the mother.

"Well, we have puppies of all sizes, if that's what she's looking for," replied the volunteer.

"I know, we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration. Just then Dani came walking into the office. "Well Honey, did you find the one you want?" asked her mom.

"No, not this time," Dani said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other and shook their heads. "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.

Dani took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend, mommy, I just know it." she said.

Over the next few days Dani's mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular.

"It's this weekend; we're not looking any more," her dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.

Dani and her mom were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Dani knew her way around the shelter; she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, her mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals and visitors. She was able to keep an eye on her daughter. Dani's mother watched her daughter walk slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look at each puppy. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.

One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one," as she set them back down.

It was the last cage on this day in search of the perfect puppy. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

"Mom, I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know he is!" she screamed with joy. " The puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," her mom said.

"No, not size... the sighs, Mommy. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!"

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Dani's mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"

"You see Mom, that's the way it was when I first met Mary. It was the sighs in my heart that I felt. I didn't know what it was at the time till I read the e-mail. When I held her hands, I felt her heart beating too. Maybe I'm just a romantic at heart, but that's how I felt, mom. The sighs of our hearts came together.

"I decided to trust my heart and see where it took me. Mom, I want to ask Mary to marry me. I thought I would buy her a ring and give it to her on Christmas day. I figure we can get married on Valentines Day."

I went ahead and explained my plans to my mom. She asked me where we would live and I told her that the Henrys that lived two doors down from us were going to put their house on the market the first of the year. Mr. Henry got a new job so they wanted to move closer to his work. I figured it was in my price range and if Mary agreed, we could make it our home. I would be near my mom if she needed my help and she would be able to see Lynn and Mary more often, which she loved the idea.

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On Christmas morning, I headed over to see Mary and Lynn. They were already waiting for me. Lynn looked so excited. Mary got me a cup of coffee and I sat down and watch Lynn and Mary open their gifts. It was a true joy to watch them laugh and smile as they unwrapped each present.

When we were near the end of opening presents Mary handed me a small package. She had bought me a new watch and also a new leather wallet. She told me I could now get rid of the old ragged one I carried.

Lynn handed me a present. It was a folder of pictures she drew for me. Some were flowers and pictures of places we had gone but one really caught my eye. It was a picture of a family with a dog. She told me it was her, her mom and me in the picture. She drew in a picture of a dog. She told me that her mother said she could have one someday.

I then handed a present to Lynn. She opened it and it was a picture of a puppy. I had typed on the page. "This entitles Maria Lynn Barrett to one puppy of her choice from the animal shelter."

Lynn smiled as she kissed me on the cheek. "Mommy, Jerry bought me a puppy. When can we go get him?"

I answered for Mary. "Sweetheart, I figure we can go tomorrow or the next day. Take as long as you want and make sure you get just the puppy you want." I was remembering the puppy size e-mail.

"Mom, can I call Grandma and tell her about my puppy?"

"Yes, Honey, but be sure to thank them for the nice things they got you first."

Mary looked over at me. "What's wrong, Mary?" I asked.

"Don't you think you should have asked me before getting her a puppy?" she said in a low voice so Lynn couldn't hear.

"I did ask you, Mary. I said, 'What can I get Lynn for Christmas' and you said to ask her. I did and she said she would like either a baby brother or a puppy. The puppy was much easier to get," I smiled.

Mary couldn't help but laugh. I handed her a present. It was an envelope filled with her surprise.

"What is this, Jerry? Two tickets to Las Vegas on Valentines Day. A room rented for a week. Jerry, I can't go with you for a week in Las Vegas. What would people think of us?"

"They would think that a husband has taken his wife on a honeymoon."

Mary's mouth flew open but nothing came out, as I took out a ring and said, "Mary, I've loved you from the first day I met you. I know because my heart has told me so. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Instead of answering right away she asked Lynn if she was talking to her grandma.

"Yes, Mommy, I am."

"Tell her that I'm getting married."

"Grandma! Mommy and Jerry are going to get married," she yelled into the phone.

I slid the ring onto Mary's finger and we sealed it with a kiss. Lynn handed her mom the phone and came over and hugged me.

"I knew you loved mommy; I just knew it. That makes you my dad then, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does. It also makes you my precious little girl. Now we can do things and go places all the time."

"This is the best Christmas ever," cried Lynn.

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