by Rose St. Andrews
"OMG, Benji, is that you?" a woman said.
Ben snapped to attention so hard his little paper hat almost slid off. No one had called him that name since he was a little kid! Granted, he wasn't much changed from then: thin, gangly, and not quite five-foot five. Still, it didn't matter, these days it was Ben or Benjamin. Slowly he turned, and had to tilt his head to look at the lady. She was quite the sight. He would not be surprised to learn she was at least six-two, and she was built like an Amazon warrior.
She smiled; an array of dazzling white teeth gleamed at him. "It is. Benji Baker. It's been what... ten years?"
"Ummm," Ben stammered.
He still couldn't place her. Her firm body had the most incredible curves he'd ever seen, and her double Ds were pretty much at his eye level. Yet, there was something about her that was familiar. He cast his eyes up and down her long frame. She was in designer jeans (super snug), a dazzling blue blouse, and had a head of long full blazing red hair. It was the hair and her milky-white skin that rattled a memory remnant inside his head.
"You don't remember me? Why, Benji, after all those long nights together?"
His jaw dropped. "No. Angelina, is that really you?"
"In the flesh, as I see you've taken note of," she said with a smirk.
He felt his face heat up and didn't need a mirror to know he was blushing. "Um... I... well, it's just that... well, you grew out-up, you grew up!"
"I did indeed do both," she said, placing both hands on the restaurant counter and leaning toward him, her upper 'assets' on prominent display. "Huh, but it looks as if you only got taller. Gee, Benji, don't you eat? Look at you; you're all skin and bones."
He rolled his eyes. "You sound like my mom."
"Well, she's right. Hey, how are your parents? I have seen them-"
"Ah-hem," a stern voice said.
Ben cringed. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was: Phil Templeton, the manager. He was forever on Ben's case about working harder and faster.
"Um, Angelina, I can't really talk now," he said quickly.
"Quite correct," Phil said, stepping up next to him. "Miss, if you'd like to order something, please do so. If not, please move along. I can't have Ben wasting his time."
"Humph, wasting his time?" she shot back. "In my opinion... oh, never mind. Benji, how about we get together for coffee after you're done here? We can catch up on old times."
"Um, yeah, sure, fine. See you at seven."
She nodded, turned, and sauntered off. Ben drew a long slow breath of air. Angelina had grown up to be quite the looker! The last time he'd seen her, he'd been eight and she was sixteen, and quite the dorky teen. Still, it hadn't mattered to Ben; he'd had the standard little boy crush on her. Of course he'd never acted on it or even spoken of it to her. Not only was he far too shy, but there was also the other issue.
No sooner did he return to work than he was bombarded with questions from his co-workers about the 'Amazon Warrior'. When he explained their history, the guys all laughed.
"You had a babe that hot as a sitter?" Phil said. "Man, I bet you're kicking yourself now about not cozying up to her every chance you had!"
Somehow, Ben managed to get through the rest of his shift. It was the longest in his life! It wasn't that he anticipated seeing Angelina again. Far from it, in fact, as he was sure she was just being polite, and would be a no-show. No, it was the taunting from his co-workers. They were forever kidding Ben about his lack of sexual experience. So he was very surprised to see her leaning against a cute little Ford Focus out in the parking lot when he emerged from the back door.
"Angelina, you're here!"
"Nothing gets by you, Benji. What, didn't think I was serious? Oh, Benji, you bad boy. I would never do that to such an old friend."
Moving to him, she threw her long arms around him for a warm and tender hug. He sighed. She felt so nice! He also squirmed, as contact with her supple frame caused an immediate surge to his crotch, and he was afraid he might poke her. He hugged her back, loving the sensation of her ample breasts against his body. "Ah, it's great to see you again."
She released him and grinned down at him. "So I could already tell. Come on, I know a cute little diner not far from here. You want to follow me in your car?"
"Oh, I don't have a car. I take the bus."
"Ah... okay. Well, then hop in, and we'll go."
"Um... sure," he stammered.
Moving around to the other side, he did so, and immediately felt his throat tighten. His thigh had brushed against hers. Off she zipped, Ben gripping the seat with white knuckles, and a five minute trip was over in two.
She turned, looked him up and down, and grinned. "Careful there, Benji, don't tear the fabric. Next time maybe you'll use the seatbelt."
"I don't think even that would have helped," he said, climbing out of the car quickly. "Wow, you are one fast lady."
"I don't believe in letting the grass grow under my feet, young man," she said, also getting out. Gesturing with her head, she took off for the small restaurant. "Come on; let me buy you a decent dinner. You look like you can use it."
"Angelina, I'm not-"
"Okay, enough with that! Benji, I was always Angie to you. You keep being so formal and I'm going to take offense and have to take action against you, my man."
His back stiffened and the air rushed from his lungs. He followed her into the restaurant. They were seated, ordered drinks, and she ordered a full turkey dinner for him.
"Angel... I mean, Angie, come on, I'm not eight anymore. I can order for myself."
"Well, it sure doesn't look like you have been," she scolded.
He meekly nodded and they started to reminisce. Angie had been his sitter for two years. At eighteen, she'd gone off to college, and they'd lost touch. She was now the Director of Nursing at a local hospital.
"Huh? How? You're so young."
"Why thank you, my man," she said, feigning embarrassment. "All it took was determination, drive, and pure moxie. Set a goal for yourself, figure out what you have to do to achieve it, and then just do it!"
"Wow," he said softly.
She laughed. "Hey, I plan to retire by the time I'm forty. So, what about you, what's been happening in your life?"
He shrugged. "Um, not much. I graduated high school, got a job, and that's about it."
"Really? Nothing else? Shit, Benji, I expected better of you."
"You did?" he said, amazed at her words. "Why would you say that?"
"Hey, even as a little boy, I knew you had some real potential. That Rubik's Cube that drove me nuts, you solved it in no time. I could tell you were smart and you were going places. So, what happened, why no college? What, no money? What about your parents?"
He froze, the fork close to his mouth, and bit his lip. "They're... gone."
She gasped. "Oh, Benji, I'm so sorry. How?"
"Car accident, last year, both gone in an instant."
"Oh, Benji, I wish I'd known," she said softly, taking his hand in hers. "I'd have been there for you."
He smiled, and shivered. The sight and feel of his small hand totally enveloped in her large and supple one sent a bolt of energy to his crotch. He was glad to have the table blocking her view of his lap. The conversation moved on to happier things, she asked what he was interested in, and they also enjoyed a nice meal. Although, she did scold him about not cleaning his plate.
"You remember what a finicky eater you were as a kid?" she said with a smirk.
"Um, well, I was never a big eater."
She nodded. "Yeah, I had to threaten to put you across my knee just to get even a minimal meal in you. What, do I have to do that again?"
"I... um, I..." he choked out, and grabbed his soda to give him time to think.
Angie laughed. "Goodness, Benji, relax. You're as nervous as a naughty schoolboy heading for the principal's office."
He put the glass down. "Just tired. It's been a long day at work."
"Oh, that job of yours. Really, Benji, you deserve so much better than fast food. It's clear you have no confidence in yourself, what I can't figure out is why."
"Um, I... hey, I have confidence!" he shot back, actually raising his voice. "I'm a very good worker."
A broad grin spread across her face. "Ah, passion, that's what I like to see. That's good, Benji, standing up for yourself, that's the mark of a strong man. Now what you need to do is translate that into something truly worthy of you."
"Really, you think so? But, I don't know what I want to do with my life."
"You're only twenty, it's not like you have to decide such things now. That's what college is good for, helping you find your path. Did wonders for me."
"Um, I don't know, college is such a big step. Besides, I have things that... make it hard to concentrate. I know I'd fail all my classes."
Angie blew a raspberry. "Hell, with an attitude like that, you would fail! If it were up to me, I'd give you just exactly the right incentive to focus on your studies."
His brow wrinkled. "You would? How?"
"With a swift kick, or at least a sound smack to that little behind of yours," she shot back.
Benji swallowed hard and squirmed in his seat, and prayed he wasn't blushing bright red. He tried to speak, to make some sort of witty remark, but his throat went dry and constricted. Grabbing his glass, he took a huge gulp, and promptly choked. Coughing and gasping for air, Angie zipped around to his side of the table and held his left arm aloft.
"Easy there, my man, clear your airway. We don't want you turning blue. Red is such a better color on you," she said with a smile and a wink.
"Ulp," he managed to say.
As he calmed down, Angie sat back and chewed her lip, and slowly nodded her head. "Huh, I think I've figured out what your issue is."
His eyes darted back and forth. "My 'issue?' W-what are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on, Benji, it's no big deal," she said softly. "You've got a fetish, that's all. I'm just wondering why you haven't met someone via a website that shares it. Oh, wait a minute, I know. You're too shy to ever speak to a stranger about it, right?"
"How did you figure it out so quickly?" he whispered back.
Angie smirked. "Ah, actually, it wasn't so hard. I thought back to just how much 'trouble' you used to give me, especially with cleaning your plate. I bet you were conflicted, trying to get it, but also scared. Then there were the movies and TV shows we watched while I sat with you: I Love Lucy, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Kiss Me, Kate to name only three."
"Oh," he said, lowering his gaze. He tingled as her large and supple hand brushed across his shoulder blade.
"Benji, come on, there's nothing to be ashamed about."
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