A Woman's Touch

A story about a new relationship

I failed at marriage

A storybook tale

of college sweethearts.

Good jobs

A fine house

Three beautiful children.

But he could never touch me

deep inside

Our lovemaking

A furtive nighttime thing

A mating ritual

All grunting and sweating

Our lives a whirlwind

of living the dream

After the divorce, I dated.

Seeking a substitute father

for the kids.

Did they all learn from the same guidebook?

Then one day at the bookstore

Browsing the new releases

A woman much like me

chatted about a title.

We had coffee at the cafe

Exchanged emails

Hugged like girls do

saying, “nice to meet you.”

She called about lunch

We talked for hours

Her story both similar

and different

Across the table

our hands touched

Our eyes met

I felt a stirring

Unnerving

Exciting

Scary

She invited me over for dinner

In the kitchen

We worked easily

in comfort

and intimacy

We talked about the past

Dreaming dreams

Being girls

How life unfolded

with joy and sadness

and something missing

A need unfulfilled

Reluctant to end our evening

She said, “stay the night?”

“You know, a sleepover?”

and she laughed

A giddy teen again

No pretense about the guestroom

We went to hers

“Shower with me?” she said

Smiling

And I thought back years ago

To my sister and I

Showering

Exploring budding breasts

and strange new feelings

She touched me that night

Reached for me and touched

my aching soul

Caressed me with loving hands

And oh yes

Thrilled me!

And I in turn

Released in her

The pent up need

To be loved