“Mike, Chris, could you pop into my office please?”
Sitting behind my desk, waiting for my two friends to walk in, I went over in my mind what to ask them. Gesturing for Chris to close the door as he followed in Mike, they took a seat opposite me. They both looked a little apprehensive. “Something wrong, Mark?” Mike asked cautiously.
“Yeah, you’ve been in a good mood recently,” Chris added.
“Do you think Cindy would like it if I sent her flowers?” They shared a glance and started to laugh. Shrugging somewhat helplessly, I added, “I just don’t really know. I mean, she’s a woman but… do women like her want flowers? Her apartment is what I’d call incredibly feminine. Don’t remember any flowers around though.”
“Sending her flowers? So this is… a romance?” Chris wondered.
“I really fucking like her,” I admitted quietly, glancing away, “I mean, I was honestly left wondering if I’d ever feel this sort of thing again. I think about her all day.”
There was silence before Mike whispered, “You don’t just like her. You love her already.”
“Hey, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves,” I retorted, “And all I want to do is buy her flowers. And maybe I need to ask about one other thing too.”
They shared another glance. “Mark, you buy her flowers, you’ll make her bloody year,” Mike said, “Women love it when their men buy them shit, as far as I know. What did your ex-wife like?” I gave him a dirty look. “Look, before the hate, you did love the bitch so…”
“Okay, I’ll call a florist near her office building, have them deliver something. Maybe with a teddy bear or something?” Laughter filled the silence again. “What? I thought it would be nice.”
“You’ve got it bad, Mark. I can’t remember seeing you like this, not even with the ex,” Mike said.
“What was the second thing?” Chris asked.
“Okay, so I’m not the most hirsute of men out there. I have a light covering on my chest. But… um… well, I guess when it comes to something Cindy and I have discussed, I’d like it to be more pleasurable and… appealing. I know you two guys wax and keep yourselves smooth. Um… do you know anyone that can do my back, butt and… you know, around a certain place at my rear…”
Another shared glance. More laughter at my expense, though it was good natured, so I didn’t mind. “You’d really do that for her?” Mike asked.
“Yeah. I mean, her body is fucking flawless and pretty much hairless. I haven’t asked her as I want it to be a surprise when it does happen.”
“You’re going to… bottom for her?” Chris asked, seeing his eyebrows raised.
“She’s mentioned that she likes it from time to time. I’m willing to consider it.”
“You don’t think it’s… gay?” Mike wondered, seeing the smirk on his face. Bastard.
“No. She’s a woman, she just happens to have the same genitalia as me.”
The grins on their faces were immediate before they looked at each other. “Let’s remember this man accepted we were both gay when we told him at fourteen. Always been open-minded regarding things like this,” Mike said.
“Shame he’s not actually gay,” Chris added.
“Yeah, but I’m the same age as you two. You like them young, innocent and whatever else it is you find appealing.”
“Okay, I usually do certain parts myself,” Mike explained, “But when it comes to my back and my butt, I get specific treatment. Before you start wondering, I like my arse being as hairless as the men I fuck. It just feels nice.”
“We get laser treatment,” Chris explained further, “Not across the entire region, just… specific places. The places were fingers, tongues and even the occasional cock might find itself.”
“Give me your phone, I’ll put her number in the phone.”
“Her?”
Mike grinned. “I’m fairly sure she’s the same as Cindy. She’s never told me one way or the other. I’ve tried to figure it out for the past couple of years, but no dice.”
Checking the internet, I found a florist only a couple of blocks from Cindy’s office. Wanting to ask for advice, I called and was answered by a sweet sounding woman. Explaining that it was a new relationship and I just wanted something to convey how much I already liked her, she explained that a bouquet with an assortment of flowers would be perfect. I then asked if they added anything like a small teddy bear. I’d noticed one or two at her apartment and thought it would be something extra she’d like. Asking when I’d like them delivered, I suggested after lunch, perhaps early afternoon. I paid and was told they’d be delivered no later than 2pm.
I called the other number while I was on lunch. Mike eventually just took my phone and explained what I wanted as I spent half the time stumbling over what I wanted to get. “He wants his back, crack and arse nice and smooth, Emma,” he said, “Apparently he does the front himself.”
“I have clippers for that,” I muttered. I wasn’t sure if I wanted my own area completely smooth. Cindy’s was, which I appreciated. And she hadn’t complained that I only kept myself trimmed, not smooth.
I listened into Mike. “Well, he does work until 6pm each night. Thursday next week? Yeah. Yeah. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I nodded. “Good. He’ll come see you then at 7pm, Emma. Thanks, you’re a champion. Yeah. I’ll see you soon too. See you later.” He passed the phone back. “Get all that?”
“I did.”
“She’ll look after you, Mark. And if you tell her why, you’ll have a new friend. Mention Cindy by name. Emma might know her.”
It was the middle of the afternoon when my phone rang. I glanced to see it was Cindy, and she wanted a video chat. Answering her call, the first thing I saw was her pretty and smiling face. “I love them!” she exclaimed, sitting on the edge of her desk to show the bouquet of flowers that had recently arrived, before she picked up the teddy bear, “And I love this little thing too,” she added, cuddling it to her chest.
“I’m glad you like them,” I replied, feeling my cheeks almost hurting from my own smile.
“Mark… no-one has ever… done this… bought me flowers…”
“Well, I wanted to. Girl as pretty as you deserve flowers and a teddy bear. And it’s worth it seeing that smile on your face.”
“You’re picking Natalie up after work?” I nodded. “Can I… come around later?”
“Of course. I think she’d love to meet you too. The woman who has made daddy smile again.”
“I’ve got to go,” she whispered, and I could understand why. I think she wanted to have some privacy for a few minutes. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to come over.”
“Just turn up and knock. It’ll be a nice surprise.”
“Mark, I… I don’t know what to say except thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye, Mark,” she said softly.
I leaned back in my chair, feet up on the desk, smiling to myself. Mike saw me through the window and poked his head through the door. He figured out why I was smiling and chuckled to himself. He stepped in and sat down again. “Mark, being serious a second, it’s fucking awesome to see you with a genuine smile on your face again.”
“Thanks, mate. Never thought I’d feel happy again after everything. My kids have helped, but I needed a woman like Cindy to make me feel… human again.”
“Look, trans issues aren’t really my thing. I’m a gay male, so while I do understand some of what she goes through, it’s still very different to my own experiences. But if you need any advice, all you need do is ask. I’ll offer what I can.”
“I know, mate. But I think it’s quite simple. Treat Cindy how I know she wants to be treated. As a human, as a woman, as… someone I…” I took a deep breath. “Mate, I’m falling for her big time already. I haven’t felt this giddy about someone in years.”
“Then let yourself do that and figure everything else out later. I’m having a small get together next weekend. Organised it because I know you won’t have the kids. Bring Cindy along.”
“I’ll see if…”
“Mate, if you’re going, she’ll come along.”
“I’ll mention it tonight. I’ll pick up Natalie then she’ll come on over too.”
Arriving outside my old home, normally I’d turn up and scowl, pissed off at the world, at my ex-wife, the fact I’d basically been forced out of the house I’d spent ten years paying for. Now? I’m fairly sure the slight smile on my face remained as I walked up to the front door. Megan, my ex-wife, opened the door and seemed surprised to see my unusual demeanour. “Mark,” she said.
“Is Natalie ready to go?”
“She is. Come on in. Greg’s in his room if you want to say hello.” She shrugged helplessly. “He’s at that age…”
“It’s fine, Megan. Don’t worry about it.”
She gave me a curious glance. I’d normally have a quiet go at her about his attitude, generally blaming her for turning my only son against me. Now? I was disappointed he didn’t want to spend time with his old man, but he was fifteen and capable of his own decisions. He also had his own life to lead. I’d just do what I could to support him where needed.
I found him in his own room, headset on as he played on his gaming system. I waited until whatever match he was playing finished before announcing I was waiting and I was surprised he took off the headset and turned towards me. “Here to pick up Natalie?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay…”
“You alright?” He shrugged. “How’s school?”
“Alright.”
“Up to anything this weekend?” He shrugged again. “Hanging out with mates or something?”
“Might do. Haven’t decided yet.”
“Okay…”
“Daddy!”