Major League Advice

"It's not like it's...a date, right?" she said very quickly.

"No. Of course not. It's just two people who enjoy each other's company having a bite to eat.

"Exactly!" she said.

AJ moved even closer then looked down at her right hand before slowly moving his left toward it. He softly touched it with one finger and when Elise touched his he gently took it.

"But it...could be a date...couldn't it?" he asked as he looked into her eyes.

Hers darted back and forth between his as her heart began to beat quickly.

"I...I suppose it could be," she replied very quietly. "If, let's say, both of us wanted it to be."

AJ moved even closer until they were face to face just inches apart.

"I'd like that," he told her. "Very much."

"Then...I wouldn't object to calling it that," Elise replied as AJ leaned his head even closer.

"So would you object to me...kissing you?"

Before she could answer their lips met in a soft, gentle first kiss that lasted less than a second.

"No," she whispered as it ended.

AJ smiled then asked her where she'd like to go.

"Have you been to City Butcher and Barbecue?"

"Just once. But I'd love to go again."

"Yeah?" she replied with a happy smile.

"Yes."

"But you have to let me pay since I'm the one who asked," she told him.

"My male pride is screaming at me to tell you 'no way' but my empty wallet is saying, 'Be quiet'."

"Listen to your wallet, okay? Elise said with a happy smile.

"Can I at least drive?" he asked.

"My car is parked here at the stadium," she told him then added, "but yes, you can drive."

They were still very close together when AJ said, "Your eyes are like emeralds. They're absolutely...mesmerizing."

"And yours are the bluest blue I've ever seen," she told him, not caring she felt like she was back in the 8th grade saying things that sounded downright hokey.

AJ smiled then took her hand and suggested they head out.

During dinner, the conversation started with more movies then branched out to music and books. At some point, Elise mentioned living alone, and the inevitable came out.

"Do you mind me asking how...what happened to your husband?"

"No. I don't mind. I'm finally at a point where I can talk about it without getting emotional," she replied.

"Jeff was an electrician. He learned the trade in the Navy, and he also made a good friend who was from my hometown on one of the ships he served on. When his time was up, he had no real idea where he wanted to go, and his friend, Tom, suggested he come stay with him and check out life in small-town Idaho."

"I take it he liked it well enough to stay?" AJ offered.

Elise smiled as she answered.

"Yes. He got hired by the only electric company in town and we met when he came to do a job for my parents. He was very handsome, but not exactly...well spoken. You might say he was a little rough around the edges. But he came back a few days later and asked me out, and I reluctantly said 'yes'. It didn't take long for me to realize that underneath that edgy exterior was a wonderful person with a heart of gold."

AJ wanted to say something, but there was nothing to say, so he sat and listened.

"Anyway, we dated for a year before he asked me to marry him, and I couldn't wait to say 'yes'," Elise told him. "We married the following summer and got our own place. The owner of the company took Jeff on as a partner which allowed me not to have to work, and things were pretty amazing. Until..."

AJ thought Elise was on the verge of crying, but she held it together.

"They were working on a job together one morning. It was a new hardware store, and Jeff's partner thought he told him 'okay' when he was asked if Jeff was ready for the power to be turned back on. Evidently, he'd hollered, 'hold on' but it sounded like 'okay' and..."

"My God. I'm so sorry," AJ told her.

"Thank you. Me, too. But Jeff's partner was so distraught he ended up selling the business and I know he's never forgiven himself. I told him at the funeral and then a couple of years later when I saw him again it wasn't his fault. He thanked me for saying that, but told me he didn't see it that way. 'I'm the one who flipped the switch,' he told me both times."

"I can't imagine how he must feel," AJ said quietly.

"I agree. Losing Jeff was awful, but to feel like you were the person who killed him would be...unimaginable."

"That was two years ago, right?" he asked very tactfully.

"Two years, three months, and..."

She thought for a moment then said, "Six days."

"I wish I had more to offer than 'I'm sorry'," AJ told her.

"It's hard to know what to say. No one can bring a person back, so 'I'm sorry' is more than enough, AJ."

Elise smiled then very politely said, "Could we maybe talk about something else?"

"Sure. Of course."

Then AJ smiled and said, "Just not about baseball, okay?"

"You won't have to twist my arm," Elise told him with a polite laugh. "I don't hate it, but I don't like it much at all."

They discussed her job for a bit then Elise asked him if he'd thought about what he might do if 'the call' never came.

"The call. You know, this year is the first time I've ever allowed myself to even consider that possibility. Ball players are incredibly superstitious, and until a couple of months ago, I believed that just thinking about it was bad joo-joo."

"Bad joo-joo?" Elise asked, a puzzled look on her face.

AJ laughed then explained.

"Sure. It means luck. Or rather bad luck."

"Oh, okay!" she said now laughing herself. "I've never heard Sam say that."

When it got quiet again, AJ got a little more serious.

"But to get back to your question, the answer is I'm not sure. Teaching school always jumps out at me, but I have no idea if I'd even like it."

Elise nodded in understanding then said, "I never even considered it because I don't want to deal with the nasty remarks and the attitude. But if that part didn't get under a person's skin, I can see the appeal. Heaven knows we need all the good teachers we can get."

"I agree. I'm just not convinced I'd be one of them."

"Anything else out there beckoning you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I think so," AJ replied with a smile.

"And?" Elise asked.

"It's not so much a job as it is a lifestyle change."

She started laughing and AJ asked what was so funny.

"I don't know. I guess I was just trying to imagine you literally changing your lifestyle."

"Oh, okay. As in coming out as gay or something?" he said with a smile.

"Sorry. I'm not usually one to think like that, but for some reason it struck me as funny. I promise to be good from now on."

"Just not too good, right?" AJ teased, the implication rather obvious.

Elise laughed again then told him, "I haven't had this nice a time since..."

Her voice trailed off as she finished the sentence.

"Since Jeff was alive."

"For what it's worth, this is the best time I've had since, well, maybe back when I was in college."

Elise looked at him for a moment then said, "When I first met you, it never even crossed my mind we might, you know, enjoy spending time together."

"Same here. I have to admit I was rather...taken with you. You're obviously beautiful. I just never expected you to take me seriously."

"Because of your age or because you play minor-league baseball?" she asked with a cheerful smile.

"Both?" AJ replied. "I couldn't help but think someone looking for stability in a relationship would ever consider me someone worth investing time in, then when you add in how attractive you are, it seemed pretty obvious that would be a bridge too far."

"A Bridge Too Far. I also enjoyed that movie and I've always loved the meaning behind the title."

"I watched the trailer for it once but haven't seen the movie. I can't remember who first used the phrase on me, but I had no idea what it meant so I checked it out as soon as I had some time. So yes, it's a great phrase with a lot of meaning."

Elise smiled as she looked at him.

"Did you really think I was 'a bridge too far'?"

"I did," he told her.

"Well, I have to admit I've never dated or been in a relationship or however one might describe it, with someone younger than me. Not even a year younger. But I'm um...old enough...to know what I value, and hopefully wise enough to recognize it when I see it, regardless of the age of the person exhibiting it. With 'it' being that which I value."

Elise tilted her head, smiled, then said, "I hope that made sense, because now that I've said it, I think I may have even confused myself."

AJ laughed quietly then told her, "I understood. And although I've never...what you just said...anyone older than myself—not even a year older—I hope I'm at least smart enough to know when I see someone...amazing."

"Thank you, AJ. And thank you for saying so many kind things. That's something else I value very much."

He reached across the table for her hand, and when he did, Elise moved it from her lap to let him take it. It was small and soft and felt so right in his.

"I don't have a real job, so for the moment, I don't even have a real future. At least not financially speaking. But I do have a belief in things like commitment, respect, honesty, and family. So whether this...what? Mutual attraction or maybe admiration between us lasts, I love that I can make you smile or feel good."

Elise smiled but didn't speak as tears were welling up in her eyes.

"I love when you smile," he said quietly.

She used her free hand to pick up the napkin on her lap and dab her eyes.

"I love that you can make me smile," she told him as she set the napkin down.

Once again, she smiled happily then said, "For the record, I'm not impressed my money and things. What I do care about are the things you just mentioned. I got a little teary-eyed when you listed several of the things I value the most with commitment being very near the top."

AJ smiled back then said, "I've never been married, but it's obvious it takes a lot of work, and if two people aren't committed, I don't see how it works. Not just to each other but committed to the idea of staying committed."

"Oh, my gosh! That is exactly how I feel. I...I can't believe you just said that."

AJ broke eye contact causing Elise to ask if everything was okay.

"Oh, sure. I guess I just feel a little hypocritical."

"How so?"

"I'm sitting here telling you I believe in commitment, but I'm also giving serious thought to giving up my commitment to baseball."

"But that's not the same thing," Elise told him. "You're committed to a higher goal. You're committed to an overall...higher trajectory. Pursuing baseball is just a part of your overall life strategy, right?"

AJ thought for a moment then said, "I don't think I've ever thought of it in those terms before, but yes, I would say that's correct. Or at least I hope it's true in my case. And when it comes to baseball, it's a brute fact that very few minor-league players ever get 'the call' so not having a backup plan seems rather...irresponsible."

"I get the feeling you don't give yourself enough credit," Elise told him in the kindest way possible.

"I think I'm a fairly confident guy," he said in his defense even though he didn't feel attacked.

"You are. And that's something I admire. I find cocky, arrogant men insufferable so matter what else they have going for them. A guy could be...as handsome as you are...and fabulously wealthy, but if we was a smug, self-centered narcissist, I wouldn't give him the time of day."

AJ smiled then asked a question.

"How about a modestly-confident, very poor, much-younger guy with no certain future?"

Elise smiled happily then said, "Um...yeah. I think I'd be willing to give a guy like that a chance. Assuming he could make me smile and laugh."

"Just to be sure, you did tell me I make you laugh, right?"

Elise smiled then said, "I believe my exact words were 'I love that you can make me smile', but okay. That's close enough."

They sat there quietly staring at one another for several seconds before AJ said, "We should probably finish eating, don't you think?"

He slowly let go of her hand, and Elise withdrew it just as slowly as she said, "Yes. That sounds like a good idea."

They made small talk as they ate and as they drove back to the stadium. Just before they pulled into the parking lot, AJ surprised Elise by asking if the city was still hiring.

"Oh. Um, yes. There are quite a few openings, as a matter of fact."

"Hmmm. Maybe I'll take a look one of these days," AJ told her as he pulled up next to her car.

"I know the website pretty well. I'd be happy to help you navigate through it," Elise told him.

"I'd like that," AJ said.

"I know it's getting late, but we could take look if you'd like. Back at my house," she said rather quietly.

"I...I don't want to keep you up," he said just before remembering what she'd told him before about rarely going to bed before midnight.

"You won't be," she said sweetly. "And I'd enjoy the company."

"All right. If you're sure, I'll follow you."

"I'm sure," she told him with a smile as she leaned over and kissed him. "See you there?"

"You will," he told her.

He jumped out and ran around to get her door, something else that made her smile.

"Thank you," she said as he helped her stand up.

"I just wanted to kiss you again," he told her as they stood face to face.

Elise slid her arms around his neck and accepted his kiss, and after a second or two, the tip of his tongue.

"Mmmm," she moaned softly just as the kiss ended. "That was very nice."

"I agree," AJ told her.

"Um...so...I'll um, see you at my place then."

"Uh-huh. You will," he told her as he let her go.

He closed her door then moved away so she could get by. He also watched her get into her own car, and as he walked around the front to get back into his, realized he was very hard. So hard he had to make a quick adjustment to be able to sit down.

"What the hell..." he said to himself as he watched her drive away.

He'd only recently met her, and now he couldn't stop thinking about her. But the feelings he was having were unlike any he'd had for any woman before. In the past, it was all about the next move to get her into bed, but with Elise, it was more about just being with her. Just being near her and talking to her. And as the 'swelling' slowly subsided, he realized the feelings he was having were very real in every way.

AJ had no way of knowing Elise was experiencing a very similar reaction herself as she became very aware of the wetness between her legs and the reason for it. She, too, told herself she barely knew this incredibly handsome, much-younger man who had made such a positive impression on her, but that paled in comparison with the emotions she was feeling as a result of spending time with him. And, of course, kissing him.

It was impossible to call it 'love' but it was also clearly more than some kind of infantile infatuation. Yes, he was downright gorgeous, and while she hadn't made love with a man since Jeff was alive, she still wouldn't sleep with him were he not more than just physically attractive to her. That she found him so much more than that was, in her briefly-considered opinion, the reason for her body's reaction to his kiss.

By the time she pulled into her driveway, things were back to normal in a physiological sense, but as she waited for him to pull in behind her, Elise couldn't help but wonder if her life would ever be the same again. Perhaps she was overthinking or even 'over feeling' it, but she couldn't help wondering.

She got out and waited for him, and when he got out of his car, the way he looked at her told her they would not. Then when he walked up to her and kissed her again, she silently prayed they never would.

"Okay, so translate that into English for me," AJ said after reading the second confusing job description on the city's website.

Elise laughed then said, "I know. It's crazy. They can't just come out and say what you'll be doing. It has to be couched in this hard-to-understand code that requires translation. I had a very different idea of what I'd be doing before I interviewed based on the job description than I did after talking to the people I ended up working for."

After a half-dozen or so other attempts, AJ started deciphering the code.

"Okay. I get it. 'Responsible for rapid decision making in a dynamically-changing atmosphere' means you'll be busy doing stuff."

Elise laughed loudly and said in a pretty decent British accent, "By jove, I think you've got it, old chap!"

AJ spun the swivel chair around and said as seriously as he could, "Hey. Who you callin' 'old'?"

Elise played along and said, "Jolly right! Pot calls kettle black, eh?"

When AJ smiled she laughed. When she did he reached over and pulled her onto his lap. After a brief yelp, she put her arms around him and looked into his eyes.

Continuing the improv she quietly asked, "So...what now, guv'nuh?"

"I'm terrible at accents," he told her.

His voice got more serious as he said, "But I'm not bad at...kissing."

Elise smiled then said, "Jolly right you are," before lowering her lips to his.

This kiss got passionate very quickly, and AJ felt the same 'issue' arising as before. Elise felt it, too, and moaned softly. As the kiss got deeper and more passionate, she slowly ground her tight bum into his lap causing AJ to groan.

When she came up for air, Elise said, "Is there anything else you're as good at as kissing?"

AJ pulled her close and kissed her again then said, "I've been told I have other talents."

"Oh? Such as?" she asked, the smile on her face as happy as he'd ever seen.

"I...I'd have to um...show you," he told her very seriously.

"I see," she replied. "Well, I do enjoy learning and...exploring...so..."

Before she could finish, AJ put his arm under her legs and stood up as though she was weightless.

"Just tell me where you'd like to do your exploring," he said with a smile.

Elise still had her arms around his neck as she replied.

"Down the hall and to your left."

Her hands and fingers were trembling as she undid each button on his shirt.

"I...I haven't done any...exploring...since my husband," she said very quietly as she worked her way down his shirt.

"Then we'll explore very slowly," AJ told her.

"Slow is nice," she said with a very sweet smile.

But as she unbuckled his belt then unbuttoned the top button on his pants, she surprised herself by saying, "But I also like...hard."

As his pants fell to the floor, she leaned over and bit his ear then said, "Very hard."

Elise reached for him inside his boxers and moaned loudly when she found what she wanted.

"Mmmm. That's also very hard," she whispered as she pulled the shorts down.

Hoping he wasn't misreading her cues, AJ nearly tore her blouse off, and when Elise not only didn't object but gasped with pleasure, he continued until she was completely undressed then roughly pushed her back on the bed.

Again, she not only didn't complain, she pulled him on top of her then bit his ear again and said, "I really do like it rough. Is that okay?"

AJ didn't answer. He'd been with women who enjoyed it 'rough' and by the time he was finished, Elise had cum twice and was gasping for breath.

As she lay in his arms with hers around him she said, "I am going to be so sore tomorrow, but it is so going to be worth it!"

"Was that rough enough?" he asked, knowing he'd given her everything he had and maybe a little more.

"It was...a nice start," she said, trying not to smile.

"Nice start? Are you kidding me?" AJ said rolling her over so fast it made her yelp again then laugh even harder.

"Maybe a little," she happily teased. "Why don't we try that again and I'll let you know for sure, okay?"