The workout Chapter 1

The workout
Chapter 1

He'd seen her many times before. Their workout schedules aligned at least a couple of days each week. She always started on the elliptical, moving quickly and not holding the handgrips. He guessed she was in her very early fifties and kept herself in perfect shape. Unfortunately, the ring on her left hand told him she was married.

Today, she arrived with a man I assumed was her husband. He, however, looked much older than she—quickly in his late seventies. Although not overweight, he was not in the sort of condition she was in. He walked over to the weight machine when she got onto the elliptical. He couldn't help but notice that the man put very light weights on the bar.

Pushing these irrelevant thoughts from his mind, he moved through his usual circuit. He'd finished the reclining bike, rowing machine, and elliptical and was about to finish on the arm bike. From there, he hit the treadmill, his least favorite but necessary to earn all his zone minutes. He detested cardio as it was about as exciting as watching dead grass grow. But since his run-in with coronary artery disease and the acquisition of two stents two years ago, he understood the importance.

Finishing the cardio, he moved to the 360 area in the back. Two sets of goblet squats with curls and two calf raises with shrugs were followed by two sets each of four different TRX exercises. Then he grabbed an elastic band, sat on the floor, put the band around his legs, and did bridges - twenty-five each one-legged and the same number two-legged. Windmill and hamstring stretches were done, and he finished up with a ten-count while balancing on one foot and then the other. As was his habit, he hit the locker room to pee and wash his hands. He shut off his music player and removed his headphones as he walked to his car.

"Excuse me, we've not met, but I always see you here. You've been coming for quite a while, haven't you?" the woman stepped in front of him just as he reached the lobby. "By the way, I'm Becky."

"Um, hi Becky. It's Tim. Yes, it will be two years in October. I know I've seen you here as well. Your performance on the elliptical is intimidating but impressive," he said.

Becky laughed and said, "I suppose it might be. I enjoy it and like to hit it hard."

"Well," Tim said, "it's nice to meet you. I'm sure we'll see each other again."

"Please wait. You may have noticed that my husband is with me today. He rarely comes, but we wanted to meet and get to know you. Could we buy you a coffee up at the cafe," she asked as her husband joined them.

"Well, I suppose," he replied, a confused look on his face.

"Great! We'll meet you at Yonah. Thanks!" she said.

Five minutes later, they pulled into the small strip center that housed the cafe. He'd noticed that the husband had difficulty walking out to their car at the gym, so he bypassed the empty slot near the front door and parked further out. They were waiting at the door as he walked up.

Once inside, the couple chose a table in the back, and Becky introduced Tim to Bill. After taking his order, she returned to the counter shortly, carrying the three cups.

"Tim, I'm sure this seems strange to you. I hope you'll give us the benefit of the doubt - we'll explain everything soon. I'm guessing you're about sixty or sixty-five, right?" Becky said.

"I'm seventy," he said.

"Wow! You do not look it!" Becky exclaimed, and Bill's look indicated he was just as surprised. Well, I'm sixty-five, and Bill is eighty. The age gap never bothered me when we were younger, but we're at many different stages of life now. Bill has arthritis and diabetes and is having a hard time exercising."

"You certainly don't look sixty-five. I'd have guessed ten years younger than that. I'm sorry to hear that, Bill.

Were you active when you were younger?"

"I was a carpenter for fifty years and did manual labor. I always figured that was more than enough and never set foot into a gym until recently. Turns out all that carpentry gave me strong biceps and thigh muscles but also tore up most of my joints and didn't give me the range of motion I now wish I had," Bill explained.

"Tim, may I ask some personal questions," Becky asked.

"Sure, though I won't commit to answering until I hear them," he told her.

"Are you married or in a relationship? I've never seen you with anyone at the gym."

"Divorced twenty-five years ago and not currently in a relationship, although I want to be. Tough at our age and living up here," he said.

"I'm just going to jump in with both feet. Tim, Bill is completely impotent. We haven't had marital relations for five years. Bill has been telling me the whole time that I should take a lover, but I've not been comfortable with that idea as we're married."

"I can understand that. Fidelity is important - I know, I've been cheated on in the past," Tim said.

"Well, Bill's finally convinced me that it wouldn't be unfaithful since it's his idea, and he would know all about it," Becky said.

"So, are you looking for advice about how to find a partner? I am on a few dating sites, but it's still difficult because we live out here in the sticks," Tim told her.

"Actually," Bill said, "we want to know if you'd be interested in becoming Becky's lover, Tim. She thinks you're handsome, and you seem to be in excellent shape."

Tim had been about to grab his coffee cup when Bill spoke. Now he was glad he'd stopped, or he would likely have dropped the cup and made a huge mess. He looked from Bill to Becky, who smiled and nodded. "I'm not sure what to say to that!" he managed to get out.

"Tim, I'm sure this is shocking, but we're completely serious. I do need to ask if you have any ED issues since most men over fifty do," Becky said.

"I'm happy to say I'm among the fortunate minority."

"So the little blue pills work for you?" Bill said.

"No idea. I don't need them. The presence and attention of an attractive woman is all it takes to raise the flagpole," Tim declared. "So, what exactly are we talking about?"

"We only know the broad brush aspects since all the details will have to be worked out between you and me if you agree," Becky said. "Our assignations will have to be at your home. Bill will know about them but doesn't want to be there when they do."

"That wouldn't be a problem, as I live alone with just my dog," Tim said.

"There is not to be any kissing on the mouth," Becky added. "This is sex, not love." Tim nodded.
"We're also hoping the three of us will become good friends. Get together for dinner, and so on. What church do you attend?" Bill asked.

"I'm not religious, so I don't attend any. I believe in trying to live my life according to the golden rule, but I find the trappings of organized religion not to my liking. Is that an issue?" Tim said.

"No, not at all. Becky and I go to different churches and respect everyone's perspective."

"So, Tim, what do you think?" Becky asked.

"Well, I'd like some time to think it over. Becky, you're certainly an attractive woman, and if you were single, I'd probably already be tearing off your clothes." This brought a grin to both their faces.

"I'm dead set against cheating, and that means I steer clear of married or involved women. I have to get my head around Bill, who is supportive and responsible for this. Does that make it all right?"

"I understand. As I said earlier, it's taken him four years to make me comfortable with the idea. And I'm still not one hundred percent. More like ninety-nine."

"May I ask what changed your mind?" Tim said.

"I suppose if we're possibly going to do this, we'll have to get into details. For the first year or eighteen months, we held out hopes that medicine would find a solution to Bill's issue. Once we knew it wouldn't, I acquired a couple of, shall we say, marital aids. I learned to give myself an orgasm, but it isn't the same. Bill has never been comfortable going down on me, and while he gave it a good try, I could tell it bothered him.

"And the doctors aren't optimistic about Bill's future. He and I are worried that if I'm still basically celibate when he passes, I'll never venture out to perhaps meet someone to spend the rest of my life with," Becky concluded.

"That's pretty heavy," Tim said.

"Not really, Tim. You'll find that when you know that your days are numbered, even if you don't know the exact numeral, many things you were reluctant to consider or discuss become very easy. In the next few years, I will be gone. There is nothing anyone can do about that, so there is no sense railing against it. Best to accept it and implement whatever plans are best for you and your loved one," Bill explained. "I, for one, have made my desires clear to Becky. I want her to find someone else to spend the rest of her life with, although that doesn't imply that you are, or might be, that person."

"Okay, if I can have a couple of days to think things over, I'll be able to give you an answer later this week. At this point, I can say that I would much enjoy building a friendship if that option is open if I decline the other. I admire your attitudes toward life, friendship, and more, and I know I can learn much from the two of you. If I do, it will make me a better person," Tim declared.

"That's perfectly fine. What's your gym schedule?" Becky asked.

"I go Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I work out with a personal trainer in Clarkesville on Monday and Friday and come hereafter. On Tuesday, I come first thing and then do my grocery shopping. Since that's tomorrow, let's plan for my final answer on Friday, okay?"

"Yes, but let's exchange phone numbers. If you should decide on the next couple of days, I hope you won't make us wait until Friday to hear it," she said.

"Certainly," Tim said as he entered her cell into his and then texted her so she'd have his number.
The three walked out of the cafe and into their car. Bill shook Tim's hand, and Becky hugged and kissed him.
He suspected that pressing her admirable breasts against his chest wasn't unintentional.

Walking down the lot to his car, he waved as they pulled out.

On Tuesday, Tim was nearly done with his workout when Becky entered alone. She'd seen his car, so she knew he was there. When she didn't see him on the cardio machines, she returned and found him doing two-legged bridges on the floor. 'Those will come in handy when we do woman on top,' she thought, smirking.

When he finished and stood up, they hugged. She gave him a curious look, and he shook his head and raised his eyebrows. He'd spent the last twenty-some hours mentally debating the situation. What if Bill can't handle the idea as he thinks he can? What if Becky starts feeling guilty? What if one of them, or both, falls for the other? If they do this, can the three be friends without issue?

"Tim, I want to do this. Bill and I discussed it at length yesterday, and I'm convinced he will be perfectly fine with it. He wants me to have pleasure, and I have to say I want that, too. I did myself last night and again this morning, thinking of you both times. They were the best orgasms I've had in years, and I know the real thing will be even better."

"Becky, I'm not trying to torture you, but I understand you're anxious for an answer. Let's do this: When I return home later this morning, I'll text you the questions I'm trying to answer. You needn't respond, but I'll gladly take it
if you think you have good input. Okay? And feel free to share what I text with Bill."

"Sounds good. And just so we're clear, I'll always share everything with Bill - everything he wants to hear."

"Fair enough. I'll see you later," Tim said as they hugged again, and he left for the grocery store.

Later that afternoon, Tim's phone chimed to indicate an incoming text. "Bill and I discussed your open questions and agreed upon our ideas. It would be best to discuss them in person or on the phone. Are you okay with that?" He typed back, "Sure, I'm open for a phone call anytime before ten tonight."

When Tim's phone rang, he saw Becky's name on the caller ID. He quickly inserted his earbuds and answered,

"Hi, Becky."

"And Bill. We're on speakerphone. Can you hear us, okay?" Becky said.

"Yes, just fine. Hi Bill."

"Hi, Tim."

"Okay, so here's what we think. If either Bill or I find we can't handle this like we think we can, we will immediately raise that issue. The three of us can then discuss it, and if we can't find a way to satisfy the person, we'll have to end it. But if so, it's with no finger-pointing or hurt feelings."

"That sounds okay," Tim offered.

"Good. Now, if one or both of us fall for the other, that must be immediately revealed. I know there is no way I will stop loving Bill, but if I also fell in love with you, we'd have to figure out what that means. Polyamorous relationships are where multiple people are committed to several others. I guess that's what we would be. We'd have to figure out how to handle it.

"Now, if you fall for me, Tim, and I don't have the same feelings for you, we think you would have to decide what you want to do. If you felt like you couldn't continue with me because your feelings were getting in the way, we would have to end it."

"That makes sense," Tim said.

"As for whether we can become good friends, that remains to be seen. Bill and I believe we can, as long as we don't force it and let it develop naturally. Let's find activities we all enjoy and start doing them. If friendships are right, they will develop organically."

"Okay, then I'm in with one additional condition. If, after the first time we're together, any of us is too uncomfortable, we part as friends. Becky that would include either you or I feeling the sex isn't worth it. Bill, if you have second doubts, so be it," Tim told them.

"We both completely agree, Tim, and thank you!" Becky said excitedly.

"Yes, thank you very much, Tim. I know this will only strengthen our marriage and please my wife very much," Bill added.

"So, what's the next step?" Tim asked.

"When can we get together at your place, Tim?" Becky asked.

"Well, tomorrow is my Habitat volunteer day, and I know we will have a pretty tough day. While I usually get home at about three or 3:30, I'll likely be tired and sore. On the other hand, my Thursdays and most weekends are pretty open," he replied.

"I have therapy Thursday morning that lasts over three hours," Bill said, "and I still drive myself there so Becky doesn't have to sit around and wait half the day."

Becky said, "I'd love to come over Thursday morning if that works for you, Tim."

"That sounds good. Let's say 9:00," Tim replied. I'll text you my full address. Are you familiar with the Batesville area?"

"I am," Becky told him. "I'm sure I can find it. See you then!"

When he returned from Habitat the next day, Tim stripped the bed and washed the sheets. He dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. Finished, he took a shower, fixed dinner, and relaxed, thinking about the next day.

He hadn't had sex in nearly six months but wasn't worried about that. He beat off at least once and often more each week. Still, being inside a woman might trigger him more quickly than he would like. He decided to discuss the concern with her.

He realized that he and Becky had not discussed what she wanted to do. From her comments about Bill trying but not liking it, he guessed she enjoyed receiving oral. Did she reciprocate? What about positions? Was she strictly missionary? These are all things to talk about and learn.


To be continued