1507 word count  as of 07/23/21

        I meant it when I said that her missing part of her leg wasn't a deal breaker, but I thought about it all day long, trying to make sure I was being honest with myself.

         It shouldn't matter. It really shouldn't.

         Took me a moment to understand that I was intimidated by it. I didn't know what things I'd have to do for her, what things I'd have to patiently wait through her failing and never help, and I knew myself. I could very easily spend all my time taking care of things she'd want to do alone.

         As usual, it's panic before there's anything on the line. I'm meeting a friend who may only remain a friend, and I'm acting like I'm trying to make my home hers.

         But then, if I was that flustered, I had subconsciously already made my decision.

~~~

        We went to this place called Babalu, in Jackson--Memphis has two, so I'd been to one on several occasions. It's a Latin-Southern fusion restaurant. I couldn't wait to get the tuna, duck, and smoked pork belly tacos...as well as their black bean fritters. That's too much food for 1 person, but I don't care. I rarely get to eat there, so I will treat myself.

         Now, if everyone eats like this, I'll be able to afford paying for everyone, but it's more friendly to only offer to pay for half, as I did ask them out, but I'm not actually dating anyone.

         Maybe this is why I'm still single.

~~~

         Turns out LJ's name is Linette Josée, a fairly classic girls name from France a century ago--or so she says. 1920s France isn't my era, it being a century later. She looked better in person, wearing a mid-thigh dress--which showed off all the hardware she wore to walk, but that's a sign of confidence, I hope. I already felt a connection with her, but man, in person? I could fall head over heels--and I can't commit until I'm sure I have her hooked. I won't go through this again, if I can help it.

         I think Aria sees that connection--she's excited for us. Although I hope she doesn't feel awkward as a 5th wheel tonight...though the looks from other tables towards her screams that she could grab a guy from anywhere if she wanted the security of another body. I guess she's confident, and what's not to like about a secure woman?

         Felecia brought her guy--Derek--with her, and man was he possessive. Didn't like me even passively talking to her. But I brought this upon myself by offering for him to come along.

         Besides, I suspect he would have been around even if she told him to take a hike. There is nothing I can think of to cause a man to act like this that is justified. I don't like it, especially since my sights weren't even on Felecia tonight.

       But we managed to pull through and have fun for the most part.

       The girls out ate me. I could have afforded the meal, but dang that was a big bill.

        Afterwards, I asked them if they wanted to do anything else while we were here.

        Felecia and Derek bailed, as expected. "We...um...have some things to take care of, but we'll catch up with you at another date, k?"

         Subtle--they had the look of people who wouldn't make it a block before tearing off clothes. "What about you two?"

         Aria smiled, "I would love to hang out with y'all the rest of the day, but you two have things to discuss."

         "What's that..." I started.

        "Figure it out, then call me. I don't expect to see y'all the rest of the day, though."

        Then I was left at the table with Linette. "So...what now?"

        "Let's go wander a nature trail of some sort."

        That amused me. There I was, worried about how she was going to get around and she goes for something difficult like it won't hinder her at all. "Sure. You want something public or more private?"

        "Private is better."

        I had a house just off of Sardis Lake, and there were a few unofficial paths that cut through the woods on my property, so I decided to take her there. "Well, then home it is. You want to drive yourself or have me drive?"

        She laughed. "Aria was so sure that you and I were suitable that she refused to have her car left behind and came with me--confiscated my keys, too."

        "That's trusting."

        "And I have reason to feel insecure with you, now, lead on, kind sir!"

        I like how easily amused she is.

~~~

        It was roughly a 2 hour drive to park in my driveway. We stopped for a bathroom break before hitting the trail that started in my back yard. It was quite a few minutes in before she spoke. "You know we had been talking about how my culture finds companionship, right?"

        "Yeah, at least that you do date differently than most Americans...so, what does that have to do with a walk in the woods?"

         She stopped me and turned me towards her. "It's because of what we are, and you won't believe me until I show you."

         "Ok..."

        Then she started to strip, handing me her clothing as she went. First, what the hell woman? Second, hot damn, woman.

        I was beginning to forget my convictions, wanting to taste her skin...and worse.

        I couldn't just watch anymore when the side-button lace booty shorts came off...it was either going to be my hands or my mouth, so I went with the latter. "You remember, on my profile, where I said that this wouldn't come until after a relationship."

        "Yeah?" She paused for a second.

        "I'm really regretting that right about now."

        Again with that laugh. "Why do you think you're holding my clothes?"

        Then came off the prosthetic leg. She balanced very well without it, but it was more stuff for me to hold--that and a leg tube to protect her stump. Finally her hand landed on my shoulder, which kind of made it tingle. Freaky.

         "Now, this is the hard part." Up until this point, I thought I was going to be shown some sort of gang tattoo. Plus, why complain about a naked woman? Even if she was crazy, it would be a free show. I might regret taking her by my house, but that's only if it's the kind of crazy that you don't put a dick in. There are levels of acceptable crazy. You even marry some.

        Then bones started cracking.

        Did you know that breasts jiggle when bones crack? It's surreal.

        Then her chest receded and her nose became a snout. All the beautiful expanse of skin became hairy as hell. Not long after, she was on all...well, 3s.

        And my first thought was, Well, hell, I accepted a missing leg, what's some fur and a tail?

        There's always that part of you that is going OhShitShitShit! Then the kinky part is trying to think of what ways of expressing interest are acceptable where.

        But much of that depends on how easy it is to keep the dumb guy distracted. The problem is when you're just not that dumb.

         I realized who and what my neighbor was. "We need to get back to my house. Right now."

        I mean, I was on my own land, but things Jerome had said over the years were starting to filter through. I didn't have the words for it, but the concepts were in my head.

         Anyone I brought on my own property had my protection. Even a little trespassing could be forgiven, but don't wander too far. It is nice to warn your neighbors that you have guests in the woods--for their safety. The pack roams the woods, and my property that I legally inherited from a distant great-uncle is smack in the middle of their packlands.

          Right after I said this, I heard the first howl. I picked up my pace, knowing that Jerome's "dog's" would be escorting me home for this meeting.

          Jerome met me on my porch. He's a light-skinned African American with startlingly green eyes. His hair had faded to white long before I met him, which he kept in chin length dreads. "I see you figured it out."

          I was panting slightly at this point. "Let's let her get dressed in peace before whatever shitshow starts, alright?"

         He nodded, and I brought LJ's stuff into the guest room and closed the door behind her before heading into my kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

         "What exactly do you know?" Jerome sat down gingerly at my kitchen island, like he expected the chair to break. They're not that flimsy. And he does this every time he visits.

         "Actually, everything you've said over the years. We've only been talking online until today."

         "So, are you mates?"