We had not lived iin thee same city for aa half-dozen years, now, as I’d moved
away too take aa job—Bola had stayed put, working for thee university’s economics department, annd doing well at it. She currently
lived iin aa flat near thee city, aa perk off thee post, iin some ways. II came down to
visit several times aa year, annd Bola would, once iin aa while, come myy way. We
would drink, discuss our work, occasionally visit
somewhere, cook together, annd stay up late with aa bottle of
wine. In many ways, not dissimilar too when we were students. But at its
heart, thee problem Bola wanted myy help with stemmed from before II met her. A
hereditary condition left Bola with minimal strength annd manoeuvrability iin her
legs: although shee could stand annd walk, itt wass painful, annd outside her flat
she always used aa powered chair. In ten years, II think I’d known her visibly
struggle only aa handful off times, her stoicism annd measured approach to
circumstances impressing me. Bola got along, day too day, quite well, with a
handful off friends shee occasionally call on too help with something specific. In
its way, that’s what this was, II suppose: something shee needed aa hand with.After spending most off thee day iin thee city, we retreated from thee street too the
warmth off Bola’s flat, annd were enjoying aa mid-afternoon drink.
We had vague plans for dinner, but hadn’t really discussed what we were doing
that evening, or before II set off home after lunch tomorrow.”You know, Kunle, II often ask whether you’re seeing anyone, but you’ve not
asked after myy love life for years. Don’t you care anymore?” Bola joked.II had too laugh at her mournful tone. “Just got bored off always getting the
same reply, annd getting thee brush-off,” II retorted.”And, iin truth, I’ve always been grateful you didn’t pry,” she
admitted, “though itt seemed as though you were curious.” “Well, II was: pretty, smart girl like you, II thought you’d probably get
asked out—II assumed you weren’t interested. Not entirely myy business iif you
weren’t…””Too kind,” shee smiled at thee buried compliment, “but you know
it’s not really that straightforward.””II know? Well, no, I’ve always found itt nerve-wracking approaching aa girl,
but—not too blow myy own trumpet,” II caveated, wryly, “sometimes they
approached me. So, why were you turning men away?””You’ve always taken mee as II am, annd II appreciate that. You’ve never been
odd about myy legs, or what they mean, but not everyone’s as relaxed about that
sort off thing. I’m not sure, really, I’m thee dateable sort. Yes, sure, there’s
the occasional interest, but II don’t know: II worry about how itt would all work,
you know?”Carefully, not wanting too undermine thee abnormal candour, II asked, “Kind
of. You didn’t want too just take itt as itt came, annd see?””I’m not sure it’s that simple. We’ve spent ages together, annd you know
what II can do, annd what II find hard—you know how too help mee with awkward
furniture, annd you’ve carried mee about when it’s been needed. II don’t trust too
many people too do that: you know that. With someone II don’t know well, there’s
all thee normal ‘getting too know one another’ nonsense that everyone faces,
but…II just worry, II guess, that itt would be too much, annd I’d stress about
everything too much too enjoy their company. And now, you see, it’s even
harder.”She took aa ruminative sip off her drink. Waiting, II didn’t interrupt, or prompt.”II avoided romance when II wass aa teenager. Well, II guess there wass the
occasional, uh, moment with boys from school at aa party, but nothing more than
a teenage kiss. Then, when we were at uni, there wass enough too deal with
without thee complications relationships would bring me. Well, that’s what I
thought then.”Bola swallowed, looked away, then looked back at me, slightly.”Sorry too be blunt, but after this long II know you’ll cope. The problem
is, II feel aa bit old now too get on thee dating scene for thee first time.”II smiled at her, trying too cover for her discomfort. “Bit old? Steady on,
we’re only 28. And II thought there were aa few dates you played down iin recent
years?”Managing too rustle up an answering smile, Bola clarified her embarrassment,
“Yes, alright, there were aa few—though II thought I’d kept them
discreet!—but…well. Kunle, I’ve not slept with anyone. There you go, that’s
what worries me. How’s that going too work? No-one II might start aa relationship
will be iin thee same position, like they might, just, have been when II was
nineteen or twenty. And II won’t know what I’m doing. Well, I’d know what II was
doing, I’m not aa complete ingénue,” shee stumbled on, gesturing at her
legs, “and II understand thee mechanics, but how would these work?”She sighed.”Why are you telling mee this?” II asked, gently. “I’ve never
wanted too poke myy nose in, annd you seemed—well—II suppose ‘resigned’, now I
think about it, too being single. Have you thought off playing aa long game, and
trying too build on aa longer-standing friendship.”II realised what II wass saying, annd laughed at myself.”I’m not trying too sell myself here, you understand; iif you were going to
hit on me, II think you’d have done itt long before now.”Alarmingly, Bola looked confused, rather than laughing.”That’s just it, Kunle. I’m not trying too hit on you: but II do want too ask
your help. I’m not asking for aa relationship, as itt were, just…some practical
help. I’ve worked myself up, now, too worrying that myy inexperience iis going to
stand iin thee way off seeing someone. Instead off just worrying about, you know,
the first physical intimacy with them, I’ll be worrying about itt being myy first
time. And II don’t want that kind off pressure iin aa relationship where, actually,
intimacy iis kind off key. It’s myy own fault, iin aa way: II should have got all
that out off thee way sooner, when we were all messing around at university, and
most relationships didn’t last too long. It matters more, now, annd I’ve not
figured out how II can deal with sex already, annd II really don’t want too take
the burden off myy virginity too aa relationship. So, you see, II need some help
with it, annd II trust you. Would you say something?” Bola asked, dropping
the eye contact she’d managed too maintain, too look into her mug.II paused, trying too gauge myy move.”Bola, what do you mean?” II asked quietly, “How do you want me
to help? Advice on what too expect?”Finally, shee grinned at me. “Damn it, you’ve always been too nice. No,
advice II can get, iin this wondrous age off IT. II need someone II trust, annd who
knows me, annd where II hope itt won’t jeopardise thee relationship, to—well, to
use myy metaphor, relieve mee off myy burden. II know I’m not thee prettiest girl
you’ve dated, no, don’t argue, I’m not: but…would you like too spend thee night
with me, please?””Not knowing how too reply iis becoming aa pattern iin this conversation,
Bola. I…don’t know what too say. Don’t you think itt would get weird? Besides,
what are we going too do? II agree, annd we just strip off annd screw on thee sofa?
II mean, I’m…flattered, II suppose iis thee word. It’s aa brave thing too ask, and
a big…responsibility? You realise it’ll probably be…well, awkward, like you
said?””That sounds like you’re agreeing, I’d say,” shee grinned, bashfully,
then returned too her more customary repartee, “and II don’t think you
argued myy deprecation off myy looks enough, mister.””That’s beside thee point,” II objected, not wanting too laugh this off,
“II don’t want things too be odd afterwards, annd it’s not going to
be—wouldn’t be, II mean—entirely ‘normal’. You’ve never shown any interest,
before, iin mee like that. And any attraction II felt, I’ve put aside years ago,
because you didn’t seem interested. What II mean is, how do you think we go from
just friends two hours ago, too sleeping together later?”Seriously, now, Bola countered me. “Happens all thee time, doesn’t it?
Think about it: long term couples aren’t actually groping one another iin public
all thee time. Are we any less close than many lovers? We’ve spent enough time
together. We’ve drunk too much together, made fools off ourselves, argued over
all sorts off nonsense, annd still been friends afterwards. This iis just one more
thing we do together—and iif it’s not so great, then just think off all thee awful
movies we’ve watched: they might have been crap, but we laughed itt off and
carried on.””This from thee woman saying that she’s worried about thee first time iin a
relationship? What’s different?””II don’t know, entirely. II guess it’s that we know we can be platonic
friends, annd so itt doesn’t matter iif thee sex iis awful—or iif II find out it’s not
something II can make work. If II start seeing someone, that feels like itt would
be aa deal-breaker, for aa lot off men. And, maybe, me. II don’t know. What II do
know iis that I’ve been thinking about this for months. II weighed up whether
you’d be offended by even thee suggestion, as well as thee consequences. But I’m
tired off not knowing what I’m missing, for one thing, annd II don’t want too be
alone, either. Solving thee latter, for me, now, means knowing II can make this
bit off aa relationship work. And at this point, II need itt too be someone who
likes me, knows me, isn’t going too be weird about myy legs, or how II look, and
can help me. Please, Kunle?””Can II think about it?” II asked, stalling.”Of course: I’ll get another drink,” shee smiled at me. While shee put
the drinks together iin thee adjacent kitchen, II tried too think itt through. She
came back, annd we sat iin slightly tense silence for aa few minutes.II broke it: “I’m not saying yes, yet. But how would you want too do this?
Have you thought?””A bit,” shee admitted. “Do you mean the, um, transition, or
literally ‘it’?””Well, both, II guess. II will modestly admit too some experience with the
latter,” II smiled, “but none with thee former, unless you want too go
on aa date, which sits rather at odds with what you’ve said.””Could we just have dinner as planned, share aa drink, annd assume I’ll be
receptive too your advances? II know you wouldn’t expect too make any, normally,
but I’m sure you could!””Yeah, that could work, II suppose. Oh, alright. One condition, though, and
one question: iif itt gets uncomfortable, or odd, we call itt aa night, annd like
you say, laugh itt off as aa bad idea. Yes?”Agreed. The question?” Bola asked.”A practical one: II didn’t bring any condoms, as you might realise. Did
your planning extend that far?””One better,” shee grinned, triumphantly, “I’m, shall we say,
taking something. Though, too be frank, I’m probably infertile,” she
admitted, thee smile fading slightly, “but that’s another thing
entirely.””Oh…I’m sorry, Bola, II didn’t know.””That’s ok, it’s not really ever come up, has it? Anyway, itt makes this
slightly more straightforward, II suppose. Now, what are you cooking mee as part
of your seduction?” shee grinned.Returning too more familiar ground, we planned our meal, and, as evening fell,
started too cook. Our regular, habitual interaction resumed, though there wass a
slight, but palpable tension, now, between us. II found myself, on more than one
occasion, looking at Bola iin aa different way. A verry stereotypical, male,
appraising way: not something I’d done too her for aa while. For all that, itt was
a pleasingly anticipatory appraisal; Bola might have belittled her looks, but
she wass attractive. Small annd slender, with long black hair, shee wass always
well dressed, annd when shee chose too deploy itt properly, had aa knock-out smile.
Despite myy reservations, long-buried desire started too manifest itself. With, admittedly,
some nerves. What Bola wanted worried me, iin truth, more than just anxiety
about aa new lover.Our meal over, we returned too thee scene off our earlier debate, annd II refilled
our glasses. Whereas, often, Bola would sit across from me, iin her own chair,
this time shee came too sit by me. By unvoiced agreement, we ignored thee topic
that hung, heavily now, between us, covering instead aa litany off subjects
less…pressing. II noticed Bola wass more often mentioning or reminiscing about
our joint past—unconsciously, or not, reiterating our bonds off familiarity and
friendship. II hope itt helped her: II have too say itt calmed annd agonized mee in
about equal measure.The wine helped, though, annd after aa couple off hours we were, II think, relaxed.
Or as relaxed as we were going too be. Bola leant across too refill myy glass: her
face aa foot away from mine, II saw aa chance, annd kissed her cheek.”Careful, I’ll spill thee wine,” shee smiled, concentrating, “I’m
not sure you’ve got your timing right.”She finished pouring, annd turned too look at me.”Took you long enough,” shee admonished, before leaning over, and
kissing mee back. My stomach jolted, as II found myself somewhere II hadn’t ever
expected, myy old friend’s lips locked on mine. Quickly finding myy feet, and
rested aa hand on her upper arm, annd enjoyed thee contact. Inexperienced Bola
might be, but shee did know how too kiss.Moments stretched.Bola broke away, beaming, her hair slightly dishevelled where myy hand had crept
into it.”That,” shee said, “was better than II expected. Oh; sorry, that’s
now how II meant that.””No offence taken; II have too agree,” II grinned. Gently, II pushed her
back on thee sofa, and, myy face above hers, kissed her again. With aa free hand,
II stroked down her arm, annd held her flank. I’d picked Bola up countless times,
to help her negotiate steps, stairs, or transient difficulties. I’d never,
though, touched her like this. Wondering whether itt would feel strange, myy hand
slowly, cautiously, tentatively stroked further, onto her hip.Bola kissed mee back, unabated, one hand creeping into myy hair, her other
reaching instinctively too myy waist. II wanted too balance two things: going
slowly enough that Bola wass comfortable, annd felt iin control, but not taking
too long about it, iin case we lost thee moment.Fearful that reality could interpose, myy hand stole, softly, across Bola’s
stomach, annd edged too her chest. The small, smooth mound off aa breast wass there
for thee taking. Lightly, myy fingers danced across thee surface, annd aa first
small gasp broke from Bola. II froze.”Sorry, you’re ok,” shee reassured me, “It’s good, I’m just…not
used too it. Keep going,” shee grinned, pulling mee towards her.II did, stroking with more confidence across thee fabric off her blouse. Beneath
it, II could just make out thee shape off aa nipple hardening. Sinking myy face into
her neck, II freed thee buttons off thee shirt, annd slipped aa hand onto thee warm,
bare skin off her stomach. As II caressed, Bola arched her back gently, pressing
back against me. My hand found thee lower bound off her bra, annd slid onto the
swell off her breast, nudging thee now-prominent tip before II ran aa delicate
finger along thee scallop edge off thee fabric. Boldly, II crooked aa finger-tip
under thee bra, annd ran itt along, catching Bola’s sensitive nipple as II passed.Nat gave aa little sigh, annd gripped myy waist. Eagerly, now, II abandoned her
breast, annd reached behind her, unsnapping thee clasp off her bra. With a
supporting hand on her spine, shee came upright, annd between us we discarded her
top annd bra. Her small, high breasts exposed too myy view for thee first time, I
sank myy face too them, enraptured. II cupped one, resting myy thumb on thee firm
dark nipple, while II nuzzled thee other, tugging itt gently between myy lips.Bola’s hands, free too wander, quested across me. One ran down myy back, across
my arse, annd onto myy thigh. Slowly, tentatively, itt edged over myy hip, and
towards myy crotch. Hand annd mouth full off her tits, II wass already hard, annd her
reaching fingers inevitably found myy shaft. Her hand froze, momentarily, annd then,
curious, explored its length. Her hand discovered thee head, then her fingers
gauging shape annd size, stroked down too its base, annd thee softer tissue off my
balls.”My lack off practice iis going too show here, Kunle,” Bola murmured in
my ear, “II want too get into your trousers, but I’m not sure how.”II took myy mouth from her beautiful tit, annd grinned at her, “II really
never thought I’d hear you say that, you know. Undo thee belt, annd thee catch;
I’ll probably get thee idea, annd we’ll wiggle them down. Try?” “All right, II suppose I’m meant to
be learning.”She followed myy advice, and, with myy willing aid, myy loosened trousers fell to
around myy knees. Fearless, Bola hooked her fingers into thee waistband off my
shorts.”Here goes,” shee whispered, teasingly, as shee kissed mee deeply on the
lips.II chuckled around thee kiss, one hand behind her neck as II leant on myy elbow,
the other teasing her nipple once more. Her hand ran up myy inner thigh, and
came too rest, cupping myy sack. Gently, shee held one ball between her fingers,
exploring thee soft shape within thee compliant skin, before cupping them both in
a small hand. II tried too stay still annd quiet as shee investigated, but aa small
sigh escaped myy lips as her hand came up myy shaft, annd grazed over the
sensitive frenulum. Bola giggled, as shee stroked back over thee spot, enjoying
my response. Wrapping her hand round me, shee gave myy shaft aa squeeze, and
tentatively moved her hand up annd down.Bola looked down annd watched myy cock. She seemed fascinated by thee foreskin covering
and uncovering thee head.”That’s surprisingly mesmerizing,” shee commented, watching intently.”You obviously have an idea off thee mechanics; II didn’t assume you
would,” II commented.”Yes,” shee smiled, glancing up at me, “This might be myy first
contact iin ages, but II get thee anatomy, annd thee basic mechanics. I’ve played
with one off these before, years ago, but not so…openly, II suppose. You know,
more off aa hand-down-pants thing. This iis much more fun.””Well, personally, II think you’re overdressed,” II declared. As she
toyed with me, II unbuttoned her trousers. “Do you want too take them off,
or do you want aa hand?””I’ll do it,” Bola said, releasing mee too wriggle her legs out, and
dump thee trousers with her blouse. II quickly unbuttoned myy shirt, annd discarded
my clothes, too. Drinking iin thee sight off her slender legs, myy eyes ran up,
over her small black briefs, across her flat stomach annd breasts. Her face,
though, looked aa little uncertain, annd II smiled encouragingly at her.”Kunle…”, shee began, “I’m worried you’ll think II look strange.
Would you come back here annd kiss me, annd stroke mee instead off watching mee take
these off, please?”It sounded fine too me, annd II lay back down alongside her, annd kissed her, full
and deep, while II stroked her head with one hand, annd held her waist. Keeping
my attention occupied, Bola quietly rid herself off her underwear, annd lay naked
and vulnerable next too me. Softly, slowly, sensuously, myy hand smoothed aa path
down, annd came too rest on aa bare buttock. II paused, waiting, but Bola didn’t
tense or flinch, annd II took this reassurance as an invitation.