Uncommon Love

Derek loved the common in Autumn.

The green fields and woodlands now blanketed with rusty leaves, like nature had stripped from its bright Summer finery, casting it upon the floor. Leaving itself naked for all to see, unashamed and honest.

He felt at one here, especially in his hiding place amongst the trees, unseen. His secret shared with nature.

Cautiously peering out through the branches he could see the young mothers pushing prams and feeding the ducks with their children around the lakes.
A group of hooded teenagers huddled together, a shroud of obscenity and smoke hanging above them as they loitered in the children's park. As if confused by their new found adulthood they were taking comfort in the follies of their lost youth.
Office workers in suits and scarves sat at benches, flirting with co-workers, eating their lunch and gossiping on phones.

But no Sandra.
Sandra might not have been her name, but that's what he called her.
Where was she?

Derek had been watching Sandra for months now. She came here every afternoon at one oclock and walked through the woodlands, he could set his clock by her. She would never change her route, which made it easy for him to follow, always staying a safe distance. Sometimes she would stop and turn as if she knew he was there, but then carry on walking.
The anticipation was unbearable.

Usually he would commit not long after he'd chosen someone. But not Sandra, she was special.

Maybe she would be the one to bring conclusion to his plight. To be noticed.
She had subtle grace, mid fifties with all the extra weight, wrinkles and greying hair of anyone her age. But she wore it with pride, her acceptance and confidence glowed, wisdom glinted in her eyes.
Not like the others. Given up mums or the young girls decorated like clowns.
Surely a woman of such making would notice him.
Notice him for what he was.
Not just boring old Derek, sat at his desk with his head down.

Derek who never said no.
Dogsbody Derek.
That's what they called him.

Even his wife barely knew he was there, he couldn't remember the last time she looked him in eye or even spoke to him as a husband just directing insults and put me downs at him. Physical contact was a distant memory with her, leaving him impotent and limp.
Sandra would be different.

Usually he would pick them from his hiding spot, then follow them into the woodlands on their way home, the moment had to be just right. Only then would he commit.
Emerging from the trees and slowly opening his coat naked and proud. It would only last a short while before the screaming and running started, but by then the endorphins were buzzing, he was erect, intoxicated with the liberation, and for those few stolen moments his was a man again, exposed for everything he was, nothing to hide.

Sandra would realise this, he didn't know why, just a feeling.

Derek jolted at the sound of broken twigs under foot, turning he saw her making her way through the undergrowth away from him.
Sandra. What could she being doing here? This wasn't her usual route.
It must be sign. Today's the day.

Quickly he removed his clothes from under his raincoat, leaving only his socks and loafers, placing them on the ground to collect later. Drawing his coat around him, which was proving difficult as he was already excited, he began the chase.

Staying a good distance away he could see her making her way through the woods, again stopping every few steps and looking amongst trees as if she had lost something.
What could she be looking for?, this is all very out of character. She became more alluring with every step.

His heart was pounding so hard now and his breathing so deep he thought she would hear him, not wanting to lose this opportunity or the moment he hung back behind a tree.
A cool breeze whispered through the woodland, making sycamore seeds helicopter to the ground.
Derek watched them as he caught his breath.

Peeking from behind the tree, he realised that he'd lost her, the path before him went on for a few hundred yards, she couldn't have walked that fast.
This just wouldn't do.
He tightened his belt once more and darted out onto the path coming face to face with Sandra.

His heart began to pound again, his mouth dry unable to swallow. Here she was only a few steps in front of him looking him straight in the eye, smiling.
He fumbled with his belt, but had become knotted.
Sandra didn't say a word.
Still smiling she moved her hands to the opening of her own jacket and opened it wide.

Sandra had noticed him.
Sandra was naked.

Derek stepped back in shock just as his belt loosened and almost out of habit flung his coat open too.
Like two bats in a mating ritual they stood in front of each other arms out stretched, their coats flapping in the breeze taking in each others display.
He looked her slowly up and down, unable to take in what was happening.
Her large breasts hung like slabs of meat above her rounded belly divided by an old caesarean scar, rolling down towards a patch of unkempt dark pubic hair and sagging thighs.
Here she was presenting herself to him, in the same way he had to countless others over the years.
Free, reckless, honest and beautiful.

'Do you see me', whispered Derek, tears now filling his eyes.
'Clearly', said Sandra .

The wind blew around them once more sending dead leaves into the air like startled birds as their bodies pressed against each other, two lost souls finally found.

Derek loved the common in Autumn.