McKenzie, the Hot Babsitter

This story is dedicated to Piper, the TRUE hot babysitter… hopefully, it compares to those cheesy Hallmark movies that you and Mandy enjoy so much!

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“Look at me, Auntie McKenzie!” Timothy shrieked. “Look at me!”

The little boy posed atop a plastic slide in the backyard of his home. His chest was puffed out and his fists were pumped in the air. He was so proud and gleeful that he may as well have been standing on the peak of Mount Everest.

McKenzie dropped to one knee and held her arms out wide. “Come on down, my favorite little man! Auntie McKenzie will catch you!”

Timothy gave a loud “Woo!” as he zipped down the small side. And as he crashed into her hungry arms, McKenzie hugged him, stood up, and laughed all in one smooth motion. She held the boy close and nuzzled his neck, causing him to squeal even louder and squirm in her embrace.

Timothy felt safe, happy, and loved, and in that moment the entire world was perfect.

Timothy wrapped his arms around his babysitter’s neck. The boy couldn’t recall a time when Auntie McKenzie hadn’t been a part of his life. To him, she had just always existed. Sure, when she first started off as his babysitter, she was only around sporadically…. mainly on a Saturday every now and then when Mommy and Daddy needed a date night. But then Daddy, who was a member of the Armed Forces, sadly got shipped overseas. And because Mommy was an ER nurse who often worked crazy hours, Auntie McKenzie quickly became a fixture in his life. Mommy had even given Auntie McKenzie her own room for awesome sleepovers when she had to work late at night!

Auntie McKenzie may have started off as his occasional babysitter, but in what seemed like an eternity to Timothy which, in actuality, was only the span of 18 months, she had become much more to him.

At 4 years old, Timothy considered himself extremely wise and insightful. It was clear to him that Mommy and Daddy loved Auntie McKenzie. They were abundantly nice and appreciative of her, and had even made it a point to get to know her Mommy and Daddy. In fact, the 6 of them had even gone out to dinner a few times when Daddy wasn’t overseas. Auntie McKenzie and her parents felt like an extension of his own family which, the little boy shrewdly theorized, made her more like his Big Sister than “auntie”.

But she would always be Auntie McKenzie.

Though nothing could compare to the love a little boy feels for his mother, Timothy’s affection for Auntie McKenzie came close, but in a much different way. On an intrinsic level, he was aware that they weren’t actually related. After all, Auntie McKenzie looked so much different compared to him! Whereas he, and Mommy and Daddy, had yellow hair, hers was blacker than the blackest black he had ever seen! And while Mommy’s skin was awfully pale— also like his— Auntie McKenzie’s was a pleasing, naturally tan color.

But it was Auntie McKenzie’s eye that captivated Timothy. They were dark brown, and their narrow, slightly-almond shape was very interesting to the little boy. Once, when he had asked her why her eyes were so different from his, Auntie McKenzie laughed and simply stated “It’s because I’m Asian!” as if that answered everything. Timothy wasn’t entirely sure what that meant nor did he care. And though it wasn’t the bulk of it, Auntie McKenzie’s exotic appearance gave her an almost mystic quality that he didn’t understand; it made her seem larger-than-life when she was already a literal giant next to him.

But the little boy always went back to her eyes… there was something about Auntie McKenzie’s eyes that really set her apart from everyone else and filled him with wonder.

Timothy gazed into them solemnly. “Auntie McKenzie?”

“Yes, Timmy?”

“I want to marry you because I love you.”

The 17-year-old girl almost burst out laughing but stopped when she noticed the earnestness in his bright blue eyes. He was being sincere in the innocent way that all young children are and knew that her initial reaction would’ve wounded Timothy grievously. McKenzie smoothly caught herself and set him down, returning a serious look of her own.

“Oh, you want to marry me, do you?” She held out her hand. “Then where’s my ring? Because if you’re gonna ask a girl to marry you, Timmy, you gotta give her a ring!”

The boy’s expression didn’t change as he reached into his pocket and produced a plastic ring.

McKenzie’s eyes widened.

“I wanted to buy you a nice ring, Auntie McKenzie, but I only had $3.42 in my piggy bank, so I had to get this one instead. I bought it from a gumball machine when Mommy and I went to the grocery store.”

This time, the young Asian girl did burst out in laughter. “Oh, Timmy… my sweet little man!” She knelt to his level and hugged him fiercely. “You’re the sweetest boy in the whole entire world!”

He became even more excited. “Does that mean you’ll marry me, Auntie McKenzie? Maybe after the wedding, we can take everyone to the park! Then you and the grownups can sit and talk while me and my friends go play!” Timothy had been planning the entire event for days, and there was no better place for a wedding and post-wedding festivities than the local park.

It’d be perfect!

McKenzie smiled gently as she regarded the boy whom she had grown to love like her own son. “Oh, no, Timmy. I can’t marry you. There’s a special girl out there waiting for you, and someday you’re going to meet her. And when you do, she’s going to make you as happy as you’re going to make her.”

That was NOT what the little boy was expecting to hear and he experienced heartbreak like never before. Even in adulthood, he would always remember the anguish that he felt at that precise moment. “But Auntie McKenzie! I love you! I want to marry you!”

The Asian teen hugged him close as Timothy began to cry uncontrollably. Her amusement was immediately replaced by heartbreak of her own. Sure, she wanted to be realistic with the little boy, but she hated herself for upsetting him. For a moment, neither could say anything until McKenzie looked at the boy sternly. “Timmy, look at me.”

“Yes… Auntie… McKenzie?” he managed between sobs.

“I can’t marry you, but you will always be my favorite little man. Do you hear?” When the boy couldn’t— or wouldn’t— respond, McKenzie repeated her question and was surprised at the vehemence in her own tone. “Do you hear?” she asked again more urgently.

“Y-yes, Auntie McKenzie.”

“Oh, Timmy.” She pulled him close once more; it felt like she was always holding the little boy. This time, she did tear up. “You have no idea how much I love you. You and your parents are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Timothy burrowed into his babysitter with an inexplicable terror as if he was somehow losing her. But the warmth and firmness of her body, and the familiar, soothing scent of her hair made everything immediately better. And even though Auntie McKenzie had just shattered his heart into a million pieces, her mere presence was always enough to make him feel safe and secure.

The teen was emotional herself but made sure that she had recovered and that her eyes were dry before she looked at the boy again. Then she crinkled her nose after she pretended to sniff him. “Pee-yoo! I think my favorite little man needs to take a bath before his Mommy and Daddy get home. What do ya think about a bubble bath?”

“A bubble bath?” Timothy immediately perked up. Mommy and Daddy never let him take a bubble bath because the soapy water always mysteriously ended up on the floor. “Sure!” He was almost already back to his normal self.

“Then let’s go back inside. And when your parents get home, I’ll ask them if I can take you out for ice cream tomorrow.”

“Ice cream! Yea !!!”

Auntie McKenzie cradled Timothy like a mother would her own child, and everything in the world was right once more as they went inside.

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McKenzie knew that tomorrow wouldn’t arrive soon enough for Timmy, so she went to his house immediately after school.

When she arrived, the boy’s mother Carla was dressed in medical scrubs, and gave her a hug and some instructions before rushing out the door. “Dinner is in the fridge. As usual, call or text me on my work phone if anything comes up.”

“I will, Mrs. Vandermire,” McKenzie promised.

Mom eyed Timmy critically. “And you… behave. When I come home, Auntie McKenzie better not tell me that you were a bad boy.”

“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll behave.”

Timothy’s face was angelic as he hugged his mother and watched her leave. But as soon as he saw her car pull out of the driveway, he began to hop up and down. “Can we go to the park and get some ice cream now, Auntie McKenzie? Can we? Can we? Please, please, please?”

McKenzie sighed. Clearly, the boy didn’t notice the enormous backpack that she was carrying. She had so much homework to do. McKenzie was a studious girl, and felt the compulsion to at least get started. “Timmy, I’m sorry, I have a lot of school work, and—” Timmy looked like he was about to cry, which was always her weakness. McKenzie transitioned smoothly, “But I suppose I can start it after you go to bed. C’mon, let’s go get some ice cream!”

Timothy leapt into her arms so quickly that she barely had time to catch him. “Love you, Auntie McKenzie!”

“Love you, too!”

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The pair soon found themselves standing in line for ice cream at the local park. They had left the house almost immediately, pausing long enough to for Timothy to don his cowboy hat, cowboy boots, bandana, and holster that carried 2 toy pistols. The little boy was essentially wearing a Halloween costume at the beginning of summer. But the teen didn’t try to dissuade him.

Timmy was just THAT cute!

They were turning away from the ice cream truck, treats in hand, when Timothy noticed a slightly younger girl crying to her mother nearby.

“I’m sorry, honey,” the woman told her daughter. “But I left my purse at home.”

“But I REALLY want ice cream,” the girl sobbed.

Timmy, who was as pure of heart as any child, was mortified, and immediately turned to his companion. “Auntie McKenzie, I’m going to give that little girl my ice cream.” There was no hesitation.

Despite wanting to commend the boy, she replied, “You don’t have to do that!”

The boy’s expression turned as serious as she had ever seen, and she would never forget his next words. “But Auntie McKenzie, you once told me that we should help people who have less than we do. That little girl doesn’t have any ice cream, so I’m going to give her mine.”

McKenzie felt a sudden pain… pain for initially trying to talk the boy out of it and pain because she was so proud. She smiled at the wonderful boy standing before her. “Ok, my little man. If you want to give your ice cream to that girl, then you go ahead and give it to her.”

Timmy immediately sped off. And when he returned, McKenzie scooped him up into a fierce bear hug. Looking past him, she saw the little girl licking the ice cream cone happily. The mother nodded at them gratefully and mouthed Thank You before they strolled away.

McKenzie turned her attention back to the boy she held in her arms. “Timmy, listen to me.”

“Yes, Auntie McKenzie?”

“Whatever you do… no matter how far you go in life… please promise me that you’ll never change. That you’ll always be the sweet little boy whom I know and love.”

It was obvious that Timmy didn’t understand what she was trying to tell him, but he promised, anyway.

McKenzie laughed.

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The only constant in life is change.

People grow older and circumstances change.

The day that was inevitable finally arrived. And Timothy, despite his youth, realized that something significant was occurring when Auntie McKenzie arrived and immediately asked to speak to his mother privately. And when they finally called him into the living room, was it clear that they had both been crying. In fact, Auntie McKenzie appeared so upset that she couldn’t speak.

It was Carla who spoke first. “Timothy… hon. Auntie McKenzie has something important to tell you.”

Auntie McKenzie, he noticed, couldn’t look at him.

Timothy was suddenly scared.

“Timmy, I’m going to have to go away soon.”

The little boy didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean, Auntie McKenzie?”

“I’ll be starting college in the fall, and it’s very far away.”

Timothy was confused. “College?”

“Big person school,” Carla explained gently.

He suddenly became very suspicious. “Ok…”

Auntie McKenzie suddenly knelt as she often did when speaking to him so she could be at his level. “It means that when I go to big person school, I won’t be able to see you anymore.”

“WHAT!”

McKenzie looked desperately at Carla, who couldn’t provide any help as they both began to tear up once more. “I’m sorry, my little man”

Timothy to wailed loudly, “But I love you, Auntie McKenzie! I don’t want you to go!”

Carla had to look away as the teen tried her best to keep from becoming too emotional. “And I love you, too, Timmy. I don’t want to leave you and your parents, but…”

The boy was becoming increasingly terrified. “Who’s going to take care of me?” he shrieked. The fear of abandonment was real, even if that was the furthest thing from reality, for a child whose father was serving in the military overseas… whose mother regularly worked long, irregular hours… and, now, whose surrogate mother was telling him that she was leaving.

Carla’s eyes were bloodshot but she addressed her son sternly. “You will never be alone, honey.”

The little boy was only slightly consoled. “Auntie McKenzie, can you at least come and see me on the weekends?” he pleaded desperately.

McKenzie sighed mournfully as she had been dreading this day. “I won’t be able to, Timmy. My big person school is so far away that I’ll need to fly in a plane for 5 hours to get there.”

“When is your last day with us?” Carla asked quietly.

“2 months from this Friday. I’m sorry, Mrs. Vandermire. I know Timmy’s dad won’t be home before that, but it’s the best I can do.”

The older woman smiled warmly. “That’s plenty of notice, McKenzie. Thank you for being so considerate. I can take time off from work before Eddie comes home, and my parents should be able to help, too.” She hugged the teen. “You’ve been a godsend to us, McKenzie. To me and my husband, and to Timothy. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you for the last 2 years. Timothy loves you like a 2nd mother, and Eddie and I love you like the daughter we never had. We hate to see you go, but knew this day was coming. We wish you the best of luck at college and beyond.”

Both women sobbed as they hugged again.

Timothy felt sick. Auntie McKenzie wasn’t dying, but that’s what it felt like. He knew that his life would never be the same, and the concept of loss and change was not something that he was ready to cope with.

McKenzie saw the frightened look on Timothy’s face, and picked him up before his mother could. She tried to keep her tone even. “You and I still have 2 whole months together, Timmy. And we can do so many awesome things in that time!”

“Ok, Auntie McKenzie.” But his tone lacked conviction.

McKenzie pulled him closer and whispered, “You will always be my favorite little man. I will never forget you because you will always be here… and here.” She pressed his tiny hand to her forehead and then to her heart. “I will never forget you, Timmy, because I love you.”

“I’ll never forget you, either, Auntie McKenzie. And I love you, too.”

The young boy and his beloved babysitter savored their final 2 months together. But the day that everyone had been dreading inevitably arrived in what seemed like a blink of the eye. Timothy was screaming and wailing as McKenzie tried to say her final good-bye. He clutched onto her so tightly that his nails dug into her flesh, and Carla had to pry him off.

“Good-bye, my sweet little man. I head the greatest time with you.” McKenzie wanted to say something profound and meaningful as the boy begged her not to leave, but her words felt hollow. She tried to steel herself as she nodded to Carla one final time, and turned away from Timmy as his mother held him back.

This was not a bittersweet moment for McKenzie; there was no silver lining. She felt even worse than she had anticipated. And her pain rivalled Timmy’s and she hurried into her car and drove off, leaving the people whom she loved like her family.

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Fifteen years later…

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Timothy sighed as he glanced at the clock. Why is the last hour always the most painful? Specifically, the final hour of work on a Friday always seemed to last an eternity. Still, the 21-year-old loved his job and was determined to transition into the weekend on a high note.

He looked at his client.

The Asian woman, who was in her late 40’s but could pass for half her age, flashed the handsome young man her most flirtatious smile. She was currently sitting on a medicine ball hand and gripped weights in each hand. Never taking her eyes off him, the woman slowly extended both arms overhead. And as she completed the lateral press, her considerable breasts stretched tautly in her snug sports bra.

That was on purpose, and her flirty smile broadened even further.

But Timothy, as usual, didn’t take the bait. “Fantastic job, Mrs. Yang. Well, unfortunately, that’s all we have time for today.”

The older woman was visibly crestfallen. She dropped the weights onto the padded floor and rose from the medicine ball. “I always enjoy working with you, Timothy, and our sessions are the highlight of my week.” She casually drew closer to him. “My husband won’t be home for another 45 minutes. Maybe you can give me… an extended session?”

The innuendo was clear.

Timothy sighed inwardly. Mrs. Yang’s come-ons were getting tedious, and he wondered if he might need to drop her as a client. Sure, she was easily the arguably the hottest female he worked with, and he had no doubts that the woman was devious enough to hide an affair from her husband. But that’s not the way the young man was wired.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Yang, but our time is up. I’ll pack of my things and go. See you next week.”

The older woman pouted but Timothy pretended not to notice.

Timothy sighed as he entered his car and drove off. But after a block, he chuckled humorously. Working as a visiting personal trainer in these affluent neighborhoods paid well but he had realized, very early on, that it could be more than just a source of income if he chose. He had countless woman of all ages as his clients, a surprising number who were very beautiful, very lonely, and very, very horny.

But Timothy wasn’t that type of person; he even avoided getting too friendly with his attractive female clients who were single.

The married women were the ones who didn’t like taking “no” for an answer. Whether it was because they were unfulfilled in their marriages or just bored, Timothy didn’t know and made it a point not to find out. The only questions he asked were those that strictly pertained to their training programs.

As he approached the townhouse that he shared with a roommate, Timothy idly thought about Mrs. Yang. The fact that he behaved around his married female customers did NOT mean that he didn’t fantasize about them. My god, she has a fantastic body. He dreamily recalled the way her tits looked so perfect in a tight sports bra… the way they ALWAYS looked so perfect in a tight sports bra!

It didn’t matter that Mrs. Yang was old enough to be his mother; Timothy appreciated beautiful women regardless of their age.

He also had a strong affinity for Asian women.

Timothy’s thoughts wandered inward as he pulled to a halt at a stoplight.

McKenzie…

It was strange how he still thought of his former babysitter after all this time. He’d periodically browse through pictures that his parents had taken of them. As a child, he didn’t notice or appreciate the girl’s exotic beauty. But it wasn’t primarily McKenzie’s appearance that was still making an impression on him 15 years later.

Timothy could still remember the way her hair smelled and the firmness of her chest whenever she had held him close.

But most importantly, Timothy could still vividly recall the way McKenzie made him FEEL. The way the girl could make him feel safe, happy, and loved which were the only things that that he wanted as a child. All the scrapes and falls he suffered as a young boy… all the times the world seemed to be ending when his 4-year-old self couldn’t find his favorite toy… Timothy never forgot how “Auntie McKenzie” could make everything right with just a few words or a smile.

And he could still recall his heartbreak when McKenzie went off to college.

It was those lasting emotions that continued to haunt Timothy, and made him unable to forget about his former babysitter.

So weird.

Timothy parked his car and, as he had been doing more often lately, wondered about McKenzie: where she was, what she was doing now. Regardless, he just hoped that the girl was happy and heathy. No… not a girl anymore…a WOMAN, the young man corrected himself.

McKenzie was in her early 30’s now… 32, he calculated.

Timothy turned off the ignition and berated himself. You’re an idiot! You’re pathetic! Why was he pining over a woman whom he hadn’t seen since he was five years old when there were plenty of hot females available? The young man never had any problems attracting the opposite sex.

But McKenzie… why had he been thinking about her so much lately?

Most likely it was because he was newly single, Timothy thought ruefully. He had broken up with his girlfriend last week after they had been dating for almost a year. Timothy couldn’t really articulate why things with Renee didn’t work out; there was no 3rd party involved. All he could surmise was that their relationship had simply run its course.

Just like with every romantic relationship he had ever been in.

Timothy was still searching for that elusive “someone”.

Timothy was muttering at himself when he entered his rental townhouse. His roommate Gary was strewn out on the couch, and staring intently at his cell phone. Gary was usually in the same position whenever Timothy came home. And if he wasn’t on the couch tapping away on his cellphone then he was in bedroom playing video games online. Gary led a fairly sedentary life and was a huge slob, behaviors which Timothy frowned upon.

Though their lifestyles different, the young men’s personalities weren’t TOO dissimilar, and they had quickly become good friends.

“Hey, Gary.”

“Yo, Tim-may! How’s the personal training going?”

“Good. Spent half the day driving to these huge mansions that I’ll never be able to afford, but at least I’m getting paid, right?”

Gary sat up and grinned. “What you really meant to say is, at least you’re getting paid to put your hands on a plethora of hot, half-naked women!”

“I don’t touch them all the time,” Timothy corrected. “Only when they need that extra hands-on instruction.”

“Man, I don’t get you. You come home almost every day with stories about how these rich, beautiful women are, literally, throwing themselves at you, and you haven’t banged any of them yet!”

“Dude, the last thing I need is for some jealous husband to come after me because I slept with his wife.”

“It’s always the married women who want that extra something on the side, huh?”

Timothy nodded in agreement. “It’s always the married women.”

“Damn, I’ll be they’re really kinky in bed, too.”

Gary suddenly turned his attention back to his phone and resumed typing. Normally, Timothy would’ve commented that he was spending too much time on his phone, but for some reason, he decided to ask, “What are you doing?”

Gary looked up and paused in surprise; his roommate never asked him what he was doing on his phone. “Just checking social media… and chatting with an old friend whom I haven’t seen in a while.”

Timothy raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yea, met this girl at summer camp when I was 12. Man, I really liked her. I decided to look her up online, and found her pretty easily. It’s cool to reconnect, you know?”

“You found her just like that?”

“Just like that.”

While Timothy did not use social media and disliked the mere thought of it, he had, of course, considered using it many times to find McKenzie. But he had always resisted. He figured that his attempts would prove futile because his former babysitter probably didn’t even have a social media profile.

At least, that what he constantly told himself.

The truth was, Timothy was afraid.

Afraid that he wouldn’t be able to find McKenzie.

Afraid that he might come across as a deranged stalker if he actually found her.

Afraid that McKenzie would dismiss him disdainfully once he connected with her.

But most of all, Timothy was afraid that McKenzie wouldn’t be the same person whom he remembered.

He began to second-guess himself. He was just 5 when she went off to college, after all. Who was to say which of his memories pertaining to his former babysitter were accurate, and which were concocted by his mind? Though it was depressing to even consider it, maybe McKenzie was never the girl whom he remembered and idolized.

That thought especially scared him; he did not want to shatter his happy childhood memories.

But what if I can actually find her again…

“You ok?”

Gary snapped him from his deep thoughts. “Yea. Sorry, man. It’s just been a long day.”

“I’d be exhausted staring at half-naked women all day, too.”

They chuckled as Timothy headed to his room.

“Hey, we’re still meeting the crew at Charlie’s tonight, right?” Charlie’s was the local dive bar where the young men routinely hung out with their friends.

“Yup,” Timothy responded. “At our usual time. 10 o’clock.”

He fist-bumped his roommate then retreated to his bedroom. Stripping off his sweaty clothes, he then entered the shower. And as he stood beneath the cascade of warm water, the young man gave much thought to looking up McKenzie on social media.

What’s the worst thing that can happen? Timothy asked himself. Either you don’t find her, or she gets creeped out and doesn’t want to talk to you ever again.

He profusely hoped it wouldn’t be the latter.

Timothy was so anxious that he was still wearing a towel around his waist and hadn’t fully dried himself when he opened his laptop and created a perfunctory profile on a popular social media platform. His heart began to beat faster as he typed in McKenzie’s full name and waited for the app to finish its search.

She’s probably not even on here… and maybe it won’t even matter if she is. She could be living in some other country. Timothy was doing anything he could to prepare himself for disappointment.

And there she was… just like that.

He was staring at McKenzie’s headshot on his laptop.

His former babysitter looked different… and, yet, she didn’t. Her face was slightly fuller in a more grown-up sort of way— it had been 15 years, after all— but everything else her was still the same.

That bright smile…

Those deep brown exotic eyes…

McKenzie was exactly the way he remembered them.

He didn’t understand why he was suddenly overcome with a myriad of emotions. Happiness. Longing. Heartbreak. A sense of victory that he had found her.

Timothy caught himself smiling at McKenzie’s profile pic.

But despite this victorious moment, he hesitated in sending his former babysitter a message. Will she think I’m a stalker? A pathetic loser? What would he even say to her after all these years?

Eventually, however, Timothy eventually found the courage to begin a short, simple message.

Hi, McKenzie. This is Timothy…

And after an agonizing day, during which Timothy forced himself not to constantly check his social media messages and told himself that just because McKenzie possessed an online profile didn’t mean that it was active, he received a response.

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Timothy was so anxious that he wanted to stand up and start pacing. His mouth was dry and his hands were shaking. He stared at the entrance of the coffee shop where he waited for McKenzie.

They had exchanged several messages after he contacted her 2 weeks ago, and she actually seemed happy that he had found her! And though McKenzie had moved several times since high school, Timothy couldn’t believe that now lived only about 2 hours away. They were excited to see each other again, and quickly agreed to meet at a halfway point. He was more than happy to let her choose the time and location.

Timothy’s eyes widened when McKenzie appeared.

The Asian woman’s hair was slightly shorter compared to 15 years ago but it was still silky black and layered. And those brown, almond-shaped eyes, poignant cheekbones, and naturally tan skin were as striking as he remembered. McKenzie had physically matured, and though she was definitely a woman now, she still possessed the athletic, gangly body of a teenager.

Time had been very good to her.

Then Timothy noticed what his former babysitter was wearing.

McKenzie was wearing a tight dress that was the perfect combination of classy and provocative. It was long-sleeved with a skirt that ran low to her calves. And black high heels were a perfect complement to the outfit.

It wasn’t the form-fitting nature of McKenzie’s dress, however, that caught Timothy’s attention the most, but rather its color. The fabric was a tan, and almost the same complexion as her skin to the point that where it appeared as though the woman had strolled into the coffee shop naked! In fact, he had done a double-take when he first saw her.

Still, Timothy couldn’t help but admire the way the dress hugged McKenzie’s body so snugly. It stretched over her form like a thin film, highlighting every feminine curve— her shoulders and hips as well as her breasts and bottom— in the most flattering way. As the young man glossed over her perfect figure, he realized that he remembered each one of those curves as if they were long lost friends whom he was getting reacquainted with, as well.

McKenzie’s curves didn’t have the same effect on him as a child as it was having on him in the present.

McKenzie may have looked nearly the same after 15 years, but Timothy never actually processed that she was THIS beautiful until now.

Timothy gazed at her in wonder; nor was he the only male in the coffee shop staring at her. But he suddenly experienced a strange guilt viewing McKenzie in this light. This was, after all, the woman who had been like a 2nd mother to him when he was a child.

But when McKenzie’s familiar brown eyes fell upon him, Timothy’s heart practically stopped.

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McKenzie couldn’t believe how delighted she was when Little Timmy found her via social media! No… he’s not “Little Timmy” anymore! She had to remind herself that the sweet boy whom she used to babysit so long ago was a grown man now!

Had it really been 15 years?

Though she was delightfully surprised when she first heard from Timothy, the fast-paced craziness of her life had nearly snuffed out that joy. McKenzie had many things going on, both internally and externally, and despite her eagerness to reconnect, she suspected she would’ve forgotten about their planned get-together had she not marked it on her cell phone calendar. The past year had been especially brutal; her personal life was in shambles and she had cried herself to sleep more times than she could remember. And while she was extremely well compensated at a job that she loved, that, too didn’t come without its own stress and tradeoffs.

That was part of the reason why McKenzie was so happy to hear from Timmy; it was a bright moment in an otherwise dark time in her life.

Not Timmy… TIMOTHY!

But as McKenzie entered the coffee shop where the young man presumably waited for her, her mind was partially preoccupied with other matters. There was so much going on in her life, so many things that she had to do, that she felt harried. Had McKenzie been coming to meet anyone but a fondly-recalled long-lost acquaintance, she would’ve cancelled. And even still, she felt guilty coming to meet Timothy with her mind elsewhere.

McKenzie halted as she entered the coffee shop and scanned the patrons. People glanced at her from all directions… men smiling flirtatiously and women studying her with open hostility… but the beautiful Asian woman pretended not to notice. McKenzie, in the most modest way possible, was used to that type of attention.

She froze as she noticed a particular man gaping at her.

Normally, McKenzie would’ve politely ignored him, but something about him caught her attention. He was tall— she estimated that he was around 6’2”— extremely broad-shouldered, and EXTREMELY gorgeous. The woman was particularly impressed by the way the stranger took care of his body, though she didn’t care for the shaggy blonde hair that made it appear as though he just rolled out of bed.

McKenzie quickly scanned his handsome but youthful face and realized that he was probably more boy than man in terms of age.

But those eyes… those deep baby blue eyes…

There was something very familiar about them.

McKenzie’s own eyes widened as she and the young man stared at each other. And as they remained rooted in place, their expressions mirrored the same caution, hopefulness, and disbelief. There was only a short distance between them, but it felt like miles.

McKenzie realized that she had been holding her breath. But when the gorgeous young man didn’t rise and remained gawking at her with a dumbfounded expression, the woman slowly approached. She drew close to him and discovered that he was holding his breath, too.

“Timmy?” McKenzie asked cautiously.

When the young man didn’t react, the Asian woman blushed in embarrassment. She was about to stammer an apology when his face suddenly split into a broad grin. McKenzie felt her heart instantly melt as there was genuine joy and happiness behind his expression. And when the young man bolted up from his chair, she realized that he was much, much taller and way more muscular than she had assumed.

“McKenzie!”

******************************************************************************

The pair hugged excitedly.

“Timmy… omigod, Timmy! It’s you! It’s really you!”

“I can’t believe you’re here! I didn’t think… I kept hoping that…” He stumbled over his words until he cut himself off and regarded her helplessly.

But McKenzie laughed that same musical laugh that Timothy had never forgotten. And she hugged him even tighter. Their embraced lingered for a long moment.

God, you’re GORGEOUS! You smell so good… you feel so incredible.

The young man mentally chastised himself for thinking indecent thoughts, and slowly pulled back. But as he peered down at his former babysitter, he began to grin foolishly. Then, unable to contain himself, Timothy chuckled.

McKenzie was bemused. “What?”

“Uh, it’s nothing.”

She slugged him playfully in the shoulder as if they were lifelong friends who had just seen each other yesterday. “Yea, right. Tell me!”

Timothy was so oddly giddy that he had to compose himself. Finally, he stated, “It’s just really good to see you, McKenzie.”

She arched one eyebrow. “And?”

“And,” the young man began sheepishly. “Well, it’s just that… it’s just that you’re a lot shorter than I remember. I used to think that you were a giant!”

Timothy immediately regretted his oafish comment, but McKenzie merely laughed again. “Well, yea! It’s because I stopped growing at 17 while you sprouted another 3 feet!” She looked up at Timothy who stood well over 6 inches taller than her. Then the Asian woman became serious as she looked at the young man as if seeing him for the first time. “You’ve grown up, Timmy. I have to stop thinking of you as a little boy.” McKenzie’s declaration was grave and quiet, and the young man felt himself grow warm. Then he grew even warmer as she added, “You look great.”

Timothy responded, without thinking, in a dreamy tone, “And you look exactly as I remember.”

McKenzie blushed girlishly and inclined her head in thanks. “Let’s sit. We have so much catching-up to do. I want to know what you’ve been up to for the last 15 years.”

They sat down.

******************************************************************************

Timothy recapped his life after McKenzie left for college, filling her in about his childhood, briefly glossing over his high school and teenage years, and mentioning the more momentous events in his life. He didn’t believe that his past was particularly interesting, and was more eager to hear what McKenzie had to say. And when she opened her mouth, Timothy found himself practically hanging on her every word.

The first thing McKenzie asked about was his parents. He informed her that they had moved to Florida over 2 years ago, and McKenzie was delighted to hear that they were both healthy and doing well. She still considered them family.

“You have to let them know that I was asking about them,” begged the woman, to which Timothy promised that he would.

Then McKenzie began detailing her personal life. After she stopped babysitting Timothy, she attended college, literally across the country in Southern California. Growing up in New York and having never travelled beyond the Midwest, Timothy conjured images of the bright sun, crowded beaches, and gorgeous 6-foot blondes in 2-piece bikinis as he pictured what life must be like on the West Coast. But he became attentive to McKenzie again as she proceeded with the details of her life.

“… so after I graduated from college with an engineering degree, I stayed in California to get my PhD in biomedical engineering.” Timothy found it extremely endearing— and somewhat sexy— how McKenzie’s voice took on a scholarly tone as she spoke about her education. “It was right before I entered graduate school when parents moved out of New York and relocated to Arizona to be closer to my grandparents from my mother’s side of the family.”

Timothy suddenly recalled vague memories of his parents informing him that McKenzie’s parents were moving out of state. And, subsequently, he had a recollection that, as a child, he interpreted that McKenzie’s parents moving far away meant that he would have an even less chance of seeing her again. It was strange that he didn’t remember any of it until now.

Timothy mocked himself: Maybe I’ve been repressing these memories.

“I now work for a major medical company with a dual specialty in advanced prosthetics, and R & D in artificial hip and knee joints.”

McKenzie couldn’t help but smile broadly. College and postgraduate school had been EXTREMELY grueling, and she was very proud that her hard work and academic achievements had led her to a career that was her true calling in life. But as she opened her mouth to continue, she noticed that Timothy had a glazed look on his face. He had been paying attention, but his expression turned from thoughtful to confused.

“You know, McKenzie. I get that you were in school for a long time and that you’re really, really smart. But you lost me with the other stuff.”

McKenzie blushed. She wasn’t trying to belittle him, not that Timothy took it that way.

“I know what prosthetics and artificial joints are, but ‘R & D’?”

“Research and development.”

“Oh, right.”

The Asian woman was suddenly embarrassed. “What about you, Timmy? What type of work do you do?”

“Nothing nearly as cool or badass as you. I dropped out of college during my first year because it wasn’t for me. I eventually got into personal training, and have been doing it ever since. My first job was at a local gym, but after a year or so I started my own travelling business. Now I do personal training in people’s homes.”

Timothy unconsciously looked down at the old concert T-shirt, ripped jeans, and sneakers he was wearing and suddenly felt inadequate before McKenzie, who was dressed suavely yet professionally and looked as though she could be on her way to a modelling shoot. There was such a disparity between their appearance and education as well. He suddenly felt embarrassed.

The Asian woman sensed the change in his demeanor. “Do you enjoy what you do?”

“I love it.”

“And is it enough to pay the bills?”

“Barely.”

“Then we’re both extremely lucky to be doing what we enjoy for a living.”

Her soothing words immediately made Timothy feel better, as if he was a child again, and he nodded in agreement before grinning boyishly. “One major benefit to my job is that I do get to work very closely with a lot of beautiful women.”

“Oh, really? How many of them have you… um, dated?”

“None.”

McKenzie was surprised. Though she had never been even remotely promiscuous, the woman still remembered what it was like to be young. And Timothy was young and very handsome to the point where he could attract any girl he desired. McKenzie found herself curiously probing him about his personal life, and he proceeded to discuss it openly.

Timothy, it seemed, had a healthy dating history.

Though McKenzie normally considered such topics distasteful, Timothy talked about his extensive love life in a modest way that most other men would’ve bragged about. Timothy recounted his past girlfriends respectfully, and excluded the graphic details, much to her relief. There was even something innocent about the way he described his casual flings. The woman didn’t necessarily agree with that type of behavior, but found herself listening to Timothy almost wistfully.

Oh, to be young and carefree again!

Timothy abruptly felt self-conscious as he realized that he had been talking for a considerable amount of time. “What else about you, McKenzie? Are you married? Dating?” He did not possess any ill intent, and was simply curious and wanting to make polite conversation. But her expression immediately darkened. The young man quickly stammered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I wasn’t trying—”

But McKenzie’s features became even more pained, and she began to sob.

Timothy was horrified!

But before he could apologize again McKenzie halted him. “It’s ok, Timmy. Let me explain.” She took a deep breath. “My husband passed away 10 months ago.”

“What! Omigod, McKenzie. I’m so sorry!” Timothy didn’t know what else to say.

McKenzie, however, reached across the table to squeeze his hand. “It’s ok, Timmy. You didn’t know.” She sighed. “My husband’s name was David, and we had been married for almost 7 years. One day, he complained of a headache that ended up lasting for days and, wouldn’t you know, it turned out to be a massive brain tumor.