June 10

The next day Greg was surprised to see Sara wearing a Catholic schoolgirl's uniform. He looked at her quizzically.

"It's not my idea! The high school I go to next year is Catholic and we had to get uniforms. They wanted us to wear them at the end of this year to make sure no one picked out 'inappropriate' uniforms."

Greg was hardly alone among men in succumbing to the Catholic Schoolgirl meme. With her hair and complexion, the green and black tartan skirt, the crisp white shirt, knee socks, she was stunning. "Sara, you look beautiful. I'm jealous of all those high school boys"

Sara blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, Greg. Actually my..." she faltered " ...my mother wasn't too happy. She had to pay for it".

Greg knew he would have to handle this delicately. He put his finger to her chin and lifted her head so that she was looking into his eyes. "I had an idea that could help both of us. I can tell you like animals. Do you like dogs?"

"Oh, yes! I wish we could have one but even if we could afford it wouldn't work in our apartment." She said wistfully.

"I thought maybe I could hire you to walk Belzer for me." Greg explained why Belzer couldn't run with him and what the job entailed - the nasty business of picking up after him.

She considered it, biting her lower lip in thought. "Then I would be able to pay you back for the breakfasts." She said speculatively.

Greg hadn't even thought about that but said; "Yes. I figure it would be worth $20 a day so you could pay me back in just one day. But there is one thing, Sara."

She looked at him expectantly.

"I would have to talk your parents to make sure it was ok."

Sara's face clouded at that. She spoke again in that small voice; "My father isn't around anymore. I don't think my mom would care. She's happier when I'm not hanging around the apartment."

"Regardless, I should get her permission. I can tell there is something about your home that troubles you and I am not trying to pry but I think it is necessary. You can give me her phone number and I can call her."

"O-o-kay." She said uncertainly. Then with some more assurance, "I'll tell her I can help pay for the new school and uniform."

"If you think that's best", Greg said. As they talked a bit more he appreciated this new 'schoolgirl' look. He noticed for the first time she was wearing a bra. He wondered if that was part of the school uniform or simply that it was time for that feminine rite of passage. She certainly did not need it but Greg supposed it must be what they call a training bra - the same white as her shirt. It was only vaguely visible but it accentuated her nascent breasts.

They both made an effort to keep track of time so that neither was late. They parted reluctantly but with the promise of a continued, deepening relationship.

That night he sat at the desk in his home office and phoned Sara's mother. The conversation went quickly. He explained the duties and assured her that the job would not impede her schoolwork and that his home was not too far for her to travel to. While not uncaring Sara's mother seemed... distracted, as if she had too many things to worry about and her daughter was able to look after herself.

June 11

They had arranged to meet at the bench as always after his run and then for Sara to come to his place for her new job. She was back to her normal clothes this morning: terrycloth shorts and halter-top. Instead of lingering there they left almost immediately, chatting along the way. It wasn't far to his house. When they arrived he showed her around. She was a little awed at the size.

"All this for just you?" she asked wonderingly.

"Well, me and the dog." It really wasn't that large, a standard 3 bedroom suburban house, but he had added a pool, hot tub and sauna. The deck containing the pool could be enclosed for winter swimming. He supposed compared to an apartment it seemed huge. "Speaking of which - " Greg let Belzer out of the garage. The big mutt and Sara immediately made friends.

He took them both out on to the back deck. "You can walk him down through there", Greg said pointing to the green belt behind the house. "It's a leash free area but you have to keep him on a leash going to and from. He listens fairly well except when he smells a squirrel. Usually an hour or so is enough to keep him happy. And now for the gross part." Greg held out the Baggies for cleaning up after the dog. They both wrinkled their noses at the thought - then broke out in laughter at each other's expressions.

After seeing Sara off on her new duties Greg showered and settled down to get some work done. Fortunately being engrossed in his work it seemed like only minutes passed before they returned. She ran in to the house, with Belzer galloping about.

"That was fun!" she said breathlessly. Her cheeks were flushed, hair flying about. Her eyes sparkled with life. The sheen of perspiration caused her halter-top to cling to her lithe form. Greg had to make a conscious effort to not stare at her breasts. She was braless once again so that he could see the faint outline of her nipples.

Trying to be the stern boss he asked; "Did you take care of... uh... Belzer's business?"

"Yup! I threw in the trashcan by the bus stop. That's nasty!"

Greg reached into my wallet to pay her but she wouldn't have any of it.

"No, no, no. I still owe you $20 for breakfast." It seemed to be a matter of principle for her. Greg relented and even found it endearing. Unfortunately it was almost time for her to go to school. He hadn't thought about how this new arrangement would reduce the amount of time they spent together. Perhaps that was for the best. He sincerely did want to help her out and felt guilt over some of the feelings he had been having.

Sara gave Belzer a hearty belly rub, Greg a fulsome 'See ya' and was out the door.

That night sleep did not come easily for Greg. He tossed and turned restlessly. Even after he did drift off he found his dreams were about Sara. They weren't explicit sex dreams, but rather fleeting images and scenes involving her: a montage of the various memories that seemed to have been seared into his brain. There was the sight of her in the Catholic schoolgirl uniform. The vision he had of her bra covered breasts under the white dress shirt, the sensation of her body against his when she had hugged him; her breasts pushing against his abdomen, the feeling of his hands resting on her back, just above the swell of her buttocks - it all flashed through his unconscious mind. He dreamt of hearing her soft voice, gazing into her lovely eyes, seeing her bewitching, beguiling smile that graced those perfect lips, the memory of her pubescent breasts, nipples straining at the filmy fabric of her shirt...

June 12

When he awoke the next day Greg was at once bothered and warmed by the hazy memories of his dreams. Sara was such a delight that even forgetting her physical charms, he so thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent together.

The problem was he could not forget those physical charms.

One of the unobvious benefits of exercise was it gave him time to reflect, to consider whatever might be weighing on his mind. On his mind this morning was Sara. He was truly torn between his selfish desire and being worthy of her trust. He didn't want to be someone who simply pleased himself regardless of the hurt that might cause. Even if she was willing; even allowing for her maturity; he was the adult. He should look at what is best for her in the long run - not what she might impulsively desire as an inexperienced, vulnerable 12 year old.

He would not - could not - bring himself to sever their friendship, but he would have to vow to himself to always consider what would be best for Sara.

Greg arrived at their bench to discover she was not there. He sat, still mulling over things in his head and feeding the wildlife. Suddenly he felt two hands cover his eyes from behind.

"Guess who!" Greg felt Sara's small hands against his face, her breath on his neck, the clean soap scent of her.

"Ummm... Madame Curie? Amelia Earhart? Boudecia?

"Right! All three times!"

Sara bounded around the bench and bent down to give him a hug. Greg's senses seemed heightened. He imagined he could feel every curve of her body. She was wearing jeans for a change. He was somewhat disappointed that they covered her legs although they followed the shape of her thighs, her legs, closely. With Sara standing in front of him he found he was at eye level with those hips... in the midst of developing. The blue denim of her jeans creased in all the right places, suggesting what was beneath: accentuating.

She sat down next to him, close, so that he could feel her hip touching his.

"But I don't think I know who the last one is." She looked at him with that curiosity he so adored.

"I have to throw in one that you might not know. It keeps you on your toes."

Sara grinned impishly. "Well????" she demanded.

"Ummm... Boudecia was the Celtic warrior queen who fought the Roman occupation of the British Isles."

Greg could see her filing it mentally. "I'll have to look her up." As they sat he noticed the rest of her outfit. Her top was soft pink, with lace trim. He couldn't help but appreciate the slight swell of her breasts. They chatted for a few moments before heading back to his place.

After Sara and Belzer left for their walk Greg decided on a swim to relax his sore muscles. He was still doing laps when they returned. They both came out on to the deck, Sara sat on a lounge chair, Belzer found a good spot to curl up by her feet. She watched Greg's long languid strokes as he swam back and forth. She found herself appraising his physique. Sara thought he really was quite handsome. Oh, far from perfect. His face has few lines but she thought he could easily pass for a man 10 years younger.

Greg saw their return and finished up his swim, climbing out of the pool. Sara handed him his towel so he could dry off. "It must be nice to have your own pool." She said, wistfully.

"It is. You can go for a swim if you want, anytime. Bring your suit next time."

"Really?" she considered "But I don't have time before school." Her face brightened. "School is over at the end of next week!"

"There you go. Consider it a job perk. Speaking of your job..." Greg got his wallet from the house and paid her for her dog walking. She accepted it without question, as it was not charity but payment for her work. She was a prideful person.

June 13 - 15

They fell into a routine of meeting in the park and then strolling leisurely back to his home, chatting idly about anything and everything. At one point they crossed a pedestrian bridge over a babbling brook. Some of the wooden slats were loose and so he held her hand to steady her as they crossed. Afterwards they continued, holding hands. That connection of touch felt right to both. At times their hips brushed. Greg felt the warmth of her body from that ever so slight contact.

On Friday Sara asked if he wanted her to come on the weekend. "If you are free, absolutely!" Greg answered. "I think Belzer misses you. When you leave he gets this woeful hangdog look. Wait! No, that's not Belzer. That's me."

Sara smiled at this. She missed not being with him as well. It was comforting to her to know he felt the same way. "Maybe we could go for a swim?" she asked tentatively.

"For sure. It's supposed to be a scorcher." Greg said.

June 16

On Saturday morning Greg decided to forgo his jog. He had been pushing it rather intensely and figured he needed a recovery day. Before Sara had left on Friday he had arranged for her to come over directly rather meeting in the park. She rang the doorbell bright and early to Belzer's obvious delight. Greg was pleased as well. Sara tossed her knapsack down and Greg saw them both off. He then settled into a lounge chair on the deck with his laptop computer and began to delve into the past week's financial data.

Greg was so engrossed it seemed like only minutes before he heard them return. He looked up to see Belzer romping about and Sara breathless from their 'walk' - which with Belzer was a workout in itself. There was a sheen of perspiration on her fair skin. Her tank top clung to your young form.

"You look like you could use a swim. Did you remember your swim suit?"

"Yup!" Her eyes flashed and danced in the bright sun. "I made sure. Where can I change?"

Once again Greg was overwhelmed by how much her happiness lit up that beautiful face. She almost glowed. "There's a washroom just off the kitchen."

As she disappeared into the house Greg went back to his laptop. At the sound of the sliding door he looked up. He heard it used often, figuratively, but in this instance his jaw literally dropped.

Sara stepped out onto the deck wearing a white two-piece bathing suit. The swimsuit wasn't especially revealing or sexy. It would even be a stretch to call it a bikini. But that modest simplicity made her all the more stunning. The white of the fabric accentuated the pale beauty of her complexion.

Although just five feet tall it seemed that most of her height was in her legs. It gave her movement an awkward, coltish manner; as if she was a little off balance from the new shape her body was growing into. Her skin was a marvel of pale alabaster with the faintest sprinkling of freckles. Long, slender legs widened into adolescent thighs, then widening a little more to her hips that were no longer a girl's but not yet fully those of a woman. The white swimsuit bottom concealed her more intimate charms but he could still see the outline of her pubis - a soft rise from the curve of her abdomen. Those wondrous hips narrowed to a waist with the cutest bellybutton that needed no piercing. Why try to cover up perfection?

The swimsuit top covered her nascent breasts modestly, revealing just the merest hint of her nipples underneath. While the top did not mash her boobs into some artificial display of cleavage, it did accentuate the swelling of her breast that signaled her incipient womanhood.

Her russet hair - turned a golden hue and sparkling in the bright sun - tumbled down past her shoulders in a mass of curls. It framed that adorable elfin face like a lion's mane. Her beautiful lips quivered slightly in nervous embarrassment as if in displaying herself she worried someone might see her flaws. Sara didn't realize she had none.

Greg stared as if in a trance. He thought; "Whoa! Down boy!!" He wasn't referring to Belzer,, who had curled up in the shade. He was relieved that he had the computer on his lap so that his reaction was not in full view.

Nonetheless Sara was aware of his interest and felt flattered by it. "Greg was so nice", she thought and a mature experienced man. That he would find her attractive meant much to her. This was not some silly, immature schoolboy but a man she respected.

She gave him a little wave as if he hadn't been staring at her for what seemed like an hour and stepped up to the pool edge. Greg watched as she executed a perfect shallow dive into the pool. He watched her lithe form slice through the water. His vision of her, distorted by the rippling water, her hair flowing: she swam almost the entire distance of the pool underwater. She broached the surface with a gasp and deep inhalation that swelled her chest, her lungs greedy for air after holding her breath for so long. Momentarily in the transition from water to air, the water sheathed and encased her petite form. She glistened as the light refracted and reflected the water on her skin. She shook her head, sending her hair flailing about spraying droplets all over. The water beaded on her skin and caused her top to cling to those delicate breasts, outlining her nipples more clearly as the cool pool water caused them to stand out.

"That was awesome!" she gasped at the cooling pleasure of her swim.

"Indeed it was" Greg thought himself. He watched nonchalantly as Sara began swimming laps at a more leisurely pace. While admiring the simple beauty of Sara, at the same time he was trying to rein in his physical reaction. He moved the laptop to adjust and camouflage his erection.

Eventually Sara climbed out the pool and shook herself, spraying Belzer with water in a little bit of mischief. The big mutt looked at her with mild annoyance and Sara came to get a towel from the lounge chair next to Greg. He tried to not watch her as she toweled off, keeping his eyes glued to the computer screen but he could see her in his peripheral vision. The human eye evolved to track on movement and she most definitely was moving - in the most delightful manner.

Having dried herself enough Sara sighed and eased back into the lounge chair. "Thank you so much, Greg. That was so refreshing."

"Anytime you want, Sara. It's a pleasure to have you around."

Sara jumped up suddenly as if she had forgotten something. "I need my sun block. This sun is murder on my skin!" Greg watched as she sprinted into the house, her butt wiggling in that rhythmic womanly manner. She Came back with some lotion and proceeded to slather it over all of her exposed skin. And there was much that was exposed. He watched her spread the lotion over her long legs, kneading it into her skin so that her skin once again glistened, this time with that oiled sheen. She worked her way up her thighs to where they disappeared into to her swimsuit bottoms. Next she worked on her belly and chest, moving methodically up her body.

She finished off with her face making sure to get her nose well covered and then her earlobes. She looked over at him. "Seriously, even my earlobes will burn. It's hard being a redhead."

Greg had to suppress a laugh. "I think once the boys start chasing you, you will see the advantage of being a redhead."

"Maybe if they ever stop acting like children." she exclaimed with mild disgust. "Boys!"

They both lay back in the lounge chairs chatting idly with each other. She asked about his work. They talked of serious and weighty issues. They got absolutely silly mocking the latest celebrity scandals. Sometimes they just enjoyed each other's presence in silence, but for the chittering of birds and soft breezes that caressed them with the warm June air.

Eventually Sara turned on her stomach and asked Greg if he would do her back. The request caught Greg somewhat by surprise and he discovered in picking up the sun block that his hand was almost shaking at the prospect. He noticed the lotion was an SPF 50, Greg guessed with that pale skin she would need it. He squirted some of the thick creamy lotion into his hand and began to rub it into her skin...

Her skin! It was a marvel to touch. It was soft and pliable but underneath he felt firmness. He allowed his hands to glide over her shoulder blades, lubricated by the lotion but still with enough friction to arouse. He felt the heat of her skin, warmed by the sun. It radiated through to his hands.

She sighed softly. He could hear her breathing in the quiet. It was almost a purring sound, like a contented cat.

Greg worked his way down Sara's back sliding his hands underneath the strap of her top to fully cover her back. Down, down further he went, rubbing the lotion in small circles into her flawless skin. He reached the small of her back and the swelling of her buttocks. His hand glided over the soft rise to the top of her swimsuit.

Dreamily, Sara murmured: "Don't forget my legs."

Greg obliged, moving down to her ankles. He worked the lotion into her calves. While not an overtly erotic part of the female form, he admired the sight of her glistening calf muscles as he rubbed them softly. And the sensation of touching her was overwhelming. He worked his way up to her thighs, kneading slowly, sensuously. He thought he could hear in her breathing that she was aroused by the sensations as well. He reached her swimsuit bottoms...

With more self-control than he thought existed in the entire universe he forced himself to take his hands off of her thighs. Greg felt a profound sense of loss at the absence of touch. "Get thee behind me", he muttered under his breath.