The River

By Peggy Buxton

Not since seeing the amputee woman in Dave's department had Bob been camping with him. Thoughts about such women were old but about this one were dashed when he learned that she lived with an amputee girlfriend. Dave mentioned his wife enjoyed often meeting with them for lunch, sparking new fantasies of having matching interests with Judy. He did not realize just how close they might be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peggy Buxton
• Release date: Oct 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465739339

Peggy Buxton

Author, wife, lover, and amputee. I have been missing my left leg for years. Growing up I felt that it should not be there, and it is has been a blessing to have it gone. Today's term for this condition is BIID and in the past simply referred to as being a 'wannabe'. I am a full-time crutch user. Like my husband, I find amputees fascinating. 'Devotee' is the frequently used term. My stories have characters that mirror my life in some manner - wanted/needed to be an amputee or want to live with an amputee. I make no apology for my descriptions of these people and there is no intent to take away from the suffering of some amputees. I love feedback on the stories, but I cannot promise to reply.

Book preview

The River

Peggy Buxton

Copyright 2011 by Peggy Buxton

Smashwords Edition

* * *

Bob and Dave sat beside the gently moving stream. Tall pine trees offered plenty of shade and the aroma of warm pine needles at their base. The fishing rods still sat beside the tackle boxes, probably unused for the rest of the day. Instead, they both worked on another bottle of beer.

Hard week, Bob groaned.

They worked at Johnson Consulting, a software development company. Bob was an engineer and Dave worked in sales. Through drinks after work and an occasional weekend by the river, they had become good friends away from work. Bob had been to Dave and Judy's house for dinner and barbeque numerous times.

Feels good to be away from everything, Dave finally said, shifting his sitting position against a large tree.

Bob finished the beer and dropped the bottle in a bag of empties. He walked to the edge of the water to watch for several minutes. Finally, he waded out until the water was up to his knees then dove in. Dave was jealous of Bob, still single and ten years younger. He had married Judy a few years before. She was closer to Bob's age. Usually, things were good at home. The occasional weekend away helped.

Dave pulled his shirt off and joined Bob for a swim.

Do you ever regret marrying Judy? Bob asked now standing in waist deep water. His hands playfully splashed.

Sometimes I see a woman and wonder. Dave dipped low until neck deep. Why?

No reason...just asking.

Don't get me wrong. I love her. Maybe it is a bit of wanderlust. I bet women feel that way too.

Could be.

Have you had any relationships that lasted very long?

A year is about the longest. Work always seems to get in the way. I guess I'm too willing to sit in front of a monitor and work on software.

Bob began to float on his back with arms stretched out. After a several minutes of silence, he stood again.

Who is that new woman in sales? Bob asked.

Huh?

The one missing a leg.

Sandy...she started a month ago as a clerk. We sent her to the Westside office for some training.

Oh, just curious. You don't see that much, a woman with one leg.

Ha, Sandy's girlfriend is missing a leg too.

Girlfriend?

Lesbians. Dave grinned. Imagine watching them in bed. He splashed lightly with his hands then stood up. "We had them over when Sandy first started, you know, welcome to the town and company kind of thing."

How did that workout?

Fine. They moved from, ah, I don't remember. Did she spark some interest?

Nah, besides it sounds as though I'm the wrong gender.

Bob waded back to the edge then grabbed another beer. He sat cross-legged and sipped. He thought about Sandy, even her girlfriend. He was interested, but there was no way to tell Dave, or anyone.

Judy sat across from Sandy and Karen at the courtyard cafe. A pile of crutches rested between the two amputees. The waitress had just filled the cups with coffee and taken the breakfast orders.

I love it when Dave goes away for the weekend. Don't tell him. Judy giggled.

We had a nice time that first night, Sandy said. We know he had to invite us. Thanks for suggesting we meet again.

For sure, Karen added. We're still getting to know our way around town. People give us odd looks.

It's not often you see two women together each missing a leg. Judy grinned. If I was.... She sipped the coffee and did not finish the thought.

We probably would be together regardless, but it adds a new dimension to the relationship. Sandy smiled at Karen. Have you known any amputees?

My fifth grade teacher...Miss Conner. Then in college I dated a woman missing a leg for most of my junior year.

How did that get started?

Julie was my roommate in a two person dorm room. I guess one night we needed each other. At the end of the year, she dropped out and moved to South America. I often wonder what would have happened if she had not.

Maybe you would still be together, Karen said.

Probably. She was easy to be with, almost like soul mates.

And you didn't mind she was missing a leg?

Hardly. Judy laughed. It reminded me of how I felt in the fifth grade.

Hamburgers cooked in the skillet on the camp stove. Bob fixed a salad while Dave waited to flip the meat. The early evening was still warm, but it was obvious the temperature was dropping.

Man, great day, Dave said. Thanks for doing this.

Sure. It feels good, two guys out in the wild.

"This is hardly the wild. The car is parked fifty feet away." He laughed.

Yeah. Maybe I exaggerated.

They carried the paper plates closer to the water and sat. Bob returned with two bottles of beer.

Read my mind, Dave said, taking a bottle.

You asked if Sandy interested me, did she do anything for you?

Nope. I love my women with two long legs.

What'd that be like?

Being with a one-legged chick? Dave asked rhetorically. I don't know, and I haven't wondered.

I once read a story where some guy dated only women like that. I wonder if lesbians seek out amputees too.

Why? What's the attraction?

In the story they made it seem that it wasn't much different than going after redheads or buxom women.

Give me some double-dees and I'm happy.

But Judy has smaller boobs.

"I know, what was I thinking? He laughed. She's got fine legs though. You've seen her in high-heels. Wow!"

Yup, for sure. Bob leaned back lightly on one hand and sipped the beer. Do you think most guys would not want to date someone like Sandy?

No way of knowing. Why?

No reason. I was just curious.

What if she were missing both legs or an arm, would that appeal to you just as much?

"I didn't say she appealed to me. I was just making conversation...probably wouldn't have brought it up if I hadn't seen her. Geez-z." Bob took a big swig.

Sorry. Dave's lips pulled at the bottle. If I had one leg?

Yeah Dave, that's it. I'd suck you off big time. Damn, I wish I hadn't said anything. Can we just the fuck talk about something else?

What kind of woman do you prefer?

Clone Judy and I'd be happy.

Bob reclined and looked up at the moon through a gap in the trees. It reminded him of a Boy Scout camp out. Sam was missing a leg and had shared the tent. That night Sam slept on top of the sleeping bag in his briefs, the stump in sight for Bob to stare. It had been the closest he had come to wanting another guy.

She has a twin sister, Dave whispered.

You're pulling my leg.

If I wasn't?

I'd tie you to a tree until you gave me her phone number.

Bob thought about his mother's slightly older friend about the same time as camping with Sam. She had been missing a leg. Even now, she was still strangely erotic. He had seen her stump when she went swimming at the beach with him and his mother.

When he looked over, Dave had a hand in his pants.

Didn't you ever jack off in front of another guy? Dave asked.

Who hasn't? Bob laughed, trying to cover up the lie.

Bob didn't know whether it was all of the beer talking or if Dave might be suggesting something. Sam had suggested something similar. Bob had wondered if Sam might have been gay. He never asked.

Bob rolled onto his side. "Man, if you had one leg I'd let you fuck me in the