I remember the first time I saw them.
I’d moved to San Diego immediately after graduating from high school. While I wouldn’t begin my freshman year until September, I’d found a decent job and I needed the money.
As a side benefit my employer provided membership at a fancy local gym, one I couldn’t have afforded. I was doing chest presses when a class got out in an upstairs studio. About two dozen women and a smattering of guys came down the stairs followed by several women talking animatedly to a striking rail-thin brunette. Standing next to her was a younger woman with the same color hair and same impressive build. Both wore skin-hugging leotards identical in style, although differing in color. As the knot of women moved across the room I overheard enough of the conversation to understand the older woman had been leading a pilates class.
After their entourage dispersed the two women lingered at the front counter talking to the attendant when the younger one noticed me checking them out. Busted, I gave her my best you-caught-me grin. She smiled, said something to the older woman, who turned, held my gaze for a beat, before returning her focus to her companions. A few minutes later, they left.
After finishing with the weights I went to the front desk. The older woman was Theresa Hollins; she taught several classes at the gym. The younger one was her daughter Jennie, a high school senior. The attendant made it clear I wasn’t the first guy who’d asked about them. I checked the schedule; Theresa would lead a steps class in a couple of days.
* * * * *
I was hanging downstairs when they came through the front door. They certainly didn’t mind being identified as mother and daughter, they looked alike, styled their hair the same way, although Jennie’s was longer, and their leotards were differently colored variations of each other. I introduced myself, Mrs. Hollins introduced herself and her daughter, said she hoped I’d enjoy the class.
I soon found out that not only did they look alike, they shared the optimistic up-beat positive personality associated with aerobics instructors and were, as they appeared to be, in superb condition, pushing everyone, encouraging everyone, leaving all but a few in the dust.
* * * * *
After class, along with several others, I walked downstairs with Theresa and Jennie, offered to treat them to bottles of water after the crowd peeled away. Theresa declined, said she had an errand to run, told her daughter she could swing by on the way home and pick her up.
Jennie said sure, she could use a drink.
Two days later we shared a bed. Not too long after that, for the first time in my life, I told a woman I loved her.
* * * * *
I’d never been one for classes at health clubs, preferring to work-out with a buddies or on my own, but couldn’t see how to stop going without offending Mrs. Hollins and if it gave me an excuse to watch my girlfriend and her hot mother covered in thin veneers of sweat stretching and straining in skin-tight leotards, who’d say no to that?