---
title: "When I Became a Cougar"
source: "https://medium.com/crows-feet/when-i-became-a-cougar-34720d1b7301"
author:
  - "[[Deb Fiore]]"
  - "[[LICSW]]"
published: 2024-10-13
created: 2024-10-29
description: "The night I became a cougar was quite the accident. I had no intention of seducing any of my son’s teenage friends. Things just sort of happened. My story was inspired by a wonderful writer, Pam…"
tags:
  - "clippings"
---
For those of you who do not know me, I must tell you that if you look in the dictionary under the word, *prude*, you will find me.

At least, that is how I thought of myself for most of my life. I grew up in a traditional Italian family. My first marriage was to an Italian man who was confused about his responsibility to his family. That’s part of the reason we are divorced.

Lee is my second spouse. He is my knight in shining armor. Lee awakened me in more ways than I can write about here because this is G-rated. He understood more about what I needed than I understood myself.

When I began dating Lee, I was a single mom raising two teenage boys, aged sixteen and eighteen. Lee had two boys who were older by a decade so he understood my boys were my priority. Always.

We kept life G-rated. Lee met my boys, and we all hung out together. After a few years, I knew Lee was a keeper. He began spending more time with my boys and me.

Eventually, Lee would spend the whole weekend. The boys were okay with that. Well, yes, I was somewhat uncomfortable because I was such a prude.

It took a long time before I began to accept the world of a divorcee. I never considered myself overly attractive but Lee thought differently. He insisted that I dress rather provocatively.

Picture mini-skirts, stockings, and garters. I mean, here I was fifty-something and afraid to show off my assets.

Lee told me that was another reason he loved me so much. He was so amazed by my innocence. Can you imagine?

Fast forward to the time when I became a cougar…

Lee and I were going dancing at a local club one night and he expected me to dress my best. I was hesitant because my boys were home when Lee picked me up. I did not want them to see me dressed suggestively.

Most of the time, my boys were out with their friends. Or I would wear my long trench coat. That night, my oldest son, Jay, was staying home. My youngest son, Mark, had friends visiting while they made plans for the night.

When Lee arrived, I greeted him in the living room dressed in my finery. I met several teenage boys waiting for my youngest son, Mark.

I smiled although I felt a bit flustered in my mini-skirt. Introductions were made all around. Then I headed back to my bedroom for the final touch.

Suddenly I was flanked by several young boys asking dating questions. And where we were going dancing. They never stopped talking.

It was a narrow hallway and they were a little too close for comfort.

I heard Jay yelling, “Get away from my mother. You are not allowed in her bedroom!”

I smiled to myself, thinking my son was a bit overprotective. Little did I know he had circumvented their expectations.

Once the boys were cleared away from my bedroom, Jay came inside and shut the door.

“Do you know what just happened, Mom?” I shook my head.

==“Those meatheads thought you were a cougar. Their brains just stopped working!”==

“Is that a good thing? Being a cougar?” I had no idea because I was so naive with all the slang.

After Jay explained the meaning of a cougar, I blushed very hard. Then I burst out laughing. It was amazing to think young teen boys would be interested in me. Imagine? At my age?

Soon Lee came knocking at my door. Jay let him in and explained the situation. Lee was laughing, too. For different reasons, of course.

Lee said, “No one will have you but me. You are way too sexy. I intend to keep you all to myself.”

As we headed out the door, we were still chuckling. Mark looked at us and wondered what had happened. He had no idea what we were laughing about. Mark had missed it all.

It was interesting being labeled a cougar. At first, I was embarrassed, and a bit flustered. Then it sunk in. Others thought I was a sexy mom, not just an old lady. That felt amazing!

Suddenly, I felt like a new woman, more attractive again. I would never act like a cougar with younger men but it felt like a nice compliment.

Lee and I had a wonderful night. We danced and sang. He was extra attentive. We enjoyed every moment of our time together.

We had no idea it would be the last time we would dance together for a very long time.

***I wrote*** [***another story***](https://medium.com/the-memoirist/i-had-the-time-of-my-life-d0b394f88cf3) ***about what happened the following day. Fair warning: It is less fun than the previous story you just read.***