Josie suggested we reschedule. Although I wasn't upset and was to some degree relieved I asked her why.
She had silenced my call sending me to a voicemail that hadn't been set up. She preferred texting.
"I got my period this morning, which sucks, but I guess probably doesn't suck at all since you insisted on coming inside of me repeatedly."
I didn't know how to respond. "Sorry." I sent her then a second message. "We could still get lunch."
"A blow job in the car? It's a little hot." She sent back.
"No. I just mean lunch. Burgers. I like that place down there that looks like a barn."
"Really?"
"Yes." I hadn't exactly really meant it but now I liked the idea. She could see how really old I was. She could lose whatever bizarre interest she had in me. I could get rid of the temptation she presented by sitting across from her over greasy cheeseburgers. Instead we sat and talked politics and government and I was reminded how much I had enjoyed those classes. By the time we had finished eating she had been taking notes she planned to incorporate into her paper. I told her I wanted a citation. She said she liked that idea and took my business card. I kissed her in a fatherly way when I walked her to her car. She kissed me back far differently and offered to go ahead and give me head in the car even if it was hot. I smiled, declined and went on my way.
I hated that I was looking forward to seeing her again and hated even more how I dressed to take my wife to dinner frustrated because I hadn't heard from her. When Anne and I arrived at our favorite Italian place Marty and Sally were sitting at the end of the bar. Their conversation had looked heated and we were waiting on a table for two when they looked up and waved us over. Hugs were exchanged and when we sat down in the barstools beside them Anne took great effort to wipe away the deep red lipstick Anne had left on my cheek. The hug was pleasant. It had drug on that extra moment that signals something more. I was just beginning to settle into enjoying her warmth against me when she whispered almost silently in my ear. "You are in trouble, my friend." She backed away and gave a look I didn't expect. She was not staring me down like the she would the man fucking her daughter but instead smiled devilishly out of the corner of her mouth. I began to scheme a way to talk to her.
Pleasantries were exchanged and Anne and I both expressed our Jealousy at having yet again missed Bob Seeger. He is a favorite. We discussed the kids briefly and I had to look away as Marty sighed exasperatedly at the mention of his wayward daughter. Dinner was discussed. They had planned to eat at the bar. Anne, I thought overly relieved to have someone else to talk to coaxed them to eat with us and the bartender changed our request for a table for two to a table for four.
"I'm going to sneak outside before we eat." Sally said. I felt as though she said it directly to me and I took the hint asking if she could lend me a cigarette. She sneered a bit in protest but after pulling a pack of cigarettes and a lighter she took my by the arm to lead me outside of the restaurant to where the ashtray sat in the parking lot.
She looked up at me intently before she said anything. She was accusatory but not necessarily mad. I was the child that stole cookies. I was in trouble but I wasn't going to get sent to bed without dinner.
"He thinks you were kidding." She said finally.
"I'm almost always kidding."
"You're a big boy. I'm not married to you. I don't care who she is. I guess I should be mad you used my bed."
"You're bed?"
"I got the condom before he saw it. At least it wasn't a used condom." She was grinning at me.
"You sound mad."
"Me?"
"Jealous?"
