Our morning conversation was as strained and distant as it had been the previous evening. I felt Lila was hurrying through breakfast so she could go to work and get away from me; perhaps get in closer proximity to her young lover, Joshua Hardy.
That reinforced my indignation. I could play this game too. I retrieved the napkin that flirtatious dairy maid Amber had given me with her number on it, and left a voicemail complimenting her great service at the ice cream shop; also expressing interest in the "special treat" we had talked about. I wondered if I would hear back or if Amber was just talk, and would shy away from involvement with an older guy.
The phone rang shortly. "I can't believe you finally called," she said enthusiastically.
"I want to show my appreciation by treating you to dinner, and afterward we could take in a movie or go dancing, or whatever," I told her, emphasizing the last word.
"I can't wait, but have to get a girlfriend to fill in for me at work. Is tomorrow okay?"
Well, she sounded not only willing but eager. And it was not long before she called again, saying her relief was arranged.
"Mom gets wigged out if I'm not back by12, so let's plan enough time for your treat." She emphasized the last word, causing a stirring between my legs. She suggested we meet around 5 p.m. in front of her friend's house, where she could leave her car.
Lila came home that night with carryout dinner for us in a bag. Our conversation was polite and non-committal. She volunteered little, and went off to grade papers or read or something. I streamed a movie, which I could only half-concentrate on. Again, we retired at different times. I purposely brushed my hand against her side, but again received no acknowledgment. We were miles apart beneath the sheets. It had been a week since our last love-making.
Next morning, as we were winding up breakfast, I told her not to expect me back for dinner, that I would be late. She looked at me curiously.
"I've been remembering that saying your mother was fond of, about the goose and gander, and have decided to try some of the same sauce that you're into lately," I told her, trying to keep my voice calm and even.
She frowned, not understanding at first. Then it dawned. "I should have a little more information than that," she said hesitantly.
"You remember Amber, the girl in your class who works at the dairy bar?"
"Amber Siciliano. Yes. But what...? Oh, my god."
"We're going out this evening. For starters, I'm taking her to dinner at that place in Crawfordsville. We'll see where it goes from there."
Her eyes widened as she held my gaze, but her reaction was muted. "I have to go to work," she said, rising from the table. "Guess I'll see you whenever," she said soberly, on her way out the door.
Amber wore an attractive dress, low cut on top, high cut on the bottom, which complimented her ample figure. She looked stunning and older than her 18 years. She also had a tote bag with her, larger than the usual female accessory.
The restaurant we went to was in a town 35 miles away, where it was unlikely anyone would know either of us. Lila and I had stumbled on the place during an outdoor adventure in happier days. It had good food, drink, and other amenities.
"We would like the wine list and will rely on you to recommend the best on the menu," I told the waiter, a guy about 25. "And please think about that. We don't want just a stew made with surplus ingredients on the verge of the trash can." When he came back with the list, I scanned it and ordered an outrageously-priced bottle. The waiter scrutinized Amber, but perhaps just to take in the view, as he did not ask for proof of age.
Amber was impressed.
"You've got influence," she said after the waiter left.
"You're a beautiful young woman with an older guy prepared to spend some bucks and tip well," I replied. "And you're very mature and dazzling. His eyes were too busy undressing you to tell his mouth to ask for proof of age."
She giggled.
As our equally-expensive meal was ending, a band began playing. Amber stood up, the glow from a couple glasses of wine amplifying her pretty face, and suggested we "get our swerve on."
I'm not a great dancer but was able to keep up with her on the slower numbers. Seeing my difficulty on the more swervy ones, some young dudes at the next table who had been eyeballing Amber stepped in. They took turns stepping, swirling, and lightly grinding with her. I was fine with that, as I did not want to appear anything less than suave and confident. And I enjoyed watching her dress come up around her shapely thighs on the quick movements. I moved back in on the numbers requiring nothing more than holding her tightly while moving slowly.
I ordered two more bottles of wine for us and the guys at the next table. In between dances, Amber asked me questions about journalism and volunteered information about her life, which seemed to center around the dairy bar owned by her parents, and the high school with its star athletes, theatrical performers, and teachers. She "was just about grooved in" on a college the following year, but would hate to leave her friends and family.
Amber seemed to enjoy the evening, but at 9 o'clock, while we were doing a slow dance, she lifted her head off my shoulder, observed my left wrist, and pointed out the time on my watch.
"This has been great," she said, "but I really want to give you that special dessert I promised," she said with a coy smile, batting her eyes in a sultry manner that would have done credit to a movie siren.
After a week of sexual drought, I did not need more encouragement.
The Deerdale Motel was an older motor court, with tiny detached cottages. It did not look like much on the outside, but the pickings were thin in Crawfordsville, and it did have an attractive layout, the units abutting a small stream. The alternative would be a tacky highway interchange motel some miles away. I stopped at the Deerdale and asked Amber what she thought of it. She nodded enthusiastically, an anticipatory smile in place.
I found the office and asked to see one of the units, which looked basic but reasonably clean. The night manager, observing Amber, asked how long we anticipated "needing the room," and I candidly responded only a couple of hours. With a slight smile, he said if he was not in the office when we wanted to check out to just leave the key on the counter.