I parked across the street from the house I formally called home. The exterior appeared unchanged after eleven months away. There was a time when I would pull up in this driveway and be filled with joy at the prospect of just being home with my family. Sometimes happiness is but an illusion, as I so painfully discovered.
As I sat there staring at 2200 Sycamore Drive, memories flooded my mind; memories I'd tried so hard to block out for nearly a year. When I had left, I was resolute that I would never return. However, I couldn't miss my son's college graduation. The old axiom "out of sight, out of mind" didn't come close to being true for me. All this time away did little to heal the pain in my heart.
At present, when I remember how it all started, it was almost a year ago on a Friday when it all began... the destruction of my marriage... all those lies and betrayals. Paula truly pulled the wool over my eyes. Thankfully, I was no longer blind.
-oOo-
One year ago...
Paula and I were about to celebrate our twenty-first wedding anniversary, and as usual I was perplexed as what to buy her. In the past, I would consider a trip, but she wasn't keen on trips any more. The vacations we'd taken didn't exactly work out for her. I wouldn't call her picky, just somewhat selective. The Alaska cruise had been crowded and too cold. The Yosemite trip was too hot and uncomfortable. Once, I rented a camper to see Yellowstone, but driving that monstrous vehicle had made Paula so nervous that she practically needed therapy by the time we returned home. Needless to say, a trip was out of the question. As far as gifts go, she didn't want me to buy jewelry without her choosing it. I learned early on in our marriage to never attempt to buy her clothing—or shoes; that's a story in its self.
Maybe it was because I was frugal, but I always made my own greeting cards, which I did on that occasion. I couldn't see paying five bucks for a nickel card. I had booked reservations for four at the Olive Garden, and I knew without asking that Scott and Susan would be joining us. They were more like family than friends. Paula and I had known them since college. In fact, Scott was best man at our wedding, as I was at theirs.
After all those years together, there wasn't much about any of us that was fresh or new. We were at a point in our friendship where we'd heard all the stories and jokes so many times that we knew them by heart. I can't say our life had become boring, just somewhat... familiar.
In my experience, I didn't believe people accidentally fell into a routine lifestyle, but constructed it one blasé block at a time, opting for the security of the familiar versus the chaos of the unknown. Quite honestly, over the years I had lost the imagination to think outside the box like I did when I was young. When I first met Paula in college, she was a spontaneous wild and crazy girl that surprised me constantly.
But I digress... I opted to take the safe route and bought Paula a gift certificate.
-oOo-
Scott and Susan had arrived on time with a card and bottle of wine. Scott was wearing a hound's tooth sport jacket with tie and charcoal slacks. Susan was adorned in a stunning new outfit that flattered her curvy frame. At the time, I couldn't remember her ever showing that much cleavage. I tried my hardest not to stare, but... I failed.
I shook Scott's hand and kissed Susan with a peck on the lips and said, "You look enchanting." As I held her hand high, she giggled and took a spin.
"Hey, what about me?" Scott said with a smirk.
"Well, you look mighty handsome, stud." I took his hand and raised it up. He also twirled around. We all laughed.
"So, Tony, where is your lovely bride?" Scott asked.
"Paula said she'd be right down. She bought a new outfit and wouldn't let me see it until she was ready. You guys want a drink? I seem to have a bottle of... Chardonnay," I offered, after reading the label.
"I'd be delighted!" Susan beamed. "But Mr. Handsome here needs to drive. Why not save it for after dinner?"
I was about to say something when Scott whistled. I turned in his direction and saw Paula coming down the stairs. She left me... speechless. I could not believe she was the same conservative woman I lived with all these years.
She wore a stunning lavender dress that enhanced her curvaceous body. It hung just above the knee and was cut low enough to display her bountiful assets to their fullest. I was a bit overwhelmed. I knew she was depressed about turning forty last month, but tonight she looked ten years younger. In all our time together, she had never appeared bolder or sexier. From the look on Scott's face, he wholeheartedly agreed.
"Oh my God!" I blurted out. "You're gorgeous!"
She smiled broadly, then proudly posed on the steps with a hand on her hip. I hadn't ever seen her sexier.
It suddenly occurred to me that they were all overdressed for the Olive Garden. Before I could say anything, Paula said, "I know what you're thinking. I canceled your reservations and made some at Conroy's for dining and dancing. When's the last time we all danced? At Josh's wedding?"
"How did you know I made reservations at the Olive Garden?" I asked. "It was supposed to be a secret."
"Because, my dear, you did that last year... and the year before."
"Wait a minute," I said. "You all knew about this change in venue? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Susan answered, "Paula and I went shopping last week for these dresses and planned out this whole evening in advance. It was supposed to be a surprise for you, Tony. Surprise! Happy anniversary!"
"Thanks... I guess. Let me go swap out this sweater for a jacket and tie." I stopped on the stairs to kiss my beautiful wife, but she playfully pushed me away, saying I'd mess up her makeup.
-oOo-
We took separate cars because neither of our hybrid vehicles had adequate leg room in the back seat. During the drive over, I continued to gush over how gorgeous Paula looked. She seemed pleased by the attention. I knew she had put a lot of time into her appearance. However, I couldn't resist asking her, "Are you going without a bra tonight?" I tried to sneak a feel, but she knocked my hand away.
"What do you think?"
"I think you're all natural this evening. Am I right?"
"Well, that's for me to know and for you to find out," she responded with a giggle. "Just try to be the first."
"What is that supposed to mean?" I raised an eyebrow.
She gave me a coy look and grinned. Her whole change in demeanor had all taken me by surprise. I was seeing a playful side of my wife I hadn't seen for many years. Suddenly, I felt off balance and didn't know what to expect. But for some unexplained reason... I liked this bold side of her.
After we parked, I rushed around the car to help Paula out. Her shapely leg emerged first and the hem of her dress rode up to the top edge of her stockings. She seldom wore garters, though whenever she did, it was always incredibly sexy—especially when she'd do it just for me.
That night Paula seemed so much more self-assured. When she stood in heels, her five-seven height seemed closer to my six-foot frame. She looked like a tall leggy model as she strode confidently toward the entrance.
We met Scott and Susan at the host desk. Our table was ready with no waiting. The dining room was elegant with white table cloths and real China and silver service. Scott seated Paula while I seated Susan. I couldn't resist peeking down at Susan's ample bosom as she sat. I had seen her in a bikini dozens of times, but somehow, she seemed sexier. Both Susan and Paula never looked more alluring.
The menu was extensive. At least it was in English, unlike that French restaurant we'd tried a few months ago. After studying our options, we all ended up ordering the special, which was a prime rib dinner with all the fixings.
The girls were busy chatting away when Scott asked me, "So, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"About our ladies—about this evening."
"Well, our wives have never looked better, though I'm a bit nervous about what the plans are for the rest of the evening. Especially after what Paula told me in the car."
"What did she say?" Scott said, moving closer to hear my reply.
