"Okay folks. Gather round for a second. We need to decide what we're going to do for the next party," John, our host, announced to the assembled guests.
Kelly and I were one of eleven couples, all residents along Pecan Street, in attendance at the current party and we closed around John to discuss the theme for the next gathering. John was essentially the social director for the group, and had managed with his periodic events to create a scene that was unique for suburban life. His large house, at the end of the street in a cul-de-sac, with a pool, hot tub, spacious back yard and outdoor bar made it the ideal gathering spot. He relished the role of host and social leader, and because of his efforts and prodding most of the street residents would get together several times a year.
There were ten core couples that made most of the parties, along with a half-dozen more that would attend on occasion, and supplementing the group were participants from other nearby streets in the neighborhood or friends of residents that would often be invited in.
An interesting thing about the group was that it spanned all age groups. The youngest couple was in their late 20s and the oldest was in their early 60s. Kelly and I were on the younger end of the scale, both being thirty years old. Despite the disparity of ages, everyone got along well and enjoyed letting their hair down, and it was not uncommon for assistance to be needed in getting someone home after an evening of heavy drinking.
"Let's do something wild," Susan, the female partner of one of the forty something couples, blurted out.
"A woman after my own heart!" John replied, with a hearty laugh.
John was also a forty something guy and was tall, barrel chested with a smile that never left his face. He was one of those individuals that was instantly your friend and never met a stranger. Conversely, while John liked to be the center of attention, his diminutive, but very attractive wife Donna seemed to enjoy staying in the background.
"Let's do something fun and different," another of the wives suggested.
"Like what?" John asked the group, as he nodded in agreement to the comment.
John loved playing the part of facilitator, and he was a master at getting the various members of the group to open up and speak their mind. I knew from past discussions like this that he had something in his head, but would let the group dynamics form and then interject his ideas along the way.
"How about a costume party?" Jill, the youngest of the wives, replied.
"I thought we were going to be wild?" one of the men answered.
"Well let's think about this for a moment. Maybe there is a way to put both together. A costume party with a wild theme," John stated.
"Bikinis!" Carl, another husband, yelled which brought a wave of laughter from everyone.
"We're not in college, Carl!" a female voice quickly answered.
"T&A is timeless," Carl replied, bringing a collective groan from the group, and an elbow from his wife.
"What other ideas are out there? I like Jill's suggestion, but maybe it needs something edgy added," John said.
His question was followed by several moments of silence as everyone tried to think of a good idea.
"John, do you have an idea?" Dana, the oldest wife, asked.
"Well I'm just standing here listening and really haven't thought it through, but I was wondering what it would be like if everyone brought a guest?" he answered.
"Well that could be fun," Jill replied.
"How is that wild?" Dana shot back quickly.
"Yeah, I was looking forward to wild," a male voice in the back joined in, causing more laughter.
"Well to answer your question, I was thinking that everyone would bring a guest of the opposite sex," John said with a broad smile.
There was a gasp from the group as his words sunk in and another period of silence ensued.
"We aren't swingers, John. We're too old anyway," Dana finally answered, which broke the tension.
"John, I can see the wheels spinning in your head. What are you thinking?" Dana's husband Sam asked.
"Well like I said I'm kind of making this up as I go, but I was thinking that it could be edgy and fun if everyone asked someone to come with them. It would be a different party for us with half the people being unknown. Doesn't mean there is going to be an orgy here, in fact I'm pretty sure Donna wouldn't allow that," John explained, which brought more laughter, although it also carried some tension.
"That wouldn't be too bad. Craig, you can take Leslie and I can go with Phil," Cary said to her husband.
"Are Leslie and Phil married to each other?" Dana asked.
"Yes, they're our best friends," she replied.
"Well, I'm not positive, but I don't think that's what John has in mind," Dana answered.
There was now confused chatter from most of the group and John suggested a refill of our drinks. Since he had always been the leader, no one wanted to challenge him directly, but I could see trepidation on many faces. When everyone had fresh drinks, John moved to the center and started to speak.
"You know if you guys want to do this I guess there would need to be some rules. Like no husband and wife combinations, no family members, things like that if we want to get the right mix," he said.
"So, John, if I understand the proposal on the table it's that the next party, and we will have to set a date, is to be a costume party and each attendee needs to invite and come with a guest of the opposite sex that is not a family member or a part of an existing couple relationship. Do I have that correct?" Darrell, a very successful attorney in his late thirties and known for his bold manners, summarized for the group.
