// Dedicated to LEAGEL, my wonderful editor//
My name is of no importance. In this story I wasn't the hero, I wasn't even an extra. Yes, it is true that I had a part in this play. But for me the most important thing was to be there and to let it all happen.
My wife Anastasia and I live in Denmark. I work in an international technology company. She is a scientist, a researcher in the university. We are both in our 40's.
Anastasia is what many may consider a classic Russian beauty. A tall brunette with great almond shaped, brown eyes. If you look carefully at the shape of her face, you can tell that some of her remote ancestors had a taste for the women of the orient. Her soft, olive skin beautifully covers a full developed musculature. Like a good Russian wife Anastasia takes good care of her body. She is merciless when it comes to extra pounds, and diets with an iron will while maintaining a regimen of regular exercise.
So it was no wonder that many young guys turned their heads, as we walked to the pool of our hotel in Orlando, Florida. Large sunglasses covered her eyes, but everybody could note her broad, self-conscious smile, while she padded, slowly like a big, dangerous cat, stunning in her tight bikini. She always enjoyed such visible admiration. But as alluring as she seemed, between her perky breasts hung, like a warning sign, a golden cross. A Russian lady can be very coquettish, but it doesn't mean that she is an easy prey. I had never had a reason to be jealous about Anastasia, because I know that her eye-catching appearance was part of her game. She let men look at her, but never gave them any hope. Besides, she was a good Orthodox, so the cross wasn't just a decoration. She believes that matrimony is sacred. No flirting, just display! And if admirers didn't understand, she would give me a long kiss displaying her tongue provocatively.
So sorry, boys!
We jumped into the warm, clear water and swam together for more than half an hour before taking a seat at the pool side. Anastasia's nipples rose visibly in her bikini top as we enjoyed Florida sun after a long, dark northern winter.
I was in Orlando to attend a large annual conference. Because of the end of the academic year, Anastasia was able to leave her students and come with me to America, a country that is always interesting for a Russian. I had a presentation in the conference, but Anastasia could walk around in Orlando, go shopping, take sunbath and swim.
While walking back to our room after swimming, I noticed a very familiar face.
"Tim, is it you?" I said, when I noticed an old American colleague, who seemed just have gotten his keys and was waiting for the bell service to come.
When Tim recognized me, he burst out heartily laughing and hugged me cordially.
"Wow, good to see you after long time. Are you here for the conference too?"
"Yes. I guess I should have checked beforehand to see if you were coming too. But there always seems to be too much to do in the office," I said.
"But hey, we're in the same hotel," Tim said.
"Oh, Tim, this is Anastasia, my wife. Anastasia, this is Tim, a great friend and fine software engineer".
"I had heard that your wife was beautiful, but I have to say, even that was an understatement."
"Thank you, Tim. You are too kind," Anastasia said smiling.
The bellhop came to fetch Tim's luggage. We made note of each other's room numbers and decided to meet in an hour for lunch in the hotel's restaurant.
In our room Anastasia undressed, and begin to select clothes.
"I want to look pretty. I want you to be proud of me", she said.
"Anastasia, neither Tim nor I want you to worry about your looks. We are friends. And besides, you look great."
"But I want to be polite to Tim. I know he is a good man. I remember you talking about him."
Yes, Anastasia remembered what I had told her about Tim. When I was working some years ago in the USA, Tim was an excellent mentor and great friend. Besides that, I admired his quick, analytical mind. We never get bored together, because we had the same taste in music.
"I don't want him to believe that I don't respect him because he is cherny . " She used a Russian word for black people.
Although Anastasia had lived in Europe for four years, and she had African students, she couldn't take an African-American entirely neutrally. In Russia there are strong prejudices against black people, and sometimes Anastasia was a bit too careful with the issue.
"Darling, we are in Florida. It is no issue that he is African-American. In other parts of America it might be. But for me he is just Tim, a trusted friend. Just relax."
"Okay, but I want Tim to think I'm pretty!"
Anastasia said with a sharp tone. When she wanted to do something, she did. I knew her well enough to let her do exactly as she likes
.
"Tim had no ring. Do you know if he is still alone?" Anastasia's memory was sharp. She remembered that two years ago Tim had called to tell me that his wife, Cathleen, had died in a car accident. It had been a shock to me, because Tim really loved his wife. Anastasia recalled that memory.
"I don't know," I said. "Maybe he'll say something about it at lunch."
Anastasia wore a short, black and blue silk dress. When I told her that her bra straps were visible from the back, she took the bra off.
At lunch, we talked for a long time about mutual friends. I told Tim about our life in Denmark and how happy we were. Tim then mentioned that he was still alone.
"I'm happy to be away from home, because I miss Cathleen so much when I'm there"
"It is not good for a man to be alone," Anastasia said.
"You are a handsome, intelligent man. Besides that, you seem to be very kind. I know lots of women, who would like to have a man like you," Anastasia said.
"Thanks, Anastasia. But you know... it's not so easy to find someone to love. But I'm happy that your spouse has a good wife!" Tim said smiling sadly.
Anastasia took Tim's big hand in her hand. Her gentle Russian heart began to beat.
"Promise me, Tim! Promise me to go out and try. If you don't take an initiative, you never find anybody. You are a good man!"
Tim smiled to Anastasia, and said with a low voice, that he promised to do that – someday.
"Come with us tonight, Tim! I don't want that you sit alone in the hotel!" Anastasia said. "Let's go to the town and have a good time."
"Anastasia, it is a wonderful idea," I said. "What do you think, Tim?"
Time grinned. "That lady makes it impossible to say no! Can we meet at 7 o'clock in the lobby bar?"
"He is a good man!" Anastasia said, while finishing her makeup for the evening. "He really loved his wife!"