A year had passed. I looked back and couldn't quite believe all that had taken place in my life in that single year. The move from my country comfort zone where my life had revolved for the first 40 years went virtually without a problem. Next came the purchase of a fairly upmarket two-bedroom apartment on the fringe of the city. A late model sports car sat right at this moment in the building's basement.
Even my wardrobe had been given the clean sweep and now looked like it belonged to a model. Oh I had no qualms about my looks. People have told me for years that I was nothing great to look at. I'd never had the right hairstyle. My makeup never looked as if it had been applied properly. My hands showed signs of years of outdoor work. The harsh weather causing wrinkles and dryness, which had worsened with age. My body shape was nothing to write home about. My breasts being 'e' cup meant that buying a bra cost a fortune and it was more than likely there was nothing pretty in my size. Even my stomach was still rounded from the 3 pregnancies it had gone through. Spasmodic dieting hadn't lasted long enough and the extra cost for special (and healthier) food hadn't gone down well with my husband.
I was now happier than I'd ever been. I had no responsibilities. No husband was expecting me to play maid to his every whim. No requirements to put a two course meal on the table each night. No expectation of staying at home by myself day in and day out. Our children had grown and flown the nest, and that had given me the opportunity to move on with my own life.
I was free. That much-coveted freedom was now mine to do whatever I wanted. The possibilities were endless. I'd begun to rebuild my life, as I wanted it. The move from country to city was the beginning. It had taken three months for our property to sell, and another two months for half the sale proceeds to be transferred into my bank account.
Now, six months on from the separation, I found myself looking out the feature window of my very own apartment. The view was magnificent to say the least. A 180-degree landscape of Auckland Harbour stretched out before me. Rangitoto Island on my right, the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower to my left. At twilight, the city's lights were glowing. The traffic far below was moving relatively slowly through the busy streets. Pedestrians walking quickly over the crossings, hurrying to their cars or buses, ready for their home bound journeys.
I had stood at this window looking at the view each night after work. It still felt like I was staying at a motel. At any moment the phone would ring and I'd be asked if I required dinner reservations for the evening. Mentally I shook myself. It belonged to me. This whole apartment was mine. I turned and let my eyes wander around the room.
Soft lighting took the harsh whiteness from the walls. Colourful cushions thrown haphazardly over the cream couch and armchairs gave a warm and welcoming look. The stereo system, which I'd been given as a teenager, stood at one end of the lounge. A CD played soothing background music. Some of my amateurish artwork hung on the walls. I'd chosen the Lady and Tear charcoal picture to be the centrepiece. My heart and soul had gone into that picture. I was shyly proud that it looked good in the wooden rimu frame my mother had chosen.
I walked through into the kitchen. It was small, but contained everything I needed. I cut a piece of quiche left over from last night's dinner, made myself a green salad, poured a glass of white wine and took my meal and drink back through to the lounge. Stretching out on the couch I balanced my dinner plate on my lap. It was delicious and light and just the kind of meal I enjoy. It took a fair bit of getting used to, to be able to eat what I wanted and when I wanted it. No "It's 6 o'clock and dinner time" any longer. Just more proof that I'd made the right decision.
Tonight was a special night for me. It had been a year since that crazy shopping spree and a year since I'd discovered the delights of a threesome. I'd never forgotten the time spent with Rich and Julie on Julie's 40th birthday. It had been an amazing experience. My first woman lover. My first threesome. My first everything. Well, nearly. There were still one or two things I'd not had the chance to try. But that was just something else which was going to change in my life.
I glanced at the clock and hurried through the remainder of my meal. It was time to shower and change. They'd be arriving very soon.
I washed and dried the dishes. Then went through into the ensuite. I slipped off my work clothes and threw them into the washing basket. The tap turned easily and the steaming water felt good on my body as I washed.
I didn't linger in the shower. Instead, I washed quickly and efficiently, dried myself and chose my outfit for the evening. The beautiful sheer red wrap-around dress fit perfectly and looked good with my new stockings and black court shoes. I wound my unruly shoulder length hair into a knot and held it in place with one barrette. I applied my makeup lightly and it looked good. The makeup course for my last birthday, had been a present from my mother-in-law. It had been an eye-opening experience and I'd be forever grateful for the kindness she had shown me.
A light tapping on the door had my heartbeat racing. Quickly, I sprayed a tiny amount of 4711 eau de cologne into the air. The scent delicately caught my body as I walked through its mist to the door.
I held the handle and opened it steadily. There they were. The couple I'd met so long ago. They both looked as good as they had a year ago. In fact, they looked better. Julie had dressed up for the occasion. She was everything I wasn't. Tall, slim, small breasted and beautiful. Her dress fitted her to perfection, and its pale blue colouring suited her complexion. Rich looked wonderful also. His royal blue pinstriped suit sat elegantly on his body. His shoulders fit snugly into the jacket.
They smiled as I opened the door wider and welcomed them both into my apartment. Rich leaned forward and held me tight for a moment whispering into my ear "You look beautiful." His aftershave held a hint of spice against the all-male muskyness. His arms were warm and I felt comfort in his strength as he held me. His were the first male arms to touch me since my separation. It felt nice to be this close to a man again. His breath on my neck and his beard soft against my skin as his lips gently kissed the pulse throbbing at my throat.
