My business requires me to travel occasionally. Not a lot, and usually just to regional shows where our industry players congregate for one reason or another, but still, frequently enough that I get to say "I have to travel for my job". In the past, Tammy had absolutely zero interest in joining me, so I would always sojourn alone, but with the recent change of atmosphere in our household, well, I suddenly found myself with 4 very willing travel companions.
This presented a different problem. I can't afford 5 tickets for every event I have to attend, plus 5 airfare, meals, etc., so we decided that we'd rotate. As expected, Riley joined me for the first trip in early September, and left the other 3 girls to moving into the old house with Maribel, who has since become strangely elated at the prospect of continuing her life as chief Nanny. Keeping her as the live-in there makes Tammy's role a bit more comfortable. We've put her in the spare bedroom on the 2nd floor (3 upstairs, and 3 downstairs), which should make for sufficient privacy when Tammy and I "spend the night" to check on kids and grandkids. Anyway, the first Riley trip was to Vermont in the fall, and she lavished over the leaves as I ground the gristle through the mill, so to speak.
Petra was next, and joined me in Florida. She loves the heat and humidity, so she got to enjoy the beach, etc.
Susan was next, and our trip was downtown Chicago. We stayed at the Drake; very posh, and Susan sucked-up the hoidy-toidy-ness of it all. For me...this was just another hotel in another city for another job. Same people, same issues, but it was "what I do", so I did it. After all, I have a lot of mouths to feed.
I've been in the industry for quite a while, so seeing the same faces is expected, and I've come to know some folks well, and they, me. With a different girl hanging about the last 3 trips now, it was inevitable that someone would come to notice.
Which is exactly what happened when Susan and I attended the ballroom dinner and social reception that Friday night at the hotel. I trust Susan's tastes, so her choice of a LBD (Little Black Dress) was perfect. Deep, plunging neckline highlighting her substantial and expanding breasts moved your eyes immediately away from her developing baby "bump", her nipples still pressed tightly against the stretched fabric, which draped down and clung to her skin just above her knees. 3" black heels pushed her frame up near 5'9", her hair in a bow, and that lipstick again. Fuck. The whole thing spoke "professional", though she's not even 20. As for me, I went business casual. Grey slacks, button-down white shirt, sleeves rolled-up, nice shoes. We fit.
Enter Ted Bronner, who approached us having dinner at one of those big, round tables where you sit with strangers.
"Hi, Mr. D...so very good to see you again!" He sat next to his wife, Elaine, whom I've seen before at other events. He was speaking to me, but her eyes were examining / undressing / peering-into Susan. "I see you've brought your lovely wife."
Crap. Elaine had seen me in Florida with Petra, AND I was trying to remember if she'd met Riley at the Vermont function. Riley with her red hair would have introduced herself to Elaine as my wife there, and Petra, with her jet black hair looked nothing like either her OR Susan, and all were sporting the baby bump thing.
It dawned on me that I had not thought this through well enough.
Before I could swallow the bite in my mouth and answer, Susan extended her hand and greeted him in front of Elaine "Hi, Susan D...so good to meet you!"
Elaine's eyes flashed between Susan and I, trying to get a handle on the moment. Susan used our same last name, as had Riley and Petra. I smiled, and the idle chit-chat continued. Elaine is in her early 30's I guess. Petite, maybe 5'2", blonde-straight hair, legs that can stop a freight train, I swear. I'm pretty sure she's one of those ladies who has no need for panty-hose. Not particularly large-busted, maybe a solid B cup, but a real fire-cracker, and not afraid to speak her mind. I knew she was married, but couldn't remember if they had kids. In any case, it was her silk, blue top that stole the gaze of most men in the room. I'm certain those nipples needed names. And some attention.
It was this thought I was contemplating when she spoke to me. "So Ted tells me you're both expecting. How fun!"
What the FUCK? I thought you "NEVER" asked that question. Apparently, Susan had chatted with Ted before we got our plates, so now, I'm even further behind the curve.
"Oh, yes," Susan replied, "just a couple of months into it, really, not much to show at the moment" and her hands moved to surround her baby bump. "We're due in early May, the 15th." Beaming at me, she leaned over, and gave me a deep kiss. "Mr. Fertile, you know!" and her sunshine smile had the group chucking. She exuded confidence. Looking back at Elaine, straight in the eyes, even leaning in a bit to say it, Susan asked, "Do you have kids of your own?"
"Not yet, no. Ted and I are trying, though. We got married back in 2012, but wanted to get careers started and a bit of financial security first." We all smiled. Elaine's was forced, but I felt as though another conversation was forthcoming later that I was probably NOT going to enjoy.
We socialized, we chatted, we mixed, and somewhere in the middle of it all, I got caught up in a work discussion with Frank from SIS. Susan excused herself, and now, that was 35 minutes ago. I was headed back to the bar with my 2nd coupon, when peeking over the railing to the veranda on the floor below, I noticed Elaine walking away with Susan to either a bathroom area, or a private lounge-type area.
Lovely.
Elaine was on the hunt. After several moments of idle chatter, she finally got to it. "I'm so glad for you and Mr. D. Is this your first?" she asked, glancing at Susan's bump.
"Well, yes for me, no for him. But I think you know that, don't you?" Susan's offense and defense can be hard to discern.
"Uh, yes," she responded, "it's just that, well, um..." Susan held her tongue, now having turned directly to face Elaine. She wasn't playing these games, as Elaine would soon discover.
"Well, yes, o.k. I'm jealous, is all. Ted and I have been trying for a couple of years now. I think it's been nearly 30 months, and we're still not pregnant. Was it easy for you both? I mean, he is just a bit older than you."
Susan loved this moment. "Easy doesn't quite capture it, Elaine. All he had to do was look at us."
"Us?" Elaine was uncharacteristically without words.
"Yes. Us. To get us pregnant."
"Uh. You mean 'you'?"
"Well, yes, I mean me, too."
Silence.
Elaine was beginning her construction of the past several months.
"You know, Susan, Mr. D. and I see each other at these events. We work in the same field; have for a long time." Elaine was checking Susan's face for any reaction.
"Ms. Bronner," Susan began. "Oh, please...call me Elaine."
"All right, Elaine, is there something specific you're trying to share with me? Is something bothering you?"