by Aliyat Lecky
“No. Not even a light touch.” Noami moved Helens hands away from her own breasts. “It’s all mine.”
Helen lowered her hand instinctively to the overpowering throbbing growing between her legs. Helen wanted to feel Noami in every way…on every part of her. She wanted Noami to fulfill her desires and wanted her lips on all of her itching skin. She wanted Noami to fill her deeply and completely. She craved her fingers, her tongue…she wanted Noami. Noami smiled and moved closer.
“I have been thinking about you all day.”
“I want to experience all of life with you.” Noami leaned into her and kissed her softly, sending minute waves radiating throughout both their bodies. Noami’s tongue explored her mouth as her hands continued slowly exploring Helen’s body. Noami gently lowered Helen to the floor and climbed on top of her. Helen marveled at their natural completely comfortable intimacy. She closed her eyes, concentrating on her lover’s sweet breath. Helen wanted so badly to reciprocate, to touch as Noami touch…to offer more of herself.
Noami slid her tongue in Helen’s ear teasingly, then down and across her jawline, exciting Helen further. She gasped as Noami pinned her hands above her head. Noami nuzzled her face into Helen’s neck and nipped down to her shoulders. Helen responded by moving her body, matching Noami’s rhythm as she lay beneath her. Noami traveled lower still. She slowly kissed down as she unbuttoned Helen’s blouse. She teased Helen’s abdomen sucking the skin around her belly button. Noami’s hot moist breath left a cool path from between her breasts to the itchy mound beneath her legs. Noami exhaled as she kissed the inner reaches of Helen’s inner thigh newly relieved of any material covering. She spread Helen’s legs apart gently. Placing her hands under Helen’s hips, Noami repositioned her closer. She kissed Helen in the place that mattered most and inhaled her greedily.
Helen lay still, overwhelmed by emotion and unadulterated passion. She could feel Noami hold back as she trembled above her. A small whimper escaped Helen’s lips as she regarded the look on Noami’s face. Noami smiled slyly seconds before taking Helen fully with her mouth. Helen’s body screamed at the sudden contact. She convulsed involuntarily as sharp sparks danced on her skin. Noami pushed deeper into Helen, stroking and pushing erratically so that Helen’s attempt to keep any rhythm was rendered useless. Helen swallowed soft cries as she held her breath, lost in the ecstasy of Noami’s devotion. Noami pulled Helen’s taunt sex between her teeth and tickled the surround area with her lips. That ended all of Helen’s fleeting control. Helen experienced her core float above her body mere seconds before she felt the floor disappear beneath them, pushed away by her own orgasm. As Helen shook, Noami sucked Helen's clit. She slid a finger deep inside her. Helen exploded in a powerful orgasm. She came hard as Naomi drank eagerly all of the sweetness that her body offered gratefully.
They continued to make love into the early hours of the morning. When finally they fell asleep, they did so well-sated and in each other’s arms.
***
HELEN STUDIED HER daughter’s face and allowed the perusal of her own. Had Sydney read the story behind her expression? Had Sydney discovered the secrets Noami whispered to Helen the night before? “She’s over it, I assure you.” A bright smile covered her face. “She says she’d like to take you to lunch when you are up to it.”
“Mom, you are happy, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Sydney, I am.”
“I’ve missed you.” She pulled Helen into a warm embrace. “Shall we go?” She released Helen from the loving hug. “I don’t want to be late.”
Helen lay on the massage table, thoroughly kneaded, and completely relaxed, sweating bullets in the full body wrap. She turned to her equally tranquil daughter, who wore the expression of someone who had something extremely important to say.
“Just say, it, honey.” Helen offered.
“Mom,” she began tentatively. “You were right about my life. I mean, you were right about what you said concerning a baby.”
Helen rose to her elbows, intrigued by Sydney’s avowal.
“I don’t want to have another baby now. It’s caused some tension between Sidney and me. He’s pretty upset about my decision. He wants a baby now but I’m not ready yet. In fact, I don’t know if I will ever be. Erica and Sammie are more than enough for me.” Sydney looked as if she were going to cry. “I don’t know what to do about that. I can’t seem to make him understand that a baby is not what I need right now.”
“What do you need?” Helen asked.
“I’m going back to school.” She beamed proudly at her mother. “And I’ve started substitute teaching in Minneapolis.” Sydney shook her head for emphasis. “I didn’t know how much I really missed working until I started again.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I am so happy for you.”
Sydney was suddenly pensive. She sat up from her prone position. “There’s something else I have to share with you.”
Helen sat up as well, the wet layers of sheet wrapped tightly around her torso.
“I recognized what you sacrificed for us. I think I understand,” Sydney said. Then she lay back without further explanation.
That was enough for Helen. She rolled over on her stomach.
“There were so many good things about my life, Sydney. I have two beautiful children. I don’t regret everything about my life. You understand that, don’t you?” She continued as if she were speaking to herself. In truth, she was. “I’m just glad you understand that I need to be where I am.”
“I’m trying, at least.” Sydney responded honestly. “There’s something else. I spoke with Dad this morning.”
“Uh-huh.”
“He mentioned that you are planning to meet him for lunch.”
“Yes.” Helen wiped the sweat and impurities from her face with the corner of her sheet garment.
“He’s going to ask you to the DNC Annual Spring Benefit.”
“Me?” Helen was shocked. “Why me, what about Connie?”
“He hasn’t asked her.” Apparently, Sydney seemed to find humor in this last bit of information. “He wants to take you. He even told her so, in front of David, Sidney, and me when she brought up the party while they were over for dinner last Saturday.”
Helen felt a sudden pang of disappointment. It dawned on her that that her family was together, celebrating her son-in-law’s birthday without her. Sydney must have recognized her faux pas.
“Mom, I’m sorry. We decided at the last minute to get together. Really, it wasn’t a big to-do. Very casual.”
“Don’t worry, Sydney. It’s bound to happen from time to time.” Helen waved away her concern. “Anyway, you were saying something about your father’s party.” She pretended to be interested in gossip, but really, she was still smarting from being left out of Sidney’s birthday celebration.
“Right. Dad told her he was going to ask you, and if you declined the offer, she could go. Well, you understand how upset Connie was at that point. Dad tried to make amends when he realized he’d hurt her feelings. Why would she want to go, anyway? After all, she’s a Republican.”
“I’m sure she would like to accompany your father to a party, regardless of her political affiliations.” Helen shrugged, not at all interested in hearing more about their evening together as a family without her.
“But Dad is not concerned with what she wants right now. Honestly, he can sometimes be a selfish bastard. I think that’s why he and Sidney get along so well. Frankly, all he cares about is his career.” She sat up again. “You know, David told me that Dad and Orlando had a terrible fight, because Orlando told him that he needed to drop trying to get you to stay with him in order to appeal to his family values constituents.”
“What? Say that again?” Helen was suddenly alert. The muddle-headedness dissipated, along with the steam rising from the small apertures in the floor. “What did you say?”
“Oh, that Dad wanted you to attend with him, and that Connie is so angry…”
“No,
the part about Orlando. What did Orlando tell your father about appealing to the family values folks?”
“Yes. David told me. You’ll have to ask him to give you the details of the actual conversation. Orlando warned Dad not to try to use you to impress those people. You know they have always loved you, Mom. So, Dad wanted to get you to pretend to, you know, to be with him so that they would see him as a family guy who pretty much had it all. I guess Orlando has been trying to get him to move on, give you space, and at one point, Dad was going to fire him as his campaign manager because Orlando refused to get Angie to put pressure on you to go back.” Sydney’s faced reflected her confusion. “Hasn’t Angie told you any of this? Cynthia told David that her mom and dad are at odds because of this whole mess.”
“Wait, go back a bit, Sydney. Cynthia told David that Angie and Orlando are arguing over your father and me?”
“No, not really. Dad is mad at Orlando, because he advised Dad not be so selfish, to let you go because he guessed that Dad wanted to keep you home partly for career reasons. Do you get it? Dad wanted to use you to advance his political aspirations. Orlando didn’t want any part of it. But I think Angie thinks he was the one advising Dad otherwise.” She shook her head. “It is all too convoluted, and very confusing. No one is as confused as poor Connie. She doesn’t know whether she is coming or going.” Sydney jumped down from the table. “We better get going, or you’re going to miss your appointment at the hair salon.
***
HELEN CHECKED HER compact mirror for the fifth time. She had longer than shoulder-length hair for most of her life, so the new cut was very different, and would take some getting accustomed to. Her only request to the hair stylist was “shorter, but not too short. Something smart.” All in all, Helen quite approved of her new hairstyle. The look was quite sophisticated, and she loved the way her hair felt as it rubbed against her neck. It was very sensual and the cut was chic and liberating.
She checked the large wall mirror behind the bar where she sat waiting for Richard to arrive. She did so not due to sudden vanity, but as a reality check. Helen didn’t miss the medium-length tresses which used to curl softly at her collarbones, but she had to get used to the new look.
“Wow!” Richard seemed to approve. “You look great. When did you get that done?” He settled beside her on the closest bar stool. “I like it.” He reached up to run his fingers through her new cut before she could stop him. “I do, I like it a lot. Very attractive.” He leaned over to steal a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s get a table, shall we?”
Helen followed him toward the main part of the restaurant. Fugaise was crowded, as usual. Helen cursed herself silently for not calling ahead to make reservations. However, despite the fact that there were many parties waiting for tables for lunch, they were seated immediately. Helen had to remind herself that she was, after all, dining with a state senator, and a well-loved statesman, at that.
“Richard, you look well.” She rested her chin on closed fists, aware of the many stolen glances coming from their fellow patrons.
“You look great. Minneapolis seems to suit you well.” He turned away from her only long enough to order a drink. “Scotch straight, please. Helen?” He indicated his intention to order her drink.
“Club Soda with lime, thanks.”
“Too early for you, I guess.” He shrugged. “I can’t get over your new look.” He sat back in his chair. “You are gorgeous, Helen, there is simply no denying that. How was your morning with Sydney? She mentioned that you two were planning to get together.”
“Enlightening. She had quite a lot she wanted to discuss.” Helen was prepared to leave it at that.
“Oh?”
“Well, she mentioned that you spent the evening in Chanhassen for Sidney’s birthday.” Helen tried unsuccessfully to hide her disappointment.
“Yeah, that was an evening alright.” He was purposely vague. He didn’t want to share that his date ruined the evening by having a fit over his soon-to-be ex-wife.
Helen understood perfectly and changed the subject. “They really ought to expand this lunch menu.”
They were halfway through lunch—Helen had the butternut squash soup, and Richard chose the skate—before Richard plucked up enough nerve to divulge the reason for their meeting. “Helen, you know the annual spring fling is approaching.” He forked his seafood mindlessly.
“By the way, how is Connie?” Helen thought the direct approach best in this situation. “I understand you two are spending a lot of time in each other’s company. She’s very lucky.” Helen could tell by his expression her comment had done the job. Richard was completely disarmed by her frankness. “Are you planning on taking her to the event this year?”
“Actually, I was planning to ask you to accompany me. You know, people aren’t quite ready to see me with someone else at major state events.”
“Then what about next year?” She raised a brow. “Will they be any more ready next year?”
“Helen, just one last time.” He abandoned his skate for his scotch.
“Richard, you want me to play a role that I am not comfortable with any longer.” She softened her expression. “Why don’t you take Connie? The party could serve as an introduction of sorts.” She took his hand in her own. “Be fair to Connie, and to me.” She couldn’t imagine Noami’s reaction if she had to explain that she was planning to accompany Richard in the middle of their divorce to a major political party. That would be a discussion she would prefer not to have. Besides, Helen had no intention going with him.
“You are right, of course. Orlando warned me asking you might set us back. Just tell me I didn’t do any damage.”
“No, Richard. No damage, but I’ll have to ask you not make this kind of request again.” She rubbed the back of her bare neck. “It only…”
“Makes you uncomfortable? Yes, I know. I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s just that it’s so unnecessary. We both know you have moved on, Richard, so when you ask me to go with you to events, it’s a little uncomfortable. Especially since the reason you want me to attend is…”
“Political gain.” He completed her sentence as she searched for a polite way to speak truthfully. “Have you been speaking to Orlando?”
“No, in fact, I haven’t. Well, not about you. I had dinner with them a few nights ago.”
“Orlando has been cautioning me about mixing our personal life, our…friendship with politics.”
Helen smiled. She was planning to share that information with Angie the moment she saw her again. Angie had been complaining about Orlando. She was disappointed in him, because she thought Orlando was encouraging Richard to mix politics and personal stuff, when he actually had been trying to convince Richard that if his relationship with Helen was going to survive in any state, it had to be about his love for her, nothing more.
After lunch, Helen kissed Richard tenderly on the cheek. She thought their lunch date was going to prove to be awkward and tense, yet for the most part, their meeting was anything but uncomfortable. In fact, she rather enjoyed Richard’s company. He was charismatic and charming, and his old self. In addition, if nothing else, she had gathered information to absolve Angie’s husband for any wrongdoing.
Richard helped Helen to put on her coat. He turned her gently to face him as they traded the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant for the chill of outdoors. They stood on the street, facing one another with so much left unsaid between them.
“Our separation was not completely your fault. Helen, I have allowed you to shoulder too much, and that was not fair. I know that I haven’t always given you what you needed. I’ve been selfish and allowed you to give without properly thanking you for thirty years. I am sorry for that.”
“Richard, you don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do. I need you to hear me out. Our divorce will become final soon, and I want to know that although this was a complicated time for me, that you are okay. I know that I was sometimes difficult during the
proceedings. Hell, at times, I was a jerk. I want to us to remain close, if that is at all possible. I haven’t always been the easiest to love. I know that. I guess what I am trying to say is that I love you. I want you to know that. I also want you to know that you may call on me whenever you need me. Good luck.”
“Richard.” Helen was overwhelmed with emotion. She had not expected this from him. She leaned forward, resting her head on his shoulder, not able or caring to hold back the deluge. “I am sorry for so much.”
“Forgive me, Helen?” Richard held her at arm’s length. He smoothed the tears from her face.
“Let’s say that we forgive each other,” she said through salty tears.
He pulled her once more into a warm embrace and held her there until her tears quieted. Then he allowed her to pull away. Richard nodded slowly. He turned away and began to walk up the block away from her.
Helen watched his departure before turning toward home. They were both going to be okay.
TWENTY-THREE
COME JOIN US for a night of fun as we celebrate the Emancipation of Helen Dahl. Private Party. Invitation Only. Bath’s Wife. VIP Circle.
Angie and Noami planned the party without Helen’s consent. Helen didn’t suppose that her divorce being final was an occasion to party, but was coaxed into the celebration by the two who insisted that the party wasn’t about her divorce, rather her liberation. Helen was feeling a little anxious about the whole evening. She wasn’t sure what to expect. Neither Angie nor Noami shared with her what they planned. When she asked either of them for any information, they remained tight-lipped and their stock answer any time she asked was simply “wait and see.” In fact, the only reason she even knew that there was supposed to be a surprise party at all was because Noami insisted that they tell her, because Helen had once expressed her aversion for the surprise birthday parties Richard would throw for her every year. For the last ten years, Helen had developed a bête-noir for the elaborate celebrations.