Dancing Up the Ladder

by Loy Holder

  “Nah.” Bill pulled her close. “Just some pottery, potting soil, and some gardening tools. You smell good, Liz. I can hardly wait until the kids go to bed.”

  Ronnie came running back with Regina. “Hey, Bill. Could we make a secret fort in that shed?”

  “Not now, but maybe tomorrow. What do you need for your fort?” Bill looked amused.

  “Well,” Ronnie threw up his hands, like an exasperated old man, “we need blankets and some dishes and a pretend stove. Then it would almost be perfect. Right, Regina?”

  Regina clapped her hands. “Yes, I could be the mommy. I brought my dolly.”

  Ronnie chimed in, “And I’ll watch for bad guys. I brought my gun.”

  Bill laughed and slapped his thigh. “Well, I’ll see what I can scare up between now and tomorrow morning. Bill checked his watch. “Hey, kids. Let’s go back in the house; it’s getting chilly out here. Do you think you can eat some more stew for dinner?

  It was nearing five o’clock, and the day was fading into dusk. When they got inside, Ronnie and Regina went to their rooms, and Bill said, “Liz, you want to give the kids a bath while I fix dinner? We’ll eat and then the kids can watch television until it’s time for bed.” He wiggled his eyebrows, Groucho-Marx style.

  Liz understood his eyebrow message. She gave him a sultry smile. “Sure, and what’s bedtime in the Williams household?”

  With his bad-boy grin, he murmured, “It just so happens that my boys each have a sleepover at their friends’ houses tonight. I’ll drive them over after dinner.” He pulled Liz close and whispered in her ear. “That means bedtime is right after Ronnie and Regina go to sleep.”

  She nuzzled his ear. “I’ll get started on those baths.” She wiggled away but not soon enough to avoid his firm squeeze of her breasts, before she headed for Regina’s bedroom, breathless.

  When she walked into Regina’s room, the little girl was undressing her dolly and talking to her. Liz bent over, and Regina smiled. “Hi, Mommy. Why is your face all red?”

  Ronnie heard her and came into the room. “Gee, Mom. Do you have a fever?”

  Liz chuckled. They’re going to have to get used to that. “No, babies. I just got a little overheated. Let’s get ready for your bath, OK?”

  Dinner conversation was more comfortable, with no awkward pauses. The boys were in a hurry to eat and leave. Liz offered to clean up the kitchen while her children watched television, and Bill drove the boys to their respective destinations.

  Liz had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when Bill got home. He caught her as she was leaving the kitchen. He nuzzled her neck, and whispered, “God, I want you.” In the shadow of the hall, he pulled her against him and kissed her, his tongue finding hers. Then he backed away. “We have all night, so don’t rush getting the kids to bed. I’m patient, remember?”

  When it was time for the children to go to bed, Liz said, “One story, then it’s lights out. I’ll read the story in Regina’s room, and then, Ronnie, you can go to your room. OK?”

  Regina was asleep before the story was finished, so Liz said, “Let’s be quiet, Ronnie. I’ll finish the story in your room.” She kissed Regina on the forehead, adjusted her covers, and they went into Ronnie’s room. “OK, son. Hop in.”

  Ronnie smiled as he snuggled under the covers. “This is a cool bed, Mom. So are you going to sleep with Bill like you used to sleep with Dad?”

  “Yes, but it will be different for me, because Bill is a kind man and Dad was mean.”

  “Does that mean you’ll sleep better?”

  “Yes, it does. Now are you ready for me to finish the story?”

  He nodded and folded his hands.

  Just before Rapunzel let down her long hair, Ronnie’s eyes closed, and Liz set the book on the dresser, turned off the light, and tiptoed out.

  The television was off in the living room. Liz walked to the master bedroom, locked the door, and found Bill in the shower. She undressed, pulled the curtain aside, and stepped into his arms. “Well, hello, pretty lady. Ahh.” He ran his fingers over her naked body. “You are my sweet heaven. Let me bathe you.”

  She whispered, “I don’t think I can wait to feel you—”

  His hand moved lower, and his finger found her most sensitive spot. “You mean you can’t wait to feel me in in here?”

  Her knees went weak. “Yes, please!”

  He murmured in his silky voice, “Not yet, pretty lady. We have all night.” He pulled his fingers away, and she groaned as he said, “First, I’ll start with your hair. He washed and conditioned her hair all the while massaging her scalp. Her body was next. His soapy hands excited her beyond tolerance, and she grew weak with wanting him. She needed to pleasure him, too. She kneeled between his legs to suck and fondle him.

  He moaned as if in pain and turned off the water. She stood, and he lifted her, still wet, out of the shower, and laid her on a soft, thick rug on the bathroom floor. He covered her body with his and pushed inside her only to lie still as if fighting for control. She cried out with tortured delight as she felt his member throb and pulsate inside her. She pulled him close with her strong dancer’s legs and he repeatedly thrust deep inside her. She groaned with the waves of pleasure he was causing. She moved with him as a tsunami of climactic spasms spread through her, and she felt his relief.

  They lay there for several minutes. Then Liz looked at him and smiled. “I’ve gone from hot to chilly.”

  Bill laughed. “Yeah, me too. That’s because we’re still wet.”

  They stood and dried off. Then Liz pulled a nightgown from her bag and was about to put it on. Bill gave her a naughty grin and laughed. “That thing is just gonna be in the way.”

  They went to bed without nightclothes. He pulled her close and whispered, “I don’t ever want to be without you again.”

  * * *

  Chapter forty-two

  The rest of December was challenging. Bill, Liz, and all the children were adjusting to their major life changes and each other. A few days before Christmas, Liz lay in bed almost asleep. I think this is going to work. Bill seems OK with putting kids and our work first, and that date-night thing makes the sex even hotter. I sold two more houses, Bill wrapped up a major software-design project, and together we have got every single Christmas present bought and wrapped before Christmas Eve. Her only concern was that she’d invited her parents for dinner. I hope Mom behaves.

  Christmas morning, everyone gathered around the tree to open their presents. When the torn paper and discarded bows were cleared away, Mark and Todd complained about not getting everything they wanted.

  “Ronnie and Regina got more than we did.” Todd looked as if he was going to cry. Liz felt bad for him knowing it was his first Christmas without his mother.

  “Yeah, it’s not fair,” Mark joined in.

  Bill’s mouth tightened into a straight line. “Listen, you two. Your gifts were more expensive than theirs. I thought I taught you that Christmas is for giving, not receiving. I want you to apologize.

  The boys apologized, but Liz felt guilty. I knew I bought too much. The boys had a point. I’ll talk to Bill about it later.

  After breakfast, Liz dressed for the day and went into the kitchen. She’d insisted on preparing Christmas dinner, but she hadn’t done much cooking in Bill’s kitchen. She turned on the oven, stuffed the turkey, and spent several minutes looking for the roasting pan. Frustrated, she shouted for Bill. He appeared with shaving cream on his face and found the pan for her. He laughed and swiped at the shaving cream. “I’ll be back in a second.”

  She put the turkey in the oven, and Bill helped her peel potatoes, cut fruit for ambrosia, and make gravy. Then he set the table. A man slaving in the kitchen was a sweet mystery to her.

  When the dinner was ready, Liz frowned at her watch. Where were her parents? Thirty minutes later, Roger and Blanche Peyton arrived. Liz was irritated but chose to overlook it.

  The dinner conversation was going well until Blanche w
aved her fork at Liz. “Well I’m certainly pleased you’re not doing that awful dancing anymore. But, how do you support yourself and the children on the occasional real-estate commission?”

  “Blanche, what kind of a question is that?” Roger’s face turned crimson as he shook his head.

  Mark frowned. “What awful dancing?”

  Liz almost choked on a piece of turkey and flashed her mother an angry look. An awkward silence followed. Her heart sang as Bill jumped to her defense. “Mark, it wasn’t awful. Liz was a beautiful dancer and she saved enough money to study real estate and get her license. Now she makes good money.” Liz beamed at him, and he smiled back.

  She was still annoyed. “Mother, I’m a sales manager now. I didn’t get that promotion by selling a house once in a while.”

  Blanche sniffed and put on that pouty, poor-me look that she saved for when she was offended. “Goodness, Liz. If you’d call me once in a while, I wouldn’t ask embarrassing questions.”

  Roger slapped his hand on the table. “Blanche, for God’s sake, let it go, or we’re leaving.”

  “Dad, it’s OK.” Liz managed a half-smile. She felt bad for her dad and patted his arm. She wanted to make peace and not ruin Christmas for Bill and the children. “I’m sorry, Mother. You’re right. I’ll try to call you more often.” She gazed around the table. “OK, who’s ready for pie and coffee?”

  The rest of Christmas Day went much better. After dessert, Bill and Roger cleaned the kitchen, while Liz and her mother talked. For the first time in several years, a visit with Blanche left Liz feeling warm toward her mother.

  When she joined Bill in bed that night, she was happy that she was staying with him for the rest of the week. Strange new emotions grew as she lay there, watching Bill sleep. He’d been her hero several times that day. Is this what real love feels like?

  Soon the holidays were over, and the children went back to school. Everyone settled into a comfortable routine. Josie volunteered to watch both sets of children at least once a week at Bill’s house, and Wednesdays became date night.

  One Wednesday in late spring, Liz arrived at Bill’s house with the children. Ronnie went in to see what Todd was doing, but Regina was quiet and listless. While Liz was getting ready for their evening out, Regina began to cry and rub her eyes. Bill scooped her up from the living-room floor and laid her gently on the couch.

  Regina was flushed, and her eyes were red and glazed with tears. Bill felt her forehead. It was hot. He ran to the bathroom for the thermometer and slipped it under Regina’s tongue. It registered 102 degrees. As soon as he put the thermometer down, she threw up all over the couch and onto the floor. Bill frowned as he waited for Regina to stop vomiting.

  Regina cried, “Are you mad? I didn’t mean to.”

  Bill carried Regina to the other couch. He put a pillow under her head, and she complained of being cold. Bill covered her with a handy blanket and smoothed her hair. “I know, baby. I’m not mad. I love you, Ronnie, and your mommy, too.”

  Regina paused for a minute. “My daddy was mean, but you’re not. Can you be my daddy?”

  Bill flushed with that tender request, and he became overwhelmed with emotion. “I’d love that, sweetie. Now, how about if you just rest here for a bit while I clean up the mess? Maybe when you feel better, I’ll fix you something to eat. What do you think?”

  Regina wrapped her tiny fingers around his. “OK.”

  She clung to his hand for a second, and when she let go, Bill stood, only to find Liz watching him. “How long have you been standing there?” Bill moved toward her. He kissed her on the forehead and said, “Hey, I think we should stay in tonight. She has a fever and may throw up again. Is it too late to call Josie and tell her not to come?”

  “No. I’ll go call right now.”

  “Good. Go put some of my old sweats on. I’ll finish cleaning up and order a pizza.”

  By the time Liz called Josie and found the sweats, the combination pizza had arrived and Bill had made a Caesar salad. Regina slept, but Bill, Liz, and the three boys ate all but one piece of pizza. After dinner, the older boys went to their rooms to do homework. Ronnie sprawled out in a chair to watch television, and Bill and Liz joined him after the easy kitchen cleanup.

  Halfway through Ronnie’s favorite show, he sat up. “Mom, I don’t feel so good.” He promptly upchucked his pizza and salad all over the chair. Liz rushed to his side while Bill ran for the thermometer and a wet towel.

  Within a few minutes, Bill looked at the thermometer. “It says one hundred one point two. Yup, Ronnie’s got it, too.”

  And so it went. Next, Todd threw up, and then poor Mark had diarrhea. Bill worked beside Liz, cleaning up messes in the bedrooms and bathrooms, taking temperatures, and nursing the kids until after three in the morning. When it appeared the offending bug was winding down, Bill and Liz collapsed into their bed, exhausted.

  A few hours later, Liz awoke feeling sick. She moved to the edge of the bed, and lost the remains of her pizza on the floor. Next came the urge to run to the toilet. She made it in time, but her nausea came back, and she grabbed the plastic trash can. While she sat there moaning and feverish, Bill came into the bathroom. He knelt down in front of her, and she looked into his worried, handsome face.

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “Ah, not you, too.” He grabbed a clean washrag from a towel rack nearby and moistened it. “Here, use this.”

  Liz handed him the trash can and grabbed the washrag with a grateful grunt. She started to shiver, and he helped her back under the covers. She lay on her side. Her head was throbbing as she watched Bill clean up the floor beside the bed. Then she watched him disappear into the bathroom, heard the shower come on, and soon smelled Bill’s clean, sweet scent when he crawled into bed and cradled her in his arms. She lay there grateful for his depth of caring. Please God, don’t let him get sick, too.

  Everyone slept in. Liz opened her eyes and remembered the events of the night before. She ached from head to toe. She shifted to face Bill, who was sleeping soundly. She studied his face and recalled his heroic, loving efforts in caring for the sick kids and her.

  Heaven knows he’s been tested over the last few months, by me and the children, but even when he’s gotten angry, he’s never been mean. Swamped with a strange combination of reverence and physical longing for the man lying beside her, Liz was sure of what her feelings were. She would have to find just the right moment to tell him.

  * * *

  Chapter forty-three

  Bill didn’t get sick, but it took everyone else days to recover. By the following Monday, they were all back to their usual routines. Bill called Liz Tuesday after she got home from her office. “Hey, you wanna try a new restaurant tomorrow night? It’s right on the river.”

  “Yeah. That sounds good. I’ll get to your house early.”

  “I can’t wait, pretty lady. See ya tomorrow.”

  When Liz sauntered through the door Wednesday afternoon, she saw Bill was staring at her chest. She chuckled. My, my, he’s noticed I’m not wearing a bra. Ronnie and Regina were right behind her, so Bill didn’t say a word, but his eyes spoke volumes. She had just set the mood for a delicious evening.

  Bill drove them to the restaurant and she could sense that the sexual tension between them was high. Liz enjoyed watching him respond to her erotic moves, and she scooted closer to him. Her pheromones were working overtime. She pursed her lips in a sexy pout, unzipped his pants, and touched his growing erection. He gave her a heated glance. “If you don’t move your hand, I’m gonna pull over and take you right now.” She bit her lip in that way that drove him crazy, and after another slow caress, she moved her hand.

  She decided to behave herself while they were driving. The river road could be treacherous. But soon, they pulled into the Virgin Sturgeon lot. Bill parked the car, and she watched as he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She stepped out of the car and stood close to him, tempting him with her
eyes. He pulled her against him and kissed her as he slipped his hand beneath her white silk blouse to caress her breast. He whispered, “Don’t ever stop playing with me. I love it.”

  Liz moaned and then stepped back with a sultry smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t. It’s become my favorite pastime.” Just then, another car pulled into the parking lot and broke the spell of the moment. Liz glanced at the couple emerging from car and smiled. “I’m hungry.”

  “I am, too.” His grin was almost evil as he grabbed her arm. “Let’s go eat, pretty lady. We have all night, and you’re gonna need nourishment for later.”

  Dinner was magical. They drank champagne, held hands across the table, and sampled bites of each other’s food. When they’d finished eating, the waiter appeared. “Would either of you like a dessert?”

  Bill looked relieved when Liz shook her head. He smiled at the waiter. “We’re too full. Just bring the check.”

  They drove to Liz’s home and, once inside her living room, she kissed his cheek and said, “Now that we’re alone, I want to tell you something.”

  He pulled her against him and murmured, “Baby, can’t we talk later?”

  “No! It can’t wait.” She pushed him away, and the look of hurt on his face shook her. She blurted it out: “I love you, and I want to move in with you, if you’ll have me.”

  Bill’s jaw dropped, and he hesitated a minute, as if trying to comprehend what she’d just said. “You mean full time with all your stuff?”

  “Yes, with all my stuff, full time.”

  “Damn, what did I do right?” He stood rooted to the spot, gaping at her.

  “Let’s finish this in the bedroom.” Liz tugged on his hand to get him moving.

  They sat on the edge of the bed, their hands still clasped together. Liz looked into his eyes and smiled. “You’ve been everything to me, my lover, best friend, support system, nurse, and a real father to my children. I feel good about us.” Her voice dropped. “So what do you say?”