Sixty-Nine

by Pynk

“No. I had my clothes on the entire time.”

  “See, you and Rebe, I need to watch out for you guys. What the heck did she get into?”

  They continued to walk.

  “Girl. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Darla, you won’t believe it. While we were there, you’ll never guess who else was there. Who else is into swinging. Never.”

  “Who? Not Randall.”

  “No.” Magnolia thought, That’s another story. “It was Trinity.”

  “Are you kidding me?” she asked with shock.

  “Not even.”

  Darla hurried her words. “What? Well, what happened? Tell me.”

  “What didn’t happen? Trinity saw her mother getting eaten out by a woman.”

  Darla stopped, shook her head and said, “No. See. That is a straight-up tragedy. I feel sorry for that girl. And what in the hell was Rebe doing with a woman?”

  Magnolia stopped. “She said the girl traded places with Armani when he went down on her, and before she knew it, she said she got caught up.”

  “See. I’m telling you. I’m glad I didn’t go. No good could ever come out of a place like that. That is just pure evil.”

  “I don’t know about evil. I’ll just say it’s a small world.”

  They walked again.

  “So what happened? How will Rebe ever make up to her daughter after something like that?”

  “Apparently, Trinity hasn’t been home in a while. Rebe even had the nerve to be upset to know that Trinity is into swinging. She’d even played with the same girl Rebe was with. And get this. Armani, the young guy Rebe’s been seeing? It turns out he was one of Trinity’s good friends. Not like sleeping with, from what she told me, but they are very close. From what Rebe told me, all she and Trinity did was argue all night. It was bad.”

  “Oh no. Poor Trinity. If you ask me, Rebe asked for that, I’m sorry. Why didn’t she get a private room? I mean dang. That’s just sloppy.”

  “What would you know about all that?”

  Darla looked at a vendor’s selection of bras. “Please. Aaron and I went to one of those retreats when we were in Jamaica.”

  “You did not.”

  “Yes, we did. And we went to our room and did our thing. He wanted to know what it was like. We went one time. Have no desire to go back.”

  Magnolia asked for clarification. “You and Aaron?”

  “Yes, me and my husband. I think swinging or swapping or whatever you want to call it should only be for couples, not all these single people who get carried away and act like complete and total fools.”

  “I’m shocked.” Magnolia looked like a nonbeliever.

  “Don’t be,” Darla said, putting more items in her bag.

  “I mean yeah, can’t believe you would do it, but also, I’m talking more about square Aaron.”

  “Please. Aaron was no saint.” Darla said it like she meant it.

  “I see.” Magnolia still seemed in shock.

  “Anyway. So, Rebe got caught with her legs wide open. That’s jacked up.”

  “Speaking of jacked up. Darla, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.” Magnolia sighed.

  “What?”

  “It has to do with Rebe. A while back, I went to meet someone after going online to that site. And of all people, speaking of Randall, turns out it was Randall in the hotel room. And his wife.”

  Darla stopped and put her hand on her hip. “You went to a hotel room and met them. You didn’t know it was them?”

  “No. Actually, I thought it was Neal. Don’t ask. But it was Randall and…”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “I did the same thing with them that I did with this couple at Erotic City. Both were brief. With Randall, I was only there for about five minutes, and I was gone. And Darla, it has been weighing on me so heavily. I can’t believe I didn’t just leave. Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I would’ve ran out of there. But I didn’t. It was like my head said one thing and my feet said another.”

  “That’s called curiosity killed the cat. What’s up with that? What’d Rebe ever do to you?”

  “Nothing. Rebe hasn’t done a thing to me. I don’t know what it is.” Magnolia proceeded.

  Darla followed. “That’s bad. You’ve got to tell her before Randall does.”

  “I know. I’ve been worried about that since the moment I left the hotel room.”

  “Or before his wife does.”

  “Even worse.”

  “You know how she feels about Rebe anyway. I mean, it’s not like it was just you and Randall, it was you, him, and her. If you don’t tell Rebe, I just see it one day coming back to haunt you when he needs something to throw in her face.”

  “I know.”

  “And anyway, they say people who meet like that can have cameras set up before you even go in the room. They could’ve recorded you.”

  “Oh, Darla, please. Don’t be silly. I was only there for a minute.”

  Darla flexed her hand. “Magnolia, if you can live with that, fine. I couldn’t. It’s one thing that you’re doing this sex-with-strangers thing, but now you’ve got that guilt in the back of your head. Don’t do that to yourself any longer. Man.” Darla gave a head shake. “And here I am feeling guilty about buying sex toys at this erotica convention, and you and Rebe have all this drama going on, just from trying to cop a cheap thrill. I don’t mean to sound judgmental. But damn, I guess I do, even though I’m no prude, as much as you might think I am. But honestly, you two need to slow down.”

  “I hear you.”

  “Anything else you wanna confess?” Darla looked to Magnolia as if braced for another surprise.

  Magnolia’s eyes gleamed. “Just that. The next confession will be to Rebe. And it’s not going to be anywhere as easy as telling you.” She looked around, changing her shoulder bag from her left to her right. “But, on a good note, I did meet someone. His name is Miller Lockhart. He’s a retired finance guy. And speaking of slowing down, I’ve seen him every night since then.” Magnolia’s eyes were different. “I like him, Darla. And he really likes me. Likes me like he’s ready to settle down, likes me.” She batted her lashes.

  “And you know that already?”

  “I can’t believe it either, but we’ve talked about everything. He said he’s through looking, and he’s shut down every woman he was talking to.”

  “Already? And you say you’ve seen him every night since when?”

  “Since Erotic City. I met him at the club.”

  “He’s a swinger?”

  “No. He’s not. No more than I am.”

  “But he was there, right?”

  “He went to see if he wanted to do it, and decided he didn’t. Actually, I saved him from this woman who invited him into a room with her.” Magnolia giggled. “She was about six foot five and muscular. I saw her, or it, and agreed with him, it was a man.”

  “Wow.”

  “And Rebe, Miller is almost sixty.”

  “Magnolia. He’s old enough to be your father.”

  “Oh, and one more thing. He’s white. And you know I am down with the swirl, girl.” Magnolia snapped her fingers.

  “Now see. I’m gonna stop, because that’s the best thing you’ve said so far. As far as that’s concerned, I do think we should go beyond our normal boundaries. I told you guys before, I’d be open to any race myself. So, whether you met him at a swinger’s club or not, congratulations.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  “Besides, you dated that guy back in college who married that porn actress. Who was it, Gabe, right?”

  “Yep. Plus, Miller had a black girlfriend years ago before he got married. It’s no biggie to us.”

  “Wow. Then I say go for it.”

  “We’re in the honeymoon phase. It’s all good. Very good, actually.”

  “I’m happy for you. I’ve been so busy trying to get this store opened in the next few months, and you and Rebe have all of this stuff going on. It’s l
ike watching a soap opera. But heck, at least you met someone. And once Rebe works through all this with Trinity, and you tell her about your little rendezvous with her ex-husband, we’ll be cool. We’re too close for secrets like that.” She looked Magnolia up and down. “Dang, remind me to never leave you alone with my man if I ever get one.”

  Magnolia joked, “Maybe you need to go back to a swinger’s event. You might find him there.” She grabbed a black garter for herself.

  “No thanks. Never again. I wouldn’t go back even if I had a man. I’m too jealous for all that madness.”

  “I can understand that. Me, too.” They walked down the last aisle. “Darla, aside from all this, honestly, I am proud of you. And I still can’t believe you, getting that check in the mail. I mean, damn.”

  “I’m doing okay. With or without all the screwing you two are doing. All I know is, you need to talk to Rebe.”

  “I will. I have to.” Magnolia thought hard. “You think if she knew already she would’ve called me on it by now?”

  “Ahh, yes. Rebe Palo-Richardson wouldn’t let that mess go.”

  “Shit. Let’s just hope when I tell her she doesn’t try to kill me.”

  “Knowing Rebe, that’s just what she’d try to do. Our friend is a hothead from way back. Crazy Rebe comes from a long line of ass-kicking women.”

  “Literally. But, I’ll find the right time to tell her. And soon.”

  “Good. Just make sure I’m nowhere around.”

  INT.—DARLA’S CAR—HIGHWAY I-195 EAST—LATE AFTERNOON

  That same day

  All the talk about the swinger’s club and sex and lingerie and couples and cheating and going down and new men and freaking and watching took Darla on a walk down memory lane as she drove home from downtown Miami.

  Even as she’d said the words, telling Magnolia she’d been to a swinger’s retreat, it felt odd to even speak it to anyone. She’d kept it to herself for ten years. It was her and Aaron’s little secret. It was their one time to let their hair down and get buck wild while away on one of their annual vacations.

  Thinking back to it seemed like a dream, like it wasn’t even real. Aaron, who looked so conservative on the outside, had his fantasies like any other man. He’d been a bad boy without Darla before, and she knew it, it’s just that once they agreed to freak, she’d told herself it was time for her to be bad with him. It was her time to push the limits as a married woman, but with her own husband. And she gave herself permission to do it, feeling certain she’d be okay if she just followed his lead.

  It was August 1999, and Aaron and Darla had taken a three-day trip to Jamaica. It wasn’t their first time, but it was their first actual Hedonism trip. Hedonism, an adults-only resort, was all about exploring, experiencing, and getting naughty, grown folks style. This trip was to a SuperClub, all inclusive meals, drinks, accommodations, activities, entertainment, all situated on the tip of Negril’s seven-mile beach in Jamaica, which had two private sections. One of the sections was a nude beach. And that’s the section they stayed at. It was an X-rated Fantasy Island.

  The breathtaking sandy beach glistened sugary white, and the dazzling, calm water was so clear you could see down to the bottom of the ocean at the multicolored sea life. The night before, they soaked in the flavor, walking hand in hand along the shore in their white swimwear, but tonight, they were at a party wearing rainbow togas. At exactly midnight, the togas were removed and everyone got nude.

  Oh my God, how did I end up going for that? Darla asked herself as she reflected back.

  Back then on that warm, still, anticipatory night, she was concerned about her shape since she’d just started to gain weight around that time. Aaron always convinced her she was beautiful so she shook it off, and took it off. The more she saw other people around, lying on the lounge chairs, and standing around talking, drinking, fully naked, the more she was able to shed her inhibitions and just relax. To her this was the easiest part she’d agreed to. The difficult part was yet to come. But, she sipped on a cherry piña colada and let go.

  Aaron had a few whiskey sours and was feeling brand-new. He was six feet tall, a redbone, had a close fade with a little gray, a thin mustache, a buffed chest with a few gray hairs, a little bit of a beer belly, a tight, round ass, and he had strong, hard legs with big claves, from playing baseball in college. The ladies on the beach looked him up and down, but he stayed close to his wife, who was getting her share of head-to-toe looks herself.

  A couple walked over and struck up a conversation with Aaron and Darla. It was really the young woman who flirted with Aaron with her eyes. The man seemed to be okay with whatever his wife was fine with. And she was more than fine with Darla’s husband.

  Under the twinkling stars and romantic moonlight normally made for two, the four of them talked about other vacations they’d been on and which locales were the best, about cruising and different types of drinks, but nothing personal. Not even exchanging names. They each knew the deal.

  After lying out along the beach under the tiki torches, the four ended up putting the togas back on and heading over to the Breezes Grand Resort & Spa, to Aaron and Darla’s third floor, one-bedroom junior suite.

  As Darla drove farther on I-195, she thought back to the beautiful hotel ten years ago with the French doors and ocean-blue quartz foyer, crystal chandeliers, and panoramic view, bathrooms with multihead showers, and bedrooms with romantic spotlights that bounced off the natural fiber walls. Especially the mirrored ceilings throughout. She recalled that the room smelled like Juicy Fruit gum.

  There was a jade and ivory fitted bed, and the man, kind of square looking, who was in his early thirties, thin and tall and brown, bald head, just watched, standing over by the balcony doors, facing the bed. He jerked off. Nothing else for the moment. He didn’t talk much. He just jerked off. And that was fine with Darla because the rule was she couldn’t and wouldn’t be penetrated by another man. Aaron being with another woman, for that night, now, was a different story.

  Darla tried not to stare at the man’s long, dark penis, but it was very thin and curved and she’d never seen anything like it. What really helped to keep her from staring was the sight of her beloved husband, Aaron, getting his dick, which she couldn’t stop referring to in her head as her dick, sucked by the light-skinned woman who sat in the octagon-shaped Jacuzzi next to the king bed while Aaron stood over the side of it, legs spread wide, hands on his hips like he was the man, getting deep throated by Linda Lovelace skills. She used lots of spit and gripped him with both hands, going deep without any sign of a gagging reflex. Aaron looked like he was fighting off a tidal wave that was about to hit big and hard.

  The yellow woman was Cape Verdean and Welsh with an exotic look, leaning more toward her Portuguese blood. She had marshmallow crème nails, with long flowing, spirally hair, amber honey skin, and keen features. Big eyes. Medium-sized breasts. A small behind. She was half Darla’s size. And Aaron, though when he first saw the woman on the beach told Darla she was way too thin to be his type, seemed to be enjoying the yellow woman’s frame way beyond his own spoken words, watching her naked body from the reflection in the mirror overhead as she sucked him down. He seemed to have a newfound respect for the petite headed princess. He looked down to watch close-up. He even smiled.

  Darla sat on the bed and kept an eye on Aaron’s dick as it went in and out of the late-twenty-year-old yellow woman’s mouth. His dick told Darla it felt stronger than ever.

  The yellow woman backed away from his penis, but first scooped the rough side of her long tongue under his balls like a ladle and his upper head jerked back to the ceiling again, watching. She stood, water dipping off her skin like it was in slow motion. Her pussy was bare. She stepped out and Aaron helped her, extending his hand. She grabbed a large white towel and looked at Aaron as she made her way to the bed next to where Darla sat. Her eyes invited Aaron to play inside of her tenderoni body. She looked anxious to skip to the good part.

 
Aaron stood before Darla, his dick stuck out far enough to hang a coat on it. “Can I fuck her, baby? Or I can fuck you and she can do something to me.”

  The yellow woman nodded for either. Her man, still standing by the balcony with his hand on his walnut dick, nodded, too.

  Darla only looked at the thin, beautiful lady who awaited Darla’s very own husband with an intimate, anticipatory look. Willing.

  Aaron lifted Darla’s chin up toward him. “Which do you want, baby?”

  Darla managed to say, after having gone this far, “I want you to do what you want.”

  Aaron looked anxious and reached into his gym bag, which was on the floor near the bed. “Can you put my condom on?” he asked his wife.

  Darla sat up straight. “Yes.”

  Aaron handed it to her. He then said, as though he’d better, “Wait. Let me eat you first.”

  Darla put the condom on the bed and lay back, watching carefully as Aaron put his face between her familiar legs and licked her curly haired vagina. The between that only he knew so well. Darla looked up at the mirrored ceiling and saw the view from overhead, her redbone husband on his knees between her legs, munching with an audience. She looked over at the yellow woman and then at the brown man, watching them watch her. She felt the true meaning of three’s a crowd, feeling that four was still two too many. On her own, she could enjoy Aaron’s tongue loving, at least she could focus on the feelings the sensation brought to bring pleasure to each other. They’d have oral sex, and they’d have vaginal sex. That was good enough for her. This was so new, so different, that all she could do was think about the unknown, and anticipate.

  Just that quick, the brown man laid his wife on her back and went down on her, too. The yellow woman began to moan, loud. To Darla it sounded like pain, not pleasure. The yellow woman was in a zone.

  The yellow woman looked down at her man, and then at Aaron between Darla’s legs, and then at her man, and then Aaron looked at the yellow woman while his tongue was inside of Darla, and he moaned, and the brown man watched Darla. Without looking, the yellow woman found Darla’s right hand, took hold, and squeezed.

  “You’re beautiful,” she said, eyeing down Darla’s ample breasts that spread along her chest.