One Hand On The Podium

by John E. Harper

  He buried his face in her neck, then moved to kiss the soft tiny hairs that ran up the back of her shoulders. Her fingers tugged at her tank top that was tucked in her shorts. Tony released her as she quickly lifted the shirt over her breasts, letting it rest above them. Tony watched as the shadows of the rustling leaves on the trees moved over them. He leaned over and kissed each one as his hand moved to enjoy their softness.

  She moaned, “I want you Tony, I want you now!”

  Without hesitation he pulled his shorts down, just low enough, exposing himself to her. She desperately let hers fall to her ankles, then stepped out of them. Her fingers reached to find him. Stroking slowly, she pulled it toward her thighs as he moaned with pleasure.

  “Oh, damn, this feels so good Michelle,” Tony said breathlessly.

  “Sh-h-h,” she teasingly ordered.

  She moved her legs apart and placed him inside. He wasted no time moving his hips back and forward slowly.

  “Oh, Tony!” Michelle said, breathing heavily. Then she lifted one leg and wrapped it around him as he ventured in and out of her. Tony took her other leg and pulled it up off the ground, leaving her supported against the tree by the pressure of his body against hers. “Do it harder Tony. I love that. It feels so good. Don’t stop,” she begged for more.

  Violently, but carefully, he rammed into her. They shook with excitement. Michelle’s fingers dug into his back as she enjoyed the lovemaking.

  “Oh, Tony. Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop, Tony. Oh, oh!”

  “I have to—.”

  “Don’t stop!” Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy.

  Tony felt himself ready, when suddenly he pulled out of her, letting her legs fall to the ground. He moved away, holding himself as Michelle watched in disbelief.

  “I told you not to stop,” she angrily told him, still shaking from the experience.

  “Sorry about that!”

  “What do you mean, you’re sorry? You’ve done that to me every single time for the past few weeks. What’s gotten into you?” she moaned, still breathing heavy.

  “Like I said, I’m sorry. What more can I say?” He pulled his shorts up and walked back to the bicycle path.

  “Hey, Tony, wait. Wait for me!” Michelle clumsily put her feet back into her shorts and pulled them up, then moved her top back down over her breasts as she made her way toward him.”I’m not mad at you Tony, I just don’t understand. Will you please slow down? Wait for me, damn it,” she shouted out.

  “Don’t understand what?” he mumbled as he kept walking up the path.

  She had to walk quickly to keep up with him, “Are you afraid that you’ll get me pregnant? Is that it?”

  “That could be it.”

  “I told you I’m on the pill. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “That’s what my wife said, too!”

  “Come on Tony, give me more credit than that. The last thing I want to do is get pregnant, and besides, your wife lied to you. She deceived you.”

  “I know she did.”

  “And you think I would do that to you?”

  “No, but accidents do happen.”

  “Oh sure, nothing’s impossible.”

  “I rest my case.”

  “Do you always have to end our discussions with that?”

  “With what?”

  “I rest my case,” she mocked. “I hate that. Will you please stop walking and talk to me?”

  He stopped near a concrete park bench and looked out over the tree line of the park. “Do I have to spend the rest of the night apologizing for everything I do? I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

  She looked at him as he sat on the bench pouting. “What’s wrong, Baby?”

  He ignored her and continued staring away.

  “Talk to me. Please,” she begged him.

  There was a long silence. He didn’t answer for a long time, then he said, “Sit down Michelle. I have a favor to ask.”

  “Sure Tony, what is it?” She sat beside him holding his arm lovingly.

  He looked over at her. “Tomorrow morning I’m going to have Peg take me to the office. She thinks I’m going out of town to a lawyer’s convention in Kansas City.”

  “Are you?”

  “No, I’m not. But I want Peggy to think that I am. I need a favor. Listen carefully. I want you to pick me up at City Hall around ten o’clock. I need you to drive me somewhere tomorrow.”

  “Sure. Where?”

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

  “Is it a secret?”

  “Sort of. No one needs to know about this, and I expect you not to tell anyone.”

  “Tony, you can trust me.”

  “I’ll also need to stay at your place for a few days.”

  “Ah, sure—. Why not?”

  “Michelle, you’ve been so good about not telling anyone about us. I want you to know that I really appreciate that. You know what that would do to my chances of defeating Simon Moss in November.”

  “I would never let you down Tony. You know that. But I have to admit, I would love to brag to the world that I’m in love with you.”

  “Don’t even think it,” his voice took an firm tone. “Do you understand me?”

  “Tony, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I promise.”

  “Thank you.” Tony sighed, “You’re great Michelle,”

  “Yeah, that’s me, the great one!”

  “Come here,” Tony leaned over and gave the frustrated pretty young girl a kiss on the nose, then stood up and told her he had to be going.

  “Yes, I guess you’d better. I wish it were me you were going home to.”

  “You know that’s not possible now, Michelle, right?” Tony reaffirmed. “We talked about that, right?”

  “Right.”

  “So, I’ll see you in the morning at ten o’clock, right?”

  “Right.”

  She waved her hand to him, with a sad face, “Bye-bye Tony, I love you so much.”

  He waved as he walked backward for a few steps, then turned and jogged back to his car.

  ***

  It was only nine o’clock when he got back to his condo. Peggy had his luggage, for his supposed trip to Kansas City, packed and sitting on the living room couch along with a pillow and blanket. He got the implied message immediately. He undressed, turned on the television set, then fell asleep.

  ***

  The next morning Peggy was the first one out of bed. She had a way of shutting bad things out of her mind and acted as though nothing had happened the night before. “Tony, Tony, wake up. You’d better get moving.”

  She nudged his shoulder that was hanging off the edge of the couch. “Huh?” he muttered.

  “Tony, wake up. I have to take you to the office today, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. Shit, I’d better get moving.” Groggy and sore from a lousy night’s sleep on the sofa, he got up and readied himself for his long day. As he showered, shaved and brushed his teeth, Peggy put the finishing touches on the packing for his trip.

  “Tony?” she called out to him.

  “What is it Peggy?”

  “Your good suit isn’t back from the cleaners. I didn’t realize it till last night. What are you going to wear?”

  “That’s okay Peggy, I’m sure this meeting is going to be casual dress.”

  “Really? That seems odd. A bunch of lawyers together at a convention and no suits?” she giggled at the thought.

  “Well, I’m just going by what they told me. Business casual”

  “I forgot to ask you. How are you getting to the airport?”

  “I’m riding with a group from City Hall.”

  “I could have taken you.”

&n
bsp; “Yes, well, this is more convenient for everybody.”

  “I suppose so.” Peggy paused a moment, watching her husband make a few final grooming touches, then asked, “Are you going to miss me?”

  He walked toward her, gave her a kiss on the cheek and turned away to pick up his suitcase.

  “Hey you, I need a bigger kiss than that to get me through these next few days alone.”

  “Oh, of course, Baby.” Tony went back to her, put his arms around her and faked a passionate kiss. Peggy sensed that his heart wasn’t in it but decided not to make anything of it.

  “I got the impression that you were the only one from your office going to Kansas City.”

  “No, no, me and at least three others,” he lied.

  “Who’s that? Anybody I’ve met,” she pushed?

  “No, ah, I think the others are from the mayor’s office.” Tony was a bit surprised that he was able to get away with such lies and contradictions, but he did.

  As Peggy turned toward the kitchen, a sharp pain shot through her stomach. Tony noticed her holding her round belly but didn’t think to ask what was wrong.

  “Oh—!” Peggy moaned. The pain subsided and she continued walking to the kitchen. Tony went on to complete his preparations for his clandestine, secretive day.

  At nine o’clock Peggy dropped him off at the front steps of City Hall so he could meet up with his ride. She waited for a good-bye kiss but did not get one. Her sad face, which Tony couldn’t help noticing, told the whole story of their relationship. She only hoped things would get better after the election, while he didn’t show any signs of caring one way or another.

  ***

  The day was cool and very gray. Hardly the kind of weather to cheer a person up. Rush hour on Market Street had thinned out as Tony looked out his office window and watched busses and taxis drive by as he waited for his ride to the Illinois side of the river.

  Dressed in a pink low cut, long-sleeved blouse and tight fitting jeans, Michelle climbed out of her red, well-worn 75’ Camaro.

  Tony spotted her as she put some money in the parking meter. He picked up his suitcase and quickly ran out of the office to meet her. “Hi, Michelle. Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure,” she answered, followed with a perky smile. Then without warning, she leaned over and planted a kiss on Tony’s left cheek.

  “Are you crazy, Michelle,” he snapped angrily. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself,” she smiled, teasingly.

  He quietly shouted with clinch teeth, “If somebody sees us doing that it would only take a few hours before it’s front page news.” He looked around to be certain no one was watching.

  “Gee, I forgot, Tony,” Michelle sadly explained.

  “Well, you can’t forget. You know better than that.”

  “Well, don’t yell at me.”

  “I’m not yelling. Come on. Let’s get going.”

  Michelle frowned as she made her way into the driver’s side of the car. Tony got in his side tossing his luggage in the back seat. They sat silently as the auto jerked its way from stop sign to stop light then out of the city.

  It was a good thirty-minute drive, heading 20 miles east of St. Louis to Belleville, Illinois, a typical mid-size American city. As they circled the large fountain in the middle of the business district, he checked a piece of paper that he’d pulled from his shirt pocket. “We’re almost there, Michelle. About three more blocks.”

  “When are you going to tell me where we’re going,” she carefully asked?

  Ignoring her question, he said, “You can signal here.”

  He pointed to a small brick office building set back off the street with a long walkway leading to its entrance.

  “Is this it?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  She parallel parked the car next to a small building with a sign that read “Merrill Wilson, M.D.”

  “Tony!” she grabbed his hand. “Why are we here? What’s going on?”

  “I’ll be back in about an hour. You can drive around awhile or wait right here, which ever you prefer.”

  “Tony, please tell me why you’re here.”

  “I’ll tell you when I get back out. There’s a drug store over there across the street with a lunch counter. Why don’t you wait there?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at the old-fashioned building that was both a pharmacy and ice cream lunch counter.

  “No, that’s fine. I’ll sit here in the car.”

  “An hour is a long time,” he warned.

  “Why can’t I go inside with you?”

  “No. Now damn it, just wait here.” He got out of the car and walked up the sidewalk towards the doctor’s office, as Michelle watched him, confused and upset by his insistence of hiding his mission. She pouted as he went inside, leaving her there without a clue.

  ***

  Nearly two hours passed when Tony came out of the doctor’s office. The bright sunlight hurt his eyes as he tried to focus on his watch. Although Michelle’s car was waiting there at the curb, she was not. Tony looked up then over across the street by the drug store and saw her standing next to two men, one of whom was doing the talking. Slowly he made his way toward the trio. Michelle turned and saw him coming. She looked back at the men, who then quickly turned and walked away getting into a large dark blue car. She moved toward Tony wearing an awkward smile, obviously trying to hide something.

  “Are you done? Why are you limping?” she asked.

  “Who were those guys?” Tony asked, watching the dark blue car drive away.

  “Ah, I don’t know, ah, just some guys needing directions,” she responded.

  “How could you give directions, you don’t know this town.”

  “Well, that’s what I told them.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are you ready to go? What did they do to you in there?” She took him by the arm and escorted him back to her car.”

  “He didn’t answer.”

  “So, Tony, why did you go to the doctor.”

  I’ll tell you later.

  “Why can’t you tell me now?”

  In a frustrated, exhausted tone, he answered, “I’ll explain it later. Can we just not talk till we get to your place?”

  Michelle shrugged. “Gosh, I’m just worried about you.”

  “I had a mole removed from my leg,” Tony lied.

  “What’s the big deal about that? I’m glad you’re okay.?

  “I’m okay. Let’s get back to your place.”

  The pair got into her car and drove back to St. Louis, where he was to stay in hiding for two days at her apartment while he recuperated from his minor surgery.

  ***

  Tony settled in comfortably on Michelle’s couch on that afternoon. Sitting with his legs propped up and a blanket over them, he was only wearing his underwear and a canary yellow polo shirt. Tony spent that remaining day reviewing his notes, readying himself for the debate which was weeks away. He paid little attention to Michelle. His primary concern was his wound and also coming up with enough ammunition to make a good showing at the upcoming debate

  “Can I get anything for you, Sugar?” Michelle generously asked.

  “No, but you can turn the TV on. I’d like to watch the news.”

  “Oh, I hate the news,” she pouted.

  “How do you keep up with politics, if you don’t watch the news, for Christ’s sake?” he asked her. “That doesn’t make sense? You’re working on my campaign and you don’t watch the news? That’s kind of scary.” Tony laughed.

  “I like politics,” she said.

  “You like politics, but hate the news. That makes no sense.”

  “No,
actually I just like you, Sexy Boy.” She smiled to herself.

  “Yeah, but I like the news, so please turn it on,” Tony said, raising his voice to make her move.

  “I will, I will. Gosh, don’t get so bent out of shape,” she said shrugging.

  He shook his head, frustrated with having to always watch what he said to both Michelle and Peggy.

  “Women!” he said loud enough for Michelle to hear.

  “What was that?” she asked as she turned the set on.

  “Nothing,” he mumbled.

  Michelle found a corner chair and a book to read. During the hour of news that followed, Tony would moan a little, every-so-often, to get her attention. She wasn’t the kind of woman to let any man treat her like a slave, but for this man she was willing to play the game.

  Something kept her from giving up on her relationship with this married man. Something let those snide remarks Tony always made about how his wife this, or how his wife that, just pass without fazing her.

  Even Tony thought it odd how such a lovely girl as Michelle would stay with him when she could have any man she wanted. But he wasn’t arguing. He enjoyed her company, and especially her lovemaking. Finally, at five o’clock his favorite newscaster came on. He listened intently.

  “Good evening. This is Rebecca Ray with the news at five. Leading the news here in St. Louis today, Mayor Allen White appeared at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new convention center. The complex is expected to bring thousands of business conventioneers a month to our city along with millions of dollars annually. A much needed boost for the Gateway to the West.”

  “That’s good. We needed a new convention center,” Tony said, though Michelle didn’t look up from her book. “We need more convention space.”

  “And this afternoon, the wife of congressional candidate Tony Bix, is in a South County hospital.”

  Tony sat upright instantly to listen more closely, his eyes widened.

  “Peggy Bix was admitted to St. Anthony’s Hospital in South County after suffering a miscarriage.”

  Tony’s eyes widened more, and a panic came over him. Michelle stood up from her chair to watch and listen. She looked over at Tony to watch his response.