by Lonz Cook
“A smart ass too,” Manny sighed, “This is going to be an interesting night.”
“Yes, it is. I want to make it extremely interesting.”
“You aren’t thinking what I’m thinking, are you?” Manny asked.
“Well, I was thinking that after dinner we can enjoy us.”
“Not quite what I had in mind mystery woman.” He looked in her eyes hoping to find truth, “Even though I like the way you think, I was going to suggest that we play a game. You could tell me if this is a set up to make your husband jealous. I wouldn’t like getting shot for being with someone’s wife.”
“I’m not married, so you don’t have to worry about that.” Frieda took a sip of her wine. “Are you game?”
“I’m game to discover your identity. It’s one thing to have a one-night stand and not know the person’s identity, but to repeat it without knowing makes me uncomfortable.”
“What if you discover little by little? I’m not ready to disclose everything about me yet.”
The waiter returned with dinner and filled their wine glasses. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thanks,” Manny said and looked at Frieda, waiting for the waiter to leave the table before saying another word. “Now that we’re alone again, what’s your game?”
“Enjoy the moment, that’s all I ask. I don’t want anything, no relationship, no responsibilities, and no worries.”
“I get it. No expectations, but it’s too late. You’ve opened the door of curiosity.”
“Let’s say I cracked that door because I want consistency. All I ask is when I call you, please try to be available.”
“That leads to a responsibility like responding to your needs.”
“And what’s wrong with responding to my needs?” Frieda eased back in her chair and touched her mouth with the napkin. “Don’t men do it all the time?”
“You’re asking me to be like a mistress?”
“You have to be in a marriage to have a mistress, but I get the point. No, I was hoping to just keep it simple. If you aren’t interested when I call, just say so. I won’t bother you.”
“Okay, so it’s nearly friends with benefits without a friendship. We’re just a couple of people who want to have sex.”
“Sex is part of it. I want fun and as I remember we danced and enjoyed the time we spent together when we met. Going out with girls all the time is fun, but every once in a while it’s nice having a man around.”
“Especially when it’s time to get that itch scratched.”
“Who says that isn’t an objective?” Frieda grinned and gazed into Manny’s eyes.
“I see. Kind of works out for me. I’m in,” Manny offered his hand and shook hers in agreement. When their hands touched, he pulled her closer and kissed her lips. “Now we agree.”
“Thanks, that’s what I like about you. You aren’t afraid to show affection in public.”
“I sure hope you aren’t married,” Manny reiterated, “I’m a stickler for feeling a sexy woman at every opportunity.”
“This sexy woman loves being felt. I knew you’d be perfect.”
Manny and Frieda went on their little escapade. On their way to Manny’s apartment, Frieda flashed her car lights, turned around, and drove to the Wal-Mart Shopping Center near the airport. He made a U-turn and followed. He found her Toyota parked amidst cars at the far, dark end of the lot. When he pulled in beside her he saw her motion him to get in. To his surprise, she’d stripped from the waist down and instructed him to do the same.
“Here, use this.” Frieda handed him a condom.
“I see you’re an exhibitionist too.”
“Any arguments?”
“No, it just reminds me of being a teenager. The difference now is I don’t get excited just from thinking about sex. I need encouragement.”
“I can take care of that.”
Frieda reached across his lap and pulled the lever to make the car seat lie flat. She quickly maneuvered her lips around the pleasure instrument she wanted to excite. She slurped, bobbed, and licked him until it became erect.
“Slide on the condom,” she ordered while getting into position to mount his stretched smile maker. She intended to ride him as if she were bareback on a pony. Manny added to the excitement and thrust as hard as he could once he entered. He knew that roving security could interrupt their session, he clutched her by the waist and tried to block her image in the car window from being obvious to an onlooker. The car bounced, its windows fogged, and in minutes, Frieda was screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! God Yes!” When it ended, she collapsed into his arms. They lay silent with heavy breathing which sounded like they had completed a hundred yard dash at full speed. Frieda got up and reached into her glove compartment. “Use this handy wipe to clean up.”
“Talk about chance. Don’t you know we’re pressing our luck at getting caught?”
“I need the thrill and love spontaneity. I knew I could convince you to go along.”
***
Manny arrived home and immediately went online. He invited Tiffany to a Skype video call.
Manny; Hey, call me when you get home.
He reduced the chat window and sent Suzie an email with plans for a father-daughter weekend getaway. Since he retired from the Navy, he and Suzie often spent quality moments together and shared events to catch up on what he considered lost time. When they visited during her childhood, there was a limit to their time together because Cheryl had her daughter transitioning to a new dad. When Manny had an opportunity to travel with Suzie, her mom would shorten their visiting time. So they spent extended weekends doing fun things like amusement parks, seasonal professional sporting events, and shopping, which enraged Cheryl because it made Manny seem like the typical fun father, while George, her current husband, took the role of the mean disciplinarian. When Manny tried to discipline Suzie, Cheryl would defend their daughter and scold him about his views on training and child development. Manny couldn’t win at any cost.
He found a great travel package for Spring break and wanted Suzie to take one week of her break to head for Cancun, Mexico. Manny felt they should go and during their travel he too could have some fun, enjoy the scenery, and explore the Caribbean Riviera. When he inserted website links and finished the email, Tiffany came online and the Skype indicator flashed an acknowledged message.
Tiffany; I’m here Manny. Are you still available?
Manny; Let’s video call. He invited her via the video connect button. Manny waved when Tiffany’s face appeared on the screen. “Hi.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“The strangest thing happened to me tonight.”
“Really?” Tiffany placed her hand on her face. “What happened?”
“I went out with this woman once, but never got her contact information. She, well, you know, got busy with me one night. I hadn’t run into her again. So, out of the blue, she calls and wants to meet. After dinner, she took me to a parking lot for some wild passion. You know, it was weird because it took me back to being a teen. We’re too old to get caught for indecent exposure.”
“It sounds like she’s looking for a friend of favorable fun. I don’t think she would risk it unless she trusted you.”
“Interest and trust are the least of it. And I’ve never had anyone treat me like that.” Manny grimaced at his last comment. He realized he might have shared too much.
“A man of your experience finds himself in a new mind blowing situation. Swimming in uncharted waters?”
“I am and I don’t know how to take this. On one hand, it’s like a compliment and on the other it’s dangerous because of the unknown.”
“What is she doing that makes it dangerous?”
“She didn’t tell me her name and wants me at her beck and call. I have the alternative not to take part of course, but it’s the hiding I don’t feel comfortable with.”
/> “Manny, you shouldn’t fear the unknown. Obviously, it’s excitement for her. She’s doing whatever makes her feel wanted and empowered.”
“You may have a point. I don’t know how to handle not being in control or not being able to call when I feel like calling.”
“You have control, Manny. Didn’t she say you don’t have to participate if you weren’t interested? She doesn’t want a commitment, just be there when she wants you.”
“You make another good point. I don’t have to play whenever I feel it’s not worth it. Control is different in this case.”
“She’s out for a good time, that’s all. I don’t know why she’s hiding so much, but it reminds me of a married woman having fun.”
“She said she wasn’t married,” Manny replied.
“Did you notice her hand? Was there a ring or some sort of a ring or a ring mark?”
“People wear jewelry. I did see rings, but not a diamond or wedding band.”
“Okay, then you’re safe, but keep in mind that some women do those things and never let the man in on the secret.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep my eyes open for signs. That is if and when she calls and I get a chance to rendezvous with her again. Let’s change the subject. How are you these days?”
“Oh I’m not bad. Working and living - nothing happening out of the usual. I took your advice and talked to Tom. He hasn’t opened up enough for me to know what happened between him and his wife, but I’m going to find out. There’s got to be some way I can brighten his mood and change him back to the Tom I met instead of seeing him the way he is today.”
“Be careful with that because some men don’t like women to pry. Let him come to you and don’t be pushy. He’s probably needs closure before getting on the bike again.”
Tiffany noticed that Manny touched the tip of his nose. “Did something bite you?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” said Manny.
“You messed with your nose.”
“Oh, I think it’s a pimple.”
“You’re still a teenager,” Tiffany chuckled.
Manny and Tiffany talked for another hour, bringing up living habits, jobs, and ideas. They agreed on some cities in the United States that each would like to visit one day. They both agreed that Las Vegas was the number one city they wanted to experience.
Tiffany waited for Manny to disappear from skype before logging off. It became her habit to be the last online, just to make sure she got the view she could remember. Manny was becoming her norm and she enjoyed looking at his handsome features.
Chapter 21
After Tiffany snapped her last memorable view of Manny, her cell phone rang. She looked at her caller ID and didn’t recognize the number. Again, it was similar to the one she didn’t answer earlier. She decided to answer.
“Hello.”
“Tiffany? Hi, how are you?”
“I’m good.” Tiffany slowly responded. “How are you?”
“I’m good except I can’t seem to get you off my mind.”
“Who is this?”
“I’m a guy you met weeks ago and I hoped it would be okay to call.”
“If I met you just weeks ago I would recognize your voice.”
“I was with your friend, Valerie.”
“You were with Valerie when I met you.” Baffled Tiffany tried to place their meeting.
“Yes, you were with Valerie when I met you, but I seem to have said something that rubbed you the wrong way.”
“Damn, JT.”
“You got it. Why the damn? We can’t be cordial before you get angry?”
“Why are you calling me?”
“Hold on Tiffany. I called because I wanted to surprise Valerie at an event and thought you’d give me some insight, or help me with guests.”
“You intend to surprise Valerie. Hmm, that would be nice. How did you get my number? Why didn’t you leave a message the first time you called?”
“I got it from Valerie’s cell phone and I usually don’t leave a message. It’s just a bad habit of mine.”
“Okay, what do you want to know? I may be able to help.”
“I was thinking about surprising her at my appreciation party, for no reason other than to get her friends together with mine.”
“JT, are you serious about Valerie? Is that what I’m getting from your idea?”
“Yes she’s my golden woman and has the best spirit I’ve experienced in my life. She’s the star of my night, the joy in my song, and the vision of beauty I see even when she’s not in front of me.”
“I know sweet words can get you everywhere with her.”
“Can you help me?” JT waited for a response and when Tiffany didn’t answer, he asked again. “Will you help me?”
“Sure, let me think about what Valerie would like. Is it a surprise party?”
“Surprise her? Yes, that works. When do you think you can share those names and addresses?”
“Give me a week. I’ll call you and then you can text me your email address.”
“That’s fair,” JT responded and then explained why he wanted to surprise Valerie. “I have to create something unique for Valerie.” JT found his new interest adorable, vivacious, and energetic beyond the usual women he dated. He went on without Tiffany saying a word. “It was our trip to Napa Valley that got me. She undoubtedly connected to my spirit, a special energy that I never felt from any woman. We hiked on a hillside in the vineyard and had a breakfast picnic where we watched the morning change from cool to the heat of noon. Another time, we went to Angel Island, walked along a path until we got tired and then sat on a park bench and talked until the last ferry. Valerie is awesome, she posed for pictures and I’m enjoying making an oil painting of her. She impressed me by embracing my lifestyle and considers me a true artist.”
“JT, I’ll help you. I’ve never heard anyone explain deep feelings in reference to Valerie.” Tiffany fell silent and waited for a response. “Are you there?”
She heard a muffled sound like he was holding his hand over the phone mic. Tiffany imagined she heard another voice right before JT spoke. “I have to run. Thanks for your help,” he ended the call.
Tiffany couldn’t believe what JT told her. She knew when Valerie met JT their girl time would abruptly end, but they occasionally talked on the phone. It’s what usually happened when one of them became involved with a man. Valerie didn’t mention JT much during their last conversation, which ideally meant something more was happening. Tiffany called Valerie on her cell.
“Hey,” Valerie answered.
“Hey, what are you up to?” Tiffany said.
“Not much today. Hadn’t heard from you lately, is everything fine?”
“Valerie, I think we should have lunch tomorrow.”
“I don’t know. Let me see what JT is up to. Hold on,” Valerie clicked over and called JT to make sure they had nothing planned. She clicked back to Tiffany. “What time?”
***
Tiffany arrived at the coffee shop ten minutes earlier than Valerie. It was the same coffee shop where Tiffany had her date with, the narcissist from Hell, Steven. Today the crowd seemed warmer and friendlier than her last patronage. People shared tables and entertained each other with small talk. When Valerie arrived, Tiffany stood and greeted her with a hug as if she were a long lost friend.
“What gives?” Valerie said.
“Nothing, I’m happy to see you. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a chance to share.” Tiffany smiled. “So start sharing.”
“Share what?” Valerie smirked with her response. “You know me so well.” She giggled like she hid a happy secret in her purse.
“Come on, we’ve been best friends for years. I know when we don’t talk for an extended time it’s because one of us is dating. But when we talk, it’s like we’ve never stopped. So spill the beans.”
“He’s awesome, kind, sweet, and a gentleman. The only thing is h
e doesn’t have a lot of money.”
“Valerie, you know we’ve gone through the money phase. Isn’t there more than money to worry over?”
“Not with him. I mean, we’ve found a simple connection and lifestyle. We don’t overextend ourselves and we don’t risk going too far into the fancy life San Fran offers. You know, we don’t club too much, or dine at five-star restaurants, but I have to confess that I’ve enjoyed every moment with him. I’ll sacrifice those finer things for a great time with him.”
“Wait, my Valerie make sacrifices?”
“Come on Tiffany this guy is different. I wouldn’t dare hang out in every park around the city, listen to street entertainers for hours, and go vegan for anybody.”
“You’re not eating meat? Are you serious?”
“Right now, I’d love a hamburger.” Valerie laughed. “I’m serious. I was hoping you’d say a restaurant on the wharf instead of here.”
“I’m sure you’ll get a hamburger soon. So tell me, who is this man of influence?”
“JT, you remember. You screamed at him the last time you saw him. I never did understand why.”
Tiffany didn’t want to discourage Valerie and loved how happy she seemed. “He made a smart ass comment about me being lonely that didn’t sit well with me.”
“You want to share?”
“No not really. It’s all good. You look so happy.”
“Yes, I am…somewhat.”
“Somewhat happy, why would you say that?”
“Well, he always has other women around. One day, I walked in on a naked woman in his studio. What I didn’t get is she was the one who got angry when I arrived. Suddenly she went on the offensive. She gave me a scorned look and asked why I was there. Another time, he disappeared for a couple days; no call, no text, nothing. He came back and said he went to the mountains to find inspiration. The third crazy thing he did was invite a third person to our private party.”
“You mean a sexual encounter private party?”
“No Tiffany, it was a fancy dinner which we rarely share.”
“That upset you? You had a chance for meat and it didn’t go as you liked?” Tiffany laughed.