A Cyber Affair

by Lonz Cook

  “It’s not funny,” Valerie giggled, “And to make matters worse, she was vegan, too.”

  “Okay, outside of being a vegan, what don’t you like about JT?”

  “He’s perfect for me. Though I like everything other than his eating habits, he’s got to let me do me when it comes to food.”

  “I didn’t know being a vegan was one of his requirements. Didn’t you tell him you enjoyed a good steak in the beginning of your relationship?”

  “I certainly did not.”

  “Which means you haven’t come clean yet.”

  “Okay you should know, I did claim to enjoy the vegan lifestyle, but I would go home and indulge every so often. I’ve given it a serious try, but I’m craving a hamburger.”

  “Okay, we’ll get you a hamburger, but if you like JT so much, you will have to come clean with him soon.”

  “After my burger, I’ll spill the beans. I promise.”

  ***

  Tiffany returned to her apartment, got online and wrote Manny an email after her attempt to catch him on Skype.

  Manny,

  It’s wonderful when people find love. It’s like there is a fire burning inside and a vibrant aura circles them. It is mind-blowing, especially when one of your closest friends finds love you always wish them the best. My best friend found love and I’m so happy for her. I had to share.

  Hope to catch you on Skype soon.

  Tiffany

  Chapter 22

  During work hours, except for Suzie, Manny had a strict “no-calls” policy so he hadn’t answered Frieda’s call. When he got to the gym, he listened to his voice mail before changing. “Hey, meet me at Calder Race Course around 7 and text me when you arrive.”

  After a fast workout session, Manny drove to Calder, sent Frieda a text to let her know he had arrived and waited for a response. What he couldn’t believe was how quickly she showed up, riding a horse with one in tow. Manny jumped out of his truck and looked at Frieda, dressed in a riding outfit; jodhpurs, boots, hat, and a button-down blouse.

  “Look at you…and you can ride too, very impressive.”

  She dismounted and approached him. “You know how to ride?”

  “It’s been years, but I catch on fast.”

  “Here,” she handed him the reins. “She’s a good horse, very gentle, so don’t be rough with her.”

  “Sounds just like a woman.” He raised his left eyebrow and laughed.

  “Some women,” Frieda frowned, mounted her horse and waited for him to do the same.

  Once she saw him in the saddle, she kicked her horse to get it to trot, and when he followed her close enough; she and her horse went into a full gallop. Manny tried the best that he could to keep up, but he rocked from side to side and held the stirrups with his legs like pressing lunges in the gym. Man, this is going to hurt, Manny admitted to himself. Two minutes into the ride, he noticed Frieda slowing. Manny took advantage and caught up.

  “I like a man of many talents,” Frieda shared. “I can only imagine what other talent you have in that body.”

  “I get the funny feeling you have something in mind where you’re about to find out.”

  “Yes, I think your funny feeling is right.” Frieda smiled and pointed to the stable. “Follow me over there.”

  “You’re the boss,” he said and did exactly what she told him. The night was falling and Frieda had plans. She stabled Manny’s horse, took off the saddle and bridle and then closed the stable door. Manny held the reins for Frieda’s horse and observed her changing her clothing.

  “You know how to take off a saddle?” she asked.

  “I think so. I remember doing it some years ago.”

  “Gently remove the saddle and set it on the wall over there,” Frieda instructed.

  Like a good sailor, Manny followed instructions. By the time he hung up the saddle, Frieda had gotten into a sun dress, placed a condom in the hat she maintained for her hair, and mounted the horse bareback.

  “Jump on.”

  “What?” He couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice.

  “Come on, it’s going to be fun.”

  She helped him mount the horse and sit behind her. “Now hold on.” Frieda kicked the horse into action and together they exited the stable area. She guided the horse down a riding path into Calder’s wooded area. She stopped, gave Manny the reins while she turned around to face him and leaned forward, placing her arms around him and positioning her legs over his.

  “Don’t kick her and feel me close,” she whispered.

  Manny kept the horse moving and felt the move that Frieda made on him, which was the opposite of what he expected. She rubbed against him and it worked wonders on his manhood. Next, he felt her lips on his, her thighs rubbing majestically in rhythm with the horse’s stride, her hips pressing forward.

  “Let’s go over to the bush so you can you put that thing of yours someplace that makes me happy,” she instructed.

  Manny smiled, pulled the reins, and stopped the horse when they arrived at a secluded spot in the woods. “She’s one amazing woman,”

  Frieda pulled a condom from her hat. “It’s time we put this on,” she said, giving Manny a smile of excitement.

  Manny moved lightning quick, laid flat on the weeds, and stripped his jeans in time for Frieda to roll the protection on his protruding sperm shooter. “Let me straddle you,” Frieda said. She wiggled to angle herself on Manny for a direct entry and kissed him, pulled him up so she could sit in his lap and straddled him while she nibbled on his ear lobe. Frieda felt a warm sensation, raised her legs, and placed them around his neck.

  “Rock me,” she insisted. “Lift me up and down.”

  Manny increased the rhythm with his thrust, just like Frieda wanted and lifted her slightly without exiting her. She squirmed to hold on and not lose the feeling. Manny felt incredible, but when his concentration dwindled, he climaxed right after she found her pleasure point.

  “Stop,” she commanded and repositioned when she turned around with her legs parallel to Manny’s “Can you get that up again?”

  “I can try.”

  “Please do.”

  The two maneuvered rear entry, and Frieda got him to help her movement.

  Manny released a second time and Frieda stopped moving when she felt her second orgasm.

  “I don’t know where you get your ideas, but I love the experience,” said Manny.

  ***

  Manny returned after his evening excursion. He jumped in the shower and heated up some leftovers from the refrigerator for dinner. After he had surfed the net, he saw Tiffany’s email and without losing a moment he read it. Happy that she had written, he responded:

  Tiffany,

  One day we’ll find that feeling. The feeling of sharing, the excitement of giving and receiving. You know, the deep emotion where you whisper I love you while sleeping. I want it bad enough to create a life tomorrow that follows me to the grave. When the right woman comes along, it’s going to be remarkable. Hat’s off to your best friend, she found it.

  Manny

  Manny didn’t try to Skype — he was tired and felt compelled to relax. He turned in sooner than usual. His legs were throbbing and the pain shot from hip to ankle. “I knew riding horseback was going to hurt.”

  Chapter 23

  Tiffany made getting closer to Tom a success. She pestered him to get over his situation. Tom had not explained why his wife had disappeared even though Tiffany felt he wanted to. She knew it was difficult for him to share the information. Tiffany tried to show him a great time in multiple environments. Tom fell short of her shared excitement but by the fourth outing he and Tiffany broke through the wall of despair and made progress. For the first time, Tom allowed himself to feel happy. It wasn’t a huge milestone, but it was an accomplishment.

  Tiffany called him one afternoon and he invited her to an evening of music. She accepted his offer and accompanied
him to an after-hour event the symphony held. The size of the crowd and the age of attendees stunned her. She had always believed the symphony was for senior citizen types. When the quartet took a break between sets, a couple, acquaintances of Tom’s, greeted him. “Hi Tom,” the man said with a drink in his hand.

  “Hi John…Emily,” Tom returned courtesies.

  “How’s the music tonight?” Emily raised her glass, “We’ve been here just long enough to order a drink.”

  “It’s fantastic,” Tom said and followed with an introduction. “Let me introduce my friend. This is Tiffany,” he nodded towards her. “Tiffany,” Tom touched John on the shoulder before he said, “John and his wife Emily.”

  “Nice meeting you,” Tiffany said and shook their hands. “How long have you known this guy?”

  “Tom? Maybe a few weeks at the most,” replied Emily.

  “We met at a function like this and had a great time,” John added.

  “I’m glad I left my townhouse that night. The walls were closing in and I had to get out.” Tom admitted. “Those nights then seemed to appear faster and faster.”'

  “It’s good to hear that you took my advice.” Tiffany said and smiled. “It speaks volumes about our friendship.”

  “You got this mug out here?” John said jokingly.

  “I got him somewhere,” Tiffany bragged. “He was a hard case after his breakup with his wife.”

  John and Emily gave Tiffany an incredulous look and they turned to Tom with a surprised stare.

  “She doesn’t know,” Tom commented.

  “Doesn’t’ know what?” Tiffany said, puzzled. She looked from Tom to John and Emily and back at Tom.

  The quartet started another set and the roar of voices dwindled while music took over the room. The group played for twenty minutes and at the end of the event, Tom placed his empty glass on the tray near the exit door. Tiffany followed and couldn’t wait to hear Tom’s explanation for why John and Emily looked so surprised.

  “Are you going to tell me?”

  Tom moved to the side, pushed the door opened, and allowed Tiffany to walk through. He quickly followed. “I was going to explain it to you at a different time.”

  “Explain what to me — Is it about your break up?”

  “I didn’t have a break up.”

  “You’re still married. Damn you, Tom.” Tiffany frowned.

  “No, Tiffany, I’m not married, well, technically I’m not.” Tom sighed and walked towards the bus stop. “The fact is…I’m a widower.”

  Tiffany stopped, grabbed his arm and pulled him to turn around and face her. “Did I hear you right? Are you saying she’s dead?” Tom closed his eyes before he answered. “You heard correctly. She died nearly two months ago now.”

  “You mean to tell me, you led me to believe she left you and in reality, she died?”

  Tiffany couldn’t understand why Tom had chosen to maintains silence about his relationship and allowed her to assume his wife left him for other reasons. “I thought maybe she caught you fooling around, or finally decided against having a flirting man.”

  “No Tiffany, it’s nothing of the sort. I loved my wife so much. I didn’t mean to mislead you. You assumed I was after you. When we met, I was trying to find women to meet her since we were new in San Francisco and she didn’t get out much. She fought depression alone, without friends or relatives outside of me. I knew introducing her to other women would have been good for her. Everyone needs friends.”

  “Tom, that was sweet of you for your wife. All along I thought you were after me.”

  “If things were different, I would have been. But I’m, um…” Tom paused to correct his response. “I should say…was married.”

  Tiffany moved closer, placed her arms around Tom and hugged him to show her concern. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” she whispered.

  “Thanks, you’ve been a good friend. I appreciate you getting me out of the house and making me live again. And the reason I didn’t tell you is because I didn’t want to depress you and have you feeling sorry for me. I get enough of that at the office.”

  “You know, somehow I understand.” Tiffany released her hug, grabbed his hand and they walked to the bus stop. They sat on the stop’s bench.

  “It’s going to be fine. One day you’ll share the story with me.”

  “Well, I have to get accustomed to telling folks. Bottom line, she overdosed.”

  “Overdosed? Was it suicide?”

  “Not exactly. I think she made a mistake with her meds. The autopsy said the mixture included OxyContin. The drug mixture stopped her breathing and she was already gone when I got home.”

  Tiffany remembered reading about a death in the neighborhood. “Did you have a son in the Army?”

  “How did you know?” Tom said, surprised. “I don’t remember telling anyone about my kid.”

  “You didn’t. I read it in the paper. I didn’t know she was your wife. I didn’t know your last name until recently. I’m so sorry. I should have been more encouraging. If you need anything, a good meal, or maybe to run an errand, just let me know.”

  “If I hadn’t asked for anything by now, I don’t think I will. I recognize everything you’ve done for me.”

  Tiffany didn’t respond, she figured his situation was difficult because of his loss of someone he loved.

  “The offer still stands.” When the bus arrived, Tiffany stood, entered first and took a seat. Tom followed and sat next to her.

  “Did you understand what I meant back there?” said Tom.

  “I think so, but know the offer stands. You’re a nice guy and I don’t mind hanging out with you. I’ll get beyond why you had to keep your wife’s death a secret, but I’m still here for you.”

  “I appreciate you, I do. Thank you for showing me so much these past weeks.”

  “You’re welcome. “

  “Tiffany,” Tom took her hand and held it, grateful she was part of his transition. “I can tell you’re an incredible woman who loves deeply. And I’m lucky you’re in my life.”

  “Tom, I’m your friend, nothing more.” Tiffany pulled her hand back to make her point.

  “I understand and want you to know, I respect your decision. I guess I should have opened up to you earlier.”

  “Yes, you should have. Getting to know you could have been much easier for me, and made more sense if I’d known the truth.”

  “Are you angry with me?”

  “Not at all,” Tiffany paused before adding, “Especially now that I know. I thought you were hurt and angry, and hiding your emotions. I’m glad you came clean. At first I considered my effort was useless, but something happened and you’re returning to the Tom I met.”

  “I honestly couldn’t have done it without you.”

  The bus arrived at their usual stop. After they exited, both Tom and Tiffany walked towards their homes.

  “Would you like a nightcap?” said Tom.

  “No, I need to get home. Tonight was a little too much for me. The truth shocked me and I need to think about how I feel. Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  Tiffany waited a few seconds and pondered her response. “So you were never into me as a potential date? It was all really for your wife?”

  “Tiffany you’re a very special woman, with looks to die for, but in this case I was hoping you’d become my wife’s friend.”

  “No interest at all?”

  “Not then, but now it could be different.”

  ***

  Tiffany returned home and immediately went to her laptop and logged in. She clicked into her email account and without reading her inbox, she started a new email for Manny.

  Manny,

  You are not going to believe this, but I feel like such a fool. Remember the guy I wrote about and told you his wife left him? Well, I guess I shouldn’t have made that assumption. His wife didn’t leave him, she commi
tted suicide. She died!!!

  I don’t understand. Tom could have been a man in my life, but now there’s no way. Do you think I should continue this friendship?

  It wasn’t long after Tiffany wrote the email she decided to call Tom.

  “Hey,” Tom responded.

  “I know it’s late, but I wanted to talk to you. I don’t know how to ask this, but I think I should be straightforward…”

  “…You don’t have to ask anything if you’re skeptical. I enjoy our friendship and that’s why I didn’t tell you Mary died.” Tom interrupted before she got a chance to form her question.

  His answer surprised her. She took a breath and held it a moment before exhaling. “I don’t understand how you could withhold something so important.”

  Tom expected her frustration and had rehearsed his response in his mind. “Because sympathy is something I don’t need or want. If I had told you, your entire outlook would have been different. You see, I enjoyed your energy, the way you encouraged me and drove me back into being alive. Had I told you, it would have been different. Instead of your encouragement, you would have probably kept your distance until you felt I finished grieving.”

  Tiffany pondered his answer and said, “You’re right, I would have encouraged you to take time to grieve. I think it’s tough for a person to be active so quickly, yet I realize you have been very active. That says a lot about you.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, it says you’re not grieving anymore and you are ready for life.”

  “I was ready because I realized I began grieving during Mary’s fight with her depression.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. She didn’t leave you. She was there for you and spent her life with you.”

  “Physically yes, I agree, but emotionally it’s different. She left me emotionally and I had to continue to fight to keep us going. I tried everything from relocating to trying to help her find new friends, group counseling, social outings, anything to get her back. I’ve had her with a psychologist and a psychiatrist. And for what? She left me holding the bag, all alone. On one hand, I can’t blame her because she fought hard to come back, but on the other hand, I feel she just gave up.” Tom fell silent. This was the first time he shared his true feelings with anyone.