Life returns to something like normal the next week. Anne calls the day after our time together to check on me, to see if I'm at all uncomfortable with what happened. I assure her I'm not, and regale her with the details of Rich's greeting for me when I returned home, how he had me twice before we fell asleep, how he demanded the details of my day, how he was particularly interested in my friend's looks and likes. I'm amazed how much I share, how much of my restraint has been stripped away.
Anne groans. "Oh, God, I really hadn't thought that part through. You told Rich everything?"
"Everything."
"Now he thinks I'm an annoyance AND he knows I slept with his wife. I can't talk to him ever again."
"I think he'll be more embarrassed than you when he sees you again. He knows I tell you everything."
NOW you do, or at least I think so."
Our talk lasts for a few more moments, each of us feeling good about what has happened and the lack of apparent emotional aftereffects. We don't talk again for almost a week, until my husband receives an e-mail from Tim.
Rich gives me to him for the following weekend, not even checking with me this time. My phone rings with the familiar tones from "Annie" less than ten minutes later.
"Ummm, are you doing anything next weekend?" Her voice is hesitant, like she is afraid to hear the answer.
"Rich says I am, yes," I reply. "I'm guessing you are, too?"
"God I can't believe I'm doing it, but yeah, I am. Do you know anything? His e-mail just said details to follow."
"No, but Rich has got a pretty big grin. He knows, and he's not telling."
Anne and I talk a few moments more, making R-rated guesses as to what is in store. We promise to share any news we may get, and begin the process of fretting over the details to come.
The information we get over the next week is scant, both of us receiving our instructions on what to wear, Anne getting a packing list she is not allowed to share with me. Rich gets my list and sends me out of the house Friday afternoon while he selects the items from what Tim has sent him. I make my way down to Anne's to share a cup of coffee while I wait for the time I can return home. She is shaking slightly as we sit at her breakfast counter, each of us dressed in jeans and a sweater, our hands wrapped tightly around our mugs fortified with Bailey's Irish Cream.
"Karen, this is so scary," she confesses. "It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now..." she stares off into space. "I mean, what if this is some sort of trick? What if...he does something... something bad?"
I laugh gently, trying to project more confidence than I feel at these times. "Now you sound like me. He's always treated me fine. He makes me do things, but I'm sure I can back out any time." I'm not convincing myself of that last part. While I don't think he would actually use force on me, there's always the possibility in the back of my mind.
She smiles and stands, then pulls her sweater over her head, revealing her bra-covered breasts. Dropping it on the back of a kitchen chair, she looks over at me. "I should probably shower and get dressed. You want to hang out while I do?"
The possibility of seeing her nude and wet makes me want to take her up on her offer, but I decline. "No," I tell her, getting up from the barstool, "I should probably go home and do the same. I'll pick you up at four?"
She nods and heads for her bedroom. I linger a moment, watching her strip off her jeans, revealing underwear barely covering her round ass, and she looks over her shoulder at me and smiles. I return the smile and reluctantly let myself out.
Rich is finished by the time I get back. Sitting in front of the TV watching basketball, he looks over and nods as I come through the front door. I make my way up to our room and begin the process of getting ready.
Tim has selected a business suit for this meeting, as he has done for Anne. Grey skirt, white blouse and a grey jacket, along with a string of pearls and low heels. All in all, the same outfit I might wear any day to the office. I note that the bra and panties are standard issue, as wellโnothing terribly sexy about them. I'm ready to go by quarter to four.
My bag is waiting downstairs by the door. Shaking slightly, I begin the search for my garage door opener and keys, wanting to give my hands something to hold onto before kissing Rich goodbye. Instead, I see him standing by the kitchen table, jacket on and keys in hand.
"Ready?"
I pause, confused. "I'm, uhh, going to pick up Anne..."
"The kids are taking care of themselves for dinner when they get home. I'm driving."
"Oh, you don't need toโ"
"I want to. Let's go." He picks up my bag and waits for me at the door. I realize he won't give up on this one, and begin rehearsing my apology to Anne.
We pull into her driveway a few moments later, and Anne comes out her porch door carrying her bag. She stops short when she looks into the SUV and sees Rich in the driver seat. She hesitates, then slowly makes her way to the door behind where I'm sitting.
"Hi Karen, Rich," she says quietly, and even in the relative darkness of the car, I can see her blushing furiously.