One week later:
The following weekend, we had been invited to a party at the home of our friends Jim and Melissa. It was to be a relatively small, casual gathering and we offered to bring some homemade chili, which I told Jason to prepare. I donned my clothes, put on my makeup, and packed my travel humidor with a variety of sticks.
I told Jason to wear pants that were a bit baggy so that his cage would not show. After he dressed, he put the chili into a slow-cooker and we made our way to the car. The drive would take around an hour, so I decided to smoke a double corona, which Jason lit for me after I got in the driver's seat. Jason started to open the sun roof, but I told him not to do so.
"I want you to breathe in my smoke while we drive, my slave."
"Yes, Mistress. Of course."
After a pleasant drive, we arrived at our destination and I discarded my cigar stub onto the curb.
Jim greeted us at the front door and we exchanged hugs and pleasantries. Melissa then greeted us and we did the same.
"Come out to the patio, my dears. It's too nice to sit inside the house."
Outside we saw that, having arrived fashionably late, that all of the other guests had arrived. There were Sue and Tim, Cathy and Darren, Phyllis and Tony, and Marge and Ted. Ted! I had almost forgotten our little escapade and almost lost my cool. Almost.
We all exchanged greetings and Jim asked us what we wanted from the bar. I decided that it was a martini kind of night and asked for one, and Jason requested a beer. All of us had known each other since our high school days and we fell into the kinds of conversations that only old friends can have.
Marge asked me what kind of "purse" I was holding and I told her that it wasn't a purse, but a travel humidor.
"That's nice of you to take care of your husband's needs like that, Alexis."
"Actually, Marge, the humidor is for me."
All eyes were now on me except Ted's and his face reddened.
"You mean you smoke cigars?" said Jim. The guys all started to chuckle.
"Yes, I've taken up cigars and I now can't imagine life without them. In fact, I'm in the mood for one now. Does anyone mind if I smoke."
"Certainly not-we're outdoors. Do you mind if I join you," said Tony.
"Not at all."