Part 2
The further adventures of Sexy Sylvia
Dan took my hand and we started down the mall. He ignored me as we walked and if he hadn't been holding my hand so tightly I would have thought he wasn't aware I was with him. He seemed different somehow, like he was battling with himself, his mind a mile away. We entered the seating area of Starbucks and he hesitated for a moment, glancing around before selecting a table in the corner and dropping heavily into a chair. Without saying a word he pulled me down next to him.
We sat in silence for a few more moments as he continued looking around. I couldn't read the look on his face and I was afraid to be the first to break the silence. I knew he had been shocked by what I'd done but I couldn't tell how upset he was and I didn't have any idea what to expect next. I was so thankful he hadn't been drinking this early in the day. He could get so nasty and unpredictable when he drank.
I wanted to cry, to ask him to forgive me again, but I was afraid to break the silence. In all the years we had been married I had never felt so conflicted with him. "I'm really sorry, Honey" I finally blurted out. His silence was starting to freak me out. I felt so guilty about what he had caught me doing and I was absolutely mortified as I confessed my other exploits.
"I always thought you were the prudish one," he finally said. "Remember that spring party your roommate invited us to during your last year in college? She said it was going to be fun and kinky and we'd have a great time. I really wanted to go and have you wear a sexy outfit but you chickened out and said you were too bashful, remember?"
I remembered it well. Beth, my roommate was definitely wilder than me and I'd always been both fascinated and a little repulsed by her and the stories she brought home after some of her exploits. She was an exhibitionist at heart and Dan had always encouraged me to lighten up and be more like her. He'd really wanted to attend the party and had bought me a revealing dress to wear but I refused. Finally on the last day I agreed after he suggested we create a safe-word I could use if I decided I just couldn't handle it.
"Do you remember what our safe-word was?" he asked.
I thought back, wondering why he was bringing this up now. I closed my eyes and it finally came back to me. "Sushi! It was sushi and we said that either of us could use it if something didn't feel right," I blurted out.
"Right," he said. "Sushi. Good old sushi. And you used it just before we walked into the party, remember? I was pissed off at you for a week, but I respected your decision and we cancelled out."
He was still looking over my shoulder and he suddenly looked pleased with himself. He reached into my purse and removed his wallet and took a $20 bill out. He handed it to me and told me to go buy us some coffee. "And don't ever forget that word," he added as I walked away. "Sushi will always work if you ever really need it,"
I went to the counter and ordered our lattes, wondering why the hell he had brought up our old safe-word. Before I could think it through and try to make some sense of it, the barista started chatting as she made our drinks. She looked like a cute little dyke and was so friendly and outgoing I felt myself start to relax as I listened to her. What a crazy afternoon, I thought. I hoped Dan was going to accept what had happened and not be too disgusted with me. After all, he had admitted to getting a hardon when I told him about what I'd done, so surely he couldn't be too pissed. Feeling somewhat better, I paid for the coffee and turned around.
I was surprised to see a man sitting at our table. He had his back to me and was leaning forward listening intently to whatever Dan was telling him. I walked over and put the coffee cups down before sitting next to Dan.