Alone, again, on his birthday. Another year had passed as many have. The obese, lazy cat, the dog and he were celebrating by sitting around the living room watching MASH reruns. Of course, maybe next year, she would be there. His heart leapt at the thought. He glanced at the wall clock and was dismayed to find it was nearly 4:30 p.m. He had expected to hear from her before now.
He settled back into the worn settee and tried focusing on the slapstick comedy of Alan Alda, but his thoughts kept returning to last night. Her sighs, her moans, her begging for release as his voice caressed her psyche, her hands caressing her body as he provided her with the intimacy and imagery to achieve orgasms, one after another. Then, when spent, they both lay cradling the telephones wistfully, wishing they could touch, feeling sated, yet hungering for something they couldn't have.
Modern technology had certainly changed the dating scene. He might never have known her if not for the Internet and telephone. He might never have an opportunity to meet her, if not for the airplane. The airplane would bring them together in two short months.
The doorbell interrupted his thoughts. He opened the door to find a bouquet of yellow roses with thick, yet shapely legs.
A raspy voice said, "Mr. ~~~~~. I have a delivery for you."
He took the flowers from her and couldn't help but notice her heavy chest and thick waist. Dressed comfortably in a skirt and button up blouse, her full lips curved and her smile seemed contagious. She appeared to be a confident lady in her mid to late thirties. He noticed her hands shook a bit as he handed over the tip.
"Do you mind if I use your bathroom? This is my third delivery and..."
Jeff was a bit surprised at the request, but nodded her into the house.
"It's down the hall to the left," he instructed.
Her eyes roamed over his 55 year old body appreciatively. In denim jeans and the faded t-shirt, he might have presented himself for someone much younger.
"I can see why someone might send you flowers, darlin." She giggled nervously and went into the bathroom.
A bit dumbfounded, but not unused to the more open nature of sexual banter in the new millennium, he paid little attention to her comment, but smiled to himself.
He placed the roses on the coffee table and sat on the settee, once again. His thoughts returning to her words and moans, the sound of her voice as she spoke about their life together. The excitement she expresses so well when discussing their finally meeting, in person, real time and flesh to flesh.
He opened the note card to find the message. "Jeffrey, " (She is the only one to call him Jeffrey.) "Many wishes for a Happy Birthday and dreams of our time to come. We will be together, darling. Love and kisses, Melissa"
He closed his eyes, placing the note card on the couch and imagined her voice, "Jeffrey." He could almost feel her breath on his ear as she whispers his name. ""Many wishes for a happy Birthday and dreams of our time to come. We are together, darling." He thought he could feel her hand on his shoulder and then, realized, a hand was indeed touching his shoulder.
He turned to look at her, his mouth agape.
"Melissa? Is that you?"
The confident delivery girl now looked at the floor, ringing her hands in front of her waist.
"Yes, Jeffrey. It is I. Are you upset? I didn't call. I wanted to surprise you." She blurted, her voice shrill and shaky.
Her bottom lip trembled as she realized the potentially huge mistake she may have just made. They had made plans for meeting in the springtime. He was a man who enjoyed control and may not enjoy surprises. Her mind raced. What if he turned her away? What if he had company coming or plans that couldn't be changed? What if he really didn't want her there?
His hand reached for hers as he told her, "No, I am not upset. What are you doing here? " He smiled as he realized what he had before him. "Of course, I am not angry."
He walked to the end of the couch and pulled her toward him. Their bodies nearly touching, as he took both her hands in his, she sighed and raised her head. A soft smile caressed her lips as she said, "Am I okay? I told you, I am no beauty."
"Oh, darlin'. You are perfect! As I knew you would be."
He pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him as his hands caressed her back. She shuddered at the intimacy and the overwhelming rush of passion she felt. It was right. She knew it would be, but being in his arms was exactly right.