"23, what a meaningless birthday," I chuckle to myself as I drive back from dinner. A few close friends had been kind enough to surprise me and kidnap me for dinner and drinks. Being that the big 2-3 fell on Mother's Day this year, it was especially surprising; I figured everyone would have plans.
"Good thing it's early," I whisper under my breath; they kept feeding me drink after drink. Not that I minded, of course -- it's nice to be waited on once a year! Unfortunately I can't help but feel a little empty, this being the first single birthday in years. The rest of this night is sure to be just slightly less eventful than years past, I think, as I push the key into the lock.
It almost turned out to be a night as unexpected as dinner was. I've met an amazing woman online, and we have been chatting, phoning, and emailing back and forth for many months. When she found out my birthday was a week away and on a Sunday, she joked about coming to visit, but after the joking we found that the idea had us both very excited. So plans were made, and we were both very excited. She wasn't very sure when she was going to be arriving, so I left a key in the plant just in case I was not home.
Unfortunately when Rachel realized it was Mother's Day, she had to cancel. I wasn't mad; how could I be? I was mad that I didn't get to see my mom today! But there was disappointment for us both; we had become close, and actually spending time together -- regardless of what happened -- would have been wonderful. We both hoped we could reschedule soon.
As I walk though the empty house, the dog jumps up to greet me. "Can't beat that enthusiasm," I say as I pick her up. I put down the dog, throw my jacket over a chair, and turn on the TV. "There must be some baseball or something on to pass the time," I think to myself. I walk to the kitchen and pour a glass of pinot noir for myself. I'm already tipsy; what's one more?
I flop down on the couch, and the dog jumps up next to me, of course making herself right at home. "Well, at least you're here," I say and give her some scratches. The O's are on, so I stay there, hoping for a good game. But by the 3rd inning they are already up 6-1, and I find that glass of wine mixed with everything else really kicking in. "All in all, it has been a pretty good birthday," I think. However, my mind keeps on wondering back to her, Rachel, and what this evening could have been. A smile cracks my lips as I gaze up at the TV, her picture and voice running through my head. Very relaxed, I close my eyes for a moment and picture her.
All of a sudden I hear a loud THUD upstairs, and I shoot up. The dog jumping off the couch, barking, assures me that I didn't imagine it. I look at the TV and see it's already the 7th inning, and I try to shake off the drowsiness and alcohol. I realize I have not been upstairs since I got home and wonder if someone has been here the whole time. I am now very nervous. My heart racing, I pick up the dog and take her to the garage, where I grab my 3-iron. I have no idea what I would actually do if someone is up there, but it feels good nonetheless.
I walk as quietly as I can to the stairs and begin to creep up. My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure if someone is up there they can hear it about to pop out of my chest. I peer into the guest room and office, and there is nobody there. I start to relax a little, but that still leaves my room. I slowly creep down the hall, and pause at the entrance to my room. The door is only half open. I listen and hear someone make a pondering "hmmmmm" noise.
Deciding what to steal, I think to myself. With the adrenaline pumping I don't even stop to think that an intruder would know I've been here, and so would not be making pondering sounds.
I take a deep breath and jump into the room, 3-iron at my side. "What are you doing in my house!" I yell, trying to sound intimidating. I'm facing the closet and see no one. I hear a chuckle behind me and whirl around. "Who the hell...." I choke on my own words.
"I catch the late flight just for you, and this is how you greet me?"
I stand there with a stupid look on my face, my jaw gaping. Fumbling for words I get out, "W-w-wa-what are you doing here?"
Rachel smiles back and turns towards me. "Well, if that's all you have to say, I can head back," she says, with her eyes purposely narrowed. "And if you don't mind, would you put that silly golf club down??" She laughs and walks towards me.
Still stunned I smile and laugh, leaning the club against the wall. I blush, "I'm so sorry Rachel. Let me start this over..." I walk over and give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "It's so nice to finally get to meet each other in person." My heart still hasn't slowed yet.
"Likewise," she says and embraces me back.
Rachel is even more gorgeous in person; she has a beautiful, slender-but-curvy body, with full hips and breasts. Her beautiful brown eyes are gazing at me, with her brown mid-length hair flowing framing them. I break the embrace and step back; she has on a cute floral skirt that stops just above her knees, sandals, and a peach tank top with a white blazer over the top.
"You look gorgeous!" I compliment her. "But when did you get here? What happened to dinner with your mom?"
She smiles at me, "Relax. Slow down." I take a deep breath and smile back. "We had brunch instead of dinner, so I booked myself on the 4 o'clock flight. I was happy to see you didn't take the key out of the bush, or I would have been on the porch for quite a long time! I heard you come in and figured you were going to come upstairs, but it never happened. I finally went to take a peek and saw you sleeping, so I started thumping around trying to get you up."
"I'm so sorry," I say. "You should have just come down and got me up."
Rachel laughs. "No, I wanted to surprise you."
"Well you certainly did that -- best b-day surprise I have ever received! I can't thank you enough! But where are my manners? Let me show you around." I place a hand on the small of her back and lead her out of my bedroom.
After a quick tour of the place, we settle down outside on the deck. It's a beautiful May evening, just the right temperature with a light breeze and the smell of spring all around. I pour us each a glass of the Pinot I had opened earlier and bring the rest of the bottle out.
"I can't believe you're here!" I say as I sit down. "I couldn't have dreamed a better birthday surprise."
Rachel laughs and explains how it was just as much of a surprise for her. She found out late Saturday night that they were going to brunch instead of dinner. So she jumped on the computer and was pleasantly surprised that she could still get a flight. I offer to help for the expenses, but she politely declines. I figure I'll slip a few bills in her purse when she's not looking.
We talk nonstop, finishing the bottle. As we talk and laugh the sun gets lower and lower, and a chill starts too sweep though the air. I notice Rachel starts shivering lightly.
"Why don't we move this inside?" I say.
"That's a great idea," Rachel smiles back. "I actually have something for you upstairs. Why don't you take these glasses to the kitchen, and I'll be right back down."
I blush. "You didn't have to get me anything! This visit was more than I could ask for." She waves a hand at me as if to say, "Oh, stop it!"
We stand up, finish our glasses, and move towards the door. I take Rachel's from her and close the door behind us. "I'll tidy up and be waiting for you down here," I say as I watch her hips sway back and forth as she makes her way for the stairs.
I putter around the kitchen, giddy with excitement; I can't believe she actually made it! With so many emotions going through me time passes slowly, and I begin wondering if she is all right, but know I should just be patient. I pour a glass of water and take a sip, just as I set it down I hear a "oh shit..." just barely loud enough to hear.
"Is everything OK?" I yell up. A pause...
"Yeah, I think so..." she says. "I just knocked something off your dresser, mind coming and showing me where it was supposed to be?"
I laugh. "No problem." And make my way for the stairs.
As I walk up the stairs as innocently as you can imagine. Besides some teasing and flirting nothing had become overtly sexual through the evening so far. I walk into my room and look over to the dresser and mirror, expecting to see Rachel there, but only see my reflection looking back. I hear an "ahem" coming from the edge of the bed and turn my gaze to the foot of the bed. I smile creeps over my face.
Rachel is leaning on the edge, still in her peach tank top, but the blazer, skirt, and sandals are gone. Only her tank and matching peach bikini style panties remain.
"Picked it out just for you..." Rachel says seductively.