Cheating The Gods

Author's note: This is an entry to the 2025 Valentine's Day Contest and the 750 Word Project. Enjoy!

*

"By the way," said Hermes, "something that will interest you. Not too many parents dare to name their son 'Odysseus'. But there's a guy on a work assignment in Troy, New York of all places, and he's going to be desperate to be with his wife by Valentine's Day. You'll never guess her name and where they live."

Poseidon gave a savage laugh. "His wife is Penelope and they live in Ithaca, New York, obviously." He drummed his fingers on his iron work bench. "A lot of water in the Great Lakes. I can use that for a bit of cyclogenesis. Icy roads, sunken ships, the usual. Can you run some interference around that? I want his life, his marriage, or both."

"I'll see what I can do," said Hermes. He dashed off.

--

Odysseus was fuming. This project had dragged on forever. It wasn't helped by the plethora of big egos. Home was only a few hours' drive away, but he hadn't even been back there for weeks. In just a few days, he needed to be finished and home with Penny: he had promised her Valentine's Day. In the meantime, he had to wrap things up, starting with getting away from this very attractive but rather forward company Vice-President. He was forcing himself to smile politely as she rambled on at the bar, touching his arm frequently to make her points. Her intent was obvious.

Thank the Gods, his phone was ringing.

"I'm sorry, Calypso, I have to take this," and he excused himself with a smile.

"Ody? Please tell me you're coming home on Friday. It's like every man in the State has been hitting on me and I'm about to go insane."

"It's tight but things are on track, Penny."

"Thank fuck for that." But even as she said the words, he saw an emergency broadcast flash up on the television screen at the bar. The weather presenter was explaining about flash warnings issued by the National Weather Service for a developing storm on Friday. Out of the corner of his eye he also noticed that Calypso was looking smug. With him stuck here, she would make her move. He swore.

"What is it?" asked Penny.

"Blizzard forecast. Just what we needed. I'll call you later."

...

She called him first. "I've been talking with my meteorologist friend Athena. She says that you are not to drive home Friday night, on pain of death. She said an accurate weather forecast is useless unless people act on it. Stay and thank science."

"But..."

"Stay.

We'll see each other soon enough."

...

So on Friday night, the project was finished, but he was still stuck in Troy. And as expected, Calypso pulled out all the stops at the project ending party while the storm raged outside.

"I've booked the hotel penthouse," she whispered, lightly touching his back.

"That's a great idea. It will save you the drive across town." He wriggled away to get another drink, but she caught up with him a few minutes later.

"It's got a spa and a king-sized bed. What a pity my husband is away on Valentine's Day."

"He must be missing you terribly."

Their conversation was interrupted by a singing trio on stage. They were divine to look at, their voices pure ambrosia as they went through a series of jazz standards to rapt attention. He was transfixed.

"They are making me so horny," whispered Calypso in his ear.

He had to smile. This was inappropriate, but she was right. He felt warmth stirring in his own loins.

She tickled him on his thigh, her hand hidden in the crowd, and shifted her feather-light touch to his throbbing erection. Her smile broadened. He slipped his hand into his pocket, apparently to adjust himself.

"Time to leave?" murmured Calypso.

"Time to leave" he affirmed, and they moved quietly to the exit.

...

The elevator doors opened. Out stepped a beautiful brunette in an evening gown.

"Darling," she said, and leaned forwards to give Odysseus a kiss. "And you must be Calypso," she added, turning to her beaming. "I've heard so much about you."

"Penny drove here last night," explained Odysseus. "If you'll excuse us, Calypso, we've got a romantic dinner booked, and then the

other

penthouse suite is waiting."

"Thanks for warming him up, and please thank the Sirens from me too," said Penelope. "I've got it from here."

Calypso smiled ruefully as they sauntered off.

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