Edited and Inspired by Mel(melanieatplay)
(Dearest reader, please read the first chapter. This won't make much sense all by itself!)
*
"Caught Up In A Dream"
Melanie found some of my daughter Alice's looser fitting clothes and struggled into them. The Uber driver was two minutes away. Maybe, I thought. Just maybe, we can get Melanie out of here without a major scene with my hungover wife.
I creaked open Alice's door and peered out into the hall. My bedroom door was shut, where my wife was still, hopefully, sleeping. I waved Melanie out and we raced downstairs to the laundry room. She picked up her purse, shoes, and clothes from last night and we went out the front door.
We kissed briefly, but passionately, and a little Prius rolled up. Fortunately, it was not the same guy from last night!
"I'll call you," I said to her.
Melanie tilted her head slightly and squinted her eyes a little at me.
"I will!" I said. "I promise!"
I ducked back in the house quickly, just as my wife stepped out of our upstairs bedroom.
= = =
I was totally useless that morning at the office. I was dying to call Melanie but thought I should wait an appropriate amount of time. Typically, I work-from-home on Fridays, but I went into the office today. After I called my masseuse Shaylene and canceled my 'appointment', of course.
Alice gave me Melanie's number, with a wink and a smile. Alice was plastered last night but she knows something went on with Melanie and I. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember much else. I hope!
Ten o'clock rolled around, I figured Melanie must've gotten through her morning by now. I called her.
"This is Melanie," she answered.
"Hi Melanie," my voice croaked. Oh great, way to sound natural, dumbass! "It's me. Jim. You know, Alice's dad."
"Yes," she answered. "I think I remember you. Are those your handprints on my ass?"
"Yeah, well," I stammered. "You told me to and I didn't want to but you said--"
"Relax, old man!" she laughed. "Just yanking your chain, Jim. I'm glad you called, I was getting worried. I've never had to kill anyone before but you were getting close."
"Thank God!" I was so relieved. "Listen, Melanie--"
"All my friends call me 'Mel'."
"Okay then, Mel... About last night--"
"Don't you say that!" she warned. "Don't you dare say 'About last night'!"
"Melanie, Mel, last night was the greatest night of my life. That's what I was going to say."
Silence on her end.
"Mel?"
"Yeah, sorry. I thought you were going to give me the 'About last night' speech. You told me, Jim. Last night, you told me that you loved me. Did you mean that?"
Without skipping a beat I simply said, "Yes. I meant it. I love you."
"Okay, good. Um, me too."
I grasped for something to say. There's so much to say, but, this still felt very surreal.
"How's Alice doing? Did she make it into work?"
Mel laughed. "Barely! I gave her a bogus assignment in the archives. She'll be able to sleep in there, no problem. She hasn't said anything about last night, to me anyway. I don't know if--"
"Mel," I interrupted. I hoped she couldn't hear how desperate I felt. My voice still sounded odd to me, quivering a little bit here and there. "I need to see you. We need to talk. But I also need... I just need to see you. Soon." I've been married 30 years, I'm not so good with the smooth talk and the flirting anymore.
"Same here, Jim. I think I will knock off work at noon, head on home to my apartment."
"Text me the address. I'll be there at 12:15."
"Done," she said.
I felt relieved, Mel didn't seem to notice the desperation in my voice.
= = =
I sat in the lobby of Melanie's apartment building. I had gotten there before her and was trying to act all calm, cool, and collected by looking at my phone. Mostly what I did, though, was look at the clock and wonder why it seemed to move so slowly.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Melanie arrived. And my heart stopped.
She breezed in the door as if she was in slow motion. Well, that's how I remember it. Her black tailored suit tried to conceal her sexuality, but it was only partially successful. A hint of cleavage showed just above her white silken top. The buttoned up blazer strained to contain her full bust.
I remembered that full bust from last night. I remember being rough with it, however. We didn't exactly engage in any foreplay.
She smiled radiantly at me as I stood up. She began to pick up the pace of her steps, but then I held out my hand.
"Hang on a second!" I called. She stopped a quizzical look on her face. I made a twirly motion with my right hand, indicating to Mel to spin around. She did, but only after giving me a sexy pout.
"Wow," I said, stunned. "You look incredible! Let me guess, Nordstrom Rack?" I knew perfectly well she was wearing an Ann Taylor or Armani or some other designer suit that cost well over a grand. Sometimes I try and diffuse the tension with humor. It's stupid, but that's what I do.
"Oh, you're funny, mister!" Mel looked at her expensive watch. "You know, my lunch break is over and I'm heading back to the off--"