A moment of madness
Hearing the front door close quietly behind Jim, Susan sighed heavily. Jim had been her boyfriend for nine years and they had been living together in this same flat for four. He had sneaked off to the club avoiding an argument, the same one they had hashed over for the last six months. Where was the relationship going? She would ask and he would just shrug his shoulders not wanting the discussion, not wanting to understand her needs.
It was so pathetic. She would have understood if it had been a proper man's club but they went to play with toy cars on a huge electric track in a converted basement. It typified his escapist attitude; not wanting to grow up. They were both thirty-four and she felt time was slipping by without achieving anything.
It was Friday evening and she had a week off to look forward to but didn't think she could face it with him. She fancied Egypt but not alone and he wouldn't miss a so called important race competition. It was so pathetic she didn't dare tell friends in the office why they weren't going somewhere exciting.
The phone rang startling her from the reverie that threatened to turn to something approaching depression. "Hi! Yes June. Oh, the usual, nothing exciting. No I don't feel like it. I'm past clubbing. Well, OK. I'll be there in twenty minutes." Susan sighed for the umpteenth time. June was out tonight and Susan was going to fix her hair.
***
"Just call me Cinderella." Susan said as she walked into her friend's house. June was twenty-four, ten years younger, and still looking for Mr Wright only she had a habit of finding Mr Wrong. Plain for all too see but her. "Come on then let's get you fixed up."
"What's wrong with you Susan? You're an attractive woman but you've let yourself go. Here try this on." June bullied her as she did everyone. Susan was attractive with long shapely legs, small pert breasts and a slim waist. Clothes looked god on her but she hadn't bothered dressing to please for the last year.
Susan wasn't the kind of person to give in but she just couldn't seem to gather the energy to resist. It seemed easier to just go along with her friend. Trying on a dress she looked in the mirror twirling the short hem to and fro.
"It's too. I don't know." She didn't want to say it was too young for her. "It's too short. I don't like to show off so much cleavage either." At June's look she added. "I'm tempted though." With a glass of wine in one hand and June's encouragement she finally gave in.
"Go take a shower. I'll dig out a new set of underwear and fix you up." Brushed and flicked and straightened Susan's long black hair gleamed, seeming once more to be alive. June appraised her friend and told her she looked good. Susan felt good too but put that down the large glasses of wine.
***
Already a little tipsy from the unfamiliar early drink Susan walked into the club arm in arm with her friend. They all seemed so young. At least she wouldn't meet anyone she knew. It had only been a couple of hours and she was bored already. Sitting there watching everyone have a good time had worn her patience rather thin.
'Hmmm. He's nice.' Susan thought. A young man was standing right in front of her with his tight bum wiggling to the music. 'Nice broad shoulders and long legs.' Before her thoughts could meander a couple of girls caught hold of him to flirt outrageously, fluttering false eyelashes at him. If she had nails she would have sharpened them on the table as a warning, 'hands off!'
"I'm booked for this one, sorry girls." He said. "Come on darling it's our song."
Awoken from her thoughts by a strong hand lifting her from the stool she let out a startled gasp, buried by the heavy sound of what was meant to be music. Looking close he winked a devilish grin at her and deftly turned toward the dance floor dragging her with him.
Reaching for words of protest she managed only some incoherent sounds lost under the loud music. It had happened so quickly; from sitting admiring his bum to being whisked onto the dance floor; she was completely out of her depth.
As soon as they reached into the crowd of manic waving limbs the tune slowed and softened. "Sorry about that." He said into her ear. "Thanks for helping me avoid those two. They're nice girls but a bit too much at times."
While recovering from the deep voice breathing tickling sensations into an ear he wrapped an arm around her waist. Holding a hand outright he led her around the dance floor in a dizzying chase. Susan wasn't even sure what step it was but managed to follow his lead. When the music slowed again he wrapped both arms around her and they stood still with just a gentle sway of their hips.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Susan," she managed to reply, with her breath just returning after their gallop around the dance floor.
"Mine's Barry. You're a good dancer." He said.
"I don't think I know what I'm doing, just following," she joked but meant it.
"You can get into trouble that way." He teased, giving her a saucy wink.
The dance ended and with the same intense whirl he landed her back at the small table next to June. Still holding her hand he lifted it to his lips. With another wink, this time hinting at a shared secret, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"So how did you meet him?" June asked. The few words dripped green with accusations.
"Oh! Barry?" Susan laughed intent on teasing.
"You're a married woman. Behave yourself. Pass him on to me you bitch."
"I'm not married. I'm not sure what I am." Her voice trailed off on hitting a sore point. "Look, thanks for the nice evening but I've got to go. I'm not used to all this fun. You know what Jim is like." Susan shouted over the noise. She couldn't hear the reply but the look and nodding head meant 'Oh Yeah? Leaving for home are we?'
Susan laughed again not believing June could possibly believe she had a chance with that handsome young man. He only looked nineteen. Nice thought though!
Outside it was pouring with rain, no cats or dogs, but plenty of stair rods. Hoping from foot to foot she wished she had gone to the restroom before leaving. Craning forward looking down the street she realised it was such an awful night it would be impossible to see a taxi unless it pulled right up in front of the club. At that moment a car swung into the curb from across the street and she dived in to the passenger seat.
"I thought it was you! Where can I take you?" Barry asked.
The young man took Susan by surprise once again. Lost for words for a moment she recovered enough to tell him the address. Looking around she realised this wasn't a taxi. With the windscreen wipers barely coping at full speed this was not a night to demand to be dropped off somewhere nearby; it would have to be right to the door to avoid a soaking.
"It's nice of you to give me a lift," she said. Not expecting him to accept she added, "The least I can do is offer a coffee."
He was already out of the car and opening hers as soon as the words left her lips. Running to the front door they careened through it together. Shaking off the rain like terriers she laughed with his infectious throaty chuckle.
