The Balloon Ride 1

When I put a hot air balloon ride into my bucket list little did I know that it would turn into something more than just a joy ride.

A slight breeze was blowing across the park that day last Spring. Just out of a marriage, I needed to take my mind off my troubles.

The divorce is not a reflection on Jon. He's a really nice guy but we somehow we grew apart. Maybe it just because I was too involved with my career to pay attention to the marriage. Maybe it was somethig else, something that I didn't recognize.

Wearing a sparkly sequin v-neck cold-shoulder top, ankle jeans and ankle booties, I approached the balloon.

Standing beside it was the most attractive woman I had ever seen. Dark hair was up in a messy bun some with locks framing her face. Bow-shaped lips were red.

She was clad in a red and white Ditsy floral halter-neck romper and sneakers.

"Are you the pilot?"

"Yes I am. Are you here for a ride?"

"Love one," I replied, looking at her perhaps a bit too long.

"I'm Megan."

"I'm Stephanie," I replied.

I climbed into the basket.

A torch heated the air inside the balloon causing it to rise slowly. I watched the landscape dropping. At roughly 200 feet I turned to face her.

"Are you enjoying the ride?"

Again my gaze lingered perhaps a bit longer than necessary but her eyes held my eyes.

Something was happening between us that was both new and terrifying. On a deep level I realized the reason why my marriage had failed in spite of Jon's kind-hearted personality.

The balloon continued to rise higher. At roughly 500' it set a westbound course.

I engaged Megan in small talk about riding a mountain bike, sailing, and parasailing, all of which I had done. She talked about her first balloon ride as a passenger and later doing it as a part time business.

"What's your regular job?"

"I develop web pages."

The balloon began its descent roughly 8 miles from where we took flight.

Ordinarily once is plenty for any activity in my bucket list. The instant chemistry with Megan made me look forward to other rides with her.

"Do you take passengers up every day?"

"Just on Saturdays and Sundays, Call to make an appointment."

"I'll do that."

On that note I left cheerfully. The chance to see Megan again gave me plenty of reason to be cheerful.

Over the ensuing days I ached for another balloon ride with her. Even as I worked thoughts of her lay just beneith consciousness. Restless nights spent fantasizing about her left me bleary-eyed and with a cup of coffee by my computer.

Saturday afternoon came around again. As I approached the balloon I waved from long distance. She waved back.

"This is going to be fun. I couldn't wait for the week to pass."

"It's nice to see you again."

She probably says that to all her repeat customers.

I climbeed into the balloon. Chat came easily as we floated high above the landscape. I talked about growing up in east Texas with my sister and about school days. I talked about my job in finance and even my divorce.

"How long have you guys been divorced?"

"Two months," I replied.

She spoke candidly. "My ex told me that I meant nothing."

"That's awful," I replied. "What was his name?"

"It was a She. Her name was Julie."

"How long has Julie been gone?"

"Just about a year," Megan replied.

The conversation turned to more trivial topics. She enjoyed talking about balloons.

As we climbed out of the balloon she said, "let's grab a coffee tomorrow morning."

Before I could overthink it I said, "love to"

Is this a date or just a chat between friends?

When I arrived at Cafe Nero Megan was already there at a table in the corner. She beamed a smile as I took my seat across from her.

Over coffee and pastry we chatted easily about so many different topics: movies, actors, songs, recording artists, siblings, old friends, sports. As it turns out, she played softball in college. Her ex had been a teammate.

I opened up about my ex husband.

"I'll always think of Jon as a friend. He was so hurt when I came out. I really felt his pain. I cried for him."

"That's heavy. I have a few lesbian friends, none of whom have been with a man."

"Were they all on the softball team?"

"Yah," she replied.

Life throws curve balls. Megan and I were window shopping in the mall when a woman from her past approached.

Her short blond hair frames a diamond-shaped plain face. She stood about 5 9 with an athletic physique.

"Megan it's been a long time. It's good to see you again."

"Hello Julia," said Megan, her tone neutral.

"How are you?"

"I'm well," said Megan.

"I'm in town on business but I'm glad we ran into each other."

Megan did not repliy.

Julie added, "I like what you did with your hair."

Megan still did not reply.

I looked at my girlfriend. The chance encounter with her X would soon make me realize how I feel about Megan Griffith. I wanted to be more than friends.

"I need to know about us. Where ls this ( our relationship) going?"

"She's just a friend Stephanie, no more than that. Yes she is my X but we're not like that anymore."

Should I believe her? How do I know they won't end up togetherr again? Maybe I don't have a chance with Megan.

I tried not to consider the fact that my relationship might be over before it begins. Work kept my mind off my friend, but on a deep level I still had the nagging doubt and insecurity. Seeing Meg with her X again a day after she said they're "not like that anymore" made me worry about our future.

Later that night my phone dinged as a text came through.

"Stephanie, I miss you."

"I miss you too," I texted back.

"Come for dinner tonight."

With a bottle of red wine in hand I knocked on her door.

When I stepped over the threshold she pulled me into a hug then pressed her lips against my lips. The kiss deepened as we both poured pent up desire and passion into it.

"Stephanie I'm so glad you came. I love you."

"I love you too."

Megan brought me to her dining table where we would enjoy our leisurely meal with the wine and trivial conversation.

"One of these days you have to come parasailing with me."

"Sounds like fun," she replied.

"Big time," I said.

Just seconds after finishing our meal, she pulled me into another kiss, this time pulling my black scoopneck shirt upward.

We dashed into her bedroom shedding clothes along the way.

As we lay on the bed she touched me in all the right places to make me moan with delight. The moans grew louder with my impending orgasm just seconds in the future.

Suddenly the muscle tension had gone away. I was left huffing and recuperating slowly. Megan stared down into my eyes for a second then pit a kiss on my forehead.

"Stephanie has anyone ever told you you have a nice set of boobs?"

I giggled at the question.

"So do you," I said softly.