The flight was smooth... well, except for an occasional bump of turbulence. The constant drone of the jet engines had almost a mesmerizing effect. Ann was dead asleep, and I was trying to watch the in-flight movie on the iPad sized screen located on the back of the seat in front of me. I had forgotten what a long flight it was to Hawaii. Unlike Ann, I found it impossible to sleep on a plane.
The server asked if I wanted another drink. I smiled and said I would. I was thinking as she walked away how much older the flight attendants were looking these days. First class certainly had had some perks over business class—things like filling your drinks and personal attention, but the meals still tasted like TV dinners.
I looked forward to seven days of just kicking back and drinking fruit cocktails with little umbrellas in them, but I knew Ann had other things on her agenda. Giving up on the movie, I reclined my seat back and thought about the sequence of events that led up to this trip.
I remembered how it all began, about three months ago when we were getting ready for bed.
"Mike," said Ann. "I need to tell you something."
She looked very troubled, so I replied with some levity, "Uh oh, those are six words a husband never wants to hear from his wife."
"Mike, this isn't a joking matter. Are you going to listen to me or not?"
"Sorry, what could be so upsetting?"
"You know how I occasionally go shopping on Saturday at the mall? I saw Karen Matthews in my favorite shoe store. We chatted for awhile, and she invited me for coffee. You remember Karen from Terry and Alan's pool party, don't you?"
"Yeah, I think so. Isn't she the mousy little blonde with the huge knockers?"
Ann punched me in the shoulder and replied, "Yes, I figured you probably noticed her. Well, you'd never guess what she told me."
"Hmmm, let me guess... She's an alien from the planet Titty-ton?"
"Can't you ever be serious?" She sighed. "Anyway, out of nowhere Karen told me that she and her husband Adam had joined a club... a swingers club."
"Good for them," I casually answered. "Now how does that concern us?"
"That's exactly what I asked her. She told me she always thought we were a fairly progressive couple... seeing how we didn't have children, we might—"
"She thinks we're swingers?"
"No. Not exactly." Ann laughed nervously. "She said she thought we might be open to something new and adventurous in our lives."
"Oh, really? And just what did you say?"
"I told her that I thought it sounded crazy, of course! She apologized, not wanting to offend me—but then she told me the real reason for bringing up the topic."
"And?"
"Karen said if they sponsor a new couple, their membership fee would be reduced by half."
I snickered under my breath, saying, "Well, sweetheart... for me, that's a big fat no. I guess you really don't know what goes on behind closed doors."
"I told her in no uncertain terms: thanks, but no thanks. I said we were happily married monogamists. She kept apologizing... left me this engraved invitation to their next meeting. She said if we're curious, we could attend—strictly as observers." Ann held out an embossed envelope.
"Why even show me the invitation?" I asked. "You're not actually considering this... are you?"
"Of course not!" She paused. "I mean... I don't know."
"You don't know?" I quirked an eyebrow. "What could make you even consider something so insane? If I want new and exciting, I'll buy that jet ski I've been wanting forever."
"Don't forget that ongoing fantasy you have..."
"And which fantasy is that?"
"You know, the you have about sharing me with strangers. That's been going on for years."
"I can't believe you're bringing up our pillow talk. Sweetheart, there is a huge difference between fantasy and reality. I fantasize about shooting my boss from time to time, but I'd never actually do it."
"Come on, Mike, aren't you even at least a little curious? Karen said we could just watch, not participate."
"Curious? Sure, I guess, but not curious enough to ruin our reputation or our marriage. Let me remind you, I'm next in line for senior partner at my firm. The owners are strict Christian Bible believing fundamentalists. I don't think swinging would exactly fit into their life philosophy."
"Well, if they have actually read the Scriptures, they'd know the Bible is filled with concubines, adultery and tons of sexual misdeeds," Ann countered. "I think there is more sex in the Scriptures than in a porn flick."
"I really don't think they'd agree with you, but that's not important to me. My question is, are you that unsatisfied with our love life that you'd consider having sex with other men?"
She seemed to ponder my question before answering, "I'm not saying I'm unsatisfied, but you have to admit our sex life could use... a bit of a boost?"
"Not really. I'm not a horny teenaged boy anymore. However, what I will admit is this: I have no intention of sharing you with anyone. Ever. As far as our passion cooling off goes... that's not unusual after seven years of marriage. The honeymoon can't last forever, Ann."
"So, you don't want to spice things up between us?"
"Absolutely, I do! We can start right now." I grinned, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her to the bedroom.
*****
Over the next few weeks, our sex was great, but I was still bothered that my wife felt that our love life was mediocre. Consequently, I put a lot of extra effort into romancing her, which brought positive changes in her attitude and the frequency of our lovemaking. Problem was, I wasn't sure if her increased libido was because of my efforts, or her fantasy about swinging. What I did notice, was her various fantasies seemed to always involve other men.
Then, one night, after some vigorous sex, Ann asked if I would ever consider attending the swingers party Karen invited us to, before quickly adding, "only as observers."
I had thought that ship had sailed, but I guessed not with her. In that weak moment, I agreed to think about it. Almost immediately, I regretted it.
Ann's face lit up and I knew she took my response as a yes. Truth be told, I was curious, too.
