I had to say the single life was starting to feel good. No more thinking of what someone else wanted or what they felt or needed. It was just me. If I wanted to go somewhere, I went. If I wanted something, I got it. It was complete freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it.
The other wives and I were as close to best friends as possible. I could never have a friendship like this while I was Benjamin. He was always looking at and judging my friends.
"Don't try to hide it," Sheila said as we sat down for our weekly dinner.
"I don't know what you are talking about," I smiled.
"You enjoyed the party last week," Sheila smiled back. "Don't try and say you didn't."
I couldn't. I thought I wouldn't like an adult-themed party with just women, but it was fun to let loose.
"I bet you enjoyed the toys just as much," Sheila said without batting an eye.
"Sheila!" As many people were around our table, I said we were at our favorite café downtown, and it was always crowded.
"Tell me I am wrong," Sheila laughed.
I just shook my head. It had been just over four months since the divorce was final. Benjamin had taken my advice and left. He didn't tell me where he was going or what he would do. All I got was a farewell text that was his way of ending everything we had, and I was more than willing to let everything go.
"They don't compare to the real thing," I stated.
I had tried out all of the toys I had gotten that night, and except for the one that I sometimes used in the shower that could suction to the wall so I could bounce back on it, all the others did nothing for me.
"Well, you should take that police officer up on his offer," Sheila shrugged.
I told her about the two run-ins with the police officer who frequently patrolled the road strip leading to my development. The first time he had helped me out, the second time he nearly threw the book at me, and the third, he asked if I was trying to get his attention.
None of the times had anything to do with him. I loved speeding in my new car, I barely had to press the gas pedal, and it was shooting past 60mph.
The thought had crossed my mind. Nearly a year without male contact was pushing it for me. I knew they said a woman hit their prime sexual peak in their forties, but I was still peaking, and toys of any nature didn't satisfy the urge.
"I might just do that," I said without thinking.
"Mom, I was joking!" Sheila said.
"Well, it's been a while, and I have needs," I laughed back at her.
I knew I had caught Sheila off guard. She hadn't expected that from her conservative mother. Usually, I kept that side of me hemmed inside and only let it out in the bedroom, but something pushed me to be more aggressive.
That feeling followed me throughout the day and into most of the afternoon. It wasn't until I was heading home that I decided to act on it.
As I was driving home, I saw the familiar silver and green on the side of the road up ahead, and I punched the gas pedal, sending the speedometer way past eighty.
The familiar sound of the officer chirping his horn and flashing his lights filled my ears and eyes as I looked back.
I waited until he came close to the door, unbuttoned some of the buttons on my top, and pulled it slightly open, just enough to show I was sporting a more than the average-sized chest.
"Now that was to get my attention," Henry said as he stepped up to my window.
"Absolutely," I nodded.
Henry's eyes fell directly to my chest. Having large breasts usually did that to most men. I was glad to see being a woman of my age. I hadn't lost my touch.
"Next time, keep the speed down," Henry said as he dropped a card onto my lap.
"Of course, officer," I nodded.
Henry walked away, and I proceeded to do the speed limit the rest of the way home. Once I got home, I sent a text to the number on the card.
'Sorry, if I got you into trouble.'
'No, trouble, just caught me by surprise.'
'Well, I hope it was a good surprise, wouldn't want to disappoint," I knew I was flirting with a cop, and I didn't even know if he was married or not, something told me he wasn't, but you never know these days.
'You could say it was more than good,' Henry replied.
'Oh, really? Was it me that surprised you or something else?'
There was a moment of silence as I didn't get a response back. I thought I had pushed too far.
'How about I answer that at dinner, tonight?'
I was floored. I hadn't been on a date in forever. Benjamin and I had stopped going on dinner date a long time ago. I didn't know how to respond for a few minutes; I just looked at the screen.
'Well, you wanted my attention,' Henry added.
'Yes, dinner, tonight,' I responded.
'Good, I will pick you up at eight,' Henry said.
'No,' I said; part of me still wanted to be the new independent woman I had become. 'Send me the address and I will meet you there.'
'Will do,' Henry replied. 'See you tonight.'
I had some time before the night's event, so I decided to clean. It was something I did when I was nervous about anything. And now I was nervous about going on a date with a guy I hardly knew.
My only involvement with Henry was through my newfound need for speed.
I couldn't believe I had agreed to meet him. He was a cop, and I still didn't know his age, what he liked, if he was married, had he been married. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to pick up my phone and call it off.
Just as I was about to call it off and settle in for the night, I got a call from Debra. We talked about many things, most of which involved my grandchildren and the times that I would see them, but then she mentioned a few problems that she was having with her health. Before I knew it, the time had flown by, and I was nearing the time to meet Henry.
"Mom?" Debra asked as she saw me peering at the clock behind me. "Do you have a date?"
"What, no, I mean, it's okay," I said as I felt flustered.
"Go, you haven't been on one since, well before all of us were born," Debra smiled back at me.
"I don't know anything about him," I said.
"Staying home, won't help that, now, will it?" Debra said as she shook her head. "Go, have fun!"
I finally agreed with what Debra was saying. I needed to get out there. Even though I had been going out with friends, it would be nice to get out again and even pursue a relationship.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Henry's eyes went wide as he saw me walking toward him. I had dressed semi casually as the place seemed like a regular steak restaurant.
"Well?" I asked. "Is it something I said?"
"No, not at all," Henry said. He was still staring at me. "I just didn't think you would be so, stunning."
"Good choice of words," I said as I walked inside.
The date was going fine. I learned a lot about Henry. He used to work in security and then decided to join the police force. He wasn't married, and he was only two years older than me and was soon retiring from the workforce.
I told him about myself, and he told me he knew all about me. After he stopped me the second time, he decided to look more into me. Finding out about my divorce and, of course, Benjamin and all the others, he got more intrigued.
I had to admit that I was having a good time talking to someone other than my children, and the female friends that I had come to like, Henry, was a welcomed change of pace.
Of course, the other thing I missed was the occasional stare at my cleavage. Henry tried to play it off by looking elsewhere when I caught him, but I knew he was looking, and I liked the attention.
After dinner, we went for a walk in the old part of downtown. It was a nice chilly night, not too cold and not too windy for a change. We talked more about things we had interests in. He wanted to leave the big city, go out to the country, buy a house on an extensive stretch of land, and disappear.
That sounded nice, but I always had been a city gal. I loved the noises and the bright lights. Sure, my house was outside the big city but not too far. I could still see the tall buildings from my bedroom window.
I told him about eventually starting my own real estate company or a small diner. I loved to cook. It was how most of my children got as big as they were, he wanted to meet them all eventually, but I told him they were all grown up and had lives of their own.
"This was nice," Henry said as we made a full circle back to the restaurant.
"Very," I said as I looked up at him.
Henry was slightly taller than me, not too tall. His black hair had some grey in it, and his beard was salt and peppered. He looked down at me through those steel-blue eyes. I knew he wanted to kiss me, and I wanted him to, so I leaned forward and let him.
I loved being held tightly, and Henry held me tight against him as he kissed me. It wasn't the best of kisses. I am sure we were both out of practice. After we kissed, we lingered for a while, staring at each other. His strong hands were around my waist and just above my ass.
"I think, we should call it a night," I said as I pushed off him.
"You're right," Henry said.
