I was in a bit of a daze as I opened the door to my sister's house. I was having trouble thinking. Like when I walked through the door, I left my bag on the sidewalk and had to go back for it. Ellen's living room seemed brighter than I remembered, and I wondered if she'd repainted the place.
She must have heard me stumble through the door. I could hear the kids playing a video game as she came in from the family room. She looked at me... strangely.
"What happened to you?!"
Ellen was like that. Direct. No preliminaries, just get to the point.
"What do you mean?"
"Your hair is a mess and... something else. Have you been drinking?"
"My hair is a mess?" I started touching it and realized that I hadn't taken much time with it before leaving the hotel.
She lowered her voice.
"You really did it, didn't you? I didn't think you would go through with it. What was it like?"
"Ellen, I've been royally and delightfully fucked. Fucked to within an inch of my life. I feel a little dizzy."
"Damn, Rach. Good for you. Here, sit down and for god's sake tell me everything. You really did it? Of course you did. Just look at you! It's not your hair; it's something else. You look happy for a change."
"I'm deliriously happy, big sister. He flew me to the moon and back. Then he flew me to Venus and back. Then Saturn, then the stars, and wherever else we might have gone is all a bit fuzzy right now. I am thoroughly sated."
"And, maybe just a little drunk."
"Actually, I haven't touched a drop. Well, not a drop of alcohol, anyway. Can you get drunk on a guy's sperm?"
"Oh. My. God. You have got to tell me what happened. Where did he take you?"
"The Presidential Suite at the DiAngelo Hotel. It's a gorgeous place, the room was stunning, but I think they're going to have to replace the bed tomorrow."
I started giggling and couldn't stop myself.
"I've never seen you like this, well, except for that time back in high school when we all stole that bottle of wine."
"A little wine makes you silly, a lot of wine makes you dangerous. That's what you told me. And you were right."
"I've never been inside the DiAngelo before. What was it like?"
"Todd was there."
"What?!?"
"I'm pretty sure he didn't see me, but we saw him. He was having an assignation with someone from his dad's company."
"A what?"
"He was with a big-boobed red head for immortal porpoises." I laughed at myself again. I was definitely in a very weird mood.
"That bastard. I told you he's been stepping out on you."
"You told me. I didn't want to believe it, but there he was. He claimed they were going to have a sales meeting. In the DiAngelo. Room on the third floor. I'm sure they got down to business, alright."
"Oh, Rach, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"I don't care. Ma... The man I was with is going to shoot him in the balls. That'll teach him."
My sister's mouth dropped open. She isn't often at a loss for words. I started laughing again. Sex drunk.
"Not really, don't worry. It was our little joke. But in the end, I forgot about Todd. That first kiss wiped him right out of my mind. And then when he went down on me, I swear I even forgot my own name. He's good, Ellen. Damn good. Not like Todd. He made me feel beautiful, sexy, wanton, and he took me to the stars and back again. He's got a very talented tongue."
"No more. I can't hear anymore. Damn, you lucky thing. You hold on to that guy. Jason's ok in bed. He tries hard. I think he gets bored, though. If this guy enjoys eating you out, he's definitely a keeper."
"He's a keeper, alright."
The doorbell rang. Ellen jumped up to get it.
"Todd. Come in." She'd never hid her dislike of my husband, and the feeling was mutual.
"Ellen. Are the kids and my wife here?"
"Hey, Todd. I'm here. The kids are in the family room. Go see how much longer they need to finish their game and then you can take us all home."
He looked at me a little funny, but then broke off and went for the kids.
"Ok, guys. Time to quit the game. We need to get home."
There was much unhappiness, but we left before long. I fixed everyone supper, then the kids went off to their rooms while I cleaned up from dinner. Todd stood at one end of the kitchen working on a beer.
"I saw you tonight, Rachel."
I froze for a moment, then went back to what I was doing.
"You saw me. What do you mean you saw me?"
"I saw that insurance guy drop you off at Ellen's."
"Ok. What about it?"
"Why was he giving you a ride?"
"I asked him to. You had the car and I didn't want to ride my bike there. I had to clean an office not far from his office, so he picked me up and drove me to Ellen's."
"I don't like it. There's something about that guy that I don't like."
"He's a complete gentleman, Todd. When I had my fall, he offered to give me a ride if I ever needed one. I took him up on it and he dropped me off at my sister's. He's a decent guy. I wish there were more people like him in the world."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Just that it's rare for anyone to do something good without expecting something in return. Mark's one of those rare ones."
He was quiet for a minute.
"Come into the bedroom with me."
"Why?"
"You know why."
"Todd, I'm dirty after cleaning offices, I'm tired, I just want to sit down and put my feet up."
"I'll make it quick."
He usually did.
I locked the door. He kissed me hard. I didn't return his kiss with much enthusiasm, but he didn't seem to notice. His hands were all over me. Rough. Demanding. Impatient. Just get it over with.
"Get on your hands and knees."