"You're late." Jackie tried to look serious, arms crossed, glaring at me in mock anger.
"Only because I had to finish one of your orders before I left work." I imitated the mock anger, glaring back as I walked up the driveway. Jackie's face changed from anger, to surprise, to guilt. "It was that international order, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was."
Jackie looked sincere when she apologized. "Sorry. Since we're running late, let's take the easy route around the park."
"I'm good with that." I smiled and gestured towards the sidewalk. Giving a slight bow, I said "please lead the way madame." Jackie rolled her eyes at me as she smiled, and we began our walk.
Jackie and I had been friends and co-workers for about 5 years. We worked at a sporting goods supply company as order pullers. I was 23 when I was hired, and despite Jackie being my senior by 15 years, we really clicked while working together. We enjoyed each other's company, and a really nice friendship began. For most of those years, Jackie was happily married, and I was happily engaged. In the last two years though, our personal lives took serious hits. Jackie's husband decided he wanted a divorce. Around the same time, I caught my fiance cheating on me. Both relationships ended badly. In those darker months, Jackie and I bonded over cheap casserole recipes and game shows. The only good thing to come out of those 5 years was our friendship.
Recently, we started trying out more health conscious casseroles when we would get together for dinner. We decided we needed to build up our self confidence before we each tried dating again. Healthy food and exercise was our plan. Jackie
was the one who invited me to start walking with her, and it kept us busy at least a few nights a week.
I would finish work, and drive over to Jackie's house. We would take a walk while the casserole cooled. After dinner, we would watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. It was the only kind of competition Jackie and I enjoyed.
Afterwards, we would usually sit on the couch and get chatty. We would complain about our exes, or work, or just vent to each other about whatever was on our minds.
Tonight was no different. We took our walk, ate dinner, watched our game shows, and sat on the couch. Since it was Friday and neither one of us had to work in the morning, we decided to share a bottle of wine. Jackie was sitting on the left side of the couch, sideways, with her feet across the middle cushion. I was sitting on the right side. Our conversation turned to our exes, as it often does.
"Did you know, I actually bought a book on sensual massage?" I downed the remaining contents of my wine glass and set it next to the empty bottle. Jackie drank the rest of her wine, and set the glass next to mine. She chuckled at my comment and said, "When was this?"
"Shortly after Lana and I started living together. She seemed to enjoy it at first, but eventually she said it was too ticklish, so I stopped."
Jackie looked at me with a mischievous smile, and said "maybe you lost your touch."
I flashed a hurt look, "I have not lost my touch!" Then I thought about it, and my expression changed to doubt. "Have I lost my touch?" I stared blankly at the tv.
"Well, you haven't lost your touch when it comes to shoulder and neck massages. I'll give you points for that." Jackie pushed her foot out against my hip, like a nudge to wake me out of my stupor.
I looked at Jackie's face. There was a sincerity in her smile, and it made me actually blush. I tried to turn away, but she saw the redness in my cheeks.
