Monday morning and we return to work today. Well, I have too, Jessica goes with me as she wants to. And I want her too. I wake up and there is no Jessica in the bed. She must be around her somewhere. Not in the living room, not in the kitchen and not in the bathroom.
"Darling!! Make some more espresso and come out to the patio."
Is spoken by the missing Jessica.
I dutifully perform her request and move to the outside. There sits a naked Jessica, taking in the morning sun. Just as she did when on vacation. She holds her hand out for more espresso.
She speaks.
"Roger, get naked and sit with me."
I do.
We don't talk much, but enjoy the sun, warmth, and espresso. I do reach over to take her hand in mine. Life intrudes and we must get moving. We both spend some time at Doris, warming up and practicing. Doris is upset with us for leaving her for so long. But with our attention, she comes around.
As I have been away for so long, the bills needs attention. Lots of scribbling and time at the computer to get these things done. We break for some lunch. Jessica has prepared a nice Chef salad. She has yet to dress. However, I am not surprised at all. Jessica is very comfortable this way. I admit to a few misgivings about nudity. But Jessica wants me this way as well. I want to please her.
The early afternoon is absent of tasks or chores. We can relax before going to the lounge. The sofa is our current location. But Jessica seems to be inching her way towards me.
I speak.
"Get over here to me."
She is there in a flash.
Jessica speaks in a voice that trembles somewhat.
"Roger, I must touch you. I need to touch you. If I don't, I feel like I'm lost or something."
I hug her to me and speak.
"I know what you mean. My arms are always open for you. You never have to ask. And I want you here. As often as you like."
She snuggles.
We spend some quiet moments this way. Work calls and we must dress. I am anxious about returning. I want to get back, but part of me wants to hold on to what we experienced the last two weeks. Wishful thinking, I guess. Jessica dresses in a black shiny camisole, black slacks, and black stilettos. With her darkened skin, she is stunning in her appearance. I always feel like a slob next to her. Even though she has done much to enrich my wardrobe. We departed for work.
They are glad to see upon our arrival. There are questions about what we did. We say much, but not everything. That is for Jessica and me alone. We are told that things went well in our absence.
Patrons did ask where we were and when we would be returning. That's nice to hear. But the substitutes I lined up did a good job. I think they will take our place when we are off. It will be some steady work for them this way.
The piano at work needs some attention. Jessica and I both do this. She is a quick study. Several people stop to tell us they are glad to see us. A little break and some time with Jessica in the green room.
She sits in my lap and there are a few gentle kisses. Then we go out to perform. Jessica sings with a different type of feeling tonight. There is a feeling of joy and happiness there that is different from before. She never strays far from me. Many times, performing with her hand on my shoulder. We are more in sync now than before. It is difficult to explain, but it is there.
This is our week. A very similar schedule each day. Friday we will meet Gus and Nick. Three weeks since we last saw them. They will have some insights as to how things really went. Jessica and I have worked on set lists. She has insights that should improve the flow of things. I trust her judgement.
Nick and Gus are full of news. They did have a fine time with the subs, but they weren't us. Nice of them to say. They talk about their kids some. At this point, Jessica gets up and leaves. She has done this before. The guys don't seem to think anything of it and continue with their stories. Obviously, this is making Jessica upset or uncomfortable. I will talk with her when we are alone.
We ran through some trouble spots and things worked out fine. Then we do our thing in the green room. Once we go on, the place is packed. The four of us groove as always. Set after set of playing and singing, dancers twirling around the floor. When the crowd is enthusiastic, you feed off this and redouble your efforts. Jessica and I have at least two double espressos during the evening. It becomes Saturday morning, and the time has flown by. Nick and Gus are out of there fast. Jessica and I followed soon after.
I feel very much awake right now. The rush of performance and coffee I suppose. We arrived home. Some cold white wine would go well right now.
Jessica comments.
"Roger, I am wide awake and kind of wired."
She rubs the cold wine glass across her upper chest. Water droplets roll down and into her camisole.
Jessica shivers at this, but then she looks up at me to speak.
"Want to make me tired?"