After first meeting Matt, I had had several hot and steamy fantasies. Even going so far as to imagine my own boyfriend, Tim, whose looks differed from Matt’s as night differs from day, was really Matt when the rare occasion that we had sex rolled around. Tim was 6’7 in his bare feet and weighed in easily at 180 pounds. Plus his light, cool blondness was an exact opposite for Matt’s darker sensuality. I know that he knew I was fantasizing the last time we’d had sex, only because I carelessly called out Matt’s name. Fortunately, at the time, Tim knew nothing of Matt, nor did he question me.
Katy and I hung out more and more. Often taking Abbi here or there, enjoying summer in St. Louis. The Zoo was a favorite for Katy. I don’t know why. Besides Abbi delighted in being around Katy.
Finally the end came in my divorce. I had won. I had custody of my daughter, A great boyfriend (when he was in town) and great friends. My only disappointment was with how the broken relationship with my girlfriend, Tracy turned out. Katy, who was interested in becoming my girlfriend, had met Tracy on a handful of times and they seemed to have gotten along well for an ex and a possible future.
While at work one day, I took a break with Dan in stock.
“Hey, guess what Bunny?” He always called me Bunny. It was a standing joke because I worked in Small animals. PetSmart was an interesting place to work, and I loved the people, plus Katy was right next door at Boarders. Anytime I went over there on break, I hoped Matt might be visiting her too.
“What, Sprinkles?’ Don’t ask me how that nickname started. It was a hilarious joke amongst Mo and me.
“Stop calling me that, you know I hate it!”
Yeah, I know, that’s why I do it.” I said giving him my best grin. I had developed a little bit of a crush on Dan since we’d met, but he wasn’t exactly my typical type. Plus I was taken…And by two men at that. Only one wasn’t aware of it yet.
“Anyway, go on, guess…You’ll never guess.”
“O.K. So tell me then!”
“Me and the band got a gig over at Kreepy this Monday night.”
“No way! Oh that is awesome. I’ll be there for sure.”
“Great really? I know Russ will be there, and I know he wants to see you.”
“Ooh” I groaned. Russ used to work with us, but had decided to join the Army or Navy or something like that. We had had a bit of a fling but it didn’t last long. He was cute and sweet, but that was it. When he quit so did I. I quit on any relationship hat we might have had. Not to mention, Tim found out.
“Oh Come on Bunny,” Dan said sweetly, putting his arm around me as we headed back into the store. “The guy misses you. He really had it bad for you, you know.”
“Yeah, well, it was a pretty raw deal, him up and joining the Military. What was I supposed to do? Twiddle my thumbs and wait?”
“No Bun, but be nice on Monday O.K.?”
“Yeah, yeah, sweet as arsenic, O.K. Sprinkles?” I kissed his cheek and headed over to my podium to watch Jeremy position his precious live plants.
After work, I called Tracy on my way home to see what was up, and Katy beeped in on my call waiting.
“Hey Babe.” I said casually as I answered the phone.
“Can I come over for a bit tonight?” She asked sounding unusually desperate.
“Sure I’m on my way home now, why don’t you meet me there. Stay the night. Abbi loves it when you come over.”
“O.K. Thanks I’ll see ya soon” With that she hung up.
Well it was a perfect time to tell her about the Kreepy Krawl and Dan, I thought. She can help me with my clothes and my make up. I am definitely no good at trying to dress punk. I try to mostly be clean cut and rather preppy as is my style, but the Kreepy Krawl is a place where the “punk” comes out and everyone gets a little wild.
After I got home, my parents told me that they were heading down to the Admiral to gamble. I never saw how anyone could go throw money away and possibly never see it again, however my mother was rather good at it. She often came home with thousands and that is where most of the real income came from. Not that dad didn’t make good money, but with our bills and Mario not paying child support, we needed ever cent.
Katy arrived just as I was checking on Abbi. She had met Mario and still couldn’t understand why I had married him in the first place, not to mention the way he turned out. Abusive, mean and, now in my eyes, ugly. We had been battling over custody of Abbi for months and months until finally a year went by to no avail. On August 27th, a year and one day after my grandfather had passed, the divorce was final. Katy took me and Abbi out for ice cream to celebrate. Now Abbi Abbi was 19 months old and we were happy.
“She looks more like you than she does Mario.” Katy whispered as we looked in on my sleeping daughter.
“That’s what Tim says.” Tim and I had been together since January, and now in late august, I was wondering, both to myself as well as to others what the relationship was about. The sex was O.K. but I still wanted more. I needed more. Perhaps that’s why I had gotten a girlfriend. But that didn’t last long either, and that is why Katy was here.
“So what’s up?” I asked as I sunk onto the couch in the living room. She began her story about how Matt had been mean to her again, and once again, my thoughts began to wander.
I walked into the apartment and the coolness from the air conditioner felt good to my heated skin. I had been outside awhile and the summer sun was enough to cause heat stroke at over 100 degrees. I looked around the kitchen and got myself a cool glass of water. Katy and I had been friends a long time and I knew my way around the apartment well. I saw Matt’s Saturn outside, so I knew he was home. But I did not see him anywhere.
Feeling sweaty from just having come from the park where Tim and I had played a game of doubles with Wil and Candace on the new tennis courts, I slowly began to remove unnecessary clothing. First came my black hoodie, it was thin, but it was a warm day and I was SO hot. Next came, of course my shoes and socks. Sitting on the couch, I sat back a minute and allowed the fan to hit my un-makeuped face. I closed my eyes and thought about what was going to happen. Now barefoot and only wearing my thin white tank top and white tennis skirt, I reached up to slide my black dance shorts off. I now only had my lavender bra and matching thong on under my clothing.
First I headed to the bathroom to brush out my hair and make sure I wasn’t too, too sweaty, I made a casual phone call.