Paula begins her first weekend with "The Club". Part 5 in the "Paula's Discovery" series.
After accepting Sheila's offer, the subject never came up again until one day when Sheila told Paula that the next weekend for "The Club" had been set for early May. Paula was invited to attend and the other four girls were looking forward to meeting her. Sheila mentioned that Marge would also be bringing a new girl to join in the fun.
Paula questioned herself now that the issue was forced by a firm date but took a deep breath, mentally checked her personal calendar, and accepted.
As if reading her mind Sheila added, "There is car show in Indiana that same weekend and Hunter will be setting up the trip with Tom and a couple other guys."
Paula was excited at the prospect of a fun girl's weekend and the chance to make some new friends. The girls fired up Paula's laptop and soon two first class airline tickets were purchased. Sheila said that Penny and Anne were taking care of the hotel and dinner reservations and "some other arrangements."
Paula let the last comment slide for now and began asking about what to pack and what outfits they would need. Sheila said that there would definitely be some shopping and part of the fun was wearing the new outfits right away that weekend.
This "weekend" begins Thursday evening when they arrive late at the hotel following their flight. Paula would wrap up things at the office early and Sheila would come by and pick her up on the way to the airport. The return flight was scheduled for early Monday afternoon so she would clear her calendar until Tuesday morning.
Tom arrived at home while Paula was making a light dinner. He entered in his usual good mood and asked about her day as he slid up to her, kissed her check and slid his hand down to her ass. Paula had her hands full of salad but smiled and wiggled her "stripper butt" back against Tom's hand, pleased that Tom still wanted her after all the years they had been together.
"I hear that Sheila is taking you out of town on an adventure next month," he said teasingly.
Paula paused and said, "It sounds like fun, are you still okay with me going?"
"Of course," Tom quipped. "Besides, I assume that gives me a pass to go to the car show," he said slyly.
Paula paused at his choice of the word "pass" but decided to discuss it later. She filled their plates and they carried them to the TV room in their usual routine.
As Tom gathered up the plates to walk to the kitchen, Paula began her usual routine of rinsing the dishes as she loaded them into the dishwasher.
As if he could see into her mind, Tom said, "Hunter tells me some of Sheila's friends are a handful."
Paula paused and turned to face Tom.
"Sheila has told me about some of their adventures." "Does that bother you?" she asked.
Tom stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her and playfully squeezed her butt.
"He also said that he doesn't ask a lot of questions...but that the sex after she comes home is incredible," he added.
Tom continued, "Maybe it's okay for couples to experience things that bring a new dimension to their relationships."
"It's new territory for us but we've got a strong relationship." "I don't want to look back and regret not trying new things."
Paula felt warm inside at the expression of his love and the excitement in his voice. There was also fear that some boundaries, once crossed, cannot be recovered.
"I don't want to push you or talk you into anything" he continued.
"But it sounds like the girls stay safe and keep things fun." "If we want to experiment, it sounds like a good way," he concluded.
Paula leaned up and kissed him quickly and turned to finish the dishes.
As she thought about what Tom said she challenged him by asking, "What about you?" "I know there is a lot to
see
at those car shows."
Tom looked at her seriously and said, "Does that make you uncomfortable?"
Paula paused, knowing that what she was feeling wasn't logical or equitable.
"It does, a little," she said quietly.
Tom smiled and hugged her again.
"I'm willing to try if you are," he said.
"Besides" he added. "I've never seen anything as nice as this."
He hugged her and grabbing her butt with both hands, pulled her against him. She could feel him against her and she felt the familiar warmth.
Tom kissed her playfully and turned toward the garage.
"I need to check on the car battery."
As he walked toward the garage door, he turned and added with a wink, "If you don't keep the battery fully charged, you'll never have any fun."
Paula had to rush to get things finished in time to meet Sheila but as she walked to the front entrance of her office building, with her wheeled suitcase, shoulder bag and purse she saw Sheila's black Escalade turn into the semi-circular drive. Paula took Sheila's advice and was bringing a suitcase a little larger than needed to accommodate the spoils of her shopping. They would each check one bag and carry the smaller bag on board.
Paula lifted the larger bag into the back after Sheila opened the rear hatch from inside. She dropped the shoulder bag next to Sheila's luggage, closed the hatch and walked around to the right to slide into the front seat.
Paula was still wearing her dark blue suit and three inch heels and saw that Sheila was wearing a blazer and blouse with a gray skirt and heels. Her "Real Estate" uniform as she sometimes referred to these ensembles. Paula noticed that the skirt was shorter than the standard "uniform" and wondered if she was using some of Marge's sales techniques today.
They chatted excitedly about the day as they drove to the airport. Once inside the garage, the unloaded their bags, large enough for the weekend but still small enough to handle without help. After closing the doors, they noted the location by the colored signs and numbers. The alarm system gave the confirming "chirp" as Sheila locked the doors and they turned toward the elevator.
As they settled into their wide leather seats, took the first sip of their wine and relaxed from the activity of check-in, screening and boarding, Paula had her first thought of the weekend ahead. She was excited and enthusiastic but still wondered what the weekend would bring. She felt mainly okay with what might be ahead and Tom's encouragement this morning for her to enjoy the weekend and stay safe helped her relax.
As the 737 climbed away from MCI, Sheila turned to Paula and said, "I hope you like the other girls."
"I know they are looking forward to meeting you," she added.
Paula smiled and assured Sheila she was excited and hoped the others liked her as well.
Sheila began to brief Paula on what was ahead. They would be the last ones to check into their rooms this evening and they would meet for a drink in the "Skybar" at the hotel. Sheila said that the other "new girl" was named Joni and was a friend of Marge's. They met at an exercise class at their gym and had become friends. Sheila said that Marge hoped she would enjoy the weekend. Marge said that she could be a little "uptight" but was a lovely lady, in her mid-forties. Her husband is in sales and "wasn't much fun," as Marge had put it. Marge said that Joni needed to loosen up and as Marge put it, "needed to get laid....a lot."
Sheila continued by saying that typically Penny set the schedule. Sheila said Penny referred to herself as the "Den Mother". Paula flashed back to her son's Cub Scout days and somehow thought that Penny would be a lot different than the Den Mothers she knew, but understood the concept and laughed at the image.
Paula was excited to find out that Anne had "called in a favor" and got tickets to one of the hottest new plays in town for Friday evening. There would be dinner first at a nearby restaurant. Paula immediately thought of what to wear but Sheila assured her that they could shop their way through any issues there.
Sheila continued that Penny was handling the details for Saturday and Sunday evenings. Sheila laughed and advised Paula to just relax and enjoy herself.
"Is this the initiation you mentioned?" Paula asked.
Sheila laughed and suddenly remembered her earlier conversation with Paula.
"You could call it that," Sheila said.
Sheila felt obligated to explain and perhaps assure Paula about the upcoming activities. Sheila explained that there was a certain feeling that the girls in "The Club" wanted any new "members" to have shared experiences with them to bond with the group.
"Some of the shared experiences might not be understood or appreciated by just anyone," she explained.
"Challenging new girls to the edges of their comfort zone, gave the girls comfort that they could enjoy whatever any of them did and not feel threatened," Sheila continued.
Paula laughed and said in her attorney voice, "You mean they need to have some leverage."
Sheila laughed and said, "Maybe just a little."
O'Hare Airport, was the usual crowd scene but the first class tags on their bags made sure their bags were some of the first to flop down on the carousel. The short walk to the taxi cue followed and as the girls settled in for the hour-long drive to the hotel, they enjoyed the quiet.
As they walked across the beautiful lobby Paula was beginning to feel the length of the day and was glad that there was no one in line ahead of them to check in. The smiling clerk quickly provided them with their keys and directions to the elevators. As they walked away they saw large signs welcoming several groups to the hotel. Paula noticed the logo of a well-known sports equipment manufacturer and two "alphabet" groups that she did not recognize.
Sheila saw the sign too and said, "There is almost always big groups here."
As the elevator doors opened at their floor, Paula and Sheila noticed two well-built, late-twenty-something men with lanyards around their necks smile and step back to allow the ladies to exit the elevator car with their bags.
As the doors closed behind them, Sheila said, "I told you there would be lots of
