It had been years since we had seen each other, but the memory of those intimate moments we shared had haunted me in my dreams and fantasies throughout our separation. Then, one day, out of nowhere, her name appeared on an email in my private account. I could scarcely believe my eyes! Could it really be her, the woman whose face and body had followed me through the years in the hidden recesses of my mind's eye? I opened the email. My heart was racing and my breathing was shallow! It was her, and she said she had been looking for me for years! Stunned, I quickly replied. Several email correspondences passed between us over the course of the next two days, and we established a rendezvous for the following week. Thus began our long goodbye.
I first met Cheryl in the early '80's. She was a graduate student working part time in a bar, and I was a laborer going through a rough spot in my marriage. We were both so young back then that we didn't realize how dangerous our passion could be. Or maybe the danger was part of the thrill we found in each other's arms, but I'm getting ahead of myself here. Let me tell you about the way things were back then.
One night, after working the evening shift, I walked into a seedy bar inhabited by rough looking men and plain looking women with heavy makeup lounging against pool tables and swilling beer by the pitcher. The jukebox was blaring "Sweet Home Alabama," and the sawdust strewn across the floor filled my nostrils with a heavy pine scent mixed with the smoke that seemed to envelop the entire room. I knew this place was just what I needed after breaking my back for eight hours on a tediously, mind numbing job. I walked up to the bar to order a beer.
I would like to tell you that I was awestruck by the young woman behind the bar, but the fact of the matter is that I was too concerned about drinking too pay much attention to her, at first. After all, my job sucked, I had a huge mortgage hanging over my head, my wife was quickly becoming a perpetual nag, and I was only 22 years old! I just wanted to get drunk and forget it all! The first beer didn't last long, and, when I ordered a second, Cheryl brought it to me and smiled. Wow! It had been so long since a woman genuinely smiled at me, and here was this pretty young lady standing there in front of me with a sweet smile on her lips. That was all it took! I struck up a conversation, and we talked until they closed the place down. Of course, she had to keep serving the customers and help to clean up prior to closing, but, in between her chores, we talked about everything from music to literature, from art to romance, all of the things that make life worthwhile. To say that I was smitten, would be an understatement. I offered her a ride home after work, and she accepted.
On the way to her place, I decided to fess up. I told her that I found her incredibly attractive, but I was a married man. She thanked for my honesty and, when we got to her apartment, invited me in. I couldn't believe my luck!