Passion in James County XV: Ben and Nancy
Nancy Dillon was sitting at her desk, in her office, engrossed in reports the company's domestic sales manager had dropped off. She was forty-five years old, but usually when she told people who didn't know here what her true age was, they were shocked. She had honey brown hair that she had taken to wearing very closely cropped in the past year. Her pert, unlined face was still a very close match to the picture in her high school yearbook and, in fact, it might have been improved by the passing of years. The wide blue eyes that highlighted that face were one of her best features. And, in spite of the fact that she had two grown sons and a teenage daughter, her dress size was exactly what it was when she graduated from high school.
The intercom on the phone buzzed and she picked it up. "What is it, Tom?" she asked her secretary.
"It's a Mr. Ted Adamson," her secretary said. "I'm sorry, Mrs. D. He insisted on talking with you personally."
"That's all right, Tom," Nancy said. "I'll take the call." She felt a rush of emotions that disturbed her. She hadn't heard from Ted in years, although once, nearly five years ago, she did have an affair with him. She was a bit startled to find memories of that time evoking feelings very similar to the ones she'd felt then.
She pushed the button to pick up the line Ted's call was on. "Hello, Ted," she said.
"Hello, Nancy," Nancy recognized Ted's deep, mellow voice. "It's been quite a long while since I've spoken with you."
"Is there a problem with your account?" Nancy asked. When she ended their affair, she had his account transferred to another sales person in the company. She had called Ted and explained that she was doing it because she wanted to save her marriage and, to her surprise, Ted graciously said he understood completely.
She wondered why he was calling her now? Had he heard she'd been widowed? Did he think that meant their affair could resume...after all these years?
"I'd like to have dinner with you," Ted said. "If you have time. And if you'd like to."
"Is...is there something wrong with your account?" Nancy asked hesitantly.
"Oh, no, quite the contrary," Ted said. "Myron is everything you said he'd be. It's just that I do enjoy your company, and...well...I thought maybe we could have dinner. Just dinner, for old time's sake."
Nancy was torn. Should she go? She really had no reason not to go. "I...I don't see why not?" she said at last. "Are you staying in the same place?"
"Yes, I am," Ted said. "Nancy, I have to tell you I'm delighted. I can't wait to see you again. Is seven all right? I'll meet you in the dining room."
"That sounds fine," Nancy said.
Nancy was distracted for the remainder of the afternoon. Why, after all this time, had he called her? She recalled what Ted had been like as a lover; gentle, considerate, and very skillful; and felt warmth spreading through her. Her husband, George, died of prostate cancer a year before, and Nancy hadn't been with a man since. Feelings denied for far too long began to make their presence known, and that disturbed her.
Nancy did call home to tell her daughter, Dawn, that she had a meeting, and wouldn't be home until late. Her daughter said that would be OK. "She's really a wonderful girl," Nancy thought after she hung up the phone.
At six-thirty, Nancy left the office, got in her car and began the drive to the hotel where she was meeting and dining with Ted. When she arrived at the up-scale inn, she parked in back, locked her car, and went inside, feeling almost as funny as she had five years ago when she was coming here to conduct an affair.
She found Ted, who looked as handsome as ever, waiting in the lobby. He smiled broadly and gave her an appreciative look, which wasn't surprising. Nancy's lithe body was covered by a deep red velvet pantsuit that consisted of wide-leg pants and a cardigan top that dipped daringly low in front.
Nancy returned Ted's smile and started toward him. "I hope you don't mind that I'm early," she said, giving him a gentle hug and light kiss on the cheek. Even that innocent contact sent thrills rippling through her. "I'm going to have to be careful," she thought.
"Why on earth would I be upset that someone as lovely as you are is early?" Ted replied. "Are you hungry?"
"A...a little," Nancy replied. "I've had a busy day. Now that I'm head of sales, I have the good fortune of sitting in my office all day, reviewing sales reports other people submit."
"Let's eat," Ted said. He took Nancy's arm and they went into the dining room.
The hostess seated them in a booth in the corner of the dimly-lit restaurant.
"This is nice," Nancy said. "It's been a long time since I've gotten out for dinner."
The waitress appeared, took their order, then left.
"You're probably wondering why I called you," Ted said.
Nancy nodded. "Yes, I was," she replied.
"Actually, other than the fact that I really enjoy your company," Ted said, "There really is no valid reason. I hope you aren't angry. I suppose you could say I got you here under false pretenses."
"I...I'm not angry," Nancy stammered. "I...I guess I'm flattered. How have you been?"
"I've been fine," Ted replied. "Would you believe I'm a grandfather?"
"You're kidding!" Nancy exclaimed.
Ted shook his head. "Actually, I've been one for two years, now," he said, "compliments of my daughter and her husband. How is your family?"
"The...the kids are fine," Nancy said. "Both of the boys are in graduate school, and my daughter is in eighth grade."
Ted shook his head. "I still find it hard to believe a woman as young-looking and lovely as you are has children in junior high school, much less graduate school," he said. "How is your husband?"
Nancy took a deep breath. "George...he...he died a year ago," she said softly.
"What?" Ted asked, stunned. "Oh, Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear that. What...what happened?"
Nancy looked at him. "It... it was prostate cancer," she said. "We...we found out too late. They tried everything, but nothing worked." She shrugged.
"I can't believe it," Ted said. "How...how were things between you?"
"They...they were wonderful," Nancy said. "We...we got involved in couple's therapy, and I got individual therapy. When...when George died we...we were happier than...than we ever were..."
"I'm so sorry to hear about this," Ted said. "How are you handling it?"
Nancy looked at him and smiled wanly. "I'm coping," she said, "Actually, I guess I'm coping quite well. I've gotten a promotion at work, and the kids and I have never been closer, so..." She stopped and stared at her hands.
The waitress brought their food and their conversation ended while they ate.
Even though she hadn't eaten all day, Nancy found she wasn't hungry. She sat there, picking at her food absently with her fork.
"What's the matter, Nancy, aren't you hungry?" Ted said. "Or is there something wrong with your food?"
