Synopsis: Jim and Bette met Carol and Steve at a sex club. The latter couple invited Jim and Bette to a weekend party.
Chapter 5 -- Bromfield's Temptations
Satin Studios
Shortly after I had been formally introduced to Carol Rollins, Bette and I decided to call it a night. Steve walked with us to the locker room. He opened his locker and brought out a folded Xeroxed map. "This should get you to our place," he said. He then gave us detailed instructions, concluding with, "Here's our phone number if you need to reach us. We're not planning a sit down dinner, but there will be plenty of food. Don't eat before you come."
Bette asked about the time. Steve was vague. "It doesn't matter," he said. "Some people will come early so they can play a little tennis, or maybe go for a dip. I expect most people will be there by seven o'clock."
That seemed clear enough. Bette fave Steve a final hug. We shook hands again, and then we dressed.
Bette was quiet. "Have a good time?" I asked.
"Wow, did I ever! I did things tonight I had only read about. How about you?"
"I don't know," I said slowly. "Maybe Carol's right. Maybe I am getting a little long in the tooth for this sort of thing."
"I don't believe that for a minute," Bette said loyally. "I think you're just tired. Besides, you had a funny run of luck. None of your partners -- except for Carol, of course -- were beauty queens."
"What do you know about my partners? I thought that football team was keeping you busy."
"Well, they did," she admitted, "but when I had to go whiz, I couldn't help but notice what you were doing ... and with whom."
We slept in the next morning. The phone rang at noon while I was having my second cup of coffee. Bette answered, and handed the phone to me.
"Hello?"
It was Jeff. "Hi, Jim. You up for a little golf this afternoon?"
"Sure," I said. "Where'll I meet you?"
"Why don't you come up here. We can go out to the club together."
"Hold on." I turned to Bette. "It's Jeff. He wants to play a little golf. I should be back by five. OK?"
She nodded. I turned back to the phone. I'll be banging on your door in about 5 minutes. See you then."
I collected my clubs and shoes. Bette followed me to the door. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll see you when I get back."
Five minutes later, I was tapping softly on the Morrison's door. Sandy had been waiting for me. She put her finger to her lips. "Jeff really thinks he's going to play golf," she whispered. "Let's see if we can change his mind."
I nodded and followed her into the kitchen. Jeff was sitting at the table reading the morning paper.
"How about a cup of coffee?" Sandy asked brightly. I nodded and sat on the chair facing Jeff over the table. While Jeff poured my coffee, Jeff looked at me, concern in his eyes. "Have you heard anything from Louise?"
"Not a word," I said, "but this can't go on forever; at least I don't think so."
Jeff smiled sympathetically. "I don't mind telling you, her running away like that really shook me up. But you knew how I really felt about swinging all along."
Sandy, standing behind Jeff, made a face at his back. I shook my head and looking him straight in the eye, said, "You and I are good friends, Jeff, and I'll be honest with you. Frankly, I thought your remorseful act was bullshit from the very beginning. I'll say this for you, though; you sure got a lot of extra TLC out of it! I almost wish I had thought of it." Behind Jeff, Sandy was silently clapping her hands.
Jeff protested, "Oh, no, Jim. You don't understand. I really felt that way. I still do."
"Well, partner," I said firmly, "you may think that's the way you feel, but I just don't buy it. Maybe fucking Louise bothered you for some reason -- God knows she could be demanding --but I think you're more like me than you realize, and I think variety is the spice of life!"
Behind Jeff's back, Sandy was silently waving her clasped hands together over her head like a triumphant prize fighter. I decided to push Jeff a little harder. I leaned across the table so we were nose to nose. I stared into his eyes as I asked, "In all seriousness, Jeff, are you still hung up on possessiveness or jealousy? Do you still think of Sandy as an attractive and useful appliance; something you own and use when you feel like it?"
Jeff slowly shook his head. "I . . .I don't think so," he said slowly. I took that as an honest answer.
"Well, I knew I'd gotten rid of my possessive feelings when I began to enjoy watching Louise fuck other men. I'll bet you were beginning to have those feelings, too, and they scared you because our culture teaches us that only sissies and wimps loose control over their women." I pushed my nose even closer. "Whether you're willing to admit it or not, I'll bet secretly you got a little tingle when you saw me run my hand under Sandy's blouse or tickle her between her legs."
"No, nothing."
"Are you sure?" I insisted. "Not even a little bit?"
Jeff stubbornly shook his head. I could tell by the frown on his face that I was running out of time. "Would you like to try a little experiment?" I asked softly.