Hank could not believe how boring a History conference in Washington, DC could be. History was his life's passion but it no longer was. Sure he was excited to be part of an elite panel that was discussing the American Civil War and its effects both here and abroad. The fact that it was going to be televised was something he liked. At least it couldn't hurt the sales of his latest book. He was going to be interviewed on NPR tomorrow then going home.
He missed home and his family. He never thought he'd be saying that but he did. All a long he had been wanting a place to call home and now he had it. He had a beautiful wife, a great daughter and a baby on the way. To him, he had it all.
Amy's pregnancy was progressing well. She was near the end of her sixth month and so far everything was going well. Their sex life had really slowed down especially compared to the earlier months and her moods had gone through some changes. She was up one day then down another. One day she wanted his touch and the next she pushed him away. Sometimes she couldn't sleep and he find her seated, wrapped in a blanket in the bedroom chair, just looking out the window. Hank tried his best to be there for her but he couldn't miss this conference. Amy encouraged him to go, saying it would be good for him. She was right as he touched base with some of his old contacts. He especially liked to tell people about Amy and Carrie.
Carrie was acting like the freshman she was. Most of the time she was great and very helpful but she had discovered boys and wanted to date. Amy was dead set against it and it led to some tense moments. She didn't date as a freshman so Carrie shouldn't. Carrie tried to recruit Aunt Jessie but that never helped. Hank was ok with it but with strict rules. He tried to see both sides but that usually got him in trouble. That was the great part about being a new dad to a teenager. It was a big learning curve and he was finding that out every day.
"Dr. Dixon." The voice startled him. "You're up." Hank walked to the podium and started his talk. It went well. He held his own in the panel discussion and Q and A that followed.
Hank was tired and he headed out of the conference room planning on going up to his hotel room. He wanted to call home to see how things were going. And just to hear Amy's voice. Leaving the room he heard a female voice call to him. "Hank, Hank Dixon."
He turned around and there standing not five feet away was Susan, his ex.
Susan was dressed in a gray suit with red blouse. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun. Her eyes sparkled and she gave a big smile. She walked towards him. Hank extended his hand. She took it, pulled him close and kissed his cheek. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has. You are looking good, "replied Hank.
"Thanks. You're looking well too. I guess married life agrees with you. I heard you speak. Great as usual," she said. "Where are you staying?"
"Right here," Hank said.
"Great! Me too." Susan answered. "Would you like to get a drink?"
Hank agreed and they headed towards the hotel bar. They sat down. Susan swung herself around so her knees touched Hank's. They talked about old times and people they knew. Susan told Hank she was working as a lobbyist and the job was going well. A number of times as she spoke she placed her hand on Hank's thigh. They decided to have dinner together. When their table was called Susan slid around in her stool seat. This spread her legs allowing Hank see her inner thigh. Hank noticed the top of her black stocking and her creamy thigh.
At dinner, she sat next to him, not across from him. Their knees constantly touched. Hank tried not to notice but he couldn't. Hank turned the conversation to Amy and Carrie but she always brought it back to the two of them. As they talked, she undid her hair, allowing it to fall free. She shook her head and ran her fingers through it. "There, that feels much better."
She smiled and by the look on Hank's face, it had the desired effect on him.
"You know, we could have made a pretty good team, you and me," Susan said. "Maybe I should have fought for you."
"How's that?" Hank replied. He was taken aback by her forwardness.
"Oh come on. We have a lot in common. We both love power. We both worked hard to get where we are. We made a good team, your brains, my drive. Admit it, the sex was pretty good." Susan smiled.
"True," Hank answered. "Thinking back, we did have some pretty good times."
"So?" She asked.
"So what?"
"Why didn't it work out between us?" Susan put her hand on his thigh. "It could have, you know."
He had to admit she was right but how could he tell her there wasn't that spark, that comfort zone, that feeling that Amy gave him.
"A different time, a different place. Maybe." It was a pretty weak answer.
By dinner's end, Hank knew where this was going. Susan was gorgeous and she was right here. She had reminded him of all the good times they had together. And despite how it ended, there were some great times. He wouldn't be a man if he didn't notice. Some of the things she mentioned stirred up old feelings. He had to adjust himself more than once. A movement Susan didn't miss. They got up and headed towards the elevator. On the way she reached over and took his hand. They both knew what was next.
The elevator doors opened. Hank had made his decision. It was now or never. He took a deep breath. "Susan, thank you for a wonderful evening but I can't get on with you. You are a beautiful woman, very tempting and I know what I'm missing. As lame as this sounds, I love my wife and that won't ever change. I have a wife and family. I'll not throw that away."
Susan looked at him with a cute little pout. She wasn't use to hearing no. "That's ok. I understand. But are you sure? The offer still stands if you change your mind. Think it over. Here's my room number." She wrote the number on the back of her business card and slipped into his shirt pocket. She kissed him lightly on the lips and stepped into the elevator.
Hank went up to room and called Amy. Even though he didn't do anything, he felt dirty. He was tempted and he felt he let Amy down. It was late and he knew she be asleep. He left a message. All it said was "I love you, babe." He then took a long shower.
Amy had a rough week. Teaching was becoming more difficult. Standing all day was becoming a real challenge and just getting around was a chore. She had given her notice that she was going on leave in four weeks and it couldn't come fast enough. She missed Hank so much but when Hank came home from DC, she should have been happy to see him. Instead she let loose with all her complaints. He took it well but she knew he was not happy.
She took Friday off and invited her sister Jesse over. Jesse came for lunch that afternoon. Jesse's life had improved since her talk with Amy this summer. With the help of a little white bikini, Dave had noticed what he had in a wife and things were good.
"So Amy," Jesse asked, "why the invite on a Friday? Special announcement?"
Amy slid a business card across the table. "I found this in Hank's shirt when he came back from DC."
