Darren did a double-take as he spotted the hot-looking woman walking down the road. She was wearing a little red top with a short denim skirt and ankle high brown boots. He could see her long legs, accentuated by her boots. Her hair was dark red, almost dark brown. It was cut to just below her chin, and was being blow by the wind.
It was only as he got closer that Darren recognised her, it was Becky. She was one of the moms at his child's school. Normally she would have been driving, not walking. Darren knew where she lived and knew she had a long walk home. He slowed as he approached her, should he stop or not? If it had been him walking, he would hope someone would stop for him. So, he pulled over as he got next to her. He lowered his window and lent out.
"Do you want a lift?" he shouted to her. She jumped and turned to stare at him, at first not recognising who he was. Then she realised and smiled at him.
"If you don't mind?" She asked. Darren shook his head.
"Come on, get in, it's too far to walk," he told her and she nodded. Quickly she moved round the car and climbed into the passenger side. Once she was in and had fastened her seatbelt, he started off. "Why you walking, it's not that nice a day?"
"Shawn has the car, said he had to go out and needed it." Her voice was tinged with anger.
"You didn't walk to school did you?" She shook her head.
"Managed to get the bus, but the next one's not for an hour. It's quicker to walk, just."
"Even quicker now," Darren said with a laugh. She joined in laughing. Darren was not surprised to find it was her husband's fault. Becky had talked to him a few times about the problems she was having with her husband, Shawn. For the last six months he had been very distant towards her, cold. His attitude changed after he was rushed to the hospital for a major operation.
At the time it had been touch and go as to whether he would live. After the operation, according to Becky, he changed. He had always been a loving husband. When their children had been in reception class together Becky had been happy. She and Darren had spoken a few times; she had not had any worries. Now it was different, she often was upset or down when picking her children up from school.
Darren could commiserate as he was having troubles himself. His wife, Nicola, had been promoted a few months back. Since then she seemed to spend more time at work or doing something to do with work, than with him. Their love life had disappeared, not that it had been earth-shattering before. Nicola was a bit of a prude in bed, not liking anything new or different. Darren loved her, but was not too sure if she loved him anymore. She was spending more and more time at work every week. He was beginning to feel like she was avoiding him, using work as an excuse.
"I wouldn't have minded if he had warned me," Becky said suddenly. "But he just dropped this on me late last night. When it was too late to make any plans. He knew I had to go shopping today as well. I don't even know when he's getting back." Darren nodded, sympathising as she spoke. Luckily for him Nicola had her own car, so she did not have to borrow his.
"It's not fair that he didn't warn you," he told her.
"I know, I could have arranged a lift or something." Darren nodded as he turned his car round the corner into Becky's road. He reached her house and pulled over.
"Here you go, straight to the door," he said with a smile.
"Thanks, want to come in for a chat?"
"Erm, I don't think..."
"Oh come on, you got anything important to do at home?" Darren shook his head. "Well then, come on in. Even if it's only for a drink. At least we'll have some company for a little while. It's better than going back to an empty house, isn't it?" Darren thought about it for a second, then nodded. She was right; he did not want to go back to his empty house just yet. They got out of the car and Becky led him into her house. He followed her into the kitchen. Glancing round he saw a breakfast table with stools under it. He pulled out a stool and sat down while Becky filled the kettle.
"Tea?" she asked. Darren nodded. "Milk, sugar?"
"Milk please, no sugar." His gaze wandered around the kitchen as she made two cups of tea. She brought them over to the table, gave him a cup, and then sat herself on a stool next to him.
"I guess you've figured nothing's improved between me and Shawn. How about you? Things any better between you and Nicola?" Darren shook his head. "No, she's spending even more time at work than ever. She says it's because they're in their busiest period. I just think she doesn't want me anymore." Becky nodded and her expression grew concerned. "The worst thing is that when she does come home she's so tired she just goes to bed. I can't remember the last time we actually had sex."
"I know the feeling," Becky told him. "Shawn hasn't shown any interest in me for months. Not since he came home from the hospital. If nothing changes I'm going to wear out my vibrator." She said, laughing at her joke. Darren laughed too.