The party and dance had been Saturday night and here we were getting into our Monday morning routine. Dana still worked, mostly because she enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment. But before she went to work, we were up early and headed to the gym. Our trainer met us there and put us through about an hour-long workout. We were both sweating heavily by the time we were finished and headed home. We rewarded ourselves with coffee and then took turns in the shower. Dana took her shower first while I stood in the bathroom and sipped my coffee, talking to her through the curtain. When she got out, I got in and she talked to me while she dried off and then applied skin lotion to almost her entire body.
Our conversation covered a lot of topics that included our schedule for the week, upcoming college visitation events for our daughter, the idea of hiring a nutritionist and, one of our most pressing topics, the new house we wanted to buy after our daughter had graduated high school and was off to college. Eventually, just as I was finishing my shower and getting out to dry off, we got around to discussing the invitation to the charity dinner cruise. We both agreed that we thought we'd enjoy going but Dana had some reservations; that she would be nervous going.
"Nervous about what?" I asked. I was nervous too, but I knew why; I was wondering who might bid on Dana if we went. Was there a way I could guarantee I would win her in the bidding? If someone else won, what would she do with them? Our sex life had evolved to the point where I wasn't sure she'd say no if she really wanted to play with another man. And I was also sure that, as long as she was up front about it, I'd be relatively okay with that. My focus was her pleasure and her happiness. Honesty was the requirement. She had previously confided in me about some wild experiences she'd had in college, and SHE knew how much I'd gotten turned on hearing about them. I wondered if any of her nervousness wasn't about that somehow too.
"Well," she said, thinking for a few moments, "I know I'm not UNattractive but how am I going to feel if the bidding for me is way lower than it is for other women?" I could see her point but thought it was kind of... unnecessarily insecure. She was a beautiful woman who had worked hard to get in shape and her figure showed it. I was sure she'd bring good bids; that was what had me worried. "And what do I HAVE to do with whoever wins the bid, if anyone even does?" The little voice in the back of my head wondered how genuine of a concern this was. Sure, she could be won by some fat dickhead and not want to eat or dance with him. But if she was won by a hot guy with a decent personality, I wasn't so sure she wouldn't want to do... well.. whatever she wanted.
"I don't know," I replied generically to both her questions. "First off, I don't think you need to worry about low or no bids. You're beautiful and the way men react to you at various parties and events should be evidence of that." She nodded in a kind of 'I have to accept that' way. "And second, I don't think you HAVE to do anything but spend time at dinner and through the evening dancing or whatever." She didn't look convinced and, truth be told, I didn't feel convinced. Then I had a thought. "If it would make you feel better, before we decide, I can always try to get hold of Jonathan and ask him. He said he was hosting it so there ought to be a way to find him and give him a call."
Dana was quiet and thoughtful for a few moments, still standing there naked in our bathroom, freshly squeaky clean but needing to get dressed for work. I didn't want her to go to work. I wanted to bend her over the bathroom vanity. "Okay," she said. "See if you can find a way to call him. I'd like to know what we're actually walking into before we go... although it DOES sound like a good time and for a good cause."
I nodded my agreement, said, "Okay, babe. I'll get on it today while you're at work," and then I finished my morning routine. A half hour later she was on her way to work, and I was settling in at my desk computer to see if I could find Jonathan.
- - - - - - - - - -
I started out thinking it would be relatively easy. I shortly had a different outlook. It was almost an hour later before I finally located a last name for him (Brandston) and another half hour past that before I found a phone number for what I THOUGHT was his primary business. That phone call led to five more phone calls, and I finally got connected with a woman who said she was his personal assistant. She listened to my explanation as to how I had met him and why I wanted to speak with him. At first she tried to redirect me to the website for the cruise to get all the necessary information. I had to explain that my questions were those created by what wasn't included on the website. Finally, sounding quite exasperated with how stupid I must be, she agreed to connect me with Jonathan and put me on hold.
It wasn't even a half-minute later when he picked up. "Frank? Sorry about that. The gate keeper is quite dedicated to her job and keeping me from having to deal with anything she thinks someone else can handle."
I chuckled and said, "Good morning, Jonathan. Thanks for taking my call."
"No problem," he said. His voice sounded cheery. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, first off, I assume you remember me? and my wife Dana who you danced with Saturday evening? You invited us to your charity cruise."
"Of course, I remember," he replied; the smile on his face easy to hear. "How could I forget a woman as lovely as your wife?"
"Thank you. She IS quite beautiful," I replied before continuing, "Dana and I had some questions about the charity cruise you invited us to and they're the kind of questions I'm not comfortable asking a stranger. Not that you know us well or vice versa but at least you're the person we've met so I was hoping you could help me out."
