Tina Pays A Visit

TINA PAYS A VISIT

The sound of the doorbell ringing just before two o'clock on a day later in the week brought Jake from the patio where he was enjoying an afternoon drink.

He was surprised to see Tina's smiling face, framed by her inviting mid-length strawberry-blonde hair. "Tina! How are you?" Jake smiled back at her. Come in, come in! Ann is at a therapist's appointment in Landover. She probably won't be back until after 5:00."

"Oh! That's right!" she regretfully replied. "She told me about it, but it slipped my mind. How are you, Jake?"

"I'm fine. Just enjoying a lazy afternoon. Ann and I try to give each other a day each week to ourselves. It can be healthy. You know what they say", he added. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

His smile, however, wasn't as convincing as he'd have liked. Tina knew all too well, that Jake wanted a day of freedom in case better opportunities presented themselves. "One of these days", Tina thought, "I'm gonna be that opportunity."

"Would you like a drink? I'm having one", Jake offered, hoping she'd accept.

Responding to his offer, Tina agreed, "You know, I think I'll take you up on that offer. It hasn't been the best of days. I just wanted to stop by and check on Ann, but that'll have to wait until another time."

When Jake handed Tina her drink, he pointed toward the family room rather than the patio where he'd been sitting earlier. The family room was more comfortable and private.

"Tina resumed the conversation by asking, "How's Ann doing, really? Sometimes, I worry about her and don't know if she's being truthful with me."

"She's OK, I think. We've been doing a little better lately, but sometimes I'm just not so sure." Jake planted the seed for Tina to take however she saw fit.

"Look, Jake. I know Ann doesn't always give you what you need. You probably deserve more, If I'm being honest. But, Ann is my friend and I try to help her." Recognizing the dual meaning in Jake's statement, Tina thought, "I can play that game too, Mr. Sexy! If it's teasing that you want, I'm quite the temptress - when it suits me."

"So, I know she's been trying harder", Tina continued. "Is it helping?"

"It can't hurt, Tina. I know you're helping her by making suggestions, and that means a lot to me. I appreciate it", Jake sincerely replied.

Tina rose from her seat and walked to the window to admire the pristine landscape. Although she'd always admired the view, today she was a little nervous and needed to walk around to help steady her nerves. She had an agenda that required her to be on her toes.

Jake walked over to join her at the window, which was also his favorite view of the property. They stood quietly for a while, neither knowing what to say nor how to express what was truly on their minds.

It was Tina who broke the ice by blurting out, "Why does Ann find it so hard to have sex with you? I mean, as her friend, you surely know we talk about everything."

"I wish I could answer that, Tina. You know she has a lot of baggage from bad experiences years ago", he paused to consider. "Why, after all these years, she can't let that go is a puzzle to me. What do you make of it?"

"Well", she began. "She's never given me any reason to believe this, but I don't think that's the problem at all. I think Ann is a sexual pressure cooker waiting to explode."

"Come on! Whatever makes you get that idea?"

"I watch her when we're out." Tina waited to form her thoughts before going on. "The way she looks at men as if she's in another world. And women, too! I think she's strongly bi-curious."

"Wow!" This was something Jake had never considered. "How do I broach that subject?" His mind was busy imagining the possibilities this bombshell might present. A threesome, maybe?

"You can't! That's just it. You can't let on that you suspect, because she'd know it was me who planted that seed in your mind. We just have to watch for signals."

"What signals?" Jaked asked impatiently.

"It could be anything. Just be patient. We can get together to compare notes if you'd like until we figure this out." She finished her drink and rattled the glass's remaining ice.

"Can I get you a refill?", Jake asked.

"I'd love to, Honey, but I need to go. We don't want Ann to know I was here." Tina set the glass on the cocktail table but made no move to leave.

Jake reached out to cup her cheek and chin in his hand as a sign of thanks and appreciation. She leaned her face into his touch, slowly rubbing it against his extended hand.

"I'm so sorry, Jake. You deserve so much more. I know you do. You're such a sweetheart and could have any woman you want." The thought that she'd said too much didn't stop her from proceeding. "I've always liked you and consider you a friend. Let me help you in whatever way you need."

There was no way Jake would let that go by. He would at least file the memory of that offer in his memory banks. He would call that favor at the first opportunity. As a response, he took her in his arms and pulled her close. She touched his arm and slowly caressed it while resting her face against his shoulder. When she raised her head, she saw Jake's eyes focused on hers. Their look lingered momentarily until Tina stretched to reach his lips with hers. Their first kiss was long and sensual. Her fingertips traced Jake's jawline before pulling away.

She squeezed his hand and turned for the door. "You know how to find me, Jake. Don't be shy. We'll get through this together. We each love Ann, and we both have needs."

"You're a princess, Tina. We'll be in touch. Goodbye!" After he watched her walk down the driveway to her car, he closed the door and walked to fix another drink. "What a week!" he thought.

Tina smiled smugly as she walked down the driveway to her car. "Like taking candy from a baby!" she mused. "Yes, Jake. I really can be a princess. Just you wait and see."