I didn't even know my husband had this house, but I got it in the divorce -- as well as enough money to see me comfortably settle here for a loooong time. The building was a big old Cape house with a wrap around porch, storm shutters, and so much beachy charm. It was the perfect haven for me to sit back and recover my life. That bastard had cheated, and cheated some more. The sad part was, if he'd only discussed it with me, we could easily have worked something out. Instead he deceived me, and I didn't take it well. I was determined not to think about that absolute asshole again.
I had turned 30 this spring, but was often told I looked a little younger. I had full, high breasts, a trim waist, and long, curling red hair. I usually wore it up because the least bit of humidity made it wilder than Merida's. Today I left it down. What was the point? I tossed a tasseled cover up over my little black bikini, slid my feet in to sandals, and headed toward the beach that curved up the coast not five minutes walk from my new place. It was Sunday, and I had nothing to do. To be fair, I didn't have to work right now, so I had nothing to do most every day unless I chose.
"Helloooo, gorgeous," A woman's voice called out from the glass-encased porch of the house across the street. I lifted my shades for a better look. A pretty blonde was lounging in a white wicker chair, with two other women seated nearby -- all about my age, and looking like their husbands had money to burn. The blonde was the one who'd called out, and now one of her friends beckoned me over, while the other blew me a kiss. Most aggressive neighborhood welcome committee, ever apparently. Well, if we were going to be neighbors, I might as well make their acquaintance now. Setting aside my beach plans, I crossed the street and pasted a friendly smile on my face.
"Hi, did you just move in?" the blonde asked, pulling out a chair for me. I sat. "I'm Laurel, and this is Eva and Sidney." She gestured to her companions. "We're having a weekly meeting of the Bourne Hotwives Club," she added with an almost predatory grin. I was probably supposed to ask what that was, but I preferred not to do the expected, and so I let the bait slide.
"I'm Sarah," I told her. "This place used to belong to my ex, but he made some sad man mistakes, and now it's all mine."
"A woman after my own heart," Laurel cooed, pouring a generous cup of sangria from a lovely crystal pitcher in front of her. Eva slid it over to me. These ladies were fun! The afternoon passed quickly. Sidney had all the gossip on the year round residents of Bourne. Eva knew who was on the cusp of divorce, and who was having "the postman's child." Laurel leered comically at my chest and eventually found a reason to sling an arm around my shoulders. I didn't mind. She was exactly my type.
When we'd run out of sangria, Laurel's husband strolled out with another pitcher and Laurel introduced us. Jake was serious man candy, tall and fit, without being overly fussy about his appearance. Rolled up shirtsleeves displayed muscular arms and hinted the rest would be more of the same. His wavy black hair flopped boyishly over his forehead, highlighting piercing blue eyes.
"My man Jake can help you fix up anything you need over there," Laurel said, nodding toward my new home. "Cheating Charlie never did much maintenance, from what I can remember." Yeah, at some point along the way I'd confided the whole shit pile to these ladies. It was cathartic and they made all the appropriate sounds.
"Thanks! As a matter of fact, the kitchen sink is leaking pretty badly, if that's in your skill set, Jake," I told him with a grateful smile.
"Cool, does Tuesday afternoon work for me to come over and have a look?"
We agreed on the time and Jake sauntered back into the house. I noticed both Eva and Sidney followed him with their eyes. Lauren didn't seem bothered.
It was evening by the time I thought about getting on home. I was pretty sure I could still walk across the street, even though it wouldn't be in a straight line by any means. The girls had been refilling my glass assiduously, not that I was complaining. When I started talking about heading home, the three of them exchanged glances, nodded a little, and then Lauren leaned forward to talk.
"Listen, wanna join the Bourne Hotwives Club? You can hang with us. I promise we're the coolest, hottest wives in Bourne." She cracked herself up, and Eva giggled along.
"I mean, I had fun today. More of the same would be great... What does it entail?"
"What do you think, ladies?" Laurel asked, looking from Sidney to Eva. " Same as usual?"
"Why mess with a good thing," Sidney observed. "I sure enjoyed my initiation."
"Ok. So to earn your place in the BHC, you wait for a call from me. One of these days soon I'll call you, and when I do, you'll have to be naked ... allll day. No bra, no panties, no bathing suit. You can be booooring and stay at home, or do whatever you want really. The only rule is, No Clothes." Hah. Bring it on. At this point, I had no inhibitions left. I agreed to the terms and weaved across the street. I had the presence of mind to down a big glass of water before bed, but that was about it. This new life free of Cheater Charlie was shaping up to be fun.
Monday I fulfilled my neglected beach plans and worked on a tan while reading. It was a slow day, exactly how I wanted it. I kind of needed it to be like that anyway, after the hangover I'd woken up with. I remembered my encounter with the Bourne Hotwives Club a few times and laughed out loud. Those three were going to keep life interesting.
Tuesday dawned hot and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. This new life of mine was endless vacation. Whenever I tired of it, I could go back to freelancing, but to be honest, I could get away without working for years on what I got from Cheating Charlie. I showered, painted my nails, and lazed about in a towel for a while, watching the food network. About 10:00, Laurel called.
