Flames in the Garden
Jay hadn't spoken to Paula in over 20 years. They were a couple in high school but drifted apart when he moved away. He had seen her once or twice since school but the last time had to be 20 years ago. But social media makes it so much easier to find someone these days. And he had found her. She looked good. Older obviously but she looked the same as he remembered all those years ago.
He sent a message "I heard you moved out my way recently". Messaging wasn't nearly as immediate as texting but it was all he had at this point. He could wait a day or two if that's what it took. But he still checked his account every couple of hours over the next day. Finally a reply.
"Yep. My office is out here so we made the move to cut down on my drive. Husband mostly works from home now."
He started typing a reply right away but caught himself. Don't look too eager. You aren't in high school anymore. Wait a day or so, then reply. Work got busy and two days passed before he sent another message. "Lots of nice places to see here. Have you been to Ayres Gardens yet?" He was set to wait another day for a reply but was pleased to see a message an hour later.
"No. Nice place? Is it local?" was her reply.
"Yes. Right in town here. Kind of a park/arboretum. Pond with fish. Lots of flowers this time of year. You should check it out."
Within 10 minutes she sent a message back. "Sounds nice. How about a guided tour? I am not working tomorrow."
Wait, What? he thought. Did she just ask to meet me? He read the message again. Yes she did. He had no appointments tomorrow for work. If his wife found out, she'd be pissed. And he had no desire or intention of doing anything to upset her. His marriage and home life were great. And yet he typed a reply "Sure. How about 1 pm tomorrow? Google the name to get the address. I will meet you in front of the entrance. There's a brick walkway at one end of the parking lot."
An hour later he read the answer. "1 o'clock it is. See you tomorrow."
He slept well that night. Wasn't nervous. Too old for that, he told himself. I am happily married, she's happily married. Just 2 old friends catching up.
He kept busy with work the next morning. Sent a bunch of emails, made some calls, sent out a few quotes. His wife had gone out shopping at noon so when he left the house at 12:45, no one even knew. At 1 pm he was waiting at the entrance when she pulled in and got out of her car.
"Well Hello" she started.
"Hello to you. How are you?" he answered. She looked good wearing a denim skirt that stopped just above her knees and a pink button down cotton blouse with a modest 2 buttons undone. She hardly looks any different from high school, he thought.
"I'm good. I was very surprised to hear from you. But in a good way. It's always nice to get in touch with old friends."
"Yes it is" he replied. "And I qualify for that description. Old" Jay joked.
"You know what I mean. This place looks nice. So many flowers and so green. Do you come here a lot?" Paula asked as they started to walk down the brick path into the garden.
"At least a couple of times a year. Weekdays are quiet, like today. We come just to enjoy the fresh air. And take pictures." Wait, why did he add that past part? She didn't need to know about that. No one but he and his wife know about that. "I brought my camera today."
"Pictures, huh? Flowers, trees, squirrels?" She asked.
"Yeah, sometimes." Then he thought, why not. It's not like she is ever going to meet my wife. And what's the worst that can happen, she thinks I'm a weirdo perv and doesn't speak to me for another 20 years? "Sometimes we take other kinds of pictures."
"Other kinds? Like what?" Paula asked again.
"Well, pictures on my wife. You might call them adult pictures. Sexy pics of her with flowers or by the pond." There, he said it. And now he held his breath for an instant waiting for her reaction.
"REALLY?!" she practically shouted. Then she giggled when she realized how loud she said that. Jay exhaled when he saw her giggle. "Here? In this public park? I guess you really do have to watch out for the quiet ones" she said again with a laugh.
"It's fun in a naughty kinda way. She likes posing and I like looking at her. More fun in a public place."