They began planning their return to Jamaica immediately. The memories of Derek and Liz, the attention of strangers, the wardrobe, and long days hanging out on the nude beach competed with their fantasies about what might happen next. While at home, they remained the buttoned-up couple they had always been, but they could hardly wait to get back to satisfy those urges that lay just beneath the surface. Every night they fucked their way through another memory or another potential scenario.
An unexpected move to a new congregation and an extended medical emergency with Kate's mom in September put a quick and serious damper on their activity. Mickey's new assignment was challenging and, despite his best efforts, he and Kate were fully aware that they were quickly slipping back into some old patterns. At first, they did their best to maintain the heat they found on the island. By Thanksgiving, they were just happy for a satisfying fuck every weekend. When the new year rolled around, their weekly "date" rarely satisfied either of them.
"The resort called today," Kate told Mickey as he ate another dinner that had turned cold waiting for him. "It's time for the final payment"
He nodded as he swallowed his last bite. "Let's confirm the dates with your folks. I am more than ready for some R & R." He pushed the plate away and fiddled with the water glass in front of him.
"It's been a long time." He stared at the glass for a long second before looking up at his wife.
She nodded. "I've missed it," she said quietly. "Although I think maybe I've shut down a little of that part of myself."
Silence filled the room as they both wandered through their thoughts, looking for feelings that they had abandoned over the last six months.
Mickey finally spoke. "I understand that. Every once in a while though, something pops up that brings me back there."
"Really? Like what?" Kate leaned into the table, resting on her elbows and leaning her cheek into her hands.
"Silly things." Mickey's smile was subtle as he considered the memory. "I was at the office supply store several months ago, getting something printed. The clerk was taking down my instructions and, at some point, I recognized a certain tone in my voice. She heard it, too, I'm sure. She stopped writing, looked me in the eye, and said, 'Yes, sir.' It was meaningless, I know, but the image of her on her knees looking up at me flashed through my head."
"Was she cute? Kate smiled.
"She was... average. A little older than us. I hadn't really even paid any attention to her... you know, that way."
"Should I go find a pad and paper?" Kate offered. "Maybe you could get a deal on that printing."
"What about you?" Mickey asked. "Does anything take you back there?"
Kate wondered how much she dared tell him as she slowly nodded, looking at the table.
"I don't know. It's silly, really," she stalled.
"What?" Mickey urged, smiling. He was beginning to remember what he missed about this - beyond the sex.
"A month or so ago a man was in the service."
Mickey knew immediately who she was referring to. There weren't that many Black men in this part of Vermont.
"He reminded me of that guy at the club who was looking at me," Kate explained. "I never even spoke to him, but we made eye contact across the narthex and he smiled. Politely, nothing more."
"And you flashed back to that night," Mickey concluded.
"Yeah, and then it was over."
"Good thing. We can't have you having sex with parishioners," Mickey teased. "Although I'm sure we would see an increase in our attendance!"
They both fell silent, falling back into their own thoughts.
"So, a half a year later. What stands out now as the best part of all that?" Mickey asked softly.
"The last trip?"
"Yeah."
"That guy looking at me. Well, all of them looking, I guess. Does that make me vain?"
Mickey shook his head. "I don't think so. It just makes you an exhibitionist, I suppose. But I think we already knew that."
"What about you?"
"No, I'm not an exhibitionist," Mickey replied.
"No, silly. I mean what stands out to you?"
"Seeing them watch you. Watching Derek and Liz." He paused before adding, "And giving instructions."
"To them?"
"To all of you. Your clothing. Telling you to open your blouse for them. All of it."
"I liked that, too."
The ringing of the phone cut through the quiet kitchen and startled them both.
"This can't be good" Kate sighed.
"Not this late." Mickey took a deep breath and reached for the phone." Five minutes later he was back out the door.
Kate tried to stay awake, waiting for him. But she knew that a trip to the hospital this late probably meant a very long night. Their conversation had turned her on, and she considered touching herself. She decided to wait, hoping that Mickey would be home sooner than expected.
She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep when the phone rang. It was on Mickey's side of the bed, so she stretched to answer it.
"Hello?"
"You have five minutes." She recognized Mickey's voice.