As we were sitting watching TV one night, out of nowhere Angie says, "David, don't take this the wrong way but I'd like to try swinging."
Half listening I said "Swinging what?"
"You know, like couples swapping partners."
"For sex?," I asked incredulously. "Of course, for sex," she said, "Do you think I'm talking about trading baseball cards?"
Knowing that Angie's sarcasm meant I'd better pay attention I shut off the television and turned to her. "Angie, you can't be serious. Please tell me you're kidding."
"Not kidding. I just want to try it and see what it's like, something to break up the routine."
First the strip club job and now she wanted to have sex with another couple and I'm silently freaking out with where her head was going so I'd have to talk her out of it. Of course, that would be like talking a speeding train into stopping.
"Angie, when you say you 'just want to try it' you make it sound like you're trying on different clothes. This is having sex with other people outside our marriage. It's weird enough that you go to that club every day and have random men drooling and whatever else all over you and now this. When does it end?"
"I don't know," she said, "I'm finding that out. I'm realizing I'm a very sexualized person and I'm exploring that."
"But now you're asking a really difficult thing of me because I have trouble with the idea of another man screwing my wife and on top of that you're alright with me screwing another woman?!"
"It's not about love," she said, "its just about sex. I love you."
"Sounds to me like you love sex."
"Yes!!!," she said loudly, "I'm finding out that I love different kinds of sex...maybe more than I realized. I want to find out how that fits in my life...in our lives!"
I just got up from the sofa and left the room. I didn't know where to but I needed air and to get it I'd just have to leave the room. I sat at the kitchen table for awhile thinking this all through. It felt like I wasn't married anymore and just having that thought scared me. My choice was to either participate or take the risk of losing her altogether. Or maybe I couldn't be a part of this at all.
We didn't talk anymore that night and in the morning she didn't bring it back up but I knew it was not because she was suddenly disinterested but because she was waiting for me to work it out. No, there was no question that she wanted to do this. Angie never said much she didn't mean. At least she had the guts to put it out there, I'd give her that.
I barely got a speck of work done all day and I thought of nothing else but her having sex with another man and, to boot, with me there. I was jealous of the thought. I wasn't even thinking of the fact that I'd be doing another woman. I had all I needed in Angie so why would I need to find gratification with another woman?
When I got home that evening she was cautiously ready to jump back into the conversation.
"So, what do you think?," she asked.
I hardly got my coat off and said, "Yes"
"Yes you'll do it?"
"Yes," I repeated, "but, Angie, this has to be the end of this stuff. It's not the way I want things to go in our marriage and I'm only doing it because I'm afraid if I don't I'll lose you forever. I'm even afraid that I'll lose you forever if I do go through with it."
"You'll like her"
"Like who?," I asked.
"Star. You know, you met her at the club during amateur night. She and her husband, Jeff, are swingers and I thought they'd be perfect. Her real name is Sandra."
I wasn't placing her right away but then remembered she was one of the girls who came by that asked me if I wanted some company. Tall, blonde, creamy skin color, gorgeous girl.
"Ya, I remember her," I said.
"Oh you do?," Angie said trying to tease me, "I thought you only had eyes for me?"
"You know what I mean. It's not like she was so awful that I had to look away. Besides, she was coming on to me while you were getting ready to go on. I told her I was with you and she moved along."
"But she got your attention?"
"Well, ya, in the sense that she was a beautiful woman, but..."
"But what? You were attracted to her but because of me you didn't invite her to sit with you? You could have taken her for a couple dances. What if I had encouraged you? What if I had said, 'She's hotter than shit...hell, I'd do her.' Wouldn't you, in your heart of hearts, want to do her?"
"You're twisting my sensibilities as a card carrying male into something that suits your needs. Look, I said I'd do this with you. Stop trying to psych-bust me because I think our marriage is more important."
"Sorry," she said, "I just wanted you to admit that sex crossed your mind when you saw her. Admit that given the right opportunity you would have loved to take her for a ride."
"Yes, a million times, yes. I admit it. That doesn't mean I'd act on it."
"Well, when we do this swap I'm giving you permission to go for all you can get. She liked you and from what I hear she's very, shall we say, accomplished in this area. Plus, she won't be familiar and that's part of the excitement of doing this."
"And what will you be doing while I'm screwing her?"
"I'm sure you know the obvious answer to that," she said, "but if you need it spelled out, I'll be having the same excitement you are. We'll be doing this apart but together."
"In the same room?!"
"Maybe, maybe not."
And that was the last we spoke of it until Saturday night when Angie let me know we'd be having dinner out somewhere with them at seven and then go back to their place for drinks and the couples swap, and maybe more drinks after that.