I ran into my friend Gina at the mall the other day. Gina divorced her husband of 23 years after she caught him sleeping with a college student half his age. I felt bad for her because I went through a similar thing a few years ago with my husband after 20 years of marriage. In my case, it involved his secretary. Luckily for both of us, we made out well in the divorce.
"Liz," she said. "How are you?"
After we exchanged pleasantries and dished on our unfaithful ex-husbands, she spoke in a low confidential voice. "We really have to get together. I throw these parties on Saturday nights every couple of months. You might enjoy it."
Two of my other friends, Wendy and Sharon, had already given me a head's up about Gina's latest enterprise. According to them, Gina hosted an all-girls event at her house and hired male strippers to work as waiters and bartenders. Word was out that Gina's parties were the hot ticket for the cougar crowd. Wendy described the men as being of the 20 to 30 age variety and unbelievably gorgeous. The girls pressed me to go if I got the opportunity since I was now single and free. The idea of men stripping for a bunch of drunk women sounded cheesy to me. Nevertheless, I was intrigued when Gina brought it up.
"Actually, I've heard a little about it," I told her.
"Really?" Gina said. "Do tell."
After I explained what I knew, Gina looked at me with a sly smile. "I'm not going to say another thing. I think you should come and see for yourself."
I tried to beg off, saying it wasn't my thing. But she insisted, and I promised to show up for her next party. As we said goodbye Gina said "and make sure you wear something sexy."
I arrived around 9:00 p.m. the following Saturday night. Gina's home is in the tony Hancock Park area of L.A. Her ex-husband was and still is a very prominent attorney in a downtown law firm and left her a bundle, including the house. I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but I was not prepared for what happened when I arrived.
It was a balmy summer night in August. As I drove up the long circular drive to the entryway, a handsome, dark-haired boy, no more than 20, greeted me. He was bare-chested, lean and muscular, like a Greek god. He wore a black bow-tie, white cuffs with cuff links and tight slacks. He helped me out of the car and closed the door behind me. Cars, mainly BMWs and Mercedes, were already parked around the house. I stood for a moment, collecting myself, my heart beating rapidly. I was already aroused and had only met the valet.
I walked up the short flight of granite steps to the front door and heard music playing inside. The door was ajar, so I pushed it open and entered. Beyond the foyer, a crowd of women stood in the living room sipping wine and cocktails and talking amongst themselves. They appeared to be in their mid 40s to late 50s and were dressed in short dresses, plunging tops and heels. By comparison, I looked conservative in a tight white blouse, black slacks and pumps.
Across the living room a set of french doors opened to the backyard where another group of women socialized. At first, the only men I could see were two cocktail waiters who were shirtless and well-honed like the valet I had met out front. They circulated through the crowd, drawing the admiration of the women as they walked by. Electricity was in the air. I was nervous being a new-comer and not knowing what to expect I realized I desperately needed a drink.
One of the waiters must have sensed my dilemma and headed toward me. Unlike the valet who wore black slacks, the waiter wore skin tight white spandex shorts that hugged his hips and thighs. What was not apparent at first as he milled through the crowd was the fact that the crotch of his pants had been removed which allowed his manhood to hang free. He must have seen my eyes bug in my head as he approached.
"Good evening, ma'am," he said as he approached, pretending to be oblivious to the effect he was having on me. My face must have turned five shades of red. He was extremely good looking and young enough to be my son.
"Hello," I said, blinking and looking around the room.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he said in a smooth, even voice. "White wine?"
"White wine would be wonderful," I said, practically choking.
"Coming right up," he said. I stared in disbelief as he turned and walked away.
"Gorgeous, isn't he," I heard a voice behind me say.
I turned and saw Gina smiling. "Justin is one of our new boys. He's very impressive, as I'm sure you noticed."
"Oh, my God," I said. "I thought I was going to die. I had no idea."
"Welcome to the Girl's Club," she said with a laugh. "It takes a little getting used to." She grasped my arm and shepherded me through the room.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready after that," I said. "I definitely need a drink."
Gina escorted me through the living room past friends who complimented her on the party. We stepped out onto the back patio which was lit with twinkling lights. A large heated pool with underwater lighting spread out in front of us creating a magical glow Gina walked toward a group of women who were talking with one of the waiters, a tall, deeply tanned man, with wavy black hair and a beautiful physique.
"Marco," Gina said. "I'd like you to meet my friend Liz."
The young man turned toward me and presented a dazzling smile. Like the other waiter, he was shirtless and wore the same revealing skin tight white shorts. I hesitated to let my glance dip below his neckline. "Hello, Liz," he said, his brooding dark eyes locked on mine. He put out his hand.
"Hello," I said, in a near whisper,. I shook his hand feeling the blood pulsing in my neck. My eyes strayed for a split second, long enough to see that he too was hanging naked and unencumbered. I felt my head going light. I had never seen an uncircumcised man in person and definitely not that close.
Gina put her arm around my waist and drew herself closer to me. "Ladies, this is Liz," she said, nodding at me. The women all spoke at once and shook my hand. "Liz is new to our little soirees. She is part of our jilted sisterhood. Her faithless husband left her as well." The women all hissed and then laughed.
"Bastard," she went on. "But her loss is our gain. There is such a thing as sweet revenge. Do you know what I call my little party?" Gina said, looking at me.
"No," I said, uncomfortable at being put on the spot. The moment was interrupted when Justin arrived with a glass of white wine and handed it to me. "Thank you," I said, grateful for the diversion and careful to avert my eyes. I gulped the wine, hoping it would steady my jolted nerves.
Justin started to leave when Gina grabbed him. "Get that cute little ass of yours over here." She let go of me and put her arm around his waist and stood between the two men. "It's called Gina's 8 Plus Club, where the men are all eights or better." With that she looked down at each of the men's crotches.
The women began hooting and hollering.
"But, but," Gina said, waving her hand to silence the women. "We always have room for nines and tens."
"Or eleven and twelves!" several women shouted.
"Oh, you girls. You're all getting spoiled," Gina said, admonishing. She turned to me. "Welcome and enjoy." With that she patted the men on their tushes and walked back to the house.
I sat down on a lounge chair near the pool, happy to let the group disperse, so I could sip my wine. An attractive blond woman in her early 40s sat down next to me.
"Hell of a way to grieve over your husband's betrayal," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Jeez," I said. "Is this really happening?"
"First time?" she asked, sensing my confusion.
"Yes," I said, nodding.
"I'm Karen," she said, extending her hand.
"Liz," I replied, shaking it.
