Something like this had to happen eventually, I mean the whole social media thing and all your old boyfriends out there scouting around looking for their old hookups and trying to find out who's game for a toss of flesh and all that. So R contacted me because through a mutual friend he saw my post and picture and asked to friend me. I of course remembered him immediately, and in a way was thrilled at the contact, it had been something like over 30 years and I hadn't thought a lot about him. Into my second marriage a few kids, who knew what path his life took after we broke up.
"I saw your picture in D's post and that you were friends with her and I wanted to say hi..." he messaged me. I of course friended him.
"I'm on the coast a lot for work so maybe one of these trips we can get together for a drink or dinner, meet your family," he wrote.
Six months later we did meet up. We had not communicated at all during that time, only he had said he was coming to town and having dinner with a mutual friend D and would I like to join them? I thought it would be fun, not having seen the friend for a long time as well and with my husband out of town with my son for the week, welcomed the company.
The three of us had a great time after a short while of awkward moments negotiating attention from one to the next helped increasingly by a series of cocktails. By the time the check came we were laughing and carrying on like the 20-somethings we once were, it was comforting and nice, a solid warm feeling. Not quite wobbly, we left the restaurant into the cool evening and D excused himself, needing to waken early the next day for work. We all hugged goodbye.
"It's great to see you Miche, I mean really, after all these years," he said.
"You too R. Thanks for contacting me, I had a great time. Those were great times we had back then."
"I don't mean to suggest anything, but the only thing I have to do tomorrow is hop on an afternoon flight, you want to join me for a cocktail at the Belle... it's a great bar."
I didn't miss a beat, "I know the Prada, I love that place."
I kind of went through various scenarios in my head when I was driving to dinner thinking as a fantasy what if the opportunity arose, what if he showed interest, what if I found him attractive, what if... and here it was and I didn't even think about it for a second, I just reacted.
"Oh great, you're so cool, I always knew that about you. I'll see you there in a few."
Now committed I felt a hot wind rush over my cheeks accompanied by a tingling sensation. It was as if a long sleeping feeling had stirred. He left to his car and I to mine. On the drive over I kept thinking that I could just bail out, go home, and text him I was tired, but something kept me from doing so.
He was already in a booth when I arrived, two bourbons in front of him.
"I took the liberty of ordering," he said, "thanks for coming, I was afraid you'd bail."
"Not a chance," I replied wryly.
"Can I get something out before we go any further?" he asked.
"Go ahead," I responded.
"For many years I always wondered why you chose C. I remember him so well, he was obviously bad news, but you couldn't commit to me and kept returning to him. What happened to him? Why didn't you stay with me, I think I was heartbroken, I think I was in love with you, did you know that?"
"Well that's a lot of load to lay on me after we've both had a few marriages, kids and more than 30 years," I replied. I took a long swig.
"I know, but what the fuck, who has time to doddle?"
"I think I was in my bad boy phase... you know... if he was an asshole and treated me bad, I wanted him over those who were good boys... it's a stupid girl thing, I can't explain it. Truthfully though, my loss, I think I made a mistake losing you."
"Well, thanks anyway, a lot of water under the bridge. You still in your bad boy phase, mom?" he teased.
"I don't know, are you a bad boy," I asked him, taking a long pull.
"Depends on what you mean, bad... " he replied. "Come," he got up with his glass and extended his hand, "I want to show you my favorite part of this hotel."
I took his hand and he led me away from the table, out the bar and we walked holding hands outside onto this lovely path that overlooked the picturesque city in the distance, the fog making it glow. We arrived at a bench set back into some bushes that provided a private view, off the path that no one would likely be walking at this hour.
"It's so quiet and pretty, I never knew this was here," I said as we sat down.
We sat down, or I should say I sat down, taking a sip. He situated himself on his back and lay his head on my lap.
"Hey, isn't that a little intimate, I hardly know you," I joked.
He looked up at me, "I just want to lie here and look at you, beautiful."
"Now that's too intimate."
He turned over and mouth playfully bit my crotch through layers of cloth. "No, this is too intimate."