*Dedicated to the ladies that live this life. I commend you.
Tom knew he had a week-long business trip coming up, and he made sure to tell his wife Barbara he would be gone. He would fly out Sunday night, and fly back on Friday evening. This wasn't his first trip, but it was the longest. Normally, he would be gone 2-3 days. So he had to help her with his extended absence. He made sure to speak with his kids about helping mom around the house, and being mindful. He also decided to talk to his neighbors.
Tom had a habit of looking for business women while he was out on his travels. A common practice of his was to visit the hotel bar, where, more often than not, 2-3 women were also traveling for business. Sometimes he could score some sex, and other times they had already been 'caught' by another business man. Of course, some of these women were not business women, they were escorts who were fishing for a date. He could tell the difference because business women tended to wear their pencil skirts to the bar. They would have a silk or satin blouse with a tiny jacket to make the outfit professional. The escorts dressed in more revealing attire, and had a hotter look.
With that in mind, he spoke to Kevin, his neighbor to the right of his house. Kevin, like Tom, was a middle American male in every sense of the word. Tom wandered into his garage on Saturday before his departure. Kevin was working on his '66 Chevy pick up, his favorite hobby.
"How's it going Kevin?"
"Same 'ol, same 'ol. This rust bucket gives me a new problem to solve as soon as I've fixed the previous problem." He gave Tom a glance.
"Isn't that what makes it fun?" Tom smiled.
"Fun and frustration actually, but yeah, when she's done it'll all be worth it."
"I'm going to be gone for longer than usual. I was hoping to ask you a favor." Tom threw out there.
"Sure thing neighbor, whatcha need?" he spoke without looking up.
"Uh...this is a bit of an odd request." Tom stammered.
Kevin looked over, stumped, "Well spit it out already!"
"I want you to hit on my wife while I'm gone." Tom said boldly.
Kevin stopped working on his car. He stood up and looked at Tom.
"What?"
"Think of it as 'testing' her. Will she flirt back? Will she shoot you down?" Tom said, straight faced.
"Hmph. That's kinda risky don't you think?"
"How so?"
"What if she goes for it? What if she calls my bluff? Kevin looked into Tom's eyes.
"I see what you mean." He shrugged. "You decide if or when you get to that bridge." Tom replied.
Kevin gave him a look, shrugged and said, "I'll think about it. Don't forget I got a wife too."
"I can't ask for anything more. Thanks for your consideration."
Tom then walked over to the neighbor on the other side, to Bill's house which was to the left of his house. In this case, he had to knock on the door. Bill opened the door after several minutes. "Hey Tom, how can I help you?"
"Hi Bill, are you home alone? I thought Mary would answer." Tom asked.
"Yeah, she has a hair appointment, and I sent the kids to their grandma's so I could get some peace and quiet." Bill said.
"Say, are you tying fly fishing lures?" Tom asked. He could see various items on the kitchen table.
"Oh yeah, I take for granted people know about my hobby. I love fly fishing, and luckily my dad taught me how to make my own lures when I was growing up. I tell you, it has saved me a ton of money!" Bill explained as he walked Tom over to the table.
"Really? Not from what I've seen at Walmart. You can get lots of them for about $20."
"No, no, no Tom. No self respecting fly fisherman would use those cheap knockoffs from China. The real fly lures go for about $50-$100 for two or three of them. Besides, if you really get into fly fishing, you gotta do your research. Do you think a wasp in Montana looks like a wasp in Texas? No sirree, I research what they look like and tie up some new lures for where I plan to fish."
"Ok, understood. Say, I got an odd request for you." Tom finally managed.
He proceeded to tell Bill what he had told Kevin. Bill was floored.
"I don't know about that Tom, that sounds risky in so many ways. I don't know if I could, to be honest."
"Okay, no worries. I thought I would ask you since I have faith in you. It's my wife I wanted to test."
"Well, I'll flirt with her, but that's all. I'll let you know if she flirts back, how about that?"
"Sure, I'll take what I can get. Thanks Bill! And this is between you and me and no one else."
"Well of course!" Bill said as he walked him to the door.
**********
It was Sunday morning and Tom made a special breakfast. Normally he left mid-week and took his family to dinner, close to the airport if possible. Before he hit the kitchen though, he woke up his wife with a sensual massage. She stirred and looked at him.
"Are you getting funny ideas, Mr. Man?" She asked.
"I'm not going to see you for a week, so why not?" he smiled devilishly.
"What about the kids? She said with a whisper.
"I locked the door, we can make it a quickie."
"Oh alright, but only because you're gone for longer this time."
Tom and Barbara quickly got to it, and they both climaxed in short order. Quickies can be under appreciated by some, but if you're married, they can be love life savers.
While Barbara showered, Tom started on his 5 piece breakfast. Pancake batter was quickly whipped up alongside eggs for omelets. As he poured the pancakes in he fixed up several omelets; mushroom, bell pepper, cheese and sausage omelets for them to choose from. As the pancakes and omelets cooked, he slow cooked bacon in the oven, a trick he had learned from his sister. He fresh squeezed orange juice and had toast going on his 4 slice toaster. By the time Barbara and the kids came out, he had a full spread on the table.
They dug in as he quickly jumped in the shower himself, and when he returned they were still eating. He served himself and joined in. They smiled and ate their fill as small talk about the coming week flowed. Once everyone was satisfied, he had the kids help him clean up so 'mom can relax for once', he told his kids.
Later that day he packed his suitcase and hugged his kids and wife. The Lyft arrived on time, and he left for the airport. The kids ran on the sidewalk waving bye as he rounded the corner. Tom waved a final goodbye through the rear windshield.
**********
After a full day of business meetings and massaging fragile business ego's, Tom was ready to relax. One day down, three and a half to go. He stopped at his room first, before hitting the bar downstairs. He changed his boring white button down shirt for a black button down shirt that he had pressed in the morning. He put his favorite cufflinks on, and put a dash of his special cologne on his neck and wrists. Walking to the elevator, he quickly texted his wife and asked how her day was. And with that he stepped in the elevator and hit the button for the lobby.