It had been almost two years since that day in May. I hardly thought about it. Truth to the matter is I denied it even happened. In my mind the whole episode with Shawn had been a fabrication of my subconscious mind. A daydream of sorts, one that seemed so real I could almost smell the scents and feel the touches. That fantasy had actually helped my marriage, so I couldn't forget it in it's entirety. Though, I knew I'd slept with him, I had to keep telling myself it was just a dream. Sometimes, I confused my own self, and I know I must have confused my husband.
After I'd opened my eyes, it was too late. He'd already seen too much. He later told me that he hadn't heard me, but had came in the bathroom to pee, and only been standing there a couple seconds. We both didn't say anything about the incident for a couple weeks. Finally, when we talked he asked if he could do anything to help. I asked him to spend more time with me and think about my needs. He did for a couple months and then fell back into his pattern. However, he wasn't as bad this time. He spent a lot more time than he did in the past, but it still wasn't what I needed. What did I need?
Right now, I needed to get the hell out of Wal-Mart. Looking back, I could see him flipping through a magazine, in an almost childlike mannerism. I almost hated to break the trance he was in and let him know I was finished checking out. I was beginning to believe that he only went shopping with me to appease me. Grocery shopping wasn't one of the highest things on the priority list of most men, and judging by the way he thumbed through that magazine, the same was true for him. We put the bags in the cart and made our way out of the automatic doors. I was so busy checking the receipt to make sure the cashier hadn't charged me twice for any of the items, that I didn't notice him. Before my eyes could even distinguish his facial features, my ears verified his voice. The utterances off his lips was enough to make my stomach drop. It was too late, he'd spoke.
As I stood there watching them chat, I felt distant, as if I was watching the conversation through a window. I watched as Shawn would laugh and joke, my husband amused by his charm would join in. That's when I noticed it. It almost made me shiver. The menacing grin across Shawn's face as he commented about how good I looked. I watched as he looked me up and down, right there in front of my husband. The look in his eye was reminiscent of a velociraptor stalking it's prey. I watched helplessly as my husband invited him to the cookout we were having during the afternoon and then was betrayed by my own body, as my lips agreed.
Standing directly across from him, I sipped on a margarita, watching him work his magic on most of our guest. Shawn was always had a type of majestic allure about himself. Being that he'd painted portraits for most of our neighbors and the fact that he was now serving in the military, also added to his charisma. I decided to spare myself, the feeling of resentfulness, so I begin bringing the rest of the food out. As I walked in the kitchen and grabbed the bowl of potato salad I, begin to examine my emotions. Why was I feeling jealous? I mean, I didn't really want him. At least, that's what I told myself. But the sheer reality of him talking to other women from around the neighborhood, who were single or divorced, brought up sensations that I hadn't dealt with in several years. I knew that I couldn't have Shawn, but didn't want any of those bitches having him either. But why?
Although I'd been inside for about ten minutes, the scene hadn't changed. They were all gathered around the grill listening to him tell his stories about the Far East. Shawn even had my husband and the other spouses spell bound. I figured I'd break the trance and announced the food was ready. Everybody looked around but soon tuned back into his story as he wound it down. He glanced my way for a second, making eye contact. His glimpse seemed to scrutinize my emotional and physical state, looking for vulnerability or any weakness, which he could later twist and contort, to get to me. Just as quick as it had begin, it ended and he finished up his conversation.
I was proud of myself, I hadn't shown any frailty, but met his gaze and challenged him to find a chink in my armor. I could sense him watching me as I walked off, but could care less. I made my way over to my husband who was back on the grill, finishing up, and planted a kiss on his lips. I just hoped it hadn't looked as fake as it felt. It just didn't feel right for some reason. But I didn't care, I had to look strong. I let him know I was going in to change out of the clothes I'd spent most of the morning cooking in, and walked into the house.