Rachel Harrison was more than a little preoccupied as she drove to work this morning. A few days ago she had had yet another argument with her husband Jerry about the usual topic that got them fighting these days. For some time now he had been trying to persuade Rachel to allow another woman into their bedroom for a threesome. But Rachel was furious at the suggestion. True, their sex life had become boring lately. After eight years of marriage that was tough to avoid. But Rachel believed that marriage vows still counted for something, and allowing other people into their bedroom clashed with her upbringing.
Jerry had been pushing the subject regularly six months ago but had seemingly let it drop when Rachel flatly refused him. Rachel thought that was the end of it, and it might have been, if an old secret of hers hadn't surfaced. A few weeks ago Susan, one of Rachel's old friends from college, arrived in town on a business trip. She had looked up Rachel so that they could catch up with each other, and Rachel invited Susan over for dinner. The evening had gone well. Although Rachel hadn't spoken to any of her college friends in years, Susan kept in regular contact with them, and Rachel enjoyed being brought up to date.
The evening was moving along nicely until Susan mentioned their old friend Carmen. Rachel had heard that Carmen divorced her husband a year ago, but she was shocked to hear that she was now living with a woman. "I suspect she never got over you," Susan chortled pesteringly.
"What are you talking about?" Jerry asked, astonished.
"You mean your pretty little wife never told you about her old girlfriend!" Susan roared back, now laughing hysterically.
"She wasn't my girlfriend, Susan," Rachel declared, her teeth clenched in anger, "you know that."
"I know honey, I was just kidding," Susan replied, trying to hold back her laughter. "I'm sorry if I opened any old wounds," Susan added, her cackling taking control of her again. When she regained her composure, Susan said, "I was just having some fun with you, Rachel. I know that was a long time ago. It's getting late, and I've got a meeting early tomorrow, so I'd better leave. But I really hope I haven't upset you. We're still friends, aren't we?" Rachel nodded "yes" and Susan got up to leave. She thanked Rachel and Jerry for their hospitality, gave each of them a big bear hug, then left. Once Susan's car pulled out of the driveway Jerry cried, "Do you mind telling me what the hell she was talking about!"
Rachel could feel a headache coming. She wished she could simply turn in for the night, but she knew Jerry deserved an explanation. "I was young. Carmen was not my 'girlfriend'; we just got drunk one night and ended up in bed. It never happened again."
"There's more to this story," Jerry insisted, "you don't just 'end up in bed' with another woman."
"OK, so maybe I was curious, maybe we both were," his wife confessed. "But it was over after that, we never took it any farther. It doesn't mean I'm a lesbian, and I'm as amazed as anyone that Carmen is one now. All the boys chased after her back then, and she didn't exactly mind, if you know what I mean. If anyone in our circle had been a dyke it would have been that fat cow Susan," Rachel asserted.
"Well at least you trust Susan enough to tell her what happened between you and Carmen. You never told me a damn thing!" Jerry exclaimed.
"Carmen and I decided to keep what happened a secret. The only reason Susan knows is because she's a nosy bitch. And because she's got a big mouth to boot, everyone ended up finding out about it," Rachel replied.
"Well that still doesn't explain why you never told me," Jerry said.
"When I met you we agreed not to talk about our past relationships. As far as I'm concerned, what happened with Carmen is ancient history. I remember you telling me that you were 'a bit reckless' back then yourself. I never pushed you to explain that. Don't try to make me feel guilty about a one-time fling I had ten years ago," she replied. "You're the one who wants two women at once, I'm surprised you're so worried I might be gay. Shouldn't this whole thing be turning you on?" Rachel asked mockingly.
"It does," Jerry acknowledged softly. Then he added, "I remember Carmen from the pictures you have of her. She was a fox back then, you both were."
"Oh brother," Rachel huffed.
"You said you were curious Rachel. Well, how was it? Tell me," Jerry prodded.
"Alright, I give in," Rachel sighed, "I liked it. It was a wild thing to do and I was attracted to adventure back then. Are you happy, now?" she asked.
"No, I'm not," Jerry replied. "You know I want a threesome, and from what I just heard, it sounds like you'd like it too."
"I'm not letting you sleep with some other girl. How would you like it if I brought in another man and we fucked like rabbits in front of you?" Rachel asked.
"If I agreed to that would you agree to what I want?" Jerry inquired.
"You're bluffing," Rachel charged.
"Try me," Jerry replied.
"Go to hell," Rachel shrieked, storming off to bed.
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