"Come on! It will be fun, you need some retail therapy!" Michelle exclaimed.
I had been in the doldrums for some time, at least since the divorce, well really since I found out I would be divorced. I was 41, fit... well, I had some stretch marks on my hips and tummy from the kids, and my boobs would never be a perky as they had been in my teen years, but still, I was slim and I thought reasonably attractive. But I really didn't think I was ready to rejoin the whole dating scene. I had only dated one guy in my life, and he was my only intimate partner.
I had married my high school sweet heart at eighteen when as a freshman in college our planning and caution failed. I never regretted it, we had James as a result and a year later Cassidy joined him. My now ex finished school and once his career was started and the kids were old enough for kindergarten, I did as well. We were both successful in our fields and life was good.
As I said, I had never been with another man, but made up for my lack of experience with absolute enthusiasm. I would do anything to make Steven happy, even things that were skeevy at first. I learned not just to perform oral sex, but to take pride in my blow jobs and swallow every drop of his salty sweet cum. Dressing up in lingerie? No problem. Hand jobs? Sure! Use a vibe to get off while he watched? Why not? Watch porn and imitate the positions? Okie doke! Anal? Uh, occasionally, I mean, it was okay, but I didn't get a lot out of it. Still, it made Steven happy I was down.
I worked out and ran three times a week at least to stay slim and fit and my body always seemed to get admiration, but I just wanted to look good for Steven. He and the kids were my life and we were all happy. The kids were away in college now, Cassidy had just moved to the dorm when I got the news. The news was that no matter how much I tried to make my husband happy, he was happiest when he was knocking up a summer intern at his office that was young enough to be his daughter.
I was devastated.
The divorce was quick, Steven didn't even try to argue about anything. I got the house and my car, both of which were paid for, and he took on what little debt we had. We entered an agreement to pay for the kid's college and the weekend after the ink was dry I had them home so I could tell them. Steven was out fucking Bambi I guess as he didn't show up. A lot of tears later and my friends began pushing me to get out into the world again.
Michelle was technically a co worker, but we had become pretty close over the last few years. She was about my age, twice divorced, and always on the prowl. When she asked me to go shopping at one of the local malls late on a Saturday I knew she was using it as an excuse to get me out of the house and out of my blues. Still, I was sick of sitting around watching re runs of Grey's Anatomy and playing with my vibrator, so even though I didn't want to meet anyone, I did agree to go if only to get out of the house.
We hit maybe two stores and clearly Michelle had no real interest in shopping, anymore than I did. She finally suggested having a nosh at one of the chain restaurant bars. I expected we would get a table but she went straight to the bar where she sat beside a guy about our age and flirted with him shamelessly. The only nice development was that bartender, Ty, was a friend of my son's from high school who had regularly stayed at our home and who I had not seen since James left for college the year before. We talked and caught up while I drank one drink after another. He confided that James had told him about the divorce and that my kids were worried about me. I told him I was fine but I think he could tell from my demeanor that I was still in the dumps. Fortunately he slowed the drinks down so I didn't get completely plastered, but I still had a nice buzz. Michelle had left with some guy earlier and before I knew it was an hour before closing time. Although I had my car, I decided driving in my condition would be a bad idea, and staying and drinking more was a worse one.
"Hey, you have a ride home?"
"I just called for an Uber, thanks Ty."
"Okay, well if you need to talk or anything, just, you know."
"I know, you're a great friend for James Ty, I appreciate it."
"Well you looked out for me over the years. Can I just say... well, I shouldn't."
"Shouldn't what?" I asked, confused by both his statement and my BAC.
"Oh, just that your ex, well he's a idiot. He's never going to find anyone as great as you again."
"Awww, thanks" I replied. It was nice to hear, even if Steven was probably fucking her even as we spoke.
"No, I mean it. You're not going to be fine, you are fine." He smiled.
"Uh, okay. That's awkward." I laughed. "How much do I owe you?"
"For?"
"The drinks Ty. Geez"
"Oh. Nothing. That guy that left with your friend was buying all night." Ty smiled. "Now, be careful going home, okay, promise me."
"Oh." I said as my phone buzzed. "Uber is here. Gotta go. It was great seeing you Ty, come over sometime."
"I will. I'd like that." He smiled.
I liked Ty, but Steven had hated him. For one thing, Steven was a closet bigot and Ty was black. Steven was convinced that Ty was only hanging around to bang Cassidy, but they never spoke and when he came over, Steven and James played Xbox or studied. Cassidy was almost always out with her girlfriends or some guy she was dating. Steven just didn't like black people, but he never said anything about that around Ty.
Ty's family was in constant turmoil and he lived between his mother's, father's, grand parents or at our house for most of high school. The word I had gotten from James was that this situation had not improved and although he couldn't afford college and got no support from his family, he was working and saving money to go when he could. I thought that was very admirable of him truthfully.
I did get home safely and decided it would be a good night for a relaxing bath, a romantic movie and some time with my favorite vibe trying to get some sexual relief. I had hit my sexual peak just as my husband had found his 20 year old whore and that was really bad timing for me. I admit, I was a frustrated woman and lately had been taking things in my own hands a lot.
The bath didn't last long as I wanted to get to the fun parts, so after I dried off I slipped on some loose running shorts and an oversized tee, took Mr Purple Silicon from my dresser with a tube of lube and went back downstairs to turn on Lifetime and hope for some Ryan Goslingesque arousal.
I had no sooner pulled the afghan over me and began to touch my self through the cloth of the running shorts when the doorbell rang. It was about 9:30 now and I had no idea who it could be as I did not get late night visitors. I put my bathrobe on and cautiously looked through the peephole on the door to see Ty.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked as I opened the door just a bit.
"Oh, I, uh, I hope its not too late. I was worried and wanted to make sure you made it home."
"Uh, I called Uber." I reminded him, although I thought it was nice he had been concerned. When it seems like no one cares about you, its nice to have someone show just a little concern. Then I remembered his housing situation and wondered if he was just hoping for a place to stay. I wasn't without concern either.
"Want to come in? I was just going to find a movie on cable." I asked as I opened the door with one hand while pulling my robe closed with the other.
"Oh, uh, sure. I, uh, I just wanted to make sure, you know. Sometimes people say they have a ride when they are just trying to get out of the bar and drive, I was just, uh, well,"
"It's okay Ty, I understand. That was very nice of you, but yes, I had a ride. Of course now I'm going to need another in the morning to get my car." I giggled as we walked back into the den. "You still drink Dr Pepper?" I asked as I turned into the kitchen.
"Sure, thanks."
I poured a couple of sodas over ice and returned to find Ty in the den, staring at my vibe and the lube that were in plain view. Shit. I was drunker than I thought and had neglected to put my toy away before inviting Ty in.
"Oh, uh, sorry." I mumbled as I set the drinks down and tried to nonchalantly pick up my things. Stealth wasn't something I was good at and it was too late anyway. I tossed both into a drawer on the end table and turned. Yep, he was staring.
"Uh, so.... awkward." I laughed. "You kind of caught me."
"It's okay, I... well, we all do it don't we?" He laughed.
"I don't know what's on." I said in an attempt to change the subject. "I was just going to channel surf until I found something." I finished as I took off the robe again, it was too warm, and sat on the couch. Ty just stood there in a very awkward silence.
"Are you going to sit down Ty?" I asked.
"Oh, uh sure."
