She lay in his arms feeling guilty. They stood outside his apartment kissing while waiting for her ride. She was late and would have to do some explaining. As their kissed ended, a black limousine drove beside them. A black chauffeur hurried from his seat to open the back door.
"Jonathon, this is Rosemary Wolfe take her anywhere she wants to go." Donavon kissed her again.
The chauffeur opened the door, and Rose got in. She didn't notice the handsome black man dressed in a gray pin-striped suit across from her. "Oh, I didn't expect to ride with anyone."
"I'm sorry to surprise you Mrs. Wolfe. I'm Jamar Taylor, but everyone calls me by my initials, JT. Would you care for a drink?"
"No thank you. I've had more than my usual two drinks."
"I understand that you're a housewife with four kids who lives in the southern New Orleans suburbs."
"How do know that?"
"Donavon told me because I wouldn't take you home unless I knew."
They sat silently until leaving the CBD.
"Mrs. Wolfe, you're a fine looking women and in great shape for someone who's had, four children."
"Thanks for the compliment." She looked out the window.
"I understand your quite a jazz fan." He smiled at the back of her head. "I have a night club, The Jezzabelle, and we have a great jazz band. I'd like to invite you to come by sometime."
Rose turned to look at the well dressed, handsome black man. "Thank you for the offer, but I don't think I'll take advantage of it."
"May I ask why not?"
"For one, you're a stranger to me, and I usually go to the Jazz Palace with which I'm familiar." She said without expression.
"I understand. Most jazz fans have a favorite band or establishment. Maybe, I'll see you at the Palace in the future."
Rosemary didn't respond.
"What are your interests besides Jazz?" He smiled at her.
"I'm a stay at home mom, and my children and husband are my chief interests. I do some charity work and spend time at my church."
"What did you do before you were married?"
"Mr. Taylor, I'm not used to giving this kind of information to strangers."
"I apologize if you feel my questions are inappropriate. You're such a beautiful woman, I'd like to get to know you better."
"Your apology is accepted, but I have no interested in your getting to know me better."
The car pulled under a large Magnolia tree a block from her home. It was eleven-thirty.
Jonathon slid the glass between the front and back of the limo, and asked, "Mrs. Wolfe is this a safe place to let you out?"
"This will be okay Jonathon. Thank you for the ride. Mr. Taylor, it was nice meeting you," she lied. She got out of the car and rushed to her home. She was about thirty minutes later than usual, and she knew Roy would be worried and waiting for her.
He opened the door as she stepped onto the porch. "Rose, you're late." He said, taking her into his arms and kissing her gently on the lips.
"Yes, the band was excellent tonight, and the place was packed. Apparently, there were two large conventions in town. That caused me to miss my regular bus."
"I'm glad your home, but I'm also pleased that you have one night a week to get away from us and do something you like." He kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm tired. I have a busy schedule tomorrow. Don't stay up too late." He left the living room going upstairs to their bedroom.
As Rose was showering, cleaning herself well, she remembered Donovan had not used a condom. He said he had the morning after pill but didn't give her one. She'll have to go to the pharmacy. She only needed to do that if she was going to see Donovan again. Thinking of him and his mouth and cock caused her to tremble recalling the orgasms she had with him. However, she won't need them because he always played until 2:30 or 3:00, and she can't stay that late. Neither will she need them if she doesn't go back to the Jazz Palace. She also had a passing thought of Mr. Taylor. He was handsome, but she had her one affair with a black man, and there would be no more.
Rose woke thinking about the possibility of pregnancy. Her heart raced as she went about her morning routine: breakfast for everyone, checking if the children's backpacks contained all their books and homework, getting them out of the door on time. Then putting the paper and breakfast on the table for Roy, she left a note that she had to run some errands.
At the drug store, she discovered, she needed a prescription for the medication. Fortunately, her gynecologist was a female friend and could work her into her schedule.
"Rosemary, what can I do for you this morning?"
Rose blushed and cried quietly.
Ellie put her arm around Rose. "It's okay, whatever it is I'll be able to help. Ellie held her and rocked until Rose stopped crying."
"I made a horrible mistake last night." Her voice was quiet.
"A mistake I can help you with?" Dr. Graham asked.
"Ya...yes, I had unprotected sex last night." She cried again.
Ellie waited a minute. "So you want a morning-after pill.
Through her tears, Rose said, "Yes."
"I assume you had sex with someone other than Roy?"
Rose cried harder.
Ellie left her along for a minute and returned with a cup of water and a smaller cup containing a pill. 'Take this and your immediate problem is solved."
Rose calmed down enough to swallow the pill. "What did you mean by the words, immediate problem?"
"I assume you don't know this person well or his sexual history?" Dr. Graham said, factually.
"That's right, He's not a complete stranger, but I don't know him that well." Rose blushed.
"Alright, I'll take a blood sample to find out if this man gave you some form of STD. In the meantime, keep a careful eye on your genitals, because some venereal diseases don't show themselves until a week or later." The Dr. called a nurse to take the blood sample.
After she had left, Rose said, "Thank you, Ellie you're a life saver," wiping her eyes dry.
"I'm going to ask you an embarrassing question. Do you plan on seeing this man again?" Dr. Graham asked.
Rose hesitated.
"Okay, I'll give you a prescription for birth control pills. Just in case you make another mistake." Dr. Graham said.
"I don't plan too, and I'm going to stay away from the place where I met him." She cried again.
"I understand, but I believe you should see a psychologist and maybe seek family counseling."
Rosemary heard but didn't listen. "Thank you, Ellie, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and understanding,"
* * *
During the next four Friday nights, Rosemary stayed home with her children and husband. She often thought of Donavon but vowed to never go back to the Jazz Palace. Still, time for herself, to get away, was necessary, and needed by her. She made arrangement to return to the French Quarter, but to go to another establishment.
She stepped off the bus at 7:00 and walked two blocks to New Orleans Jazz. It was different from the Jazz Palace. The stage was to the right of the front door, and the bar was opposite the entrance. There were three sizes of round tables covered with green tablecloths which complemented the yellow of the walls. She set at a small table and ordered a glass of Moscato.
The establishment was full and jumping by 7:30. The music wasn't as good as she liked, but she sat through it until the band took its break at 9:00. She left a generous tip and headed for the front door in a khaki skirt and blouse with a high neckline. A tall, handsome black man blocked her way. "Pardon me, I'm on my way out."
