Kay Miller was finishing up a three-week tour of Eastern seaboard cities with her group of high school band students. teachers, and volunteer chaperones. The 43-year-old music and language arts teacher had been happy to go on the summer tour. Much as she missed her husband's companionship, his problems with ED had basically ended their sex life and built an unspoken wall between them. She had always wanted and hoped for a second child but that was out of reach now.
The past two years, Kay had put all that aside, focusing all on her work as a teacher and mentor to high school and college students, and being a mother to her daughter, who was now 20 and less a part of her everyday life. That hurt, but she loved seeing the kids grow and learn from her guidance.
As the beer started to flow that evening and the cares of the day ebbed, Kay started to loosen up, even when her friend and fellow band teacher Sally turned the conversation to sex, complaining about her husband.
"Of course you have no issues there," she said pointedly when she was finished. Suddenly Kay found herself admitting her forced celibacy. Sally was shocked. "How long?"
When Kay admitted it had been years, it felt like a weight had been lifted...until Sally replied: "That's no good...we have to get you laid, girl!"
Shock came through the comforting beer buzz. "No it's OK, I'm fine..." she managed weakly.
"No, you certainly are not. It's unhealthy."
Sally looked closer at her friend. Secretly, she had always been a little envious of Kay's looks. At 5'3" and 130 pounds, the married mother looked younger than her 43 years, especially with her rounded auburn hair cropped prettily short. And, Kay's petite stature made her 36D breasts look even bigger. "You are a beautiful woman and a woman has needs," Sally added.
Kay laughed. "So who do you have in mind, some Boston Italian stallion?"
Sally looked at her. Suddenly she wasn't smiling. "What about a black man?"
Kay laughed, a little too loud. "I couldn't make one fit!"
Sally chuckled. "Oh, he would make it fit my dear, trust me."
Kay shook her head, grinning. "I couldn't even imagine what that would be like."
"Yeah, that's the problem," her friend agreed. "But maybe there's a solution. Byron Thomas."
Kay giggled. "Don't be silly Sal."
Sally looked at her, appraising. "I'm not. In case you hadn't noticed, our college chaperone worships you."
"He's just a boy."
"He's 19, actually, and a body like a football player - because he is one at State. And I happen to know he's been asking around about you.
Kay looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean? Asking what?"
"If you are happily married, why isn't your husband with you. I guess he can't imagine anyone being married to you and willing to not sleep with you for three weeks." Sally looked at Kay squarely. "I think it's a good question."
"You know the answer to that, Sally. He has to work."
"Yes, but I also believe things happen for a reason. "
There they left it, but Kay looked troubled...and Sally thought she saw her friend's nipples hardening involuntarily through the t-shirt. She decided to have a word with Byron that night.
-
Sally was able to find Byron after the kids had been sent off to dinner. He was pretty amazing looking, she realized. The dark-skinned, muscular football player was 6'2" and 195 pounds, she'd read on the college's team roster - enough to be intimidating to the kids, although he interacted with them with a quiet and confident grace that made them respect him. But there was an intensity to him...as she had seen when she caught him gazing at Kay - especially when she was in a sun dress like she had been on their sightseeing afternoons off.
"So, I hope you've had a great time on the tour, Byron, we've enjoyed having you with us," she said over coffee at the hotel bar.
He smiled pleasantly. "Thanks, Mrs. Richards, I really have."
"But maybe a regret or two?" she asked slyly. "I've seen the way you look at Kay."
Byron looked startled. "What? No, I mean..."
"I happen to know you told Frank last night that she is your ideal kind of woman - sweet and kind and beautiful."
Byron looked surprised - but not embarrassed, she noted. "Yeah and married though, right?" he replied.
Sally's heart pounded...this was it: "Well, depends how you define married."
Byron's dark eyes flashed. "What do you mean?"
"What would you say if I told you that she has
not had sex in two years, and it's eating her up inside?"
Byron shook his head in disbelief. "No way...she told you this?"
She had said the first part, not the last, but Sally thought that justifiable in the circumstances. "Yes," she said quietly. "She's too pure to do anything about it of course, but as her friend I believe something has to be done to help her."
She looked at Byron, and saw that intensity building in his eyes. "Mrs. Richards..."
"Sally...please, Byron," she said. "We are colleagues now, and friends. Friends help each other - and I want to help you, because I think you can help my friend..."
Byron looked down, and she saw him clenching a fist. "She is so beautiful...it would be...amazing. But she has no interest in me."
"Well, she likes you but like I said, she's a traditionally minded lady. Overcoming all of that will take a lot." Sally leaned across the table and touched his shoulder. "I believe that would make it all the sweeter, wouldn't it?
"Could...could it happen?" he croaked?
"Yes, after the concert tomorrow," she said quietly. "Kay will be tired but happy if the kids play well - which they will." She held out two pills in her palm. "But maybe you can arrange to make her even happier than usual..."
Byron's eyes widened. "Mrs. Rich...Sally! Is that ecstasy?
She smiled. "Consider it my gift to you. And to Kay. And to racial relations."
Impulsively he kissed her and meant it. But in his mind they were Kay's soft lips...
--
If Sally had known how excited Byron really was after their talk, she might have had second thoughts about helping him.
She was right, though: Byron was more than hot for Kay. The football defensive back had been captivated by the tour's most popular teacher since he first saw her in the airport terminal to start the trip: bright and friendly and naturally lovely as she made the kids feel comfortable and excited about performing.
As he gained appreciation for her as a teacher and as a woman, he had also soon felt rising desire: Perky and outgoing, but so sweet and giving, she reminded him of one of those TV moms who were the rock of their families without realizing how sexy they were - the type who had first inspired his taboo dreams of showing a mature, classy white woman the power of a young black man's love.
Knowing she was married and had probably never even imagined interracial sex made him throb for her even harder. Then learning that she must be sexually frustrated too was like a gift from the gods.
It was a long night but Byron forced himself not to think of her. It had been a long, companionless trip and he could feel his balls aching. But that was good - he wanted to save it all for tomorrow night, for the chance of a lifetime.