*** Week Two ***
I woke up Monday morning moaning and shivering. I was confused and dazed until I realized what it was -- I was just at the tail end of an orgasm. I was on my side hugging my pillow. The sheets were soaked with perspiration, my hair was clingy and wet, and I was terrified. I couldn't remember who it was, in my dream, that I had been making love with. I knew it wasn't Lily; that was a dalliance that was over. My subconscious might have wanted it to be Nora but I would have none of it ... the tears in my eyes were a reminder I was lying to myself. If it
was
Mark ... good god, if it
is
Mark I need to buy condoms. I never worried about that with asshole once we found it was improbable we could get me pregnant. Good grief, welcome to another manic Monday in Ginger world. Better this world than Emily's old world!!
I got my period at work. Shit! I hurried to the bathroom -- you know the drill. Why does our monthly visitor visit at the very worst time? The funny thing (least I thought so in the stall) is that I was so in the midst of raging hormones I didn't pay attention to the usual signs. Or maybe that was why. Hey, do you know this joke: How do you make a hormone? Pull down her genes! Sowwy, it's me being silly. Oh well, no sex for Mark. Me: blushing.
Work is work ... earning your crust is how a girlfriend of mine puts it. Coin of the realm. I giggled. I got realm and you damn well better be ready to spend cuz I am. That was for Nora. I needed to talk to my BFF; she didn't know about Mark. Tammy just stared at me all day. Sorry honey. I love that you have a girl crush on me, but no.
Lily called. "Sure, I can meet you at the office after work. Traffic willing, I should be there by 5:30."
"Great, Ginger, I'll see you then."
I made
sure
to tell her I was on my moon and I wasn't sure it mattered. I knew Nora would be doing the Mom thing. I hoped she might find a sitter so we could have dinner one night this week. Via text, she said she would let me know. Yes, she's still gloriously sore. My girl!
Thankfully, Monday at work, after what seemed like forever, ended.
As I drove to Lily's office after work, it dawned on me. I hadn't heard from Kyle, damn him. I didn't know if that meant asshole had ducked him or if Kyle was being a jerk.
Mark called. How sweet. "I would love to see you this week," with a smile on my face.
Obviously pleased, he said, "Is one night better than another?"
"I'm not positive yet. I'm in the car on the way to see my realtor. I kinda have plans that haven't been firmed up with a girlfriend. Can I get back to you tomorrow?" No, I didn't tell him about the other. We'd only met yesterday.
"Sure; I'll look forward to hearing from you." He hesitated for a moment and said, "I really enjoyed dinner Emily." I felt my nipples tighten and got a delightful little tingle.
"So did I and I'm looking forward to next time. I'll call tomorrow."
Wow, dinner was last night and he called today! Hmm, I hadn't asked him about sibs. Something to chat about next time.
I was pissy with Lily. I like her and I know she'll do right by me. It's how she earns
her
crust. All the news she had was positive. I mentioned that I hadn't heard from Kyle. I felt better. What can I say? I'm a girl. I needed to move asshole along. Mission One: Divorce! I let her kiss me and felt her hesitation. On the way home I stopped to buy groceries.
Anybody else old enough to remember Mary Tyler Moore roll her eyes as she threw yet another frozen dinner in her shopping cart? Me: Monday. Last night's glorious dinner seemed like weeks ago. As I wandered the aisles, stopping to look at one thing and another, I smiled. I had mused one night with Nora that I suspected the first two words a woman learned how to say were "Mama" and "sorry." She was
only
a little shocked.
Yup, for those of you who may be wondering, I stopped at a CVS pharmacy and bought them.
I called Nora on the way home. "Hi kiddo, how are ya?" She purred; I laughed. "Oh yay, I'm so happy for you. So can I tell you? While you and Jim were doin' the nasty, I was at Jiffy Lube Sunday morning. And you won't believe it -- tall, dark and handsome said hello."
"What?" she gasped. I giggled.
"I know, especially after, umm, us." We both blushed in the silence. "So he, Mark, asked me to dinner Sunday night and I said yes. He took me to this place downtown -- Pacchia Prima. Oh my god Nora, it was heaven." I described how I teased him with the fork. She couldn't stop laughing. I described how he shifted in his chair; we both snickered.
"So did you fuck him?"
"Nora Jean ... how dare you?" She laughed. After the time we had she surely had the right to dare. She knew it as well. "No, you stone cold bitch, he was every bit the gentleman and I knew he was every bit the horn dog I was." Guys, if you're reading this -- trust me, you may think it's only you who talk like this. Get a clue! You get
only
what we give. And, if not, it's ten to twenty with a cellmate named Bubba. "He kissed me -- after I turned and did everything
but
grab his dick. And it was fabulous. We ... I ... need to talk kiddo. I know you have the kids, but ..."
She knew. "Let me see what I can do. I need to know more about Mr. Mark. I love you Ginger" (I blushed) "and I'll text or call ASAP."
This