Tracy sat and starred at the glop of pumpkin innards on the newspapers. Ben and Tim were both outside now with their father, trying to get a candle to light in the jack-o-lantern and she was stuck with cleanup duty again. Sometimes it felt like she had three kids instead of two. She didnât really mind all that much, but Tom was taking the boys with him to Jersey for the weekend and she couldnât go. She had to agree with Tomâs logic, Bergen County was a much safer neighborhood than the crowded apartment complex they were living in while he finished law school. She just hated the fact that she had to work and was missing so much of the kids' growing up. It also rankled that he always took the boys to his parents instead of letting them spend some time with her Mom.
She had a decent job in a small shipping firm based in Manhattan, but she didnât want to be a working mother. She had greeted her husbandâs decision to go back to school at age thirty with some trepidation and there had been several quarrels since then. Tom was good looking and she couldnât help but suspect that his return to school was actually an excuse to surround himself with nubile co-eds. At thirty-two she was still very attractive, but she could see where time and gravity were catching up to her. She really needed to be told she was still beautiful, but lately compliments from her husband were as rare as kids who didnât already have a costume picked out. The thing that really upset her was his new sports car and the late nights he spent with his âdiscussion groupâ.
As she tossed the messy newspapers into the garbage she glanced out the window. Tom and the boys had the jack-o-lantern lit and seemed to be having fun, but somehow she was removed from it. She felt like she was no longer part of the family. Knowing they would be leaving for his folkâs house for the weekend while she had to stay and go to work made her feel so sad she could cry.
Tom hadnât helped matters, she mused as she opened the door and joined them on the balcony. He hadnât touched her intimately in over a month and she was as randy as bitch in heat. On evenings when he wasnât up studying case law until three in the morning or out to all hours with his group, he was in bed by eight. She had fought the demands her body was making, but it was getting out of hand. With sole charge of the kids, as well as a fifty plus hour workweek, she hadnât even had time for her vibe and a good book. Tom hugged her as she came out, said goodnight to the boys and left her with the job of getting them to bed. By the time she made it to their small bedroom he was sound asleep.
----
âYou all right Trace?â
âHmm? Yes, fine,â Tracy replied as she looked over her shoulder. Carla, her boss was looking at her with concern on her face.
âYou sure? You look like someone just kicked your dog,â the tall brunette said as she entered Tracyâs cube.
âYes, itâs justâŚOh, I donât know,â Tracy said as the tears she had been fighting all morning burst out.
âShhh, there, there baby, tell momma all about it,â Carla cooed as she massaged Tracyâs shoulders. Carla was the best boss she had ever worked for. She was kind, understanding, ready with a joke whenever things got too hectic and in Tracyâs estimation she personified what a manager should be. She was also drop dead gorgeous and several years Tracyâs junior. Despite the disparity in years, there was something extremely comforting in her touch and demeanor. Tracy gave in to it completely and the words poured out in a torrent. When she finally ran out of words, anger, dark suspicions and hurt feelings Carla cocked her head to one side and stared thoughtfully at her.
âWell, thatâs just like a man. Midlife crisis gets them all in the end. Tell ya what, I have tickets to the big masked ball over at the Plaza. I canât really help with the kids and all, but thereâs no need for you to have to be home alone tonight,â
âOh Carla, thanks, but I donât want to impose,â she said, but she could hear the pitiful tone in her voice.
âNo imposition, besides I needed a date anyway,â Carla said with a wink.
âBut I donât have a costume,â
âIâll take care of that. Just get the Drusman shipment out then take the rest of the day off, paid. Go home, have a nice soak in the bathtub. You still living over at Oakgrove?â
âYes, apartment 216,â
âGreat, Iâll be over about six with the costumes, we can change at your place and make it to the party in plenty of time,â
âThanks Carla, I really didnât want to spend the evening alone,â
âDonât thank me yet girl, the night hasnât even started,â Carla said with a grin before leaving the cubicle.
Tracy finished up the paper work and headed home. She took a long shower, shaving her legs and pits carefully and then on a whim she shaved her blonde pubic hair off as well. Tom had tried to convince her to do so on numerous occasions and she felt a little naughty, like she was taking some measure of revenge by doing it while he wasnât interested in her. Once she had toweled off she worked some moisturizer into all the areas she had shaved. Her hands felt so good on her now bald mound that she was tempted to get off, but she wrapped herself in a terrycloth robe and went to make coffee instead. She started when the doorbell rang, but quickly answered it. Carla was there with several boxes in her arms.
âDrink?â Tracy called as she went back to the kitchen.
âYeah, something strong, what a day,â the tall woman said as she collapsed on the sofa.
âIrish coffee do for you?â
âPerfect,â
Once seated Tracy took a good look at her boss. It was almost like seeing her for the first time; she was so different when not on the clock. Carla was tall and had an almost lanky frame. Her raven hair was worn shoulder length and framed a pretty face with bewitching green eyes. She looked very tired now. Her face was a little haggard and slightly pale, while her posture spoke of great weariness.
âYou sure youâre up for this?â Tracy asked.
âSure, just let me borrow your bedroom, Iâll be fine after a quick shower and another cup of this,â she said as she drained her coffee cup. Tracy went to get her a refill as Carla disappeared into the bedroom with some of the boxes. She had to brew more coffee and by the time Tracy made it to the bedroom she could hear the shower running. Tracy carefully poked her head in and once she was sure that Carla was still in the shower she entered and placed the cup of coffee on the dresser. As she looked up Carla walked out of the bathroom with only a towel around her head.
Tracy blushed deeply, lowered her eyes and started to mumble an apology, but Carla seemed not to mind at all. She took the cup from the dresser and took a big gulp before putting it back down and beginning to dry her hair. Tracy felt strange, embarrassed to be sure, but she also felt a nameless excitement. She thought that she should leave, but her curiosity got the better of her and she hesitantly looked up. Undressed Carla looked even more lanky and thin. Tracy could see her pelvic bones easily and many of her ribs. Her shoulders were exceptionally wide and seemed far too much for the small, pert breasts that rode high on her chest. Her legs were long and lean, but also looked like they were very muscular. Her dark pubic triangle covered her entire mound and Tracy blushed when she realized she was staring. If Carla noticed the inspection she didnât show it.
âWell, howâs that?â Carla inquired as she wrapped the towel around her chest. Her eyes were sparkling and it seemed the shower had done wonders, removing the cares of the day from her like dirt from one of Tracyâs children.
âGreat,â Tracy replied automatically.
âWell, as much as I would like to have you around, shoo, I gotta get into my costume,â Carla said. Tracy nodded and left the room in a trance. She returned to the sofa and wondered what had come over her. When Carla came out of the bedroom Tracy looked up and her breath caught in her throat.