Sharon stood in front of her closet, sliding hangers one way, then the other. She really had no desire to go out tonight, but Jeff had made it very clear, this evening was important. If he was ever going to make the right connections in the company or have any chance of moving up the Corporate Ladder, this was the going to be the first rung. She'd been to dozens of these parties, and it was always the same. Middle-aged women wearing heavy cologne that choked the very air from your lungs, while their paunchy husbands groped at whomever and whatever was closest. She sighed and finally pulled out her black sheath. A single strand of pearls and her hair pulled up in a tight French knot should be just the ticket. Jeff always wanted her to look like a "showpiece" and tonight would certainly be no different. "Make them look twice, honey." She'd heard it a hundred times before. ..."this ought to do it". Sharon laid the dress across the bed and headed for the bathroom. Jeff would be home in just over an hour. He'd barely have time to change his clothes and she wanted to be out of the shower before he got home.
She was just stepping out of the shower when she heard his car pull in the drive. "Perfect timing" she smiled to herself and headed back toward the bedroom to start the process of becoming "provocative but elegant." The dress clung like a second skin, so it was important to pay attention to every detail. She slipped her legs into the black satin thong, then a matching black satin bra. Sheer black stocking and her favorite strappy heels and the outfit was nearly complete. Her make-up was light. Just a touch of blush on the cheeks and some shadow and mascara to highlight her already striking green eyes, and that was all she needed. She smiled as Jeff came into the bedroom "You better shake a leg, honey. We have less than an hour to be out of here if we're going to make an entrance." Jeff nodded and headed straight for the bathroom. "Quick shower and I'll be ready." As the bathroom door closed, Sharon looked back into the mirror, satisfied with the end result, then began to knot and twist her long auburn hair. She chose a pair of faux pearl hair clips and in no time at all had created an perfect knot at the back of her head. Once again, she sought approval in the vanity mirror.
As she slipped the black sheath over her arms and reached back for the zipper, she heard Jeff calling from the bathroom.
"Lay out my gray suit, will you please, honey?"
Sharon finished zipping the dress and opened the closet door, muttering to herself. "Gray suit....gray suit...ahhh, here we are."
She chose a soft blue dress shirt and striped tie. With onyx cufflinks and tie tack, this would be perfect. She laid it all out across the bed, smoothed the suit coat with the palm of her hand then proceeded to slip her high heels on. She gave a quick glance in the mirror, turning one way then the other, running her hands down over her backside. She smiled at the end result. "Not a single line." More to herself than anyone else.
"What was that, honey?" Jeff questioned as he emerged from the bathroom.
Sharon did a quick turn in the middle of the floor. "Well, what do you think?"
Jeff's smile broadened with approval. "Perfect! Absolutely perfect."
They arrived at the country club right on time. As they entered the private ballroom, Jeff was immediately flagged from across the room.
"Get yourself a drink, will you honey?" he motioned toward the bar, and was gone. He disappeared into the sea of people so quickly, Sharon couldn't even begin to find him. With a despondent sigh, she made her way to the bar and slid up onto a nearby stool and ordered.
"Bourbon and coke, please". The bartender smiled as he poured the amber liquor over ice and then topped it off with a nothing more than a splash of cola. Sharon smiled as she took the first sip, then placed the glass back on the bar, turning to scan the room for her husband. With still no sign of Jeff, Sharon once again turned her concentration back to the bourbon in her hand.
"Well, that's a discouraged look if ever I saw one."
The voice was soft but low. Sharon turned, to see a familiar face and smiled.
"Oh thank God! I was beginning to think I'd be stuck here alone on this damn stool all night."
Janet Driscoll was around the same age as Sharon. Their husbands had come to work for the company at the same time and over the last few years they'd met at several of these social affairs.
Janet's smile was warm, friendly. No matter how much time passed between their encounters, they always seemed to enjoy each other's company.
"Not a chance, lady. I'm bored beyond words. Charlie disappeared into that labyrinth almost half and hour ago and I've been wandering around here lost ever since. When I saw Jeff in the midst of the madness I knew you had to be here somewhere."
Sharon laughed as she spoke. "So you figured I'd be here lushing at the bar, huh?"
Janet chuckled as she picked up Sharon's bourbon and helped herself to a gulp. "Care to get the hell out of here?"
Sharon smiled. "You don't have to ask me twice! Where are we going?"
"Anywhere but here, sweetheart...anywhere but here", Janet laughed as she made her way toward the edge of the room and out the door into the lounge.
It was Janet who spoke first as she flopped into an overstuffed chair. "God, I'm really beginning to detest these things."
Sharon looked over at the woman and nodded. "Beginning? What took you so long?"
They both laughed as Janet fished a pack of cigarettes out of her purse, lighting one then handing the pack and her lighter to Sharon.
Sharon pulled the slender cigarette from the pack, lighting it and handing them back to Janet. "There has to be a better way. All this "climbing the corporate ladder bullshit is enough to drive me to drink." Sharon laughed as she took another hard gulp of her bourbon.
Janet looked over at the woman she had become so fond of. Although they really didn't know each other well, Sharon had always been the one she seemed to gravitate toward. She liked Sharon's ease, the way they clicked almost instantly. "I have an idea." Janet stated almost emphatically. "Follow me."
Sharon watched as Jan made her way toward the door, then stood and followed her out into the parking lot.
"They'll never miss us." Janet said with a grin. "And I know just the place to spend a nice quiet evening.. We'll take my car, and leave yours for Jeff and Charlie."
Sharon giggled, realizing she was still carrying the bourbon in her hand and followed Janet to the car.
"Where the hell are we going?" she questioned between giggles.
"C'mon. It's a surprise." Janet laughed as she unlocked the doors of her SUV and convinced Sharon to climb in.
"Okay, Jan. Whatever you say."
