Beth flew to California in July to finalize a merger agreement for her client. She represented a start up looking to merge with a big tech company in San Jose. Beth entered the meeting room and looked around the table. She was a bit startled to see, Gary, her college sweetheart. Before the final negotiations began she walked over to him. "I knew you were one of the lead partners at Wilson Stowe, but I did not know you were involved with this deal."
"Artemis Graphics has been my client for five years. I have kept my eye on this deal, but the associates handled all the details. I came for the closing and to see you. I almost called you a few times to discuss some details, but I thought better to keep a distance until we closed."
"It's a great deal for both companies. You look great. No more mop of hair, but it was always your blue eyes that got me," she said with a big grin.
"And it was always your lovely smile that raised my spirits and made me laugh."
Over the next two months they spoke often. Gary told Beth he divorced his wife of five years about nine months ago. He did not give Beth the details about the divorce, but it seemed to be friendly. Without any children he and his ex just needed to figure out a financial arrangement. He also told her about his law career and rising through the ranks at Wilson Stowe.
Beth explained that her career took a back seat to her family life for a few years. Her ex-husband Bruce went on a business trip to Europe five years ago and never came home. At least he did not empty their bank accounts, and she still had enough money to take care of Emily and David. However, she needed to take a year off from work to try to gain a semblance of order in their lives, and the emotional trauma had just started to lift.
Beth and Gary had many long conversations about happy subjects, too. They reminisced about college and old friends. The bond they had eighteen years ago had reformed.
Just before Labor Day, Gary called Beth to confirm his travel plans. "I have a few meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. I signed up for 10k here on Saturday. It's a relay, so I am committed to the group. I will take the redeye Saturday night. Let's have dinner on Sunday."
"Perfect. I will make a reservation and text you where to meet."
"I can come by to pick you up."
"Not yet. The kids will be there, and I have not introduced them to any of the men I dated over the past five years."
"None of them?" he asked probing for a number.
"It's only been a couple as I told you. See you Sunday." Beth answered not wanting to engage in that conversation with Gary right now. She had only a couple of dates in the past two years, and nothing emotional or physical ever came from them. However, she was ready to give herself to Gary in both regards.
The Sunday of Labor Day weekend Beth straightened up her apartment. The busy work helped to keep her mind from thinking about the evening. Earlier in the morning she arranged to have emergency baby sitter. Her regular felt sick and did not want to pass the bug onto the children. When Beth told Emily and David that a new sitter was coming, they were very excited. Emily knew Ally from sleeping over her friend Olivia's house.
Just before three the doorbell rang. Emily ran to the door and asked, "Who is it?"
Ally responded, "Hi Emily it is Ally and Steve." Emily opened the door and looked up at them. "What happened to your hair?"
"We donated it to charity. It will help make wigs for people that have cancer," she told Emily. Beth overheard Ally's response, as she walked to the front door.
"I think you two look great," Beth told them. "Would you like a drink or something to eat?"
"Sure," said Steve.
Beth went into the kitchen and Ally followed to help her. Steve went to meet David. He and Emily were playing a video game in David's room, so Steve stayed to watch.
In the kitchen Beth started to give Ally the third degree about the head shave. Ally told Beth about breakfast with Jen and Sam, and she and Steve got leads on their careers. Moreover, how Jen's shaved head led Ally and Steve to the barber shop, where they decided to have a race to baldness. Ally further explained that she and Steve were just good friends until the barbershop. However, as they walked to the library she fell completely in love with him, and she could not wait to show him. Ally tried to take that back because she did not want Beth to think she was a slut.
Beth interrupted, "Did you do it?"
Ally answered with a little embarrassment, "in the bathroom in the library. I know it's not romantic for your first time with someone you love, but we could not wait." Ally quickly added, "We'll keep our clothes on here. Don't worry."
"I know you are responsible, and your story got me thinking. I was just going to the salon for a blow out, but now I'm thinking about something much more exciting. Gary, my date tonight was my boyfriend in college. We parted ways, when he left to attend law school at Stanford, and I came here to NYU for law school. I felt bad for a few years thinking about what might have been, but then I met Bruce the Bastard." Beth paused for a moment. "Let's get back to my hair. In college a few girls buzzed their hair off. I noticed Gary staring at these women. I asked him if he liked that look, but he denied any interest beyond curiosity. I knew he was holding back. If he would have opened up to me about his desires, I would have cut my hair. I loved him dearly. Now, I'm thinking about showing up bald on our date. I know he will love it, and I'm ready for a big change. Where did you go for your shave?"
"That's a great idea. If he reacts like Steve, you'll definitely have a new lover. This barber Helen in the Village shaved me. I have her number in my phone. Let me get it, and I'll call her for you." Ally finished on the phone and spoke to Beth, "Helen can take you in thirty minutes. She was ready to go to Fire Island, but she will wait for you."
"Great. I'll take my dress and stockings with me. Gary always loved it, when I wore a garter belt. We would play this striptease game. I would remove my clothes, and he would pretend not to care. We would continue, until one of us was so horny that contact was initiated. The first one to touch the other lost. If he reacts like Steve, then I'm sure he will lose the game."
