Saturday: The End of the Road
Saturday was a very long day. We drove from San Antonio to Houston, barely arriving in time. We set up for our first round of presentations. The entire group was tired, but we were all in high spirits and having a good time.
The first presentation ended at 6pm. The next started at 7 and we had to break down, drive over to the high school, and get set up in an hour. It was hectic, to say the least. We worked together and got it done, barely.
The princess and I had walked back out to get the last box of flyers. On the way back in, I noticed one of the football coaches coming down the hallway. I glanced at him and smiled as he passed. We'd made it to the end of the hall when he shouted, "Freckles!"
I turned. He was already walking back toward us. "It's really you, isn't it? I can't believe it!"
It took me a minute to recognize him. We'd dated briefly when I was in high school. I hadn't seen him in years.
When he reached me, he picked me up and spun me around, the way he'd always done. I laughed, smiling down at him. It was one of those moments when you feel like you've stepped back in time. We chatted for a few more minutes until the guys came looking for us.
He asked the obvious questions; what are you doing here? how long will you be in town? I answered as quickly as I could. I really needed to get in there and start my presentation. He gave me his number and wished me luck as I hurried in to get things started.
I was a little on edge after being sidetracked, but I got the presentation started and before long I was back on task. That's when I noticed him. He'd decided to stay for the presentation. It was a sweet gesture, especially given the fact that it is a very dull presentation intended for counselors and administrators. He was smiling and occasionally making faces at me. It really was like high school all over again.
I glanced over at the princess, but she wasn't looking at me. I soon realized that she wouldn't look at me. Shit. The princess wasn't happy and I had no clue what was wrong.
The presentation ended and there were polite claps from the group. He stood up and cheered like an idiot. I blushed like a teenager. The princess pouted. A light bulb went off in my head when I realized why she was upset.
Shit. This was our last night together and she's pissed off. I started to get pissed, too. She'd made me wait until after midnight the night before. While I was sitting alone waiting, she'd been on the phone with her husband giving him all of the details of our adventures. I'd tried not to let that bother me, but now she had the nerve to get mad because I'd talked with an old friend for a few minutes?
I didn't say anything as we started to break down and get things ready to load up. He came over and offered to help. I refused, but the guys accepted and we were packed in record time.
He asked if I had plans for dinner. I looked at the gang and said we were all going out. The boys, who were well aware of my separation and that I haven't been dating, quickly said I should go and have fun. They said they'd be fine, they didn't mind at all.
The princess was silent.
I tried to refuse, saying I needed to stay with them. We needed to talk about work.
He offered to take the entire group out to dinner, his treat. The guys quickly refused, insisting I go on my "date." Again, silence from the princess.
I made one last attempt to back out, saying I hated to leave her alone with the boys. She finally spoke, "Just go." It pissed me off, so I did.
We went to Wendy's. I know, doesn't sound like much of a date. It was though. That's where we'd gone on our first date, so many years ago. I was touched that he'd remembered. He even remembered I would order a small frosty and dip my fries in it. I had a terrific time. It was fun catching up. He was going through a divorce also, so we were both alone, yet unavailable. It was just nice to be able to talk to someone who understood what I was going through.
After dinner, he drove me back to the hotel. I didn't invite him up. I could tell he was a little disappointed, but he was very gracious about it. He gave me another spin, kissed my cheek, and said goodbye.
I was back in my room shortly after 10pm. I called the princess and told her I was back. I invited her over. She said, "I'll think about it," and hung up the phone.
Shit.
I stripped and crawled in to bed. I was irritated. And I was horny, as usual. I tried watching TV for a while. I got bored with that and played on Lit for a while. That was a terrible idea. Lit has a way of making horny worse, not better. I finally gave up and got my vibrator out of my suitcase. I had just crawled back into bed with it when she knocked softly on the door.
Shit!
I didn't even bother to get dressed. I opened the door and stood there, waiting. She just looked at me. For several moments we just stared.
Finally, she said, "I'm sorry. I was jealous."
I said, "You are married. Don't talk to me about being fucking jealous."
"Please," she whispered, "this is our last night ... I don't want to fight with you."
"Well, what the hell do you want from me then?"
