My wife Ellie (F40) and I Jack (M44) have been married for 19 years. A couple of years ago we had an incredible experience together that we never talk about but is one of my favorite memories.
It was early fall, and a Monday night. We were working on the dishes together and talking about how nice it would be to get away for a few days and shake things up. Most of the time that kind of idle chatter goes nowhere, but this time she was serious. As I finished loading the dishwasher, she picked up her phone, dialed and walked away. 5 minutes later she came back and let me know that her mom would take the kids Thursday afternoon, and we didn't need to pick them up until Sunday.
Shocked wasn't even the right word. 3 nights, 2 full days alone was just what the doctor ordered. Best of all, we didn't have to wait for several weeks or months like most trips, this was just a few short days away. Ellie suggested going to a little mountain town about 4 hours away. She was excited about cool weather, hiking, and sleeping in. I was excited about the idea of hotel sex. We booked a suite in the nicest hotel we could find. My thought was we would both get what we wanted by the time the weekend was over.
Since we left early afternoon, she had sort of a layered look. We were leaving heat and would end the day with much cooler temperatures. We were going to be in the car for a while, so she went with a fun but comfortable outfit. A dark blue canvas skirt that went slightly below the knee, a white tank top, and a cute floral button down top over it. Her dark brown hair was pulled back off her face in a simple clip. This sort of relaxed look was one of the things I really appreciated about her.
We spent the car ride reconnecting, and time flew by. We arrived at the hotel hungry and ready for a cocktail. After checking in we quickly dropped our bags in the room and headed for the grill. The restaurant was a 10-minute wait to be seated, but the host let us know there was immediate seating in the bar, and we could get the full menu. Two seats were open together, so away we went.
It was a U-shaped setup, with a second row of high tops circling the inner bar. It made the space a little loud, but everybody was close to each other and there was a good vibe. To my left was a younger couple wearing Bronco's jerseys, clearly focused on the TV's. There was only 1 person to my wife's right, but I didn't pay much attention to who was there. Orders placed, bourbon in front of me, I was already having a blast. I struck up a conversation with the guy next to me, joking about how bad Denver looked that night.
My wife was sipping her wine and playing on her phone. After a few minutes, the guy next to her started to chat her up, and against her normal character, she was having fun answering him. Since we were both enjoying ourselves, we really didn't say much to each other. Food came and went, second drinks were poured, and to anybody in the bar, we could have been strangers as much as a couple.
I needed a quick bathroom break and left without saying anything. The restroom was a bit of a walk away, and around the corner. I had it in my mind that it was about time for us to go back to the room and fall into bed together. When I got back and the check was on the table and paid, I figured we were on the same page. I tapped her on the shoulder asking if she was ready. She leaned over and let me know that she wasn't ready to go. She could tell I was done but asked if I minded if she stayed a bit longer. I didn't think much of it and agreed. I took a roadie back to the room and put on sports center to enjoy my buzz.
What happened next was the strangest, most out of character, and thrilling night we'd ever had.
The TV had been on long enough that the highlights were starting to repeat themselves. I checked my phone, no texts from her, and it had been an hour or so since I left.
