EPIPHANY
epiphany
(noun)
a: A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.
b: An intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking.
c: An illuminating discovery, realization or disclosure.
d: A revealing scene or moment.
Richard and I married in 1973 on my 20
th
Birthday, he was almost 22 and we were very much in love. I had been a virgin when we met and was very naΓ―ve sexually. Richard was more adventurous than I and wanted to explore our sexuality, however, whilst I enjoyed our lovemaking sessions, I was unwilling to concede to anything other than straight sex in the missionary position. Approaching the end of the first year of our marriage I had relaxed a little, but there were still many things that I considered off-limits. Oral sex, either way, was totally forbidden along with anal sex and many other things that I considered to be "dirty".
Money was tight as we had just taken out a mortgage on our first home, so much so, that we had to forgo a honeymoon. However, the following July we had managed to save up enough money for a long weekend in London as compensation and had really splashed out and booked a nice hotel close to Piccadilly Circus. We had a wonderful time; busy days and romantic nights, but all too soon, we came to our final evening.
First we had dinner in a delightful little Italian restaurant in Shepherd Market and then returned to the hotel bar for a nightcap to end our stay. The bar was pretty busy but we managed to find a table in the corner and Richard went to the bar to get some drinks for us. I was feeling a little merry from the wine I had drunk earlier in the restaurant, but decided that one more glass wouldn't hurt me. Richard returned with our drinks, grumbling about the prices.
"Well, that's the last of our cash gone," he said. "We're into the overdraught now."
"No problem." I replied. "I'll have had enough after this one anyway."
We sat there holding hands and people watching. I noticed a man stood at the bar looking over at us. I guessed he was in his fifties, he was casually, but smartly dressed, sort of good looking with a full head of thick steel-grey hair, which contrasted nicely with his slight tan. Our eyes met and he smiled at me. I felt myself blushing and responded with a weak non-committal smile and then looked away. Richard mentioned something about the bar being very busy and we chatted for a few minutes about nothing in particular, when I became aware of someone standing over our table. It was the man from the bar.
"Excuse me," he said with an obvious American accent. "Would you mind if I sat here?" He indicated an empty chair at the other side of our table. "I'm sorry to invade your privacy, but there doesn't seem to be an empty table and I've been on my feet all day. I need to sit down for a while."
"Please. Be our guest." Richard replied. "I know how tiring London can be."
He smiled. "Thanks very much." He sat down with a sigh and took a gulp from his drink, which looked like Scotch on the Rocks. "Boy I needed that" he said and settled comfortably back into his chair.
I noticed that, closer up, he looked a little older than I had first thought, maybe in his early to middle sixties, also that he wore a wedding ring. He introduced himself as Bill from Arizona and told us that he had come to London initially on business, but had extended his visit to see something of the UK while he was over here. We introduced ourselves, Glen and Richard, and asked whether he was enjoying London.
"I love it" he said "Especially all the historic buildings and palaces" My wife would have loved it too" he added.
"Wasn't she able to accompany you?" I asked.
"Sadly no" he replied. "She passed away two years ago. In fact I've felt quite lonely since I've been here. It's so nice to chat with someone young like yourselves." Then, noticing my almost new wedding ring he asked "Say, are you folks on your honeymoon?"
I replied "no" and told him the story.
"I guess it's tough starting out married life so young," he said "And money's so hard to find these days, so let me buy you both a drink to celebrate your delayed honeymoon."
"That would be nice," Richard replied eagerly. "I'll have a Gin and Tonic, If you don't mind."
"Nothing for me thanks," I said, "I think I've had enough."
"Aww come on," said Bill. "Let me buy you another glass of wine to celebrate your honeymoon. It's the least I can do."
"Ok," I said. "Just a small one though."
"A small one it is!" he said smiling and made off for the bar.
I snuggled up to Richard and said "We've had such a good time here it's been perfect."
Richard agreed and said "it could only have been better if we'd had more money and not spent all our savings. Still it's been worth it!"
Bill reappeared after a few minutes with the drinks. My glass of wine looked a lot bigger than the small glass that I had requested. "They only appear to have this size," he said apologetically.
"I think you're trying to get me drunk," I giggled
"Of course I am," he responded laughing. "There's no point stopping halfway. Always go the full distance Glen, you'll never regret it!" We all laughed and we chatted about our lives and the differences between living in the USA and the UK.
Before long I needed to go to the Ladies Powder Room and made my apologies before heading off, there. There was quite a queue so I decided to go up to our room, as I feared too long a wait might be a disaster. When I returned to the bar, several minutes later, Richard and Bill were deep in conversation. Bill's face lit up when he saw me.
"Welcome back," he said warmly. "I thought that you'd decide to go to bed. I'm so glad that you didn't."
I noticed that the drinks had been replenished, but I was now beyond the point of caring. "That's so sweet" I said, kissing him on the cheek.
"I think he deserves a kiss in the lips rather than the cheek," Richard said.
"Maybe later," Bill said looking at Richard.
"Of course," he replied. "What do you say Glen?"
"My Pleasure," I said smiling at them both.
"
My
pleasure I think," Bill responded and winked at Richard.
"Both our pleasures then," I retorted, giggling and taking a large gulp of my wine.
"What were you boys talking about while I was powdering my nose?"
"Bill was telling me about a club he visited some years ago in the Philippines, when he was in the Army," Said Richard. "He saw a couple having sex, live on stage!"
"Good Lord!" I replied. "How could they do that."
"I believe they were very well paid," Bill said.
"Even so I'd have to be drugged or extremely drunk to do that." I said. "And the pay would have to be very good."