"Great party," said Juan Garza as he leaned a little closer to Melinda 'Mel' Able.
"Oh I love it. I look forward to it each spring," Mel replied.
The two of them were standing on the back patio of Strohs, the city's most upscale steak restaurant. It was a perfect Sunday evening to be outdoors: 74 degrees and low humidity. They were in a small group of about 10 people. The private event consisted of ~150 people and was ostensibly a fund raiser for the city's largest Health System, but in reality it was a thank you to big donors. There were free drinks and food, some live entertainment, and a chance to soak up some late afternoon sun and socialize. It promised the attendees some privacy and a chance to have some fun without a big push for more money. In addition to donors, board members were invited, of which Juan was the newest, having joined the board last month. There were also health system executives and spouses in attendance, which is why Mel was there. Mel was married to Todd who was the number two executive at the health system.
Todd had excused himself a few minutes ago to get some more drinks. No matter, Mel thought. She didn't feel deserted. She knew most of the people at the party, and was enjoying getting to know Juan. She had learned over the past few minutes of small talk that he illegally immigrated to the U.S. with his mother when he was a small boy from El Salvador. In the ensuing years his mother had worked tirelessly to raise Juan and his brother, but also to ensure she and her sons became legal citizens. It was important to her that she do things the right way even though it was very hard. Juan commented that he was just now understanding and fully appreciating the sacrifices his mom made. His journey impressed Mel and raised her estimation of him. He was also the President, CEO and Chairman of the 3rd largest US-based Spanish Media Company, but you'd never know it talking to him. He seemed down to earth. He was certainly easy to talk to and very charming. He was also very handsome, Mel thought. Juan was 6' 2", great hair, jet black with just a touch of gray, dark complexion and hazel-green eyes. She guessed his age to be mid-forties. He was fit and trim, with nicely tailored black slacks and an expensive white dress shirt which contrasted nicely with his skin. She didn't see any sign of wedding ring.
"You married? Kids?" she asked.
"No," he replied. "I've never been married and no kids," he answered.
"So what about you. Tell me about yourself," he asked.
"Two kids. A twenty-five year old son and a twenty-three year old daughter. Both out of college and both out of the house," she shared. I know I'm boring him, she thought. But the truth was he didn't seem bored. He listened intently, asked some questions and seemed genuinely interested. He also wasn't trying to dominate the conversation, which, Mel thought, is a pleasant change from most men in powerful positions who only want to talk about themselves.
"Now that you're an empty nester, how do you keep your life interesting?" Juan inquired.
Mel thought about it for a second. It was a really good and well-phrased question, and one she had asked herself quite a bit lately given Todd worked 12 hours days and she was home and bored most of the time. However, it was not a question she was prepared to honestly explore with a man she just met. "I volunteer at the hospital, mostly in the Mom/Baby unit," Mel said, staying on safe ground.
He accepted her answer, but also seemed a bit disappointed. After a little pause he thoughtfully reflected and said, "I know I just met you, so I apologize if what I am about to say is out of line, but you're too beautiful and alive to be caged.., no, excuse me, that's not right," he said as struggled for the right word. "Uh I mean, 'cooped-up,' in a house all by yourself. I know it's an overworked expression, but your life is too short and precious to waste."
Mel blushed. It was an odd compliment, but also flattering, especially coming from such a handsome, attentive man. Maybe a little over the top, but so what, she thought. It made her feel great. She loved the non-husband validation. "Well, I don't know about being 'cooped-up,' but thanks for saying I'm 'beautiful.' You're my new best friend," she said with a genuine smile.
Mel silently acknowledged that Juan was right. If she was honest, she was in a little bit of a rut. Maybe she was feeling 'caged' or 'cooped-up.' She used to be so active, engaged with the kids, and the community. Life had always been fun and exciting. Now the higher Todd rose in his career, the less she saw him, so she was alone a lot more. She was also over 50 and stressing constantly about her looks. She didn't need to lose weight, but, like most women, she still fretted about it. Mel was 5' 2" and weighed 112 lbs. Not bad for 52, she thought, so why am I so critical of myself. Her breasts were on the small side, but that was okay, she allowed. Todd liked them and they weren't yet sagging like so many of her friends. She worked out a lot. Her legs were her best feature. But she was also working hard on her arms. She was at that age where saggy skin starts to form under women's biceps and she wanted to delay it as long as possible. Her hair was a rich brown with some ash tone highlights, and was a few inches passed her shoulders. Tonight she wore her hair down. Her dress was from Anthropologie. It was a cute sand colored crochet tunic that rested 2" above the knee. She had bought some fun gladiator sandals to round out the ensemble.
Leaving home tonight, and certainly now after this handsome, younger man's compliment, she was inwardly pleased with how she looked.
"I've enjoyed getting to know your husband," Juan commented as he switched the conversation. "Todd is well respected by the board," he added.
Mel smiled. It was always nice to hear good things about Todd, especially from a Board member which technically was his boss' boss and held a lot of sway over his career. However, she wasn't surprised by the comment. Todd was 53 and much shorter than Juan at only 5' 5". However, he was wicked smart and good at what he does. His boss, the CEO, relied on him heavily and his team loved him. His smaller stature never seemed to bother him and it certainly never got in the way of his career.
A few minutes later Mel welcomed Todd back to the group, "What took you so long?"
"Oh, I got sidetracked and talked to a few people," Todd said. Todd handed Mel her drink and then started chatting amiably with Juan.
Mel let her mind wander while the two men talked. The difference in height between the two of them was stark, she noted. Nothing unusual there, Todd is invariably the shortest man in any group and after 26 years of marriage she was used to it. Mel had dated a lot in high school and college and Todd was by far the shortest man she had gone out with. He was also the one that she fell in love with. She loved his mind, wit and ambition. But if she was honest with herself, she also was a little envious of her friends with much taller husbands. Of course there was the practical side of a tall man. I'd never have have to worry about wearing heels or pulling dishes from top shelves, she inwardly mused. There was also the natural order of things: No woman wants to be the same size or taller than her husband, and although Todd was technically 3" taller, the difference was not that pronounced to the outside world.
Practicality and appearances aside, there was also the naughty side of thinking about a bigger man. Her mind continued to wander and she allowed it. She was having fun tonight, and was enjoying the attention of the handsome Mr. Garza. She started to daydream what it would be like to have sex with someone like Juan. She looked again at his features, great hair, broad shoulders, big arms, and muscular thighs. He would swallow me up, she thought. She imagined his large hands caressing, squeezing and exploring her. His stubbled beard tickling her neck and ears. She wondered what his tongue would feel like on her breasts and other even more naughty spots. How would his six foot frame feel between her legs, spreading them further apart than Todd ever had, or kneeling and impaling her from behind. God, this is fun, she thought. Could I even support his weight? she asked herself. She also caught herself looking at the crotch of his slacks, Although nothing was apparent, she shivered a little at what she imagined was behind his zipper and how it might compare to Todd's admittedly average size. She started to blush for the second time this evening.
At one point, Juan looked down at his watch and said he had to go. Something about an early start to tomorrow. His comments startled Mel from her reverie. That's disappointing, Mel thought. The scenery is about to be less interesting, she inwardly giggled.
Juan reached across and shook Todd's hand goodbye. He then turned to Mel. "It has been a pleasure talking to you. Thank you for keeping me company." He took her hand and leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek while whispering so only Mel could hear...
