It is our own private ritual. Beginning as a way to find time for the two of us to be alone. It has grown to be something so much more. A time the two of us to give ourselves totally and completely to the other. It is a time when our deepest needs and desires are shown honestly and openly. It is our time for our bond to be strengthened against those of others outside the two of us.
On the wall of our kitchen hangs a large calendar. Each day's square is filled with notes and reminders scrawled blue and black ink - "footprints" of our two lives. One Saturday each month is marked differently in bold red ink, by a single word - SPECIAL. It stands out clearly from the rest and as the day approaches, we both become aware of our own heightened anticipation it's arrival.
Beginning Monday as we approach our SPECIAL day, there have been subtle changes whenever we are near each other. We touch each other more often as we pass moving about our home. Our normal morning, evening and goodnight kisses and embraces lengthen a few seconds longer each day. Neither of want to spoil what has come to mean so much to us. We somehow find the needed restraint to stop and abide to our own ritual rule.
Our day has finally arrived. We rise, dress and then go out for breakfast at a restaurant nearby. While we enjoy a substantial breakfast, we review needed errands to be run and weekly chores to be done today. They are divided equally. Both our schedules are tight. There is no extra time if we are to be done at the desired hour. We leave the restaurant going in different directions to make our first stops.
It is 4:00 when all tasks are completed and we pause briefly next to one another in our living room. We embrace and kiss tenderly. Both of us relieved and content in knowing all is in order. All our phones are disabled. All entry doors are locked. We retire separately, you to the bedroom and I to the living room couch to enjoy leisurely naps in preparation for the evening. They are needed for what is yet to come this evening.
I awaken and raise my arm checking the time on my watch. I have learned to accept and no longer wonder how it is that my needs and desires know exactly when to end my sleep. Quickly, I shed drowsiness. I glance at the closed door to the bedroom trusting that you too are up and preparing yourself in the adjoining bathroom. I rise, all weariness gone, to make the first preparations for our dinner.
I hear the bedroom door open and await your arrival in the kitchen. We take turns choosing the mode of dress for our SPECIAL evening. We have dressed formally to celebrate an anniversary. Several times, our dress was chosen to fit a fantasy that one of us wishes to try to act out. Sometimes, our moods determine our selection. Tonight is your choice and I am anxious to see what you are wearing.
I am surprised as you appear wearing your full-length, heavy bathrobe. You smile as you see the look of puzzlement on my face. Before I can ask, you smile and speak first, "I AM wearing something beneath this robe. I've left what you are to put on in the bathroom. You'll see what I am wearing after you clean up and put on what is there for you."
I smile in return to let you know I am pleased you have found yet another new way to make our evening SPECIAL. I kiss and embrace you tenderly, lingering only a few short seconds before leaving to take my turn in preparing myself for what is to come this night.
Laid out and bound in a single red ribbon on the bathroom counter, I find a pair of new, black silk sleep shorts. They are short but appear loose fitting. I brush my hand against them to feel their sleek smoothness before beginning to prepare my body for your touch. I take the needed extra time to shave, shower and remove any rough edges from my nails. I slip on the shorts and, after combing my hair, do a final check in the mirror before leaving to join you.