Anita and Jill had become pretty good friends over the last few days talking on the phone almost daily during the week. She was not sure if Jill would be interested in the party next Friday night but she needed to fill her in on exactly what would happen. Jack had talked her into taking Jill and she thought it would be fun to have a GF who enjoyed the same things but she was not sure Jill would be into the lifestyle.
She had been surprised when Jack had agreed with her when she jokingly suggested that Jill come to one of the parties. It seemed to her it would be very awkward for a brother and sister to be at these types of parties together. Then Jack told her he had interviewed for a position in Atlanta and had gotten the job. She now understood why he was ok with Jill joining in the fun because he would no longer be able to attend.
She had decided that she would fill Jill in today at lunch since it was already Monday and she only had a few days to broach the subject. She could not let her show up with no idea of what was going on.
Today at lunch would be the perfect time to give her some details on the party. She could decide then if she was still interested in coming. Anita had grown very fond of her new friend and hoped that their discussion today did not hurt their relationship. Even if Jill decided that she was not interested in the party she felt they could still be great friends. They had a lot in common, husbands they loved but who were into their careers at this point and no children to fill their free time.
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When Jill walked into the restaurant she looked for Anita who had gotten there early to get a seat. Anita had picked a place in the back that was nice and quite so she could talk without being over heard. Anita waved and Jill made her way through the tables to her new friend. Jill was again confused by the selection of restaurants. For someone who liked Italian it seemed Anita never went to that type of restaurant. It did not really matter though because she had come to really like Anita. They shared the same interest and seemed to be at the same point in their lives with husbands who were focused on anything but them. Having a kindred ear to vent her frustrations to had really picked up her spirits the last few days and she was beginning to get excited about the party this Friday. Just this morning Bob had told her he was going out of town on Wednesday and would not be back until late on Saturday. When she had mentioned the party he had encouraged her to go thinking it would be something to keep her off his back since he could be back Friday night but had chosen to stay over an extra day to play golf.
Anita stood and gave Jill a quick hug before sitting back down on her side of the booth. Jill sat down and grabbed a menu noticing that Anita was already sipping on a glass of red wine. After placing her order Jill smiled at her friend noticing her fidgeting hands.
"How was your weekend?" Anita asked.
"About the same as any other weekend. Bob golfed Saturday and Sunday so I slept in and then went to the beach. I started to give you a call to see if you would like to go with me but figured you may be spending time with Paul," she said with obvious agitation. "It seems any spare time he has he is off with his buddies golfing or doing something else. Sometimes I feel like I could drop off the face of the earth and it would take him 6 months to notice.
"You just need to find something to do when he is not around. I actually like my time without Paul hanging over my shoulder. We both have things we like to do that the other is not interested in so it works out great." Laughing she continued, "I actually got him tickets to the ball game on Friday night so I would be free to go to the party. It is going to be a fun time, a lot more fun than sitting at home watching TV with Paul."
"I guess you are right but it just does not seem like the marriage I always wanted. I still want the fairy tale," Jill lamented.
"We all do honey but there are some great alternatives to the fairy tale marriage. At this point in my life I really like the way my marriage is working. Paul and I are still close but we each have our own lives. I do not know everything he does and he sure does not know all the things I do. Like this party Friday. He really has no idea about the people I hang out with and the things I enjoy," Anita said trying to broach the subject of the party.
"I am looking forward to it," Jill said. 'It will be fun to get out and have a couple of drinks. I am a bit nervous though because I have not been to a party without Bob in years. Jack has hinted that these parties can get a little wild. I wish he was going to be there."
The time had come to get into some more detail about the party. Anita wondered briefly how to bring up the atmosphere that Jill would encounter at the party. This party was not a social wine tasting event with everyone sitting around sipping drinks and talking politics.
The parties had started about a year ago and there were only 3 other women who were a part of the group. The men far outnumbered the women and although all of the women were married only one husband ever came to the party. On a typical night there would be at least 3-4 guys per lady which was fine with Anita. There was also no aversion to recreational drugs and although Anita normally stayed with alcohol there was plenty of other things you could get into. Anita did not want to loose her friendship but there was no getting around the talk she needed to have with Jill. Taking a breath she started talking.
"Well to be honest I think it is better if he is not. You may be uncomfortable as it is and with Jack there I know you would be. You see Jill, I have to be honest with you. These parties can get pretty wild."
Jill noticed the hesitation that Anita was feeling and urged her to tell her more.
"The group started meeting about a year ago and it is a real party atmosphere. We just like to have fun. It is a very sexually charged event and you might see some things that will startle you. It is a lot of fun and no one gets hurt. It is just about getting away and having a good time." Anita knew she was not doing a good job of explaining things and was playing around the edges.
Anita continued, "You will see people playing and going to bedrooms. Just remember no one is forced into anything and you can do as little or as much as you like."
Jill listened quietly trying to read between the lines of what Anita was telling her. Jill was no prude and knew how to handle guys flirting with her and did not understand Anita's concern. A little flirting might be fun and if others let it go a little further she did not see the issue. She did not have to participate and the idea that Jack would invite her to anything that may cause issues with her marriage seemed ridiculous.
Putting her hand on Anita's she assured her new friend that she understood what she was saying and was comfortable. "There is nothing to worry about Anita. I have been to some pretty wild parties in my college days and know how to handle aggressive guys. I promise you will not need to baby sit me. Let's just go and have some fun."
Anita still had doubts that she had expressed herself well and that Jill really understood the type of party they were going to. Jill seemed very self assured so Anita dropped the subject and they finished lunch talking about new pool that Paul was having put in.
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Jill was beginning to get excited about the party on Friday. After her conversation with Anita she could feel an undercurrent of sexual anticipation from her. Although Jill knew she would not be doing anything she shouldn't the idea of being in a sexually charged atmosphere was exciting.
As she finished packing Bob's clothes for his flight in the morning she was hoping he would be in the mood to have some fun when he got in. She quickly finished up and showered before putting on his favorite nighty. She was sitting in the den with a bottle of wine she her phone rang.
"Hey sweetie," said Bob in a slurred voice. "I am running a little behind but should be home in an hour or so. Have you had a chance to get me packed for tomorrow?"
"Where are you?" Jill asked feeling sure she knew the answer to the question.
"Bill asked me to take a client who is in town out to dinner and we are just finishing up. My flight is at 8am so I need to be at the airport at 6:30."
Jill was silent for a moment realizing that Bob was not going to be in any condition for a little romance again tonight. Sighing she replied, "I will have you packed and ready to go. I am going to bed."
Frustrated she walked to the bedroom and closed his suitcase. This was the last straw and she was tired of taking second place to Bob's career. She was going to take the advice of Jack and Anita and find interest of her own outside of Bob. When and if he decided he had time for her she hoped it would not be to late.
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Jill was very excited about the party tonight and looking forward to getting out of the house. Bob had left early Wednesday and she always got lonely when he was out of town. She knew he was staying over to play golf on Saturday rather than come back home on Friday night. His lack of interest in her made her feel that she was not sexy and hurt her deeply. A little flirting with some good looking guys would do wonders for her confidence.
Anita was supposed to pick her up around eight and they were going to eat before they went to the party. Anita seemed excited about the party but Jill could tell there was something she was not telling her. Anita had told her to dress for fun but she was having a hard time picking out what she wanted to wear. She finally decided on a halter dress that Bob always told her was sexy without being slutty. Jumping in the shower she washed quickly and toweled off.
Glancing at the clock she saw that she only had 45 minutes before Anita would arrive. She found a pair of panties, opting for a normal pair rather than thongs and a matching bra. Finishing her makeup she finished dressing just as she heard the doorbell. Grabbing a pair of sandals she walked down the stairs and opened the door to find Anita waiting. She was a little startled at her outfit thinking it was just to risquΓ© to be going out in public.
"Come on in," Jill said. "I will be just a minute I need to put grab my purse."
Anita walked into the den and as she waited on Jill to get her things and noticed the wedding photos on the table beside the couch. Bob was a good looking guy and they made a great couple. She once again had an uneasy feeling about the party tonight. The situation worked for her and Paul but Jill seemed to still have stars in her eyes and did not appear ready to take the same steps she had.