Copyright 2004 by Adam Gunn. All rights reserved.
*
The Carpentaria palms danced in the trade winds as the couple strolled barefoot along the beach. Rivulets of surf danced among their toes, echoing the emotions of love between the man and woman, celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary seven weeks late. The brilliant moon cast shadows around them, illuminated the white rocks and breakers. Gazing high into the southern sky at the bleached planet, the wife asked, "Is it full?"
"I don't think so," Will responded. "Tomorrow, I think. It's beautiful though."
"So big, too," said Terri. "Bigger than back in Pennsylvania, isn't it? I get the feeling something strange is going to happen."
He lovingly touched the bare shoulders of the woman, toyed with her spaghetti straps, felt the heat stored by the tropical sun. "You're feeling okay? Not too sunburned?"
"No, not at all," Terri replied. Only that afternoon, the first day of vacation at the Caribbean resort designed mainly for romantic couples, she'd sunbathed topless for the first time in her life. In an attempt to protect herself from the intense rays, she'd applied copious amounts of sunblock to her breasts and now the nipples, though strangely warm, felt wonderful. She recalled with pleasure how, behind her prescription sunglasses and wide brimmed hat, she'd spied on male tourists, secretly observing the sideways glances with which they'd taken in her bare breasts and the skimpy bikini bottom Will had persuaded her to purchase for the trip. Even though she was years past being a lass, apparently she was still attractive; the knowledge pleasured her. When she'd shared her observations with Will, he asked her which of the men she liked; it was a game they played, it was never serious.
After they'd returned to their room, Terri, still excited from the attention, pondered lovemaking, but by the time she'd showered and prettied herself for him, Will was napping, occasionally snorting in his sleep. She let him rest, reading her New Yorkers and home decorating magazines, then awoke him, suggested he get ready for cocktails, then a late dinner of fresh, native seafood. Afterwards in the dark, they'd taken a walk, exploring the lush tropical setting of the resort, before, she assumed, they'd return to their room for their traditional 11:30 bedtime, and perhaps, if she was lucky, a little passion.
But suddenly, the timbre of steel drums listed over the dunes, floating over the swimming pool, disturbing the tranquility. "How about another drink?" Will suggested.
"Fine," Terri agreed. "Maybe some dancing?"
"If you insist." Will didn't like dance floors much, they were too crowded, he felt self-conscious with his silly contortions. The couple retrieved their shoes from the base of a palm and rambled to the dance floor, partially filled with other couples lost in the tropical romance. The band played one of Terri's favorite Burt Baccarach songs, eliciting memories of teenage years spent with boyfriends. A table was found under an umbrella near the pool, drinks were ordered, a margarita for him, a Blue Jamaican for her. Before the waitress could deliver the beverages, the couple made their way to the floor and began to groove to the mixture of standards and reggae. Terri was happy Will was giving in so easily, and let her body go, as it had in the disco bars of the 1970s. Four or five songs passed, she could feel the welcome perspiration beginning to ooze from her pores.
"Had enough?" Will asked, when the local equivalent of a country and western song was played.
"Sure," Terri reluctantly agreed. The vacationers found their table, greedily quaffed their potions. A few songs later, the band began to play Ring My Bell, one of her favorite disco songs. "You want to go back out?" she suggested.
"In a few minutes," Will delayed, "I think I'd better hit the head first." Will often danced just a little, then called it a night. Terri was disappointed, she'd hoped to dance the night away. She noticed he was a little unsteady as he strode to the bathroom, the afternoon beers and the bottle of wine they'd had with dinner must be catching up to him. No matter, their room was less than a New York City block away. Let him get drunk if he wished. In fact, let him do anything he wished; they were on vacation!
For his part, Will made his way to the toilet, admiring the costumes worn by female tourists. One young lady seemed to have forgotten to don a bra underneath the translucent blouse; her breasts jiggled slightly as she laughed at a joke. He wondered if other men were lusting after his wife as he was admiring theirs. When he returned to the table he found new, but his wife was strangely absent -- perhaps she'd gone to the bathroom as well. He sat, watching the delectable nymphs swirling around him, admiring their wild moves as the band continued to play disco.
Suddenly, the blue and white swirls of his wife's frock caught his eye. She was on the dance floor, her hands grabbing at her hem, lifting it above her knees and showing a hint of thigh. It was an effective move, one that seemed sexier than it truly was. The crowd shifted and he spied her partner, a middle aged man donned in loafers, tailored khakis, a flower patterned shirt of questionable style, thinning hair. The music slowed momentarily, then restarted with another number from the 80's. Terri caught his eye, began to wander back to the table to be with her husband. Will waved his arm at her, an unmistakable gesture that could only mean 'stay out there, have fun.' She accepted the gift, grabbed the hand of her fellow partier and returned to the convolutions. Will realized the other man was a much better dancer than he; other husbands might have been jealous, Will was simply glad his wife had found someone who could compliment her.
When the band stopped to take their break, Terri returned to the table, her new playmate in tow. "Will, this is Jonathan. Jonathan, Will," she introduced. "Jonathan asked me to dance while you were gone. I didn't think you'd mind."
"Of course not," he replied. "Jonathan, why don't you join us?"
"You don't mind?" the man replied. "I wouldn't want to be a third wheel."