When Deidre got back from her weekend in Chicago she gave her best friend Charlene a call.
"Hey Char," Deidre said into the phone. "Are you free any time this week? I'd like to talk with you."
"There isn't any trouble, is there?" Charlene asked.
"Not really but I'd really like to talk with you."
"Okay. How about lunch Friday? 1 o'clock at Sergio's."
"Good. See you there."
Charlene was Deidre's oldest friend. They met in middle school and continued being close ever since. Even though they went to different colleges and took different career paths, the friendship never wavered. Charlene became an art teacher but had since branched out. She owned her own small art gallery and exhibited some of her own art there. They were in each other's weddings and were each godparent to one of their children. Charlene was there for Deidre when Joe left her and was the first one Deidre told about Scott. Deidre was there for Charlene when her mom died suddenly. They were more like sisters than friends and they had shared their dreams, hopes and fears with each other. There were no secrets between them.
Deidre showed up just after 1 and found Charlene seated in a back corner booth. "You're looking good," she said, kissing her cheek.
Charlene was wearing a gray knit dress that hugged her figure. She had a figure any forty year old would envy. As a former gymnast, she was always petite but she claimed that growing boobs cut short her career. As always though, her raven hair was pulled back in some kind of bun, one that appeared hurriedly put together.
"You're looking good yourself. There is something different about you. Hair color? Lost weight?"
"No, I wish I lost weight," Deidre laughed as she sat down.
Charlene couldn't put her finger on it but there was something different about her friend that made you notice. Deidre was dressed in a navy blue knit skirt with an empire waist that just showed her cleavage. A small pearl necklace with matching earrings really added to the look.
The lunch was excellent and the two had a great time catching up on everything from the kids to work to Carly's up coming wedding. It felt good for both of them.
"Ok, why did you call me?" Charlene asked. "Is there something wrong?"
Deidre put her fork down and said, "Char, I'm in love, passionately, deeply in love."
Charlene laughed. "Well, two questions then. Do I know him? And does he love you?" she asked with a smile.
"I'm serious, Char. It is Scott, my husband."
"I don't understand. This a problem?"
"For the last year, I feel so alive and sexy too. I feel I could make love to him every day. I sleep in the nude because I want nothing between us. If we don't make love then I need him to hold me, touch me. It is more than just sex. I feel so alive, so good when I'm with him."
"I still don't understand," Charlene said shaking her head.
"I feel really good about myself and it seems other people have noticed it too. People have hit on me. And I like it but when they do it, it just makes me want Scott more."
"Why shouldn't men hit on you? You look great. You should feel good about it."
"Well, last weekend, a woman, a friend of Bess' came on to me." Deidre looked down at her plate and then back up. "And I let her do me."
"Oh my God, Dee! You had sex with her?" Charlene said. "Tell me about. Did you like it?"
Deidre told her everything, every detail. Charlene squirmed in her seat. She was slightly jealous as one of her deep fantasies was to see what it was like to make love to a woman and that woman was her best friend. Now her best friend had felt confident enough to actually do it.
"I'm not sorry I tried it. Yes, I liked it but when she left me alone in the bed I knew I wanted more. Not her but Scott. I needed to feel him, his arms around me, to finish me, and it would have been perfect."
"Does Scott know?"
"No, he doesn't," Deidre answered. "I haven't told him yet but I will. It was a one time thing."
Charlene took Deidre's hand. "I envy you. It sounds like you have a wonderful love life and with your husband no less. You were willing to try something new and different. You are pretty lucky."
"Lucky? Charlene, I'm forty years old and I'm acting like a horny teenager. I'm not confusing love with lust either. Do you think I'm going through 'the change'? Should I go to the doctor's?"
"No! Since I've known you, you have always been the sensible one compared to me. You're letting your feelings make decisions for you now and it's a little scary. Look at the results. You seem to be the happiest I've ever seen you. I say, 'you go girl' and enjoy it. You're in love with the man of your dreams. You deserve this."