It was a brisk Saturday afternoon in Newport, Rhode Island. The wind blew slightly as the strong sun beamed down on the many shoppers frequenting the stores in this quaint New England town. Being August, tourists were everywhere to be seen. While most were there just for the weekend, some had owned or rented summer homes.
In a slightly more secluded area, away from much of the hustle and bustle of the streets, two women sat at a patio table outside a small Italian café. Sipping away on their lattes, it appeared that they didn't have a care in the world. These were summer renters. It was in this manner that they spent most of their Saturday's, while their husbands were off yachting or another activity they found equally as boring.
"So where's Harry today? Fumbling around with that stupid boat again?" exclaimed one of the women, Anne Segar. She was in her mid-40's, and time was good to her. For having two children, she managed to keep her body finely toned. Her younger child, Diane, had just turned 15 while her older son, Michael, 18, was a senior in high school and would be leaving for college soon. She wore a floral print summer dress. A tiny amount of cleavage from her C-cup breasts peered through. The spaghetti straps resting on her nicely tanned skin met with her shoulder length brunette hair.
"You know, I didn't even ask when I left the house." Marissa Fleming responded with a slight chuckle in her voice. Marissa was around the same age as Anne, but had no children. She was also a brunette. A short beige skirt didn't leave a lot to the imagination, as many men walking by would gauche at her toned legs. Covering her small but perky breasts she wore a black and green off the shoulder top.
"Oh, men... What do we need them for?"
"You know damn well what we need them for. My two times a week with Harry is all that keeps me going!"
"Marissa, please tell me you are joking. You guys still have sex twice a week?" Anne replied with a shocked look on her face.
"Sorry honey, but its true. You guys must at least be once a week."
Anne's face dropped towards the ground in disappointment. Her wavy brunette hair was covering most of her face.
"Once a month?"
Tears began to form in the corners of Anne's hazel eyes.
"Anne, just tell me."
Anne looked up at Marissa and opened her mouth. Her voice crackled when she spoke, "We haven't had sex in months. I don't think Peter loves me anymore."
"Honey, don't cry. It is not that he doesn't love you. It is just that you aren't making him work for it. Trust me."
Marissa stood up to give Anne a hug. Together they left the café.
*****
A couple hours later, Marissa pulled her silver Lexus into Anne's summer rental. She adjusted her skirt, and walked up the cobblestone path towards the house. Once inside Marissa looked to the left and saw two boys sitting in the living room. They were sprawled out on the couch watching MTV.
One was Michael Segar, Anne's son. The other was Michael's friend Tommy. They were "summer friends" which basically meant that the only time they ever saw each other was when their families were in Newport.
"Hi boys. Is mom at home?"
Michael replied, "Yeah she's in the kitchen."
"Thanks Michael. Nice to see you again Josh." Marissa shot a cheeky smile in his direction.
"Um, you too Mrs. Fleming."
As she entered the kitchen, Michael looked over at Josh and quietly said, "What was that all about?"
"Um it's probably nothing," Josh was quick to reply.
*****
Anne was busy cutting carrots on the granite kitchen countertop.
"Wow hun. The way you cut those carrots makes me glad I'm not a guy." Anne looked up at her. "Only kidding. Don't kill me."
"Marissa, what are we ever going to do about me? I'm such a lost cause."
Anne and Marissa walked over to the kitchen breakfast table and sat down. Anne was clearly upset and Marissa had a genuine look of concern on her face.
Marissa was hesitant to open her mouth to reveal what has was about to say. This was Marissa's secret to happiness. It was the one thing that kept her going after all this years in a dead end marriage. What made it hard to say was that she never felt it necessary to tell anyone up to this point.
Finally, she leaned over to Anne and in a faint whisper she said, "I'm in a secret society."