Janis was at her desk when I got to work Monday morning. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"I'm okay," she said avoiding eye contact with me.
"About Saturday night...."
"I don't want to talk about it." She handed me some papers. "Here are your messages."
I took the messages and went to my cubicle. My eyes were watering when I set my briefcase on my desk. She had gotten under my skin. Was I falling in love with her? I hardly knew her. We had only had one date. Well, two if you count the jogging. Three if you include Saturday night. Besides, I still had a lot of wild oats to sew. There were pussies I hadn't fucked. Her family was very open-minded. Maybe she would agree to an open relationship. Dammit! Why couldn't she just be a bimbo?
My day was miserable. I caught myself making dumb mistakes. Simple addition might as well have been calculus. My stomach knotted up every time I passed her desk. I was certain she would never forgive me, which made the pain even worse. The clock seemed to be running backward; I thought the day would never end.
Tuesday was a repeat of Monday. I tried again to apologize, and again she blew me off. I tried inviting her to lunch, but she, of course, politely declined. Did I see a smirk on her face?
We went through the same routine on Wednesday. My stomach felt like it was developing an ulcer. I couldn't concentrate on my work. I didn't want to look for another job, but it seemed like that might be my best option.
Thursday morning when I greeted her, she responded with a smile. "By the way," she said, "Mom wants to know if you want to go jogging Saturday morning."
My heart palpitated. Was this her way of forgiving me? Or way I being set up for more torment? I hesitated a moment as indecision passed over me. I didn't want anymore heartache, but I didn't want to lose her either. "Sure," I said. "Eight o'clock?"
"Perfect. I'll let her know."
I was giddy with excitement. My work still suffered, albeit for a different reason. Her smile was back, which was a great relief. She still refused my lunch invitations, but the turndown was easier to take knowing I would be with her on Saturday. Friday night I could not get to sleep. At one a.m. I got up and drank a couple beers. I fell asleep on the sofa holding the second bottle.
I awoke with a start at eight-fifteen. Realizing I didn't have Millie's phone number, I quickly dressed in my jogging suit and dashed out the door with a clean shirt and pants in hand. I was forty minutes late when I rang her doorbell.
"It's about time," Millie said when she opened the door.
"I apologize," I said. "I overslept. I don't see Janis's car."
"She called and said she wasn't feeling well, so it will just be the two of us. I hope that's okay with you."
"I was looking forward to seeing her today, but if she's under the weather, it's best she get her rest. I'm ready if you are."
We took off down the street following the same route we had taken the week before. I had run during the week in an effort to build up my stamina. A week isn't enough time for a major improvement, but I wasn't quite as winded when we got back to her house. She kept up a conversation while we were running. Everything she said seemed to have sexual overtones. It wasn't the subject matter, but in the way she phrased her statements. I couldn't be sure if she was referring to Janis and me, or if I was being propositioned, or if it was her natural way of speaking. Back in the kitchen, she fixed us tall glasses of ice water. I downed mine in less than a minute and refilled it.
"Time to hit the shower," she said when her glass was empty.
"Okay," I said, "ladies first."
"No, guests first."
I got my clean clothes from my car and went to the bathroom. I didn't lock the door. Fresh towels had already been set out. After starting the water, I stripped out of my sweaty running gear. I wished I had brought a bag to put them in. Next time, I told myself. It might take a while, but I was determined to get courtesy down to a science. When the water was hot enough, I stepped under the shower head and closed the stall door. Just as I got the washcloth lathered up with soap, Millie opened the bathroom door and came in totally naked. She stepped into the shower.