As is the case with all of my stories, this is a work of fiction. I base my writing on a what if scenario, then fantasise through allowing my mind to wander and imagine the events described. Whilst the memories are fresh in my head, I write them down as vividly as possible. I hope you enjoy my efforts.
*
The second glass of wine slipped down more easily than the first. The music began to run through my soul, taking me over, edging my body into movement synchronised by the rhythm. The last few months had been quite difficult for many reasons and I intended to enjoy this evening. It was my daughter's 18
th
birthday and we had arranged a party for her with no limits on who was invited. We had family coming as well and estimated something like 120 guests in all. At the age of 48, I was beginning to feel old as I looked around the room at my daughter's friends, all in the flush of youth, all with a lifetime to look forward to. I spotted my in laws arriving and also my husband making a beeline to look after them.
I caught a glimpse of myself also. Reflected in the large mirror on one side of the hall, which was used for dancing lessons on occasion, I noted with satisfaction that the black dress I had bought for the occasion was doing its job nicely. Not that I had a bad figure, I was size 10, with a 36 C chest and quite good legs. My breasts had headed south over the years due to breast feeding 3 children and the force of gravity, but my legs were looking OK, especially in the holdup stockings (black of course) that I had decided to wear this evening.
The room was starting to fill rapidly as the younger guests made their way in from various bars and the DJ was playing some more modern dance music. The volume had also gone up. I was suddenly aware of my friend Linda wiggling in front of me with two glasses of wine in her hands. 'Here, take one of these' she offered. 'Got to keep your fluids up.'
We laughed at that as it was something she always said when we ran together. Linda was a fitness fanatic and it showed. She didn't seem to have changed in all the time I had known her. But she still knew how to let her hair down despite her views on healthy diets and exercise. I gladly accepted the new drink and placed my empty glass on a convenient table. We danced together for a few minutes until Linda's husband Pete came and dragged her away.
I gave up smoking years ago, but always enjoyed a puff when I had a drink in my hand. I decided to take the weight off my feet for a few minutes and indulge the beastly habit. The hall had quite extensive gardens to the rear, planted with small trees, flower beds containing a wonderfully scented selection of bedding plants and with picnic style table benches dotted about at random. A number of guests had obviously come out to do the same, or to cool down after the heat of the dance floor. I selected an empty bench facing back towards the building and sat down. The night air slipped into my lungs as easily as the smoke and the effects of the wine became more pronounced.
I had been sitting a couple of minutes, drifting in my own thoughts when a group of youngsters walked past. I couldn't make out who they were as the light from the building cast them as silhouettes. Suddenly a cheerful, if slightly slurred voice exclaimed 'Hello Mrs B, how are you?.'
The voices owner materialised as he slipped onto the bench alongside me and I realised it was Richard, a friend of my eldest daughter Samantha, whose birthday party it was. Richard and Sam had been an item for a few months when they were 16 and although he had been a very regular visitor to my home before and during their time together, I hadn't seen him for well over a year. Richard was with a group of friends, some of whom I recognised and they all sat or stood by "my" bench chatting and laughing.
'It is lovely to see you Richard' I said, 'it has been ages.'
'Yes it has Mrs B, far too long.' Then he paused as he looked directly into my eyes and held my gaze for a few moments. 'Far too long indeed.'
I smiled in return and quickly flicked my eyes over him. He was definitely handsome and looked as though he was visiting a gym. His well-defined arm muscles were obvious as he was wearing a short sleeved shirt which hugged his torso well enough to hint at the work he was obviously putting in. He was not muscle bound, but nicely toned.
I watched his eyes as they darted across my chest, he was obviously inspecting me in the same way that I had done with him a second before. What a shame his view would not be a patch on mine. I was brought round from my musings as Richard's friends started to get up and move away. Someone asked if I wanted another drink and I declined. Richard also declined and remained sitting as they drifted away towards the building and the promise of a refill.
We sat in silence for a few moments before Richard spoke again. 'You look great Mrs B, I love the way you have done your hair and that dress is perfect for you.'
His words slurred a little, but as I have often thought, alcohol just causes one to be more open and say things that would often remain unsaid.
'Thanks Richard, I appreciate that a lot, but you have no need to compliment an old bag like me.'
'The last phrase I would use about you is old bag Mrs B. Everyone thinks you are lovely, we always have.'
I blushed and was grateful for the semi darkness surrounding us. 'You look as though you have been taking good care of yourself too Richard. You have certainly grown up a lot since I have known you.'
Richard made no reply for a moment, but I could see he was looking directly at my cleavage which my dress was highlighting with its black lace vee neckline. His eyes wandered down my body and settled on my thigh which was slightly exposed as the skirt had ridden up when I sat down. The top band of my stocking was just visible. I adjusted my hem to pull it down and maintain my dignity.
Realising I had spotted where he was looking; he hurriedly looked up and said simply 'Thanks.'
We sat in silence for a few moments, sipping on our respective drinks before he spoke again. 'Let's have a slow walk around the gardens.'
Without thinking I stood up, rather awkwardly and he caught my arm as I struggled to extricate myself from the seat whilst maintaining my dignity. Once I was safely up, he moved his hand to my back and encouraged me to walk away from the building towards the bottom of the garden. The sounds of the party drifted on the night air as we slowly placed one foot in front of the other walking side by side in silence. Richard was the first to break the silence.
'I am glad I caught you on your own. I meant what I said just now, it doesn't matter what the others think, although they all agree with me, and you are very lovely. You are beautiful and intelligent and fun to be with, I have missed you .'
I didn't know what to say and was again pleased that it was dark as I felt my face burn, partly due to embarrassment, partly due to an excess of the far too tasty wine. When I eventually found some words I struggled to get them out and stammered the first two. 'A, all, err, all I can, I mean, I am flattered Richard. Thanks, but you should be saying that to some of the beauties in the hall. Maybe we have both had too much drink, I know I have.'
The words sounded slurred, but I thought I had put the right amount of force into them, but not enough to cause offence. I decided to change the subject. 'How are your parents Richard?'
As I finished speaking, Richard swung around and stood directly in front of me. 'They are well thanks, mum had a scare a few months ago when she found a lump, but she got the all clear last week. But you are changing the subject, which is you.'
'Richard, you can't say things like that, you have been drinking and besides, I am literally old enough to be your mother.'
He started to object, but I cut him off in mid-sentence, insisting he walk me back to the hall. To my great relief, he only hesitated for a moment before nodding and leading me back the way we came.
'I would say the same thing sober you know' he said as we carefully made our way over the grass. 'I have had a drink, but not that much and I know what I am saying.'
It was time to pull out the big guns. 'Richard, it is lovely that you think that way, but I am a married woman and the mother of your ex-girlfriend.'
'I don't suppose you realise this, but I stuck with Sam longer than I would have normally, because I didn't want to not see you any more.'
I was once again struck dumb as I struggled to make sense of what he was saying and, if I was honest, my very real ego boost from his words, even if I did suspect the drink was doing the talking. I decided to continue on a firm track.