It was probably the worst year of Jackie's life. Between the kids, the house, Ian and having nothing really substantive to consume her time during the year, she had become very disappointed in herself and had lost some of her self esteem. She used to be truly independent and pretty much stayed that way through the beginning of her marriage. When she quit working to oversee the activities of a teenager and preteen is when she started to lose focus. She secured a part time job but the position turned out to be a mental game with her boss and she finally quit. The job did not serve the purpose it was intended, giving her fulfillment and self worth.
The year came to a close with her Marine husband being deployed missing Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, their anniversary, and probably her upcoming birthday. His lack of discretion and consideration in screwing a 30 year old also did not do much for her self esteem. At 52 years old she felt empty and decided she needed to find a job to give her back some of that self esteem she lost. Enough was enough and she decided that she was going to get dressed up and head downtown for a job fair.
Frost on the windows reminded her to get a warm coat for the walk from the car to the convention center. She got in the car and backed out of the driveway and started to make her way downtown. The radio station reported that traffic was moving well. She thought that it would be no time before she was down there handing out resumes. It was on the two lane road that she felt the car pulling a little to the right so she decided to see if there was something wrong with the tire. She retrieved her coat from the backseat and went out to look.
The wind was blowing so she held her coat shut while she looked down at the tire, certainly flat. "Shit!" she said out loud knowing that there was no one there to hear her. She shivered as she stood there deciding what to do. The wind blew around her blond hair that she worked so long on to get just right. Can't call Ian as he is half way around the world in a country where you sweat year round, the boys and her daughter were working, and she didn't have any roadside assistance. That only left one solution; she had to change the tire.
As she walked around the front of the car to get back in and warm up a man pulled in behind her and exited a new Lexus.
"Hi," Cliff said. "Are you having car problems?"
Always hesitant of strangers, Jackie started to say that everything was okay, but she noticed that he was driving a nice car and was sharply dressed. After a few seconds she decided to take a chance and tell him about the tire. He was about 35 years old, 6 feet tall, fit with brown hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face.
"Yes," Jackie replied. "The front tire is flat."
"Do you have a spare?" Cliff inquired.
"Well yes, but that isn't necessary. I was preparing to change it myself, "Jackie said trying to sound independent.
"Well not dressed as pretty as you are," Cliff remarked with a smile that displayed pearly white teeth. "That would be wrong. Let me do that for you."
"Well thank you, "Jackie said with a smile of her own. She went to the driver's seat and popped the trunk.
Once opened Cliff grabbed the spare and the jack components and brought them over to the flat tire. He got down and started loosening the lug nuts.
"You don't know how much I appreciate this," Jackie said.
As Cliff looked up at her and replied, "No problem." He followed her shapely legs to the bottom of her coat. This did not go unnoticed by Jackie who felt her face flush despite the chilling temperature.
"Why don't you sit inside the car where you will be warmer," he said.
"No that is okay," Jackie replied, "I will stay out here with you for moral support," and let you stare at my legs, she thought to herself. It has been a long time since a man paid attention to her.
Cliff steadily progressed in changing the tire. When a gust of wind picked up he looked up to Jackie only to see her coat fly open. He now saw the rest of her legs up to the bottom of the red dress she was wearing, cut about an inch or so above her knees. Smiling Cliff began to think that this may be his mark for the evening.
Cliff finished up the job by putting the jack and flat into the trunk. He slammed it shut and said, "Well that spare should be able to get you where you are going tonight."
Jackie looked at her watch and said, "kind of too late for that, but thank you so much for changing the tire. Can I give you a little something for your troubles?"
"No, that's okay. My pleasure. If you want, you can buy me a drink. I am staying up the street and there is a great lounge on the ground floor. Shame to get all dressed and not show off that beautiful dress."
Jackie thought for a moment. She wasn't going to present a resume with her hair a mess and she felt a bit disheveled. Having a drink with a handsome guy that just complemented her and not to go home to an empty house was a great alternative. "Okay, sounds like a great idea. I will follow you there."
They both got in their cars and Jackie followed Cliff to the Hilton Hotel. They parked and entered through the back doors which lead to the lounge. Cliff helped her off with her coat and pulled out her chair while they took a table in the back corner of the lounge. A real gentleman Jackie thought.
When the waitress came over Jackie asked Cliff what he was drinking. "Crown Royal neat," he replied.
"And for you Miss?" the waitress asked.
Jackie was a big fan of Crown Royal in her younger days and decided that she would take a step back in time and order the same.
They downed their first drinks, ordered an appetizer and had a second round while talking about their backgrounds and experiences. The alcohol facilitated frequent bouts of uncontrollable laughter as they exchanged stories. On a couple of occasions Cliff's had made its way to her arm. His soft touch sent a jolt of electricity through her body and she felt herself getting excited. At one point Jackie had to use the lady's room and Cliff got up as she left the table. Although she wasn't drunk she was a little off balance and Cliff steadied her, preventing her from falling and making a scene. With his arm wrapped around her Jackie closed her eyes and relished the strength and security it offered.
In the ladies room Jackie wondered what had gotten into her. Was it the hormone replacement therapy that was causing her to get so excited? Although she wanted the attention of a man, she really didn't as she already had one and one was certainly enough. She dabbed some cold water on her face, fixed her makeup and headed back to the table.
"Well I think I should be going," Jackie said. "Thank you so much for your help today and the company. I had a great time."