The day after Jeannine's party was slow and relaxing. John was recuperating from the late night of drinking and I took the time to gather my thoughts. I noticed Tommy never came home that night and I assumed he spent the night at Gina's. The thought of my son sleeping with Gina and Elaine made me wish I was curled up beside him even if I was just watching him fuck both girls.
In the early afternoon I sat down on the couch watching John who was poised above mountain of papers in a nearby loveseat. He didn't even notice me sneak in.
"You look busy," I finally said.
He looked up and slowly focused on me from above the reading glasses he had on.
"Hey babe, sorry, I have a shitload of work to get done today. How are you doing?"
"Probably better then you. You look like crap and probably have a nice hangover. You drank a lot last night."
He gave me an apologetic smile.
"I know, but it was fun, I love those parties . . .drinks, good conversation, drinks. You did enjoy yourself didn't you?"
Boy, did I ever! If he only knew - but I couldn't show it to him and I wanted to convince him not to go to Jeannine's party next weekend. Something about that guy, James, and Sarah's looks, and Sarah's suddenly volunteering the help out.
"It was boring John. I hate when everyone around me drinks heavily and I'm the only one sober. I have no one to talk to."
He paused for a moment, thinking.
"Baby, it's not that bad. I watched you talk to some people, Jeannine, and even that guy James, you must have enjoyed a conversation with him . . ."
I tensed up. How much did he see? He was completely drunk, how could he have seen our conversation in the kitchen?
"I didn't talk to him that much. He seemed pretty arrogant. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the parties it's just that I wish everyone would not drink that much."
John got up and walked up to me taking a seat beside me. He gave me a warm hug and a kiss.
"I know, and I apologize for drinking that much. I love you babe and I wish you would have fun too. Maybe next weekend you can have a couple of drinks as well."
I looked at him pleadingly.
"Do we really have to go? Maybe we can just have a night out for ourselves."
"Nonsense, we are already locked in and you, my beautiful wife, are supposed to help out, remember? I don't think Jeannine would forgive you for backing out on her now."
I fell silent for a while and John went back to working on his papers. He was right, Jeannine counted on me and backing out of helping her would not go over well.
At about 3 PM the phone rang, I was surprised to find Raven on the other end.
"Hi Kate," She said with her sexy voice - the image of the black-haired beauty from the strip club filled my mind in vivid detail.
"Oh Hi Raven," I answered in a low tone keeping my eye on my husband sitting in the living room.
"I'm disappointed in you, you never came by like you said you would."
She was referring to the promise I made in Betty's sex shop. I had told her I would visit her at her new strip club.
"I know . . .I was just busy that's all."
"Busy or not when you make a promise you keep it," She pointed out.
"Raven, I really don't think I should, I mean - It's a strip club!"
"So? It's not like you have never been to a strip club before. Besides Kate, you owe me."
I knew exactly what she was referring to, my visit with Frank to a strip club where she used to work where Frank and his buddies nearly raped me. Raven was the one who told Adam about it who then saved me from being taken against my will. I felt thankful and obligated and now she decided to play that card. I sighed knowing I did owe her.
"I know. I just don't know when I can get away, Raven."
"Today! You will meet me at Starbucks downtown near Alhambra and Stockton. Be there at 4."
I heard the line go dead. She hung up and didn't even allow me to answer. I thought of my options: I could ignore her - and probably at some point in the future have her call back. ( I might not be so lucky next time if my husband answered - which might lead to an uncomfortable [for me] conversation between my husband and Raven); Or, I could go and meet her and get it over with. I looked at John hunched over his papers. It did not look like he was ready to spend any time with me. He must have sensed my looking at him because he slid his glasses down his nose and gave me a questioning look.
"Who was it babe?"
"Oh, just one of the girlfriends, she called wondering if I had time to get together."
Should I? Or should I not? I just had the feeling meeting Raven would lead to something I should not be getting into.
"That's perfect! I have all this work to do and you have some time right now to do it! Why don't you go?"
"Oh, I don't know. I haven't seen her in a while - I'm just not sure."