Twenty Four

Fawne

Fawne danced an extra set, she was filling in for Bambi who had some business to take care of in town. Stew rarely let any of them dance double sets, but he knew that if anybody could keep the crowd interested that it would be Fawne.

She took the stage and the electricity in the large open room seemed to surge toward her as the attention shifted. Even men in mid lap dance looked up at her as the lights hit her and Bambi's music began. Nobody knew this, not even Bones, but this would be her last week stripping. She was quitting without a notice. She had managed to save up enough money to do without a job for awhile. She had big decisions to make, and didn't need John popping up out of the blue and clouding her view.

The last note of Tina Turner's What's Love Got to Do With It sounded and she rolled her eyes as she left the stage, pulling Bambi's frizzy afro wig off and shaking her own hair free. She was starting to feel dirty for putting her body on display, something that only weeks before she didn't think was possible for her to feel.

"Evening  Bones." she said as she pulled a chair closer to him.

"Evening darling." Bones winked at her and handed her his half finished beer.

"No thanks," she almost gagged at the thought of it and hoped he didn't notice.

"You okay?" Bones could sense a difference in her, but he didn't quite know what.

"I'm fine, just hate dancing to other people's music."

"Oh." Bones looked her over. The sequined top left nothing to the imagination. Her breasts looked fuller than ever and he just knew that he had almost no choice but to fall for this girl. She was perfect, sweet, innocent, yet good at warming things up. She was the exact opposite of the wife he used to know so well. She cared about people, listened to his ideas about the world, and made him feel strong and competent.

"Get to work Fawne." Stew came over and leaned over her. "You're covering for Bambi remember?"

Fawne stood up, adjusted her top and bit Bones farewell. Reminding him sweetly that she would need a ride in a little over an hour. She literally couldn't wait.

***

Bones parked his convertible in what had recently become their spot. The air was crisp but comfortable, and the stars were clear above them. They talked about the world around them. Everything from politics-- which Fawne didn't know or care too much about, to cosmetics-- which Bones didn't know too much about. They enjoyed just talking and getting to
know each other.

Judy constantly teased Bones about his growing infactuation with Fawne, and Fawne came into the bar less and less. She didn't like the thought of John being able to track her down so easily. It was bad enough that he knew where she worked, but the last thing she wanted to do was run into him at the bar and fall like putty into his handsome arms again. She wondered if she'd ever be able to resist him? She hadn't done a very good job of it before.

The conversation about Stew's funny tie collection lulled and Bones had the sudden urge to kiss Fawne. He spent night after night watching her body out on full display. He had her memorized from top to bottom and side to side. He wanted to know other parts of her-- he needed to. He wanted her for his own, even though she was only about four years older than his oldest daugher, she seemed like she was on his level in so many ways. He knew that they would be a perfect fit... He just knew it.

Bones leaned in toward her and even though Fawne wanted more than anything to be kissed by him, she leaned back and asked him what he was doing. "We're just friends, Bones. You know that."

Bones felt like he had been slapped in the face and ran his hands over his forehead in embarrassment. "I'm sorry."

"Remember that lapdance I gave you a few months ago?"

"Yes, how could I forget? It's etched in my brain." Bones didn't know what she was getting at, but then again he didn't know much. Why had he decided to kiss her tonight? They had been parking in this spot to talk for several weeks now, why did he have to go ruin it now?

"Well, you could tell I liked it right? You know I like you back..."

Bones' ears perked up at the sound of this. It was a glimmer of hope at the end of a long steamy smoke filled sweaty tunnel.

"How could I not? You're wonerful and we're great friends. I don't want to ever mess that up. Not ever." The truth was that he was the only friend she really had in the entire world. Sure there were a few of the girls at the club that she liked pretty well, but she hadn't let herself become close with them. They only cared about making money and looking good. She needed more depth that than if she was going to offer herself up to someone as a friend. Especially since she didn't have any family to call her own. Friends were important and she didn't take her friendship with Bones lightly at all.

"Me either, but I can't stop thinking about kissing you. And, well, taking care of you Fawne."

"Thank you Bones, but I don't deserve any of that." Fawne wished things were different, but they weren't. She didn't love Bones in that way, and probably never would. She knew he had a crush on her, but her bleeding and battered heart still in many ways belonged to John and always would. Especially now...

Twenty Three

Sarah

 

 

Some days Sarah couldn't help but feel like a single Mom. Clinton had come around more since Dinah was born, but at the same time he was still the sole bread winner of the family and had to work. He was a good Dad and as the kids grew, their relationship seemed to inch along as well. They had date night once a month. Sarah looked forward to a few hours away from diapers and snot and Clinton looked forward to having his face out in public. He was always recognized, always handing out business cards, and always assured Sarah that the women who swooned over him were one sided.

 

 

"I just don't understand," Sarah swallowed a sip of wine and adjusted her loose blouse. All of her clothes were growing too big for her now that she chased around a toddler and lugged around a chubby baby girl. She rarely made time for herself and that included eating. If it wasn't for Clinton being home for dinner more now, she wouldn't even bother to eat that. "You say these beautiful women don't phase you, but how could they not?"

 

 

Clinton swallowed hard and searched his mind for something comforting to say. What exactly could he say? What man's ego wouldn't be stroked by attention from beautiful women? How could he not notice the fact that women seemed to melt in his company on a daily basis? "Honestly I do notice," he started, hoping that it wouldn't lead down a path of anger and regret. "But it doesn't matter. I don't need them, I've got you." He flashed his award winning smile in her direction.

 

The blonde waitress slid the check to him and smiled, flipping her hair as she leaned in to slowly take away his empty plate. What perfect timing. Sarah watched as Clinton smiled back. She almost thought she saw his eye twinkle as she rolled her own eyes. "But you eat it up."

 

"I don't eat it up." Clinton had no idea that he had just flirted back right in front of his wife. "My face is out there Sarah. I have to live up to the hype and be charismatic. If I had a different line of work none of this would be an issue."

 

Sarah thought about it and decided that he had a point. A small one, but a logical one that would keep the insecurities that she felt at bay. He was handsome... Even a nun would take a second look at Clinton Malone. How could she not? "Let's get out of here."

 

"Let's." Clinton stood a helped his wife from her chair, kissing her cheek gently. "I love you, Sarah."

 

"I love you, too." She said with a broad smile. It was obvious that he still did. Even after all of the years they had been together and even after the deceit that she displayed all those months ago. "I want to call Mom and check on the kiddies before we decide what to do next."

 

"Next?" Clinton asked in amazement. Usually they rushed back home so that she could resume her motherly duties. It had been weeks since they had made love and Clinton couldn't help but hope that his wife's nude body would make its way against his own in the near future. They had been intimate for many years and she knew exactly what he liked. More than anyone else could, Sarah could fulfill the urges that being noticed by so many women could pump into a man's veins. She was exactly what he needed tonight.

 

The couple giggled and blushed as they pulled into the motel parking lot. When Sarah heard from her Mother that both of the little ones were already fast asleep she informed her that they would be catching a movie before coming home. That bought them a few hours to enjoy each other and she suggested paying for a hotel instead of parking and making love in the car as they would have done in high school. Clinton, didn't protest. He drove them to a cheap motel and headed inside to secure a room.

 

"Let's pretend that we don't know each other. We only met at the restaurant an hour ago." Sarah said, surprising her husband. This wasn't like her. She must have really felt threatened by the feminine attention he had attracted. She was staking her claim back in him and it was working. He'd be the first to admit that. "I'm Cindy, what's your name?"

 

Clinton's jaw dropped as he stepped out of the elevator. He couldn't think of an exciting name and said "I'm George."

 

Sarah giggled and bit her lip. "Nice to meet you. Now let's make love."

 

The rest of the evening was out of character for Sarah, but it felt liberating in it's own way. She was Cindy, the fun and flirty girl who spotted George and couldn't wait to undress him. Clinton fell into her games like putty and before they knew it neither of them wanted to head back home to the reality that faced them. For a little while, they were the familiar strangers that they had always longed to be.