Chapter Three
Gail
I was nursing a cosmopolitan alone at the bar looking like a sad case of being stood up by a blind date. It was a crying shame to have somebody like him off the market. I was beginning to think that all the good ones were either married or gay. It didn’t leave much on the bone for those of us still looking for their significant other.
“I think somebody needs another drink. I’m sorry I even made the suggestion about going out for drinks. It doesn’t look like you are in any mood to socialize. It probably didn’t help any matters when I mentioned he was married.” I could see the shining example of his fidelity on his finger mocking me from across the room.
“I’m making the best out of a bad situation.” I wanted to feel numb and forget it was my birthday.
“I haven’t heard him talk about anyone special in his life. It could be he’s trying to separate his professional life from his personal life. I have to admit he does look pretty damn good in and out of his uniform.” I knew what he meant, but anybody overhearing would have been given the impression they had been intimate.
“Lower your voice and we don’t want to give people the wrong idea.” I had known for quite some time his fascination for men in uniform was his Achilles heel.
“I’ve never been one to be quiet about anything in my life. The day I came out of the closet was liberating. I don’t care what other people think.” The one thing I admired about Henry was how he could rise above petty differences.
“I didn’t give 20-years of my life for nothing. People have the right to live the way they want to without being judged. As long as you’re not hurting anyone then there shouldn’t be any problem.” I wasn’t aware Chase was even behind me until he spoke. He was quiet and reserved without any wasted motion.
“I’m glad to see somebody agrees with me. I didn’t come to work for Mr. Dane to be labeled and ridiculed. I made sure to be upfront with him from the very beginning about my open sexuality. He was actually very understanding and made me feel at home.” I felt the same way that Henry did and was surprised to learn Chase was open minded.
He seemed rigid in posture and in his thinking. It was possible he was only saying what we wanted to hear, but I didn’t think so. I was going to go home and dress up for the occasion, but it didn’t seem necessary knowing he was already taken.
“Henry, life is precious and there’s no time for regrets. I don’t prescribe to my own advice, but maybe I could take a page from your book. Sitting in silence and doing nothing has never been my strong suit. Expect me to be heard when I have something to say.” He did have a military bearing even in the suit he was wearing.
“I do have a prior commitment, but I am leaving you in capable hands. Gail is one of my best friends and I would appreciate you keeping her company in my absence.” I didn’t think he was bowing out gracefully like that, especially because the colonel has a wedding ring on his finger.
He was never one to believe in commitment. This was one of those contentions between us.
“That is a nice locket.” Henry had given me a silver heart shaped locket with both of our pictures inside.
“Henry gave me present for my thirtieth birthday.” I was going to treasure it.
“A woman on her birthday should never have to drink alone.” His voice was loud and I looked around to make sure nobody else from the office had heard his declaration.
“I don’t like my birthday and I never have. It could stem from my father leaving the family on my 11th birthday. I’m sure any therapist would have some choice words to say about that.” I kept looking at his ring finger and imagining the lucky woman who had captured his attention.
“A birthday is a chance to celebrate a milestone. Turning thirty is a big achievement. Some people don’t even know what they want to do at that age. Others already have their lives mapped out for them. Each milestone gives you the opportunity to reinvent yourself.” His lips were moving, but I could barely hear him over the muscles bulging from his overdeveloped body.
“I would rather have a quiet ceremony in private. I don’t even know why I told Henry. He has this funny way of getting me to open up. He knows me a little too well.” I needed the liquid courage and downed the cosmopolitan to be replaced by another one at my request.
“I think you can handle something stronger. I turned them onto a drink I made call the Bamboozle.” His hands were huge and I could envision them manhandling me into submission.
“I’ve never been known to handle my liquor. I had one experience which left holes in my memory in Mexico on spring break. I was dragged there kicking and screaming by a friend. She abandoned me when the police found me walking topless in the street out of my mind on too many tequila shots.” I was still fuzzy on the details, but I did have a story to tell to anyone who was willing to listen.
“Liquor opens you up to doing something you would never consider otherwise. I’m going to make it my personal mission to make your birthday something memorable. It’s time for you to be reckless and a little careless. My motorcycle is down the street. I could be convinced to give you a ride.” He wasn’t drinking, but I felt it was necessary to pickle myself.
I had a few drinks with this warm sensation running through me. My head felt light and the room was spinning counterclockwise. I tried to stand up, but my legs weren’t exactly seaworthy.
“I’m going to take a rain check on getting on a motorcycle in my condition. I hope you’re not the type of guy to take advantage of a woman who isn’t in control. I could probably be convinced to do practically anything.” I was giving him an opening and afraid that he would take it.
“I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I didn’t escort you home. We can stay until last call. We’ll get some water into you to ward off the effects of the liquor running through your bloodstream.” He wasn’t suggesting a nightcap back at his place.
It would’ve been extremely awkward with his lady love leering at me with judgment in her eyes.
“I could use some coffee.” Black coffee was a good way to counteract the liquor that was making me touch him inappropriately.
“Actually, water is the cure. You are dehydrated from the alcohol.”
I squeezed his muscle and he flexed it to make me jump back in startled surprise. I didn’t mean to be bold. I was prepared to blame it on the Alcohol.
“Don’t be so rough. I’m going to need that arm tomorrow to put the new trainees through their paces. I have to get up at revelry. I have a routine which I follow religiously like my own personal bible.” I wanted to be the fly on the wall to see him up at the crack of dawn showering and sweating through whatever regime he put his body through. Not necessarily in that order.
“I would think by now you would be used to being fawned over. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you’re dead. I would like to know what kind of woman has the power to tie you down for a commitment.” He was plainly out of my league and playing in his sandbox was asking to take the walk of shame.
“My personal life is my business. I don’t mean to be defensive, but some things are better left alone. I want you to come with me. There’s something I want you to see. It will give you some idea of the trials and tribulations other soldiers have endured for our freedoms. People tend to forget the sacrifices made to make it possible for them to drink their fancy coffees in the morning.” He was draped in the flag metaphorically speaking, but I could see the pride he had for his country oozing out of every pore.
“I think I know where you want to go. I’ve always meant to visit. There’s no time like the present.” Those who had been there claimed to see things differently like a light bulb going off over their heads.
“Arlington Cemetery is home to several of my friends. I feel it’s important from time to time to remind myself of those who fought valiantly. I’ve never brought a woman with me. There’s always a first time for everything.” I had glasses of water and was feeling somewhat like myself, but still having vivid and wild fantasies about him in various states of undress.
“I would be honored to share this experience with you. I don’t know what makes me special.” I was a little flippant in my youth about the war effort.
“Your birthday is a great time to reflect on the past and on those who will never celebrate another birthday again. We can toast to their memories together. It’s a sobering moment when you witness the land marred by tombstones.” He ordered a bottle of champagne still corked and held it in one hand high above his head like a trophy.
I was going to ask him how his wife might think about him spending time with another woman. It didn’t seem important enough to voice my concern. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. He hadn’t tried to put the moves on me. I doubted seriously he was going to have his way with me in the cemetery.
“Life is too damn short to look back at all the things I’ve never done. I have had thoughts about going on vacation to someplace tropical. It would be nice to have somebody there with me.” I was hinting at the possibility of him join me on the hot sand with the surf crashing against the shore.
“I hate the heat more than you know. I’m much more comfortable when there’s a chill in the air. I should have been born a December baby.” He was drinking an abundance of apple cider and a couple of his drinks in the virgin variety.
“I’m a little curious to know the reason why you don’t drink.” I was worried he was suffering from being on the wagon and holding onto a sobriety chip in his name.
“I’ve been known to indulge from time to time. I don’t just drink for the sake of feeling nothing. It’s usually in social occasions and when I’m not driving my motorcycle. My place is a little off the beaten track. I’ve seen my life flash before my eyes too many times to let it happen again.” He paid the bill and then I felt his iron grip holding my hand.
I had the perfect view from behind to see his sculpted posterior. It was a blank canvas with the paintbrush of my tongue ready to make him my sexual masterpiece. I was tempted to grab the pipe between his legs, but my morality held me in check.
“I hope you’re not squeamish when I take some of those narrow turns a little too fast. This is the best way to get the adrenaline rush I don’t get when I’m stuck on civilian ground.” It was a beautiful black Harley Davidson with gleaming chrome.
He got on and handed me a helmet which I reluctantly took from him. We grazed fingertips and stood still for over 30-seconds. I could only imagine what he was thinking.
The rev of the engine was nothing compared to when I draped my leg over the side and settled in behind him. The vibration alone was enough to get me there without any kind of manual stimulation.