Sunday, August 31, 2008

The Clothing Exchange

Can a small incident make a big change in your life? Perhaps. I think that's just what happened to me the other day. I've always thought of myself as straight, not even bisexually curious. I'm a woman in my mid-30s, single, and never got hot looking at other women.

I know I'm not terribly pretty, but I'm decent looking, I think. I'm also a bit plump, but it doesn't bother me. Perhaps that's why I'm a good friend with Rachel, my sister-in-law. She's also a bit of a plain-Jane, in her mid-thirties and, since her marriage to my brother five years ago, has grown a bit round in the waist and bottom, like me.

Two weeks ago, she called and said she was about to get rid of some clothes she could no longer fit into. She was sure I still had the figure to fit into the more slender garments, and even though I disagreed, I told her I'd stop by and see what she had.

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Happy Birthday

Jan closed the heavy wooden door and then leaned against it and sighed deeply. What a morning, she thought. First Bob, her husband of over twenty years, lost his briefcase. She'd found it for him and was trying to get breakfast ready, when Eric, her eldest, announced he was quitting his job. This provoked a fight with his father that Jan broke up only by stepping between them. Janie, her middle child, had then come into the kitchen with both hands filled with clothes and wailed that she had nothing to wear. Finally, the twins were fighting over the red toothbrush all the while the pancakes were burning.

Thus began another typical morning at the Hobson residence. Bob had left for work having barely eaten after a final threat to his son; he hadn't even remembered to give Jan a peck on the cheek. Eric had stormed out of the house cursing all adults, despite the fact that she'd interceded for him. Janie had finally left for school in something approaching appropriate dress after Jan had sent her to change no less than three times. Janie hadn't eaten either, and had accused her mother of being "a hopelessly old fashioned prude". Meanwhile, the twins made a complete mess in the kitchen by throwing syrup-coated pancake pieces at one another. Jan had barely had them cleaned up and redressed when their bus arrived.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Irish Eyes

The big Jag pulled into an empty parking place at the top of the cliff. The Irish sea roiled under storm clouds beyond the guard rail. A woman emerged from the powerful car and walked hesitantly to the rail, tall and graceful in high heels. She was old now, nearing her fifty-first birthday, but still striking, body lush and curvy, the legs still well toned in their black stockings. Her white silk blouse did little to hide a bust that had been called the highest peaks in county Mayo when she was young. Her face was lined now, but the small wrinkles gave her an air of dignity and elegance, as did the silver crown of hair. Her green eyes were beautiful and vibrant, although today they had a far away quality.

She glanced back at the small park behind her. When she'd left Ireland, the park had been a wood, wild and untamed. Now there were several tourists in loud clothes with cameras strung to their necks. An elderly couple sat on a bench and a young woman with dark hair sat on a blanket on the ground. The young woman seemed to be staring at Katherine, but Katherine decided that the girl was probably staring at the sea.

What did you expect? Katherine asked herself. It was thirty years ago, a promise made by silly young lovers in the heat of passion. Marianne would probably be laughing if she knew you had traveled all the way here to keep that date. Marianne. The image of the small dark girl flashed before her eyes, Marianne dressed in the same dress she had worn that warm summer's eve. Romantic old fool, she thought and turned back to the sea.

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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Such a Smile

Such a smile. It pulled you inward. It drew you forward and toward it. It made you spiral. Completely perfect. Perfect teeth. Perfect lips. It made you want to kiss her. Kiss her? She's a woman for god's sake. I'm a woman for god's sake. What is up with me? I'm not a lesbian! I'm in a committed relationship with a man that I greatly care for. Well, yes, it could be better I suppose. Roger could be a bit selfish at times and it would be nice if he helped more with the domestic chores. But, we enjoy each other's company and the sex is good, mostly. And we've built a comfortable home together and life together. We were pleasantly content ... yeah, that's how I would describe it, pleasantly content.

So why should a smile affect me so? Fluster me so? And from a woman!

I work for a foundation, which funds various charitable causes. To raise money for our foundation, we annually hold a reception at some fancy hotel or another to which we sell corporate sponsorships. In turn, the corporations receive invitations that permit various employees within their organizations to attend the reception. Because of that, it is not unusual to see many unfamiliar faces at these functions - you never know who at the corporation will take possession of the invitations. And so it was with her - Miss Make-My-Knees-Wilt-With-Her-Smile. Who was she? What corporate entity did she represent? She was in a small circle of people across the room from me, obviously the center of attention of everyone around her. She clearly captivated the attention of other's also- not just me.

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