A Beautiful Affair

It was 6:30 in the morning and I had already been up since sunlight first began dusting away the darkness. Patiently, I waited, beautifying myself, until he was woken by the soft light rays filtering through the blinds. Teasingly, I expedited light’s entrance by playfully tugging on the cord just enough to crack the blinds and gradually wake him. I kissed him now and then. He loved me so much, I knew he didn’t really mind, although sometimes he’d toss a pillow at me, all in fun, of course.

He was the kindest man I ever met. I really don’t recall our first meeting. To me, it seemed we had been together forever. He always remarked how beautiful I was and uttered only kind words to me, even when he was deeply upset. Once, he had gotten fired from a job. I don’t think he liked the job, but the firing truly upset him. At the time I selfishly protested as he always smelled when he came home. A sort of mix of silt and ash. Refinery work. Dreadful. Money was never a concern for me so secretly, I was delighted he was home more, and I always hated that smell of ash on his clothes. In fact, I didn’t care much for fire. The very thought of him working around it - shudders. Perhaps it’s true what is one’s tragedy is another’s fortune. Sadly, though, he was miserable that day. This I understood. Soothingly, I was there to listen and took in what he said, and loved on him. He quieted, I cuddled next to him and, well, that was a beautiful moment.

This morning he woke gradually, and greeted me lovingly. I kissed him. He was always so kind and I loved him for it. So service oriented too. A real man. He always insisted on preparing my breakfast. This morning was no different. I waited for him to get done in the restroom, lingering in front of the mirror getting my appearance just right, and we then went into the kitchen together. Over breakfast, I couldn’t help but stare at him lovingly as he ate.

“Hello, beautiful,” he reached out to me. When he touched me it was always so magical, it gave me chills. I couldn’t ask for a better man.

“Yes, my love.”

“I have a special someone for you to meet tonight. It’s Friday, so I’ll be home a little bit earlier and I figure we’ll have a nice dinner together and maybe watch a movie. We’re just getting to know each other but, I think you’ll like her.”

I was distracted by the fact that he was playing with my ear and caressing my face. But, then he got up from the table and it sunk in.

“Her? What do you mean by her? Just getting to know her? Who is this her?”

“I’ve got to go Beautiful. See you tonight.”

And with that he left.

How dare he! Like hell, I was going to do the dishes. What did he think this was? Maybe he means she’s elderly and a motherly type? No. No. He said they are “getting to know each other”, THAT can only mean one thing. I could not be more furious. I paced. What else was I to do? I mean I could leave. But then I’ll never meet this “her”. Maybe I’m overreacting. I started to fiddle with my nails. Yes, that’s better, I must be overreacting. Surely, he doesn’t have another lady in his life. But what if? Oh I couldn’t think the thought.

Had I been too quiet? After all our time together. Was I just being used? Oh, this was fretful. The house was a mess too. I started to try and neaten up the couch but, why? Why do anything? If he really had another lady, I guess I..I..I don’t know what I’ll do. Clearly my wits were not up to this. I paced some more. What to do. Do I just up and leave? I don’t know how to reach him. I’ve always blindly trusted him. I knew I should go with him to work. I knew it. I do remember trying. No, no, he insisted I stay home and wait for him to return. Be his Princess. He told me how much he loved me and begged me to cooperate. Who was I to question him. His eyes. So lovely. He was such a kind man. But now this! Her! He has another lady. He must! Clearly, he announced it. Like everything else, I’d just take it in stride. I was hopping mad.

Crash!

Startled I jumped the hell out of the way and out of the room. I realized I had to calm down. I was shaking. Never had I been so disturbed. After a bit, I looked back into the living room. The lamp. In my distress I had knocked over the lamp and the bulb burst. Well, he deserved it. And NO, I was not going to clean that up!

I spent the rest of the day fretting. I tried to nap. There was a side of me intensely curious. What did she look like? Was she one of these girls that smelled from across the room? Does he love her like me? Was she just a librarian friend over for a good read? No, he said, “movie” so clearly not. Could she even read at all?

Suddenly, the rattle of keys at the door. I looked at the clock, 3:30, he was indeed early. I couldn’t resist getting up to greet him. I should be fair, maybe he would explain more. Be patient. Be loving. Give it time. I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. I mean he was caressing me at the time.

“Hello, Beautiful. So good to see you.”

I couldn’t help but show him I loved him. I hugged him before he could fully get in the door.

“Yes, I love you too. Ok, let me come in here.”

“Well,” I said, waiting for him to explain.

“Well, well, well,” he said, “it’s going to be a great night. She said she’d be here at five so I’ve got a little time to neaten things up. You are going to like her.”

I was appalled. Really? Then before I could speak, he noticed the lamp.

“Hey, what’s this? I leave you and you do this? Are you jealous or something? Not enough attention? What’s with breaking up the place? One more thing to handle before she comes. I don’t want her to think badly of you.”

“Really!?” I didn’t want to talk. He went for the vacuum and that was too much. I just left and went and lay down in the guest room. If he cares he’ll come see me, otherwise, to hell with it.

I waited for over an hour. Finally, he stood in the doorway. I held back tears. He walked over reaching out to me.

“What is up with you? You seem upset. Look, tonight is going to be very nice for both of us. I know it might take some getting used to but, I think she’s a good girl and you’re going to like her. I plan to take it slow, but feel free to join in. You are my beautiful misses, you know.”

I ignored him. That’s all I could do. Ignore. It’s a statement. You have to make a statement now and then. Say what you want, but it is repulsive if you think I want any part of your lurid plans. Ignore. He kissed my head. After tormenting me with words, he had the nerve to kiss my head!

He left to make dinner. Normally, I’d come join him and rub up close behind him and... NOT tonight. Definitely not!

The door bell rang. It was “her”. She had a lilting voice as she entered. I got up and stood in the shadows and peered around the door stealth-like. She was taller than I expected. He seemed a different person. His kindness was there, he took her coat and purse, but he communicated a lot more. They both did. Back and forth. When she spoke he really gave her his full attention. Oftentimes, I felt he was just shining me on. She was so different than me, but a lady all the same. Surprisingly, she didn’t smell badly at all. The fragrance seemed to welcome itself in my nostrils. Perhaps she wasn’t as evil as I thought.

No, it was him. He brought her here. How could he be so insensitive. Leaving me alone all day and then inviting her here. This was our place. She could be a victim as well.

They spent time in the kitchen making dinner together. I just watched. Clearly he had a new love now. That was obvious. I felt a turning in my stomach. Things had changed. He laughed with her. He seldom did with me. As much as it bewildered me and made me question everything about myself and our relationship, I couldn’t help but see he was truly delighted to be entertaining her. For so many years I loved this man, nursed him through his roughest times and never had I seen him so happy as I was observing. What would this mean for me? What now? Is this how our relationship goes. Will it be three instead of two? Share a man? That seems so unnatural. Should I just leave?

I must have made a sound as the attention suddenly fell on me. He spoke, “Oh, I want you to meet someone.”

Frankly, I was a bit appalled, as he acted like he just thought of it. Clearly, he was in my thoughts far more than I was in his. Another telltale sign.

“Beautiful, come here. Come meet Maggie.”

Was I to obey like some dog? How rude. I was no dog. That he even called me beautiful in front of her. What, were we now to cat-fight for his pleasure?

“She’s a bit shy.”

“Oh, my gosh, you ARE beautiful. He told me so much about you, but you really are delightful!” The woman spoke to me. I was a bit overcome with all the admiration. In fact, I wasn’t able to muster a protest much less a hiss of disgust. She was indeed something. I could see why he liked her. She was a pleasure.

Just then he did something he very seldom did and made me feel like a child. He picked me up and carried me over to her.

“Beautiful, I’d like you to meet, Maggie. Maggie, this is my cat, Beautiful, who I love dearly.”

“She is lovely.”

And I thought so too.

The End