Sweet Nightfall

by Kathryn Vegas

  Sara grabbed her phone out of her purse to check for any notifications. Nothing. No new texts from Steve. He was flying back to town today from Phoenix. She scrolled for a second on Facebook to make sure she had not missed anything. She put her phone back in her purse. “What are your plans for tonight?”

  “It’s date night,” Kelly said excitedly. “Dropping the kids off at my folks’ house. I’m hoping to get nasty with Jared in an empty house. The kids are fucking driving me nuts and it’s only a few days into Christmas break.”

  Kelly and Jared had started their family early. At twenty-nine she already had a ten and eight year old. Sara had met Kelly’s kids a few times and she believed they could drive anyone crazy. Those two boys of hers were constantly roughhousing. Sara could only handle it for a few minutes before becoming anxious. Kelly was a rough and tumble woman. Sara imagined her man-handling Jared tonight and it made her smile.

  “Does Jared have a safe word?” Sara poked fun.

  “Safe words are for pussies,” Kelly said with a sneer, which made Sara crack up laughing.

  “Poor Jared,” Sara said, shaking her head.

  “Poor Jared my ass, that fucker loves it!” Kelly replied.

  Sara’s imagination swirled with visions of what Kelly and Jared’s sex life might be like behind closed doors. She could see Kelly as a dominatrix with Jared in a ball gag on his knees. Now that would be interesting to see. Sara always wondered about what other people were doing in private. Her vibrating, stoned brain was flying around picturing all kinds of depravity poor old Jared could be enduring.

  Sara could feel her heartbeat.

  Fuck I’m so stoned right now. Am I being weird? My hands feel weird.

  Sara raised her hands and looked at them.

  Oh my god does that seem weird that I’m looking at my hands? She’s never going to smoke with me again if I’m weird.

  “It’s really good weed, huh?” Kelly had seen Sara contemplating her hands.

  Sara couldn’t help but start laughing which made Kelly laugh. Sara decided to be quiet for the rest of the ride and keep her hands in her lap.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was four o’clock. Sara was lying in her bathtub. She had bought one of those shimmering luxury bath bombs on a whim and it was worth every penny. It was pink and covered in fine glitter. It was so feminine and extravagant. The smell of jasmine and clary sage seemed to penetrate her pores. She had prepared her space carefully with candles and her favorite crystals.

  This was a ritual bath to bring out her inner Goddess tonight. She wanted to feel beautiful and be completely uninhibited by any insecurities. This was her chance to put herself out there, to find a partner. Even if Steve turned out not to be it, she would at least give it her all. It would be good practice for the real deal, she told herself.

  Her hair, already washed in the shower earlier, was piled up on top of her head, ready to be styled. Sara was visualizing herself as her best self tonight. Her eyes closed. The pink tinted water lapped against the back of her neck. She loved that sensation. Anything delicately touching the back of her neck always made her shiver with delight.

  Sara’s mind wandered from tonight’s date with Steve to riding with Adam, her go-to fantasy lately for personal gratification. She bit her lip imagining his broad shoulders. Those emerald eyes glittering in the rearview mirror. The seams of his shirt straining against his biceps. The sharp masculine jaw topped with those kissable lips…

  Damn it. Cancel. Cancel. I’m not going on a date with a boy tonight. I’m going on a date with a man. A man in my own age bracket. Stop it.

  Sara remembered Steve’s silver streaked hair. How unfair a man’s graying hair is culturally accepted as distinguished, another level of sexy. She made a face.

  I bet all Steve does to get ready for a date is shower and dress.

  Sara’s phone chimed. She sat up and shook off her wet hand before she grabbed it off her bath caddy.

  It was a text from Steve , Hey beautiful. I’m back in town and can’t wait to see you tonight. Pick you up at 7. Text me your address.

  Hmmm. Hey beautiful, huh? That’s nice. Oh, please be fun tonight. Please let the stars align for me.

  Sara replied with her address and a smiley face emoji. She placed her phone back down and laid back in the steaming pink water with a sigh.

  She loved the big claw foot tub. It was deep and long with golden claw feet. She had renovated the master bathroom herself after Shawn had moved out. Sara loved making things beautiful. She had splurged on this tub and turned a boring master bath into a feminine oasis.

  Bright white wainscoting encircled the room with a light and airy teal blue-green paint on the walls above it. She accented the room with splashes of royal purple and hibiscus pink. The rugs were fluffy and white. She spent so much on the tub, she ended up having to tile the floor herself. She was very proud of this bathroom. Sara spent a lot of time soaking in that tub, usually with a glass of wine or two.

  Sara heard the front door open and close.

  “Who is it?” She yelled out.

  “It’s me.” Hazel answered.

  A few seconds later, Hazel walked through the bathroom door.

  “Pink bath bomb? I’m hoping.” Hazel asked.

  “Yes a very luxurious fancy bath bomb. It was freaking like ten dollars to just dissolve in my bath water. I’m one fancy bitch.”

  “You certainly are. Are you nervous?” Hazel questioned.

  “No. Who me? No. Yes.” Sara smiled.

  “You’ll be great. Everyone loves you.” Hazel assured her.

  “Thanks, honey. You’re sweet to me.”

  “Dad said he’d be here by five. He said getting ready was the best part and wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Good. I need all the emotional support I can get.” Sara said.

  “I’m going to leave you to your luxuriously overpriced bath and go make a sandwich. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” Sara closed her eyes and listened to Hazel’s footsteps head toward the kitchen.

  She’s such a good kid.

  Sara wrapped herself in a soft fluffy robe. Her skin felt silky and she smelled divine. She smiled and hugged her favorite robe around herself. She was still nervous for the date tonight, but she’d centered herself in the bath. She was ready to take on this new chapter like the strong confident woman she was.

  Sara walked into her kitchen where Hazel was sitting on a barstool enjoying the last bite of her sandwich.

  “Do you have any plans tonight?” Sara asked.

  “The gang’s gonna come here since you’ll be gone?” Hazel’s smile said please.

  Sara rolled her eyes. Hazel’s “gang” was two sweet gay boys and her best friend Jessie. They were pretty sweet kids who so far hadn’t gotten into trouble. Sara had watched them grow up together since the second grade.

  “Are they spending the night?” Sara asked. Hazel clapped. She knew that question meant she could host a slumber party, independent style.

  “Thank you! Thank you!” Hazel jumped up and hugged her Mama.

  “I’ll be texting all their moms to let them know I won’t be here so they can yay or nay their own sixteen year old coming over here unchaperoned.”

  Hazel was still smiling, she knew they would all get to come. Her friends lived in the neighborhood and their parents could easily walk over and check on them, so it was no biggie. Having the house to themselves with no parents was going to be awesome.

  “I don’t know when I’ll be coming home or if I will. Are you ready for this responsibility? This is a big deal. If you do something weird to break my trust tonight the next two years until you’re eighteen are not going to be as fun as they could be honey. You understand? I don’t want to even worry for a second tonight about what you’re doing.”

  “Mom you know us, and you know their parents will be doing drive-bys and pop-ins. We’re just excited to have a house to ourselves.”

  “OK,” Sara pulled
her phone out of her robe’s pocket. Opened her text messages and scrolled down to the last time she’d communicated with the gang’s parents. She texted, “FYI the kids want to hang out here tonight because I won’t be here. I have a date. I don’t know how it’s going to go or if and when I’ll get back. There’s a key under the door mat for any surprise check ins.” She tapped send. The mothers of Hazel’s pals were all good friends with Sara. They had ended up spending a lot of time together over the years since the kids were so close. “There.”

  “You’re the best!”

  “I know, right.” Sara joked. “If you need a parent tonight for any reason call your dad.”

  The front door opened. “Speak of the devil.” Sara quipped.

  “Hello! Where are my ladies?!” Shawn yelled from the foyer.

  “In the kitchen.” Sara yelled back.

  Shawn rounded the corner holding out a grocery bag. “I bring snacks and champagne for this momentous occasion!”

  Sara clapped, “YES! Let’s get me sexified and a little buzzed!”

  “God, I love this dress.” Sara said as she lifted the glass of champagne and saluted herself in the mirror. “I spent too much on it, but damn. It’s just cut perfect. I’ve never felt as pretty as I do right now. Hazel, you did amazing on the hair. Thank you, sweetie.”

  Sara turned around to look at Shawn and Hazel lounging on her bed. Her green dress swirled gracefully around her legs. She drank the last bit of champagne.

  “That dress will knock his socks off.” Shawn said.

  “I hope more than just his socks.” Sara winked.

  “Mom! Gross.” Hazel shook her head.

  Sara spun around to look at herself some more. Her blue eyes sparkled in her reflection. “Thank you, Mr. Uber.” She said out loud.

  “What?” Shawn asked.

  “Mr. Uber, Adam was the catalyst for this. I would not be standing here in a designer dress feeling like a beautiful woman about to go on a date with a handsome man if it weren’t for meeting him. He must be my guardian angel.”

  “I’m so happy you are happy.” Shawn said. The guilt he carried for leaving her alone after he had met Ben had always lain heavily on his heart. Now seeing her shining so brightly, he could see she was ready to grab life again. His eyes began to mist up.

  “Guys!” Hazel saw the impending teary scene. “Don’t get mushy. Mom will mess up her makeup.”

  “OK. OK. I’m pulling it back together,” Shawn said waving his hand in front of his face.

  “It’s just a first date and it’s OK if it’s the first of a few first dates. I’m ready for that.” Sara said.

  The front door bell rang. “He’s here!” Sara sounded like a teenager. They all smiled.

  “Should we hide in here or come out and meet this Steve?” Shawn asked.

  “Come out. I would never hide you guys!” Sara grabbed her dress coat and handed it to Shawn. “Hold this. I don’t want to put it on until he’s seen me in this dress.” They all walked to the door. Sara took a deep breath and opened it.

  Steve stood on her porch with a bouquet of fresh flowers. He had a confident smile on his handsome face. His five o’clock shadow sprinkled with silver flecks that seemed to sparkle from the reflection of the Christmas lights on the porch.

  “Hello Sara. You look amazing!”

  “Thank you! Come in. It’s freezing!” Sara in only her dress gestured for him to hurry inside so she could shut the door behind him.

  Steve looked around him and spotted Shawn and Hazel. “Hello, I’m Steve.” He put his hand out to Shawn.

  “This is my daughter Hazel, and her dad. My best friend, Shawn.”

  Steve didn’t miss a beat or seem concerned, “Good to meet you Shawn. Hazel, you look so much like your mother.” He shook both their hands.

  Shawn gave Sara a look of approval. Sara smiled back at him excitedly. Steve turned back to Sara and handed her the flowers.

  “That’s so thoughtful, thank you. Hazel, can you put these in water for me? You remember what we talked about. Make good choices.” She handed Hazel the flowers and gestured for Shawn to help her put her coat on. Sara buttoned up the front of her coat. “I’m ready if you are.”

  “Let’s go.” Steve reached out and took her hand. He reopened the door. “Have a good night,” He said to Shawn and Hazel.

  “Bye!” Sara waved as she headed out the door.

  Steve led her to his red sports car. He opened the passenger door for her and shut it once she was in. He walked around and got in the drivers side.

  “This car is pretty cool.” Sara said. “I don’t know anything about cars, what is it?”

  “It’s an Audi TT.” Steve said proudly.

  “Oh.”

  “I drove it off the lot a couple months ago.”

  “Still has that new car smell.” Sara said.

  “It sure does.” Steve reversed out of the driveway. “Quite the light display you have.”

  Sara did not know how to respond. It wasn’t a compliment to say thank you to. It was more of an observational statement.

  “Yep,” was all she could come up with.

  Sara nervously fiddled with her purse. Steve boldly reached over and placed his hand on hers. He smiled at her quickly before putting his attention back to the road.

  This guy’s smooth.

  Sara tried to relax. She sat back in the seat. She finally thought of a question, “How was Phoenix?”

  “Sunny. The temperature got into the high sixties. I love being able to get away from these freezing short days. See the sun in December. I go to Phoenix about once a month keeping up a relationship with a customer there. Usually not for as long as this trip. I’ll pop by for a day or two and move on as needed.”

  “Do you do a lot of traveling?”

  Sara knew she could keep a conversation going if she could continue to think of questions.

  “I fly to Vegas, L.A., San Francisco. I usually drive to Seattle. I pretty much rep the West Coast. The industry is booming. I have to make sure panels are always in stock. The sales teams know what they are doing. I have to wine and dine them, keep suppliers and store owners happy. I have a hefty expense account, and I basically get to enjoy the better things in life on the company’s dime,” Steve said with more than a hint of boastfulness.

  “That sounds interesting.”

  Sara quickly thought of more questions. “I never thought to ask but do you have children?”

  “I do. They live with their mother. Lindsey, who’s twelve and Dillon that just turned eight. He’s a real go getter, already excelling on his soccer team. Soccer skills run in the family.”

  Sara decided to take the bait, “You played soccer?”

  “Yeah at U of O, for four years. We had a pretty great team when I was there. Went to the Independence Bowl, but couldn’t bring it home,” he said with regret.

  “You’re a Duck, huh?” Sara asked.

  “Quack Quack. Cut me, I bleed green and yellow,” Steve readily replied.

  Sara knew nothing about soccer. Her mind was blank for a new line of questioning. She started to get self conscious of the silence as it dragged on. She decided to go with honesty.

  “I’m sorry, I’m so nervous. I haven’t really dated since before Hazel was born. That’s a long time. I’m not sure exactly how to navigate this. ”

  “Oh, sweetheart. Don’t worry about it. We get a couple drinks in us and the conversation will flow.” He flashed Sara a dashing smile. Raising his hand he brushed his fingers in her hair. “Your hair is beautiful. I had to touch it. I hope you don’t mind. It looked so soft and it is.”

  Sara was flattered. Having a man touch her hair felt nice. He seemed so confident. Sara didn’t know what to think about it. She decided it must be the amount of entertaining he does for customers. Maybe he had been on the dating scene for a while.

  He’s right, a couple of cocktails will loosen us up.

  “Thank you. I forgot to tell you how handsome
you look tonight. It was really nice of you to pick me up. I didn’t know if men still did that these days.”

  “It’s no problem. Nothing better than driving a pretty woman.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Sara joked.

  “I’ll keep it up then.” Steve accelerated onto the highway. The car had some get up and go. Sara wondered if this was Steve’s midlife crisis sports car. It was at least subtler than it could have been.

  Sara smiled. This was nice. She was filled with electric anticipation for the evening. Scenarios flitted through her head. She wondered what his place looked like and if she would get to see it tonight?

  “Do you live near the gym?” Sara asked remembering him shirtless in the sauna. It was nice to have already seen the merchandise and she approved.

  “It’s about a 10 minute drive. Did you go this week?”

  “I sure did. But there were no more handsome men in the sauna. It was kind of a disappointment. You raised my expectations that maybe I’d get to sweat with hot men every day.”

  Steve laughed. She could tell he liked her stroking his ego. “Did you now? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you.” He took the next exit and entered one of the more high-end neighborhoods in town.

  “I love this part of town.” Sara said. “I take Hazel shopping at the quirky little boutiques over here.”

  After a few blocks Steve lucked into a parking spot on the street and parallel parked with ease.

  “Ready?” He asked.

  “I sure am.” They both exited the car and met on the sidewalk. Steve took her hand and led the way to Alder Lounge.

  Chapter Twelve

  Adam was seated at the bar, sipping an eighteen year old Macallan scotch. He loved the smoky oak finish of this particular brand. Every glass was always superb. He was lucky they carried it. It was worth every penny and the only reason he would ever be at such a pretentious establishment. He wanted to at least be in the company of people tonight while he drank his favorite scotch. A loud bar might drown out the circling thoughts in his mind.