“Like what?” Curtis wanted to know.
“A midlife crisis. The sexual appeal of a younger woman to an older man.”
“But, Ma, how can you still love him…and I know you do…”
“My dear,” she said, “no matter what, I will always love your father until the day I die.”
* * *
“New York? What a great idea, Don! Sure you can get away?”
Delighted to see the look of pure joy on his wife’s face, Don hugged her. “Got it all planned,” he said. “Marty is going to cover for any hospital patients, and I’ve cleared patient appointments for four days, giving the staff a long weekend. So all systems are go.”
“Oh, Don, this is just wonderful. When do we leave?”
“I figure a Friday to Monday would be good. We’ll take the shuttle from Green Airport on Friday, come back on Monday. I’ve been on line, have tickets for two Broadway productions. Not telling you which ones. Be a surprise!”
She kissed him. “You’re the best husband a girl could have.”
A frisson of guilt came over him as he saw the unmitigated love in her eyes.
“I try to be, Leanne, I try to be.”
“Well, you are,” she insisted.
Please, God, don’t ever let her know.
The weekend in New York City was all that Don hoped it would be. As he had promised, Leanne was surprised and delighted when she found out that he had gotten tickets for The Phantom of the Opera for Friday evening, and on Saturday evening they had an early dinner in the hotel’s dining room before taking a taxi to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
“What a grand time we’re having,” Leanne said to Don as he helped her into the taxi to return to the New York hotel. “Don’t know when I’ve had so much fun.”
“That’s what I want you to have, lots of fun, a real good time, you know,” he said in a serious tone. “It’s important that as a couple we spend quality time together…not to lose sight of the fact that we are together for life.”
She glanced at him in the darkness of the cab’s interior, saw the firm set of his jaw as he stared at the back of the cab driver’s head. She knew he was serious, meant what he said, but she said nothing, merely reached over to squeeze his hand. He responded with a firm clasp of his own. God, please, I can’t lose this woman.
When they reached the hotel he asked, “Would you like to stop in the lounge for a nightcap?”
“Don’t think so. My feet are killing me in these heels. Maybe we can find something in the hotel fridge. I think I spied some bottles of wine…”
“That’s what we’ll do, then.”
They moved, arm in arm, to the bank of elevators. As they rode to their room on the fourth floor, they talked about their children.
“I’d like to buy something new to wear for Curtis’s graduation next month,” she said as they left the elevator and walked to their room.
“That’s a great idea,” Don said, opening the door to their room. “I’m so proud of him. Jane, too. They haven’t given us one bit of trouble. Curt did say he was taking the graduate exams for law school, didn’t he?”
“Believe so. Think that’s what he plans to do. He’s hoping to get into Harvard Law School.”
“Hope he makes it…have no doubts that he will. He’s a smart kid.”
Leanne heard the pride in her husband’s voice about his only son, but she was quick to remind him, “Jane’s a real treasure, too.”
“Don’t I know it,” Don responded. “Our combined DNA did just fine. Agree?”
The next morning they went to one of New York’s most famous shops as soon as the store opened. Leanne found what she liked, a white jacquard jacket with blue silk threads woven into it, fully lined with satin. She was able to find a pencil-slim navy crepe skirt that matched the jacket perfectly.
Don thought she should also buy new shoes. “Why don’t we see if we can find a pair of navy pumps, or navy and white spectators…or are they out of style?”
Leanne disagreed, telling him, “Already have a pair of navy pumps that will do just fine. But,” she added, “wouldn’t mind having some new jewelry to go with this new outfit, if you’re in the mood to spend money on me.”
He gave her a wide grin. “My pleasure, my dear wife, my pleasure. I believe that ‘Blue store,’ Tiffany’s, is not too far from here. Let’s go have a look.”
The well-groomed salesman who waited on them at the famous jewelry store could tell in a few moments that this man, this husband, was extremely anxious to please his wife. Having been in the business for more than thirty years, he recognized the spouse nervously intent on making amends.
After looking at many fine pieces of jewelry, Leanne finally selected a sapphire and pearl necklace with matching drop earrings and a single bracelet of the same stones.
As the salesman wrapped the jewelry into the famous blue Tiffany box, Leanne kissed her husband.
“Thanks, Don. I love you very much, thanks.”
“I love you, Lea, and I want you to be happy, always.”
“I know you do,” she said softly.
As soon as they got back into their room Leanne kicked off her punishing shoes, threw her handbag on the bed, turned her back to her husband so that he could pull down the back zipper of the little black dress she had worn that evening.
She thanked him, saying, “I think a good soaking in the tub is what I need, Don. Do you want to use the bathroom before I do?”
“Go right ahead, hon, I’ll see what’s available for us here,” he pointed to the room’s small refrigerator. “You take your time, enjoy.”
“It’s been quite a day, what with shopping and everything.”
“I know, Lea. I just wanted to please you…been a long time since we’ve been able to focus on ourselves.”
“I know.”
She stepped out of her dress, placed it on a hanger and put it in the closet. She retrieved her bathrobe and went into the bathroom.
The bathroom featured a Jacuzzi-like spa tub, and Leanne was determined to get the best therapy possible. When she settled into the tub, warm streams of jet-propelled water trained on her body made her relax and she felt the tensions of her work days at the real estate agency easing.
She thought about her husband, how eager he had been this weekend to please her, and for this weekend seemed to be the young eager Don she had fallen in love with so many years ago. Time marches on, but our love only gets stronger. Thank you, God.
When she finished bathing, she toweled herself dry, dusted some powder over her body, then put on the special nightgown that Don had not yet seen.
She went into the bedroom to find her husband dressed in his pajamas. He had turned the bed down and was placing a tray with wine, glasses, crackers and wedges of cheese down on the desk.
He gasped at the sight of her. “Oh, my God, Lea. Oh, my God! You’re so beautiful!”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Think so?” she teased.
“Think so? I know so! God, you are as beautiful as you were on our wedding night…even more so! And you are mine, all mine.”
He reached for her, pulled her close, the warm heat from her tantalizing clean body, the delicate fragrance from the powder she had dusted over her skin all made Don’s fingers tingle as he ran his hands down from her face, neck and shoulders as he kissed her. She accepted his kiss with soft mewling sounds that only added to the extreme tension Don was feeling.
This was the woman he loved, the woman who gave him hope, and who loved him without reservations. This woman made no selfish demands on him, gave him only her best, took care of his needs before her own.
A fleeting image of Alisha floated in the back of his mind, but he quickly blocked it out, his focus on the wonderful woman he knew he would always love.
“Oh, Lea,” he moaned against her throat as he picked her up, carried her to the bed. “Lea, I need you so much! Want you, need you. Please let me love you. Let’s go back to our first n
ight of magic.”
Lying in the bed, she made no sound. He saw tears welling beneath her closed eyes.
Frantic, almost desperate, he practically tore off his pajamas and laid down beside her. “Don’t cry, Lea, please don’t cry.”
She turned to face him. His mouth found hers and his hand smoothed over her warm, sleek, silk nightgown to caress the mounded breast beneath. Leanne responded by grasping her husband’s head with both hands as their kisses deepened.
After twenty-five years of marriage, each knew the mating ritual that would bring them to fulfillment.
Words were no longer needed, only the sounds and moans of desire and deep pleasure.
Anxiety threatened Don. Would he fail his wife? The rising tension he felt was almost unbearable. He must not fail to meet the needs of his beloved Leanne.
With an agonizing groan, he pulled the interfering nightgown over her head. Immediately, his mouth sought to taste her breast, his tongue swirling over taut nipples. Lea responded to him as if it were the first time she had experienced this exquisite sensation. He felt her hips beneath him begin to move from side to side as she clutched his head to her breast.
Don’s rock-hard body would not be denied as his mouth sought the favored areas of his wife’s soft, pliant body. He was where he wanted to be, where he knew he was welcomed and wanted. He could not deny his heart’s demands, and his body’s reactions let him know it was useless to try.
CHAPTER 15
Sixty-five-year-old Nora Baskerville had been Don’s patient since the death of her husband five years ago. Childless, the couple had been deeply devoted to each other, and the devastating change in her life and its associated loneliness and depression had eventually led to the onset of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Weight gain due to comfort overeating was another of her problems. Today she was the doctor’s last patient.
As the two left the examining room, Don told the widow he was pleased with how she was complying with the treatment plan he had designed. “I know it has not been easy, but you keep up the good work. And remember, diet and exercise will help keep your diabetes under control,” he said reassuringly.
“Oh, my, yes, I’ll do my best,” she promised, giving him a bright smile. “And thanks, Dr. Matthews, for taking such good care of me.”
“It is entirely my pleasure to do so,” he said, gently patting her shoulder.
He returned to his office to make a few final notes on her computer file. Going into his private bathroom, he washed his face and hands before picking up his briefcase and grabbing his suit jacket from the clothes tree.
He had just reached the door to leave when his cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his briefcase, hoping it wasn’t a crisis of some sort. He checked it. Alisha! He had not seen or heard from her in three months. What could she possibly want now?
“I must see you,” she said when he called her.
“What for? What are you talking about? You know we’re through seeing each other!”
“I know that. This is very important to both of us.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Like I said, this is important!”
* * *
Since their getaway weekend in New York City, Don and Leanne both recognized the exciting renewal in their relationship. It seemed to be as fresh and exciting as it was in the beginning of their life together. They were free to indulge one another, especially since both children were away at college. They could tease, frolic, play games, do whatever they wished, like carefree youngsters. These days, Don could hardly wait to get home to see what Leanne had planned. She enjoyed seeing the delight on his face when she would reveal her surprise.
He never knew what to expect when he arrived home, and after a day of meeting his patients’ needs, he welcomed the various activities she had planned. Smiling to himself, he recalled the past Saturday. He had spent the afternoon at the barber shop and returned home about five that afternoon.
He found a note taped to the newel post of the front stairs.
“Go up,” was the message. Grinning with anticipation, he tore off the note and raced up the stairs.
“Lea, Lea, where are you?” There was no reply.
He went into their bedroom. He found another note taped to the mirror over the dresser, You are freezing cold! Check the fireplace.
On the fireplace mantelpiece was a large white card on which Leanne had printed in large block letters, Not here, try the fridge.
When he opened the refrigerator door, he found a box of frankfurters, a package of hamburger patties, a bowl of potato salad covered with cellophane, as well as a covered bowl of tossed green salad. There was also a platter of peeled shrimp with a container of cocktail sauce in the center.
Standing in the kitchen, staring into the opened refrigerator door, he detected the odor of burning charcoal. And that’s when he found her, lounging in a deck chair out on the patio.
She laughed when she saw him standing in the kitchen door that led to the patio.
“Surprise! You’re cooking tonight, Bubba! And your wife is hungry.” She waggled a finger at him. “So, the fire is hot, let’s get the show on the road.”
“You little vixen!” He leaned over and kissed her. “May I please change into my chef’s outfit?
“As long as you’re quick about it.”
He dashed off, loosening his tie as he did so. This was going to be a wonderful Saturday night.
He returned wearing tan shorts, a white tee shirt and his favorite Red Sox baseball cap. A dish towel was flung over his shoulder, and he was wearing a white chef’s apron. He was carrying a tray with the food and supplies that he placed on a table beside the grill.
Leanne handed him a tall, frosted glass of lemonade.
“To keep you cool while you cook.”
That Saturday night they remained out on the patio long after they had eaten. A full moon rose on the horizon, and when the evening breezes became chilly and the fire died out, they moved indoors, cleaned up and, arm-in-arm, went upstairs to bed.
* * *
They were in their night clothes, watching the late news.
“So, when are you going to tell the good doctor he is going to be a father?” Wally asked Alisha.
“Tomorrow,” Alisha answered.
Wally yawned, stretched her arms over her head, then asked, “Tomorrow, where?”
“Actually, Wally, at his office at the medical center. Be after closing time. Hardly anyone there except the cleaning staff and maintenance people. Not too many professionals hang about after patient hours.”
“Well, how are you going to get in? Didn’t you have to turn in a key when you left?”
“Not before I had a duplicate made.”
Wally shook her head.
“Girl, you are something else! How long has it been since you’ve seen him? There will be no doubt that when he sees that bump in your belly, he’ll know you’re pregnant.”
“That’s why I’ve kept my distance. It’s been almost four months.”
“Hope you know what you’re doing, kid. I must say, you’ve got some chutzpah, as the Yiddish say.”
“Wally, my dear friend, I know what I want and I won’t stop until I get it!”
“What do you want?”
“I want what I should have…to be the wife of a prominent physician, enjoying his status and money. I want to be a whole lot more than the daughter of a steel mill worker from Pittsburgh! That’s what I want, and I’m going to get it.”
“But the man is married!”
“That’s not my problem.”
CHAPTER 16
Don hated lying to Leanne, but felt he had no other choice.
“Going to stop in at the hospital, Leanne,” he told her with a hurried phone call. “Have to check on one of my patients. May not be home ‘til maybe seven or so. Go ahead, eat without me.”
He called the security desk in the lobby. “I’m expecting a patient around six. She used
to work here as a nurse, Alisha Morton.”
“Very well, Dr. Matthews. I’ll ring you when she comes in and send her up.”
It’s not going to be very well, Don worried, pacing back and forth in his office from his desk to the office door and into his lavatory. God only knows what solace he could find there. Again to his desk to sit down, stare out of the window, but the view offered no comfort. His nerves were getting the best of him, palms were sweaty, he felt jumpy, and visions of impending doom clouded his mind.
If indeed Alisha is pregnant, she can sue me for child support. Oh, God, what a mess I’m in! Wasn’t supposed to end like this! What was I thinking? You weren’t!
He jumped when the telephone rang. “Ms. Morton is on her way up, Dr. Matthews.”
“Thanks.”
He went to his reception area to wait for Alisha’s arrival. Almost immediately, it seemed to him, he heard a light tap on the door. He opened it. “Come in, Alisha. Let’s move into my office.”
He followed her as she walked ahead of him. He saw no sign of a pregnancy. She looked the same to him, just as he had last seen her almost four months ago. She was wearing black slacks and a loose black and white printed blouse. He thought she looked well.
“You’re looking well, Alisha. How have you been?” He indicated a chair by his desk. She sat.
“I’m doing fine. You look very good yourself, Don.”
“Thank you, but let’s get on with this. Why is it so important for us to talk?”
He was standing beside his desk. She looked up at him.
“I think you should sit.” She motioned to his chair. “I have some news that I think you should hear.”
“News?”
“Well,” she began slowly, twisting the handles of her Vera Bradley quilted handbag. “Don, I know it’s been almost four months since we’ve been together, but I have to tell you that I am pregnant. You are going to be a father.”
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