Forever in The Sheets

Carla pulled the soft sheets almost as tightly as she was fighting to hold her smile, taking extra care to fluff the pillows. She always loved new sheet day.  They were crisp and sweet smelling.  She tugged and smoothed until her bed was pretty.  She loved her room. She and Tim had spent a weekend redoing it, covered in paint and wall paper glue. That was a long time ago.  Sighing sadly, she sat down and began to cry. Tim had called saying he wouldn't be home until late; that she shouldn't wait up. She would be alone once more.  She couldn't remember the exact day her marriage had begun to derail; maybe it had been so subtle that she had missed it.


When they had gotten married so many Octobers ago, they had rushed out of their reception to sneak home and lay together, wrapped in new expensive sheets; a gift.  They had spent the night giggling naked, tenderly kissing and professing the hope of forever together. They hadn't worried about a formal expensive honeymoon;  instead choosing to put a down payment on a small house to make a home.  Which they did.  They both worked hard and when they thought they were ready, they began to plan a family.


It was more difficult to achieve than they imagined.  Carla couldn't get pregnant and suffered  heartbreaking miscarriages.  Tim struggled with feelings of inadequacy; not being able to provide for his wife; the happiness he knew she wanted.  Eventually they adopted, wanting only to share their love with children.  It was the best decision they could have made.  The twins came into their lives with empty diaper bags and stayed to fill the house with love, laughter and plenty of tears. The couple became a quartet and ran as hard as they could. At first, it was daycare and doctors visits.  Then it became sports and recitals.  They kept running, gladly making sacrifices to have more for the kids.  Tim worked longer hours. Carla stunted her career to be at home and they spent less time together. They blew each other kisses or did a cheek sweep instead of the holding, eye-catching, tender lip-touching moments they once reassured each other would always be. One was always coming as the other headed out. They were forced to pass in the kitchen, share a quick sandwich or reheat leftovers while catching up on events and the latest plan changes.  As the family grew up, there were more nights than not when the two once passionate lovers collapsed exhausted in the bed reserved for more sensual activities. If there was sex, it was often hurried to accommodate schedules or to merely provide release. The lengthy giggling and discovering phase was over.  They often fell asleep mumbling reminders of who had to be where the next day.  Intimacy gave way to a simple friendly comfort; much like her sheets.  And here they were. So many years later.  So many miles in the thread count.  It was lonely. The twins were in college and building their own lives. Tim and Carla were beginning to see the retirement light at the end of the tunnel but she was afraid that they didn't know each other anymore.  Could they have lost each other building the forever they wanted?  She sniffed and began to put away his clothes.  The paper fluttered to the floor.  


She wouldn't normally look at it, simply tossing it in the trash but the receipt had the delicate logo of her favorite florist on it.  She looked to see a large bouquet had been ordered for delivery to one of the more expensive hotels in town.  Tim's signature punched her in the gut. Her body seemed to quiver with sadness.  At first, she caught her trembling lip and sobbed "How could he?" but slowly it became "we".  When the phone rang, her mind sprang to the conclusion that it was Tim to explain it all.  It was the hotel confirming a romantic couples' massage for he and his guest the next day as well as reservations for one of the lovely restaurants that night.  Bile burned her throat.  Her knees grew hot and weak.  She simply hung up, caught the edge of the bed and held her head.  Disappointment and hurt flooded her chest, making her breaths come in sharp pitiful barks.  She cried until her nose stuffed up and she had to breath dryly through her lips.  She punched the pillows and yanked at the bed sheets. Angrily she glowered at their wedding picture telling him through hitches and sobs that she hated what they'd become.  Why hadn't he tried? How could he just give up? Why had it been so easy? She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and renewed her sobbing.  Red swollen unmade eyes watered freely. Her nose was pink and in her sweatshirt and jeans, she was anything but sexy.  Whoever was his dinner date was probably very made up and beautiful; all the things she was certain she wasn't to him any longer.  Anger began to creep in.  She marched down the stairs and swiped at her keys, knocking the mail to the floor.  She picked it up and tossed it carelessly on the counter.  She was heading to the hotel.


Her blood began to boil. Carla scolded her steering wheel, smacking it, wishing it was Tim.  She whipped into the valet and tossed her keys.  Catching herself in the door, she raked her hair, smoothed her shirt and straightened her shoulders.  She was ready for battle.  She headed passed the concierge and into the bar.  She saw him right away, milling over wine. She initially prayed that the bottle was there so she could crack him a good one in front of his new girlfriend.  Seeing him dressed in his suit with his tie undone and shirt collar open made her pause.  He was so handsome.  Even now he took her breath.  Maybe they could talk about it. Maybe it wasn't too late. The bar tender glanced at her and nodded.  She was approaching but Tim got up and wandered off to the restroom.  She decided to sit and order a drink.  The tender brought it.  A delivery man approached with a huge bouquet of flowers; leaving it on the bar.  The bar tender signed for it and left it.  Carla couldn't help herself.  She popped up on the bar stool and dug for the card.


"I can't wait to hold you. Forever." 
Love, 
Tim


She bit her lip and covered her mouth to stop the sobbing. There was movement behind her and a quick kiss on the back of her neck.  Goosebumps raced around her shoulders.


"I'm glad you found my invite. I was worried." he smiled.


"Where is she? I want to see her before I punch your lights out and go to jail." Her teeth were grinding with fury.


Tim's brow furrowed. "What? My invite Carl. I sent it to you in the mail. I invited you here with me. Didn't you get it? I have a room for us. I took the day off. I have some wonderful things planned. Just for us."


"Don't try to cover it up. I found the receipt for the flowers. The hotel called... I know you're meeting someone here for a romp."


He slouched a little.  "You're so right Carla. I'm meeting the most beautiful woman in the world. My wife.  I'm trying to save something that I promised would last forever." He leaned in and caught her mouth.  She tasted the soft oak of wine on his lips.  It was wonderful and inviting. He slipped his hand under her sweatshirt and traced her belly with his thumb. She was weakening.  He pulled away and cupped her face, looking into her eyes.  They were bright and frightened.  Had it been so long since he'd looked into her lovely face and said he loved her?


 "Oh Carl. I love you. We've been so caught up in our life,  I'm afraid we forgot how to live it. I miss my best friend."


She looked away, uncertain, and wiped her eyes.  He kissed her tears.  "Don't cry Baby Girl. It's just us.."


The bartender brought champagne and seated them in a quiet corner where Tim began to whisper to his wife. He told her about his day and asked about hers. He held her hand and brushed her cheek.  He stroked her leg under the table telling her she was beautiful.  They cancelled their dinner reservations and went upstairs.


This time there was rediscovery and passion Carla had forgotten.  Tim pawed at her hungrily, tugging at her clothes.  He stripped quickly from his suit and began to coax her out of her jeans.  He whispered how he'd missed her. He wanted her.  He kissed her fully and touched her tenderly.  His mouth on her skin excited her, sending chills through her body. She cradled his head in her arms groaning as he moved her against him.  She loved the strength in his arms as he held her.  She relished the firmness of his body and unmistakable desire.  She felt powerful to bring him to the edge and make him wait as she tasted his body and moaned his name .  They made love all night.   At last, they slept in each others arms tracing curves and giggling about little things.  The miles began to disappear. He hugged her tight and promised forever.  Her soul warmed and she closed her eyes, agreeing. Yes. Forever.




Hello all.  This came because I have three others I can't get right. I needed to break away from them and go in a completely different direction.  I think although this is (perhaps too)simple,  that it is sweet and good. Maybe that's the greatest love lesson we can learn: it's simple, sweet and good.


Thank you for coming over. I guess I'm growing sentimental with my solitude up here at the lake. Indulge me.  Stop by again soon.  I'm always glad you did.