Not Sure What My Husband Would Think

Eleven o’ clock at the coffee shop and a table near the window becoming free at just the right moment. Taking off my jacket, hanging it over the chairback, sitting down, waiting for Carol. Thinking, not really sure if I should be doing this.

Looking up, seeing her. Thinking, well, there’s a good reason for doing this, she’s looking just as I remember her, unstressed, comfortable with herself, a look that suits her. Jeans, pink blouse, tailored parka, tousled hair.

Standing up, waving, catching her attention. Carol coming over, sitting down, smiling. A shake of hands, no kiss, but the smile making up for it. Hi R, how are you? Oh, fine, how are you, did you get your car fixed okay? Yes, all done, thanks for your help, I might have been there all night. Oh, it’s nothing.

The words having small significance, the fact of exchanging them, full of excitement and potentiality. Just the trace of freckles on her skin. Her lips full and unlipsticked. The slightest hint of make-up around her eyes. Clear confident diction, not too loud.

A pause. Then, from her, hey actually I’m not really sure what I’m doing here with you, I’m a married woman, it may not necessarily be the right thing to be having coffee alone with a man, not sure what my husband would think, still, it would have been awfully rude to turn down the offer after you’d done my car.

Looking at her, feeling my facial muscles in a smile, the same one that had been there since she sat down. Thinking, how interesting, she’s brought up her husband, doing exactly what I’d been debating about myself, how to bring up my wife. Wonder what it means? Wants me to know what I’m letting myself in for? Or telling me, thanks for the help with the car, goodbye.

Saying to her, well, I’m glad you game, it’s good to see you again if only for a coffee, I was actually thinking the same thing, not sure what my wife would think, maybe we should connect up your husband with my wife, they can compare notes, get outraged together.

A raised eyebrow from her, then her face widening into a laugh. Yes, maybe, that might be interesting. Another smile. Seduction rule number one, make her laugh. Rule number two, don’t try too hard.

More coffee. Chatting. After a while, needing to move on, look at the time, half an hour gone already, running late, must rush. Okay you go, Carol, let me get the bill.

A quick peck on the cheek, and Carol gone. No we really must do this again. But no we really mustn’t either.