Granting Forever Novel – Last night I had an unforgettable birthday party for my husband. But today I found out that he got laid with my best friend Amelia all last night. I got up, washed, as I finish drying my hair, I see my husband’s reflection in the mirror. In the mirror, my husband’s back is covered with smooch scratches. “What happened to your back?” I holler. Turning his head to look over his shoulder, he examines his reflection and laughs. “Wow, I guess that’s from last night. Amelia is really a banshee in bed. She must have been clawing out of me, and I didn’t even realize it.” I feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, “So it was one of the most incredible nights, and it was virtually without me. Just how many times did you do Amelia anyway?”
The birthday candles are extinguished, and Ryan is busy fanning the smoke while making snide comments about calling the fire department. I pop the cork of another bottle of bubbly and refill everyone’s glasses. Filling mine to the rim, then taking another sip, I opt to forgo the cake, too, as I’m enjoying the buzz too much to eat. Marcus opens his cards from Ryan and Amelia. I guide him to his home office for my official and more tangible gift to him. With our guests following, I flip on the light, and sitting in the middle of the room is a new set of golf clubs in a brand-new white leather bag with dark blue piping. His face lights up like a kid at Christmas.
Looking from me to the clubs, he quickly smooches me on the cheek then heads over to his new toys. “How did you know what to get me? You know these are very personal and so many to choose from.” I can feel my face beaming, “Yes, I know there are too many to choose from, but I did manage to get a ton of help from your dad.” He looks confused, “How is that possible? We haven’t seen them in months!” “Right, and the last time they were in town while you were at work, we went shopping. I’ve had these for nearly three months now. I’ve been dying to give them to you and almost slipped several times, especially last week when you talked about going to the pro shop at the club to pick up a new set. I was about to come unglued.” Everyone laughs, but Ryan says, “It looks like we will need to take these for a spin this weekend. You open Sunday?” Marcus looks at me, “Why don’t we all have brunch Sunday morning after Ryan and I break these in?”
“I think we can manage that. Amelia, what about you?” “Fine with me.” She looks at her glass, “I’m on empty. I’m going to refill.” “I’ll come with you,” I respond quickly. “We’ll all come with you,” Marcus interjects. After our glasses are refilled, Marcus comes over to me and says quietly in my ear, “You have really gone out of your way for an excellent birthday. When do I get to reward you? I don’t think I can take lusting after you in this dress much longer!” I blush, then turn to brush my lips against his. Instead, he grabs me and plants a sensuous and intense smooch on me. At first, I feel self-conscious, but then I figure I had better get over my shyness and give in. His hands rubbing down my backside, we are putting on a display, which does not go unnoticed. “Hey! Get a room! But then again, we are in your home. Maybe you should take this to your bedroom, and we’ll come to watch.”
I stiffen, and Marcus lets out a deep chuckle. “Sounds like fun, but I’m afraid my modest bride wouldn’t be up for that.” “Well, don’t be so sure of that. I think you might underestimate your bride, my friend.” Marcus whips his head toward Ryan and scowls, “Now, why would you say something like that? Do you know something I don’t know?” He looks back at me. I’m now chewing my lip which I know he noticed, “Why do I feel you aren’t telling me something?” “Marcus, cool it. There’s nothing to say, especially if you try to ruin her surprise.” Amelia says in a low voice. “Okay, now I feel you all are up to something.” I finally get the nerve to make my move. I take Marcus by the hand, “Follow me. I do have another surprise for you.” I look at my guests, “Is everyone set for drinks? If so, please join us.” As I lead everyone through the foyer to the stairs up to the guest wing, I can feel Marcus’s energy, telling me that he is apprehensive. I’m sure he’ll change his tune soon.
Upon arriving at the guest suites, I open the double doors to the larger of the two rooms. Inside, I already have more refreshments and music ready to play. Picking up the remote, I start the music and dim the overhead lighting. Flipping on the gas fireplace, I motion for everyone to sit. “I think we have you at a disadvantage. There is something that we have been keeping from you. This is the final of your birthday presents.” Marcus looks at me, then to our guests, then back to me, then replies slowly, “And what would that be exactly?” With my stomach churning, I respond with more confidence than I actually possess, “We will have a foursome.” The words tumble out of my mouth like dice rolling in a game of Craps. I don’t think I have ever seen my husband’s eyes bulge like that. Ever. “Is that okay?” I ask nervously. He takes a swig of his whiskey on the rocks, draining it down to the ice, “Well, you’ll have to give me a moment to process this.” Once again, he looks at Ryan and Amelia. “You guys are on board with this?” Amelia nods, “Sure, why not?” “I see.
And you are okay with this too?” he asks while addressing Ryan with a raised eyebrow. He shrugs nonchalantly, “Sure, I’m good.” He says, smiling, then looks straight at me. I feel a lump forming in my throat as I fight the urge to run from the room. Marcus nods then looks at me, motioning me to come over to him. He pulls me down onto his lap then whispers, “Are you really okay with this?” Then he smooches me on the cheek, making his way down my neck. With my confidence quickly restored, I decide not to whisper my response. Instead, I speak so all can hear. “Yes, if there’s one thing I know, life is too short not to try something at least once as long as there’s little chance of getting hurt.” I giggle nervously, “I think it will be fun, and I feel safe because these are our dear friends.” What could go wrong? — The following day, I am awoken by the sounds of the neighbor’s lawnmower buzzing. I have no idea how long I slept because I have no idea what time it was before I zonked out. With the room illuminated by the sun, I would guess it is well into the morning by now.
What happened last night is nothing short of a complete blur, but I still feel disgusted and ashamed. I slide out from under Ryan’s arm and quietly slip out of the monster four-post bed. With my head pounding, each step I take feels like it’s tightening the vice on my head. It occurs to me that I should have stopped drinking the champagne probably three glasses prior. Although I seriously doubt I would have gone through with things had I not used the libations as liquid confidence. Thankful that everyone else is still asleep, I head to the shower to wash away my regret. Truth be told, I am thoroughly relieved that I passed out and did not have relations with Ryan. My conscience is clear. I wonder if I had been soberer whether I would have gone through with it instead of knocking out. I am so thankful I don’t have to face that reality. But the empty feeling I have right now is more than I can bear. I wonder if the regret that I feel for granting Marcus’s wish will manifest into something more insurmountable. I can only hope the answer to that is time will relieve me of my disgrace.
The avalanche of emotions and shame cannot be washed away by the hot shower; stupidly, I thought taking a shower would make me feel better. But alone in my thoughts is not a safe place to be, especially since my husband shut me out with my best friend and seemingly hasn’t come up for air. He stayed the entire night in the adjoining guest room with Amelia, doing goodness knows what. The worst part is that I sanctioned it. What was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking of the morning after, only pleasing my husband. As I finish drying my hair, I flip my head up and am about to jump out of my own skin when I see my husband’s reflection in the mirror. He is standing behind me, looking like he has been through the proverbial ringer. My mouth drops as I have never seen him look like such a wreck. Turning off the dryer, I slowly turn around to face Marcus.
“Well, look who decided to come up for air.” I snap. Running his hand through his tousled hair, he smiles and says, “Let me take a shower, and then I’ll be ready to go with you to pick up Charlie.” I’m surprised he doesn’t have any comeback, nor does he appear to want to engage in any word exchange with me. “Ok, where are our guests?” He spits out his toothpaste, and after swishing out his mouth with water, he casually turns around, heading for the shower. He says over his shoulder, “They went home.” Relieved, I look up from applying lotion just as he enters the shower, and I let out a loud gasp. “What happened to your back?” I holler. “What do you mean?” He says as he backs out of the shower. Turning his head to look over his shoulder, he examines his reflection and laughs. “Wow, I guess that’s from last night. Surprisingly, Amelia is really a banshee in bed. She must have been clawing out of me, and I didn’t even realize it.” He chuckles again.
I feel like I just might expel shots of steam from both of my ears. My pressure valve about to explode, I exercise every ounce of restraint that I can muster, “You look like you tangled with barbed wire. Did you forget we promised Charlie that we’d take him to the indoor water park tomorrow afternoon?” “No, I haven’t forgotten. It’ll be okay. Don’t worry.” He says while tweaking me on my nose. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, “So it was one of the most incredible nights, and it was virtually without me.” He sits up, “No, you were there.” I shoot him a stern look, “Okay, you were there for part of it. I was so turned on knowing you were just on the other side of the door, allowing me to be with another woman.
How many men get to experience that?” Shooting him a look, “I seriously don’t want this to turn into an argument. I thought we would all be in the same room together, so it threw me for a loop when you disappeared into the adjoining room. I felt left out.” He reaches over to me and caresses my cheek, “I never meant for you to feel left out. I guess I was so caught in the moment. Admittedly, I was shocked that you arranged it and were on board. When I told you what I wanted for my birthday gift, you must admit that you seemed to ignore me, not appearing to have taken me seriously. Never in a lifetime would I suspect you’d give that to me. I’ll admit that I went a little crazy.” I scoff, “A little? Just how many times did you do Amelia anyway?” I ask, trying not to sound as annoyed and sickened as I feel right now.