Anticipation
Eric took a long shower Monday morning. He felt great and he knew why. He was going to see Jaye.
He told himself that there was nothing wrong with meeting a prospective church member for coffee at her place of business. In fact, he did it all the time. If Annie were to ask what he did today, he shouldn't hesitate to tell her.
He hoped she wouldn't ask.
He hummed Ruby Tuesday as he splashed on a little cologne. As soon as he did he realized his mistake. He didn't wear cologne every day. He thought about Annie. For a moment he felt dread. Then he saw Jaye's smile in his mind and the fear was gone. He didn't plan to do anything inappropriate. He would simply get to know Jaye a little better, as he would for any church member. Besides, he thought, there is something about this woman that just makes me feel so good to be near her. Just the anticipation of coffee and conversation made him sing to himself.
The kids were just gathering for breakfast when he got to the kitchen. He could tell that Annie wasn't there by Lucy's greeting, "Hi, Dad. You look happy today."
"Hi, Luce. I am happy – thanks.
"Did Mom come down for breakfast yet?" Eric asked.
"She had something earlier, I think," Lucy said.
Eric saw an opportunity. He looked at his watch. "I've got an early appointment today so I'm going to skip breakfast. Would you mind telling Mom that I was late and had to rush out?"
"No problem, Dad. Have a great day."
"Thanks Luce, you're the best," Eric said as he kissed her head.
He felt like a kid skipping school as he reached the van. He tried hard not to look hurried but he feared being called back by Annie. He almost never left without kissing her. But on this day the thought of kissing her goodbye felt like treachery.
Jaye's office was a mess. Somehow that surprised Eric, but he wasn't sure why. She was on the phone when he came to the open doorway. She smiled and motioned him in as she kept talking.
"Look, I really need to get a drug audit down here as soon as possible. I've got to have a starting point if I'm going to crack down," Jaye said to the phone. She pointed to an empty chair and Eric sat. There were boxes on the floor – most of them opened but not emptied. A half dead plant sat on some folders on her desk. He looked for family pictures but there were none.
Jaye wore a dark blue sweater. Eric noticed that her eyes were very blue. She had her dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail. She didn't wear much makeup. Her face was nicely tanned, her teeth white and straight. He thought that she would look at home on horseback in a field somewhere. Not here in this office.
"I'm sorry," said Jaye as she hung up the phone. I was hoping to be finished with this silly business before you even got here. And if we're being honest, I was hoping you wouldn't see my office." Jaye laughed.
Eric laughed too. "Please don't worry about it. My office is a wreck, especially on Monday mornings."
The phone rang. They both jumped. Jaye pushed a button and said, "Stupid phone. I'm forwarding my calls to voice mail. It's a beautiful day. Let's go around the block to a coffee shop I know."
"Sounds great," Eric said.
Eric held open the glass door of Glenoak Village and let Jaye pass through before him. He breathed deeply as she moved passed him. It seemed to him that she smelled like sunshine and mountain air. He followed her out into the morning. She wore a white miniskirt which hinted at the toned muscles underneath. He almost groaned out loud. Blood surged to his crotch.
What am I doing? I have to stay in control. This can still be an innocent visit.
"Can we take my car?" Jaye asked.
"That would be great," Eric thought with relief. Although they would be in a public place, no one would know her car.