A Very Special Lunch Date, Part One
By Jeanette A. Fratto, Orange County Branch
Carol appraised her appearance in the full-length mirror – hair styled to perfection, makeup applied beautifully. She twirled and noted how well her new green silk dress flattered her slim figure. Carol couldn’t remember when she’d spent this much time on her appearance, but then she’d never had a lunch date like this one. Maybe when she and her husband Bill first dated, but that was long ago, and now….
This morning at breakfast Bill asked about her plans for the day. “I might do some shopping and stop and see my mother,” she lied. “What about you? Busy day at work?”
“Meetings all day. I’ll be lucky if I eat lunch.”
“Let me pack you a sandwich,” she offered, suppressing a grimace.
“Don’t bother. Someone will go out and pick up something.” He gave Carol a peck on the cheek as he headed out. “Say hello to your mom for me.”
After Bill left, Carol sank into a chair and poured herself another cup of coffee, thinking of the comfortable life she had until two days ago. Bill had been in the shower when she went into the bedroom to make the bed and noticed his sports jacket had fallen from the chair where he had placed it. When she picked it up, she heard a sound coming from the pocket. His cell phone was receiving a text. She pulled the phone out, and without meaning to snoop, read it.
“Looking forward to it,” the text said.
Forward to what? Carol’s curiosity outweighed her intention to return the phone to its pocket. She scrolled backwards and read a series of loving messages between Bill and Marie, culminating in their plans to meet today for a long lunch, and whatever they chose to do afterward, since Bill had the afternoon off!! Yes, Marie was looking forward to it.
Carol’s first reaction when she read the texts had been to confront Bill, but she knew it would go nowhere. He was too clever. He’d make up some believable story and she’d end up apologizing for reading his phone messages. No, the more she thought, the more she decided to catch him at lunch. See how he’d deny that. Maybe Marie would like to know he has a wife.
Where have I been all this time, Carol asked herself, as she sipped the remains of her coffee. ‘Meetings all day’ he said with a straight face. The restaurant where they were having lunch was several miles outside the city, convenient if you don’t want to be caught cheating. Surprise, surprise, Bill, guess who’s going to join you today. Hope you get a table for three. Carol put down her coffee cup and trudged up the stairs, dreading how this could play out. Time to get ready.
She arrived early, parked behind a truck, and waited. Soon Bill’s car appeared and shortly after so did Marie’s. Their greeting with a long kiss made Carol gag. Could she even go through with this confrontation? Yes, she had nothing to lose. She waited several minutes for them to get settled and comfortable inside, then entered the restaurant.
Cliffhanger! Come back next month to find out what happens next.