Chapter 20: Dinner Guests

Between the main dish that Mia and Lucia prepared, and the au gratin potatoes that the Murrays brought, there was plenty of food and the meal was a big success. Even better, their guests had brought a small ice filled cooler with ice cream, a treat the trio could not have brought up from their home four hours away.

“So, why did you pick this particular place to rent?” asked Arthur.

Lucia explained about her back and the spa recommended by her doctor.

“Oh, my goodness!” Lyn was excited. “I’ve been talking to Arthur about getting one of those for our place. Is it really helpful to you?”

“More than helpful. Um, since we’re all adults here, I can admit this. I told Gabe it was an opposite-orgasm, extreme pleasure but without the muscle tension. Oh, I’m sorry, guys, I should have told you to bring swimsuits so you could try it.”

“Wait a minute. You go out there on the deck and get in the hot water, what, twice a day?”

“Or more. The doc says we have to get up on the side every 15 minutes, and only stay in for a maximum hour and a half. The water is at 102 degrees, feeling like hot bathwater, and I can get in the water almost all the way up to my ears.”

“Oh, that does sound wonderful. But isn’t that a hassle putting on and taking off wet swimsuits every time?”

Mia flushed, embarrassed, but Lucia was thinking about the hot water and didn’t even hesitate. “Oh, no, we just go out there naked. Gabe suggested it, although partly I think he wanted an excuse to ogle Mia.”

“And ogle you, too, Lucia. Hell, I have the same impulse, and my husband does also. Arthur is just too shy and polite to admit it.”

“Wow. Um. Golly. Thanks, I guess.”

“And, on a related topic. Unless there’s an objection, my husband and I would like to invite ourselves to join you in an after-dinner soaking. Yes, naked. All five of us. If you don’t mind that I’m too...”

“Beautiful.” Arthur interrupted her.

Mia spoke softly. “He loves you, doesn’t he.”

“For forty-three years. Lyn is my everything. And my bad hip is also asking if we could please join you very pretty people. In a good way, I’d like to get in hot water with you.”

Lucia said, “All in favor? Opposed? I guess it’s unanimous. You men get undressed, then go out and wrestle off the cover and start the jets. The three of us will organize the drinks and the plastic cups. There’s a ‘no glass in the spa’ rule we’re supposed to follow. Lyn, the spa needs about five minutes to reach the proper temperature. And you might want to hit the bathroom upstairs before you go out there. It’s a pain to get out in the cold air to run inside.

Accompanied by catcalls and hooting the two men came back naked through the kitchen on their way out to the deck. While they waited for their partners to join them, Arthur and Gabe talked about the spa, what was necessary to keep it running, chemicals, filters, and so on. Gabe passed on what he had learned after doing some quick internet research.

Then the women were walking down the open stairway to the deck. Arthur stared at Mia and Lucia; Gabe stared at Lyn. Arthur repeated the maxim that Lucia was showing the body that Mia would have in 20 years.

“Astonishing.”

“It is, but she’s really a sweet person, too. All those stupid mother-in-law jokes are just meaningless to me. She’s always been supportive since Mia and I first met. But your wife is pretty hot, too, Arthur. If you married her 43 years ago, she must have been two years old, you dog!”

The women were climbing over the edge and settling into the molded seats in the sides of the spa. Gabe was talking to Arthur, but his eyes were locked on Lyn. She had heard his remark.