Chapter 4: The Reunion

After I put the last suitcase in the rear of the SUV I headed back into the house.

My parents were sitting with the kids on the sofa. “Thanks for putting up with me and the kids for an extra several days. Who would have thought Sudbury would get so much snow?”

My mother replies, “You know it isn’t a problem. Have a safe trip home and let us know when your next visit is scheduled.”

The kids had jumped up and were ready to bolt out to the car so I nudged them back toward their grandparents for a goodbye hug, and then followed suit, giving mom a hug and shaking dad’s hand.

“OK, we’re off. I’ll call when we get home to let you know we arrived safely. The next trip may be sooner than expected. The client is trying to put together a ‘thank you’ event for their suppliers. No details yet, but I think it may be before my normal call next quarter.”

As I spoke we had moved from the living room to the front porch and onto the driveway.

“You know you and the kids are welcome anytime. Just let us know.” Mom again gave me a brief hug and then turned toward the house waving over her shoulder as she walked up the drive.

“Frederick, be safe, and more importantly, be careful when you get home.” With that dad offered a perfunctory wave, spun on his heels, and followed his wife into the warmth of the house.

The kids were now secured in their seats. I removed my coat to be more comfortable on the drive and threw it onto the passenger seat before sliding in behind the wheel. Before engaging the transmission, I tried to call Abby once again, and once again got her voicemail.

“Hey Abby, it’s me, just wanted to let you know the kids are bundled up, secured in the car, and we’re leaving now. If the roads are clear the trip should be about four hours which will put us at home around one. I’ll call from the road with an updated ETA. Maybe we can meet somewhere for a late lunch?”

After leaving my message I disconnect the call and dropped the phone into the center console. I put the car in gear and headed out of the neighborhood for the four-hour drive. By the time I reached the highway both kids had conked out and were sleeping soundly in the backseat which left me alone with my thoughts.

The warning Sheila gave about the upcoming contract negotiations was real, but luckily, no one broached the topic during my presentation the next morning. A conflict was coming, though. The ‘thank you’ offsite event that Sheila insisted on throwing solely for the chance of being together for a night was also coming. I didn’t see any way out of attending if I wanted to keep my contracts with Sheila and Reliable Corporate Staffing.

As I thought about the situation with Sheila my mind wandered into the past and the events that made my relationship with her possible. I knew the exact tipping point. It was at Derrick’s bachelor party. Derrick and I shared a dorm room, and then an apartment for three years in college, and then remained friends after graduating even though Derrick lived halfway across the country. Derrick’s brother had planned the party. In fact, it was a weekend of debauchery, with the highlight coming on Saturday night at a well-known strip club in their home town.

Abby was pregnant with our first child at the time so I jumped at the chance to fly out for the weekend and spend some time with my college buddies. I arrived just in time for Friday’s dinner and drinks, and then more drinks, and then a stumbling walk to my hotel room where I went unconscious. I woke on Saturday just in time for a very late lunch, followed by a short ride in a limo where we were whisked away to the club.

Derrick’s brother went all-in on the evening. I don’t know what Derrick’s brother did for a living, but I couldn’t imagine the outlay he made to make the weekend happen. They weren’t just at the strip club, but in a private room with its own stage where the girls would dance for them before going to the main stage and public audience for their regular set.

I tried to avoid a hangover from the night before by adding more booze to my system. It was a bad strategy, but that was the state of my rational thought. It also meant my inhibitions were non-existent. When Violet took the stage I thought I was in love. She was Asian and gorgeous. Unlike the previous dancers, her shy demeanor and apparently inhibited dance made me instantly hard. When she finished her dance I saw Derrick’s brother say something to her as she made her way to the main public stage.

The next dancer was very pretty, of course, but I couldn’t help but compare her to Violet. As I watched her remove each article of clothing to reveal a great set of double-d tits and a neatly trimmed landing strip, I only thought about Violet.

When she finished I found my way to the bathroom to empty my bladder, and then to the open bar for a beer. I’d been drinking mixed drinks all night and wanted something different. As the bartender got the beer I ordered I leaned back against the bar. I saw Violet enter and turn her head as she scanned the room. Her gaze rested on me, she smiled, and made a beeline to where I was standing at the bar.