Cliff is in his office when the phone rings. He picks it up and before he can say hello, Lew’s voice says, “Good morning, Cliff. I’ll only take a minute.” He laughs. “I only want to know how the blue pill worked.”
“No complaints.”
“How long does the pill last?”
“Long enough. Don’t worry, I’ve got a jar full.”
“What’s happening with young Jack?”
“He's coming up next week for a meeting I arranged with a hotshot tv producer in town. Works at the area’s top station, WCIN-TV.”
“Please keep me posted on Jack’s progress. I’ve checked around and learned that one of New York's major advertising agencies is looking to hire a young writer-producer.”
“That sounds ideal.”
“I wonder if the kid can act.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve got an “in” with the soap opera crowd, in case he gets desperate.”
“It did well by you, right?”
“I have no complaints. I know you’re busy, but keep me posted.”
“You know I will.” Cliff hangs up the phone and tells his secretary that he’s going to lunch.”
He takes the elevator to the street level, and because the outside temperature is in the mid thirties, he walks briskly to the nearby City Plaza.
Marie is waiting for him.
“I have an appointment in a hour,” she says as she removes his tie.
“You mean no chit chat first?”
“If you want chit chat, call your wife.”
“We only talk on holidays, and Christmas is still two weeks off.”
“That reminds me, what are you giving me for Christmas?”
“You’re holding it.”
“Good, let me try it on for size.”
“But first, remove the ribbon.”
Marie laughs so hard she falls on the bed. Finally, she says, “Come to Sweetie. There’s not much time left.”
Forty minutes later, the two of them shower together, get dressed, and take five minutes for coffee and a snifter of brandy.
“Tell me Cliff, do you love me, or am I just a fad?”
“I adore you.”
“But do you love me?”
“I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
“But do you love me?”
“I think about you all the time.”
“But--”
“Yes, dammit, I love you.”
“Just need to be reassured.”
“Finish your brandy and let’s go before you miss your appointment. Who with?”
"The guys at the advertising agency are introducing Parker’s PartyPak at cocktail parties on Valentine’s Day in five cities: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Denver, and San Francisco.”
“Cincinnati, Huh? Yes, I’m the hostess.”
“Am I invited?"
“What do you think? It was your idea.”
“Will there be music?”
“Yes.”
“Will I get to dance with the hostess?”
“Yes, but you’ll have to stand in line.”
“I haven’t stood in a line since the army.”
“Will I see you tonight?”
“How about dinner?”
“Good, you bring the wine and we’ll eat potluck.”
“I’ll also bring steaks.”
“In that case, pick up a veggie and a loaf of French bread.”
“Anything else?”
“Kiss me.”
"If I do that you can forget the appointment.”
“Oh, damn. Let’s go.”
Back in his office, Cliff hangs his coat and calls Sally to say that he won’t be home for dinner.
“That’s ok, Dad. Judd and I can eat out. You working late again?”
“No.”
“That’s all you’re going to say?”
“Yes.”
“Well…enjoy.”
“Thanks, Sally, you too. Say hi to Judd.”
“And you say hi to whomever.”
When Cliff hangs up the phone he wonders how much longer he can wait to introduce Sally to Marie. She knows he’s seeing someone, so he may as well get the two together. And soon. Maybe dinner. Maybe a show. Maybe New Year’s Eve at home, when Judd’s there to ease the tension. What the hell? Why should there be tension? They’ll like each other. I think.
That night, over their steaks and baked potatoes, Cliff and Marie discuss the situation. Marie doesn’t see any problem. After all, he and his wife are separated. She’s probably seeing someone. Why shouldn’t he?
“Explain that to Sally,” he says. “She thinks that her mother and father are going to get together again.”
“Well, are they?”
“How do I know? It’s been twelve years since we’ve seen each other.”
“Do you still love her? Or maybe I should ask, do you still want her?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t know. Right now, the only woman I want is you.”
"That's because I'm the only woman available." A coldness enters her voice. "What about later, when you see your sweet wife again?
“I guess I won’t know until I see her. And who says she's sweet?"”
"You do every time you mention her name. It's that sweet way you say it."
"Well, she is my wife, the mother of my daughter, and the first girl I ever loved."
“That doesn’t sound very promising for me. I don't like playing substitute for your long-distance love. Perhaps I should start looking for another man.”
Cliff stares at the beautiful woman seated across the table. “Maybe you should. You could find a strong, good-looking, younger man.”
“Is that what you want me to do?”
“Hell no.”
“Then shut up and pour some more wine.”
“Marie, I do love you. More than I thought possible."
"You can't love two women with the same passion at the same time. Make up your mind, Cliff. Do you want her, the woman you haven't seen in twelve years, or do you want good old dependable available me?
"Marie, how could I possibly think of wanting another woman with you sitting there in that incredible negligee?”
Marie taunts him by shaking the gown loose from one shoulder.
“How do you expect me to finish my steak?”
“I don’t.”
Cliff pushes his plate aside, gets up, walks around the table, takes Marie in his arms, and heads for the bedroom.
“Oh my,” says Marie. “Who says I need a younger, stronger man? Lover, you’re man enough for me. Where do you get all that stamina?”
In a little blue pill, Cliff wants to say. Instead, he says, “My morning Wheaties.”
Cliff puts her down by the bed, slowly removes her negligee and surveys her with his eyes. “Marie, you’re so beautiful it hurts me to look at you.”
“Then don’t look.”
“I can’t help it. I want to devour you.”
“Consider it dessert.” She loosens his robe, drops it to the floor, and pulls him onto the bed.
The frenzy begins anew.
An hour or so later as they lie on the bed exhausted, Cliff says, “What are we going to do about Sally?”
“Tell her.”
“Tell her what?”
“That you love me, Silly? And, damn you, only me."
Cliff hesitates. "Ok...when?”
“At your place on New Year’s Eve when her guy is there, just as you mentioned earlier. Just tell her and then we’ll all hold hands and sing, Auld Lang Syne.”
Cliff rolls over on Marie, kisses her nose, and says, “Did I ever tell you that you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known?”
“Don’t you forget it.”
This time the lovemaking is warmer and less frenetic as they tease and explore each other well into the night.
End
