There was no look of surprise or shock. Not a look of confusion or concern. She looked in one direction, then looked in the other direction. Followed by her silent acknowledgement when she took him by the hand. After thirty-five years of marriage, through a lot of ups and downs, their sex life had all but disappeared. He couldn't remember the last time they gave oral to one another. Intercourse was mundane and reserved fo...

Bill’s actions hadn’t gone unnoticed. Locking himself up and leaving the key on the bedroom dresser became a daily thing. Every time Ann saw it, she would pause to remember the day at the hotel. The memory made her think of how uncharacteristically she had acted, but she also wondered why it felt particularly apt. Ann pondered whether it was just a one-time thing or if Bill was secretly arranging more. Unforeseen fantasie...

The next morning, Ann woke to the sounds of Bill in the shower. She got up and slid open the drapes to allow daylight to fill the room. Gazing across the room, the small shiny contraption sitting on the nightstand caught her eye. She picked it up and examined it. The metal cage was firm and slightly curved. She picked up the key lying next to it. Inserting the key into the small keyhole, Ann turned it left and right. Bill...

Bill rang the doorbell. The president of the HOA opened the door, welcoming Bill and Ann in. It had been a year since the last meeting. Bill and Ann saw plenty of familiar neighborhood faces, along with a few new faces. As in every year, it was more of a social event filled with neighborhood gossip than a meeting with amendments and budgets. The two made their way through the house filled with residents, making polite con...