Mallory got under the warm water and immediately relaxed, finding comfort in the routine. Flashes of memory began presenting themselves in a disjointed, random order. She saw herself on a bed, then in a shower, in an elevator with hands caressing her everywhere, on a sofa, lying down with hands stroking her hair. The more she thought about it, the longer the memory flashes became, until events began to weave themselves back together into a cohesive stream. What she could recollect seemed entirely inconceivable.

She walked into the kitchen, and there was coffee on the table, along with a very large glass of water.

“We’ll, you probably think I’m a…” she started to say, and I cut her off.

“I don’t think anything of the sort,” I said firmly. “You weren’t at some bar, taking men into the restroom. You didn’t sneak off and do this by yourself. This was all open and above board. The possibility was openly discussed.”

Her hand was resting on the table, and I covered it with my own.

“I want you to understand something,” I continued, speaking softly. “You are still the same person today as you were yesterday, last week, last year…nothing has changed. Last night doesn’t mean we have to change our lifestyle or how we feel about each other. What happened last night doesn’t dictate anything, and it certainly doesn’t change who you or I are,” I said very seriously. “I know you have to process this for yourself. I can’t tell you what to think, I can only tell you what I think, and I don’t want you to feel guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, or anything of the sort.”

“Yeah, but when I think about it, I get nauseous,” Mallory said. “I just don’t want you to think…”

“Look, do you want to know what I think?” I said, not waiting for an answer. “I think last night was phenomenal. I think you were totally hot and very sensual, not to mention relaxed and uninhibited. And while you were obviously the focal point of the evening and the center of attention, I don’t want you to feel as though this was all your doing or all your responsibility. I was there too.

I took a deep breath and said, "I had a surprisingly wonderful time. As far as what I think? I think you’re the hottest wife in the world, and seeing you in that way was, well, and I never use this word, but it was honestly awesome.”

“I just don’t want it to change anything,” she said, almost as if that were unavoidable.

“Just because you mow the lawn doesn’t mean you’re a landscaper,” I said.

“I know,” she replied. “It just worries me a bit.”

“Well, today, I’m going to work, go to the store, and talk to clients, just like any other day. You are also going to go about your everyday normal activities, just like any other day. The only difference is, now we have a little secret to keep. I understand that it’ll take you a while to mentally put everything in its place. And if you have any questions for me, I beg you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“And you’re really okay with everything? That’s hard for me to believe, and even harder to accept.”

“Well, right now, today, I am,” I said. “There may be things that I have to work out too, and if there are, I’m going to talk to you about them,” I promised. “I have stuff in the oven and I’d like for you to try and eat something.”

“Okay, then I do have something to ask you,” she said, picking at a biscuit. “Didn’t it bother you watching me with someone else?”

“10 years ago, my answer would have been very different, and if I thought for a second that you had deep romantic feelings for Dean, my answer would be different. But, the way the situation is right now, I’d say no. Was it awkward at times? Oh yeah, it sure was, but the way you behaved made it completely great. And seeing you that aroused was unbelievable.”

“You keep saying that,” she said suspiciously.

“Well, I mean it. I don't think my answer is going to change. I wish you could remember more," I said, then I remembered taking the video with my phone.

“I think I remember enough,” she replied. “I can’t believe you let me do that.”

“Look, I really do believe that it just had to take its course. It did, and everything is fine. No one’s hurt, it wasn’t on the news, and it doesn’t change anything. Just remember that I love you even more today. Remember that.”

“That’s incredible. I can’t say I’d feel the same way if I were in your place,” she answered.

“That's something you don’t have to worry about,” I replied.

“And nothing happened that I would have objected to?” she asked.

“Nope, not a thing. We followed your lead, and all the rules were respected. I have to give Dean credit.”

“Were we there a long time? I mean, in the hotel room?”

“Not a real long time. 90 minutes, maybe 2 hours, something like that,” I answered.

“I’m really sore,” she admitted. “I’m not used to that.”

“I wouldn’t expect that you would be,” I said, kind of laughing.

Mallory started to laugh a bit, too, saying, “That’s not what I meant.”

“You just had a normal intimate evening…times 2.”

“It feels like times 10,” she corrected. “My back is killing me.”

“Now that doesn’t surprise me at all,” I confirmed.

“What do you think of Dean?” she asked a bit timidly.

“Honestly, he wasn’t what I expected. But I don’t know what I was expecting. At least he isn’t some Greek God or anything. That would have bothered me because I would have felt inadequate. He genuinely seems pretty normal…and I think he acted like a pretty normal guy in a very unique situation. I can’t say that we’re best buddies, but he did demonstrate that he could be trusted in a very delicate situation, and that’s honorable. I don’t know if you remember, but he was just as nervous as anybody else. And something else, he’s no Playboy.”

“Really?” she remarked, surprised.

“Oh yeah. He knew he was on thin ice the whole time, and he was ready to back off at the first sign from you,” I answered. “Honestly, I don’t think he initiated much of anything. He was very respectful.”

“Imagine that?” Mallory said, a little shocked, “I never would have guessed.”

“Yep, I gotta give it to him.”

“And I didn’t look fat?”

“Good gosh, no,” I said, laughing.  “Sweetheart, you looked like music.”

Mallory did manage to eat a little something and actually fell asleep on the sofa for a bit. I, as usual, just went into the garage and worked on stuff, just like any other day. In the afternoon, she got up, grabbed her computer, and worked on files, just like any other day. Outwardly, things appeared normal, but that was only on the surface. Knowing her as well as I do, I was certain that the wheels in her mind were racing, processing events, and formulating further questions and curiosities.

I remained, working in the garage, deep into my own thoughts, formulating questions of my own. This was, or had been, a huge and unexpected event. Conversations would definitely happen. So, as per usual, I worked outside until around 3 pm, which is, in our world, close to nap time.

“How ya do’in, Lady?” I asked as I came in from the garage.

“I’m tired, and sore, and my back hurts,” she answered, sleepily, still on the couch.

“I’m sure all of that is true, probably more than you’re used to,” I said sympathetically.

“I’ve been thinking, and I just can’t believe that what happened last night really happened,” she said. “It’s almost like I’m in shock or something,” Mallory added. “That’s just something I never, ever would have even considered. It’s just not me.”

“Well, I think it is a bit shocking, no doubt about that. It’s also shocking in a couple of ways. I mean, you can’t believe you went through with it, and I can’t believe that I’m not just full of regret and completely incensed. I keep waiting for the anger and jealousy to take hold.”

“There’s a lot about this that doesn’t make sense,” Mallory remarked. “I don’t know if I’m disappointed, mad, excited, regretful, or what. And the fact that you’re okay with everything is just unsettlingly weird.”

“I’m not going to argue with that,” I agreed. “But wouldn’t it be worse if I were? I don’t think my storming around and being angry would help you or me very much,” I concluded.

“But in some way, the fact that you’re not mad is making me feel like you don’t care.”

“Oh, hold it right there,” I said. “That’s not even anywhere near the truth, and way too feminine for me to wrap my head around,” I replied, surprised. “Is that what’s bothering you? Because, truth be told, I feel exactly the opposite of that. I’m actually impressed and proud that you had the courage to live out a fantasy, especially one like that. More importantly, having been completely honest about it. I love you even more today. That takes real courage, and a very high degree of trust,” I explained.

I sat down next to her on the sofa. “I’m seeing you, or at least a part of you, in a totally different light, and I really like what I see. And that’s probably a terrible explanation, but seeing you so sensual and aroused was, well, extraordinary.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” she said, with a touch of skepticism. “It’s just hard to accept.”

“Okay, well, it was like this…it was, unexpectedly natural,” I said, struggling for a good way to define it.

“Good Grief, nothing could be more unnatural,” she said, as if becoming frustrated.

“Alright, let me try this again. I didn’t feel left out. You didn’t focus all your attention on just one person. Was it awkward?  Honestly, yes, briefly at times, but overall, it just kind of worked,” I said, still grappling. “My biggest concern is for you. As long as you’re okay, then we’re okay. Like I keep saying, this was really, and truly, a “together” kind of thing.”

“You’re going to have to tell me more about what happened. I just want to be able to sort out what really happened from what I might be imagining.”

“Alright. Now I’m going to say this as many times as I need to so you’ll believe me. You didn’t do anything you wouldn’t ordinarily do. You weren’t forced, manipulated, or anything of the sort. You were simply, uh, more active.”

“Active?” she replied. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you were flirty…uninhibited…receptive. There’s a good word: receptive. You were a little hottie girl enjoying herself,” I said. “But I know that’s not what you asked. Okay, so you said you remember everything up to the point where you were dancing, right?”

“Yeah, that’s where it gets a little fuzzy. It’s not like I blacked out or anything, I just don’t think I’m recalling things in the right order.”

“Okay, after you danced, you both sat back down. Dean and I kind of explored you a bit under the table.”

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed. “At the table!?”

“We’ve been over this,” I said, trying not to become irritated. “You know, there was actually kind of a funny moment,” I said, trying to lighten things up a bit.

“How could that be even the tiniest bit funny?” she asked, a if it was inconceivable.

“Well, there was a moment, after we had all talked for a bit, when I had a hand on your thigh, just rubbing you, and Dean, also had a hand on your other thigh…” Suddenly, you grew silent and your eyes got really, really big. I slid my hand up to touch your pinkness and found that Dean had beaten me to the destination,” I said. “You have never seen 3 people move so fast in different directions,” I added, starting to laugh a bit. “Dean moved his hand like he’d stuck it into a fire. I moved my hand so fast that I hit the underside of the table, and you practically crawled over the table top in panic to get to the bathroom. And this happened in the course of about three seconds.”

Mallory tried not to laugh, but did kind of smile.

“But honestly, it was very discreet. No one had any idea what was going on. When you came back from the bathroom, you just resumed your place between us, sipping your drink,” I said, trying to reassure her. “Then I went to the bathroom and left you two alone for a couple of minutes.”

“Oh Gosh,” she said, afraid of what she was going to hear next.

“When I came back, you both were just sitting, kind of facing each other in the booth, talking.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” she said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“But when I sat back down, I found that he had his hand under your skirt, stroking the little pink kitten.”

“OH MY GOSH!” she exclaimed, turning bright red. “I remember that now!!” she added. “And was I….ummm….was I…”

“Let's just say you were making a new friend,” I disclosed.

Mallory turned a brand new shade of red.

“As soon as you noticed I was back, you moved your hand away from Dean and me, well, I put it back,”

“You did what?” she said, astonished.

“I did,” I said, nodding my head. “I wanted you to know that whatever happened, I was totally in favor of. Anyway, that was when Dean mentioned that he’s gotten a room there.”

“And then we went to the room?” she asked.

“No, not right away," I said. “We talked and I made certain that you were sure you wanted to, and that you could put a stop to anything and everything at any time. So, nobody just rushed up to the room.”

“I do remember getting in the elevator and going to the room,” she admitted.

“Oh yeah, the elevator ride was very interesting,” I said. “You were in the center of a little sandwich.”

“Oh, I remember that, alright,” she replied, still red all the way up to her ears. “It was like there were hands all over me.”

“There were hands all over you. I thought that was pretty hot,” I said. “And it was pretty clear to me that at that point, someone else was doing my thinking for me.”

She almost laughed again and said, “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what was happening.”

“So, we got to the room and sort of settled. We sat on the couch for a few minutes,” I said.

“Oh yeah…” she said, blushing tremendously. “I remember that. That was when I expected you to explode.”

“Right? If I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t believe it myself,” I admitted. “I was just mesmerized by watching you. You were flirty, playful, and super sexy.” I professed. “But the craziest thing was that there wasn’t any, “What do we do now?” moment. Things just happened, no orchestration. It just happened,” I concluded.

“Good Grief,” Mallory said, still in disbelief. “Things happened, alright,” she added. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“It’s going to take some time, but I think once you get over the shock and what you feel might be embarrassing, I think you’ll come to terms with it and decide whether it was fun or not. And that will take as long as it takes.”

“I’m still exhausted,” she said, obviously having had enough of this conversation for the time being.

“Well, let’s take a nap, and after a while, we’ll go and get some dinner. You can relax a bit.”

“Just as long as I’m not relaxing like I was last night,” she cautioned.

“Nope, no relaxing like last night. We don’t even have to talk about last night until you’re ready, how’s that?”

“That suits me just fine,” Mallory said with a touch of relief in her voice.

A few hours later, we did go have dinner. Nothing was said about the night before, nor was Dean’s name mentioned. I wanted to ask if she’d heard from him, but I thought if she had, she would’ve said something.

We came back home, watched a little Saturday night TV, and started getting ready for bed. As usual, I took a shower, and you were already in bed when I finished. I went to plug in my phone, and once again remembered the recording I’d made the previous evening. The thought of watching it did most certainly cross my mind, but I held off and amused myself in the usual way. I figured I’d better tell her about the little movie I made in the morning.

We woke up as usual to the sounds of hungry animals, and Mallory got up first while I lay in bed, just thinking and wondering how I would approach the subject of the video I had made. After a little while, she came back to the bedroom, like she always does, and I decided the best approach was the direct approach.

“So, during the event, I recorded a few little things on my phone,” I admitted. “Now, in the spirit of complete transparency and being honest, I wanted to tell you sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it would be like I was hiding something.”

“Oh, I know”, she said rather flatly.

“You know?” I replied, astonished. “You know about what?”

“Honey, I know, the little movies? I already know,” she replied with a bit of a naughty smile. “I may have a few fuzzy spots in my complete memory of everything that happened, but I vividly recall those moments.”

“Well, well, aren’t you full of surprises,” I said, kind of smirking. “I was afraid to mention it.”

“I was beginning to wonder how long it was going to take for you to tell me,” she said, chuckling a bit. “I wanted you to have a souvenir.”

“You seemed to be really enjoying yourself,” I said.

“You seemed to be really enjoying yourself, too,” she responded. “You didn’t see the expression on your face,” she added.

I kind of smiled. “I can admit, watching you was pretty damn hot. I’ve always said, you’re the sexiest woman alive.”

“Maybe, when I want to be,” Mallory replied with a trace of her naughty smile, “And you’re still not angry or jealous about what happened?” she inquired.

“I can honestly say that, right now, I’m still fine. I keep thinking about it, and I can tell you the exact moment when I knew I was alright with the whole event….It was when he was leaving, and you told him what was what. At that point, I knew that it was all in fun, albeit adult fun, and that was that. It sort of put the whole thing into a different perspective. So, you actually made it totally acceptable,” I explained. “And how are you doing with everything?”

“I’m starting to feel better about it. I don’t know if “better” is the right word. Maybe the shock of it actually happening is wearing off a bit. I’m just feeling a bit more settled with things,” she admitted. “I just want to make sure that you’re okay and that this hasn’t changed things between us. That’s my biggest concern.”

“Trust me, you don’t have to worry. I’m fine. Truthfully, I’m better than fine,” I said. “ I think you’re extraordinary.”

“I would say I’m extraordinary,” Mallory replied. “But, at this point, for me, I’m glad it happened the way it did.”

“Oh yeah, you’re extraordinary all right. I watched some of the video,” I confessed. “Extraordinary may even fall short of an accurate description.”

“Oh, Honey,” she said, getting a bit red in the face, “You know some of that was acting for your benefit, right?”

“Hey, don’t kill the dream,” I replied. “It all looked genuine to me.”

Mallory laughed, “Okay, okay, it was completely authentic.”

“It was completely on fire, is what it was, and I’m willing to bet I know someone else that shares that opinion.”

“You think so, huh?” she retorted, with the tiniest smile

“Oh yeah,” I confirmed. “Maybe even more so. This was, after all, his first time.”

“If you’re going to look at it that way, it was your first time too,” she said, making a point

“You know something? You’re right. It was my first time,” I responded, agreeing. “Maybe sometime, there’ll be another time?” I offered fishing around.

“Maybe there might be “another time, sometime”, but I can promise you that it won’t be for some time,” Mallory said jokingly, and it was nice to see that she was beginning to put this into its proper perspective.

“But honestly, you enjoyed it that much?” she added quizzically

“I enjoyed you that much,” I clarified.

“Life is certainly full of surprises.”