This is a Christian retreat. Everything about the compound shrieked order and piety. Three crosses stood opposite the bonfire from the seats, and Bob stood in front of them popping the popcorn.
So, it gets to be my turn and I start reading. I didn’t think my story was risqué, it seemed tame when I wrote it… but as I was reading I saw lines that I didn’t want to say in front of Bob and the crosses, in a place where they obviously prayed. So I started editing, skipping over lines that I wouldn’t let my kids read. The first page I did ok, the second page was harder. Once the characters started kissing, I couldn’t read anymore. My ears turned red and I started to stammer.
Someone said, “I think she’s editing.”
Embarrassed by the material I choked out “Someone else has to go.” I couldn’t read it anymore.
Later that evening, we assembled in the common room and they told me I needed to reread the story. When I was done the room filled with applause. They all wondered why I stopped reading it.
I said that I couldn’t say the word, “hungrily” in front of Bob. I just couldn’t.
Everyone else finished reading their stories, those that didn’t have one went into the other room to decide who won. They came back and said they were all so good that they drew a name from a hat and I won. Andrea Jackson hands me the gift bag and declares, “I hungrily present you with this award.”
Hungrily was the word of the retreat from then on. When I asked what the statute of limitations was on teasing. I was told there is none, and expect that if I ever receive an award it too will be presented “hungrily.” :)
For those of you that are curious, I’m pasting the story below.
“I don’t see how you can deal with having him gone for three months.” Megan said, helping Tammy adjust her wig. “I’d have had an affair by now.”
Tammy smiled at her friend. “Yeah, you need someone around every minute this week, but next week they’re suffocating you.”
“I’m just saying you must be in love.”
“Oh, I am.” Finally satisfied with the wig, Tammy started on her makeup. “It can be hard sometimes, but when he comes home it’s like our honeymoon all over again,” she said, lowering a lid to apply the violet shadow.
“Yeah that’ll stop when you have kids. It’ll be like you’re a single mom when he’s gone.”
“True.” Tammy pursed her lips. She knew several navy wives in that position but they seemed to handle it alright. “There are counselors to help families deal.”
“Whatever.” Megan waved a hand. “So, what’s with the wig?”
“Every deployment I make sure he comes home to a surprise.”
“Surprise?”
“Sure, the first time I just decorated. But then I started trying to top myself. Last time I stripped the instant we came home and served dinner in the buff.”
“I’ll bet he liked that.” Megan laughed.
“We ate dinner cold that night.” Tammy grinned with the memory. They ate it naked feeding each other.
“I get the idea, but you have a better surprise than the wig.” Megan crossed the room to help Tammy zip up her dress.
“He’s so observant I need a decoy. The wig is misdirection.” Tammy twirled, examining the effect in the mirror.
“He’ll be surprised. I wish I could see his face.” Megan nodded toward the hallway.
***
Tammy waited with the rest of the wives in a roped off area. The sounds of crying children accompanied the harbor noises. Baby diapers and cloying perfume did little to mask the smells of the seawater and oil.
She fought the urge to scratch under the wig. Her feet ached in the stiletto heals and she forgot to slather her cleavage in sunscreen. It was worth it. If she hadn’t done this he would be on the lookout for something else.
Sailors disembarked slowly.
Finally, she saw Mark and kept herself from running into his arms. Holding her ground, she continued to search the faces of the men behind him. Try though she might her eyes flicked back to her husband. Just the sight of him made her weak. His height and broad shoulders filled out the uniform impressively. Scanning the crowd, he walked in her direction. Her flesh burned as his gaze swept over her.
He got closer. Closer. She focused everything she had on controlling her breathing. He walked up beside her she continued to face forward pretending to watch the men coming ashore.
All at once, his duffle hit the ground with a thud, strong hands gripped her shoulders spinning her to him and his mouth pressed hungrily against hers.
When the kiss ended the embrace did not. He pressed his lips against her cheek and neck, running his fingers up into the wig. “I like you better without the wig.”
She whispered back, “It’ll be the first thing I take off.”
“Then let’s get home.”
***
“Do you mind if we order in for dinner?” Mark asked as he unlocked the door.
“If you want to.” She smiled at him desperately trying to hide her nervousness at revealing the real surprise.
“Oh yeah.” He shut the door behind them and caught her around the waist. “Everything I have in mind requires you home and your hands free.”
His kiss wiped her mind bare. Curling her toes and every muscle in her body convulsed then went limp. Thank God he was home.
She held onto his shoulders for a moment after he released her, until her vision cleared.
“There’s something you need to see.”
“Really?” He grinned tugging on the zipper of her dress.
“Not that.” She danced out of reach and led him down the hall. . “I redecorated the guest room.” If she didn’t show him now she’d blurt it out.
“Good. I’ll see it later.” His lips caressed her jaw and neck.
“I can’t concentrate until you take a look.” She turned the knob and pushed.
To his credit, he raised his head and glanced through the door before returning his attention to her neck. She waited, holding her breath.
He paused. Rocking back on his heals. He met her gaze with a bewildered expression.
She smiled at him, warmed by the tenderness of his fingers that now caressed her abdomen. He looked into the room again.
“Really?” he asked. He laid a palm on her still flat belly.
She nodded. “Just over three months.”
He threw his head back and crowed. Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her off to their bedroom leaving the door to the new nursery open.
“This is the best surprise yet.”
Tammy ran a hand along his jaw. “Just wait until next time.”
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