Chapter 19
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“ Fathers have to be broken in slowly to the idea their little girls are becoming women. Your father was impressed by Rich because he plans to go to college, has good grades and is goal oriented.”“ Are all my boyfriends going to be interviewed?”“ As your father said, until you turn seventeen, absolutely. It is the terms to which you agreed,” Tanya reminded her daughter. Thinking on how the day really really turned out, Nicole nodded, finished her tea and said goodnight.“ I like Rich also for the same reason as your father. He is also very handsome. Goodnight,” Tanya said, as Nicole blushed and went to her room.
The hockey game on the bedroom television was not nearly so interesting as Tanya turned down the sound and began to dance and disrobe. Eddie watched as she swayed and slipped from the white silky top and bottoms.“ You are over dressed,” she said, as she crawled over him to get to her side of the bed. As Eddie quickly removed the sweatpants and shirt, Tanya picked up the remote control. She had not been able to concentrate on her book all evening. Instead she found herself constantly glancing at the DVD player. Taking a position on the huge bed that allowed both of them a view of the screen, she was soon moving between the fantasy world and the reality of making love to Eddie. Wrapped in her love and passion, Eddie was along for the ride. When their eyes met time after time, he saw the tiny tiger that had stolen his heart so long ago.
Spent and holding each other, Tanya started to laugh and kissed him deeply. Eddie turned off the television.“ Do you want to let me in on the joke?” he asked.“ Our love making has always been wonderful. I have never had any complaints in that part of our marriage. But this is crazy.” she said.“ What is crazy about watching dirty movies together?” Tanya explained it was not the movies. It was her vision of their future together. The fact that just when she thought their love life should be winding down, it was getting better. Her whole body seemed more in tune with every touch. The hairs on the back of her neck tingled.“ I have never had orgasms that curled my toes. I am turning into a nymphomaniac. I think about sex all the time,” Tanya said seriously.“ Have you considered the idea that exploring some new sexual adventures has you really turned on?” Eddie said, fighting back the laughter.“ When did we get boring?”“ We didn’ t. We created comfortable routines.”“ We certainly stepped out of those routines!” Tanya exclaimed.“ Yes and it’ s exciting. Like a new ride at an old amusement park.”“ So now I’ m an old amusement park?” Tanya teased.“ And I bought a lifetime pass,” he said.“ Now you think you can just come on in anytime you want?” Her eyes twinkled at the thought.“ I’ m realistic, I know about maintenance fees.” It was Eddie’ s turn too tease.“ You are treading on thin ice,” she warned.“ When did the park install an ice rink?”“ Cute,” she said, pulled the comforter over them, and rolled, taking his arm with her, moving him into his position, cuddled behind her.
In a half asleep state he asked the question that kept popping into his head, about why they had a king sized bed when they only needed a twin. His lips brushed her ear.“ Somewhere in the night we drift apart,” she answered, feeling safe in his embrace. His first thought was he did not want to drift apart. The next thought asked an important question.“ Then why did you cheat?” It took a while and a great deal of effort to convince himself that he did not cheat. It was just a very vivid fantasy, an incredibly erotic dream. It never happened.
To her face Eddie’ s father called his wife“ Cleopatra.” Behind her back she was“ Queen of Denial.” She raised her prince, the product of her one and only incredibly disgusting and very painful coupling with her husband, to view the world as she had been taught.“ If you don’ t like it, make it up. Reality only exists in your mind.” Maxine Dodge had never uttered those exact words, she simply lived by them.