Chapter 13: Out Here In The Field

As you blindly picked up your keys to leave for your date, a warm hand softly held yours to get your attention.

'Where to?' she asked, wearing the revealing silk pajamas she damn well knew got your heart racing.

'Uhm, I'm going out with a couple of guys from work. David wanted us to watch the game from -- and I quote -- 'a drinking place of his standard'. You let out a nervous chuckle, and somehow managed to keep it sturdy.

'Oh, okay. Have fun... '

'Thanks, probably will... ' you said, with another hopeless chuckle.

'I kinda wanted to spend time with you tonight.'

Halfway out the door, you paused. There was that fucking confliction again. It was ripe with shock, confusion, and a sudden jar-full of lust.

'Oh... w- what did you have in mind?'

'Thought we could watch a movie or something, have some snacks, and I don't know... see what happens.'

For some reason it felt a little awkward, hearing her talk like that. But you couldn't think about that, in that moment, you were too busy trying to figure out whether or not that was your wife you were having a conversation with.

You quietly stared at her for a few seconds, with half an erection stewing in your pants, then somehow the rationality gods smiled down upon you.

'Uhm, that sounds good... ' you said, and her face brightened up ever so slightly 'But... the guys are expecting me, I'd hate to be the buzzkill who didn't show up... '

The silence that followed your response was deafening.

'Oh... right. You're right. Sorry. Uhm, have fun.'

'Thanks, I'm sorry I-'

'No there's no need, I uhh, I've got some work stuff to finish up with anyway'

You stared at her for a couple more seconds, and walked out with an 'okay' that just barely left your mouth. Gosh, that was such a painful ordeal. why tonight, of all nights, would she pick to show genuine interest in you?!

* * *

The intro to 'Baba O'Riley' has got nothing on how your date felt. You secretly glanced at your phone any chance you got. Hardly retaining any information coming out of Aya's mouth, every now and then, you fixated on the discovery that she was actually fairly talkative when she really got going.

You were brimming with empathy for your wife. More so; you were thinking about why the hell she changed so suddenly. You thought maybe she was just in the mood, and you happened to be the closest one? You thought maybe something happen with Norma-

Your mind paused abruptly. So much so that you gently held Aya's forearm, almost involuntarily.

'What'sss up?' She asked inquisitively, putting a pause on what would have been a delightful rant on any other day, on that evening it was unsolicited gibberish from a pretty mouth.

You looked at her with a blank expression on your face, a light smile germinated from the corners of your mouth, but it was only because you found it funny that it was the only moment, throughout the whole date, in which you looked at her with any sort of genuine intent.

'I have to use the bathroom' You said softly.

'Oh, okay, you better get going. Seems a little serious... '

You got up as calmly as your presence of mind would allow you, and headed for the men's room. Aya quietly stared at you until you were out of sight, then returned to nursing her drink.

The men's room was bland, compared to the rest of the joint; not much going on where 'fancy' is concerned. It was clean, though, that's what mattered. And it didn't smell like chicken tikka masala.

By the time you got there, a little rationality had kicked in, and you weren't in the scurry you expected to be in. Staring at yourself in the mirror, you took a breath, and briefly pondered upon the weight of what you were about to find out.

You playfully tucked in your lips at the thought of punching the mirror in frustration, if the next few minutes went to shit.

You pulled your phone out and dialed your wife's number. At this point, you were so focused on what you were doing, you hardly heard the only other guy in there greet you.

The phone rang for a while, and she didn't answer the first time. This made you break out in a light sweat of angst. Your second attempt was successful, however.

'Hey... '

'Hi, how's... your evening going?' You scrunched up your face, knowing that was a little too much.

'It's... alright. I'm done with my work stuff. Thinking of something I could watch a few episodes of, then I think I'll just head to bed'.

'Oh okay. Sounds like a comfortable evening... '

'Yeah, how's yours going? What bar did you guys pick?'

Oh boy.

'Uhh, some place... I don't even know what it's called really. I either didn't see the sign, or they don't have one. Dave just had us park here and walk in. Neat place though.'

'Oh cool, cool. Well I hope you're having a nice time'.

It was at this moment when you thought it a good idea to explain why your end of the phonecall was so quiet in the background.

'I'm in the men's room', you said with a slight break in your voice.

'Oh right, I was wondering where Dave's loud 'gooooaaaal' was'.

You chuckled lightly at her humor, and for some reason, it made you you feel even worse.

You suddenly realised her end of the call was a little too quiet as well, but she was home at her desk. It only makes sense, right? Right?

You cleared your throat and allowed the conversation to go silent, and listend for anything unusual.

'You still there?' She asked.

'Oh yeah I just zoned out a little, sorry. Okay uhm, I just thought I'd check on you.'

'Nice to know men's restrooms remind you of me.' She said in a dry humourous tone, and chuckled.

You laughed a little louder than you expected to.

'Now she's making jokes? Who the hell is this woman?' You thought to yourself.

'Okay well, I'll see you later'.

'Later babe'.

That made you lift your eyebrows and tilt your head. You relaxed your face when you suddenly started thinking about how the phonecall revealed nothing. Somehow you were glad there wasn't much to suspect, but at the same time the looming uncertainty made you anxious.

Sneaking Norman into the house and into the bedroom would be tricky, given you had kids living with you, but it wasn't impossible. You could certainly have pulled it off. The thought of that made you chuckle, with your phone pensively pressed on your cheek.

The possibility of it all made everything you were feeling in that moment stew down to a slightly nonchalant mood. You knew, however, that you'd have to cheer up if your date was going to go even half-decently. The thought of it ending with some hank panky made it a little easier to lighten your mood. You felt bad about that, but you were able to brush it off while fixing yourself in the mirror.

The mystery of your wife's possible masterclass in infidelity would have to wait, you were out in the field.

'I feign for my meals', you whispered to yourself, walking out of the bathroom with a breathy chuckle.

One of the stall doors opened, and Stan walked out, wondering whose conversation he'd just overheard.