Intervention From an Unlikely Source

\My name is Jenna Sorensen and I’m a 42-year-old mother of two precious girls, Amy 15, and Alexa 13. My husband Alex is 44. We’ve been married for 17 years and I’ve always loved my family and my life. I worked for several years as a personal assistant up until the time when Amy was born and I decided to raise my children rather than pursue a career. Alex is a very successful corporate attorney and we can live with just his income. Until recently I’ve been a stay-at-home mom. Now that the girls are older and I have more time on my hands I decided I wanted to do something outside the home but I wanted something that was flexible and had reasonable hours that allowed me to care for my family. They have always been and continued to be my priority.

My good friend and neighbor Melissa Knowlton was a nurse at the local hospital. We were having coffee on her day off and I told her about my desire to get out of the house a few days a week. She then told me, “Hey Jenna, you know the hospital is always looking for transportation team members both full and part time.” I gave her a bewildered look before I chimed in,

“Sorry Melissa, I don’t have a commercial license nor do I want to drive an ambulance.”

It was Melissa’s turn to look bewildered before she burst out in a fit of laughter. I asked, “What’s so funny!”

Melissa finally calmed down and told me, “Jenna, I think you’re a bit confused. The transport team is what you might have referred to as orderlies years ago. Now we just call them transportation team members. They transport patients to and from various tests and procedures and when they leave the hospital. They push wheelchairs and gurneys.”

I asked, “Melissa, do they have any part time positions open?”

“Let me check.” She pulled up the virtual bulletin board on her phone where open positions were listed. She looked and then said, “Good news Jen, there is a part time position open and it is from 11am-3pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It’s just 12 hours a week and no weekends or holidays! It pays $12 an hour. That would be $576 per week.”

“You know Melissa, I don’t care about the money but more about getting out of the house. Though, it would be nice to have some mad money to spend that I can call my own. Do you think they would hire me?”

Melissa said, “Give me a sec.” she left the room and was gone about ten minutes. When she returned, she said, “Go see Laura Angstrom in human resources. Bring you driver’s license and social security card. You start on Monday. Laura and I go way back. She said she’s had trouble filling the slot because no one wants that short shift since it’s not enough to make a living on. I gave you a glowing recommendation and a letter of reference. Here’s your copy.”

I jumped up and hugged her as I said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is perfect.” We spent the rest of the morning gossiping. I met with Laura Angstrom at 11:45am and she had me fill out all the necessary paperwork. Melissa had told me where I could get the proper scrubs so after I left, I ran out and bought five pairs. I had a quick lunch and headed home. The girls had soccer practice which gave me time to try on my new uniform before I did laundry and started dinner.

Some might think I was dissatisfied with my life or was jealous of my husband. The fact is I wanted and decided to be a stay-at-home mom and Alex had the means for us to do it and supported me one hundred percent. He would’ve supported me had I decided to work as he wanted me to be happy and content with my life choices. I was.

The girls arrived home at 4:30pm and ran off to their room to put away their bags and put their dirty clothes in the hamper. They made their way back downstairs and sat to watch some TV after they set the table. Alex arrived at 5:30pm. He walked up to me and gave me a great big kiss and said, “Hello babe it’s good to be home.” He took care of his briefcase and went in and said hello to the girls. After he went and changed, I called them all in for dinner. The girls regaled us with their exploits on the soccer field during dinner. After dinner, the girl’s helped me clean up before they went to their room to do their homework.

As soon as I entered the family room Alex looked at me and said, “Jenna what are you busting at the seams with?”

“Oh babe, guess what? Now that the girls are so busy with school, sports, and friends and are out of the house more than in I’ve decided I want to do something outside the house as well. I had coffee with Melissa today and told her about what I wanted to do and she hooked me up with a part time gig at the hospital as part of the transport team that moves patients to and from whenever and wherever they needed to be within the hospital. It’s only for four hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11-3. I met with the director of Human Resources this afternoon and I got the job. I start Monday!”

Alex seemed a little surprised as Jenna had never mentioned anything to him about wanting to work. Jenna saw the puzzled look on his face she reacted by being a bit put out. She added,

“You don’t need to worry! My family is still my top priority! I’ll be home in plenty of time to take care of things so your life won’t be disrupted at all!”

Alex was again surprised by her ire. He looked at his wife and said, “My dear, I was surprised because you never mentioned to me that you had been considering working outside the home only to discover that you’ve already interviewed and accepted a position. I wasn’t concerned with an interruption to my life or routine I was just curious why you never bothered to discuss it with me when we’ve always discussed all major life decisions, until now. Congratulations. I’ve got work to do.” With that Alex left the room and headed for his study.

I realized I had perhaps been a bit unfair with my anger but I still felt Alex’s reaction had been a bit too disappointing. I hadn’t realized until that moment how much I looked forward to my new job. I thought I deserved Alex’s support and hoped that he’d be as excited for me as I was about my new venture.

Alex sat in his study and reflected on what just transpired. He really didn’t begrudge Jenna some time away from the household routine. He was most disappointed in her failure to disclose her desire to do so, but mostly, her failure to discuss it with him before she applied and accepted a position. Her anger at him for being a bit put off didn’t sit well with him either. He felt he was due to some consideration. This was because they normally made such decisions together. Perhaps he was just stressed due to the pressures brought on by the mediation of a merger his team had worked on now for several months. He decided to not dwell upon it as he really did have work he needed to complete.

I avoided going to his study and when he didn’t come out to apologize nor come to bed, I was livid. I stewed for a while before I grew too sleepy and tired to stay awake any longer. I planned on giving Alex a piece of my mind in the morning.

Unfortunately, Alex had an early morning presentation and was gone before I got out of bed. I spent the morning with my anger simmering at a slow boil and was ready to blow my top by lunch when the doorbell sounded. I answered the bell and found a delivery driver at the door with a large bouquet of flowers, a box of my favorite chocolates and a card. I put the chocolates on the table and placed the flowers in a vase before I opened the card. Inside the card was a handwritten note from her husband.

Dear Jenna,

Congratulations on the new job! I hope that it makes you happy as you deserve it! I’m sure you’ll be the best transportation team member that hospital has ever had.

Love, Alex.

I felt the warmth as it ran down my cheeks and my eyes burned from the salty tears that fell in abundance. I felt guilty about my behavior last night and the way I handled it. I should’ve anticipated his reaction since Alex and I always discussed everything. I guess I had a pang of guilt for wanting to get away from the house for a few hours a week. I realized I should’ve told him about my feelings and discussed it with him but I never imagined things would happen so quickly. I decided I’d explain it to him this evening and reward him a bit later since the girls had a sleepover at a teammate’s house that night.

After dinner as they sat relaxing Jenna apologized for her snit the previous night saying, “I’m sorry babe. Things happened so fast. I had given it a bit of thought but I hadn’t even made up my mind as to if I really wanted to work outside the home. I was just discussing my feelings with Melissa when she sprang into action and before I knew it, I had a job. I was waiting to discuss it with you once I made my mind up but Melissa kind of rushed the process and once she did I decided I’d like to give it a try. I’m sorry I failed to discuss it with you before I leaped in, I got swept up in “Hurricane Melissa” without thinking, thank you for supporting me.”

Alex knew that Melissa was a take charge type of person and easily saw her jumping the gun as she tried to help her friend. Her desire to help others was one of the reasons he liked Melissa. Alex replied, “Thank you Jenna. It was never about the job or your desire to work outside the home. It just surprised me and caught me a bit off guard. I’ve always supported you in whatever you needed to be happy and contented in your life and I still do.”

That night they made slow passionate love. Alex had a magic tongue and had kissed his way down to her sex before he fully employed it. I have a freakishly huge clit that is very sensitive and responsive. It stuck out when aroused and erect. Alex sucked it like a small cock and it always drove me wild. As a result, I achieved three orgasms, two from oral before Alex finally finished and had his. I cleaned up and returned to bed and spooned with Alex. She was sated and sleepy. As I drifted off, I felt loved and well fucked.

The weekend went well and my excitement about my new position grew as the weekend progressed and the anticipation of having new experiences fueled my excitement. Saturday, we attended the girls’ soccer match. We were the designated team parents for this game so Alex and I handed out orange wedges, bananas, and juice boxes to the team. We stopped in for a pizza on our way home. On Sunday the day was spent doing family things. That evening the girls finished their homework before bed and I modeled my new scrubs for Alex. He surprised me when gave me a pair of the best nursing shoes as he anticipated that I’d be doing a lot of walking. He told me Melissa helped him select them. I threw my arms around him after I opened the bag and told him, “Oh babe, I never even gave as much as a thought to my feet and all of the walking I’d be doing. Thank you so much, I love you!”

Alex replied, “I love you too.”

Monday morning came and I managed to get Alex and the kids off to work and school before I showered, dressed in my new uniform, and anxiously waited until it was time to head to my new job. By the time I arrived I was ready to burst. I had to go to security, get photographed for my ID badge which I received soon after. It allowed me to access the floors of the hospital that were secured such as surgical suites, testing areas, radiology, maternity, and the emergency department.

I spent my first day getting acclimated to the different floors and wings of the hospital along with some instruction on proper hospital procedures and policies regarding my duties. I was given an employee manual and a copy of my job description. I was told to read through the materials and when I finished, I signed a paper saying I had read, understood, and acknowledged the receipt of the manual and job description. Then I watched some training videos, one was on general employee conduct, one on sexual harassment, grievance procedures and the like and one that specifically dealt with my position.

Wednesday I was shadowed by Sandy, another transportation team member, who gave me some training and helped me navigate the confusing twists and turns of the different floors. By Friday I was on my own and though it was fast paced I enjoyed interacting with the patients and staff. The following Friday I received my first paycheck. After taxes I netted $876.24. I felt so proud.

For the first three months I had no trouble balancing work and home life. I felt fulfilled and content. I found myself assigned, for the most part, to the med-surgical floor of the hospital and because I worked hard and was prompt, I was befriended by the day shift nurses on the floor. I had been there for four months when the nurses invited me to stop off and have a drink with them.

They worked 7am-3:30pm so we all got off at the same time. At first it was an hour or so once and occasionally twice per week. Since there had been a shortage of nurses in our small hospital when these girls were hired, they got premium shifts with weekends off in lieu of a cash bonus as an encouragement to sign on. They knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, since they were offered what many nurses had to earn with lengthy years on the job. Fortunately, they were the first to apply and they got the shift perk. It allowed the hospital to fill a critical need area quickly and the cash they saved provided them with bonus money for four more nurses than they would’ve been able to afford otherwise.

The four nurses that worked on the floor were all young and single. The first time I joined them I was awed by their beauty as scrubs tend to hide feminine assets. Britney was 24 and had gorgeous blonde hair and cobalt blue eyes. She had the body of a model, I guessed she was about 36DD- 22- 34. Her breasts really stood out on her otherwise tiny frame. Allison was also 24, she had beautiful green eyes, auburn hair, and a voluptuous body. She was at least a 38 DD, maybe a 40, about 26 at the waist and at the hips most likely 38. She wasn’t fat just full figured and very pretty. Amy was 25 and very petite. She had strawberry blonde hair and stood about 5’2″ with about a 34 B on top, 22 at the waist and 28 in the hips. Her eyes were a soft, light blue.

Finally, Bethany. Bethany was the ringleader and organizer. She was 27 and engaged to be married. She was a beautiful brunette and had a killer figure. On top I guessed she was about 36 C and rounded out at 24 waist and 37 at the hips. It was Bethany who approached me one Friday afternoon and said, “Hey Jenna! I wanted to invite you to join us for a drink or two after shift. We usually go to Vincente’s and hang out in the bar area. We order some apps and enjoy a drink just to relax and unwind and kickoff the weekend. We’d love for you to come with!”

I knew the girls would have practice after school and they and Alex wouldn’t be home until at least 5:30pm. I decided that if I stayed for an hour, I’d still be home in time to fix dinner so I told Bethany, “Sure, it sounds like fun! I’d love to join all of you!” So began my weekly girl’s night out or technically afternoon out. The girls were young and energetic and they played the juke box and danced with each other and we devoured appetizers with a bottle of wine or cocktails depending upon the mood. Bethany had declared our little group the posse. It was fun and playful and I enjoyed letting my hair down while honoring my commitment to my family.

We had so much fun on Friday afternoons that Bethany decided that we needed to stop on Wednesdays as well. We only stayed for an hour except once or twice we stayed an hour and a half. Those days I picked up a pizza or some Chinese for dinner. No one complained and everything ran smoothly for the first six months. Then on one of our Wednesday excursions we were having a really good time and no one wanted to leave.

Bethany said, “I think we ought to expand Fridays from the afternoon into a real girl’s night out instead. We could drive home, dress up, call an Uber, and meet somewhere for dinner. Then we could go to a club and listen to some music and dance. We wouldn’t have to worry about driving after drinking and we could enjoy ourselves without constantly looking at a clock. What do ya think ladies?”

Britney, Allison, and Amy quickly said they were in. Suddenly, I had eight pairs of eyes on me. I knew that going out would take me away from my family and responsibilities at home if I agreed to join them. Also, I realized that if I didn’t join them, I would be reduced to the occasional Wednesday afternoons to socialize with them. Bethany then said, “Come on Jenna, the posse won’t be the same without you! Say yes!”

I was really torn but, in the end, I just didn’t want to give up my new friends and freedom. I rationalized that it was just one night a week and I thought it wouldn’t hurt Alex to look after things at home and I promised myself I would behave and get home at a reasonable hour to spend some alone time with my husband. So, I chimed in, “I’m in ladies.” I broke the news to Alex on Thursday evening after I cooked his favorite dinner, filet with baked potato and asparagus with homemade hollandaise sauce. Alex enjoyed dinner and after we relaxed and watched a movie. Once the girls went to bed, I decided I’d better spring it on him since tomorrow was the first planned GNO.

“Alex, honey. I need to speak with you about something. You know how I’ve been stopping off with some of the nurses I work with on Wednesdays and Fridays?” Alex nodded but looked curious as to what I had planned. “Well, the girls and I had so much fun last week we didn’t want it to end. Well, one of the nurses thought we should expand our Friday afternoon into a real girl’s night out.”

Alex said, “Just what would this entail? I don’t want you drinking excessively and driving home. Just how long would you be out, how are you going to get there?”

I told him, “Bethany, one of the nurses said that we should drive home first, dress for dinner out and take an Uber to and from home so we wouldn’t be driving after drinking. I can leave anytime I’d like but I don’t imagine I’d be out past 10pm, 11 at the latest. Alex, I’d really like to go. I have a lot of fun with the group and I don’t want to be left out. They’ve planned out going out tomorrow night.”

Alex asked, “Is this to be a weekly thing or perhaps just once or twice a month? This appears that it would cut into time we spend together. We usually reserve Fridays for our date nights.”

I took his hand in mine and assured him, “Babe, I’ll suggest it be a monthly or twice monthly excursion at the most and I promise to get home and spend some time with you on those evenings. Even if it meant leaving before the rest of the crew.”

Alex looked deeply into my eyes and said, “I know you don’t need my permission and I appreciate you discussing it with me. However, you told me that working outside the home wouldn’t impact us. Now, you plan on curtailing “our time” to spend with friends. However, if socializing with the girls is more important, it’s your decision. I can’t or won’t say I’m happy about it.”

“Alex, you’re being unfair and unreasonable!”

Alex added, “Why? Because I don’t like the fact? As I told you it’s your choice. Also, if you go clubbing or bar hopping be aware of the predators out there. Make sure you don’t leave your drinks unattended or take any type of drug no matter how much your cajoled to do so. Remember to respect yourself and your family. Don’t allow alcohol to lower your inhibitions to a point where you forget what’s important.”

I looked at him incredulously and said, “Alex, I’d never, ever do that, I swear! I thought you trusted me!” I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

He looked at me tenderly and with love as he said, “Jenna, darling, that are many threats and temptations out there and many opportunists looking to find and exploit vulnerabilities in women or women in vulnerable situations while attempting to bed them. The lounge lizards come on strong and put the full court press on you. Some act suave, charming, and may even be handsome or ooze sex appeal. They will try to ply you with free drinks, touch and rub you inappropriately while dancing, all the while pushing the envelope toward inappropriate touching or kissing, hand holding and other things as they attempt to get you to leave with them seduce you into breaking your vows.”

Now fully sobbing, I replied, “So you don’t trust me!”

Alex held both of my hands, I tried to pull away but couldn’t. He looked me in the eyes and I turned away from him. He grabbed my head and turned me so I was face to face with him as he told me, “Jenna, my love I do trust you. I’m simply pointing out some of the dangers that lurk out there so you are informed about the games, the lies, deception, and even illegal activities such as the use of date rate drugs. Being informed and forewarned is being prepared to recognize bad situations ahead of time and allows you to protect yourself before you are harmed or we are harmed.”

He looked at me and his eyes softened, he continued, “Sweetheart, you are going out with younger single girls. I’d imagine that kicking up their heels, most likely, meant excessive drinking and engaging and interacting with men to dance and other things. For you dancing is okay, other things are strictly off limits. Okay? Have fun but be alert and mindful of the minefield you are entering. I’m exhausted and need to get some sleep so goodnight.”

Alex went to bed and I followed. We didn’t make love as Alex was tired and I was perturbed over his lack of trust yet I spent what seemed like hours processing every worry and concern Alex had cited chapter and verse this evening. I thought he had overreacted a bit, yet I admitted to myself that I hadn’t considered any of what Alex deemed as “pitfalls” that might lurk in such an environment. As I drifted off to sleep, I vowed to watch myself but to still let my hair down and enjoy myself.

The next day at work the anticipation of the upcoming evening fueled our collective excitement which had built to a fever pitch by the end of the shift. We agreed to meet at Jean Pierre, an upscale French restaurant for dinner. Bethany made reservations for 6pm and we agreed to meet in the lounge at 5:30pm. I had a lasagna in the freezer which I put in the oven and made a salad but left it in the refrigerator undressed before I left for the evening. I had rushed home right after work and showered and laid out my black dress, matching bra and panties and a set of heels. I carefully applied my makeup then dressed and I texted for the Uber at 4:45pm. The driver arrived at 5 and I set out for the night’s adventure giddy as a schoolgirl.

I arrived at Jean Pierre by 5:20pm and I was first to arrive. I knew that everyone enjoyed frozen raspberry flavored margaritas so I ordered us a round. The girls arrived just as the bartender brough the round of drinks to our booth. Bethany said, “Oh, yummy! Thanks Jenna.” We all sipped our cocktails and I listened as the girls dished the dirt on the gossip around the hospital. It seemed no time at all before we were called to our table in the restaurant. Alex and I have dined here at Jean Pierre many times and as always, the food was fabulous. We sipped some coffee as we waited for our checks to arrive. Bethany said, “I heard about this hot club that has live music and a great dance floor, it’s called Vibe. Let’s check it out.”

I checked the time and it was 7:00pm. So, I agreed that it would be fun. That gave me nearly two and a half hours to enjoy the band. I told the girls that we should only do it up this big once, maybe twice a month. Bethany said, “Come on Mom! Let’s play it by ear. We’ll see how much fun we have and then decide if it should be monthly, bi-monthly, or even a weekly thing. Each of us has worked hard all week and are owed one evening to blow off some steam and howl at the moon a bit!”

I replied, a bit sheepishly, “Okay, sounds like a plan.” We shared an Uber to Vibe. Bethany knew one of the bouncers, a guy name Jamal, and he had got us on the guestlist. When we arrived, we went to the VIP section and were shown in right away. It was modern with lots of strobe lights, chrome, and mirrors. There were quite a few standing tables near the dance floor and some tables and large booths covered in a lavender colored vinyl in the VIP section. We had a booth reserved for us. We all felt like celebrities as we were greeted by the server who provided bottle service to our section.

I glanced at the menu and I couldn’t believe the prices. A bottle of liquor ran anywhere from $300 to $1500 per bottle. You could go to the bar down on the main floor and order individual cocktails but they ranged from $30 to $100 per drink. This place wasn’t for the faint of heart or an empty wallet. I told Bethany, “Hey, I can’t afford these prices!” Though I could if I wanted to use our joint funds, but I wanted to only spend my own money tonight, money I earned! I continued, “I blew almost my entire weeks pay on drinks and dinner at Jean Pierre!”

She replied, “Jenna, tonight is the first official GNO and I thought that the posse should roll in style in honor of that auspicious occasion. We deserve to be a bit spoiled and pampered occasionally.” Britney replied, “Don’t worry Jenna. We won’t be paying for our drinks anyway.” She and the other girls of the posse giggled. Then suddenly, almost out of nowhere a bottle of Dom Pérignon with five glasses appeared at the table. I was more than surprised but the girls never gave the arrival of the expensive wine a second thought.

The server expertly opened the bottle with a huge pop but without wasting a single drop of the expensive champagne. She poured each of us a glass and handed them to us. Bethany raised her glass and the rest of us followed suit, and then she said, “Here’s to us, the posse!” We drank a toast and I thought the champagne was good however it wasn’t the wow factor I expected given its reputation. I thought Dom Pérignon was a bit overrated. Especially as the bottle cost $2500. I wondered who in our little group could afford those prices even if we were being pampered.

My question was soon answered a group of young men led by a man I believed to be about my age or a little older approached the table. The older man said, “Ladies, my name is Simon and these are my associates, James, Ben, Andy, and Marc. We’re in town on business and just closed a huge deal. We’re celebrating and hoped you lovely ladies would help us celebrate tonight by allowing us to join you? If not, please enjoy the wine with our complements.” Britney and Amy chimed in, “By all means! We’re just having some fun after a grueling week at work.”

Introductions were made and then the guys seemed to pair off with the girls. James sat next to Bethany, Andy with Britney, Ben joined Amy, Marc sat with Allison–and naturally, Simon joined me at the table. I could tell that Simon was a worldly man. He was extremely handsome and exuded success and he had a definite air of sophistication. He was also straightforward and confident. A definite alpha male. We each had another glass of champagne and Simon ordered a second bottle. After the second bottle arrived the guys asked us if we wanted to dance. The girls jumped up quickly and headed out to the dance floor. I hesitated as Simon hadn’t asked me directly to join him with the rest on the dancefloor.

The music was loud, the atmosphere electric and everyone was infused with energy. I noticed that in the VIP section there were tables and booths where drugs were being consumed in the open.

Cocaine, Molly and Ecstasy it seemed, were readily available, for a price of course. I knew the girls didn’t dare risk their license’s by using illegal drugs as the hospital routinely tested medical staff. Finally, Simon asked if I wanted to dance. I did and accepted. I felt alive and in sync with the vivacity of the club and the virility of my dance partner. I understood why they had named the club Vibe. We danced several fast songs before they slowed down the tempo enough for a slow dance. I melded into Simon’s body and I felt the power of his arms around me. His cologne was a powerful aphrodisiac and he moved with such grace.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, the surroundings or both but I felt a stirring within my pussy and I knew that Simon had picked up on my pheromones as I had his. I felt his erection rubbing against my pussy and it felt fantastic. I felt aroused, sexy, and desired. I knew that Simon sensed my arousal as well. After we finished that dance, we returned to the table and I noticed Simon staring at me. However, it wasn’t in unbridled lust but more of a hint of recognition and as if he were trying to place me which wasn’t possible since we’d never met before. Soon, we were joined by the others and we enjoyed some more champagne.

Once again, I found myself on the dance floor with Simon. Whereas I was dripping with an uncontrolled licentiousness for a man I hardly knew, Simon continued to look a bit perplexed before he had a sudden epiphany as if a light bulb suddenly snapped on. While I didn’t realize it at the time, everything Alex had feared and warned me about had manifested itself. I found myself conflicted. I was tempted, perhaps more than tempted, I wanted this man, this handsome powerful man to take me outside and fuck me until I couldn’t walk. “No, Jenna” I screamed to myself inside my head. I knew I needed to fight these urges, these primal urges to mate with the nearest and strongest alpha male. Right now, that was someone other than my husband.

We danced to the slow song and then after the beat picked up Simon asked me, “Jenna would you like to join me for a breath of fresh air? I knew we both needed to give our ears a rest and I believed that we both desired to sate our passions though I was fighting with every ounce of strength I could to resist and overcome these urges. As we made our way outside, I had a vison that suddenly popped into my head. It was Alex and he was dress like Mandy Patinkin’s character from the Princess Bride. He leaped out in his swashbuckling costume, sword in hand as he shouted, “Hello, my name is Alex Sorensen, you killed my marriage, prepare to die!”

Once we got outside and caught our breath, Simon looked conflicted before he started to speak. “Jenna, am I correct in assuming that you’d be willing to join me back in my room where we would gain some, shall we say, carnal knowledge of one another?”

I looked into his eyes and nodded yes. I had all but surrendered to his charms already. I heard in my head the voice of Captain Jean Luc Picard as Lucretius of Borg, saying, “Resistance is futile.” What the hell is up with these film and television references that filled my head anyway? I was finally summoned the ability to speak coherently though I stuttered as I said,

“Simon, I, I, I feel so conflicted but I think I do. I’m trying to resist my deepest desires of pure lust. I can’t stop thinking about the words my husband spoke to me last night about being seduced. I’d never believed that I’d ever have been able to be swayed by the charms of another man other than my husband. I can’t fathom what has taken hold of my mind and body. However, I can honestly say I now understood how Eve felt in the Garden of Eden.”

He continued to look deeply into my eyes as he asked, “Jenna, what about your husband, your children? Can you betray their trust and their love like that? Believe me, if this happened, they most likely would find out. Even, if you managed to keep such a liaison a secret then you would either become consumed by the tremendous guilt or feel the need to confess and perhaps lose everything in the process.”

I watched and listened to him intently as he continued, “On the other hand, once you’ve crossed that line, you might find it easier and easier to overcome temptation. You might be inclined to continue seeking cheap thrills as you forsook those you love with continued betrayal until inevitably, you destroy everything that you hold dear. Are you, like Eve, willing to be cast out of paradise over the temptation of instant gratification here and now subjected a life of misery long after?”

I looked at him with a bit of confusion. For a man attempting to seduce a woman into sleeping with him he most assuredly took the wrong tact. I realized as he spoke of love and fidelity and of pain and suffering, that the veil of pure objectified lust had to lifted, and as my hormonal addled and alcohol infused brain began to clear, I realized how close to the precipice I teetered. My resistance, being aided by the former object of my lust, was increased and my resolved continued to grow.

Simon continued, “Dear Jenna, I know all too well the lure of wanton desire and passion. It burned white hot when consummated, but when I made that fateful error to surrender to its depths it consumed my marriage and my family as fuel. I’ve suffered through the humiliation, the pain, and the sorrow I caused my wife, children, parents, friends and, myself. Tonight, I was out on the prowl for a warm body to share my bed for the night, consequences be damned, because that’s what I’ve reduced my life to. A series of one-night stands, devoid of true love, emotion, caring or commitment.”

He looked pained as he continued, his eyes never leaving mine as he added, “I began the evening with a mission to put you in my bed. I wanted to seduce you and enjoy your charms but then I realized I couldn’t allow you to wreak havoc upon your life and destroy a marriage and a family. I filled my quota in that regard. So, I asked you outside and hoped that my story would inspire you to reflect on that which is important and to forsake all notions of cheating on your husband and destroying your family. If not, I wish you well but I won’t be part and party to the implosion of a happy family.”

“Oh Simon, thank you! I need to ask, why? You had me and I was all but ready to share your bed. Just a bit more cajoling would have broken through my defenses. So why, when you were so close to victory, why stop with me? Why intervene on my behalf and intercede in favor of a man you’ve never met? You’ve as much to admitted to me your former conquests, so why should painful consequences for others concern you?”

“Jenna, I made my fortune based on my innate ability to read and interpret how others are thinking and manipulating them to do my bidding. I’m almost always successful at getting my way. As to why, well, your way too special to sink to the mirky depths where I live my life. A place devoid of emotion and real connection. I doubt you’d survive very long in the depths of the abyss I call home.”

Simon choked up and after a pregnant pause he soldiered on, “Jenna, in you I saw a reflection of myself, in a former life still untouched by my sordid behavior and still faithful to my loving wife yet on the verge of destroying my life to its very foundation. I knew you were worth being salved and your family were something innocent and pure, worthy of being spared the pain and humiliation. I had to try and stop you from transforming your happiness into the wretched wreck my life had become.”

I looked at the time and it was 10:15pm. I screamed, “Oh God, I’m late getting home. I promised Alex I’d be back by 10:00pm! I need an Uber!”

Simon took both my hands and said, “Jenna, my car service is here and since I don’t anticipate my crew being ready to leave any time soon, I can arrange to have you driven home, if you’d like.”

I replied ecstatically, “Yes Simon, that would be fantastic! How can I ever repay you?”

He made a quick call and I saw the car pull up out of the blackness of the dimly lit parking lot. He once again took my hands in his and said, “You can pay me back by agreeing to never place yourself in a position where you’re able to be compromised as to hurt those you love and hold dear. Pay me back by dedicating your life to your family and to the protection of their faith and trust in you. Finally, if the chance should arise, pay it forward to someone that is teetering on the edge and if all possible help to keep them from falling into the depths of the abyss.”

“Simon I will and thank you for your kindness.”

He said, “Goodbye Jenna and good luck! I’ll make your apologies to the girls.”

He closed the door and as the car sped away toward the loving embrace of my Alex, I realized I had dodged a bullet. When I got home, I profusely apologized for being late and excused it by being caught up watching the girls seemingly endless energy on the dance floor. He asked, “Did you enjoy yourself? Did you dance with any handsome men?”

I looked him in the eyes as I told him, “Yes, there was one man but he was nowhere near as handsome as you, my love.”

We cuddled on the sofa before Alex tired and headed up to bed. I told him that I’d join him shortly as I wanted to tidy up the kitchen a bit before bed. I knew Alex would be asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow because he had a busy week where he negotiated a huge contract for his company. I contemplated the events of this past evening and how unlikely it seemed that a seducer on the prowl and would-be paramour would sabotage an apparent evening of passion to prevent a tremendous tragedy, in the form of a silly and gullible woman’s baser desires, from unfolding in a truly epic disaster.

I wondered if, in the final analysis, would I have truly surrendered to the darkness and forsook love and fidelity for lust and betrayal of that precious gift I had been bestowed? I’d like to believe that with or without Simon’s soliloquy, I’d have made the right decisions in the end. Truthfully, I knew I’d never really know the answer for certain and not sure if I truly wanted the answer.

In the morning Alex and I made love before we had to rise and take the girls to a soccer tournament. It was tender, sweet, and filled with all the unfulfilled passion of last night and it was some of the best love making I’d ever experienced. We spent the day with the girls as they won both of their matches. When we got home, Alex ordered a pizza and we all spent the evening watching movies. I’d never felt so content, so alive in all my life.

I continued to work at the hospital but I informed the girls that I’d no longer be attending any GNO’s but I’d stop for a quick drink in the afternoon on Wednesday. I was able to pay it forward by getting Bethany to realize that she had placed her pending wedding at risk with these GNO’s. Apparently, she had succumbed to James’ charm and ended up sleeping with him that night. Fortunately, Darren, her fiancé, had been away on a fishing trip with his friends. I asked her, “Do you love Darren?”

She replied, “With my heart and soul.”

I told her she needed to ask herself, “Is one night of debauchery worth a lifetime of love and happiness?” I told her that she currently was doing a fire dance wearing a gasoline skirt. Bethany was a smart girl and realized, as I did, that true love trumped temporary lust in spades. Afternoon cocktails resumed but the GNO was left to the three single ladies in the group.

The following Monday Alex told me that the deal was finalized with the principals, the contracts signed and that he was all but assured a promotion to senior partner as a result.

Epilogue:

Jenna never knew that the man that was Jenna’s Simon was Simon Steinberg, and that he owned Bergstrom Industries and was in town to meet with Alex Sorensen to hammer out the details of his merger with Knowlton Brothers Manufacturing. He had noticed Jenna’s photo and those of his two daughters on Alex’s desk. It took him a while that night in the club to make a connection as to who Jenna was and why she looked familiar, it was the eyes. Alex was so proud and practically bragged about his family non-stop. Of course, Simon had to show him the photos of his lovely wife, Sarah and his two boys Neil and Art.

Truthfully, he had taken his team out for a night on the town as a reward for their hard work. They were all young and single and needed a night of fun. When he told Jenna that he was a cheater who lost everything, he simply drew on the doomsday scenario that he envisioned every time he set out on a business trip. One where he clearly saw what he had to lose and what his life would be like should he stumble. It was a figment of his imagination that manifested itself as a grim reality in his mind that kept him committed to avoiding it playing out at all costs.