A Truth Unfolded

 Russell and Mary Jo had been friends for many years. They met over thirty years as next-door neighbors. Russell and his wife, April, had moved into their single home about a year prior to Mary Jo and her husband Sid. They were both of similar age, childless, and soon became fast friends. Sid played guitar and was a member of a group. Mary Jo was a singer, and sometimes played gigs with her husband, mainly birthday parties, group gatherings, small weddings.  She was the most outgoing of the two. Her husband was a laid-back genius. There was virtually nothing he couldn’t play on guitar, be it electric or acoustic. When they shared the stage, there was an electricity about them, their chemistry blended so smoothly. They were fun to be around, and the friendship continued to thrive through the years.   

 About ten years or so ago, Mary Jo and Russell agreed to buy each other a drink on their birthdays. They would select a restaurant in town, or sometimes outside the immediate area, but usually close enough to minimize driving. They would try different places, preferring to get there for “Happy Hour” to drink their standard Wild Turkey Manhattans, chilled, with two or three cherries. They would order an appetizer to absorb some of the alcohol.  By the time they finish their one drink, they will have talked for an hour and a half.  Over the course of time some ‘secrets’ were shared, emboldened by alcohol, and agreed be kept in strict confidentiality.

   Several secrets centered on past flings or near flings, and Russell was surprised to learn about her past history. She was promiscuous and involved in some elite social circles. He asked her how she chose Sid who wasn’t part of any social circles. He was a solitary man who didn’t care what the world thought of him. He could be engaging at parties, quick with jokes and riddles, and his raucous laugh could be heard in another room. Mary Jo made some disparaging remarks about him, which impacted Russell’s own way of perceiving Sid. They got along well enough, playing cards together, or just hanging out. He wasn’t especially fond of Sid, who could be pedantic and talk down to you. It became evident he had more in common with Mary Jo. He could relate with her on sports, exchanging books to read, and cooking, one of his passions.  They seldom displayed any overt flirting, or playful jousting. They had an innate sense of trust and understanding that rendered their secret revealing times a part of their growth together. There was also a sense of empowerment in knowing her true feelings about others in their circle of friends. She even revealed some intimations about Russell’s wife, which also surprised him. Their wives had been best friends for a number of years, but Mary Jo had some issues with certain traits towards Russell’s wife, ones he couldn’t readily defend. In fact, he had to agree with her on some, which made this discovery even more disparaging. He appreciated Mary Jo’s views, though he didn’t take stock in some of her allegations, which remained locked away in his confidential file list. 

  Mary Jo just celebrated her sixty fifth birthday. A few of her friends, including Russell and his wife, went over to her house to celebrate with her.  She wore a tight cardigan sweater which accentuated her well endowed breasts, and a short green skirt, revealing a well tanned, smoothly waxed pair of legs. Russell paid her an unusual complement, which she greedily accepted. He was paying her more attention than usual, though it was all good fun. He even shared an inside joke with her, based on one of her revelations. She cringed and shot him a look of “be careful what you say’” kind of look, which he silently acknowledged.  Before leaving, she reminded Russell he owed her a drink. She said she would contact him with the day, time and place. Russell’s wife didn’t make a big deal of this as she was used to their “tradition”, though she sometimes wondered why she couldn’t join them.  Since they were close friends, Mary Jo just downplayed the practice, declaring it was their ‘free time’ together. Russell was surprised his wife let him do this all these years, but she trusted them and preferred not to make a big deal of it.   Sid didn’t seem to care but Russell knew better. She was sure they talked about her and resented it. It was never brought up in a conversation with Russell, so he assumed she was okay with it. Russell looked forward to their meet-ups, eager to learn something new about his close friend. Despite the fact they got a little loose from the drinks, he didn’t come on to her, or express any feelings towards her. In truth, she didn’t appeal to him physically.  They were better off just being good friends.

   They agreed to meet at the “Why Not Café”, a quaint little place with a Italian culinary cuisine. The place was crowded, typical for Wednesday nights in this town. They found a couple of empty seats at the end of the bar. The crowd noise reached a high decibel level, making their conversation a bit strained. They had been there before, and knew the drinks were of good size and prepared the way they liked them. The bartender was a pretty blond with long thin hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a delightful smile. Russell was making small talk, trying to make her laugh. Mary Jo shot him with a scornful look, and he abated. 

  “Are you in the mood for an appetizer,” she asked, reaching for the menu. “We can still get it in before “Happy Hour” is over.”

  Russell laughed. He said she could order whatever she wanted, and he would go along with it.

  “Just like you, Russell. Leave it up to me. Why don’t you decide.”

  She thrusted the menu towards him. He grabbed it and quickly scanned the listings. The bartender brought over the drinks and placed them on the bar. She also provide a glass of water . The drinks were in a large glass, filled to the brim. Russell wasn’t going to try to pick it up and drink it, so he leaned over and sipped a little to make it easier to pick up.  They clinked glasses.

     “Happy Birthday!” He wished her.

    She smiled and took a long swallow.

   “Got anything juicy you want to share,” she asked, a playful glint in her eye.

    “As a matter of fact I do, “ Russell replied.

 They laughed and exchanged small secrets, nothing worth quibbling over.

  Then, about midway through their drinks, Mary Jo dropped a bombshell.

    “I know I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I’m seeing someone.”

   Russell looked at her curiously. His eyes glazed a little, and he stared into her eyes, waiting to hear more.

    “What exactly do you mean, “seeing someone”?” 

   “Well,” Mary Jo slowly measured her words. “I’m having an affair.”   

    Russell looked askance, not sure if the alcohol caused him to hear her wrong. She waited for him to say something before continuing.

  “Wow! That’s a bit of a shocker. Give me details.”

   “Like what?”

    “Is it anyone I know? How did you meet him? How long?”

    She took another long sip from her drink, then picked up one of the appetizers they ordered. 

  “Well, it’s no one you know. I’ve been seeing this person for ten years.”

   Russell gasped in amazement.  He was a little chagrined she hadn’t revealed this earlier. She might have been too afraid to tell him, but why now? 

  “So how have you managed to keep it secret for so long,” he asked.

  “We only meet once a month, usually someplace in town. Not enough to cause any suspicion.”

  “Tell me more about him. What kind of work does he do? “

    Mary Jo’s face blanched. She was a little drunk, but hesitant to say more about it.    

“Come on MJ, you told me this much. You may as well tell me the whole thing.”

   “You’re not going to tell anyone, right,” she implored.

   “ Have I revealed any things you told me in the past? The time you stole a necklace from a thrift shop. Or took a handbag from the boutique store. Or the time you ran naked through the street when you found out you were pregnant.”

     “ I told you about that,” she asked, surprised.  Russell laughed.

  “See, I have to remind you of what you told me.” They both laughed.

    “You’re going to think I’m crazy when I tell you, but he person I’ve been seeing is---a woman.”

    Russell nearly fell off the bar stool when she said this. He stared at her in disbelief, eyes open wide, mouth agape, face contorted. Mary Jo pulled away in terror, fearful of what he was going to say. Then, without warning, he let out a loud laugh, enough to make other patrons stop to look at him. Mary Jo, relieved he wasn’t mad at her, began to laugh as well.

 He swallowed the last of his drink, then continued the conversation.

 “I sure didn’t see that coming,” he said. “How did that happen? Were you looking for a woman?”

 “It was a curious thing,” she replied. No, I wasn’t looking for it. I met her at a bar. I do go out on occasion with another older woman to different spots, and one time we were at “Stephen’s Café” and I got to talking to the bartender. There was something about her that ignited a fire within me. She wasn’t young, maybe in her early fifties, but had a demeanor, and aura I was attracted to. We exchanged e-mails and started writing to each other every day. She lived in a neighboring borough and had her own apartment. We met up there, and one thing led to another, and here we are, ten years later.”

   Her eyes were half open, and she squirmed in her seat. She had wished she hadn’t revealed this, but the damage was done.

  “How did you hide this all this time from Sid,” Russell asked her.

  "He doesn’t pay much attention to what I do during the day. She worked nights so it was easy to see her during the day. “

   “What would you do if he finds out?”

   “I’d put an end to it. I don’t want my marriage to dissolve.”

  “Have you given up on men entirely,” he was curious to know.

   Her eyes were glazed, and she paused a few seconds before answering.

    “No, not entirely,” she answered with a sheepish grin.

      When they finished their drinks, Russell paid the bartender, and they got up to leave. He was a bit tipsy, and his body wavered as he went to the restroom. When he came out, they left the bar, and he walked her to her car, a few blocks away. The night air was cool, the streets were deserted, and as they walked, Mary Jo suddenly stopped. She turned to face him, her eyes opening wide.

  “Would it be okay if I kissed you?”

   Russell froze, then he turned to face her, his mind trying to juggle her words and the confession she made earlier. He wasn’t thinking straight, and just reacted. They locked lips, and engaged in a deep kiss right in the middle of a well lit street. They were oblivious to their surroundings, and when they parted, she grabbed his hand and held it as they proceeded towards her car. Once there, they kissed again, long and deep. They held each other tightly for a minute.

  “She placed her head against his chest, then murmured something.

“ I made up that story about the woman, “ she said. “ I wanted to see how you would react.”

   She raised her head, and looked at him directly.

  “It’s you I wanted all along. I was just too afraid to tell you.”