All that Sunday afternoon and evening Sarah thought about the date with Jess and how truly amazing it was that he did, in the end, not pressure her to sleep with him. And though she vaguely remembered wanting it to happen, she at least did not now have to feel disappointed in herself, or wake up feeling used. It was, after all, only their second official date. The fact was, Jess proved himself to be a real gentleman, and for that she was impressed. She thought about how incapacitated she was from the alcohol when they returned, yet could remember each detail of the lovely night perfectly. There was no doubt about it—she wanted to see him again, and enjoy his charming ways. 

            For this reason she picked up her phone three times that next evening with great anticipation. The first call was her friend Carrie who wanted to know how the date with Jess had gone. For it was she who had encouraged Sarah to not pass up the chance to see him again. When Carrie had heard that next evening through her own mother that it had happened, she of course wanted to hear every event of the evening in full detail. 

            "Listen, Carrie," Sarah admonished. "You know I'm not like that . . . to kiss and tell . . . This isn't high school anymore." 

            "I know . . . but I was just curious . . . if you had sex with him." 

            "Carrie! And NO . . . I didn't . . . but I wanted to. And that's been bugging me all day." 

            "Welcome to my life." 

            "No. Not like that.  Because I'll just be back. Back in that old terrifying place. Where you care so much for a guy . . . and then . . . it ends. All beyond your control." 

            "Hey, come on Sarah. We're not talking engagement here. Just use him for a while. To have a great time. You deserve it. Don't you?" 

            "NO, Carrie, I don't. And I'm sorry. . .  I just don't think like that. Besides, I really don't want to ever be hurt again." 

            "OK. I'm sorry. It's your decision. But he sounds perfectly delicious." 

            "Well, actually . . . he is delicious. Yes. Delicious. Damn!" 

            "So I guess you'll be seeing more of him then, huh sweetheart?" 

            "Carrie. . . Where are you? Back in the City?" 

            "Yup. Back on a big case, actually. Can't say what . . . but it's all about homeland security. I'm involved in this one. The heavy stuff." 

            "Well I don't want to know about that, OK Lara Croft? Just give me little Jose over at the clinic. With his severe speech impairment. And I'll feel my job is done at the end of the day." 

            "Yeah, OK. You see, you were always such a great athlete . . . but just no killer instinct, Sarah." 

            "Sorry, Lara, but I believe that weakness has served me well . . . at least most of the time.  And I've no desire to chase trouble . . . like you've apparently learned to do." 

            OK, sweetie. Well at least I'm glad you're back on track again with the furry beasts, anyway. As they say, 'you can't live with men, and can't live without'em." 

            "Well I don't know if you're right about that. But for now. . . yeah, I do want to see him again." 

            "OK. So when you leave him totally exhausted in bed next week . . . call me. I want to hear all about it." 

            "Carrie! . . . don't you have some . . . bitch of a colleague you need to beat up or something? Before you're back with your beast?" 

            "I wish it was only her I'm expected to beat up next week . . . Details at eleven." 

            "Just be careful out there, Carrie dear." 

            "Thanks, angel. I'll work on that." 

            "Look. . . I've got to go get cleaned up. The place is a mess. Glad we're back in touch." 

            "Call me!" 

            "I will." 

            "Bye sweets."

            Later, the phone rang again and Sarah saw it was her mother. 

            "Yeah, mom. I made it in OK. 

            "Well how was your dinner with . . ." 

            "Jess. Great, mom. Next question . . ." 

            "I just wanted to see if you enjoyed yourself, that's all."

            "And if I didn't, mom?" 

            "Well I hardly would believe that. . . Jess is such nice young man." 

            "Yeah, mom. He is. I had fun. Now the answer to your next question is . . . 'I don't know.'" 

            "If you'll be seeing him more?" 

            "Exactly, mom." 

            "Well at some point you'll  just have to ask him over to dinner. I can help you prepare . . ." 

            "Mom! I won't need your help! And I don't know if that will ever happen. So what are you and dad doing this weekend?" 

            "Oh, you know you father. He's out walking the dogs. Said something about LA this week. A new museum exhibit. Cars of the 1960's or something. I wanted to go with the Barton's wine tasting today. A new winery near Julian, but we cancelled. I guess I'll just tag along with your father on Monday. Less traffic then you know." 

            "Great, mom. Well I'm off to do some laundry and get things ready for work tomorrow." 

            "How's the clinic, darling? You never tell us those things." 

            "Nothing to tell, really. At least anything you or dad could relate to." 

            "Well . . . we still care, Sarah." 

            "I've always known that mom. No worries there." 

            "Alright. Glad you had a nice time with Jess." 

            "It was good, mom. OK? Not great." 

            "Well . . . then maybe you should give him another chance." 

            "Yeah, mom. Maybe." 

            "OK. We'll be talking soon then." 

            "I know. You and Dad take care this week." 

            "Bye darling." 

            Sarah shut off her cell phone and threw it onto the sofa. She felt that as long as she lived she would somehow be under the spell of her mother's attempts to control her. And the best solution to the anger that caused her during most of her adolescent and adult life was to just get busy.  Adhering to this remedy, Sarah threw herself into the routine of all Sunday evenings, mostly domestic chores. 

            At about nine o'clock that evening, after completing most of her housework and having forgotten about her mother's irritating call, the phone rang again. Looking at the number, she could see it was not listed in her contacts. She was tempted to shut it off, as she usually would have, but understanding it could be Jess, she took a deep breath, cleared her throat and answered. 

            "Hello?" 

            "Guess you've had enough time now to sleep off a busy evening." 

            It was definitely Jess's soft voice. 

            "Oh . . . Hi. . . . Jess?" 

            "Just thought I'd check in and see if you've had any . . . exceptional experiences this weekend." 

            Sarah laughed. "So . . . what makes you think I might have?" 

            "Don't know. Seems you were pretty content when I last saw you . . . all tucked into your bed for the night." 

            "Well I do have a certain gentleman to thank for that." 

            "Him . . . Anyone I know?" 

            "Probably not. This guy doesn't live anywhere near here . . . and he's probably back in Europe by now." 

            "Don't be too sure of that. I hear his business dealings are keeping him in San Diego for a few more days at least." 

            Sarah's heart was beating faster. She knew what Jess was going to ask next. 

            "Oh . . .  So you say you know this guy?" 

            "Well I just know he's pretty high on you, beautiful lady. Seems he wants to see you again. Maybe very soon." 

            "Well . . . you can tell him . . . Yes. I'm up for it." 

            "Great. That can be done. When shall I say you'll be ready? He's talking about hot air ballooning . . . on Tuesday up in Paris?" 

            "France?" 

            "No silly. Paris, California. There's a balloon port up there near LA. It's quite a spectacle if you've never been." 

            "Haven't. Jess, where do you get these ideas?" 

            "Guess I've just always been a dreamer. And a doer,"" 

            "Well . . . can you keep a secret?" 

            "Sure. Shoot." 

            "This is one girl who's starting to like those dreams." 

            "Wow. So you're in?" 

            "What . . .  for Tuesday? Jess, I have a job if you remember." 

            "Well that's a good thing. But sometimes we just can't make it in to work, right?" 

            "I don't know, Jess. I've got some important appointments all day." 

            "Even a better reason to call in sick. They can reschedule." 

            "You are bad." 

            "Well that's what they tell me. So, you agree? Tuesday . . . all day?" 

            "Oh my gosh. . . . Jess?" 

            "Look. You know how breathtaking it is to see twenty-five multicolored balloons each the size of a house drifting silently over the hills? Wherever the breeze decides to send them?" 

            "I can imagine." 

            "Besides, there's a couple of fantastic wineries up in that county we'll just have to visit on the way back. I've got a few orders from clients in Europe who collect California wine. And . . . lunch in the countryside . . . definitely a part of the agenda." 

            "You just never stop, do you?" 

            "Doing what, Beautiful?"

            "Trying to charm me." 

            He laughed. "So, is it working?" 

            "Don't know yet. I'll tell you . . . up in the balloon." 

            "That's the spirit!" 

            "So what time does this big adventure begin? 

            "I'll be by your apartment to pick you up at . . . four AM." 

            "What? Are you kidding, now? 

            "Not at all. The balloons are in the air by six. They have to beat the offshore air currents. You fly these gorgeous things when there's absolutely no wind."

            "Oh, of course."

        "Dress warm and casual. And don't forget to pack a few of those special kisses you're  capable of dolling out. I want to see if they are just as sweet at three thousand feet." 

            "Well. . .  we'll see about that. But you're serious about the time? 

            "Yup. Four in the morning. Tuesday." 

            "I was hoping you were weren't." 

            "Come on Sarah. Don't I always tell you the truth?" 

            "I have no idea really." 

            "Well trust me, beautiful. I had a wonderful time with you last night." 

            "It was pretty magical, yes.." 

            "So see you soon." 

            "Yes." 

            "Don't forget to sneeze a few times tomorrow at the clinic."

            "What?"

             "They'll understand better on Tuesday why you didn't come in." 

            "Right. Always thinking, aren't you. See you then." 

            The phone clicked off and Sarah stood for several moments trying to comprehend what she had just agreed to. As she carried the laundry basket of white clothes into the small storage room where her washer and dryer had been active all evening, she placed it on the counter and resigned herself to finally stop with the labor. 

            As she entered the bathroom and started the shower running, her mind was flashing forward and backwards about Jess. She definitely needed to feel fresh after the long night of dinner, dancing and now a full evening of housework. As she took off her pajamas she had worn all day, she stepped naked into the warm spray of water, graciously letting it  consume her tired body. The glass shower compartment quickly steamed up, and she felt even more insulated from the outside world. That world had always seemed fraught with anxiety. But here she could just let herself be. And let her feelings become more sensate while remembering the passionate moments she shared with Jess the night before.

        Sarah positioned her body to take the full caress of the spray over her breasts and then down her torso to her hips and her buttocks as she turned. She could imagine Jess's warm hands covering her there, pulling her closer. Always being too self-conscious of her struggling erotic cravings, she willfully did not let the water bring out the pulsations she felt becoming all too close. It was her old sense of self-preservation coming back to haunt her. Perhaps it was time now. Time to finally let them out with Jess. There was no question her body wanted things her stubborn mind now fought an ever losing battle for. 

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Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

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