“I didn’t freak out.”
“Yeah, you did. You jumped around, swatting and brushing and screaming, “I have ants in my pussy!”
Tina laughed, “I thought I did. It was gross. They were in my ass crack.”
“It’s a hazard of outdoor sex. You left your panties on the dock and then when you put them back on…”
“Ants in my pants.”
“It was pretty funny watching you jump up and down… and then you had me inspect your cracks for ants.”
Tina chuckled, “Yes, and you found some. When you spread the blanket on the dock and we started making out, I didn’t think we were going to have sex. It was just kissing.”
“I’m pretty sure it was you who escalated.”
“No. You went for third base. I’m sure of it because my pants were off first and you went down on me.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“Joe, I remember it so well, as if it wasn’t so long ago. It was a breezy day. I have this image in my head of clouds passing. My eyes were closed while you were sucking my pussy. It felt so good. I opened my eyes and saw these big soft clouds moving, like cotton balls in the sky. That’s a snapshot I have in my mind of that day that’s stayed with me for years, the puffy clouds and your soft tongue.”
“I do remember the wind because it kept blowing your fishing line into the weeds and you weren’t paying attention and got tangled over and over.”
“That’s what you remember, tangled fishing line? I remember that it was so romantic. Even though that place was in ruins, it was still beautiful.”
“I recall that too, T, and losing a few bobbers. Do you think that dock is still standing “It was in rough shape… what, fourteen years ago?”
“I would love to go back there. Do you think you could find it?”
“Yes, I do. It’s near Enosburg.”
“How do you remember that?”
“I just do.”
There was a period of silence. Joe could hear Tina breathing. He recalled how these phone calls made him feel a few years ago. Her voice was comforting. At this moment, Joe realized those feelings were back. He enjoyed sharing those memories, including sex, and he was happy she recalled that moment in their young lives.
“So what made you think of that day?”
“I don’t know. I was just in a nostalgic mood thinking of the most romantic days of my life… and that day is high on my list.”
“I feel that way too, T. I didn’t fuck you on that dock. I made love to you. It was tender and beautiful.”
“We had a thing about sex in unusual places. It was fun and exciting.”
“What about the day we did it on top of that small mountain we hiked upstate? Is that on your list?”
“I guess it should be. I didn’t think of that one. Do you remember how hot and sweaty we were after that climb?”
“That’s how it started. It was a scorching hot day. You took your top off and poured water over your head. Then my shirt came off, and the next thing you know we were fucking on that big flat rock.”
“It was not comfortable. I remember that.”
“It didn’t stop us.”
“Nothing ever stopped us from fucking.”
“We’ll, except us.”
Tina sighed, “We’re our own worst enemy. I miss us, Joe.”
“Me too. So how many of your top ten most romantic days in your life include your husband?”
“Please don’t do that. We’re having a nice talk. There’s no need for it.”
“Not many, huh?” Joe couldn’t help himself. Even as he was trying to be nice he’d still slip in an occasional jab.
“I’ll only say that you’re in most of them. You always did things and took me places no one else would… like camping, hiking, and the beach. I haven’t done any of that since.”
“Do you remember the cabin I rented in the Berkshires?”
“That was a great weekend, a very romantic surprise.”
“It was your first time out of the city in years.”
“I know, and after that, you made it a tradition to get me outdoors and into the wilderness.” Tina sighed. “We talked about doing that with our children.”
“Yes, we did.”
After another moment of breathing over the phone, Tina talked about recent business news, her fashion endeavor was progressing from prototypes to test marketing. Joe then mentioned his band from Seattle, Beacon Hill, preparing for a new album.
“So I might be in town in a few months. We’ll see.”
“Are you still just bumming around or have gotten some work done?”
“Not much paying work. I’m planting my spring tomatoes and remodeling my studio. I had to get Danny’s stench out of there. That’s why I gave him my old sofa. I’m looking for a new drummer for my rockabilly project. There’s not much else going on.”
“I wish I could say that. It’s crazy here. I’m always too busy.”
“If you need a vacation, T, I know the perfect place for you to unwind.”
“I know, Joe. I think about it all the time.
— D.F.T. —
Jenna hadn’t called Joe since the weeks following his last show. At the time, she was elated by the big-screen stage kiss and was sure that was the coup de grace of their master plan. In February she pressed Joe to come back to New York and keep the pressure on Tina. She called a second time, a week later, to lean on Joe to make another move. When he told Jen he was not coming out and he felt the plan had failed, she stopped calling. Jenna was pissed off and disappointed. When she finally called again, she still was.
“I can’t believe you’re having phone sex with T. What’s wrong with you? All the work we did was just flushed down the toilet. She’s loving your late-night sex talk.”
“We didn’t have phone sex.”
“She said you reminisced about fucking on a dock on a lake and she was very happy you went that far.”
“It wasn’t graphic. We shared a memory.”
“She said you might be coming out in June, or July.”
“That’s not definite.”
“If you do, don’t fuck Tina. She’s scheming. The next time you come out Tina’s going on a business trip… to your hotel. She’s already telling Troy there’s a seminar she might attend this summer.”
“Good to know. I wonder what business she has at my hotel.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look, Joe. I think your nice guy scheme is actually working. She’s so happy you guys are talking and you make her feel good about herself. You just have to keep it real. Keep your big dick away from her. The emotional support is good. Don’t get physical.”
“It’s not a scheme, Jen. I’m treating Tina the way I should treat the woman I love. I am keeping it real. I’m being honest with T and I’m being kind.”
“I know, Joe. I’m sorry. Please promise me you won’t sleep with her. If you do, it’s back to square one. She’ll have you right where she wants you.”
“Sometimes I want to be right where she wants me.”
“Don’t fuck Tina. If you do…”
“Hey!” Joe interrupted. “Remember a while back when I asked what you would do if Tina moved to Los Angeles to be with me… and you laughed?”
“Yes. I do. She would never leave New York.”
“She’s been talking about California a lot. I tell her how much I love it here. I’m selling it hard.”
“I’m very familiar with your sales pitch. It’s enticing.”
“Maybe you could reconsider dumping me and come out for a visit.”
“Tina told me about this delusional theory you have that she and I are in a race to Venice. I can assure you that’s not the case.”
“I would show you a good time… or Tina. The New York woman that shows up first will have the time of her life. T wants to cash in her rewards offer and I…”