Chapter 16

1972: Married Sixteen Years

Work at her current employer—an envelope manufacturing company, Grange Envelopes—continued to go well for Ruby. Due to her hard work, she was rewarded with another move up the corporate ladder. She earned good money and was promoted to a new position with additional responsibilities. She kept on compartmentalizing her life.

Every morning, during her drive or ride on public transportation, she mentally moved or changed her thinking about herself to suit the destination. This was how she survived. At work, no one knew about her home life, and she didn’t want to share it with anyone. That would be too humiliating. During business hours and at business functions, she was well adjusted, happy and very qualified to do her job. She earned the respect of managers and employees alike.

The employees really liked her. How refreshing and gratifying that was for Ruby. She felt hope creeping into her mind.

Ruby was flattered by the attention of Ron Battle. She became infatuated with him. He was kind to her and treated her like an equal. It didn’t hurt that he was a very intelligent, successful guy. She liked his casual manner and his slightly mischievous smile. It turned her on. His great looks really appealed to Ruby.

I spend more time thinking about Ron than any man I have ever known, she thought. I think he is perfectly beautiful. His wife is so lucky. What I wouldn’t do to have someone with his strength and disposition loving me. Those clear blue eyes and curly blonde hair make me hold my breath when we meet in the halls. Like a schoolgirl with a crush, I stumble over my words. I’m sure he thinks I’m an idiot.

Ron had the kind of athletic body that most men would love to have. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, with broad shoulders and narrow hips. He wore smart modern business suits that enhanced his firm body. Crisp white shirts and colourful ties completed the picture. For some reason, Ruby found his business attire so very sensual.

Ron frequently complimented her. He was always attentive and often sat at her table in the cafeteria during lunch or coffee breaks. Ruby learned that Ron was drawn to her because she, like him, held an important managerial position. They worked together on a committee, evaluating salary positions and determining levels of compensation. For this reason, no one thought anything of or was suspicious about their casual meetings. They innocently flirted for a few months. It was fun and so good for her ego. He treated her with kindness and respect.

Following months of teasing and joking around, they decided to act on their physical attraction. One day during their coffee break, he broached the subject. He lowered his head as if telling her a secret. “Ruby, I have a friend who lives in an apartment close to our offices over on Branson Street. I asked him if he would be amenable to letting me use his apartment during lunchtime. Just a couple of days would be great. What do you think?”

“Oh my God, Ron, you didn’t tell him who you would be with, did you?” Ruby asked in a panic. What if Jason found out? It would be the worst day of my life—maybe the last.

“No, of course I didn’t. He’s cool. You know, he’s a guy. We do things like this for each other.” Ron sought to set aside any fear of recognition Ruby might be feeling.

“Okay, as you are also very aware, this little meeting is just for sex, and it would not help either one of us professionally if our secret was discovered.” She felt she needed to set the parameters up front. She tried to be very careful and hoped they could continue to be as anonymous as possible.

Ruby remembered something she had read. It struck her as if someone was describing her situation: “Women have affairs to escape their life.” She didn’t know the author, but it was uncanny how it fit her motivation and alibi for the extramarital sex she was about to become involved in.

In the beginning, they couldn’t get to the apartment fast enough. While in the elevator, they fumbled with buttons so they could quickly remove each other’s clothing once behind closed doors. They kissed until their lips were sore. Ruby developed a rash on her cheek and upper lip from his stubbly face. It was truly amazing. Their emotions rose to heights neither one had previously experienced. They gave each other truly great, mind-blowing, passionate sex.

Every time, his large erect penis sent her to the most wonderful pinnacles of pleasure. When she finally landed, she sighed with total contentment. Jokingly, she congratulated Ron on his excellent performance. She lay there all warm and mushy inside, enjoying the many aftershocks that always followed her intense orgasms. It was the most wonderful feeling.

Who needs drugs when you have orgasms in your arsenal? she asked herself. This tryst with Ron is great for my self-esteem and has helped build up my battered ego. This is what life should be like. I feel like a totally different person these days.

It was just sex. They both knew it. But it was absolutely spectacular sex. Maybe the attraction is stronger due to it being the forbidden fruit, she thought. I don’t know, and at this point, I really don’t care. I want to be with him as often as we can sneak away.

Sometimes it was almost impossible to walk normally around the office after their nooner. Her legs felt weak and unstable, like they would give way and she’d fall to the floor. She knew the wonderful sensation was the product of their magnificent sexual encounters. She kind of enjoyed the rubber legs, because it felt like the sensation was being prolonged and remembered longer in both her mind and body.

They explored each other’s bodies with their hands, lips and tongues, kissing and caressing, finding the arousal spots that brought the other one to a wonderful soul-filling mind-blowing exciting climax. Who is this woman wearing my clothes—or in this case, no clothes? She was only there when they were alone and having raunchy sex, Ruby observed, noting the change in her personality. Ron is therapy for my soul, frame of mind and sense of well-being.

This new, more confident Ruby was being noticed at work, too. Her boss, Mr. Gaines, must have noticed, as he was giving her tougher assignments. For the first time in a very long time, she felt great and self-confident.

Ron and Ruby walked to his friend’s apartment at noon a couple of days each and every week for several months. It took Ruby four visits to their love nest before she noticed the decor of his friend’s apartment. She speculated that Ikea was doing well, and the apartment owner was very handy with building tools.

Eventually, their hot and heavy passionate nooners, although still hot, became less and less frequent. They both agreed to terminate the affair, as the excitement and anticipation had faded somewhat. She concluded they were lucky to not have been caught. Ruby no longer needed the therapy. They did remain friends and continued for several more months to work professionally on several committees with a team of their peers. But they never returned to their hot sex bed in the apartment of the anonymous landlord.