Alex
I’M EXHAUSTED, I’VE BEEN DEALING with employee evaluations for the past couple of weeks, and now I have to prepare for the fall shows, followed by two weeks of bliss on my secret honeymoon.
Moses was supposed to pick me up from the store, but he called and asked could I get a ride with my mom. Seems he was on a writing roll.
I walked inside and called out, “I’m home.” No answer. I peeked into Moses’ office, but he wasn’t there. I walked back into the kitchen, and still no sign of him.
“Honey, I’m home,” I called out again. He must be upstairs. I started upstairs, and stopped when I heard a door open and close, followed by those familiar footsteps coming from the powder room.
“Hey there, Beautiful.” I turned and walked back towards him. “I didn’t hear you come in.” He walked over and sat at the counter.
“Hey.” I like everything he wears, but he looks incredibly sexy in a white shirt. The bright white lying against his deep chocolate skin, just does something to me. It’s like having a life size dark chocolate bar just begging to be eaten.
“How was work?”
“Fine. I announced the changes.” He wrapped his hands around my waist and gently kissed me. “You smell good.”
“Thank you.”
“How’s the book coming?”
“I got a lot done.”
I kissed him. “You taste salty.”
“I just had some almonds.” He licked his lips.
“Oh.” I started playing with the buttons on his shirt.
“I know it’s my night to get dinner, but I’m on a roll. Do you want to order something in?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“Okay, then I guess, I’ll go back to work.”
He tried to stand up, but I pushed him back down. I pulled him closer and slid my tongue inside his mouth, dancing with his. He eased his hands down the small of my back and grabbed my behind. Now, we’re rocking. I started unbuttoning his shirt, but he broke our kiss and stood up.
“Uhm, I can’t believe I’m saying this. Baby, I really have to get back to work.” He pushed me away.
“Excuse me?”
“I have a lot to do tonight. And-—” His eyes dropped and settled on my cleavage. “Is that a new bra?”
“Wanna see it?” I watched as his eyes grew darker as I unbuttoned my blouse. He sat back down, pulled my blouse back and brushed his tongue across the purple lace. When his tongue met my nipple, I moaned and fell back into his arms. I was about to get what I wanted. He eased his hands up my back to the hook on my bra. The anticipation of his lips on my breasts was growing, then he stopped. What the crap!
He stood up and clenched his fist. “I have got to get back to work. I’m on a deadline and…” He kissed my forehead and went to his office.
“Son of a…fine, I’m going to take a shower.” I stomped upstairs.
Chloe said when she was wrestling with her physical attraction for Orlando after he filed for separation, she took a lot of cold showers. It was how she kept her body in check. She said she was tempted a few times to go down the hall and take what was hers. After all, they were still married, but she knew it wasn’t right. Instead, she stood in a cold shower praying until she calmed down. It worked except for a few nights when she lost control.
I stood under the freezing water for what felt like hours. I emerged clean, cold, prayed up and a lot less excited. Who can be excited when they’re freezing? I told myself not to be angry, because this is Moses’ job. But, this is the first time we haven’t made love when we both wanted to. I dried off my cold shivering body, put on a gown and climbed into bed. No need putting on anything sexy, because the only thing he’s making love to tonight is his computer.
The next night, it was the same thing. Only this time, he didn’t even look up when I kissed him hello. I know this is how he provides for our family, but right now one part of our family is feeling a little neglected. I went upstairs for another ice cold shower.
I’ve been taking cold showers for five days now, and I haven’t spoken to my husband in as many. He’s been so engrossed in work he doesn’t take me to the store or pick me up. And when I get home, his office door is closed which means, “Don’t come in.” I wouldn’t know he was here if I didn’t feel the bed move when he climbs in around three in the morning. Not only have we not spoken to each other since this routine kicked in, I haven’t had my other need met either. Right now, I’d be happy with a kick in bed, but nothing.
If I were evaluating our marriage right now, he wouldn’t score too high. I know he told me he doesn’t like talking about his work while he’s in the writing process, but I didn’t think that meant he didn’t communicate at all.
Day seven, and I can’t even get felt up like a slutty high school cheerleader under the bleachers. I have tried every trick I know when Moses comes to bed but, nothing. I went upstairs and turned on the shower. Just as I was about to step into the shower, my phone rang with a familiar ringtone. I picked it up and pressed the button.
“Hi, Alexandra.”
“Hi, Grams.”
“How is my favorite granddaughter-in-law doing?”
How am I feeling? I’m frustrated. My husband hasn’t touched me in over a week, and I’m tired of taking cold showers and eating alone.
“I’m fine, Grams. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Where’s my grandson?”
She would ask that. I could be the spoiled brat I’m acting like, or I could be the mature woman I know I am.
“He’s downstairs working. Do you want me to get him?” Please say yes, so I can have a couple of seconds with him in between my handing him the phone and him handing it back to me.
“Is the door closed?”
“Yes.”
“Then definitely don’t.”
“Oh.”
“Alexandra, has he been ignoring you?” I paused before answering. She’s a smart woman, and any answer but the right answer will have her calling my mother, and I don’t want anyone to know I’m a little dissatisfied with my husband right now.
“Uhm,”
“Honey, I have been dealing with that strange creative person locked up in that office a lot longer than you have. Don’t take it personal. This is all part of his writing process.”
“How long does it last?”
“It varies. What do you do while he’s hiding out?”
“A lot of cold showers and praying.”
She laughed. “Is he sleeping?”
“He comes to bed around three o’clock and he’s asleep when I leave in the morning. When I get home he barely says anything to me if I see him.”
“It can’t last much longer. Don’t change your routine. But make sure he eats. That’s why Mrs. Joseph always put something out for him. We never knew when he was going to emerge from the writing cave and want to eat.”
“Okay.”
“When he’s finished, tell him I said he owes you an apology, and to take you to dinner.”
I laughed. “Okay.” Thank you God for this call.
“Oh, the reason I called. They installed the tub, and finished the tile in your bathroom. It’s beautiful and that tub is huge. I don’t know how they got it upstairs without damaging the walls. The contractor says they’ll start the downstairs guest bathroom by the end of the week.”
“Thank you, Grams.”
“I’ll send you some pictures tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“I spoke to Connie, and she said you’re giving her and Bas a little more responsibility at the stores.”
“That’s right. I need the help because I want to spend more time with Moses.”
“Good. I’ll—”
“Grams?”
“Yes, Baby?”
“It’s going to be fine, right?”
“Alexandra, trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”
“If you say so.”
“Remember, he’s making adjustments too.” The tone of her voice was very soothing, but I still missed my husband.
“Love you.”
“Love you, Baby. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Just what I needed, words of wisdom from my elder. She said don’t change my routine. I went into the bathroom and turned off the cold shower. Then I went downstairs to the kitchen and made a snack for Moses. I pulled out some tomato basil soup from the freezer and put it in the crock-pot on warm, and placed it next to a plate of sandwiches. I reached deep in the back of the freezer for my emergency chocolate chip cookie dough, and made a dozen cookies, and set them next to the other food along with a note.
Hi Sweetheart, I thought you might want a snack. I know you’re hard at work creating and providing for our family. Thank you. I miss talking to you, but I understand. Don’t stay up too late. I love you, Alex.
I went upstairs, took a hot bath and, washed my bad attitude down the drain. I put on a cute little baby doll, sprayed some parfum in a few key places and watched a little television before falling asleep.
I didn’t hear him come upstairs, but I felt his hand wrap around my waist as he pressed his body against mine. I kissed his hand and went back to sleep.