When it comes to holding her alcohol, my second wife Susan is a cheap date. So, when her youngest sister finally tied the knot it came as no surprise when we had to make an early exit from the reception. After her first sloe gin fizz, she was ruling the dance floor. After her third, she couldn't stay on top of her stiletto heels without wobbling. When it became apparent that she had more than her share, her mother helped me get her into the Nissan and the three of us bid the happy couple adieu.
Rose carried her daughter's shoes in her hand as I carried Susan into the house and up to the bedroom. I unzipped her dress and let it drop to her ankles, before tucking her under the covers. She was unconscious before I exited the room.
"How's the party pooper doing?" Rose called out as I descended the stairs. She was pouring a glass of champagne as she sat on the sofa.
"She's out like a light."
Rose took a sip from her glass then offered it to me as I sat on the sofa and grabbed the television remote control. "I helped myself to a bottle of cheer as we left," she smiled.
"You're on the ball, Rosie."
Susan's mother was a ball of fire. Widowed five years earlier and in her mid-seventies, she was as sassy as they come. She smoked like a chimney and swore like a sailor. Despite the lines that surrounded her eyes and mouth, and the ever-so-slight sagging of her arms, she still turned heads. Always made-up nicely, Rose carried herself with an easy-going confidence and exuded beauty. Now she spent most of her time on cruise ships with her group of girlfriends.
I downed the contents of the glass then refilled it before giving it to Rose. I kicked off my wingtips and crossed my legs on the coffee table.
"Good idea. My feet are killing me," she said as she slipped off her high heels. Then she swung her legs around and reclined with her feet on my lap. "I like the way I look in heels, but they hurt like hell at my age."
She took a gulp of champagne and handed me the glass.
"I like the way you look in heels too," I said.
"Oh, you stop! You'll make me blush," she laughed.
But it was true. While my mother-in-law may have aged, she did so with extreme grace. And her legs were a prime example. Rose was able to wear anything she chose without embarrassing herself. Short and tight? No problem. Long and elegant? She's got it covered. The old doll was amazing that way.
"Well, you can kick off your heels and put your feet up now. The party's over," I said.
"Not quite, kiddo," she replied, then downed her glass. I picked up the bottle and filled it again. After taking a sip she handed the glass to me, then reached for her cigarettes and lit one.
I looked down and saw her well-cared-for toes, painted red and shining through the black nylon aura. My interest in television suddenly lost, I put down the remote and reached for Rose's right foot. She quickly pulled it back.
"Relax, Rose. I used to massage my mother's feet all the time," I assured her. It was a lie.
"Don't tickle me, please," she warned and once again extended her foot. I took it in my hands and softly kneaded her sole with my thumbs. She sipped her drink, took a pull on her Newport, then let out a cloud of smoke, lightly sighing as she did. The smoke swirled around my hands as they tenderly rubbed her sole.
"My God! That feels heavenly.," she cooed. I silently agreed. The warmth of her foot and the softness of her stockings made it easy to forget that she was my wife's mother.
"My mother used to pay me five dollars for this." Another lie.
"Money well-spent," Rose responded. She took another sip and another puff.
I released her right foot and started in on her left, this time lifting her leg and holding it by the calf as I slowly stretched her toes to and fro. Rose finished her Newport, emptied her glass, then let her head hit the cushion and her eyes close. She drew in a deep breath then let it out with a lilting moan.
"Relax," I whispered.
With the smoke cleared, I discovered a sweet scent of perfume coming from Rose. I hadn't noticed it before. I was drawn to it. I also noticed a thin gold anklet wrapped around her slender ankle. I was beginning to notice a lot about her that I hadn't noticed before.
My stretching and massaging slowly transformed into caressing. I hoped that I wasn't making her uncomfortable, but when she bent her right knee and her dress slid up revealing her thighs, I got a good vibe. I ventured further up her leg lightly stroking her warm nylon-clad limb.