It was a perfect Saturday afternoon. Devon and Alicia were attending a small gathering of long-time friends at Devon’s buddy Jerome’s house. Jerome was a very successful builder. He had a beautiful large home with a saltwater pool, and wet bar that led to a fully furnished basement equipped with a pool table, media room, and large lounging area.
The gathering hosted by Jerome had over a dozen couples that spent the day swimming, eating, and drinking. All of the couples were moderate to extremely successful in their businesses and had been married anywhere from five to twenty years. Jerome, their host, was the only one there to have never wed. He spent all of his time focusing on business.
Devon was an intelligent man who stood about five foot eleven. He stayed in good shape and like all the men there he belonged to an elite organization for African-American business owners. Devon’s wife Alicia was an attractive, petite woman with glowing dark skin and short hair. She was by all means a sophisticated woman, very polite, and modest. Her modesty neared a shyness that made her a good listener for her husband. Alicia spent her days working at her home business in medical records, which was perfect for her shy, demure disposition.
At the party, wearing a well-fitted white bikini she spent the day with the other wives by the pool enjoying adult beverages while the men barbecued, drank, and told loud stories. As the day became night most of the guests said their goodbyes and went home. Alicia had brought a cover-up for her bikini so she wouldn’t have to worry about changing clothes. She put it on and followed her husband inside.
Devon and Alicia joined their host Jerome for a last drink and some light conversation. Sitting in the basement lounging area the two men did most of the talking while Alicia leaned against her husband and laughed at their small jokes. The topic of marriage came up and Devon couldn’t help but ask his old friend, “When are you going to find a nice wife.”
Jerome replied, “When I get the chance, I go out hoping to find a connection but, no never have any luck.”
Devon said, “Maybe you should try going to church, you know that’s where we met.”
Jerome replied, “No, attending church just isn’t my thing.”
Devon asked, “What about those dating sites?”
Jerome answered, “Tried that twice and got ghosted both times.”
Devon looked at his wife and chuckled before saying, “Well, maybe I’ll lend you my wife.”
Devon and Jerome both laughed then jokingly Devon slapped his hand onto his wife's knee and said, “How about it, honey, you want to be Jerome’s wife?”
Alicia looked at her husband and then at Jerome. She didn’t reply but looked around the room as if searching for something. Alicia set her glass of wine down and then gently pushed her husband’s hand from her knee. Without a word, she stood up and walked over to where Jerome was sitting. Alicia grabbed Jerome’s hand and pulled, inviting him to his feet. Jerome looked at Devon with an amused but confused look on his face. Devon looked at Jerome with the same amused but confused emotion.
Alicia never looked anywhere but at a door that was adjacent to the lounging area. She stepped out of the sandals that were on her feet and led Jerome to the door. Alicia opened the door and reached her hand around trying to find a light switch. Light came on and she looked into the room.
Jerome chuckled as Alicia pulled his hand sending him into the room ahead of her. Alicia’s husband watched as she stepped into the room after Jerome. She turned around, taking the doorknob in hand, and closed the door. Devon heard a click. He got up and walked to the door. Devon reached down and turned the doorknob but it didn’t open, it had been locked.
Devon pressed his ear to the door attempting to hear what they might be saying but heard nothing. Devon waited a few minutes and then tried the doorknob again but it was still locked. He walked back to the couch where he had been sitting and took another sip of his drink then sat back down.
Ten minutes had passed and the two had still not come back out, so Devon went back to the door and turned the doorknob with no luck. He pressed his ear to the door again and heard a squeaking sound. Devon lightly tapped on the door and teasingly called out his wife's name. The squeaking he heard suddenly became louder and he recognized the sound. It was the sound of a bed squeaking from motion.
Devon’s heart began to thump inside his chest. Thinking there was no way his shy, innocent little wife could be causing the squeaking from within the room his head felt dazed. He slowly stepped back from the door until the back of his legs bumped against the couch causing him to sit back down. His eyes were fixed on the door as he took his drink in hand and sipped while he contemplated what the sound could really be.
Devon got up and poured himself another drink. He sat back down and waited. Looking at his watch as fifteen minutes passed, then thirty, then forty-five. His hypnotic focus on the door and continued intake of alcohol took hold and Devon fell asleep on the couch.
Devon was suddenly awoken by a noise. It was the sound of the doorknob being turned and the door slowly creaking open. Devon managed to open one eye to see his wife, Alicia. She tiptoed out of the room fully naked and headed for the refrigerator. She reappeared from the fridge with two bottles of water and quickly shuffled back to the room.
Devon could see her looking at him as the door slowly began to close. Devon popped his head up and looked at Alicia and the door quickly closed. Devon sat up and shook the cobwebs from his head. He got to his feet and walked to the door. Pressing his ear to the door he could hear his wife and Jerome giggling and whispering for a few minutes then it was silent.