by Cindy Helmling

Friday night, and my man and I are out for a little relaxation.  The bartender tucks his head in a nod as we enter his saloon.  Bar stools swivel our way, their occupants welcoming us as friends, although we've never been here before.  Everyone looks tired, maybe it's been a long week or maybe we are the first fresh faces they've seen in a while. We crowd past the requisite pool table, a booth or two, an alcove for the band and up to the long bar.  I slide on to the only vacant stool and order our beers.  The bartender hands me two sweaty, amber bottles.  I press mine against the back of my neck before taking a long swallow.  An icy beer on a hot night is just what I need. We're here to check out the band and listen to Billy, the drummer, and an old pal.  Billy sees us and comes over. "Hey, everyone, this is my friend, Gina, from back in the old, old days, and her husband.  What's your name again, man?  Band's on break, but we'll be starting back up in a few." A couple is seated at a table. "Hi, how are you?  I'm Jackie and this is Lyle.  How's it goin'?" Her summer shift, a flimsy, filmy little dress is short, flirty, cheap, but just the way to keep cool on this sweltering summer evening.  The bandana hiding her hair keeps her disguised and ageless.  Her long, thin arms and shapely legs shimmer with a light sheen. A song erupts from the jukebox, something modern, but with a beat, not that new, screaming, rage rock.  Jackie is up in no time dancing alone.  She exaggerates her movements and from the corner of her eye spies to see who checks her out.  We all do.  She dances in the aisle, grazing a guy with her ass as he passes through on his way to the bathroom. "Its okay honey," she tells him, as if he accosted her. She smirks a little once he's by her. Her easy laugh and staccato outbursts entertain us. Is she always so boisterous or is this, too, part of her disguise?  Maybe she is also cutting loose after a hard week.  Lyle gets up to dance the next one with her but she drops to a seat. My drummer friend slides over to me and asks if I want to step out back with him and enjoy some weed.  I glance at my man to make sure he's okay with it.  He nods and the drummer and I slip out the side door.  Jackie follows us with a knowing look. She flirts with the drummer, doing what I'd love to do.  She grabs at his t-shirt for fun and pulls it part way up.  He's proud to show off his buff form.  I love his titties and his smooth, hard chest. Later, after she and I have smoked, it's his turn.  Sharp gusts of wind make it hard for him to get a light.  He huddles in the corner where the wooden patio fence meets the wall to get out of the draft. His back is to us and he's wearing shorts.  She bends down and runs her hands up his calves, and part way up his thighs. "Um, um I like that," she says.  I do too. He turns, and they kiss deeply.  I feel myself get wet just watching them.  I embrace them both pressing myself against the drummer, then Jackie.  I kiss him and turn to kiss Jackie with my mouth open.  My tongue finds hers.  It is warm, hot, and soft.  I break from their embrace, breathless. "We could do that, you know", the drummer whispers. I sag against the cinderblock wall.  I shake my head and stare at them with deep, conflicted longing.  We go inside and the band begins to play.  I sit down next to my man and give him a peck, embarrassed that he can taste the weed on my lips, but not at all embarrassed about my enjoyment with Jackie and the drummer.