HERE ON MOON
Some of the men had dressed, but most were still in their swimsuits with loafers or other footwear and a shirt added, occasionally topped off by a hat. The party became food, drink, and lively conversation. Tom, assisted by Ralph and a few other men, was wreathed in smoke, dispensing hamburgers, hot dogs and Polish sausage. "Burgers! Who wants a rare one? Got a burnt dog here!"
Carole sat near Gracie, was hungry and concentrated on her food. She had selected a slightly burnt kielbasa and topped it with spicy mustard and chopped onions. She also got potato salad, cole slaw, and a lemonade spiked with vodka.
While eating, Carole watched the people settle down. They paired off, and it was suddenly quite clear that there were five single, or unpaired, people there. The males were Ralph and another man in his early sixties, a charming retired fireman. Carole had talked to him briefly and told him about her father's nickname. The unpaired females were Carole, the freckled redhead and a blond woman who Carole guessed was about her age or a little older. Everyone else was with someone, and they ate together, got each other something to drink, offered bites of their sandwiches.
Tom came to where they were sitting and offered a bowl of Cajun-spiced potato chips, a bag he had forgotten to open and now was in a hurry to share. Both women took a few. Tom turned away, then back with great drama. "By the way, Gracie, I want you to know that even though you have almost no freckles I love you very much, and can hardly wait to have your baby." He spun away to offer the chips to others, leaving Gracie smiling and Carole aching a little.
A lively discussion was starting, the ageless 'what is wrong with the opposite sex.' Most of the crowd joined in, moving their chairs to form a rough circle. Women and men bandied about such pedestrian complaints as stinky sneakers, panty hose drying in the bathroom, a true talent for embarrassing noises, long hair in the bathroom sink trap, too much air conditioning in the summer, too much heat in the winter. People howled with laughter, made revealing statements they surely would hear about later. Then the single blond spoke up.
"I like men a lot, despite their many faults. But what really gets me is that so many of them have no idea what great sex is."
This sparked a series of high school humor about body shapes and sizes, staying power, and more personal comments and revelations. Laughter on laughter, a howling good time, but clearly the couples were enjoying and connecting to the discussion and jokes at a different, far more intimate level than those without a partner.
Ralph spoke up, looking at the blond. "OK, for those of us who are not four-star experts, I would like to hear your opinion on what great sex is. I myself, of course, have a three and three-quarters star rating" --- this to general laughter and a 'taught the boy all I know!' comment from Tom, earning him a swift rib dig from Gracie--- "But I am open to suggestions. Pray tell, what is great sex?"
The woman gave him a smile, then looked down at the glass in her hand. She turned it and turned it as she spoke, looking at the glass, spoke as if remembering. "This is great sex. First, you get all dressed up and go someplace wonderful. Dinner at a special restaurant. Or a play or musical or opera, something emotional, 'Phantom' or "La Boheme." Or maybe a restaurant and a movie. But you don't want to be too tired.
"Main-TAIN that stamina!" said one of the men. She continued, still talking to the glass. "Then you come back, get in bed, hold each other close, kiss a little, start getting a little hot, and go to sleep."
This last caught everyone by surprise so much that there were no immediate comments. She continued.
"The next morning you have your favorite breakfast --- got to make sure you have everything you need, do the shopping the day before. Then you sit a while, read, listen to some good music, classics, Mozart, Vivaldi, the real stuff. Be quiet together till breakfast has a chance to settle. Fill the tub, take a bath, wash each other nice and clean. By now you should both be feeling a little crazy. And then you go to bed and just --- just be real good to each other." She looked up, her eyes a little moist. "And that, friends and neighbors, is great sex."
The party changed after that, became quieter, more intimate. The blond soon left, perhaps feeling she had revealed too much, or perhaps a memory stung. Carole felt as if her singleness was a neon sign for all to see. Ralph felt sad.
The evening passed. A few men went back in, but only one woman, the lady endowed with the fabulous freckles. People were leaving, saying goodbye and wishing Tom and Gracie the best of luck with their pending new responsibilities. Ralph began helping with the clean up as did Carole, and they found themselves, the four, busy cleaning. As they worked Gracie caught Tom's eye and with raised eyebrows and tiny head nod indicated Ralph and Carole; "Look who is still here" said her glances. But nothing romantic happened. When the work ended Tom and Ralph were near the gate, the women near the party house. Ralph turned and called a goodbye to Gracie and Carole. They both called goodnight to him, and he was gone. Gracie looked at Carole. Carole shrugged, sadly.
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