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A Glimpse Of Our Future

by CKing
© January 2001

It was after 11:00 am when I got the call from Corporate. Be on the 2:15 flight out, today, to Houston, land by 4:00 and do a visual inspection of the acquisition site one last time before 5:00 p.m. to O.K. the sale for Monday morning. I could fly back Saturday and have “blessed” the view with my own eyes. Gee, what things our management thrills on spending money for. It didn’t take me long to turn it into a plan. Secretaries and assistants were already punching in the tickets and making the hotel arrangements. I was unfortunate that there was a huge antiques dealers conference and all but the most very expensive hotels were booked. I’d have to stay at the Hyatt. The kids were visiting their Dad for the weekend so they’d be picked up at school. Now for the home front. I dialed the number knowing I’d catch my sweetheart just getting in from Grad classes exhausted but through for the weekend.
“Hello you!”, I said sweetly when the phone was picked up with an afternoon, ‘hello’ on the other end.
“You doing O.K., it’s the middle of the day?”, came the response with a little concern noted in the voice.
“Can’t I call home ever without you wondering if I’m sick or something?” I said back. There was a moment of silence. “Listen, I’ve been called from Corporate. Have to go look at that site we’re closing on Monday. In Houston. Today,” I just blurted out waiting to here the sigh on the other end. I didn’t have to travel that often but it always had a way of just disrupting the normal routine of things.

“Will you be gone long? All weekend?” came the sweet voice trying hard to not show emotion either way.
“This is the thing. I want you to grab your books, throw our best duds in a suitcase and meet me at the airport in an hour. We’re eating dinner in Texas tonight and we’ll be back before Church on Sunday,” I said most business-like.
“You’re kidding right?” rang through the phone. “No, the flight leaves at 2:15 and I’ve already gotten you a ticket. We used a few of our super saver miles and it was only $49.00 to add you. There’s a convention in Houston so all the cheap hotels are booked. We’re staying at the Hyatt Regency tonight and when we get there I’m taking a car to just do a drive by of the property, that’s all, then I’ll meet you at the hotel. Lay out my clothes and you go to the bar. I’ll be there to meet you at 6:30 and it’ll be a date,” I rambled, “can you handle that?”.
“Our best duds, huh?” was asked finally after a long pause.
“Our best. The Spindletop at the top of the hotel. Candles and soft lights, romantically over-looking Houston with my baby. Will you join me?”, I begged sweetly into the phone.
“How can I refuse? I’m jumping in the shower and shining my shoes. I’ll meet you at the airport in an hour with the suitcase....sweet thing,” came a cheerful reply.

I closed up my computer, bid good bye to the crew and headed to the airport. I went ahead and checked in then waited at the front entrance to look for my spouse. With our hectic schedules it would be nice to share the glimpse of a city with my love instead of having to just call for a good-night kiss.

The flight was quick with my Grad student pounding away at the lap top and an occasional squeeze of my hand. We landed in beautiful Houston with the sun dipping lower in the afternoon sky under blue clouds and a warm breeze even for January. I kissed my lover of six years and sent the taxi off to the hotel as I took another to make a quick trip by the property I was to look at. The cab driver shrugged as I clicked a few digital shots of the vacant lot that looked just like the same ones in the file I had taken three months earlier. I did take one of the hotel going up next door that was marginally further a long then my last visit. I called Phoenix from the car and verified the request
instructing everyone to proceed with closing. With work now done I enjoyed to rest of the ride to the hotel. Bold and numerous sky scrappers and green-ways crammed into just a few square miles of flatness created an impression of such beauty and efficiency all in one gulp.

Tipping the driver heavily for his patience I got out at the Regency feeling quite executive as the door person held the door for me to enter. It was a grand hotel in the heart of downtown and the 5:30 Friday bustle was evident about the entrance. I checked in at the desk and picked up the second key. When I opened the door to the suite, I was taken aback by the luxurious decor and elegance of the huge set of rooms. A combination living room bar area with a small meeting table and double doors leading to an enormous bedroom. There was no sound in the suite but I was tickled to find a note from my lover placed carefully next to an iced down bottle of Ice House on the table. It said simply, “Your clothes are on the bed. Take a quick shower. I’ll be the sharp sexy one at the bar. Love, M.”

I opened the Ice House and took a long, welcomed sip. My short silvery sequined cocktail dress was draped gently on the bed with a black bra, garters and dark hose laying beside. “Mmmmm”, I thought, “no underwear
to be seen anywhere.” Just my mid-high black heels. I headed off to the shower and quickly put on fresh make-up with a splash of more color. Surveying myself in the mirror with the last of sip of my beer I felt myself growing warmer with the anticipation of meeting my love. One more spray of cologne and I headed out the door.

Taking the elevator to the top of the Hyatt I was pleased it was not fully crowded. Early yet I supposed. I took a ten dollar bill from my purse and folded it into my hand. When I arrived at the entrance to the Spindletop I was absorbing the romantically dim lighting and elegantly dressed patrons creating a quiet mumbling stir around me. The maitre de approached and asked if I wanted a table for one. He said there was about a 15 minute wait. I told him I was meeting someone in the bar and could he find a nice table for two in the smoking section and come get
me. I pressed the ten into his hand. Smiling, he said, “But of course. I will arrange a quiet table and will find you there myself when it is ready. This way to the bar, Madame.” I followed behind him towards the center of the huge restaurant. Stepping aside he motioned his hand in a wave for me to enter. A long mahogany bar stretched out as long as a basketball court to my left flanked by high stools. Dots of “leaning” tables and stools were among the centered section of terraced bar space. You could see the main dining areas minuscule through vined lattice that surrounded the area and created it’s own high ceiling ambiance. There was a beautiful blue-eyed blonde at the bar
wearing a silky black long gown slit all the way up her long glamorous leg. Several well dressed gentleman in suits surrounded her making small talk and laughing gently with her. I spotted my mate and headed over.

“Buying drinks?” I said somewhat loudly as I approached the group, the blonde’s sexy crossed leg moving gently in the air up and down almost hypnotically.
One of the gentleman spoke, “She is meeting someone and won’t let us buy her a drink. But as beautiful as you are, surely you would let us treat you to a cocktail?”

Leaning over and kissing my honey on the cheek I grabbed the stool next to the blonde. Looking right at the gentleman that had spoken I said, “I don’t know sweetie, why wouldn’t you let them buy you a drink?”
“You’re the husband she’s been waiting for?”, the gentleman said with true disappointment sounding through his voice.
“No, I’m the wife, ” I said cheerfully. We smiled at each other and I squeezed her hand.
“Shot down by two beautiful women in less than an hour, we’re washed up Bob, just washed up,” the other said with a wink and a laugh.

The gentleman drifted away as I ordered a drink and stared dreamily into my darling’s face. “You look awful nice this evening gorgeous. May I buy you a drink?” I said.
“Of course YOU can my dear. You’re looking most sexy yourself,” she said eyeing me up and down. I ordered her another drink and we chatted quietly together about the hotel and my last minute few of the lot. It wasn’t long before the maitre de came to show us to our table. I couldn’t take my eyes off the view far above Houston from this slowly spinning restaurant in the sky. It was a clear night and the lights of the city bounced softly through the room dimly lit and speckled with the flicker from table candles. We were directed to a table not far from a small wooden floored dance area. A band consisting of just a piano, a bass, a violin and muffled trumpeter quietly churned away very old songs over the slow drum of the eating and chatting room full of diners. Mary and I sat and just smiled as we took in the room, the view and the tantalizing hum of the music and the people. Across the table we squeezed each other’s hand and simultaneously sighed deep in and out slowly.
“I love you so much,” I beamed to her with my sweetest coo looking her directly in the eyes..
“I love you more”, she said smiling back.
For years we have played with those two very statements. Depending on which of us said the first part first, it has always been the other’s always response. Followed then always by a round of “but I need you more, or I want you more, or but I have to have you more,” that has been whispered anyplace, any time the “I love you more” has been said. Such a most true and natural love that I myself have ever experienced. To feel someone else’s love back so as strongly as your own for them.
Incredible.

We giggled and chatted as we drooled over the menu. It was extra nice that the company could at least pick up the maximum limit on my portion of the meal for “business expenses” but we also did not do this very often and having this very special opportunity to dress up and eat in a nice place, we splurged on appetizers and expensive entrees. I couldn’t stop just admiring her. We smiled, touched each other under the table with our knees, and enjoyed our time pretty much oblivious of the room or the people around us. She was so beautiful. She kept telling me how beautiful I was and we kept just saying this is so beautiful as we looked out on Houston in all it’s lights and our surroundings.

The band didn’t have a singer, but we both spoke the words aloud as it sweetly played out the song that was played at our wedding, Amazed by Lone Star. Couples slowly gathered on the dance floor in quiet embraces. Mary squeezed my hand and pulled me up. With a tear and a smile in her eye she walked me towards the dance floor. We didn’t care whether we were in one of the swankiest restaurants in Houston Texas, two lesbians dancing closely in feminine dress, with all eyes suddenly upon us. We didn’t hear anything but the words of the song and saw only the love in front of us as we swayed gently to the music. Mary cooing the lines and my smile lighting up. Each phrase, each chord having a special meaning just for us. The years we have had and the ones ahead of us together flashing before me in such an awesome moment. Dancing with her, feeling her love, being the one. We held each other and felt it both. I kissed her gently and lovingly on the cheek as the song ended. She blushed and smiled deep into me. We walked back to our table hand in hand and sat down to the most delicious spread of appetizers we’d ever seen. Shrimp and marinated meat balls. Cheeses and fresh vegetables. Dips and sauces in splendid array. We chucked and dug in.

We enjoyed a meal of broiled fish and marinated potatoes for Mary and grilled medallion beef with mushrooms and rice for me. Rich and delicious. After a while into the splendid evening, the waiter came to our table with two glasses and a bottle of one of the hotel’s best champagnes. As he popped the cork and poured it I looked at Mary and said “Oh sweetheart, you are so special ordering this for us.”
Looking with question back, she said “but I didn’t, I thought perhaps you did.”
The waiter, smiling, having finished pouring our glasses and placing the bottle in a side bucket of ice, said “compliments of the couple at table Two just behind you.”
We turned and saw the sweetest couple of older women, probably in their seventies, holding hands on the table not too far from us. They had watched our dance. They raised their glass and we raised ours. In a quiet toast to one another they complimented our display of love and future in being at the same place celebrating our own life and love at that very same evening, that very same place in time that they were, as a couple. It was very moving. We thanked them in an additional salute for the champagne and returned to our meal. Just looking across the table at each other and smiling at our wealth and good fortune. We would be those ladies in another twenty five years. In love still and enjoying a night out. Perhaps spying a another young lesbian couple entranced in being together and hoping them well for a future together.
It was just all so splendid.

Mary ordered coffee and asked about dessert. I told her I needed to powder my nose but I would take care of desert. I excused myself and went to the rest room. Before returning to the table I went to the concierge. I ordered a bottle of cognac and a sampling dessert tray of chocolates and cakes, eclairs and parfaits to be sent to the room. Beside myself, I returned to the table and we drank the last glasses of champagne after Mary’s coffee and a long lingering time over the ambiance and the view.

We returned to our room and we sampled all of the desserts. Naked, we sipped cognac then made love until late into the night. As we left the next morning, all our memories still glowing, I thought of the lady couple we had seen. One day I wanted to come here in my seventies, with Mary and have another special dinner. Just to reflect, remember and toast our own glimpse into the wonderful future we had and live again in our time.