Chapter 51: Birthday Dinner

I've got one heck of a surprise planned for tonight. Poor thing last night all he wanted to do was talk and cuddle. He was really beside himself about what happened at his ex-wife’s. It took him a good long while before he was talked out, and he fell asleep exhausted in my arms. I seethed at this woman’s tactics – using their children like that. She doesn’t have to like me or tolerate me for that matter, but this was just awful, what she was doing to David and their children. I had half a mind to go over there, but I don’t want to make things worse.

I’ve been at work for what seems like days, and have been antsy, worrying that David found out my surprise. I didn’t need to worry; he had planned to be out all day at the studio. Guess he’s rehearsing or practicing, or whatever they call it. In any event, he was going to be gone all day, and he said he wanted to go out for dinner and would be home around 7.

I had different plans for him.

The day dragged on, and FINALLY, it was 3:00. I left work, spent the two plus minutes in the elevator, white-knuckled on the railing the whole time. When I got back to Jersey, I drove to the salon I had found in the phone book. They offered makeup and body art as well as hair, and I was going to take full advantage of their services.

I went in and got stripped down to my bra, and they gave me a towel to wrap around my chest. On my shoulders and the backs of my hands, Henna tattoos were painted in intricate patterns. While it dried, the artist worked on my makeup. Kerry knew what she was doing, and within half an hour, she had transformed me from a Bostonite to a true Egyptian goddess.

My eyes were now miraculously cat-shaped, and thickly lined with kohl. My lashes were thick and luxurious, my complexion flawless. My cheekbones were enhanced with a bronze blush, and my eyelids shimmered and sparkled in gold. Blood red lipstick made my lips look plump and kissable, and I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection. My hair was in an elaborate up-do that would fit nicely under the cap I had brought with me.

Jillian, the stylist, fit the replica of an Egyptian goddess headdress over my hair. The cap had gold beads that would hang down to my eyebrows in front and to my shoulders in the back. The gold was interspersed with colorful glass beads, and was remarkably light. Jillian and Kerry came to stand behind me and look at the finished product in the mirror.

“Wow,” I said to them, turning my head this way and that. “You guys are amazing,” I gushed. God, this was totally worth the prices they charged. They asked if they could take my picture for their portfolio, and since my own mother wouldn’t recognize me, I let them. I surely hope that doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

When I got back to David’s I freshened up and got dinner started. I had a roast in the oven, baby new potatoes on to boil, fresh bread, and a mixed greens salad. Simple comfort food. I hope he wouldn’t be too disappointed that we weren’t going out tonight.

With dinner cooking happily away, I went to get dressed. I slipped into the costume I had brought with me. It's a long white silk column slit to the waist with a deep-vee halter-type top that has long gold cords that cross at the neck, wrap around under The Girls, and wrap around the waist to tie in back. I cinched it up tight, and examined myself in the mirror. It didn’t look right. I checked the clock, and figured Steph would be home. I Skyped her, putting a photo in front of the camera.

“Hey, Hath,” she said, then bust out laughing. “Hath, where are you?”

“I’m here,” I said, “Just don’t laugh at me.”

“OK, ok,” she said. “Take the picture away.”

I did, and Steph got a good shot of me all made up.

“Holy hell,” she said.

“Too much?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Steph answered. “Step back and let me see the whole effect.”

I did, and she nearly choked on her drink. “Jesus Christ, you’re going to kill him.”

I laughed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but this isn’t sitting right.” I was pulling at the dress, and Steph told me to turn around this way and that and I did.

“Got it,” she said, and had me re-string the straps. Now, they crossed between my breasts, making them holy shit POP and then looped the rest around my waist. Much better. I put on the shoes, gold CFM sandals that lace up the leg to the knee, and a really cool gold snake armband. I made a turn for the camera.

“How’s that?” I asked.

“At the risk of having the vision burned in my memory forever, lose the thong. It’ll make the dress sit better. WAIT! I don’t want to see it, just trust me.” Steph was laughing so hard now I thought she was going to piss herself.

“Thanks, Steph, you’re the best. I gotta go check on dinner now.”

“Bye, Goddess, have fun,” she sing-songed to me.

Dinner was nearly done, so I set the table, opened some wine, turned on the music, and waited. At about quarter till seven, I set the tableau up in the kitchen the way I wanted, dimmed the lights, and stepped into the shadows.

David approached the house and frowned. It looked like nobody was home. “Shit,” he said. He wanted to go out; Hath must be working late. He opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. The roast beef smell had his mouth watering. He smiled and stepped further into the room. Set up on the island was a glass of wine, a blindfold, and a note. He smiled deeper. “What are you playing at, Hath?” he said softly as he picked up the note.

Dearest David, slip the blindfold on, take a sip of wine, and call for me. I’m waiting for you… H

David did as he was bid, and the wine felt good going down. “Hath, baby,” he called softly, “I’m home.”

After a moment, David heard the click of high heels on the kitchen tile. He got a whiff of some exotic perfume that went straight to his belt. He could hear a rustling of beads too, and felt Hath take his hand. She brought it to her lips, and kissed it gently. “Welcome home, baby,” she said. “Come with me.” She put his had on the snake armband, and David’s breath hitched. Hath heard it and smiled. She led him through to the dining room, where David could hear music. She led him to a chair, and sat him in it.

“I hope you don’t mind eating in tonight,” she said, once he was pushed in. Hath kissed his cheek, and when David turned his head, she stepped away. When she was nearly to the kitchen, she said, “I’ll be back with your plate; take off the blindfold.”

David did, and looked around. The table was set for two, with a clear path across the table so they’d be able to see each other. There were rose petals sprinkled on the table, and the lights were dimmed just enough to make the shadows interesting.

“Are you ready for dinner?” Hath called.

“More than, darlin’,” David said, smiling. His breath caught when he saw Hath come through the door. “Holy shit! How…what…you…” David was speechless.

“What’s wrong dearest?” Hath came slowly into the room, walking deliberately so that her hips swung provocatively from side to side. His eyes were glued to her as she approached with two plates. Smiling, she put one at her place, and the other she brought to David. She crouched slightly to put the plate in front of him, then backed away. She turned from him, showing the henna at her shoulders, and walked back to her seat, and sat delicately. She picked up her fork and knife and cut a sliver of meat from her piece, and slid it between her lips. Chewing slowly, she smiled.

“Everything OK?” she asked, as she took a sip of water from the goblet in front of her. David nodded. Hath smiled. “Good. Eat up before it gets cold.” David picked up his own fork and knife and started to eat. He couldn’t keep his eyes off this woman, this Goddess across from him. Jesus, she looked amazing. He had no idea what he was eating for dinner, he just knew he wanted to get to dessert.