Exit 10

After 10 years I am back at my former place of employment. A hotel in my neighborhood. Ten years ago I was working the front desk. I am now working as a hostess in the hotels restaurant which has reopened after being renovated. I work the evening shift due to the fact I stay at home with the children while my husband goes to work.

Ten years ago I was single, no children. I was trying to figure out my life, and what was to become of it. Then I met him. He came here on business from another state. He was young, good looking, had ambition, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He would be the one to ask me out, and I would be the one to accept the invitation-not willingly at first, but persuasion took over, and I said yes. We went out a few nights before he left to go home. Our last night would be a night that would stay with me for a long time. He was charming and when he kissed me, my body would turn to jello. That night before he would go home and out of my life forever we kissed our final goodbyes after kissing for almost an hour in his car. It, of course wasn’t meant to be. I was left broken hearted and I was never to see him again, until now.

It is ten years later and he is back in town. I unfortunately am not the one to check him in this time. I watch him walk in the door, and I begin to feel faint. As he and his business colleagues check in I nonchalantly walk over just to see if he notices me. He looks at me and I look at him. We don’t say a word to each other, but I know he remembers me. He finally gets his key, and walks away. I walk back to the hostess stand.

About a half hour later he is back with the same men he checked in with. They are discussing options for dinner. After about five minutes of figuring out what to do, they walk towards the restaurant. (Be cool) I think to myself as I seat them. I try to ignore it, but I can feel him staring at me. My eye catches his, and I smile at him. He smiles back, and I walk away leaving him to order his dinner.

After dinner he with his colleagues get up to leave. He says something to them, they walk away, and he walks towards me. (Oh, God, what does he want?) I think as he stares at me. I stare back at him, and he says to me " You don’t remember me, do you?" I look at him and narrow my eyes. " I know who you are, you’re....I pretend to remember his name as he finishes my sentence for me. I reply "Yeah, that’s it." I ask him how he’s been, and of course he is doing well. We talk for almost ten minutes. He then looks at me intently, and I think (Oh no I know that look. I know what he wants. Don’t say, don’t say it.....) "How about if I take you out after work.." I sigh, thank him, and tell him I’m married. He leans forward and whispers "Don’t worry, I won’t tell you don’t." "Unbelievable" I mutter as I reach over and flick him on the head. "Ouch!" He flinches. "Why did you do that?" I look at him and yell "Didn’t you hear me? I’m married, and if I weren’t what makes you think I would go out with you again?" "I apologize, but I just thought." He replies. I look at him and tell him "Well you thought wrong." He walks away, and I want to go after him. I want to tell him that I changed my mind, but I hold myself back. I work the rest of the night thinking what if, until I punch out to go home.

It begins to rain lightly as I walk towards my car. I hear a voice behind me, and I stop dead in my tracks. "I know you can’t stop thinking about me." I turn around and begin to laugh. "What is it with you . Do you really believe that bullshit? How dare you come here to tell me this and for you’re information...He doesn’t let me finish, and before I can even do anything he grabs and kisses me. I don’t know how long. (Push him away, push him away!) I think, but I’m not doing anything of the sort. I just crush my mouth against his enjoying the moment. He finally lets go. I regain my composure, and ask "Are you done?" "Yes," he replies. I lift my hand and with full force, I slap him across the face. He looks at me and smiles. "I knew you were going to do that to me. I know what I want, and I believe I know what you want. I ‘m in room." He gives me the room number and walks away. I get in my car, start it, but instead of driving away, I sit there and think.

As I walk to his room everything seems so surreal to me. (I’m not doing this) I think, but the fact is I am. I stand outside his door, and look around to see if anyone is standing by. The hall is aerially quiet. I knock quietly on the door. Once, twice. I knock a third time, and as I turn to walk away the door opens. He stands there with a look of satisfaction on his face. " I knew you would come." I want to turn around and leave not wanting to give in, but instead I look at him and say, "If you breathe a word of this to anyone..." He grabs me by the arm and pulls me inside. I begin to feel lightheaded as he stares at me. I begin to tell him that I don’t know why I’m here, and I love my husband. He takes my hand and kisses it. He then cups my face in his hands and kisses my forehead. His lips travel down to my nose and then my mouth. Slowly at first, then full of force and passion. I respond, but think (What are you doing? You’re husband! You’re poor, poor husband!) I want to push him away, tell him it’s a mistake, but all I can do is tilt my head back as he begins to kiss my neck. I sigh as my fingers clutch his neck. He begins to unbutton my shirt, and his lips travel further down to the tops of my breasts. (Think you are someone else. This isn’t you. Go with it) I try to, but reality takes over, and I push him away.

"I can’t do this!" I cry, and run into the bathroom. I feel like I am going to be sick, but instead I sit on the floor, and begin to sob. He lightly taps on the door, then slowly opens it. "Are you alright?" he asks, and I can see he has a look of concern on his face. I nod and bury my face in my hands. "I shouldn’t of come here." I mumble. He takes my hands away. "Yes you should of." He tells me. "I want you. I need you." He seems so sincere, and I truly believe him. "Come with me." He says as he takes my hand and helps me up. I willingly go as he leads me to the bed and sits me down. No words are said between us as we begin to kiss. He eases me back, and lays on top of me. There is an understanding that we would be together only for one night and then go back to our lives. I don’t think of anything, except this moment. This sweet, tender moment.

I lay safely in his arms as a light thunderstorm is happening outside. What happened is done and over with. I try to apologize, not knowing why, but all he does is places his finger to my lips. "Sh, no words." He says. He moves in to kiss me. I press my body against his savoring the moment. Thunder rumbles, but I don’t notice it. All I know is I’m in his arms wanting to make love again, but we are both tired. I lay my head on his chest, as he puts his arm around me. He kisses my forehead and whispers "Thank you." in my ear. Tears quietly stream down my face as I come back yo reality, and realize what I have done. I can do nothing, except cry myself to sleep.

I wake up and look around confused. I am not in a hotel room, but in my bedroom, and he is beside me no longer. It is my husband who lays beside me. I sigh happily with relief as a lump forms in my throat. He wakes up and looks at me. "What's the matter?" He asks, but I can say nothing. I just reach up and kiss him. "I love you." I whisper, relieved that what happened before was all a dream.

The End