Lisa woke alone in her hotel room bed. The morning light filled the window and a sliver of daylight glowed on her pretty face. Stretching an arm across the empty bed, she wished there was more than cool wrinkled sheets for her fingers to touch and grasp. Morning was her favorite time when thoughts were filled with desire. She caressed each nipple until the alarm clock interrupted those dreamy thoughts. Rising with another stretch she slipped off her nightgown and looked in the mirror before taking a shower. The spray of water soaked her perfect skin and trickles of water ran between perky breasts. There wouldn’t be time to linger and enjoy as workday thoughts now demanded her attention.
Dressing in casual clothing she knew the day would start with a hair stylist and makeup artist perfecting her looks. The day would be filled with attention creating the perfect look for each dress and sweater in the catalogue where she was the featured model. She enjoyed the attention and excitement of modeling and was eager to begin the day. With a final glance in the mirror she left the room to meet the crew in the hotel lobby.
Lisa had been a model for over twenty years and had her share of success and setback during those years. She never made it to the elite rung of her profession and was comfortable with that fact. Lisa never lacked for work when she wanted it, and this was a job she wanted. She was at a place in her life where the money was secondary to the sense of purpose and accomplishment that working gave her.
Her early working years came with swimsuit and lingerie modeling for small catalogues and department store chains. As the years passed by more of the work was modeling dresses, sweaters, and coats, with the occasional vacation brochure assignment wearing a one piece swimsuit and acting as the doting mom for a happy family on a beach. She understood that modeling was a young woman’s world but she wasn’t going to leave easily.
Now in her early 40’s she knew time was ticking and that gave her a sense of urgency with each new assignment. She had prepared for this job with a dedicated fitness routine that had her in fantastic shape. A daily schedule with yoga and running had sculpted her body perfectly. That attention to fitness made her slender 5’7″ frame draw more appreciative looks than women ten years younger. Her C cup breasts were still full and perky and her blonde hair had more bounce than her sexy stride. When she looked in a mirror, she knew she still had it and could tease the camera and pose for everyone behind it.
Later that morning the stylists had her looking perfect and everything was going well. During a short break Lisa was called into a meeting with the abrupt news they were going in a new direction that was fresher, younger, and more hip. She wouldn’t be needed the entire week as planned. The sting of rejection didn’t sit well. That new direction involved another model. A woman nearly half her age was going to take Lisa’s place as the featured model. Lisa smiled and accepted the decision graciously knowing another job would come along soon. Inside she seethed with jealousy, anger, and resentment knowing her replacement had youthful beauty. It was more likely her replacement had kneeled in front of the editor’s unzipped pants and used her oral talents to secure the new assignment. Lisa had faced those same choices early in her career and knew it was part of the business.
She checked out of her hotel room that morning and began the drive back home. She took comfort knowing the house would be filled with noise from her daughter Beth and son David. They’d been away at college where he was studying Anatomy and Physical Therapy and she was studying Drama and Theater. After being gone for the year they were now home on summer break. Their return home was a welcome change since Lisa’s husband Jim had been travelling frequently for work and was away on a project for several weeks.
Lisa stopped on the way home to have lunch with her friend Molly. They’d been through a lot over the years and a long lunch with Molly was sure to brighten her mood before going home. Lisa arrived at the bistro to find Molly already there with drinks waiting. Molly commanded attention whenever she entered a room. Today was no different as two handsome waiters circled closely looking after her. She dressed in a way to show off her curvy body, and her playful attitude spoke of sex without saying a word. Molly’s summer blouse was unbuttoned enough to display her ample cleavage and invite a peek from anyone eager to look. She had an allure of being sexually available and didn’t care what people thought. She was the brash and bold contrast to Lisa’s soft seductive style.
Lisa turned heads wherever she went and today she needed that validation. The staff and patrons noticed Lisa’s entrance. She was radiant and beautiful with her hair styled and makeup done perfectly. The waiters were eager to please the two ladies and gave exceptional service. Lisa flashed a satisfied smile as two waiters jockeyed for position to help her take a seat at the table.
After picking a chair that allowed a view of the other tables, Lisa clinked her glass against Molly’s and rolled her eyes saying she needed a few more to drown her sorrows. Molly listened to her talk about work frustrations as lunch was ordered and served. The interruptions from the attentive waiters gave Molly an opportunity to flirt and leer at the young men. Half way through a second drink Lisa’s mood was improved. Molly had let her talk while peppering each reply with sexual innuendo and recommending a good screw as the best cure for everything. Slowly their talk turned to family and better times. Molly wanted to know all about Dave and Beth.
“That Dave is turning into quite a hunk. He is a younger version of Jim with a better tan and bigger muscles. What’s he doing this summer anyway? And Beth, she must leave a wake of broken hearts behind her wherever she goes. Who are they seeing now anyway?”
“Neither of them are dating anyone seriously. You know how secretive they are at times. They’re both happy to be free for the summer. They’ve looked for work but they both have full time jobs texting, tanning, and teasing each other.”
Molly was quick to reply with a joke.
“You let Dave know I am available if he needs a cabana girl to help him with that tan.”
They laughed and talked while enjoying the unhurried lunch. Molly reassured her a better job was waiting and she still had the looks to pose for lingerie modeling. They were finishing their drinks when the waiter appeared at the table asking if he could wrap up their remaining lunch to go. Molly leveled her reply while placing her hand on his arm.
“Only if you’re going to deliver it personally. If not we’ll just take the check.”
The waiter laughed and shook his head saying he had a full shift ahead that wouldn’t allow for special delivery.
After the waiter walked away Lisa slapped Molly’s arm.
“You’re so bad teasing him that way. He’s probably the same age as your son.”
Molly’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Yes and he’s probably ringing up our check right now and thinking about quitting his job to make that special delivery. I saw him eyeing us for the past hour. Besides, my son or yours would leap at that offer.”
Lisa was feeling relaxed and replied without thinking.
“Now that would be a sight. The boys making a special delivery for us.”
Molly looked surprised but wouldn’t let the opening pass.
“What wicked thoughts are racing around your head? I’m usually the naughty one. Are they making a special delivery to us both? At least tell me I can have some of Dave’s attention on that special delivery. You’re not going to keep him all to yourself are you? I promise to bring him home in a month or two.”
Lisa blushed and shook her head while laughing.
“I should get out of here before you get me into trouble. I better not hear of you coming back here when that waiters shift ends, unless you’re going share all the juicy details.”
Lisa and Molly left together in good spirits saying their goodbyes with a promise to meet again soon. Lisa drove the final distance home feeling happy and looking forward to another modeling assignment. The job loss was a small setback and she had faced bigger challenges during her life. Following the curving country road she reflected on the past twenty years of her life.
Her adult life started with an unplanned and hurried wedding when she was 19 followed by the birth of her son and daughter five months after the wedding. Those circumstances didn’t allow her to enjoy all the experiences her friends enjoyed in their youth. She and her husband Jim struggled at times to make the marriage work while building a better life. The marriage hadn’t been all wine and roses but they kept it together any way they could. Their hard work brought them that better life and she was proud of her family and their spacious home. She was happy that Beth and Dave could attend college and were enjoying a carefree summer break. They were doing the things she missed at that age. Feeling positive and confident that better days were ahead, she turned the car onto their private lane. The car rolled to a stop without a sound. Lisa grabbed her bag and walked toward the front door.