Paul hated stores , but he hated airports more . It was just something to kill the time before leaving for Midway Airport . He had his overnight bag over his shoulder and briefcase in his hand . He looked around for a coffee shop , but didn 't find one . The meeting in Chicago hadn 't gone as well as Paul expected . The contractor was supposed to be ready and the state regulators should have been on board . There were still a lot of loose ends and loose cannons . No one had done their homework . It would mean more commutes to Chicago than he had time for . It 's not that he disliked the Windy City . The restaurants were the best ; the population the friendliest . It was easier to root for the Bears than the hapless Lions . It was the commute that irritated him : the puddle - jumper from Saginaw , the switch in Detroit , the taxi ride from O ' Hare or Midway to downtown Chicago . He thumbed through the display of ties . He knew that he wasn 't going to buy anything . He replenished his tie supply by waiting for occasions like his birthday and Fathers ' Day . There had been a time when his wife , Sally , had taken care of his ties . . . and shirts , and everything else . But . . . He was doing that a lot more than he would like , lately . That 's why he sought the job he had . There was no going through the motions in it . After Sally 's death he needed something to dive into . This position was just the ticket , and he was well - qualified , too . There was a voice in the background . At first , he didn 't acknowledge it because he hadn 't expected any strangers to call him by name . The voice called again , and seemed insistent and confident he should answer , so he turned to see who it was . A woman , about his age , looked at him with an expectant expression on her face . She was thin , wore glasses . She had red hair with a few gray streaks in it . Some might say that she was a little plain - looking , but certainly neat and well - put - together . Paul thought she looked vaguely familiar . " Glenda ! I don 't believe that I 'm looking at you . What are doing here ? You look great - it 's so nice to see you ! " Paul clasped her hand , absorbing the pleasant surprise . " Commuting , " he replied . " I live in Michigan . I work for a chemical company up there . We had a meeting in Chicago today . Right now , I 'm just killing time before my flight home . I 'd much rather spend it with you going over old times . " " I can 't , " she told him . " It would be nice if I could , but I 'm late getting back to the office already . Maybe if you get back this way . . . " She turned , hurrying out the door . Paul watched her disappear . He had wondered what had happened to Glenda , the enigmatic girl who initiated him in a wooded grove thirty - six years ago . Maybe he would find out her story . Paul didn 't mind the long trip back this time . The chance encounter with Glenda gave him a lot to think about . He dusted off the old memory . She followed him into a pine grove , where they lay on a blanket on a hot August afternoon and gave each other their innocence . It was during the summer after they graduated from high school together . After that , they went separate ways . He wondered on what path Glenda 's life had led her . From the few moments he saw her he surmised that life had treated her well . But , who was he to know ? As the turbo - prop bumped along the clouds , Paul ambled down memory lane . A few days after his encounter with Glenda , he rode off to State University . He played football and studied chemical engineering . He turned out to be pretty good at both . Paul still worked for the same company that paid his way through grad school . He was named Vice - President of Engineering in the preceding year . It was a job that suited him . He had high professional standards ; he was determined ; he was a good leader . At fifty - four he didn 't have much to do , except his job . The kids were away at college . Five years earlier Sally , his wife of twenty - five years had been killed by a hit and run driver . It was all work for him after that . Aside from that first time with Glenda , Sally had been the only woman Paul had ever been with . He seldom pondered why he had less experience than many . A person speculating on the subject would easily guess wrong . Paul still had good looks and an athlete 's physique . His football fame brought him celebrity . Those factors , and the casual sex mores of the seventies , would make one assume that Paul had many bed partners during his college years . That may have been the norm , but Paul didn 't fit the mold of the norm . Studies and sports gave him little free time . In those days Paul 's inclination was to keep to himself . He was well - spoken when called upon , but shunned casual small talk . He parsed and analyzed layers of meaning in every encounter . People respected Paul , but , except for a few close friends , it was hard to get close to him in those days . Sally later helped him soften the edges . It was only one of the reasons he missed her so much . . . Many of those close to him hoped Paul would search out a female companion after Sally 's death . Paul ignored their hinting and good intentions . He still wore his wedding band five years after the sad event . No one would ever take Sally 's place . Paul was reverting to some of his old ways . An intimate relationship with emotional limits was too complex to ponder ; his deepest emotions were still reserved for Sally , though he knew that Sally would be encouraging him . She had always enjoyed sex , and taught Paul to enjoy it , too . He could hear her lecturing him . " Paul , you still have the looks , the shape , your health and plenty of money . You are only fifty - four years old . Find a woman that wants some fun , and have some fun with her . " It was the right advice , of course . Perhaps the medicine was less palatable than the pain . The plane was about to touch down for a landing , so he had to bring his mind back to the present . It was noon on a Wednesday . Paul felt the meeting skidding into oblivion . The men from the State Environmental Agency were just not getting the picture . Perhaps it was a chosen recalcitrance . All their concerns had been resolved , but the go - ahead on the plant was not forthcoming . It was not a complicated project : a plant to produce solvents used in the metals industry . Paul 's company had a good environmental record , and the plan passed all the tests , and better . It wasn 't even going to be built in Chicago ; it was just a good meeting place for all the parties . The site was in a smaller city about one hundred fifty miles to the southwest . The local city fathers were all for the new plant because of the new jobs and added tax base . Paul guessed that the State guys just wanted to roll into the Windy City every few weeks for a restaurant tour disguised as a meeting , funded by expense accounts . Springfield was very nice , but it wasn 't Chicago . " Gentlemen , what more data can we give you ? " Paul asked . " We 've satisfied your every request . You 're still not in agreement . We have no idea at this point what your acceptance criteria are . " " Actually , Mr . Crane , we have asked Dr . Arthur Hopkins from Concerned Scientists of America to consult with us . He won 't be available until Monday . Maybe we should adjourn until then . " There it was ! One sentence revealed all that months of meetings had left a mystery . It told Paul what he had to do . All the studies , reports and data in the world would not move the mountain until he dealt with the great Dr . Hopkins . Arthur Hopkins presented himself as an activist scientist , his real job was as designated spear - chucker for a major competitor of Paul 's company , Montgomery Chemical . When the new facility went on line , it would give Paul 's company a big advantage because of lower transportation costs to the market . It was Hopkins ' job to delay , diminish or halt the new plant . He would roll out one study after another that showed some environmental or safety concern . To Paul , Hopkins was the king of junk science . The only question was whether the State men were in the pocket of the competitor , too , or along for the ride in a c - y - a exercise . Paul thought the later , but kept his mind open on the former . " Get the Peoria Mayor and a couple of Council members to the Monday meeting ; " Paul ordered , " and the State Senator from the locale , as well . Brief them - keep them on board . I 'll get our research people to free up some resources and get a professor from the University to support us . We 'll have that permit soon . " " The Peoria folks will put political pressure on the State guys to get off the dime . The University professor will balance off Hopkins ' PhD . My staff will roll out studies that will surpass Hopkins ' wildest dreams . Montgomery will only pay for Hopkins ' fees and studies until the cost of keeping the charade going is more than the costs of lost business . " " I 'm a VP ; I have the authority to sign the tab , " Paul assured him . " It will be worth it if we can send Hopkins running with his tail between his legs . There 'll be dividends down the road on other projects . " True enough , " Paul admitted , " but the end is in sight . It will go on for a few more months . But look , Hopkins is always the last bullet in the chamber . When we brush him aside , they 'll be ready to give up . " " I hate doing business this way . It would be nice to keep things professional . I didn 't call the tune . I 'm only dancing to their music . " The meeting had been scheduled to go all day . After that , Paul planned a dinner with Harry , and a flight back to Michigan in the morning . The meeting 's early breakup made everyone look at their daybooks . " Mind if I take a raincheck on dinner , Paul ? " Harry asked . " These meetings have put me way behind . I could use the extra time back at the office , if that 's alright . " When Paul returned to his room he tossed his brief case on the bed . He wasn 't even packed because he hadn 't planned on the early break . It was past check - out time at the hotel , and he knew that he would never book a flight until at least four . He decided to stay overnight . His promise to Glenda had been nagging him . Her phone number was still in his daybook . He had mixed feelings about calling her . Surely , she was married or attached , or something . He had no right to complicate her life . On the other hand , she had given him her number with no qualifiers . There was the reservation at the steakhouse he made for the dinner with Harry . It would be a shame to waste it without a dinner companion . The worst would be that she would turn him down . Paul decided to make the call . " Hello , Glenda ? Paul Crane speaking . Sorry to call you at work . I 'm in Chicago overnight . I thought that I 'd call you - like we talked about a few weeks ago . Can you make it to Keefer 's at seven - thirty ? Eight ? Alright - no problem ! I 'll be there before you . Just ask for me . Great ! I 'll see you then . " Paul was in the restaurant , seated at his table , nursing a scotch - on - the - rocks . He had arrived for his reservation at the appointed seven - thirty . He could have shown up at eight , but Paul hated to be late . He felt that he owed it to the restaurant to show at the stated time . It was a self - imposed obligation , but Paul was set in his ways . He didn 't mind because the atmosphere was relaxing . He could hear strains of smooth jazz from the combo playing in the bar . It would be perfect if Sally were there enjoying it with him . They wouldn 't have wasted the atmosphere with idle chit - chat . If there was nothing to say , there was no point in saying it . She would sip on chardonnay while he savored his scotch . As the band finished a number they would glance at one another , share a comment about the music . The band would resume and they would fall silent again . It was a good feeling to just share the music and relax in the presence of one another . He knew that she felt the same . There were times when they needed no words . Words would have been a crutch , and they didn 't need one . After a while they would order their dinners , to the relief of the petulant waiter . Sally always had fish . Paul knew that part of the reason was that fish was the lowest - priced entree on the menu . They could afford to eat at a fancy restaurant every night if they chose . Sally never gave up that wife - of - grad - student frugality she perfected in their early days . She always denied it - said that she just liked fish . It annoyed Paul for a time , but came to realize that the memories of their just - married years meant so much to her . Old habits are hard to break As he polished off his first scotch and ordered another , Paul reminded himself that he was longing for something in the present that only existed in the past . He couldn 't help it . It was his only way of touching her . For a person suddenly alone , there is a freedom of the imagination that is the cruelest prison of all . Memory blends into expectation . The past comes to life countless times , each repeat more soothing . It stifles the chill of whatever lies beyond what is known . He knew that it would be Sally 's advice , too , if she were there to give it . He wished he could simply order himself to follow his own directive , like he did for scores of employees . He would never give up Sally 's memory . He groped to find coexistence for the old and new . Like the engineer that he was , he set out to derive the elusive equation that would balance it all . He knew the key variable was his own stubborn self . He shook himself out of his daydreaming . He was staring into his fresh glass of scotch . Paul watched the two approach his table . He thought that Glenda looked sharp . She wore business attire , a navy gabardine suit , with a simple white , silk sweater underneath . Her clothes were well - tailored , if a little plain . A small gold lapel pin dotted the blazer . Other than the pin and her watch , she wore no jewelry . She was still thin , just like she 'd been when Paul knew her in high school . As she drew closer , he noticed that she wore wire - rimmed glasses with small lenses and a few wrinkles around the eyes . A few streaks of gray interrupted her red hair that was straight and cut trimmed just above the collar of her blazer . It wasn 't hard to remember Glenda as the girl he 'd known so many years ago . It was an uncomplicated look , which suited Paul , who considered himself an uncomplicated guy . Paul stood as the maitre d ' began to seat Glenda in the adjoining chair at the small , round table . Paul made a small gesture to the chair opposite his own . The maitre d ' cleared his throat and shifted to the assigned seat , a safer selection that prevented misunderstandings . Before Paul could speak the waiter approached for Glenda 's drink order . Glenda looked confused . Paul waited for the double entendre of his question to dawn on her and she burst into laughter . Paul laughed too , a little surprised that his joke went over as well as it did , and even more surprised at his impetuous , bold opening that seemed to spring from his lips before he had a chance to hold it back . " Stop apologizing , Paul ! " Glenda held up her hand like a traffic cop . " It 's a nice memory , " she assured him in a quiet voice that seemed understanding and gentle . " None to worry about " she answered . She held up her ring - less left hand in proof . " I would have said something when you asked me a few weeks ago if there was a problem , " she continued and shook her head . " Good old Paul - you were always thinking too much . " Glenda looked up and gave him a smile . It didn 't solve the silence , though . Neither knew how to resume . Paul considered himself at fault . He reminded himself again how unfit he was for any female acquaintanceship . He should have thought to cue Glenda about what happened to his first wife , rather than let her stumble into the topic . . . That answer was more than Paul had bargained for . It made him recall the sweetness of the memory and amazement that the decades hadn 't erased it . It was a feeling that he hadn 't known for some time . He was unsure if it was comfort or unease that came to him . He was in territory that he hadn 't covered in a long time . He decided to scout the terrain . " About six weeks after you went off to college , my mother and I moved out here to Chicago . I wanted to enroll in secretarial school back home , but she asked me to go with her . It was just going to be a short stay at first . My Aunt Margaret was ill . Everyone in the family thought that my mother should be the one to come out and stay with her because my father had recently passed away . They must have thought that she couldn 't have had anything better to do . Mother didn 't know how to say ' No ' . We thought that we were only committed until the beginning of the New Year . I guess that I couldn 't say ' No ' , either . Anyway , by the time the next Easter rolled around , it was clear that we were here to stay . " " I got a job as a receptionist , " Glenda continued . " It wasn 't great , but it paid the bills . Aunt Margaret passed away that July . Mother felt like the ' Angel of Death ' ; first my father , then Aunt Margaret . The family seemed to avoid her after that . It was so unfair . They recruited her to give up her home to look after my aunt in her final days , and then dropped her like a hot potato . Not long after that Mother 's health started sliding , too . I know that she felt empty . My brothers were hardly ever to be found . She died about four years later . I think she just got too tired and lonely . " " Not long after that I found a receptionist job at a better company . I still had dreams of going to secretarial school . I was only twenty - two . I found a new boyfriend , too . Pretty soon I was pregnant . We decided to get married - big mistake . Halfway through , he changed his mind and talked me into getting an abortion . You could only get a back - street job in those days and they botched it . I ended up in Emergency with a hemorrhage . I found out that there would be no more pregnancies . My soon - to - be ' ex ' said that he didn 't want a wife who could never have kids . I think that he just wanted an excuse to get rid of me . I don 't know where he is now . " " It took me while to recover , and I lost my job . I was broke for awhile , but someone is always looking for a receptionist . Three years later , I got married again . It didn 't work out . I was a two - time loser at the age of twenty - nine . " " The second divorce had a better settlement , though . It paid my way through secretarial school . After that , I found a job at Northwestern University . It 's actually not far from here . I 've been there ever since - nearly twenty - five years . I worked hard . For the past four years , I 've been Confidential Secretary to the Dean of the Law School . That 's why I had to be late tonight . I was helping him get ready for a presentation . I came here straight from work . " " That 's an amazing story , Glenda , " Paul said . " You 've been through a lot of hardship . I don 't see a trace of self - pity . " " I left that part out , " she joked as she cut a forkful of steak . " You 're the one with the amazing story . It was easier to keep track of you . We would see your name in the paper when you were playing football . I even learned something about the game . My mother would always give me the ' if only ' routine every time your name was in print . " " I 've been lucky - except for Sally passing away . We have a daughter and a son . One is in grad school at Michigan State . The other is an undergrad at Marquette . They 're both great kids ! When I graduated from State Dunn Chemicals hired me . First they sent me to grad school to a university in New York State . That 's where Sally and I met . I 've worked for them ever since . We 've lived in many places - even overseas a couple of times . I work now in the headquarters in Michigan . That 's probably where I 'll be until I retire . " Paul obeyed . They finished their dinners and ordered dessert . Normally , he would pass and just have a coffee . The mood hit him right , however , and he indulged himself . " Only this , " he said , taking a deep breath . " It hasn 't been since Sally died that I 've had as much pleasure dining out as I 've had tonight . Thanks for coming out with me . " Glenda dropped her fork to her plate . Her expression changed . Paul could see that she 'd expected some kind of witty repartee . She gathered herself for a reply . " When a person dies , " he began " there 's a finite amount of pain associated with it . It 's shared by all the people involved . If it is a long slow death , the person dying suffers most . The loved ones are spared much of it because they have a chance to prepare . When it 's the other way around , the balance is reversed . The suffering is left for those who remain behind . " " I feel better right now having said it . It 's something that I didn 't realize was inside me until this moment ; but I know now that it 's true , " Paul said . " I 'm sorry to unload it onto your shoulders . " " Now I 'll embarrass you with something , " she replied . " I 'd been wondering - considering our history together - I was just waiting for you to make a move to get me into bed tonight . After a while , I knew that I didn 't have to worry . It made the dinner a lot more enjoyable . Thank you , Paul . You 're a nice man ! " " Now I am embarrassed ! " he said , feeling a redness wash over his face . " It 's been a long time for me . I wouldn 't know how to go about it , even if it had been my plan . " " I left it back at Northwestern , " she answered . " If it 's alright with you , I think we can have the taxi drop you at your hotel and then take me home . I 'll leave my car in the lot overnight and take the ' L ' in tomorrow . " As the cab pulled up to the hotel Paul turned to Glenda . " Would you mind if I were to call you again ? " He gave the cabbie a fifty and told him to take her where she told him . He had been thinking about her a lot since their dinner in Chicago . Their time together had been quite nice - a pleasant surprise . Paul decided that there was a lot to like about her . She was like Sally in some ways , quite different in others . While Sally would have sipped white wine and eaten baked fish , Glenda was knocking down vodka and tying into a steak . If Sally had ever tried to drink three vodkas , she would have needed a stretcher to get out of the restaurant . Glenda looked like she could have handled one or two more . She was like Sally in that she didn 't let Paul 's serious side get to her - and didn 't let it get to Paul , either . Paul liked that . He thought about what Glenda had done with her life , after starting out with so much against her . He couldn 't help but have admiration for that . His comment in the restaurant about her not showing self - pity was sincere and that meant a lot to Paul . She looked him in the eye and said what was on her mind . She could laugh and joke with him , one - on - one . Then , in an instant , her sweet , feminine side would come out . At the right time , she would listen while Paul poured what was on his mind to her , with neither judgment nor retort . Paul decided that he wanted Glenda as a friend . It was new for him to have a woman as a friend . Harry : Good news and bad , Paul . The guys in Peoria are behind us , but can 't get to Chicago on Monday ; same with the State Senator . The good news is that the local Chamber and AFL - CIO want to get behind us , too . Paul : Harry , this will work out just fine . I 'm going to stay away from the meeting on Monday . I 'll send Jim Spencer in my place . I don 't want Hopkins to think that I 'm all excited just because he 's showing up . Spencer needs the experience , anyway , and whatever Hopkins has got , Jim can figure it out just as well as I could . We 'll let Hopkins talk to the wall . We 'll lower the boom in the next go - around . Harry : Sounds good to me , Paul . I was worried before I spoke to you , but I feel better now . I 'll let you know how it goes . Paul 's decision to skip the Monday meeting made him change his plans on seeing Glenda . He was wondering if it would have been too soon for a follow - up date , anyway . He pressed the intercom button and spoke to his secretary . It wasn 't a very original date idea . Paul always went with what worked . The dinner the week before turned out so well he asked Glenda to dinner again at the same place . He had called her Tuesday and she agreed right away . He waited for her at the bar sipping a scotch . He barely heard the combo playing at the opposite end of the room . Waiting for Glenda to arrive , Paul looked forward to being with her again . He thought about Sally , and tried to coax himself into feeling guilty . He thought that he heard Sally 's voice in the background . Try as he would , he couldn 't imagine her sad and melancholy , or jealous . Sally 's voice was happy and lilting , whispering to him : " Yes , Paul ! Go for it ! " Just then , Glenda appeared at the entrance of the barroom . He caught her eye and motioned her over . She had a nice look , just as the week before , but it was more suited to nightlife than her business apparel of their prior dinner together . She was wearing a white blazer , and under it a navy dress with small white dots The hem of her dress reached below her knee The neckline was cut in a vee , but not in an immodest way . She wore a pearl necklace that rested on her collarbone . Paul 's chest expanded as he imagined Glenda taking pains to look good for her date with him . It was a nice feeling , and he 'd almost lost the memory of it . He felt a doorway inside himself creaking open . " Last week I found myself manipulating my schedule so that I could make this date , " he continued . " After I did , I found myself really looking forward to it . I was thinking about Sally , too . Perhaps I should have felt guilty but I just couldn 't . I didn 't feel like I was leaving her behind , either . It just felt alright . " In the dim light of the barroom it was hard for Paul to detect Glenda 's expression . Her silence over the next ten seconds told him everything he needed to know . It had seemed to Paul that the next step would be an easy one . They had gotten on so well together . " I think that I know where this is going , Paul , " Glenda answered . " I enjoy being with you ; I respect and admire you . I just don 't know if I 'm ready for what I think you 're headed for . " " I can 't take your wife 's place , " Glenda said at last . " The more I would try , the worse it would be . It wouldn 't be right for me to try , either . " " No one could ever take Sally 's place for me , " Paul said . " She 's in me down deep . I 've done a lot of thinking about it this past week . I realize that nothing could drive her out of me . I didn 't understand that before . I thought that another woman would . I was afraid of that for a long time . I 'm not afraid of it anymore . There can be a place - an important place - for her and some room for someone else , too . " " There 's a reason for that , " she continued . " When my second marriage broke up , it was devastating . I was alone , in a dead - end job ; could never have children ; no family to speak of , and not many friends . I just couldn 't accept ending up that way . My marriages had set me back , not helped me . " " I decided that I would do something to make my life better , and I did . I vowed not to get involved with men . At first , I thought that I would find someone after I had made something of myself . After that , I could come into a relationship with something to offer . I got busy ; the years slipped by . One day I realized that I would always be on my own . " " Glenda , " Paul said , " you 've accomplished a lot for yourself . You have every right to be satisfied with what you 've done . You have to live your life the way you see it . " " I like turning my own key - being independent , " she said , straightening up . " There are things that I have to give up , too . It 's lonely . Sometimes I miss having some romance - and the pleasures that go with romance . I dated a few men . They were nice . They were headed toward something that I couldn 't accept - to be taken under their wing , possessed , obligated . " " Your friendship , " he answered . " as a woman , like you have done over the past few weeks . Maybe I could be a friend to you . I don 't want to get remarried , or even move out of my house . I 'm at the peak of my career - it means a lot to me . I know for you , it 's the same . It would be nice just to be able to know that I have a special friend here in Chicago . " " I have to think about it , Paul . I don 't think that I could give up my life . You make it sound so simple . I need to be sure . " " Take your time , " Paul answered . " I 'm not shopping for bids . This possibility just came along without warning . It has to be right for the both of us . " " Oh Paul ! " she exclaimed . " I 've never been to see the Cubs - or the White Sox , either . I 'm afraid I don 't know anything about sports . " Paul didn 't say much , having to concentrate on holding his own on the dance floor . They moved to the music . It was an easy tune to dance to . They turned with the music for a few minutes . " I think that we 're two lost souls , trying to be found , " Glenda said . " It was like that thirty six years ago in that pine grove . Here we are again in the same way . " We 'll be more than friends , but less than lovers . We 'll be . . . " she was searching for the right words . " We 'll be ' loving friends ' , " she pronounced As they got into the cab Glenda turned to Paul , " Have him take us to my car at Northwestern . We 'll take my car to the hotel . I packed an overnight bag this morning and left it in my trunk . " It was a tranquil scene as they stepped through the door to the room . They had waited a long time . It would have been a shame to lose the moment by rushing through it . Paul set Glenda 's small suitcase on the foldout stand , and then turned to her . Glenda shrugged out of her blazer and hung it in the closet . Her bare arms were long , white and thin . To Paul , they looked warm and inviting . Paul removed his own suit jacket and set it aside . Paul understood the cue . He gave her a tentative kiss , testing her reaction . Glenda responded with a deeper one , and she crushed her body into his . She flicked out her tongue and danced it over Paul 's lips . They kept the kiss alive . Paul reached behind her and slid down the zipper in the back of her dress . As his fingers took hold of the hooks at the top she murmured a playful " uh - uh " into his mouth and then broke away and stepped back . " I brought something to put on for you , in case we got to this point , " she said . " . . . and it looks like we have , " she added with a small laugh . " I just need a few moments in the bathroom . Why don 't you get comfortable , and fix us something to drink . " She grasped her suitcase and Paul watched her disappear into the bathroom , the back of her dress unzipped . He was sure that she went in to put on a negligee . He didn 't see the need for the ritual , but was smart enough to know not to complain . When Paul returned she was still secured in the bathroom . He shed his clothes , hanging up the suit and burying the underwear in his empty suitcase . He put on a pair of cotton pajama bottoms . The maid had already turned down the bed . He placed the little chocolates on the nightstand . Paul dropped some ice into two tumblers and poured some scotch from the mini bar into each of them . He turned the lights lower . As he finished the preparations , Glenda emerged from the bathroom . She wore a black ensemble . The nightie underneath was satin , knee - length , with a deep vee neckline . Her white skin stood out in contrast to the satin . At the bottom hem was a border of black lace , and Paul stole a glance to see how much thigh it might reveal . Over the nightgown , she wore a black peignoir made of a thin , gauzy material that she did not bother to button . Her pale skin played ' hide and seek ' with the thin covering . The outfit revealed little of the contents inside . It was more like a gift - wrapped package , where the receiver yearns to rip away the fancy paper . She didn 't bother with shoes or slippers . Paul instantly detected that her perfume had been freshened . She took a slow walk through the room . Paul had taken a seat in an overstuffed chair near the bed . Glenda saw the drinks lined up on the mini - bar . She picked them up and handed one to Paul . She alit on the bed near where Paul was sitting tucking her feet underneath her . " Thanks , " she said , almost stifling an embarrassed grin . " I know I 'm being silly . I just wanted to wear it because it has been so long for me and this being our first time . I never had the chance to do this and I thought that it might be my last chance . " " Don 't apologize , " Paul answered . " I like it ! It was thoughtful of you to go to the trouble . To be honest , it 's exciting - and it won 't be your last chance . " Glenda set her drink on the nightstand and then looked over at Paul . He stood and stepped to the side of the bed where she was sitting . He pushed the peignoir off her shoulders . Glenda raised her arms a bit and Paul gently tugged it the rest of the way off . " I said that it 's our first time , " she said . " Of course it isn 't . It feels like the first one after so many years . It reminds me of our real first time together . " " I feel the same way right now as I felt back then , " Glenda explained . " I was nervous , but wanted something new . I realized that I wasn 't beautiful , but I hoped that you were a man who wouldn 't mind too much . I took a chance . It was right back then ; it feels right tonight , too . " Paul let go of the negligee and placed his palms over her breasts . He let the nipples poke our through his fingers . Glenda gave a loud sigh , showing her pleasure . Paul closed his fingers around the buds with a tender pressure . Glenda sighed again , even louder this time , and Paul knew that he had pleasured her again . He released her breasts and took hold of the black fabric once again . He pushed it down ; Glenda stood nude in front of him . Her breathing deepened and became rapid . Paul pulled his own pajamas down so that they pooled on the floor at his feet . They stepped forward to resume the kiss they started some minutes ago . This time it was filled with more desire . They probed and tongued one another . When they finally broke apart Glenda climbed to the middle of the oversized bed . She lay on her back , knees bent , , arms outstretched inviting him . Her face showed her eagerness . He joined her on the bed , lying on his side , taking her back in his arms . They kissed and caressed one another for a time . Glenda started to rub her middle against him . From time to time she would gasp or exhale in pleasure . She took hold of Paul 's hard shaft that had been pressing at her belly . Paul , in turn , slid a digit gently into her . She was very moist . He sent his finger deeper . He probed for a while and then circled her clitoris . Glenda still had her fingers wrapped around him , but Paul could tell that she had lost concentration on it because the pleasure was gaining control of her . All of a sudden Glenda pushed Paul 's shoulder to signal him to lie on his back . As soon as he did , she sprang up and straddled him . Glenda felt below for Paul and positioned the head it at her entrance . Slow and deliberate , she sank down , until he was buried inside her . Paul watched her reaction as she took him . Her pleasure was evident and it reassured him . It pleased him as much as the wet warm softness surrounding him as he waited for her next move . Once they had both silently counted out every point of pleasure , savored every aspect of it , they started grinding against each other . They were quick to learn the other 's timing . It was a journey with an end in sight . They approached climax as if on a mission . They neither hastened nor delayed it , but accepted its onrush . It was Glenda who tensed first , and let out and exultant cry . Paul came soon after . Glenda remained atop Paul . With the relaxation that follows sex , they dozed for a while . When they awoke a short time later , they made love again , and then slept all night in each other 's arms . On Sunday night Glenda took Paul to the airport and he left for Michigan . There was no sadness . They were confident that they would be back together soon . " The State guys didn 't quite give in , but it was apparent that their hearts weren 't in it anymore . I think that they 'll throw in the sponge next meeting . There 's one thing that did bother me , though . " " I was in the Men 's washroom , " Jim began . " Hopkins was in there with his assistant . I don 't think that they saw me . The assistant said that he had spoken to his contacts at Northwestern . Hopkins asked if ' the Law School was on board ' . His assistant said that he thought so . "