LESLIE

CHAPTER 23
THE PHONE CALL

The phone rang. I answered it. A voice on the other end asked, "Gary?"

I replied, "Yes."

"It's Leslie."

"No kidding," I said, instantly recognizing the voice of the woman I loved so much.

"I'm back!" Leslie said, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Back where?" I wondered, not knowing what she was talking about.

"Back in Toledo."

"Great! For how long?"

"Permanently. We moved back."

I was stunned. I had no idea they were even considering moving back.

"When can I see you?" I inquired.

"I don't know. Do you still go in to work at midnight?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to meet before work?"

"Sounds good, but I can't leave the house much before eleven. That's when Debbie goes to bed."

"OK. I'll meet you just after eleven, near your house. Pick a spot."

I gave her directions to a spot with easy freeway access. A spot that's somewhat secluded.

"See you tonight," I told her. "Can't wait."

"Bye," was all she said.

I thought, "Maybe I shouldn't do this. Debbie probably wouldn't approve." However, I rationalized that Leslie and I were just very good friends. It's not as if we were lovers heading off to a secret rendezvous. If Debbie didn't know, it wouldn't hurt her. Besides, it's not like I could invite Leslie to the house; Debbie would definitely get upset if I did that. No, it was best to not let Debbie know that Leslie was back in town. There was no sense in getting her all worked up for nothing.

I knew I'd see Leslie. I had to see Leslie. The only thing that could prevent that from happening was Leslie. All I had ever thought about was seeing her again. Now that I had a chance to do that, there was no way I could pass it up. My heart raced in my chest. The thought of seeing Leslie again was all I could think about.

I anxiously waited for Debbie to go to bed and then left the house. It wasn't anything unusual. Some nights I stayed to watch the news; some nights I didn't. I arrived at the designated spot, and there was already a car parked there, with somebody inside. I couldn't tell who it was. I got out of my car, and their car door opened. A short woman exited the vehicle and walked toward me. It had to be Leslie, but she looked so different. Her hair was shorter, and she was wearing glasses. We said, "Hi," and started walking around the block, talking. We had been walking, and talking, for nearly half an hour. We were almost around the block when she stopped and asked, "Will you kiss me?"

I didn't say anything. For an answer, I pulled her into my arms, and our lips touched. "Oh, Yes," I thought. This is what I had longed for. I was so happy. I was burning with desire. I loved this woman so much. I drank in her sweetness and wanted more, so much more. Time passed far too quickly. I didn't want to leave her, but we both had to go to work. We made plans to meet again: next week, after work.