The azaleas were in voluptuous, vibrant purple bloom. Roses nodded heavy heads of scarlet and pink, glossy green leaves set off the rosy colors. Melissa traipsed around the garden, marveling at how well her ornamental flowers were doing this year. Her intense attention to prevention of mold and insect infestation was finally reaping rewards. Her rapture was interrupted by the sound of the whistling tea kettle in the kitchen, screaming through the screened open window.
Moments later, Melissa sat in her solarium contemplating the day’s activities ahead of her as she inhaled the fragrant aroma of cinnamon from her chai tea. Her husband Jack had returned from a four-day business trip just yesterday, and a trip to the dry cleaners was on her list of things to do. She couldn’t recall the last time she had cleaned his luggage. Today was as good a time as any to wipe down airport scuffs and streaks and ensure that the suitcase would look pristine for his next trip. No need to procrastinate, she may as well do this while it was on her mind.
She walked up diamond-patterned blue carpeted stairs and headed to the dressing room she and Jack shared. The tan nylon suitcase was still on the floor and had not been placed back on the high shelf where luggage was stored. She swung it up on the packing island and gave it a quick scan. Just a few black marks were on the outside, nothing that a bit of baby shampoo wouldn’t remove. While she was cleaning this, she might as well dust the inside, making sure nothing had spilled from Jack’s shaving kit.
Melissa unzipped the main zipper and opened the case. Jack had left an empty plastic cleaners bag inside, and some discarded tissue paper as well. She pulled that trash out and threw it in the wastebasket on the floor beside her. Then she noticed what looked like candy wrappers sticking from the inner side pouch. As she fished her fingers inside the elastic cloth, she grabbed a strip of foil. What came out was too long and bulky to be candy wrappers. She looked down and froze: Six Trojan brand condoms, designed for enhanced pleasure and protection. She and Jack never used condoms.
Melissa’s knees went weak as nausea gripped her stomach. Instantly her head began to throb. She dropped down to a seated position on the floor, staring at the bright pink aluminum foil packets still in her hand. Suddenly their importance was monumental. She realized that her entire life could change, all because of this one incidental find. Her face was hot, and she found it hard to think clearly.
She zipped the suitcase, scuff marks intact, and returned it to the high shelf. Clutching the Trojans, she went downstairs and sat down, sipping the last of her cold tea, and contemplating what she was going to do with her life.
That night Jack came home to the aroma of his favorite biscuits baking in the oven. To his surprise, Melissa had candles on the table and steaks on the grill. The fine china was set on the table, ivory napkins were rolled and tucked in the gold rings inherited from her grandmother.
Melissa smiled sweetly as she gave him his favorite martini, one olive on a gold toothpick. She waited until the relaxing effect of the drink had noticeably affected her husband before she suggested they have dinner. As Jack sat down at the table, Melissa feigned an errand in the kitchen. She stood leaning on the kitchen counter, waiting just long enough for Jack to unfurl the damask napkin at his place setting. She picked up a cookbook and stared vacantly at the pictures of a roasted turkey on the cover. Jack would need a few long minutes to mull over the Trojan packets tucked in his napkin.
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