The Dinner Date

November 22nd, 2009 by justbon | Posted in Flash Fiction

This is my contribution to the “Little Black Dress” prompt #732 challenge for today.

She was early. It was the first time that a business meeting had been canceled in a long while. But she was glad to be home.

As she opened the door, she kicked off her shoes and gave a heavy sigh. As she inhaled, she suddenly caught the scent of perfume in her nostrils. It was her perfume. She dismissed it. The house had been closed up all day. The scent must have lingered, but she must not. He would be home soon too.

It had been a while since they had sat together for a meal. Their jobs demanded that they keep irregular hours, but they also provided a comfortable lifestyle, as evidenced by the luxurious home they had purchased only months go. She entered the spacious kitchen and began preparations for dinner. As she stood at the sink, her mind drifted back to an earlier time when they had first met.

It was a cocktail party. He was a distinguished looking man, older than her, but his features denied his years. Dressed in a formal suit, she was immediately drawn to him. It appeared other women were too. But, as she entered the room, his gaze met hers as if he owned her. She hinted at a smile and involuntarily smoothed down her little black dress. They were married six months later.

The vegetables finished, she made her mind up to slip back into that dress again. It had been a while, but the occasion begged for a little romance. As she climbed the staircase, the aroma of her perfume once again swirled around her face, only this time it was stronger. At the top of the stairs, she paused, trying to recall in which closet she had left that dress: the master bedroom or one of the others.

She decided it must be in the second bedroom, but her search there was fruitless. As she closed the closet door, she froze momentarily, thinking she heard noises from the adjacent bedroom. She was heading there anyway, so she quietly made her way in that direction.

The smell of perfume grew stronger as she approached. Her senses heightened, she slowly turned the handle and let the door drift open by itself. The drapes had been closed, but the light from the hallway created a pillar of light in the near darkness of the room. As she entered, she suddenly heard movement. Out of the shadows, a figure stepped into view and murmured, “How was your day, darling?”

Her throat tightened and her eyes grew large. Her husband was standing before her in full makeup and a long wig. And as she lowered her disbelieving gaze, she knew she would not be wearing that little black dress tonight.