Widow
It’s been a long, cold and lonely winter. Actually, it’s been two
long, cold and lonely winters. Translation: I have not had sex in
sixteen, count’ em, sixteen long months. That’s two winters without
somebody pressing his cold lips against my forehead. Two winters
without somebody asking me if I have enough brandy in my egg nog. And for me, that’s two winters too long.
There’s a good reason for this abstinence and not one of them has to
do with religion, purity rings or the Jonas Brothers. And no, it has nothing to do with me waiting for an infection to clear, the restraining order to be lifted or the vaginal rejuvenation to take effect.
I’ve been without The Sex because sixteen months ago I unexpectedly lost my husband. And when I say unexpectedly, I mean that I never had the chance to say goodbye. He was an electrician. He went to work and never came home. That makes me a thirty-seven year old widow and mother of three.
MADE FOR CABLE SEX
Widow. Ugh, just the word conjures up images of an old Italian woman with ankles as thick as her thighs, bent and shrouded in black,
draping wool blankets over reflective mirrors and shoving cannoli in
my mouth. What’s worse is the term Young Widow. Sounds like the
love-starved protagonist of some Lifetime movie; something my mother would watch in marathon-form on a Saturday afternoon. I would be played by a perfect size four, with perfect tits and perfect fringe bangs. I’d seek guidance for my heartbroken condition from a therapist who possessed the sculpted looks only Zeus himself could have chiseled. He’d comfort me, and love me, and medicate me and we’d have passionate made-for-cable sex. You know … the kind of sex that starts with doe-eyed come-hither looks and a glass of something bubbly and expensive that doesn’t come in a box with a spout. Then he tilts my chin, kisses that pout I call a mouth and the next thing you know, it’s all mood lighting, missionary positions and flesh by firelight.
The next morning I’m wearing dirty panties, his wrinkled shirt and
drinking hazelnut coffee from the deck of his palatial home that
boasts a view of his vineyard. My kids are happy, my heart is full
and my vagina’s writing me thank you cards.
Fucking beautiful.
Cut to commercial because my life is not a Lifetime movie. Not unless
you count the ones where Mommy may or may not drink too much and may or may not sprinkle Xanax in her granola.
I loved my husband and together we loved The Sex. But he’s gone and I can’t live for yesterday. And that leaves me alone with a small cache of sex toys and an armory of re-chargeable batteries. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough anymore. Plus, those re-chargeables are fucking expensive.
MY DESIRE TO KISS A MAN
What are the modern day mourning rules? Victorian women, in their
crape hatbands and veils, mourned for two and a half years. Husbands
only mourned their dearly departed wives for three months (bastards). The Ancient Greeks grieved for just forty days. Forty days! After forty days, I was still burying my face in his sweatshirt trying to remember what he smelled like. I’m guessing there has to be something in the middle that won’t cause women to grab their pearls in horror at my desire to kiss a man on the mouth and for him to kiss me … well, not on the mouth.
Here’s the other twist to add to my already knotted knickers. My
eighteen year old daughter prefers, no, expects me to close up shop
for eternity and kiss my clitoris goodbye. Believe me, if I could
kiss my clitoris …
[insert sound of me never leaving my house]
And the cherry on top of this no-sex sundae is that I have absolutely
no desire to date. Yes, I know this entire article is about me and my
vagina and Me-Want-Sex and all, but I’d rather set my hair on fire
while watching America’s Got Talent than to go on an actual date.
Does this mean that if left unsatisfied, I will be found unleashing
The Sex at truck stops nationwide with burly men who wear garter belts and want my panties, not my phone number?
Maybe. Not really. No.
I do, however, have a plan. My entirely fallible solution to this
problem is to sleep with a friend. Maybe even a former lover who is
still a good friend (I’m sure I have at least one). A friend that
won’t mind a random game of slap ‘n tickle. One that won’t mistake a
little lovin’ for a little love.
What could possibly go wrong, right?
Written by Gina Stratos
aka Miss Spoken of Miss Spoken’s All You Review
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
My wish for you, Miss Spoken, is that for 2010, your love for YOU gives you the strength to allow your husband’s memory to line your soul like a warm blanket and give you the comfort to build a beautiful adventure for yourself in the years ahead.
Thank you for sharing.
Beautifully written, open, honest and sincere. Thank you so much for sharing.
Dear Redhead & Toy With Me —– Awwww, shucks you guys! Your comments are so lovely I can’t bring myself to deliver my usual snarky, slightly filthy comments. Maybe tomorrow.
We’ll be ready and waiting for when your filth comes to call
Wow. My heart can’t even fathom the things your’s has seen. So many emotions, so eloquently conveyed.
But in response to your question – I would say if you have a clear understanding with your friend, in my eyes it would work out, at least temporarily. There is however no guarantee what happens after that. Matters of the heart are rarely uncomplicated.
I hope you keep us posted.
Dear Miss Spoken – Sorry to hear about your loss.
With three kids I imagine between being exhausted with not only being mother as well as father, you are also taking into account the fact you cannot just casually bring a date over to meet the kids; let alone bring someone home (not that you would, or would? whatever!) you know what I’m saying.
Shit! I’m better being the dirty girl I am. If I were having a glass of wine with you I would hug you and say lets hire you the guy from “Hung”. I know immature
Gosh. I don’t know what to say. My mom died unexpectedly when I was 16, and my dad started seeing someone within about 6 months. At the time, it felt a little strange, from the daughter’s perspective. The whole thing was sad more than any other feeling. But, later, in retrospect, I understood. I still understand.
My dad is still dating a series of what we call his “crazy women” because, he says he will never find another person he loves like he loved my mom. He says, “you only get that once – and only if you are lucky.”
Try not to worry so much about how your children will feel. They are more resilient and understanding than you know. Take care of you.
Thanks for sharing such a difficult situation and best of luck in whatever you decide to do.
Mel – You’re right. A clear understanding would be essential before sleeping with a friend. Especially under these circumstances. I guess I should omit “copious amounts of tequila” from my Grand Plan.
Dammit.
Bonanza Jellybean – The Redhead writes that men are coming to the brothels of Nevada. I happen to live in Nevada. Coincidence?
Dava – Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments and for sharing your experience with loss. It is especially helpful to hear your perspective as a daughter. I think mine will eventually understand.
I had a similar experience as dava – and my dad moved his new girlfriend and her two children in within a year. I was 17, her kids 14 and 6. I also found it a little strange, but knew he was lonely.
Like dava’s father, mine is still going out with these crazies and says he will never have another love like my mother.
He did ask me after the relationship with the lady he moved in to our place was over how I felt. I told him exactly how I felt, it was a bit weird, but I knew he needed someone in his life.
Kids are often (and this term is totally for lack of a better term because I can’t think due to lack of caffeine) more mature than we give them credit for. They can be very insightful and your fiercest protectors.
Take care of yourself. Your kids will be okay.
My aunt would love you daughter. >.>
Your daughter may still be in mourning, herself. While I haven’t experienced anything like this myself, a very dear friend lost her dad almost ten years ago. She was still hurting and mourning when her mom saw a date in someone a couple years later and at the time… well she did not appreciate this change. Not to say it’s something you ever “get over,” but maybe yours is too? Like my friend did, yours will (should) comes to terms with and understand that you want to feel loved and be held, too (even if it is just for the night ~.^).
They want you to be happy too, even your 18 y/o.
Sorry for your loss, thank you for your strength in sharing.
@Miss Spoken – I think there is always a good reason to include a copius amount of tequilla, in every situation.
It sure would make pounding (too graphic?) out the ground rules much more comfortable to discuss for the first time.
For the record, I may have crossed a similar bridge with a friend, with the small assistance of another good friend, Jack. Daniels. It didn’t last forever, but it isn’t wierd between us even after the benefits ended.
Human beings are made for companionship, and sex is an important part of that. It is not good for man (or woman) to be alone.
I don’t know what it’s like to lose a loved one like that, but I would echo the caution offered earlier in the thread. Matters of the heart are seldom uncomplicated, and remember that the other party (even if they are willing to engage in a no-ties relationship) may not be able to keep it at that. Sympathy is the key to the heart of a lot of men (at least the good ones).
A bit late, I know, but that has been my situation. I went without for two and a half years because, like you, I didn't want to date. I felt like wearing black for the rest of my life. Oh, I missed being kissed and held so much.
Then, pushed by my 18 year old, I started dating again. I had three first dates with forgettable men, and the fourth was the right one. I slept with him on our second night and every night since (four months and counting).
It WILL happen for you, I promise. Maybe it already has. I hope so.