Take Veevee downtown for a lunchtime sex date.

"Bernie seems a little unsure of herself," Veevee continued. "Her mother tries, but...I think Joyce's success gets in the way. She needs someone closer to her age, and not her boyfriend."

Hank sighed. "You could say the same for Lil," he said. He helped Veevee into the cab. "Well, Lord knows you and I had some wandering around till we found each other."

"And since," Veevee said.

Hank laughed. "And since. Mostly together." He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You know we could drop you off. You could surprise your regular 'lunch date' by not missing a week."

Veevee's eyes lit up. She pulled out her mobile phone and started dialing.

Veevee no longer worked as an "executive assistant", but she dressed up and visited her old boss in his office every week at lunchtime for a sex date.

"Where to?" the cab driver said.

"We might have a drop-off," Hank said. "Just a minute."

"Yes, I'm back in town early," Veevee said to the phone. "Is lunchtime today open? Oh. Oh really? Yes. Wonderful. Uh-huh? See you, bye!" She closed the connection and put her phone away.

Veevee kissed her husband. "It's on!" she said. She laughed and wiggled her hips. "Driver? Downtown." She gave an intersection in the shopping district.

Hank squeezed her knee. "Mama's coming home with a bang," he said.

Veevee smiled broadly and tossed her blonde hair. "Help me shop? I've got a little time till my lunch date."

"Sure," Hank said.

The cab dropped them both downtown. Their luggage, left on the crippled cruise ship, would be following them home. The summer heat was already hanging heavy in the air.

--

"Like it?" Veevee asked, twirling in front of the changing room.

"He'll eat you up," Hank said. He stepped up. "Yesterday, cruise ship sweetheart. Today..." Hank nibbled on her earlobe. "Box lunch."

Veevee laughed.

"You know he told me something special about meeting him today?" Veevee said.