“Ashley! Get dressed for soccer practice! Brandon, I told you to pick up your legos! Jamie, what is that all over your face?!” It was just another Tuesday afternoon in Sandra’s house, the single mother of three children under the age of ten cannot even remember a time when she didn’t end the day by falling asleep with a pile of clean laundry unfolded surrounding her on the bed or having five minutes of peace and quiet to herself, let alone a few days to spend with a male companion, or any companions for that matter. While motherhood is extremely rewarding, sometimes Sandra daydreams about frolicking on a white, sandy beach, sunbathing with a fruity cocktail in hand and enjoying a night out of drinks and dancing. She yearns to get away from it all, she thirsts for a getaway, where she can truly unwind and be the one taken care of for a change.
Vacation. Ha! Sandra thinks to herself as she awakes abruptly after dozing off while waiting for the brownies to be finished for the school bake sale tomorrow. Just then her phone vibrates. It’s a text from one of the other mothers in her son’s class, all she sees is a blur of exclamation points and “HELP”. She shakes her head, as if she is physically ridding herself of the mundane busy work cast upon the elusive stay-at-home mother. In the same minute Sandra rushed over to one of the overflowing piles of papers on what used to be her desk, when she used to have a career, when she used to interact with adults and have mature conversations. “Where’s the flyer? Come on. I know I put it here in case I needed to plan a party or something”, Sandra whispered briskly to herself. “Yes!” There it was, the 8 x 10 scorching photo of Chandler, the New York male companion who dazzled the overzealous group of middle-aged housewives at the most recent benefit gala in their upscale Rockland County, New York town, he was one of their dates and the lucky lady graciously passed along the exclusive information.
Chandler, all six feet two inches of his gorgeous, athletic build, was exactly the perfect missing piece to her best idea in ages: a vacation with a male companion. Sandra stayed up for hours planning the itinerary and miscellaneous details, after confirming Chandler was ready to be her indulgent travel companion. The plans were soon set, all that remained was getting the kids ready in the morning and taking them to school, with her parents to swoop in and stay with them for the long weekend while she was away. Before she knew it, she was packed and awaiting her uber driver to take her to JFK Airport, where she had arranged for Chandler to romantically meet her in the seat next to hers aboard their St. Barts-bound plane, and she could not be more ecstatic.
“So…Sandra, are you ready for a vacation of a lifetime?” Chandler asked demurely as he gazed into her eyes and softly placed his hand on her shoulder, almost appearing out of nowhere he had startled Sandra. “Y-y yes! Yes, I am! Hi! You must be Chandler.” Sandra started to stand, and he stopped her, “No, no, no, sweetie. You stay right where you are, this is the beginning of a relaxing vacation for you.” Sandra smiled and sighed, almost becoming tearful, because she was finally given permission and allowed herself to let go of her everyday life and truly enjoy her newest male companion. The two began getting to know one another as the plane disappeared into the clouds, and by the time they touched down on their charming, rustic Caribbean home for the next few days, the pair felt like kindred spirits.
The following days were a magical blur, though Sandra simultaneously felt as if she could remember every single moment she spent with Chandler. Whether it was lounging by the pool with him waiting on her hand and foot, on the beach walking along the shoreline at sunset with her new companion, snorkeling in the crystal clear warm water or enjoying the nights out dining and dancing, each moment filling her soul. While the surroundings made for an unforgettably relaxing vacation, she knew much of the rewards were owed to Chandler, for his charismatic and playful nature, the chivalrous way he treated her, his ability to beguile her through intelligent and fascinating conversation and overall empowering affect he had on her, Sandra was totally revitalized and ready to resume her daily life. While the two waited for their luggage to arrive at baggage claim, Sandra looked over at Chandler, who just four days ago seemed so superior and mysterious, yet was now someone she could call a friend, a companion, someone who she shared intimate moments with on their St. Bart’s getaway. They parted ways and Sandra couldn’t help but start thinking about planning the next vacation with her male companion!