60 TIT FOR TAT

10

"1990 SANDY THOMAS

She confidently approached our table and introduced Jack to Tana. One look at Victoria showed the pride she had in her date but he seemed a little unsure how Tana would react to the flaunting of his new-found romantic affiliation. The way Victor clung to Jack indicated that she was very possessive of him. Her body language stated "Any girl that tries to steal my man had better beware." She had obviously developed very feminine instincts about Jack over the past few months.

Victor looked absolutely radiant as he was gallantly seated by Jack. He looked at least 5 years younger, appearing to be innocent and no older than 20 years old. Victor sat very close to Jack while Donna did the same to Bob. I wasn't able to sit close to Tana in public since it would look rather strange for two young women to appear as a couple at Pierre's. The dinner was delicious although very expensive. But then what did money mean to us. Each of us was a millionaire many times over.

After dinner, a small dance combo began playing romantic music. Jack asked Vicky for a dance and she quickly accepted. It was impossible to find any trace of my old buddy Victor in the young girl that elegantly walked to the center of the dance floor.

They were the only couple on the floor, and as the music continued, Vicky gracefully accepted Jack's embrace and they started to waltz around the floor. The two clung close to each other throughout the dance, it was obvious that they adored each other. Victor held his soft breasts firmly against Jack's chest as they swayed to the unhurried music.

While they were dancing, I looked around the room and noticed many approving nods towards the dancing couple.

Obviously, everyone in the room considered them to be a lovely couple. Then the unfairness of the situation struck me. I realized that I, a happily married man, faithful to my wife and marriage vows, would cause a major scandal if I were to dance that waltz with my wife on Pierre's dance floor; whereas, Victor, who had rejected everything masculine, even his marriage, could dance on that same floor with another man without the slightest murmur.

Morality is determined more by what is perceived than what is actual. Is there a lesson to be learned from this: Perhaps it could be:

TV FICTION CLASSICS -61 "YOU CAN SUCCESSFULLY FOOL MOTHER NATURE, BUT SHE WILL ALWAYS EXACT A PRICE."

The bet had saved my marriage, but the price was that Tana and I can't display our affections in public. Victoria could display affections in public, but the price paid was her marriage to Donna.

Perhaps the lesson could be:

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH"

Towards the end of the dance, as the lights were turned down low, Jack brought Vicky's face close to his and they kissed the last 30 seconds of the dance. It was very romantic. When they returned to the table, Victoria's face was flushed and glowed. We commented on what we had seen and Vicky, holding tightly onto Jack's arm, acknowledged that she was in love with him. Her confession caught both Tana and I off guard, but Donna didn't miss a beat. She smiled at Vicky, then looked lovingly at Bob. It was obvious to all that both couples were very much in love.

Victor smiled and proudly said, "Jack just asked me something...What are you folks doing next June?"

EPILOGUE:

Later that night, as Tana and I prepared for bed, we commented on the different directions taken by the two households. She said that she was very happy for both of them, but she wouldn't trade places with them for all the rice in China. That evening she made it very obvious to me that she loved me just the way I was.

Victor may have "found" himself in the persona of Victoria, but Tana didn't want any such goings on with me. She was very happy with my being the "man" of the house, even if this man had a shape like hers and wore the same clothes as she did. I couldn't agree with her more.

I mentioned to Tana that obviously Donna had lost the bet since Vicky's relationship with Jack was more than plutonic.

She nodded her agreement with this observation; but said it was a moot point since everyone had developed well beyond the original intent of the bet. She said that she would bring the point up with Donna in the morning, but she had no intention of holding her to the penalty. "Look at