Nashville nurse Tura Lee always went where the music took her. She loved all music, but musical theater topped her list. She felt stagnant and complacent in her life, until a winning lottery ticket changed everything. Learn how the stars aligned to...
I'm sure my gasp was audible when I approached the storefront. Mercer street, with its cobblestone and drab exteriors,didn't seem to be an ideal place for a high-end lingerie store, therefore the display only stood out that much more. I gave into my basic white girl inhibitions and took a selfie in front of the store making a sultry face. Or at least my best attempt at it. I immediately tweeted it.
I walked past the threshold, inhaling the sensual mist of lace and satin that pervades the air. I'd been lingerie shopping before, but not lie this. Not for the eyes of someone who wanted to see me in nearly next to nothing-just enough to keep him wanting more. But more than that, I wanted to continue on this journey of self discovery and love. He wanted that for me too, even if he still barely knew me.
A svelte, waif-thin, ebony haired lady in her mid-30's (at least) walked leisurely from the back of the store. I almost got the hint that she didn't want to be bothered by me.
"Hello," she said. "I can help you?" "I'm Tura..Miss Lee..I was told to come-" "Oh yes, the man, he come and tell me what you need." She motioned me forward. "Come here, little darling, I take care of you." She said, leaving me to the fitting rooms. "I am Katya. I have pieces for you he select. Here," she said, pointing to the tufted ottoman. "I go get, you sit."
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She returned with a pile of maybe 15-20 pieces, in a wide range of colors, but mostly reds, I noticed, giving it a thorough going over. "This is what he selected. I measure you and you take what you like. Come with me." Behind a black curtain, she motioned for me to take off my clothes. After I stood there in nothing but my underwear, she tilted her head and looked at me, disappointed. "Top off as well!" I was suddenly overcome with a bout of modest embarrassment. I reached for my bra clasp and let it fall slowly. "Is no worry, I do this every day, kotik." (I later discovered that this was the Russian word for "kitten". How sweet.) She wrapped a measuring tape under my breasts. "Your boyfriend," she said,"He pay good money for these, no?" "Um, no," I said,"No boyfriend." "Hoozbant?" her voice raised an octave at the ending syllable. "No, I'm divorced." "You pay?" "Yes," I said, laughing nervously. "It was me. I pay..I mean I paid for them. Good money." "Strong independent woman!" She said, bringing the tape around my waist now. I laughed again, blushing. "Something like that." "Why man is pay for..." she trailed off, motioning to the stack of lingerie now piled up for me in the corner. "He isn't, actually." I said. She through her back in laughed. "You not let him take care of you, ah?" I wrinkled my nose. "I'm sure he has better things to spend his money on," I said, my body finally loosening to her touch. "Today is on me." "Yes, yes! I love this. You pay with strong independent woman money!" she laughed. "Whatever you say, friend."
I had decided on ten solid pieces, from bra and panty sets to garter belts to one- pieces I had no idea how exactly I would get in and out of. I suppose that was for him to figure out.
Just as I walked to the register, my phone buzzed. The new number he'd given me earlier popped up on my called ID. I swallowed, and took a deep breath.
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I had barely summoned the courage to say hello when he calmly cooed into my ear.
"You are quick to respond." "Oh?" "My attorney just texted me that the papers were signed. Thank you for understanding." "Not my first rodeo." I said, stepping away from the cash register . "You're not on Mercer Street, are you?" "What if I am?" He's getting Twitter alerts when I post. And he's checking them immediately. "Then I'd hope you'd found some pieces you like?" "Mmm-hmm, maybe a few." I said, trying not to give too much away. "Katya and I are good friends now, by the way." "How did that happen?" "Well, first of all, she's touched parts of me that I thought would be reserved for my gynocologist." He chuckled quietly. "Secondly, she likes that I'm a 'strong independent woman' and I can pay for my own lingerie..." "Now now...this is a gift. Let me do this for you." "I'm afraid I can't. I insist. I'm more than capable. But the gesture is immeasurable. I'm flattered by it." "You're a mysterious bird, Nurse Lee." "Can't give it all away," I said. "When can we meet again?" "I have to work sometimes-I'll let you know. I have babies to bring into the world and skateboard injuries to make all better." "When you're ready to transition from saint to sinner, let me know. On this number, of course." "I will." I said, timid as a mouse. "Oh and, Nurse Lee?" "Yes?" "Let me pay this time." "Is that an order." "A gentle one, yes." "I suppose if you're asking nicely, I'll consider it." "Good. Until next time." "Si." "Adios."
I told Katya that Mr. M had insisted on paying. "We get new shipment next week." She said, lightly pushing the bags toward me. "You pay next time. We not going to tell him." "Thank you Katya. It's been a pleasure."
