Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Three

'The Americans for Divorce Reform estimates that forty or fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce,' Lauren read at lunch with Ecie. 'That's intense.'

'Yeah,' Ecie said looking at the page Lauren was reading. 'I suppose it's good my parents never got married in the first place.'

'But your dad married Cassie, didn't he?'

Ecie nodded. 'Does it say anything about young marriages?'

'Twenty seven point six percent of women under the age of twenty are likely to divorce and thirty eight point eight percent of men aged twenty to twenty four are likely to divorce,' Lauren said. 'Wow, that's quite a lot.'

'How long have your parents been married?'

'Twenty four years,' Lauren replied. 'Although I'm pretty sure they would have been divorced years ago had it not been for my mom's belief in marriage and stuff.'

'Oh right,' Ecie nodded. 'There must be some good days.'

Lauren shrugged. 'I don't think that matters. If you're miserable in a relationship you should have the common sense to end it. Especially when there are kids involved. Look at me, because of my parents I have no intention or desire to ever get married.'

'But if you ever found the right guy?'

'I still don't think so,' Lauren said. 'What does marriage even mean these days? You can still do all the stuff you would do when you get married. Times have evolved and improved.'

'I guess you're right,' Ecie nodded. 'My mom didn't agree with marriage for some reason, but now there's a chance she'll marry Eric.'

'Okay,' Lauren smiled. 'Eric is an exception. Even I would marry Eric.'

'You're right,' Ecie laughed. 'Everyone would marry Eric.'

The girls laughed as they continued eating and Lauren read.

'So what happened last night with you and Verd?' Ecie asked.

Lauren looked up at Ecie.

'Stupid question I know,' Ecie smiled. 'But I'm so used to being the one with all the drama. I could get used to this.'

'Well it's always been the opposite with me,' Lauren said pushing her books in front of her. 'I've never been one to have any drama.'

'So spill some beans,' Ecie smiled. 'I'm getting really excited.'

'Well,' Lauren clasped her hands together. 'I have officially been de-cherried.'

Ecie grinned. 'How was it?'

'I don't know,' Lauren replied. 'It was weird, it was really weird. Nobody ever told me about the orgasms. Oh my god, if I could get them all the time.'

'I know, right,' Ecie said. 'They are the best.'

'It was just right,' Lauren shrugged. 'I don't know what else to really say. I've got nothing to compare it to, so I can't say if he was good or not, but I think Verd was amazing. I just wanted to have sex with him all night long and never stop.'

'How many times did you guys do it?'

'We did it about five or six times,' Lauren replied. 'I don't know why I ever left it so long. Sex is the best thing on the planet.'

Ecie laughed. 'I think the whole sex novelty will soon wear off.'

Lauren stared at Ecie and shook her head. 'I doubt it. I want to have sex right now.'

'So are you over Ethan?'

Lauren shook her head. 'I really like Verd, but I think it's no fun if you're dating your crush. It would suck the life out of the relationship because I wouldn't have anybody to fantasize about.'

Ecie laughed. 'Where the hell have you been all through my high school years? You would have come in real good handy.'

Lauren laughed. 'After lunch I'm going to call Ethan and ask if he wants to meet me.'

Ecie grinned. 'That is so wicked of you.'

Lauren stuck out her tongue.

'Did you talk to Verd?'

'He's going to think I'm such a bitch,' Lauren laughed. 'But I don't care. I feel so free, so liberated. The world is mine; I can do what I like.'

'Oh Lauren,' Ecie laughed. 'I love you. You are so amazing.'

'Thank you,' Lauren said. 'You've shown me the better way to live.'

'Are you going to tell Ethan about last night?'

'There is no chance,' Lauren replied. 'Last night is going to stay between me and Verd.'

'So you're ready to drop your pants for Ethan then?'

'It's still going to take a while before I'm ready to do that with a person I'm properly involved with,' Lauren said. 'I think there's a difference between having sex with your partner and having sex with someone else. It suddenly becomes a thousand times more intimate.'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'But you'll be fine.'

'Yeah I hope so.'

'We should go out tonight and celebrate your newfound emancipation,' Ecie grinned. 'It'll be so much fun.'

'As though last night wasn't enough,' Lauren joked. 'Oh well, I'm up for round two.'

They sat laughing as they finished their lunch.