He muted the TV. She was singing a bedtime song to the girls, like she did every night. He had loved hearing her sing ever since the first time he’d heard her.  He sat there. TV muted, for the next three minutes, floating on the gentle melody of her voice. He let it carry him away to the first time he heard her sing.  They had gone to a family dance hall with some friends. She got up on stage and sang a beautiful old country song to her daughter. He would never forget it. He knew she was nervous as hell getting up in front of all those people, but her whole attitude seemed to change the moment she opened her mouth and began to sing. Her voice had surprised him pleasantly.   He had sat there watching her, letting her voice carry him away, as it did now.  He quickly shook himself out of his trance upon hearing the end of her song, knowing she would be out soon. He returned the TV to normal volume, and pretended to watch it.

      She came around the corner. “Your turn for hugs and kisses,” she said with a smile. “I’m going to hop in the shower really quick.”

      “On my way,” he said, standing up. He leaned in to brush her lips with his own, then straightened abruptly upon remembering their deal. He quickly turned and headed to the girls’ room.

      This is going to be easy, she thought to herself as she headed towards the bathroom.[1]

      ____________________________________________________________________

      He was back in his spot watching TV by the time she got out of the bathroom. He looked up when she entered the room. His jaw dropped. She was wearing her sexy black, knee-length gown. His favorite. “No fair!” he complained.

      “What do you mean?” she innocently asked, following his eyes to her gown. It was her old black one. Her favorite.

      “That gown is way too sexy. You’re not supposed to be trying to get me in bed.”