The kitchen clock ticked away the seconds. A single lamp on the counter bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, casting long, dancing shadows across the floor. Nina sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a mug of steaming tea, her eyes fixed on the swirling steam. The warmth seeped into her palms, a salve to the chill that had settled in her bones during the day.

The refrigerator hummed, a comforting sound replacing the house’s silence after Gerald left for work. Before she had arrived home, of course. Another note of a dinner raincheck sitting on the table for her to find. She ignored the note and its effect on her. Nina blinked the wetness out of her eyes, trying to push away the thoughts of loneliness and longing.

She sipped her tea, and the liquid burned her tongue, but she welcomed the pain. It distracted her from the ache in her chest, a reminder she was still alive. Nina set the mug down, her eyes scanning the kitchen. It was spotless now, but it felt empty without Gerald’s presence.

Nina sighed, leaning back in her chair, and let her eyes wander to the clock. The hands were creeping towards midnight, and she realized she had been sitting there, melancholy, for hours. She became restless.

She stood up, her chair scraping against the wooden floor, and made her way to the living room. The kitchen light weakly illuminated the otherwise dark room. She flicked on the lamp, the soft glow brightening the space. Memories filled the room, along with photographs of happier times and the echoes of laughter.

A gentle rapping came at her front door. A faint echo of the familiar barbershop jingle drifted in.

“Rosa,” Nina whispered to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. Her best friend was nothing if persistent. Like her and Gerald, Nina and Rosa grew up together. It wasn’t until college that Nina learned how much of a free spirit Rosa was. Although Rosa proclaimed to the world her sexual prowess with men, her relationships with women remained a subject of whispers.

Nina made her way to the door and swung it open, revealing Rosa standing on the porch, her fur coat collar turned up against the cold and a bottle of wine tucked under her arm. She epitomized warmth and vitality, despite her cheeks flushing from the chill.

“It’s about time you answered the door,” Rosa said, pushing past Nina and into the house. “I’ve been standing out there freezing my butt off for what seems like ages.”

Nina laughed, closing the door behind her. “You could have called. I might have been asleep.”

Rosa scoffed, kicking off her boots and hanging her fur on the hook by the door. “Please, Nina. You’re about as predictable as the sunrise. I knew you’d be up, moping around like a lost puppy.”

Nina rolled her eyes, but her smile tugged at her lips. Rosa had a knack for cutting through the nonsense and going straight to the point. A blessing and a curse. “Fair enough. What brings you to my door so late on a Saturday evening?”

Rosa held up the bottle of wine, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Sunday morning, and I come bearing gifts.” Rosa said. She set the wine bottle on the counter and began rummaging through the cabinets, pulling out two glasses. “I figured you could use a little pick-me-up.”

Nina watched her friend with amusement. “Most people would check first if their married friend was being intimate with her husband before they imposed. You, however, show up unannounced with wine. You’re thoughtful or reckless, depending on how you look at it.”

Rosa laughed, a sound full of life and energy. “I figured, if I’m going to be reckless, do it with style.” She poured two generous glasses of wine and handed one to Nina.

“Besides,” she started, picking up the raincheck note and reading it, “we both know you wouldn’t be intimate with Gerald at this hour.... Love the heart dotting the ‘i’ in dinner, by the way. So cute,” Rosa said, winking at Nina as she set the note down. “Now, drink up. You look like you’ve been sucking on lemons all day.”

Nina took the glass, the rich aroma filling her nostrils. She took a sip, the liquid warm and smooth as it slid down her throat. The tension in her shoulders eased, the warmth of the wine spreading through her like a gentle embrace as she walked back to the living room.

“Better?” Rosa asked, her eyes soft with concern, following close behind.

Nina nodded, taking another sip. “Much. Thank you, Rosa. I needed that,” Nina said as the wine’s warmth spread through her. “If you only understood how much.”

Rosa raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and assessing. “I think I have a pretty good idea... rainchecks are code for cheating, you know,” Rosa said, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and concern as she sat on one of the two sofas facing a dark hardwood coffee table. “Gerald’s a good man, but he’s been working long hours, and you’ve been... you.”

Nina bristled at Rosa’s words but acknowledged the truth in them. She took another sip of wine, the liquid courage giving her the strength to face the reality of her situation. “Well, if that’s true, then I’ve been cheating too. I’ve left my fair share of rainchecks.” Nina sighed, setting her glass down on the coffee table, but continuing to stand.

“Wait, was your comment about cheating hyperbole, or do you have a target?” Rosa asked, crossing her legs, her split skirt riding up to reveal more skin. Rosa exhibited more daring, more freedom than Nina. Even in a split skirt and high heels, she looked comfortable and confident. She commanded attention, searing any room she entered.

Nina sighed, running a hand through her hair, her wedding ring snagging on a few silver strands. She took a deep breath before her thoughts exploded into a frenzied rant. “Of course I don’t have a target, Rosa. It’s just that there’s this young couple, Rachel and Liam. They work at Rudolph’s. They’re always so full of energy. And Rachel, she’s... different. She has a way of making me feel seen. Like I’m not just some middle-aged woman balancing a second job and a husband who’s never home.”

She paused as she kicked off her slippers. “But I am that middle-aged woman. It’s undeniable. I’m stuck in this rut, and I can’t get out. Watching them, it’s like a glimpse into a world I’ve forgotten existed. Where people are content, free, not... trapped.” Nina finished, the last word said with a hint of frustration. She sat down, her body sinking into the familiar embrace of the worn-out sofa. She stared at the coffee table, her eyes tracing the swirling patterns of the wood grain.

Rosa leaned forward with a serious expression. “Nina, listen to me. It’s normal to experience this. You’re going through a midlife crisis. It’s a phase, and it’s okay to feel lost or uncertain. It’s okay to... act on those feelings.”

Nina looked up, meeting Rosa’s gaze. “What do you mean, act on them?”

Rosa leaned back, taking a sip of her wine before setting the glass down. “I mean, you need to shake things up a bit. Remind yourself that you’re still alive and have a lot to offer. You need to find your spark again, Nina. If sparking a connection means flirting, or more, with Rachel, then so be it.”

“Why did you mention Rachel and not Liam? I don’t know whether to be offended or just confused.” Nina blurted out.

Rosa chuckled, a low, sultry sound filling the room. “Please, Nina. I don’t mince words. It’s clear as day Rachel is the one who flustered you.”

Nina looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her sweatshirt. “Rosa, I’m unsure what you mean. I’m a married woman, for heaven’s sake. I can’t just go around... flirting with someone else’s girlfriend. Especially not someone so young, like Rachel. It’s wrong.”

Rosa leaned forward again with a smirk. “You’re being ridiculous, Nina. It isn’t wrong to acknowledge when someone finds you attractive. I’m saying you should let loose and have some fun. You deserve it.”

Nina sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know, Rosa. It’s not who I am.”

“Here, describe to me what happened today.” Rosa said as she glided from her sofa to Nina’s, plopping down next to her and tucking her legs up underneath her. Rosa focused her gaze on Nina, her voice softening as she spoke. “Don’t leave out any details. I want to know everything.”

Nina hesitated, her eyes flicking away from Rosa’s intense gaze. She took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her wineglass as she gathered her thoughts. “It was an unremarkable day. I woke up, got ready for work, and then I started my deliveries. However... I can’t stop thinking about how Rachel looked at me, how she touched me...”

“Touching, good, good, where?” Rosa asked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

Nina took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “It was just a small touch. She was helping me load packages into my Dodge, and she... ran her fingers down the back of my thigh, commenting on my tights. She loved the color and how the metal flakes sparkled in the light.” Nina’s voice faltered. “I can’t explain why, but it made me feel... seen.”

Rosa ran her fingers up and down Nina’s hip. “Like this?” she asked, her fingers mimicking Rachel’s touch. “Right here?” Rosa’s voice was low, almost hypnotic. Nina nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into the touch. The warmth of Rosa’s touch seeped through the fabric, and she let out a soft sigh, her body relaxing into the sensation.

Rosa’s fingers continued around to Nina’s front, her touch light and teasing. “You mentioned Liam as if you found him attractive. Why?” Rosa asked, as an interrogator would, her fingers now gliding up and down Nina’s lower abdomen. “And don’t you dare lie, Nina. I know you too well.”

Nina hesitated, her eyes fluttering open as she met Rosa’s gaze. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wineglass. The liquid rippled against the sides, a soothing sound that seemed to calm her nerves. “It’s just... he’s so strong, so capable. Perhaps that explains my leer. And I know it’s shallow, but he is handsome, too. His eyes... well, they’re... kind.” Nina’s voice trailed off. She sensed the heat of Rosa’s gaze on her, and she shuddered, trying to ignore the touch of Rosa’s fingers.

“Well, well, well. It seems like you’ve been holding out on me, Nina. You’ve been keeping secrets. I like it,” Rosa said, a wicked grin spreading across her face. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Back to Rachel. She’s the one who made you all hot and bothered, right?” Rosa’s fingers continued lower, teasing the edge of Nina’s mound. “Let me explain why. Rachel saw you leering at Liam. She knew then that you were interested in him. She wanted to make sure you were interested in her too, so they could share you, as they share everything.” Rosa surmised, her lips brushing Nina’s ear as she spoke.

Nina shivered as Rosa’s warm breath touched her skin. “No, no,” she protested.

“You know I’m right, Nina,” Rosa whispered, her fingers flicked Nina’s folds through her yoga pants, “Rachel wondered if you were open... to more.”

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. She scooted away from Rosa. “Rosa, that’s... ridiculous. I’m a married woman. I mean, Gerald and I have been distant of late, but that doesn’t mean I should just... throw myself at the first attractive person who comes my way.” Nina said with a firm but hushed tone, trying to convince herself as much as Rosa.

Rosa raised her voice. “Oh, Nina, you’re missing the point! I’m not saying you should throw yourself at anyone. I’m just saying you should be open to the possibilities. Life is short. You deserve to have some fun. You deserve to feel alive again.”

Nina sighed, taking another sip of her wine. The liquid courage started taking effect, and she felt her inhibitions loosening. “Okay... I’ll try to be more open... to possibilities. But I still think you’re wrong about Rachel and Liam.”

“Good enough,” Rosa said, withdrawing her hand from Nina, grabbing her wine glass and raising it in a toast. “To new possibilities and old friends.”

Nina clinked her glass against Rosa’s. “To new possibilities.” She said with a smirk.

They both took a sip, the wine warm and smooth. Rosa set her glass down, her eyes meeting Nina’s.

“Now, tell me more about Liam,” Rosa said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What made you leer at him, and how big was it?”

Nina laughed, a sound full of life. “Oh, Rosa, you are incorrigible...”