Cuck; Part 1

Rodney frowned from behind an expense report. He wasn’t irritated by the numbers. It was a standard weekly review… No. The problem was Peter. Something was different about him. Rodney watched Peter present the week’s schedule with his typical vigor. That wasn’t different. The ship was sailing smoothly, and yet something had changed.

Things were running too smoothly, Rodney realized, baffled. But why? Rodney puckered his lips, pensively.

“And I think the final copy, with design, can be printed and ready for review by Friday if we really push it. Iz, what do you think?” Peter glanced at Iz for confirmation.

“Definitely doable. I’ll add it to my list.” Iz confirmed without looking up.

“Great. Now, Jamilla, what has the distribution team said about the February release date?” Peter continued.

Everything was fine. Rodney exhaled, deflated. There didn’t seem to be anything noticeably out of the ordinary, but it felt like something invisible was tickling the tip of his nose. Even if he couldn’t see it, he could feel the difference. But Rodney wasn’t a superstitious man. If there was something going on beyond a suspicion, it would reveal itself in due time, besides, he had bigger things to worry about.

They were coming upon their anniversary party. Friday marked the eighth year of operation for Windsor & Feldman. Oh the risks they had taken, pooling together their savings and accumulated contacts, opening up an actual brick and mortar in this “digital age,” and yet somehow things had panned out. Four years in, they had managed to break even, and by year five they were turning a modest profit. It had been grueling at times, but Rodney was a patient man, at least when money was involved. He would count every quarter, dime, nickel, even the pennies when it came down to it.

The holiday party would allow everyone to blow off a little steam. It had been a busy, prosperous season. Rodney wasn’t fond of the idea of pausing for frivolity, but Peter had convinced him of it, as he was known to do.

“Not everyone’s a steady work horse like you,” Peter had cajoled.

Rodney was a bit ruffled by the comment, unenthused by being compared to livestock, but there was some truth to it. Rodney didn’t like breaks or particularly care for socializing. He could keep his nose to the ground, for how long, even he didn’t know. For him, work was liberation. He knew the rules of the game, what his role was, and felt free within his constraints. Besides, who would want to spend after work hours with their coworkers? Regardless of his feelings, he had given the greenlight for the party, and had done his best to make it a respectable affair. Nice location, catering, an open tab, and free reign over the music choices.

Everyone was permitted to bring a friend or significant other. Jade, Rodney’s wife, also did not enjoy being dragged out to socialize. They suited each other: two hermetic workaholics cohabitating. Rodney regularly stayed working late into the evening, as did Jade, who owned a real estate firm in Midtown. Their marriage was puzzling to most observers. It almost seemed as if they went out of their way to avoid interacting with each other. And yet, the anniversary party forced them together, at least somewhat. They had to be in the same room. Jade was notorious for her Irish Goodbye’s. She would materialize at some point, an elegant apparition lounging in some corner, and then suddenly she was nowhere to be found. Rodney knew better than to try and dictate Jade’s comings and goings. He spent all day wrangling his team. Jade could do whatever she wanted, in fact he encouraged her to do so. Rodney was old fashioned in many ways, but this was not one. If she could handle running her own company, she could surely handle her own personal affairs. He was just glad she chose to sleep beside him most nights.

After Rodney locked up the office, he rang Jade.

“Yes?” Jade asked impatiently.

“Jade, the party is beginning in a few hours. I emailed you the details--” Rodney began.

“Yes. I got it. 8 p.m. Astoria. Anything else?” She cut him off, as if he were some copy boy pestering her for a pen.

“Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to say that I love you. That’s all.” Rodney replied.

“Love you too, Roddy. See you at 8.”

The phone clicked as Jade hung up. She was a hard woman. Tough as nails. Cold and mostly impenetrable, and yet she loved him. Rodney knew it well enough. Ten years of sharing a bed together. Before either of them owned anything to speak of. Before it all.

Rodney took a cab to the restaurant. He was very early, as was his custom. He liked to iron out the details with a few hours to spare. He could sit down at a table alone with his laptop and loosen up over a few stiff drinks. He could clear out his inbox and draft emails for the following day. He had learned not to send them too soon, because he found some people responded too readily. He would reply to one thing, only to find minutes later that the recipient volleyed a response back full of new problems to solve and chores to do. But happy is the man who finds joy in his drudgery, or something like that.

At 7:45, Peter strode in, waving to Rodney with a hawk-eyed smile on his face. Rodney was thoroughly lubricated at that point, however he was never one to relax appearances. Perhaps the only giveaway was the affectionate manner in which he stood and hugged Peter in greeting. Rodney wasn’t much of a hugger of his own volition, that was Peter’s front. Peter, for his part, embraced the situation and made a mental note to keep an eye on Rodney.

“Still working, right until the party starts, my friend?” Peter ribbed.

“Oh, you know me. Nothing more fun than an empty inbox.” Rodney chuckled.

“The grind never ends.” Peter remarked.

“It surely doesn’t.” Rodney replied, solemnly.

Peter ordered a drink, checking his phone. It was an office party, but everyone knew the start time was somewhat inflexible. Except that it was a party, in which all things are flexible, by definition. But still!

Slowly but surely, people began trickling in. The restaurant wasn’t exactly a t-shirt and jeans sort of venue. Cocktail attire was the appropriate choice, yet somehow not everyone had read the email, or perhaps a few people willfully ignored Rodney’s suggestion. He saw navy blue office clothes; country club khakis and polos; a few appropriate trousers and button downs; and then of course, Iz.

Iz was a wildcard, which was perhaps why she and Peter seemed to get along together. Thick as thieves, those two. She had come in some kind of traditional “ethnic” dress with colorful embroidered designs that went all the way down to her feet. She had wrapped her hair in fabric that matched the dress, and wore earrings with bells that jingled wherever she went. She kept quite the high profile. Rodney didn’t understand it. Who would want that kind of attention? But it wasn’t up to him to decide. At least she didn’t look like a Dickies ad. Peter, for his part, seemed to perk up as soon as he noticed Iz’s arrival. He wasted no time making a beeline over to greet her.

Rodney checked his watch. It was nearly 8:15 and Jade was still nowhere to be found. “She should be arriving any minute now,” Rodney thought to himself. He realized he’d gotten all bunched up with worry. His shoulders were nearly up to his ears. He intentionally softened them down and dabbed his face with a napkin.

“Ah! There she was!”

Jade reclined at a table near a window, as nonchalant as if she’d been there the whole time. Rodney didn’t know when she’d arrived. Somehow she’d snuck past him, as was her custom. He always thought his wife would make an excellent spy. She seemed to materialize and vanish without a trace. That evening she wore a muted emerald green sleeveless dress with a Mandarin collar and slits on either side of her legs. Rodney took her in for a moment. She was stunning, almost untouchably so. At times he couldn’t fathom why she would choose to be with a man like him, but he also knew why she loved him. He would be anything for her. He would be the clay she could mold to her will; flatten and destroy when she wasn’t happy with her design; pick up again whenever she decided; and it was what he wanted. He was sure she could feel his eyes upon her, but she was allowing him to look. Her eyes flickered up suddenly and met his gaze, and then just as abruptly turned away. Rodney coughed, clearing his throat. It was time for him to give his toast.

“If I could just have everyone’s attention for a moment--!” Rodney paused, waiting for the crowd to settle. “As you all know, we are here tonight to celebrate our eighth year in operation!”

Everyone clapped politely, aside from Jade who gazed off preoccupied

“I just wanted to say that none of this would have been possible without your hard work and diligence. You’re truly the best team anyone could ask for, and I mean that. Thank you all for another great year. Please enjoy the buffet and don’t shy away from the bar! Cheers everyone!” Rodney finished without any charisma, raising his glass.

“Cheers!” Everyone replied, clapping again, relieved Rodney had managed to keep it brief.

Peter stepped beside Rodney, firmly patting his partner on the shoulder. He clinked his glass against Rodney’s.

“Nice speech. Sweet and simple.” Peter remarked.

“I know nobody is here to listen to me talk. They do that enough during the day.” Rodney replied dryly.

“A dash of humility!” Peter teased, “Good on you. Well! Here’s to us, a couple of geezers keeping on!”

Rodney didn’t particularly like being called a “geezer” but he cheersed anyway. He surveyed the room, searching for Jade. To his surprise, she was sitting, not alone but instead joined by Iz.

“What could they possibly be chatting about?” he wondered aloud.

Peter followed his gaze. Jade and Iz appeared to be engrossed in conversation. They were leaned in so close that their noses nearly touched. Peter reddened. Rodney glanced at him sideways.

“You okay, Pete?” Rodney inquired.

“Fine! Drink just hit me all of a sudden. Think I need some water.” Peter dipped over to the bar.

Iz, huh… Interesting. He never knew who his wife would pick. It was part of her magic. She knew what she wanted. Even after a decade with her, he still never quite knew. He’d never considered Iz that way-- as a woman. Or whatever she was. Sure, she was intelligent and incisive, which were attractive traits, but… He turned back to check on Peter who looked a bit green, slumped over the bar with a cup of water he held with both of his hands. What was up with him? Normally alcohol didn’t hit Peter so intensely. Rodney debated whether or not to check on his friend. When he turned back around he realized Jade and Iz were gone. He felt his pocket buzz. It was a message from Jade: “Entertaining a guest in the sun room. Don’t come in~”