Swing Shift [FICTOID]

Frank and Carla were sleeping their way across the country. 

To save money on their trip, Frank suggested they arrange a series of sleepover playdates with other couples along the way.

Something about Frank’s idea bothered Carla.  She didn’t object to playing with strange couples -- she and Frank participated in the lifestyle for years -- but the idea of trading sex for food and lodging seemed to be…well…if not borderline prostitution certainly close enough to wave at it. 

Still, it wasn’t as if they never did this sort of thing before, and they openly told the couples they contacted online that they were traveling across country, and she did veto a few couples where she felt either no connection or a bad vibe, so she just shrugged and went along with his plan. 

Gomez and Maria operated an old style motor-court motel in New Mexico, a cluster of incongruous concrete igloos that afforded all the modern amenities travelers might desire. 

Carla felt amused when she first saw Gomez’ picture -- He does look like Gomez from The Addams Family! -- but in their online chats came across as very warm and personable. 

Maria was a new mom.  She and Gomez played a bit before deciding to have a baby, and now jokingly said they “wanted to get back in the swing of things” again. 

Carla suspected Maria postpartum wanted to feel reassured she was still attractive and desirable.  She didn’t begrudge Maria that. 

They arrived at the motel shortly before nightfall.  The largest igloo -- three times the size of the rented units -- served as a combination office and home for Gomez and Maria. 

“We hire a night clerk to check people in after dark,” Gomez said.  “We’ll be fine in our apartment.” 

Maria fixed dinner for them, they had some wine, smoked some grass, engaged in some chitchat.  The baby slept soundly.  Carla felt a little odd playing with a baby in the house but Gomez rolled the crib into the main bedroom so the two couples could play in the guest room.  

They got undressed and just started playing when the baby started crying.

“I’m sorry, I’ll take care of him,” Maria said. 

On other occasions with other couples there had been times when one player excused themselves to wash up or get a drink and Carla felt no qualms on those occasions to continue playing as a threesome until the fourth partner returned.

But this felt different, not a personal need or convenience but a baby crying for his mother. 

It didn’t feel right to Carla, so she said, “Do you need any help?” and hopped out of bed to follow Maria. 
Gomez and Frank chuckled but said nothing.

Maria held the baby, gently patting his back.  “He’s a little colicky,” she said.  “I’ll give him some formula, that should quiet him down.”

“Want me to hold him?” Carla said.

Maria smiled and handed her son over.

Carla stood by the crib, holding the baby, patting his back, gently swaying.  She bore no maternal instincts, deciding as a little girl she would never bring a baby into the world to run the risk of suffering the same abuse she did as a child, but found holding the baby seemed as soothing to her as to the child.

It’s the human touch, she realized.  When was the last time I physically interacted with another human being other that to have sex?

Frank wasn’t cruel or abusive, but neither was he kind or loving.  Early in their relationship Carla recognized neither of them could ever be exclusively monogamous — and to be honest, more than once when Frank irritated her she banged a guy on the sly to secretly get back at him (Just as he banged gals to get back at me.) — but their relationship always seemed more transactional than emotional. 

Frank sought sexual variety.  So did Carla, but not to Frank’s level.  They never dated exclusively and after officially becoming a couple kept an open relationship, so when Frank suggested experimenting in the lifestyle, it didn’t take much to persuade her. 

The joke in swinging circles was that the man got a couple into the lifestyle but the woman kept them there.  That wasn’t the case with Frank and Carla.  Frank remained both instigator and perpetuator.  

Maria came back with the bottle.  Carla handed her the infant and sat on the bed by them, watching Maria feed her son.

Carla felt an odd longing.  Holding the child, she felt she shared a genuine moment with him when n either wanted anything from the other beyond the comfort of their presence.

Gomez and Frank stood in the door, looking bemused.  “How is he?” Gomez asked.

“He’s okay,” said Maria, “but he may wake up again.”

Carla looked at the two men.  “Sorry guys,” she said.  “Mood’s broken.” 

Gomez and Frank shrugged — what else could they do?  “These things happen,” Gomez said.  He came in and sat beside Maria, stroking their child’s hair.

Carla wistfully realized she didn’t belong there and went into the guest bedroom with Frank.

She really wasn’t in the mood but knew it would be quicker and easier to fake an orgasm and let Frank have some fun than try to explain to him why she wasn’t in the mood, much less why she would never be in the mood with him again.

They needed to meet two more couples before they returned home.  Carla would fulfill her promises and perform enthusiastically for them and Frank, but once she got home she knew she was leaving him.

© Buzz Dixon