Summary

Rudy, a man going through a difficult divorce, finds a potential romantic interest in Daphne, a new teacher in town, only to have the budding relationship marred by an unexpected and off-putting discovery.

Abstract

The narrative revolves around Rudy, who is recovering from a painful and costly divorce. His friend Mel and Mel's wife devise a plan to introduce Rudy to Daphne, a 5th-grade teacher from Georgia, in the hopes that a new romance might ease his heartache. Rudy is initially captivated by Daphne's charm and physical attractiveness, reminiscent of his idealized cheerleader from his days of watching SEC football games. After a few dates, their relationship progresses to a physical level, and Rudy is enamored with Daphne's beauty and the intimate moments they share. However, his illusions are shattered when he inadvertently overhears something unexpected coming from the bathroom, followed by the sight of a toilet seat imprint on Daphne's buttock and a noticeable body odor. This revelation leads to a swift end to their encounter, leaving Rudy to reflect on the experience as a bittersweet memory of passion and disillusionment.

Opinions

Mel's wife believes that Rudy needs to meet someone new to move past his divorce, suggesting a "female equivalent of the 'hair of the dog that bit him'".
Daphne is perceived as an embodiment of Rudy's past fantasies, with her Southern charm and physical allure.
Rudy's initial enthusiasm for Daphne is based on her appearance and the idea of being with a woman from the South.
The narrative implies that physical attraction and shared interests can be significant factors in forming new relationships after a divorce.
The author uses the metaphor of a "big red circle" to symbolize the end of Rudy's romantic illusion about Daphne.
Rudy's reflection on the encounter suggests a wistful acceptance of the imperfections in romantic partners and the complexity of human desire.

Sexual Disillusion

When he first saw her he thought she was possibly the most sexually attractive woman he’d ever seen.

Not that she was perfect, no one is.

His name is Mel and he is Rudy’s work out buddy at the gym.

They had known each other for over 5 years when Rudy and his wife split.

It would be an understatement to say the divorce proceedings were acrimonious. The divorce may have been the most expensive emotionally as well as financially that Mel’s firm had ever handled.

Yes, the work out buddy had turned into Rudy’s divorce attorney.

Mel hated to see Rudy’s anguish. He felt it frustrating that he couldn’t think of a thing he could do to help his friend out of his funk.

Mel asked his wife for advice.The 2 couples had been out to dinner a few times when Rudy and his wife’s relationship was unraveling. Mel’s wife had taken an immediate liking to Rudy while not sharing the same attraction for his wife.

Mel’s wife thought the problem over for a few days and came up with a possible solution.

Daphne

In talking with Mel the next day after work, Mel’s wife made the following suggestion:

What Rudy may need is a female equivalent of the “hair of the dog that bit him,” perhaps another woman who could cure him of his current broken heart syndrome.

The solution according to Mel’s wife was as close as the classroom next to hers in Fanning Middle School.

Its name was Daphne.

Daphne was the 5th grade teacher who had recently moved and was welcomed into to the Camden NJ school system from Dalton, Georgia. She had moved to South Jersey to escape. What from, Mel’s wife left the cause up to his imagination.

She suggested a dinner for the 2 couples on Saturday.

At first Mel was a little reluctant to agree, rebound romance and all that but his wife was insistent.

In posing his wife’s proposal to Rudy he was surprised at Rudy’s enthusiasm for the idea.

The mere prospect of meeting someone new seemed to spark Rudy’s range of pleasure neurotransmitters.

“Besides, Rudy said, he’d never gone out with a woman from the South.”

Rudy went on to say that he loved watching South Eastern Conference football games and comparing cheer leaders with those of teams from the other conferences. The southern contingent, no matter who was cheering for which was always the winner of his impromptu beauty contest.

Saturday arrived and so did Rudy, early.

He must have been excited.

Daphne came, fashionably late but was worth the wait.

A green eyed blonde, she seemed straight off the top of the pyramid cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs. Or at least she could have been.

The night revealed a firecracker personality that drew all of them to her effervescence.

Rudy was smitten.

What divorce?

Rudy’s Story:

God, that Daphne was something! She was my fantasy in high school, college and graduate school.

If I could pick out her most extraordinary feature, it was her — everything!

She seemed attracted to me.

We saw each other a 2nd time.

On the 3rd date, when we achieved a comfortable level with each other, we made plans to spend the night.

I’ll never forget seeing Daphne totally nude in the bathroom after some very satisfying sex, combing her beautiful blonde hair, looking into the mirror reflecting her green eyes.

She wasn’t aware of my gaze.

She was attending to the wonderful feminine chores that women do having received as well as gifted her lover everything within her considerable power.

I reminded myself to never forget that moment.

The perfection of the feminine body on display — in that bathroom — .at that time. Beautiful curves on natures erotic highway.

Suddenly, Daphne turn and saw me staring.

A shy coquettish smile graced her lips which she pursed and rewarded me by blowing a brief air kiss.

And with that, she gently shut the bathroom door.

I heard her turn on the shower to wash the male pleasure off her secret places.

Damn, this was the first time I was relaxed and happy since the horrible debacle known as my divorce!

I lay back in Daphne’s bed and turned on the television with her remote. I was trying to find the channel for the Penn State game.

I heard a strange noise from the bathroom competing to be heard over the rush of the shower water.

There, I heard it again!

It couldn’t be, my perfect Daphne.

Again! Louder and more distinct!

Again, again and again!

I heard the toilet flush,

Daphne shut off the shower,

The bathroom door opened and my lover emerged. As she walked by me I noticed a red circle imprint of the toilet seat on her shapely butt.

She smelled a little gamey too.

I gathered my clothes and mentioned that it was time for me to go.

She made no attempt to convince me to stay.

Memories:

Much older now, my erotic experiences are mostly confined to memories.

I try to remember that night in Daphne’s bedroom. The erotic experience we shared.

Not love but — nature.

All I can think of is a big red circle.

I do remember thanking Mel and his wife for trying.