Rita’s relationship with a younger man has evolved dramatically since they first met at a ramblers’ club 18 months ago. What started out as a hot, sweaty vacation romance has blossomed into a long-term commitment. Now, Rita is courageously challenging her sense of longing and passion. The man’s marital status makes her position much more complicated. Both the practitioners and the children face an intricate matrix of emotion that lies before them.
In the very first moment that Rita met him, she was struck with immediate attraction. While being at their Freshman Follies group rehearsal, their flirtation turned into a fiery attraction. Rita had a bad case of shyness about her body that persisted, especially now that she’s in her sixties. She wrestled for months with the confidence to make a move beyond platonic conversation.
When she did indeed make the jump, it was with an eye towards our getting to spend a lot more time together. Rita made up an excuse to have him over and eventually asked Michael if she could kiss him. This fateful moment was the start of their close relationship, which soon blossomed into something greater than just a romantic connection.
Over a year ago, Rita sunk deep into her comfy living room couch. It was in that cramped room that she and this man cemented their bond of marriage. Their meeting, a hypercharged act of corporeal joy, was a deeper spiritual awakening in their relationship. As their relationship developed, Rita learned that her desire for him was unending. In light of the obstacles that his marital status created, she drew comfort from his sincerity and from the emotional bond they had established.
As time passed, Rita’s feelings deepened. The passion of their sexual trysts shifted into a spiritual and deeper bond. They focused on a Tantric style to their sex life. Instead, their focus was on emotional intimacy and empathy, making deep connection more important than just physical pleasure. The change created space for Rita to indulge her wishes more freely, while building a greater sense of trust between them.
The specter of his imperiled marriage hangs heavy over their romance. Yet Rita knows what a terrible predicament he is in. Though he sings about his very deep love for her, he’s still loyal to his wife, creating an interesting push and pull in their relationship. Though Rita is motivated by her love, she often reflects on what it means that their love can’t be free of cost.
In America’s capitalist patriarchy, in navigating this intense trying not to bean emotional longing, Rita discovers herself torn. She grapples with her love for a man who is not entirely hers while considering the impact on his existing commitments. Her experience illustrates the balance between passion and prudence, as she considers if and how to proceed, given the long-term implications for their partnership.